Wonderling

Paper Brain CD Release

In defense of my prolonged absence I've been sick. But, the Paper Brain CD release party was super awesome. Hopefully I will have some pictures of it to post soon. It was hot, smelly, crowded and a lot of fun. 

The Mercury was nice enough to blog about it the day of :)

Paper Brain: Ain't Nobody Cares

It's finally done! Our sophomore album and labor of love is here in the flesh. It's up for sale on CDbaby and at our shows (see our myspace page for show dates). The response so far has been really positive and I'm excited for the national release at the end of next month. 

Come see us at Kelly's Olympian tomorrow night, where you can see it all with your own eyes(and ears!). 

Random, Rambling Post.

This is my first week working 10 hour days. It also happens to be one of the most stressful weeks at work. I haven't had time to sleep or look at all of my favorite blogs. I wonder if that's what hell is.....not being able to do those little things that keep you from going insane. I guess it's fitting that I start a psychology class on friday. 

The picture above is Paper Brain. Our friend Jade Harris took some lovely pictures and was kind enough to give all of them to us on a cd the other day. If you live in Portland you should come hang out at a show with us. 

I'm really hoping that the Blazers win a game soon. They built my hopes up when they beat the Celtics, but the last 3 games have just been tragic. It would really make my night if they beat the Pistons. It might even make my week. 

Chicken soup is scientifically proven to help cure your cold!

I haven't been sick for a long time. I've felt ill, but not actually been full-blown achy sick. But, just in time for the weekend an achy-sore throat-congested cold hit me. It's killing me to sit around the house looking at how cluttered and in need of thorough cleaning it is. However, my body is telling me to be lazy and sleep, so that's what I've been doing (I'm a firm believer in listening to what your body tells you...it usually knows best). 

There are two things that I've enjoyed during my 'confinement' (which isn't over yet), snuggling with the kitties and finishing some half-done projects. I was also excited that my BHG came in the mail today..something new to read!

So while I wallow in my lazy, gross, sick state head over to Ten Second Buzz for an interview with Paper Brain. I'm going to make myself some much needed chicken soup!

where have I been?

I haven't been posting much lately, but I have been up to a lot. The colder weather has caused my mind to obsess with knitting (is that a bad thing??):

not done yet, but this will be a pair of gloves. yay!

The band has also been busy. We've been working on a lot of new songs and even bought an awesome camping van for touring. One of these old Toyota vans:

We broke it in by taking a band trip to Red Robin yesterday. 

So now that I've finally posted again I solemnly swear to post on a regular basis. Even if I'm feverishly knitting 12 things at once.

Paper Brain Video!!

our first video!!

There's a lot going on lately.....

so I officially moved Wonderling to wonderling.org today! yay! But don't worry, it's still at typepad, so all previous links/feeds and such should be fine. 

After finishing the last Harry Potter book I picked up House of Leaves. Adam recommended it, saying it was really scary. So far it's been creepy, not scary yet, but very odd and creepy. The writing style reminds me a lot of Jeff Vandermeer which is refreshing after so many months of reading books written for a teen audience.

Paper Brain is in the final stages of recording and there are even teasers on the Paper Brain myspace page.

I've also been watching Lost, from the beginning. I tried watching it a while back and it really isn't entertaining if you haven't seen it from the beginning, but once you see it from the start it really is as good as everyone says it is.

now where will all the kids party?

Anyone who lives in Portland knows the Greek Cusina. Anyone over 21 in Portland has been there (please, if I'll admit it you can too) at least once. Today the news reported that the infamous Greek Cusina may be losing it's prized liquor license. Normally I would point a menacing finger at the OLCC for being too overbearing, but for once I applaud them. I'm amazed that a place where it's own staff are regularly sent to the hospital because of brawls they have to break up has lasted this long under the OLCC rule. In fact, I'm wagging my finger at them for not taking action until now. But for all of you scantily-clad, glitter addicted Cusina fans there is still hope. The report is that they might revoke the liquor license. The Cusina will file for a hearing to prevent the OLCC members from voting on it's drunken future (oh and they have an April 10th hearing for a separate incident where a man was beaten unconscious by Cuisina staff in 2005).

Other than the two times I patronized the Cusina back in my early 20s, my experience with the Cusina has been dealing with the crowd that stands outside it (this includes the classic and unsurprising meathead security folk) as Paper Brain often plays at a venue next to the Cusina. I have to say it hasn't changed. The girls are still wearing exactly the same "club" clothes they were wearing 10 years ago. The bouncers are still goons with big egos. Two of the three times we've played there we've been hindered by a barrage of police cars that seem to be waiting around the corner for a Cusina issue.

Shouldn't the, "drunken fights, public urination, hair-pulling, patrons biting one another and overzealous security guards" be enough to pull the license without a hearing or vote?? This is the same institution that, on a whim, decided that underage musicians couldn't play in 21+ venues (numerous lawsuits have been filed against this law) and who's director resigned after being caught driving with a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit. Oregon is one of only 18 "control states", where the state controls the sale of alcoholic or distilled beverages.  Basically, all alcohol that is sold, is the property of the state thus they control the rules and make a profit.

With all of the restrictions issued by the OLCC (which they claim are mostly aimed at the conduct of strippers and keeping those strippers who are not 21 out of venues that sell alcohol) over the last 5 years I'm confused as to how the Greek Cusina has kept it's license for so long. It couldn't have anything to do with some back-handed deal or exchange of money and/or favors could it?? Noooooo, no one in a state office would ever do anything that would mar it's pristine reputation. cough. newsome-spitzer-kilpatrick. cough.

shamefull self-indulgence

When I was on my poster making kick I drafted up a poster for Paper Brain's show this friday which is a benefit show being put on by PDX Pop Tomorrow!. I expected Pop Tomorrow! to make their own poster and fliers for the show, but made mine anyway because I was bored. I just looked at the Pop Tomorrow! website and *my* poster is right there on the home page! It's also the primary photo for Portland Oregon Indie Music's myspace. I know it's really not a big deal, but it's great to see that other people like my work :)

weekend ho!

I don't know how I did it, but I've managed to get not only this last Monday off (thank you presidents!) but I've also got next Monday off. So I'm looking forward to a jam packed - packed with fun - weekend. Here's what's on the agenda.

Saturday - thrift shopping in all it's glory. and possibly a new bike purchase???
Sunday - Paper Brain plays the Fort George Brewery (In Astoria, OR)
Monday - is devoted to my humble vehicle. It needs a flat spare tire patched and the handy little unlocking/locking gadget isn't working so well. So before it quits on me completely I need to get it replaced.

In my absence I have rounded up some websites that will occupy your time (they will surely be more entertaining than this blog)

NetBabyWorld - this was one of the first websites that I know of that had the whole SIMS thing...customization of your character. It's super cute and there are plenty of games that even I can play well

NeoPets - Safe for for your 3 year old to get involved, yet fun enough for you to play too! I suggest going to the giant omelette and grabbing a piece!

Forever21 - this is where I waste most of my time. I'm pining for an HandM here in Portland, but until then I will satiate my cravings with the cheap and wonderful offerings of forever21 (the website has stuff that wont be in your local store, so you're less likely to get caught in that awkward...oh we're wearing the same thing moment.)

Amazon - honestly, what isn't on amazon? I have spent many an afternoon gushing over all of the wonderful books I could get for only 75cents. I've even gotten a brand new book for a penny. it's craziness. There is also an amazing array of plants for sale. It's just a wonderland that Amazon.com.

Paper Brain - shameless plug. But our myspace has a new song and it's absolutely wonderful, so make sure to waste some time there too :)