Dinosaur in Trouble

New Travel Blog

2008-06-07T15:10:00.002-05:00

Just in case the once-a-year post on this blog isn't enough for you, Jessica and I will be keeping a travel blog entitled Dinosaurs in Paradise to chronicle our gargantuan Eurotrip this summer.

We've already published a couple of posts, so it's ready for viewing. The actual trip spans from June 10th to August 21st. Hopefully there'll be lots of pictures. See you there!

Music Inventory

2007-10-13T16:25:00.000-05:00

hard drive exploded
everything that was wasn't
started all over

Of course, I didn't back anything up. So every picture I ever took with my digital camera was lost. All the thousands of mp3s I so patiently downloaded disappeared. Every project I ever saved onto my computer was gone forever.

One of the biggest blows was the loss of my "CD Inventory." It was a project I started my freshman year in college to keep track of my growing collection of music. Instead of studying for midterms or going to football games, I spent weeks typing artist names, album titles, track listings, and release dates into a gigantic Word document. I kept the inventory up-to-date as the years passed. Every time I acquired a new CD or record, I would add the information to my list. Yes, it was an extremely geeky thing to do, but I was proud of my inventory, and it often came in handy (for purposes that were far too geeky to even mention).

Well, I've got some good news for those of you who care (there's gotta be someone out there besides me). I just put the finishing touches on my new-and-improved "Music Inventory" around 3:00 am last night! Considering that I had to start from scratch in a completely different format (html instead of a Word document), learn some scripting languages, and incorporate Jessica's CDs (we combined our collections), it's a wonder that it only took me the entire summer to complete. Oh, and it's so much better than before. It's completely sortable, searchable, and scrollable. And since I'm publishing it on the web, it's actually backed-up this time around.

I've tried to be as accurate as possible with the release years (which required a lot of research in some cases), and the track listings (which can be accessed by clicking on the album title). But it's inevitable that there will be some mistakes or typos. If you happen to catch any errors, please contact me through this blog. I'm a perfectionist, and I need your input to be completely satisfied with my little project.

Click on the link below to check it out:
Lee & Jessica's Music Inventory

By the way, congratulations to the soccer team I support. Another amazing win today. We're going all the way!

Back From the Great White North

2006-09-12T22:10:00.000-05:00

Pictures from my very fruitful trip to Canada will be up shortly. In the meantime, check out the pictures below – they might give you an idea as to why I eventually made my way back to the Twin Cities. I’ve seen the world. Nothing compares to what we have going here.

2006-09-12T21:59:00.000-05:00

Vampire Hands: Palmer's Bar (Palmfest), 09-09-2006

2006-09-12T21:58:00.000-05:00

Mike Gunther and His Restless Souls: Palmer's Bar (Palmfest), 09-09-2006

2006-09-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

The Deaths: The Nomad (Ruckus on the West Bank festival), 09-09-2006

2006-09-12T21:54:00.000-05:00

In Defence: Rudies Coffeehouse, 09-09-2006

2006-09-12T21:52:00.000-05:00

Hockey Night (feat. Carl Wedoff of the sadly defunct Malachi Constant): The Nomad, 09-08-2006

2006-09-12T21:46:00.000-05:00

Hockey Night: The Nomad (Ruckus on the West Bank festival), 09-08-2006

2006-09-12T21:44:00.001-05:00

Shearwater: 7th St. Entry, 09-08-2006

2006-09-12T21:44:00.000-05:00

Shearwater: 7th St. Entry, 09-08-2006

2006-09-12T21:43:00.001-05:00

The Mood Swings: 7th St. Entry, 09-08-2006

2006-09-12T21:43:00.000-05:00

The Hasbeen: 7th St. Entry, 09-08-2006

2006-09-12T21:41:00.001-05:00

Askeleton: Kitty Cat Klub, 09-02-2006

2006-09-12T21:41:00.000-05:00

The Haves Have It: Kitty Cat Klub, 09-02-2006

2006-09-12T21:40:00.000-05:00

Eddy Burke: Kitty Cat Klub, 09-02-2006

2006-09-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

Thank You: 720 Space, 09-01-2006

2006-09-12T21:38:00.001-05:00

Knife World: 720 Space, 09-01-2006

2006-09-12T21:38:00.000-05:00

The Silence Project (Milwaukee, WI): 720 Space, 09-01-2006

2006-09-12T21:36:00.000-05:00

Belles of Skin City w/ fire dancers: MMAA, 08-31-2006

2006-09-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

Belles of Skin City: Minnesota Museum of American Art, 08-31-2006

2006-09-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

Skoal Kodiak: The Church, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:33:00.001-05:00

Corndawg (Philadelphia, PA): The Church, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:33:00.000-05:00

