Scar Tissue: A Road Trip Story, Told In Pictures
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
ALL. POINTS. WEST.
Fuck.
That is the word that was running through my head in big Cheshire Cat bubble letters two nights ago as I trudged through the shin-deep mud that made up the ground of Liberty State Park after the mind blowing festival All Points West was done with it.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I'll back track.
11 AM. We arrive at the park only to wait in the torrential rain for an hour before a director ushered us into a freezing cold ferry terminal to "wait it out."
2 PM. Still waiting in said ferry terminal, I begin to have hunger pains of diabetic proportions, decide to stand in line for the shitty snack stand in terminal.
3 PM. Still standing in line.
4 PM. Fuck it, we're (i.e. me, cousin, friend, and sister) ditching the line because we see a rush of people running to the front of the terminal.
4:15 PM. Turns out to be a tease, no one's being let out.
4:30 PM. SUNSHINE. We're let out of the terminal (after many of my albeit, overexaggerated, accusations of kidnapping since I am technically a minor) and it is fucking sunny outside. All right, let's go, onward!
Not so fast. waiting on line, outside now, to be let into the actual park.
5:00 PM. We make it into the park! Since now I am incredibly grumpy because I am ridiculously hungry and The Gaslight Anthem's set was cut, we decide to go eat an overpriced burrito and catch Akron/Family's set. They were great, kept the crowd upbeat and had a really good vibe and sound.
6:00 PM. We Are Scientists. Bass was far too loud, and not a strong stage presence but we got to the front of the stage, so we were in good shape for the acts we actually wanted to see there.
7:00 PM. HOLYFUCKINGSHIT. Mogwai went on. I had no idea what to expect since I'd never heard them before but I was told they would "nurse the wound of The Gaslight Anthem" so I was excited. They exceeded whatever expectations I might've had. Probably the best prog rock I've ever heard. Insane shredders, great instrumentals, and on rare occassion, vocals. Insane.
8:20 PM. The Black Keys. All I can say is soul. Who would've thought two skinny indie kids from Ohio could have so much?
9:35 PM. MGMT went on. I've been dreading typing this part because no words I write here could do them justice. They stole the show. It's a beautiful thing, having thousands of people jumping in unison to a song every single person there enjoyed (and I am a really small person so for that word to be "beautiful" instead of "scary" or "terrifying" is a major feat and a good testament to the power of MGMT). Especially "Electric Feel" and "Kids". Look the performance of those up on YouTube. You won't be sorry.
So I couldn't believe I was there. I felt incredibly lucky and like it should have cost me more than a five hour wait and $110. But that's completely irrational because what would be worth that night? My soul? No, not enough.
Anyway, it was amazing. I could not recommend the festival enough. Go!
That is the word that was running through my head in big Cheshire Cat bubble letters two nights ago as I trudged through the shin-deep mud that made up the ground of Liberty State Park after the mind blowing festival All Points West was done with it.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I'll back track.
11 AM. We arrive at the park only to wait in the torrential rain for an hour before a director ushered us into a freezing cold ferry terminal to "wait it out."
2 PM. Still waiting in said ferry terminal, I begin to have hunger pains of diabetic proportions, decide to stand in line for the shitty snack stand in terminal.
3 PM. Still standing in line.
4 PM. Fuck it, we're (i.e. me, cousin, friend, and sister) ditching the line because we see a rush of people running to the front of the terminal.
4:15 PM. Turns out to be a tease, no one's being let out.
4:30 PM. SUNSHINE. We're let out of the terminal (after many of my albeit, overexaggerated, accusations of kidnapping since I am technically a minor) and it is fucking sunny outside. All right, let's go, onward!
Not so fast. waiting on line, outside now, to be let into the actual park.
5:00 PM. We make it into the park! Since now I am incredibly grumpy because I am ridiculously hungry and The Gaslight Anthem's set was cut, we decide to go eat an overpriced burrito and catch Akron/Family's set. They were great, kept the crowd upbeat and had a really good vibe and sound.
6:00 PM. We Are Scientists. Bass was far too loud, and not a strong stage presence but we got to the front of the stage, so we were in good shape for the acts we actually wanted to see there.
7:00 PM. HOLYFUCKINGSHIT. Mogwai went on. I had no idea what to expect since I'd never heard them before but I was told they would "nurse the wound of The Gaslight Anthem" so I was excited. They exceeded whatever expectations I might've had. Probably the best prog rock I've ever heard. Insane shredders, great instrumentals, and on rare occassion, vocals. Insane.
8:20 PM. The Black Keys. All I can say is soul. Who would've thought two skinny indie kids from Ohio could have so much?
