(Not Quite) Through Being Cool
More posting backlog: we probably don’t need to tell you to be at the cool cities meeting next Tuesday. We’re hoping to see a lot of you there.
More posting backlog: we probably don’t need to tell you to be at the cool cities meeting next Tuesday. We’re hoping to see a lot of you there.
Um, the link says the meeting was 3/2. Is this the right link, or are you a little late with this post?
posted by Nick on March 11th, 2004 at 9:30 pm“Eliminate the ninnies and the twits.”
posted by Steven B. Cherry on March 11th, 2004 at 9:48 pmNo, the meeting is next Tuesday, March 16th.
Rob
posted by Rob on March 11th, 2004 at 10:06 pmThe news item was posted March 2, 2004. The post that was created on that date said the time/venue of the meeting.
posted by Eric Goldberg on March 12th, 2004 at 9:26 amWell, at least we can be grateful they didn’t call it the kewl cities task force.
posted by Sara on March 12th, 2004 at 11:18 amyou wait.
posted by Steven B. Cherry on March 12th, 2004 at 2:13 pmI love “kewl”. It’s so, you know, kewl!
posted by Anonymous on March 13th, 2004 at 11:05 amDOES ANYONE CARE TO KNOW THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF AAIO?
posted by ilya on March 13th, 2004 at 3:02 pmHis name is Lucky Jackson and he lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
posted by Lucky Jackson on March 13th, 2004 at 5:18 pmActually AAIO doesn’t really exist - “they” are a fictional creation of the people who post regularly to this site. Once a month we all get together and, using a process similar to that in “The Lottery”, choose who will act as AAIO for the month. Sorry to give away the big secret, everyone.
posted by Nick on March 13th, 2004 at 9:57 pmSo I guess I can’t set AAIO up with a friend of mine, eh? Too bad.
posted by Sara on March 13th, 2004 at 11:44 pmWell, maybe for a short-term fling - I’ve got more than two weeks before I have to hand over the site passwords.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on March 14th, 2004 at 4:06 amNow THERE’S a breakup excuse I haven’t heard before!
posted by Sara on March 14th, 2004 at 8:42 amNick, This month has been sparse — you owe us like 20 more posts, or we’re not giving you the password again.
posted by Anna on March 14th, 2004 at 11:11 amThe clue is in the names:
Anna
Boris
Anna Boris Overrated
Say it ten times fast
posted by Luckiy Jackson on March 14th, 2004 at 12:27 pmdude, that’s freakin’ brilliant!
posted by Alex on March 14th, 2004 at 1:08 pmHey, cut me some slack, Anna . . . you knew when you let me in on the conspiracy that I had to teach myself HTML. I only promised that Ann Arbor was overrated, not that I would be good at this.
posted by Nick on March 14th, 2004 at 4:40 pmOkay Ilya, TELL! Fat chance.
posted by Hookie on March 14th, 2004 at 7:40 pmThat’s not bad, Lucky. Not bad at all…..
posted by Boris on March 15th, 2004 at 1:34 amLuck(i)y is oh so close.
AAiO, through a number of nom de blogs, has been playing you all like a symphonic string section.
Who else wants to know the identity of Ypsi’s favorite AnnArborite? Perhaps I’m a tad slow, but it took me over a week to figure it out.
Feel free to email.
ilyaniema@yahoo.co.uk
posted by ilya on March 15th, 2004 at 7:06 pmI’m more curious on HOW you worked it out. My methods, I think, were cheating.
posted by js on March 15th, 2004 at 8:20 pmjs
Yeah, JS, maybe simply going to the meetup last fall and meeting AAIO there took all the suspense out of the anonymity question. Although perhaps Ann Arbor’s favorite detective-poet can learn from our cheating that the shortest distance between 2 points is sometimes a straight line.
posted by Nick on March 15th, 2004 at 8:48 pmIlya, why do you waste your time reading this blog if it irritates you so? Go concentrate on something else and let the rest of us, who appreciate AAIO’s talent, enjoy and amuse ourselves with its content.
posted by sammy on March 15th, 2004 at 9:57 pmSammy (or is that Sigma Alpha Muey?),
Not simply a question of irritation, more one of manipulation and trivialization.
I was part of Ann Arbor when it was leading edge, forget fuckin Berkeley, Ann Arbor had the lead.
Forget fuckin “Affirmative Action.” I was there when the black students (and others) boycotted classes.
I was there when we took over the Admin Bldg. because of the direction in which our country and community were headed.
I was there when L.B. Johnson said “… and I will not accept…” Drank some beers in fact.
I was there to see flaming blockades on South U and the sheriff sweeping the streets.
Oh, I’m sorry Sammy… Hate to speak of something substantial. Please go back to “amusing” and enjoying yourself.
Shall we debate the coffee houses and bookstores today?
Let’s complain of the fascist pigs who wish us to remove wicker furniture from our balconies.
