Through the Past Dorkily: State of Shock

Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.

Saturday, June 9, 1984

Song of the day: The Weapon - Rush

Not much happened today. Boy, it was hot!

I finally got some good shoes for work. I felt 100% better in them. Next week I work Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 3-10 each day.

I met [cute girl from party] while I was working. We talked for a while. Jeremy said that he, his girlfriend and [cute girl from party] were going to the movies on June 22, and I was invited (if I had the car). I said sure but I hope I'm not working! I think she likes me. She's pretty nice.

[Classmate] (from French, I can't spell her last name) works at the Bucket, too.

- The Barbarian

Sunday, June 10, 1984

Song of day: Afterimage - Rush

Another sticky day, fellah. Mom slept in so we didn't go to church. I mowed the lawn and nearly sweated to death!

I did my homework and then waited till 9 for the Rush special on WAAF. I taped over the Sabbath concert I taped last year. It went over so I also used the BASF that I taped (badly) some Who albums on. The special was great!

Nighty-night.

- The Barbarian

Monday, June 11, 1984

Song of the day: The Original Sin - INXS

Another hot one.

Took French quiz, I think I did good. I got a 73 on the How to Study quiz! Yah!

Mom let me take the car to work. Got my punch card, name tag today. Went to Dairy Queen for dinner. Got stuck there till 10:30. Sheesh!

Toodaloo.

- The Barbarian

Tuesday, June 12, 1984

Song of the day: Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen

Top 5 at Five
1. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
2. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. Legs - ZZ Top
5. Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw

Today wasn't that great. [Teacher] moved me to the front because I dropped my pencil (You explain it!). I bombed the Algebra quiz. I just choked!

I had the day off so I took a nap. Wow.

- The (almost senior) Barbarian

Wednesday, June 13, 1984

Song of the day: State of Shock - The Jacksons (with Mick Jagger)

Today was so-so. I slept through Civics, goofed off through Geometry, and stumbled through the rest of the day. I got a 35 on that Alg. quiz. She didn't count it and we have a retake tomorrow.

I have to pick up my first paycheck tomorrow.

3 tests tomorrow.

Ugh, my feet hurt.

- The Barbarian

Thursday, June 14, 1984

Song of the day: High on Emotion - Chris Deburgh

Top 5 at Five
1. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
2. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. The Reflex - Duran Duran
5. The Ghost in You - Psychedelic Furs

Hmm. In Civics, we were videotaped. It was wild! We were throwing stuff, yelling, running around, it was great! We get to see it next week.

The Geometry final was weird. I did good on the Bi Sci test, and alright on the Algebra thing.

I got my paycheck today. It was for $49.44. They only paid me for 17 hours, instead of 20. [Supervisor] said he'd add it on to next week's check. Great!

Tomorrow's the last actual work day of this school year! Yah!

- The Barbarian

Friday, June 15, 1984

Song of the day: Tell Me - Fastway

Weird day. I aced the Civics final. 101 out of 105. Awesome. I also did the Geometry final. I got an 88 on the Bi Sci test and a 36 (no lie) on the retake in Algebra. Luckily, she's dropping the grade! I got notes at lunch and I completed the How to Study quiz (all except 2 questions). And my French report went pretty good.

Last day of school work! Yah!


Went to work. What a day! I spent half the day cleaning up messes and sweeping the floors. Sheesh.

After work, at 11 (store now closes at 10), [buddy] said he was going to Friendly's and asked me if I wanted to go. I said sure, but he had to drop someone off first. I followed them to Atkinson and then turned around so I wouldn't get lost. I went to Friendly's to meet 'em there but they never showed! I didn't have any money. [Classmate] was working. I bugged her. [Another buddy] was there with a couple of friends. [Two other classmates] showed up. I bummed a buck off one of them and bought a drink. [The other guy] was telling me how he got laid 3 times tonight. Great. I left about 11:50. Got home at midnight. Not bad.

I gotta cash my check.

