The Vegan Diaries, Day 5 - It's Showtime

So the first inklings of road blocks have finally struck me in the great vegan challenge of 2008. As much as I hate to admit it, it's the absolute truth. What are they?

• Events
• Lethargy
• Upset stomach

Up first, events. These are killing me. It seems like I have wall to wall events right now, from work lunches to work dinners, from BBQ's to camping. To put it more succinctly, I picked the worst time imaginable to do this. Every event comes with amazing food that is decidedly not vegan friendly, and it's a hell of a thing to not get involved with it. I mean come on, I love food. A lot.

However, I do want to go into a bit of detail about one of the events which made the whole thing go by easily - last night's Showtime dinner.

At my job, we have reps show up from networks and premium channels on a semi-regular basis to visit and schmooze and take us out to dinner and do trainings. Last night, Showtime (home of Dexter and Weeds) took myself and a group of coworkers out to dinner at Kincaid Grill, and it was absolutely awesome. As it always is with Showtime, because frankly in terms of coolness of reps there are two classes: Showtime and everyone else.

So I just wanted to say, thanks to John Stillson, Patrick (I didn't catch your last name man, sorry!), and Allison Weilbacher for the wonderful time out, and thanks for being really understanding about the vegan bet. Also, Allison, you had better come visit because we're going to miss you a lot at GCI. You're the best.

Back to the point of the vegan bit. Today two things really hit me - an extreme lethargic feeling and a really bad upset stomach. I felt sluggish, lightheaded, and generally ill at ease. Of course this could be a lack of sleep and any number of things to explain the stomach ache, but I get the feeling that it has more to do with the drastic change in my diet. Hopefully this won't affect me too badly, but I have to be honest: I miss meat. I miss milk. I miss cheese. Imagine what day 26 is going to be like! To note, I've specifically targeted day 26 as the worst day of the month. No idea why.

But I can do this. I will not let Amy win. No sir.

The Vegan Diaries, Day 3

I'm now three days into my fearsome competition with Amy, the competition of course being who can last the longest as a vegan? So far, so good for the both of us. Although Amy seemingly had a bit of a rough start (hunger pains? lock it up Steele), we've both made it this far and we even made an awesome dinner together tonight which was 100% vegan, delicious, and very filling. Plus we had vegan ice cream afterwards, and it was aces. On top of that, we watched some How I Met Your Mother which always brightens my day.

I had a feeling this wouldn't be too rough on me, but so far I like it quite a bit. I'm eating way more fruits and vegetables and strangely I feel as if my meals are far more diversified than they were when all options were open. How weird is that? No less, veganism? To this guy, it ain't no thang.

Favorite TV Shows

This week on "Sheri and David Present: Our Favorites" we have our favorite TV shows. This time, the rules are laid out like so: any type of show applies (meaning mini-series count), the show must have run at least 3 seasons or have been cancelled before it had a chance to complete its run, and once again, this is not best tv show. It's favorite.

TV is a fun subject because it was something I didn't watch a lot of when I was younger. Well...I did, but I didn't watch it like I do now. We're in the era of appointment television, although thankfully appointments that we can reschedule thanks to DVR's and DVD's and the internet. After all of that came together, I became far more into television, as you can likely tell from the period of time my favorite shows come from.

Here is a link to Sheri's blog - make sure to check her's to get a fun comparison of where we stand as people. I'll give you a hint - we're hugely different. No less, on to the list...enjoy!

1. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi - Still airing - Midst of season 4)

I think I may have mentioned this show a few times (specifically here), but I just want to reiterate: I love this show. Sure it's Sci-Fi and is oft misconstrued as massively dorky (it's the name I swear), but secretly it's the best show on television - now or ever. With the most brilliant ensemble cast on TV (led by personal favorite James Callis), the best music (sorry Michael Giacchino, I choose Bear McCreary over you), and the most interesting story/writing, it's hard not to choose this as my favorite.

Which is why I did.

Get on this before it's all over, as we're in the middle of the last season. You'll want to be there when the last episode shows and we find out if our heroes make it to Earth.

2. How I Met Your Mother (CBS - Still airing - Headed into season 4)

Buh wha?! I just started watching this? How could this be my second favorite? What about Arrested Development?

What I love about this show is it is everything AD is but it also has a warm heart without getting sappy, it has characters who genuinely seem to like each other, and it has a very relatable story behind it - young people in search of love and happiness. As a young person who is nearing the same place these characters are, it's hard not to love watching it.

