Caruthers World

Had to dust this off..

2010-05-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

if only to briefly mention that the neighborhood we made famous is now being capitalized/exploited upon by gubernatorial-hopeful Bill Bradbury. Pretty sure I vomited in those bushes there at one point.

Check out Bill roll by CW HQ (aka mid 00's party ground zero) on his segway (at the 11 second mark approx.):

Bill Bradbury TV Commercial, Political Ad from Ryan McCarrel on Vimeo.

I wish I was too drunk to study!

2007-05-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Just a few more beers, and I'll be on easy street. School sux!

Love, Gillian

And now, for the memories.

2007-04-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

I could probably tell a story about each title. That's kind of sad. Instead, I will keep it mildly sad, and post a few highlights.

1943- I'll kick it off with something that doesn't even really belong here, because this memory is from playing this game in the arcade. Anyway, it was at Games People Play in Clackamas (R.I.P.). I beat this game two-player with a stranger kid at a coin-op there. We exchanged high fives. Even at the time, when I was probably like 9 years old, I found it kind of strange that I high fived a stranger.

Adventure Island- I'm good at this one.

Adventure Island II- Abra's good at this one. Once we tried to beat it during a Nintendo slumber party. We came damn close.

Adventure of Link (Zelda II)- John Keane is good at this one.

Adventures of Lolo 2- After Jules and I conquer part one of this maddening puzzler, he dropped off part 2 at my place while I was gone. Attached was a post-it "THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES... (heart) Julio"

Amagon- Actual conversation: "Amagon?? Amagoff!!!"

Bases Loaded- Wisely, my brother chose this game as one of our first two cartridges when we got our NES way back in '87. Or was it '88?

Bible Adventures- (and every other unlicensed Jesus game)- Never ending source of humor. Especially that one where you stack like 10 animals on your head. Was that a Noah-based game?

Bionic Commando- A game I've mastered. At one point, I subjected my Nintendo pals to watching me beat this game (and get to the climax with "Buff Hitler") so many times, that it became a joke that I would turn it on just to hear people groan.

Blades of Steel- I usually end up getting whooped by Littlewood at this, whenever Littlewood is in town.

Bo Jackson Baseball- This game started the phenomenon between my friends of mimicking when Nintendo tries to "talk". You know, when it eeks out some horrible digitized voicing? "HE WAS SAFE BY A MILE!" "YOUUU'RE OUT!"

Bubble Bobble- Or, as Schoeck referred to it as "Bubble Boggle". Yeah, I guess that's not that clever.

California Games- This was for some reason the official pastime during Club Wash breaks of rehearsal. That, and walking to the Woodstock Safeway.

Color a Dinosaur- Yeah, I guess at some point, we were trying to get every cartridge. We didn't come that close, and we are stuck with "Color a Dinosaur".

Conflict- Probably a terrible game. I just remember a couple guys arguing over something, super-heated style. And then this game cartridge was wedged between them to, I guess, work it out. True story.

Cowboy Kid- This game is often quick to be brought up when reminiscing about our old Nintendo days. We tried to beat this game on several occasions, to little or no luck. Finally, we reach the last boss of the game, only to have it reset accidentally by then little Greg Fisk. I think he was playing with a 9 volt battery? Or maybe a AA. Anyway, he dropped it on the reset button, as if on cue, as older brother David and I were about to conquer it. Needless to say, we stopped inviting him over to our Nintendo parties. Now of course, he is cooler than all of us combined.

Crystalis- This game was pretty much worshiped by all Cooper children, and me of course as well.

Double Dragon II- Watching Julio play this is like watching the Mona Lisa being painted right before your eyes. G-R-A-S-P!

Double Dribble- This game is often brought up between my brother and I as we watch actual NBA games together. This game invented the "sweet spot" on the court.

Dragon Warrior (1-4)- I don't care what you say, these games are the best. I'm going to name my first born Erdrick. Tena said she was worried about her son's mind getting warped from watching Madison play them. But then, I am quick to ask "Do you think I am warped?"

Excitebike- Kick ass.

Faxanadu- I remember encouraging Kevin Fisk to beat this game, with the same passion of a father encouraging his son to do well in school. This was dubbed by Kevin as being the brownest game of all time. I can't disagree.

Gold Medal Challange '92 (or as known by its fans "Capcom Games!!!")- My only emo moment in this post- I remember the Cooper kids and I getting super stoked on this one during the '96 games in Atlanta. I remember having such a fun time, that I looked forward to the next Summer games so we could all play again! But then I had a sinking feeling realizing that that in 2000, Abra was going to not live in Portland, and that I would probably find Nintendo to be super juvenile. Turns out I was dead wrong about the juvenile thing. Only the coolest still play NES. And anyway, I'm pretty sure we've dusted off Capcom games here and there since 2000. So there!

Gun.Smoke- AKA "Shoots n' Boots".

Jeopardy! Junior Edition- Jon Ericsen had this weird thing about getting game show adaptations. And then playing them a lot. I think his favorite part was giving the already goofy looking contestants silly names. Like "Rex". Or "Hank".

King's Quest V- There exists a picture of me celebrating beating this game. What about you???

Legend of Zelda- Best memory of my time living in NE was beating this in the basement. It was like 100 degrees, and I was just wearing swimming trunks, trying to beat the heat, and avoid people. Sounds awesome, huh? Well it was jerk.

Lunar Pool- It would be embarrassing if you knew how much I played this one. Lunar Pool? Like, what? The only cooler game is Magic Darts.

Magic Darts- Not that Abra hadn't met him before, but I remember one of the first times I invited her to hang out with John Keane and myself, we passed the time playing this one. That's about it for that story.

Mega Man 2- Julio and I dueted on guitars trying to play the intro music to this one. That wouldn't be our only video game jam session, sadly. Wait, I thought I was done with emo moments.

Metroid- The first night Gilly was ever in Portland, she watched David Fisk beat this in one sitting (the only way to do it, now) with all of us. At that point, I knew she was good people.

Mickey Mousecapade- I think it was Josh who agreed with me, that there was something kind of creepy about this one.

Race America- A certain ex girlfriend that will remain nameless here once walked out of the house in total frustration due to me playing this one in the middle of the night with some pals, and not paying enough attention to her. Probably made worse by the fact that this game is god awful, and she knew that. And that somehow I was playing it instead of hanging out with her. Life is complicated sometimes, okay? Race America!

Rampage- I beat this one with Brennan. Yes, I co-beat Rampage. I know, I know.. you said it couldn't be done. But believe me. All 50 states. I think we felt bad for ourselves at the time, and we weren't even teens yet probably.

Shinobi- The first anything that was moved into Caruthers during our stay here.

Street Fighter 2010- The game that made Brennan Cooper the man that he is today. God bless Capcom.

Super Mario Bros. 3- If I don't ever turn out to do anything worthwhile in this world, well at least I can beat this one without warping. See, I am to good at something!

Tecmo Super Bowl- I once thought I was invincible. Then God sent me Joe and Madison to test me. The results have been mixed. Actually, mixed is a bit generous.

Vice: Project Doom- I think they named this after a Club Wash song? Couldn't be a coincidence.

Willow- Actually overheard by the store clerk selling this to us: "Dude! Willow's sick!"

If anyone missed the link from the last post, here is the (final? nahh..) list of the games that I have. Mostly acquired by Julio, Kevin Fisk, and myself.

And if you have the urge to see someone beat Bionic Commando, give me a call please, cause these games are fuckin dusty as hell.

B

Now You're Playing With Power

2007-04-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for Easter...

2007-04-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

...the crafts way. Thank you, Foamies.

March 28th! Get your rock pants on!

2007-03-22T00:09:00.000-07:00

This show is going to feature not one, not two, but three members of the warehouse, rocking in their own bands respectively. It's also going to feature the debut of QB Eagles' set devoted entirely to nu-Green Day inspired ballads, all acoustic, directed mainly at getting on the ending montages of popular sitcoms (very special episodes) and CW network dramas. Think "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)", but with more emotion and much more slow motion imagery. Think Madison perched upon a tall stool and wielding a sunburst acoustic guitar. Now, picture us all having the time of our livez.

Also, look out for the exciting photo set of me and Margot's wacky times in Washington.

I would type more, but I just watched the two parter series finale of Fresh Prince, and I really think I am spent for the evening.

-BB

Rook of the Year

2007-03-05T01:08:00.000-08:00

So apparently the Blazers have launched some sort of "campaign" to get Brandon Roy the Rookie of the Year nod. Is that something that teams normally do? I have no idea. Check it out. The cut out masks are a nice touch.
Speaking of that, clicking around on this site, I stumbled upon this .mp3 which is apparently someone's ode to said R.O.Y. effort. Hearing this, I can only think that this is one of those crazy .mp3s that Kevin would have screamed and summoned me into his room to hear (like when he found that Rhymefest song that sampled the NBA on NBC theme).
The lyrics are hilarious. If anyone can find out more about this song, other than it seems to have originated somehow from 1080 AM The Fan, please let me know. Even though I know it isn't, I like to pretend that this is actually Brandon Roy rapping. And that not-so-subtle reference about "packing a gat" inspires Sebastian Telfair to comeback with some dis track back. Anyway, check it out:

MP3: "Rook of the Year" By: ???

Bad word

2007-02-25T23:33:00.000-08:00

Gillian has a theory, that I'm sure she can't claim to being the first to coin. But it is a good theory. It bothers her when someone calls someone else a "slut" or is "slutty", because in reality that person using that word is either a) jealous, and wishes they could have as much fun as the "slut", or b) wishes they could have sex with that slut, but can't. It makes sense, right? Why else would the person be offended by the sluttiness so much?
Anyway, I have a theory as well. The same slut theory can also be applied to the word "scenester" or "hipster", which I think is an especially common put down in Portland. You know what? If you are so offended by someone who you think is being too hipster or too exclusive, then you yourself are probably either a) jealous, and wish you could have as much fun as them, or b) wish you could have sex with that person. Or at least hang out with this someone that you don't know anything about.

Finally!

2007-02-20T22:14:00.000-08:00

Finally, there is a social networking website worthy of my time. Behold iamatrailblazersfan.com:

http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/sports/users/1003035/index.html

I hope to do most of my future socializing and networking exclusively through this site. See you around there! It is even more fun to sign up as the Blazers show the Jazz that they are ready to finish the season strong. Big ups to my twin separated at birth, Dan Dickau, in a huge game. But it still wasn't enough to get rewarded with "favorite player" status.

-B

Uhm, hi.

2007-02-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

In an effort to be more like my man Crumbs, I have created an account on Flickr. Here it is. I will try and put some interesting stuff on there. Any requests on subjects or compositions?

More:

Show with the 'Lades went great. Those guys can sure make a drummer feel welcome. It has been some time since I felt eyes sting from excess sweat while performing. Any good feelings immediately following the show were quickly set aside as I realized my body odor was reaching critical point. Tequila shots following the show (apparently a tradition with the band) was a nice uplifting moment. It almost beat our pre-show prayer.
Just kidding, there was no prayer. We did roast a goat in a hotel room in a satanic ritual though.
Also, plenty to look forward to with the QBs. A show at the Ash St. Saloon will happen in March, with two bands featuring my fellow Warehousers. Our last show at the Ash St. was one of my favorites. Going to try to get us recording more songs, as our not-recorded-as-of-yet songs are far eclipsing our recorded ones (did you know they are all up on our website? All 18 of them, for only .99 cents a track. Just kidding!). Anyway, the new songs are good! Madison got a new uke for Christmas, which has made us all step our game up just that much more.

Hope everyone has a great President's Day. -B

HNY2007!

