I've Upped My Standards.

(Read 1 orsell your soul)

Subject:	Wow. Just...wow.
Time:	12:55 pm.

So there's a new video by one of my favorite bands, Opeth. Mikael Åkerfeldt is one of the most brilliant and prolific songwriters in music today, and the act's sound is typically described as "Progressive Death Metal." That can be misleading though, as a number of songs don't contain the sort of growls you associate with Death Metal and they also have one album, 2003's Damnation, that is all clean guitar and singing. Åkerfeldt has a great voice whether he's singing or growling, and the arrangements are always impressive.

What struck me about this video was the quality. These days music videos - at least videos put out by bands that don't chart - have a low-budget, cheap and grainy look that usually just involves footage of the band playing. This one actually looks decent, has actors, somewhat of an oblique plotline and...great music. Check out "Porcelain Heart." I'm eagerly anticipating the new album.

(sell your soul)

Subject:	Gay Weed Is The New Straight Dope
Time:	3:01 pm.
Music:	Public Enemy By The Time I Get to Arizona.

Trip to the doctor was like Deja Vu. Same tests as last time, same results as last time. My lungs appear fine. There are no masses, there's no scarring, there's no fluid. Organs, including heart, look normal. Much blood was drawn, tests are being performed, results to come at a later date. I have an appointment for a Pulmonary Function Test on Monday which could, quite possibly, determine the problem. If not I'll be visiting with a Pulmonologist, or some such nonsense. Looks like the suffering isn't going to end any time soon and I'm just going to have to keep going until I fall over. Either way I'm going to missing a lot of work, it seems.

In more lighthearted news, I've finally completed and posted one of the latest interviews I've been doing. You may remember Arizona Powernoise act Alter Der Ruine from their awesome free show with W.A.S.T.E. last month. Now you can get to know them better through ADR: The DTC Interview. So go check that little chat out, then buy all their albums.

(Read 4 orsell your soul)

Subject:	Ever made an Lj post...ooooooon WEED.
Time:	4:23 pm.
Music:	Shat Rob From The Rich And Give To The Whores.

Okay, one of you friggin' potheads must have given my cell phone number to some pothead organization. I just got a call with an unknown 800 number that I figured I'd answer since I was just sitting here anyway. The young girl on the other end wanted to know if I supported the recent State bill legalizing marijuana. I told her yes, I do support marijuana legalization, or at least decriminalization, but supporting this bill doesn't really matter since Heir Pawlenty plans to veto it and there's no chance of an override. She wanted me to call my Rep. and let him know I support marijuana legalization, then give him my address.

Oh sure - call up a guy in the government, give him my address and tell him I love weed. That's a great idea. Maybe I'll get a bumper sticker for my car that says, "Hey cop, turn here! I'm headed to my dealer's house!" while I'm at it.

You don't want to legalize it anyway. The quality will go straight into the shitter. It's been almost three years since I took a puff anyway.