123 Names

I've got a hand cramp, but I don't mind. I just labeled all three of my 3-day walk shirts with the names of the men and women my team, The Sunflower Girls, is walking in memory/in honor of. 123 names. There are surnames of Spanish, Indian, Polish, Irish, Italian, and French origin. There are names of both young and old. There are names like Ed and Bob, too. Breast cancer is an equal opportunity disease.

During the 6-mile training walk yesterday, our leader, Vikki, a breast cancer survivor who lost a sister to the disease, called the 3-Day "the last 60 miles." How true that is. She's logged over 400 miles in training. (I've been a relative slacker and have only trod close to 175 miles since March.) This weekend will be the final 60 miles of a long summer of fundraising and training, but it will not be the last time I think of the men and women whose names adorn my shirt.

If you know a survivor or have lost a friend or loved one to breast cancer, I'll be honored to add their names to my shirt. It just drives the message home: we need a cure and we need better treatments so that I don't need to add more names next year.

Leave the names in my comments. And, no, you don't have to donate anything.

I'm not a huge Five For Fighting fan, but this year's 3-Day theme is World by Five For Fighting. I get all teary eyed every time I play it. See if you do, too.


Five For Fighting - World

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 Night Songs

A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles

Night Moves - Bob Seger - Little too tall. Coulda used a few pounds remains as one of the best opening lines of a rock song EVAH!

Spirit In The Night - Bruce Springsteen

Deep In The Night - Etta James

Wild Night - Van Morrison

How about that? Almost all of them are classic rock!

Artist Of The Day

The Lovetones

The Lovetones, a four-piece Aussie band, just released their third full-length, Axiom, on Tee Pee Records. After a preview of 2 or 3 songs, I'm compelled to download the whole thing at emusic. These guys ooze the feel of early Bowie, and you can hear some John Lennon floating around, too. And they've toured with The Brian Jonestown Massacre! This is indie rock the way I like it, trippy and dream-like, especially Mantra, from their 2005 release, Meditations.

Have a listen!
From Axiom - (buy)

The Lovetones - Navigator
The Lovetones - Wintertime In Hollywood

From Meditations - (buy)
The Lovetones - Mantra - From Meditations

Shitty Blog Survivor

Dear Shitty Blog Diary,

Man-o-man-o-man. I'm, like, all worn out like a hooker at the Democratic National Convention. I mean, I'm soooooo tired. These four island-mates of mine are all beating bongos and howling at the freaking moon and I'm getting no sleep. I spied Mango, with his bandaged hand, sporting some kind of cigarette holder and wearing a beret. Monty's bongos are off-key (is that even possible?), and her voice is making me cringe. Holy crap, that woman performed Buffy The Musical without killing anyone? And Rose, her homemade bongos look like they came from Fred Flintstone's garage. Utopia? She's hiding in some cave trying to come up with the goods. Yeah, man. Beat poetry, man.

What the hell is that anyway? Beatniks preceeded us, the hippies, so I feel some sort of kinship. But I sure as hell don't understand it.

Oh well. My adoration of Meryn Cadell's epic song, The Sweater, shall get me through this.

But, man-o-man. This was one tough assignment, man. You dig?

Click the teensy arrow to play.

CAUTION: NSFW or sensitive ears. There is a wee bit 'o swearing.

Shitty Beat Poetry by Nat

Day Camp Photos, Remixed

Paula shared how to alter a photo to get this effect. I love it!


Youngest as an archer.



Youngest at the rock wall. No, that's not me, but my new friend, Deb, who is also escorting our den this week.

I used PhotoDeluxe to do the altering. I know Adobe doesn't carry this product any longer, and we got it in some bundled software. Still works, though!

Taking A Short Break

I'm a chaperone at Cub Scout Day Camp this week, so I'm too pooped to post. Next week will be spotty, too, as I finish preps for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. (There's still time to click the button on the left side to donate, too! )

See ya whenever!

