After some personal struggles and self-impossed delays, I figure it's time to get back on the metaphorical horse.
Having intentionally stayed away from most things in the political realm these past couple of months, I've had plenty of time to consider several aspects of my life and how I function in the socio-political landscape.
So let's get to it
Showing posts with label Misc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Misc. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Going Dark..........
I've got a writing project that just fell in my lap that I cant pass up.
Be right back next month...........
Be right back next month...........
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Late Night Music Club feat. Bauhaus
The original goth band.................nuff said
God In An Alcove
God In An Alcove
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Random Thoughts For The Day
- Seeing as how The Modern American Right are so excited over excessively long tirades about trains ( read: Atlas Shrugged ) I'm wondering why they are so against high-speed rail.
- Why does Fox"News" boast about how most Americans watch their network while crying about how the "mainstream media" is against them? Do they not know the definition of "mainstream"?
- Why does the Modern American Right lambaste Obama's Chicago ties as "thuggish" when Ronald Reagan's childhood home is in the same city?
- When I see and hear people like Glenn Beck preach the virtues of owning gold and then complain about the devaluing of the dollar, I'm wondering if they don't understand the far reaching implications of what they are essentially doing.
- If the Modern American Right don't think we have a direct impact on our environment, then can we build a coal-fired power plant and nuclear waste dump next to Rush Limbaugh's house?
- Have you ever noticed that since Obama took office that the Modern American Right have virtually celebrated every economic negative that they can find?
- Why does Fox"News" boast about how most Americans watch their network while crying about how the "mainstream media" is against them? Do they not know the definition of "mainstream"?
- Why does the Modern American Right lambaste Obama's Chicago ties as "thuggish" when Ronald Reagan's childhood home is in the same city?
- When I see and hear people like Glenn Beck preach the virtues of owning gold and then complain about the devaluing of the dollar, I'm wondering if they don't understand the far reaching implications of what they are essentially doing.
- If the Modern American Right don't think we have a direct impact on our environment, then can we build a coal-fired power plant and nuclear waste dump next to Rush Limbaugh's house?
- Have you ever noticed that since Obama took office that the Modern American Right have virtually celebrated every economic negative that they can find?
Friday, May 27, 2011
How Far Is "Far Left"?
That's a question I have been asking myself for quite a while now.
Every time you hear someone within the Modern American Right use the term "Far Left", you have to look at the person using it and then ask yourself what their metric is for "Centrist" first.
It's quite the dizzying experience, as there is no true metric for this at all - it's just a talking point that sounds great and apparently tests well with the viewing audience of Fox"News" and conservative talk radio and blogs.
It's with that in mind that I never use the term "Far Right", as that would make as much sense as my political adversaries using the alternate term. I have opted for the more honest and encompassing phrase "Modern American Right". And while some may claim that that term is far too "general", I would offer that it is both accurate and historic based on our current socio-political climate.
But back to the definition at hand...........
I first started considering how the Modern American Right would define this back when Bush was still occupying the White House while watching Bill O'Reilly - as he was want to use the term during literally every segment of his program, and still does to this day.
His style is so dry and predictably flaccid that it became apparent that he would even call my grandmother - at the time an 88 year old woman that new nothing but farm life in Western Kentucky who just happened changed her political alignment sometime after Reagan's re-election but to this day is still one of the more conservative women I have ever known - a member of the "Far Left".
Then there's Glenn Beck......
Honestly, I think he would call his own children "Far Left" if they even wanted him to rent "Where The Wild Things Are" on DVD.
So, what about Sean Hannity? Sarah Palin? Fox and Friends? Heck, Neil Cavuto?
The truth of the matter is that the Modern American Right can't define that term. But I can.
"Far Left" simply means that any person who does not think Fox"News" is a legitimate source of news, thinks that women have the right to choose, thinks that workers have the right to organize, thinks that healthcare is a right, thinks that..............well, you see where this is going, don't you.
Anyone that even modestly disagrees with the Modern American Right will be labeled as a fringe extremist that is obviously hell-bent on tossing the country into the ever burning abyss of fire and damnation. And that's putting it mildly.
Are their sub-classifications of both Left and Right political alignment? Of course, but you aren't going to get that from Fox or even from some Left/Progressive sources. The reason is that, all too often, we get enraptured with the idea that painting something as "extreme" will elevate our own point of view. And for the Modern American Right, they are champs at distorting whom their socio-political opposites are.
Every time you hear someone within the Modern American Right use the term "Far Left", you have to look at the person using it and then ask yourself what their metric is for "Centrist" first.
It's quite the dizzying experience, as there is no true metric for this at all - it's just a talking point that sounds great and apparently tests well with the viewing audience of Fox"News" and conservative talk radio and blogs.
It's with that in mind that I never use the term "Far Right", as that would make as much sense as my political adversaries using the alternate term. I have opted for the more honest and encompassing phrase "Modern American Right". And while some may claim that that term is far too "general", I would offer that it is both accurate and historic based on our current socio-political climate.
But back to the definition at hand...........
I first started considering how the Modern American Right would define this back when Bush was still occupying the White House while watching Bill O'Reilly - as he was want to use the term during literally every segment of his program, and still does to this day.
His style is so dry and predictably flaccid that it became apparent that he would even call my grandmother - at the time an 88 year old woman that new nothing but farm life in Western Kentucky who just happened changed her political alignment sometime after Reagan's re-election but to this day is still one of the more conservative women I have ever known - a member of the "Far Left".
Then there's Glenn Beck......
Honestly, I think he would call his own children "Far Left" if they even wanted him to rent "Where The Wild Things Are" on DVD.
So, what about Sean Hannity? Sarah Palin? Fox and Friends? Heck, Neil Cavuto?
The truth of the matter is that the Modern American Right can't define that term. But I can.
"Far Left" simply means that any person who does not think Fox"News" is a legitimate source of news, thinks that women have the right to choose, thinks that workers have the right to organize, thinks that healthcare is a right, thinks that..............well, you see where this is going, don't you.
Anyone that even modestly disagrees with the Modern American Right will be labeled as a fringe extremist that is obviously hell-bent on tossing the country into the ever burning abyss of fire and damnation. And that's putting it mildly.
Are their sub-classifications of both Left and Right political alignment? Of course, but you aren't going to get that from Fox or even from some Left/Progressive sources. The reason is that, all too often, we get enraptured with the idea that painting something as "extreme" will elevate our own point of view. And for the Modern American Right, they are champs at distorting whom their socio-political opposites are.