- The Barbarian

Postscript: The school year is winding down, while the work schedule is ramping up. I forgot that for those 3-10 shifts, we never got a dinner break. I was eating a crap fast food dinner at 10 or 11. Can't even imagine doing that now. Also, gotta love that hefty first paycheck! I was getting paid minimum wage, which in 1984 was a robust $3.35/hour. How the hell did people live on that? I guess things cost a lot less back then, but still...

Man, I would love to see that Civics video with us in it. I don't remember what the point was; I think it was to show a worst-case classroom scenario so we were encouraged to act like idiots. Not sure. Still, would be interesting to see that now.

In that situation where I was following a buddy and then got lost, nowadays it'd be easy to just call or text the person to say I'd meet them at Friendly's. Back then, you had no way to reach somebody except via payphone or landline. Cracks me up that I went to this restaurant with absolutely no money in my wallet. Man.

 

  

Completely Conspicuous 282: Lost Causes

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Brian Lewandowski as we discuss our status as outsider sports fans in the Boston area. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").

Show notes:
- Recorded on a sweaty night in Beverly, Mass.
- Boston went from Loserville to Titletown
- The legend of Wayne Gretzky started when he was a kid
- Jay: Rooted for the Patriots when they were horrible
- Supporting our teams has been a mostly futile endeavor
- Jay: Reliving the Leafs' horrible choke against Boston
- Big sporting events somehow lead to idiots rioting
- NFL games are much more fun when you watch at home
- Jay: Still go to college hockey games
- Brian wept when his team won college lacrosse championship
- Jay: I want to see the Leafs win the Stanley Cup before I die
- Brian roots for New England Revolution
- Jay: Watching the Leafs in the playoffs is a tense, miserable experience
- Brian: Still hoping Sabres and Bills will win it all
- More "pink hat" fans in Boston
- Jay: I watch every Leafs game no matter how much they suck
- Find Brian's comedy dates and fun stuff at his website
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
David Byrne and St. Vincent - Cissus
Overseas - Old Love
John Vanderslice - Raw Wood
Stephen Malkmus - The Hook

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The David Byrne and St. Vincent song is on the EP Brass Tactics. Download the song from Stereogum.
The Overseas song is on the band's self-titled album on Undertow Music Collective. Download the song for free at Chromewaves.
The John Vanderslice song is on the album Dagger Beach on Secretly Canadian. Download the song for free at Chromewaves.
The Stephen Malkmus song is on his self-titled album on Matador Records. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Through the Past Dorkily: Working Man

Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.

Sunday, June 3, 1984

Song of the day: Working Man - Rush

Well, I don't know what to do for an oral report in Civics. I'm dead.

We went to Methuen Mall where I got a blue blazer and 2 ties. That took till around 4. Then I had to mow the lawn. Fun. 

Hey! It was a beautiful day, sunny and in the '70s. This week is supposed to be wicked nice!

At the mall, I saw that girl from the party last night. She's the one we pretended to gang-bang! Now you remember, eh? Seriously, though, she's pretty nice.

Tomorrow's my first day at work. I hope everything goes alright.

- The Barbarian

Monday, June 4, 1984

Song of the day: No Surrender - Bruce Springsteen

Everybody cracked up at my Hawaiian shirt and etc. I got an 82 on Bi Sci test, 96 on Algebra test, 78 on my Vocab project, and a 95 on a French test.

Work went all right. My shoes suck, though. They're too dressy and uncomfortable. I work 3-7 tomorrow and Wednesday (damn) and 5-10 Saturday. Hope [cute girl]'s working tomorrow. I need a ride!

Today was wicked nice! Sun!

I watched the Toronto-Detroit game til midnight. Detroit won 6-3 in 10 innings. Stupid umpires!

- The Barbarian

Tuesday, June 5, 1984

Song of the day: She's Mine - Steve Perry

Man, I'm tired! I went to bed at 12:30 last night and got up at 5:30 to take a shower.

The school day went by pretty uneventfully. Everybody's psyched about tomorrow, including me!

Our driveway was paved today. It kicks!