Psychedelic Sunday

Moby Grape - Hey Grandma


Moby Grape (Skip Spence is on the left)

Moby Grape would have been a great subject for VH1's series, Behind The Music. Take a brilliant San Francisco psych-rock band, throw in some bad deals with the manager, infighting between members, and the melt-down of a key band member (Skip Spence), and you have a recipe for "career flambe." You can read a great piece about the band here. Grape's first album, Moby Grape, is one of the best pieces of 60's psychedelic music, with strong guitar work from all three players and laid-back vocal harmonies. You get a hint of many influences here (besides the LSD), including country, R & B, blues, rock, and pop, and it all blends seamlessly. I like to think of them as The Dead For People Who Don't Like The Dead.

The band was: Guitars - Skip Spence, Jerry Miller, and Peter Lewis; Bass - Bob Mosley, Drums - Don Stevenson.

Spence, like Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, suffered from schizophrenia and was committed to Bellvue Hospital in 1968 after allegedly attempting to break down bandmate Stevenson's hotel room with a fire axe during the recording of the band's second album. He was released after 6 months in the hospital. Although he re-emerged with solo albums later on, he never hit it big and, sadly, ended up homeless in Santa Cruz, CA. He battled the mental monsters until the very end, when he died of lung cancer in 1998. The band effectively met its end in '69 when Mosley joined the Marines. (How's that for a hippie?) There have been reunions, but, as is often the case, the spirit, the energy, and the interest just isn't there and the magic is gone.

Trivia: For which band was Skip Spence the original drummer? (No fair if you read the article in the link!)

Podcast is at left or you can listen to Hey Grandma right here by clicking the teensy arrow.

Moby Grape - Hey Grandma (buy)

For Python Fans...a Remix

Sick Of Harry Potter Mania?

I'm sure I will be after tonight. This is the only day during the summer that I'm working, and I'm all gussied up at my witchiest (sans the pointy hat.)

The party starts at 9pm, but the book goes on sale at midnight. I hope to be home by 2:30 a.m.

Pics will surely follow!

A Pop From The Past

Two years ago, Marvo reviewed this product, and I got all nostalgic. My mom would break down and buy this when we went on camping trips, since it was one of our camp-stove treats. I loved watching the thin foil top slowly puff out and the sound of the popcorn pouncing around inside the expanding tent. My kids have only known the sounds of popcorn popping in the microwave or, occasionally, the old fashioned way in an old pot with oil and popping corn on the stove.

So, today when I spied Jiffy Pop in the Price-Rite (the el-cheapo you-bag-it-yourself store I've only been in twice now, and only because it was on my way home from an appointment), I had to pick up a couple, just so I could share the Jiffy Pop experience with the kids.

I swear I followed the directions to the word.

It was neither jiffy nor popped. What did pop was slightly burnt. And you know how that burnt popcorn smell takes a day or so to clear out of your house. Ick.

Some things are better left as memories.

Everything Old Is New Again

I've got 23 downloads left at emusic this month, so I have have been cruising through the list of new releases. Let's just say, I think I've heard some of this before:

The Lolligags - Wired Up - A guy/girl duo, all synthed up like the 80's. It's catchy, and I find myself liking it even though the lyrics are sort of, well, simplistic. Points for dropping the *f* bomb, though.
The Lolligags - Wired Up (preorder)
The Lolligags myspace page.

The Casual Lean - The Bride - Another mod band with a Thin Lizzy sound to them. (Is this a trend?)
The Casual Lean - The Bride (preorder)

The Casual Lean myspace page.

Dr. Demento's Intro
The Great Plains - Dick Clark
The Great Plains - Letter to A Fanzine - Of course these songs sound old, because they are. The Great Plains were an 80's band from Columbus, OH (hey, they rocked around town while I lived there!) I stumbled across this compilation during my linkfest through emusic, and when I spied an intro by Dr. Demento, I had to listen in for more.
Dr. Demento's Intro
The Great Plains - Dick Clark
The Great Plains - Letter To A Fanzine

Buy The Great Plains, 1981 - 1989 -Length Of Growth cd.

