Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "Your Time Is Gonna Come" + "Whole Lotta Love"

Fairly positive that this is a bootleg cover, but it amuses me so much.

"Your Time Is Gonna Come", Led Zeppelin
So magnificent. As the song kicks up, your spirits ascend with it. Alas, I've already covered that. Here's another:

"Whole Lotta Love", Led Zeppelin II
Oh, an obvious number. But you cannot deny its sensuous strength. I'm generally not into the chunky riffs of Led Zeppelin II, but its a vital part of their history. When I deemed Led Zeppelin II one of the sexiest albums of all time, "Whole Lotta Love" was what I had in mind. Mesmerizing production and ferocious delivery make the song the classic that it is. II is a record that was labored on the road, and the debaucherous nature of the recording is a magnificent reflection of that.

This week:

Listening: Uggh, I'm in that dreaded between-obsessions phase. I loathe! I don't really have anything left with the Clash, so now its musically meandering... Beatles for Sale still; Bessie Smith; "Something About England", The Clash; Curtis, Curtis Mayfield; Everly Brothers still; the Impressions; "Needles and Pins", Jackie DeShannon; "Wicked Annabella", the Kinks; Les Paul per usual; Little Feat, Little Feat; P-Funk; Toots and the Maytals still. Yet, no such obsession.

Reading: The most exciting this to happen to me this month... I paid my library fees! After more than a year of dodging libraries and book mobiles alike, the county of Los Angeles has nothing on me! So that means I've been reading savagely -- I finished four books this week. They are The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion; The Making of the African Queen, Or: How I went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and almost lost my mind, Katharine Hepburn; By Myself, Lauren Bacall; Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001), Don Felder.

The Year of Magical Thinking nearly reduced me to tears, but I made it through with dry eyes. She isn't overwhelmingly emotion, yet her emotions still come through so boldly. Her intellectual and fact-based approach is a striking way of delivering such a heartbreaking tale. You see her candid emotions, distress, grief, and mourning for just what they are, and you feel for her immensely. Yet, she demands no such pity, and this is most admirable. She somehow leaves a gap, so you know just how she feels and thinks, but you don't quite feel like you know her. But, what is most incredible about this book is that this is TRUE LIFE. The fact that her pain and each new struggle is entirely real is what gets to me most. Each time the story took a turn, I became completely engrossed, and I'd hope that Ms. Didion could work her way out of it. Why the hell I read a book that has become a staple of "mourning literature", I don't know. (The title sounds mystical, but really has nothing to do with "magic".) All I know is that though I was aware of the final outcome (and I applaud her strength), I still mercilessly traveled through the hardships with her, itching for every detail. A plus: It proves you can write your way out of the biggest disasters.

When The Year of Magical Thinking became too weighty, I balanced it with The Making of the African Queen, Or: How I went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and almost lost my mind. While not nearly as stunning as her autobiography, Katharine Hepburn's witty banter, affectionately turbulent accounts of John Huston, but most of all her tales of Bogie and Bacall and living in Africa, all make for a hilarious read. Movie trouble tends to be a bore, but you also get her talking about strange things like not wanting to share a bathroom with the Bogarts, for fear that Bogie will walk in while she's on the toilet. I kind of want to escape on an African safari. Yes?

!!!

By Myself, I read years ago, so I actually just skimmed it. Though, I did read everything from the beginning of her contact with Howard Hawks to Frank Sinatra's flee. For it has all her mushy gushy Bogie courtship tales! I melt. Truly, I sat tucked under my blanket, gripping my heart and cooing to myself. As I've covered, I have no stomach for contrived romance. In contrast, I adore a well-written letter. Especially when penned by Humphrey Bogart, professing his love... "Slim darling, you came along and into my arms and into my heart and all the real true love I have is yours-and now I'm afraid you won't understand and that you'll become impatient and that I'll lose you-but even if that happened, I wouldn't stop loving you for you are my last love and all the rest of my life I shall love you and watch you and be ready to help you should ever need help. All the nice things I do each day would be so much sweeter and so much gayer if you were with me. I find myself saying a hundred times a day, 'If Slim could only see that' or 'I wish Slim could hear this.' I want to make a new life with you-I want all the friends I've lost to meet you and know you and love you as I do-and live again with you, for the past years have been terribly tough, damn near drove me crazy. You'll soon be here, Baby, and when you come you'll bring everything that's important to me in this world with you." That's only one of many, but such sweetness, right? I'm not entirely heartless..

What a happy bunch they appear to be...

Heaven and Hell was basically: "I'm such an intense drug taker. Cocaine cocaine cocaine!" "We're the Eagles, we're so decadent! Such debauchery! We fuck so many ladies, we take so many drugs, we're so wild! So reckless! Third encore!" And of course, "Glenn Frey and Don Henley are such assholes!" But really, Don Felder doesn't come across as a half-bad dude. Sometimes I thought, "Should he just shut up and take what he's given?" But eh, I'm all about speaking your mind, especially when so unfairly vied against. A lose/lose situation, I think. Still, its all just money... But he does also seem to truly possess a respect and admiration for his craft. I think he was a better composer than Joe Walsh anyway. "Hotel California" > "Pretty Maids All in a Row". Basically, I collected that the Eagles seem like a bunch you wouldn't want to spend much time with, and Glenn Frey and Don Henley, for all their talent, were/are greedy bitches. And Irving Azoff too, for all his lack of talent.

Watching: Casino Royale, 1967 version -- so campy and ridiculous, but I love John Huston and David Niven, and Barbara Bouchet was so beautiful; The Kids Are Alright, which we all know is amazing, no need to discuss. The Who, so great; The Harder They Come, a cult favorite with one of the best soundtracks. When asked what it was about, I responded, "Jamaica, weed, reggae." Basically.


I hope to make this weekly overview a steady occurrence, xo.

Happylist.

- Beautifully descriptive writing
- Nails perfectly painted a pretty color
- My perfectly painted nails atop Fitzgerald's words
- Being effortlessly awesome at academics
- Homemade iced tea
- Throwing together good outfits in minutes
- The Beatles
- The Getty
- Humphrey Bogart
- My dad's laugh
- Writing anywhere but paper (hands, walls)
- Pets
- The Yardbirds
- My little brother
- My rings
- My lacy lingerie romper I practically live in
- Putting my hair up when it's wet so it dries wavy
- Liking Dave Davies more than Ray Davies
- Writing
- Receiving positive feedback of any kind
- Learning from constructive criticism
- Amoeba
- Slurpees
- The beach
- The Bay Area
- The fact that Christine McVie is SO MUCH COOLER than Stevie Nicks
- Having an affair with Brian Jones
- Bringing songs out of retirement
- Being optimistic to the point of absurdity
- That  I lived in the former home of a 1920s starlet
- That David Crosby may still or once lived in that town
- That Richard Manuel definitely did in the 70's
- The fact that I figured this out by blasting the Band from a car radio, surrounded by old dudes drinking beer, and having a particularly endearing fifty-something with cool shades say, "You know one of those guys used to live around here?"
- The fact that Google can solve most problems regarding lack of information
- Killing bugs
- That time at Starbucks when I bonded with an older woman with green hair, who was sketching a natal chart, over killing bugs and keeping them in a jar. We both did it.
- Natalie Portman's SNL rap
- Jack Nicholson, and his apparently still-raging libido
- Music blasting, television on mute, preferably tuned to a black and white film
- Being practical
- Being a dreamer
- Ice cold beverages
- Slightly melted chocolate chip cookies (especially for breakfast)
- Barbra Streisand's apartment in The Way We Were!
- The Temptations
- John C. Reilly
- Success in all forms
- My furry leopard print coat
- Finding mixed CDs from long ago
- Glitter
- George Harrison as my favorite Beatle
- Jeff Beck
- Howlin' Wolf's voice
- Les Paul, for creating that gorgeous guitar, but also for his own musical accomplishments
- Discovering music
- Introducing others to music
- Self-education
- Knowledge! Endless knowledge!
- CREAM CHEESE
- The gangly charm of Jimmy Stewart
- Pre-Raphaelites
- Traveling
- Astrology in small doses
- Being physically obnoxious (i.e. Slapping asses and things of that nature)
- Randomly screaming for no apparently reason
- Running, dancing, any sort of sudden movement around my house
- Wearing the least amount of clothing as possible, but always wearing clothing
- Bubbles!
- Long, free flowing hair
- Fresh flowers
- Running into famous dudes at Whole Foods
- Always on best behavior at Whole Foods because everyone appears to be famous, even if they aren't
- Aimless jam sessions, and the ability to turn them off
- Musical visuals
- ACCENTS
- Dancing in the dark
- Freshly laundered anything
- Dreams full of surprises
- Advent calendars! (Even when the chocolate tastes terrible, and the most fun stems from popping it out)
- Candles
- CREATING yourself
- Records, record stores, turn tables, anything not new
- Maps, globes
- Scarves! Accessories! Hats
- Gifts, giving and receiving
- Making your dreams come true
- Being RELENTLESS (mostly when regarding the above)
- Candy, the holidays
- LIFE LIFE LIFE
- Fruit
- Writing!!!
- Reading
- Dreaming, imagining, being absurd
- Accepting the inevitable and enjoying everything else
- YOUTH, innocence, naivete
- Fireplaces, and the aroma of logs burning
- Hot chocolate, hot tea, warm beverages that don't quench your thirst
- FRIENDS
- Not seeing people for a while, and realizing that you fucking adore them
- Massive beds
- Being alone
- Being with people you love
- Socks, up to your knees
- Layers of clothing
- Forgetting fear
- Hair, in a thousand different ways
- Being openly unique
- Mmmm, positivity!
- The fact that I've probably repeated a few things by now, because they make me REALLY happy
- Being happy! Duh!
- Getting shit done, and being crazy/ambitious
- INDEPENDENCE, as a blessing, not a curse
- Careless of other's opinions, but not feelings
- Good (improving) posture
- Slinky grace, like a cat
- Confidence, not cockiness, not conceit
- Making lists
- The fact that I just want to KEEP building this list, because I know that SO MUCH makes me happy
- Just everything, for what it is. Good, bad, its there. Be happy, and fuck everything that goes against that. Its fucking LIFE, make it a good one, every single day.
- Have I said Jeff Beck? Well, fuck... JEFF BECK
- How about this? I'll just say, MUSIC.
- Your favorite songs on the radio, they just SOUND better
- Anything that brings happiness, or shines a little light on the world around us, not just the world we each live in
- Windows open wide
- Eggwichs in the Valley
- Did I say my little brother? I adore him endlessly
- The main wall in my bedroom, magnificently adorned with pretty faces and relics of my life
- The fake fireplace in my room that looks real, except that you can touch the artificial coal and flames, but I digress, as it is still produces heat!
- Little Debbie snacks, a not-so-guilty pleasure
- My love/hate relationship with Los Angeles
- Talking about music with anyone, period
- Katharine Hepburn
- Fun email correspondences
- Hoagy Carmichael! So much!
- Oh, um, London?
- And while we're at it, Buenos Aires
- and Tokyo!
- And my family in each respective city, except London, which makes up for it with babes and geniuses, and babe/geniuses
- Rummaging for records!
- The library
- Clothes, but not fashion
- Early cinema
- Cooking, baking, dancing!
- Exploring
- Intriguing characters
- Antiques, flea markets, thrift stores
- Open minds
- Fresh-cut flowers
- Ernest Hemingway
- Red lipstick!
- The French language
- DISNEYLAND
- Long legs
- Surprises
- The smell of vinyl record sleeves... Mmm
- Always being overdressed
- Piggyback rides
- Laughing and debating
- Natural light
- Orange juice
- Candles
- Extensive libraries
- Full house, abundant energy
- THAI FOOD!
- In 'n' Out animal friiiiies
- Bumby
- Albums with nothing but great songs
- Said albums all the way through, front to back, full pleasure
- Mini Rainbow Chips Deluxe cookies!
- Love

