News Lawyers Screwed in Brokachusetts P5 Drinks the Drier the Better P11 A+E Funnyman Aziz Ansari: This Time It’S Impersonal P26

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NEWS LAWYERS SCREWED IN BROKACHUSETTS P5 DRINKS THE DRIER THE BETTER P11 A+E FUNNYMAN AZIZ ANSARI: THIS TIME IT’S IMPERSONAL P26

tak toyoshima oh, cruel world! oh,cruel Flr., Boston, MA 02118. Crybaby. Gripes, 242 E. Berkeley St., 2nd com, or to Dig Department of grouses to letters@weeklydig. Send your anonymous gripes and Fuck You. will undoubtedly fuck me over ... for all the future times that you how shitty your service is. So continue riding you no matter that I have no choice but to part is that you and I both know ate: What the fuck?!? The worst that came to get us. I reiter again to get on the second bus the next stop, making me pay everyone to get off and walk to broke down in Brookline, forcing wasn’t your fault that time you of fucking Allston? And I know it after chasing you through half caught up to you four stops later Did you recognize me when I the bus stop to be considered. wasn’t standing close enough to you could blow by me. I guess I in 10-degree weather only so waiting there 20-plus minutes the side of Huntington after see me freezing my ass off on one of them. Maybe you didn’t sengers at bus stops is fucking damn sure that picking up pas offered services but I’m pretty exactly what falls under your What the fuck?!? I don’t know Dear 66 bus route, - - “post-racial” Candyland (thoughwe like thename… “United Statesof stolen in Nigeria and from Nigeria whatever Germany has secretly effect that Germany will return to suitably curse Germany to the supernatural power in a fair way power, please apply or use the satellite, since over three years. in Nigeria and from Nigeria, using a Germany has been secretly stealing To Whom It May Concern: Vi Alex expertise than my own. to me that it might be more your Got this email, and it occurred Dear needed wizards announcement: service public information. all contact clarity andaccuracy.Pleaseinclude length, for edited be may letters All 02118. MA Flr.,Boston, 2nd weeklydig.com or 242 E. Berkeley St., letters@ to thoughts your Send The future isnow! We have anew president andwhitehouse.gov America” soundskindastodgy, don’t it?). documenting it. We’ve interviewed The Shillsabouttheirbrand new CD, andwrote upUsTrendy.com, where users vote onclothingdesigns. ever saw one. and IsabelleDavis’ rap sessionwith ?uestlove, amongotherwebsclu about thethreat toliteracy known asbadjournalism. And atthatsame sives. Just don’t askmeto Tweet …that’s anevolutionary hiccupifI site, you’ll find longer versions of Turbovsky’s interview with Aziz Ansari Wantto be onthe cover? Email wheel, sincetheday fishgrew feet (Isaidit, Rick Warren!). The gears cara Media Farm hasbegunblogging daily atweeklydig.com, offering PSAs never thesepasteightyears stoppedchurning (thoughitmay have is constant; everything’s beenchanging since theprinting press, the like it)andtheelectionofonemanhasnotturnedthisnationintoa LETTERS DEAR READER, boasts actualcontent. a em If you have a supernatural The But allthistalkof “change” extends beyond government. Change Dig b a a , Dig il y les is running alongsidethis “future” thing, adaptingtoitand | ca r a @WEEKLYDIG.COM works this Friday at Space 242 in Boston’s South End. Museum (Newark, NJ). He resides in Belmont. See his original Metropolitan State College (Denver, CO) and The Newark Kalamazoo, MI, has taught at the University of Texas (Austin),Council on the Arts Fellowship. Monovich, originally from the United States. He is the recipient of the New Jersey State abroad in Columbia, England, Belgium, Italy and throughout COVER ARTIST Tak Toyoshima, [email protected].

| Edward Monovich’s work has been exhibited

staff. Somer M too many other places. giving Bush and Cheney the finger going to find Jesus with stigmata on the cover, though—you’re not you told it to ’em straight? Kudos loyal ad sales than anything else. more to do with cost-cutting and changes, but I fear they may have trying to put a positive spin on the Blues just a few items hand-picked by jokey bad review? reviews, instead of seven. good. it’sAbout not the so face-lift ... Dear ’do new the of fan a not available to your friend(s). human life. that is returnable; without loss of VOL 11 + 4 ISSUE ike Please make information herein

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exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters 01 28 09 – 02 04 09 WEEKLYDIG.C0M Dallas. (Very appropriate!) 1.20.09 to retirethathell-on-earth tenure maulingtheConstitution Bush, tellinghiswifethat my life — Yeshua, Isa, Isa, Yeshua, — life my changed who one the of new our commit now “We Warren, beingcreepyandover- Puritanical whale-of-hateRick “Come on,Laura,we’re inaugural invocation.1.20.09 is overandthetimehascome Former President(!!!)George loving care. I humbly humbly I care. loving pronouncing namesduringhis cluster ofstripmalls,mega ask this in the name name the in this ask daughters, Sassssha wife his president, churches andSUVsknownas Michelle, and his his and Michelle, Jesús, Jesus.” Jesús, going home.” “ , into your your into , ------Malia “ and and

james peabody, Brit-Maren Schjeide. got some random photos? submit them to [email protected] news tous complete,the and interest accrued goes receive from clients untiltheir cases are temporarily hold payments lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA). accountstrust The state funding and Interest on Lawyers’ twoon sources fortheir entire budget: low-income residents. The MLAC depends referrals and funding for legalto services 25 yearsto ago provide information, was establishedthe by state Legislature supporter of civil legal aid programs, Corporation (MLAC),the largest financial legal aid rise. law firms have staff,cut as requests for residents.tankingthe In economy, many portance of legal access for low-income their legislators’ offices to stress the im Boston bar associations, sends lawyersto Coalitionthe and Massachusetts and march, sponsoredthe by Equal Justice Walkthe forto Hill Civil Legal Aid. The House last Thursday forthe 10th annual Nearly 800 attorneys ralliedthe State at by C by aid legal save to House State the storm Attorneys beggars become Lawyers He responded tolastmonth’s publichear 30-minute slideshow justifyingatollhike. tive director Alan LeBovidge presented a Authority (MTA) board meeting, execu At last Thursday’s Massachusetts Turnpike The Pike hike sagacontinues operating and budget estimates for next he flipped through slides displaying the to peoples’ infrastructure sympathies; increase asearly asJuly. the lessdrastic version couldyield another hikes would beeffective April 1st, though Weston tollsand$2atthetunnels. The increases of25centsatthe Allston and week, theboard considered more reserved tolls toincrease from $3.50to$7. Last to $2, andCallahanSumnertunnel and Weston tollstoincrease from $1.25 requested broader transportation reforms. the needfor thehike anditsfairness, and ings, where frustrated residents questioned The Massachusetts Legal Assistance LeBovidge justified the hike by playing The proposal calledfor Allston-Brighton aitli n W n ilso n - - - the four tollsnecessarytoget inandoutof member Michael Angelini proposed making would beinequitable,and north MTA board increases for commuters from thewest fiscal year, for repairs. $15 million for the last quarter of the 2009 million per year, with an additional $12 to starting July 2010, the MTA will need $100 ation would only get worse, predicting that, they could—LeBovidge added that the situ didn’t fall on someone’s windshield.” But I showed you were taken off by us; they St. Mary’s Bridge in Brookline. “The pieces a foot-long deteriorated ceiling chunk from they’re safe,” LeBovidge said, putting down no problem driving these roads. I think anyone to get a misconception here. I have the structures to prove it. “I don’t want show-and-tell, brought in some pieces of and tunnels in disrepair and, in a morbid three years, showed pictures of bridges aides were “very recep for support,their but lawyers’ scavenger hunt were absent duringthe 40 percent. tionsto drop by nearly caused IOLTA’s contribu poor housing market has estatetransactions, the funds come from real Since manythese of to charities like MLAC. to find legal representation because firms sures in housing havecourt been unable effect.” Many residents battling foreclo more legal aid is needed. There is a spiral “But,the worsethe economy gets,the theirin position is not easy,” Lovely said. ken directlyto a few legislators. “Being tending Walktheto Hill, he has only spo Jonathan Lovely. In Lovely’s four years at accordingto attorney tiveto information,” In response tocomplaintsthatfare Many legislators ------let’s not regret it.” regret not let’s February, in do we said. whatever he “So revenue,” the without long for going that have can’t we and saw all we what saw you but facilities, our use to sion. safe “It’s deci month’s next before possibilities the all review to Patrick—vowed by pointed ap recently bigwig Dig Big Aloisi—the James However,week. MTA Chairman last mentioned hardly were costs cut to departments transportation consolidating of and revenue for tax gas the raising of equitable tomake itequal.” economic factors. “I don’t know ifit’s really disadvantages,” saidPagliuca, citing socio havecoming from thenorth significant at Angelini’s proposal. “I believe people all $5each. the city, andtheonenecessaryviatunnel, ing only, “It’stoo soonto know.” funding inthe pending budget cuts, say ment on his plans for maintaining MLAC’s that citizens have accessto justice.” forthe people the and health the of state “It’s forjust not the poor. is It important “Legal service is a not luxury,” she said. nier left letters with her legislator’s aides. Gov. Deval Patrick’s considerations considerations Gov.Patrick’s Deval Board memberJudy Pagliuca balked Gov. Patrick’s office declined to com S arah arah K im ticipated budget cuts. budget ticipated an his from spared be to asked simply they year this so million, $11 hefty a to it bringing MLAC’sbudget, in increase million $1.4 a approved Patrick Deval year, Gov.Last funding. additional for lobby to was march the of goal to helpthem. don’t havethe means [A le Attorney Amy Se the past, years In x a n dra D ed n a - h] ------ exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters Bean Counter media farm

