Field Day

Math Word Problem or Esoteric Teen Blog Entry

Dreamt of Y again last night. Fourth time this week. Told G about it. G said I’m not being very fair to C. But I miss Y a lot. K said she saw Y at the mall the other day with D. Slut! But I forgive you Y. What happened? We got on so well. How can I forget your VBK and your excellent WP and CM? We had such good times. Remember that time at PRC, where we shared our first APM and we went back to your place for some LLCJ? You were my MNTR and I, your STNT. Forget K. Come back to me. C means nothing to me. He’s just a SKTB. What do you say Y? Another CHE?

***

While Hal was plotting to take over a ship, Edgar was plotting something altogether more sinister. With all due respect to Giorgio Moroder, I find this interpretation more fitting in a creepy sort of way. Oh and if anyone knows where I can get my hands on a Hal screensaver, do tell.

Lali Puna – “Together In Electric Dreams”

How Do You Write a Eulogy?

At approximately ten p.m. Singapore time, I got a text telling me that John Peel has departed us all. He was sixty-five. Though I’m miles away from him, John Peel’s ever-adventurous ways in music have always been an invaluable road marker for me here in Singapore. Laces thought it would be a nice tribute if all MP3 blogs out there dedicated an entry to the much-revered radio DJ. In memory of the late Mr. Peel, here’s my Peel Session track. Godspeed Mr. Peel. There won’t be another.

Delgados, The – “Primary Alternative”

When I Race, My Sense of Self is Both Profound and Powerful

Sometimes when I get into a general meeting and no one saves me a seat so that I’m forced to the floor or corner, I like to race smaller capacity cars on the road to prove my undisputed superiority.

Sometimes when the intern in front of me refuses to let me have a go at the copy machine, despite the multi-million dollar contract I hold in my hands, as opposed to that Chinese takeout menu she’s photocopying, I like to race a lawnmower to prove my undisputed superiority.

Sometimes when a girl at a club shows little or no interest in me, despite my countless prestigious awards from many reputable international shows, I like to race seniors on their Power Wheelchairs to prove my undisputed superiority.

My New iPod’s Secretly More PC Than Mac

I saw you on the TV and you looked really cool. Those funky colours, three-dimensional silhouettes, and there you were, calling me with your blinding white light. And those guys, they really look like they’re having fun. Prancing. Dancing without a care. Then I took you home and that’s when I discovered that you’re more PC than Mac. I plug you into my Powerbook and you told me not to disconnect. So I don’t. Then I click on iTunes and you’re not there. You’re hiding from me. Why? Then my computer asks me if I’ve got the latest version of iTunes. So I downloaded the latest version of iTunes. But you’re still not there. Next, my computer asks me which generation of iPod you belong to, the click wheel, the four-button, or the touch-pad wheel? What? OK, so now I’m thinking to myself, you’re not a Mac. You are PC and you will punish me. And you will mock me for my PC-illiteracy. And you will do everything in your power to stop me from sharing my music with like-minded people and vice versa. You will force me into submission with thirty-five versions of iTunes, five generations of iPod, and god knows how many versions of firmware. And all I want is to dance with you.

***

You might recognize today’s tune from a Gap commercial. This certainly isn’t the most depressing or slowest selection from the Red House Painter’s repertoire. But tonight, it seems appropriate enough given the iPod debacle. Click, if you want to play along.

Red House Painters – “All Mixed Up”

Radio Dedications, Reconsidered

“Every Breath You Take” by the Police
You may or may not know this, but every night I drive by your house and stare in your window.

“I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder
Even after we’ve broken up, it’s very likely that I’ll continue to “just call,” but only to hang up.

“Without You” by Air Supply
I just want you to know sweetie that if ever you walk out on me, I’ll kill myself. Now, what do you want to do today? Drinks? Movie?

***

This is off the album Twoism, from two years ago. Hope you enjoy all ninety two seconds of it.