What's on your happy list?

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "Hots On for Nowhere"

"Hots On for Nowhere", Presence
As I said in my "Candy Store Rock" review, I recall the first time I heard "Hots On for Nowhere". I was driving with my father, listening to the radio, when it came on. I'm certain I knew it was Led Zeppelin, but it was my first exposure to the song. I was fairly little. My father exclaimed, "Oh, I love this song!" Up went the volume. I took notice, memorized a lyrics or two -- so I could look it up later, and identify the song's title. It obviously struck me, with its swinging tempo and rare Page-on-Strat use. Though I do remember the lyric I memorized was the one where he speaks of a reindeer, which I found rather odd. I don't listen to "Hots On for Nowhere" much nowadays, but I recall it fondly, for it ties into a time when I began to explore the depth and obscurities of Led Zeppelin's catalog.

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "In My Time of Dying" + "Bron-Yr-Aur"

"In My Time of Dying", Physical Graffiti
Here and here. I'll cover another song to make up for it:

"Bron-Yr-Aur", Physical Graffiti
Ooh, my heart. The shortest piece the band ever did, but one of the most affective. Its the best when I'm at a loss for words, and I struggle a bit to eloquently articulate just how I feel about particular numbers. "Bron-Yr-Aur" is one of them. Its just one musician, a little over two minutes. This must have been one of their last stabs at acoustics, because you certainly aren't going to find any on Presence or In Through the Out Door. But did they ever do it better than this? I think not. Its the mood, the tiny imperfections, the delicately ethereal delivery. What more is there to be said?

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "Night Flight"

"Night Flight", Physical Graffiti
Ah, I knew the time would come when I would be faced with songs I've very much already tackled. Seeing as I've written about Physical Graffiti disc two possibly more than any other topic, "Night Flight" has been heartily covered. It is happiness in the form of a three minute and thirty-seven second song. Predominately JPJ-penned, he is a glorious asset to this song. With the thumping bass and harrowing Hammond organ, he is such an integral part of their sublime musical chemistry. This song is absolutely celestial and jubilant. Robert Plant is vocally perfect, if not a little hard to decipher. As always, JP and John Bonham keep it lively. A magnificent song, off a remarkable album, by a perfect band. My blatant and immense affection nearly sickens me, but hey, it is what it is.

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "The Song Remains the Same"

"The Song Remains the Same", Houses of the Holy
So good! A classic in the truest sense of the word. The perfect opening number for what I'd probably deem my second-favorite Led Zeppelin album of all time. Never were they so fresh, and vibrant. While Physical Graffiti is my all time favorite, it gets filed under "mature", whereas Houses of the Holy is absolutely youthful. What can I even say about "The Song Remains the Same"? Its a song I'm so familiar with. It, like so many others, has become a part of my character. JP  ferociously plays a variety of tracks, employing his Tele as well as a Rickenbacker 12-string...  Its absolutely momentous, thunderous, climactic! JPJ and John Bonham keep it funky, and they all effortlessly combine numerous elements to make nothing less than a masterpiece. In under six minutes, they take you to a variety of places.

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "Candy Store Rock"

"Candy Store Rock", Presence
Presence will never, ever be one of my favorite Led Zeppelin records. I went through a "Royal Orleans" phase and I can distinctly remember the first time I heard "Hots On for Nowhere"... But as a complete album? I say, "Meh." Guitar players dig this record, and I respect this record, because it shows that Led Zeppelin can be on a time crunch and running on various substances. There is fire and passion that comes through with this record. Robert Plant was in a wheel chair, anxiety was abundant. So, Presence gets an "A" for effort, especially JP, whom absolutely dominates this record, in a fierce way that you will only find on Presence. "Candy Store Rock" has never gotten me. Its funky, a bit dark, boasts a catchy rhythm. But "Candy Store Rock" isn't a favorite, point blank.

Happy Australia Day

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "What Is and What Should Never Be"

I actually think this was snapped at the first LZ sessions, which would make it irrelevant to this song. But even if so, woo history!

"What Is and What Should Never Be", Led Zeppelin II
One of my favorites off II, which you may recall, I once deemed one of the sexiest albums of all time. Particularly favorable are the delicate guitar stylings of JP on the verses, coupled with JPJ's tastefully melodic bass lines. Robert Plant's phased vocals bounce elegantly from subdued to lively, as everything suddenly explodes on the chorus. "What Is and What Should Never Be" is apparently one of JP's first times using a Les Paul in the studio, to blatantly striking results. Finally, he also shows his chops as a producer. Between riffs alternating to and from each sides of the stereo, I believe a hear a gong... A fun number.

Dj Ayres - Live at Home

In this case "Live" is pronounced as it would be in "Saturday Night Live", and not "I still live with my parents".

DJ Ayres has done a mix for the awesome "Live at Home" series - perfect Monday morning music.

LINK TO: Dj Ayres - Live at Home Mix

Also make sure to grab the WHISKEY BARONS EDITS while you are over there.

Have a great week!

Led Zeppelin-a-Day: "Kashmir"

So I mentioned some time ago that I would like a daily musical/journalistic challenge. My options: Led Zeppelin song a day, or a random song plucked out by my iPod a day. I'm opting for Led Zeppelin. A song a day is easy. A song a day is a pleasure. It will also help me along during these semi-dry times for the blog -- when I'm slaving over other things, and am slightly tortured by the thought, "Your blog is what keeps you believing that you're doing something to achieve your dreams, REMEMBER?" I track my live feed and I see that the viewers decrease when there is nothing new to read. So here it is, a kick in the ass.

Oh, but don't worry. This definitely won't become my only outlet. I'll continue with the usual banter. Speaking of! By the way! The other day, I was lapping up those delicious moments right before you fall asleep. I hope everyone knows just what I mean. You're not yet asleep, but your mind has switched into this delirious, yet brilliant stand-by mode. Its, bar none, when I get my best thinking done. The most wondrous ideas, plans for world domination, or at least a superbly fulfilling life... I was thinking, thinking, thinking. It dawned on me, "I have a voice! The jittery, passionate, frequently capitalized, exclamation laden prose which simply come to me -- its my VOICE." It was a miraculous discovery. I was thinking, "Am I influenced by any particular writers?" There are so many authors whom I love to read, but I thought, "My writing doesn't particularly resemble theirs... I don't see myself particularly influenced by any. Maybe ALL, but not any specifically." The next thought: "What an accomplishment!" So la di da, I'll just continue nurturing and developing said voice.

