DowntroddenInDC

8-31-10

DowntroddenInDC — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:29:18 +0000

8-30-10

DowntroddenInDC — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:28:45 +0000

I’m going to start trying out a new idea for the website. Send me media (movies, music, photos) of the things you find on the web and I will post below;

Fluid Sculpture
Grow Valley Game
Scott Pilgram vs. The Matrix
How not to impress the ladies
Voice: Deal of the Day (Houston)

8-30-10

DowntroddenInDC — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:18:27 +0000

A quick post about a new website launched in Houston. Very similar to Groupon and Deal of the Day. It’s been rolled out in 14 cities nationwide, so give it a look!

http://deals.villagevoice.com/houston

8-16-10

DowntroddenInDC — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:03:31 +0000

I can’t believe the summer is nearly over! Well at least, if you define the summer being over at Labor Day. I have a strong suspicion it’s going to continue to be hot for a few more months. So, I’ll just go with everyone else and say I’m sorry to see summer end. I mean, it’s not like summer is what it used to be. Where you didn’t have a single thing to do for 90 days and you can smoke pot, drink beer and stay up to all hours of the nights. I mean I haven’t had a summer like that for near a decade, so it’s just another season where I still have to wear dress clothes, but be even hotter in them..

Anyways.

We’ve been down in Texas, going on, three months, and I figured I should create a compilation of the photos I have taken that I found humorous. So here it goes, a brief history is in the time (so far) we’ve (Lesleh and I) spent in Texas;

Texas Welcome Sign.

After a very long drive down, (which you can read more about here) , we were ready to be out of the car and start our new lives in Texas.

But first we had to find jobs and one of the job fairs we attended was in Austin. Where I found that nearly anything can be made into the shape of Texas!

A McDonald's sink in the men's room, right outside Austin, TX.

Also, look what we had for breakfast! (I know it is backwards, the waffle iron was acting up!)

Taken in Austin, TX.

Chelada - When you have a thrist for that Bud Light, Heinz Ketchup and Pledge cleaner you can't find anywhere else! Or to make it easier to explain, it's like losing Kings (the cardgame) without actually having to play Kings!

Ironic Photos

Keep Texas Green Bags.. Where you can keep trash you're waiting to throw out your window on the highway!

Learn to Recycle, because you won't be able to do it, anywhere in Texas..

Random Photos
This is the part where I get bored with dicking around with HTML and WordPress. I also have these great ideas of posts, but once I start getting them together, they become so tedious. . So here are the rest of the photos;

Apparently this gets a lot of national attention. It's pretty interesting, but not worth a trip to Houston solely to see it... I mean if the frame and roof where constructed from beer cans, maybe. But, really it's just a bunch of flattened beers cans stapled to a house.. Don't believe the hype!

Another view, and I just thought of a lame name for it.. Ready?.. You are probably not, since it is super lame, but... Beer Car House-ton.. Get it? It is a play on words with Houston and House...

Who took this photo? It looks like two heavily make-upped white girls with the clothing you buy at the border in Tijuana. I mean this was in Houston, they could not find two real latinas? All you would need to do is call for lawn service, the laundromat or even look for a beat up Toyota with a cardboard license plate stating Lost/Stolen, reported on the highway..

You know where I will be on August 27th.. This place also has Cougar Night. Yes, that kind of cougar, the one that your mom probably turns into after Murder She Wroteis over..

I mean I studied in South Korea and spent ten days in Tokyo and ate sushi in some weird places. But a gas station, I think I'll hold out and gorge myself on some fresh Lousiana 'oil' shrimp instead.

To be fair, this Wendy's is right across from NASA. But even with that explanation, this still is sort of mind boggling..

OK, that’s all I have for now. I’ve seen lot’s of other things to take photo’s of, but have been unable because I don’t want to get beaten up or it’s just to hard to take a photo with an iPhone while driving (although I definitely try!)

8-7-10 Houston Press Music Awards

DowntroddenInDC — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:39:12 +0000

Houston Press 2010 Music Awards with Matt and Kim

I have to say, I had an awesome time at the Houston Press Music Awards! We got to see Trae Tha Truth, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, and Matt and Kim! Trae was opening the Bud Light Stage and seemed to have a very large following.