9:35 PM. MGMT went on. I've been dreading typing this part because no words I write here could do them justice. They stole the show. It's a beautiful thing, having thousands of people jumping in unison to a song every single person there enjoyed (and I am a really small person so for that word to be "beautiful" instead of "scary" or "terrifying" is a major feat and a good testament to the power of MGMT). Especially "Electric Feel" and "Kids". Look the performance of those up on YouTube. You won't be sorry.
So I couldn't believe I was there. I felt incredibly lucky and like it should have cost me more than a five hour wait and $110. But that's completely irrational because what would be worth that night? My soul? No, not enough.
Anyway, it was amazing. I could not recommend the festival enough. Go!
Monday, July 13, 2009
OUT OF HIBERNATION
Hello!
It's been a while. How are you, swimming, feature-less, faces of the cyber world? I am well. The road trip has been a lot of fun but I realized I am not the "vacation" type. I think this has something to do with my inability to relax. I would much prefer to fret about whether or not SPF 50 AND full body coverage is enough to keep my infamously fragile and fair skin protected from the evils of the southern American sun rather than sit down and actually enjoy it. Both my sister and mother constantly tell me my OCD's are ridiculous and trivial to which I reply that they should kindly remove the very large stick they have up their asses. Neither take to it very well.
Anyway!
I am here in lovely (sort of) stuart, florida. My dad always calls florida god's waiting room. ha. I'm currently on my Aunt Kate's computer which is ancient and the keyboard is ridiculously loud but it makes me feel like I'm creating one of those super secret, super important computer programs they are always making in CIA movies.
The one thing that's amazing about stuart is the sunset. Every night I walk down to the harbour and stare stupidly with my mouth open at the Indian sun until my sister tells me I look like Sloth from the Goonies and I punch her. just kidding. actually, i'm pretty sure that would happen.
Charleston was cool, the shopping district (especially King Street) was awesome. I learned that wearing a Tegan and Sara shirt in the South is a very different experience than wearing it in New Jersey. In NJ, people make an honest effort to avoid your eye and pretend they have nothing in common with strangers. It's champion, really. I take pride in being able to do this without fault. However, in South Carolina, it apparently is the opposite. People actually...want to have something in common with you...? For example, a waitress asked me if it was Michael Jackson on said shirt. And I thought:
1. When did Michael Jackson get a twin?
2. When did Michael Jackson get a mullet?
3. ...When did he become female?
Oh, but in Charleston a cashier at Urban Outfitters told me they loved Tegan and Sara and thoughtfully informed me that their new record was coming out in the fall. Ha. Like I didn't know. Silly southerners. But it was a nice change, I guess.
52.5 Record Store was OK. worth visiting, but nowhere near as good as Princeton Record Exchange or Vintage Vinyl. I guess you can't beat NJ record stores.
Oh and the radio here serves a much more important purpose than in the northeast. It is an educator. And I'm not talking NPR news around the world type education. Ho! No! It teaches you actual valuable life lessons. I'm talking Bob Hope inspired stuff.
For instance, I fell alseep for a couple hours in Virginia, but when I woke up my mom told me about this gem she heard:
God is great, beer is good, people are crazy.
You just can't put a price on this stuff!
Well, I'll have more to write about when the keyboard isn't at 20,000 decibels and giving me a migraine.
And pictures! My Nikon D50 has been a bff to me on this trip. Look for them soon!
Love,
Tili R.
It's been a while. How are you, swimming, feature-less, faces of the cyber world? I am well. The road trip has been a lot of fun but I realized I am not the "vacation" type. I think this has something to do with my inability to relax. I would much prefer to fret about whether or not SPF 50 AND full body coverage is enough to keep my infamously fragile and fair skin protected from the evils of the southern American sun rather than sit down and actually enjoy it. Both my sister and mother constantly tell me my OCD's are ridiculous and trivial to which I reply that they should kindly remove the very large stick they have up their asses. Neither take to it very well.
Anyway!
I am here in lovely (sort of) stuart, florida. My dad always calls florida god's waiting room. ha. I'm currently on my Aunt Kate's computer which is ancient and the keyboard is ridiculously loud but it makes me feel like I'm creating one of those super secret, super important computer programs they are always making in CIA movies.
The one thing that's amazing about stuart is the sunset. Every night I walk down to the harbour and stare stupidly with my mouth open at the Indian sun until my sister tells me I look like Sloth from the Goonies and I punch her. just kidding. actually, i'm pretty sure that would happen.
Charleston was cool, the shopping district (especially King Street) was awesome. I learned that wearing a Tegan and Sara shirt in the South is a very different experience than wearing it in New Jersey. In NJ, people make an honest effort to avoid your eye and pretend they have nothing in common with strangers. It's champion, really. I take pride in being able to do this without fault. However, in South Carolina, it apparently is the opposite. People actually...want to have something in common with you...? For example, a waitress asked me if it was Michael Jackson on said shirt. And I thought:
1. When did Michael Jackson get a twin?
2. When did Michael Jackson get a mullet?
3. ...When did he become female?