Who's Listening?

I'd like to know who is actually listening to my little sometimes-twice-weekly podcast. I'm approaching the monthly bandwidth limit for my free account for the first time since I began scaring entertaining people a year ago.

Hey, I'm el cheapo and I don't want to pay for bandwidth. Stop listening, people! (And I'm also reaching the storage limit of 500 MB, so I'm going to have to delete some episodes.)

Now, like Paris and Lindsey, I know that fame has a double-edged sword. Thankyouverymuch.

Monday Podcast- Recently Heard In Paste Samplers

Crowded House photo from their web site.

Ok, so the Crowded House song isn't on a Paste Sampler, but the rest are.

All Good Things - Mandy Moore (Don't laugh, this really is a good song.)
Just Around The Corner - The Low Stars
Everybody Knows - Ryan Adams
Safe And Sound - Shane Nicholson
She Called Up - Crowded House

Podcast at left or here.

I'd Say TGIF, But I Had A Migraine

Currently pissed off because:

• I had a migraine today
• My microphone just quit working.
• I have to create some sort of beat poetry and record it to survive another week of Shitty Blog Island
• Did I mention I had a migraine all day today?

Oh well; at least I got to lie down and listen to the Food Network all day long. And I feel much better now!

Thirteen Lessons From Songs

Lesson: Things aren't always what they seem.


1. If he's rude to the waiter and it makes your heart confused, This is lesson # 1 .......Run David Wilcox - Rule Number One

2. It ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe; It don't matter, anyhow. Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice It's All Right

3. And what it all boils down to is that no one's really got it figured out just yet. Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket

4. A distant man can't sympathise. The Damned - Neat, Neat, Neat

5. I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life. Billy Joel - My Life

6. When you're down and out, love one another. Todd Rundgren - Love Is The Answer

7. Don't stop thinking about tomorrow. Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop

8. One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. Harry Nilsson - One

9. Sour, sour grapes make bitter wine - Jonatha Brooke - It Matters Now

10. My feet have tread upon the road you're on , and I know it's not my way home. Nanci Griffith - Not My Way Home

11. No matter how many toys you've got, it's not enough, not ever enough to take away the aching in your heart for human kindness. Neil Finn - Human Kindness

12. Don't give up, you've got a reason to live. New Radicals - You Get What You Give

13. My shit's fucked up, it has to happen to the best of us. Warren Zevon - My Shit's Fucked Up

Got any to share?

Riverfront Music Festival Wrap-Up

Last Saturday, we made our second annual trip to Newburyport, MA for the Riverfront Music Festival. (Last year's trip is here.) You just can't beat a day in a small seaside city, taking in the cooling breezes as you loaf around on a blanket. And then there's the shopping, the eating, the shopping, and the eating, and the listening to good music.

First up: Johnette Napolitano (of Concrete Blonde)

Johnette, solo and acoustic, delivered a solid set of songs from her new solo release, Scarred, plus a kicking cover of Janis' Mercedes Benz, but kept us all entertained by calling her dad on her cell and allowing us to listen in. It was 7/7/07, and it was his wedding day. Both he and his intended were 70, so the 7's just kept on piling up. She asked the crowd to make some noises to wish the couple a happy wedding day, so we were all sort of in on a special day for her family. But did she let us down without a hint of Concrete Blonde? Naaaah. Johnette finished off her set with a cracklin' good acoustic version of Joey. Quite satisfying, in a laid-back acoustic way.
Johnette Napolitano - The Scientist (Coldplay cover)

Next up: The Damnwells

Not having known much about this band other than repeat listenings to the song Sleepsinging, I decided to keep an open mind. I was pleasantly surprised, too, by their hook-filled pop/rock sound. And I did recognize another song, Golden Days, from hearing it on the radio. (That alone is surprising, since I rarely listen to radio these days.) I was impressed enough to file a "check these guys out at Hype Machine" reminder in the back of my mind. And they were a great bridge act between Johnette and the final act, DeSol.
The Damnwells - Sleepsinging

