U2ube Video of the Week #7: "Exit"

So, there's enough going on personally right now that I could probably fill 5 very long posts, but I just don't fucking have it in me. I know I've been spotty lately and you'll just plain have to forgive me. In lieu of anything clever, well-thought or insightful, here's an entry in the ongoing U2ube series...

"The Joshua Tree" was an album so Side-1-heavy with miraculous singles and unforgettable tunes that by the time Side 2 came around you were almost too spent to continue. Sticking with it, however, delivered the greatest rewards of the album as well as the defining moments of what would become (arguably) the band's greatest work.

For years, even with exceptional bands, the content of the flipside of a record (or cassette) sometimes seemed like an afterthought. Most often the singles were the best songs the band had to offer and they were almost always loaded disproportionately on the album's first side. Not so with U2. In fact, I think most die-hard fans would agree that U2 are truly an album band. That the front-to-back journey is greater than the sum of its parts. And I think they would also agree that many of their greatest achievements wait patiently for attentive listeners on the other side.

This has always been the case with me at least. I can't help but think of Side 2 masterpieces like "Electric Co.", "40", "Bad", "Acrobat", "Love Is Blindness", "Please", "In a Little While", etc. as being where the true gems in their canon really lie. And that they are often the songs that best exemplify why we listen to the band in the first place.

This was never more true than on "The Joshua Tree". Both lyrically and sonically every song reinforces and expands on what was only hinted at on Side 1. Side 2 puts you in that desert. Metaphorically and spiritually, yes. But, physically. It dries you out and fills you up all at the same time. And for me, "Exit" has always been the penultimate track from that leg of the journey.

On the album, it often gets overlooked. The murky, muted, barely-there production and nearly gothic lyrical content - something about a wayward preacher with a pistol in his pocket and a sky full of nails - were a little abstract and confounding for newer fans. But the furious, bombastic payoff at the end makes that black desert trek worth every step.

I was 13 and already a hardcore fan when the band rolled through the only "nearby" town that was big enough to host them, Kansas City. My brother was a freshman in college and promised me early on that he would take me. He ended up going down on a bus with a bunch of college friends instead. (Don't worry, bro. It's not like it's something I'll NEVER GET OVER or anything.)

Luckily for me, the tour was captured in the concert-film-cum-documentary "Rattle & Hum". I went to see it on opening night with a girl I totally had a crush on at the time. (Remember that, Akerberg?) I was nervous and self-concious as the movie started, but everything changed at the point in the film when I heard the first dark, slinky, tremoloed strains of "Exit". The song became an entirely different beast live. I remember the thrill of seeing that performance like I remember my first orgasm. (Remember that, hand?) It nearly lifted me out of my seat. To this day, it remains in my top 3 all-time favorite U2 tracks.

The band hasn't played the song live since the "Lovetown" Tour in 1989 and probably won't any time soon. Which is a real shame.

Thank God we have this to remember it by...

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Re: Another Door Slamming In Loudly In My Face

An e-mail I received yesterday from the agent I met with recently who was very excited about having a "more formal" meeting with me once pilot season started:

"Hey Aaron ,

Thanks for so diligently checking back in with me. I’m sorry to keep you holding but we have just finished the long and arduous process of evaluating our roster. I like you and your work very much but I just don’t have a place for you at _________ right now. I will certainly hold on to your material should our situation change.

I want to wish you the best of luck with your search.

Sincerely,

____"

...

I don't even know where to begin with that one.

So, I won't...

I'll just shake my head in disbelief and feel awful for a week.

I'll try not to count how many years I've been here.

I'll try not to throw things at my TV every time I see a crap actor who's somehow managed to make a living at this.

I'll try to keep from sighing heavily when I see something in the breakdowns that I'd be perfect for.

I'll try not to cringe inside when someone tells me about a really cool project they're working on.

I'll try to keep my heart from sinking when this goes to Sundance after I suggested (rightly) that my scene be cut.

I'll try to keep... Trying.

To do this.

And I'll try to be thankful for the struggle.




Just not this week...

