I guess you should have made me leave my key.
I've been absent from blogging, but I'm back. I went to visit The Dude in Florida and then, upon my return, I fell ill.
I am finally feeling better, though, so I'll be back up and running again soon.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Despite our differences by Indigo Girls
Despite our differences, released in 2006, is comfortingly similar to a lot of the Indigo Girls previous albums but is also starkly different. It is a mixture of sweet songs about love, loss, and regret and heavier songs infused with the spirit of rock and roll. Ray and Saliers still have a lot to say, but this album seems less overtly political. When they do have a political message to sell, they're able to do so in a subtle way and with a sense of refinement.
It's a fun stretch from what I'm used to hearing from Ray and Saliers, but I like it a lot. It's an album that I haven't tired of yet and, with each listen, I'm finding new things to love about it.
'But wait, Mrs. Dude,' you're probably saying. You said in a previous post that you don't usually like female vocalists. 'What gives,' you ask.
I realize that I probably should have prefaced that rant by saying that there are some female vocalists that I love. I love Jodee Lewis' vocals because her voice is so rich and conveys a vulnerability. I love Natalie Merchant's vocals because of how smokey and sultry she can make her voice sound. I am growing to love Aimee Mann's voice because it's unlike anything I've heard before in its complexity.
And I love Amy's and Emily's vocals. For me, though, it's not what one or the other of them brings to the table. For me, it's the interplay of their voices and how one is gravely and earthy while the other soars. Their music, especially on this album, gives each of them the chance to shine.
It's a fun stretch from what I'm used to hearing from Ray and Saliers, but I like it a lot. It's an album that I haven't tired of yet and, with each listen, I'm finding new things to love about it.
'But wait, Mrs. Dude,' you're probably saying. You said in a previous post that you don't usually like female vocalists. 'What gives,' you ask.
I realize that I probably should have prefaced that rant by saying that there are some female vocalists that I love. I love Jodee Lewis' vocals because her voice is so rich and conveys a vulnerability. I love Natalie Merchant's vocals because of how smokey and sultry she can make her voice sound. I am growing to love Aimee Mann's voice because it's unlike anything I've heard before in its complexity.
And I love Amy's and Emily's vocals. For me, though, it's not what one or the other of them brings to the table. For me, it's the interplay of their voices and how one is gravely and earthy while the other soars. Their music, especially on this album, gives each of them the chance to shine.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Starburst jelly beans
No matter your beliefs on religion, you have to love Easter. Because while I firmly believe, like Benjamin Franklin, that beer is God's way of telling us he loves us and wants us to be happy, Easter is God's way of telling us not to take ourselves too seriously.
I was at Target yesterday (yet another of my favorite things...) and went purposely into the Easter candy aisle in search of Starburst jelly beans. I came out with two bags of jelly beans (original and "red" flavors [which I bought to get more strawberry flavored jelly beans]), a single-serving bag of Cadbury mini-eggs, a Reese's peanut butter egg, and a Kit Kat bar.
If you didn't understand why I took down my weight-loss blog, you do now.
I mixed the two kinds of jelly beans together and brought a small bag of the jelly beans to work with me. I was at a loss for what to write about today, but then it occurred to me that some of you might not know about the awesometasticness that is the Starburst jelly bean.
I never felt strongly about jelly beans before. Yeah, Jelly Bellies are okay, but ultimately I could take them or leave them. I like the Starburst jelly beans because they taste sort of like Starburst candies (hence my desparation for more strawberry beans). They taste like the flavors they claim to be--a huge feat in the candy industry--but aren't overwhelmingly sweet or tart.
Also, I tend to shy away from candy that isn't chocolate. I do like Skittles and Starburst candies and, occasionally, I'll eat a chewy Sweet Tart. But these jelly beans are as appealing to me as any candy bar.
In conclusion, Starburst jelly beans are yum.
I was at Target yesterday (yet another of my favorite things...) and went purposely into the Easter candy aisle in search of Starburst jelly beans. I came out with two bags of jelly beans (original and "red" flavors [which I bought to get more strawberry flavored jelly beans]), a single-serving bag of Cadbury mini-eggs, a Reese's peanut butter egg, and a Kit Kat bar.
If you didn't understand why I took down my weight-loss blog, you do now.
I mixed the two kinds of jelly beans together and brought a small bag of the jelly beans to work with me. I was at a loss for what to write about today, but then it occurred to me that some of you might not know about the awesometasticness that is the Starburst jelly bean.
I never felt strongly about jelly beans before. Yeah, Jelly Bellies are okay, but ultimately I could take them or leave them. I like the Starburst jelly beans because they taste sort of like Starburst candies (hence my desparation for more strawberry beans). They taste like the flavors they claim to be--a huge feat in the candy industry--but aren't overwhelmingly sweet or tart.
Also, I tend to shy away from candy that isn't chocolate. I do like Skittles and Starburst candies and, occasionally, I'll eat a chewy Sweet Tart. But these jelly beans are as appealing to me as any candy bar.
