- Sinister - missprint.org

Sinister: She's Bowling It
by Kenneth P Y Chu 16 Dec '01

16 Dec '01

Dear Sinister, Long time no see, I believe tonight is a Sunday night. I am a bit ill, but I'll write you anyway, cos I love you. (Especially Erin, because I'm her best friend). Wahey! B&S gigs next week! Woohoo! Ok, time for important stuff.. SINISTER INTERNATIONAL BOWLING DAY - 29th DEC Soooooo, how are you all doing on the Sinister International Bowling fronts? Hope you've all been practicing putting your fingers into uncomfortable holes! For the London-ish area bowling boys and gals then: ********************************************************************* 29th Dec, Finsbury Park Bowling Place (Can't remember what it's called), which is right opposite Fisbury Park bus/tube station. I am gonna book a couple of lanes soon.. would the time of 2pm be okay with everyone? Let's all meet at the Fisbury Park Bus Station then at 2, and then we can have hours of bowling fun. Any problems e-mail me, or phone/txt msg me on 07967 755445 on the day, or anytime if you want to tell me how much you love me. ******************************************************************** Big Stu said: >I've come to the conclusion that while the Camera Obscura album may be a >pleasant listen, it is clearly a summer record. I can imagine myself >relaxing to it, wandering around in shorts and T-shirt, watching the specks >of dust in the sunlight from the window. Only if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, I dunno, there's just something not right about singing "..happy New Year you're my only vice" in the middle of June. Love and Red Bulls Ken P.S.: Hey - are there any meet-ups before the Glasgow gig? Someone should TAKE CONTROL! Heh. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: i left my wood panelling on the embassy coat rack
by andrew thorpe 16 Dec '01

16 Dec '01

Hello Sinister, I was just wondering if anyone had watched the Turner Prize last week. For those who didnt, it was surprisingly interesting certainly for an art program. Unsurprisingly the winner was also the most controversial nominee (coincidence?) A light comes on, 5 seconds pass, the light goes off, 5 seconds pass, the light comes on, etc. Personally I thought the judges made the wrong decision. There was this rather groovy photographer, who made documentaries on his family, and besides minimalists get on my nerves. But dont worry this post isnt going to contest what should and shouldnt be considered art, because despite how ridiculous this may sound switching a light on and off is art. Art is appreciation, enjoyment, if you find something moving its art, and just like music art is all opinions (which means I can say that Im quite fond of The Stokes:) But thats only my opinion on the subject. So I dont get offended when people say modern/contemporary art is crap, (although I do raise an eyebrow when someone claims they could do it) I can easily see where they are coming from when a man rolls a piece of paper into a ball calls it art, and is awarded £20,000. However a few days ago my opinion very nearly changed. This is my first post to sinister (despite being on the list for nearly a year) so I thought a bit of background would come in useful (thats assuming youve read this far). Im nothing too original a lonely indiekid, studying for his A levels. One of the subjects I (misguidedly) chose to do is maths. Over the past few months Ive started to notice that my maths teacher is using the lessons as a forum to get things off his crest - to vent all of his frustration. If something is getting on his nerves, by the end of the week well know about it. Its not just what the lower sixth have done this week (hes the head of the sixth form, sorry its not just you who thinks Ive gone off the point a bit), its not simply confined to the school, but anything, and sadly everything. Ive often disagreed with what he says, but its never really bothered me I find it quite easy to bury my head in my exercise book, and pretty soon his arrogant, close-minded, xenophobic views will go straight over my head. However I found this horrifically hard to do so last Monday. He started off by asking if there were any art students/appreciators in the class, I said yes sir, but to be honest I think my voice was probably drowned out by the other student groaning at the thought of yet another one of his sermons. Anyhow I presumed he already knew I did art, as I have spoken to him at least three times about my foundation year in art (how naïve). He then moved on to talk about contemporary art (I could tell what was coming), I tried to shout some comments out, to try and get some sort of a two way conversation going (as opposed to a rant), I shouted things like Oh! I think you mean DamianHIRST. Yeah, hesss hes pretty controversial butIactually find him quitte inspir... I admit I tailed off into a slight mumble; well ok it was all a bit of a murmur. I wasnt too surprised when he mentioned the Turner prize (as it was on the night before). I knew someone like him wouldnt like it, and I was right, but I dont that excuses his comments. Someone asked him who judged the prize - as to say who would consider this to be art, and my teachers reply? A bunch of DickHeads!!!! He then went on to imply that anyone involved, or who even appreciated contemporary art to be so too! I had no idea what to say, which is probably why I said nothing. Its not the fact that he doesn't appreciate art that pisses me off. I admit its not everyones cup of tea, but he knows I do art, and to be so blinkered to think that its ALL "a load of bollocks"! The only conclusion Ive been able to draw is that he either thinks Im a dickhead - and has no idea that I exist, or that Im a dickhead who he has no respect/consideration for whatsoever. I always knew he thought I shouldnt of taken maths, but I never knew why. Anyway back to Marx and Engels. Cheerio, Andy "keep it all in, and dream it all out" ______________________________________________________________ For up-to-the-minute music news, reviews and specials visit http://www.nme.com Get free e-mail (anyname(a)nme.com) now at http://www.nmemail.com The sender of this e-mail is NOT an employee or associate of NME, nme.com or any other IPC magazine. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: Careless Reporting Back Costs Lives
by Peter Miller 16 Dec '01