the dig’s quality-of-life index Why did the Globe make

Gov. Deval Patrick announces he’ll cut local aid to cities DiMasi so corrupt? and towns by $128 million this year, but he won’t touch local public education funding … gotta save something for next year. MINUS 2 So the big news this week is that usual third mortgage” on his condo. about that, I don’t know what he House Speaker Sal DiMasi resigned In July, the Globe reported that Vitale does, I don’t care what he does. Police seize two baby alligators from a home in North Tuesday, and according to a letter to was paid by Cognos ULC, a software I have no knowledge of that.’ Attleborough. Next year’s Question 2: decriminalizing his fellow legislators, he stepped down company that won state contracts, And it appears he may have had possession because it was time. “Time to move on, even though it offered the worst some knowledge, it appears he of underage time to return to private life and time deal of all its competitors. The Globe may have had. But, pushing back alligators. EVEN to turn to my first professional love, also found out that Vitale was being against a Globe reporter is not a the law.” Which is kind of like Eliot paid $60,000 by the Massachusetts crime … we do it here every day. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand has Spitzer resigning to spend more time Association of Ticket Brokers and We look at the Globe and say, ‘Can been selected to fill Hillary with his family, or Dick Cheney step- spoke with DiMasi about pushing you imagine this stupid report? Clinton’s vacated Senate seat. We’re ping down to resume shooting people ticketing legislation that would help Look at what these people are say- sorry that it didn’t, um, like, work out for in the face; they can talk about love all them out. That’s all kosher, except he ing or doing.’ Caroline, you know? PLUS 1 they want, but everyone knows there’s didn’t register as a lobbyist with the no choice in the matter. office of the Secretary of State, like a Yes! Thank you! It’s totally unfair The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled stu- good little money grubber. that DiMasi might be charged with dents don’t have the constitutional right to participate So all this smelled funny, and not talking to the Globe! Penetrating in school sports. God, where was that ruling when we sparked a liiiittle Vitale investiga- insight, Mr. Former Speaker! went to middle school? MINUS 1 tion by the attorney general, who Maybe there’s a future in radio revealed last week that the guy for DiMasi, too. In an assault on “Air and Simple Gifts,” the song played by that impres- paid $7,500 in DiMasi’s in-law’s logic that would make Mike Barnicle sive quartet at Obama’s inauguration, was not played legal fees THE SAME DAY that proud, he told the Globe he resigned live; the musicians gestured along to a recording. In his he had a meeting with because he’d realized he was going defense, Yo-Yo Ma said the instruments faced string DiMasi’s aide and several to retire during this term, and, since breakage due to the weather and “it was wicked cold.” ticket-brokerage bigwigs. the state budget is in the toilet, he Aw! Just for using that phrase, we Massholes must This is, of course, all decided it would be best to step aside forgive him. EVEN the Boston Globe’s fault. ASAP so his replacement could get The MBTA is stalling on its plan to buy 28 new locomo- tives for the commuter rail, because, uh, they’ll cost money. MINUS 1 “The [Globe]’s dogged pursuit of ruining the speaker’s career yielded City Councilor Michael Flaherty finally announces his mayoral candidacy … on the YouTube. To inspirational a huge payoff, since they broke the music. The future is now! W00t. EVEN corruption story, which, along with

One nutritional necessity is saved from the great pea- DiMasi’s undying love of lawyering, nut butter scare: Turns out local Girl Scout cookies do is the reason he’s resigned.” not contain salmonella. PLUS 1

Boston police are on the lookout for a man with impeccable oral hygiene Of course, this is an enormous DiMasi is the third House Speaker used to being hated while working a and a thick head of hair, who’s coup for the Boston Globe—that flail- to leave mired in scandal. His prede- thankless job. Of course, that means shoplifted nearly $800 worth of ing daily with a shrinking newsroom cessor, Tom Finneran, resigned amid running for re-election as speaker electronic toothbrush refills, Crest whose parent company was saved obstruction of justice charges, and two weeks ago was pretty stupid … Whitestrips and Rogaine from a CVS by an evil genius Mexican billionaire ended up in the agony many politi- unless of course, there’s more shit that could potentially hit the fan, on Comm. Ave. MINUS 1 before attaining “junk” status—and cians face after resigning in shame … the paper’s dogged pursuit of ruining he got his own talk show on WRKO. like an indictment. But that’s pure President Obama has signed executive orders to shut the speaker’s career yielded a huge And on Monday morning, speculation, and Media Farm would down Gitmo and to end the CIA’s power to use coercive payoff, since they broke the corrup- Finneran claimed, “I can step back certainly never suggest a thing like 01 that. Now, if you’ll excuse us, this 28 interrogation techniques within a year … Hey, cam- tion story, which, along with DiMasi’s from it, and speak very, very, I think, 09 – column is finished, and the time has 02 paign promises really can come true! PLUS 3 undying love of lawyering, is the objectively about it,” before blaming 04 come for us to return to lobbying 09 reason he’s resigned. the people at Cognos, Vitale and the Former Sen. Dianne “Bra-o-Bills” Wilkerson admits to It began last year, when the attorney general for victimizing Sal. with our family. taking $70,000 in unreported funds, some of it cash in paper noticed DiMasi’s old friend, unmarked envelopes. She doesn’t see anything wrong former accountant and doppel- None of this is criminal activity TIPS? THOUGHTS? with that though, because they were to help her pay off ganger (we don’t want to perpetuate attributed to DiMasi. … What he [email protected] her mortgage and tax debts, not for official business. stereotypes about middle-aged guys appears to have done, that might WEEKLYDIG.C0M Palm to forehead, go! MINUS 1 in the North End slowly aging to all be most offensive to people at the develop the same old-man face, so Globe, is when Globe reporters This week’s total: Minus 1 suffice it to say these two happen to approached him and asked him Last week’s total: MINUS 1 be almost identical) Richard Vitale, about it, he said, ‘I got nothing to loaned DiMasi $250,000 in “an un- do with it. I don’t know anything exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters 01 28 09 – 02 $EVILGIRL3CARVES 04 09 WEEKLYDIG.C0M

$EVILGIRL0RODUCTS !VAILABLE/NLY!T WEEKLYDIGCOMGEAR benjamin darflur Fashion dept of eats

|m ry chung ary chung commerce lu pec | v ermouth’s

irtues electives agreement, exclusivity UsTrendy shuns subject-verb American government, users ratetheir favorites, whichthen get signs, and with a voting system possiblythe that ofsuperiorto to democratizethe cutthroat, top-down fashion industry. Sisakhti is leadingthe charge with his new website, which is out Local entrepreneur (andto friendmany a struggling Samartist) vintagetrend is making a comeback: Democracy is back in style. mayIt havetaken an eight-year hiatus, everyone’s but favorite [ustrendy.com] get to buy them … which means democracy actually … works! the exclusive sale of their line on UsTrendy.com. Which means the chance to finally get their designs produced and promoted, and 2009 Competition). The winner will be awarded $1,000 cash prize, rently, the site is taking submissions for its Spring Fashion Designer already be featured inCarolina North Fashion Week), Sisakhti is August, and despite national recognition (winning designs will they may or may have.” not The Waltham-based site launched in people can become successful regardless of what connections andto so he out set “create an open system wheretalentedtruly watching his gifted friendsthe in fashion world struggle and fail, theof people.” wantedthe toimportant most voice let of all be heard. The voice few labels [decide] ‘what’s in’ or ‘what’s hot,’” says Sisakhti, “so I (Decidedto leavethe model ratingto prime-time panels.) What means an intuitive, user-friendly system, andthe question lingers: couture-seeking consumer—butthe simplistic interface really just appeal moreto the after-school-mall-dwelling demographicthan a produced and ultimately featured in a fashion show. C H A simple concept—aspiring designers uploadtheir de A former business major Brandeis, at Sisakhti wastired of “For so long, consumers have been to subjected what a select At first click, the site’s butterfly- and spiral-busy homepage may ECK ECK IT OUT secon do I wantto rate? Women’s dresses? Men’s shoes? ond voting process and a final winner is proclaimed (cur sonal contests. The top 10 winners then go through a sec $100 cash prizes, UsTrendy holds eight-week-long sea weekly competitions where prevailing designers win buying, and you definitely experience is atease—ratingof bit a isn’tthe same as ranging from graffitied blazers to peacoats, the whole dressto purple variegated leggings, and menswear dresses by UsTrendy designers. Boston students write essayswill totop-rated win This spring, UsTrendy ahost prom will dress giveaway: turning his attentionto local community involvement. Wherein lies the incentive to vote: In addition to From a backless, ruched, “reworked” vintage mini d glass BY CARL | winter w Y LAVOIE armer want s b to buy what you see. eeradvocate Models - | john b |john we ? -

- - - arleycorn jjfoleyscafe.com]. [117 E. Berkeley St. 617.728.9101. head on over to can find a good old-fashioned tavern, if you’re just wondering where you 617.266.4600. tremont647.com]. But Sister Sorel com], and don’t pass by the cozy 617.423.0069. beehiveboston. at sure to hit up the live music nights some evening entertainment? Make creative set. with a newfound appreciation for the sguild.com], you will always leave Guild studio events at the bostonsculptors.com] to the open [486 Harrison Ave. 617.482.7781. ton Sculptors Gallery from the exhibitions at the can be found in the SoWa district; You don’t want to miss out on all that the awesome art galleries in the area. tious bites, start taking advantage of you’ve ever had. some of the best egg sandwiches 617.247.8100. eatblunch.com] for and try bakery.com] or walk a couple blocks Washington St. 617.267.4300. flour at cious breakfast pastries and desserts wander. to place good a always is End South the people, eh, … and entertainment bars, restaurants, of selections diverse most the of one Offering ? S finder out The Beehive Flour Bakery & Café Looking to end your day with Once you’ve filled up on scrump Start off your day with the deli [450 Harrison Ave. sowaartist Blunch h En [645 Tremont St. [59 E. Springfield St. J.J. Foley’s Cafe [541 Tremont St. d So W (pictured) [1595 a Bos A rtists -