What A Difference A Day Makes

So... I put up my last post at 4:48 pm on Tuesday afternoon. At that point things were looking pretty grim. No word on my withheld funds, no prospect of work for the next two weeks. About a half-hour after I posted, I got a call from Advantage with a 3-day fill-in assignment on Wed, Thurs and Fri of this week. Okay, nice. Big relief. Then, at 6:35pm ( Who’s still working at 6:35pm?) I get a call from my “caseworker” re: the status of my funds. As I’d hoped. He ruled in my favor that the issue was bullshit and released the $1500 in benefits that had been withheld for the past month. BIG, BIG RELIEF. A much-welcome break from the stress, anxiety, frustration and uncertainty of the past month or so. AND, as an added bonus, I ended up getting another couple days worth of assignments for next week, which is also helpful.

See, there’s a lesson for me to learn here and I’m trying to figure out if it’s simply about having faith and not getting myself so bent out of shape over shit I can’t control, or if it’s something deeper and more complex. Not quite sure, but I’ll let you know if I land on anything profound or insightful.

Follow-up items and random points of interest:

*The Car – We managed to get ANOTHER ticket for the expired inspection sticker. That makes 5. FIVE. Which is awesome. However, we were finally able to afford to drop the car off and have it inspected, so we can at least close the door on THAT ongoing headache. And remember the first jagoff I took it to who said I needed $1400 worth of work to pass the safety inspection? The Missus dropped it off at a different shop today and they called me with the estimate. He was totally affable and said everything looks good, we just need a couple new belts. Cost? $160. $160. That’s a big leap from the $1400 the other douchebag was asking for. What a racket, man. I’m definitely in the wrong friggin’ business.

*Pinkeye – The Doodle finished her antibiotics last night and she’s 100% back to normal. I mean, except for the whole missing-a-leg thing.

*The Stoop/Fuck/Porch – Only one day’s worth of work done this week, but they did finish the wall. Hoping it’ll be finished by the end of the month so we can enjoy early fall evenings outside.

*U2 – “PopMart Live from Mexico City” DVD released this week.

*My Wife’s Hair – The Missus got a haircut a couple weeks ago and it’s absolutely adorable.

*My Hair – Needs to be cut.

*The Mets – Currently lead the NL East

*Injured First-Round NBA Draft Picks – C’MON. This story is EVERYWHERE. They were even yammering about it on NPR this morning. Can I let you in on a little secret, guys? If your whole team rests on the well-being of one rookie player’s knee, then you don’t have a team.

*Movies – Very much looking forward to seeing this , this and especially this.

*Music (Live) – Saw The Veils again Monday night. This time at Bowery Ballroom. AMAZING. Just amazing. Looking forward to Arcade Fire in October and Gogol Bordello in November.

*Music (Albums) – A brief rundown of what I’m listening to this week:

The Organ – “Grab That Gun”
Elbow – “Leaders of the Free World”
Devotchka – “Una Volta”
Film School – “Film School”
fIREHOSE – “Ragin’, Full On”
Spoon – “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga”
Dinosaur Jr. – “Beyond”
The Clientele – “God Save The Clientele”
The Sea and Cake – “Everybody”

And of course the last 3 Gogol Bordello albums have been on non-stop rotation. What? You don't have them yet? That's really unfortunate. I'm trying not to judge you, but it's not working...

More Fucktasticness

So, fuck. The fun continues. I don't even know where to start.

Well, on a day of remembrance in which we acknowledge the truly weighty and significant events of six years ago, let me do my part by distracting you with some utterly petty and pathetic minutae from my unemployed life.

First off, the issue of my withheld unemployment benefits has yet to be resolved. Still haven't heard either way regarding a decision from my "caseworker" as to whether or not my funds are going to be released. It's been a long and scary waiting game and the bills continue to pile up.

