The band Aqua kicks in a seasonal song for today. These are the guys who brought us "Barbie Girl" back in 1997. I haven't missed them either.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
And then I heard from the FBI
This seems like something I've gotten already...
================================================
ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONITORY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
Contact: +1(866) 414 6977
=================================================
Dear Citizen.
Inline with the "Patriot Act", a statute enacted by the United States Government that President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001. The Act which increases the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone, e-mail communications, medical, financial, and other records; eases restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States; expands the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign individuals and entities; has prompted us to contact you in respect of your unclaimed fund.
We the Justice Department of the Federal Bureau of Investigations do hereby inform you that in our bid to fight against the ranging terrorist threat facing the United States of America recently, we have registered your unclaimed fund through a Certified Bank Draft with the DELIVERY SHIPPING COURIER COMPANY in the country of fund origin.
This fund was said to have been held by the Central Bank of Nigeria due to your inability to obtain necessary documents and delivery charges required by the Bank and its affiliates in the past. Thus, we sourced that some unscrupulous agents of the terrorist inclined nations have devoted their time using the opportunity to transfer funds into the USA under the disguise that the fund was meant for you the beneficiaries. However, after our investigations, we discovered that you had no involvement in such evil plan that is why we are contacting you to get the fund out of its position before it implicates you.
In our investigations, we also gathered that some impostors have ripped severals of our citizens of their money in their bit to claim the fund, but with this measure, you have little or nothing to worry about, just follow our instructions,and you will be glad you did.
Note that all the necessary arrangements for the delivery of your $2,000,000.00 Bank Draft has been completed. In your best interest, you are urged to send the following details to the Courier Agent;
*Full Name:
*Contact Address:
*Current Phone Number:
We have paid for the delivery charges. The only money you have to pay to them is $280 (ONLY) for their Security keeping of your Bank draft, we try to pay for that but they insist that such cost can only be paid once the real beneficiary have contacted the Courier Company for security reason.
You are hereby instructed to contact the Operations Manager with the information below and call him immediately you send him an email:
Name: Mr. John Edward
email: deliveryshipingcompany@gmail.com
Thank you as we look forward to your cooperation on this very crucial matter.
God Bless America!
Regards,
Mrs. Tracy D. Gail
(Secretary)
Office of the Director:
FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
*********************************************
================================================
ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONITORY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
Contact: +1(866) 414 6977
=================================================
Dear Citizen.
Inline with the "Patriot Act", a statute enacted by the United States Government that President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001. The Act which increases the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone, e-mail communications, medical, financial, and other records; eases restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States; expands the Secretary of the Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign individuals and entities; has prompted us to contact you in respect of your unclaimed fund.
We the Justice Department of the Federal Bureau of Investigations do hereby inform you that in our bid to fight against the ranging terrorist threat facing the United States of America recently, we have registered your unclaimed fund through a Certified Bank Draft with the DELIVERY SHIPPING COURIER COMPANY in the country of fund origin.
This fund was said to have been held by the Central Bank of Nigeria due to your inability to obtain necessary documents and delivery charges required by the Bank and its affiliates in the past. Thus, we sourced that some unscrupulous agents of the terrorist inclined nations have devoted their time using the opportunity to transfer funds into the USA under the disguise that the fund was meant for you the beneficiaries. However, after our investigations, we discovered that you had no involvement in such evil plan that is why we are contacting you to get the fund out of its position before it implicates you.
In our investigations, we also gathered that some impostors have ripped severals of our citizens of their money in their bit to claim the fund, but with this measure, you have little or nothing to worry about, just follow our instructions,and you will be glad you did.
Note that all the necessary arrangements for the delivery of your $2,000,000.00 Bank Draft has been completed. In your best interest, you are urged to send the following details to the Courier Agent;
*Full Name:
*Contact Address:
*Current Phone Number:
We have paid for the delivery charges. The only money you have to pay to them is $280 (ONLY) for their Security keeping of your Bank draft, we try to pay for that but they insist that such cost can only be paid once the real beneficiary have contacted the Courier Company for security reason.
You are hereby instructed to contact the Operations Manager with the information below and call him immediately you send him an email:
Name: Mr. John Edward
email: deliveryshipingcompany@gmail.com
Thank you as we look forward to your cooperation on this very crucial matter.
God Bless America!
Regards,
Mrs. Tracy D. Gail
(Secretary)
Office of the Director:
FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
*********************************************
2009 singles: "Heavy Cross"
Another band I know very little about (The Gossip). Lead singer Beth Ditto did some vocals with another electronic band (looked it up, Simian Mobile Disco, song of the day 10/12/09), and gets lots of buzz as a big girl fashion type.
I have this weird sense that she looks like someone I know. Like one of my little sisters friends from 20 years ago. Weird.
The song rocks, by the way. In a dance-y kind of rock way.
All the rainy nights, even the coldest days, You're moments ago, but seconds away
I have this weird sense that she looks like someone I know. Like one of my little sisters friends from 20 years ago. Weird.
The song rocks, by the way. In a dance-y kind of rock way.
All the rainy nights, even the coldest days, You're moments ago, but seconds away
2009 singles: "Lisztomania"
French band Phoenix's second reminder for 2009. Love this song.
I've been picking up older stuff of theirs from the library. They've got a great catalog of stuff. And this album (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix) is pretty fucking sweet.
Follow, misguide, stand still, Disgust, discourage
I've been picking up older stuff of theirs from the library. They've got a great catalog of stuff. And this album (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix) is pretty fucking sweet.
Follow, misguide, stand still, Disgust, discourage
2009 singles: "Wet Hair"
Japandroids from their debut album. Love the song, don't know anything about the band otherwise.
We run the gauntlet, let's get to France, So we can French kiss some French girls
We run the gauntlet, let's get to France, So we can French kiss some French girls
For only $80, I can get $1.6 million!!!
From : Mr.Morgan Okoh
Dispatch Manager
United Parcel Service(UPS)
Phone:011-234-813-4779191
Customers Service Hours--Monday to Saturday:
Office Hours Monday to Saturday:
Attention,Attention,Attention
This is the United Parcel Service (UPS)mailing you
in respect of your ATM INTER SWITCH CARD that Mrs.
Monica Stewart brought to this company to be delivered to
you and before protocol commence we had a disput with the
(NICON)Insuarnce office about your insurance certificate but
all has been settled.
We are happy to inform you that your ATM INTER SWITCH
CARD that contains US$1,600,000,00 dollars' is among the 24
parcel's listed which is now in our office and also with your
name as the receiver despite that we lost your residential
address and we request that you re-send it to this office for
safe delivery of your card Without hesitation we advise
you to pay the delivery fee of US$80.00 via western union
to our cashier 2 below payment information for immediate
despatch of your parcel to your residentail address within 2days.
As the sender did not pay the US$80.00
Send the Delivery Fee through Western Union OR MoneyGram via this Payment
Information below
RECEIVERS NAME------ DUBEM ANDY
ADDRESS------------------24,AKOSA STR,SATELLITE TOWN
RECEIVERS COUNTRY----LAGOS /NIGERIA.
TEXT QUESTION------------WHAT BATCH.
