Random Thoughts (and Experiences) of 2008
by Duff McKagan
I really don't have a "tidy
conclusion of 2008" column anywhere in me. Really, I think I ceaselessly strive
for my life to have soft edges as opposed to sharp corners, but it just never
works out that way. Instead of actually writing some sort of year-end wrap up,
I thought of maybe just blurting out some random things that this year has
perhaps influenced in my thought processes.
—Don't smoke crack: This
stuff, while maybe getting you off for a few moments, really wreaks havoc on
those around you. Enough said on that.
—Write a weekly column:
Especially one where you may get instant feedback from readers. This experience
for me has been nothing short of spectacular. Firstly, coming up with a weekly
topic that others may find interesting is tougher than it may seem, but has
kept me on my toes—stimulating, I should say. Secondly, reading feedback to a
point (or NON-point!) you are trying to get across really lets me into the mind
of others... I especially like the hecklers. The Internet is a place where most
of us can remain faceless and shameless!
—Call instead of text someone (better yet, meet for a fucking
coffee! OMG): This past year has been "the year of the text" for me. I must
agree that texting someone is generally OK, but only if you also TALK to this
person (LMAO). I have seen people whom I have known for a long time become
socially retarded as a direct result of relying on text-messaging to do all of
their bidding. I do believe (IMO) that our younger generation may be headed
toward some serious social difficulties as a consequence of this technological
advancement. :-) Some of my friends have increasingly gotten better at
communicating via text or e-mail, while their people skills have decreased at
the same rate.
—Did you guys know there was a members-only sex club in
Seattle? Loaded went down to check out a rehearsal place last weekend. The
practice place was kind of tucked away in a cozy spot somewhere between, let's
say, the Fisherman's Terminal and Safeco. While we were inside talking to the
owners, they let us know that there was a "sex club" next door and to not be
freaked out by all the cross-dressing semi-truck drivers coming in or out of
that place. Sounds like I found the perfect place for me and the Loaded fellas
to celebrate New Year's!!
—Go climb a mountain: Well, that is my goal for this next
year, anyway. I was offered a spot to climb Rainier for this coming July and I
just may finally do it! That fuckin' thing has been looking at me since I can remember.
—Require politicians to read world history before they commit
us to war and such: If old George W. had simply read a few history books about
tribal warfare in the Middle East, he may have thought twice before stating
that "The Iraqi people are perfectly able to govern themselves." Tribal warfare
has been going on in that region since before the time of Jesus, and Saddam was
just one of a long line of despots who have ruled with an iron fist in that
part of the world. I do agree that Saddam and his sons were wicked bastards and
should have gotten everything that was coming their way, I just wish a wider
berth had been given to the IDEA of a mixed-religion Iraqi senate with real
power back before we decided to invade. There was lip-service paid to the
defeated Iraqi army that they would have work—that never happened either, and
those legions got pissed waiting around, etc. . .
—Give Peace a Chance: Is anybody with me?!
—Don't hear about Paris Hilton and the rest of the Hollywood
brat-pack at all this next year: Again, is anybody with me?
—Seattle sports teams on the rise! Well, there is actually
nowhere our teams can go BUT up after this past dismal season of darkness.
Think of it like this: Get the Seahawks back in the playoffs (totally doable in
our crappy division). Get the Mariners in wild-card position (or get us fans to
believe that they could get there
in yet another year). Get the Huskies to beat ANYBODY! If we achieve any of
these things, we will be BACK!
—Seattle is voted Most Literate City in America: This poses a
most obvious question: What in the hell is a guy like me doing with a column in
the SEATTLE Weekly if this is
indeed true?!
—Go see the Gutter Twins: I was afforded this opportunity
last September in Spain and it was an almost religious experience. It is not very
often these days for me to be completely awed by a band or artist, so I am
completely pleased when it finally does happen. The Gutter Twins are not
something you can quite put your finger on musically, they are just equal parts
"kick-ass" all the way around!
—Guilty(ish) Pleasure of '08: Shiny Toy Guns and their single
"Ricochet."
—We elected a President with pecs: When is the last time
women have been all aflutter over a politician? I came downstairs the other
morning and my mother-in-law was freaking out over a news piece they had just
run on Obama on the beach in Hawaii. I saw the piece a little later that same
day. I think gym memberships probably saw a spike that day. This will serve as
a notice to all you malcontent nations out there—our Prez can beat up yours!