Let’s return to YOUR Ann Arbor, Sammy.
Enjoy as you wish!
But please, do expound to us on the “talents” of AAiO and his capacity to amuse.
Ilya
Ilya
posted by ilya on March 15th, 2004 at 11:14 pmYou got me, Ilya, how’d you figure it out?
Cheers, Anna/Boris/Overrated
posted by Anna on March 15th, 2004 at 11:55 pmIyla, I’d have to say I’m a bigger fan of your shorter works - reminiscent of Verlaine’s Fetes Galantes. Although this latest has a decidedly Kenneth-Rexroth tone to it that I find intriguing.
posted by Nick on March 16th, 2004 at 8:14 amNick,
I’ve never even had this thought before, but in your case, Spiro Agnew may have actually been right.
Ilya
posted by Anonymous on March 16th, 2004 at 8:49 amIlya, there is a time and place for deep issues, and there is a time and place for amusement.
posted by sammy on March 16th, 2004 at 9:18 amRazor sharp come back, Sammy.
posted by detrOIt on March 16th, 2004 at 9:25 amIlya-
If you are being serious, and I sincerly hope that you aren’t—-you are begging the question:
With all of your “I was there….”
Where are you now? In other words, what are you doing “on the leading edge” today?
posted by todd on March 16th, 2004 at 10:04 amagain with the spelling typo issues, sorry people…
posted by todd on March 16th, 2004 at 10:11 amBlah blah blah, self-righteous aging boomers are among the most tedious and boring folk around. Ilya’s more fun when he/she/it is showing his/her/it’s borderline-personality-with-pronounced-psychotic-features side. On with the semi-coherent babblings!
posted by Anna on March 16th, 2004 at 10:23 amSob, sob. That was mean, Ilya. I think.
posted by Nick on March 16th, 2004 at 12:07 pmadvertising
posted by Anonymous on March 16th, 2004 at 2:37 pmAnd psychotic? I think not. I was a janitor on the afternoon shift out at
Ypsi State Hospital (while working my way through school).
I know psychotic.
And I, sir, am no psychotic.
Have another latté, Anna.
posted by Anonymous on March 16th, 2004 at 2:43 pmTodd, you put a question to me as to what I am doing “leading edge” today.
Sorry, have to send it right back atcha. I been there, done that. What are you doing, other than being anal about your spelling?
Quoth the Anna:
“Blah blah blah, self-righteous aging boomers are among the most tedious and boring folk around.”
Certainly Anna has “parental issues” for which he should consult a professional, but what’s your excuse?
I don’t have to explain myself or my present to you. What marks have you made in this world other than those hash marks in your shorts?
Also are you truly adult enough to comprehend what my Agnew reference meant?
If so, perhaps you’re more advanced than I have thought.
As for my mapping of the AAiO:
The spiritual leader of the Beach Boys (gosh, what’s his name?) was less than great as a lyricist, but was at least able to harmonize with the rest of his band without sounding the same or having to cover for them.
That’s more than I can say for AAiO (gosh, what’s his name?) who ends up becoming his own band members in order to cover their backs and his tracks.
Anna, feel free to chirp in here with a “gosh” or a “wow, how’ja do that” and tell “Brian” that I got it all on Google (even him on the guitar).
Best,
posted by ilya on March 16th, 2004 at 10:56 pmIlya
Wouldn’t it be nice?
posted by ann arbor is overrated on March 16th, 2004 at 11:17 pmI can’t help but visualize…
First gear, its alright
Second gear, lean right…
ilya
posted by Anonymous on March 17th, 2004 at 8:26 amWow, Ilya, the blank verse is getting really abstract now - this is Dylan Thomas territory. So, if I’m following the symbolism correctly, AAIO is for some unknown reason impersonating everyone on this blog? So, then, at the meetup, was everyone there hired (or offered undergrad research credit) to act as someone from the site? Seems like an awful lot of work. But then, what do I know - I didn’t live in AA when it was better than Berkeley, and I wasn’t alive when Agnew resigned.
As a friendly suggestion, though, Ilya, this all indicates to me that you badly, badly, badly need a life. And that’s coming from a grad student in Ann Arbor.
posted by Nick on March 17th, 2004 at 10:47 amHow about the Replacements, and Unsatisfied?
posted by Anna on March 17th, 2004 at 10:50 amAh, but if true, what a fucked-up, multiple personality disorder, head trip. And a deafening cry for help. And to think, I was beginning to fall for Annie.
Until I realized she was a tranny.
posted by Truckenzeelover on March 17th, 2004 at 12:12 pmilya, why do you have to put it right back at me?
Give me three “cutting edge” accomplishments of yours, and I’ll give you six of mine.
