My ears still hurt.

Jamie Cullum’s version of Radiohead’s High and Dry. Worst cover song ever? Likely... I saw the video over the weekend and was appalled - he can’t hit any of the notes. I always thought that 10,000 Maniac’s cover of Because the Night was the worst… It is just bland, bland, bland (You shouldn’t mess with Patti Smith). I’ve heard people argue that the Lennie Kravitz version of American Woman is the worst… But, I think Mr. Cullum truly deserves the medal - he truly finds a way to make High and Dry s-u-c-k.

Oh, and mystery solved: Lo-carb stuffing just uses lo-carb bread in place of regular bread. I don’t know – that stuff didn’t look like it was made of bread, lo-carb or not. I need to get a digital camera (hopefully from Santa) so that I can share pictures…

I learned a new word at work today! “Ass-clowns” I’m not really sure what the dictionary definition would be, but it was used in the sentence, “Those ass-clowns have no idea what they are doing.” Work can be so educational.

Hugs and Kisses…

Lo-Carb Stuffing???

Ok. I’m back. I hope that someone missed me. Anybody? Regardless if you missed me or not, I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving… My day was filled with the Turkey Trot in the morning and lo-carb stuffing in the evening.

The Turkey Trot was cold, but fun… Over 6000 people ran it this year. It was a really nice course; starting at Cobo Hall and running past Campus Martius Park and up and down Woodward. I managed a 9:07 pace, not my best, but nothing to complain about and I did have the Best Turkey Hat EVER. I think all of the high-fives that I had to give kids along the parade route slowed me down (or I’m going to say that it did.)

I also still have to figure out what is in that lo-carb stuffing (details to follow). I didn’t ask at dinner because I didn’t want to offend the cook. But, lo-carb stuffing, that’s an oxymoron, isn’t it? Stuffing is essentially bread. We also had lo-carb pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Thank God I made bread.

You may or may not be wondering what the highlight of my weekend was… Well the funniest thing was the Tif-ster totally staring down Jack White at The Kills/Blanche show on Friday night (He was standing about ten feet from us) and then asking, “Who is that? He looks familiar.” (He’s pretty hot up close.) Blanche is kind of growing on me, too. I guess I just keep hoping that they break into “Hot Women (Cold Beer)” and speed things up a little. All of the people who left after Blanche and before The Kills missed good show…

And, this one goes out to my brother who should be back from shark fishing, err…surfing, in S.C. over the long weekend. He was disappointed that he missed GWAR when they were here last month…. Maybe you’ll get to see them next time that they’re in Detroit.
Gwar To Live On Forever
“Our shtick is way more versatile because while the dudes with bullet belts and long hair are going bald and getting fat, I’m climbing into my air conditioned Oderous Urungus murder suit.” Ain’t that the truth?

Hugs and Kisses…

…I got a man. How long you had that problem?

"Whatcha man got do with me?
I got a man.
I’m not tryin’ to hear that see…
I got a man."

That song is going to be in my head all day. I should know better than to take my cds out of the car.

Anyway, I really have absolutely no interest in video games, but I’d buy the soundtrack to this one… The Zombie: The Soundtrack
- Ben Kweller "Lollipop"
- The Raveonettes "My Boyfriend's Back"
- Death Cab For Cutie "Earth Angel"
- Rogue Wave "Everyday"
- Cake "Strangers In The Night"
- The Walkmen "There Goes My Baby"
- The Dandy Warhols "All I Have To Do Is Dream"
- Oranger "Mr. Sandman"
- The Flaming Lips "If I Only Had A Brian"
- Clem Snide "Tears On My Pillow"
- Rose Hill Drive "Shakin' All Over"
- Milton Mapes "Lonesome Town"
- Phantom Planet "The Living Dead"

But, more importantly, the Ted Leo/Pharmacists show last Friday night…. On a scale of Blanche (i.e. This is making me sleepy…) to Beulah (I’m going to jump around like a total fool and smile for a week!)). Ted Leo was a Sloan (i.e. not quite Beulah, but damn close!). I’m glad that everyone finally had a chance to witness my “I LOOOVE THIS SONG!!!” dance. Impressive, no? It has been a while since I’ve been so inspired.