The Final Act: DeSol

Without even knowing what they play, can you guess from their name? Hmmm? Yeah, you're right: Latin-flavored rock a'la Santana or Los Lonely Boys. Now, latin rock from Asbury Park, NJ? Does that sound authentic? Lead singer Albie Monterrosa explained that early in the band's existence, they wanted to ingest some real latin music, so they went to stay in Miami for some time. Let me tell you, that was a smart move! These guys had lots of people up on their feet, swaying and dancing, and most that remained seated were swaying in the chairs. Talk about kickass rhythm and steaming guitar-playing! I'm still humming Blanco Y Negro in my head. (Here's a YouTube of them jammin' with the troops.) I'm definitely checking out their new release, On My Way, when it's released next month.

Of course, one of the joys of spending the day surrounded by hundreds of people is the people watching! Last year, I posted some pics of my fashion policing, so I thought I'd make it a tradition. I have to say, though, you people spent some time getting dressed this year! I really had to look hard to find some victims. (A few victims escaped, though, since they were too quick for me to catch on camera! DRAT!)


If your butt and midsection are chubby like this, please try not do wear the tight stuff. I know you're just trying to be hip and all, but this doesn't do it for you.

I know we're here for music, but you're trying too hard to look like "rocker chick."

How many times do I have to tell you that big acid-washed skirts do not go with sneakers and tunic sweaters? Geez, Louise!

I know, they were pretty weak this year, eh?
There's always next year!

Found At The Candy Shop

The little one dragged me into the local candy merchant in search of some sort of tooth-rotting fare, but a display of some really off-the-wall candy caught my eye (surprise, eh?)



It even came with a trading card on the back of the box!



But my favorite is the side of the box:



There are more in the line, too. Check out blueq.com for more! (I really wanted the "Let's Pretend I Give A Shit" gum, but it was sold out.)

The gum for Paula?

Oh, and I found the bonus inside the box, too.

The shroud, torn because I had no idea that was inside when I opened the box.
By the way, the gum is crappy and loses its minty flavor too fast.

Shitty Blog Survivor Update

Dear Shitty Blog Diary,

It's been quiet around the island, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of any of the other survivors. I wonder what they're up to! They must be plotting to get me thrown off! HAH! I have immunity this week, so I'm untouchable (at least until next week!)

I've been so bored that I've resorted to carving melons to keep me busy. Do you know how sick I am of eating watermelons, honeydews, and cantaloupes? I'd kill for a nice, tart pineapple!!

Anyway, here's one of my carving creations! I think it suits me, being the hippie that I am.

I may have flowers in my hair, but I have a shitty attitude.

See you next week!

A Song For Today

Matador Records offers a great feature, Buy Early Get Now, so that you can pre-order an upcoming release, but hear the whole thing as streaming audio as soon as you place the pre-order.
Right now, you can use this feature to hear the new New Pornographer's release, Challengers, due out on August 21. (This is the 4th release in the BEGN line.) What's slightly awkward about this feature is that you can order now, in either a brick-and-mortar shop, or with an online merchant. You pick where you want to get your hands on the goods, and the list is not extensive. You just have to remember to go pick up the CD on August 21, if you pre-order it at the store near you.

Good news is that you can do the pre-order at the Matador Store, too, so they'll mail you the goods upon release. No matter where you choose to get your cd, you do get the streaming audio immediately.

Want to hear a preview song? This is the new "single", My Right Versus Yours. The beginning (until you get to the "ooooh,") sounds like a down-tempo Friday On My Mind (The Easybeats), and I just can't shake that! It's not quite as catchy as, say, Use It, or Sing Me Spanish Techno, but it's kind of timely, with a line like, "a new empire in rags."

Check out The New Pornographers here:

The New Pornographers - My Rights Versus Yours


The New Pornographers - Use It

Seen In Salisbury Beach, MA Today

Look, a "gentlemen's club" that serves food. Come for the ziti; stay for the titties!