Late Night Music Club feat. Faith No More
Being a child of the 80s, I can remember bands like Flock of Seagulls, The Thompson Twins, and Herbie Hancock's video for Rokit on MTV for the first time. But the era of music that really started to mold me in a whole new direction was that of early 90s rock. The one band that sticks out as an influence on my life from those years is Faith No More.
For tonight's selection here's "A Small Victory", off 1992s Angel Dust
For tonight's selection here's "A Small Victory", off 1992s Angel Dust
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Regular Blogging Returns Tomorrow
So I finally finished the third draft of my screenplay and the hunt begins for someone to buy it. Keep your fingers crossed.
That being said, this blog is about to get a serious revamp and return to some of it's original roots.
Tonight, we start with the late night music sessions again.
It was just announced - for any of my readers ( are you even still here? ) that are attending Bonnaroo next month - that Bjork has been added and will play a late night set after Eminem.
Here she is doing her usual quirky and ahead of it's time jam on the track Biofilia
That being said, this blog is about to get a serious revamp and return to some of it's original roots.
Tonight, we start with the late night music sessions again.
It was just announced - for any of my readers ( are you even still here? ) that are attending Bonnaroo next month - that Bjork has been added and will play a late night set after Eminem.
Here she is doing her usual quirky and ahead of it's time jam on the track Biofilia
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Of Tea Baggers And UK Basketball "Fans"
Having grown up in Kentucky, I know that there are two things that people just don't do around here - talk bad about UK basketball and dismiss the Kentucky Derby has nothing more than the dumbest two minutes in racing.
With that in mind, I realized something while discussing the Final Four recently with a friend at work - the connection between a specific set of UK "fans" and the Tea Baggers.
What was postulated to me regarding sports is that there are certain types of "fans" - those that intimately know the players and stats revolving around the game and those that simply are "fans" because of the particular state they live in. This, more than just about anything, is explicitly true for "fans" of UK basketball.
Not being the biggest sports enthusiast in America also provides a unique perspective on the difference between someone that loves the game - whatever that might be - and someone that is simply enamoured with the idea of being a "fan". UK basketball "fans" can be some of the loudest and most eclectic persons, and that is not always a good thing.
I can recall just a few years ago accompanying a friend to a local restaurant/bar on a Friday evening for some steaks and drinks. What we didn't realize is that there was a UK game in progress and a group of about 13 "fans" had been meeting regularly at that exact restaurant/bar on Friday evenings to watch UK on the wide screen behind the bar.
The dining area, usually packed this time of the evening, was virtually empty, but the bar was ablaze with "blue and white" and a cacophony unlike heard in modern dining settings. I'm not entirely sure how many people decided to find an alternate place to patronize once they heard and saw the group, but I stopped counting around 10. My friend and I opted to stay not only to enjoy the pints of bitter, but to view the spectacle that continually erupted each time a UK player had the ball.
In contrast, I've been at homes and at locations like the above mentioned with sports fans that understand the nuances of the game in question. And yes, while there is the occasional bursts of noise, there is interlaced with it solid and knowledgeable commentary, concluded by an analysis of the game - oh, and some great hot wings too.
This same dichotomy exists within the socio-political realm. In place of the noise-making "fan" you have the Tea Baggers. And the solid policy wonk and intellectually honest observer is the sports statistician.
Ever since Obama's election, the political "fan" has made so much noise that we've almost become numb to what they are doing. And, unfortunately, we have allowed them to frame enough of the narrative that we have lost the initiative. Just take a look at what has happened in Wisconsin and the rallying cry for Paul Ryan's laughably poor and transparently laughable "budget".
I guess you could say that once people start announcing their presidential candidacy - which is already underway - we are the socio-political "tournament", though I'm not entirely sure what we would consider the "Final Four". Maybe that's once the televised debates start ramping up. But one thing for sure is that the "championship game" is election night. And that is when all the "fans" are going to be the loudest, regardless if their "team" wins or not. And the noise only increases the morning after so they can either gloat or complain about "plays" and "calls" made.
The root thesis of this is that the "fans" don't need to control the "game" or how it is viewed. If a player on UK's team had a strong performance, it doesn't do anyone any good to discuss how horrible his shoes looked or that he made a strange face when he got that dunk with only 30 seconds to go. Just visit any Right Wing website today and you'll find that that is the bulk of what is discussed in relation to Obama and his administration.
With that in mind, I realized something while discussing the Final Four recently with a friend at work - the connection between a specific set of UK "fans" and the Tea Baggers.
What was postulated to me regarding sports is that there are certain types of "fans" - those that intimately know the players and stats revolving around the game and those that simply are "fans" because of the particular state they live in. This, more than just about anything, is explicitly true for "fans" of UK basketball.
Not being the biggest sports enthusiast in America also provides a unique perspective on the difference between someone that loves the game - whatever that might be - and someone that is simply enamoured with the idea of being a "fan". UK basketball "fans" can be some of the loudest and most eclectic persons, and that is not always a good thing.
I can recall just a few years ago accompanying a friend to a local restaurant/bar on a Friday evening for some steaks and drinks. What we didn't realize is that there was a UK game in progress and a group of about 13 "fans" had been meeting regularly at that exact restaurant/bar on Friday evenings to watch UK on the wide screen behind the bar.
The dining area, usually packed this time of the evening, was virtually empty, but the bar was ablaze with "blue and white" and a cacophony unlike heard in modern dining settings. I'm not entirely sure how many people decided to find an alternate place to patronize once they heard and saw the group, but I stopped counting around 10. My friend and I opted to stay not only to enjoy the pints of bitter, but to view the spectacle that continually erupted each time a UK player had the ball.
In contrast, I've been at homes and at locations like the above mentioned with sports fans that understand the nuances of the game in question. And yes, while there is the occasional bursts of noise, there is interlaced with it solid and knowledgeable commentary, concluded by an analysis of the game - oh, and some great hot wings too.
This same dichotomy exists within the socio-political realm. In place of the noise-making "fan" you have the Tea Baggers. And the solid policy wonk and intellectually honest observer is the sports statistician.
Ever since Obama's election, the political "fan" has made so much noise that we've almost become numb to what they are doing. And, unfortunately, we have allowed them to frame enough of the narrative that we have lost the initiative. Just take a look at what has happened in Wisconsin and the rallying cry for Paul Ryan's laughably poor and transparently laughable "budget".