16 Dec '01

THE FUTURE OF MUSIC I have joined the MP3 revolution. So far, I've managed to download songs by Kylie Minogue and So Solid Crew, and a *picture* of Lenny Kravitz. I have been accosted by a purple gorilla, directed to the hottest porn today, tempted by one-armed bandits, and all manner of other unpleasant experiences. I have been told that I don't have access to this page or that page and that Mick Jagger's 'God Gave Me Everything' is not a full song (note emerging Lenny Kravitz theme). Is it always like this? If so, I'm going back to taping the top forty. Taping the top forty is the high water mark of my pop experience. CARELESS TALK COSTS LIVES Promises an article about B&S in Brazil. Has anybody seen it? LIST MUMMIES GO BELFAST I think the list mummies should go to Belfast anyway, spread a bit of their magic. CHRISTMAS ...is a time of year when I like to think about Northy. I'M WASHING UP TO US PF said George Harrison made him want a hug. He also said George Harrison is washing up music. Don't go round to PF's when he's washing up, or you'll end up covered in fairy liquid bubbles, like in one of those fairy liquid bubble fights that were so popular before paintballing came along and ruined everything. I think George H's moog extravaganza 'Electronic Music' would be the best washing up music, but I've never heard it. I imagine it would make the bubbles grow and grow, until they filled PF's house and started emerging from the windows. BRING BACK STUART DAVID! It's just an idea. Those ragged edges, that hint of menace. These things are missing from recent B&S recordings. Peter +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: hard, fast and beautiful
by Lawrence Mikkelsen 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

Hey kids ..... Sorry, this is short and irreleveant to most of you, but should anyone be interested in photos of a Sinister listee (namly me) getting married, my wedding photos are here: http://go.to/lawrenceandvanessa Like I said, sorry to the 99% of you who don't care, but I know there are a few of you who might. best, Lawrence +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: Watch out for rhinos with hairy feet
by eric the half a bee 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