Anyway, here's your Led Zep:

Kashmir, Physical Graffiti
I think I've made it quite clear that Physical Graffiti is my favorite album of all time. I prefer disc two (again, no secret). Disc two is made up of mostly rarities. You probably won't hear anyone proclaim, "'Down by the Seaside'? A classic!" It IS a classic, in the fact that its Led Zeppelin at their best (Mmm, 1975. Delectable), just not in the obvious sense of the word. "Black Dog" is a 'classic', but if I was stranded on an island, I'd request to keep it off the island. "Kashmir" is another song that is a 'classic'. It is one of my least favorite Led Zeppelin songs. I RARELY play this song. I might even play "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" more often, and "Hats Off" is my all time least favorite Led Zeppelin ever released on an official studio album. I find Roy Harper himself strangely alluring, but the song... A bore. "Kashmir", in contrast, isn't boring. It's an "epic". But here is my sad and sorry confession: I am a child of the nineties. The dramatic and instantly recognizable main riff in "Kashmir" reminds me of... P. Diddy, but I think he was Puff Daddy at the time. It makes me think of Godzilla. Didn't Jimmy Page and perhaps he was actually "Puffy", do an SNL appearance? Am I dreaming? That is what I think of. I don't think of whimsical hills in foreign Middle Eastern countries. I think of a weird, fictitious monster. I don't even think of a lanky, young JP slinging his Les Paul. I think of Jimmy Page with frizzy, dyed black hair. I know... That has absolutely nothing to do with music. Precisely! But my nearly baby-esque self could not anticipate that one day I'd be writing this. I didn't realize "Diddy" would wreck my view of "Kashmir" forever. I wish my dad had schooled me, and not let Diddy be more destructive than Godzilla. Alas, that hip-hop mogul got to me before anyone could intervene. "Kashmir" = "Come with Me" (I think that's what it was called, and I determined to not check it!) In other words, "Kashmir" is wrecked for me. Maybe one day it will equate to mystical adventures through new lands (which they hadn't even visited when it was written...), but for now, its me and the name-changing chameleon.

Wednesday Covers: "Somebody's Baby"

Jackson Browne is one of rock's great songwriters, having penned classic tunes for the likes of Nico (who he also screwed), Linda Ronstadt (ditto), the Byrds and the Eagles.

One of the sickest Browne tunes is "Somebody's Baby" from the Fast Times soundtrack.























Here's a horrible quality video of the song in the main sex scene from the movie.

Browne and his band performing the tune in 1982:




Jackson Browne "Somebody's Baby"
Yo La Tengo "Somebody's Baby"
Nico "These Days" (written by Browne)

Uhh... Will Smith's Wife is in a Metal Band?

Jada Pinkett Smith sings for a nu metal band called Wicked Wisdom. Who saw that one coming? So bizarre!






p.s - Last nights † Thirsty for METAL † Know Show Kick Off Party at the hifi club went off! Shout outs to the DJ's who had us covered : Shovelfight, The Cannibal Kid, Maggots & Corpsefucker.

ETHNICITY

Our dude Fordinho made a sick new mix. Check him out Wednesdays at The Hifi for Orange Crush, also on http://www.twitter.com/thefordinho or at http://www.myspace.com/djfordinho

Ryan said:
"I remember in the 90's when I used to "Rave" these CD comps that came out called Ethnotechno. No matter how ridiculous the name seems now, the title seems to be very appropriate for a lot of the dance music coming out right now. This mix is for a serious "E" trip, no special K please. Man I miss getting high. Just kidding, druggies."

FORDINHO - ETHNICITY VOL. 1

Tracklisting:
1. DOUSTER : TRIASSIC GENISIS
2. OLIVIER GIACOMOTTO : 96 DEGREES (SUPERSKANK REMIX)
3. SOLO (UK) : RAWMANIA
4. DANIEL HAAKSMAN : KID CONGA (DUBEL DUTCH REMIX)
5. POTATO HEADS : TRUMPET DANCE
6. SOLO (UK) : AFREAKA
7. MINIMOW : BOLLYHOUSE
8. GUCCI VUMP ; CASABLANCO
9. MALENTE & DEX : LIONS (JAN DRIVER REMIX)
10. DIPLO & LAIDBACK LUKE : HEY! (NADASTROM REMIX)
11. RIVA STARR : MARIA (DUB MIX)
12. MR. VEGAS : SO DOPE (LIL JON REMIX)
13. STEVE ANGELLO & AN21: VALODGA
14. CHASE BUCH : MONKEY DRUM
15. ROUND TABLE KNIGHTS : BELLYDANCE
16. MALENTE & DEX : GYPSIE KINGS
17. BUSY SIGNAL : DAH STYLE DEH
18. OLIVER $ : GYPSY CARNIVAL
19. LAIDBACK LUKE, GINA TURNER, & NOUVEAU YORICANS : BORIQUA
20. RIVA STARR : I WAS DRUNK FT. NOZE
21. NADASTROM : JACKS HORNY (SAVE US)
22. MAJOR LAZOR : KEEP IT GOING LOUDER (DIPLO REMIX)
23. SCHLACHTHOFBRONX : CHUPCHIK FT. KEIN VORSPIEL
24. POIRIER : COCO DRUNK
25. KINGDOM : YOU
26. JINDER : YOUTH BLOOD (BOK BOK REMIX)
27. CRAZY COUSINZ : BONGO JAM (L VIS 1990 & BOK BOK REFIX)
28. YOUNGSTA : BONGO (DUBEL DUTCH EDIT)
29. LVIS 1990 : COMPASS
30. SOUTH RAKKAS CEW : SO IT GO FT. SEROCEE
31. TOM STEPHAN : TURN THAT SHIT UP (DIPLO REMIX)
32. GUCCI MANE : I BE EVERYWHERE (DZ REMIX)
33. UNTOLD : NO ONE LIKES A SMART ARSE

As the smoke of our hopes rose high from the field, my eyes played tricks through the moon and the trees.

I feel as though I've been an absent blogger. This will possibly continue until the semester is up in two weeks. I can't wait to win back my sanity. Until then... Here's what is currently spinning in my world:

I made a playlist on the eve of my birthday. It was compiled of 200+ songs that were the kind that you MUST be cheerful to. It was rather spectacular. Since then, I've been cutting down the playlist little by little, leaving only the very best songs. Its now at roughly seventy songs. Here's that and a little more...

B.B. King
My little brother, of eleven years old, did not know of B.B. King. I guess it was rather unfathomable to me that the name didn't even ring a bell. After all, this is the same boy who stole my copy of The Catcher in the Rye, whose favorite Beatles song is "Glass Onion", knows his Humphrey Bogart from his Jimmy Stewart, counts Audrey Hepburn as the sexiest lady of all time, bonds with his school teachers over his expansive knowledge of Led Zeppelin's catalog, and can even spot a Joni Mitchell tune. As I'm sure that last sentence entails, we're very close, and my cultural junkie-ism has certainly rubbed off. I like to quiz him on whatever I'm listening to, making sure he can identify artist and perhaps song title. As I played Who's Next this afternoon, he seemed genuinely displeased at my asking. He couldn't believe I would doubt his Who knowledge. He replied, "WHO DO YOU THINK? The Who!" Proud as a peacock. Anyway, B.B. King. I gave him a quick run-down of B.B.'s rich history, and played him my very favorite: "How Blue Can You Get?" A thunderous live rendition, dating from who-knows-when, B.B. belts and wails with admirable intensity. "I gave you seven children and now you wanna to give 'em back!" A classic.

A handful of random Band tunes helped make up the playlist, and the two that remain are "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" and "When I Paint My Masterpiece". As always, faultless vocal performances, along with the gritty flair of "King Harvest" and the wondrous, majestic air of "When I Paint My Masterpiece".

I've also been jamming on choice happy Beach Boys songs. SO obvious, yet so perfect: "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations" Usually, I would skip such staple numbers, but NO SHAME. Perfect pop songs. Unfortunately, that isn't actually a theremin on "Good Vibrations" but I forgive.

Beatles for Sale, the Beatles
Incredible and underrated! This album was released in '64, REALLY? So brilliant, so early... It's vibrant and youthful, and effortlessly spreads a smile across my face. In particular I'm listening to "No Reply", "I'll Follow the Sun", "Mr. Moonlight", "Eight Days a Week", "Words of Love", "Every Little Thing", "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party", and "What You're Doing". Love love love.

Also, "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" because I don't mind posthumous mash-ups at all. And "Within You Without You", which I can only do occasionally, because I was SO obsessed with this song long ago. As well as "I Feel Fine" for that happy factor.

Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley
Do I even need to explain? Bo Diddley brings me SUCH joy. When Bo Diddley comes on, I usually have to stop doing whatever I'm doing. I listen to Bo Diddley a lot when I'm traveling, curiously. From Buenos Aires to London, Bo and I are companions. He toured with the Clash, what brilliant festivities...

"Tomorrow Is a Long Time", Bob Dylan
I'm very insistent in being familiar with original versions of glorious covers. Said glorious cover: "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" by Rod Stewart, off the sun-coming-up-perfect Every Picture Tells a Story. I listened to Every Picture Tells a Story as I took a bath and sipped tea at 2AM last night. Its an album that I always must play twice. But... Bob Dylan! He penned the stunning "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" so as I said, I must become familiar. Still, when it comes to performance and delivery, Rod so obviously defeats Bob.

Hip Hug-Her, Booker T and the MGs
First, just scope the cover. I'm a little obsessed with it. But obviously, the music is also quite thrilling. Booker T and the MGs make me feel like I'm in some sort of movie, and I just want to act like a spy, with perfectly choreographed steps.

The Cars, The Cars
Yeeeesssss! I don't think I've ever met a person who doesn't like this album. Because its phenomenal! So catchy and fun -- a good time record if there ever was one. As "My Best Friend's Girl" comes on. Because you're urged to feel utterly silly and careless as you clap along, and zip about to the weird noises they conjure up. Happiness!

The Clash, obviously!
I've officially stopped listening to London Calling multiple times, every single day -- which suits me just fine. Now I'm weaning into more obscure Clash songs, and the obsession isn't so intense. Its nice, because it allows me to still enjoy them immensely, without getting burnt out. I've really been grooving to "Armagideon Time" and, to gel with the Booker T madness, their take on "Time is Tight". So I bought Black Market Clash on vinyl on my birthday, and we're quite happy. I'm also slowly continuing on my Sandinista! journey. I'm slowly acknowledging each track, as to fully devour the album. "The Magnificent Seven", "Somebody Got Murdered", "Charlie Don't Surf", and "One More Time" have stuck around, and I'm becoming familiar with "The Street Parade". But eeeeeeeee... I'm deeply and utterly obsessed with "Rebel Waltz". After the aforementioned 2AM bath, I sprawled across my bed and applied lotion in the dark, no light but the moonlight shining through my massive windows and lace curtains. "Rebel Waltz" played on repeat over and over, as the imagery came through boldly and I collapsed onto my pillow in a heap of immense affection for the music.

A bit o' Derek and the Dominos ("Anyday", "Tell the Truth", and the best of them all "Keep On Growing"), Dick Dale, Edith Piaf... And I'm still reeling with The Sun Sessions. And oh, the Everly Brothers! Faces, Fleetwood Mac ("Second Hand News", "Albatross"), a few favorites from George Harrison ("Wah-Wah", "What Is Life", "Awaiting on You All")...

Hoagy Carmichael!
I don't think I've ever touched on my serious obsession with Hoagy Carmichael. I've briefly mentioned my total affection for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. One cannot understand my serious love for that dynamic couple. Their films (separate, but especially together) are my go-to comfort tool. And its through them that I became familiar with Mr. Carmichael. After viewing the luminous To Have and Have Not, my world opened up! I was in love with Humphrey Bogart, wanted to steal Lauren Bacall's wardrobe and husky voice, and was totally smitten with Hoagy Carmichael and his piaaaano. Ever since then, I've been sifting my way through Hoagy's massive songbook. An exciting adventure.

Jeff Beck... The deliciousness that is Blow by Blow (which I SWEAR I will write about one day...) and the magnificent cheesiness that is "Hi-Ho Silver Lining", the illuminating Joni Mitchell (Blue, Court and Spark, Ladies of the Canyon), Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One by the Kinks, Led Zeppelin... A beautiful selection made up of: "Travelling Riverside Blues", "The Rain Song", "Over the Hills and Far Away", "Black Mountain Side", "What Is and What Should Never Be", "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp", "In the Light", "Bron-Yr-Aur", and "Down by the Seaside". Its also worth mentioning that I also acquired the Led Zeppelin DVD on my birthday... FINALLY! Boners and glorious music spanning nearly their entire career. I will certainly get around to writing about this too...

"Tiger Rag", Les Paul and Mary Ford
!!! Have you HEARD this? A jazz standard that Les Paul and Mary Ford take to new realms. Ugggh, its WONDERFUL. At first I was a bit taken back by the circusesque element, but I've graduated to being totally enthralled. Because its still unmistakeably Les Paul, and ohhh, Mary Ford. Her vocals are nothing less than radiant. Such fun! "Here kitty kitty kitty, here pus pus pus! Kitty kitty kitty, kittY!" Then she proceeds to meow, all the while, the vocals are double-tracked. Pioneers, who always managed to keep it fun and lively.

Continuing with Little Feat, Lonnie Donegan, Louis Armstrong ("High Society Calypso" definitely keeps me happy), "Monday, Monday" by the Mamas and the Papas, Mott the Hoople...

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Outkast
Unexpected, right? But I would never absentmindedly exclude this record. Plus, its a CD collection staple. Its always a pleasure rummaging through someone's CD collection (because being a blatant music aficionado, I'm always in charge of selecting music), and being able to surprise people by saying, "Um, THIS." I must admit I'm way more into The Love Below, because I think Andre 3000 is a terrific song man. I got into an argument the day of my birthday, and was riddled with a bad mood. But as I drove to my birthday shindig, "Hey Ya" came on random and my bad mood was no more!

The Ramones, The Rolling Stones (Totally random selection of songs: "Factory Girl", "Sweet Black Angel", "2000 Man"), Slim Harpo, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, "Gimme Some Lovin'" by the Spencer Davis Group, of course! Its guaranteed happiness. The Temptations...

Toots and the Maytals
A wonderfully random but absolutely embraced obsession. Reggae makes me really happy, and Toots and the Maytals are my absolute favorite by way of reggae. (Though, my knowledge is just slowly expanding!) Reggae makes for a good time. 'Tis exactly why I skipped along London streets blasting The Harder They Come soundtrack. The opening sounds of "Sweet and Dandy" are perfection.

And finally, the Traveling Wilburys... No shame! And as mentioned, Who's Next.


I'm also savagely obsessed with banana milk, and salmon cream cheese. Though not together...

Lastly, thank you for the birthday emails! It was a strange day, indeed. But I got to eat thai food at my favorite little rock and roll-themed hole in the wall. (Where I gazed up at the Stones, the Clash, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, et cetera, between bites of shrimp pad thai and sips of thai iced tea.) Tom Green AKA "What the fuck have you been doing lately?" was also dining there that evening. And the night concluded with a late night record store rendezvous, where I got the aforementioned Clash EP and Led Zeppelin DVD, as well as a funky poster for the UFO Club advertising the early days of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin - Presence on vinyl, and the strange Stones rarity Jamming with Edward! K. Richards was MIA, so you get Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Nicky Hopkins, and Ry Cooder. I haven't gotten around to listening to it yet, but until then, I'm vaguely amused by the artwork.

Concrete writing coming soon, I swear! xo.

SPARKIS

I fucking love Sparks. Like, so much. This is one of the bigger chunes, and catchy as all hell. I just actually stumbled upon the video a couple weeks ago, and it spooks the shit outta me. Some people don't like clowns; I don't like ventriloquists. It would fucking terrify me when the cocksucker would drink a glass of water, and the dummy would keep on talking. I think that even at my age now, if I saw that shit in person, I might have to call a friend on the phone, just to to calm me down.

Anyway, this jam is offa the "Terminal Jive" album, which was produced not just by Giorgio Moroder (which is the impression I was always under), but also (and apparently mostly) by Harold Faltermeyer, who did the Beverly Hills Cop Theme (Axel F) .


Here's the video, and the song underneath (it's catchi....veri catchi.)




Sparks - When I'm With You

ALEXANDER ROBOTNIK & LUDUS PINSKY

Look at these grown ups go! This track fuckin' rips too.... Thanks to Jer for showing me this.

THEY CALL IT 'SPACE'.....'CAUSE IT'S FUCKING HUUUUUGE

Cool vid. This song goes well with it. Mute the video sound and play both at the same time if you're a simpleton, like me.


Cyber People - Void Vision

Cute Five Year Old Gives Phil Rudd a Run for His Money, Honey

Metal Rooster

DJ WOOL - STROBELIGHT

So I hope everyone had a good and eventful NYE. I hope, at least, it was better than mine. I spent it the same way I do every year: On the toilet, with a newspaper and a meatball sub.

Anyway, ..........our magnificent brother, and 0.5 of The Glass, the one DJ Wool, just recently released a single called Strobelight. Here's more:

DJ Wool featuring Subtitle 'Strobelight'

Little Owl Musical Recordings is open for business and proud to announce DJ Wool featuring Subtitle 'Strobelight' as our inaugural release (littleowlmusiccompany.com).

Strobelight also marks producer Glen Brady aka DJ Wool and L.A. expat, Subtitle's debut single together. The sound they achieve is equal parts Hollywood House party and Dirty late night rave. Giggedy!