"/34/. - - - - exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters MARY CHUNG Szechuan done spicy

EATS by Patrick Main

Mary Chung has been a stalwart in all, possibly the best dump- of the Central Square dining lings I’ve ever encountered. scene for nearly 30 years (albeit, Appetites whetted, we move not at this location). Their fresh on to the entrées. Chung’s spicy Szechuan cuisine has long fu- bean curd (along with what eled MIT students and faculty, we’re discovering about most of and the Kendall/Central corridor. their menu items) is a scorcher. Who knows how many untold The tofu, while not the texture numbers of scientific and bio- of typical chmidt tech breakthroughs have been S made over their spicy treats? The place is unassum- hristopher ing, both inside and C out, with a simple won’t pretend to be able brick façade and lit MARY CHUNG RESTAURANT to judge the “authentic- 460 MASS. AVE., CENTRAL SQ., sign, and typical ity” of the place (which, CAMBRIDGE Chinese-food- to me, always seemed 617.864.1991 joint banquettes like a bizarre metric to SUN-THU 11:30AM-10PM, and tables scat- judge food by, anyway. FRI-SAT 11:30AM-11PM, CLOSED tered around a There’s lots of native TUESDAYs long single dining cuisine that’s authenti- room. As my date cally bad). It is, however, and I were walking definitely not your typical in, a sign noting that Americanized crab rangoon only cash is accepted forces and fried rice joint. Under an a quick turnaround to hit the unassuming shell, Mary Chung ATM. Once properly equipped, shines through with good ser- we’re quickly seated and ready pan-fried offerings elsewhere, also off of their house specialties vice and excellent food. to go. is softer (silken, perhaps) and list: the Dun Dun Noodles with Starting off, we tried the mixes well with its hot sauce. Shredded Chicken. The bed of Suan La Chow Show, somewhat The pork, while making the dish noodles are a little thicker than confusingly listed in the soup non-vegetarian, is not overpow- a typical lo mein noodle, but in section of the menu, as it is ering and comes thinly sliced. that same family, topped with dumplings in a spicy soy ginger We also tried a close relative, the a spicy mix of bean sprouts, sauce with bean sprouts. The Ma Paw Tou Fu—spicy bean curd peanuts and chicken. As with all dumplings themselves are heav- with pork—but recommend the other dishes, the heat comes phenomenal enly—pork filled and perfectly the former. The vegetables offer right up to the edge of “too added to the regular rotation cooked with a nice soft texture. a needed variance to the dish much,” but never goes over. solid cuisine, presentation and taste The bean sprouts offer a crunchy as the Ma Paw Tou Fu is a little Not having spent any average compliment and the dark sauce bland on its own. real time in Asia (36 hours in meh adds a good amount of heat. All The third dish we tried was Singapore not withstanding), I

01 28 09 – 02 04 09 617-247-8516 WEEKLYDIG.C0M 10 240A Newbury Street, Boston corner of Newbury and Fairﬁ eld Streets 617-536-2626 WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN Dirty, meet dry Dirty,meet R VISIT LUPECBOSTON.COM FOR THE GREAT MARTINI TASTE TEST. a lemon twist if not. olive if you’re recovering from vodkatini dirty madness; Stir ingredients over ice in a mixing glass. Garnish with an Add 2 dashes orange bitters gin2 parts (also dry) French1 part (dry) vermouth DRY MARTINI COCKTAIL Cin-cin! glass ofvodka. when youthe olive from pouredthe brine jarinto half your big has aslightly savory quality. you may bewhat It were lookingfor a lovely match. Andwhenmixed in “vintage” ratios,the beverage mixes withvodka. it clumsily that Ginandvermouth, however, are PratNoilly the in fridge. optimal freshness and preservation, stickthat brand new bottle of “disgusting.” For bad goes bad, and indeed, erly stored vermouth few years. Improp begrudgingly every to be employed theof liquor cabinet, the dusty back corner drinkers store it: in way modernmost reputation liesthe in vermouth’s bad bad, was it? ish—that wasn’t so slightly bitter fin Floral, mild, with a glasstake and a sip. pour yourself a small bottle of Prat,Noilly spices. It’s nothing more. After you’ve spent your $5 or so on a fresh Vermouth is really fortifiedjust wine, aromatized with herbs and toup a bottle of dry vermouth, andtry using2) in it a gin martini. down. it choking facilitate to attempt an clearly is glass the to possible as brine olive much as Adding cheating. it is dirty” “extra liquor. Ordering clear of glass lu Another contributing factorto vermouth’s badreputation is Part of thisIf is your standard drink order, I challenge youto 1) cozy p eco vermouthtastes ec

P I N friends—a martini without vermouth is just a big big a just is vermouth without martini friends—a n All too often when broaching the topic of ver of topic the broaching when often too All K LAD dry, as dry as possible please.” I’ve got news, got please.” I’ve possible as dry,dry as stuff’s shudder: That “Vermouth? people mouth, disgusting. I like my martini without it: extra it:extra without martini my like I disgusting. - - sider Vermou sider Y t - h

11 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters Winter Warmers Take the chill out of New England

the second glass by Tyler Balliet

Sporting a parka may be helpful for braving Everest ascents, Arctic explorations and waiting for the D Line after sundown, but we at The Second Glass believe the best way to fight the cold is from the inside, out.

Carmenère TanNat We’ve been singing the praises Tannat originated in southwest- of Chilean Carmenère all ern France’s Basque region and winter. This is a grape that is of those WTF grapes most originated in France’s Bordeaux people never knew existed. In region, but didn’t make it to the late 19th century, a Basque the cool kids’ table until it settler brought this grape to moved to South America. These Uruguay, and it’s found a bit wines drink like an earthy Mer- of a new home in this up- lot, which means they’re silky and-coming wine region. The and have bright fruit along wines are big and characteristi- with a slightly rough flavor that cally full of mega tannins—that makes them oh-so-good when gritty, pinch-in-your-cheeks sen- it’s colder than crap out. sation. When made well, this is a perfect wine for washing down We suggest the 2007 Terra An- steak or other grilled meats and dina Carmenère from Chile. will definitely keep the winter [Available by special order for chills away. $9 at the Wine Bottega, 341 Ha- nover St., Boston. 617.227.6607] We suggest the 2006 Vinedo de los Vientos Tannat from Atlántida, Uruguay. [Available South African for $16 at Bin Ends, 236 Wood Rd., Cabernet Sauvignon Braintree. 781.817.1212. Grapes were planted in South binendswine.com] Africa over 350 years ago, but it took until the last few years for them to start gaining popular- Zinfandel ity. Best known for wines like DO NOT confuse these big, Chenin Blanc and the native jammy, sucker-punch-you- Pinotage, South Africa now has in-the-face wines with their over 60 designated appella- distant cousin, White Zinfandel. tions. The Cabernets are most “Real Zinfandel” is an ink- similar to Aussie wines with black, big-bodied, fruit-laden big, juicy fruit flavors and a bit wine that is produced all over of smokiness that makes them California but thrives in arid, the perfect accompaniment to desert-like Paso Robles. Located grilled anything. With a slightly halfway between LA and San higher alcohol content, these Francisco, this region is an en- wines will get you where you terprising superstar producing need to be this winter. fabulous wines at reasonable prices. If this stuff doesn’t keep We suggest the 2007 Graham you warm, nothing will. 01 Beck Gamekeeper’s Reserve 28 09 Cabernet Savignon from South We suggest the 2006 Peachy – 02 Africa. [Available for $24 at The Canyon Incredible Red Zinfandel 04 09 Savant Project, 1625 Tremont St., from Paso Robles. [Available Boston. 617.566.5958. for $11 at Blanchards Wine & thesavantproject.com] Spirits, 741 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. 617.522.9300. blanchardsliquor.com] WEEKLYDIG.C0M 12 JOIN US FOR OUR WINTER WARMERS CRASH COURSE AT DOWNTOWN WINE & SPIRITS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28th, FROM 7PM-8PM. TICKETS ARE $15 OR TWO FOR $20 AT THESECONDGLASS.COM. Grafton StreetPub&Grill 1230 Mass. Ave •Harvard Square Food. Drink. Nightlife. graftonstreetcambridge.com •617.497.0400 1

3 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters John Barleycorn Barleywine-Style Ale No, we’re not reviewing a wine

