I’m either getting older and much, much crotchetier [roll with it, linguists] or the sonic and scenic assault on my senses is broiling into a fevered pitch. Maybe it’s screeching of the troll living in the office next to me that wears down my aural tolerance for the rest of my day but I feel like, no matter where I go, there’s something or someone screaming at me to buy, listen, look or lick.
I can’t stomach radio commercials anymore. Feeling like they have to compete with the rock music they play to keep your attention, jagged shards of nonsense spill forth from my speakers like a flood of scissors. [ed. note - You're really getting into these overwrought, analogy-driven descriptors, aren't you, Phil?] Seems like mattress store commercials are adopting a Monster Truck Rally type delivery – SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!! ONE DAY ONLY! SEALY POSTUREPEDIC AND SIMMONS MATTRESSES ON SALE!!! LIE DOWN OR DIIIIIIEEEEE!!!
Especially here in LA, with billboards, handbills and posters adorning every flat surface… Obviously, if you want to compete, you’ve got play the game, right? Just Off Turner at Hotel Cafe? Hard to make that out when Bloodless Sex Vixens are playing up the street at King King – Complete with half nude, mostly dead, Goth chicks licking guitars on the flyers pasted up and down Hollywood Boulevard. I know which one I’d shell $10.00 out to go see if I were touristing.
Part of my annoyance is that I’m a pretty informed consumer – Before most any major purchase, I’ll do a good amount of research on the good old internet (mostly on websites that don’t blind me with flash video and make you feel like you’ve stumbled into an online dance party) before taking the plunge. I really don’t need to be constantly reminded about movies coming out, new albums dropping or the amazing, once-a-year Guitar Center sale (that happens once-a-month, for reals). A couple of sites that are good for honest, un-biased opinion:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com
http://www.cnet.com
http://www.epinions.com
I guess I’d like to live in a James Taylor world more than a Kanye West world… I really need to spend some time on the ‘rent’s farm for a week or two – My ears are tired of hearing and my eyes are tired of seeing.