Glen "DJ Wool" Brady is a founding member of Indie Dance duo “The Glass” with Dominique Keegan of Plant records co-owned by Hip hop pioneer Stretch Armstrong. DJ Wool also produced the forthcoming single ‘I Party’ by wildly successful Californian Hip hop act ‘The Far East Movement.

Strobelight's pulsing basslines and rawkus rap flo activates the dancefloor like a mirror ball shining bright. The likes of Arveene and Misk bust out a Prodigy-esque Dancefloor remix while Fantastadon electrofies and Cosmic Kids (Formerly of Royal Rumble) show up here to rejiggle this number into a house banger.

Dj Wool - Strobelight feat Subtitle from Ryan Justin on Vimeo.

Fantastadon Remix for Free Download

Radio Edit, Arveene & Misk Remix, Cosmic Kids Remixes Playable

iTunes Retail link

(littleowlmusiccompany.com)


Enjoy!!

A message from Ross Halfin...

"I first agreed to do an interview after reading Michelle's Stray Cat Blues Site/Blog-I hate the word blog.
I thought it was well written in a diary kind of way- forthright - passionate about what she likes and honest.
I admit she gets 'LOST' at times .... The Beatles ? An overrated pop band that most people under forty could care less about...and the Clash-I only like bits of them they are now looked at with so much rose tinted vision-which Michelle is GUILTY of -but hey it's her site.She can like what she likes.
I invited her to the Classic Rock Awards after I agreed to an interview and didn't get back to London until the day of the event.
Michelle sat in my room set up as a studio and looked apathetically at the whole proceedings.....
Anyway I finally did a interview in Los Angeles with her...she asked goodish questions in between looking at Pete Makowski with love in her eyes... a match made in heaven.


Ross

PS...
Pete even praised her writing..."

Just a few notes.

1.) Think positively. Do the best you can. Don't punish yourself when you come up short, just know that you tried and you're smarter because of it. Be productive. Fuck the opinions of others, but value their feelings. Desire knowledge. Be true. Appreciate the good and love yourself, there's nothing more important.

Adorable.


...

I'm gonna go with: Most awesome, non-clingy yet loving, amazing, attractive couple that ever was. But don't worry, nobody expects you to be Bogie and Bacall. (And let me point it out before you do, their physical cling in this photo will be pegged on the fact that its a promotional photo..)

2.) To put it simply, I loathe most couples. Separate, lovely. Together, sickening. Either you get the strange premonition that they truly don't like each other, but stay together for the sake of simplicity, and to avoid the fear of being alone. Or, they feel the gruesome need to thrust what they obviously assume to be adorableness in your face. I won't go as far to say that all couples are this way, because I am not so naive. I'll just say that most everyone I know personally fall into one of the two categories. I think it basically stems from the fact that every woman I know (genuinely, with an exception or two) places SUCH a high value on men, the way men view them, and being with a man -- CONSTANTLY. Ugggh, such an irritating bore. Its nice being liked by someone, yes, and its even nicer when the feeling is mutual. Its squishy, you smile a whole lot, and feel a unique fuzziness. You get to share interesting moments, so many that can only be experienced with one that you enjoy on such a level. But someone, PLEASE, slap me if I ever escalate to the point where this is my main priority, and what I spend my days pondering about. Men HATE when I say these things. One even said to me once, "I feel like my penis just shrunk a few inches." I'm sorry that I don't feel utterly incomplete without a constant male companion? Is that SO unfathomable? Why is it that we are expected to CRAVE and constantly search for this? Damn you Sex and the City. Carrie Bradshaw's life was not glamorous, it was PATHETIC. That bitch should have grown up eons ago. Wrecking decent relationships, being a childish and whiny BITCH, and chasing men who are fucking idiots are not my idea of a great time. And why is it that this is apparently the "right" path to take? How come when I say that I have zero interest in any of these things, dudes are more apt to say, "You're a lesbian." (To protect their fucking masculinity, that's why!) Nope, I just feel perfectly fulfilled without devoting my entire person to someone else. Which leads me back to irritating couples. I am about as far from sexist as one can come, but I'll say it, women are SO much worse with this than men. (Whipped men are really awful though...) But clingy women -- Clingy women, who don't even have a goddamn opinion when a man that sometimes they AREN'T even dating is around. They're like little yes women, agreeing and giggling where they think they should. DENSE. They hold each other back, for fear of not pleasing the other person. Or WORSE, they think they're providing such a positive influence in the person's life, when really they just make for absolutely vile company. And you know, I don't believe that its entirely hopeless. Come on, I'm the eternal optimist! I believe people are wholeheartedly capable of being interesting, intelligent, and lovely to be around. So few are, but the batch of people I truly hold close to my heart are. Its POSSIBLE. Of course, you disagree with most everyone once in a while, but to more often than not cherish their presence is a treat. To conclude this ridiculously fun-to-write rant, let me say that with excruciating couples, overly whipped men, and clingy women aside, I'm down for mutually soaking up awesomeness and having a jolly time! That's what its supposed to be about -- FUN, bringing some good to the life of someone else, making each other happy. But when it isn't that any longer, let it go! Don't cling. Or if you find that you do and they don't, still, DON'T CLING. Its difficult, but don't mercilessly throw yourself at something where you are getting nothing in return. With ANYTHING -- friends included. And lastly, you're fully entitled to opt to not get into something, if the only thing working in its favor is the fear of being alone. Do you really like someone? Do you even know them? Are you putting all of your phony feelings into someone who is a few notches up from a total stranger? Is your own company so TERRIBLE?

I like to call this photo "Your Balls are Mine". Humor makes clinginess tolerable. But clinging to Bobby G? I have just two words: Boomtown. Rats.

Probability says that one of these women was a clinger.

I've actually grown rather fond of the one we call Yoko Ono. My cousin and I were discussing what an awesome friend she'd be. "Hey Yoko, wanna make pancakes?" "Let's go to the park, Yoko." "Yoko! What's up?!" But obviously John's fellow Beatles just didn't endorse clinginess. (Check those faces.)

3.) "No Quarter" is a mesmerizing song, truly. When I scroll through Led Zeppelin's entire catalog on my iPod, I usually never stop and put on "No Quarter" purposely. Its so thick and moody. Intense and sexy. Thank you, vari-speed. That haunting guitar that accompanies the chorus embodies all of these traits -- its creepy AND sexy. Its so outlandish musically -- its something only Led Zeppelin could do. But its so tastefully crafted. JPJ's undeniable grade-A musicianship is utterly apparent, and so brilliantly showcased. (Bring on the fantasy sequence!) JP's solo is on that same tastefully spellbinding level. They never let themselves get lost in being "trippy" and abandon their musical elegance. (Like so many "spacey" bands do...) And hey, JP brought out the fucking THEREMIN in concert. In a world that I didn't even know what the word "theremin" was, and maybe I didn't even know who "Jimmy Page" was, I saw someone use a theremin, and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen.Y ou know what I don't like about The Song Remains the Same? Uh, JPJ's haircut (and WIG!), the fact that its so long that I must pace how often I watch it, that Robert Plant is trying to con everyone into looking at his penis, and the fact that its apparently been overdubbed sufficiently. But REALLY, what I was really getting at is the SET LIST. I don't want to hear "Rock and Roll" or "Moby Dick" or "Black Dog" or... You get it. But THANKFULLY, there are saviors like "No Quarter", smiley limo rides to "Bron-Yr-Aur", theremin appearances, "The Rain Song", shitty hurdy gurdy, "Does anyone remember laughter?", 1973 Jimmy Page, and dragon suits galore. Huzzah!

The photos that made Peter Grant get all rough and rowdy, and say my favorite word "fuck", and my not-so-favorite "cunt".

WAIT... How could I forget the girl with the blue eye shadow? She's a VITAL part of that film.

So "Song Remains the Same blue eye shadow" means nothing to Google Images. It gave me this though, which gives a nice enough idea. Its ironically a Yardley Cosmetics ad from '72, which makes so much sense! Obviously '72/'73 was the high time for blue eye shadow. Anyway, said Song Remains the Same dame is a bit more, well, stoned than this lady. She's also in a Jimmy Page trance, heyyy!

Desire knowledge, and boogie only occasionally.

"There are alot of people in the business that I love, friends, you know, who are really great but who don't have any desire for knowledge or realization. It's good to boogie once and a while, but when you boogie all your life away it's just a waste of life and of what we've been given. I can get high like the rest of them, but it's actually low."

-- George Harrison

2009: A Year in Facebook Messages (Part Two)

October 1 @ 2:33AM

But he has no drive, or willingness to fight for anything. He won't chase life, so obviously nothing is happening. I want to write him an inspirational letter... I want to be the Dr. Phil of his life.

I can't quite describe it, because I'm not capable of wrapping my head around it. It's also difficult to put myself in his shoes, because I'm not able to get that depressed, thank goodness. I don't know what that's like, and how the hell one even falls that far.

October 1 @ 6:40AM

Sitting my room, drinking tea, it's softly lit by the mellow sun, it's chilly, and listening to the Clash -- because I thought "Why not?" Thank you.

