I know I've gushed before, but I have to gush again, "Ich liebe amazon". I just rec'd my latest shipment from amazon.de, the German counterpart to our stateside amazon.com. I picked up some new CDs, and some stuff to fill my back catalouge:

- Toktok vs. Soffy O. - Toktok vs. Soffy O.
- David Carretta - Le Catalogue Electronique
- Ural 13 Diktators - Techno is Dead
- The Hacker - The Next Step of New Wave
- Robots in Disguise - Robots in Disguise

Viel musikalischer Spaß!

So after all my planning and scheming, I hardly left the house this weekend. I didn't even go out Friday night. Maybe it was the fact that I decided to get up at 5 a.m. Saturday to go to the DWR sample sale in search of furniture goodness. And it paid off for me.

I snagged the sofa I've been lusting for 2 years now, the Eames Sofa Compact for an amazing 40% off. Sure, even at 40% it'll still put a Barcalounger-sized dent in your pocketbook, but I'm a happy customer with no buyer's remorse. It's gorgeous, in great shape ("smoke" color) and looks stunningly beautiful in the modernarium otherwise known as Casa de BitBoy.

This looks so fun! Thanks for the link, Riley.

Weekend plans? Glad you asked. Since the Soft Cell concert that was scheduled to play at the Warfield Friday night has been canceled for "unspecified reasons", we've had to rethink the evening's escapades. I believe the best entertainment will be found by first stopping by Rawhide for some 'ol skool sounds at New Wave City, then heading over to Club Fake around the witching hour to hear Tiga perform. See you there.

Booooo.

First there were sirens. Then I spotted the billowing thick brown smoke.



About 12:30 this afternoon, a terrible fire broke out in San Francisco's Mission district at approximately 17th and Guerrero St., and I watched it all happen. From the moment I heard the sirens, to the time the fire fighters finally put out the blaze, I sat in my office looking out my window, hoping nobody was hurt, and cringing from the knowledge that one or more of my fellow SF denizens would get a call with tragic news, or arrive home to find that "home" no longer existed. Luckily, according to SF Gate, no injuries were reported but over 20 residents were displaced as a result of the blaze.

I was able to snap some pictures, located here, and they’ll serve as a visceral reminder this holiday when I’m asked what I’m thankful for.

Michael at Burnlab posts:

The Electraglide festival at Makuhari Messe [where the Tokyo Motor Show is held] happens Friday, Dec. 13th and features Kraftwerk and Squarepusher. Kraftwerk and Squarepusher!

Any Tokyo Robots attending, please send me links to your pictures.

I’m still recovering from just a few too many Stoli Vanil and sodas (be careful what you wish for!) at my b-day celebration at Club Fake. Reuben from Ladytron put on a great set. Also, prior to Reuben going on, Kat put on a rockin set of her own (go girl), apparently you can hear her spin Thursdays at the Arrow Bar on 6th Street. As always, here are some pics from the night’s escapades.



To assist in my recovery, I had some chips to cash in thanks to Sarah’s generous gift of the “bliss” therapeutic massage package at Kabuki Hot Springs (heaven), then a much needed trip to Mani-Pedi to beautify the ‘ol digits. It felt so good, so necessary, I thought I just might purr. Thanks, Sarah.

One-one, two-two, three-three.
Don't forget to venture out this Friday to Club Fake to wish yours truly happy birthday. Oh yeah, and while you're at it, you'll be able to enjoy beats by Reuben from Ladytron. So come on out, and if you're buying there's no need to ask, a Stoli Vanil and soda is just dandy.

Oh no Pee-wee. I hope your defense isn't, "I know you are but what am I?".

SF Robots: Don't miss the opportunity to see the ultra-cool Brezel Göring and Françoise Cactus, collectively known as Stereo Total tomorrow night at Slim's. Guaranteed to be lots of fun.

Thinkblank is sponsoring their Secret Santa gift giving program again this holiday season. All you need to participate is an Amazon wishlist. You tell Santa a little about yourself and then on December the 10th you find out who you're buying a present for. Check it out here.

Sometimes a web site outshines the product it represents. Such is the case with Quicksilver Watches. Beautiful site. Ugly watches (besides model "S TRECK LED", which I sort of appreciate for it's retro appeal).

Speaking of web design, Macromedia's newly announced Contribute software looks pretty revolutionary. A simple, elegant way for designers to enable end users to manage their content. Rack up another hit for Macromedia.

And speaking of revolutionary things, check out Sharp's latest sheet computers. Microprocessor circuitry applied directly to a glass that will enable the production of futuristic ultra-thin 'sheet computers,' and 'sheet televisions. Cool.