Also, it's absolutely hysterical, as the rapport between the cast leads to hilarious situations, fantastic banter, and comedy without words. Simple looks between the cast can lead to huge laughs. To note as well, this show secretly is the best on TV at picking songs that fit the situation they are in. That's a huge plus in my book.

3. Arrested Development (Fox - Unceremoniously cancelled after 3 seasons)

Just because I went with HIMYM as my second favorite does not mean I don't love AD any more. By all means, it absolutely does not. Arrested Development is the funniest show ever made, with whip smart writing, go for broke plot points (road trips to Iraq? having one night stands with blind women? hooking up with cousins? this show will go anywhere), and my favorite cast of any show ever.

It also features one of my favorite characters ever - George Oscar Bluth, also known as Gob. This role is played by Will Arnett, and the man crafted one of the best and strangest characters in television history. He simply appears on the screen and I start laughing. Everything he does, from giving himself a roofie so he would forget that he has a son, to his puppet Franklin, to traveling everywhere on a segway, is comic gold.

These are some of the reasons why I love the show so much. Now with the likelihood of a movie increasing every day, I'm getting more and more excited every day and may have to revisit my DVD's soon to get back with the Bluth family, as it has been too long.

4. Lost (ABC - Still airing - Headed into season 5)

Oh Lost. You're so enigmatic. I'm sure that would make Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse (the showrunners) very happy to hear, but that is both the reason why it's so high on the list and why it finishes behind the other 3. It's high points are as high as any other shows, but the frustrations behind never receiving answers and constantly receiving new questions takes its toll.

With that said, it's one of the most well acted shows on television, featuring two of the most top notch performances on television today by Terry O'Quinn (personal favorite Locke) and Michael Emerson (is he good? is he bad? do we care?...Benjamin Linus) and one of the best scores on television by up-and-coming composer Michael Giacchino. The massive plot is perpetually intriguing, and every hint of an answer we get is absolutely delicious. Also, the direction (especially by Jack Bender) leads to one of the best looking shows around as well as one of the most cleverly shot ones.

I just wish we could get more answers, and I wish I had a better feeling about where the show is going as it heads into season 5. I grow increasingly concerned that they may have painted themselves into a bit of a corner, but that remains to be seen. I have faith, but they have two more shortened seasons to tie up a lot of loose ends. Good luck to all involved.

5. Band of Brothers (HBO - mini-series)

Band of Brothers was a mini-series created by Saving Private Ryan cornerstones Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg that told the story of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army. It follows the entire company from basic training before World War II all the way to the completion of the war, and it is the greatest war story ever told in my opinion.

It's everything Saving Private Ryan gave us, with incredibly visceral scenes of war, very faithful depictions of the comraderie between soldiers, and haunting recreations of the settings of the war, but extended to a ten episode series. With a cast headlined by de facto main star Damian Lewis (whose Winters is the heart and soul of the series), this is an absolute must watch by anyone and everyone.

6. Seinfeld (NBC - 9 seasons, lived a full life)

I think perhaps the most amazing aspect about this show (besides perhaps the hilarity and its effect on pop culture) is the fact that this show about "nothing" can be used in relation to so many situations in so many people's lives. I regularly have conversations with people at work about how things in our lives sync up so well with the Seinfeld crew.

No less, this really is a show about nothing. All it is about is the day to day lives of four friends who live in New York City, where they live out their lives as massively self-absorbed and generally loathsome people. Loathsome, but hysterical representations of the id in everyone as they do and say everything we want to - we just don't because we're not as quick witted or malicious. Legendary, to say the least.

7. Veronica Mars (UPN/CW - Unceremoniously cancelled after 3 seasons)

Another of my favorites that suffered an untimely and early death, Veronica Mars is a show famous for a few things. Season long mysteries? Check. Incredibly self-reliant and amazing lead? Check. Dense plots weaving many threads together, from many different sources in terms of characters and time? Check.

Regardless of what others say, this is a show you can enjoy without watching the whole thing. It's just highly preferable that you don't go that route, as the central mysteries provide the driving force behind the series. Well, that and Veronica herself, as played by Kristen Bell. Bell is the show, as she appears in nearly every scene and is one of the best characters ever in my opinion. She's funny, smart as hell, and always a step ahead of everyone - including the audience.

It's funny and ridiculously intriguing, and this is a mystery based show that I can assure you provides answers. Satisfying ones at that.