I feel good.

October 1 @ 10:45PM

Seriously LOVE Harry Dean Stanton and I'm SO JEALOUS Daveigh Chase gets to play his child bride on Big Love...

October 2 @ 7:32PM

Earlston, Scottish Borders arrived from google.co.uk on "stray cat blues.: Don't confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them." by searching for 'sexier linda ronstadt or stevie nicks?'.

AMAZING. Linda, obviously, as far as sexiness goes.

And I've got a Turkish reader. I wish I got a piece of candy of each country every time a person visited. I'd have nice candy.

October 3 @ 2:00AM

Sucking my lips and making them chapped has become an unforeseen habit of mine. I've been walking around in my thrifted, over sized, Ralph Lauren men's button-up. Earlier I had it thrown over that lingerie romper, but I've since buttoned it up entirely. Basically anything is good with cream cheese.

October 4 @ 7:24PM

LONDON ON THE TWENTY-FOURTH. ONE WEEK, INCLUDING STEPHANIE'S BIRTHDAY AND HALLOWEEN. BUYING TICKETS TOMORROW. LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY. ON THE HUNT FOR JIMMY PAGE AND ALL THINGS HOLY.

October 4 @ 10:39PM

Imagine if you were a girl who said, "EW. The Beatles are gross. I hate you, Paul McCartney!" He'd probably fall in love right there..

October 6 @ 12:41AM

Led Zeppelin II is definitely one of the sexiest albums of all time.

October 6 @ 8:25PM

HOLY. SHIT. I'm going to LONDON! "Over the Hills and Far Away" is on, and I just had a minor freak-out. I may just be the happiest person alive while on that plane. The best things are the ones you don't expect. FUCCCCCK, I AM SO HAPPY.

October 6 @ 9:20PM

Wow, done. Booked. I'm going to London. Holy fucking shit.

October 7 @ 1:57AM

I'm going to email Ross Halfin and see if I can interview him whilst in London. The only trouble is emailing him...

October 7 @ 5:13PM

Did you know that I used to want to be a nun? Not for serious, but like for a year, just to try out the life. I wanted to live multiple lives -- each completely different than the other. Maybe I'll live a year in India and be spiritual!

October 7 @ 5:17PM

I just found myself jamming to "Octupus's Garden"... DON'T HOLD IT AGAINST ME.

October 7 @ 5:56PM

According to Geoff Emerick's book, Here, There and Everywhere, Lennon said the song was "more of Paul's granny music", and refused to participate in the recording of the song.

Maxwell's Silver Hammer! Such a dick!

October 7 @ 11:58PM

"What can I say about Tal Wilkenfeld? How does one describe an astonishing talent? The answer is, you don't. You listen, and watch, as 45,000 people did in Chicago at the Crossroads Festival 2007. I have witnessed special moments in my time, but to see all those "died-in-the-wool'" blues fanatics and guitar freaks go berzzzzerk half way through her solo left me emotional, and that is an understatement. The word proud is barely adequate."

Jeff Beck about his twenty-three year old bass player. I'd probably cry if he said something HALF as nice about me. It's such a nice thing to say about someone! I want someone to be that proud of me! And a legend, no less!

October 8 @ 3:03AM

It's 3AM and I'm blasting Outkast. I love my life.

October 8 @ 4:47PM

Evan Rachel Wood got to see Led Zeppelin.... Because she was fucking Marilyn Manson at the time! So did the fucking Ronsons because Mick Jones opened!!!! And even MICHAEL J. FOX AKA TEEN WOLF.

Yet I didn't....

October 9 @ 12:47AM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Leo_Poster.jpg/406px-Leo_Poster.jpg

A hippie in Stockholm, Sweden in August 1971.

I don't know why I find this so funny.

October 12 @ 3:04PM

"Ok....if you want to come it's the Classic Rock awards...."

October 12 @ 3:41PM

With all of this dream-worthy madness, I forgot I have normal things to do haha. This is such a dream! It's completely surreal and I can't even believe it. Soooo incredible. I'm going to die. Three weeks exactly.

I loveeeeee you, I love my life, I love everything. I'm so fucking grateful and happy, and I knew that relentless optimism was going to get me through, but SO soon? Unimaginable.

October 12 @ 4:09PM

No, I mean, I know that I'm worthy and deserving of this -- as INSANE as it is. But it's just kind of ironic that I live in this small town, but despite that, I'm DOING it, you know? I'm fucking LIVING it.

October 12 @ 4:39PM

Awww, yay! I love you! I'm so excited and just amazed, already! I'm going to be soo out of my league, just looking around, getting dumbstruck by EVERYONE. Aaaaaah, my goodness. This is insanity, and I LOVE it.

October 13 @ 3:49PM

On the Hotel California sleeve the Eagles thank someone named "Katinka Fox" What a strange and sexy name! There's soooo many bitches on the 'thank you' list. It's a little jarring.

October 13 @ 7:15PM

I'm an apeman!

October 13 @ 12:11AM

So I'm j-j-jaammmmin' to my Jeff Beck records, and WHOA. Jeff Beck might be there! Holy molers! The list is endless!

October 14 @ 5:47PM

Serge and Jane probably had bangin' sex... Just saying.

October 15 @ 12:16AM

OH SHIT. I JUST REALIZED THAT I LISTENED TO ALL OF "MOBY DICK". I SHOULD GET A PRIZE.

October 25 @ 11:39PM

I'm here. After a long, momentous flight full of the Clash, Led Zeppelin, and an Adrian Brody movie (twice!), I arrived. After being detained at the airport for lack of documentation, and then once they asked why I was staying an extra day, they knew of Ross and thought I was some weird Lolita... We lugged our bags all over London. We had drinks in Leicester Square and were waited on by this really charming, really ugly French dude. I people-watched and looked utterly drunk because I was so damn tired. After taking a really snazzy taxi to where we are staying, I slept from 5:30PM to 6:30AM. I don't think I can possibly sleep anymore! So now I'm just jamming on the internet.

October 26 @ 7:02AM

I went grocery shopping! I walked the streets and scurried about the store. I paid only four pounds (roughly eight dollars) and got ice cream, creme cheese and crackers, orange juice, yummy English chocolate with caramel in the middle, and muffffinssss!

October 26 @ 2:45PM

I went shopping! On Oxford Street first, at Topshop. I got a Carrie Bradshaw-esque gray skirt (poofy like the opening credits) and a cute black dress thats gold and lacy on the top -- hard to explain. Then we went to Carnaby Street and I bought a gray shirt from American Apparel to go with my skirt. Then we went to King's Road and bought nothing. No more shopping for me, I think!

October 26 @ 3:57PM

Its so not stab central! Its a hoax!

October 27 @ 11:51AM

Less than a week! AAAAAAAAHHHHH!

October 30 @ 5:03PM

Went to this British Music museum today. Took photos (even though I wasn't supposed to!), saw lots of David outfits (Ziggy Stardust numbers jumpsuit, Ashes to Ashes, lots of stuff -- all on mannequins. He was so small!), the lyrics to Five Years and a handwritten setlist of his. Uhhhhh, outfits worn by Mick and Keith. A fringed Roger Daltrey jacket. A fucking UGLY Jimmy outfit and snakeskin boots. I was like, 'HOW DID HE LOOK GOOD IN THIS?!' Uhhhhh, other stuff. Good stuff. I did the London Eye too, which was oodles of fun.

October 31 @ 2:03PM

Nobody knows Prince when I play it, so then I'm just the weirdo listening to perverted songs like "Darling Nikki".

November 1 @ 6:29PM

I had a successful day alone! It was awesome. I went to this amazing gallery (the very famous Tate) and saw all of these literally beautiful Pre-Raphaelites. Then shopping in Camden (which is like the better English version of the Melrose flea market), got another dress... Then I went to Portobello Road Market and didn't get anything, but I walked SO FUCKING MUCH to get there. Bonersville! Then... I had literally walked for like seven hours straight, so I came home. Good day.

November 2 @ 4:13AM

So... I need to call Ross in a little. I'm shaking. I'm REALLY cold, but also I think, quite nervous.

November 3 @ 4:49AM

I forgot! Jimmy thought that I did make-up! He asked me, "Oh do you do the make-up?" I don't know if he had me confused with someone else, or just figured that was a sensible job for me? But then Ross was like, "No no no. She's the writer, from California. Remember I told you about her?" I keep remembering little things. That's the best.

November 4 @ 8:05PM

It literally seems like a dream, the entire night. Its that hazy too! I'm like, "Oh wait... Did that happen?"

November 7 @ 3:46PM

Goodness, I am happy. Making shit happen! Doing what I truly want to do. Its amazing.

November 7 @ 7:13PM

I love that the words 'savor' and 'flavor' rhyme.

November 8 @ 2:59PM

OH and Russell AKA sexy fifty-something "looks like old Ernest Hemingway", was creepy all up on me last night. Hugs and kisses on the cheek, SO DRUNK. In my head, I was like, "I take it back! I would so never have a creepy affair with you!"