—Don't parody Barack: He CAN kick your ass!
—Flight of the Conchords new season: I was never a TV watcher until TiVo and never generally
gave much weight to wasting my time watching crappy swill (just think of all
the Melrose Place, Friends, and Dynasty episodes I missed!). Nowadays, however, TiVo has got me hooked on all
kinds of good TV: The Office, 30
Rock, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dexter,
and yes, a new season of Flight of the Conchords starting in a couple of weeks! Also, try out Spectacle with Elvis Costello on IFC.
—GO AWAY! That is, travel someplace for once in your life.
Flights have never been cheaper and the dollar is still quite strong in South
and Central America. Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are two places I highly
recommend. Hey, who could go wrong with two places in which the Ramones were
bigger than Bon Jovi.
—Learn to put up a windmill: If you got the skills to build these
new power providers, the "New Deal"-like programs of the Obama administration
could keep you working for about the next 20 or 30 years. If that fails, try to
get one of those bonuses they're passing around at those financial institutions
that we all just bailed out.
—Look forward to the future! OK, so we all have borne witness
to a pretty awful eight years of Bush policies. We have also all seen this
credit crisis throw us into a recession that is shaping up to resemble the one
we had back in the early '80's. (Seattle is in MUCH better shape now than it
was then. Downtown looked like a ghost town.) It will probably get worse before
it gets better, but it WILL get better. I am confident that President-elect
Obama is "the smartest guy in the room" and will apply lessons from history. We
have got the best guy for the job. Now, if he could do something to get an NBA
team back here in Seattle.
Happy New Year!
36 comment(s)
Melina says:
- About the crack thing... well, it is quite notable that is something that really shakes your world, because it was the first item you wrote.
- What do LMAO and IMO mean?
- After a moment of excitement because of you naming the city where I was born, I can help thinking you recommended Buenos Aires just because it is one of the cheapest town in SouthAmerica.
¬.¬ not nice.
You have been here. But you may not remember. It was in 1992. Guns'n'Roses did gigs on December 5th and 6th.
- Wait! do you like Dexter?!! The serie about the serial killer that works with the Miami police?!! Really? I love it. I used to see a few months ago.
"killer!!" ahaha...
- Congrats to the Most Literate City in North America!!
HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL 2009!!
Melina from Argentina.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 5:53AM
Tattooed Angel says:
Melina,
LMAO= Laughing my ass off
IMO= In my opinion
Best wishes for a fabulous 2009!!!
For all you Seattle-ites that want to take Duff's recommendation about seeing the Gutter Twins, they are playing at the Showbox on February 15, 2009.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 6:38AM
Duff says:
Hi Melina
I LOVE Buenos Aires because of the PEOPLE there, the FOOD there, the ARCHITECTURE, and overall beauty. In no way did I mean to offend and am very sorry if I did!!
Duff
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 9:05AM
heidi says:
Duff,
Truly enjoyed reading your article. I'm visiting family over this holiday here in beautiful Seattle and I'm very thrilled that I was given your article to read. I must say my favorite part was regarding texting. I strongly believe if our world communicated much more in person or on the phone, this world would be a much better place...Greatly appreciate your article and look forward to reading more.
Best, Heidi
Happy 2009!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 10:09AM
Mad_Mama says:
We certainly are a literate bunch around here. I would add that reading an inspirational book about addiction and recovery (and MUSIC!) needs to be on the list as well. How about "Slash" by Slash, "Scar Tissue" by Anthony Kiedis, and "The Heroin Diaries" by Nikki Sixx?
And - I would LOVE to climb Mt. Rainier! July should give you time to train - go for it and give us a step by step review along the way, please!
All the best for the new year, Duff, to you and yours!
Melissa
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 10:24AM
Brian says:
Duff
Happy New Year, keep the creative juices flowing for '09. Have you read Three Cups of Tea? I'm reading it right now, think it's something you might enjoy.
Melina
My wife is from Santiago, Chile. She tells me Buenos Aires is the "Paris" of South America. I hope to visit the next time we're in SA.
Ed
When are we going skiing?
Andy
Happy New Year brother.