I guess you could say that once people start announcing their presidential candidacy - which is already underway - we are the socio-political "tournament", though I'm not entirely sure what we would consider the "Final Four". Maybe that's once the televised debates start ramping up. But one thing for sure is that the "championship game" is election night. And that is when all the "fans" are going to be the loudest, regardless if their "team" wins or not. And the noise only increases the morning after so they can either gloat or complain about "plays" and "calls" made.
The root thesis of this is that the "fans" don't need to control the "game" or how it is viewed. If a player on UK's team had a strong performance, it doesn't do anyone any good to discuss how horrible his shoes looked or that he made a strange face when he got that dunk with only 30 seconds to go. Just visit any Right Wing website today and you'll find that that is the bulk of what is discussed in relation to Obama and his administration.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Blog Update: No I'm Not Leaving
It's been quite a while since I've updated here or really got into heavy discussion on Twitter. I've been spending a great deal of time researching for my screenplay and putting in more hours at work, so there's virtually no time for this small corner of the internet.
I'm considering just making this a "weekend update" space, which would leave me at the back of the line when news breaks - like responding to Beck's show ending on Fox"News". But is that any different than where I am now?
I'm honestly beginning to think that reading people at Breitbart's sites and debating the failings of Libertarianism is sapping all the energy from me. But, if the ends truly justify the means, then I think I just might have a screenplay worthy of someone taking seriously.
Keep your fingers crossed.
I'm considering just making this a "weekend update" space, which would leave me at the back of the line when news breaks - like responding to Beck's show ending on Fox"News". But is that any different than where I am now?
I'm honestly beginning to think that reading people at Breitbart's sites and debating the failings of Libertarianism is sapping all the energy from me. But, if the ends truly justify the means, then I think I just might have a screenplay worthy of someone taking seriously.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Questions. Questions That Need Answers.....
I haven't been blogging of late, as I'm working on a screenplay about how the world would look should the Modern American Right actually get their way with everything they claim to desire.
Picture Blade Runner meets Casablanca meets Beyond The Valley of the Dolls.....
I've already got a title:
ATLAS UNBOUND
That should get some attention with some of the Libertarian sychopants in America.
But to the questions:
- Why does the Right hate education?
- Why does the Right hate the ability for people to organize?
- Why does the Right have contempt for minorities?
- Why does the Right have contempt for women?
- Why does the Right have the ability to control the "media message" while claiming there is a "media bias"?
- Why is the Right against "Net Neutrality" and "The Fairness Doctrine" when these are two things they should - based on their continued machinations - be supporters of?
.......and there are more.
What are yours?
Picture Blade Runner meets Casablanca meets Beyond The Valley of the Dolls.....
I've already got a title:
ATLAS UNBOUND
That should get some attention with some of the Libertarian sychopants in America.
But to the questions:
- Why does the Right hate education?
- Why does the Right hate the ability for people to organize?
- Why does the Right have contempt for minorities?
- Why does the Right have contempt for women?
- Why does the Right have the ability to control the "media message" while claiming there is a "media bias"?
- Why is the Right against "Net Neutrality" and "The Fairness Doctrine" when these are two things they should - based on their continued machinations - be supporters of?
.......and there are more.
What are yours?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Pete Postlethwaite 1946 - 2011
Postlethwaite was immediately recognizable to anyone that is even marginal in their movie viewing. From performances in Romeo and Juliet, The Shipping News, Mel Gibson's version of Hamlet, Alien 3, and as recently as Inception. The man is a character actor of the highest order.
Tragically, he lost his battle with cancer last night:
You can find many of Postlethwaite's film clips here.
Tragically, he lost his battle with cancer last night:
British acting legend Pete Postlethwaite has passed away in hospital. He was 64. The Warrington-born actor - who was nominated for an Oscar in 1994 for his turn in In The Name Of The Father - died yesterday (January 2) in Shropshire, reports the The Guardian
Postlethwaite had been undergoing treatment for cancer, despite continuing to work and appearing last year in bank heist hit The Town. His other career credits include The Constant Gardener, Brassed Off, Romeo + Juliet and The Usual Suspects.
You can find many of Postlethwaite's film clips here.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday Night Music Thread
It's time this blog gets back in touch with it's musical beginnings, so here's the music thread reboot featuring:
Karen Overton
Big, Bad, & Heavy - Leviticus ( Logistics Remix )
Johnette Napolitano & Danny Lohner - The Scientist
The Hundred In The Hands - Young Aren't Young
Karen Overton
Big, Bad, & Heavy - Leviticus ( Logistics Remix )
Johnette Napolitano & Danny Lohner - The Scientist
The Hundred In The Hands - Young Aren't Young
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The 30 Day Music Meme All In One Go
Rather than draw this out over a whole month, here's my answers all at once:
Day 01 - Your favorite song
Asking me for my favorite song is a lot like asking me for my favorite movie, favorite food, or favorite anything. I'm not entirely partial to one particular track versus another, but in the spirit of the meme I would have to choose "In My Time Of Dying" by Zeppelin.
Granted, this is a cover of a Bob Dylan track, but Zeppelin made it something wholly original and thought provoking. It's blues layered with solid grooves and a passionate vocal turn from Robert Plant that proves why Zep still remains the greatest band of all time.
Day 02 - Your least favorite song
Again, there are far too many choices for this one as well. Virtually everything from the modern country genre as well as any and every Zydeco track ever recorded. But, if I have to be pressed on this one I would have to say it's a three way tie between "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Deon, whatever Kanye West single is being played on Top 40 Radio at the moment, and that Brian Adams song from Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood" that all the preppy girls in my high school were intent on singing at the top of their lungs.
Day 03 - A song that makes you happy
Here's where we get into territory that I consider "the guilty pleasure". My first choice would have to be "The Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin Lizzy, as it reminds me of trips to comic conventions in Chattanooga when I was younger. But then there's "Swing Swing" by The All American Rejects - the guilty pleasure. It's a really catchy track that just demands that the radio be turned up to capacity.
Day 04 - A song that makes you sad
Not sure what it is about Sigur Ros' track "The Nothing Song (Njosnavelin)" that is so depressing, but it certainly strikes a chord with me that is both pleasurable and painful all at once. I saw them perform this live at Bonnaroo a few years ago and I left the show with a sense of emptiness and cleanliness that I hadn't felt in quite some time. I think the fact that I all too often struggle with finding ways to make myself happy when I should just let the music do it's proper job causes me to feel this way.