If you weren't at Club Fake's Mount Sims performance on Friday, you missed out on big fun. Great tunes complimented by sexy choreography, x-rated corn dog consumption and even a speaker-headed dancer.



Don't fret though, if you did miss the show you can at least check out this multimedia slideshow complete with soundtrack (QuickTime required, 8MB).

If your're in San Francisco, don't miss with Mt. Sims tonight at Club Fake:

Mt. Sims
At the Cat Club
1190 Folsom at 8th
Doors open at 10pm.

Levi's RED has the latest Donald Graham photos online, which are also appearing in this month's PAPER magazine, including Ladytron, Princess Superstar and the girls from W.I.T.

Oooh. This looks fun.

Don't forget to head over to Justice League tonight to check out David and James (better known as UK electropop duo Swayzak).

Plus 4 additional live performances by Signer, Chessie, Nein Volt and Broker / Dealer. More info on the show can be found here.

Yet another stroke of genius for Target. First it was Starck, now Tar-jay and brings us an exclusive Memorex design reminiscent of the beautiful plastic telephones and radios produced by Japan’s National Panasonic in the 1970s.

The Videoball TV is not only a gorgeous compliment to your Kartell Plastic or Verner Panton interior, it's functional with all the necessary inputs and remote control, and affordable at under $120.

Speaking of Peaches, see her raunchy new video for "Set it Off" here.

Mike, whom I briefly met at Sunday night's electroclash concert has a great account of his experience there. Go Mike!

For your Halloween viewing pleasure, bat.

I think I've finally recovered from the weekend's electroclash fun and festivities (I know, I know, for some of you this is all old news, but cut us left coasters some slack - it's new to us).

Anyhow, I had a great time, and met some really nice people including Tommie Sunshine, Melissa from W.I.T. and Peaches. Everyone was super friendly and seemed to be enjoying their time in San Francisco. By Sunday night, the energy that had built up all weekend finally exploded in an charged performance by W.I.T., Chicks on Speed and Peaches at the legendary Fillmore. Not surprisingly, S.F.'s electro-starved masses ate it up and clamored for more. Hopefully the success of this sold-out festival will spur more interest in live electro performances here in the city. Until then, we'll continue to rely on performers like Cybrid, and events by Club Fake to keep the scene in motion.



I snapped lots of pictures, some of which are posted here, be patient while the photos load (1MB).

More F.A. Porsche designed VPR Matrix images.

Unlikely bedfellows, perhaps, but Porsche design has teamed up with retailer Best Buy to offer what looks like one heck of a sweet Windows notebook computer. Look out VAIO, there's a Porsche in your rear view mirror.

Inquiring electro minds want to know what's going on for the next two weeks in San Francisco, and as usual, we've got a full agenda for faithful robots:

Friday, 10.25.02
Club Fake @ Cat Club
1190 Folsom Street
(between 7th and 8th)
DJ Unknown (of Fischerspooner fame)

Saturday 10.26.02
Terry Lee and Tommie Sunshine
111 Minna St. Gallery

Sunday 10.27.02
Electroclash
The Fillmore
Electroclash featuring Peaches, Chicks on Speed, W.I.T. (Whatever it Takes), Tracy & The Plastics and Larry Tee

Sunday 11.02.02
Swayzak
Justice League
(Divisadero @ Hayes Street)

I'm still looking for an electro event to attend on Halloween, so e-mail me with your suggestions.

SF Denizens, don't forget, Electroclash is coming to the Fillmore on Sunday, October 27th. This is one of the rare instances to relish in what has been going on on the right coast over the past two years. Featuring Peaches, Chicks on Speed, W.I.T. (Whatever it Takes), Tracy & The Plastics, Larry Tee, it's sure to be San Francisco's electro event of the year!

2002 Depeche Mode Convention – Sunday, October 13 – 7pm-1:01am at The Palace, 1735 N Vine Street, Hollywood. Cover bands, DJs and ultra rare videos, courtesy of Chad Clark.

Hacker by Anthony Rother is seriously rocking my world right now. I love it!

I've officially started my Japanese lessons at Soko Gakuen, a private Japanese language school here in San Francisco. Incidentally, "Soko" means San Francisco. The spoken text is coming along nicely, but the written text is taking me some time to figure out. Luckily I've found Bryn's handy Hiragana and Katakana online flashcard system to quiz myself. Check it out if you're interested in learning Japanese. Well worth the $.25 PayPal donation.