2007-01-01T23:42:00.000-08:00

Caruthers World Saturday Night PHOTO ESSAY!!!!!!!!?!1111

2006-11-25T23:30:00.000-08:00

Making a mimosa in my stomach.

The loaf with 3 heels. Respect.

One for the future grandchildren.

Saturday night internet chat roomin'.

Emily and future Mac on a future date.

Kevin's new casual look at work.

Racist food I saw at Safeway.

Daily nutrients.

Peace, ganja, and kittens. An American tradition.

Korean thanksgiving.

Happy Monday!!!!!

2006-10-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

Seriously, stop smearing your shit everywhere.

You're On Notice!

2006-09-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

A Caruthers update

2006-09-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Remember Abra Cooper? Of course you do. Remember how she was struggling with an indentity crisis some time ago? Well let me refresh you.
If you check that link there, you will notice that none other than the "other" Abra Cooper has posted a reply to our beloved ex-roomie. Sounds like she is more than willing to claim ownership on the rights to the name, in fact more or less calling Abra T. Cooper out as a "lesser" Abra. Interesting stuff. I was hoping that we would get a post out of her for this recent turn of events. Abra T.? Anything to say for yourself??
-B

One thing that really bothers me (out of many).

2006-09-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find yourself without an umbrella or jacket, scrambling (like Randall Cunningham) during rainstorms from awning to awning, trying to find mere shreds of dry sanctuary? Well that doesn't bother me. Rain is only natural. It's bound to happen.
What does bother me, is when other people that DO have umbrellas for some reason hog all the space underneath said awnings, and don't even step aside for those without. It's like.. how many levels of shelter do you need? And how soaking wet do you want to see me get?
-B

?

2006-09-17T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well, this explains a lot about me...

2006-09-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

Martians + aboriginies = Asians?

ALSO!
I really don't want to go to work tomorrow morning, especially since I don't even need to be at work. Sometimes I really hate this whole "principled" part of me, where I suck it up and do what's right anyway precisely because it's right, even though it does not benefit me. So instead of sleeping in tomorrow morning, I get to conduct training at nine-thirty in the morning. I'm tempted to show up in something ridiculously absurd like a hockey jersey and swim trunks, but once again, this principled thing means I'll be in a suit, as always.

I realise that it's not good when Quasi's My Coffin comes on and I think to myself, "Yeah, I could totally relate to this song". I'm way too anxious these days.

-- Kevin

Gossip corner...

2006-08-31T00:04:00.000-07:00

1. So last weekend Emily made one of the best homemade meals I've ever had in my life, seriously. Try to get her to cook for you.

2. Kevin gave me a hug when I dropped him off at the airport, so don't believe him when he says he doesn't like to be touched.

Untitled (How Does it Feel?)

2006-08-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Emily..

2006-08-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

..got a mouse out of my room that wasn't completely dead yet. Thanks. Kevin was there for support too.
-B

Caruthers Essay Contest: "...And that's when I felt the most American I've ever felt in my life!" (20 words or less)

2006-08-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Entry #1: Brian Biggs

Went out to the Home Depot in Clackamas yesterday, bought a hot dog in the parking lot, and ate it. And that's when I felt the most American I've ever felt in my life!

WTF!?

2006-08-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

Seriously, no one has updated this thing since I left? I don't know if that means you guys are having too much fun or too much misery.

I'm here at the Hong Kong airport, waiting to board my flight to Hanoi. I've had an eventful stay in Hong Kong, which involved drinking copious amounts of alcohol, staying up/out until about four or five in the morning every morning, having to decide who I was going to focus my flirting energies on because there were too many options and ALMOST GETTING ARRESTED!

At this point, my run in with the police for the most bullshit excuses is more amusing than anything else, sort of like getting kicked out of the Doug Fir, if you will. Basically, I was sitting outside of a club by myself and happened to have two phones and two stashes of cash, since I was holding all this stuff for my friend Anna (see flirting energies above). The cops thought I stole this shit and then it looked worse since I had no identification on me SINCE I WAS PARANOID THAT SOMEONE WOULD STEAL MY SHIT. Oh, the irony... except I didn't know the word for irony in Cantonese. I ended up having to call my older cousin and having to have him speak to the cops for me and everything worked out.

Except that it basically sucked the fun out of my evening, since you know, I had to have a cop follow me into a club to go get Anna so that they would believe that I had her stuff because she told me to hold it for her. Then Anna proceeded to step in broken glass and cut up her foot and the clicher was some dude with a lip ring basically moving in on her. I lose!

Yes, this is really my life.

Love,
Kevin

PS -- Flirting options include Hot German Girl (Nicole), Super Cute Young-ish Hong Kong Girl (Anna... oh swoon!) and Half French/Chinese Perfect Cantonese Speaker (Judith). Actually, I think I said two words to Judith, but just wanted to mention her.

Upcoming attractions

2006-08-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

(Wouldn't it be sort of funny if someone referred to vomit as an "upcoming attraction"? Maybe it's just me...)

I'm too tired (and looking forward to playing yet another game of NHL 2005) to piece together anything good, but I do plan on posting soon about the following topics:

-- The Hugging Point
An examination of my hugging policies and basically why I am generally not a very huggy type of person.

-- The Pipettes
I don't get it. I have now decided that "Pull Shapes" is the most cheesy song of all time.

Earthquake? I had no idea...

Love,
Kevin

Personal to M.R.

2006-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

You're so right. I don't know what I was thinking, with the mid-day swipe. Things will be different now, I swear.
-BB

In other news..

2006-07-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

I musked up mid-day today. Meaning that I reapplied deodorant at lunch. Who here goes for an extra security swipe, just to be "sure"?? RAISE YOUR HAND! Just kidding. Not kidding about the reapplication though. That I am dead serious about.
-B

Classic Sports Rivalries

2006-07-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

So Kevin and I were talking about what we considered to be the most classic sports rivalries in history, and before we knew it we had an amazing list going on. I thought I would share a few with ya'll.

Best Foods v. Hellman's
Oxygen v. Lifetime
Circle K v. AmPm
Best Buy v. Circuit City
Death Row v. Ruthless
Hanes v. Fruit of the Loom
Midas v. Jiffy Lube
Applebees v. Ruby Tuesday
Pocket Squares v. Handkerchiefs
Loafers v. Lace-Ups
Moustache v. Sideburns
Heels v. Flats
Laptops v. Desktops
Chipotle v. Qdoba
Tang v. Kool-Aid
Marbles v. Jacks
Hopping v. Skipping (I misheard this one from Emily, thinking she said "Hawking v. Spitting")
Burping v. Farting
Malts v. Milkshakes
Liquid Detergent v. Powdered Detergent
.net v. .com
Hallmark v. American Greetings
Loaf v. Stranger
Hotmail v. Gmail
Totinos v. Gino's
RCA v. Coaxial
Mattress World v. Sleep Country USA
Kiwanis v. Lions
Violins v. Fiddles
TDK v. Maxwell
Time v. Newsweek
The Hills v. Laguna Beach
Gay Porn v. Straight Porn

Another Power Ballin' Moment

2006-07-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

Another Marquee Moment

2006-07-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 15

2006-07-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

AN EVENING WITH QB EAGLES, feat. DJ Chuck Austin (AKA DJ Big Peen, AKA DJ Chill-E Dawg, AKA 1 half of the MC Lil' Perv & DJ Sweet 16 duo, AKA DJ Mocha Suave)

The Bitter End, downtown Portland, Saturday night. Why wouldn't ya?
First show in 4 1/2 years. First show with the original Compton/Callahan/Biggs lineup in about 11 years. Reunion show!

Poster with inappropriate Jolina photo forthcoming.

A Bobcat (tm) production.

-B

riding in cars with boys

2006-07-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

love,
caruthers world's silent partner

Hot new single!

2006-07-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

Guys, click below for the new Justin Timberlake single, Sexy Back. You're welcome.

Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back.

I have to say, it's pretty good, but that's expected from JT. Also, tomorrow, France will win the World Cup and then on Friday, it's Bastille Day! Vive la France!

-- Kevin

PS -- I sort of wonder why I don't have a crush on France Gall. I mean, I love some of her songs dearly ("Sole, Mare, Cielo, Amore", "Laisse Tomber Les Filles", "Le Temps de la Rentrée ", etc), she's blonde, she's French and she's a Yé-yé Girl.

Food log - Weekend edition.

2006-06-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Friday night- BBQ pork vermicelli bowl, approx. 6 pack beer
Saturday breakfast- "Country Breakfast" (biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage) w/ hashbrowns, coffee
Saturday lunch- Deep fried fish & chips, cup clam chowder, pepsi
Saturday dinner- 1/2 box triscuits, cheddar cheese slices, approx. 6 pack beer
Sunday lunch- 2 Arctic Circle cheeseburgers, french fries (fuck yes, with the fry sauce), pepsi
Sunday snack- Banana split ice cream milkshake, long hot pepperoni stick
Sunday dinner- Mexican combo eatin', pepsi

-B

Update from Brian

2006-06-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from Brian:

-I had a great time last weekend at Jolina's BBQ/graduation party. It was split into two parties, one for the family, and then to be overtaken by the second party as the kids showed up and family members trickled out. Many arrivers were treated as the butt of a "the family time is now over!" joke, as we kidded about certain guests being non-family appropriate. What if they were wearing "FAMILY TIME IS OVER" t-shirts, we wondered.
Another bonus to the party was Uzi Machete's final performance. It was a little sad, I must admit, to hear the possible death of certain classic Joel Kaplan songs. Some of their older jams were leftovers from the end of my era playing with those guys, and they have a bit of a timeless feel to me. I was pretty amazed by how many songs those guys have amassed in their tenure as Uzi. I was also pretty impressed by Josh's new equipment. Drums, recording gear, etc.
Here are some shots from the night:

-Gilly and I have discovered something new and awesome. It is kind of like Girl Flag (tm), but more outer space themed. It is called Space Flag. You can read about it here and here. Right now, I have made the Space Flag my desktop on Windows, in stretch mode. Here's a link to that.

-I've recently been asked to contribute to a .30-06 zine. For those of you who don't know, ".30-06 (thirty ought six)" was the the name of a house that I lived in for about 11 months starting in 2002. It is a 6 bedroom house in a nice part of NE Portland. It was, at the time, filled with 6 very different personalities, and to make a long story short, was 11 of the most fun/tiring/obnoxious/awesome/terrible/important months of my young adulthood. I never did the dorm thing, so this I figure was as close as I'd come to it.
This request has been the only time in my life I've actually taken a request of this nature seriously at all. I can only think of the word "'Zine" as being pronnounced as "Zyne" since Kevin got me hooked on that. Well, apparently they are trying to get all 20-some whatever people who have lived in the house since we first moved in to contribute at least a little something to the project. And I would hate to think that a "founding member" of the infamous house would have no representation in the publication. Now I just need to come up with something. Brian Schoeck even emailed from Taiwan, pleading with me to do something! It will probably be something horribly smart-ass and totally irrelevant. Kinda like Caruthers World.

The other 2% is awesome

2006-06-14T23:34:00.000-07:00

this was a 10 on the weekend scale (out of 10, zero margin of error)

2006-06-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

I was enjoying myself so much at Creston Park on Saturday afternoon, that I couldn't be bothered to keep taking digital pictures as much as I'd like to have. But I'm glad I packed it along so I could at least capture these.:

And finally, as a bonus, the highlight from Friday night.

(well I think Gilly's dream house wins as highlight, but this will do for now.) -B

It's June, motherfuckers!

2006-06-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

Speaking of motherfuckers, does anyone know when Snakes on a Plane is going to come out? Just sayin'...

