I'm loopy today…

Ok… I updated the “To Do” list on the side with a few new events. There are a few cool things happening this Saturday for Halloween. I firmly believe that everyone should spend this weekend in costume. If you visit my house this weekend, I’ll be gone, but you might just find Strawberry Shortcake housesitting… (I am total goof when it comes to Halloween, but I do have the best girl-costume EVER! I’ll have to post a picture.) Oh, and I know that the Wilco, Flaming Lips, Sleater Kinney show that I added to the list is in NYC and not Detroit, but doesn’t it sound like the best way to spend New Years Eve??? I love all three bands - My head may explode from the excitement if I actually can get tickets!

I ran with the Downtown Runners and Walkers last night – if you are into running it’s a cool group of people. They meet up at different restaurants around the city every Tuesday and run anywhere from 2 to 8 miles. I guess a lot of people don’t even run, but just show up for drinks, dinner, and to hang out after the run. I ran with a girl who “took it easy” (HA!) in the Detroit Marathon last weekend and finished in 3:40 – way faster than my time last year. Luckily, she was chatty and kept talking while we ran and I, wheezingly, concentrated on keeping up with her.

Random question(s) of the day: Why does the new engineer at work always feel that she has to pop into my office at least three times a day to do her Jesse Jackson impression? Why? What brought this on? And, while we’re on the subject, why does she feel that she has to send me emails every half hour to tell me the status of project that I’ve given her? Maybe I shouldn’t be so crabby.

¿qué más, you ask?
10 Reasons Why John Peel Was Cool. RIP.

15 Presidential Candidates You Won't Be Seeing On CNN. Make sure that you vote on Tuesday.

Ok, so don’t forget: Costumes this weekend. Running on Tuesdays downtown. . I’m not a fan of impressions. Say a prayer for John Peel. And, most importantly, VOTE NEXT TUESDAY.

Hugs and Kisses…

I’m ready for my close up Mr. DeMille

Thanks, guys...
Why didn’t anyone tell me that they were going to be casting for extras in a EWAN MCGREGOR movie in Southfield last Saturday?

How did I miss this? The were looking for 175 extras, between 18 and 80 years of age, who looked like they worked in law enforcement. I’m between 18 and 80! I could look like a menacing law enforcement officer! Right? Ok, maybe my goldilocks and constant laughter make me less than intimidating, but I’m an accomplished actress**. I could transform myself… Since I missed my chance to star in a movie with Ewan, he’ll be in Detroit from Nov. 1 – 9 to film portions of the science fiction film, “The Island,” at the Michigan Central Depot – I’m sure that we’ll meet up when he’s in town. Ha…

** I lip-synced my way through a part in the chorus of Evita in high school. My Busia said that I was great.

I think that I’m still feverish from the weekend.

Hugs and Kisses…

p.s. I promise to update the “to do” list on the side very soon.

Kill Your Radio

I probably don’t have even have to type this - I'm sure you already know... Detroit radio stinks. When the cd player in my car acts up, I always end up listening to the station from the University of Windsor (91.5) or NPR. But, for three hours each week you can actually hear some decent music on Detroit radio. 97.1 now has RADIO FEVER. If you don’t believe me, check out last weekend’s set list via the link. Ko, MC5, Ted Leo, Detroit Cobras and more. Saturday’s from 8-11 pm (you can listen to it while you get ready to go out). Be forewarned - it probably won’t last; I predict the station will end up playing smooth jazz or country in this slot in a few weeks.

Also, who do you think are the 20 Sexiest Canadian Musicians? Can you even name 20 (sexy or not) Canadian musicians? Alanis Morrissette… Sloan… The New Pornographers... Anne Murray… My apologies to our friends on the other side of the river, but I’m drawing a blank on others. Anyway Chartattack was nice enough to provide a list (you have to buy the issue to get the details). Here it is: Emily Haines of Metric, Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, Feist, Prevail of Swollen Members, Peaches, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Buck 65, Katie Sketch of The Organ, George Petit of Alexisonfire, Danko Jones, Avril Lavigne, Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent, Nelly Furtado, Sarah Slean, Keshia Chante, Sam Roberts, Andrew Scott of Sloan, Dallas Smith of Default. I honestly don’t know who most of these people are. But, what? No A.C. Newman? C’mon… the red hair! Peaches? Yuck. Who’s Feist? At least they were sensible enough to list Andrew Scott – he should be #1. He’s dreamy.