TEXT ANSWER---------------.BATCH 1
AMOUNT TO BE PAID---------US$80.00
Send the payment information,the 10 Digit MTCN OR 8 Digit REFERENCE numbers
immediately
Yours In Service
Mr.Morgan Okoh
Dispatch Manager
Dispatch Manager
United Parcel Service(UPS)
Phone:011-234-813-4779191
Customers Service Hours--Monday to Saturday:
Office Hours Monday to Saturday:
Attention,Attention,Attention
This is the United Parcel Service (UPS)mailing you
in respect of your ATM INTER SWITCH CARD that Mrs.
Monica Stewart brought to this company to be delivered to
you and before protocol commence we had a disput with the
(NICON)Insuarnce office about your insurance certificate but
all has been settled.
We are happy to inform you that your ATM INTER SWITCH
CARD that contains US$1,600,000,00 dollars' is among the 24
parcel's listed which is now in our office and also with your
name as the receiver despite that we lost your residential
address and we request that you re-send it to this office for
safe delivery of your card Without hesitation we advise
you to pay the delivery fee of US$80.00 via western union
to our cashier 2 below payment information for immediate
despatch of your parcel to your residentail address within 2days.
As the sender did not pay the US$80.00
Send the Delivery Fee through Western Union OR MoneyGram via this Payment
Information below
RECEIVERS NAME------ DUBEM ANDY
ADDRESS------------------24,AKOSA STR,SATELLITE TOWN
RECEIVERS COUNTRY----LAGOS /NIGERIA.
TEXT QUESTION------------WHAT BATCH.
TEXT ANSWER---------------.BATCH 1
AMOUNT TO BE PAID---------US$80.00
Send the payment information,the 10 Digit MTCN OR 8 Digit REFERENCE numbers
immediately
Yours In Service
Mr.Morgan Okoh
Dispatch Manager
Today it's raining Euros!
Dear Sir/Madam,
Many apologies that I had to send you this email without a prior relationship between us; my name is Mr.Gert J.Kramer, A member of the supervisory board of ABN AMBRO Group and a Former member advisory Council of ABN AMRO Holding N.V now based in United Kingdom ,I have however contacted you with the hope of presenting you as the beneficiary (next of kin) to one of our late client in our Bank in Holland who’s Bonded Depository Account with the Bank in Holland worth 15 million Euros has remain unclaimed, I figured out that since you share a common name with him I decided to Contact you with this privileged information regarding his account, this is as a result of the fact that my late client has nobody left to claim this fund.
If such an account is not claimed or renewed to commence another tenure of 7years, a 6months period of grace is granted to the account holder or his designated beneficiary, a probate order of Mandamus is then issued to provide such a beneficiary whereby failure to do so at the end of it’s expiration the funds will be quarantined and shared amongst the Directors of the Bank at the end of the fiscal year.
I bore in mind your personality and reputation of which the same apply to me, on this light I then deemed it fit to assure you that the Funds will be cleared in accordance with the firm's operational procedures to ensure the transaction success without a breach of the law.
One thing is certain, with the relevant legal documents that I will get to back you up the funds release will be approved for onward release to you.
If this is okay with you then get back to me so that I give you more details.
Let it be known to you that this 15,000,000 Euros will be split equally that is 50% for you and 50% for me.
I will want you to get back to me as soon as possible if you are willing to assist in getting these funds, or you can give me a call on my number below.
Regards
Mr.Gert.J.Kramer
deleted @mail.kz
+44 70359 33773
Many apologies that I had to send you this email without a prior relationship between us; my name is Mr.Gert J.Kramer, A member of the supervisory board of ABN AMBRO Group and a Former member advisory Council of ABN AMRO Holding N.V now based in United Kingdom ,I have however contacted you with the hope of presenting you as the beneficiary (next of kin) to one of our late client in our Bank in Holland who’s Bonded Depository Account with the Bank in Holland worth 15 million Euros has remain unclaimed, I figured out that since you share a common name with him I decided to Contact you with this privileged information regarding his account, this is as a result of the fact that my late client has nobody left to claim this fund.
If such an account is not claimed or renewed to commence another tenure of 7years, a 6months period of grace is granted to the account holder or his designated beneficiary, a probate order of Mandamus is then issued to provide such a beneficiary whereby failure to do so at the end of it’s expiration the funds will be quarantined and shared amongst the Directors of the Bank at the end of the fiscal year.
I bore in mind your personality and reputation of which the same apply to me, on this light I then deemed it fit to assure you that the Funds will be cleared in accordance with the firm's operational procedures to ensure the transaction success without a breach of the law.
One thing is certain, with the relevant legal documents that I will get to back you up the funds release will be approved for onward release to you.
If this is okay with you then get back to me so that I give you more details.
Let it be known to you that this 15,000,000 Euros will be split equally that is 50% for you and 50% for me.
I will want you to get back to me as soon as possible if you are willing to assist in getting these funds, or you can give me a call on my number below.
Regards
Mr.Gert.J.Kramer
deleted @mail.kz
+44 70359 33773
Flashback song: "Dynamite"
Jermaine Jackson named one of his sons Jermajesty.
Jermajesty.
Fuck yes!
It's what dreams are made of. It's Jermaine's birthday. Here's a song from 1984. 25 years.
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
Jermajesty.
Fuck yes!
It's what dreams are made of. It's Jermaine's birthday. Here's a song from 1984. 25 years.
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
2009 singles: "Use Somebody"
I think I'd heard Kings of Leon maybe 3 times total before "Sex On Fire" hit the radio in the Summer of 2008. And that song, stadium rock and all, really got my attention. And others, since that picked up a Grammy for Rock Group/Duo With Vocals beating folks like Coldplay. This song received 4 nominations including Record and Song of the Year.
Now that he's known about them for like a year, you'd think Clark signed them 8 years ago or something. He LOVES them--he was indignant that they lost at the AMAs. I guess it's the right balance between a good sound, a talented band, and cute boys. For perspective: Clark has no idea who Langhorne Slim is.
Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep, Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
Now that he's known about them for like a year, you'd think Clark signed them 8 years ago or something. He LOVES them--he was indignant that they lost at the AMAs. I guess it's the right balance between a good sound, a talented band, and cute boys. For perspective: Clark has no idea who Langhorne Slim is.
Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep, Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
2009 singles: "Help I'm Alive"
So one of the fan made videos has this song titled "Help, I'm A Live"--like what would that even be. Then I read that this was in the Vampire Diaries. I worry about my musical consumption when I find out it overlaps with shows like that and Gossip Girl. But I don't mind at all when the Mountain Goats show up on Colbert. I'm sure there's some logic involved, but it's not yet 7 a.m.
Hard to be soft, Tough to be tender
Hard to be soft, Tough to be tender
2009 singles: "Million Dollar Bill"
More gay homemade tribute video action. But G-rated, not the good stuff. Whitney's big comeback. By the way, that girl=problems. There is no other formula that applies. She's talented enough that people will keep trying to help, but OMG it's just problems problems problems.
I think, as I read the lyrics, that it's a love song to crack. So at least it's honest.
Makes you go left, right, up, down, Got you spinning round and round
I think, as I read the lyrics, that it's a love song to crack. So at least it's honest.
