Archive for the 'Have you seen?' Category
(Chronologically Listed)
christmastime is here
Well, once again Christmastime is indeed here (as my bank balance will attest), and I hope you’re making a very merry week of it. Just in case you happen to be in more of a “Charlie Browniest” way - here’s a good one to launch the spirit of the season. Enjoy, and have a warm and wonderful day.
By the Vince Guaraldi Trio, here’s the real deal:
dichotomic deference
Stirred but not shaken. Repulsed yet yearning. Overstimulated and highly under-motivated. I’ve had much to do, think and write about which all amounts (for me) to not much to share. I suppose its all in the processing. And yet… I embrace dichotomous dilemmas such as this itsy bitsy grand funk railroad as one of life’s little riddles to be ridden as opposed to resisted. So, inasmuch as I could contentedly remain silent (when you’re unsure of just what you want to say, it’s usually best to say nothing, I hear) I’m gonna write, but I’m just sayin’…
Sunday: Went to a rainy matinee screening of Slumdog Millionaire. Talk about dichotomies; sweet/bitter, tender/brutal, beautiful/ugly, funny/sad, rich/humble, heartwarming/heartbreaking – a veritable rainbow’s range of emotional color all condensed into 2½ hours of inspired filmmaking. My favorite (this year) since In Bruges. Two more words: see it.
Monday: Went to see Franz Ferdinand. Truth be told it was pouring cats and dogs and I’d have just as soon been home in my p.j.’s and fuzzy slippers (okay, truth be told I don’t really have fuzzy slippers) with a good book and the sound of the rain on the roof. But as it turned out, after enduring the opening band we finally had the pleasure of enjoying Franz Ferdinand. They rocked the roof off, and were well worth the wait. It was their last show before heading home for Christmas so that may have made it especially special.
Tuesday: Basic – pizza, beer, friends and laughs. Thanks.
Tonight: P.J.’s, holiday cards, and TV to see who’s get’s kicked off the cooking island for the crappiest kickshaw.
In keeping with what seems to be my theme of the week, here’s some Darts of Pleasure. Hope you enjoy. That’s all, thanks for checking in and know that this too, whatever it is, shall pass.
oh geez - sorry about the ad.
full moon fever
Believe it or not, I have a stockpile of music saved specifically for the occasion of the full moon, but I’m posting remotely so sharing a song from said stockpile isn’t possible. However, it is worthy of sharing, in case you weren’t aware (I’m a lunar-watcher and had no idea) that tonight is the largest full moon of the year. And they mean BIG. The biggest. Enjoy, howl loud and often, and watch out for the other guy. Peace.
Read the big sky show story here.
Okay, here’s something for you to listen to, too. A little live Neil fits the bill just beautifully.
How could I not…
prop 8 parody
“Prop 8 - The Musical” starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, Neil Patrick Harris, Maya Rudolph, Alison Janney and many more, lends a humorous perspective to the shocking and ridiculous passing of Proposition 8, banning gay marriage in blue California. A much deserved send-up.
Click here to sign a petition to re-open Prop 8 for California.
Click here to visit the Vote No on 8 site.
it’s a new day
A new day, indeed. Not to mention a very celebratory week. Still overjoyed, and still overwhelmed with pride and relief. My friend Cydney reminded me that Will.i.am, was reminding us that yes, we can - when some of us (yes, myself included) quite honestly were quite concerned that we might not. I was sticking with cautious optimism - but now I’m just generally optimistic, and it feels good. And now, for your celebration of a new day (gotta click on the link), I urge you to bask in the glory of just that.
Yes, we can, and yes - WE DID!!!
gratitude
I’m walking on a cloud… seriously over the moon. Filled with pride and - you guessed it, the G word. I feel like dancing, so here’s some Earth Wind & Fire to add some funkification to the satisfaction reaction over our recent election…
Funk don’t get much better than this:
I can’t ever think about EW&F without a memory for which I wish there was a video, that is, as some San Diegans may recall, the vision of Steve Poltz’s rendition of “Reasons”, a standard set piece back in the day, done in a dress in an oh-so-alluring…. um, fashion. This classic will have to do - it’s actually quite an extraordinary performance…
My God, I think I’ve got my mojo back…! Enjoy and have a beautiful, inspired, hopeful day.
Peace be with you.
feeling good
Actually, I’m sick as a dog, but in spite of it all I feel good. Tears of joy, relief, pride and hope were shed aplenty last night at the confirmation of our new President-elect, and at hearing Mr. Obama speak in Chicago’s Grant Park; a memorable speech, and a timely and historical day in American history. Thank God.