Let’s hear (read) it. Don’t be yet another all show and no go old guy. I’ve had enough of that.
posted by todd on March 17th, 2004 at 12:37 pmI know that I’m not exactly cool, but I’d put Leopold Bros. on the list of things that I like about this town. Granted, I may bitch about them being full of Bobos too often (and that I don’t like their Heifeweisen), but the porter and the red are pretty fine, and they’ve got the best jukebox in town. I know at least some of the staff (I think Scott got himself fired from another job, but oh well), and generally respect both ABC and Leopold Bros. as net gains to the community.
posted by js on March 17th, 2004 at 1:06 pmBut maybe I’m just not so much of a whiner.
Todd, We know you’re cool — nevermind that balding, pot-bellied, tie-dyed, never-was boomer.
Incidentally, I think he’s really Mucho. That means there are there are just two of us posting here — AAIO’s multiples, Mucho’s minions. Trippy.
posted by Anna on March 17th, 2004 at 1:58 pmI’m without question the least cool person posting here, Anna.
Funny story, js: Just got done getting yelled at the other night by some kid who had been 21 for about 15 minutes. He was lecturing me on what needs to go in a jukebox…you know, the eagles, van mor., led zepp.,
He made my day. I tried to explain to him that he was like the typical American who goes to Europe, spends an hour in each city, takes lots of pictures, makes sure his passport is stamped, and complains a whole lot about the food.
I also tried to explain to him that 1/3 of the jukebox cd’s had been released in the last 10 months, and that it was important to experience new things….no sale for this kid. Tried to explain how great it was to have My Blood Valentine, Frank Sinatra, the Shins, and Cannibal Ox all on one page. Still didn’t get it.
Tried to quote Hegel and tell him that alienation is needed for authentic experience and education. Most assuredly didn’t get that. Finally told him that he’d probably be happier drinking a low-carb beer at PJ McSlappy’s listening to Steve Miller for the bizillionth time. He seemed to understand that.
God love him. This kid is a marketing execs wet dream.
posted by todd on March 17th, 2004 at 2:29 pmOh and P.S. for JS:
You’ll be thrilled to know that the Hefeweizen will be available on draft and in bottles next week.
Don’t complain that I didn’t tell you.
You’re welcome.
posted by todd on March 17th, 2004 at 2:55 pmTodd- Maiboch anytime soon? That’s what I want. Oh, and part of the reason that I don’t come in as much anymore is that you sell the porter in bottles. Why deal with smoke and bench seating when what I want is the beer? Grin.
posted by js on March 17th, 2004 at 3:18 pm(And while I take shit from my girlfriend for loving classic rock, Ashley’s is the epitome of what a shitty juke sounds like, replete with “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on fucking repeat. Classic rock is OK, but it should be banned from jukeboxes to make sure that people don’t abuse their monthly Don Henly allotment).
Well, i guess that you could take the golden lager and drop a shot of vodka in it to make it a maibock. Sort of. That’s the best I can do.
Classic rock is very much ok. I just want something different and new coming out of the speakers. That’s as complicated as it gets.
posted by todd on March 17th, 2004 at 3:27 pmIlya’s right about one thing… Everyone needs to shake off the electronic duping imposition.
posted by Hillary on March 17th, 2004 at 9:24 pmHillary- Those sound like Strawberry Alarm Clock (or maybe Chocolate Watchband) lyrics.
posted by js on March 18th, 2004 at 8:24 am“Ev’rybody- y’got t’ shake off that electron-ic duping im-position! Yeah!”
js
Nope… I was tying together a few of Ilya’s thoughts.
“We can afford to separate [protesters] from our society with no more regret than we should feel over discarding rotten apples from a barrel.”
“Yes sir. I mentioned that I was introduced to god twenty years ago by a reincarnation of Bart Maverick [TV cowboy star]. He said, ‘what would you do if you met God in human flesh?’ and I said I would love God. ‘Are you sure?’ he said. I said yes. As soon as he had said those words, a woman approached, elderly looking, with a slightly long nose, not hard to look at, and he said, ‘There’s God. Now love her!’ And because of duping I was interfered with and she told me, ‘I’ll see you in twenty years at Y.S.H. So it came true.”
posted by Hillary on March 18th, 2004 at 9:13 amWow, you guys are thinking way harder about this than I was. I was trying to write a limerick for Ilya, in honor of his mad poetry skills and St. Patty’s day, but finding a rhyme for “Ilya” is impossible.
posted by Nick on March 18th, 2004 at 10:46 amNah, you just gotta play loose with the rules.
posted by js on March 18th, 2004 at 10:58 amThere once was a poet named Ilya
Whose free verse lines would kill ya.
(S)He typed with a grin
stories of dupin’
But you won’t believe him, will ya?
js
don’t Ilya and Dubya kinda rhyme?
posted by Alex on March 18th, 2004 at 12:14 pmActually, I think I may have figured out Ilya’s secret identity. The UK email address gives it away. He’s Syd Barrett.
posted by Nick on March 18th, 2004 at 1:03 pm