Makes you go left, right, up, down, Got you spinning round and round
For the record, these were my top 50 songs from 2008
Which, apparently, didn't include Metric's "Help I'm Alive" (I think I first heard it in December 2008), but I did include Ladyhawke. Good to note.
50 M83 "Kim and Jessie"
49 TV on the Radio "Golden Age"
48 Carolina Liar "I'm Not Over"
47 Lady Gaga "Just Dance"
46 The Killers "Human"
45 Foxboro Hot Tubs "Mother Mary"
44 Klaxons "Golden Skans" (this is late, sorry)
43 Sigur Ros "Within Me a Lunatic Sings"
42 Bon Iver "For Emma"
41 Bell X1 "Rocky Took a Lover"
40 The Presets "This Boy's in Love"
39 MGMT "Electric Feel"
38 The Verve "Love is Noise"
37 Glasvegas "Geraldine"
36 Tilly and the Wall "Dust Me Off"
35 Nada Surf "Are You Lightning"
34 Ben Folds & Regina Spektor "You Don't Know Me"
33 Teenagers "Starlett Johansson"
32 Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance"
31 The Boat People "Awkward Orchid Orchard"
30 Death Cab for Cutie "Cath"
29 Radiohead "House of Cards"
28 Vampire Weekend "Oxford Comma"
27 Phantom Planet "Do the Panic"
26 The Ting Tings "That's Not My Name"
25 LCD Soundsystem "Big Ideas"
24 The Mighty Might Bosstones "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker"
23 R.E.M. "Supernatural Superserious"
22 James "Waterfall"
21 The B-52s "Funplex"
20 Kate Nash "Foundations"
19 Miley Cyrus & John Travolta "I Thought I Lost You"
18 Ladyhawke "Paris is Burning"
17 I'm From Barcelona "Paper Planes"
16 The Decemberists "Valerie Plame"
15 The Hold Steady "Sequestered in Memphis"
14 Tegan and Sara "Walking With a Ghost" (also old)
13 Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin "Glue Girls"
12 School of Seven Bells "Half Asleep"
11 Coldplay "Viva La Vida"
10 Gnarls Barkley "Run"
9 Bloc Party "Mercury"
8 Black Kids "Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)"
7 Death Cab for Cutie "I Will Posses Your Heart"
6 Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire"
5 Tokyo Police Club "Tesselate"
4 Santogold "L.E.S. Artistes"
3 Kanye West "Love Lockdown"
2 Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"
1 Nada Surf "Whose Authority"
50 M83 "Kim and Jessie"
49 TV on the Radio "Golden Age"
48 Carolina Liar "I'm Not Over"
47 Lady Gaga "Just Dance"
46 The Killers "Human"
45 Foxboro Hot Tubs "Mother Mary"
44 Klaxons "Golden Skans" (this is late, sorry)
43 Sigur Ros "Within Me a Lunatic Sings"
42 Bon Iver "For Emma"
41 Bell X1 "Rocky Took a Lover"
40 The Presets "This Boy's in Love"
39 MGMT "Electric Feel"
38 The Verve "Love is Noise"
37 Glasvegas "Geraldine"
36 Tilly and the Wall "Dust Me Off"
35 Nada Surf "Are You Lightning"
34 Ben Folds & Regina Spektor "You Don't Know Me"
33 Teenagers "Starlett Johansson"
32 Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance"
31 The Boat People "Awkward Orchid Orchard"
30 Death Cab for Cutie "Cath"
29 Radiohead "House of Cards"
28 Vampire Weekend "Oxford Comma"
27 Phantom Planet "Do the Panic"
26 The Ting Tings "That's Not My Name"
25 LCD Soundsystem "Big Ideas"
24 The Mighty Might Bosstones "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker"
23 R.E.M. "Supernatural Superserious"
22 James "Waterfall"
21 The B-52s "Funplex"
20 Kate Nash "Foundations"
19 Miley Cyrus & John Travolta "I Thought I Lost You"
18 Ladyhawke "Paris is Burning"
17 I'm From Barcelona "Paper Planes"
16 The Decemberists "Valerie Plame"
15 The Hold Steady "Sequestered in Memphis"
14 Tegan and Sara "Walking With a Ghost" (also old)
13 Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin "Glue Girls"
12 School of Seven Bells "Half Asleep"
11 Coldplay "Viva La Vida"
10 Gnarls Barkley "Run"
9 Bloc Party "Mercury"
8 Black Kids "Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)"
7 Death Cab for Cutie "I Will Posses Your Heart"
6 Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire"
5 Tokyo Police Club "Tesselate"
4 Santogold "L.E.S. Artistes"
3 Kanye West "Love Lockdown"
2 Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"
1 Nada Surf "Whose Authority"
Wow, I didn't even realize I had a Facebook account
I got this today, in my SPAM folder:
And there's an attachment that I'm not dumb enough to open. Even with a Mac, I'm not about to risk it.
This is a nice change from all my Nigeria money.
Hey rjones ,
Because of the measures taken to provide safety to our clients, your password has been changed.
You can find your new password in attached document.
Thanks,
Your Facebook.
And there's an attachment that I'm not dumb enough to open. Even with a Mac, I'm not about to risk it.
This is a nice change from all my Nigeria money.
Song of the day: "I Love You, But Goodbye"
Langhorne Slim is a favorite of a co-worker, and he's grown on me over the last few months. I'd call him "Americana" and "not cute" if asked to characterize him. Now you know.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Flashback song: "Kissing The Wind"
Nia Peeples from 1991. Kids born after this came out as a song can now vote and buy cigarettes. I'm pretty sure Nia had a career before this, but I lump this into a post-Paula Abdul mass of music. Loved the song. And today's Peeples birthday.
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
2009 singles: "True Stories"
Don't know anything about the band (Datarock) but it sounded vaguely like Talking Heads. Then I found out all the lyrics are titles of Heads' songs. Rock on!
Houses In Motion, a Road To Nowhere, Once In A Lifetime, I’m Not In Love
Houses In Motion, a Road To Nowhere, Once In A Lifetime, I’m Not In Love
2009 singles: "Party In The U.S.A."
This is a wonderfully disingenuous song. Miley says she doesn't know any Jay-Z songs. What the fuck ever, girl. Pretend.
Anyway, I need this to cleanse my palate from Brad Paisley. Seriously, I'm thinking about stabbing myself in the leg with a pen so I don't doze off. If you're out of Ambien, try Brad!
This song endures because the boys sell this shit out of it with this video. 2+ million views! Go boys.
And a Britney song was on, And a Britney song was on, And a Britney song was on
Anyway, I need this to cleanse my palate from Brad Paisley. Seriously, I'm thinking about stabbing myself in the leg with a pen so I don't doze off. If you're out of Ambien, try Brad!
This song endures because the boys sell this shit out of it with this video. 2+ million views! Go boys.
And a Britney song was on, And a Britney song was on, And a Britney song was on
2009 singles: "Then"
I'm grabbing this straight off Slate's Top 25 songs of the year list. It's #2. I'm listening to it as I type this. WTF?
