pop songs with string arrangements are another greatest thing.
the certainty of chance, the divine comedy
(note: the illustration is not from the video of the song posted.)
2010/02/28
strings
dear project leader:
pop songs with string arrangements are another greatest thing.
the certainty of chance, the divine comedy
(note: the illustration is not from the video of the song posted.)
pop songs with string arrangements are another greatest thing.
the certainty of chance, the divine comedy
(note: the illustration is not from the video of the song posted.)
slots
dear project leader:
went to valley view casino last night to enjoy their legendary buffet with the in-laws. in-laws didn't end up staying to eat, but kindly handed over pre-paid buffet tickets, and mom-in-law's players card.
prime rib. something difficult to replicate at home for two; something not to be missed when available otherwise.
go for the food, yes...but stay for the slots. certified as san diego's loosest, the say. can't vouch for that, but we did break kinda even (thank you obi-wan, you were my only hope).
supercrowded on a saturday night. we'll have to try it again during the week and see if i can't get to my barnyard invasion machine.
went to valley view casino last night to enjoy their legendary buffet with the in-laws. in-laws didn't end up staying to eat, but kindly handed over pre-paid buffet tickets, and mom-in-law's players card.
prime rib. something difficult to replicate at home for two; something not to be missed when available otherwise.
go for the food, yes...but stay for the slots. certified as san diego's loosest, the say. can't vouch for that, but we did break kinda even (thank you obi-wan, you were my only hope).
supercrowded on a saturday night. we'll have to try it again during the week and see if i can't get to my barnyard invasion machine.
2010/02/26
howdy neighbor
happened upon an acquaintance in the rest room at a local gay hangout. neighboring urinals. ended up talking about social security benefits and at what age we anticipated being able to retire.
2010/02/25
rodgers & hammerstein
dear project leader:
the root of "the gay": my dad was a contract musician for theater companies, both local and national, who brought their stage productions to our area, so my exposure to musical theater as a kid was pretty good.
"if i loved you", from carousel
i've seen professional, or professional-ish, productions of the following:
Oklahoma!
Carousel
South Pacific
The King and I
The Sound of Music
and seen these tv or film versions:
Cinderella (television)
Flower Drum Song
(and all the above)
i still love, love, love rodgers & hammerstein musicals. another greatest thing from my childhood.
the root of "the gay": my dad was a contract musician for theater companies, both local and national, who brought their stage productions to our area, so my exposure to musical theater as a kid was pretty good.
"if i loved you", from carousel
i've seen professional, or professional-ish, productions of the following:
Oklahoma!
Carousel
South Pacific
The King and I
The Sound of Music
and seen these tv or film versions:
Cinderella (television)
Flower Drum Song
(and all the above)
i still love, love, love rodgers & hammerstein musicals. another greatest thing from my childhood.
2010/02/24
their crimes
dear project leader:
"for me to be called a pervert by these extraordinarily sexually dysfunctional people..."
"for me to be called a pervert by these extraordinarily sexually dysfunctional people..."
the movies
dear project leader:
really, a greatest thing for me is "movies". i love going to movies...in fact, the husband and i have a pretty good routine in place for our weekly outings:
i love going to the movies...but the movies we see? i often don't care for them. makes me wonder why i still love going so much. i guess it's because when i do like a movie, i really, really like it...and that cancels out the dozen or so other movies that i hated.
really, a greatest thing for me is "movies". i love going to movies...in fact, the husband and i have a pretty good routine in place for our weekly outings:
- see an ad on tv and say "we should see that this weekend"
- somehow get out of the house before 10:00 on a saturday or sunday morning
- using the indoor kiosk, buy our two tickets for the first show of the day, just $6 (US) -- full price for any other show is $11
- grab seats along the center row, which is fronted by a dividing rail, perfect for use as an ottoman
- one of us goes back to the concessions counter to get the #1 combo, a large popcorn (no butter sauce) and a large diet coke, in a cardboard carrying tray
- the popcorn purchaser returns, and we split the popcorn to two servings, one remaining in the popcorn bag, the other poured into the carrying tray
- we then pour the peanut m&ms which we smuggled into the theater, into each share of the popcorn
- attempt not to finish the popcorn by the time the preview trailers are through
- watch the movie
the last step:
- one will say he loved the movie, the other will complain at how bad it was; it's not often we actually agree in our critique.
i love going to the movies...but the movies we see? i often don't care for them. makes me wonder why i still love going so much. i guess it's because when i do like a movie, i really, really like it...and that cancels out the dozen or so other movies that i hated.