So on Saturday, Abra and I went to this really weird party where a professional DJ was playing Reggaeton, along with Rihanna and some other semi-popular songs. There was also a makeout auction which occurred and confused all of us. Not to mention that all the people who made out were weird. The best part of this party were all the friends that we were offered to be introduced to, such as Molly, Mary Jane and Ophelia. Abra & I have always talked about Ophelia and while we didn't get all buddy-buddy with her that night, we definitely were introduced to her and learned her last name so that we could look her up on MySpace at a later point.

Speaking of which, this is a picture of Abra holding a pillow that would belong in an "Ophelia den".

Also, I saw The Streets(!!!) tonight and it was pretty awesome. I also hung out with Mary Jane at the Streets show. In fact, Mary Jane was hanging out with tons of people at the show. Good times. It's good to be alive.

Sincerely,
Kevin

PS -- This post makes me sound super fucked up when I'm indeed totally sober. A little hungry, yes, but totally sober.

Rock Over Burnside

2006-05-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

About a week ago. Triple Threat Quartet, back by popular demand! Standing room only (except for the chairs and stools scattered around)!!

New experiences

2006-05-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

I used a wah-wah pedal for the first time ever on Sunday. It came to me fairly naturally though, and I was pleased with its results. One could say I "mastered it with the very first go at it", but that would be an understatement. One could say I "harnessed the very power that Joe's beastly wah-wah contained, and rode it like a wild pony". I would let you get away with that, but again.. understatement.
Here are some song titles for the upcoming QB Eagles release (tenatively titled "Harness the Pony Power"):

"Another Stairway to Heaven"
"You Shook Me All Night Long Again"
"Hey Jude- yeah, you Jude!"
"Welcome Back to the Jungle"
"Purpler Haze"
"Everybody Hurts 2K6"
"Put Me To Bed After We Go-Go"
"Cry Me An Ocean"

More QB Eagles updates to follow.
best, Brian

Songz.

2006-05-11T00:20:00.000-07:00

You know what song I'm down with this summer? Shakira's (feat. Wyclef) "Hips Don't Lie". First off, the phrase hips don't lie is hilarious in general and I guess it rings true, right? Secondly, it uses the same sample as Peter Gunz & Lord Tariq's "Deja Vu", which I enjoyed immensely during my early high school career.

Other things I'm down with:
-- Scoops' return to Portland
-- Rihanna's "S.O.S."
-- Playoff hockey
-- Red wine
-- My new sheets and soon-to-arrive duvet cover
-- Girls with dark hair! (Au revoir, blondes!)
-- Learning French
-- Keeping my room clean
-- Credit cards
-- Running
-- Ryan Miller, who I sort of wish I was
-- Catherine Deneuve
-- Flickr!
-- Sleeping

On that note, good night. Or, bonne nuit.

Ashlee Simpson coy on nose job rumors

2006-05-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) — Ashlee Simpson is laughing off rumors that she had a nose job — but she's not denying it either. Recent photos splashed across the Internet and in tabloids suggest the multiplatinum singer has made an alteration to her profile, removing the bump that made her nose distinctive.

When asked about the speculation during a phone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Simpson giggled and said: "Everybody's already saying it, so I just don't talk about it. I'm like, OK, whatever. It doesn't bother me."

But when asked whether the rumor was true, the 21-year-old singer didn't confirm or deny it, but just giggled more.

"Maybe — who knows!"

Simpson — the younger sister of Jessica — is about to launch a summer tour in June. Her latest album is I Am Me ; her first album, Autobiography, was released in 2004 and sold 3 million copies.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Last to know.

2006-05-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Yo. Word on the street is that Abra Cooper is back in town. Could this really be true?

TOP DOWN, CHROME SPINNIN' PART TWO

2006-05-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

IN THA CRIB PIECE, YA HEARD FAM?

The prom I never went to...

2006-05-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

Le Temps De L'Amour

2006-04-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

"You lost by just a nose
But there's no prize for place or show
Now, at least, you know
So smile - it's not so bad"

So, despite this early evening's harsh rejection which entailed me discovering that the young woman I was chasing was seeing someone else (seriously, WTF!?) and the Canadiens losing yet another one goal game to Carolina, this is what I've decided.

The Canadiens are not going to lie down and die. In fact, they are going to win this series in seven games. Huet looked really good against the Canes and honestly, if only Mike Ribeiro lifted the puck, the game would've been two-all. Besides that, I am absolutely not giving up. Everything that has played out has seemed a bit too weird to go with the result that I learned about today. Surely working where I work must gain me some bonus points with a girl who is so into fashion, right? I finally confessed to her that I'm absolutely hockey obsessed and she turned around and said that she'd love to watch games with me.

Not to mention that she owns Blur's The Great Escape on vinyl. If I had a ring, I would've proposed to her on the spot.

-- Kevin

TOP DOWN, CHROME SPINNIN'

2006-04-30T21:27:00.000-07:00

In front of Caruthers World, some days ago.
BGM- E-40 ft. Keak Da Sneak "Tell Me When To Go".

Dedicated to Emily and Kevin

2006-04-30T01:56:00.000-07:00

Love you guys!
-B

Playoff fever.

2006-04-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

I am seriously suffering from perhaps the biggest case of Stanley Cup playoff fever EVER. Okay, probably not since I haven't declared a moratorium on my social life like I did during the 2002 World Cup, but I feel like I spend fifty percent of my time thinking about hockey these days, with the other fifty percent spent thinking about a specific girl. I had the day off today and at around noon, I was already chanting "Go Habs Go!" over and over in my head. Unfortunately, we lost in overtime tonight, which saw me unloading some rather harsh words about how Carolina fans should stick to NASCAR instead. Subsequently, I walked home from Claudia's saying "FUCK!" over and over.

Also, as much as I think I know about girls, I learned a harsh lesson that I indeed know nothing about girls. However, we're chasing and if you think this is about you, then yes, it is and yes, I am interested.

Go Habs Go!

Is anyone else as worried as I am?

2006-04-20T00:12:00.000-07:00

So after a night of Reel M Inn (you guys can meet us there pretty much every Wednesday after 6) made quite enjoyable by running into Madison and Tena, we had the inevitable walk home. It wasn't so bad except that I was slightly cold and jokingly told Brian that he should give me his shirts so I could be warmer. Now, you have to understand that Brian has never accepted a single dare from me, and we've had quite a few conversations about why, so I never really expected Brian to give me his shirts. But tonight of all nights, Brian accepted the dare, gave me his two shirts and walked home naked, from top up, of course. Just think, from Division and 28th place to the house, with no shirt, but like a creep, wearing jeans and sneakers. So, my question is, is the world ending or is Brian now certifiably insane? Gillian

#30

2006-04-20T00:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of things.

2006-04-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

This website made my day. Terry Porter is in the beginning stages of gathering interest from local investors to buy the Trail Blazers from Paul Allen. I'm not going to join the bandwagon on the Allen bash-a-thon that has been going around here locally. But a new start with #30 T.P. leading the squad, is very exciting to me! I want my grandchildren, and my grandchildren's grandchildren exclaiming "Bingo Bango Bongo, baby!", "Rip City!", and other Schoenlyisms. Hopefully he is the right man for the job. I did just lend my "support" by posting a note that will be "passed on to Terry".

Oh yeah. Speaking of "podcasting", which we were one post below, I also wanted to point out another thing I would like to have discontinued. That would be closing letters, emails, or whatever, with the word "Best, (your name)". Best?!? Ugh! Sincerely, sure. Insincerely, whatever. Love... well I guess if you are feeling that way. But "Best, .."?? Give me a break. You sound like a jerk.

Best,
Brian

See???? Don't I seem fake? Can anyone take that seriously enough to think that I, or anyone writing that, is actually wishing their best? Forget it.

I need to calm down. I'll write more later.

GHOST RIDE THE WHIP

2006-04-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that the term "podcast" is possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard? It's an .mp3 buddy, you ain't 'casting shit. Back me up on this, KC.
-B

New drinking games

2006-04-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! Got some new drinking games for ya'll. It goes a little something like this:

Take a drink whenever...

...you see Kevin without pants on
...myspace.com is mentioned by John Craig at an Accolades show
...the Masters are on t.v., and you can't believe you are watching golf
...Gillian is nowhere to be found at work (again)
...you see a program on Lifetime, warning you of the dangers of the internet
...you damn well feel like it (11 am, right?)
...you damn well need it (all the time)
...you feel like you have no friends, and everyone is out to ruin you (all the time)
...you feel beautiful naked in front of the mirror(all the time, if you are me [Brian])
...you feel like everyone has a good MC or DJ name, except for you
...you lost all your money on high stakes Connect Four
...you clock in for work
...you operate heavy machinery

More of these later.
-B

I'm not a liar!

2006-04-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

I was totally at work today. Well, maybe not work so much as I paid someone to pretend like they know me and that I have a job. But don't tell anyone. Gillian

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!

2006-04-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

Turns out Gillian does work at Nordstrom Rack, as I saw her today when I went investigating. But then, she was hauled off in handcuffs by the police.

-B

Posting extravaganza!

2006-04-04T01:26:00.000-07:00

Since the weather has gotten nicer and it's light out later and later now, I thought I would make a list of all the things that I would like to happen during these spring and summer months. I am feeling optimistic due to a multitude of reasons and would not be surprised if all the things I can personally control do indeed happen. Without further adoo...

Things that I would like to occur this spring/summer
-- A raise at work! I could always use more money. I can't remember when I get my review.
-- A torrid summer fling/love affair (or more) with a beautiful young woman. Yes, I have someone in mind. We'll see, we'll see.
-- More specifically about this fling, I'd like it to involve listening to Françoise Hardy records, along with making Annie's Heartbeat "our song". God, I am so cheesy.
-- Party in June!
-- Mariners game in Seattle.
-- Watching the Canadiens lift the Stanley Cup. I seriously think I would cry if this happened.
-- Reading books in the grass while listening to good music.
-- Cookouts and Otterpops.
-- The United States at least making it into the round of sixteen of the World Cup.
-- Rediscovering my passion for the aforementioned US men's national team.
-- More celebrity crushes!
-- Running at least a couple times a week. Word on the street is that my once beautiful calves are losing their shape.

Also, I am so addicted to YouTube. I don't even want to know how many hours I spent watching Talking to Americans, random clips of This Hour Has Twenty-Two Minutes, Cantonese karaoke videos and Doraemon episodes tonight.

Notes from Caruthersground

2006-04-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who came over last night and made our 100th special. Special shout out to the 1 Lil' Entree for keeping us twisted on his sick (as in good) brew. That's what's up! Special shout out to the soul sista JoJo, and her birthday cheer (aka lil' wine bottles). And you know my man Mocha Suave came through with "Mini Super Basketball", which at best can be called a knock off of those little tiger electronics hand held games for kids that couldn't sell mom and dad on getting a GameBoy. He got it over at Penny Market on 20th and Stark. I guess he passed on the crossbow and brass knuckles that they also sell there. Oh! And Mocha also brought the turntables, which means he brought the jams. Too much fun playing records! I could have done that all night.

The real purpose of the message was going to be a detailed list of what we did this evening, as a household. We got Mongolian Grill. Then I looked for an apron at Target, but couldn't find one. Shit! That's about it for the list I guess. Hope you all had nice Sundays.

Oh! I spent all night last night telling everyone how great "ATL" the movie is! You should go see it. T.I. is surprisingly very pleasant to watch as he acts on the big screen. Is this his debut?

Okay, better get to work on some television here. Not much weekend left.
-B

Party time in approximately thirteen hours.

2006-04-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Thinking of maybe doing an eighties Cantopop set. Hm. You have all been warned. John Keane is bringing over free beer. He deserves a pat on the back. I have no idea how I am going to get anything done at work today, I'm going to be nervous and anxious.