BEERADVOCATE.COM BY JASON + TODD ALSTRöm

Despite its name, standing on its own in the beer Final Thoughts the Barleywine cooler … we had to scoop it up John Barleycorn Barleywine- is indeed a beer and drink it for your reading Style Ale currently scores a B+ but at wine enjoyment—and hopefully, our on BeerAdvocate.com, with over strength—ranging drinking enjoyment. 175 reviews. We’ll have to lean as low as 7-percent alcohol by toward a C+. It’s decent, and cer- volume in British versions and The Taste tainly a strong beer, but both the upwards of 15 percent in Ameri- Out of the 12-ounce brown, malt and hop profiles seem to be can interpretations. The focus twist-off stubby, this brew lacking some depth and defini- is traditionally on big malts, pours a thick, dark copper with tion, resulting in flavors that are though American brewers tend rich ruby hues and an impres- quick lived and fall flat. As with to hop them up, which provides sive two-finger, off-white, many of the reviewers, we agree even more diversity and inter- creamy head and sticky lacing. that this one is too boozy. esting flavors across the board. Up front, the nose is subtly Our bottle hails from the As for this week, we’re teased with herbal and raisin 2008 winter release and was digging into John Bar- leycorn Barleywine- Style Ale (say that 10 times fast) brewed out Blue Lake, Calif., by Mad River Brewing Company—the same brewery that brings us the Steelhead and Jamaica brands. It’s a winter seasonal brewed to hon- notes and ripe, fruity esters. purchased at Whole Foods or the harvest (maybe in Cali, Firm, full bodied and creamy Market in Cambridge—the one but not Mass.) and holidays, in on the palate. Semi-sharp bit- on River Street that actually limited 10-barrel batches with terness followed by softer leaf sells alcohol; damn our puritan blick Massachusetts laws. We’re Pu H certified organic barley malt. and resin hop flavors. A smooth o The labels, going back to 1991, maltiness coats the tongue pretty confident that you can e u s h e were created by a local artist with some sweet caramel, find some still lingering on the T using a style that’s a “folksy brown sugar and soft toasty/ shelves of many of the area’s woodcut based on the tale of bready notes. Overripe stone finer beer stores. Eat Drink John Barleycorn in verse”—ac- fruits, esters and a grape-like cording to their website. back. Then, it’s all gone. Warm- FOR MORE INFO: Good Better Personally, we love the ing and peppery alcohol pricks MADRIVERBREWING.COM b Barleywine style. There are the palate, with a very strong, For more beer information: Food. e n e e Beer. hundreds of examples, probably solvent-like presence. A bit BEERADVOCATE.COM r h b c thousands, in the world, but it biscuity toward the end with ar kit seems like many are extremely an astringent hop finish and RESPECT BEER. limited and hard to find on a alcohol on the breath. regular, year-round basis. So when we spotted this little gem

01 BEER EVENTs 28 09 – 02 04 held throughout the event with all proceeds going 09 Super Bowl Fundraiser for MS Feb 1 to charity. There’s even a chance to win a special Looking for a cool way to spend Super Bowl Extreme Beer Fest package! Sunday? Join Roadhouse Craft Beer & BBQ, Al- And if that’s not enough, Allagash will have four lagash Brewing Company and BeerAdvocate as we to five specialty beers on tap, plus tons of special team up to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis guest brews—like a firkin of Boulder’s Mojo Risin’, Wa-

WEEKLYDIG.C0M department at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. The chusett West Coast IPA and more! Stump Trivia will be 14 cover ($20) goes to charity (and toward all-you-can- doing pregame beer and football trivia, and of course, eat pork ribs). Charity football squares ($50) are on the game will be on every damn TV in the house. The sale now (call to get yours in before they’re gone), fun starts at 5pm. Tell your friends. Be there. with a chance to win each quarter. A massive silent [Roadhouse, 1700 Beacon St., Brookline. auction (lots of rare and beery items, too) will be 617.487.4289. 5pm/$20] 1

5 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters dig this chris williams

wednesday 1.28–saturday 1.31 thursday 1.29 thursday 1.29 tragedy made light you could be dancing fake films, real life The Year of Magical Thinking Elements: 10-Year Anniversary Hunting for Pheasants closing weekend If you haven’t been to Elements, New York’s Christian Tomaszewski Joan Didion penned this play well, we’d be shocked, frankly. has more ambition than you. His (based on her memoir of the Considering it’s been going weekly installation, expanded from a similar same name) after her newly for 10 years in Central Square, and show in Köln, Germany, uses no 01 married daughter went into septic the wealth of talent that has come fewer than 60 movie posters—for 28 09 shock (and later, a coma) and through their doors, and the very movies that don’t even exist. He – 02 her husband of 40 years, novelist devoted following they’ve garnered, then builds a knee-high maze 04 09 John Gregory Dunne, died. The how you couldn’t have ended up for visitors to navigate their way Year of Magical Thinking is about there is beyond us. Make it happen through these abstracted cultural the suspension of disbelief (and for their tin celebration this week touchstones. The experience is very grief) and coming to terms with with resident DJs Crook, Lenore and much like going through our daily mortality and, ultimately, one’s a mess of visuals. post-modern world. The reception sense of loss. is tonight. [Phoenix Landing, 512 Mass. WEEKLYDIG.C0M [Lyric Stage Company of Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. [Tufts University Koppelman Art 16 Boston, 140 Clarendon St., 617.576.6260. 10pm/19+/$5. Gallery, 40R Talbot Ave., Medford. Boston. 617.585.5678. Wed & Thu myspace.com/phoenixlanding] 617.627.3518. 5:30pm/free. Until 7:30pm; Sat 4pm & 8pm/$41- 3.29.09. ase.tufts.edu] $54. lyricstage.com] adv, $20dos. mideastclub.com] 617.864.3278. 7pm/allages/$17 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. [ weekend, Bloodfitsthebill. a spectaclebeyond reproach this visiting America. Ifyou’re upfor and thisrepresents theirlasttime tured inthe anime conventions andbeenfea wrecking machine. They’ve played formed intoagothic, industrialized costumes—the group soontrans extravagant hairandimmaculate which involves bizarre make-up, out ofthetradition ofvisualkei— There isnoband like Blood. Born Blood industrial lolitagoth sunday 2.1 Middle EastDownstairs Gothic &LolitaBible ,

480 - , - dents &members. coolidge.org] 617.734.2500. 7pm/$9, $7stu 290 Harvard St., Brookline. [ out ofthisboring-ass holiday. probably thebestthingtocome saccharine sentimentality, and life? It’s arom comwithoutthe himthemeaningof also teaches the sameday over andover, and continuum thatforces himtolive inthespace-time kind ofglitch ing hisclassicfrown through some Punxsutawney Phil’s bigday, pout ray plays a weatherman covering trippy comedy, inwhich BillMur How outthis couldyou notcheck Groundhog Day days-long déjàvu monday 2.2 Coolidge Corner Theatre , - - - free. brooklinebooksmith.com] St., Brookline. 617.566.6660. 7pm/ [ about hyphenated phrases? brevity is best. My question: What Fershleiser for their ideas on why co-editors Larry Smith and Rachel mists meet at sex party. Marry.” Join you want for dinner?” and “Monoga takes on relationships, e.g., “What do Gilbert) and otherwise offer six-word both famous (Dan Savage, Elizabeth ishing attention spans, contributors point. Playing into our ever-dimin memoir” phenom has hit the tipping SMITH This book erases any doubt that Heartbreak Six-Word Memoirs onLove and haiku 3.0 tuesday 2.3 Brookline Booksmith Magazine’s “six-word , 279 Harvard - - Perispirit $8adv/$9dos 8:30 Doors Protean Collective $9adv/$10dos Da Green Team Hosted by Edo.G, Release), special guest stars Robin and the Boom Boom Band, Reddy SiSen AllAges$17adv/$20dos Mr. Sister, Elijah Wyman (fr. NC), People Orchestra $8adv/$9dos Grinding Tapes Showcase with DJ On&On of 94.5’s Launchpad Nora Dane of NOTSOB, Grimey Bloodwitch (feat.membersof Music by DJ On&On from 94.5’s The BrightHours,St.Helena, Corolla DeVille, Willie Alexander Bruce, Pat G, and more! Music Aziz Ansari,GlowintheDark Sera delFuego$8adv/$9dos Mynestate Militia, Vice Versah, Tour withspecialguest Dan Kid:Nap:Kin, Supervolcano, Intransitive presents Thurston Seemless) $18adv/$20DOS Justin Shorey (CDRelease) Leedz Edutainment presents Blood (fr. Japan,final tour), Teddy (“Loud and Clear” CD The Points North, The Earth Leedz Edutainment presents Lane & the Chartbusters $12 Nightmare ofYou, Almost Launchpad $17adv/$20dos M.O.P., M-Dot, Heddshotts, Gee.Ko (CD Release Party) Echostream, GPKism,DJ featuring Infamous Lazy K, by Emoh Betta, Hosted by Do The Campbell Apartment, Moore & Mats Gustaffson, The Shills(CDRelease), MassConcerts presents Powerman 5000,Resin, Gold, Vinyl Skyway$10 Gold, Vinyl Derek LeeBronston $9 Boulger AllAges$15 Sickness, Ashley Paul, Fluttr Effect, Copal, Upstairs Heather Greene, $10adv/$13dos Muy Cansado, $9adv/$10dos W Wed 1/28 Mon 2/2 Wed 2/4 t t Mon 2/2 t s s s Fri 1/30 Fri 1/30 s hu 1/29 hu 1/29 ue 2/3 at 1/31 at 1/31 un 2/1 nstairs un 2/1 17 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters Wednesday, Jan 28 Monday, Feb 2 funk FREE PIZZA - 2 ADAM 12 8:30 PM (21+) TEAM TRIVIA Thursday, Jan 29 starts 8:30 rock AJ EDWARDS Tuesday, Feb 3 Sarah Levecque folk NY Songwriters Circle Friday, Jan 30 John Schmitt,Byron Zanos & more blues MATT STUBBS Wednesday, Feb 4 BAND blues/rock w/ Sax Gordon DAMON REEVES