Oh, and I think that The Beggars are playing tonight in Ypsi. I'm not sure what else is going on around town... I’ll be starting my lame-o weekend (see yesterday’s post), taking cold medication, lying around, and feeling crabby at home. Have fun!

Hugs and Kisses…

Whine, cheese, etc...

I've been neglecting the old blog this week. Sorry! Alas, the crappy, cloudy, drizzly weather is affecting my mood. I'm already sick of winter and it is only 50 degrees outside. Global warming, shmobal warming. Ugh. Anyway... I need to whine because I'm sick and have to be at work instead of at home in bed. At least tomorrow is Friday. In case you are interested, my goals for the weekend are to sleep, get a much-needed haircut*, sleep more, actually cook for once (tortilla soup on Sunday), and study for the GMAT. I'm lame.

* Any suggestions for changes? I'm feeling a little adventurous but will probably chicken out and not change anything. I was thinking of slightly modifying the color. We'll see. I can't exactly do anything crazy - the curly hair limits me in terms of the cut. But, if you can think of anything cool to try, let me know.

¿Qué más?
Popmatters has a pretty good interview with Greg Dulli.... A Prolific Greg Dulli Gets Down On Cover Songs And Popmatters

And, the animated SpongeBob SquarePants movie looks like it is going to have a pretty cool soundtrack:
"What's the hippest show to be aligned with this season?
The weird dude who lives in a pineapple underwater will make his silver-screen debut later this year. Sire Records rounded up a list of A-list talent to the film's soundtrack. Among rockers lending their voices to the film's soundtrack are Avril Lavigne, Wilco and Ween."
...I'd buy it just for The Flaming Lips, Wilco, and The Shins. The most interesting song looks like it is going to be "You Better Swim" by Motorhead. Soundtracks for kid’s movies are so much cooler than when I was little.

Hugs and Kisses...

Fle-fle-fle-fle-flex!

I was trying to catch the weather when I turned on my TV this morning, but up came the new Duran Duran video, (Reach Up For The) Sunrise. Holy crap... John Taylor is still hot! Simon LeBon ain't so bad, either. Nick Rhodes, well he still wears an awful lot of makeup for a supposedly straight man. I think Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor were in the video, too, but really you only need to watch John and Simon (you know that you agree and you know that you liked Duran Duran when you were in 6th grade*). The new Duran Duran album, Astronaut, came out this week. It is the first album in twenty years with all five original members. I can't speak for the rest of the songs on the album, but I liked what I heard in (Reach Up For The) Sunrise.
* if, like me, you were in the 6th grade a long, long time ago.

Shall We Dance? ...Not with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. I am soooo boycotting this movie. The original, Japanese version was one of the funniest, sweetest movies that I have ever seen. I don't think that I have ever laughed so hard during a movie. Seriously, you should go rent it right now. The JLo version - I don't even want to talk about how horrible this sounds. I mean it - go rent the Japanese version - my dad even loved it and he usually only watches movies that are based on Tom Clancy novels.

Morrissey vs. Clay Aiken: Who’s Rock’s Greatest Celibate?
Thank you Metrotimes for making me giggle!

Hugs and Kisses...

It's the sonics, not the phonics, and it's all in the delivery...

Ted Leo/Pharmacists have been providing the soundtrack to my every waking moment lately... I can't wait to get the new cd next week.

Random Music News O'The Day:
Franz Ferdinand Tapped for Potter Flick
"there's been talks for members of the outfit to play a band of ugly sisters in the upcoming movie...." Aren't they too delicate and pretty to play ugly girls?