[Cute girl] gave me a ride to work today. What a babe!

I'm taking [cute girl], Jeremy and [buddy] to the beach tomorrow. [Another buddy]'s getting a ride from [another guy]. Man, it's gonna be great.

The weather's supposed to be awesome!

I finally got those 2 issues of Guitar magazine I've been waiting for. One has Eddie VH on the cover and the other Randy Rhoads. Next month has Alex Lifeson!

I worked till close today. My dinner was 3 candy bars and a root beer. I got home at 10. Whew!

- The (tired) Barbarian

Wednesday, June 6, 1984

Song of the day: Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n Roll - Ian Dury and the Blockheads

What a day!

I left for Jeremy's at 9:45. Then we picked up [buddy]. Backing out of his drive, I almost had a heart attack when I hit this massive rock! Fortunately it only nicked the plastic fender part. Phew.

Then we picked up [cute girl] and went through Salisbury to the beach. We got there just before 11. It was packed! We parked in a motel parking lot for $2. I almost hit a car while parking. It took me 5 minutes to park it right.

When we got on the beach, it was beautiful. And the weather wasn't bad either! Man! Girls everywhere! There were Sanborn people everywhere! I think the whole school skipped (except two dorks). Wow! [Several attractive girls] and more. Thank God for mirrored sunglasses! It started getting cloudy around 12:30, though. We went to McDonald's and met [two hot classmates]. Gaga! Better boobs can't be found!! Incredible. It started getting chilly and we left around 1. That sucked. I wanted to stay till 2. Me, Jeremy and [buddy] left. [Cute chick] stayed and got a ride from [another classmate]. As it turns out, I got home at 2. I worked from 3-7 today. Ironic: [Dude possibly dating ex-gf] works at the Bucket, too. He's cool.

- The (beach) Barbarian

Thursday, June 7, 1984

Song of the day: The Mask - Roger Glover


Steamy day. In the 90s.

Believe it or not, I got a B on my oral report in Civics. It sucked! I would have given it a D! Well, I"m not complaining.

I was pretty tired today.

About half the school ( 250 or so) skipped yesterday! Awesome turnout!

I got home and collapsed on my bed for about 3 hours!

Later,

The Barbarian

Friday, June 8, 1984

Song of the day: We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister

Top 5 at Five
1. Life Sucks, Then You Die - The Fools
2. My Oh My - Slade
3. Round and Round - Ratt
4. We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
5. Little Lady - Duke Jupiter

Today was even hotter than yesterday. This weather leaves me kind of sluggish.

We made the paper! The Haverhill Gazette had a front page story about our skip day. I cracked up!

We got our prom pictures today. In one of them, I have my damn eyes closed. That sucks. The other one's alright, though.

Next week is finals. Ugh.

- The Barbarian

Postscript: Getting used to working at the Bucket. It was definitely a transition. I was going from a day that went from 6 a.m. to about 3 p.m. and extending that by another seven or eight hours on my feet doing manual labor. It was good, though. Got some cash in my pocket, made some friends and definitely got a little more of a work ethic. 

This first few months of driving definitely had some close calls like me driving into that stupid rock, but fortunately nothing remotely close to an accident. And this was before we had cell phones and other shit to distract us. It was just our own stupidity, as it was meant to be. 

 

Completely Conspicuous 281: The Outsiders

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Brian Lewandowski as we discuss our status as outsider sports fans in the Boston area. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").