8. Wonderfalls (Fox - Unceremoniously cancelled after...part of a season)

This one was axed faster than every other show on my list. Truth be told, I think it only showed four or five episodes before being killed. However, the creator of the show Bryan Fuller (of Pushing Daisies and Dead Like Me fame) and the cast had made most of the series already and wrapped it up in a very satisfying fashion, all in 13 episodes.

Probably the most bizarre series ever, it's about a girl named Jaye (Caroline Dhavernas) who starts seeing inanimate objects come to life. Not only that, but they tell her to do things. Not evil things of course, but things that end up being helpful to those around her and ultimately helpful to herself (even if they don't seem that way at first).

No less, it's ultimately a very funny and touching love story with a wonderful ensemble cast (especially the ridiculously precious Dhavernas and Lee Pace as her brother), and in my opinion is Fuller's best work. Once again, this just goes to prove that people need to give shows more of a chance. Maybe if they did, we could still be watching this show instead of trash like the Moment of Truth.

I'm just saying.

9. Firefly (Fox - Unceremoniously cancelled after...part of a season)

I can't believe it! Another awesome show cancelled too soon by Fox? It's like there is some sort of trend here.

This show was created by geekdom's reigning king, Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame). It's best described as a sci-fi western, and within its 15 episodes Whedon manages to create a dense and full 'verse for our very eyes. Our guides to that 'verse are the crew of Serenity, a ship perpetually on the run from Alliance forces and consatantly in turmoil, all of whom are very well acted and well developed within the series.

My favorite (and hopefully your favorite) is Captain Malcolm Reynolds, as played by Nathan Fillion. This character personifies the show as a whole, a scoundrel in the vein of Han Solo, he's the ultimate badass with a heart of gold type. He's another of my all-time favorites, and that character single handedly made me a huge fan of Fillion.

The show is an extremely entertaining romp following the crew as they try to survive and to help solve the mysteries they've inadverently gotten involved in. This show was cancelled extremely early as well, but at least we received some resolution within the movie Serenity and the comics Whedon has since written. Still, another one that went away too early.

10. Futurama (Fox - Unceremoniously cancelled after 4 seasons, straight-to-DVD releases still coming out)

Matt Groening's greatest creation.

I said it.

Better than the Simpsons, this cartoon about a normal guy from today who inadvertently is cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years is one of the funniest shows ever created and maybe the most rewatchable one as well. It also is strangely heartfelt as well, as the episodes about main character Fry's dog (Jurassic Bark) and what happened with his brother (the Luck of the Fryrish) are still very funny, but also beautifully sad.

No less, stellar show that is on Cartoon Network constantly and is still having straight-to-DVD movies released, so it still technically lives. But it was killed before it was done by Fox, although it did get four seasons out of the deal.

Honorable mentions:

Sports Night: Cancelled after three seasons, this was the last cut of the list. Aaron Sorkin's best work in my opinion, very funny, very smart, and hits the drama in all the right parts. Plus it's about a Sportscenter like TV show. I mean come on...how can you go wrong there?

Jeopardy!: Favorite game show ever. It's all about trivia, which I absolutely love as well. I even tried out for it last year, but to no avail. Apparently I'm not intelligent enough for it...yet.

The Office (USA): I'm talking about the version with Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson that is heading into its fifth season on NBC. This show captures the workplace very well, although it enhances it quite a bit with the sheer insanity of the work by the two aforementioned actors, and the Jam situation - aka the relationship between Jim and Pam (John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer). Makes it better than the average bear, for sure.

Freaks and Geeks: Judd Apatow and Paul Feig's creation is genius in dramedy form, and it features an absolutely incredible ensemble cast (Jason Segel, James Franco, and Seth Rogen...feel free to bow). Captures what it's like to be in high school very well, while also giving us a very funny slice of life of the outcasts of the world.

The Price is Right: I haven't watched this since Drew Carey took over, but when Bob Barker ran the show, this was a daily watch for my friends and I in college. I'd kill to play Plinko, although when I went down I missed my opportunity. Maybe someday...

The Weekend Edition

Ahhhh...back to normal. My first weekend edition in a while, but boy, it was a good weekend and one that I'll enjoy writing about. Here's a breakdown of what happened:

• The Crew and I hitting up Tommy's Burger Stop (delicious!)
• Elton John!
• Foosball at the Avenue
• Vegan supply shopping
• BBQ at Jason's
• The Homie with the Crewnit
• Snow City for Amy's birthday
• Ballin' at the AK Club
• Day 1 of vegan David (Tofu Pad Thai ftw)

As per usual, I've chosen a couple subjects in specific which per particularly spectacular to elaborate upon, and you'll see those bad mamma jamma's below.