2010/02/23
intrigued
dear project leader:
chris stein reports that the new blondie album cover will be by chris berens, the person who painted this:
could be a radical change, in that the "typical" blondie album has a cover featuring a photo of (members of) the band.
intrigued!
chris stein reports that the new blondie album cover will be by chris berens, the person who painted this:
could be a radical change, in that the "typical" blondie album has a cover featuring a photo of (members of) the band.
intrigued!
2010/02/22
2010/02/21
doctor me
dear project leader:
dr webmd says that these are possible causes of tinnitus:
dr webmd says that these are possible causes of tinnitus:
- A buildup of earwax. [no]
- Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol or caffeinated beverages. [no on the alcohol; possibly on the caffeine]
- Ear infections or eardrum rupture. [no]
- Severe weight loss from malnutrition or excessive dieting. [no, quite the opposite, thanks]
- Repeated exercise with the neck in a hyperextended position, such as when bicycle riding. [lol, yeah, exercise. no]
- Nerve problems (neurologic disorders), such as multiple sclerosis or migraine headache. [no: my migraines only make appearances on mondays]
Other diseases. [no]
downtown
dear project leader:
another of the 50 greatest. somehow when i was just five years old, i became aware of petula clark's "downtown". i mean, it seems (from what i read) the song was everywhere, so it's not unlikely that i'd have heard it. but still.
downtown, petula clark
the parents of marcella, my neighbor / best friend across the street had petula's album, and we begged her mom to play it for us everyday.
the lyrics are remarkably naive, even for 1965. wouldn't it be true back then that offering a gentle hand to guide a stranger along would be greeted with suspicion? but the big brassiness, and insane optimism of the song can't be ignored. nor the fact, absolute fact, that the lyrics plant images in your mind of wandering around the big city lighs.
i'd say this is my favorite record of all time.
When you're alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go - downtown When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know - downtown
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown - no finer place, for sure
Downtown - everything's waiting for you
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows - downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close - downtown
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be dancing with him too before the night is over
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown - waiting for you tonight
Downtown - you're gonna be all right now
[Instrumental break]
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Guide them along
So maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown - don't wait a minute for
Downtown - everything's waiting for you
Downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown ...
another of the 50 greatest. somehow when i was just five years old, i became aware of petula clark's "downtown". i mean, it seems (from what i read) the song was everywhere, so it's not unlikely that i'd have heard it. but still.
downtown, petula clark
the parents of marcella, my neighbor / best friend across the street had petula's album, and we begged her mom to play it for us everyday.
the lyrics are remarkably naive, even for 1965. wouldn't it be true back then that offering a gentle hand to guide a stranger along would be greeted with suspicion? but the big brassiness, and insane optimism of the song can't be ignored. nor the fact, absolute fact, that the lyrics plant images in your mind of wandering around the big city lighs.
i'd say this is my favorite record of all time.
When you're alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go - downtown When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know - downtown
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown - no finer place, for sure
Downtown - everything's waiting for you
Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows - downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close - downtown
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be dancing with him too before the night is over
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown - waiting for you tonight
Downtown - you're gonna be all right now
[Instrumental break]
And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Guide them along
So maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown - don't wait a minute for
Downtown - everything's waiting for you
Downtown, downtown, downtown, downtown ...
no stars
dear project leader:
another adorable from the late 80's - early 90's. sweet and romantic without being in danger of being covered by celine dion.
no stars, figures on a beach
produced by ivan ivan, who, by all indications at the time, should have blown up to be a huge, bigname producer extraordinaire; but he never really did get much further after the book of love records, and some pretty good remixes by depeche mode, xtc, echo & the bunnymen, and devo.
well...who's to say what makes one person successful, and another just missing the bullseye. or, who's to say he didn't see that as highly successful. certainly more notoriety than i'll ever gain (except among my very loyal readers).
another adorable from the late 80's - early 90's. sweet and romantic without being in danger of being covered by celine dion.