Here's to Brian's birthday!

-- Kevin

I hate how I can never find Gillian when I go to Nordstrom Rack to either visit her or buy something.

2006-03-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

I just picked up some mediocre flip flops. Gillian was nowhere to be found. I am not convinced that a) she actually works there, or b) anyone works in the Men's department. Actually, I take that back. I once found someone who worked there in the Men's. He was an older man, and when I asked him where Gillian was, he reponded politely "We don't sell Gillians here. What are those?"

In other news, here's a new game. It's called "NAME THAT YEAR!!" I'll give you three hints, and then you can publish your guess in the comments. Winner receives a new mix tape by D Jae Moka Swauvay. Actually, not really.. but you can download some music there I think.

Here we go, NAME THAT YEAR!

1. Overheard- "Dude! The Rapture and dance-punk in general, are here to stay!"
2. Style of dress- "Dude! It would be so cutting edge to wear a blazer with your designer t-shirt and jeans!"
3. Also overheard- "Dude! I'm going ironically joke about cocaine use, and then actually do it! Let's go to a basement party, and dance cause that is cutting edge!"

Any takers? I'll give you a hint. It is after 1920, but before the year 3000.

In other news, on April 1st, Caruthers World is proud to present "Caruthers Centennial: 100 Years Of Caruthers". It's a party we're going to have. Hopefully Kevin or someone will post more about it, cause it's gonna be the baddest. It will feature DJ spots by D Jae Moka Swauvay & Crew (the crew= D Jae Moka Swauvay, Wyte D-lyte, Sinnaman). See you there!

-Brian

Reason for concern?

2006-03-13T23:20:00.000-08:00

I was just informed today that Charley Austin has purchased a video camera. God only knows what will be documented through the lens of that machine, but I can guarantee it wont be G-rated.
More on this later.
-B

I just saw this poster, and thought I would post it here.

2006-03-12T23:35:00.000-08:00

Will nature make a man of me yet?

2006-03-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

Today is a rather weird day as I am physically still paying for my shenanigans last night. Seeing as how today is my Saturday, I was determined to go out last night. Seeing as how yesterday was everybody's Monday, I didn't even bother trying to get anyone to come out with me. After all, who would I call? That's a subject for another time and place.

I ended up having dinner at the Noble Rot, where I had never eaten before, and the food was quite good, even if the portion was rather small. Then again, many of you know that I can put away quite a bit of food when I'm in the mood and generally have problems with portion control. I was rather stumped as to where to go and was actually on my way to an Indian restaurant on Burnside and almost went to Southpark, but alas went to the Noble Rot.

After that, I proceeded to My Father's Place, where I got mad at the Sopranos pinball machine and then to Slow Bar, where I complained to the bartender about all the testosterone in the place. Finally, I finished my evening off with a very ill advised trip to Taco Bell.

Of course, a mere hour later I found myself worshipping the porcelain goddess and generally talking outloud and whining to myself. Thankfully, no one else was home. I have spent all morning feeling like a dolt, but now everything is falling into place. Five beers over a span of a couple hours is, for better or worse, a pretty typical amount I drink. The worst that happens is that I go to bed with a headache and yet I found myself in midst of two serious bouts of vomiting. Also, the whole left side of my body is sore, especially my left arm. I know that vomiting takes its toll, but I now believe that my soreness is due to all the pinball I played and the usual Kevin-playing-pinball-stance that I take.

Unfortunately, I am now spending my day feeling like shit. I am trying to motivate myself to go to Target for some supplies and then get lunch. I am supposed to go to Claudia's to watch the Canadiens/Maple Leafs tilt and I am having a hard time making myself spend yet another afternoon in a bar. I'll probably go, partly because this will be the only time I'll get to watch us play the Leafs this year. Instead of Miller High Lifes, I'll have a Coke and a cup of soup. After all, I do enjoy talking to other hockey regulars and the bartenders, since I usually have no one to talk to about the NHL.

This week unexpectedly finds some social events coming up, of which I would be delighted to attend with anybody reading this blog. Wednesday night I am thinking of going to the Giants/Winterhawks game at the Rose Garden. I haven't been to a Winterhawks game in years and after watching the Rockets/Winterhawks game on TV, I realise that I should go. I am also going because the Giants have Gilbert Brule, who was the sixth pick in last year's NHL draft. Also this week is two shows, the first being Thursday night, Dengue Fever who bizarrely were covered by the BBC's From Our Own Correspondent. The second show is featuring Experimental Dental School, who I enjoyed seeing at a house show years and years ago. Not to mention that I used to play with split EP with Limited Express (Has Gone?) on my old radio program fairly often considering that I only had four songs to choose from.

Last but not least, here are some songs that I've been into recently:
1) Galaxie 500, Oblivious (I need to find more songs that sound like this!)
2) Heatmiser, Pop in G
3) The Streets, Lets Push Things Forward (After all these years, I still know all the words to this)
4) 達明一派, 天花亂墜 (An old Cantonese pop song from the eighties)
5) Juvenile, Back That Azz Up and HA
6) Michel Polnareff, Les Roi des Fourmis (I can't wait to buy old Michel Polnareff and France Gall records in Montréal!)
7) Françoise Hardy, L'Amitie, Ton Meilleur Ami and La Maison Ou J'ai Grandi (I really love the very last scene of The Barbarian Invasions in which they show Sébastien and Ghislaine's plane leaving while L'Amitie plays. I also can't wait to buy old Françoise Hardy records, too.)
8) Dominique Walter, Les Petits Boudins
9) Sugababes, Round Round (Sugababes are so cheesy, but I love them)
10) Remy Ma, Conceited ("Who's that peeking in my window? Nobody, 'cause I live in a penthouse" is one of the funniest lyrics I've heard in awhile. Conceited vaguely reminds me of Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy)
11) The Smiths, This Charming Man

Okay, that's all.

Love,
Kevin

PS -- If anyone reading this has a Flickr account, you should add me. Check out my Flickr page for not so wacky photos.

Blah blah blah.

2006-02-22T20:53:00.000-08:00

I feel that there are few things more depressing than knowing what your dinner will be and being completely uninterested in eating it. For example, I am making rice right now and once that is done, I will eat it with the tofu/chinese mushrooms/bok choy/sauce mixture that is a leftover from when Emily & I ate out the other night. All I really want is something unhealthy, such as fried chicken or a prime rib (rare/medium rare).

Also, I have worked at Mario's for almost eleven months now and after all this time, I still can't help but giggle like a schoolgirl when I hear the song that goes, "Y'all need to roll your blunts with more chiva".

-- Kevin

WILD OATS IS CLOSING!

2006-02-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

Now where the hell am I going to get red bell peppers for 7.99/lb and NOT be able to buy a bottle of pepsi?!

More on this later. -B

WHOA! (an entirely original post)

2006-01-29T21:31:00.000-08:00

Remember when that Joey Lawrence guy used to say "WHOA!" on that show Blossom? Oh wait, I forgot Kevin already touched on that subject. Remember when that Kevin Chan guy used to say "WHOA!" on that blog Caruthers World? Cause I don't.
I'm gonna devote the rest of this post to shout-outs.

-Shout out to Jesse Littlewood for his constant forwarding of spam emails containing hilarious illustrations in advertising for penis pills. One of them had some kind of snowman with a giant boner. One of them had Daffy Duck (I think?) doing some nasty business to Jessica Rabbit (I think?). They are so crude, that in a way the pictures are endearing and kinda cute. They remind me of passing notes back and forth to people like Dustin and Vantri back at Lewis School. Thanks Littlewood!
-Shout out to Judi Lieberman, one of our favorite readers here at Caruthers World. She sent us a lovely postcard the other day. Here is a link to her jewelry biz website. I am majorly impressed!
-Shout out to our clean ass kitchen. Way to go Emily, on being productive this weekend. Too bad I can't say the same about myself.
-Shout out to QB Eagles on a productive recording sesh (possibly the one thing I did right this weekend? I sure as hell know that there was nothing right about my loss to Madison at Tecmo Super Bowl yesterday. Rotten ass Ken O.Brien!). Just think, with the right combination of songs on a myspace.com page, and there's no telling what we can accomplish! Now if only we could afford some of that pro gear out of the Musician's Friend catalog, then maybe we could actually play some decent shit. Oh, and private to Joe- Why wont you stop talking about how valuable my sweaters are? It's just embarassing for the both us, you really should stop fixating on it so much.
-Shout out to Yuji Hori and all at Square Enix. Dragon Quest 8? You done it again! 45 hours deep, and I'm still questin' like a madman! Evil doers, beware!
-Shout out to Scoops, AKA Abra "Sod-buster" Cooper. Looks like I biffed it with sushi night. You need to do a better job of being my life-boss and getting my priorities straight. That goes for you too, Jojo Kwong (shout outs to you too, my soul sista.).
-Shout out to Caroline at Chicken Club Wednesdays. We were absent this week (for good reason, mind you.. taco night at The Slammer!), but we will make sure to not fail you in the future. Anyone in the Portland area want to get down on some bomb-ass fried chicken, the club is always open to new members. Just remember that Wednesday night is Lost night, so don't dilly dally in that pitcher of beer. Also: There is no talking on the island, so keep your mouth shut till commercials. (Shout out to John Craig on learnin' me that policy, even though I am pretty sure he doesn't read this blog.)
-Shout out to anyone I forgot. You know I ain't no rasclot. I come strapped with uzis and grenades, and I always give mad respect to those in need.

love, BSB

WHOA!

2006-01-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

(Do y'all remember when Joey Lawrence's character on "Blossom" said "Whoa!" all the time? I do.)

Anyway, not to get all up in Abra's internet grill (meaning: not to post right after Abra), but I mean, is anyone else (answer: no) excited about the Canadian federal elections taking place AS I TYPE!?

I don't know what I'm eating for dinner and really need to go to the supermarket, but instead I'm rushing home to watch the elections returns on CSPAN. This should be so exciting as twelve years of Liberal rule ends and bad guy Conservative Stephen Harper looks set to become Prime Minister. I have been wondering who I would vote for, even though I always have told myself that I'd vote for the NDP. However, I think a lot of people will be tempted to vote strategically in order to stop the Conservatives.

So if you're a nerd and enjoy elections like I do (I can remember watching the 1997 General Election in the UK), tune into CSPAN's simulcast of the CBC at 7pm PST. My broadcasting hero Peter Mansbridge should be there, although my broadcasting crush, Christina Lawand, hasn't been seen in ages.

Love,
Kevin

PS -- Who am I kidding? I would totally vote for the NDP. Stupid Liberal party! Also, fun fact! As much as I love Québec, I think I generally am opposed to an independent Québec.

An Update From Abra, Everyone's Favorite Caruthers Enthusiast

2006-01-22T16:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Did you all miss me? I know, I know, silly question. Well, since the current inhabitants of Caruthers have yet again failed their readers by not posting regularly, I guess it is up to me to give you all a little something to brighten your day. I love brightening the days of others. Anyway, not much going on in Eugene these days. I just got back from the library, and am enjoying a little football and some cheese sticks. And no, not string cheese sticks, but deep fried mozzarella cheese sticks. I got a big box of them from Costco when I went last week with my friend Emily. The box contained 90 sticks but I ate a bunch when I was drunk last weekend and brought a few sandwich bags to OC night on Thursday. Oh, and on Thursday after my spinning class I was really hungry but knew I wasn't going to have dinner for like four more hours, so I ate six of them and immediately felt really, really sick. Like I almost had to go sit by the toilet in anticipation of my body's rejection of the sticks. But eventually I felt better and I I just ate 6 of them about 15 minutes ago and am having no adverse reactions.

