Hello everybody, Like so many others of late, I have recently aquired my voice; and since you're beating the bushes to drive lurkers out in the open, by way of stepping out from the nursery, I take this opportunity to say "hi". I only discovered Belle & Sebastian with the release of TBWTAS. I had been hearing various things about them, the devotion of their fans, and this list (all of it good, by the way), and I tendered up my cash to check out their latest release. On first hearing, I fell in love. And subsequent listenings only deepen my appreciation for this wonderful record. I was especially touched by Isobel's voice on "Wicked Not to Care," and I think the song is pretty cool too. I also like "Chickfactor" (kinda captures what life is like inside of the male psyche) and "Seymour Stein," though I get the feeling from reading the last few months that I am in the minority here. I was so taken by what I heard on TBWTAS, and what I read on the Jeepster B & S website, that I ordered all of their LP's and EP's, including an advanced orer for "Tigermilk," from Jeepster (I also believe in supporting bands as directly as possible). Unfortunately for me, I didn't read all the fine print until it was too late. I would have to wait until "Tigermilk" was released before I would get any of the records (silly me). Then my bank declined my credit card, due, it turns out, to the number of charges originating from the UK (I used my June holiday to chase the Rolling Stones/Sheryl Crow tour from Edinburgh to Webley Stadium), and they were concerned that my card might be stolen. But David Kitchen and staff were very patient with me, my troubles, and my e-mails. And now, I'm assured, my records are on their way to me. I can't wait to listen, to catch up, to enjoy, and to understand what you are talking about. Meanwhile, Looper came to San Francisco, and I found myself standing in the middle of the floor at the Great American Music Hall that tuesday night. Or, I should say I would open my eyes and be surprized to find myself standing in the middle of the floor at the great American Music Hall, because the music I was listening too had a stange effect on me. As Looper played, I would close my eyes, and slip into a waking dream. Alpha waves rearraging my little grey cells, dream scapes of figures running through green fields, boys waiting for their dad and sister to arrive on Mars, all mixed up with other stuff that had nothing to do with me standing in the middle of the floor at the Great American Music Hall on a tuesday night in San Francisco listening to a band I had never heard before. I was impressed, though Stuart did not wear any light goggles that I saw, though they do sound kinda cool. I came home from the show and my housemate, who has made fun of me listening to "that wimpy Belle and whoever music" ever since I got the record, asked me "Did you enjoy Looper, Hooper?" (my last name being Hooper and all). And I realized, I was destined to be a fan of this music. Anyway, I have comments of a few of the threads that have been going by. BLAIR WITCH PROJECT The film impressed with it's ability to evoke true, deep, bone-chilling fear in me. All the media hype has made it near impossible to see the film in San Francisco without waiting hours in line. And I'm afraid that unless it truely evokes a deep sense of fear in me, the prospect of spending all that time on the sidewalk is too too scary. Also, I do find Neve Campbell in a tight shirt screaming bloody murder scary. As scary as Jamie Lee Cutris, or Jennifer Love Hewitt, or any other shapely mezzo soprano or higher in a tight shirt screaming bloody murder. Maybe it just touches on my deep-seated fear of annoying noises. FEMALE MASTERBATION It really isn't my place say . . . anything, really. I always assumed girls did it as much as we boys, they were just more discreet about it (and, except for the rythmic clanging, what could be more discreet than benwa balls?). As for what to call it, let me suggest "Stoking the Hot Bar-B-Q Pit." Silly, yes. But no more so than "choking the chicken" or "milking the lizard." One of my female co-workers suggests "petting the kitty." SEX EDUCATION in my experience, sex education is like music lessons. They can teach you how to hold the instrument, how to play the correct notes, and introduce you to the repertoire; but only you can make it sing by finding the source in your soul, and you can only become good at it by doing it with all your heart. And practice practice practice. Maybe understanding that is why musicians make better lovers. That and the fact that cellist do it in 14 positions and thumb too. LADS WITH SCOTTISH ACCENTS SCORING BIG-TIME WITH AMERICAN BIRDS A friend of mine, an Englishman who got kicked out of Harrow for selling reefer to his fellows, was staying in San Francisco with me for the summer a few years ago. He and I would go out "bird hunting" (as he liked to call it) and I have to admit, his Harrow accent opened more than a few doors that I know would have remained closed had he spoken with an American accent of any but the most distinct kind. So you Scottish lads will probably do well here in the states (at least in California, you would). But be forewarned, it merely opens the doors, you'll need something more (e.g., a personality) to keep it from being slammed in your face. By the way, it would appear that a California accent has the same general effect in Scotland, England, Italy, and France. Or, such was my experience. And I for one, absolutely melt for girls with Scottish Accents (e.g., Isobel Campbell). PICNICS I wish we could get one up in San Francisco. They sound like loads of fun. CRUSHES I've looked at the pictures and cast my vote(s). And Yes I voted for Isobel too. LOVE and THE PERFECT PARTNER I believe, and I know she exists. Like the Platonic idea of two seperated halves, searching for their other, I shall continue my search. But, so far, the greatest loove of my life was a girl a knew when I was 17. She moved away and our relationship disolved when I was 19, but she still haunts me, and casts a strong influence over the girls I've been attracted to ever since. Even if I never find another like her, to quit the search would be tantamount to stop listening to music or breathing. Life might as well stop. Even Dante, after passing through the Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradisio, found at the center of the light he assumed to be the totality of all, he found Love. Anyway, sorry for the long post. I will try to contain myself in the future. By the way, I think I like most everyone whose post I've read so far. I hope you'll like me. All the best Daniel Hooper San Francisco, California +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister@majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo@majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "jelly-filled danishes" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+