Elton John being spectacular at the Sullivan Arena

As I've mentioned a time or two, Elton John visited Alaska recently to much fanfare. Myself and the Crew went to the show Friday night at the Sullivan Arena along with a LOT of other people. Both shows were sold out (even exceeding capacity on both nights) and the town was abuzz with Elton fever. After seeing him myself, I really understand why they were.

The man is the consummate performer, putting on an incredible show, sounding fantastic, and seemingly genuinely appreciating Alaska's love for him. To be honest, I can see why in terms of the latter subject, as I've never seen an Alaskan audience go so nuts for a performer before. Truth be told, I don't think I've ever seen a show with such an appreciative audience. I was really amazed at everything that happened though.

After hearing his performance, I realized two things: I know very few Elton John songs and the man is an incredibly talented musician/songwriter. Almost every song was stellar, and his piano work sounded alternately beautiful and genius (he would "jam" for minutes at a time, and he was clearly having fun with it). With that said, his most powerful instrument was his voice - this man can really belt songs out. Loved the performance and I am very thankful I had the opportunity to attend it.

The Crewnit

Saturday night, Jason had a BBQ at his place and the entirety of the Crewnit was invited. Well, us and a ton of people I had never met before but who also ended up being awesome. This was a very fitting event though, as it was Amy and I's last night as meat eaters for a while and I really went overboard in consuming. Example? My second "burger" consisted of these layers: bun, salami, burger, cheese, shrimp, beef kabob, chicken, hot dog (one whole), bbq sauce, bun. About half way through I really felt like a nap and upon completion I felt like dying.

But god, was it worth it! I sure went out with a bang.

Colver, Kim, me, and Hannah - Serious faces only, please

After the actual BBQ section of the evening, the Crewnit segregated ourselves from the rest of the group by going out to Jason's deck/porch business. We had ten people or more out there quite often, and it was an absolute blasty blast, to quote Hannah. Sheer ridiculousness flowed from our mouths all evening, especially after more and more beer was consumed. The table team (my special nickname for the inside people) seemingly thought we were insane. Which, you know, we may have been.

Jason's "badass" face and Amy...being Amy

So what happened out there that made us seem so crazy? Hmmm...

• Jason rolling a pack of cigarettes in his sleeve as if he was a street tough from the 50's
• Lorna repeatedly getting her heels stuck in the deck and becoming frantic immediately afterwards
• Hannah and I wrapping ourselves in a blanket and taking pictures with nearly everyone
• Roughly 100 pictures being taken of us in various crazy poses outside on the porch
• Playing football from the porch to the grass
• Ridiculous amounts of yelling

Hannah and I in the blanket - I have my best Batman face on

Of course there is the distinct possibility that it was not animosity coming from the table team, but sheer envy of our awesomeness. That's a possibility, for sure.

Amy, Hannah, Nate, and I on the deck - I look crazy as per usual

No less, after a few hours of hijinks at Jason's, the entirety of the Crewnit rolled out to the Homie for sheer ridiculousness in a public setting. This was probably the most fun I've ever had at the Homie, and it was great that Colver and Lorna came out for the first time to it. The night featured a lot of awesome foosball playing, myself nearly getting into fisticuffs with a girl (but in a playful way), lots of shot taking, dance party plus on the dance floor (I was told I could get lower than anyone else on the dance floor...I got skills!), and of course feeding beer to each other with pitchers.

Because that's normal, right?

All in all, it was a great night. Insane, for sure. To be honest, it didn't cost that much, I had an absolute blast, and I wasn't hungover at all today. I feel great to be honest, especially as I look through pictures recounting our night. Very good times indeed. To quote Amy via Barney Stinson, this summer is going to be legendary. No diggity. No doubt.

Happy Birthday Amy!

Today is my good friend Amy Steele's birthday, and I wanted to make sure I had a post out there wishing her a happy birthday. Happy birthday Amy, I'm looking forward to hanging out with your freshly minted 24 year old self, complete with new levels of maturity added.

Finally.

Additionally, an addendum to my vegan post from the other day. Amy and I officially bet - whoever lasts the longest wins coffee for a week as provided by the other person. Today is day 1, and I have to admit it hasn't been that rough. Poor Amy, she doesn't even know what she's gotten herself into.