No seriously, what the fuck is Jody Rosen doing with his or her life that this seems like it's worthy of such a lofty rating. Taylor Swift kicks this song's ass WHEN SHE SINGS LIVE. Fuck.
And I like Brad Paisley. Dude has some skills with the guitar and the tight t-shirt. But this song=zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I am not even going to post lyrics. But tell me, am I being too harsh?
No seriously, what the fuck is Jody Rosen doing with his or her life that this seems like it's worthy of such a lofty rating. Taylor Swift kicks this song's ass WHEN SHE SINGS LIVE. Fuck.
And I like Brad Paisley. Dude has some skills with the guitar and the tight t-shirt. But this song=zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I am not even going to post lyrics. But tell me, am I being too harsh?
Song of the day: "The Blizzard"
Another new seasonal track, this one by favorites of mine, Camera Obscura; it's not on their new album, but a stand-alone release. It's a cover of a Jim Reeves song (hey, look, he's the best selling American recording artist in Sri Lanka, cool).
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Another batch of movies, and oh my, do I have a problem
In reading through various movies lists I am realizing how fucking lax I got for several years. I used to travel to LA a few times a year to see limited release movies before they got Oscar nominations to stay on top of things (one year in the 90s I had seen every major Oscar nomination by the time nominations were announced--just one time, but I was very proud of myself). But guys, I haven't seen The Departed yet. Or Gangs of New York. Or The Aviator. Or any Woody Allen movie since The Curse of the Jade Scorpion in 2001 (when I was trapped in D.C. during 9/11). Or Hotel Rwanda, Syriana, Good Night and Good Luck, or Black Hawk Down.
Long story short, I've got a shitload of movies that I need to see to in any way have a reasonable list. Fuck, what was I doing all that time.
Oh that's right... porn.
Here are 10 more movies I really enjoyed from 2000-2009:
O Brother, Where Are Thou?
Ghost World
The Hours
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
About Schmidt
Tigerland
A Prairie Home Companion
Quills
Million Dollar Baby
The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (the first one--I stopped with that one, which allows me to continue to enjoy it)
Long story short, I've got a shitload of movies that I need to see to in any way have a reasonable list. Fuck, what was I doing all that time.
Oh that's right... porn.
Here are 10 more movies I really enjoyed from 2000-2009:
O Brother, Where Are Thou?
Ghost World
The Hours
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
About Schmidt
Tigerland
A Prairie Home Companion
Quills
Million Dollar Baby
The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (the first one--I stopped with that one, which allows me to continue to enjoy it)
On the Bush tax cuts and job creation
Extending the Bush tax cuts will in NO way create more jobs. Because, HELLO, they've been in place for 6 years now, and look where the fuck it got us.
By the way, where is the fucking John Galt, private market solution to this recession thing? Masters of the Universe on Wall St., what's your big move? We're waiting.
By the way, where is the fucking John Galt, private market solution to this recession thing? Masters of the Universe on Wall St., what's your big move? We're waiting.
2009 singles: "The Reeling"
If you're feeling late to the game with MGMT or The Ting Tings, might I introduce you to Passion Pit. They formed only 2 years ago, and they're having a pretty good year. In fact, don't be surprised to see them nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy's next year. Or the year after, they have a fucked up schedule.
Now I'm dreaming somebody, Would simply come and kidnap me, oh no
Now I'm dreaming somebody, Would simply come and kidnap me, oh no
2009 singles: "No One Sleeps When I'm Awake"
The band is The Sounds. They sounds just like Transvision Vamp to me. Neither a good nor a bad thing, just a thing. This was a pretty good radio song for me last summer. It's definitely a warm weather thing. Am I the only one who imparts seasonality to music?
The dreams I dream, The songs I sing for you
The dreams I dream, The songs I sing for you
2009 singles: "Graffiti Eyes"
I think I posted this, not as a song of the day, but just wondering if it sounded like Pere Ubu to anyone else. I guess that's something of an obscure reference, but whatever. Fuck you, I'm smart. (Thank you, Steven Allen.)
This is stellastarr* (sic) and that asterisk isn't a footnote, but part of their name. As is the lowercase nature of the name. Comma to the top!
Oh you got some moves, come down to the new forbidden craze
This is stellastarr* (sic) and that asterisk isn't a footnote, but part of their name. As is the lowercase nature of the name. Comma to the top!
Oh you got some moves, come down to the new forbidden craze
Crazy fucking driver
I wonder if she had a boy or a girl.
Flashback song: "Drop The Pilot"
Joan Armatradining, from 1983. It's her birthday!
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
First, of course, we're OUTRAGED
(h/t ThinkProgress)
"I mean, I have no idea what he said or what he meant, but I'm told my first response is always to be outraged. That's what it said on the email this morning."
I love love love that Michael Steele is calling someone out of touch. Love that.
Donnie Deutsch tries to probe and clarify Michael Steele regarding his outrage. And Micheal will not dignify that shit with an answer. Donnie should have asked Michael how he was wearing his G.O.P. hat cause I'm sure Steele know how to answer that one. It's a shame no one asked Steele if he thought comparisons of Obama to Hitler were fair given Steele's OUTRAGE (that's what it said, right? outrage? or was it disdain?)...
"I mean, I have no idea what he said or what he meant, but I'm told my first response is always to be outraged. That's what it said on the email this morning."
I love love love that Michael Steele is calling someone out of touch. Love that.
Donnie Deutsch tries to probe and clarify Michael Steele regarding his outrage. And Micheal will not dignify that shit with an answer. Donnie should have asked Michael how he was wearing his G.O.P. hat cause I'm sure Steele know how to answer that one. It's a shame no one asked Steele if he thought comparisons of Obama to Hitler were fair given Steele's OUTRAGE (that's what it said, right? outrage? or was it disdain?)...
Song of the day: "Inaugural Trams"
I don't know how I ran across this song yesterday, but I'm loving it! It's Super Furry Animals with a guy from Franz Ferdinand adding some vocals from earlier this year.
SFA has been around forever, and I couldn't tell you how typical this is of their music (library, here I come). But, how often do you get to wake up to a celebration of trams?!
SFA has been around forever, and I couldn't tell you how typical this is of their music (library, here I come). But, how often do you get to wake up to a celebration of trams?!
There is a certain Darwin principle with this
I guess the premise is that eventually they'll find someone who was dumb enough to lose some $ to a scam, so someone will be eager to get some money for it.
ATTN: BENEFICIARIES,
I write to bring to your notice as a delegate from the Nigerian Government Reimbursement committee under the strict supervision of the United Nations to pay Five Thousand Nigerian 419 scam victims the sum of $950,000 USD (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Only) each.
You are however listed as one of the beneficiaries for these payments. You are expected to get back to us for your immediate reimbursement.
As a result of this laudable recommendations, you are hereby informed that during the last U.N. meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, it was alarmed so much by the rest of the world on the lose of funds by various foreigners to the scam artists operating in syndicates all over the world today.
In other to redeem the good image of our country, the President has ordered the immediate payment of $950,000 USD each to the affected victims in accordance with the U.N. recommendations. Due to the corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems in Nigeria, these payments are to be made by BARCLAYS BANK PLC, UK as the corresponding paying bank under the funding assistance of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Presently, Two Thousand Five Hundred Beneficiaries have been paid, more than 50% of the Victims are from the United States, while about 40% are from other parts of the world.