no stars, figures on a beach
produced by ivan ivan, who, by all indications at the time, should have blown up to be a huge, bigname producer extraordinaire; but he never really did get much further after the book of love records, and some pretty good remixes by depeche mode, xtc, echo & the bunnymen, and devo.
well...who's to say what makes one person successful, and another just missing the bullseye. or, who's to say he didn't see that as highly successful. certainly more notoriety than i'll ever gain (except among my very loyal readers).
inexplicable fandom
dear project leader:
more of the 50 greatest things: is there any justification for how one becomes an obsessive fan of something that, objectively, isn't just all that? i've had my moments.
more of the 50 greatest things: is there any justification for how one becomes an obsessive fan of something that, objectively, isn't just all that? i've had my moments.
king kong 76the list could actually be much, much longer.
pufnstuf
twin peaks
mary tyler moore - bob newhart - carol burnett
petula clark
a flock of seagulls
nothing is real
dear project leader:
(from the no exit album, 1999.)
still eagerly anticipating the new album, due this spring.
(from the no exit album, 1999.)
still eagerly anticipating the new album, due this spring.
2010/02/20
the wolfman
dear project leader:
the husband and i went to see the wolfman today...classic victorian-era horror styling really made the movie for me. i'll admit that i ws nervous about the opening titles: really poor choice of typeface made the titles look cartoony, topped by a blood-dripped headstone image of the title: reeediculous. but the rest of the imagery was fine.
the manner in which the story was presented seemed very old-timey, but somehow, that was totally okay.
anthony hopkins was fun, and hugo weaving was a VERY welcome sight. del toro? way out of place here. but he didn't wreck the movie at all.
but if anyone tosses me into a fireplace, know that i'm not going to be the only one who ends up getting barbequed.
the husband and i went to see the wolfman today...classic victorian-era horror styling really made the movie for me. i'll admit that i ws nervous about the opening titles: really poor choice of typeface made the titles look cartoony, topped by a blood-dripped headstone image of the title: reeediculous. but the rest of the imagery was fine.
the manner in which the story was presented seemed very old-timey, but somehow, that was totally okay.
anthony hopkins was fun, and hugo weaving was a VERY welcome sight. del toro? way out of place here. but he didn't wreck the movie at all.
but if anyone tosses me into a fireplace, know that i'm not going to be the only one who ends up getting barbequed.
2010/02/19
frozen
dear project leader:
sure, they're highly nutritious and perfectly acceptable right out of the box. but the only way to really enjoy tagalongs is after freezing them overnight.
sure, they're highly nutritious and perfectly acceptable right out of the box. but the only way to really enjoy tagalongs is after freezing them overnight.
day off
dear project leader:
there's nothing better than having a day off work, on a day that everyone else doesn't have off.
there's nothing better than having a day off work, on a day that everyone else doesn't have off.
2010/02/18
2010/02/15
john williams is the man
dear project leader:
john williams' movie scores pretty much ruled my musical tastes late in high school and beyond. it's true i would see movies based on who wrote the score...skipping classes to see a john williams was not unheard of.
indeed...he is the man.
john williams' movie scores pretty much ruled my musical tastes late in high school and beyond. it's true i would see movies based on who wrote the score...skipping classes to see a john williams was not unheard of.
indeed...he is the man.
PB & J
dear project leader:
again with the 50 greatest things. when i don't know what i want to eat. when i don't want to take the time to actually make something. even when it seems too much a bother to get out the jar or mayonnaise, a slice of cheese, lettuce, bread and the tub of tuna i put together the previous weekend.
jelly, bread and peanut butter. done.
again with the 50 greatest things. when i don't know what i want to eat. when i don't want to take the time to actually make something. even when it seems too much a bother to get out the jar or mayonnaise, a slice of cheese, lettuce, bread and the tub of tuna i put together the previous weekend.
jelly, bread and peanut butter. done.
