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Saturday, September 24, 2005 |
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It's Only A Circus Till Someone Gets Bored
This story is a little late because it deals with events from a week ago but I guess I've been busy. So last weekend we went to the circus up in Everett, you know, the Ringling Bros. thing. I'd never been to the circus before, even growing up, so I was leaning towards excited about going. I couldn't wait for the freak shows, the tents, the Carnies...all the things that make the circus experience so alluring, so different. So off we went. Boy oh boy have I been mislead over the years about the circus! Either that or I've watched too much Carnivale. Probably both. Granted, that show is about the (duh) Carnival, but in my mind they are somewhat synonymous. Did you know there's no such thing as the Big Top anymore? I had no idea. I was expecting big tents, grandstands, dirt floors and elephant stank. Instead I got a sports arena, stadium chairs and PETA. Oh, and elephant stank. Gone are the days of the sense of remoteness, debauchery and reckless entertainment. In its place is a sanitized marketing machine akin to Disney on Ice, just without the ice. Forced entertainment with no sense of history. The Ringleader is now referred to as the Host and he sings through most of the show. When did the circus turn into a musical? The clowns are still clowns, but they don't jump off high-dives into pails of water. They don't cram into tiny cars. They don't run into the stands and scare the bejesus out of kids, terrorizing their dreams forever. Now they just teach you all how to get "Circus Fit". Jazzercise anyone? Dumb. Have you ever heard of Sky Surfers? I hadn't, but apparently that's what Acrobats on the trapeze are called now. Nobody informed me of the change. They used to be the star of the show, and apparently still are, but you sure wouldn't know it. Flying Trapeze Artists, now that has some glamour and daring to it. Sky Surfer? Come on. They did one trick each, ONE, and that was it. And the last two didn't even count because they missed. The only part of the show that hasn't changed was the beginning with the two fools shooting themselves out of a canon. That was friggin' sweet! To bad there was a giant butt blocking my view of it. Seriously people, if you arrive late, tough, don't go trying to find your seats in the dark. But I must say that it was good to see the long tradition of hustling patrons has not gone anywhere. In fact, I think that's the only thing they're good at now. Our standard tickets were like $35 each. Decent seats, but not quite in the middle. Seats in the middle of the venue were $75. Seats in the front row were $125 and came with the special bonus of being able to embarrass yourself in front of the rest of the audience when the clowns did their exercising. I sure didn't think my money was well spent, I can't imagine being one of the people that spent $75. And the front row folks, well they're just idiots. Of course they also had toys with extreme child appeal being pushed everywhere you turned. How much for a little spinning light thing you can buy for less than 3 bucks at Target? $18!!!! Luckily I got out of there without having to buy any of that crap. But then there was the food as well. I spent $9 on a sno-cone (yes you read that right) and $6 on popcorn in a box so small even a movie theater would have been ashamed to sell it. Insanity. Admittedly, Ava did have a somewhat fun time, but it soooo wasn't worth it. Maybe it'd be better when she's older, but I don't think you'll ever get me back there. On a final note, normally I think PETA protesters are a bunch of extreme whacko's, but after seeing how much the animals seemed to be enjoying themselves, this is one case where I think I'm going to have to say I agree with them. Circus animals do not have a good life. Vive la Old School Circus!
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The Friday 00110101
1. Who is your mobile phone provider, and how many minutes are in your plan?Verizon. I have no idea, I still don't have a new phone from when I lost mine, what, 6 months ago now? So minutes really don't matter. Pretty cool that I still pay my monthly bill though. You're welcome Verizon. 2. What program do you primarily use for instant messaging?MSN Messenger 3. Who do you send and receive text messages from most?Toss up between Heather, Jen and Spaceboy. 4. What area code do you live in?425 or 206 if you call my cell phone (which I can't answer). 5. What year did you first get an e-mail address and do you still use it?Oh gosh, would have had to have been somewhere around '88. No, I don't still use it, I don't know if they are even a player in the ISP market anymore. My first personal (read not shared) email account was in '92. I don't have that one anymore either, it was at my college. I still remember what it was though, does that count? wknoll@blue.univnorthco.edu My longest standing email account which I still use dates back to around '97.
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Been A While
I think it's been over a month since I've particiapted, time to get back into it I guess. So, without further ado, The Friday Five. 1) What was the first song you remember hearing and enjoying on the radio?This is kind of a tough one. Thinking way, way back, the first I can remember is Running With The Devil, which is kind of funny because I really don't like Van Halen. 2) If you could only listen to five CDs for a year, which five would they be? (Boxed sets can count as one CD. Sigh.)Damn, why did I pick this week to do this?! Only 5? I like way too much music for this question. But since "boxed sets" are allowed, I can cop out a bit with my first choice. - Real Synthetic Audio Archive DVD Set - my weekly Synthpop/Industrial radio show :D
- VA - Sensation White/Black 2003
- The Sisters of Mercy - Floodland
- Apoptygma Berzerk - Welcome to Earth
- Covenant - Synergy: Live in Europe
3) What was your favorite year, music-wise?I don't have one. Every year new stuff comes out which shapes and distorts my taste in music. Every year is my favorite year. 4) If you could witness one historical music event through all time, what would you pick, and why?The world's leading dance event in the best ravedome on the planet, of course! Sensation at Amsterdam Arena (yes, in Amsterdam). Any year, I don't care, I just want to be there. I'd probably prefer the Black night, but I'd go to White too. Load that link and watch the trailors. You can't tell me you wouldn't want to be there. 5) Do you have a song that never fails to cheer you up? What is it and why does it do that for you?Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFarrine. Just kidding, I hate that fucking guy. Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion. Fuckin' rocks, every time.
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