As it happens, one of the pioneering electronic bands, that had a huge influence on my modern musical taste, is calling it quits:

After 15 years working together as Orbital, Paul and Phil Hartnoll have announced that their forthcoming LP the “Blue Album” will be their last. Following the album’s release on 21st of June, Orbital will play Brixton Academy on 25th of June followed by their last ever English live show, closing the second stage on Sunday June 27th at Glastonbury.

“I think we feel that Orbital has run it’s course,” says Paul Hartnoll. “We’re both pursuing different avenues with our music. And we’ve been sat, as brothers, in the same room for 15 years now–and studios are always confined spaces–I think it’s time for a change.”

Since their first single, ‘Chime’ entered the top 20 in April 1990 Orbital have released six albums and developed a live show that evolved, by common consent into one of the landmark performance shows of the last decade. They have helped to shape and develop both the character and credibility of electronic music far beyond the disposable anonymity of the first white labels and the acid house scene that they came from.

It's a shame, but not unforseen. I'll post more about this later. In the meantime, I propose that on June 26th at 7 p.m., everyone simultaneously listen to "Belfast" out of respect.

So I'm floating around on the interweb, and I actually came across a site that sums up my position on the November election perfectly, even in its title.

So without further adieu, I beg you all (If anyone's actually reading this thing) to go visit this website...

I couldn't have said it better myself...

So, we were thinking of taking a vacation to London. Well, thanks to those dang terrorists, now it will take a day at the airport to get back to the states. I'm thinking: try for a flight leaving at around 3 or 4 am. This way, you can see the sights during the day, and by sleeping in the airport, you can save on not needing a hotel room at night. Although you'd have to deal with yucky overpriced airport food.

So, there's been another power outage at LAX. First time, it was a bird. Now, it's a broken transformer. Makes you wonder what the freaking point of all this stepped-up airport security is, if a bird is all it takes to cause minor mayhem. Just imagine what could happen if people actually tried.

Is this a politics story, or is it about fashion? The Washington Post had an article about what Janet Reno wore to the 9/11 commission. The article starts out okay, outlining how nearly all those who answered questions in front of the 9/11 commission dressed up for it, like "a television anchor, a job applicant or a prep schooler trying desperately to avoid detention." Then it starts talking about what Janet Reno wore, and about how plain it was.

That's all find and good. From the tone of the start of the "article," I thought the author was going to say something to the effect of "Reno wanted her words, and not her appearance, to get her message across." But nnooo! The article quickly spirals downward into Joan Rivers-style cattiness: "Like, Ohmigod! Does she even have a body under there? And on top of it, she's wearing pink lipstick! What a faux pas!" Ugh. And people wonder why there are so few women in politics. This author needs to go back to journalism school.

Next: the many ties of G. W. Bush.

I managed to catch the end of Bush's press conference (first one in 13 months!) last night, and I listened to some of the post-conference wrap-up by the NPR folks. One of them slipped up and said "Vietnam" instead of Iraq. Make of that what you will.

Just something I thought was funny:

Weekend Box Office Numbers:

1. The Passion of the Christ - $17,087,000
2. Hellboy - $11,100,000

Doubt we'll see THAT scenario ever again...

The lastest idotic jewlery trend: eye implants. Watch out, Gen X parents: this may be the tounge piercing of the next generation.

As far as Air America goes, it's not that bad. When I first started listening, I kept thinking they sounded a lot like, well, a liberal version of conservative talk radio. I know that's the point, but there's a difference between just saying X where conservatives say Y, and creating a new style/format for the centrists/left wingers. I'm finding that as I listen, the shows are finding their own voices, it's getting better. Particularly, I've never come across anything on the radio dial that sounds like "Unfiltered" (freaturing Chuck D, of all people, on in the late mornings), and I mean that in a good way. Franken's show is good, but the skits they do can get a little tiring. Good guests on all the shows. Check it out & see for yourself. I'm still hoping for a DC station.