"Hello?"

"Hey Amanda, why haven't you blogged today?"
"I've been busy with work and Tysons Day and writing stuff for DCist."
"Oh really? Like what?"
"Like a review of last night's Brendan Benson concert, and a little piece on drink price increases at the 9:30 Club, another comment-generating machine."
"Oh, awesome, thanks. I'll go read those now."
"Great! Have a nice weekend!"
"You too! What are you up to?"
"Well, tonight I'm heading over to the FP for some catch up debauchery with some coworker pals. Tomorrow I'm catching up with my DVR and with Becca. Then on Sunday, I've got a DCist editors' retreat in the afternoon, a Skins game to watch, and the Decemberists show that evening!"
"Wow, sounds like you've got a lot on your plate, have fun! Gimme a call if you wanna do something Saturday, ok?"
"Sure thing, catch ya later."
"Bye!"
"Bye!"

So good

UPDATE 2: Alyssa and I discuss the aftermath (49 comments and counting) ~

v o x x y m i a: goodness what have we started
v o x x y m i a: see what happens when we go out together
v o x x y m i a: stirrin up trouble
mads t r e t c h: i mean for serious, that comment thread is OUT of control
mads t r e t c h: class wars, regional disputes
mads t r e t c h: shit's nasty!
v o x x y m i a: got everybody goin for jugulars
mads t r e t c h: haha
v o x x y m i a: throat chops
v o x x y m i a: indian burns
mads t r e t c h: wet willies
v o x x y m i a: harsh
mads t r e t c h: wicked harsh
v o x x y m i a: the floodgates really are open
v o x x y m i a: popped collars get people fired up
mads t r e t c h: the popped collars started a flood, and now i've gotta wear highwaters
v o x x y m i a: we brought it on ourselves
v o x x y m i a: good call though
v o x x y m i a: now we back out of the room quietly and let them duke it out
mads t r e t c h: seriously, when we put the magical ingredients of you, me, dc, your camera and liquor together - unimaginable thigns happen
v o x x y m i a: that is a deadly cocktail
mads t r e t c h: deadly good though, deadly good
v o x x y m i a: oh yes i mean that as a compliment
v o x x y m i a: haha
mads t r e t c h: hahaha
mads t r e t c h: because we work in a world of terminology more appropriate for international spies than mere vienna bred hustlers
v o x x y m i a: ah yes
v o x x y m i a: i ain't from vienna
v o x x y m i a: but that is where i honed my skillz
mads t r e t c h: and you know this
v o x x y m i a: we are thorough and deadly
mads t r e t c h: we can shoulder tap, hollar, shop, and get in and out of trouble faster and with greater aplomb than most
v o x x y m i a: and leave no trace
v o x x y m i a: its a gift really
v o x x y m i a: but we must choose to use our powers for good or for evil
v o x x y m i a: i'm pretty sure stumbling around dc drunk and stirring up dcist message boards is all in the name of good though
mads t r e t c h: i think so far so good. we opened up bartenders' eyes to the beauty of not kicking girls out of the bar (which leads to charming conversation). we showed the drivers of dc how to not hit pedestrians. we opened up the lines of communication across the city. yes, so, all in the name of good i'm pretty certain.
v o x x y m i a: ah yes i almost forgot the bartenders and the power of sharon stone

UPDATE: I floated this little gem over to DCist and it's opened the floodgates for comments. Most excellent.


collardown
Originally uploaded by AMattos.

Thanks to the solid memory of Alyssa's camera, I was reminded of this remarkable sign outside St Ex on Friday night. I'm pretty sure that sign would actually be illegal in Charlottesville.

You're a loose cannon McArthur, but you get the job done

• Ahhhh, fall. Crisp air, sweatshirts, football, falling leaves, and new tv. If I hadn't brought the DVR into the fold, I'm not quite sure how I'd be juggling my ever busy social life right now with what has proven to be a very good tv season thus far. Tonight will put my devotion to serial television to the test though: The O.C. (which I'll obviously watch) is up against the premiers of Alias and Smallville. WTF? I pretty much stopped watching Smallville before last season, but recently caught the absurdly awesome season finale, and wow. Must start watching again. The problem is, DVR can only tape two things at once. What's a stretch to do?
  