What else?... I've decided that I like to drain my battery just so that I can get my money's worth from my AAA membership... Or, maybe I'm just too stupid to turn the interior lights off when I get out of the car... Either way, I'm thinking of putting AAA on speed dial. I've had to call them twice in two weeks. When I lived in Chicago I had it programmed into my cell phone because I was an overachiever when it came to getting flat tires... 5 flat tires in 1 year. Grrr. I think people out there like to dump boxes of nails in the road for fun.

And, congratulations are in order.... One of my friends just finished her second Chicago Marathon last Sunday... I'm so excited for her. Her time was faster than she thought she be able to do. The sister of one of my former professors at U of M also finished the marathon after run/walking for 6 hours and 10 minutes! Congratulations! I'm very, very, very tempted to try to run it next year...

Hugs and Kisses...

Can YOU use “ululation” in a sentence?

There’s a new Radiohead DVD coming out:
The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of all Time; twenty-four short films, with music by Radiohead.
A W.A.S.T.E. release 2004.

I’m intrigued… They’d “like to know if you, gentle viewer, might possibly be interested in owning a copy of this epic ululation to the unusual? You will have the privilege being the proud owner of one of the first run of these really rather good DVD's which are available only from us.” “Us” being waste.uk.com. You can pre-order it here. And, to make things easier, they give you the following choices:
1) "Of course! I'm no fool, let me pre-order it now!"
2) "No. I have to watch Pop Idol now."
It is up to you.

¿Qué más? I’m sure I’ve already babbled about the Wilco show this past Sunday to just about everyone with whom I came into contact yesterday. But… I’m not done yet. It was one of the best shows that I ‘ve ever seen... They (along with Beulah!) are one of the bands who make me feel incredibly jealous of how extraordinarily talented they are – they me feel like I should be doing more with my life. Kim pretty much summed it up when she said, “Wilco makes me want to be a better person.” And, I’ve been waiting for so long to hear “I’m the Man Who Loves You” live: it was just perfect. I can’t believe that I always missed them or couldn’t get tickets when I lived in Chicago – I should have changed my plans and tried harder! Also, the sound at Hill Auditorium was/is faultless -After that, I’m not sure if I can ever see another show at The Belmont.

I’d been putting it off, but I had to preorder The Wilco Book yesterday (somehow I managed to refrain from buying The Wilco Book and Bag Combo…). I may let people borrow it.. but I will probably require that you wear gloves when you handle it!

Hugs and Kisses…

Dude, the Turkey Trot is getting all fancy this year…

22nd Annual Turkey Trot 10 K and The Mashed Potato Mile
Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2004
7:15 am - Mashed Potato Mile

7:45 am - Turkey Trot

Ashlee Simpson is going to sing. And, they’ve moved the start/finish from Wayne State down to Cobo…

This is probably the most fun race to run in Detroit… It is a new certified course along the Thanksgiving Day parade route - everyone cheers you on. Plus, you can wear your elf outfits, turkey costumes, antlers, etc. (you get more cheers if you dress up). I’m definitely running this again this year… I just have to find my elf hat! Ooh, or maybe I'll go buy some antlers...

As an aside.... Does anyone know the connection between the Simpson family and Detroit? Last year, Ashlee’s brother-in-law, Nick Lachey, rode on one of the floats in the parade. (So what if I watch Newlyweds? Jessica Simpson has some kick-ass shoes.)

Also, does anyone know why my boss keeps seeing Sway from MTV in the Farmer Jacks on Michigan and Outer Drive? He has seen Sway in there on at least two occasions in the past few months. It is definitely him because one of the cashiers said “Hey, are you Sway??” and he said, “Yeah” and walked out the door. After numerous internet searches, we still can’t figure out his connection to Dearborn. But, I guess he is really short in person...

Hugs and Kisses…

Heroin is so passé...

I'm going to have that song in my head for days. I guess it could be worse... It could be the Pina Colada song again (shudder...)

