in whales is the preservation of the world

Gray Whale Viewing | green is the new crack | ongoing, january through march
They are, seriously, one of god's coolest creatures. You know that part on Blue Planet where the sperm whale is eating the sardines? I can't get enough of that. They. Are. So. Big. Undeniably grand creatures. Some people feel inconsequential at the top of mountains. For me, the definition of the sublime is a whale at sea.

Apparently, here in the bay area, from January till March, gray whales are viewable from the Point Reyes' observation deck. You could just be sitting there, eating a sandwich, and bam! a gray whale will spout. I can't wait. There are ranger-led programs, where you will learn so much about gray whales you will find yourself rattling off information to strangers at the bus stop and enraptured six-year olds. You can't miss this.
more info | map me!

Bring on mas musica!

Noise Pop Festival | musica | 2/27/07-3/4/07

So apparently Noise Pop is fifteen years young, but I'm not up on such things, so this is all news to me. I love me some Clinic and I love me some Vic Chesnutt, so any reason to get these people in town is fine by me. Clinic sounds like the Beatles on acid (wait, the Beatles were on acid, so... maybe just the Beatles?); Vic Chesnutt tells a story like no other (From "Band Camp": "once you soaked a tampon in some serious vodka/wore it to school/second period science lab/
you fell right off your stool"). Also in attendance will be Josh Ritter (what up Boston!?) and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. I'm hoping that since John Vanderslice is also on the menu, the Mountain Goats, who will be in town right around then, might stop by and maybe say hello?

WE can also say hello to the following bands (listed on their website as of 12/20) at the festival: Autolux, The Dandy Warhols, Dwarves, Earlimart, Ester Drang, The French Kicks, Ghostland Observatory, Hella, Jolie Holland, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Macromantics, Malajube, Midlake, Pop Levi, Josh Ritter, Sea Wolf, Sebadoh, Snowden, Spinto Band, Will Sheff (Okkervil River), Six Parts Seven, Richard Swift... and more!

more info, including updates on venues and tickets @ noisepop.com

black like her black beautiful heart

anne lamott at city arts | artyarts | 03/26/07
anne lamott has been my hero ever since i read "operating instructions: a journal of my son's first year," where she admits to wanting, at times, to kill her cat, and her young son. i was a high schooler when i read it, and believed that it took some courage to admit that your own kin could drive you that crazy. now, in the heyday of david sedaris, it may not be such an amazing thing anymore, but i still think anne is tops. she's an honest, gutsy writer who often put some of my greatest fears into words (namely, the fear of first drafts, in "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life"). she's speaking at the herbst theatre on march 26, 2006. get your tickets now ($19 apiece).
more info @ cityarts | map me! | muni me!

bleating never sounded so damn good

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS |musica | 03/07/07 - 03/09/07
March 7 - The Independent
March 8 - The Independent
March 9 - Bottom of the Hill (all ages show + a special guest)

John Darnielle is my hero. If you don't know the music of the Mountain Goats, then you seriously need to find a way to hear it. Going to a show is a good way, but even better is to bone up on one of their myriad albums beforehand and get ready for the hipster singalong that is a MG show. It's an experience not to be missed. Three shows in one week is like Christmas in March for me.
more info @ themountaingoats.net