Show notes:
- Recorded on a sweaty night in Beverly, Mass.
- Brian changed his standup name to Brian Gerard
- Experimented with different names
- We both grew up elsewhere and moved to New England
- Rooting for non-Boston teams
- Brian grew up in Buffalo, is a big Sabres and Bills fan
- We're used to our teams losing
- Buffalo also had an NBA team in the '70s
- Brian moved to Kentucky as a kid
- Jay moved to southeastern Washington state
- Nobody there knew what hockey was at the time
- Jay: Right after we moved away, a junior hockey team moved to the area
- Jay: Never a fan of the Montreal Canadiens
- The magic of Don Cherry
- Cherry was played by Jared Keeso in a couple of Canadian miniseries
- Brian roots for the Atlanta Braves because he lived there for a while
- Jay: Rooted for Red Sox to win World Series in '04
- Brian's not a fan of the Blue Jays' stadium
- Jay: Grew up going to Blue Jays games when they were a new expansion team
- Jays' farm team is now in Buffalo
- Remembering the Hartford Whalers
- Sabres lost in Stanley Cup finals to Philadelphia in 1975
- Jay: One of my favorite players was Buffalo star Gilbert Perreault
- Big heartbreak for Sabres fans was in '99
- Brett Hull scored Cup-winning goal for Dallas with his skate in the goal crease
- Against the rules but officials didn't overturn it
- Atlanta's attendance problem
- The Bills had four straight Super Bowl losses
- Lamenting lost Super Bowl bets
- Jay: Still stinging from Leafs' game 7 loss to Bruins last month
- Leafs' loss to LA in 1993 also a painful memory
- Blue Jays had some horrible chokes in '85 and '87
- Jay: Joe Carter's World Series-winning homer in '93 was probably my last great sports moment
- To be continued
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Fidlar - Cheap Beer
Eddie Spaghetti - The Value of Nothing
TV on the Radio - Will Do
Archers of Loaf - What Did You Expect?

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Fidlar song is on the band's self-titled album on Mom & Pop Music. Download the song from Chromewaves.
The Eddie Spaghetti song is the track track of his new album The Value of Nothing on Bloodshot Records. Download the song for free at Soundcloud.
The TV on the Radio song is on the album Nine Types of Light on Interscope. Download the song for free at Epitonic.
The Archers of Loaf song is a bonus track on the reissue of Icky Mettle on Merge Records. Download the song for free at Epitonic.
 
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Through the Past Dorkily: Couldn't Stand the Weather

Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.

Wednesday, May 30, 1984

Song of the day: Burning Down One Side - Robert Plant

Top 5 at Five
1. Round and Round - Ratt
2. Magic - The Cars
3. My Oh My - Slade
4. Voices - Russ Ballard
5. Bringin' on the Heartbreak - Def Leppard

Well, I finally got the job! Welcome to the ranks of the employed! Yah!

I got up around 9:30; my first good night's sleep in a while. I retaped "Permanent Waves" and "Pictures at Eleven." Then at 2:15 [a buddy] came over and we went down to Market Basket. I thought there would be a long line for interviews. Ha! I was the only one there! The guy said I'd work in grocery, stacking stuff on shelves, etc. Not difficult. I'd be working 3-10 3 days a week. I start on Monday. Bad news, sort of. Mom got the day job, but her hours are 9:30 to 6 or something like that. She doesn't start for a while, but when she does, I'm gonna haveta get rides there. She can pick me up at night.

Uh oh. I'm dead. I couldn't do any kind of report for Civics and now I'll lose 20 points on my grade. Tomorrow I haveta go and beg for mercy. I need some divine intervention. Help!

- The Barbarian (joins the work force)

Thursday, May 31, 1984

BONZO BONHAM'S BIRTHDAY

Song of the day: Slow an' Easy - Whitesnake

Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan
4. Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
5. Pink Cadillac - Bruce Springsteen

Well, interesting day. It rained like crazy all day. [Civics teacher] gave me 2 weeks to come up with 10 hours of public service and a 5-page report. Sure beats a zero!

I got moved again in Geometry, lectured in Bi Sci, yelled at in Algebra and yelled at again in Prep for College. Wow!

[Cute girl I like] said she'd give me a ride to work whenever we work the same days. What a babe! As it turns out, Mom has to work on Monday now, so I'll need a ride then, too. Interesting note: I don't think she's going with [dude] after all. They're never together or anything. I think I just jumped to conclusions.

As I was leaving the school, I saw [ex-gf] talking to [her ex-boyfriend before me] at one of the benches. Boy, is she messed up!

Good news: Mom said I could have the car next Wednesday! Yaah! This is great! Now what we need is some nice weather next week!