Saturday, Jan 31 upcoming shows: roots rock 2/5-Grateful Dread 01 28 SARAH BORGES 2/6-Milo Z 09 – Christian McNeill 2/7-James Montgomery 02 04 2/8-Bloco Afrobrazil 09 Sunday, Feb 1 2/10-Coryell,Auger Jazz Brunch w/ music & Sample 9:00 -2:30 PM 2/11-McDades Blues Jam 4:30-8:30 2/12-Chick Singer Night 2/13-Chandler Travis WEEKLYDIG.C0M 18 17 Holland St., Davis Sq. Somerville (617) 776-2004 Directly on T Red Line at Davis

www.johnnyds.com

wed 1.28 That giant soundissome sucking 7pm/free. matthewritchie.com] Center, Cambridge. 617.452.2302. together.mind back [7Cambridge rest ofthenightpiecingyour little Broad Center some wondrous stuff. Seekout Matthew Ritchie, witswith visual artist matching Dessner Bryce With musical adventurers like conversion ofplaceintolanguage.” itself as “an openingofspace, a Biennall the toastof 58-speaker installationthatwas serious mindscollaborating ona arts arts&entertainment e . Darkness Visible andplantospendthe and Venice Architecture it’ll surely be Evan Ziporyn describes MIT’s music

& |?uestlove gets down with antibalas daily digcalendar Beyond the Fluff and Fold and Fluff the Beyond T-SHIRTS GRAPHIC hours Tue-Fri/12pm-6pm, Sat/12pm-5pm. aiboston.edu] Hall, 1815Mass. Ave., Sq., Porter Cambridge. 617.585.6656. Gallery 5:30pm-7:30pm/free. The InstituteofBoston,Art GalleryatUniversity [ handed out free booze while we shopped. ters brought down their prices, started making meaningful clothes—and be a party. All the artists are planning to attend. It’ll be as if Urban Outfit Dan Rollman have many delicious T-shirt surprises for us. nose. In addition to these, Ben Colebrook, Burtonwood & Holmes, and Robot with his famous characters on them, like the robot from member of Boston artist group theMiracle5, will be contributing T-shirts They are also intended for use. Dave Ortega, a local comic book hero and bags. The paper towels will be in rolls for guests to rip off and purchase. diums that are frequently used, like toilet paper, paper towels and hand one of the backbones of this show.” J. Morrison has screen prints on me fied to say “Insecurity.” security T-shirt with the white letters that normally read “Security” modi most clearly in canvases, thework “turns thestreets intoagallery,” asMroczek says. still considering themaspecialartifact.” Oncepeoplebuyandwear the and stretching andpulling,” says curator Andrew Mroczek, “yet they’re “These are essentially artists begging for coffee stainsandlaundering to take flashphotos, thesepiecesare created tobeusedandloved. them ataffordable prices. While inmostgalleries we’re noteven allowed has requested thatseveral make fineartists pieceson andsell T-shirts poorest kidintheroom. AIB’s upcoming Now we canfinally openingnot go homefrom anart feelinglike the Beyond theFluff &Fold entertainment Aaron Krach hopes his “art shows things unseen.” This comes across . His work is exceptionally funny and compositionally right on the Insecurity, | ART INSTITUTE OF BOSTON

“In terms of conceptual art,” Mroczek says, “he’s , until2.28.09. Openingreception Fri 1.29.09, a moving photograph of a large man in a black Sometimes agood flyer isbetter greatscottboston.com] Allston. 617.566.9014. 9pm/18+/$9. swoony stuff. [1222Comm. Ave., out Check “Number One” for some coolly played instrumental jam-pops. theelegantis worth designof White Mountains with our eyeballs. Ofcourse, thebilling, wallpaper, we admititgrabbed of amountedbearheadonsome the interwebz, featuring acartoon the than agood press release. When movies a Marlborough outfit thatmakes early for the Kentucky’s poste Beyond andFold theFluff Arms &Sleepers MAX [NISHA | liam neeson gets |liam neeson taken r for thisshow cameover Ben Sears White Mountains WE and The Flaming

The opening will LL] , Henry Gale Henry Baltic Sea . Getthere more >>20 more show , , - - ,

- - comedy we found singer Bryan Murphy to chat with us. tunes. On the heels of their second full-length, live treasure since 2004, with jolting precision and frantic Part angular prog, part Weezer, The Shills have been a By Br T 9pm/18+/$9 adv, $10 dos. mideastclub.com] 472 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.3278. DID YOU GUYS CATCH BANG CAMARO ON you haven’t seen since middle school. when you get that sad friend request from some dingbat days and Facebook is great for the lonely. As you all know I don’t think so, no. I think people are SUPER lonely these LOT OF BANDS ARE BITCHING. IS MYSPACE DOWN GOING THE FORTUBES BANDS? A enthusiasm. in the studio on this one, and it’s given us new goals and our other discs. We all got to know who we really were has crazy themes, shifting genres and it flows better than It’s the most conglomerate thing we have yet recorded. It WHAT MAKES YOUR NEW DISC BETTER THAN YOUR LAST? and grace. 10 years of bro-ness. He tries, but alas, is devoid of tact everything, and he’s got a little jealousy worked up after He has to live up to our other guitarist, Dave, who knows WAS ME IN SLAPPING FACE.THE WHAT’S DEAL? HIS YOUR GUITAR PLAYER ERIC’S “CURE” FOR MY HICCUPS Thus, TheShills. music masqueradingascatchyrockfor, like, 200people. nerd musicfor 10people,whenIcouldbeplayingnerd I’m anenormousmusicnerdandIwas sickofplaying WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU SHILLING? and Justin Shorey. Fri 1.30.09. Middle East Upstairs, [ FOR MORE FROM THE SHILLS, HEAD TO WEEKLYDIG.COM. IMPOSSIBLE. month. We’ll be as cool as them soon. is pretty fucking badass though. We’re going for 12 this Network, cartoons and sports news. Twenty guys onstage I didn’t, but I don’t watch much TV other than the Food Shills DE h F e Shills E |azizonemail ian N CD release show, with Kid:Nap:Kin, Supervolcano D

Y E OU . K in R S g E L f !

CONAN Ganymede

? , 19 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters ?UESTLOVE Ahmir Thompson on the phone from Seoul, South Korea

INTERVIEW BY ISABELLE DAVIS

Drummer, producer, DJ and music buff Aw yeah, right there. extraordinaire (he owns every episode Beat that shit like it of Soul Train and has a vinyl collection owes you money! The drum, that is. that rivals most), Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson has been the musical director and leader of the legendary Roots crew for over 20 years now. Here, we THE ROOTS VS. ANTIBALAS discuss Antibalas stalking, the musical THURSDAY 1.29.09 THE ROXY Fela! and the Roots’ new gig as Jimmy 279 TREMONT ST., BOSTON Fallon’s house band. 617.338.7699 8PM/18+/$15 CONGRATULATIONS ON LATE NIGHT WITH REDBULLSOUNDCLASH.COM JIMMY FALLON. HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT? It was right up our alley. We’ve been doing this for 17 years and there’s but so much you can see and travel in the world. From 1992 on, every year. We wanted to slow down our schedule but not necessarily take a monetary CAN YOU SPILL ANY OF THE GOSSIP? SO LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS SOUND CLASH. dip. We tour to survive, so we can’t just stay Absolutely not. But this lineup will kick ass. HAVE YOU GUYS PLAYED WITH ANTIBALAS home or else we’d be in the poor house. The That’s all I can say. This lineup will absolutely BEFORE? best thing about it is I can finally devote a lot kick ass. I actually suggested we pull back a I’m probably the world’s biggest Antibalas of hours to being in the studio. We’re going little bit because the lineup’s so damn good stalker. I’ve always been a fan of theirs, but to keep the weekends open to do one-off that I don’t know how we can top it next year. I didn’t start my stalking mission prob- gigs. I mean, we’re retired from touring, but ably until they became the house band for we’ll still do as many weekend gigs as pos- KUDOS ON THE GRAMMY NODS FOR AL the Fela! musical. I still dream of that shit. sible. Can’t get totally rusty. GREEN’S LAY IT DOWN. That’s probably the best entertainment. Thank you. I promised him that he’d get one People ask me, “What’s your favorite concert ARE YOU GUYS GONNA BE IN ANY OF THE BITS? Grammy nomination, not four. I’m happy that you’ve been to?” I’d probably have to Oh, yeah. I told Fallon instantly, like, anytime that we got nominated for engineering. say the seven or eight times I’ve seen that. you come up with any “Year 2000”-esque To me, it’s just perfect … they’re just so skits, I’m singing that shit. DO YOU MIND COMMENTING AT ALL ON THE airtight. They do it with such ease and such RECENT BUZZ THAT D’ANGELO’S JAMES RIVER quietness. The hardest thing in the world is ARE YOU DOING ANOTHER ROOTS PICNIC IS COMING OUT SOON? to play quiet and be airtight. THIS SUMMER? He’s not calling it James River, and in a pleas- Yes, we are. And this time I promise it’s gonna ant surprise, I’m one of the last elements to FOR ISABELLE’S COMPLETE INTERVIEW WITH be an actual picnic. We’re new at this festi- be added. Which basically means he’s at least ?UESTLOVE, HEAD TO WEEKLYDIG.COM. val-throwing thing. more than halfway done, which in D’Angelo speak is a miracle.