Hi y'all. This was in last week's issue of the New York Press, and I thought I'd pass it along, seeing as how it might be of interest to all of you: Music Reviews Jessica Hundley Yall Get Scared Now Ya Hear? Reindeer Section (pias) What happens when a group of musicians gets drunk together? If you live in Glasgow, play the guitar and hang with the likes of Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai, Arab Strap and Snow Patrol, then one debauched night can apparently equal an overload of inspiration. Masterminded by Snow Patrols Gary Lightbody, the Reindeer Section is a supergroup of sorts (consisting of various members culled from the above acts) and formed as the pleasant result of one such fortuitous evening. After a bout of guzzling fine Scottish brews and philosophizing about the state of music with his fellow indie rock brethren, Lightbody woke up and wrote the entirety of this debut album in one jam-packed day. Less than two weeks in the studio, a few more rounds of booze and a band was born. The beautiful thing about the album is that the haste in which it was created has enhanced, rather than detracted from, its solidity. Its as if any hesitation would have allowed the magic of that one beautifully woozy night to fade in the sobering light of dawn. Perhaps the most misleading record title ever, Yall Get Scared is as far from frightening as one can get. Throw aside any expectations of spooky goth rock or foreboding industrialthis is a world of pleasantly pretty ballads and infectious pop numbers that recall Becks Mutations. The album kicks off with a tidily constructed acoustic love song, "Will You Please Be There for Me?" that sets the albums tone: vaguely melancholic, slightly introspective and undeniably sweet-tempered. There are a few raucous numbers (such as the back-to-back chorus distortion on "Raindrop" and "Sting" or the near metal thrusts of "Tout Le Monde"), but for the most part the album steers a steady, sensitive and soulful course. The breathy, heartfelt vocals that thread throughout the disc create a satisfying atmosphere of longing, but Lightbodys plaintive lyrics keep it afloat. "Be my hope Ill be your hope," he sings on "If Everything Fell Quiet." Its as if all the yearnings and desires of that original one drunken evening were crammed into each of the albums tracks. Apparently Lightbody felt something that night, something stronger than the Scotch ales, something he needed to scribble down in the midst of sour mouth and throbbing head. The result is an album that reflects the good-natured camaraderie between talented friends. Together they have managed to translate one night, a little booze and some good company into music thats as simple as it is beautiful. I haven't heard this album yet, but I might pick it up... what's the verdict? I haven't heard it mentioned too much on this here list. that's all from me... a totally content-full post! what an odd concept... cheers, eric __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister:Sinister:Sinister:Sinister:Sinister:Sinister:Sinister:Sin ister:Sinister:
by Joe Vester 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

Christmas is coming then! J'aime Noel Beaucoup. C'est tres interessant (Whewnever I am asked in French what I think of something, I always say interessant or ennuyuex. Yes, I know i'll flunk GCSE if I carry on like this) Also, I wish to participate in International sinister bowling day. The only Bowling Venue I know of in London is somewhere horrible on the North Circular, I hope someone knows somewhere else as that place is a pain to get to as there is no tube station and I am pathetic at using buses. I know two Bus routes: The number 31 from Camden to Notting Hill via Swiss Cottage, and the number 27 from Somewhere to Hammersmith. Using these two, you see, I can get from Camden to my Mum's house and From my Mum's house to my Dad's. I have decided that I will get my hair cut very early in the new year. I have so far managed to go without getting it cut since January or Febuary, when I got it very, very short indeed. Not Shaved, but bloody nearly in places. I wish some of the people I have to get presents for would post, perhaps mentioning that what they want for Christmas. I have been looking in the archives, and have bought one present but am not sure about the others. Now: A terrifying story. People who were terrified by Bambi should not read this bit SCARY********************** It was a normal day when I got home from school. The birds sang in the trees and all was quiet. On the mat lay a letter for me. Oh, that's nice, I thought. Picking it up, however, I was shocked to discover it was from the INLAND REVENUE! Arrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhh......!!!!!!! I thought. quivering wit fear, i drew the curtains throughout the house and sprinkled Holy water around the place before having myself exorcised. Then, using a specially and totally sealed chamber with gloves in from which I could work in safety, I opened the letter. To find out it was to tell me I had been given a National Insurance number, with a little card with my name on it in. I felty all grown up and put it in my drawer before destroying the rest of the letter and envelope in a 100000000000 degrees Celcius oven, just to make sure. END SCARINESS***************************** That was scary, wasn't it people. But don't worry, it has probably happened to most of you already. I notice that hardly anyone has posted today, which I am very upset by. I am bored and need some Sinister diversion but yet there is none (aside from #sinister, of course). That will do for today, though Joe P.S. Has anyone noticed I did not use the phrase "but there you go" _once_ during this post. I'm very proud of myself. P.P.S. This was also probably my quickest post ever. They usually take me a 45mins or so but this took only 15/20, which explains it if it is total rubbish. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: dream of the bowling kids
by Sam Walton 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