Let's see... The other major news in my life is that I got a new celly, which is great in that I was convinced old celly was going to die at anytime because it made weird little beeps whenever I talked on it, like it needed to be charged, but it did this constantly. However, my new celly does not have the "Machine Woman" ring tone! I am actually really upset about this. I mean "Machine Woman" was my signature tone! I spent a lot of time and energy on finding a tone that reflected who I was as an individual, and I am not sure I have it in me to do it again.

Ooh, I think I am going to go to New York for spring break to reunite with my Japan buddies. Also, my plant I got for Christmas/Hannukah from Claire is not only still alive, but growing at a tremendous rate! How exciting is that? In a former life, I worked in an office where I was assigned the task of watering all the plants. Even though I watered as often as I was told, I developed a bit of a complex about me being a plant killer. One of the plant owners repeatedly accused me of killing her plants by not watering them. This was mean and hurtful. And a lie. And also a bit odd as she would also tell me to be more careful and not get water on her bookshelves. Anyway, the point is I have always had a rather tenuous relationship with plants, one that my holiday bulb is helping to heal.

Hmm...Not sure what else I can contribute. I am going to be in Portland this coming weekend as I was chosen for this Portland mentor program thing and so I will have to go meet my mentor at a little cocktail party on Friday evening. I wonder what I should wear? I don't want to wear a suit. And to be honest, probably shouldn't. My favorite Vietnam suit, it turns out, is way too big. Last week, I wore just the skirt to this client counseling competition I was in, and it sat so low on my hips (or really more like my thighs) that it was a bit scandalous and unlawyerly. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because right before my partner and I were to counsel, I got a giant run in my nylons that was only covered because of how far down my skirt kept slipping.

Ok, well I need to get back to the football game. I'm cheering for the Seahawks. I think they are going to win.
--Abra

Daydreaming

2006-01-07T00:53:00.000-08:00

If you've ever been around me, you probably have known me to play one of my favorite games, which consists of me making fictional titles for songs or albums by bands that may or may not exist. This can come from something like hearing a silly line somewhere, somehow or another and deciding suddenly that it would make an "AWESOME SONG TITLE!!!!" or perhaps even an "AWESOME ALBUM TITLE!!!!". Sometimes however it extends into real life, and titles in my mind actual pictures that I receive in my gmail inbox.

Behold! The debut album from QB Eagles, titled "4 SAFETIES!".

Tecmo Super Bowl 4eva. -B

UPDATE!!: Kevin informed me recently that he felt the picture was more of a "back of the album picture", which I happen to totally agree with. It has more of a cuttin' loose kinda vibe to it, where as the cover should be something artier, right? Perhaps 4 football refs doing the safety motion (palms together, over the head).

Carutherz Greatest Hits.

2006-01-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Just wanted to repost my favourite Caruthers World comment of all time, courtesy of Jolina:

"On Saturday night I arrived back at Caruthers around 1 am. Gillian and I did some blow while sitting on Brian's bed. What did everyone else do that night? Apparently, I blacked out before the fun began.
PS Just kidding. Gillian and I didn't do blow on Saturday. I drove Allee home and we all smoke some crank in my car. I don't know why I kid with all of you."

Man, this blog is getting all wack n' shit. Isn't anything interesting going on in anybody's lives? I showed up to work this morning and was sent home because I wasn't supposed to be scheduled to work today, but was. It still seems sort of weird that they would send me home and keep around my co-worker who lost her voice, but whatever.

-- Kevin

Christmas music is junk!

2005-12-26T00:03:00.000-08:00

Therefore, I present a list of my favourite music from 2005, none of which are Christmas songs. Seriously, if I hear that Mariah Carey song (sorry Malia and Duffie!) one more time, I will stab someone in the neck.

Favourite English pop song
1) Sugababes - "Push the Button"
So incredibly campy and in a way, I'm not sure I like this song or not, but obviously I love it. It contains one of the best/worst lyrics of the year, "My sexy ass has got him in a new dimension", not to mention really bad grammar throughout the whole thing. The Sugababes are still really amazing.
2) Madonna - "Hung Up"
I haven't been a Madonna fan since the eighties. Even the whole Ray of Light era failed to impress me, but Christ, Hung Up is such a great song. However, I do recognise that its greatness is built upon a sample from Abba's Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight). I can't wait to cut a rug to this song whenever I hear it at a party and/or at the club.
3) Rachel Stevens - "Negotiate With Love"
Oh Rachel, how you aren't an international megastar is really beyong any logic. I mean, you were perhaps the most attractive member of S Club 7, but somehow haven't been about to parlay that into a decent career in the UK, nevermind anywhere else. However, you have the greatest pop songs, such as Sweet Dreams, My L.A. Ex (despite the horrible title) and Some Girls. Negotiate With Love was no different and might be your best song yet.

Favourite Asian pop song
1) Miriam Yeung (楊千嬅) - "烈女" (performed in Cantonese)
Absolutely no doubt about it. I love the horns that are the backbone of this song, which in turn gives the song this stereotypical Mariachi song. I love the lyrics, too of a woman scorned who has decided that she's not going to take any of her former lover's shit anymore. It doesn't hurt that the song is Miriam Yeung's as she is my favourite Cantopop star and that this is a rare uptempo song for her, instead of her usual assortment of ballads. It's unbelievable that I haven't done this song at karaoke yet.
2) Jay Chou (周杰倫) - "四面楚歌" (performed in Mandarin/Korean)
Jay Chou is my other favourite Chinese pop star, although he performs exclusively in Mandarin. He is without a doubt the biggest Chinese pop star right now and he has the songs to back up all the hype. This song is off of his newest album and it's in his sort of typical uptempo R&B style that he seems to favour. He always sings so quickly, which makes most of his lyrics unintelligible to myself. His newest material isn't as enjoyable as his old stuff, but I love this song, which is about his run-ins with the Taiwanese/Chinese/Hong Kong papparazzi. Not to mention there's a Korean rap in the middle of the song. Excellent.
3) Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ) - "About You" (performed in Japanese)
Ayu is huge in Japan and for that reason, I bought one of her albums on a whim. The second half of it her album, My Story was pretty disappointing, but About You is a great song. I find that J-pop seems to have a lot more live instrumentation and use of guitars than Cantonese or Mandarin pop do, which is rather refreshing. The production values also seem a bit higher, especially in comparison to Cantopop.

Honourable mention: Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) - "野蠻遊戲" (Mandarin), Fiona Sit (薛凱琪) - "男孩像你" and hitomi - "Japanese Girl". Sure beats listening to Gwen Stefani rip off Asian culture...

Favourite hip hop/rap/R&B song
1) Ciara feat. MIA - "Goodies (Richard X Remix)"
Okay, Goodies was a great song in its own right, but this remix pushes it to another level. Yes, it's sort of lame that MIA uses her same rhyme from 10 Dollar, but what I love about this song is that it sounds a lot, well, dirtier, edgier and much sexier than the original. Still, the whole chorus of Goodies is so sassy and so good.
2) Lady Sovereign - "Random"
Oh so witty and fun as opposed to a lot of hip hop and rap out there. I had no idea that Lady Sov would blow up like she did in 2005, although it looks like 2006 will be even bigger for her. This is a song that should've been played at every party you went to in 2005, but probably wasn't.
3) Kanye West feat. Jay-Z - "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)"
Everyone sweats Gold Digger so hard, but in my opinion, this song is superior to it. Some of the lyrics are pretty cheesy, especially for a song in which he's trying to make social/political commentary. The song is so over the top and Jay-Z doesn't really add much to this shit, but you still find that great Shirley Bassey sample in your head all day long. Forever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever...?

Honourable mention: The Game feat 50 Cent - "Hate It or Love It", Amerie - "1 Thing", DJ Muggs vs. The GZA feat Raekwon, RZA and Sen Dog - "Advance Pawns", Young Jeezy feat Akon - "Soul Survivor", Juvenile - "Get Ya Hustle On", Mike Jones feat Slim Thug and Paul Wall - "Still Tippin". Also Da Back Wudz - "You Gonna Love Me" if it was released this year.

Favourite Indie rock song
I would have to say that Sleater-Kinney's What's Mine Is Yours is my favourite indie song from this year, although I really love their album, The Woods as a whole. Let's Call It Love/Night Light is amazing, but not really suited to being a single. Besides that, I don't think I really listened to any indie rock/pop, which is sort of sad.

Favourite album title of the year
Tony Yayo - Thoughts of a Predicate Felon, followed by Young Jeezy's Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101.

Favourite line from a Christmas card
"Don't kid yourself, you look great everyday!"

New Year's resolution
Listen to more new indie rock, along with not using the term "cracker" in reference to white people anymore. Oh, and going back to school!

Love,
Kevin

NOGMAGEDDON 2K5

2005-12-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

This Sunday, Emily, Gillian, and myself decided to make egg nog for a nice holiday season snack. None of us have ever made it from scratch before. We decided to follow a recipe to make the alcoholic and raw-egged version, which is the traditional way to make it. At least as far as we could tell...

At first we were a little unsure about a few things. I was convinced that whatever we were making was probably going to be delicious, but resemble nothing like the store-bought beverage I have enjoyed for so many years. And one concern we had was if a raw egg version was actually safe to consume. While egg nog has always seemed like such a harmless drink, we realized that we were basically going to be pouring cups of raw egg and bourbon with a hint of sugar and other dairy.

Finally, after allowing the concoction to chill while catching an encore presentation of "She's Too Young" on Lifetime, we poured ourselves a tall foamy mugfull. It had to have been the best nog I've had in my life! So rich and satisfying! Sadly, my camera was not on hand to catch Emily with a wicked nog-stache from an over eager sip involving lots of foam. But she was able to catch Gilly and myself in total nog nirvana.

Over our cups of egg nog, we discussed what holiday tradition we would conquer next year. I suggested carroling, but it really wasn't a very popular choice from my roommates, and honestly I think I am probably on their side. At least we have a year to figure it out I suppose.

love, Brian

Is there such a thing?

2005-12-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

If you're anything like me, then you geniunely like Christmas a lot. Has there ever been a single Christmas song that captures that joy you feel during this magical time of year? Well, again- if you're anything like me, then the answer is no.
Today I got to experience a new kind of Christmas joy. The album is by The Temptations and is called "Give Love at Chistmas". What a treat! Chuck picked it up for play at the warehouse, and let me tell you it is much a groovier and jammin' choice than the hokey classics they have going on over at the office across the street. Particular highlights included their renditions of "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night", in addition to more obscure titles such as "Love Comes With Christmas" and "The Christmas Song". Highly recommended! 10/10!
In other holiday news, Gilly, Emily, and I are planning on continuing a so-far 1 year tradition of trying new holiday "classic activities" that one or both of us have not done before. You may remember one of the very first Caruthers World posts as an experiement in gingerbread houses. Well this year we have decided to make our own Egg Nog, which I don't believe anyone in the house has ever done. Be sure to look forward to seeing the full report, along with pictures and graphs.
Hope everyone is having a great Decemeber so far, and staying warm!
love, Brian

P.S.- Personal to Abra: Are you going to come over for Hanukkah at all this year? Last year was so much fun with our nightly ceremonies!!

TOTALLY SUNDAY!

2005-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

Who's ready for a big show?! Who loves to get crazy on a Sunday night? YOU! That's who! Come see us at Ash St. Saloon downtown this weekend! 4 dollars.

Poster courtesy of Scott Killen (of 3TQ), John Nash, Steve Patterson, and Paul Allen.

Cleanin' out the Caruthers Camera on "Caruthers Camera Corner (CCC)"!

