sort of a further discussion from the music-as-personality i was talking about yesterday, only transposed: driving to work today, i drove past a big billboard/poster thing on the side of a building for the new goo-goo dolls album, which was just a waist-up shot in black and white of the three band guys. the lead singer (of the goo-goo dolls, remember) was front and center, and wearing a ramones t-shirt. what the hell is that?

alright, let’s start here: maybe this guy — i don’t know his name, so i’ll call him goo — maybe goo really likes the ramones. i’m thinking someone who is really into the ramones wouldn’t turn around and make music like he does, so although i think that’s bullshit from square one, we’ll even let that slide for now. the whole other problem is, if goo IS a big ramones fan, why did he or his costume person or record executive or whoever think he needed to wear that shirt in this promotional shot, to be blown up and pasted on the sides of buildings to promote a goo-goo dolls album? it’s not like wearing the ramones shirt will get you more credibility with ggd fans, will it? or have great musical acts like the ramones been reduced to accessories and brand names? i just don’t understand at all. it seems wrong and so very, very stupid to me that i had to cry out for help.

also, driving northbound to work today on a six-lane, median-divided main avenue in los angeles (san vicente for locals), there was a car going south on the northbound side in the center lane, puttering along all by itself, while all the northbound traffic waited at a stoplight farther down. the light changed, and as i was both in the front of the pack and in said center lane, i cautiously advanced but came to a stop after a short distance, while i waited for the two very old ladies in the little poorly-oriented vehicle to make up their minds. the other lanes, seeing the problem, also came to a stop a few car lengths before this confused auto, waiting for the ladies’ reaction. only they didn’t do anything for like a good couple minutes. nothing at all — they just sat there making frustrated faces and not moving, while people behind me honked a lot. eventually they turned to their left, my right, and down another street that i think accomodated two-way traffic. it was surreal seeing this single car going the wrong way down an empty street (empty due to the long red light), and made me pretty sure that old ladies don’t really know how to drive. at all.

at least there was no accident resulting. this time, anyway.

[now hearing this: keyboard clicking, i.e. work and not music.]