Hugs and Kisses…

Yesterday should have been Friday

The official rules of calling shotgun. Way more complex than you could have ever imagined.

The Pixies show last night: FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC.
There are still tickets available for Monday. You should go (I’d go again!)

Ted Leo tonight. So excited.

Hugs and Kisses...

Another random story

When I first moved into my house, I started receiving all of this weird junk mail. I couldn't figure out how I got on the mailing list for Miracle Ear hearing aids, Precious Moments catalogues, the Sisters of St. Francis, and numerous different invitations to a "FREE DINNER after a retirement financial planning seminar". I had only celebrated the anniversary of my 29th birthday once, just before I moved back to Michigan. I wasn't THAT old. I finally realized that since my grandma and I share the same name (except that hers was spelled with a C and mine is spelled with a K) and despite the fact that she died a year or two before I moved back, the post office has been forwarding me all of her junk mail. They can't seem to get my car insurance bills to me and have switched other bills back to my old Chicago address for no reason, but they CAN get me my grandma's junk mail. Maybe I should write a letter to Ben Gibbard to see if he can get this cleared up!

Anyway, let me know if you need the Precious Moments Christmas Catalogue. It came yesterday.

Oh, and if you live in NYC, Horrified Observers of Pedestrian Entertainment (HOPE) will allow you to turn in your Ashlee cd for "an album filled with real music."

The PIXIES tomorrow!

Hugs and Kisses…

Am I going to have to change his title?

Ben Gibbard may no longer be the King of Big, Beefy Indie Rockers with Girly Voices!!! Death Cab has signed to Atlantic. I guess he’ll just be my King Big, Beefy Rocker with a Girly Voice. Sigh… Here’s what Ben has to say about it.

In less earth-shattering news, the White Stripes are aiming to finish their new album in about two months, with a release sometime next year.

More from Canada:
Franz Ferdinand Don't Mind Being Coupled With Morrissey In Gay Fan Fiction

That's all. I'm not feeling chatty today. Mondays stink.

Hugs and Kisses…

Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Damn you for making me get all sniffly and stuff! I’m watching it right now and I’m gonna have to go find the box of tissue. Grr… Did you see the episode with the family from Oak Park last week? Major sniffles during that one... The family consisted of two deaf parents, one son without disabilities, and one blind & autistic son. Ty, et al, made the house function for the family so that they could communicate better and so that their autistic child was safer. Sniff. Reality TV with a noble purpose. I’ll admit this is on this list with the VH1 reality shows that are going to put me in reality show rehab…

Ooh… The American Music Awards just started… When did Lenny Kravitz lose his sense of rock-star-style? Did his luggage get lost? Is this what a Gap sponsorship does to you? I wish I had a picture to post. Beyond negative buzz. Plus – Jimmy Kimmel is not so funny – he hasn’t been funny since he was “Jimmy the Sports Guy” with Kevin and Bean on KROQ (best morning show ever!). What was Diana Ross babbling about? Gotta go find the remote. I can’t sit through this.

RIP ODB.

Hugs and Kisses…

People movin' to the rhythm, people movin' down the line...

You have to check out The People Mover website... The People Mover theme song that plays when you open the page is awesome. I'll bet the L doesn't have its own theme song.

Hugs and Kisses...

I (heart) Beulah

We had a Dilbert moment at work the other day… A VP of Quality made the following inspirational statement:
"It is better to try something 10 times and succeed 5, than to try something twice and succeed once."
I’m thinking of getting t-shirts made.

Anyway, I’ve previously admitted my sad addiction to VH1’s reality shows. I finally have my twelve-step program in place… Alas, I foresee a lapse in my rehabilitation. A new set of Bands Reunited is coming with Scandal, Vixen, and Information Society. But, even worse for my rehab is the Backstage Pass episode in which they take us behind the scenes of their attempts to reunite the bands… This is worse because, while I’ve seen all of the episodes (probably numerous times), I never knew that they tried to reunite The Smiths. It must have gone horribly wrong – they never even had an episode where they make you think that the band will reunite, but then some of the members get a bit snippy and refuse to show up for the reunion. I must watch… It’ll be on at 4pm on Sunday.