In conclusion, Starburst jelly beans are yum.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Questionable Content
**Original post, per Snalin's request,has been edited as not to spoil**
I'd be hard pressed to tell you who introduced me to Questionable Content. I just remember that I came late to this party and spent the better part of a weekend reading through the archives in a crazed attempt to catch up.
Jeph Jacques' web comic stars Martin, Faye (Martin's roommate), Dora (Faye's boss), Pintsize (Martin's AnthroPC), and a range of other characters who help move the plot on at a glacial pace. It must be noted, though, that the plot is secondary. We are going someplace, but it doesn't matter how long it takes us to get there because we're having so much fun.
Jacques' is dead-on when it comes to the complexity of romantic relationships, but he also has a knack for finding the subtlety (or lack thereof)in friendships, both male and female. And, even more surprising, his female characters are interesting and complex. And they also have large racks.
It's fun to look at the way in which Jacques' drawing has improved over time, because it has. Not only has Jacques improved as an artist, but he also devotes his full time to this endeavor, having become a full-time artist.
Mostly, though, it's funny.
There's a link on the left side of my blog. You should check it out.
I'd be hard pressed to tell you who introduced me to Questionable Content. I just remember that I came late to this party and spent the better part of a weekend reading through the archives in a crazed attempt to catch up.
Jeph Jacques' web comic stars Martin, Faye (Martin's roommate), Dora (Faye's boss), Pintsize (Martin's AnthroPC), and a range of other characters who help move the plot on at a glacial pace. It must be noted, though, that the plot is secondary. We are going someplace, but it doesn't matter how long it takes us to get there because we're having so much fun.
Jacques' is dead-on when it comes to the complexity of romantic relationships, but he also has a knack for finding the subtlety (or lack thereof)in friendships, both male and female. And, even more surprising, his female characters are interesting and complex. And they also have large racks.
It's fun to look at the way in which Jacques' drawing has improved over time, because it has. Not only has Jacques improved as an artist, but he also devotes his full time to this endeavor, having become a full-time artist.
Mostly, though, it's funny.
There's a link on the left side of my blog. You should check it out.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
"Dashboard" by Modest Mouse
You'd think that between the satellite radio and my iPod that I'd never actually listen to commercial radio. But, I do. The local "alternative rock" station has a killer morning show that I listen to on my way to work.
Modest Mouse's new single "Dashboard" is in heavy rotation on this morning show and has me geeked for their new album. It's everything I loved about their last album--jangly, catchy, and eccentric. I can't listen to it without singing along and dancing in my seat.
I think it's fair to say that over the course of their career that Modest Mouse has toned down the crazy in their music to appeal to a wider (and more commercial) audience without losing their whimsy. I'm cool with that, since I actually prefer the toned down version of their work.
Basically, I can't wait for the new album, We were dead before the ship even sank. It comes out on March 20.
Modest Mouse's new single "Dashboard" is in heavy rotation on this morning show and has me geeked for their new album. It's everything I loved about their last album--jangly, catchy, and eccentric. I can't listen to it without singing along and dancing in my seat.
I think it's fair to say that over the course of their career that Modest Mouse has toned down the crazy in their music to appeal to a wider (and more commercial) audience without losing their whimsy. I'm cool with that, since I actually prefer the toned down version of their work.
Basically, I can't wait for the new album, We were dead before the ship even sank. It comes out on March 20.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Martin Amis almost made me cry.
I consider myself to be reasonably intelligent. I have a Masters Degree, so that must count for something, right?
Not so, my friends. Not so.
The Dude recommended London Fields to me. He said that it "just blew him away," and I try my best to read the books that The Dude recommends.
It took me over a month to read London Fields. During that time I grew so frustrated with it, that by the time I got to the end, I didn't care. Amis gives us this supposedly Earth-shattering plot twist, and I wasn't the least bit surprised nor did I really care much. I'd grown so tired of having these characters in my life that I would have been just as happy if the book had turned into a Shakespearean tragedy with all of the characters dead.
That isn't what happened, by the way.
This isn't to say that London Fields wasn't good, because it was. I enjoyed meeting this eccentric cast of characters: Nicola Six, the batshit crazy heroine; Keith, the darts player whose penchant for drink and for promiscuity threaten his game; Guy, a family man who gets pulled into this world of wanton debauchery by Keith. There's also a huge supporting cast who help move the drama to its conclusion, albeit at a snail's pace. It seems good that Amis can put the story on the collective shoulders of his characters, considering that this novel comes off more as a character study than a plot-driven work of fiction.
My trusty friend Wikipedia claims that Amis' writing style influenced Zadie Smith. This intrigues me, as I enjoyed what I read of On Beauty and intend, one of these days, to finish it. It seems, though, that Smith does a way better job of using her characters to drive her plot. One can have his character study and a plot, too, it seems.
London Fields reminded me a lot of Irvine Welsh's book Trainspotting. It, too, made me crazy and it, too, was a worthwhile read. Though their plots aren't anything alike, the tone and language struck me as quite similar.