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punk and fashioned from the from the Obama Administration Viva, and Great Scott might thu 1.29 resurrected Dead Boys, get on Middle East Policy?” at actually run out of beer tonight. God bless the Cantab Lounge. ready to stomp along with their Harvard. [Belfer Center [1222 Comm. Ave., Allston. The Central Square institution razor-saw backbeat. [738 Mass. Library, 79 JFK St., Cambridge. 617.566.9014. 9pm/21+/$5. is humming along, over course, Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.496.1981. 12:15pm/free. greatscottboston.com] jamming their small space with 617.354.2685. 8pm/21+/$7. belfercenter.org] great roots and soul sounds. cantab-lounge.com] Edward Monovich’s suburban themes and cultural collage 01 Red Invasion is one noisy 28 come to Space 242 for Final 09 beast, however. Born from the If you want an in-depth look – Friday along with Kristen Mills’ 02 spittled mold of CBGB at President Obama’s probable 04 contemplations on privacy 09 Middle East strategy and the in pastel. Work from House ways it converges and differs fri 1.30 of Blues Boston’s permanent from the Bush administration’s collection will be featured in tactics, quit searching for The last time we went to The the bar, a collection of Corey elegance in Chris Matthews’ Pill, we recorded an exit poll without having remembered Burtt’s shorts, Films That Hurt WEEKLYDIG.C0M hot air CNN sermons. Check Feelings, will be played in the we had exit polled someone. 20 out former State Department mini theater and Harpoon beer Combine that detail with analyst and congressional will be served. [242 E. Berkeley liz TX what we’ve told you about advisor Gregory Aftandilian’s St., Boston. 617.797.3191. 6pm- the drinking habits of Viva lecture, “What Can We Expect 8pm/21+/free. space242.com] 21 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters cd reviews local pick

For the current generation of clubnuts, Mr. Oizo (that’s “Wah- In the freaky-deaky realm of left-field hip-hop (El-P, Mike If I told you that on a new compilation of US dance zoh”) is what Tribe Called Quest was to the Native Tongues Ladd, k-the-i???), Dälek is one of the darkest and most music, Boston had no fewer than three representa- movement: an originator. Back in the day—that is, before strange. Under intense layers of noise and compression, tives, you might be hard-pressed to believe me. But on 2000—Oizo made a track, “Flat Beat,” which appeared in a MC Dälek spits old-school raps. Beyond a swirling, clanging Extraction, a compilation series that features new club famous Levi’s commercial, along with a puppet he made (“Flat soundfog, he preaches revolution on “Who Medgar Evers music, Marcel Wave (aka Tanner Ross), the inimitable Eric”). He took this success and made a series of club hits Was …” or, more straightforwardly, on “2012 (The Pillage).” Soul Clap and “Mr. Techno” Pat Fontes all rep our fair (known as “bangers”) like “Analog Worms Attack” and 2007’s It makes sense that Dälek comes from previous collabora- city. Turns out, the A&R of the label, Paulo Reachi, “Transsexual.” Oizo (Quentin Dupieux) is decidedly artistic in tions with Techno Animal and compilations on drone-lov- settled here from Argentina and found our scene quite his approach, never willing to commit too heavily to faddish ing Hydra Head; he occupies a world that only those most agreeable. Marcel Wave turns in “Kiwi Sunrise,” a typi- riffs, and Lambs Anger is a further example of that. Right from doomy care to tread. This fifth album has him teaming up cally deep and dubby delight, the Soul Clap guys glide the opening crunch of “Hun,” he doesn’t let up for 17 trepan- with producer okt0pus, with overdubs from cats named through space with “Astroturfing” and Fontes makes ning tracks, throwing humor, hard beats and harmonics under Destructo Swarmbots and Abandoned Language. Made in Martian microgrooves on “ill lillies.” Reachi does the his runaway technicolor school bus. [DAVID DAY] their new—and ridiculously equipped—Deadverse studio in rest, plumbing finds like SF technotopian Alland Byallo’s northern N.J., Gutter Tactics is not your father’s hip-hop. “Never Listen” and Brooklyn wack-job Crazy Larry. It’s [BRENT T. INGRAM] the sound of now. [ADA HUTCHINSON]

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In the Zeitgeist Stage important snapshot that straddles 8:30pm/18+/$8 adv, $9 dos. Company’s newest production, sat 1.31 sun 2.1 the distinct indie cinematic mideastclub.com] there are struggling method It may be that the best of New The Beatings are like the styles of the ’70s and the ’80s. actors; a blowhard director; a England’s brewing Americana internet: serious business. Definitely a must-see. [24 Quincy R. Crumb, the comic illustrator suicidal playwright; a take-from- shitstorm are the Wrong They’ve landed in nearly every St., Cambridge. 617.495.4700. of big-bottomed ladies and racist it-what-you-will title—Bad Reasons from Providence. press outlet in this great 3pm/$8. hcl.harvard.edu/hfa] imagery of Zap Comix and the Jazz; and imaginably, a fourth, They’re only one part of the nation of ours and are known cynical world of Harvey Pekar’s if not fifth, wall thrown in for Saturday night throwdown called coast-to-coast. The legends American Splendor, has good measure. The troupe, at Dark Holler Stomp & Musical have gone on hiatus, but co- a retrospective of his the Boston Center for the Arts Revue at the Midway Cafe, but founder E.R. has been busy as 40-plus years of work through February 21st, sets out their diesel-fueled Gun Club gets ever. Tonight at PA’s Lounge, at MassArt. However to discover how far one will go our knees bouncing with just a Eldridge Rodriguez will play you feel about Crumb for art’s sake. Meta-playacting on few strums. Plus, on the catchy more from this strident project. (if you’ve seen the opening night? Why the fuck not, “Who Makes the Knives,” Joe For serious anthems, check documentary about him, right? [Black Box, 539 Tremont Fletcher sings “to survive you out This Conspiracy Against you know he’s a shy and St., Boston. 617.933.8600. must steal” and “let’s snort up all Us, his full-length release on creepy motherfucker), 8pm/$20. bcaonline.org, this gunpowder and pray for the Midriff Records. Guy has no you can’t deny that his artwork zeitgeiststage.com] blazing heat.” That’s hardcore. end to his influences, nurtured mon 2.2 is honest and seminal, and his [3496 Washington St., Jamaica on everything from Bowie to Just because Thurston Moore attention to detail is almost Plain. 617.524.9038. 9pm/21+. Neutral Milk Hotel to feedback Happy Go Lucky is the story knows more about microsound absurd. [Stephen D. Paine midwaycafe.com] loops. It sounds intense because of Polly, a hyperactive, (perhaps than you doesn’t make him Gallery, 621 Huntington Ave., it is. [345 Somerville Ave., Union delusionally) optimistic more badass. Being in the Boston. 617.879.7333. Opens Sq., Somerville. 617.776.1557. schoolteacher in London. Tim and Eric are not back in coolest band on the planet, Mon 2.2.09, reception on Wed 18+/8:30pm/$7 for 21+, $10 It’s a turn of direction for town. They’re not playing two however, does. Tonight he 2.4.09 from 6pm-8pm. massart. for 18-20. paslounge.com] director Mike Leigh, known for shows at the Wilbur Theatre, detunes with Sweden’s Mats edu] more depressing fare, and a one of which is definitely Gustaffson on trumpet. Yes, turnaround for Dig staff as well, not sold out already. No way, In American Gigolo, Richard Gere 01 you guessed it, it’s the newest The subtitle for social scientist 28 09 since we infamous no how. [246 Tremont St., plays the title character, who’s Dalton Conley’s new book, – bill put together by Intransitive 02 cynics came to Boston. 617.931.2000. 7pm- accused of murder in the heat Elsewhere, U.S.A., pretty much 04 Recordings at the Middle 09 really enjoy Polly’s SOLD OUT, 9:45pm/$27. of late-’70s LA. The film boasts East Upstairs. In an interview sums this one up: How We Got world. And the thewilburtheatre.com, all the eye candy its setting with WZBC’s important Rare from the Company Man, Family film geeks at the timanderic.com] would suggest … the clothes, Frequency radio programme last Dinners, and the Affluent Society Brattle liked it enough pastel colors, Gere’s suntanned, year, opening act Ashley Paul to the Home Office, BlackBerry to screen it as part of hairless chest, but—and talked about how “interesting Moms, and Economic Anxiety. their (Some of) The Best here’s why it’s playing at the WEEKLYDIG.C0M bowed crotales and saxophones Not sure about that emphasis 22 of 2008 repertory series. Harvard Film Archive—it’s also sound together.” We looked it on BlackBerry moms, but we’ll [40 Brattle St., Cambridge. thought-provoking, following up too—they are those little take that up with Conley himself 617.876.6837. 4:30pm, the protagonist closely while rows of tuned cymbals. Sue at Brookline Booksmith. 7:00pm, 9:30pm/$7.50-$9.50. maintaining a distance from the us. [472 Mass. Ave., Central [279 Harvard St., Brookline. brattlefilm.org] passive character, and it’s an Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.3278. 617.566.6660. 7pm/free. /NLY!TWEEKLYDIGCOMGEAR $EVILGIRL0RODUCTS!VAILABLE $EVILGIRL%MBROIDERED+NIT(AT 23 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters TAKEN Action films are more fun with blinders

review BY DAVID WILDMAN | [email protected]

Movies can be so much fun when nobody gives a shit if they make sense. Cast Liam Neeson as a government-trained special ops killer à la That Bourne Guy, but make him a sweet family man that only murders in the name of his cute teen daughter; get French director Pierre Morel, who popular- ized parkour in the states with District 13; add screenwriter Luc Besson, responsible for nonsense like the Transporter movies, then release the thing to the American market in the no-pressure, post-Oscar dog days and just have a blast. The key element in making a movie like this enjoyable is that everybody involved has to be on board with the notion that the whole thing is completely preposterous. With Taken, there’s nothing to complicate or obstruct the simple streamlined premise: just interesting enough to keep our attention OMG, they totally broke my Neeson’s daughter is abducted and he will between the awesome explosions and gun- Bedazzler! WTF! kill anyone to get her back. We never see any fire. As Bryan Mills, Neeson is a likeable, stoic personal doubts or remorse for the huge guy, and he doesn’t come near the minimal stacks of bodies he has presumably piled up level of angst that someone like Bruce Willis TAKEN in his life, or that litter the streets of Paris shows in his Die Hard films (his last one using RATED | R by the time he’s done. There are never any a similar father-on-a-rampage premise). He’s OPENS | 1.30.09 consequences to any of his actions. There are more like a Schwarzenegger figure but with no back-story sequences to see what he was acting chops. He is efficient and minimally like before he became a robo-assassin. All clever, doggedly determined in his task, but we know is that he and his other hired-killer certainly not subtle or graceful—he even besides join up with his ex-military buddies buddies look back on those as their halcyon shoots his old friend’s wife in the arm just to and their rock star bodyguard business. days as they sit around quaffing brews, and show he means business. And finally, there is But that isn’t what matters. Although his only regret is that he didn’t spend more never a doubt he’s going to get the bad guy most of what happens is beyond plausi- time with his wife and daughter. and retrieve his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). ble—out-running a fast-moving car, taking Usually a film that leaves this many ques- His character is purely functional, and the on literal boatloads of thugs and icing them tions and relies on such one-dimensional same holds true of his snotty ex-wife, Lenore all, and so on—the stunts are great, the characters would signal my disdain, but Taken (Famke Janssen). The motivation to keep his action sequences thrilling and the pacing wears these deficiencies like badges of honor. family together is potent enough to drive the excellent … and when it comes down to it, Like any good action flick, the characters are story, but other than that, he has little to do that’s the point.