Hello everyone. Its a Saturday afternoon. Its that small period of time after Ive got out of bed but before the footballs started, where the only thing to do is to write to Sinister. So here I am. First things first though, we must say happy birthday to everybodys favourite trumpeter, Mick Cooke. Hes 28 today, yknow, according to various posts from a while back. It seems obligatory to cite an archive reference in posts these days, so for all B&Ss birthdays, see here: http://www.missprint.org/sinister/mhonarc/200109/msg00016.html http://www.missprint.org/sinister/mhonarc/199807/msg00795.html http://www.missprint.org/sinister/mhonarc/199807/msg00794.html http://www.missprint.org/sinister/mhonarc/199711/msg00035.html The NME published their list of Top 50 records of the year. Predictably, it was wrong, although not as wrong as it has been in previous years. So to set the record straight, introducing... ASMS TOP 10 (WELL, 11, BUT WHO GIVES A F...) ALBUMS THAT SAY © 2001 SOMEWHERE ON THE BACK OF THEM 1. Air 10,000 Hz Legend 2. Kings Of Convenience Quiet Is The New Loud 3. Pulp We Love Life 4. Spiritualized Let It Come Down 5. Sparklehorse Its A Wonderful Life 6. Mercury Rev All Is Dream 7. The Beta Band Hot Shots II 8. Radiohead Amnesiac 9. Alfie If You Happy With You Need Do Nothing 10. The Avalanches Since I Left You 11. The Strokes Is This It At the moment, thats the order, but its changed loads since I started making the list. At various points Ive been convinced that all of the top four should be number 1. I had something of an epiphany regarding Let It Come Down; I thought it was a big pile of wank until about two weeks ago, when I suddenly realised how fucking brilliant it was, and havent stopped listening to it since. ...dream of all the bowling kids who hang around here... London Bowling Mummy, whoever you are (Ken?) whats happening about that? Anyway... Festive love, Asm.x ================= "He's strictly a pain in the ass, but he certainly has a good vocabulary" - Holden Caulfield _________________________________________________________________ Join the worlds largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: That lovely bus...
by Mark Sweeney 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

Ah Saturday, must be time for me weekly splurge of useless information! Just for those who may be interested and don't know already, the bus to Belfast will leave from Liberty Hall (in Dublin, silly!) at 4pm next Friday. There shall indeed be pre-journey debauchery of a sort, but we haven't quite decided where yet; others may be better qualified than me to choose! There are some seats still available and the more who travel, the cheaper it'll be; at the moment it's looking like about 20 quid a head. So if yer interested, give me a shout on 086 3424095, and don't worry about being trampled in the stampede. Grainne, I could've saved you the hassle of ticket-buying as I have a spare which I'd completely forgotten about amid all the other excitement - sorry 'bout that. And thanks for canvassing at the Frames site, someone may crawl out of the woodwork yet. Alrighty, I'm away - I'll be in touch with the usual suspects during the week. Oh, and kiddies; don't forget to change your money! Ta-Ra _________________________________________________________________ Join the worlds largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: out of the nursery
by Jill Henkels 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

yeah, i have just succeeded in surviving the nursery period. and how do i choose to address you all in my first post: drunk. for weeks, i have jealously read of your excitement of an upcoming b&s show in your nearby towns. alas, i live in iowa, usa--nowhere near where my favorite band will be visiting. sigh. i shall live vicariouly through you, friends. i do however, have the band to thank for my particularly enjoyable and homey evening of last. thats pretty much all that i am capable of writing today before i collapse on my floor. classes are over next week; i shall soon develop something of interest to add to the discussion. with love and affection, jill ********************* You will conform. You will perform. _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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Sinister: thank you for bein' a friend..travel down the road and back again....your heart is true....you're a pal and a confidante...thank you for being a frie-e-e-e-e-e-end.
by Kirsten Kenyon 15 Dec '01

