I think mediocrity is evil. I think it dumbs down the senses and causes us to settle for less than what can really satisfy. Like putting your finger in a baby's mouth to get him to shut up... you offer something that fires off a connection in the kid's head to something that truly fills him, so he calms.

I was down in the practice space last night, and the band in the next room was a force of evil. It was Mephistopholes incarnated in the form of a bland, medium tempo, medium intensity, country bluegrass barstool rock band. What's worse, it was the 784,963,208,162nd version of this incarnation, and its incessantness was nauseating. You know that band that does the music for every beer commercial in recorded history? Well these guys were a tribute band to that band. I went home seriously wanting to take a drill to my own head just to get the "soulfully" crooned words, "...shinin' like a neon light", out.

It's a reason to scream, though. It's a reason to turn on the my bloody valentine-esque distortion and let the feedback cry out in protest. It's a reason to fall down on my knees and thank God for Neutral Milk Hotel. It's a reason to turn gybe! up a bit louder next time. It's good to have such powerful exorcists.

I want to do something totally absurd. Write a dozen songs about the dynamics of breathing pudding and strike out on a tour across Norway or something. Of course I think my daily routine (or struggle to maintain a routine, rather) is so ultimately and utterly absurd already that it's hard to contrast. I'm still working on that freedom thing, though.

I've not slept, however, so perhaps this is exaggeration. Factor, my friends. Factor. (and while you're at it, boycott smooth jazz!)

Chris