Goodbye May!

- The optimistic Barbarian

Friday, June 1, 1984

Song of the day: Stick It - Great White

Top 5 at Five 
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. Legs - ZZ Top
4. Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan
5. The Reflex - Duran Duran

The weather sucked again. Tomorrow's supposed to be sunny. I hope so!

[Cute girl I like] said she'll give me a ride on Monday. I promised to give her a ride to the beach on Wednesday. Hope it's nice weather!

I did good on Algebra and French tests, alright on Bi Sci test, and I got a 0 on the Prep for College quiz.

[Civics teacher] changed her mind about the 2 weeks and said I could do an oral report on Monday. Great.

The prom pictures weren't at school. Great.

Jeremy told me on the way home that [ex gf] was back together with her ex, sort of. She's going on a date with him or something. And he's still with [his current girlfriend]! Boy, those three are all messed up! She just doesn't know what's good for her. He's just using her, like he did before. Well, that's her problem now. I don't really care anymore.

And guess what else! Jeremy invited [classmate] to the party and you know who she's bringing along? Right. [Ex gf]. In spite of that fact, I'm going to have a good time. I hope.

- The Barbarian

Saturday, June 2, 1984

Song of the day: Still Loving You - Scorpions

Whew! What a day! The weather was pathetic! It rained all day.  

The SAT wasn't that hard. I hope I did good on it! We were there till 12. I had to wait another half hour for Mom to come. After that we went shopping. I got some mirrored sunglasses, some white shirts, dress shoes and this totally loud, obnoxious and awesome Hawaiian shirt! It's great.

About 5 minutes after we got home, Jeremy called and said he'd pick me up in 30 minutes. At [his girlfriend's] house, we watched MTV for an hour. We watched the top 20 countdown. Rush's "Distant Early Warning" was number 6!! It's awesome!

[Girl who supposedly likes me] didn't show up, but around 12 people did. It started off slow, but picked up after a while. It was this guy's birthday and he and 2 other guys kept hitting on [ex gf]. And guess what? I think they're going together now! Geez! Talk about fickle! She acted like she was in love! I can't believe it!

A bunch of guys were mooning cars outside and later on I joined in. We mooned 2 cards and the third one was a cop! We took off! There was a cruiser waiting for us for a while! That was a close one!

What a blast! Everyone left around 11.

- The (Moon Patrol) Barbarian

Postscript: I had forgotten what a struggle it was without a car. Even having landed a job and having a driver's license, I still had two working parents whose jobs obviously took precedence. So I had to bum rides constantly from friends and co-workers. Still, it was a pretty exciting time, although the luster quickly wore off when I was wearing that hideous blue Market Basket smock and unloading food trucks in the summertime. 

I also had forgotten that I struggled at all in high school. Not sure if it was because I goofing off too much or what, but I don't remember all these crappy grades. 

More girlfriend drama, or at least ex-girlfriend drama. Hey, I guess teenage girls can be pretty confused about this stuff, too. Which I'm going to find out firsthand in a few years when my daughters hit that age.

Through the Past Dorkily: Voices

Editor's note: Through the Past Dorkily is a recurring feature that looks back at the embarrassingly dorky diary I kept as a 16-year-old in 1984.

Tuesday, May 22, 1984

Song of the day: Beautiful Girls - Van Halen

Top 5 at Five
1. No Way Out - Jefferson Starship
2. Round and Round - Ratt
3. My Oh My - Slade
4. Whisper to a Scream - Icicle Works
5. Don't Give It Up - The Lyres

What a nice day. It hit 83! It was sunny all day, too!

The Civics test was easy and I hope I did good on the Algebra quiz.

The pot seed [a buddy] planted in Bi Sci sprouted. It was watered today.

I'm going to bed now.

- The Barbarian

Wednesday, May 23, 1984

Song of the day: On Fire - Van Halen

The Kumar Curse strikes again! I went to Market Basket. Jeremy went in before me. While I was waiting, some guy says that the manager has a meeting right away and I'll have to come back next week! Now does that suck or what?! Jeremy got the job but he can only start in August because he isn't 16 yet.

