Pig in shit

NYC next week is like my first erection: simultaneously embarrassing and exciting. The last two days have filled my inbox with emails about all sorts of cool stuff offsetting the Republican PR campaign invading New York. First, I heard that one of my favorite bands, Q and Not U, playing as part of the RNC protest, will be at the Knitting Factory on Wednesday the 1st for $10. (More on rock shows later.) Then I read that the Nader/Camejo is swinging into town as well, on what they're billing as the Nader/Camejo 2004 Counter Convention. I'm not going to be able to see Peter Camejo speak on Saturday, which sucks because I don't know a whole lot about him, but maybe I will Monday night. I'll probably miss the march Sunday as well. I have other plans, but to be honest, I'm also concerned about being in the wrong place at the wrong time with those protests. Some of the organizers are refusing to publicly denounce violence and/or property damage, which is probably thinly-veiled code for "go ahead, break stuff, I'll show you how." This tugs my pacifist tendencies in all the wrong ways. I think, given this ABB climate, I'd be avoiding that march regardless. As mentioned, I may check out the Monday night speakers, but for me the main event is Tuesday, the Anti-War Counter-Convention Hyphen-o-thon. Among others, John Conyers and Ralph Nader will be speaking (hopefully cursing at one another), and as I understand, Michael Moore is a supposed maybe (although the event is not listed on his schedule on his web site). Now, about the rock shows: it seems to me this summer more or less sucked for music. True, I was spending my money on things like a trip to Las Vegas (see folders 2004-08-08 through 2004-08-12), thus skipping Q and Not U's show last New York show, and Franz Ferdinand and They Might Be Giants as well. And true, I did pick up TMBG's new record, which is pretty damn good, and their EP, which might be even better. OK, now I'm realizing that most of what I'm complaining about was my own fault. But compare that to the next five weeks: Q and Not U next week, TMBG playing Irving Plaza in the beginning of October, new records from Q and Cake on October 5... then you've got the Pixies reunion tour coming through the area in November... just seems to me that this fall will be way better than this summer was, an atypical year, I'd say. That Springsteen/R.E.M. show would've been good for like $50 less a ticket, too. Next thing you know, we'll hear Dave's ditching the Foo's recent pop format for the good old noise of their first two albums... eh, maybe not.