Day 05 - A song that reminds you of someone
"Shrine" by The Dambuilders will always remind me of my first tragic romance when I was in college. It's actually quite a pleasing memory now that I have the benefit of hindsight and proper perspective on the whole messy debacle.
Day 06 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
"Toxygene" by The Orb will always remind me of working at Gadzooks in the Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green when I was in college. Each month, the store would get VHS compilations of music that the corporate office thought typified who our customer base was. This was around the time that "rave culture" had taken somewhat of a center stage spot in American culture, and not from the perspective of the music so much as the stereotypical portrait of what a "raver" was. Naturally, Gadzooks - and retail outlets like Hot Topic - had to take advantage of the "movement of the moment" and try and market it into the mainstream.
Day 07 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
First off, I have to consider what is meant by "event". While some will think about tragic events in relation to our country, I all too often think about the unpredictable and haphazard moments in my personal life. With the later in mind, the song that immediately springs to mind is "Skylined" by Prodigy from their "Music For the Jilted Generation" LP. Rather than go into the gory details, let's just say that it was early 1998 and I was attending my first 'warehouse party' and the night was taking a very interesting turn.
Day 08 - A song that you know all the words to
Considering the fact that I grew up in a family that listened to everything from pop, country, metal, gospel, and soul, I had a very unique musical foundation to build off of. Couple that with living in a very rural area of Kentucky and having few friends other than the music that I discovered, I learned a lot of lyrics. Upon leaving home and finding new forms of music and new lyrics to fill my brain with, it became almost reflexive nature to learn all the words to everything I heard. I can't possibly name just one without wanting to name a thousand.
Day 09 - A song that you can dance to
You can dance to just about any song, it all depends on your mood at that particular moment. But when I think of dancing, considering that I have been a DJ in one form or another since 1995, I would have to opt for something from the electronic genre. A few choices right off the bat would be "Pearl's Girl" by Underworld, "Circles" by Adam F, or "Atlantic State" by Dieselboy and Tech Itch.
Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep
In addition to provoke a visceral emotional response, just about anything by Sigur Ros is good music to help one travel into REM sleep. I don't often get there right away myself, but it certainly provides good atmospherics that helps one relax.
Day 11 - A song from your favorite band
We'll stick with Zeppelin for this one too, so my choice would have to be "The Wanton Song".
Day 12 - A song from a band you hate
I can't say that I completely hate Oasis, but their attempts at mimicking the Beatles and their overtly pretentious posturing certainly didn't make me laud them as ahead of their time or groundbreaking in any sense. While most would immediately think of "Wonderwall", I think of "So Sally Can Wait", as the piano riff is a blatant and unvarnished rip off of "Imagine" by John Lennon.
Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Already let this one slip earlier.
Day 14 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Wouldn't this be the same thing as a guilty pleasure? Not entirely. The way that I read this is that people have preconceived notions about what people do and don't like. But moreover, I think this could be a way for some people to pretend to be more "cultured" in music in order to one-up the person next to them. While I have been accused of the later more than a few times, I rarely - if ever - let my taste in music color my perceptions of another person, unless that person is an unapologetic cockstain that operates under the assumption that they have the answers to all of life's mysteries. But rather than blather on in a seemingly endless preamble, I would have to say that my affinity for Tori Amos has thrown people for a loop more than a handful of times.
Day 15 - A song that describes you
I don't there has been one written yet. And oh how I did hate those moments at house parties where the "girls who's had one too many" loudly proclaims "this song is about me" just before she passes out on your couch spilling her strawberry daiquiri all over your carpet.
Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate
This is actually a rather tough one. I can't say that there is one, though there are enough that I have grown quite weary of as the years have passed. If I have enough passion for a track to say that I love it, it generally isn't going to fall too far off my person chart into the category of "hated musical nonsense".
Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio
I do my best not to listen to the radio unless it's NPR or the off occasion that I tune into "Bob and Tom" if I'm out early enough in the morning. But when I car-pooled with some friends I worked with a few years ago, it seemed that no less than 5 times a day I would hear that wretched track by Gwen Stephani where she thought it would be clever to chant out the spelling of "bananas" during the hook. But, such is the nature of modern Top 40 radio.
Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Why would I wish to hear something on the radio when I can easily find it online and play in my car CD player or MP3 hook-up?
Day 19 - A song from your favorite album
And we go back to Zeppelin again and "In The Light" from their "Physical Graffitti" double LP.
Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you’re angry
I don't often find myself angry long enough to warrant listening to something that would ultimately make me amplify that anger or assuage it to any reasonable extent. If I get to that point, I generally try to channel it through some form of artistic expression.
Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you’re happy
There's really a lot of these that end up resulting in hundreds of song titles running through my head and me being either unable to name one or having to just throw one out just so I can move onto the next number.
Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you’re sad
I have often wondered by people will listen to music that further pushes them into a sour mood when they are already deep into one. Perhaps it's just a form of punishment that we feel we have to engage in - kind of like aural flagellation. I have to admit that I have taken part in this practice for the better part of my life. I think the song that most typifies this practice, as well as being one that further amplifies a sullen mood, is "That Song" by Big Wreck.
Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
My wife and I had Billie Holiday and The Cure played at our wedding.
Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
There was a point in time where I wanted to have "Amazing Grace" played on bagpipes at my funeral. Upon further reflection, I don't want any music at my funeral, as I don't want a typical funeral in the least. There will, however, be lots of drinking I hope.
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh
As odd as it may sound to some I would have to say, without fear of retracting my answer, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf is probably the only non-comedic song that can make me laugh.
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
I'm not the most adept person on guitar, as I have fallen out of practice over the course of the last 10 years, but I can still crank out more than a few Metallica tracks, some Van Halen, and even "Roundabout" by Yes. Of course there are more, but I'm getting to the point where this meme is wearing me thin.
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Always wanted to be able to play anything on piano. Sure, I can plunk out a slow melody now and again, but nothing that can be considered a legitimate composition.
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
I don't think there's a song in existence that makes me feel guilty about anything. That's a rather odd query actually. Would be interesting to see another person's reaction to this one.
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
I can clearly recall my mom listening to Queen when I was a kid. She had a "greatest hits" album that was constantly on the turntable Sunday afternoons. Either that, or it would be country radio playing in the background while she cleaned the kitchen. Nothing that stands out immediately really.
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year
Can't recall if there was anything new out this time last year that caught my fancy or not.
Day 01 - Your favorite song
Asking me for my favorite song is a lot like asking me for my favorite movie, favorite food, or favorite anything. I'm not entirely partial to one particular track versus another, but in the spirit of the meme I would have to choose "In My Time Of Dying" by Zeppelin.
Granted, this is a cover of a Bob Dylan track, but Zeppelin made it something wholly original and thought provoking. It's blues layered with solid grooves and a passionate vocal turn from Robert Plant that proves why Zep still remains the greatest band of all time.
Day 02 - Your least favorite song
Again, there are far too many choices for this one as well. Virtually everything from the modern country genre as well as any and every Zydeco track ever recorded. But, if I have to be pressed on this one I would have to say it's a three way tie between "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Deon, whatever Kanye West single is being played on Top 40 Radio at the moment, and that Brian Adams song from Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood" that all the preppy girls in my high school were intent on singing at the top of their lungs.
Day 03 - A song that makes you happy
Here's where we get into territory that I consider "the guilty pleasure". My first choice would have to be "The Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin Lizzy, as it reminds me of trips to comic conventions in Chattanooga when I was younger. But then there's "Swing Swing" by The All American Rejects - the guilty pleasure. It's a really catchy track that just demands that the radio be turned up to capacity.
Day 04 - A song that makes you sad
Not sure what it is about Sigur Ros' track "The Nothing Song (Njosnavelin)" that is so depressing, but it certainly strikes a chord with me that is both pleasurable and painful all at once. I saw them perform this live at Bonnaroo a few years ago and I left the show with a sense of emptiness and cleanliness that I hadn't felt in quite some time. I think the fact that I all too often struggle with finding ways to make myself happy when I should just let the music do it's proper job causes me to feel this way.
Day 05 - A song that reminds you of someone
"Shrine" by The Dambuilders will always remind me of my first tragic romance when I was in college. It's actually quite a pleasing memory now that I have the benefit of hindsight and proper perspective on the whole messy debacle.
Day 06 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere
"Toxygene" by The Orb will always remind me of working at Gadzooks in the Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green when I was in college. Each month, the store would get VHS compilations of music that the corporate office thought typified who our customer base was. This was around the time that "rave culture" had taken somewhat of a center stage spot in American culture, and not from the perspective of the music so much as the stereotypical portrait of what a "raver" was. Naturally, Gadzooks - and retail outlets like Hot Topic - had to take advantage of the "movement of the moment" and try and market it into the mainstream.
Day 07 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
First off, I have to consider what is meant by "event". While some will think about tragic events in relation to our country, I all too often think about the unpredictable and haphazard moments in my personal life. With the later in mind, the song that immediately springs to mind is "Skylined" by Prodigy from their "Music For the Jilted Generation" LP. Rather than go into the gory details, let's just say that it was early 1998 and I was attending my first 'warehouse party' and the night was taking a very interesting turn.
Day 08 - A song that you know all the words to
Considering the fact that I grew up in a family that listened to everything from pop, country, metal, gospel, and soul, I had a very unique musical foundation to build off of. Couple that with living in a very rural area of Kentucky and having few friends other than the music that I discovered, I learned a lot of lyrics. Upon leaving home and finding new forms of music and new lyrics to fill my brain with, it became almost reflexive nature to learn all the words to everything I heard. I can't possibly name just one without wanting to name a thousand.
Day 09 - A song that you can dance to
You can dance to just about any song, it all depends on your mood at that particular moment. But when I think of dancing, considering that I have been a DJ in one form or another since 1995, I would have to opt for something from the electronic genre. A few choices right off the bat would be "Pearl's Girl" by Underworld, "Circles" by Adam F, or "Atlantic State" by Dieselboy and Tech Itch.
Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep
In addition to provoke a visceral emotional response, just about anything by Sigur Ros is good music to help one travel into REM sleep. I don't often get there right away myself, but it certainly provides good atmospherics that helps one relax.
Day 11 - A song from your favorite band
We'll stick with Zeppelin for this one too, so my choice would have to be "The Wanton Song".
Day 12 - A song from a band you hate
I can't say that I completely hate Oasis, but their attempts at mimicking the Beatles and their overtly pretentious posturing certainly didn't make me laud them as ahead of their time or groundbreaking in any sense. While most would immediately think of "Wonderwall", I think of "So Sally Can Wait", as the piano riff is a blatant and unvarnished rip off of "Imagine" by John Lennon.
Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure
Already let this one slip earlier.
Day 14 - A song that no one would expect you to love
Wouldn't this be the same thing as a guilty pleasure? Not entirely. The way that I read this is that people have preconceived notions about what people do and don't like. But moreover, I think this could be a way for some people to pretend to be more "cultured" in music in order to one-up the person next to them. While I have been accused of the later more than a few times, I rarely - if ever - let my taste in music color my perceptions of another person, unless that person is an unapologetic cockstain that operates under the assumption that they have the answers to all of life's mysteries. But rather than blather on in a seemingly endless preamble, I would have to say that my affinity for Tori Amos has thrown people for a loop more than a handful of times.
Day 15 - A song that describes you
I don't there has been one written yet. And oh how I did hate those moments at house parties where the "girls who's had one too many" loudly proclaims "this song is about me" just before she passes out on your couch spilling her strawberry daiquiri all over your carpet.
Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate
This is actually a rather tough one. I can't say that there is one, though there are enough that I have grown quite weary of as the years have passed. If I have enough passion for a track to say that I love it, it generally isn't going to fall too far off my person chart into the category of "hated musical nonsense".
Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio
I do my best not to listen to the radio unless it's NPR or the off occasion that I tune into "Bob and Tom" if I'm out early enough in the morning. But when I car-pooled with some friends I worked with a few years ago, it seemed that no less than 5 times a day I would hear that wretched track by Gwen Stephani where she thought it would be clever to chant out the spelling of "bananas" during the hook. But, such is the nature of modern Top 40 radio.
Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Why would I wish to hear something on the radio when I can easily find it online and play in my car CD player or MP3 hook-up?
Day 19 - A song from your favorite album
And we go back to Zeppelin again and "In The Light" from their "Physical Graffitti" double LP.
Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you’re angry
I don't often find myself angry long enough to warrant listening to something that would ultimately make me amplify that anger or assuage it to any reasonable extent. If I get to that point, I generally try to channel it through some form of artistic expression.
Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you’re happy
There's really a lot of these that end up resulting in hundreds of song titles running through my head and me being either unable to name one or having to just throw one out just so I can move onto the next number.
Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you’re sad
I have often wondered by people will listen to music that further pushes them into a sour mood when they are already deep into one. Perhaps it's just a form of punishment that we feel we have to engage in - kind of like aural flagellation. I have to admit that I have taken part in this practice for the better part of my life. I think the song that most typifies this practice, as well as being one that further amplifies a sullen mood, is "That Song" by Big Wreck.
Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding
My wife and I had Billie Holiday and The Cure played at our wedding.
Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral
There was a point in time where I wanted to have "Amazing Grace" played on bagpipes at my funeral. Upon further reflection, I don't want any music at my funeral, as I don't want a typical funeral in the least. There will, however, be lots of drinking I hope.
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh
As odd as it may sound to some I would have to say, without fear of retracting my answer, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf is probably the only non-comedic song that can make me laugh.
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument
I'm not the most adept person on guitar, as I have fallen out of practice over the course of the last 10 years, but I can still crank out more than a few Metallica tracks, some Van Halen, and even "Roundabout" by Yes. Of course there are more, but I'm getting to the point where this meme is wearing me thin.
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play
Always wanted to be able to play anything on piano. Sure, I can plunk out a slow melody now and again, but nothing that can be considered a legitimate composition.
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty
I don't think there's a song in existence that makes me feel guilty about anything. That's a rather odd query actually. Would be interesting to see another person's reaction to this one.
Day 29 - A song from your childhood
I can clearly recall my mom listening to Queen when I was a kid. She had a "greatest hits" album that was constantly on the turntable Sunday afternoons. Either that, or it would be country radio playing in the background while she cleaned the kitchen. Nothing that stands out immediately really.
Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year
Can't recall if there was anything new out this time last year that caught my fancy or not.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas
While Glenn Beck is expecting us to believe that he is giving ramen noodles and bottled water to his extended family for Christmas and Bill O'Reilly talk about Christ and unemployment, there are those of us that know that the bulk of the modern conservative movement aren't concerned with anything but their own edification and how well their turkey or ham is going to be received by their ever spiteful aunt who complains about virtually everything during Christmas dinner.
As I am typing this out, my house is filled with in-laws from Tennessee, two new pups, and kids far too excited to even consider going to sleep later on. There are plenty of cakes, cookies, candies, and pies that will surely add more than a few unwanted pounds before the new year begins.
I hope that all that have taken the time to read my offerings on politics and culture over the past year haven't been to terribly disappointed, as I have enjoyed the comments and challenges that I have been brought here. The next year promises to see this blog expand and become more than it has been of late.
May each of you have a great Christmas day, regardless of your ideological bent.
As I am typing this out, my house is filled with in-laws from Tennessee, two new pups, and kids far too excited to even consider going to sleep later on. There are plenty of cakes, cookies, candies, and pies that will surely add more than a few unwanted pounds before the new year begins.
I hope that all that have taken the time to read my offerings on politics and culture over the past year haven't been to terribly disappointed, as I have enjoyed the comments and challenges that I have been brought here. The next year promises to see this blog expand and become more than it has been of late.
May each of you have a great Christmas day, regardless of your ideological bent.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Christmas Beverage Action
Some unique holiday beverages that you might want to try this year:
Schlag-n-Nog
Ingredients: 3 parts eggnog 1 part Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps ground nutmeg
Preparation: Add the egg nog and Goldschlager together in a bowl. Add nutmeg if desired.
JagNog
Ingredients: 3 parts eggnog 1 part Jagermeister® herbal liqueur
Preparation: Mix in a punchbowl or make individual drinks.
And here's another variant on Egg Nog that sounds tempting.
12 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup milk 2 cups Bailey's Irish Creme 6 cups heavy cream freshly grated nutmeg
In a large bowl, beat eggs until very thick and creamy. Gradually bet in sugar. Blend in milk and Baileys.
Whip cream in another bowl until it holds soft peaks. Stir whipped cream into egg mixture. Chill until ready to serve.
When ready to serve, stire again and ladle into punch cups. Top each serving with a dusting of nutmeg.
Schlag-n-Nog
Ingredients: 3 parts eggnog 1 part Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps ground nutmeg
Preparation: Add the egg nog and Goldschlager together in a bowl. Add nutmeg if desired.
JagNog
Ingredients: 3 parts eggnog 1 part Jagermeister® herbal liqueur
Preparation: Mix in a punchbowl or make individual drinks.
And here's another variant on Egg Nog that sounds tempting.
12 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup milk 2 cups Bailey's Irish Creme 6 cups heavy cream freshly grated nutmeg
In a large bowl, beat eggs until very thick and creamy. Gradually bet in sugar. Blend in milk and Baileys.
Whip cream in another bowl until it holds soft peaks. Stir whipped cream into egg mixture. Chill until ready to serve.
When ready to serve, stire again and ladle into punch cups. Top each serving with a dusting of nutmeg.
Holiday Music
Here's some unique Christmas music for your listening pleasure
The Flaming Lips - Christmas At The Zoo
Dar Williams - The Christians And The Pagans
Bob And Doug McKenzie's 12 Days Of Christmas
RUN DMC - Christmas In Hollis, Queens
The Flaming Lips - Christmas At The Zoo
Dar Williams - The Christians And The Pagans
Bob And Doug McKenzie's 12 Days Of Christmas
RUN DMC - Christmas In Hollis, Queens
The Christmas Schedule
Been rather busy since Thursday morning with Christmas shopping, working extra hours to help out with costs, and ferrying in family from out of state.
And for any of you conservatives who happen to be reading this, liberals/progressives do celebrate Christmas. I even have a really nice tree in my living room and there are lots of cool decorations around the house. You're shocked, I'm sure.
Regardless, posting will be light from now until after Christmas night - when the chaos will finally have died down enough.
However, there are a couple of posts that will be up after work tonight and some musical goodies to help usher in the special day.
See you all soon.
And for any of you conservatives who happen to be reading this, liberals/progressives do celebrate Christmas. I even have a really nice tree in my living room and there are lots of cool decorations around the house. You're shocked, I'm sure.
Regardless, posting will be light from now until after Christmas night - when the chaos will finally have died down enough.
However, there are a couple of posts that will be up after work tonight and some musical goodies to help usher in the special day.
See you all soon.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Your Thumb Hit By The Hammer Of The God
Let's just say that at first blush, I'm not too terribly disappointed with the appearance of the cast, save what could possibly be the woman who will obviously the love interest. Not that Natalie Portman isn't a semi-decent actress, it's just that.............
..............just watch.
All the key players are there: Thor, Odin, Loki, Volstagg.
My only issue with this was that Kenneth Branagh was seated comfortably in the director's chair on this one. He pretty much turned Frankenstein into an overly stylized version of the most juicy bits of Mary Shelly's magnum opus, so I'm sure that with the advent of special effects in the modern Hollywood realm he's done the same here. Hell, just look at the trailer.
Then again, trailers are normally farmed out to production houses that do nothing but take the best bits of existing material to make a film look far cooler than it actually is. I thought that Bad Company just might be a genre busting film. After all, Anthony Hopkins AND Chris Rock - what could go wrong.
Oh, wait, this movie has Tony in it too. Fuck.
And while some critics, both professional and non, will claim that Marvel is scraping the bottom of the barrel at this point, I have to maintain that I have loved Thor since I was in grade school. Of course, his storyline became much grittier and hard edged during the last 12 years, but I'm not expecting to see that from Branagh's "vision" of the film.
When it comes to comic adaptations, one has to look more at the writer(s) than the director. At this point, we need to be worried.
The writing team's resume includes such cinematic masterpieces as:
Agent Cody Banks and Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.
There's really no saving grace to the writing or initial story process of this film, even though one of the guys did work on Babylon 5.
Unfortunately, this will more than likely be a film to wait to get at your local Redbox machine or stream live from Netflix.
..............just watch.
All the key players are there: Thor, Odin, Loki, Volstagg.
My only issue with this was that Kenneth Branagh was seated comfortably in the director's chair on this one. He pretty much turned Frankenstein into an overly stylized version of the most juicy bits of Mary Shelly's magnum opus, so I'm sure that with the advent of special effects in the modern Hollywood realm he's done the same here. Hell, just look at the trailer.
Then again, trailers are normally farmed out to production houses that do nothing but take the best bits of existing material to make a film look far cooler than it actually is. I thought that Bad Company just might be a genre busting film. After all, Anthony Hopkins AND Chris Rock - what could go wrong.
Oh, wait, this movie has Tony in it too. Fuck.
And while some critics, both professional and non, will claim that Marvel is scraping the bottom of the barrel at this point, I have to maintain that I have loved Thor since I was in grade school. Of course, his storyline became much grittier and hard edged during the last 12 years, but I'm not expecting to see that from Branagh's "vision" of the film.
When it comes to comic adaptations, one has to look more at the writer(s) than the director. At this point, we need to be worried.
The writing team's resume includes such cinematic masterpieces as:
Agent Cody Banks and Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.
There's really no saving grace to the writing or initial story process of this film, even though one of the guys did work on Babylon 5.
Unfortunately, this will more than likely be a film to wait to get at your local Redbox machine or stream live from Netflix.
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Christmas Meme
1. Favorite Tradition
I'm not a "traditional" person by any means, unless we're talking about what goes on my plate during Thanksgiving dinner. To that end, I would say that I have no traditions that I follow during the Christmas season, save one - I have to buy Holiday Custard the very moment it comes out.
My Grandmama used to call it "boiled custard" and it's the one Christmas/Holiday drink that I have enjoyed since I was a child. I can't stand Egg Nog or Apple Cider, as both equally nasty, regardless of how much bourbon you add to them.
2. Favorite Elf
Unless we're talking about Lord Of The Rings, I've got nothing. And don't bother trying to make me watch that horrible Will Ferrell film. He's funny within a specific frame, but that movie is beyond pointless and horrible.
3. Santa or Mrs. Claus
Did I believe either one existed, I would have to say Mrs. Claus. I chose her only because I have this image of the "hot woman" marrying the "fat man" - a la far too many sit-coms over the last 10 years.
4: Favorite Reindeer
Honestly never had one - not even as a child. I never really went crazy over the whole "Rudolf" thing, save the fact that we used to be able to get these "beanie baby" type things at Hallmark during Christmas when I was a kid. The "Rudolf" one was kind of interesting, but the magic of it wore off pretty fast.
5. Favorite Holiday Snack
I really love taking pieces of "white meat" turkey and thick slices of refrigerated dressing and putting them on two pieces of toasted bread and then covering them in what's left of the giblet gravy and popping it in the microwave. Very tasty.
6. Favorite Decoration
My Darth Vader ornament. It's probably the greatest piece for a Christmas tree ever. Movable light-saber, 5 quote audio track and all.
7. Favorite Christmas Movie
The first would have to be "A Christmas Story".
Sure, it could be considered the "safe" answer amongst people of my generation - though there would likely be those that would cite "It's A Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street" more to sound like intellectual movie buffs rather than being honest about what they would prefer to see during Christmas - but I've always identified with the various quirks of Ralphie's family, as this very story could have been my life, had it been set in the early to mid 80s.
But there are other films centered around Christmas that I think would qualify for my list:
- Bad Santa
- Die Hard
- Scrooged
- Serendipity
8. Favorite Christmas Song
I cannot stand traditional Christmas music.
I can recall having to tolerate my mother playing Perry Como records during the Holidays when I was a child and realizing that these songs were not only annoying, but poorly produced and executed.
But here's some Christmas music I can really get into
- Bob and Doug - 12 Days of Christmas
- And as much as I can't stand traditional Christmas tunes, it's never officially Christmas until I hear "The Boss'" version of Santa Clause is Coming to Town on the radio.......and those years are becoming few and far between
- This was always such a fun track to hear during Christmas, and one of the signifiers that RUN DMC could bridge the gap between forward thinking hip-hop and broadly accepted pop without selling their souls. There's not a Christmas like one in Hollis Queens.
9. Favorite Christmas TV Special
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Favorite Thing To Wear
- So long as I have my Echo hoodie and reversable jackets when it's cold then I don't care one bit. You'll never find me in a Cosby sweater, that's for sure.
11. Favorite Christmas Book
I recall reading C.S. Lewis' Chronicle of Narnia when I was in middle school but that's about as close to a "holiday book" that I ever read - although I did read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" after seeing it on TV when I was a kid. To that end, I have no favorite as I don't feel one exists.