Your particulars were among those mentioned by some of the Syndicates That were apprehended in Lagos, Nigeria as one of the victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to communicate or duplicate this message to anybody for any reason whatsoever as the U.S. secret service in conjunction with The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has swage into action to track this criminals down. Once again, you are expected to keep it secret until these criminals are all apprehended.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (Motto: No Body is Above the Law) have combined effort with the United Nation Anti-crime Commission to alleviate the plight of these victims as well as redeeming the image of our dear country.
Many Banks, Universal firms, Companies and individuals have been in Bankruptcy today, due to the activity of these hoodlums However, a Thorough investigation have revealed that these people have dropped over 500,000 victims across the world, after collecting their money falsely, many as a
result of this have committed suicide, while other are now living in abject poverty.
As regards these on going developmental strive; we have over 200 suspects at hand, 135 in kirikri prisons. While many are awaiting trial, we are still in search of others, who think they are wise, and hope that you will assist by
giving any vital information that could lead to the apprehension of these hoodlums.
Contact Williams Peter my secretary immediately you receive this message via his email or call him on his number for quick and urgent response:
Email: [deleted a Hong Kong-based Yahoo email address]
And reconfirm to him your personal information's below.
NAME IN FULL......................
YOUR CELL NUMBER......................
CONTACT ADDRESS ..................NOT P.O BOX
COPY OF YOUR PICTURE...............
Mr. Williams Peter is well informed about your compensation, contact him immediately without any delay. He is waiting to hear from you. Most importantly, do note that your early response to this development will be appreciated.
We shall be waiting to hearing from you been certain that your response will be that you are satisfied and willing to claim your $950,000 USD (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Only) Reimbursement funds.
Yours faithfully,
Chief Mrs. Farida Mzamber Waziri
Executive Chairman
I write to bring to your notice as a delegate from the Nigerian Government Reimbursement committee under the strict supervision of the United Nations to pay Five Thousand Nigerian 419 scam victims the sum of $950,000 USD (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Only) each.
You are however listed as one of the beneficiaries for these payments. You are expected to get back to us for your immediate reimbursement.
As a result of this laudable recommendations, you are hereby informed that during the last U.N. meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, it was alarmed so much by the rest of the world on the lose of funds by various foreigners to the scam artists operating in syndicates all over the world today.
In other to redeem the good image of our country, the President has ordered the immediate payment of $950,000 USD each to the affected victims in accordance with the U.N. recommendations. Due to the corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems in Nigeria, these payments are to be made by BARCLAYS BANK PLC, UK as the corresponding paying bank under the funding assistance of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Presently, Two Thousand Five Hundred Beneficiaries have been paid, more than 50% of the Victims are from the United States, while about 40% are from other parts of the world.
Your particulars were among those mentioned by some of the Syndicates That were apprehended in Lagos, Nigeria as one of the victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to communicate or duplicate this message to anybody for any reason whatsoever as the U.S. secret service in conjunction with The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has swage into action to track this criminals down. Once again, you are expected to keep it secret until these criminals are all apprehended.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (Motto: No Body is Above the Law) have combined effort with the United Nation Anti-crime Commission to alleviate the plight of these victims as well as redeeming the image of our dear country.
Many Banks, Universal firms, Companies and individuals have been in Bankruptcy today, due to the activity of these hoodlums However, a Thorough investigation have revealed that these people have dropped over 500,000 victims across the world, after collecting their money falsely, many as a
result of this have committed suicide, while other are now living in abject poverty.
As regards these on going developmental strive; we have over 200 suspects at hand, 135 in kirikri prisons. While many are awaiting trial, we are still in search of others, who think they are wise, and hope that you will assist by
giving any vital information that could lead to the apprehension of these hoodlums.
Contact Williams Peter my secretary immediately you receive this message via his email or call him on his number for quick and urgent response:
Email: [deleted a Hong Kong-based Yahoo email address]
And reconfirm to him your personal information's below.
NAME IN FULL......................
YOUR CELL NUMBER......................
CONTACT ADDRESS ..................NOT P.O BOX
COPY OF YOUR PICTURE...............
Mr. Williams Peter is well informed about your compensation, contact him immediately without any delay. He is waiting to hear from you. Most importantly, do note that your early response to this development will be appreciated.
We shall be waiting to hearing from you been certain that your response will be that you are satisfied and willing to claim your $950,000 USD (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars Only) Reimbursement funds.
Yours faithfully,
Chief Mrs. Farida Mzamber Waziri
Executive Chairman
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The decade in movies, the beginning of a new series of posts
Here are some movies I loved, that were released between 2000 and 2009 (inclusive) that I will want to remember when I make a ranked list of my favorites, probably early next year.
In no particular order and from a variety of years:
Memento
The 40-Year Old Virgin
Chicago
Sideways
Lost In Translation
No Country For Old Men
The Royal Tennenbaums
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Shaun Of The Dead
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
In no particular order and from a variety of years:
Memento
The 40-Year Old Virgin
Chicago
Sideways
Lost In Translation
No Country For Old Men
The Royal Tennenbaums
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Shaun Of The Dead
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
The Pink Glove Dance
If you haven't seen this, you should watch. The staff at Portland's Providence St. Vincent Medical Center made a video to Jay Sean's "Down" which features a special edition medical glove (Medline's Generation Pink), a portion of proceeds from which go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
I lost a beloved aunt to breast cancer a few years ago, so it's great to see stuff like this.
And those are some sweet moves.
I lost a beloved aunt to breast cancer a few years ago, so it's great to see stuff like this.
And those are some sweet moves.
2009 singles: "Get On Your Boots"
I don't have a lot to say about this recent U2 album, No Line On The Horizon, except that it seems like it's a good 2 years old. But it's from March or April.
U2 debuted this song on the Grammys earlier in the year, and while it seemed like a pretty hot single at the time, it didn't have a long shelf life with me. These guys have crafted an amazing catalog of work, so I won't hold any of this against them, but can anyone explain to me what the fuck this song is about?
For a bonus, I'm including a hot remix by Justice (see below).
I've got a submarine, You've got gasoline, I don't wanna talk about wars between nations
U2 debuted this song on the Grammys earlier in the year, and while it seemed like a pretty hot single at the time, it didn't have a long shelf life with me. These guys have crafted an amazing catalog of work, so I won't hold any of this against them, but can anyone explain to me what the fuck this song is about?
For a bonus, I'm including a hot remix by Justice (see below).
I've got a submarine, You've got gasoline, I don't wanna talk about wars between nations
2009 singles: "An Eluardian Instance"
It's weird to me that the band Of Montreal is from Athens, GA. Not just because the name suggests otherwise, but because it's completely different, musically, from the Athens sound of my youth.
That being said, I don't know much about these guys except they are rocking some delightfully full sounds and complex pop songs. I had never heard or heard of them until last year's Skeletal Lamping album, when I heard "Id Engager." This song is from the same record but was released as single this year (as much as things are "released as a single" any more).