22 << from daily dig calendar

brooklinebooksmith.com] a World Without Poverty. [First with her student. Chat with Parish Church, 3 Church St., wed 2.4 her (in English) at Brookline tue 2.3 Cambridge. 617.661.1515. It’s reasonable to lament Booksmith. [279 Harvard St., 7pm/$5. harvard.com] the English language’s lack Brookline. 617.566.6660. 7pm/ As the global economy tanks, of lip-service to the concept free. brooklinebooksmith.com] governments are reluctantly 01 of love. In Japanese, “koi” 28 razing the skyscraping towers 09 describes a drama-free love – of extravagance and greed, and 02 favoring companionship over 04 reexamining their application 09 romance; when fueled by “élan,” of the world’s greatest power: the French sentiment becomes capitalism. Harvard Book Store something more passionate. hosts 2006 Nobel Peace Prize- Amélie Nothomb’s much- winner Muhammad Yunus for buzzed-about autobiographical a discussion on how to nudge novel, Tokyo Fiancée, tests these WEEKLYDIG.C0M the “invisible hand” over toward definitions via the story of a 24 the side of good—housing the young Belgian girl teaching homeless, feeding the hungry, French in Japan and falling saving the planet—the subject into [insert appropriate term] of Yunus’ new book, Creating /NLY!TWEEKLYDIGCOMGEAR $EVILGIRL0RODUCTS!VAILABLE $EVILGIRL%MBROIDERED"AG 25 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters dig that

Somebody done throwed [video game] CHRONO TRIGGER | NINTENDO DS away a perfectly good SQUARE-ENIX | 11.25.08 Mexican boy. Chrono Trigger’s been hailed as the pinnacle of role-playing games since debuting on the SNES in 1995. Reviewing it today is like tackling Citizen AZIZ ANSARI Kane, World War II or anything long held up as the WITH DAN BOULGER best of its respective shit. I was a Chrono Trigger THURSDAY 1.29.09 novice until this spiffed-up DS reissue, but it’s MIDDLE EAST DOWNSTAIRS quickly apparent that the mountainous acclaim is 480 MASS. AVE., CENTRAL SQ. well-deserved. Chrono Trigger is a fitting endpoint CAMBRIDGE for the classic 16-bit RPG, before animated cut 617.864.3278 scenes and voice-acting made an already bloated 8PM/ALL AGES/$15 genre even more self-indulgent. It deals in tradi- MIDEASTCLUB.COM tional genre clichés, but with a narrative sophistica- AZIZISBORED.TUMBLR.COM tion rare for its time. Elegant in its excess, complex photo by seth olenick but hardly convoluted, this DS reissue brings a classic back to life. [GARRETT MARTIN]

so I’ll probably do a little of it at [tv show] THE IT CROWD | SEASON 3 the show. The Human Giant film IFC | 2.3.09, 11PM is in the early stages of being For a show called The IT Crowd, there’s a refreshing written. I can’t say much about lack of pr0n. Instead, this British import relies on it at this stage. physical comedy and running gags, forcing its hap- less protagonists—lazy Irish Roy (Chris O’Dowd), CAN YOU ENJOY WATCHING OCD genius Moss (Richard Ayoade) and gullible Jen HUMAN GIANT SKETCHES NOW (Katherine Parkinson)—into increasingly bizarre THAT YOU’RE NOT WORKING situations, confounding them at every attempt to ON THE SHOW? AND, CAN YOU break from their loserish existence. Contempt for TELL ME ABOUT THE CREATION the staff of Reynholm Industries (standard phone OF THE “LIL’ 9/11” SKETCHES AND answer: “IT, did you try turning it off then on THE WILL ARNETT SEX TAPE, again?”) compounds contempt from the staff. You’ll AZIZ ANSARI WHICH ARE WIDELY REGARDED laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll experience gratuitous (BY ME) AS THE GODFATHER AND male-on-male spit-swapping. Best of all, the show Corresponds with us via the electronic THE GODFATHER II OF COMEDY never segues into sentimentality: The characters mailing system SKETCHES? are less good friends than misfits, bonded by their That’s very flattering. I do inability to bond with anyone else. [TANYA PAI] occasionally watch the old INTERVIEW BY ROB TURBOVSKY sketches and I’m very proud of [book] IS IT JUST ME OR IS EVERYTHING SHIT? | PAPERBACK the work we did on the show. GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING | 11.12.08 As far as those two in particu- This glossary of fads, trends and modern institutions lar—“Lil’ 9/11” was an idea Rob was written by the annoying new guy at work At only 25, Aziz Ansari has HOW ARE YOU? [Huebel], Jason [Woliner] and who doles out stupid joke after stupid joke until already co-created a sketch I’m good. I just had a delicious I joked about once before we you finally relent one day, pay him a laugh, then comedy show so good it makes apple. got the show and were making gradually fall under the spell of his dorky charm. MTV worth watching. Even if he [recurring sketch series] Shut- These nihilistic bastards see no point to nearly and the other lunatics involved ON THIS TOUR, YOU’RE DOING A terbugs on our own. When we anything (except their own indie pink-collar brand in Human Giant never did MIX OF TRADITIONAL COMEDY were working on Season 1, we of “keeping it real”), and should be writing jokes for Carson Daly. After going after a bunch of much- anything after the Will Arnett CLUBS AND, AT LEAST IN BOSTON, talked about it again and our overdue deserved targets though (e.g., delicatessen sex tape (look it up), it’d still A ROCK VENUE THAT’S MORE showrunner, Tom Gianas, was counters as supermarkets, Dubai, men’s magazine have been a remarkable run. ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERNATIVE really into it and said that had pullquotes), they finally got me on their entry for As it is, Ansari is just getting COMEDY. WHERE DO YOU THINK to be the next Shutterbugs. It’s Youtube spam. Here I thought I was the only one started: He has plum parts in YOUR COMEDY FITS IN? definitely one of my favorites. who noticed how brain-dead these people are. both the much-buzzed-about It’s been really fun doing The Will Arnett sex tape was Thanks, new guy! Amy Poehler sitcom and the different types of venues. It the idea of our showrunner Tom [JONATHAN DONALDSON] Gianas. He wrote a hilarious 01 upcoming Judd Apatow movie, worked out much better than 28 script and Arnett was such a 09 Funny People. Before he gets my original plan of performing – [dvd] WEEKLYDISS 02 too famous to perform in tiny exclusively at various Quiznos great improviser on set and 04 09 venues, Ansari will bring his locations across America. elevated it even more. I watch SWING VOTE | KEVIN COSTNER “Glow in the Dark” stand-up that sometimes and still can’t TOUCHSTONE | 1.13.09 tour (Kanye is a big fan) to the WHAT ABOUT SOME OF YOUR believe it aired on cable with The Kost, not content with shitting on the sacred Middle East, along with the FILM PROJECTS, LIKE FUNNY almost no major parts censored. mountains in the Black Hills or casting himself as ridiculously funny 2006 Boston PEOPLE AND THE RUMORED the savior of humanity, decided to take on the role Comedy Festival-winner Dan HUMAN GIANT FILM? WHEN DO YOU THINK AMERICA wherein he becomes the most important vote in the WEEKLYDIG.C0M Boulger. Aziz is apparently In Judd’s movie, I play Randy, a WILL BE READY TO ELECT ITS history of American democracy. As “Bud Johnson,” 26 already too famous and busy for young, super cocky, super vulgar FIRST IRONIC PRESIDENT? he’s forced to vote by his annoying daughter, and so forth (Dennis Hopper and Kelsey Grammer ap- phone interviews though, so we comedian, and that has been I’m sure there were some jack- parently needed to eat). Someone ought to hack off did this thing by email. very fun. I’ve been practicing ass hipsters that voted for Bush Kevvy’s ego and float it into space so we can live on some Randy material in my sets, ironically in 2000, right? it when the earth floods.[ DEBBIE DRISCOLL] WEE KL Y DISS 242 E C A P S

New England’ New

s Culture Magazine Culture s 27 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters ERRONANUS!

savage love BY DAN SAVAGE | [email protected]