I’m trying to think of others bands that need to be reunited. Someone suggested Bananarama. I’d suggest The Waitresses (Christmas Wrapping is the Best Christmas Song EVER). The Specials, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Beulah (I know that they only broke up this past summer, but I miss them)… I’m sure that I can think of others.

¿qué más?
Sometimes I think that I get all of my favorite music news from Canada (via Chartattack Your Canadian Music Source! (I just like saying that name). The Smiths musical yesterday, Phil Spector today… How can you not know who Phil Spector is? Read on.... Prosecutors Say Phil Spector Not Famous, Just Some Guy

Mates of State and Pas/Cal are tonight. Should be a fun show. I don’t think that I’m going, but you should. Oh, and The Pixies are next Thursday! I’m going to try to go to Ted Leo on Friday, too! Next week is going to be a good week.

Hugs and Kisses…

There was something in the air that night…

Let me start by admitting that I thoroughly enjoyed Mamma Mia. Sue me. I’ve seen it three times (Chicago, Detroit, London) and I loved it every single, freakin’ time. I know you ABBA-haters are probably like, “Yeah, whatever, ABBA sucks. Only my mom and bunch of sorority girls like ABBA.” But, I firmly believe that anyone who says that they don’t like ABBA is flat-out lying. I’ll bet you that if you get any too-cool, self-professed ABBA-haters drunk enough, they would be able would be able to sing a word-for-word, perfect version of Fernando and would be able to put the names with the A, B, B, and A (Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid!). So Mamma Mia is super-cheesy - that’s what makes it so awesome. But, this post isn’t really supposed to be about ABBA - there is a connection to my real point here… I just found out that, like ABBA, The Smiths are allowing someone to develop a musical based on their songs, entitled "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". Read on…

Smiths Musical To Incite Panic In The Streets Of London

They’re taking “the material in a more operatic direction”? I’m skeptical. No plot connected to the music? What’s the point? (But, I’d probably still go see it if I were in London…). Did you ever think that Morrissey would be involved in something like this?

I have to go. Talk amongst yourselves…

Hugs and Kisses…

p.s. I have this weird mix of Super Trooper and Panic in my head right now…

Deney Terrio was in Detroit? I love it. My Cousin, Kelly, and I used to watch Dance Fever and Solid Gold and make up dance routines every weekend when we were little girlies. I have no idea what or where Elysium is and I'm sure it isn't part of the Majestic Complex... But, Dude!... Deney Terrio rules!

I love big, beefy indie rockers with girly voices!

There's a new episode of Cooking with Rocks Stars! This time it's the "King of Big, Beefy Indie Rockers with Girly Voices," Ben Gibbard, talking about his love for toast (me too!) and Boca Burgers (me too!) and his preference for hard alcohol over beer (me too!). Sigh... He also provides Chris Walla's recipe for Peanut Butter Veggie Sausage Toast. He swears it's good.

Oh, and Ms. S., if you're reading this, the pumpkinhead that is attached to the "best ass in indie rock" also makes an appearance in the concert footage. Unfortunately, all that you see is forehead...

As for you, Randy... I don't think that The Postal Service isn't selling out by making a deal with the USPS. It isn't like they are sponsored by Clear Channel or Coors. They are just avoiding further silly lawsuits. Another case of The Man trying to bring us down. Fight the power!

Hugs and Kisses...

p.s. Jen (of Jenville) seriously has the happiest looking child ever. Check out the Arlo photo gallery. They'll make you want to giggle. Too cute.

I didn’t think I’d find you perfect in so many ways….

Smarties. A bit of sugary perfection… Best Candy Ever.
All of my excess Halloween candy is finally gone. I think I set some kind of record for Smarties eating. I don’t think that I’ll need anymore for a while… An all-Smarties diet kinda makes you feel a little gross.

Here’s a nice little article on Matthew Sweet and taking on the music business without being signed to a major label….