Boards of Canada – “Melissa Juice”

Friday Night – FAQ/Walkthrough (2.0)

ATTICA SOLDIER (Spoiler-Free): Don’t blow your credits on the Bitches by the entrance. More will come. When they’re looking the other way, give them the slip and approach the DJ Console to find your party. The Tall Guy by the wall will ask you if The Club is Crap. When prompt, select “No” to receive 10,000 XP. For a funny cut scene, head over to the Bar and steal someone else’s drink. The Polite Waiter will remind you that it’s not your drink. Ignore him and continue stealing. By the third time, he will disappear. Congratulations, you now have the Free Flow ability. Use it sparingly or you may become inflicted with status effects. If your HP’s running low, throw a Ninja Bomb and cast Flee. Then Save your night for another time.

***
Ogurusu Norihide’s “Humour” accompanied tonight’s entry. And I can’t ask for a better soundtrack to this quiet Sunday evening. Boards of Canada’s “In a Beautiful Place Out In The Country” would be a close second. Goodnight.

Ogurusu Norihide – “3:09”

Reasons to Do Business with 3RD FRONTIER (From a Corporate Brochure)

“THE JOURNEY BEGINS. Do not blink. You are about to venture to a place many have seen in their minds’ eyes but few have dared embrace. At 3RD FRONTIER, we bridge dreams and realities with cutting edge technology and expert solutions. Believing that dreams are only good when realized, we have expanded our clients’ business horizons and discovered uncharted business possibilities. So take your Mind’s Eye further with 3RD FRONTIER. Everyone looks but not everyone sees. In the new order of business today, the company that is able to see beyond their dreams and act on it has an unassailable advantage. Which is why 3RD FRONTIER has, is and will continue to pursue new technology to help you realize what others have only just begun to dream. We are 3RD FRONTIER.”

Couple years back, I got paid rather handsomely to write said brochure. Till this day, I don’t know who 3RD FRONTIER is or what they actually do.

***

I’ve only learnt about this recently. Apparently, Field Day is a colloquial expression dating from the 1700s. It originally referred to a day set aside for military maneuvers and exercises, and later was extended to a similar day for sports and games. This, like, totally changes everything man. It’s only fitting now to post today’s tune. That and the fact that it’s one of the best songs to sing when you’re drunk in the gutter, trenches, or the arms of a guy by the name of Horatio.

Decemberists, The – “The Soldiering Life”

Take It Away, Paul

Replacements, The – “The Last” [Buy]

Why I Gots to Leave My Job

Me: Dude, any other ideas?
Co-worker: Hey, squeeze my arm.
Me: What? Why? No.
Co-worker: Go ahead give it a good squeeze.
Me: Dude, I think “moving windows” is the best we’ve got.
Co-worker: C’mon squeeze it.
Me: No.
Co-worker: You’re not like a homophobe or anything are you?
Me: What? No. Gees.
Co-worker: Ok. Just checking’s all.
Me: So yeah, we still need a third in the campaign though.
Co-worker: It’s getting hot in here. You feeling hot?
Me: What? No?
Co-worker: Damn! I’m hot!
Me: Dude, what the fuck?
Co-worker: Oh, I hope you don’t mind if I took off my shirt.
Me: Hey look I’ll just turn the temperature down.
Co-worker: No, no, I’m good now.
Me: All right, I don’t think the existing third is… JESUS!
Co-worker: What do you think? Should I get a Brazilian?
Me: Dude, I’m getting coffee.
Co-worker: Hey, grab me some glue and tape on your way back!

***

Today’s song’s a request from a friend. The production value on this extended play, Kotonoha, is near perfect without sounding polished. If only the same could be said of the new Rilo Kiley and Delgados albums.

Hajime Chitose – “????”

From Laces to Shoegazers

A brief thank-you to Laces, who’s done wonders for my hit rate. Field Day is so mildly warm right now.

***

Shoegazers Pt.1. For most it was My Bloody Valentine. Me? I had Ride. Circa nineteen ninety, these guys drew the largest crowd in “a scene that largely celebrates itself.” And there among the crowd was a guy by the name of Thom Yorke. You might have heard of him or his band, On a Friday.

Ride – “Close My Eyes” [Buy]

***

Shoegazers Pt. 2. Kevin Shields is to wall-of-sound what George Clinton is to funk. Here, we find Shields co-producing on a My Bloody Valentine tribute band. Joy Zipper are Vinny Cafiso and Tabitha Tindale from Long Island. This is off their second album, American Whip, it bears hints of Hope Sandoval collaborating with one of the Reid brothers.

Joy Zipper – “Out of the Sun” [Buy]