Please settle a difference of phalloplasty “endows” an FTM woman who needs a vi- nomenon of Christian opinion that stumped our small with. Instead, he invested in a brator to get off, and for teens engaging in group at the coffee shop: Why high-quality, looks-like-a-prick, years I felt “defective.” unprotected anal sex do guys wear socks on their feet feels-like-a-sneaker strap-on. My husband didn’t in order to preserve in porn? I say it’s a tradition. My If your gay friends couldn’t exactly help at first, but their virginities.” After friends claim it is a foot-fetish come up with any of these an- he eventually asked me attending the Purity thing. My credibility rides on this, swers, SEI12E, you need smarter, to show him how I did Ball, Heather and Bill so thanks for answering. more insightful, more credible it. He wanted to try. saddlebacked all night -Socked In Denver gay friends. Bingo—the look on my because she’s saving face was all he needed; herself for marriage. Socks in porn a tradition? Longtime reader, first-time writer. he was a convert from Here’s why this Sorry, SID, but no. Socks on feet In last week’s column, there that moment on. definition is perfect: in porn—as opposed to socks was a letter from JON, a young, One of his issues Saddlebacking, like on cocks?—are like zits on butts just-out gay kid who is not with the vibrator, barebacking, involves in porn or track marks on arms ready for anal sex. Please excuse though, was the phal- one person riding up in porn. They’re incidental, not a question from a naïve but lic shape; he felt like on another’s backside. traditional. And unless someone well-meaning/curious straight it was replacing him. But in this case, it’s not licks socked feet or the socks guy … but what other kinds of Many men don’t like the bare-naked cock- are removed and used as gags, gay sex are there? Just hands- vibrators for that rea- in-ass that’s the most they’re not a “foot-fetish thing.” on and oral, kind of like what son. It’s bigger, harder, important feature So it appears that neither you us hetero folks do? Or are there and lasts longer—all of the ride, but the nor your friends have any cred- other things that would blow my of that can intimidate fact that the person ibility on porn attire, SID. plain-vanilla-sex mind? a guy. But you can buy being ridden has been -Dumb-Ass White Guy tiny vibrators that are saddled—thanks I was recently on an airplane just a couple of inches to the efforts of the seated next to a man talking on You mean straight people haven’t long, egg-shaped ones, Rick Warrens of this his cellphone. The man stated heard of ear-holin’ and nose- and butterfly-shaped world—with religious that he was “excited to use [his] bangin’ and socket-fuckin’ and ones. LIMP should hang-ups and serious new strap-on tonight!” It made piss-slittin’ and ann-coulterin’? visit his local adult-toy misconceptions about me wonder why and how a guy You gotta get out more, DAWG. shop with his wife and sex. Like the bareback- would use a strap-on. Wouldn’t Actually, there are no mys- pick out a silly one er who casually tosses he just use his own penis? When I terious gay sex acts, nothing that doesn’t compete. away his health—or glanced over at this guy, because that we can do that you can’t Bottom line: She has his partner’s health— I wasn’t sure how a man would do better. And there are things been brave enough to because he believes, use a strap-on, he told his caller we can’t do at all. We can call it share her needs with quite erroneously, he had to go as he was getting “boypussy” and “mangina” all you. Would you prefer of Mr. Obama’s gay supporters that “risky = sexy,” the “stink-eye” from me. I wasn’t we want, but two gay men aren’t it if she faked it for your entire were appalled. Though hardly a the saddlebacker offers up her disgusted, just curious because going to do vaginal intercourse marriage and quietly took care fire-breather by the standards ass because she believes, quite he acted like this was a normal as well as a hetero couple, and of herself in private? of Southern Baptists, Mr. War- erroneously, that she can get toy for guys, not to mention an lesbians who want to snowball -Nothing Beats A Good Buzz ren holds old-fashioned views fucked in the ass—vigorously, re- appropriate conversation to have have to resort to cream-cheese about homosexuality. Bloggers ligiously—and still be considered on an airplane. All my gay friends frosting cut with a little skim Thanks for sharing, NBAGB. lamented Mr. Obama’s ‘betrayal.’ a virgin on her wedding night. were stumped, too. I was wonder- milk. The only pronounced differ- Dan Savage, a gay columnist, I’ve set up a website—saddle- ing if you could solve this mystery. ence between gay and straight urged his readers to protest backing.com—to popularize the -Stink-Eye In 12E sex—besides the hotness—is SADDLEBACKING DEFINED: The by coining a new meaning for new definition. (Get to work, that most gay folks regard votes are in, the people have ‘Saddleback’—the name of Mr. Google bombers!) Spread the The most obvious answer: The “hands-on” and oral as “real sex,” spoken, our democratic ideals Warren’s church. Many of the URL far and wide, please, and strap-on was a late Christmas not as disappointing consola- are renewed. But first: Anyone suggestions were unprintable.” let’s get this term into common gift presented to him to be used tion prizes we’re handed when who picks up the January 24th is- Many of them were unprint- usage as quickly as possible. on him, not by him. A slightly “real” sex, i.e., fucking, isn’t in sue of the Economist—I pick it up able? Not true, Economites. I 01 28 less-obvious answer: Some the offing. every week for the “Page 3 Boy,” printed all of them right here DOWNLOAD DAN SAVAGE’S WEEK- 09 – in this space. So it’s not that the 02 small-dicked men—ones who Straight people—particularly sudoku puzzle and horoscopes— LY PODCAST, SAVAGE LOVECAST, 04 09 are not at all insecure—use straight men—would do well to will find this lead paragraph to suggestions themselves were EVERY TUESDAY AT THESTRANGER. strap-ons on partners who enjoy emulate queers in this regard. a story about Barack Obama’s unprintable—there’s not one COM/SAVAGE. a “filled-up” feeling from time to The more things you consider inauguration. single profanity in the lot—it’s time. The least obvious answer: “real” sex, and the more things “Any decision Barack Obama that you poofs just don’t have The man on the airplane was you consider hot sex, the more makes can cause a stir. He the balls to print them. That’s a female-to-male transsexual real, hot sex you’ll be having. invited Rick Warren, a popular very different. WEEKLYDIG.C0M who, like a lot of forward-think- pastor, to say a few words at his And now … without further 28 ing FTMs, declined to get an Dan, your advice to LIMP—the inauguration. The aim was to delay … the winning definition expensive phalloplasty during stroke conservative Christians, of “saddleback” … by a gaping man who was reluctant to use a on t

his transition and the pretty vibrator on/with his wife—was thereby fostering a warm feel- margin … definition number 5. ew N much nonfunctional penis a right on! I’m a 34-year-old ing of national unity. But some “Saddlebacking: the phe- Joe s L t e ul ed r c re U Ei all t

g asian htball | b y t man ed r | b y | all b Emil y tak y FL to ak y oshima e re S earch Single gay or bisexual men men bisexual or gay Single S Earn $25-$75forstudy! Earn interactive videos. several questionnaires andtheevaluationof session studywhichinvolvesthecompletionof Participants willbeaskedtoparticipateina2 and communication. the effects of alcohol on judgment, decisionbisexual making, men who are social drinkers forResearchers a study on at Boston University are seeking gay and tudy on for more information aboutthestudyoremail for more information Plea [email protected] S e call 617-353-0962 & communication alcohol u alcohol 21-50 years old wanted for for wanted old years 21-50 S e 29 exit poll crossword Comics savage love arts + entertainment dig this Eats + drinks department of commerce News + features Letters exit polls

CAROLINE RACHELLE EDITORIAL AS RIVER GODS CLOSES AFTER AN AFTERNOON managing editor Laura Dargus FOR THE NIGHT, 1.23.09 AT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, 1.25.09 music + arts editor David Day News + features editor Cara Bayles style editor/copy chief Courtney Cox contributors Jason & Todd Alström, Tyler Balliet, Joe Bernardi, Martín Caballero, Jennifer Cacicio, Jonathan Donaldson, Debbie Driscoll, Christian Holland, Ada Hutchinson, Brent T. Ingram, Brian E. King, Garrett Martin, Paul McMorrow, Bo Moore, Luke O’Neil, What do you like most about River Gods? What’d you do at the library? Jenna Scherer, Rob Turbovsky, Dave Wedge, David Wildman [drunk guy yelling] The lovely clientele. I was on the computer and then I borrowed some books. interns Jarrod Annis, Jennifer Choi, Some fantasy books. I was looking for anything to get my Alexandra Dednah, Alexandra Fletcher, The decorations are always cool. mind off some stuff. Meaghan Ford, Alexis Hauk, Nakia Hill, They had big bust of Obama a few days ago. Kind of like Kristen Humbert, Morgan Keenan, an Obama shrine. Like dragons? Miriam Laufer, Carly Lavoie, Lillian Ling, Tiffany Mah, Nisha Maxwell, Kate No, what I have here is I Was a Teenage Fairy and The Richi, Lauren Wiegan, Caitlin Wilson, That’s kind of odd. Importance of Being Married. It kind of got my attention. Ben Whelan, Victoria Zaleski Or kind of awesome! People are friendly in there … DESIGN What else was a part of the decorations? Hmmmm … I don’t know about that, but, yeah, friendly. There were Obama-tinis. creative director Tak Toyoshima It’s a great place for some quiet time. art director Taylor Seidler What’s in that? And now I am going to do a little shopping. Designer Scott Murry They are really good, just like Obama’s gonna be. interns Anthony O'Brien, Melissa Newman-Evans, Kavi Williams Where at? There are a lot of apples in it, and a sugar rim. Lord and Taylor’s. What’s not good about that? BUSINESS + ADVERTISING Ah, a little retail therapy. What are you looking for? I don’t know. sales manager Alex Lappin I don’t know. Senior Account Executive The morning. Graham Wilson Anything you need? account executives Marc Ellison, Not really. [laughs] But I’m going in there to look around J.R. Roach in there and see if I need anything. ADMINISTRATION

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