2005-11-21T23:31:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! It's me, Brian!

Been hangin' out with some real cool people lately! Check me hangin' out with the cream of the crop!

That's me with resident iPod Kevin Chan! One love!

That's me with Joe Callahan! We are making our new Christmas album here. ANALOG style! Check our myspace page for that.

That's me with JOJO a GOGO! What are we doing!??! Not again!!!

See you next time!!

Easily amused.

2005-11-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

The best part about this whole University of Miami rap song fiasco is the fact that this song is NINE MINUTES LONG.

Besides that, the reaction from everyone seems so predictable. I mean, are we really supposed to be surprised that members of a team that plays the uber-macho sport of football might have some bad things to say about women? I'm also willing to bet that they were either high or drunk when they made a NINE MINUTE LONG RAP SONG.

While we're talking about the intersection of rap and sports, I also really want to hear the Paul Wall song about the Astros, along with finding a copy of that cover of Mike Jones' "Back Then" in which the lyrics are about Oregon State receiver Mike Hass instead.

The Other Abra Cooper

2005-11-13T19:03:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember Kevin, after googling "Abra Cooper," posting a link to a photo circa 1997 of a female barista working at the University of Oregon bookstore. The caption for the photo claimed that this girl's name was "Abra Cooper." Other than being annoyed that someone sharing my glorious name was coffee handler and likely drinker, and thinking it odd that there had been an Abra Cooper at UO, a school I was set to attend come August, I didn't think much of Kevin's little find. This summer I had another "run-in" with the same "Abra Cooper" while at REI in Portland. When the saleswoman asked if I had a membership, I said I couldn't remember, so she offered to look me up in the computer. And what do you know, there was an Abra Cooper listed as an in REI member... but her address was listed in Eugene. Again, I found it humorous that there was another Abra Cooper running around in Oregon, but gave the whole issue little thought.
This past week, however, I found myself again confronted with the existence of Abra Cooper, barista, former UO student and REI member. But this time, the woman has kind of messed up my life. Okay, maybe not exactly messed up my life, but somehow my UO file has been merged with hers! Here is how I came to discover the mix up.

Early this week, I go to the UO health center. Why I went there is not important, but I'll just say that I like free stuff. Anyway, I am making an appointment and the woman is looking me up in her computer when she gets a puzzled expression on her face and asks me what my UO student ID number is. I pretty much only use my card to go to the gym and get free football tickets, so I didn't have it with me and couldn't tell her. She tells me that she needs to know because there are two Abra Coopers listed and it is apparently very unclear which one I might be. Apparently the other Abra also has the middle initial "T." Eventually we figure out my ID number and as far as I can tell, everything is ok. A few days later, while at the pharmacy, I discover everything is not fine. As the pharmacist hands over my free stuff, she starts talking about how I had changed brands since my last visit. Seeing as though I was not changing any sort of brand and this was my first visit, I interrupted her and asked what she was talking about. She looked at the computer and said, yeah, her records indicated exactly what she had just said. I explain that is impossible, and she asks to see my ID card (which I luckily actually had). She asks if I am Abra Talley Cooper. I affirm that I am. She asks if I have changed my ID number recently. I say no, I have only been at this school for a few months. She asks if I am sure. I say yes. She asks for my social security number. She then presses some buttons and says that she has no idea what has happened, but somehow my file got merged with that of the other Abra T. Cooper, and that she will put a note into the computer, but that I might want to go over to Oregon Hall (wherever that is) and get things straightened out because there is not telling what might be in my file now, and that it is likely that this other Abra Cooper might have access to it! I then threatened suit, pointing out that the school could easily be held liable for negligence in leaking my personal information to an unauthorized individual and that they best watch their backs. Actually, I didn't but I thought about it. Anyway, this other Abra Cooper best stay out of my file, that's all I got to say.
--the real Abra T. Cooper

Saturday night in Portland Oregon , USA

2005-11-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

Not to post on top Kevin's previous, and might I add excellent slice-of-Caruthers blog post already, but I felt it was necessary to ask- I mean BEG of you, that if you live in the Portland area (or have ever considered it) to please come to Lola's Room tomorrow night (Saturday, NOV. 12th)!
The show has my band QB EAGLES opening for the wonderfully pleasing sounds of THE ACCOLADES. The Accolades is John Craig's (Ex-Tympanic/Paper Car) latest project. If you know John, then you can obviously know what to expect. A band completely dedicated to playing their hearts out for the love of music and creativity! I am actually being completely serious, which is weird, since I don't do that on CARUTHERS WORLD too often. QB Eagles will play starting around 9 or so, and I have been ultra-proud of the hard work we have been logging lately, in anticipation for this show we are so incredibly excited for! Plus we will have our new CDRs all burned and ready to be given out for the price of zero dollars and zero cents. I think it will have six songs, and we've had the most fun recording them! Seriously!

-Brian

Carousin' at Caruthers

2005-11-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, I lied. I don't think there's any carousing going on around these parts. Maybe one of the neighbours, such as the guy who owns the house where someone on acid freaked out years ago. Maybe even our parrot lady neighbour. Who knows? I mean, that's the beauty of living around these parts. Anything can happen on any given night.

Okay, I lied again. I mean, technically there is no carousing because it's three thirty in the afternoon and everyone else is at work. I guess I could start drinking this early, but I'm trying to be responsible and clean the house at some point today. I think I'd also like to go running. Personally speaking, I don't feel like I've been very drunk since the Halloween weekend and you know, Veterans Day isn't the type of holiday you go nuts for. In fact, I'm perplexed when people refer to a holiday weekend, seeing as how most of humanity needs to work tomorrow.

Here are some recent Caruthers World happenings:

1) Brian got a haircut! He is now blonde with green and purple highlights. He also has a rat tail. I didn't know what to think at first, but now I accept him for who he is.

2) Gillian still likes to yell at the television while watching Lost. Also, her stylist at Dosha is gone, so she doesn't know where to get her hair cut now. Any suggestions?

3) Emily does a lot of homework. I think Gillian does too. Besides that, she has been drinking Bud Light, which we only accept because it isn't Coors Light. She also makes venn diagrams in her spare time.

4) I have been listening to Cantopop up the wazoo, along with slowly building up our new bar area, which I think is really exciting. Also, next time everyone is over at Caruthers, check out the Ashlee Simpson display on our fridge!

Future updates of Caruthers World will include a review of the new Blazers/Rose Garden experience, a live web broadcast of my Thanksgiving activities (are we going to repeat last year's deep fried turkey drumsticks meal?) and cheque writing tips.

Love,
Kevin

PS -- Brian Biggs! Halloween pictures!

SO RAINY!

2005-11-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

That duck represents me. Has anyone looked at the 5-day or 7-day or 8-day forecast for the Portland area? We are all ducks. With umbrellas.

Maybe I will make a mix tape about ducks with umbrellas.

-Brian

Her mix tape's a masterpiece.

2005-10-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

First off, on behalf of Caruthers World, I apologise for the long gap between updates. Some of it can be attributed to the fact that we have been pretty busy, but some of it can also be attributed to the fact that we have also been lazy. Hunh.

This morning I am here to write about a subject that is near and dear to my heart: mix tapes. Mix tapes have been a significant part of my life ever since I started to hit puberty. I wish that I could remember my first mix tape that I made, but I have no recollection of what was on it and who it was for. I can, however, remember some mix tapes that I received including:

-- A tape from an online friend where he just taped random songs he liked, using the method where one puts a couple songs by an artist in a row. For example, it had "Clampdown", "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" and "I Fought the Law" by the Clash all in order and then would shift to, say, two Pulp songs.
-- A tape from a friend in high school in which she included a print out explaining the songs and her favourite lyric from said song. The only thing I remember about the music on this tape is that it included a Wu-Tang Clan song.
-- A black tape that came in the mail from my first online friend from Oregon (surprisingly, I am not referring to Emily). This contained a really weird mix of music, but I remember a song by the Doobie Brothers (yes, seriously) and "Space Oddity" by David Bowie.

Mix tapes for me have always involved girls. I believe that mix tapes go together with girls like baseball and hot dogs. I don't think there's ever been a girl that I've seriously liked and not made a mix tape for. Below are some rules of mix tape making that I always follow:

1) First off, always make tapes. There is something rather impersonal about mix CDs and something that gets lost in that process. I enjoy sitting on the floor by the stereo with my headphones on, hitting rewind, play and then stop while trying to figure out how the last song ended and what might go on next. There's a lot more effort involved in making mix tapes and like writing letters, it's not so much the content, but the effort involved in making the tape.

However, it seems like a decent amount of people out there are rapidly losing access to tape decks, which is horribly depressing. I do not like the thought of having to figure out whether or not someone has a tape deck, but to be honest, I have no business liking anyone who doesn't have a tape deck.

2) Your most important song on the mix tape is pretty much going to be the very last song on the tape. I like to reserve this spot for something sort of slow and quiet. I mean, I would never put something like Madonna's "Borderline" as the last song of the tape. The song also needs to mean something or convey some mood. Besides the last song, the other important songs are the opener, as it sets the mood of the tape, and the side B opener. The side A closing song is not very important as it sometimes is only there because it's the correct song length.

3) An artist cannot appear twice on a tape. I usually find this to be a problem when a band member has a side and/or solo project. For example, Heavenly can't appear on the same tape as Talulah Gosh because a couple members of Talulah Gosh are in Heavenly. It has been tempting at times, but it's a no-no.

4) The tape should always have a title and invariably the title tends to be a lyric from a song on the tape. There are also titles for each side, which can either be some cheesy contrast thing, such as "Night" and "Day" (that is really stupid and I would never actually use that), or as I prefer, also a longer lyric that you can split in half.

5) Always make a cover and include a tracklisting. The cover is another one of those things that indicates the time and effort spent on the tape. One should never just print a cover out or make an overly professional looking cover. This is a personal mixtape for someone you care about, not something you're trying to sell on a street corner.

6) There's usually one of the following type of songs:
-- A non-English song
-- A live track, which can be really tricky
-- A b-side
-- A song to throw the person off. For example, if this tape is for someone you're romantically interested in, you need to have a song about breaking up or hating someone, just to throw them off.

7) If you have a emotionally significant song that you've "given" to someone, you cannot re-give it to someone else. No one would ever know except you, but you would probably die from the guilt.

I usually have little to no recollection of the tapes I've made for others, besides the few tracklistings I have somewhere on my computer. Here are probably my three favourite tapes I have ever received:

-- A tape Emily made me one summer after I moved here, but was visiting my parents in Ohio for a long stretch. The case was painted green and had pink hearts on it, along with the scent of my favourite perfume that she would wear. Without going into too much detail, this was probably the most important tape I've received. It had a pretty big impact on our relationship. Songs that I remember from it include something by Rasputina and "Don't Ask Me to Explain" by Of Montréal.

-- A pretty awesome tape that an old girlfriend made me, which ended up introducing me to a lot of great music. She was the girlfriend with the best record collection and was the one who got me into Elastica, Elvis Costello, Wire, etc. I don't remember a cover for this tape, but the package might have included the drawing of Sam Coomes from Quasi that I've been trying to find for forever. Songs on it included "Psychic Hearts" by Thurston Moore, "Ciao!" by Lush featuring Jarvis Cocker and "Pincushion" by Rainer Maria.

-- A different tape from a different old girlfriend. This tape was very quiet and slow and I know that she worried that I wouldn't enjoy it because I usually listen to so much pop. The cover was some sort of drawing and I believe the sides were labelled as something about being "torn in two when I think of you" and "torn in three when you think of me". I can also very, very clearly remember Galaxie 500's "Flowers" being the tape opener, along with the Mountain Goat's "Twin Human Highlight Flares" being on it.