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights were incredible. I had never heard of them, but I was very impressed with them. They are based out of Dallas and they very much look the part of a jam/ indie alt 70′s band! I actually got to speak with one of the band members, Emotion Jones, and she was incredibly accommodating and informative. If these guys are playing near you, you should definitely check them out!

The headliners, of course, were Matt and Kim and they were incredible! Kim came onto the stage with a smile and 45+ minutes later when their set was over, I don’t think that her smile left once! They had a ton of energy and really got the crowd involved (see below for the Bizmarkee “Just a Friend” sing-a-long). Well worth the long day in the heat for such a fantastic and thoroughly impressive live show! Not only did they hype the fans by throwing balloons out into the crowd to go along with their set, but they took the time after the show to hop the fence and do an impromptu ‘meet and greet’!

Matt and Kim – Just a Friend (Cover)

Matt and Kim – Final Countdown

Matt and Kim – Dancing to Major Lazer

Matt And Kim – ‘Daylight’

8-6-10

DowntroddenInDC — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 01:10:48 +0000

So a buddy from college recently did a standup routine up in Baltimore at Magooby’s and it is remarkably very funny. I mean I know the guy, and he’s never been THAT funny. But, I am very impressed with his bit. It’s cleaver and intelligent, yet goofy and nerdy.

Anyways, check him out here;

Show your support!

7-25-10 (Make Texas Green)

DowntroddenInDC — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:55:00 +0000

Stopping in quickly. Starting to really get into my new job and I really like Houston. It’s nothing like DC, which can be good. A few ways we have gone about making Texas just a little bit more green;

-We haven’t been able to recycle for the last two months, we found a place right by our new place. So that has made me feel better.

-The power companies are completely deregulated, which makes it a bit more expensive then up north. However, we are now use 100% renewable energy.

- We have always used reusable grocery bags, but it seems to be rare here. I hope as more people see us use them, others will pick it up.

- We avoid all the places with styrofoam down here (which is nearly everywhere) when we do eat fast-food (admittedly, this is mostly me. Sorry guys..)

- We both have cars that get very good gas mileage. My 2011 Elantra Touring gets 26mpg combined (city/ highway) and Lesleh’s 2004 Chevy Malibu gets about the same. I wish we could use more public transportation, but it is limited where we live

- Our thermostat is set at 76 degrees. The highest we can set it. We use the ceiling fans when we’re in the room, and circulation fans to keep our place evenly cooled. Additionally, we close vents in the spare room we rarely use and keep the door closed. Also keeping closet doors and other unused spaces will reduce your cooling demand.

- We have new kitchen appliances and use environmentally friendly light bulbs. We use drying racks to dry clothes rather than running the cloths dryer any more than we need to!

- Also another huge energy saver, unplug appliances and electronics you’re not using. This had an added benefit here too. With all the thunder storms you don’t want all of your electronics constantly plugged in, not only does this drain power, it also exposes them to the risk of a power surge. We have split our electronics into two power surge strips. One for the daily things we use; TV, Cable Box, Etc. The second for occasionally used items; Xbox, Wii, DVD player, sound system, etc. We leave the second strip off, and only turn those electronics on when we need to use them. Having them all connected to one strip makes power them up very easy, with no need to unplug!

So, even in a state as red as Texas, in the energy-wasting capital of Houston. We are able to keep some of our northern lifestyle in tact and keep more ethical and moral obligations to this earth!

DJ Fresh – Gold Dust (Flux Pavilion Remix)

7-19-10

DowntroddenInDC — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:34:51 +0000

Just a quick post. It’s been a busy week. Started the new job a few days ago. It’s been exciting and I’m learning a lot. We moved in fully last week, I started work Wednesday and then I bought a new car Friday. Saturday we showed the in-laws our new place and then Sunday I unpacked all day.

Looks like the misses will be in Lubbock for a few days this week, so I’ll have some down time to get some more stuff done around the house (the way I want to get it done..)

Here’s a fun song I found in the blogosphere. Enjoy!

La Roux – Bulletproof (Acoustic Version)

7-15-10

DowntroddenInDC — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:30:36 +0000

So I’ve been in Houston just under 2 months and I went on a few interviews like I had mentioned in a previous post. Well, I was offered a position with the Houston Press! And I have to say I am extremely excited about the position and the company. I started Wednesday (yesterday) and I am a retail staff accountant, which will continue to expand my skill set. More excitingly the Houston Press has a lot of promotions with bands and events are planned, etc. It’s a lot of great exposure to local venues and music!