Also they use the word parabola, which is geeky cool. If you don't know them, check it out. Some cool shit.
Now I'm noting the limits or our parabola, To predict the points of thou-shalt-not-return
That being said, I don't know much about these guys except they are rocking some delightfully full sounds and complex pop songs. I had never heard or heard of them until last year's Skeletal Lamping album, when I heard "Id Engager." This song is from the same record but was released as single this year (as much as things are "released as a single" any more).
Also they use the word parabola, which is geeky cool. If you don't know them, check it out. Some cool shit.
Now I'm noting the limits or our parabola, To predict the points of thou-shalt-not-return
2009 singles: "I Want You To Know"
Dinosaur Jr. is basically back together on a regular basis, I think. This is from Farm, released earlier in the year.
I left you there, I hid upstairs, I have to kid because you're the one I see
Great moments in advertising
(h/t Broadsheet)
Salon's Broadsheet has a great write-up on new ads for Droid and Dockers. Read it here.
Some quotes:
Salon's Broadsheet has a great write-up on new ads for Droid and Dockers. Read it here.
Some quotes:
If the ghost of Steve McQueen had a baby with Captain Kirk, it would be this phone. It would have back hair and chew with its mouth open. This phone may have killed Tupac. As the ad explains, "It's not a princess. It's a robot." It's not a phone. It's a dick with rollover minutes.
As the brand that made everybody's asses look fat in the '90s lurches along the comeback trail, Dockers would like to propose a man-ifesto. (Get it? Hey, you want subtlety, watch Lifetime.)
Lactation intolerant
(h\t Broadsheet)
So there's stupid, and there's really stupid.
A woman shopping at a Target store in Michigan breast fed her baby. This isn't the stupid part, by the way. I don't get why people get all squeamish about breast feeding. I get uncomfortable because I feel like I should avert my eyes but that's what fuels the squeamishness. And if you were talking to me and I all of a sudden pulled out a deck of cards and started shuffling them, you'd look at them, so I'll just acknowledge that, should you be breast feeding in my presence, I'll probably look, but I'll try not to stare. Unless you're asking me to critique your baby's form (which would be weird, cause I have a lot of opinions, but not really on that).
The stupid begins here: a security guard at the store told her she was breaking the law. The law. The law against breast feeding your baby IN PUBLIC. Which is awesome.
Fortunately for her, she was with her husband. A cop.
Who told the department store security guard that he was wrong. It was not against the law. And they refused to leave.
So the Target store called the police. Who told everyone involved that breast feeding your baby in public is not illegal.
Are you following so far?
The couple ended up feeling humiliated and left. (Mission accomplished Target!) When contacted for a comment, Target said this:
So there's stupid, and there's really stupid.
A woman shopping at a Target store in Michigan breast fed her baby. This isn't the stupid part, by the way. I don't get why people get all squeamish about breast feeding. I get uncomfortable because I feel like I should avert my eyes but that's what fuels the squeamishness. And if you were talking to me and I all of a sudden pulled out a deck of cards and started shuffling them, you'd look at them, so I'll just acknowledge that, should you be breast feeding in my presence, I'll probably look, but I'll try not to stare. Unless you're asking me to critique your baby's form (which would be weird, cause I have a lot of opinions, but not really on that).
The stupid begins here: a security guard at the store told her she was breaking the law. The law. The law against breast feeding your baby IN PUBLIC. Which is awesome.
Fortunately for her, she was with her husband. A cop.
Who told the department store security guard that he was wrong. It was not against the law. And they refused to leave.
So the Target store called the police. Who told everyone involved that breast feeding your baby in public is not illegal.
Are you following so far?
The couple ended up feeling humiliated and left. (Mission accomplished Target!) When contacted for a comment, Target said this:
"This specific situation escalated to a point where we were concerned for the safety of our guests, so law enforcement was called."And THAT, my friends, is really stupid. The safety of their guests? How much milk was there?
The safe word is "green balloons"
Trying to make this (the post from Wonkette, not the situation) funnier is impossible. So click that link and read it.
A family values Republican (probably family values, they all claim to be) was arrested after choking and beating his mistress unconscious because she didn't say their agreed up safe word ("green balloons") which, technically, is safe words not word. She didn't say the safe words, possibly, because she was being choked.
What did we learn?
A family values Republican (probably family values, they all claim to be) was arrested after choking and beating his mistress unconscious because she didn't say their agreed up safe word ("green balloons") which, technically, is safe words not word. She didn't say the safe words, possibly, because she was being choked.
What did we learn?
But the big news: the password was “green balloons.” As in, “You should have said green balloons,” which is a direct quote from Rod Jetton. “Green balloons” is common street slang for “ha ha you are unconscious and cannot say this term right now.”
Song of the day: "Joseph, Better You Than Me"
This song is about a year old, but I wanted to feature it as part of our seasonal music series (what, we totally have one, you just aren't paying close enough attention). The UK has a tradition (wait, obsession) with who places #1 on the singles chart at Christmas (seriously, see this) which you probably already know because you saw Love, Actually. And last year around this time, The Killers tossed their hat in the ring, with some help for Elton John and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.
[UPDATE: Ooops. I am confusing 2 things. The UK Xmas #1 thing is real, but The Killers weren't vying for that. This actually was just their 3rd annual Xmas single, a tradition they've done with proceeds going to charity. Which is nice. And since they only hit #88 on the UK singles chart makes them look less lame. So good on them all.]
[UPDATE: Ooops. I am confusing 2 things. The UK Xmas #1 thing is real, but The Killers weren't vying for that. This actually was just their 3rd annual Xmas single, a tradition they've done with proceeds going to charity. Which is nice. And since they only hit #88 on the UK singles chart makes them look less lame. So good on them all.]
Monday, December 7, 2009
2009 singles: "Sunlight"
That last post was so refreshing, that I believe I'm going back to the same well twice.
This is Harlem Shakes. Have no idea who or why they are. Enjoy the song.
Sunlight, sunlight baby, We just let go of the night now slowly
This is Harlem Shakes. Have no idea who or why they are. Enjoy the song.
Sunlight, sunlight baby, We just let go of the night now slowly
2009 singles: "Lust For Life"
It's not the Iggy classic.
I don't know anything about the band (Girls). Which makes this post easy. I like this song.
Oh I wish I had a sun tan, I wish I had a pizza and a bottle of wine
I don't know anything about the band (Girls). Which makes this post easy. I like this song.
Oh I wish I had a sun tan, I wish I had a pizza and a bottle of wine
2009 singles: "Fireflies"
This song recently topped the Billboard Hot 100 and I only randomly ran across them when trying to figure out what Clark was hearing screeching at night when he'd be outside smoking his cigarettes. But I liked the song a lot (and I even paid $5 to buy the whole thing from Amazon, instead of waiting 4 months and getting it free from the library).
I compared the guy's voice to Ben Gibbard (aka "dude from Death Cab for Cutie") if he were in a good mood, totally overlooking that fact that it sounds just like The Postal Service, a side project of Gibbard's.
