AMP

In honor of my niece finally being toilet trained, I bring you the best musical-toilet-training-video ever. I’ll be going to a ‘poopy party’ tonight at my sister’s house. I’m not shitting you.

World’s oldest embrace? Looks like spooning to me.

Baby Cakes makes an equally important observation:

I feel like I’m in one of those moments of life where you’re struggling just to keep up–with what, I don’t know, but free-time is definitely in negative supply, and I wish I had a surplus. In a half-assed way to get myself up to speed, here’s a recap of the last week:

Memphis

Flew into Memphis to install Alec’s show at Powerhouse, an absolutely amazing venue. This is a gallery worth driving 2 or 3 hours to. Or 6. The space is very inspiring, and my mind started racing about all the projects that could go on within it’s old, tall walls. Alec’s show looks spectacular–minimal and moody, and a pretty big departure from what he’s known for. After the install Alec, myself, and Megan from Gagosian were escorted to Graceland by Peter Fleissig (my new favorite curator). I don’t know if there is anything new or meaningful I can really say about Graceland. I saw it, it was strange and interesting and wonderful, and I’m still not sure what to make of it.

Peter on the Graceland-bound bus

After our Elvis excursion it was time for the opening–I drank my share of Budweiser (I was on the rebound of a cold and had not had a beer for about a week) and shot the shit with Phil, Megan, Donald, Jason?, James, Tracy, Peter, and a whole slew of other great people. Post-opening festivities included former brothels and an amazing nightclub that appeared to be run by Bootsy Collins’ grandfather. Alec made his debut on the drums, a lot of Bud Lite was consumed in the form of 32 oz. bottles, and we danced until our shirts were dripping.

Hella-tight dance moves

All in all, it was a great time. I got about an hours worth of sleep before I had to fly back to Minneapolis, just in time to drive to my next destination…

Cedar Rapids to be continued…

I used to be quite a shredder back in the day–I remember a time when Tucker and I would be in heated competition to see who could pull of a proper frontside flip or nosegrind first (it was always me, but Tucker trumped me with his heel and tré flips). Unfortunately, those days of skating every day after school are long gone, and even Tucker’s miniramp in his backyard has gone into a pretty advanced state of decay.

Luckily, I’m still in touch with the skateboarding world–enough so that when a skate accessory (read: watches) company curates art shows about skate culture, I’m included. Rad. It’s one night only at Umber Studios (an up-and-coming MPLS gallery) on Halloween (which also happens to be my parent’s anniversary and my friend Shay’s b-day). I’ll have some sneeze pictures up–come make fun of me and have a beer.

I’ve been listening non-stop to Cut Copy’s new single ‘So Haunted’. It’s ridiculously good. Unfortunately, their new album won’t be out until Feb. 2008. If you haven’t listened to the horrendously under-heard album from 2004 ‘Bright Like Neon Love’, you should pick up that in the meantime.

Cut Copy – Future (2004)

Cut Copy – Going Nowhere (2004)

In Cedar Rapids, IA–constantly on the road. Makes me think of this video:

Chemical Brothers – Star Guitar (2002)

I’m knee-deep in the middle of a terrible cold, but I’m about to embark on another fantastic art journey–this time to see Alec Soth’s ‘Tunnels and Birds’ at Powerhouse in Memphis, Tennessee. The last time I was in Memphis was for a philosophy conference–the only things I remember was an interesting paper delivered about the impossibility of romantic and platonic love existing at the same time, getting blotto at Wet Willies, and drinking a case of Boone’s Farm back at the hotel. Good times. This time I’ll try to cut back on the drinking and maybe check-out Graceland.

Also, two shows of mine are coming down this weekend – Sunburn at the Minnesota Center for Photography in Minneapolis, and Human Error at Sinclair Galleries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I’ll be at the closing reception for Human Error on Saturday–if you’re in the area, you should come out. I’m also going to stay a few extra days to work on a project. Blogging will most likely be minimal, but who knows.