• While we're on the subject of tv, DCeiver's recap of last night's episode of Lost is one of the best bits of blogging I've ever read.

• Speaking of The O.C., Daily Refill's would they or wouldn't they poll on a show at the Baitshop is pretty entertaining. CYHSY is trying to keep their street cred.

• amanda mattos is a toothbrush! it is laced with vodka!
  

• Speaking of dental hygiene, toothpaste for dinner does it again.
  

The Fabulous Dancing Mottram Brothers

Note: Video problems have been resolved, so click away and enjoy yo'self.

So we had a GREAT time at the show, The Shins were amazing, the White Stripes were incredible, and it was overall just awesome. It probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone that there was some Grade A Mottram indie rock dance party action. Fortunately, I cought a few choice clips on film. Check it out! Other pics are up on flickr.

Celebrate Your Freedom

It's Banned Books Week! Damn the man, fight the power, and free your mind with all of the really wonderful and largely completely unoffensive books that people have taken issue with in the past decade (see the list here). Sure, there's absolutely no reason that school systems should put Madona's Sex or Howard Stern's Private Parts on their library shelves. But so many of these books (In The Night Kitchen, Bridge to Terabithia, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Catcher In the Rye, and The Witches, to name a few) were the very ones that made me love to read and think and become the generally delightful girl you all know and love, and I can guarantee you I'm not the only one. So tell the book burners to eff off, and get your read on.

WWNPS?

"It'll change your life."

Not the reason I'm going to see The Shins tonight, but that girl's onto something. Oh Inverted World! is one of the best album....ever. Oh, and yeah, that other band is playing too. You know, that guy that dated that actress, and that drummer chick. You know, NBD.

YEAH RIGHT! IT'S THE FREAKING WHITE STRIPES! I'm ready for a solid-color good time! Yessssssssssssssss! Yes yes yes yes yes yes yessssssssss!

More fun with Craig's List

The missed connections never fail to deliver. Here's a little walk down Craig's Lane.

• What was the adorable part?
• A) Did Tyler write this heeadline? B) If you're trying to be so adult about opening the lines of communication, you might want to try something a little less covert than anonymous postings on community message boards.
• Is this Candy Ass? I think it is ~ Springfield, a friend named Erin.... you be the judges.
• 18 ways to creepy, by anon-99797338.
• So, if you're so impressed with this stunning woman and want to meet her, it's probably not best to lead with a comment about her "fantastic tits."
• And from the chronicles of the sad, I give you this.
• Let's play "How many people could either of these posts describe!" Come on posters, be specific, or you're never gonna make that connection!
• Witty headline, but the post itself is confusing ~ is he looking for an affair with a stranger that he both likes and disrespects? Is asking for the return of lost tickets? Is he just trying to seem errudite to other indie rock craig's listers?

Revisiting the long lost art of the WEEKEND RECAP

I know I've been a fairweather blogger of late. I also know it's been quite sometime since you had the pleasure of listening to me prattle on about the various social escapades that make up all that non-work, non-blogging time. If your thirst for the Mattos Life hasn't been quenched in far too long, here you go.

This weekend started out as quite a bummer. My long-anticipated journey to Austin was quashed by Rita. Despite my sadness at no Arcade Fire, and what's worse, no Chris Hoy, I looked on the bright side. My beloved cousin, William (Willie), was coming to town for the last Q And Not U show with some friends, so now I'd be able to see him. (Note: his beautifully written review of the show will be up on DCist this afternoon, so check it out.) We had a nice family dinner, then I took the kids downtown and hunkered down at Liz & Jenna's too wait for Felicia's birthday train to descend upon the city. Yeah, that didn't happen. What did happen was me drinking a bottle of wine whilst waiting for their arrival, calling in Alyssa-sized reinforcements, going to Local 16 for The Martini That Ate Manhattan, and passing t.f.o. on the couch back at casa-de-lizandjenna, only to be picked up and tucked in later by Mark and Jenna. Alyssa is awesome. The evening though, was more or less a wash. A wash that wreaked its wrath on me for the better part of Saturday morning. And afternoon. And made me miss taking Willie to the airport. (Again: I appologize profusely.)