2010/02/14
up in the air
dear project leader:
day two of 50 days of 50 greatest things: today, george clooney.
i went to see up in the air yesterday, solo (the husband had a class reunion-type thingy). i liked the movie...it's no "best picture" thing, to be sure, but enjoyable to watch. what is it, that i am so glamoured by mr clooney? don't know...i appreciate his graceful aging process, for one thing. but more than anything, he's just...charming. he smiles, i smile. he frowns, still, i smile. he furrows his brow, and i smile.
not so many actors can do this, can they?
back to the movie: traveling corporate man meets a female counterpart, and they bond over their lack of roots. not so ironically, his job is tearing up people from their own roots, firing people in downsizing companies. meanwhile, corporate man has to train a newbie, in order to save his own job. about 2/3 the way through, i was thinking, "do i like this?" i think there was a lull of "okay, they've played this already". but by the predictably tidy end, i was back onboard, and decided that i actually liked it.
thanks to mr clooney, no doubt.
day two of 50 days of 50 greatest things: today, george clooney.
i went to see up in the air yesterday, solo (the husband had a class reunion-type thingy). i liked the movie...it's no "best picture" thing, to be sure, but enjoyable to watch. what is it, that i am so glamoured by mr clooney? don't know...i appreciate his graceful aging process, for one thing. but more than anything, he's just...charming. he smiles, i smile. he frowns, still, i smile. he furrows his brow, and i smile.
not so many actors can do this, can they?
back to the movie: traveling corporate man meets a female counterpart, and they bond over their lack of roots. not so ironically, his job is tearing up people from their own roots, firing people in downsizing companies. meanwhile, corporate man has to train a newbie, in order to save his own job. about 2/3 the way through, i was thinking, "do i like this?" i think there was a lull of "okay, they've played this already". but by the predictably tidy end, i was back onboard, and decided that i actually liked it.
thanks to mr clooney, no doubt.
2010/02/13
english boys
dear project leader:
for my "50 days until..." campaign, i'm going to post the 50 or so greatest things in my head. the first one is pretty easy:
almost three decades ago, blondie as a group were on a downward slide, on their way to obscurity. they put out what was universally viewed as their worst album in 1982...which i bought...and loved. it's still one of my favorite albums of theirs.
i guess i just have horrid taste in music.
english boys, blondie
the good news: chris stein reports that the new album is coming together, and should be released in the spring. here's hoping that a track or two get released and / or leaked between now and then!
for my "50 days until..." campaign, i'm going to post the 50 or so greatest things in my head. the first one is pretty easy:
almost three decades ago, blondie as a group were on a downward slide, on their way to obscurity. they put out what was universally viewed as their worst album in 1982...which i bought...and loved. it's still one of my favorite albums of theirs.
i guess i just have horrid taste in music.
english boys, blondie
the good news: chris stein reports that the new album is coming together, and should be released in the spring. here's hoping that a track or two get released and / or leaked between now and then!
glorious
dear project leader:
who doesn't like big stringy pop songs? i remember when i first heard this, maybe 8 or 10 years ago: i was sitting in a (landmark) movie theater, and they had seemingly random pop songs playing to distract customers while waiting for the show to start.
i heard this one, and thought...hmmmm, gotta look that up when i get home.
this still happens from time to time.
glorious, andreas johnson
who doesn't like big stringy pop songs? i remember when i first heard this, maybe 8 or 10 years ago: i was sitting in a (landmark) movie theater, and they had seemingly random pop songs playing to distract customers while waiting for the show to start.
i heard this one, and thought...hmmmm, gotta look that up when i get home.
this still happens from time to time.
glorious, andreas johnson
2010/02/12
aughtie movies
dear project leader:
who would have remembered that the past ten years of movies have been so good? watching this compilation ( found via andrew sullivan's blog ), emotions get roused up. in a good way.
on another note: the version of "mad world" used in the compilation, is perfectly respectable...but i prefer the original:
mad world, tears for fears
who would have remembered that the past ten years of movies have been so good? watching this compilation ( found via andrew sullivan's blog ), emotions get roused up. in a good way.
the films of the 2000s from Paul Proulx on Vimeo.
on another note: the version of "mad world" used in the compilation, is perfectly respectable...but i prefer the original:
mad world, tears for fears
2010/02/11
in praise of massuman curry
dear project leader:
i love thai and indian curry dishes. and i'll eat anything made with peanuts. put the two together, and i'm a 40-foot ape trashing your village to get the dish before anyone else gets there and steals my portion.
the place i went for lunch today, thai specialty, has a very good version of massuman curry, which is chicken cooked in mussamon curry paste with potatoes and peanuts.
i love thai and indian curry dishes. and i'll eat anything made with peanuts. put the two together, and i'm a 40-foot ape trashing your village to get the dish before anyone else gets there and steals my portion.
the place i went for lunch today, thai specialty, has a very good version of massuman curry, which is chicken cooked in mussamon curry paste with potatoes and peanuts.