Brian
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 11:36AM
Duff says:
3 Cups of Tea rules!!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 12:18PM
Ben says:
Duff -
Off topic of your column today, but important to me none the less. I am celebrating my bachelor party on the decadent Sunset Strip in the coming month and just wanted your take on some "must sees and do's" to make the trip that much better. Any suggestions would be mucho appreciated. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 1:52PM
Nevermind says:
“I especially like the hecklers” Names! Make it juicy…
“The Internet is a place where most of us can remain faceless and shameless!” Gotta be great for someone who is more known than the average people to regain complete anonymosity again on the internet, like on forums, having ‘real’ arguements and sharing real opinions without people thinking differently about you than any other nincompoop ( love the word ) on the internet.
“members-only sex club” “cross-dressing semi-truck drivers” hehe dirty...
“Give Peace a Chance: Is anybody with me?!” would be nice, doubt it will happen tho, always reminds me of the South Park episode where Cartman gets defrosed in the future and there is no more religion but still 2 groups fight over who are the better athiests.
“Don't hear about Paris Hilton and the rest of the Hollywood brat-pack at all this next year” Careful, you will end up on Paris Hiltons hate-list
“Flights have never been cheaper” Planes crash, I don’t feel like crashing in the ocean or against a mountain, it’s bad for the enviroment too, in the next bit you talk about new power providers, but it’s a bit double if you first talk about more travelling and then about a cleaner power source...
Happy New Year
Nevermind The Bollocks
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 3:33PM
Mike F. says:
I'd personally like to see a media shift towards ADULT entertainment. Not necessarily rated x, but material for adults. What happened to SNL seems to have happened to almost everything, including music. It feels so conservative and artistically dead now compared to other times in the past. Cold, dead technology is getting depressing. Turn off your do-dads & gadgets. Bring back sex, drugs and rock 'n roll! Art! Writing! Real freedom! In 2009, let's have a huge tidal backlash from the bush administration!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 6:28PM
Tattooed Angel says:
OMG! IDK WTF UR talkin bout that ppl need to talk F2F rather than txt! CMU! I wuz ROTFLMFAO @ that pt! I1DR if it's just b/c @TEOTD it's all a bunch of garbled ltrs and #s? J/K!
BTW, mos def a big ^5 for 5 mos of blogging for SW!
\m/ \m/
B4 I go, HNY 2U2!
G2G, L8R, KIR, TTYL!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 6:48PM
Hutch says:
Hey! Maybe a common interest like Dexter can bring back together a certain rock band. Obama got into office. Now my second wish might come true?
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 1 2009 @ 1:05AM
Bodhi Kanzeon says:
Hey Duff, liked your column u write well for a product of Sea public school system (I attended 4th to 10th grade @ same schools as u when I was Judy Morishima). excuse my ignorance but what is Loaded? what genre & can I get links to iTunes or YouTube?
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 1 2009 @ 7:46AM
Tattooed Angel says:
Bodhi!!!
Loaded is Duff's band which has been around for about 10 years. They released an album "DARK DAYS" and a live album "EPISODE 1999" and have recently reunited for a new album. They toured the UK at the end of 2008 and played some gigs in the Pacific Northwest.
They released the WASTED HEART EP this year and the LP "SICK" will be released this year!
YES! You can get Loaded on iTunes and at amazon.com
www.myspace.com/loaded
www.duff-loaded.com
CHECK THEM OUT! THEY F'N ROCK!!!!
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 1 2009 @ 9:14AM
Kris says:
Happy New Year to you all.
@ Mike F. & Duff, re: gadgetry: Don't go totally Luddite on me here; the world of technology can forge connections as easily as it can diminish them. "Cold" they might sometimes be, but they offer an opportunity, such as in the blogworld, for voices that would otherwise have little access to exposure. Balance is the key, as in all things. And, if my kids are any indication, they use the texting to keep in connection with one another, the way we (I?) might have used pen pal letters and the like. The connections they maintain are pretty amazing--and not just limited to texting, thankfully.
Here's to a far better Presidency, more rock-n-roll, thoughtful/funny/dissident (or any other) writing in the blogworld and through traditional means, and conversation in 2009!
Peace, all!
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 1 2009 @ 12:35PM
jon says:
I completely agree with the crack statement. Just don't even go there. It leads no where but down.
If you are going to text someone, may it be to set up a phone call or meet up. Don't be a social 'tard.
Ha! Obama. I saw a picture of him in Hawaii with the caption "fit for duty".
Everyone strive to have one book they are in the process of reading.Don't make them all works of fiction.
Ask someone how you can help them every day.
If you are going to watch Television, no matter how you choose to do it, You must watch at least two episodes of "Always Sunny In Philadelphia" No one does stupid T.V. better so therefore it is one of the greatest shows ever put on the air.