Once my stomach settled and I regained my wits, I did what any girl does in the face of adversity: I went shopping. A dress, several accessories, a couple presents and a pair of cowboy boots later, I was headed home to get ready to go see TLG at the State Theater. It was a noodleriffic good time, especially catching eyes from the astoundingly beautiful, albeit dirty, hippie that looked like this guy. He was literally too pretty for me to smile back at. I just couldn't do it. But anyhow. The evening's highlight was probably tiny little Nadine deciding to drink her weight in vodka and sprites, and treating the alley outside to her leftovers after the show. I was sensibly sober that night, so it was back home to enjoy my DVR'd Smallville season finale (Drew, you're right, that was so bad ass), and (relatively for a weekend) early to bed. (On another note, check out The Blathering's redesign, it's perty).

Sunday morning I watched football, listened to music and cuddled with Stinker. Sure, my away message already declared this my personal nirvana, but, it's true, so here you go, wider audience. Then I got a special treat of time with Tylerton, and some PF Chaings in western Fairfax County. Then I met Lizzard at el mall (the soon-to-be awesomer Tysons Corner) for some more shopping (Este Lauder free gift, so pretty they make me cry motorcycle boots), and finally to mom's for season premierness. Those jerks over at Extreme Home Makeover need to stop making me cry. Seriously, every episode, within minutes of watching, it's unbelievable. Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy were both great as well, neither disappointed (as season premiers tend to do, what with their "let's tie up loose ends and get a clean slate for this season" attitude). Mike and I ghetto covered my gaping window (that's stuck open), then it was off to bed and back to work, and now back to home to give Stinker the meds I forgot to give him this morning (declawing --> antibiotics, and also, standing like a kangaroo).

Happy Monday. May the Schwartz be with you.

OH MY GOD

Guilty confession: I fell asleep when the cowboys (SUCK) scored that TD in the third last night. I had to be up at 5 today for work, the commentators were being snarky about the skins, and well, yeah. But then my phone started ringing. I had a feeling something big happened. Knowing the skins, I fiugred a TD with a missed extra point and we still lost.

BUT NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE EFFING BEAT THE COWBOYS ON MNF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bets day ever!!!!

BEST DAY EVER!!! (or at least in about 8 years)

Stretch Has Left The Building

I've heard your complaints. I've gotten your IMs. The "Update your blog already!" message has been received and duely noted. I must appologize for my absence of late. You see, work has been crazier the past couple of weeks than anytime I can remember. Ever. Thus, my dicking around on the internt time is consumed by duty, then collapsing to sleep whenever it is I finally get home in the evening. This next week I'll be traveling -- for work -- to San Antonio, then for fun to Austin, so there won't be much word from s t r e t c hland. Try not to miss me too much, I'll be back in strong blogging form before too long, fret not.

Music. Recently acquired and liking a lot:

• Kanye West - Late Registration (purchased by Stinker on iTunes by walking across the keyboard. Thanks little fella.)
• Calexico & Iron and Wine - In The Reins
• Superfurry Animals - Love Kraft
• Stellastar* - Harmonies for the Haunted
• The Rosebuds - Birds Make Good Neighbors
• The Greenhornes - East Grand Blues
• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl

The concert season is just revving up and I'm very, very excited about that. Very very excited indeed. Kicking this off is the Austin trip, with The Arcade Fire and Black Keys on Friday night in a club, followed up with Saturday at the Austin City Limits festival. SWEEEEEEEET!!!! Then I come home in time to treat my ears and eyes to Brendan Benson, The Shins, and The White Stripes. *Gulp. Then Thursday night catching Brendan Benson again at Black Cat, then The Decemberists on Sunday (p.s., Drew's got extra tickets, so if you wanna attend this one, hollar) and Stellastar* on Wednesday. Yipes!!! I live for this stuff. Also just bought a bunch of tickets for more shows ~ Architecture in Helsinki, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and the Fiery Furnaces.

Things. I've decided I can't live any longer without owning cowboy boots. Nothing's been purchased yet, but look for my spurs to be tearin it up around town soon.

Kittens. The most recent antics involved pushing the window screen out and jumping down two floors for a romp in the bushes. My window is effed. My kittens are insane.

I'm going to Rosie's engagement party tonight and leaving tomorrow afternoon for San Antonio, and haven't even packed yet. Gulp. Shit. Better get on that. Have yourselves a good week, faithful friends of mine. Consider that little list up there your homework until I get back. there may be a pop quiz.