15 Dec '01

this past sunday evening, i sat down with a cup of coffee and thought about what the week might bring. i'd like to say this is a weekly ritual, but that's just not true. i only did it because last week brought a funeral, an armed robbery, and a monstrous teenage girl who bumped into my sister and knocked her to the floor, breaking her elbow and rendering her useless for the remainder of the junior varsity basketball season. it was a strange week. so i decided i'd sit down and imagine everything that could possibly happen in the next seven days, thus sparing myself at least a little bit of potential shock, fear or disappointment. now, on a friday, the week has brought the following: A) the much-anticipated return of 'bitchy erin,' a sixteen-year-old noodles employee who was suspended for two weeks after her deranged boyfriend broke house arrest for a bowl of sesame lo mein, resulting in a jerry springer-style shouting match during the lunch rush. erin's hasty dismissal brought a spattering of applause from staff and patrons alike. her red-faced return left most of us speechless, although a certain flamboyant associate manager can be accredited the words 'help me jeebus, the bitch is back.' B) some lovely shimmery grapefruit-scented lotion C) undeserved words of gratitude from a hippie-turned- microbiologist. i met him on an email list during my freshman year at valparaiso. the timing couldn't have been better, really. he called himself a 'turnip,' but everyone else called him 'the dharma bum.' at the time, most of my evenings were spent sipping port out of a coffee mug, carefully directing the cigarette smoke out the window, listening to django reinhardt and dreaming of a mountain climber called japhy...with a little goatee and an impressive collection of portable cookware. of course. i was bored out of my mind, and jeff was out of money. so we had ample time to chat. he was living in maine, saving his pennies for enough gasoline to get to the west coast, and dividing his free time between his cello and me. nearly ten years my senior and bursting with 'real life experience,' he was full of wise words and literary recommendations. eighteen years old and stranded in a town that would surely rank among america's sleepiest, i really had nothing interesting to tell him. just silly stories. about the infamous 'stickshift sarah' and about my roommate's 'glutes and abs' workout video that starred this girl with hilarious breasts. (i can't remember why they were so funny. but they were.) and i told him about the stupid parties, about the 'valpo popo' and about drunken frat boys belting out 'redemption song' like some kind of anthem for the affluent white male attending a private university on a basketball scholarship. there really wasn't anything else to tell, and i felt sort of bad. but we kept in touch. spring break came around, and a rainy evening found me sitting on the sofa, watching seinfeld with my parents and racking my brain for a way to escape. the telephone rang, and my mom said there was 'some man' on the line for me. jeff had finally saved the money for his cross-country journey, and he was warming up at a milwaukee pizzeria and wondering if i'd care to meet him for a bit. so i drove out and found him, and we chatted for awhile and had some tea and custard, then he hugged me and sprinted into the pouring rain and drove off to oregon. i didn't hear from him for several months. when he wrote again, he was living in a greyhound bus with a crew of environmental activists, chaining himself to trees and fine-tuning his survival skills. we wrote back and forth a few times, and he kept trying to convince me to come out and join the organization. he insisted that the only things i needed were a good pair of shoes, an understanding that i would see my peers dragged off to jail in chains, and an acceptance of the fact that sooner or later, it would happen to me. believe it or not, i was tempted. but i declined, and he stopped writing and i felt i'd let him down. a year passed, and he dropped me a line to report that the organization had sort of rotted and he was back in school and feeling good. i wrote back to report that i was hopelessly intoxicated in the french riviera. after that, i didn't really expect to hear from him again. but then....yesterday, i received an email from a familiar name. and it said 'thank you.' and i'm still not sure why, although i've read it several times. something about going through 'some strange things' and really appreciating my friendship, and that although we hardly know each other, i have played 'a significant role' in his life thus far. help me jeebus. all i ever did was impose upon him with some of the lamest anecdotes ever told. hm. not unlike the way i ramble on to all of you. sorry, by the way. but i guess that if, on a certain day, what he needed was a detailed account of an unsuccessful attempt at 'natural refrigeration' (taping tubs of ice cream to the wall outside a third- story window in january).....then i suppose he was probably talking to the right person. goodness. oh. D) four pairs of socks, a new composition book and a large bottle of cheap vodka. hah. eleven days. love kirsten Care2 make the world greener! http://www.care2.com - Get your Free e-mail account that helps save Wildlife! +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister(a)missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo(a)missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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