Seek out whats going on musically outside the country. Try looking up "In The Attic" a podcast by Rachel Fuller, Townshend's lady friend. Usually up and coming brit acts.
Be nice to people, is that so hard?
Mariners and Seahawks should be back but you will have to be very patient with UW football.
Good luck in 2009!
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 1 2009 @ 12:58PM
Nemo says:
Duff,
You're guilty pleasure: 'Shiny Toy Guns and their single "Ricochet."' is so good it shouldn't be a guilty pleasure :)
The whole idea of calling/meeting instead of texting is ace too, more people should do it!!!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 9:19AM
Carina says:
Duff,
Wow! Climb a mountain is something I never would have the courage enough to do. You are really amazing if you had done that! :3
- Carina.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 11:07AM
Maria says:
Thanks for the advice! I guess I can cross off smoking crack on my '09 list. Haha, just kidding.
Pssh. Duff I'd read your column over the local pricks column ANY DAY.
I agree with "jon" It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is like TV magic.
Happy 2009. :]
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 11:14AM
Carina says:
Oh! I almost forgot. I agree with you on the Paris Hilton part. All she makes is drama, and we don't want to hear about that. Do we?
Anyway, Happy New Year~ ♥
Lots of good '09 wishes from Norway.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 11:27AM
Duff says:
To Nemo AND the Shiny Toy Guns:
Sometimes I will write something and not realize until later that I have committed a faux pas. 'Ricochet' is NOT actually a 'guilty pleasure' of mine, but simply a PLEASURE !! Thanks Nemo for bringing this to my attention.
Duff
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 11:31AM
Carl Raether says:
Crack? Would that be pertaining to who I think it's pertaining to? No response necessary, just had to put that out there.
AGREED whole heartedly about The Gutter Twins, one of the most amazing records I've ever heard.
Carl Raether, Washington DC/Los Angeles, CA
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 1:26PM
Mery says:
Duff,
hey dude your column is great. I'm from Buenos Aires and felt very flatterd by your comment.
-Also wanted to congratulate all Americans.. finally you used your democratic power and elected somebody who, i hope, will bring peace to your county...and to the world. It' seems as you've learned from past mistakes.
-About cellphons.. OK, they are usefull, I get it, but it's really necessary to be accessible for everybody at all times? come on! we don't realize that all this stuff is taking part of our freedom, and, as a 21 year old girl I can say that I'm sick of them and probably will smash mine against a wall very soon.
-changeing subject, on February i'm going to L.A, any recomendations of good rocking places to hang out?
-By the way, it would be nice that you'd follow your own advice and come to Argentina! Here people rock their asses off as you probably know, and some well played rock n' roll will be very well recived!!
happy new year, strawberry fields forever
Mery
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 6:29PM
Petra, Orlando FL says:
Hey Duff!
About a month ago I stumbled on your blog and I have been reading it ever since; love it! Just say it as you're thinking it! So third I want to wish you, Susan and the kids a fantastic 2009 and I'm sure they agree smoking crack is not a good idea.
The other reason I want to respond is....I'm a truck driver of yes you guessed it: a semi! I'm a woman and I wear jeans, a shirt and Converses' while driving is that considered cross-dressing too since it's the other way around? Just wondering...LOL Anyhow we cross-dressing maniacs are out for 6 weeks at a time without going home to make sure you and your family can go shopping for whatever you shop for, so I'd appreciate it if the stereo typing about truck drivers could stop. I mean not all of us are like that, nor do I pop pills to stay awake nor do I drink while I'm out on the road - I wait til I have a week off to do that if I want to.
Lastly I want to thank you for your awesome music - I have it on my iPod (which makes me a social tard anyhow cause I don't hear my cell ring so forget the texting!) and yes I am still listening to Beautiful Disease even though it's been a while since it was released. ;)
Rock on!! Hug, Petra
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 8:28PM
Melina says:
Thanks to Tatooed Angel, Brian and specially to Duff.
I hope you all had a wonderful New Year eve with your beloved ones.
MERY, I'd like to meet you. Where in Bs As are you from?
I am anxious to read next week column, Duff.
God bless...