November 9 @ 12:59PM

You are YOU. Its an extension of your head. They are YOUR thoughts, and you have power over them. You can decide how you wish to think, and what effects you in what way. Nobody is happy all of the time, and nothing is ever perfect. But that's okay! You can only achieve happiness if you're willing to let the imperfections be. They are there, be happy about GOOD things. It won't happen overnight, but it WILL be worth it. You'll learn a whole lot about yourself and come out better on the other end. Its your life, take control, and change things in your favor. Just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and never forget that you're entirely possible of reaching it.

November 9 @ 9:59PM

Random shit that the stars apparently say about me...


You are known to lead a simple, uncomplicated, frugal, methodical and unemotional lifestyle.

So true, but good or bad?

You have a dreamy, fanciful, romantic nature and a very creative imagination. Indeed, at times, your private fantasies are more appealing than the reality around you and it is difficult for you to leave them.

Tra la laaaaa, because my Venus is in Pisces.

You'll form close ties with those who have similarly idealistic ideas -- especially those who can stimulate you intellectually in your chosen field of interest. Your enthusiasm for learning new things may also cause you to do quite a bit of traveling. Because you probably will have many wide-ranging interests and concerns, you most likely will have contacts and connections in various parts of the country (or world).

OH, yes please.

Likes to visit the elderly and intellectuals, who both enrich her mind.

I do like the elderly...

Great sexual activity.

Cool.

Is interested in the occult.

She dominates her associates, colleagues. She is the same in love life, dominating the spouse and this makes for a stormy relationship in prospect.

Professional success can happen abroad or in connection with foreign countries. Faraway voyages are profitable.

YEAAAAAAAH.

A pleasant home, a charming husband, loving and sweet children, nice little meals, pleasant evenings with the loved one, that's the good life.

Marriage, a nice little family. The spouse will not always be easy to live with, a little too mad.

One part just says: Have regular check-ups on the heart and arteries.

This one was TOO in depth, because it began contradicting itself. Fuck you astrology website!

November 10 @ 1:22PM

I have precisely ONE (1) Ringo song on my iPod, so when it comes on (which it does frequently, for just being a lone ranger), its really weird. I usually skip it. I don't know why I have it. Probably so I don't feel bad for having lots o' George, John, and Paul.

November 11 @ 12:38PM

He is always trying to be so fucking philosophical and prolific, and I just want to say, "HEY. This makes no fucking sense!!!" And people are like, "Ooh, you're brilliant." NO YOU'RE NOT. You're fucking old! That's what you are!

November 12 @ 10:58PM

Fuck it! No stress!

November 13 @ 12:58AM

No stress works for me!

I love my life! No stresssssssss.

November 14 @ 12:08PM

I don't know if its because they were so weird and moody, but I've been in a weird transitional phase. I'm just figuring out what I want, how I can get it, and the type of person I want to be. These are things I thought I had pinned down, but I don't know, occasionally reassessing seems healthy. It just makes me feel kind of strange. Once I get back from this spontaneous camping trip, I just want to sit down and sort it all out with myself. I'm gravitating towards what I want, and I'm just wondering: is that ALL I want? What more? I KNOW I want this as my career, but I guess that's all I really have planned, and that scares me a little. What about all the other stuff that make life what it is? There's more than music, and I need to find out what I want to do with all that. And it sounds like I'm dissing music and everything I associate with that life, but I'm not. I just realized that there is more in addition to it. I'm thinking outside of my usual realm, and I guess its just terribly foreign to me, and I'm trying to get a grasp on it.

November 14 @ 1:41PM

I know, sometimes aren't you just a little scared? Like WOW, life is a BIG DEAL, hahaha. It is! Its life, we all live it, but its a big deal! I just want to do so much good, for myself, for others. I want to accomplish everything I want to accomplish. But I guess I'm just thinking: WHAT do I want to accomplish? Hmmmm. I KNOW what it is, but I don't want to make any brash statements, because I want to sit down, think it out, write it down. I know what I want, but I can't help but think there could be MORE. Am I selling myself short? Is there a whole world I don't know about? I THINK SO.

(And that world includes karma sutra cookie cutters.)

November 16 @ 2:50PM

Such happiness. Everything I was doubting, utter faith was instilled last night. YEEEEAAAAAHH!

November 17 @ 3:54PM

I listened to playlist consisting of: Ten Years Gone, The Rain Song, Tangerine, Thank You, That's the Way, and Going to California. I played it numerous times, it made me feel so much better, and everything made sense.

November 17 @ 9:40PM

We'll bake you a cake... In the shape of a penis!

November 19 @ 11:42PM

Big Boi is SHORTER than Andre 3000?! NO WAY.

Really, I'm genuinely surprised. I always thought Big Boi was a burly, teddybear-esque black man, but I'm wrong! Damn!

Really? REALLY? The Ramones never sucked? I beg to differ, especially since they lived well into the Nineties! Sans Dee Dee! No no, NO.

But I think the Ramones might be the best thing to emerge from NY, not counting the Band and stuff, because that's upstate and they're from CANADA. I may have to look into this...

November 23 @ 3:44PM

A vegetarian's wet dream: CHEESE PIZZA BITES!!!

Mysteriously stumbled upon them in my freezer this afternoon, HEAVEN SENT.

November 23 @ 7:10PM

A Paki found my blog by googling "bumby live sex". WHAT does that even mean?! He was probably sorely disappointed when he found something like a Bob photo dedicated to you, or something.

November 23 @ 9:00PM

Goodness, I would LOVE to meet Paul McCartney, and be like, "Aah! Pull My Cock Off! WHAT'S UP?" Actually, I just might do that when I meet Paul McCartney. Oh wow, that would be... Incredible.

November 24 @ 8:30PM

I haven't had a nightmare in literally years. Or thrown up, I'm really lucky.

November 26 @ 11:50AM

I mean, I've realized that we're all basically on our own. People will let you down, and nobody will be able to come through for you every SINGLE time. Because they've got themselves to look after, and you've got you. You know? I mean really, what is there to be depressed about? Maybe shit isn't absolutely perfect, but it isn't terrible either. And you have the time, and the power, to make it perfect. Its all in the way that you look at things, and hey, you've got power over that too! So don't worry, be happy -- like that song says! You've got nothing to worry ABOUT. We're young, our lives are simple right now!

November 28 @ 11:54PM

Had oodles of fun talking black dudes, fat asses, and weird girlfriends with you. GOODNIGHT.

November 30 @ 3:48PM

Oh and I watched the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert, AND... Ray Davies looks pretty decent right about now. I think I'm giving a thumbs up. And fuck, Jeff Beck is fairly attractive. He is so well-dressed! Oh and, I'm sorry to report that Simon and Garfunkel sound WEIRD singing together now. And Mick Jagger is a poor parody of himself.

December 2 @ 8:23PM

Really weird... I just looked up my full web history on google. Its documented any time that I'm signed into gmail/blogger/anything google-related:

In the last year, I googled most in October... 778 things! I google most on Mondays. And mostly at 1AM. I love this so much.

OH MAN! I can go far back and see what shit I clicked TWO YEARS AGO. I can know exactly which photos peaked my interest... Hahahahha, oh jesus.

How else would I know that I looked up 'twinkie recipe' in August '07?

I'M LITERALLY LAUGHING OUT LOUD! I SEARCHED 'RINGO STARR SEXUALITY'!

(When I was convinced he was gay!)

I looked up 'blank ben lee' and 'pissed off ben lee'. That must have been after you saw him, and you probably described him 'blank' and 'pissed off'. And I probably wanted a photo to say, "Like this?"

December 3 @ 1:55PM

OH, by the way, my brother got suspended for two days. A kid slapped him on the bus, so when the bus driver got out, Taylor leaped over the seat and attacked him, open and closed fist. TWICE! So he suspended until the end of the week...

December 3 @ 3:42PM

I still want one of those English miniature pigs. SO BADLY. Seriously... London '11, watch out! I'm coming to rob you of your old men and your pigs. And your journalism jobs, obviously!

December 4 @ 5:12PM

Why is it, that Cream has not very many good songs?

December 5 @ 1:30AM

In 'n' Out is really good, especially when its in a seasonal bag! Its like Starbucks red cups... BUT BETTER!

You know what else is really good? Tea, when the night is cold and dark. Listening to new tunes. Reading good ol' F. Scotty! Cuddling up with kitties. Being creative. AND FINDING OUT THAT FATS DOMINO IS STILL ALIVE!

They're are about a thousand other things I could name, because life is just that awesome! But ayayayya, I've got to sleep. Sleep is good too.

I've been so productive lately. Happiness.

December 5 @ 11:00PM

I wish I could send them all mystery mixed tapes, with a little note that says, "You've been schooled." (I feel like that would be so Cartman of me!)

And it'll be a phenomenon! "OH MY GOD, DID YOU GET SCHOOLED TOO?!" And everyone will twitter about it, "Holy shit... Omg. Who sent the CDs? Srsly!" But then they'll come out of it with all this great knowledge, and be like, "Thanks mystery person. I LOVED being schooled." I know you did, bitches. Happy to help.