Sasquatch Day 3

Erik, me, Sheri, John, and Trent right after Sasquatch ended

The third and final day was upon us. For this day, I'm going to skip all the details on every band and focus on three bands that rocked my world in particular on the last day. Not that every band wasn't great, but these three were particularly awesome.

Kirk Huffman from Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

I think I mentioned a few times I was really excited about seeing Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. Sprung from the ashes of my favorite band Gatsby's American Dream, this band that is fronted by Gatsby's bassist Kirk Huffman makes gloriously dense music for the hippie in all of us. It's truly exceptional music, and I'd say they were the band I was most looking forward to besides the Flaming Lips.

I absolutely loved their performance. This is a band who knows how to do a production on a shoestring budget. They had dancers, beautiful singalongs, fresh flowers/plants on stage, andbunches of cool little decorations (hanging spinny things, scarves on mics, etc.) which led to probably the best looking set on the Yeti stage. Besides that, they played a stellar set reaching throughout their debut self-titled LP, including personal favorites "Birds (on a day like today)" and "Simon Courage Flees the Coop."

The beautiful thing about their set was that they provided a live performance that sounded very close and good in comparison to the LP, but felt confident enough in their abilities to jam and improvise within songs to provide something new to their fans. That's the sign of a good band, and I really can't wait for these guys to hit it big so everyone in the world can share in the glory that is Kay Kay.

The Mars Volta

Cedric from the Mars Volta preparing to jump!

The Mars Volta shredding

The band that had the primo (or terrifying, depending on your point of view I suppose) slot of opening for the Flaming Lips was the Mars Volta. This is a band that I respect, but have never been too into because frankly, their music is too intense for me. It's chock full of brilliant components, but it's just too dense for my pop sensibilities.

Live though, this band absolutely kills it. I've never seen a band bring as much energy as they did - at one point, I legitimately thought the set was going to be cancelled because the lead singer was going absolutely insane throwing things into the audience, attempting to destroy video cameras, and generally freaking out. Thankfully he calmed down, and they played for at least an hour straight at the most frenetic pace I've ever seen a band play at.

I always thought their sound would be hard to recreate live, but strangely it ended up working out as it gave them more room to breathe - opening up the floor for jam offs, freakouts, and interludes that didn't exist. As my buddy Erik said, one of their songs was supposed to be five minutes long and it ended up being around 12 minutes long. Not exactly normal, but certainly spectacular. I guess that clearly defines their set fairly well.

The Flaming Lips

Wayne Coyne rocking it

Maraca + Gong = good idea

Wayne Coyne looks like he's in a lava pit!

Confetti everywhere at the Flaming Lips show

Up last, and by far the best show at Sasquatch and the best show I've ever seen was the Flaming Lips UFO show. Why was it so spectacular? Singalongs, amazing energy, dancing teletubbies, confetti, naked women, everything. It was incredible. Nothing could ever compete against it. I don't think I'll ever enjoy something as much as I enjoyed singing along to "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1" at Sasquatch. It was a fantastic experience that had to be witnessed to be believed.

This band went from being a well liked but criminally under listened band to an all time favorite in one show. Their live performance was so stellar that they cannot be denied. After the show, everyone agreed that they were abuzz with positive energy from the show. You can't ask for much better than what they provided, and if you say otherwise I'm unsure if you're telling the truth. A stellar finish to a great day.

Band of the day

The Flaming Lips were far and away the best band I've ever seen live. It has to be them here.

Surprise of the day

The Mars Volta being as incredible as they were. Also, Siberian coming out of nowhere and putting on a very good set.

Disappointment of the day

The Flaming Lips only playing 2 hours. I expected at least 2 and a half out of them. Also, missing out on Jamie Lidell and Ghostland Observatory, whom I heard were great and wanted to see badly.

Day 3 grade: A+

Bands seen: Dyme Def, the Choir Practice, Yeasayer, Whalebones, Matt Costa, the Hives, Built to Spill, Siberian, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Battles, Flight of the Conchords, the Mars Volta, the Flaming Lips.

Festival Grade: A

Day 3 was the best day for sure, although the festival as a whole was incredible. Even better than my Bumbershoot experience, which was stellar but did not feature such incredible performances. Day 3 singlehandedly featured 3 of my likely top 5 all time performances that I've ever seen. The best way imaginable to close out the festival, and something I'll remember forever.