I was pissed at first but I've cooled off now. Just have to wait another week.

Today's high was 88! (But it felt hotter.) Around 6, we had a massive T-storm for a while, then it stopped.

I got an 85 on the Algebra quiz. Not bad.

Tomorrow's Senior skip day but I"m not going. Soph skip day is June 6. I'm skipping on that day. Still don't know about Junior skip day.

- The (impatient) Barbarian

Thursday, May 24, 1984

Song of the day: House of Pain - Van Halen

Top 5 at Five
1. My Oh My - Slade
2. Legs - ZZ Top
3. No Way Out - Jefferson Starship
4. Panama - Van Halen
5. Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol

Today it was windy! The seniors picked a lousy skip day, it was too cool out.


I dead-lifted 255 lbs. today. Not bad.

I'm reaching the panic stage now: 3-page typewritten Prep for College report due Monday. I don't even know what to do it on. And an oral report in Civics. Aaargh!

I'm trying to get closer to [cute chick I previously liked] again. She got the Market Basket cashier job starting June 4. If I get a job there, that'll be great! I'd see her in summer, too. She's awesome; I hope I can start up a relationship with her.

- The Barbarian

Friday, May 25, 1984

Song of the day: Roller - April Wine

Top 5 at Five
1. Missed
2. Missed
3. Voices - Russ Ballard
4. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
5. Magic - The Cars

Well, this week wasn't half bad!


In Civics, while everyone else was taking the NH Competency Test, I went to the library and got the last 3 books on words before [classmate] got to 'em! I did alright in the Geometry quiz, I flunked the Prep for College quiz, and I did good on the French quiz.

After school, I took Dad's car and went and dropped JP off at the library. Then I went to the Sanborn tennis courts where [three buddies] were playing tennis. I goofed around for a while then took JP home. I also drove us to music lessons.

I left in the Senior class will my GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip to [a buddy]. Right.

I'm gonna see if I can talk Mom into letting me have the car on June 6. Late-breaking news: Jeremy told me that [hot chick] broke up with her boyfriend. Awesome! Who knows? We'll see what happens next.

- The Barbarian

Saturday, May 26, 1984

Song of the day: Over the Mountain - Ozzy Osbourne

Lazy day. I didn't get as much done on my report as I had wanted to, but I got 3 written pages done.

Dad bought a new Lawn Boy mower today, so guess who had mow the lawn? You betcha, yours truly. That blew my afternoon.

It was a nice day, hitting around 90. Around 7, there was a mass T-storm, but it passed by pretty quick.

WAAF has got the US Festival from last year on at 10. Tonight was Quiet Riot, Ozzy and Motley Crue.

- The (heavy metal) Barbarian

Sunday, May 27, 1984

Song of the day: Voices - Russ Ballard

Whew! I finally did it! I finished the report! A little more than 3 typed pages long. I finished it around 9:40 p.m. It took me all day. I hope I get a good grade.

I got some new batteries for my Walkman so I can take it to school tomorrow.

- The Barbarian

Monday, May 28, 1984

Song of the day: Little Lady - Duke Jupiter

Top 5 at Five
1. Round and Round - Ratt
2. Bringin' on the Heartbreak - Def Leppard
3. My Oh My - Slade
4. The Pros and Cons of Hitch-hiking - Roger Waters
5. Big City Nights - Scorpions

Lousy weather, man. It rained all day. Just my luck, NH is the only state to not have a long weekend!

Jeremy invited me to a party [his girlfriend] is having on Saturday. I said sure and Mom should be no problem 'cause it's from 6-11 and Jeremy's mom will give me a ride there and back. He said [cute girl who supposedly liked me] was asking him to invite me (she'll be there), but I don't know if I believe him or not. We'll see.

I think [cute chick I previously liked] is going with [some other dude] now. After Algebra, she waited for him and he said something about calling her. Oh well. So much for that idea!

