i feel like a class traitor, a little bit. i just went to yale. it really is quite a beautiful campus, despite its eerie resemblance to duke--although, i guess all those rich white schools share the same basic gothic architecture. i went to go to a record store that my aunt told me about that's been around since the '40s. it's one of those places that felt too similar to schoolkids for me to not have a pang of nostalgia. but i'm proud to say, this place--cutler's--was worse. the music was notably more expensive and whoever put the cds and records out couldn't tell the difference between new and used. nonetheless, i bought lcd soundsystem's this is happening to satisfy an itch i've had for a while, and some of erik satie's piano pieces because it just felt right.
which reminds me: i never told you about ps1 and my roommates' show. ps1 was quite extraordinary. the building was u-shaped, leaving a courtyard perfect for the music. the bands set up at the top of the stairs leading into the museum (or is it a gallery?--i really can't figure that out). outside, there were hammocks, exercise balls bouncing around to sit on, these pipes all around that you could somehow control by phone, beer, and basic (and overpriced) cookout food. the art was great--weird and sometimes obscene and always original. one piece was a series of three framed pages. the first was a letter the artist received from his grandfather detailing the cemetery plot that the grandfather had given him, the second was a letter he sent moma explaining how he wanted to donate the plot to them, and the third was a blank page in lieu of moma's response. another was a stack of speakers (around 4' by 7') whose backs had been turned into a series of wires and tubes and guitar strings, making the whole thing into a giant instrument. most of the other installations were great too, but i don't dare attempt to describe them.
the show was also good. the free sangria was delicious, although i don't think the bartender saw me tip him, so i think he kind of hated me. i thought about picking the dollar back up and putting it down when he was looking, but then i thought about all the possible problems that could cause, so i sacrificed my reputation rather than risking further damage too it. the club was really cool too--there was this sculpture thing above the stage that looked like a giant cloud, and the banisters were made of pieced together moldings. it was also the most interesting collection of bands i've see play together. the first was a death cab for cutie-esque pop band with a horn section. the second (i think they were called metal trash heap or something similarly horrible and ridiculous) were an alice in chains wannabe grunge metal band that, surprisingly to me, got the entire crowd screaming. i may have even seen some devils horns thrown up, but maybe that was a delusion. my roommates were good though--they were called teen dream (which i guessing was chosen before the beach house album came out) and were a pop-punk band--pop-punk meaning like the jam or the undertones, not blink-182.
but, back to today, it was strange to not spend my birthday with everyone in chapel hill--especially considering the epic glory of this day last year (i'm allowing myself this one bragging right). but, all in all it was pretty good. i think i'm going to go in search of a good whiskey tonight after i get back to brooklyn to treat myself, just to end it properly.
wow, a lot in this one, sir! first, ps1 sounds like something a badass like mandey could do with a space like he's not, if a bunch of popped collar f*cktards didn't already infest the space. second, the bartender probably did see you, but had that air of "i'm gonna be stiffed all night, so if i don't know you, f*ck you." or maybe they didn't. really, it doesn't matter; you know you tipped and should there be a next time, you'll tip again; and that's because you're good people, matt, a sad rarity nowadays. yale, huh? have you been taking pictures? bet you got some awesome ones there if you have... small independent record stores are always kind of funny to me, it's like unqualified pretentiousness is a requirement for employment at most. for as much as i miss schoolkids, i've always liked cd alley better, since going to the one in greenville before shows, ah memories. i hope today was a good day for you, and that you found some good whiskey. i miss shooting games of pool with you. a little nostalgia's a good thing, from time to time, memories help give life continuity and a sense of progress; and you're making new ones everyday. take care of yourself, magellan.
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