2010/02/09
milestones
dear project leader:
i didn't watch the super bowl. hardly even considered it, even for the commericials.
being a U.S. citizen and not participating in this past weekend's television holiday is somewhat akin to planning a birthday party that falls on the holiday memorializing their lord and savior's ascent into zombie-ism.
which my birthday, a milestone birthday, does this year. i actually have friends who will choose jesus over me.
blasphemy.
i didn't watch the super bowl. hardly even considered it, even for the commericials.
being a U.S. citizen and not participating in this past weekend's television holiday is somewhat akin to planning a birthday party that falls on the holiday memorializing their lord and savior's ascent into zombie-ism.
which my birthday, a milestone birthday, does this year. i actually have friends who will choose jesus over me.
blasphemy.
2010/02/07
inertia
dear project leader:
the husband was watching a movie on logo while i was internetting, and i overheard a strumming guitar bumping drum song starting up. then a flat-voiced vocal started in, and i was sorta intrigued.
i won't say adieu, by the inertia kiss
but it was playing as "background club music" (i thought), so i figured it would go away before i worked up the gumption to go over to the tv and actually listen to it.
as the movie switched from one setting to the next, the song continued. and i continued thinking it would be over before i could check it out.
still, it played. so i went over to the husband watching tv and said, oooh, i kinda like that song they were just playing. asked what was this movie? he push-buttoned the INFO for the movie: between love & goodbye, which was all i needed to know to look up the song on amazon.
the husband was watching a movie on logo while i was internetting, and i overheard a strumming guitar bumping drum song starting up. then a flat-voiced vocal started in, and i was sorta intrigued.
i won't say adieu, by the inertia kiss
but it was playing as "background club music" (i thought), so i figured it would go away before i worked up the gumption to go over to the tv and actually listen to it.
as the movie switched from one setting to the next, the song continued. and i continued thinking it would be over before i could check it out.
still, it played. so i went over to the husband watching tv and said, oooh, i kinda like that song they were just playing. asked what was this movie? he push-buttoned the INFO for the movie: between love & goodbye, which was all i needed to know to look up the song on amazon.
2010/02/06
our resistance
dear project leader:
the husband turned on the tv this morning, and our default channel, mtvu, queued up muse's "resistance" video. which is awesome.
great performance video, even if the audio track is not a live performance. really sells the concert experience.
sadly, muse are not coming to my city, the 7th largest city in the U.S.
word: of the myriad mtv channels, none compare to mtvu. when we switched it on, they played muse for me, then rihanna for the husband. the channel concentrates on music video (imagine that), and they play a full spectrum of what is out now.
the husband turned on the tv this morning, and our default channel, mtvu, queued up muse's "resistance" video. which is awesome.
great performance video, even if the audio track is not a live performance. really sells the concert experience.
sadly, muse are not coming to my city, the 7th largest city in the U.S.
word: of the myriad mtv channels, none compare to mtvu. when we switched it on, they played muse for me, then rihanna for the husband. the channel concentrates on music video (imagine that), and they play a full spectrum of what is out now.
2010/02/05
100 tons of pressure
dear project leader:
the embedded video is a little too much talkytalky and not quite enough showyshowy, but still, fascinating subject.
never knew this process, but more importantly, references what i've been posting about the past few days of music having something THERE there.
via makezine
the embedded video is a little too much talkytalky and not quite enough showyshowy, but still, fascinating subject.
Gotta Groove Records - "Groove With Us" from Nick Cavalier on Vimeo.
never knew this process, but more importantly, references what i've been posting about the past few days of music having something THERE there.
via makezine
I AM NOXIOUS
dear project leader:
stranded on love, i am noxious
i don't know anything about this guy but what he has posted on his myspace page. but he's awesome.
(tip o' hat to electroqueer for the link.)
stranded on love, i am noxious
i don't know anything about this guy but what he has posted on his myspace page. but he's awesome.
(tip o' hat to electroqueer for the link.)