- The Barbarian

Tuesday, May 29, 1984

Song of the day: Blue Light - David Gilmour

Top 5 at Five
1. No Way Out - Jefferson Starship
2. Little Lady -  Duke Jupiter
3. Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
4. Magic - The Cars
5. Legs - ZZ Top

Even worse weather today. Rained hard all day. I got a 89 on a French quiz. Thank goodness tomorrow's a holiday. I need the rest! Actually, tomorrow's my job interview (I hope!). Man, I hope I get the job! I need it!


Mom said I could go to the party Saturday. For the SAT, I have to be at the high school (Exeter) before 8:30 A.M.! No Friday Night Videos! And they're having "Panama" by VH on that show. I'm gonna see if I can tape it.

[Classmate] got fired for not showing up at Yankee Bargain! Ha! He said he thought he had to work so he didn't show up. Makes sense, huh?

Hope I get the job!

- The Barbarian


Postscript: The job hunt was in full swing here. It was difficult to finance my swanky lifestyle (which admittedly was primarily buying vinyl and comic books) on the measly allowance I was getting from my parents. Especially with summer coming.

The SATs were coming up, but I didn't really get all worked up about them. No prep courses or anything like that. I like how it's all very nonchalant: "Oh BTW, the SATs are Saturday." My biggest concern was having to get up early on a Saturday...and missing Friday Night Videos. Life was rough, man.

"Blue Light" was quite the departure for David Gilmour, with horns and dancing and shit:



  
And I had forgotten all about this song from Russ Ballard, who was in the band Argent (of "Hold Your Head Up" fame) and wrote a ton of songs covered by other artists like "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" (KISS), "Winning" (Santana), "You Can Do Magic" (America) and "I Know There's Something Going On" (Frida). Definite AOR songsmith, but this song ain't bad:

  

Completely Conspicuous 280: All Together Now

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss some of our favorite compilation albums. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").

Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky world HQ
- Drinkin' beer and talking rock
- Check out JB's new comp, And I Forgot a Long Time Ago How You Feel
- Covers of early period Lilys songs
- JK: Three basic types of comps, not including soundtracks
- Tribute, genre and benefit comps
- No Alternative came out in '93
- We learn more about Lance Diamond
- During the Goo Goo Dolls' last days of non-suckage
- Part of Red Hot series
- JB: Red Hot and Bothered was the indie rock version
- JK: Deadicated was a Grateful Dead tribute featuring the likes of Jane's Addiction, Elvis Costello, Lyle Lovett
- Taping songs off the radio
- JK: The Bridge was a great Neil Young tribute featuring alt-rock artists like Pixies and Sonic Youth
- Lots of tribute comps came out in early '90s
- Now there are string quartet and bluegrass tributes to just about everyone
- Label comps are fun, like What's Up Matador?
- Safe and Sound comp featured Boston bands from mid-'90s
- JB: Simple Machines comp featured great DC acts
- JK: Twisted Willie paid tribute to Willie Nelson
- JB: Darla 100 may have been too long
- JB: Ten Cent Fix was a good one
- JB: Why Do You Think They Call It Pop? was collected by Pop Narcotic
- First SPINart release was One Last Kiss, featuring Swirlies, Small Factory, Velocity Girl
- JB: This is Harrisburg, Not Topeka featured the mighty Torgo, with one Jay Breitling on guitar
- A takeoff of the great This is Boston, Not LA
- Get Jay's comp at Clicky Clicky
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Speedy Ortiz - The Hermit Crab
Thee Oh Sees - Devil Again
Mikal Cronin - Better Man
The Melvins - Dr. Mule

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The song from Speedy Ortiz is available on the compilation And I Forgot a Long Time Ago How You Feel. Download the comp exclusively at ClickyClickyMusic.
The songs from Thee Oh Sees and Mikal Cronin are on the compilation Garage Swim. Download the entire compilation for free at AdultSwim.com.
The Melvins song is on the Scion 10 Series Music Release. Download the song for free at Soundcloud.
 
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.