Oh, and check out this week’s Letters to the Editor in The Metro Times.... Some people got a bit testy about the “Morrissey vs. Clay Aiken, Who’s Rock’s Greatest Celibate?” piece in the Oct. 13 issue. Clay’s really got some hardcore fans in Arkansas, N.C., and other states in which I’d never want to live. Here’s a taste…“Obviously, you are an idiot. Your article is trash. I’ve never heard of Morrissey. To compare him to Clay is a waste of everyone’s time. Get a real life.” writes Shirley Collins from Lancaster, TX. You have to check out the one about Clay being sexy… Ick…. Lighten up, people – it was a joke. You know, funny ha ha... My favorite, though, is the last letter where a member of Detroit’s gay population pipes in with, “Take it from the queerest of queers, he can sing; but, dear God, I hope he swings the other way.”

Have a great weekend!

Hugs and Kisses….

Venting… Panic… Frustration…

So. For most of yesterday I was calm about the election. However, at the gym after work, I was forced to watch the post-election coverage. For once I wish that they didn’t have the close captioning on. Watching excerpts from Kerry’s concession speech and Bush’s talk of the path forward – ugh - the rage just set in. Americans have spoken? Bullshit. Half the country was smart enough to realize that Bush is unfit. What the hell is wrong with the other half of the country? I can’t figure it out. I’m terrified of what is going to happen in the next few years. Both in terms of terrorism and in terms of social issues, I honestly don’t feel safe living in the U.S. But, for those threatening to move to Canada, it is not as easy as it sounds. Check this out (via gloriousnoise via wonkette).

Ugh.

Life in the D

So I met this guy named Nick last week. He almost immediately gave me his card. Normally, I'd think this was kinda suspicious, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt because he said he had an online magazine all about Detroit AND he didn't seem like the type of guy who had a too tight handshake, worked in finance, and liked to talk about his college frat exploits. Sorry, those are the types who usually give me their cards... Though, he did look like he wanted to take his card back when I said I didn't live in Detroit proper but in the other D.. Dearborn. I digress... The online magazine is The Detroiter. They have articles on Detroit-related art, theatre, etc. But, the best part of the whole website (to me, at least) was the detroiter.com radio. Check it out - it is on the left side of the main page. They have Motown Memories, Hip Hop Phunk, D-Rox, Techtronica, Radio Free Detroit, and Virgin Radio channels. In the short time that I've spent scanning the channels, I've heard the Supremes, MC5, Inner City with a spanish version of Good Life! (One of the best songs EVER!), Uncle Kracker, The Electric Six, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, Kid Rock, Audra Kubat, Andrew W.K, Iggy Pop, Madonna, Carl Craig, Diana Ross, Gold Cash Gold, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger.... It is Detroit Music Heaven!

Hugs and Kisses...

Go vote today!

I’m so glad that it is Election Day. Hopefully, this will stop the barrage of pro-Bush emails that I been receiving from my dad. Though, when Kerry wins (cross your fingers), I’ll probably be receiving emails that blame Kerry for everything from problems with cleaning up the (Bush-caused) mess in Iraq to the shitty Michigan winter weather.

Anywhoo...
Did anyone see Eminem on SNL? What is the thing with him lip-syncing? Everything that I’ve read has me confused as to what actually happened? Was it just a jab at Ashlee that veered into “not funny” territory? I need to know…

Have you bought the new Ted Leo? You should. Here’s a review . Definitely good stuff… I've had Me and Mia on repeat since Sunday… He’ll be at the Magic Stick on 11/19.

¿qué más?
Sleater Kinney signed to Sup Pop… They are going to have new album out next year! Janet Weiss rooolz!

Iggy speaks…'I'm the old git with the chick, the Roller and the rock band' It just seems so weird that he lives in Miami.

Those crazy Poles...*
Gameboyzz Orchestra Project, a Polish sextet that plays original music created almost entirely on eight Nintendo Game Boy consoles! (via Prefix) Huh.

*I can say that because I am one… 100% Polish, baby! Ha.

Hugs and Kisses…