Sinister: Up all night and down every day...

[Rinaldo Thatchez]

Why oh why do I feel I must always leap into the fray when we have some 
controversy a-brewin'? I don't actually hear you asking for my two cents but 
I feel compelled to throw them in anyway.

First off, in defense of Ruvi: No matter what you think of the ideas put 
forth in his little Valentine's message I think there is a quality present 
that is undeniable and therefore I cannot stand by and see it criticized.  
It ached and longed and was self-deprecating and honest and smart and 
genuinely quirky without jumping up and down saying, "ooh, I'm so eccentric, 
look at me." Besides, you don't really think he wants to get freaky with the 
dearly departed now, do you? As for the pretty girls != smart girls thing, 
I'm sorry but it is true in at least a limited sense. Exceptions will always 
exist but for people (boys and girls) with certain gifts like exceptional 
good looks, musical talent, athleticism, extreme wealth - whatever - a 
certain laziness often kicks in and they choose not to work so hard at other 
things thus allowing their brains, emotions, social conscience - whatever - 
to atrophy. God knows I would've studied harder if I didn't think good looks 
and charm would get me everything I want. Conversely, look at people who are 
naturally gifted at intellectual pursuits who hole up with books, computers 
and role-playing games and allow their social skills to wither away. Same 
principle.

Okay, enough with the controversy, the rest is much more benign. Speaking of 
benign, how about that Coldplay? It strikes me that this debate is not very 
relevant over here in the states where we generally don't know much about 
the UK bands until they reach a certain level of success. After that, the 
indie cred issue becomes a bit pointless (or more so), and we have to simply 
evaluate them on the tunes. It seems that some are having a hard time with 
how the band's career is developing more than anything else. My opinion? I 
like them, the songs are pleasant and while not brilliant, are at least not 
embarrassingly dumb. I'm also always happy to see the return of mediocre 
musicianship. It's funny, I was talking with my roommates about how much 
Britpop (yeah, i guess we still say that sometimes) is starting to sound 
more like American indie. Probably the influence of Blur, who always talked 
about how much they love American indierock and were probably a big part of 
the bands coming up today's musical diet.

Now some personal stuff: This dating business is rubbish. Can you believe 
I'll be 26 soon and I am only just now doing it for the first time? Until 
now it was always just end up in bed with someone and depending on how that 
goes or your mutual level of regret afterwards you start spending more time 
together (or you don't) and there you are with a girlfriend. This has always 
been the way it has been for me until now. Just recently I told a friend 
that I'd always been attracted to her and she said the same and now we're 
seeing a little more of each other but it's weird: we go out on dates 
complete with coming up with activities, one of us paying for the other and 
the walk home and kiss at the door. That's the weirdest part, the 
incremental physical intimacy thing. It's so awkward. I much prefer just 
sleeping with someone right away. I wouldn't mind hearing your perspectives 
on this sinister-inos, in fact I very much want to.

Rinaldo

Also, I don't remember who said it but whoever mentioned David Foster 
Wallace's Infinite Jest, I fully endorse that recommendation. It's the only 
1500 page book you'll want to read three times.


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