I know what you're doing this Friday night!
Dig! is playing at the Detroit Film Theatre.
This is the film that documents the “volatile rivalry between Courtney Taylor [The Dandy Warhols] and Anton Newcombe [Brian Jonestown Massacre].” I’ve heard good things… It is at the DFT for 3 nights only.

In other music movie news…
Ramones: End of the Century
A feature documentary film...
10/29/04 @ Landmark Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak
This one is on a Friday night, too. Wanna go?

Oh, and this looks pretty cool...
Matador at Fifteen double CD plus DVD
It has rare and unreleased songs from The New Pornographers, GBV, A.C. Newman, Stephen Malkmus y mas.

Hugs and Kisses…

I'm still on an endorphin high...

Hands down, best cd ever to listen to while running:
garbage - Version 2.0
It is like instant adrenaline. When did Version 2.0 come out? ’98 or ’99*? Years later it is still the one cd that makes me feel like I could run another marathon tomorrow every time that I put it in my cd player (though my left knee may not agree with me on this). I just pulled it out again today and the combination of Hammering In My Head (“Sweat it all out”) and Push It ("This is the noise that keeps me awake, my head explodes, and my body aches… Push it… Make the beats go harder”) alone guaranteed that I'd run an extra mile. Seriously, having problems motivating yourself at the gym? Pop this one in and you’ll be thanking your lucky starts for Ms. Manson and Mr. Vig. A word of warning: I learned a long time ago that I should not drive my car while listening to this because I tend to find myself driving a wee bit (or a lot) over the speed limit.

*I could look it up, but that would require getting up and I already ran 6 miles today so I can be lazy if I want to…
** I recommend Aiwa for cd players that never skip. They are worth every penny. I’ve had three of these over the past eight years and they have never given me a problem. They only broke because I have, on two separate occasions, dropped them down flights of concrete stairs – Operator error.

Runner up:
The Chemical Brothers - Surrender
I just wish I could find this one. It went M.I.A. during my move from Chicago to Detroit.

Any suggestions for other cds to listen to while running? Sometimes The Faint works out pretty well...

4 days until Wilco!
3 days until Randy’s 30th Birthday Party! (You’re still just a baby!)

Hugs and Kisses...

Engineering madness and superfandom

OK… I’ve been neglecting this, but I’m still recovering from the utter craziness of recruiting engineers in Ann Arbor (Monday) and the engineering conference that I attended outside Chicago (Tuesday and Wednesday). Those crazy engineers will wear-you-out. I know, you don’t want excuses; you want results!

Well, The Beggars have an EP out, titled 9 from 5… If you are a superfan, you can get it for free from the band (even if the singer/drummer thinks that your name is Debbie…), otherwise you can buy a copy by either contacting them via their website or stopping by Stormy Records in Dearborn – they had it in stock last weekend. The EP is reviewed in the Metrotimes this week…

This seems to be turning into a Beggars fan-site. I always thought that this would devolve into something in which I blabbered on and on about Beulah and how sad I am that they have broken up (R.I.P.). But, watch out, once the Beulah DVD is released this fall and Miles puts out his much-awaited (at least in my world) solo album, I’ll be back to my incessant “God, I l-o-v-e Beulah. Did you know that I love Beulah?” jabbering.

Random music-related info of the day:
I’ve never been a big Pumpkin’s fan. They were good but they never actually inspired me to buy one of their albums. Anywhoo, it seems Billy Corgan is releasing a book of his poetry. ChartAttack ("Your Canadian Music Source"[!]) has the following description…
Billy Corgan Punches With Eyes, Heads To Canada
“Corgan's volume of poetry hits stores Friday and has been titled Blinking With Fists. Whether this is meant as a vague anti-war statement (fighting other countries is so natural to us it’s like blinking!) or a self-aggrandizing pose (I can kill you with my fierce gaze alone!) we’re not yet sure.”

Have a great weekend!

Hugs and Kisses…