It’s a new dawn and a new day. Feel good and enjoy, and peace be with you.
don’t vote
A well-done appeal to register and to BE SURE TO vote… even if you think your state is going your way without your vote, PLEASE VOTE!! Just do it.
Silverman is a scream. Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio
harmony
I’ve elected (forgive the pun) to post an Elton John song today; Harmony, a nice cover of the Rocket Man by Jesse Malin. I do so that you may listen as I share just some of the disconcerting facts about the GOP’s vice-Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. It’s all meant to offset the political anxiety and support the visualization of recovery, the sense of peace and hope and yes, even the pride (haven’t said that in awhile) that the thought of change brings. We must remember though, that things are so very screwy that nothing is going to come fast and easy, and that even in the face of these… situations, we cannot assume anything (and now that we’ve had one, we can never discount (wow, a 2-for-1) the possibility of another chad debacle, but lets not go there). We must simply get out and rock that vote. Speak your peace. Feel the pride. Visualize change. Let’s make it all a reality - do we really have a choice?
Okay, before I really get going, let’s get some music going:
I’m going to preface the following list with a few of my own observations… a) shouldn’t the mother of a four-month-old child with Down Syndrome be… not necessarily home with her child every waking moment - but not necessarily on the campaign trail every waking moment, giving her every attention (one would hope) to learning everything she possibly can about foreign policy, domestic policy and everything else that her lack of experience would command that she learn asap via the hard core cram? b) shouldn’t the mother of a pregnant, unwed 17-year-old child be rethinking her priorities, even if the 4-month-old with special needs hasn’t managed to spur that on? c) Thanks for the bone, Mr. McCain, but we don’t need your token puppy smashing our glass-ceilings, anymore. If the Hilary supporters that were going to vote for you just because they were mad that Hil didn’t get the Democratic nod still haven’t heard Mr. Obama, then there priorities are as effed up as Mrs. Palin’s, and finally d) McCain sure has a penchant for beauty queens!
Lastly, and in follow up to my last (Radiohead) post, I have to say that last week coincidentally contained two (back-to-back) of the most inspiring occasions on my personal recent record. They were very different, but both brilliant. The first was the Radiohead show. Pure genius. Mesmerizing. Stunning. The next night was Barack Obama’s already historic acceptance speech of the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America, delivered to an audience of 38 million plus. I got chills. I got misty. I got conviction.
Okay, back to business; courtesy of MoveOn.org, a few of the cold, hard Palin facts:
- She was elected Alaska’s governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience. 1
- Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest. 2
- She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
- Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools. 4
- She’s doesn’t think humans are the cause of climate change. 5
- She’s solidly in line with John McCain’s “Big Oil first” energy policy. She’s pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won’t be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska. 6
- How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position. 7
1. “Sarah Palin,” Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. “McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate,” NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=1
3. “Sarah Palin, Buchananite,” The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=2
4. “‘Creation science’ enters the race,” Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=3
5. “Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science,” Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=4
6. “McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy,” Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=5
“Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past,” League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=6
“Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor,” The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=7
7 “McCain met Palin once before yesterday,” MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=8
In case you missed it, I’m proud to offer you (through YouTube, of course) the opportunity to witness for yourself this stirring, celebrated speech. It’s the stuff of which history is made. Do have a harmonious day, and do be prepared to fight for your rights, and to then say hello to a new nation and a new administration.
radiohead
I’m very excited. I’ve had tickets to see Thom Yorke and Company (a.k.a. Radiohead) since April and the show is finally upon us. Who else could I post tonight? I’ve linked an unsurprisingly rave review of last Sunday’s Hollywood Bowl show (click on photo to the left, also courtesy of the LA Times). Below is a garage version (and they all look like they’ve been in there for some time, in need of showers (or baths? nah…), a nap, and such) of the song “All I Need: the Scotch Mist Version”. Interesting opening (explains the nah on baths comment) and compelling to see them at play in what seems likely their very own home studio space.
It’s also worthy of note that this is my first post duplication of a song, I’d previously posted a homemade video of the tune, along with a number of other Radiohead numbers, pre-release of the latest CD In Rainbows or any of the “official” videos. This one is band approved.
Another “Scotch Mist Version”, this one of the gorgeous, in slow-mo “Nude”
-
Tee of the Month