2010/02/04
patty duke
dear project leader:
i don't quite understand why i have such affection for patty duke, but i do. as a youngster, i watched "the patty duke show" from time to time, though i couldn't quote you any single storyline. the theme song was awesome, though! and the actor who played her dad remained a favorite, as well. (amazon link for the theme song: The Patty Duke Show
)
i recall her appearance on the mike douglas show, when she was promoting the miracle worker. the preview clip she brought was one in which helen experiences the birth of a baby chick in her hand.
i tried to tune in whenever she made appearances on other shows, like "the love boat" or whatever...but i really struck gold when she showed up in a made-for-TV movie that still gets aired during the holiday season, always remember, i love you. (bonus: stephen dorff co-stars.) this movie really knows how to work the viewer: even my jaded self gets all choked up at the big reveal on christmas morning.
and finding her album in my 20's was a true highlight of the era.
i attempted to transfer this affection to her son, sean astin, but it didn't work. maybe i didn't try hard enough. or maybe there are no familiar theme songs attached to his projects.
i don't quite understand why i have such affection for patty duke, but i do. as a youngster, i watched "the patty duke show" from time to time, though i couldn't quote you any single storyline. the theme song was awesome, though! and the actor who played her dad remained a favorite, as well. (amazon link for the theme song: The Patty Duke Show
)i recall her appearance on the mike douglas show, when she was promoting the miracle worker. the preview clip she brought was one in which helen experiences the birth of a baby chick in her hand.
i tried to tune in whenever she made appearances on other shows, like "the love boat" or whatever...but i really struck gold when she showed up in a made-for-TV movie that still gets aired during the holiday season, always remember, i love you. (bonus: stephen dorff co-stars.) this movie really knows how to work the viewer: even my jaded self gets all choked up at the big reveal on christmas morning.
and finding her album in my 20's was a true highlight of the era.
i attempted to transfer this affection to her son, sean astin, but it didn't work. maybe i didn't try hard enough. or maybe there are no familiar theme songs attached to his projects.
2010/02/03
my interest
dear project leader:
so the question becomes...why do i care so much whether music companies make money?
i don't.
the truth is, i'm getting old(er). i have a persistent ringing in my ears, most likely from four and a half generations of clubbing (disco - new wave - house - electronica (all overarched with hi-energy)), during the night hours; and thirty years of headphone wearing (walkman - stereo outfit - PC - discman - ipod), during the daylight and get-me-to-sleep hours.
i only ask for that my hearing holds out 32 more years. and please debbie, don't retire before 2042!
so the question becomes...why do i care so much whether music companies make money?
i don't.
- i care that i don't get fined for unauthorized downloads.
- i care that bands for whom i have an unnatural affection stay in the game.
- i care that i can constantly find new stuff to supplement my attachment to the old.
the truth is, i'm getting old(er). i have a persistent ringing in my ears, most likely from four and a half generations of clubbing (disco - new wave - house - electronica (all overarched with hi-energy)), during the night hours; and thirty years of headphone wearing (walkman - stereo outfit - PC - discman - ipod), during the daylight and get-me-to-sleep hours.
i only ask for that my hearing holds out 32 more years. and please debbie, don't retire before 2042!
90% unauthorized
Music's lost decade: Sales cut in half
article talks about the music industry not having kept ahead of music downloads; thus napster taught consumers that music can be "free". itunes slowed that, but only a percentage of users think "that music is worth paying for".
"That...lag is where the music industry lost the battle," said Sonal Gandhi, music analyst with Forrester Research. "They lost an opportunity to take consumers' new behavior and really monetize it in a way that nipped the free music expectation in the bud."
the article concludes with the hopeful news that licensing (ringtones, streaming internet radio, etc.) will bring in revenue for the industry, but likely will never rise to the crazy levels of $$$ that they once enjoyed.
question: the article said that 90% of music distribution today is unauthorized downloads. do you purchase a majority of your music these days? or is it closer to the 10% cited in the article?
just curious.
2010/02/02
hi oscar
dear project leader:
oscar nominations came out this morning. i've noticed that year after year, i've seen fewer and fewer of the nominated flicks; 2009 certainly continues in that downward trajectory.
anyway, here are my takes on the nominations:
Best Picture: "Avatar,""The Blind Side,""District 9,""An Education,""The Hurt Locker,""Inglourious Basterds,""Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,""A Serious Man,""Up,""Up in the Air."
from what i've been able to view, i have to go with inglourious basterds. didn't see up in the air, wonder if i would prefer that? i'm surprised to see up; i liked it well enough, but best picture? whutevs. and avatar: as my coworker would say, oh hell to the no!
Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"; George Clooney, "Up in the Air"; Colin Firth, "A Single Man"; Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"; Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker."
colin firth, but it looks like one can't go wrong with this category...jeremy renner was really enjoyable in the hurt locker, so he'd be a fine second choice. but clooney should win it...he should win everything, ever.
Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"; Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"; Carey Mulligan, "An Education"; Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' by Sapphire"; Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia."
of these, i only saw julie & julia...in which meryl streep was wonderful, but when one plays a well-known real life character, does that still qualify? i suppose. sandra bullock? blechk.
Supporting Actor: Matt Damon, "Invictus"; Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"; Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"; Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"; Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds."
christopher waltz was really quite good. and i didn't see any of the others, except stanley tucci in the lovely bones. (ha ha, a nomination for that bullshit.)
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Nine"; Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"; Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"; Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"; Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
wow...didn't see any of these. so i'll just pick anna kendrick, because i like george clooney. i'm sure members of the academy have the same selection criterion.
Directing: James Cameron, "Avatar"; Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"; Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"; Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"; Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air."
of these, i only saw the hurt locker and inglourious basterds, and either is fine. (what about avatar? see "oh hell to the no," above.)
Foreign Language Film: "Ajami," Israel; "El Secreto de Sus Ojos," Argentina; "The Milk of Sorrow," Peru; "Un Prophete," France; "The White Ribbon," Germany.
blah blah blah, blah blah blah. the preview for the white ribbon looked good.
Adapted Screenplay: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, "District 9"; Nick Hornby, "An Education"; Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche, "In the Loop"; Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"; Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air."
district 9 was surprisingly great, but i am not familiar with the source material, so i can't really judge the adaptation. so, i guess george clooney -- er, i mean sheldon turner -- wins again!
Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"; Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"; Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman, "The Messenger"; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "A Serious Man"; Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Tom McCarthy, "Up."
goodness, how did i miss a serious man? the cohen movies don't stick around long enough to see, anymore. just because it's the cohens, i'll assume it was the best original screenplay.
Animated Feature Film: "Coraline"; "Fantastic Mr. Fox"; "The Princess and the Frog"; "The Secret of Kells"; "Up."
had coraline not been up against mr fox, i might have selected that from this list...but george clooney -- er, mr. fox -- wins again. this time, deservedly so, and not just for the clooney connection. fantastic mr. fox may well have been my favorite movie this year.
Art Direction: "Avatar,""The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,""Nine,""Sherlock Holmes,""The Young Victoria."
i haven't seen doctor parnassus yet, but suspect it might truly have been the best art direction -- terry gilliam movies are like that. sherlock holmes was a worthy competitor. avatar was OHTTN.
Cinematography: "Avatar,""Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,""The Hurt Locker,""Inglourious Basterds,""The White Ribbon."
i'm going with the hurt locker on this one. the intended imagery was perfectly captured, i think. can one refer to an animated feature, avatar, as having been cinematographed?
Sound Mixing: "Avatar,""The Hurt Locker,""Inglourious Basterds,""Star Trek,""Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
not an expert in this field...all i know is transformers hurt my ears. i'll go with star trek, because i liked that movie a lot, and george clooney isn't nominated in this category.
Sound Editing: "Avatar,""The Hurt Locker,""Inglourious Basterds,""Star Trek,""Up."
eh...star trek again? i don't know. i don't recall sound effects missing cues, or whatever.
Original Score: "Avatar," James Horner; "Fantastic Mr. Fox," Alexandre Desplat; "The Hurt Locker," Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders; "Sherlock Holmes," Hans Zimmer; "Up," Michael Giacchino.
if john williams isn't on the list, i don't really have much interest. but i did enjoy everything about fantastic mr fox, so we'll assume the original score had something to do with that impression.
Original Song: "Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog," Randy Newman; "Down in New Orleans" from "The Princess and the Frog," Randy Newman; "Loin de Paname" from "Paris 36," Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas; "Take It All" from "Nine," Maury Yeston; "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart," Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett.
i'm going with t bone burnett, because he's consistently remarkable. and he had nothing to do with princess and the frog.
