Crushing Krisis

Comic Books, Drag Race, & Life in New Zealand

krisis

Krisis has been creating Crushing Krisis since 2000, writing songs since 1996, and reading comics since 1991. He is a Customer Success and Digital Brand Strategy executive, serial organizer, parent, and feminist, among other things. Based in Philly through 2017, he now resides in Wellington, NZ.

28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 4

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Thursday, September 16, 2010. 28 years, 51 weeks, 2 days.

When I packed meticulously for our gig I wasn’t considering the half mile walk up slight hill to the trolley.

Well, I was considering it pretty hard when I set foot out the door with my guitar, a canvas beach bag of clothing, a display box of free discs, and a boombox loaded with my voice exercises.

That’s my life. I mused it as I dragged my belongings uphill to the trolley line, and I mused it again nine hours later while singing my vocal warmups in an empty office while rain started to obscure my view of the city.

Backstage @ The Tin Angel, 9/16/2010

It felt a little odd to be singing my silly warmups at the office – they aren’t meant to sound good, and I was nervous that some late-working colleague would think I was actually a horrible singer despite all my crowing about voice lessons. By the end of the tape my voice felt good and sure – a welcome relief after being allergy-ravaged the day before.

Maybe the gig wouldn’t be so bad afterall.

Being me, I timed it perfectly – my voice tape would end and I’d have five minutes to pack up and catch a cab to our sound check at the Tin Angel.

So, of course, literally the second the tape finished our building’s fire alarm began to sound its klaxon. Between ear-splitting rings, a calm voice intoned, “Stand by for instructions. Do not use elevators.”

Do not use elevators. I was carrying 40+ pounds of personal belongings 38 stories above the ground. Stairs were not so much an option.

I sat on the ground in our elevator lobby, festooned with guitar, beach bag, display case, and boom box, as the klaxon rang on. Three minutes. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Surely if it wasn’t a drill I’d be dead by now. [Read more…] about 28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 4

28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 3

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010. 28 years, 51 weeks, 1 day.

Wednesday started before I intended it to. I awoke over and over through the night, seemingly never completely asleep.

It’s the season for it – the two weeks of fall where my allergies activate overnight. Whether dream or reality, it seemed like I was reawakening multiple times each minutes, sniffling and coughing. Once – or, maybe multiple times? – I shambled to the bathroom to swallow a decongestant, hoping it would take the edge off my misery.

I felt like miles of bad road by the time I officially “awoke,” though I’m not convinced I was ever completely asleep. For a moment I had the phone in my hand, considering calling out, but it wasn’t worth the misery of a double-hard day on Thursday leading up to my gig.

I hit my desk feeling like death warmed over. I must have looked the part too, because none of my co-workers offered any words of encouragement.

What one of them did offer was an iced coffee. [Read more…] about 28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 3

28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 2

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010. 28 years, 51 weeks.

Tuesday was a day. That’s the most positive thing about it I can muster. That, and work never reached the temple-pounding stress of Monday. I even left on time.

At home I desperately attempted to render some order to the studio. My gear had been in disarray since our house concert, with mic stands and guitars strewn through every room in the house. The back-to-back rehearsal and gig the prior weekend had scattered things even further. I was finding microphones in couch cushions and quarter inch cables under my bed.

Still tidying, from my attic window I spotted Gina walk across our driveway and up the path to our door. Having shed my work clothes I wore only underwear as I flung open the window and screen and hollered, “Be right down!”

Laundry, I reminded myself, you need to do laundry for the gig.

I barely managed to get myself into a pair of jeans by the time I hit the front door and Gina smiled, accustomed to finding me in states of half dress ever since she lived in the apartment above mine in 2001. [Read more…] about 28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 2

28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 1

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Monday, September 13, 2010. 28 years, 50 weeks, 6 days.

I woke up and immediately felt unprepared for the week ahead.

That’s not the kind of way you should feel as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. Especially not on a Monday. It should be prohibited as an emotional state.

What’s more appropriate? Maybe, “It’s morning!” possibly amending “Already?” Or, “I’m tired.” Even the old standby, “I’m hungry.”

Those are the sorts of feelings to have upon waking up. Lingering dread is more the sort of feeling you want to avoid. [Read more…] about 28 years, 51 weeks: pt. 1

Monday Music: Arcati Crisis, live @ Tin Angel

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Last Thursday my acoustic indie-pop duo, Arcati Crisis, made our fourth appearance together at the Tin Angel. It was our second as co-headliner, and first closing the show.

I think we were pretty awesome, and I have brought you video to back up my claim. Watch as we tear through “Holy Grail,” “Glam / Standing,” “Video Killed the Radio Star,” “Dumbest Thing I Could Do,” “Fisher Price,” and “Better,” all in one convenient playlist.

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Did you like what you heard? Share it with a shortlink: bit.ly/actin1009

I’ll tell you more about the circumstances leading up to the show in my “28 years, 51 weeks” posts over the next few days. Until then, just enjoy the music.