Last week I was supposed to have started my new long-term temp gig at FuckEx. But first I had to take a drug test. Fine. So, I do that and then have to wait to hear from my representative from Fuckvantage Human Resourcing saying that I passed the test and I can start. Which they were ready for me to do last week. Well, of COURSE it takes several days to get the results and then I get a call from my rep saying that I'm now not going to be starting until the 24TH. And, no. They don't have any short-term gigs to fill in in the meantime. Which is AWESOME. So, I call the other FOUR temp agencies I'm registered with to find out if they might have anything available for a week or two until my new gig starts. NO, they all say. Nothing. And while you're at it, why don't you go ahead and shove a stick up your ass.

THEN, a couple weeks ago, I got a ticket for having an expired inspection sticker on my car. $65. Totally didn't realize it was that time of year AGAIN, but didn't have the dough to get it done. Then I got another ticket. $65. Then ANOTHER. $65. So, finally I take the car in to have the inspection done, fingers crossed. Sometimes it takes about $100-$200 worth of tweaking to get the emissions to pass. If it failed, it failed. But, if it passed, yay. It's $35 either way, so I'm really hoping. I drop it off and the mechanic calls me 2 hours later and says that it's going to require $1400 worth of work before he can even TEST the emissions. Um. Fuckin... WHAT? So, of course I tell the guy he's full of shit and not to TOUCH my car and I'm going to come pick it up. Luckily, he didn't charge me the $37 since he didn't test the emissions. But, yeah. As has become my wife's mantra of late, "Put it on the fuckin' list."
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In addition, I've been putting off following up with the agent I was supposed to meet with after Labor Day because I don't have the $250 I need to get my reel done and don't want to go in empty-handed. Another fucklicious morsel to add to my already-overflowing shitplate.
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Oh, yeah. And then Kanga managed to pick up a lovely case of pinkeye after mingling with the other pooches at the Prospect Park Doggie Beach. So, THAT was $90 on The Missus' already-overfuckflowing credit card.
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OH.... And those awesome construction workers I mentioned in my last post? Haven't been back since last week. So, there's this unfinished monstrosity of a stoop/fuck/porch that the neighbors give a sort of pathetic head shake at when they walk by.
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Basically, I'm in a state of unbridled fuckstasy. And am beginning to wonder what the point of it all is. Actually, I'm now more concerned about whether or not there's a point to it at all. Trying to have faith.

REALLY. I AM.

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Now... If you're still reading this then it means you survived my Woe Is Me spew and haven't left in disgust. Congratulations. Takes a real steady stomach to weather that much blech. As a reward, I will share what bits of sunshine I have perspective enough to reflect your way.
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Had another surprise opporunity to spend a couple nights up at Meg's this weekend. Which happened to coincide with the one-year anniversary of my quit date. So on Saturday evening I made a tuna steak (my first attempt. successo.) and The Missus put together a really fantastic carrot/ginger/peanut slaw and some RIDICULOUS wasabi mashed potatoes. And we washed it all down with a surprisingly awesome bottle of rose. (I know. Who'da thunk?) Then Sunday evening, on our way back to the City we stopped by the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park. We'd seen it on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and were jonesing to check it out. Holy crap. All-American comfort food done phenomenally well. Everything homemade. Friggin' yummish.

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So, yes. I know. There's always some good with the bad and if you don't at least get over yourself long enough to LOOK for it, then you probably don't deserve to have it come your way ANYWAY, right?

Well, of course you're right. But, if I did that then how the hell would you have passed the time for the last fifteen minutes?

See? I'm frustrated and you're bored.

...We're a perfect fuckin' match.

A Free Plug for One on One

I've spoken in the past about One on One and what a great resource it is for unrepresented actors in the City. It's leagues beyond what Actor's Connection, TVI and the like are doing. As such I agreed to do a testimonial which One on One posted on the "Success Stories" section of their site. If you're out there working and having trouble getting seen, I strongly suggest checking them out...

An Uncertain Souffle with a Side Order of Crap

Alright, I know... It's been a while. But you're going to have to cut me some slack.

Sometimes life is a vine that creeps up the side and gets you all tangled up before you even have a chance to tend to it. And in the past weeks, my vine had overtaken me to the point that I could barely even talk about what I had going on, let alone try to present it in a succinct, comprehensible and interesting way. BUT... Now I've got some distance and I can give you the nutshell update... You know, since I know you're just frothing to hear about it.