The next event coming up is 2010 Houston Press – Music Award, with Matt and Kim as headliners. So I thought I’d post a Matt and Kim track to prepare you and get hyped up (with more to come)! The event is on August 7th and entrance is only $15 if you prepay ($20 at the door).

In addition to Matt and Kim, 60 other bands on 11 stages will be playing, so it’s going to be a full day of great music! Admittedly, I haven’t heard of many of the bands, since I am new to the area, but with 60+ bands I’m sure there are a few that will be worth listening too. Lineup

Anyways, I encourage you to check it out and if you’re in the Houston area and free that Saturday, why not come out and enjoy the music?!

The Hood Internet – Good Ol Fashion Rump Shaker (The Beastie Boys vs Matt And Kim)

7-4-10

DowntroddenInDC — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:33:51 +0000

Man, I thought being unemployed I would have all sorts of time to keep this updated. However, any moment I am awake I am either applying for jobs or feeling guilty that I am not applying for jobs. I’ve literally applied to 500+ positions and to make matters more depressing, my girlfriend got a teaching position in a little less than three weeks being down here. She actually got two offers and had to weigh the options.

Instead, I’ve been on several interviews. One at a company I absolutely do not want to work for. Another for a pretty cool alternative paper and the the third from a subcontractor. No offers to date. I’ve also had various emails and such. Some of the recruiters/headhunters down here are terribly organized. The same lady from a recruiting office has contacted me twice and we have coordinated a meeting and then she cancels last minute.

I mean just to get to the point of getting an automatic email rejection, you have to give up so much information it is unsettling. I half think, most of the jobs I have applied for aren’t real, but rather a way to collect all of my personal information (name, address, phone number, work history and pay, etc). I have noticed an increase in the spam email and calls I get. My phone is on the do-not-call list, yet I get all of these spammy phonecalls and voicemails. It’s infuriating.

Anyways, I searched out a few fun tracks to help you get through the Fourth!

Crystal Castles – Pap Smear

N.E.R.D. – Hot-N-Fun (Yeasayer Remix)

Shawn Lee – Kiss The Sky

P.S. The White Panda’s new album REMATCH is out!

UPDATE The alternative paper The Houston Press offered me a job Thursday (7/8) and I accepted Friday! I’m very excited to work for them and I hope it will expand my musical horizon!

6-11-10

DowntroddenInDC — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:05:34 +0000

So we were just in Austin on Wednesday and Thursday for a career fair for my girlfriend. And it got me thinking about Austin’s live music scene. While we were there I looked into a show and saw that Mumford & Sons was playing. However, the tickets that were originally $12 at the box office were now selling for $70 a piece on craigslist. That upsets me. Obviously, the market will bare what it can bare.

However, if tickets are worth $70 and the band sells them for $12 maybe it was the band being cool trying to allow everyone to enjoy their music. Whereas, $58 was going to some scalpers pocket and not benefiting the band or the venue. I think that’s a bunch of bullshit and people who do this shit are assholes.

Anyways, the whole Austin thing got me thinking about South by Southwest, which is in March each year and we plan to attend next year. I started searching my drive for music from years past and it seems a lot of really good local music was brewing in 2007. So I decided to “re-introduce” some bands that may or not have become big by now but were surely unheard of in 2007.

Balkan Beat Box – Bulgarian Chicks

The Isles – Eve Of The Battle

Errors – Mr. Milk

Thee More Shallows – Night At The Knight School

Mohair – Stranded

Puppetmastaz – Puppetmad

Big Sid – STRAIGHT OFF THE PORCH

The Trucks – Shattered

Windom Earle – Kitten Vs Pegasus

Weird Texas: Your Travel Guide to Texas’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets

Additionally we got to see a lot of things that are Texas shaped, that really, well shouldn’t be. Having lived in Maryland and DC most of my life I’ve seen the odd postcard or fridge magnet in the shape of the respective place it was from. However, I have never seen a Maryland shaped waffle:

And if that isn’t enough, in the very same day as eating a Texas shaped waffle we stopped at a McDonald’s (we were in the middle of nowhere starving) and it had Texas shaped sinks!