In conclusion, there is a certain method to making mix tapes and it's not just all slapped together. If it is, it's probably a shitty mix tape and means nothing, but the recipient should be able to tell what effort you put into it and will hopefully appreciate it.

Funfact: I have never made a mixtape for a guy!

Bonus: Here are some songs that I adore:
Lesley Gore, "You Don't Own Me"
The Carpenters, "Yesterday Once More"
Blur, "This is a Low"
Blur, "Young & Lovely"
Gillian Welch, "Everything is Free"
Dusty Springfield, "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"
Nat King Cole, "Quizas, Quizas, Quizas"
Neutral Milk Hotel, "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"
Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Alone Again (Naturally)"
Galaxie 500, "Listen, the Snow is Falling"
Elvis Costello, "Watching the Detectives"
Suede, "Animal Lover"
Donovan, "Colours"
Mirah, "Cold, Cold Water"
Sleater-Kinney, "Night Light"
Marine Research, "Angel in the Snow"

and so forth. I could keep going for days.

Love,
Kevin

Is this what people mean by "don't ever change"?

2005-10-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

Actual quote from my good friend Kazuko An in my seventh grade yearbook:

"You were one big, horny (real horny) friend. You have the grossest ideas in you. Oh well, I guess that's how you are."

-- Kevin

Caruthers Notes

2005-10-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some things that I felt like sharing with everyone.

-I am the only person who has lived at Caruthers that doesn't wear some sort of corrective eye lens (contact or glasses).
-I got slaughtered last night in thumb wars with Gillian, but I feel like I am pretty much on the same level with her at the hand-slap game. You know.. where you hold your hands under someone else's and try to beat their reflexes by going on top of theirs and slapping down. Neither her nor I have any kind of defense.
-Wild Oats (aka Feral Oats, formerly known as "Natures", aka "The Natural", aka "Natty's".) is now officially my least favorite place to buy groceries. Let's hear it for New Seasons! Their food is sometimes half of the price that our neighbors Wild Oats sell it for. The exact same food! And their red bell peppers aren't covered in mold. Plus you can buy Pepsi and other assorted Pepsi products!! It may seem like a hike to get down there, but it's worth it. Plus you have a decent chance of running into Kevin Fisk and some of his b-boy friends on your way, so it's really a win-win situation.

See you in the next edition of "Caruthers Notes".
Love, Brian.

I love tabbed browsing.

2005-10-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

So, a lot of you who read this blog already know the legend of Orange Mackintosh Girl, or OMG. For those of you who don't know, OMG is a very attractive young woman who I have had a crush on for months and months. OMG rides the bus with Brian & I in the mornings, although we only see her about three or four days a week and never on the way back home. Of course, in true Kevin fashion, I've never talked to her and she's only spoken to me once, which was to say "excuse me" when she got off the bus the one time we sat next to each other.

Anyway, I was mentioning to Brian on the way back from lunch that I saw OMG on the bus. He offhandedly mentioned that he thought she looked like Naomi Yang of Galaxie 500/Damon & Naomi fame.

Personally speaking, I think she looks better than Naomi Yang, but to Brian's credit he said that it was mainly her hair that reminded him of Naomi Yang. I'm thinking that I eventually need to speak to OMG, even though I feel sort of creepy because this is the second thing I've written about OMG on the internet. Maybe she's off writing about me somewhere on the internet?

I doubt it.

-- Kevin

Guess what is happening at Caruthers RIGHT NOW!

2005-10-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

Kevin is rubbing his butt in honor of Ashlee Simpson's birthday! Right here in the living room!

WHOA Kevin!!!

BIG NEWS! AT CARUTHERS WORLD!

2005-10-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

Guess who moved into our house?
Her name is Emily Lehr! She lives in Abra's old room, which before that was John's old room. Here are some past policies that room has observed:

-No entry while the tenant is gone.
-No unauthorized touching. **which is an all-house policy
-No frontin'.
-No skeezin'.

Any grievances should be taken to the correct authority (which would be Emily. If Emily isn't present, then they can consult our landlord Stuart).

Coming soon: AMERICA'S NEXT TOP CARUTHERS ROOMMATE!

A Sad Story and a Happy Story

2005-09-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Before I get to the stories, happy birthday Kevin!

And now first, the sad story:
Last week, I was taking ou the trash when I noticed a large box full of videos. Forgetting that I do not own a VCR, or for that matter, a TV, I decided to see videos were in the box, thinking there might be some good ones I would want to keep. So I stepped over to the box, peered inside and realized every single video was porn. there had to be at least 30 of them too. So I decided on second thought maybe I wouldn't scavenge any of the videos and left to go see a movie with my friend. At the theater, however, I had a change of heart. How funny would it be if I took like maybe 10 of the videos and gave them to my friends as jokes? Or maybe just kind of left them around the law school? Or even put them in random students' folders where we typically get things like assignments back or random flyers? Ha ha. That would be funny. So I got all excited about going home and taking up to my apartment a selection of porn. But guess what happened when I got back to my apartment and headed over to the dumpster to pick up my porn? It was gone! The entire box. And I was sad.

A happy story:
I was over at my friend's apartment yesterday and we were watching music videos on his computer, on MTV's website. I realized that I could watch videos on my computer too, and that that would be an excellent way to procrastinate and get caught up on everything I have been missing being without my beloved MTV, VH1 and BET. But when I got home and tried to go to the MTV site on my computer, a little bubble popped up saying Macs don't have the right kind of program thingie that MTV uses and that I would not be able to watch any videos! I was sad but then I started doing some googling and discovered that AOL has a video site where there are even more videos to choose from than on MTV! And I would be lying if I said that I haven't yet checked out Pretty Ricky's "Grind With Me."
-abra

Birthday Boyz

2005-09-24T03:04:00.000-07:00

See you tonight?

Know What's Good?

2005-09-19T23:05:00.000-07:00

I'll tell you: Hostess products. Every now and then, after forgetting about the existence of the Hostess company for a few years, I will suddenly remember how great Zingers are. Or how the Cupcake cream just melts in the mouth. Or how all that coconut on a Snoball reminds me of island adventures long past. And once memories like these begin to flow, I have no choice but get myself to the nearest Safeway (or, as often seems to be the case, the next gas station mini mart) and pick up a pack of whatever treat just had the starring role in my daydream. I remember the urge struck once on the way to a soccer game. Jolina stopped at the 7-11 on 28th and Steele and I gobbled down a pack of Snoballs before scoring ten goals and single handedly leading my team to victory. These days, it is usually case that I eat one Twinkie, or one Ding Dong, feel horribly ill, and either toss or give away its twin treat.

The reason I bring this up is I have recently rediscovered a Hostess treat I don't think I have enjoyed since middle school, and one that I seem to have no problem consuming in large quantities. I am talking about the Donettes- mini doughnuts covered in powdered sugar, wrapped in chocolate aor smothered in that weird brown stuff that is kind of sticky. Sadly, its name escapes me. Anyway, when my mom visited a couple of weeks ago she took me grocery shopping and asked me if there were any treats I might want that I would not usually buy myself. My eyes happened to fall on a table of Hostess goodies, and seconds later a giant box of Chocolte covered Donettes as in my basket.

I finished that box off faster than I thought possible. Although, looking back, I was eating the little guys for all three meals and for snacks. I ate them first thing in the morning and right before bed. I ate them as a study break. I ate them when I got back from class. I ate them after working out. I ate them in the shower. i thought I would eat my one box and not think of donettes for another 10 years. However, tonight I went to Safeway to buy such healthy Donette alternatives as spinach and yogurt, but while perusing the bread aisle, I caught sight of the Hostess rack and next thing I knew a package of powdered sugar Donettes was in my basket. Now most of them are in my stomach. Uh oh.
-Abra

Classy social gathering.

2005-09-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen,

On Saturday, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (common folk call it "September"), there will be an exclusive, high class social event at Upper East Caruthers Village. During the course of this event, expensive alcohol will be consumed in just the right amount, so that we may discuss politics and look down at the lower classes whilst maintaining our class. In addition, there will be mingling and discussions of offshore bank accounts.

The reason for this event is to celebrate the birth of four socialites, Charley, Miranda, Heather and myself, whom you no doubt see in the high society section of the New York Times every week. Please invite your fellow snooty associates to partake in the classiness of the evening.

That is all.

-- Kevin

PS -- Upper East Caruthers Village is located just north of Lower Division Slum Area and between Thirtieth and Thirty-second Streets. We had Thirty-First Street removed because it attracted too much riff raff.

(Seriously. Everyone come and have fun.)

House of Caruthers Style

2005-09-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hey guys. Here's a little news flash on what's hot. Get ready for...

These are the latest from House of Caruthers Style. This piece is entitled "NFL PANTS". It was a moment of inspiration late one night when myself and my designer friend Gilly wanted to fuse the worlds of high denim fashion with the rawness and realness of the National Football League. These denim pants are embracing the helmet logos with extreme force. Hut! HUT! HIIIIKE!

That is a close-up of the careful detail going into each pair of NFL PANTS. The back side reads "NFL" spelled out in rhinestones across the butt region. They will be sure to catch the eye of anyone with real taste of high denim fashion and edgy rawness. Don't even think of trying to fit in at your social gathering, whether it be high-fashion or football-related, without a pair of these bad boys.

(copyright 2005 CARUTHERS WORLD [A DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE])

Blogging frenzy!

2005-09-13T00:16:00.000-07:00

Whoa. WHOA.

All of a sudden, Caruthers World (at least the cyberspace version) is heating up, while the weather outside is getting colder. Guess it's time for me to find someone to cuddle up with during the upcoming winter months.

Anyway, here are some things that are going on in my humble life:

1) So, it seems like I'll be flying home to Ohio (on United, of course) sometime in October in order to see my parents and drive my car back out to Oregon. People have suggested various routes to me, such as taking I-70 through St. Louis, Kansas City and Denver or I-90 through Chicago, Minneapolis and Seattle. However, I think I will choose to take I-80, which will put me through such fabulous cities as Peoria, Des Moines, Lincoln, Cheyenne and Boise. Good times.

2) I do, however, look forward to driving across the country with an Oregon Ducks flag attached to the car, even though the car has an Ohio license plate. I also look forward to eating at Waffle House and at least one Sonic. I don't even know if they have any in Iowa/Nebraska/Wyoming/Idaho, but years of watching the SEC on CBS has conditioned me to crave Sonic.

3) In terms of local news, we are pretty close to finalising plans for the big birthday party on the 24th of September. At first, I thought that only Charley, Miranda and I would be the birthday people of the party, but we're currently in 11th hour negotiations with Heather to add her to the lineup. I also need to order a keg. I've never done that in my lifetime, so it'll be fun. We'll see what happens.

All who are reading this blog are invited, of course.

4) By Jove, I love my new bed and I love my new lamp!

5) Last but not least, the highlight of my week so far has been downloading Jaylib's McNasty Filth. Damn straight that we'll be rocking this cut (playing this song) at the party. Oh yeah...

-- Kevin

QB EAGLES! BETCHA CAN'T JUST EAT ONE!

2005-09-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yo. What are you doing this Friday?
Shit. That's too bad. Maybe you can come to our next show. If you wanted to let your buddies know just in case they are interested, my band QB Eagles is playing at THE TWILIGHT LOUNGE this FRIDAY SEPT. 16th. The show is like at 9 or 10 or some other time that is rock-oriented. It is probably free, because the door man is still in jail.
You can learn EVERYTHING about this band at www.qbeagles.net . It is seriously updated like every 15 minutes, so keep checking it for awesome in-depth q&as and crazy movies (you know, tour bus hijinks, celebrity pranks [aka "punkz"], freestyles from the top of the dome, shower cam, etc..). Check out our message board and be sure to sign our guestbook, and totally check out all the links too.