Costume: "Bright Star,""Coco Before Chanel,""The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,""Nine,""The Young Victoria."
hmmm. parnassus?
Documentary Feature: "Burma VJ,""The Cove,""Food, Inc.""The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,""Which Way Home."
didn't see any of them. food, inc. shouldn't win, because i like everything about food.
Documentary (short subject): "China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province,""The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner,""The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant,""Music by Prudence,""Rabbit a la Berlin."
dunno, dunno, dunno-dunno-dunno
Film Editing: "Avatar,""District 9,""The Hurt Locker,""Inglourious Basterds,""Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
oh, i don't know. film editing is one of those things that you have to know the craft before you can judge it, i think.
Makeup: "Il Divo,""Star Trek,""The Young Victoria."
only saw star trek of the three listed, but seriously, captain kirk's makeup in the movie was DREADFUL. looked like a clown.
Animated Short Film: "French Roast,""Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty,""The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte),""Logorama,""A Matter of Loaf and Death."
no opinion, didn't see any of them.
Live Action Short Film: "The Door,""Instead of Abracadabra,""Kavi,""Miracle Fish,""The New Tenants."
no opinion, didn't see any of them.
Visual Effects: "Avatar,""District 9,""Star Trek."
i would say avatar, if i didn't hate the movie so much...so, star trek. the effects were so good, that even in 2-D, they blew me away. on the other hand, the integration of effects into the real world (not green screen) really gave district 9 it's biggest boost.
bit torrents
dear project leader:
a bit of a follow-up to what i posted a couple of days ago about record-buying, where it veered off momentarily to ownership issues...
so...record sales aren't even worth bothering with anymore? that went much further than i expected.
(fwiw, i bought a bunch of billie ray martin CDs back when she first appeared...and they were terrific.)
source: electroqueer.
a bit of a follow-up to what i posted a couple of days ago about record-buying, where it veered off momentarily to ownership issues...
When asked about her involvement with Mininova - this is what Billie Ray Martin had to say:
"Torrent sites are no longer the enemy. All music has basically become free. If a label holds on to their file for dear life, the minute they release it, it will be out there free. It’s a fact and you can’t get away from it. So there’s no point in fighting it. Distributing your music more or less for free might be a bit of a hard-to-grasp concept—it certainly is for me still—but the way it works now is simply that the money is no longer in sales, but in live gigs and licensing. So MP3s are merely there to create interest now. So they’re given out for free really. In a couple of years, all music will be free. Don’t ask me if I am pleased, I’d rather have the $100,000 advances that I used to get from record companies. On the other hand, this process is more democratic. Kids download the files if they like them, you’ve just reached your audience."
so...record sales aren't even worth bothering with anymore? that went much further than i expected.
(fwiw, i bought a bunch of billie ray martin CDs back when she first appeared...and they were terrific.)
source: electroqueer.
2010/02/01
RIP OMC
well this is sad.
Pauly Fuemana of "How Bizarre" fame dies.
i really, really liked the OMC album, how bizarre back when it came out. the whole album was a nice cohesive package of songs that really flowed well together. nice smooth vocals, sort of bouncy-mellow rhythms and appropriately subdued brass.
if you don't have it, you should get it. seriously.
like any number of celebrities, i didn't really think of looking him up until they hit the news again (well, about a year ago i looked to see if there was anything new on the horizon). hopefully he's had some unreleased tracks and other material they can publish now.
here's the link to how bizarre on amazon: OMC
Pauly Fuemana of "How Bizarre" fame dies.
i really, really liked the OMC album, how bizarre back when it came out. the whole album was a nice cohesive package of songs that really flowed well together. nice smooth vocals, sort of bouncy-mellow rhythms and appropriately subdued brass.
if you don't have it, you should get it. seriously.
like any number of celebrities, i didn't really think of looking him up until they hit the news again (well, about a year ago i looked to see if there was anything new on the horizon). hopefully he's had some unreleased tracks and other material they can publish now.
here's the link to how bizarre on amazon: OMC
how many more times
dear project leader:
how many more times will i post about this dan black? i can't stop myself. seriously. best album i've heard in ages.
how many more times will i post about this dan black? i can't stop myself. seriously. best album i've heard in ages.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)