But alas... This will never happen. It was a magnificent idea though, huh?

December 5 @ 11:57PM

Sometimes it all just get to be too much, you know? Its just the WHOLE PICTURE. What it all means and stands for, and what I want, and what I can have. It scares me! And its craziness, and finally I snap back and go, "Whoa look! Life is fucking incredible!" But its so overwhelming, and you know, that's good! That is so good. There is stuff to be overwhelmed ABOUT -- incredible!!! I'm getting everything that I want. I'm well on my way to making my dreams come true. I'm MAKING IT HAPPEN, and holy hell, I'm grateful. And most days I smile over nothing. I sit in my room every day and I'm blissfully happy. Truly. I know that one day (soon!), I'll get to lead just the life I want to lead. I mean, its already happening! But like I said, its just overwhelming.

And you know, writing this, I just think, "What the fuck is wrong with you?!?!" Because I really truly have NOTHING to be upset about. I'm getting just what I want. And I'm not ungrateful, and even though I second guess sometimes, I'm fucking happy and I'm not backing out. But all I'm saying is, its SO MUCH. The prospects, the thoughts. But its just the THOUGHTS. IT hasn't even happened yet! But it doesn't happen like THAT, it happens slowly, one by one. I think I need to be more expressive and jumpy and just gush.

I think these emotions mean something big is going to happen. It ALWAYS does. And even still, I have these moments when I'm totally frightened, its the unknown that scares me. I don't quite know what is going to happen. But even still, I'm ready to take it full-on headstrong. No dodging anything. Even still, I have no doubt that the best, and only thing I can do is to keep going until I conquer my dreams. And I will.

December 6 @ 12:42PM

I realized that even if you give someone AMAZING advice, they have to come to that conclusion themselves. It won't register until they go through the proper train of thought to get there, you know? So someone could know what to do to help you out, but until you find it out for YOURSELF, it's worthless.

You have power over yourself, and that is about it. Which is fine, what more can we ask for? But I think that's the really scary thing. We can't control the people we like, the people who give us jobs, the people who grade our papers -- these people who either directly or indirectly MAKE our lives. That is what is scary. But every time I have one of those scares, I grow a little. Its all about learning to 'roll with it', you know? Making like a chameleon and just adapting, but still not losing sight of yourself.

December 6 @ 2:11PM

Good things happen to those who wait. I'm doing the right thing, and that is gratifying.

December 6 @ 6:47PM

New Years resolutions (and its not even Christmas yet!):
- Be more approachable
- Better posture
- Be as slinky and graceful as my cat. Seriously, that little dude inspired me! He moves with more elegance than I've ever had. Because he's a CAT, but I want to be a cat too.

December 6 @ 9:35PM

Just chopped the tips off a pair of gloves. So then I can be warm AND properly operate my computer... A stroke of genius.

December 7 @ 9:46PM

Having the balls to do something = it working out.

December 7 @ 10:05PM

23 degrees is a regrettable predicament.

December 8 @ 12:02AM

Whoa WHOA, Dave Davies, you have a tendency to surprise with your cool demeanor, or perhaps its your frantic guitar styling. Either way, you may be the only bi guy with whom I'd excuse that small feat.

December 8 @ 9:59PM

I'm finishing Tender is the Night FINALLY, then I think its back to On the Road. Tender is the Night is obviously really beautifully written, and the characters are so complex and intriguing, but it also revolves around mental illness more so than decadence a la the Great Gatsby. So it isn't so fluffy, upbeat, and fun. Just when it starts getting jazzy and crazy, his wife has a mental breakdown. Soo... That isn't fun. So when I'm done, I'm ready for some wild and crazy, reckless, aimless Jacky Kerouac times!

December 11 @ 10:23PM

"Band on the Run" shouldn't make me so happy, but oh, it does.

December 14 @ 11:08PM

She said to my dad, "Michelle likes someone her own age." She followed that with, "But he's still unobtainable." And I was like, "That word isn't even in my vocabulary!" And my dad something like I'm a "top notch babe" and "Nothing is unobtainable for her." Precisely!

December 15 @ 1:50PM

Wonderfully random:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_in_the_Groove
From Eric Clapton, to Bob's black wife, to Jerry Garcia, AND OH MY GOD... RANDY JACKSON! To Kip Winger, Ronnie Wood, and Paul Simonon! What a party that was...

December 15 @ 10:54PM

Isn't it weird that what was once exciting, becomes scarier as it gets closer to being a reality? But I realized, if you just DO IT, fuck the fear, and go after what you want, then its easier and faster. So heyyyy, fuck the fear!

December 22 @ 11:20PM

Yeah, like, you're alone. Everyone is an individual. But you're still LOVED, you know? And when you feel like you're unimportant or not cared for, its rough. Everyone wants to be heard, and that's the important thing -- even if you don't agree, listen.

December 22 @ 11:21PM

There's always the future, and there is always more to learn. Keep moving.

December 23 @ 12:01AM

My thoughts: DUDE, I am NOT gonna listen to you bawl to the Band again, ya dig?

December 23 @ 1:38AM

ATTRACTION is magnificent.

December 24 @ 1:41PM

Oh yeah, I'm still down with that. Plus, what an amazing random skill. Like, "Oh yeah... I play the banjo."

December 24 @ 3:15PM

Today = Christmas Eve, baby times, the Who at the Fillmore East '69 bootleg.

December 30 @ 9:36PM

Llama-ing to "Mick Dick".

FUCK, I meant "Moby Dick".

But I almost just typed Bobby Dick! I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF.

December 30 @ 11:41PM

Note to self: SEXY HANDSHAKES!

December 31 @ 6:05PM

I'm obsessed with creme cheese. I have no crackers, so I'm using tortilla chips. OBSESSION.

2009 has been so fucking wild. I'm READY FOR MORE. 2010 is going to be spectacular!

Everything you do is a new adventure. They have no effect on each other! Each day is a new, exciting thing -- and you can do whatever you chose to do with it! Even if you just decide to THINK differently, yet sit in the same spot. Maybe you decide to listen to Indian ragas all day, rather than your usual. Whatever it is, make it exciting!!! When you set out on a new goal, don't compare it to anything. Don't think, "Well, it was easy for this person." Or, "This person never achieved their dreams." Life is what YOU make it. Really, truly! Nothing ever "is what it is." It is what you make it. You have total freedom to think, want, and do ANYTHING you want. Pick what you like, do what makes you happy, think good thoughts! Life is a glorious grab bag, and you can HAVE IT ALL. And best of all, if you suddenly decide something ISN'T working, you can change it! Just like that!

"God blessed me with a happy spirit and many other gifts. What I was not blessed with I went out and got. Sometimes the price was too high, but I've never been much of a bargain hunter." - Slim Keith

Because I have this deep obsession with being "optimistic yet realistic", I must say not much happens overnight. When I'm having a rough week, sometimes I think, "But I'm supposed to be the eternal optimist! Why don't I feel good NOW?" It doesn't work that way. But as each day passes, and you believe in being effortlessly happy, you'll also feel subtly better each day.

It goes the same for reaching your dreams. You won't say, "I want to do this crazy/amazing goal TOMORROW." No way! But just keep wanting it so bad, obsessing over it, believing in it INTENSELY. It'll happen! Nothing happens in a day, and you certainly won't acquire the resources to make it happen in a day either. But as you think positively, and take advantage of every tiny resource available (an important step!!), the chances will grow larger. The opportunities will draw nearer, the excitement will build, the anticipation will kill! But oh oh oh, once you get there, it'll be so worth it. All of it. The struggle, the doubt, the fear. Just never let any of that dominate. Always keep relentlessly fighting it off with optimism, even when it seems ridiculous and impossible. There will probably never be a definitive HOW -- a go-to solution to achieve those dreams. More realistically, it'll probably be a series of how's. Each growing larger, until it climaxes with your dream. Then just LIVE IT. Remind yourself every day that you're doing just what you WANT, and never stop appreciating that. The everlasting feeling of achieving something you so deeply aspired toward will leave you smiling every single day. It won't be just as you imagined it, which I can guarantee will probably throw you off. Maybe its BETTER than you imagined!

If you BELIEVE shit improves gradually, it WILL. Your life is determined by your beliefs. Did you ever realize that if you go into something saying, "I'm going to be no good at this." Then you aren't?! Yet, if you have utter faith that you're naturally good at some things, YOU ARE. Another New Years resolution: Believe in the possibility of being good at EVERYTHING I try. Sometimes I'll come up short, but TRYING is the best prize anyway.

2010 is going to be amazing. I can feel it in my bones. Do you? If not, FUCKING START. Sometimes you're down, but that's okay, as long as you keep trucking with sheer certainty of knowing that an amazing surprise is awaiting you just around the corner! Pay attention to the why you're down, realize to not let that get you down again, and then say, "FUCK IT." Always keep your eye on the greatness that is awaiting your arrival.

This is why I've deemed 2010 the year of turning fantasy into reality. Because I only dream it to be it, xo.