Dcist is 1!

Come out, come out wherever you are. Make your way to DCist's first birthday party at Stetson's next Thursday!! Watch all those bloggers come to life, and enjoy cake and alcohol!!

Sweet, Sweet O.C.

Reunited and it feels so gooooooooooood

The O.C. came back last night and sorted a few things out, gave us some memorable quips, set up some new angles, and most importantly, gave us some quality time with our two favorite couples. I was scared for a minute that we were going to have another season of Ryan and Marissa with mixed feelings and hemming and hawing, but don't worry - they made out. The scene on the beach was fantastic. Here are some screen captures for your enjoyment.

ARE YOU READY?

Sing it with me now ~

It's the most, wonderful tiiiiiiiiiiiime, of the faaaaaaaaaaaaaaall

Enjoy!

I am a computer GENIUS!!

So, I have finally figured out a couple of longstanding mysteries on my computer ~ changing my default browser on my mac (a task that befuddled even Drew), and how to get the videos from my camera to my computer. I am a genius. So, for your viewing pleasure, please observe the unbelieveable cuteness of Stinker & Tinker Mattos. The file is hosted at SaveFile, so click on this link, choose "download," then right click and choose save link as (or whatever your browser's menu option like that is). You'll need quicktime to watch it I think, so download it here if you don't have it. It's a lovely program that lets you watch countless movie trailers, and whatever other video gems I place here in the future. So, once you've gotten Quicktime and my file, voila! You're rollin in kittens! Yowzers, that's a lot of steps. But hey, if you read this thing regularly, you'll want to be able to see ye old videos, so buck up and do it now.

My programming prowess continues on. Look over to your left. A little lower. Yeah, there. See that? Ye old search bar! That means, you can search for something within this blog. Not sure exactly how good it is, because it seems to think I've only mentioned Seth Cohen in 3 posts. I find that extremely hard to believe. 20 about The O.C. though...who knows. All I know is there are but two days until I'm reunited with Seth, Ryan, Marissa, Summer, Sandy, Kirsten and all those other crazy kids, and this blog gets terribly repetative and annoying every Friday. I can. Not. Wait.

Just a thought

I've been watching Prison Break lately - and really enjoying it by the by. And Robin Tunney's presence - with hair - has made me realize how much she looks like Alexis Bledel.



They should definitely play sisters in something. And either their older sister or freakishly young mother should be played by another teen tv star, Moira Kelly (of One Tree Hill).



While we're on the topic of people looking like things, here are a few more anime candidates:


Jessalyn Gilsig

Bjork

Mike Southerland

Picture Party!!

Just what you've all been waiting for!! Pictures from my birthday party, and pictures from this weekend's trip to Charlottesville. No pics of the flea bag motel, sadly, but lots and lots of pictures of happy happy fun times. Enjoy!

Well, pics of those things, and of course, of Stinker



Oh, and in other news, I managed to wrangle a decent picture, so my DCist profile is up and ready for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Belated Birthday

To you, Laura Cowden! I hope your day was wonderful!

This is incredible

Mom sent me an email with images of Julian Beever's chalk pavement drawings. They're seriously incredible. The depth is amazing. You can look at a bunch on his website, but here are some faves of mine.







So cool.

It's not just for Seth Cohen anymore

...I wonder how many times I've used his name on this blog. One of those blog google bars would come in handy....anyhow...

The new Death Cab For Cutie album, Plans, is awesome. I'd expound more, but The Onion AV Club has a perfect review up, so read it.



And buy that.

Also liking right now: De Novo Dahl ~ Cats & Kittens; New Pornographers ~ Twin Cinema; The Cribs ~ The Cribs; still obsessed with Brendan Benson ~ The Alternative to Love

Just like his aunt Amanda

Tink took a few pages out of my book ~ on the cell, watchin tv...

Comments

You may have noticed the influx of spam comments on my last post. In order to prevent that from happening, I put a little word recognition pass in order to leave comments. It's like when you're buying off ticketmaster and have to decipher the wiggly word. See, only people, not spam machines, can read these and therefore leave comments. So, to my robot readers, I appologize. Just send me an email.