Mel.-
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 3 2009 @ 1:57PM
Stacy says:
Tattooed Angel, what do CMU, l1DR, @TEOTD, HNY, KIR, TTYL mean? The only thing I understood about that was the ROTFLMAO part, which I was doing because I don't own a cell phone, don't know how to use one, and realized(sp?) I pretty much live in the technological dark ages compared to most of the people I know. I actually like telephones better if I can't just talk to the person face to face, and I can't help noticing that at least in my corner of the universe "gadgets" pretty much force you into 24/7 work/on-call mode with no vacations.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 3 2009 @ 9:12PM
Stacy says:
I meant to also ask a question to Duff or anyone who knows these things (see above technological dark ages reference) why I am lately having to type individual article links into the address bar instead of clicking on Duff's name for the archive. Is it my computer or the link?
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 3 2009 @ 9:18PM
Petra, Orlando FL says:
Hey Mel! No worries there you'll learn eventually. I was in the same boat at the end of the 90s and I'm OK now but for you I found this list of chat abbreviations which will help you a great deal here's the link http://www.uscash.net/tips/chat.html Good luck! And about the link: it's not you I had to find Duff's last blog somewhere else too it's not on the old link anymore I don't know what's wrong with it.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 3 2009 @ 9:25PM
Tattooed Angel says:
Stacy:
CMU, Crack Me Up
l1DR, I wonder
@TEOTD, At the end of the day
HNY, Happy New Year
KIR, Keep It Real
TTYL Talk to you later
Stacy & Petra:
They aren't being "tagged" with Duff's name because the guy's on vacation who usually does that, hopefully when he gets back, it'll be fixed!
Petra:
Beautiful Disease was never "released" per se.....
TA
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 3 2009 @ 9:36PM
Stacy says:
Thank you, Tattooed Angel, for clearing that up on both questions.
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 4 2009 @ 10:11AM
Petra, Orlando FL says:
Thans Tattoed Angel that makes sense. You can't send anyone on vacation these days LOL And on Beautiful Disease: the story would have gotten to long and complicated so I just used the word released maybe I should have said: since it came out or something...oh well no biggie! Besides I'm originally from the Netherlands so sometimes my vocabulary doesn't reach far enough in a foreign language (which English is to me). I speak it fluently but sometimes I'm still searching for words LOL Everyone have a great Sunday!! :)
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 4 2009 @ 11:52AM
J.C.R says:
The column of this week is awesome "Give Peace a Chance: Is anybody with me?!" I'm with you Duff
"Don't hear about Paris Hilton and the rest of the Hollywood brat-pack at all this next year: Again, is anybody with me?" Again I'm with you. Please I hope this comes true!!
Happy 2009 Duff! I hope you and your family will have an awesome year!
Greetings from Colombia!!
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 4 2009 @ 5:09PM
Melina says:
Is Duff colorblind???
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 6 2009 @ 8:59AM
Felyne says:
PML @ you typing IMO, LMOA and OMG'ing. I'm sorry babe but I just can't picture it.
My Dad climbed Rainier! Back in the early 80s. Him and two others kiwis (err, New Zealanders), made the papers and all. As a daughter it was very cool. He's my hero.
And KIWIS IN DA HOUSE, REPRESENT!!! Flight of the Conchords. Although to be honest I don't quite get why they're so loved over here, it's just a couple of kiwi blokes being idiots, haha. In some spots it's like watching home movies!
Awesome list babe, Bring on 2DoubleOh9. Woot!
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 9:13PM
Dan - Nottingham says:
Yo Duff, 2 things -
Parisite Hilton n her cronies are the worst kind of excess -The credit crunch is slowly shifting things back to the days of 70s England Pistol stylee (on both sides of the atlantic) where, if you want something, you best really want it n get savin, or be prepared to nick it. Hilton n her kind will die out when these factors come into play over the next few years as the people go back to wantin to smash in the "rich for no reason" crowd like the 70s. Anarchy!! ;)
Secondly, u mention the advance in technology + thinkin of things to write. I'd love to c u write an article about what you think of how modern bands get together + the effects technology has on music. In England you can't even get a gig half the time unless you have a website/myspace etc nowadays! Can u imagine early Guns sittin round a PC instead of hittin the road gigging? I can't. Just be interesting to hear your opinion coz I'm a massive believer that there's naff all gud music about nowadays coz the technology side of things has taken over the music.
Peace.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 14 2009 @ 8:23AM
Dani says:
Wow, your text talk is advanced. :D But I think you talk better without.
I'm glad to see another Office AND Dexter fan! Hard to find someone who likes both!
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 24 2009 @ 12:52PM