Theory / Rant: Smiling

I find myself unable to not watch American Idol... despite the fact that I find it musically irrelevant. (Was going to say "abhorrent"... but that's probably a bit harsh. It basically doesn't stand for anything musically, for me.) That's fine. I'm still a snob, no doubt, but mellowing.

But, it does make me remember one of my long-standing "rules" about music. At least rock... the performer should not be smiling a lot while singing/playing. If they are, they're too damn happy and should get off the stage.

It's probably not a blanket rule for everything... i'll admit. First thought of this one back when the Barenaked Ladies were popular. At some point someone told me I would like them, so I think Klitt and I saw them at the hatch or something... wow awful stuff. And made worse by all that smiling. Trying *way* too hard. Maybe that's the key -- just be genuine.

I guess it's possible to be genuinely smiley playing rock on stage... but not those guys. Or the Idols, who are obviously coached on performance. Someone backstage there prob told them to "smile alot". Fuck that. Be real.

That being said, I will attempt to smile for the whole show at the next Sneaks performance, whenever that may be.

(Ok, Lou, you can go back to sleep now.)

Theory: The Death Camry

Something I've been pontificating about for years... the Death Camry.
Basically, it goes like this: Someone who knows nothing about cars... for whatever reason... and has little money, but needs a car... they buy the Death Camry.

A Death Camry is basically the oldest, cheapest, Camry you can find that's not totally falling apart.

I figure, since these people know nothing about cars, they buy Consumer Reports, look at the little circles, and see that the Camry has a bunch of red bulls-eye ratings. Sounds good. But since they only have, say, $800 to spend... you get the point. Death Camry.

This in itself is not really a problem, of course... it's just that a good majority of these death camry drivers have no idea how to drive. But since they're easy to spot... just be on the defensive.

Traffic

Who decided it's ok to keep messing with the lanes on the B.U. Bridge?