First off, THIS SHIT has been going on in front of my house for the past two weeks. Which is awesome. And while I'm sure our new stoop/porch combo will be lovely when(ever) it's finished, IN THE MEANTIME I've had to put up with jackhammers and catcalling from the douchebags my landlady hired to do the work. (Clarification: They weren't catcalling at me, thank God. But my neighbors and ANY female who was unfortunate enough to be walking down the street while they were around.)

I don't know what it is about certain groups in the City that compel them to unequivocally reinforce their own stereotypes, but there must be some sort of unwritten code among construction workers that says they have to - on pain of death - hassle women when they walk down the street. Tooth-sucking, whistling and "Hey Baby"-ing must be part of the training course one has to take to become a laborer in the State of New York. And nothing.... NOTHING... gets to me more than that shit. Finally, the other day I 'd totally had enough. I burst out the front door and pulled the crew leader aside and told him in no uncertain terms to have some fucking respect and knock that shit OFF. And do you know what this low-life, pencil-dick fucking cocksucker says to me..????

He says (insert Puerto Rican accent here), "Wha? Yoo wan' me to be gay?" ...

I know. I couldn't believe it either. This is the part where, if I was someone who kept a gun in the house, I'd be writing this from jail right now. All I gotta say is... this better be one spectacular fucking stoop/porch.
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Okay... on to some other happy shit that happened a few weeks back. The job search was continuing, but (for reasons that weren't immediately clear) my unemployment benefits suddenly hit a snag. Turns out they were being withheld because my former employer raised some sort of issue. So, not only did I not have a job, but now I no longer had any sort of financial cushion while I was looking either. Long story short, the issues they raised are completely bogus bullshit and I've been assured by my "caseworker" that this happens often and that he's fairly certain my case is solid and I'll be cleared. Which means they can finally release the fucking $1500 in benefits ASAP. Yeah, fuckers. You better.

So, in the meantime, without the financial leeway to try and find a decent fucking dayjob, I've been forced to take another long-term temp position at THIS FUCKIN' PLACE. And while it's $28/hr and totally meets my schedule flexibility needs, it's still fucking AmEx, which I said I'd never go back to and makes me want to light myself on fire.

BUT... God willing, I won't have to be there long. You may remember an interview I mentioned a few posts ago with Extreme Music. Called last week and spoke with the gal I interviewed with. She said they'd be interviewing through Friday and were hoping to have someone ready to go by October. (They're moving offices at the end of September.) Said she'd keep me posted. So, fingers still majorly crossed on that one.

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NOW comes the fun stuff... Last Tuesday was K.P. O'Fagan II's bachelor dinner at Peter Luger's in Brooklyn followed by after-festivities at Astoria's world-famous Bohemian Beer Garden. Ain't we cute?

The wedding was Saturday. A beautiful affair. K.P. looked dashing in a vintage, brown, 3-button pinstripe suit from Rue St. Denis and Schreck was stunning as always. Willis and I were recruited to play guitar and sing. Hando joined us on the Delaney & Bonnie classic "Neverending Song of Love" , which we performed during the passing of the rings. And for the recessional, the entire wedding posse contributed a verse to an original Irish drinking song that Willis put together. He and I played, we all sang and a joyful hell was raised in DUMBO that night. Much drink, much mirth and much ass-shaking followed. Salute, Kip and Heidi.

Here's a couple artfully-lit photos of the bride and groom followed by a sweaty and not-so-artfully-lit pic of The Missus and I. And since Bella did such a fantastic job, I'll throw in a pic to give her some props as well.

All in all, it's been a nutty couple of weeks. LOTS of ups and downs. And the uncertainty continues. Lots of balls in the air and no real solid idea of where they'll land. Trying to do a bit of trusting and let the man upstairs do his work. Just hoping I have the patience and the ear to listen for His will above the din of my own anxiety.

And those FUCKING catcalls...