Blog | Mike Dressel

Lukas inadvertently sent me down a Kiki & Herb listening...

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:19:00 -0400

Lukas inadvertently sent me down a Kiki & Herb listening hole with this post. So now, for your aural pleasure, here is the duo covering Sleater-Kinney’s “I’m Not Waiting.”

It was declared (by me) at work and for no particular reason to...

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:45:00 -0400

It was declared (by me) at work and for no particular reason to be Musical Friday, and so my co-worker Meaghan and I—since we’d both been associated with The Music Man and Guys & Dolls in high school— were belting out lyrics like musical theater Tourette’s sufferers to those shows, with the occasional chair dance choreography, while calling forth pertinent YouTube clips. But then, when discussing productions, she revealed she’d never seen nor heard Pippin. PIPPIN! The meta-theatrical/bananas/oh-so-70s musical. I mean! Fosse! Ben Vereen! Chita (in the videotaped stage version)!

Its charms, they are irresistible. Jazz hands and grease paint, let’s do this!

Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That | Dolly...

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:10:00 -0400

Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That | Dolly Parton

Dumbfounded Box is Dumbfounded

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:43:11 -0400

Dumbfounded Box is Dumbfounded

Photo

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:18:53 -0400

The wedding reception had, among other things, an ice cream...

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:26:00 -0400

The wedding reception had, among other things, an ice cream truck parked outside. I mean…top that?

But! As we were standing on the street scarfing Choco Tacos and Fudgesicles, this is on E. 3rd between A/B mind you, a group of three, well, not hipsters since we’re not calling people that anymore (are we?),let’s say urbanites, came walking past, confused.

“What’s that?” one asked

“It’s a rich people ice cream truck” came the reply.

Oh, honey, if only.

…And then there was a spontaneous walk-off.

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:56:00 -0400

…And then there was a spontaneous walk-off.

Photo

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:51:58 -0400

Cyclone

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:50:46 -0400

Cyclone

Lizzy finds the internet tiresome.

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:48:52 -0400

Lizzy finds the internet tiresome.

On the last morning I was in Florida, this bobcat appeared on...

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:15:00 -0400

On the last morning I was in Florida, this bobcat appeared on the top of my parents’ fence. My mother snapped a series of photos in quick succession through the window. It hissed a bit then stalked around the perimeter before launching into the neighbor’s yard. I asked if we should alert someone, like animal control maybe? Mom said no it’d be fine.

And besides, we don’t really care much for that neighbor anyway.

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh,” he whispered. “Yes,...

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:55:00 -0400

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh,” he whispered.

“Yes, Piglet?”

“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw, “I just wanted to be sure of you.”

At the free Gil Scott-Heron show this evening there was a woman...

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:39:00 -0400

At the free Gil Scott-Heron show this evening there was a woman dressed in a white blouse and mustard-colored shorts weaving through the crowd with a black plastic bag at her hip, selling Nutcrackers. I am only mildly embarrassed when I tell you for an instant I thought she was indeed selling mechanical devices for which to crack the shells of nuts, though I wondered why there was such a demand, and why the sales had to be made on the sly.

A few minutes later, when she circled back to the area where I was standing, a guy flagged her down. He began to dig some bills out of his wallet while she looked over her shoulder and cautioned him to be careful. The woman in front of me was questioning Ms. Nutcracker as to the contents, price, etc. “It’s eight dollars” she said, “because I had to use the big bottles.” Here she produced from the black bag a label-less plastic juice bottle, its contents bright pink in color, which she handed to the man in exchange for his cash. “I’ve only got vodka and gin, but it’s the good gin, expensive. Fifteen dollars a bottle. It comes in the one about this size.” And here she indicated with her hands the approximate size of the bottle of gin. Then, with her bag again clutched close and low, she started to work her way through the crowd again, casually offering her wares to anyone within earshot.

(According to a source in this article, the drinks, which are frequently sold at bodegas, “are the new liquid loosies.” I am relieved to know, and yet feel so out of touch with the kids these days.)

I Wish Your Wish @ New Museum

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:03:04 -0400

I Wish Your Wish @ New Museum

Photo

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:19:22 -0400

“The Herald of Rock Hill reported Thursday a 30-year-old woman made a complaint to police ...

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:26:07 -0400

“The Herald of Rock Hill reported Thursday a 30-year-old woman made a complaint to police after she took her car to a Rock Hill mechanic last week because it would suddenly stop running. Police said a mechanic found a cheeseburger and pickle inside the car’s gas tank.”

Field & Streaming: McPherson, Campion

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:24:00 -0400

Via the uber-helpful FeedFliks.com, here once again are some films worth streaming on Nexflix Instant. The first is The Eclipse, co-written and directed by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. Think of him as the more supernaturally minded yin to his contemporary Martin McDonagh’s operatically violent, blackly comic yang. (There seems to be no love lost betwixt the pair, either.)

Next is Jane Campion’s debut feature length film Two Friends. “Told in reverse chronological order, the drama explores Kelly’s foray into drugs and punk rock, Louise’s withdrawal into her studies and their childhood friendship.”

So, that’s what I’m planning on watching. (I am also enjoying the short-lived, quirky cop dramedy The Unusuals.)

In lieu of discussing my particular feelings about summer,...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:40:04 -0400

In lieu of discussing my particular feelings about summer, let’s just focus on this kite and what it may or may not represent.

Andy/Moustache

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:23:00 -0400

Andy/Moustache

The tyranny of Facebook photo tags.

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:05:22 -0400

The tyranny of Facebook photo tags.