Thursday, October 3, 2002

JayceLand's Weekly Rochester Events #195: Re: Lee

Peri and Matt showed up next. The server tried to kindly take Matt's bag--albeit without asking--and Matt got it back by saying that someone else would probably be joining us in the chair where he put the bag. Jan showed up next and Rob quite a bit later. Anyway, we had to order by the numbers on the menu because the server didn't know what number was what. Peri mis-ordered by number, I think, but stated the name of the item correctly to no avail. Anyway, when the guy eventually returned with the food, he unfurled each persons napkin and placed it on their lap. The food was basically edible. Jan's clam chowder was good, but just a little too thin and a little too salty. My three-cheese sandwich was as bland as a three-cheese sandwich can get.

Now this server, I believe, is a demonstration of sexual orientation discrimination. See, he appeared to be gay, and was probably selected over a more qualified heterosexual server. Apparently there's some notion that gay waiters are better than straight waiters. Don't get me wrong--I don't care which gender gets your rocks off. I'm just saying that there must have been some reason they picked this guy who, based on his behavior, only had experience serving people without control of their bodies and/or minds.

In other news, I found this website that I listed as the link of the week. I think the guy's real name is Matt, but he goes by Mr. Filthy. His website has mostly movie reviews and I found him to be almost completely in line with my opinions, and really close to my writing style, only much much more consistently funnier. I don't even think that's legal grammar. Anyway, one quote comes to mind from his review of Murder by Numbers where he describes a sex scene between Sandra Bullock and Ben Chaplin:

He also serves as her obligatory romantic interest, the guy who saves her from self-destruction. Sadly, we're forced to watch Bullock's sausage body try to wriggle its way out of its pig-gut casing on a filthy carpet while Chaplin lies on top of her, smoldering like a generic-brand fire log. It's a contrived and unbelievable scene, about as arousing as a cheese-grater ground against the shin, but God damnit! The Hollywood formula says it has to be there.

Meanwhile, back in my own life ... Last weekend I had an amusing time seeing The Sluts and Kalibas last weekend at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.). After too many glasses of wine and bullshitting with the regulars, I headed on home. I knew it would get a bit colder out, but my shorts, tee-shirt, and Alaska Bay spring jacket were no match for the forty degree weather I encountered on the bike ride home. I ended up getting home around 3 and slept until about noon on Sunday, probably because I was wheezing near death for the first few hours of the night and the rest of it recovering.

On Sunday I wanted to get a bunch of stuff done, but ended up starting the rust repairs. When I got my Civic in 1994, I got an electronic rustproofing system from a company called Vertical Integrated Protection Systems, which I believe is the same as The Auto Saver Systems, Inc. in Schenectady (they have the same FAX number.) Anyway, they system doesn't work ... well, it works as long as the vehicle doesn't rust ... get it? Supposedly they have a lifetime warranty, but they basically refuse to honor it by just jerking people around. So ... I decided to fix it myself. On Sunday I started in by making a mold from one of the rusted corners of the car. By Wednesday I had a casting of the rusted part made from fiberglass. I'll see what I can get done later ... I'm considering taking pictures and such as to how I did it. I don't think anyone is really interested, though.

Gah ... what else. Oh, last Friday I got out to Rochester Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince St.) to see Uforkestra who are great. I'll have to keep an eye for further shows. They consist of a guy on guitar and one on bass, both with lots of effects at their disposal, and a drummer on a MIDI kit. They play film and video projected behind themselves, but unlike most other attempts I've seen to do this kind of multimedia were completely dumb (i.e. aside from Suran Song in Stag .) These guys have an artistic vision. They do a bunch of different styles of music, but all centered around a liberally biased slice-of-corporate-life.

One last complaint about the world, though. I read an article at the WOKR TV website that Reverend Ken Fox, the executive director of the Open Door Mission, revealead that he is now living life as a woman. Apparently, this is causing some big stink among some of the bigots who donate. My biggest problem is that his own son, Reverend Ron Fox is, according to the article, "saddened by his father's personal choices but is asking them [donors to the mission] to remain loyal to the mission." Now, in my family, we generally support a fellow family member in their pursuits, especially when it doesn't hurt anyone else. I don't know what this guy's problem is.

Grumble grumble.

T H U R S D A Y

The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Hollywood or Bust starting at 8. Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin's last comedy teaming. A small time con artist (Martin) makes a forged winning ticket for a car contest but bungling Lewis actually wins and they team up to go to Hollywood. Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is a cool show with The Witnesses (including members of The Mooney Suzuki and The Rondelles ) and The Billy Picture starting around 10:45. If worse comes to worse you can always see, hear, and/or otherwise participate in Karaoke with Sugar Bear at Drinks by Mary Dawn (535 S. Clinton) starting around 10:30. Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is hosting an Acoustic Open Jam from 8 to 10. For this one, there's no microphones and it's designed to be more of a true jam.

S A T U R D A Y

O'Bagelo's, 165 State Street, noon. Over at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) tonight is a super punk-rock show with Random Road Mother , Suspect Device , The Flour City Knuckleheads and Dead Blue Hand starting around 10:30. The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Lan Yu starting at 10:30 p.m. Part of ImageOut festival. (According to the film calendar:) "The one-night stand between Handong, a thirty-something businessman, and Lan Yu, a sexy student, leads to an unlikely yet steamy affair." The interesting twist is that it's set against the Tianamen Square massacre. Tickets are $7 or $6 for members. Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is a bunch of garage pop, rock, and punk with New Dehli Monkey, QUiTTERS , and The Grinders starting around 10:30. Over at Montage Grille (50 Chestnut St.) is the new-to-me Dave Wakeling's English Beat with Kirsten Candy starting around 10.

S U N D A Y

The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Ruthie and Connie: Every Room in the House starting at 5:30 p.m. Also part of the ImageOut festival. A couple Jewish grandmothers who discovered the love for one another over the years. Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz will be available to answer questions ... tickets are $8 or $7 for members. Open Jar Jam at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) tonight and every Sunday. Just like on Thursdays, you can see/do/avoid Karaoke with Sugar Bear at Drinks by Mary Dawn (535 S. Clinton) starting around 9. Karaoke with Sugar Bear is back at The Blue Room (293 Alexander St.)

T U E S D A Y

Jason Lowenstein, The Arco Flute Foundation, Subarachnoid Space and PI (a.k.a. Pengo Incognito) will be over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 10. As of a few months ago, Java's (16 Gibb Street) still has open mic poetry downstairs starting around 9:30. Tonight from 8 to 10 is an Open-Mic Comedy Night at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) While once it was a workshop type of environment, the comics now have to force that behavior ... by default it's a place to try out new stuff. Dan Liberto (of the The Comedy Company) is back with another Open Mic Comedy up at Penny Arcade (4785 Lake Ave.) starting probably around 10:30

W E D N E S D A Y

The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Victim starting at 6:30 p.m. Part of the ImageOut festival. A married homosexual lawyer tracks the blackmailer of his lover who committed suicide. The first known screen appearance of two men saying "I love you" to one another. Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is a special early show around 8 (before the DJ's) with a couple bands who play tons of instruments, Xiu Xiu and Old Time Relijun. Weekly karaoke contest with Sugar Bear, at Comix Cafe (3450 Winton Pl.) Tonight at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is Open Mic Night (for music) from 7 to 10.