The Extraordinaires (Philadelphia, PA): The Church, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:31:00.000-05:00

The God Damn Doo Wop Band: Salon Dpugh homeless youth benefit, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

Faux Jean: Salon Dpugh homeless youth benefit, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:29:00.001-05:00

Harsh Reality: Salon Dpugh homeless youth benefit, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:29:00.000-05:00

Shotgun Monday: Salon Dpugh homeless youth benefit, 08-27-2006

2006-09-12T21:28:00.000-05:00

Eagle*Seagull (Lincoln, NE): 400 Bar, 08-26-2006

2006-09-12T21:26:00.001-05:00

Ada Jane: 400 Bar, 08-26-2006

2006-09-12T21:26:00.000-05:00

Ada Jane (CD release): 400 Bar, 08-26-2006

2006-09-12T21:24:00.000-05:00

The Gilded Age (plugged): 331 Club, 08-25-2006

2006-09-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

The Dad in Common: 331 Club, 08-25-2006

2006-09-12T21:22:00.000-05:00

The Gilded Age (unplugged): 331 Club, 08-25-2006

2006-09-12T21:21:00.000-05:00

The Flaming Lips: MN State Fair Grandstand, 08-24-2006

2006-09-12T21:20:00.001-05:00

Sonic Youth: MN State Fair Grandstand, 08-24-2006

2006-09-12T21:20:00.000-05:00

The Magic Numbers: MN State Fair Grandstand, 08-24-2006

2006-09-12T21:19:00.000-05:00

Wayne Coyne in a bubble: MN State Fair Grandstand, 08-24-2006

The End of an Era

2006-08-25T19:17:00.000-05:00

Keri and Alison, you will be missed. Robyne Robinson feels the same.

A Note on the Condition of This Blog

2006-07-25T05:01:00.000-05:00

The following 90 photographs are of concerts I’ve been meaning to review. It’s doubtful that I will ever accomplish this task. Once I return from Canada, however, I will try my best to provide brief explanations to accompany the photos. Until then, try to see if you can spot yourself in one of the pictures. Trust me, you’re in there somewhere.

2006-07-25T04:37:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's Tapes 'n Tapes in front of a sold-out crowd at First Avenue. Do you realize the significance of this phenomenon?!

2006-07-25T04:35:00.001-05:00

Tapes 'n Tapes

2006-07-25T04:35:00.000-05:00

Say Hi to Your Mom

2006-07-25T04:34:00.000-05:00

Say Hi to Your Mom

2006-07-25T04:33:00.002-05:00

Dirty on Purpose

2006-07-25T04:33:00.001-05:00

Kill the Vultures

2006-07-25T04:33:00.000-05:00

National Bird

2006-07-25T04:32:00.000-05:00

STNNNG

2006-07-25T04:31:00.001-05:00

STNNNG

2006-07-25T04:31:00.000-05:00

Wagner & the Zombiemen

2006-07-25T04:29:00.000-05:00

Cave Deaths

2006-07-25T04:27:00.000-05:00

The Haves Have It

2006-07-25T04:26:00.000-05:00

The Danforths

2006-07-25T04:25:00.001-05:00

Les Sans Culottes

2006-07-25T04:25:00.000-05:00

Superdanger

2006-07-25T04:23:00.000-05:00

Seymore Saves the World

2006-07-25T04:22:00.001-05:00

Alameda

2006-07-25T04:22:00.000-05:00

Lee's Liquor Lounge

2006-07-25T04:20:00.000-05:00

Barber Jim and the Straight Razors

2006-07-25T04:15:00.000-05:00

The Handsome Family

2006-07-25T04:14:00.002-05:00

Party in Midtown

2006-07-25T04:14:00.001-05:00

Gay Beast

2006-07-25T04:14:00.000-05:00

Gay Beast

2006-07-25T04:13:00.001-05:00

Dan Deacon

2006-07-25T04:13:00.000-05:00

Ecstatic Sunshine

2006-07-25T04:12:00.001-05:00

Vampire Hands

2006-07-25T04:12:00.000-05:00

The Umbrella Sequence

2006-07-25T04:11:00.001-05:00

Lazer Forever

2006-07-25T04:11:00.000-05:00

Signal to Trust

2006-07-25T04:10:00.000-05:00

Signal to Trust

2006-07-25T04:09:00.001-05:00

Mute Era

2006-07-25T04:09:00.000-05:00

DeVotchKa

2006-07-25T04:08:00.001-05:00

DeVotchKa

2006-07-25T04:08:00.000-05:00

Norfolk & Western

2006-07-25T04:07:00.000-05:00

Die Electric!