So, at this point I’m close to being able to say I really have seen it all…

6-8-10

DowntroddenInDC — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:00:45 +0000

So I’ve been applying for jobs like crazy and of course have iTunes on shuffle and I’ve discovered quite a few gems I had forgotten about. So I’m going to make a small list of some of the tunes form summer’s past!

Louis XIV – Finding Out True Love Is Blind
Support the artist here (amazon link) Finding Out True Love Is Blind

The Sounds – Tony The Beat
Support the artist here (amazon link) Tony The Beat

Bloc Party – Helicopter
Support the artist here (amazon link)Helicopter (Album Version)

Well, that’s about all I feel like uploading for now! Also if you’re unemployed, I’ve started to put together a directory of ‘careers section’ landing pages! I’m based in Houston now, so my search is geared towards Houston, Austin and San Antonio. So most of the landing pages are in reference to those cities. However, it could be a good starting point if you’ve been recently laid off or don’t know where to even start! The link is below…

Job Landing Page Directory

Additionally, if you have suggestions or a link needs to be added/updated (I go through them about once a day) send an email to me. Please be sure to include a working link and the company name. Thank you!

6-3-10

DowntroddenInDC — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:55:21 +0000

So, I’ve noticed one of the top searches that is getting people to DowntroddenInDC through Google is “Matthew Dear”. I figure I could indulge you all a little bit more. It also helps I’m unemployed now and the the weather is awfully dreary here in North Houston. So I’ve scoured the web looking for some fun tracks and hope you’ll enjoy them!

Matthew Dear – Don & Sherri (Hot Chip Remix)

Matthew Dear – I Can’t Feel

Matthew Dear – Pom Pom

Please support the artist by buying any of the tracks you like.

Additionally if you go to Matthew Dear you can download I Can’t Feel for free when entering your email address!

Original post on Matthew Dear is HERE.

Clicking the link below will take you to Amazon.com

5-31-10

DowntroddenInDC — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:13:13 +0000

So an incredible CD just came out and best of all, it’s free! Major Lazer (Diplo and Switch) working with La Roux’s title album and has been totally redone into a reggae-tone dance-hall album that is called Lazerproof. It’s very funky and very well produced!

LAZERPROOF TRACKLISTING 1. Bulletproof (Nacey Remix ft. Matt Hemerlein) (Right-click to download) 2. Colourless Artibella 3. I'm Not Your Lemonade + Heroes ‘N‘ Villains Remix ft. Gucci Mane 4. Independent Kill ft. Candi Redd (Right-click to download) 5. Keep It Fascinating 6. Magic (Falling Soldiers Dub) 7. In 4 The Kill Pon De Skream 8. Houstatlantavegas Pains ft Drake 9. Tigerlily (DYWHAP Blend) ft. Rusko 10. Can't Stop Now (Armor Love Remix) 11. Quicksand (Mad Decent 2010 Rerub) ft. Amanda Blank 12. Cover My Eyes (Costra Nostra Edit) 13. I Said It (Major Lazer Dubplate) ft. Opal 14. Hold Yuh (Double Dubplate) ft. Gyptian

You can learn more about the album and download the entire album for FREE HERE.

Here is the ‘Creator’s Project’ video on Diplo(docus).

Please support the Artist!

The link below will take you to Amazon.com

5-30-10

DowntroddenInDC — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:38:28 +0000

Kid Cudi – All Talk (feat. LCD Soundsystem, Chip Tha Ripper & Christian Bale)
(Right click to download)

Ok, so I know I am lame for posting a Kid Cudi song after trashing him so much, but I love LCD Soundsystem so much, and the song really does work. I think, from the popularity of LCD Soundsystem’s new album and how James Murphy has practically blown up, with his face plastered all over Billboard, I think I am going to do just an LCD Soundsystem related post! Here it is:

LCD Soundsystem vs. Justin Timberlake – My Love (Diplo Mix)
(Right click to download)

This music video takes a while, but it’s a pretty neat reproduction of “Someone Great” off of “Sound of Silver”:

And one of the most amazing remixes ever of one of the most amazing songs ever (sorry about the music video, I’m having problems with uploading the file), Tribulations (Lindstrom Remix);

The original is HERE. (DFA, James Murphy’s record label, will not allow any of his original videos to be embedded:(… )

On a totally unrelated note, have you seen this? It’s bizarre, yet the video gets super crazy and is fun to watch!

Very Trippy Alice in Wonderland video

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The links below will lead you to Amazon.com