That being said, so what? It's not like Gibbard's doing anything with that sound these days. It's been 6 years since he's done a Postal Service album (which is not a criticism, he's been making great music), and I believe the word "Beatlesque" can mean good things too. So Owl City dude (I'm not gonna bother to learn your name for a while, sorry) congrats to you. Great song. I believe Kassie was the first to wonder when it would be used in an ad (if it hasn't yet). Should we start a pool?
A fox trot above my head, A sock hop beneath my bed
I compared the guy's voice to Ben Gibbard (aka "dude from Death Cab for Cutie") if he were in a good mood, totally overlooking that fact that it sounds just like The Postal Service, a side project of Gibbard's.
That being said, so what? It's not like Gibbard's doing anything with that sound these days. It's been 6 years since he's done a Postal Service album (which is not a criticism, he's been making great music), and I believe the word "Beatlesque" can mean good things too. So Owl City dude (I'm not gonna bother to learn your name for a while, sorry) congrats to you. Great song. I believe Kassie was the first to wonder when it would be used in an ad (if it hasn't yet). Should we start a pool?
A fox trot above my head, A sock hop beneath my bed
Oh snap of the day
Previously on the Rebel Agenda, we discussed the egregious conflict of interest/disgusting hypocrisy of Joe Lieberman (I [fitting], CT) opposing the public option that is part of the healthcare reform debate. His state actually has a public option in place that has not yet caused the complete and utter destruction of his state. And his state overwhelmingly supports the public option. Oh yeah, and his whore of a wife worked in an undefined capacity for a firm that lobbied on behalf of healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
Well, someone in Connecticut has a message for Joe, and it goes something like this:
Well, someone in Connecticut has a message for Joe, and it goes something like this:
2009 singles: Y-Rock did me a solid!
In my glowering anti-social work time, I keep my headphones on. It's such a reflex that I've actually caught myself putting them on, but not actually playing music for like 10 or 15 minutes, just to have them on. Don't judge me.
The station I listen to most often while at work is out of Philadelphia: Y-Rock. They have a mix of modern rock that works for me, and it's non-commercial. It's affiliated with University of Pennsylvania, but I don't think it's student-run; they do let Penn students guest DJ on Mondays, and I've discovered a handful of bands that way (it's weird that I discovered a local band by listening to a station based over 2,000 miles away, but that's how I learned about... shit, forgot their name). [UPDATE: The Helio Sequence]
Y-Rock just posted a poll for folks to vote on their top-10 songs for 2009, and has posted a nice list of contenders. Think of it as a "super reminder" without my delightful commentary (or musical accompaniment). See/vote here if you're interested. You might win a DJ Hero bundle (whatever that is).
The station I listen to most often while at work is out of Philadelphia: Y-Rock. They have a mix of modern rock that works for me, and it's non-commercial. It's affiliated with University of Pennsylvania, but I don't think it's student-run; they do let Penn students guest DJ on Mondays, and I've discovered a handful of bands that way (it's weird that I discovered a local band by listening to a station based over 2,000 miles away, but that's how I learned about... shit, forgot their name). [UPDATE: The Helio Sequence]
Y-Rock just posted a poll for folks to vote on their top-10 songs for 2009, and has posted a nice list of contenders. Think of it as a "super reminder" without my delightful commentary (or musical accompaniment). See/vote here if you're interested. You might win a DJ Hero bundle (whatever that is).
A follow-up on EGOT/Grand Slam of showbusiness awards...
Or, Trivial Pursuit is wrong!
Previously on Rebel Agenda, I took a bit in 30 Rock too seriously and posted the list of the 10 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
Back when Trivial Pursuit first came out (what, 1984?) they asked "Who is the only person to have won...?" (I don't remember the exact wording.) Their answer was Rita Moreno. But she wasn't the only, nor the first.
A few years ago I read that Moreno's publicist thought she was first because couldn't think of anyone who had won all four, and just issued that in a press release. And apparently no one bothered to check. Which is why we invaded Iraq (kinda).
But to be clear, I love Rita Moreno. She was on Electric Company. Along with Oscar winner Morgan Freeman. And Oscar winner Irene Cara (she was in The Short Circus, which I don't remember). Not bad, Electric Company. Not bad.
Previously on Rebel Agenda, I took a bit in 30 Rock too seriously and posted the list of the 10 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
Back when Trivial Pursuit first came out (what, 1984?) they asked "Who is the only person to have won...?" (I don't remember the exact wording.) Their answer was Rita Moreno. But she wasn't the only, nor the first.
A few years ago I read that Moreno's publicist thought she was first because couldn't think of anyone who had won all four, and just issued that in a press release. And apparently no one bothered to check. Which is why we invaded Iraq (kinda).
But to be clear, I love Rita Moreno. She was on Electric Company. Along with Oscar winner Morgan Freeman. And Oscar winner Irene Cara (she was in The Short Circus, which I don't remember). Not bad, Electric Company. Not bad.
A very Leedy Christmas party
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This picture doesn't do the tree justice, nor did I think to get any other pictures from the party. I am lame. But I went to a Christmas party yesterday, which involved leaving the house and driving to like another county (possibly--definitely a part of the city I don't get to much). But friends Erin and Greg and Celia and Finn (and Betsy, I guess) threw a great shin dig, and all-in-all I guess I wasn't horribly put out by attending.
But please make a note: I did something social.
And yes, I was first to arrive and first to leave. Except for some neighbors, but they didn't have to drive in from "the city."
Flashback song: "The Blower's Daughter"
I've fallen out of a daily birthday shout out, so I'll try to atone by featuring a flashback song in honor of Damien Rice's birthday (today, duh). Damien's 2002 album O (just that letter) is fantastic. It's like something from The Blue Nile or Jane Siberry (before she went nuts) in terms of mood and quality; easily a favorite from this decade (it's good that I'm remembering that now, as I'll be setting about making a like next year). It didn't go completely unnoticed, as the album won the US version of the Mercury Prize (the Shortlist), beating Sigur Ros, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Interpol.
Mike Nichols included the song in his 2004 film Closer (no relation to the hit TNT show) and used the song really well. (Sorry, I'm posting this while I'm on a conference call and they're discussing a part of the project that I have no exposure to, don't tell my boss). Anyway, if you don't have this album you should check it out from your library. It's good.
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
Mike Nichols included the song in his 2004 film Closer (no relation to the hit TNT show) and used the song really well. (Sorry, I'm posting this while I'm on a conference call and they're discussing a part of the project that I have no exposure to, don't tell my boss). Anyway, if you don't have this album you should check it out from your library. It's good.
Happy birthday dude! Rock on!
Song of the day: "I Dreamed A Dream"
Susan Boyle's debut album is selling more than, I don't know, anything. Toilet paper. Eggs. She's selling a bazillion copies per second (but won't make any money since she's a product of Simon Cowell's and those contracts are bitches). Good for her. Sad that people confound "looks" with "talent"--does no one remember Meat Loaf?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2009 singles: "Jai Ho"
On of the 8 Oscars that Slumdog Millionaire won was for Original Song for "Jai Ho" (along with "O Saya" it accounted for 2 of the 3 nominations in that category). There is a English language variation with the Pussycat Dolls, but I'm not a tween. The song plays over the end credits of the movie and brings some of a Bollywood musical number to a Western film. I expected it to get an Oscar nomination, and when I saw what finally got nominated (they only had 3 nominations instead of the usual 5, and some of the expected nominations never happened) I wasn't surprised that it won.