12. Favorite Gift You Ever Got
There have been many gifts I have gotten over my life, but the one Christmas that will always stay with me is the year that I got these two gifts - yeah, I know it says just one: A Muppets drumset and the Millinium Falcon.
It was 1979 - I think - and we lived with my grandmother while our house was being built. I can still recall walking into the living room and seeing the drum set and the Star Wars toys already set up.
The downfall of this was that the "drum skins" were paper and didn't last but a week, considering the fact that I wanted to do my best Animal impersonation.
13. How Early Do You Get Up on December 25th
Considering the fact that I have kids of my own now, we are up before the sun comes up.
14. How Late Do You Stay Up on December 24th
In full reference to the above question, as long as it takes to put toys together - provided there is anything that needs assembly.
15. Favorite Christmas Picture
The cover to Spectacular Spiderman #112 - always has been.
16. Anticipation or the Day
Playing with the kids and their toys and lots of turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce coupled with the dry wit and stories of my cousin Joey - should he actually make it up from Texas each year.
17. Do You Believe In Santa
I've never really considered Santa to be real, regardless of how much I dug wondering what I would get each year, as my family life and discovery of far too many things early on made considering whether or not Santa was real or not a lesser concern.
18. Are You Sad?
Only that I can't spend Christmas with my Dad anymore.
19. Favorite Part of the Season?
When it's over.
Sure, that's likely the Scrooge in my coming out, but the overt commercialism, the stress of dealing with most of your family, the preperations, and all the other work that goes into Christmas isn't missed once you've taken the tree and all the decorations down, put all the presents away, and cleaned up from the various meals.
I'm not a "traditional" person by any means, unless we're talking about what goes on my plate during Thanksgiving dinner. To that end, I would say that I have no traditions that I follow during the Christmas season, save one - I have to buy Holiday Custard the very moment it comes out.
My Grandmama used to call it "boiled custard" and it's the one Christmas/Holiday drink that I have enjoyed since I was a child. I can't stand Egg Nog or Apple Cider, as both equally nasty, regardless of how much bourbon you add to them.
2. Favorite Elf
Unless we're talking about Lord Of The Rings, I've got nothing. And don't bother trying to make me watch that horrible Will Ferrell film. He's funny within a specific frame, but that movie is beyond pointless and horrible.
3. Santa or Mrs. Claus
Did I believe either one existed, I would have to say Mrs. Claus. I chose her only because I have this image of the "hot woman" marrying the "fat man" - a la far too many sit-coms over the last 10 years.
4: Favorite Reindeer
Honestly never had one - not even as a child. I never really went crazy over the whole "Rudolf" thing, save the fact that we used to be able to get these "beanie baby" type things at Hallmark during Christmas when I was a kid. The "Rudolf" one was kind of interesting, but the magic of it wore off pretty fast.
5. Favorite Holiday Snack
I really love taking pieces of "white meat" turkey and thick slices of refrigerated dressing and putting them on two pieces of toasted bread and then covering them in what's left of the giblet gravy and popping it in the microwave. Very tasty.
6. Favorite Decoration
My Darth Vader ornament. It's probably the greatest piece for a Christmas tree ever. Movable light-saber, 5 quote audio track and all.
7. Favorite Christmas Movie
The first would have to be "A Christmas Story".
Sure, it could be considered the "safe" answer amongst people of my generation - though there would likely be those that would cite "It's A Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street" more to sound like intellectual movie buffs rather than being honest about what they would prefer to see during Christmas - but I've always identified with the various quirks of Ralphie's family, as this very story could have been my life, had it been set in the early to mid 80s.
But there are other films centered around Christmas that I think would qualify for my list:
- Bad Santa
- Die Hard
- Scrooged
- Serendipity
8. Favorite Christmas Song
I cannot stand traditional Christmas music.
I can recall having to tolerate my mother playing Perry Como records during the Holidays when I was a child and realizing that these songs were not only annoying, but poorly produced and executed.
But here's some Christmas music I can really get into
- Bob and Doug - 12 Days of Christmas
- And as much as I can't stand traditional Christmas tunes, it's never officially Christmas until I hear "The Boss'" version of Santa Clause is Coming to Town on the radio.......and those years are becoming few and far between
- This was always such a fun track to hear during Christmas, and one of the signifiers that RUN DMC could bridge the gap between forward thinking hip-hop and broadly accepted pop without selling their souls. There's not a Christmas like one in Hollis Queens.
9. Favorite Christmas TV Special
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Favorite Thing To Wear
- So long as I have my Echo hoodie and reversable jackets when it's cold then I don't care one bit. You'll never find me in a Cosby sweater, that's for sure.
11. Favorite Christmas Book
I recall reading C.S. Lewis' Chronicle of Narnia when I was in middle school but that's about as close to a "holiday book" that I ever read - although I did read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" after seeing it on TV when I was a kid. To that end, I have no favorite as I don't feel one exists.
12. Favorite Gift You Ever Got
There have been many gifts I have gotten over my life, but the one Christmas that will always stay with me is the year that I got these two gifts - yeah, I know it says just one: A Muppets drumset and the Millinium Falcon.
It was 1979 - I think - and we lived with my grandmother while our house was being built. I can still recall walking into the living room and seeing the drum set and the Star Wars toys already set up.
The downfall of this was that the "drum skins" were paper and didn't last but a week, considering the fact that I wanted to do my best Animal impersonation.
13. How Early Do You Get Up on December 25th
Considering the fact that I have kids of my own now, we are up before the sun comes up.
14. How Late Do You Stay Up on December 24th
In full reference to the above question, as long as it takes to put toys together - provided there is anything that needs assembly.
15. Favorite Christmas Picture
The cover to Spectacular Spiderman #112 - always has been.
16. Anticipation or the Day
Playing with the kids and their toys and lots of turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce coupled with the dry wit and stories of my cousin Joey - should he actually make it up from Texas each year.
17. Do You Believe In Santa
I've never really considered Santa to be real, regardless of how much I dug wondering what I would get each year, as my family life and discovery of far too many things early on made considering whether or not Santa was real or not a lesser concern.
18. Are You Sad?
Only that I can't spend Christmas with my Dad anymore.
19. Favorite Part of the Season?
When it's over.
Sure, that's likely the Scrooge in my coming out, but the overt commercialism, the stress of dealing with most of your family, the preperations, and all the other work that goes into Christmas isn't missed once you've taken the tree and all the decorations down, put all the presents away, and cleaned up from the various meals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The Playlist Of Doom
