Iron Man and Other Nonsense

Iron Man is the best movie I've seen in a while. It's great fun and fast-paced, and Robert Downey, Jr. gives a stellar performance as Tony Stark. The writing and the production values do the comic justice, and the 2 minute bit after the credits alone makes the ticket price worth it. (No spoilers, go watch it.)

I am facing a potential scheduling conflict in July. Do I go to San Diego as I have gone for the past 8 years, or do I go out of country for a business opportunity? I already have my plans set for San Diego (hotel, convention tickets, travel, et cetera). The business opportunity is not a sure thing. Meh. I have a week or so to figure it out.

The Puff Lounge is mediocre. Drinks are incredibly overpriced, as expected. It is not as comfortable as Red or Paymon's. The eerie blue glow is the opposite of warm and inviting. The loud music makes it difficult to be heard. Also, I cannot order food in the main area.

Portishead just dropped their first album in ten years. Apparently they've strayed from their trip-hop roots and gone towards grungy experimental noise for inspiration. Thankfully, Beth Gibbons' bone-grinding wail is omnipresent throughout, though the music is unsettling, as if you took a drink from a opaque cup and expected to taste water and instead got milk. It's a good record, but not at all what I expected. It's been many long years since anyone did anything big in that awesome Bristol sound. Maybe i'm old, and maybe trip-hop is out of style, but that doesn't mean it's bad music. For my money, trip-hop artists (massive attack, lamb, tricky, theivery corporation, etc.) are some of the best listens.

currently listening to: portishead