The song is written and performed by A. R. Rahman (he picked up another Academy Award for Slumdog: Original Score) who has sold more than 200 million records. Seriously, he's huge in a country with more than a billion people. Take that Lady Gaga.
These lyrics are the English translation:
Come on my life, join me under the big roof, Come join me under the glittering blue sky
The song is written and performed by A. R. Rahman (he picked up another Academy Award for Slumdog: Original Score) who has sold more than 200 million records. Seriously, he's huge in a country with more than a billion people. Take that Lady Gaga.
These lyrics are the English translation:
Come on my life, join me under the big roof, Come join me under the glittering blue sky
2009 singles: "Daniel"
Bat For Lashes was another Mercury Prize nominee, for her second album Two Suns. I'm also going to mention Kate Bush again, because I can hear some of that here--there's an elegant drama (dramatic elegance) to it.
And when the fires came, The smell of cinders and rain, Perfumed almost everything
And when the fires came, The smell of cinders and rain, Perfumed almost everything
2009 singles: "Raise It Up"
Florence + the Machine are Florence Welch and variety of musical collaborators (she is Florence, they are the machine, if you didn't follow that). They (I'll refer to them as a band) were nominees for the Mercury Prize, a UK-based award for independent music acts) but lost to Speech Debelle, with whom I was not impressed. But F+tM made an impression. They won't be near the top, but will probably find a space. Or hover just out of reach, lamenting their decision not to consult me first, when recording the album.
There's something there. A little Kate Bush, a little Toni Childs, a little Sarah Brightman (maybe). Plus "the Machines."
This is a gift, it comes with a price, Who is the lamb and who is the knife
There's something there. A little Kate Bush, a little Toni Childs, a little Sarah Brightman (maybe). Plus "the Machines."
This is a gift, it comes with a price, Who is the lamb and who is the knife
I support Wikipedia
If you can, you might toss a few bucks their way. Click the image to go to their donation page.
Useless cooking instruction
On my pastry instructions:
No shit?
Why not put "don't burn it" in big letters.
Now, that being said, apparently I missed a step (thumb indentations--these are cheese danishes, well, were supposed to be, now they're large cinnamon rolls with lots of icing). More fodder for Clark who recently pointed out that HE reads and follows directions well (which is to say I don't).
He can make his own danishes.
"Do not overcook."
No shit?
Why not put "don't burn it" in big letters.
Now, that being said, apparently I missed a step (thumb indentations--these are cheese danishes, well, were supposed to be, now they're large cinnamon rolls with lots of icing). More fodder for Clark who recently pointed out that HE reads and follows directions well (which is to say I don't).
He can make his own danishes.
More than half of Americans support torture
What the fuck?
Image and quotes from Glenn Greenwald's Salon article here.
Greenwald posts on a new Pew poll that says 54% of Americans think torture is often or sometimes justified. If they had re-based the proportions to just those answering (taking out the "not sure/no answer" responses, that goes to 57%).
Sad. Sad.
Greenwald posts on a new Pew poll that says 54% of Americans think torture is often or sometimes justified. If they had re-based the proportions to just those answering (taking out the "not sure/no answer" responses, that goes to 57%).
With these new numbers, it's virtually impossible to find a country with as high a percentage of torture supporters as the U.S. has. In Iran, for instance, only 36% believe that torture can be justified in some cases, while 43% believe all torture must be strictly prohibited. Similarly, 66% of Palestinians, 54% of Egyptians, and over 80% of Western Europeans believe torture is always wrong. The U.S. has a far lower percentage than all of those nations of individuals who believe that torture should always be prohibited. At least on the level of the citizenry (as opposed to government), we're basically the leading torture advocacy state in the world.
Sad. Sad.
2009 singles: "All Is Love"
The last of my morning reminders, this is Karen O's second reminder (she's the lead singer/keyboard player for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs whose "Heads Will Roll" I featured last week; their 2009 album It's Blitz picked up a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Album as well--hey, look, Wikipedia says members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and members of Metric used to share a loft in NYC, what a coincidence). Karen O collaborated with film composer Carter Burwell for the original songs in Where The Wild Things Are (so I know I'm not supposed to capitalize "the" in that title, but I only recently learned that you always capitalize short words if they end a title, so now I just capitalize everything if I remember that I'm doing that--grammar, do it wrong with consistency, and it becomes right). The rest of the band contributes to parts of the soundtrack, as do members of Deerhunter, The Raconteurs and Dead Weather (wait, 2 Jack White projects, but not Jack White? weird... maybe he took my advice).
God that was long and unnecessarily tangential. Here's the first song (possibly the only song) from the Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack.
L.O.V.E. it's a mystery, Where you'll find me, where you'll find
God that was long and unnecessarily tangential. Here's the first song (possibly the only song) from the Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack.
L.O.V.E. it's a mystery, Where you'll find me, where you'll find
2009 singles: "French Navy"
The second reminder is from Camera Obscura, whose "Honey in the Sun" I posted last week. The more I listen to them, the more I'm taken with their lyrics. As with Metric, I actually know very little about the individuals in the band, and I have no idea how the songwriting chores are divided amongst them. Both singles I've featured by C.O. were written by lead singer Tracyanne Campbell, but as I write this I realize that one of the limitations of legally paid digital downloads is I don't really peruse the sleeves for things like producers and songwriter credits. Anyway, lyrically, she's writing some really clever songs whose moods are sometimes belied by the pop-iness of the arrangement ("Honey in the Sun" is a great example), which evokes some of The Smiths and The Housemartins if I can get all 80s on you. And she works the phrase "dietary restriction" into a love song. Dude!
I'll be criticized for lending out my art, I was criticized for letting you break me heart
I'll be criticized for lending out my art, I was criticized for letting you break me heart
2009 singles: "Sick Muse"
I'm going to do a trio of reminders that are second appearances. First up is Metric, whom I've gushed about most of the year (I did "Gimme Sympathy" earlier, "Help I'm Alive" was on my 2008 list, and "Gold Guns Girls" is still out there, but probably won't get a reminder post--if you like what you've heard, check it out).
Watch out Cupid stuck me with a sickness, Pull your little arrows out and let me live my life
Watch out Cupid stuck me with a sickness, Pull your little arrows out and let me live my life
Review of the day
From Salon's review of Glee and Sons of Anarchy, but not specific to either show:
We are not living in the age of subtlety. If you don't pick up a golf club, your husband may not grasp the emotional weight of your request that he stay and hear you out. If you don't create a horrifying national spectacle by dangling your own child's survival enticingly in front of the news cameras, producers may not show much interest in your big idea for a reality TV show, starring you. Without the courage to crash a dinner party thrown by the leaders of the free world, you may never win the public scorn and widespread notoriety that is the American dream.
Song of the day: "Just Breathe"
A second track from the recent Pearl Jam album Backspacer. A little somber, but I like the arrangement a lot. Maybe "plaintive" instead of "somber," maybe not. Whatever word you end up with, it's a nice track for your Sunday morning.
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