Birthday Princess

A little background: My husband's evil sweet cousin, Cheryl, had 50 plastic flamingos placed in our yard for his 50th birthday. It was hilarious. She's been teasing him about it ever since, giving him gifts featuring the pink birds. I always laugh my ass off. Little did I know that my day was coming. So, about a month ago, she gives me this thing....a small "yard" contained within a fence, with a Barbie-like princess in the yard. She had placed in it some pink flamingo drink stirrers with numbers on them. She said there'd be more and that this was my birthday gift. It was interactive. So, every day I've been receiving two or three numbered pink flamingos in the mail. I've placed them in the yard next to Princess Nat. Today, the final pieces arrived. Oh, what a joy to behold!




All I can say is, it took me 50 years to become a princess. Now where is my throne, and at what age do I become queen?

Top 5 On Friday

This week, I'm going to present two Top 5 lists. I'll explain later. Here's the official theme for the week:

Top 5 albums that are at least 20 years old. (All 5 albums cannot be by the same artist/band)

So, that means I have to leave out all of Celine Dion's recordings? I have to go with sentimental favorites here: stuff I wore out on vinyl.

5. My Aim Is True - Elvis Costello

4. London Calling - The Clash

3. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac

2. Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd

1. Rubber Soul - The Beatles

The next 5: Countdown to Ecstasy - Steely Dan; Revolver - The Beatles; Who's Next - The Who; Moondance - Van Morrison; Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

And now....

Today is a very big birthday for me, so I'm feeling nostalgic, silly, wired, and just plain old. But I'm grateful to be healthy, happy, needed, and loved. (See, I'm getting all sentimental!)

So, for today, I'm giving a second Top 5: Nat's Top 5 Songs Ever. Nobody gets to disagree, since I'm the birthday girl and what I say goes. (Isn't that the way it works? Right?)

5. California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas
4. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
3. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
2. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
1. In My Life - The Beatles

This set's in the podcast, at left or here.

Happy 4th!

What's with so many fireworks displays NOT held on the 4th?

We went to the Worcester, MA fireworks last night, and, of course, I have things to say:

1. Silly String is fun and cool, but silly string fights held right in front of me suck, especially when I'm unarmed.

2. Guys, I know it's the 4th and all, but that is not an excuse to dress from head to toe in the red, white, and blue. You know you've all seen this guy: flag-themed shorts with matching red, white, and blue wife beater (which is cinched in back to accentuate the white, skimpy shoulder musculature and well-earned beer belly), and patriotic bandana tied around the shaved head. GAWDAWFUL!

3. If you sing worse than Roseanne, you should not sing the National Anthem in front of a couple of thousand people. And, if you choose to ignore this advice, please know the fucking words to the song. Idiot.

4. Keep your freaking firecrackers at home for your own fun.

5. Enjoy the 4th anyway!

Here's a post from 2005, full of fireworks memories.

Take Me Back Tuesday

The ladies of The Music Memoirs might just be helping me combat my bouts of insomnia! I'm going to read all replies to get some natural relief. Who needs Lunesta?


What type of music do you find to be the best to sleep to?
Smooth jazz or new age-y electronica stuff. Yeah, it surely doesn't rock. But no Yanni; I'm not that desperate.

Is there any kind of music that you absolutely can't fall asleep to?
Rap. Disco. Speed Metal.

If anyone artist could sing you to sleep who would it be and what would they sing to you?
Eva Cassidy would come down from her heavenly loft and sing me to sleep with Songbird.


Eva Cassidy - Songbird

It's a Meme For Monday

Call me lazy, but I saw this at Dawn's, and I'm so busy making Tyler Florence's Ultimate Beef Tacos today that this meme is going to have to do for a post today! If you keep it going, let me know and I'll read yours.

INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

1. The Buzz Queen
2. Opinion Minions
3. Freelance Cynic
4. Tiny Voices In My Head
5. Mini-Obs
   

Next select five people to tag:

You can participate if you like, I'm not tagging. Tagging sucks.

THEN answer the following Questions: