are we human, or are we dancer?

best fb status i've seen thus far that relates to the song:
"Jason is: wondering whether Obama can answer the question of whether we are Human or Dancer in his first term."

the song is epic, check the link on my twitter page for the vid.

also need to listen to the following albums:
- kings of leon only by the night
- the killers day & age, whenever that comes out
- the academy is... fast times at barrington high
- does it offend you, yea? you have no idea...
- that kanye west album that came out like a year ago
any other rec's? i need catchy, easy to listen to stuff to accompany me during my lonely nights @ school.

it started feeling like october

amazing, isn't it-- the first time i heard that line in "annie use your telescope" was when it had just become october. and now we're two-thirds into the month.

honestly, i don't know where this semester has gone. for one, things have changed since the end of september... things are always changing. even when i finally think the motion has settled, it's only because i've gotten used to the situation shifting. chaos is constant in its own weird way.

whirlwind is so oddly appropos to describe my life right now. i've settled into a habit, school, work, school, work, work, work... and so on. i forgot to renew the book i'd checked out a few weeks ago. momentary lapse in memory. being on campus is so normal-- i just wish school were closer so i didn't waste so much gas shuttling myself back and forth.

friendships made, lost, and then hopefully made again. some days i don't know what i'm working toward; and other days, it's so obvious. it's those days where i feel so aimless that i wish i could rein in the feeling of "knowing," and save it for those days when i need it. in my ideal world, i would allow myself to drift and see where i'm taken; but i know that the control freak in me would not appreciate it. at all. i need to at least pretend to have direction. see where i can take myself with maximum effort. and then decide: do i like where i am, or don't i?

on the subject of music, i finally caved and signed up for pandora. i really liked it the first few times i've used it, so i'm hoping to get into that more. otherwise, i've been listening to the veronicas' album hook me up as a totally gratuitous pick-me-up. i love that they've gone for a more dancier vibe than their previous album (which is somewhere in my stacks of cds, needs to be found sometime asap). they are just so cute and it makes me happy.

needless to say, i'm in a strange limbo place right now. i don't know if i belong in certain worlds. but if i try, i know i can make myself.

take only what you need from me

from the "secret" show @ viper room last night... prior to starting the song, he mentioned that it was a song that they were thinking of covering acoustically, but their acoustic equipment has/had already been shipped off to ATL where they start their tour in a few days. he also mentioned he was totally obsessed with the song... and then he starts singing and my heart. literally. exploded. I SANG ALONG, BECAUSE I'M NOT COOL OR INDIE. the end.

[jack's mannequin - kids (mgmt cover)]

every aching wound will cauterize and bruise

i've been obsessed with this acoustic version of the song since i heard it on gossip girl...
"Fell In Love Without You (Acoustic)" video

why would you settle for less when the world gives you more

a few weeks ago i went with irene to the submarines (opening for the brazilian girls) @ the wiltern. hadn't been there (or even out to a show) in awhile; headed over post-class and found some street parking which is always convenient. since i was only there for the opening act, the wiltern was a bit empty so we snagged front row of one of the tiers. the place filled up later on as the brazilian girls' set time got closer.

the subs were so cute-- the lead singer reminds me of how maggie gyllenhaal would be if she were a singer + a dash of the cardigans. she was a tad under the weather b/c she was sick, but considering that fact, i still loved how they sounded live. whenever i haven't been to a show in awhile, i forget how much more i like live versions of songs (provided that the band is a good live band). hearing the same songs that i've been listening to on my ipdmini, but in real, live form-- with the little inflections in voice-- truly is the best way to hear a song. there were tambourines, flowers, little keyboards, and lights... "you, me, and the bourgeosie" is still one of my main obsessions this year. loved the little electro-random sounds.

they had a cover of "boys don't cry" posted on their myspace, but as of yesterday, have no idea where it went. if anyone finds it and would like to send me a link... plz to be doing so.

i hit up the rock band live tour last night; then skipped out on panic at the disco so the secret jack's mannequin show at viper room. more later, i guess.

FOREVER. BEGINS. NAO.

omg epic lulz!! noteworthy: rpattz's random accent, kstew "vampire," tree-hopping, tree-throwing, SMUGWARD + raybans, y no sparkles?, apple symbolism- oic wut u did there...

Twilight Trailer

it's just that at night i've got nowhere to hide

these hammers and strings
been following me around

i'd just gotten halfway through the third run of The Glass Passenger. somewhere during "Hammers and Strings," i just felt complete. i was overwhelmed, but totally ok. i actually cried; i'd zoned out and before i knew it the tears were flowing. i was so glad i'd kept myself away from most of the youtube videos and from listening to the leak. it was worth it to have the actual cd in my laptop, knowing this was the real thing... that it was real.

i listened to the song again. my memory isn't that great, but three years ago, the first album came out... so many things have happened since then. perhaps some things were meant to happen, perhaps some weren't. yet the songs still make me wistful for those long-gone days. they still make me feel like what i've done in the past three years was worth it. that a lot of things i do are worth the effort. that there are still great things to do ahead of me...

third time's the charm, i guess.

the glass passenger

finally got it in the mail yesterday. way to call it a "pre-order," considering it came out on the 30th... post-order is more appropriate. anyway, i am listening to the album. in peace. do not disturb.

in other news:
- check out http://stepheniemeyer.com/ to hear the new paramore single decode which will be on the twilight soundtrack (out 11/4). you have no idea how excited i am for this movie... also rpattz performed @ whisky-a-go-go last night... it would be just my luck that i would miss that.
- i've noticed that people are searching for pictures of andrew mcmahon @ the light the night event. you can stop googling that, guys. i'm not posting them on here. wait a few weeks to check http://dearjackfoundation.buzznet.com. they will be there.
- katy perry put out a vid for hot and cold, one of my fave singles off of her album. see below.
Hot N Cold

dioyy

finally heard a does it offend you, yeah? song on the radio last night (i think it was loveline... as soon as the song was over i had to stop listening) called "dawn of the dead." their album is only $7.99 on itunes, so i think i'm going to have to get it. i've heard a lot of hype but never actually bothered to listen to le music...

also, the song "battle royale" samples a clip of the epic japanese movie by the same name. kind of awesome.

THE SOUNDS - PRESALE

The Sounds @ Hollywood Palladium on 11/20

Presale starts: Thu, Sep 11 at 10am/ Presale ends: Fri, Sep 12 at 10pm
Link: http://www.livenation.com/event/getEvent/eventId/337185
Use Password: oboe [for the Nokie Ticket Rush Presale]
Public Onsale: Sat, Sep 13 at 12pm

get yr tickets now because it WILL sell out. see you there!

the monolators @ detour fest!

hi yall,

please help out my friend ashley aka jax of rockinsider who plays bass for the monolators. they are currently in 1st place for the detour fest battle of the bands-- help keep them in 1st place so they get to play a set at the festival! please note: you can vote once a day through sept. 18th.

http://detour.laweekly.com/byob/vote

you'll be missed, miss california

tickets for the jack's tour "hammers and strings" @ the troub 10/27 are on sale on friday at 1pm. orrr if you want to be sneaky (and/or smart), check out the www.troubadour.com website & fax in your order ASAP.

AS YOU CAN TELL, I AM VERY EXCITED FOR THIS SHOW/TOUR/ALBUM.

JUST FYI.also-- if you're interested in winning a private show and other pretty awesome prizes, hurley & pacsun have a contest for back to school with jack's mannequin here.

contest: win a denny's rockstar menu vip prize pack!

it's been awhile since we've have a contest here. since denny's just launched its rockstar menu, you get to reap the benefits by getting a chance to win an awesome prize pack. denny's basically let 4 bands- taking back sunday, plain white t's, the all-american rejects, and eagles of death metal- make up some crazy concoctions and put them on the menu for your late night consumption. if you dare... here's what they came up with:
- taking back bacon burger fries* personally this sounds the most appealing, since i'm partial to (1) adam lazzara, (2) bacon, (3) fries. SOLD!
- plain white shake
- all-american s.o.s.
- heart on a plate (not literally... i hope)
check the site for more info/pix on the menu items.

so, may i present: VIP Denny’s Rockstar Prize Pack, which includes:
- Plain White T's: “Big Bad World” CD
- Taking Back Sunday: SIGNED Denny’s Rockstar menu
- Eagles of Death Metal: "Heart On" CD
- Dr. Pepper: Coupon for FREE 12-pack

details:
(1) shoot me an email. address: emokidsbff(at)gmail(dot)com.
(2) subject: "denny's."
(3) send in yr full name & address in the body of the email.
deadline: 9/12. that's in a week, guys. US residents only!

you know you want it. xoxo

everyday i wake up, i choose love, i choose life

trying to extricate myself out of overall sullen, mopey mood this weekend. downloaded the submarines honeysuckle weeks album from itunes. "you, me and the bourgeoisie" never fail to make me feel better... (and now i don't have to lurk my own myspace just to listen to the song on repeat).

they're playing @ la weekly detour music fest this year (oct 4th, downtown la). tempting...

it's too easy just to fall apart.

not dazzled... at all

GET READY TO CHAGRIN ALL OVER THE WALLS.

STEPHENIE MEYER’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT OF JACKS MANNEQUIN MUSIC VIDEO Stephenie Meyer, author of the best selling novel series Twilight, will be be making her directorial debut on Jack's Mannequin's new music video "The Resolution" to be released in September.

ok so let's take one thing i really love (the band) + let's take one thing i hate to love, or love to hate (twilight) = music video for "the resolution" with MERMAIDS??

even teh hipsters are into it (see generally: tweets via ultragrrrl and gurjb).

i never thought i'd use these two tags together... okay still sparkling in volterra.

sing to me the song of the stars

umm does anyone want to help me relive my teenybopper years and go see mandy moore play @ the hotel cafe this saturday?

now accepting applications. please inquire within (comments).

and now back to your regularly scheduled emo.

light the night 2008

because i only blog when i'm asking for something....

Hello Readers,

It's that time of year again—for the third year in a row, I'm participating in the Light the Night walk here at UCLA on September 14, 2008. I'm walking in support and in honor of Andrew McMahon, lead singer of the bands Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, bone marrow transplant recipient, and leukemia survivor. I am asking for your help in reaching my goal of raising $1,000 this year.

If you are interested in donating to help me reach my goal and to make a difference, you can make a secure online donation at http://www.active.com/donate/ltnLosAn/2385_mshiokura.

Please join me in supporting this wonderful cause.
Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!
xoxo
M

how to be

i kind of love him more when he's awkwarpattz rather than smugward. jussayin.


How To Be Trailer from How To Be on Vimeo.

four for you, glen coco, four for you

updated some of my photo galleries. slowly but surely making progress.

the switches @ the roxy in march here.
treaty of party / the spill canvas @ hob sunset in april here.

today, i'm going to try to:
- go to the gym
- study (yes, some of us get to do reading before school starts)
- pinkberry
- research
apparently sunday is no longer the day of rest.

ridiculous week coming up:
- monday: work, from first to last & others @ maddenpalooza, SD friends, the outline @ temple bar
- tuesday: campus, work
- wednesday: work, kathleen gets here but i won't see her until...
- thursday: SD warped! hanging out with k, r, a, and rhiannon.
- friday: work, finish off the week
- saturday: disneyland? tbd.
- sunday: LA warped!

barker block sunset series

if you're up for something cool/la-ish (mos def hipsterish) in downtown la on thursdays: filter magazine's sunset series.

events include: food, drinks, live music performances, art exhibitions, interactive live art and spoken word, film screenings, a book release, DJs spinning, et cetera.

rundown of remaining events (earlier events occurred in july):
- August 14 spotlights “The Love Hangover Art Showing” featuring live art and auction as well as a live set from Los Angeles favorites Castaneda and the New York City buzz band The Kiss Off.
- August 28 beat the heat by enjoying a sunset social with mellow tunes, wine tasting and art exhibit.
- September 11 rounding out the summer with live musical performances by Two Sheds and a psychedelic performance by West Indian Girl featuring an Indie Rock Chess tournament with the band and their musical opponents.

all events begin at 6 p.m and all events are open to the public. just rsvp to: barkerblock@filtermmm.com.