Oh, but in Charleston a cashier at Urban Outfitters told me they loved Tegan and Sara and thoughtfully informed me that their new record was coming out in the fall. Ha. Like I didn't know. Silly southerners. But it was a nice change, I guess.
52.5 Record Store was OK. worth visiting, but nowhere near as good as Princeton Record Exchange or Vintage Vinyl. I guess you can't beat NJ record stores.
Oh and the radio here serves a much more important purpose than in the northeast. It is an educator. And I'm not talking NPR news around the world type education. Ho! No! It teaches you actual valuable life lessons. I'm talking Bob Hope inspired stuff.
For instance, I fell alseep for a couple hours in Virginia, but when I woke up my mom told me about this gem she heard:
God is great, beer is good, people are crazy.
You just can't put a price on this stuff!
Well, I'll have more to write about when the keyboard isn't at 20,000 decibels and giving me a migraine.
And pictures! My Nikon D50 has been a bff to me on this trip. Look for them soon!
Love,
Tili R.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
ROCKY AND ROAD TRIPS
Hello friends,
I guess I don't have much to blog about at the moment but I thought a short update would suffice. I've rewatched all the Rocky's recently and forgot how incredible they are. Well, at least the first two. But the last three are good for novelty. I firmly uphold that Rocky was the one who made Philly cool. That's right, hipsters, I'm calling you out.
So I've been pretty busy lately with helping plan a road trip down south with my mom and sister. I'm pretty stoked for the 52.5 Record Store in Charleston, SC (supposed to be the best record store in the entire southeast) and also the Magnolia Cemetery. Should be sick. Also looking forward to Savannah, GA because it looks like the weirdest fucking town in the entire country. Should be some good sites to see. I will be bringing along my faithful Nikon D50, so expect lots of photos!
Love forever and always
Your friend,
T.R.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
IT'S (NOT) MY PARTY
Hello!
There was an awesome band playing at my sister's graduation party, Hey Bulldog. As you might've guessed, they're an all Beatles cover band, but all the guys come from different bands (including the amazing Anderson Council) and come together to play Beatles music. It was a fun time. Anyway, the guys were great and they let me take their mugs.
Always,
Tili Ritter
Peter of Anderson Council / Hey Bulldog
Pat of Hey Bulldog
Jeff "Cool T-Shirt" Fernandez of Hey Bulldog
Gerry of The Joint / Hey Bulldog
Tommy of Hey Bulldog
There was an awesome band playing at my sister's graduation party, Hey Bulldog. As you might've guessed, they're an all Beatles cover band, but all the guys come from different bands (including the amazing Anderson Council) and come together to play Beatles music. It was a fun time. Anyway, the guys were great and they let me take their mugs.
Always,
Tili Ritter
Peter of Anderson Council / Hey Bulldog
Pat of Hey Bulldog
Jeff "Cool T-Shirt" Fernandez of Hey Bulldog
Gerry of The Joint / Hey Bulldog
Tommy of Hey Bulldog
Friday, June 26, 2009
LYRIC SHARKS
In which me, my sister, and my cousin settle the lifelong debate as to the true lyrics of Billie Jean.
I'LL TAKE YOUR PICTURE
Hey guys,
Thought I'd post some photos I've taken recently (and not so recently). They're from all around the country. America really is so beautiful.
Oh, I usually use my Nikon D50, but lately I've been feeling film so I've been using a Leica M6. In case you cared.
Love always,
T.R.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Arches National Park-Moab, Utah
Monument Valley, Utah
Liberty State Park - Jersey City, New Jersey
Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
Thought I'd post some photos I've taken recently (and not so recently). They're from all around the country. America really is so beautiful.
Oh, I usually use my Nikon D50, but lately I've been feeling film so I've been using a Leica M6. In case you cared.
Love always,
T.R.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Arches National Park-Moab, Utah
Monument Valley, Utah
Liberty State Park - Jersey City, New Jersey
Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
Thursday, June 25, 2009
VLOG: GRADUATION EDITION
In which me, my sister, and her boyfriend discuss their hopes and plans for the future. And then get thwarted by an evil purple ghost portal to hell.
ROUND TWO
two more sketches, don't know if i'm going to have these printed or not, just thought i'd share 'em.
my scanner sucks, but the second one says "rock and roll soldier" and the first one is of an indian chief, but his feather headdress got cut off. fuck technology!
love always,
t.r.
SKETCHBOOK
Hi all,
This is a drawing I did a while back and I'm considering having it printed onto a t-shirt. I think it'll look sick.
Your friend,
T.R.
ORIENTATION
Initial blog. I'm pretty stoked, always fun to find a new medium of expression on this vast world wide web. More to come soon!
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