notes on notes, patd edition, 1/16/11

Since Dec. 1, 2010:

Brendon: Wished Shane a happy birthday (Dec. 1); had a sleepless layover in Zurich and appreciated Berlin (In German, even!); quoted A Christmas Story; mentioned he needed a haircut, suggested he might go for something in the style of Richard Marx in the '80s, supplied a link to Right Here Waiting (You Tube) as an illustration (causing me to snicker and sigh at the same time, because that song, oh man, pretty sure I wore that tape out); watched Rachel Maddow and was distressed that the Ugandan "kill the gays" politician was for real; RT'd Janelle Monae's tweet about the guy who was cured of HIV via stem cell research; appreciated his ladyfriend's peanut butter cookies; inflicted that terrible Christmas Shoes (by: Newsong) on us via YouTube; was supportive of Jacob Givens (writer) who announced his (Jacob's) switch to athiesm via a link to an article by Ricky Gervais on the subject (athiesm, not Jacob's own switch);

noted that Steel Train's latest record had him in the Christmas Spirit, possibly because of the bells; was aggravated by LAX during Christmas; saw Butch Walker's face on an ad outside a guitar center in Michigan and tweeted him (Butch) Season's Greetings as a result; watched a cute puppy video that may have made him cry; wished us a happy new year and also RT'd Seth McFarlane's post-Christmas comment about "hoping all of you Jesus-people got that out of your system"; appreciated his ladyfriend's zombie-killing talents; joked with Zack about a camera's weed-producing abilities; and finally promoted Steel Train's new record and appearance on Conan.

Spencer: Continues to have nothing to share with the internet at this time. Though it's likely he's sharing the band twitter duties with Zack.

notes on notes, TYV administrivia edition

Ok. So I guess we have to discuss the whole "hiatus" situation. This is how it stands currently:

1) Jon has announced it on his personal Twitter
2) Nick M. has confirmed it on his personal Tumblr
3) Ryan has said nothing, and no specific comment has been posted on any "official" band sites (FB, band Twitter, MySpace, band Tumblr) that I've seen.
4) Someone from the band (probably Nick) did, however, post a link to Jon's solo record on the TYV facebook wall on 1/6.

So I guess technically, or at least officially, we're in "hiatus? what hiatus?" territory, but I am nonetheless inclined to conclude that what we have is a) as much information as we will ever have and b) that information is as official as it is ever going to get and also c) if they aren't done, they are at least done for now. (Though, personal opinion, reading Jon's lyrics: I think he's done for good.)

I am, however, going to continue to keep up with them. And by "them" I mean, Ryan, Jon and Nick, but not Andy, because he gets on my very last nerve. If any of you are especially attached to him and would like the occasional report, comment now or forever hold your peace.

Since the last update (1/4)

Ryan: Commisserated with Will Noon about the problem of finding your glasses when you are not wearing them, and thus can't see; posted a picture of himself on a burro on a Mexican beach, captioned "Moving to Mexico I think"; otherwise, radio silence.

Jon: Shared a link to the video for Another Day, by Pomplamoose (YouTube); as discussed earlier, released his solo record on bandcamp; shared pictures of: his dog (outside and under the table); a house plant; an unfinished puzzle; and his drum set; and confirmed he's growing a beard. Also changed his Twitter icon to a black and white photo of himself giving the camera an, I don't know, an affectionate look? Maybe? Less subdued than his last picture, anyway.

I have more to catch up on w/ Nick, so I'll get to him later.