SEE YOU THERE DUDETTES!

Procrastinatin'

2005-09-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Isn't it great how becoming a student always looking for a new and exciting way to procrastinate has led me to embrace again the art of blogging? In Japan, I had nothing else to do so I turned to blogging to relieve the boredom. But this past year, I did not feel comfortable blogging at the lawin' firm (but I somehow felt extremely comfortbale spending hours checking my email), and when I got home in the evenin, the last thing I wanted to was sit in front of a computer and try and come up with something witty to post. But here at school, my computer is constantly with me, and I am constantly trying to avoid reading. These two factors have led me to constantly think about posting.
In other news, here are a couple things I have learned this weekend:

-UO law students smoke a lot of pot. Maybe this shouldn't be such a surprise given the location of the UO law school (Eugene), but have always thought that lawyers are more into a higher class of more professional drugs. Like really expensive champagne and cocaine. And maybe pills too. I guess I realized this weekend that even though the Oregon State Bar already considers us to be professionals, in reality we are a bunch of poor students stuck in a town full of hippies and the fancy after work cocktail parties with our coked up colleagues won't begin for a few more years.

-12:30 pm is way too early for a football game, especially if you stayed out a little too late and drank a little too much the night before.

-Wedding Crashers: just as funny the second time.

-New favorite drink: madras.

-The gym: not open on the weekends for another week! I guess this is what happens when the entire campus is dead because your program is the only in the entire school that is not on a quarter system.

Ok, time to work. I think. At least time to look a the amount I have to read and decide if I can face now or might be better equipped to handle it after a few hours on the internet, or maybe a trip to the Gap. Sundays are rough.

-abra

-

Happy Labor Day!

2005-09-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Before I begin, I would just like to point out that I have made the last two posts, and that I am no longer even a resident of Caruthers World (although it will be years before those happy memories of my time there begin to fade). That being said, I would just like to wish you and yours a Happy Labor Day! What have i done with my three day weekend, you ask? Well, as I only have one class on Friday, I like to think of Thursday night as the beginning of my weekend. This past Thursday, I hit up a reggae show at only the coolest club in all of Eugene, The Jungle. Some of you may remember, or even possibly served on executive council with me in high school and remember that pretty much every dance we planned, I begged my fellow student governmet members to let it be jungle-themed. Never happened. I was shot down every time in favor of such crappy themes as... actually, I don't remember specifically what they were, just that they were crappy. Same thing happened for prom. I may have been second in command of the senior class, but did that afford me the right to make any sort of decisions involving prom theme? Apparently not. Anyway, the point is this jungle club was like my school dance dream come true in terms of the decor. Giant blow up serpent, fake waterfalls, cargo nets, jungle foliage everywhere. It was great. And the music was cool too I guess. Did I mention the giant blow up serpent? After the show, I met some friends at another bar for the weekly law school event, Thursday Night Bar Review, also cleverly known as "Thunbar". Had some drinks, then finally got home and got like 5 hours of sleep before my 9 am class. At least this time I didn't spend all of class thinking I was going to puke.
Friday saw my mom and sister coming to visit. We hit up Costco, where my mom refused to buy me my own cake, but did get me lots of other stuff, like my precious mozzarella and spinach frozen raviolis. They left in the evening, and I then headed out to meet a bunch of guys at some campus bars. Good times. Ooh, and I saw one of the French twins of "The Amazing Race" fame! And CHS fame! Thought about going up and offering some advice as to what they could have done better on the show, but thought better of it.
Saturday...an interesting day. Wrote a memo on attractive nuisance for my legal research and writing class. That was fun. Then an old pal from the #4 bus came to town and we got wasted at a bunch of Eugene bars, including the bar at the Hilton. Or was it the Marriott? I think it was the Hilton. As evidenced by my memory issues, it was one of our last stops of the night. Anyway, it was a good time.
Sunday. I studied. And I bought some magnets and put some pictures on my refrigerator. And I ate some Costco raviolis.
That brings us to today, Labor Day. I have done some reading and some case briefing, gone running and am about to do some more reading. Yep, that's about it. Hopefully, a bona fide Caruthers World resident will make the next post!
--Abra

Lawin' School: 2 Weeks Down, Lots and Lots More to Go

2005-08-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

I am well on my way to becoming the next Ally McBeal. Seriously, I have already lost 30 pounds and fantasize about dancing babies all the time. This is what just two weeks of being a law student (which, as I was told during orientation, means I have already entered the "professional" stage of my life. Luckily, I don't think professional is synonymous with mature, or else there might be a problem) will do to a person. All joking aside though (except I wasn't joking. I seriously weigh 90 pounds now), law school is, thus far, a good time. Granted, I pretty much have to study all the time and carting my giant case books around will probably lead to a serious injury, but still, I think I made the right choice to come here. Here is a quick list of some of the things I have accomplished since moving to Eugene (or Edward) and becoming a serious, professional law student:

-gotten trashed
-hooked up
-studied for a ridiculous amount of time
-attended party featuring fire dancers
-run on Hayward Field
-volunteered a legal analysis in class...and actually been right
-studied for a ridiculous amount of time
-gone to class hungover (that was this morning...oops)
-dreamed I was suing my sister using quasi in rem type 2 jurisdiction by attaching her car.
-found a possible new "Papa General"
-figured out the best place to study in the law library
-studied for a ridiculous amount of time
-been convinced by male friend that when we go to football games, it will be a good idea for me to smuggle in plastic bags full of vodka in my bra
-studied for a ridiculous amount of time
-stalked my fellow law students using the online facebook. pure genius, that online facebook.

In closing, I would like to point out that if you are driving through Oklahoma in an Audi and you are rear-ended and your car explodes and you get severley burned and you want to sue the car dealership or distriubtor that sold you that Audi, which are located in New York, it will be very difficult to establish that the state of Oklahoma has personal jurisdiction over the dealership or distributor. You'll save a lot time if you just go sue them in New York.

Do you remember when?

2005-08-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the time?
Gilly thought I was building shelves. Kevin maybe was just oblivious to it all. But there I was. Trapped in the downstairs bathroom of our house. It was terrifying. It was a horrible experience that I would never wish upon anyone. The doorknob wouldn't turn, as if it were locked. But it wasn't locked. Nothing I could do would make that knob twist to open.
Finally, to my rescue came my wonderful roommates. It took a little courage from them, and a bit of dynamite. But I turned out okay. It all seems so hazy now to me, and so long ago. I guess it was only about two hours ago.

It sure is good to be alive.

Just the three of us. We can make it if we try.

2005-08-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

In actuality, this photo after a long night out was taken before Abra had moved yet. Otherwise we might have been holding up a sign that says "Abra, come back!". Or "Abra! We miss you!". Or "Abra! You should be sitting here on the couch with us!". Or "Abra! Things here at our house will never be the same, but I guess we will try our best to move on. Oh! Who are we kidding, we're never going to be the same! But I guess we will try to live our lives as long as you try to live yours, and please will you give us some legal advice? Cause we are into it deep this time, and we need a good lawyer. One with a heart of gold!"

Our house has now seen 3 alumnis come and go (What up, Keane-O and the Nice one?). And soon we will have a new friend living in Abra's (and John's) old room. That will bring the talley of Caruthers World inhabitants of all time to 7. Simply amazing! I remember like it was just the other day, when I built this house from the ground up. I was so young then! I knew so little about construction and carpentry. But after a little time and a lot of patience, I was able to make this house a home. Having such fun friends and roommates in Kevin, Abra, John, Gillian, and Scott has made it all worthwhile. And I wouldn't want to forget about honorary roommates, such as Jolina Kwong, aka J-KWON. If I didn't mention her, I feel like I would have got a nasty comment left just below this.

And if you'll excuse me, I think I better go have myself a little cry. Sweet Caruthers tears.

-Brian

End of the Road.

2005-08-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

It is very easy for myself to remember the evening that I met Abra. I had known that she would be moving into Caruthers World for some time, but had never had the opportunity to meet her. Anyway, we met when Brian brought her to my marathon birthday karaoke session in which my friends and I pounded out song after song over a span of a couple of hours. I'm not really sure what she thought of me and I don't really remember what I thought of her, but that was probably due to the fact that I was feeling really depressed about the girl I liked at that time.

So tonight marks Abra's last night at Caruthers World and I think I am unique in really only knowing Abra in the context of Caruthers World. Brian & Gillian are fortunate enough to have known her much longer than I am, whereas I only knew her when she moved in.

Without further adoo, here are some of my favourite Abra memories in a vague chronological order:

1) Abra as a pioneer slut on Halloween/her birthday.
2) That one moment from our first party that's captured in that photograph on the side of the fridge. Abra hates this moment and the picture that captured it, but it is one of my favourite pictures.
3) Our plan to start an opium den upstairs, along with maybe doing piles of cocaine on New Year's. I think I was more serious about this cocaine plan than she was, which probably isn't a good thing. Also, I feel that the opium den talk really started to help us bond in terms of being people who lived upstairs. Upstairs will forever rule Caruthers World.
4) When Abra, Emily (my Emily, not Duffie) and I went to Doug Fir. The gist of the story is that I ended up being kicked out of Doug Fir and then refusing to speak English to Abra or Emily, even though they were helping me get to bed safely that evening.
5) We all went out to Mulligan's on Hawthorne the evening after the ice storm hit and Duffie met us after going to a figure skating competition with Brian's mother earlier in the day. Anyway, Duffie brought along some score card thing that people in the crowd got to wave around and we dared Abra to wave it at the bartender, which she duly did. I think this is one of those moments that you had to be there, but also keep in mind that we were delirious after being trapped at home all day.
6) The time Abra sat in my room and watched me sing karaoke in Cantonese while I tried to translate lyrics that were about how I was no longer a girl, but actually a woman.
7) Our fleeting Shania Twain obsession/singing Man! I Feel Like a Woman! to Abra at Chopsticks.
8) Whenever Abra would sing in her own special Abra way of singing, especially that one song about North Carolina and waving a towel over your head.
9) Abra getting really stoned and then coming into my room to borrow a New Pornographers album.

Basically, Abra, I'll miss you.

Love,
Kevin

Your opinion is needed.

2005-08-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Which of the following public situations, assuming that we are talking about a couple, do you least approve of and why?

1) A couple sitting on the same side of a table when no one else is sitting on the other side of the table.

2) One person in the couple sitting on the other person's lap.

3) One person in the couple feeding the other person when the other person is physically and mentally capable of feeding themselves.

Think about it, fools!

-- Kevin (surprisingly)

THERE IS GOING TO BE A PARTY OMG LOL!!!!!!11

2005-07-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

This Saturday at Caruthers World! Like at 10 pm or something.

Possible themes include:

-Couch Burning Party (burning up to 4 couches at the same time!)
-Sexual Winds of Change Retiree Party
-Off With Your Pubes Party
-R.A.V.E.
-Party Like It's 2004 Party

But probably it will end up being a send off for our dear friends Abra, Allee, and Emily (AKA Duffy AKA Duffie AKA Duff-Man AKA Duff McKagan AKA Stuffy). They are all leaving town and we need to have a fun party to cope with that.

ENTERTAINMENT!! I almost forgot about that.

ROLANDO WHITEMAN! The DJ crew. They are likeable people. They will play records, and you like music.. so it's a nice match.

QB EAGLES! That's kind of tenative. Or is it? I think if the Q-Beezys rock it, it will probably be sweet and sultry and relaxing and intoxicating and jamming and mellow and sexy and soulful. Maybe Madison will rock his wig again.

Be there!