So, if you're into character studies and characters obsessed with the Postmodern Condition, check this out.
Not so, my friends. Not so.
The Dude recommended London Fields to me. He said that it "just blew him away," and I try my best to read the books that The Dude recommends.
It took me over a month to read London Fields. During that time I grew so frustrated with it, that by the time I got to the end, I didn't care. Amis gives us this supposedly Earth-shattering plot twist, and I wasn't the least bit surprised nor did I really care much. I'd grown so tired of having these characters in my life that I would have been just as happy if the book had turned into a Shakespearean tragedy with all of the characters dead.
That isn't what happened, by the way.
This isn't to say that London Fields wasn't good, because it was. I enjoyed meeting this eccentric cast of characters: Nicola Six, the batshit crazy heroine; Keith, the darts player whose penchant for drink and for promiscuity threaten his game; Guy, a family man who gets pulled into this world of wanton debauchery by Keith. There's also a huge supporting cast who help move the drama to its conclusion, albeit at a snail's pace. It seems good that Amis can put the story on the collective shoulders of his characters, considering that this novel comes off more as a character study than a plot-driven work of fiction.
My trusty friend Wikipedia claims that Amis' writing style influenced Zadie Smith. This intrigues me, as I enjoyed what I read of On Beauty and intend, one of these days, to finish it. It seems, though, that Smith does a way better job of using her characters to drive her plot. One can have his character study and a plot, too, it seems.
London Fields reminded me a lot of Irvine Welsh's book Trainspotting. It, too, made me crazy and it, too, was a worthwhile read. Though their plots aren't anything alike, the tone and language struck me as quite similar.
So, if you're into character studies and characters obsessed with the Postmodern Condition, check this out.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Sound of Young America
I kind of have a crush on Jesse Thorn now. Don't tell The Dude, though. We don't have *that* kind of marriage...
After America's Radio Sweetheart informed me that I could, in fact, determine the subject of a show in a painless way, I dove in. I had a long drive yesterday evening and listened to two interviews--one with Neal Pollack and one with Maria Bamford. Today I listened to the fantastically funny Brendon Small discuss metal and to the Rock Snobbery and Hip Hop Heads shows.
Basically, Jesse interviews the people I would interview if I had a radio show. Only he does it better than I could. Do what you're good at, I always say. I'm good at organizing information and Jesse is good at making people talk.
His interviews are witty without being too precious. His personality shines in interviews without outshining the guests.
Also? His theme song is pretty catchy.
You can find The Sound of Young America on iTunes or on the website www.maximumfun.org
I highly recommend it.
After America's Radio Sweetheart informed me that I could, in fact, determine the subject of a show in a painless way, I dove in. I had a long drive yesterday evening and listened to two interviews--one with Neal Pollack and one with Maria Bamford. Today I listened to the fantastically funny Brendon Small discuss metal and to the Rock Snobbery and Hip Hop Heads shows.
Basically, Jesse interviews the people I would interview if I had a radio show. Only he does it better than I could. Do what you're good at, I always say. I'm good at organizing information and Jesse is good at making people talk.
His interviews are witty without being too precious. His personality shines in interviews without outshining the guests.
Also? His theme song is pretty catchy.
You can find The Sound of Young America on iTunes or on the website www.maximumfun.org
I highly recommend it.
Friday, March 2, 2007
More podcasts
Since my last update, I added:
Speaking of faith
The splendid table
Filmschool
Intelligence squared
On the media
The sound of Young America
The Diane Rehm show
I love my iPod, Frances. It's a black iPod and I call it Frances. Get it? Black Frances? Anyway, my only big complaint with Frances is that when I download podcasts to him, I have no idea what the podcasts are about. In iTunes, the podcasts have descriptions, but not on my iPod. Right now, there's an episode of 'The sound of Young America" with an interview with Brendon Small. But I don't know which one, which sucks because I really wanted to listen to it.
UPDATE: Jesse Thorn, America's Radio Sweetheart, let me know that for 'The sound of Young America' podcasts, the subject of the show appears where the song title does for music. And lo, he was right. Jesse Thorn, awesometastic? You decide...
Speaking of faith
The splendid table
Filmschool
Intelligence squared
On the media
The sound of Young America
The Diane Rehm show
I love my iPod, Frances. It's a black iPod and I call it Frances. Get it? Black Frances? Anyway, my only big complaint with Frances is that when I download podcasts to him, I have no idea what the podcasts are about. In iTunes, the podcasts have descriptions, but not on my iPod. Right now, there's an episode of 'The sound of Young America" with an interview with Brendon Small. But I don't know which one, which sucks because I really wanted to listen to it.
UPDATE: Jesse Thorn, America's Radio Sweetheart, let me know that for 'The sound of Young America' podcasts, the subject of the show appears where the song title does for music. And lo, he was right. Jesse Thorn, awesometastic? You decide...
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