2006-07-25T04:06:00.000-05:00

The Seawhores

2006-07-25T04:05:00.000-05:00

The Seawhores

2006-07-25T04:03:00.001-05:00

Birthday Suits

2006-07-25T04:03:00.000-05:00

Birthday Suits

2006-07-25T04:02:00.001-05:00

Spider Fighter

2006-07-25T04:02:00.000-05:00

The Blackthorns

2006-07-25T04:01:00.002-05:00

The Dad in Common

2006-07-25T04:01:00.001-05:00

Dreamland Faces

2006-07-25T04:01:00.000-05:00

Don Caballero

2006-07-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Sound Team

2006-07-25T03:59:00.001-05:00

Boredoms

2006-07-25T03:59:00.000-05:00

Boredoms

2006-07-25T03:58:00.000-05:00

Boredoms

2006-07-25T03:57:00.001-05:00

XBXRX

2006-07-25T03:57:00.000-05:00

XBXRX

2006-07-25T03:56:00.001-05:00

Taiwan Deth

2006-07-25T03:56:00.000-05:00

Burning Star Core

2006-07-25T03:55:00.000-05:00

Yowie

2006-07-25T03:54:00.000-05:00

Nmperign

2006-07-25T03:53:00.001-05:00

The Fiery Furnaces

2006-07-25T03:53:00.000-05:00

The Fiery Furnaces

2006-07-25T03:52:00.000-05:00

We Are Scientists

Bonnaroo 2006

2006-07-25T02:55:00.000-05:00

Bonnaroo 2006 (June 15-18, Manchester, Tennessee)

Dios (Malos) [who are changing their name back to just plain Dios]

DeVotchKa

Andrew Bird

Seu Jorge

Ben Folds

Devendra Banhart

Oysterhead

Cat Power and the Memphis Rhythm Band

Cat Power

Tom Petty (featuring Stevie Nicks)

Lyrics Born

My Morning Jacket

Blackalicious

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint

Elvis Costello

Gomez

Blues Traveler

Beck

Cypress Hill

Radiohead

The Dresden Dolls

The Streets

Son Volt

Matisyahu

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks

Slug and Brother Ali of Atmosphere

Ant of Atmosphere

Steve Earle

Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth (featuring Stephen Malkmus)

Bonnie Raitt

Soon

2006-07-01T16:16:00.000-05:00

I deeply apologize to all you music fans out there. I’ve been too busy to pay attention to this blog. Too busy doing absolutely nothing. But somewhere in my hectic schedule, I did manage to find time to see just about every band that ever existed.

The second half of June was crazy. Crazy, I tell you! Within a span of 15 days, I saw everyone from Radiohead to Boredoms, Sonic Youth to Seawhores, Cat Power to Don Caballero, Fiery Furnaces to umm…Stevie Nicks. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back from my brief tour around to Midwest (wedding in Wisconsin tomorrow, family reunion in Iowa the next day). Until then, I guess you’ll just have to continue waiting patiently.

June 9 - Erik Barsness & Kid Dakota

2006-06-12T16:26:00.000-05:00

I celebrated my last day of school (June 9th) by going to not one, but two concerts. I had been looking forward to the first one for quite some time – avant-garde percussionist Erik Barsness (featuring Brian Duffy) at Studio Z in Lowertown. As expected, Erik put on a tremendous, awe-inspiring performance. Among his selections were compositions by John Cage, and local composer, Mary Ellen Childs (the latter wrote the piece “Kolokol” specifically for Erik and the bells he constructed out of oxygen and propane tanks).

Erik Barsness preparing to play "Kolokol" on his homemade bells

After Erik’s exhausting performance, I headed back into the world of pop music – Kid Dakota at the Triple Rock. This was the first time I had seen opening band, Field Guide. I suppose you could call them a non-emo version of The Swiss Army.

Field Guide

Fitzgerald played next. They had added an accordion player and a new bassist since I last saw them, resulting in a bigger, better Fitzgerald. They sounded terrific.

Fitzgerald

Now, I hate mentioning how a band looks - it can really cheapen or detract from their art. But in the case of Coach Said Not To, they’ve been around long enough; you all know how great they are. So I don’t feel guilty in saying that they are the cutest band ever. I have a secret crush on every single one of them. I suppose I should also mention that they played an awesome set at the Triple Rock.

Coach Said Not To

Coach Said Not To

And back on the subject of percussion, the colossal Ian Prince is back on the kit for Darren Jackson in Kid Dakota. Needless to say, Ian stole the show with his loud, sweaty, and loud drumming. New album coming out soon. Cool.

Kid Dakota

Archives:
Kid Dakota @ The Turf Club: February 5, 2005
Coach Said Not To @ The Nomad World Pub: June 11, 2005
Fitzgerald @ The 7th Street Entry: June 23, 2005