Morphine

Every once in a while I will meet a new person. In getting to know them I am often asked about who my favorite band is. This happened to me just the other day actually. The first band that popped into my head was Morphine. Now, some of you might say who? And some of you might not think that strange at all. But sometimes I wonder about myself when my favorite band is a group who hasn't existed for almost seven years now. See, almost seven years ago, Morphine's lead singer died of a heart attack on stage. When I found out it was one of the saddest days of my life. I'd seen Morphine in concert five times. I'd met Mark Sandman (I acted like a tongue-tied, retarded person, but I met him). And even now, it's a rare occasion to be in my car without one of Morphine's discs along for the ride.

There's something about Mark Sandman. He wasn't that handsome but he was so frakkin' charming. When he was on stage performing, well, I am not sure that a girl in the crowd would have turned him down. Honestly, I would have done just about anything just to hang out with him one night to listen to him talk. He had one of the best voices I've ever encountered. For some reason today I am missing Morphine and pining for a new Morphine album that will never come. But for those of you who've never heard them or want to hear them again, I've got this youtube video for you. So, watch this video and enjoy.

ETA: Grammatical errors fixed especially for Benjamin.

Librarian

Okay, the librarians in this video are a bit old school. But I love the black and white goodness found here. I'll let you touch the first editions, indeed!

Podcasts--wOOt

So, I got rid of HBO recently and I've been missing Real Time with Bill Maher. But I just found out that I can listen to the show for FREE via podcasting. That rules.

This is why I don't watch shows on Fox

Well, frakkin' frak. Kristen over at E!Online is reporting that Drive has been cancelled. The show was just starting to get interesting and now it's gone apparently.

This just really blows. How am I supposed to get my weekly fix of Nathan Fillion? I guess I will have to wait for the movie Waitress to be released (at least then I get to see my beloved Keri Russell). I just don't understand why they can't at least show all the episodes they've already filmed.

I hope that the whole crew involved with Joss and Tim Minear have learned that Fox is where you go if you want to make a good show that will be cancelled before it's time. Grr. Between the cancellation of Drive , Arrested Development, and Firefly and the ridiculous proliferation of American Idol (which I am proud to say I have NEVER watched), I doubt I will ever give a show on Fox a chance again. It's a good thing I can just watch PBS and the History Channel instead.

Can't get no satisfaction

So, last night I saw the Cardinals lose for the third time in eight days. Honestly, after I waded through a downpour the least they could have done was freaking play well and not get spanked. Although, I suppose I can't completely complain as I didn't actually pay for any of the tickets. I am starting to think that I am a jinx to the Cards though. Maybe all that good ball playing got used up by winning the World Series last year. I don't know. All I know is that I will be watching games from home rather than in the stadium for a while. Maybe that will help the Cards win a frakkin' home game. It's pretty sad when you look at the NL Central standings and think, "well, at least the Cubs still suck harder than we do." But honestly, the Cub always suck harder than we do so it's little comfort.

In other news, I watched part of this old Frank Sinatra movie called Some Came Running yesterday. I plan on watching the rest of it tonight. Some Came Running was filmed in my old stomping ground of Madison. I was pretty geeked to see that the view from my old front yard was one of the first scenes of the town in the movie. I may have even squeed a bit.

I don't know what it is about me. I can never seem to be happy with what I have going on right now. I mean, the whole time I was in Madison I wanted to leave and move to a city. Now I am in a city and I miss Madison more than I thought I would. I think I like to get nostalgic about places and I sort of forget all the really bad stuff, like slugs and no Target. I am pretty happy with my slug free existence in the city; I am even happier with the plethora of Targets around me. Sigh. Maybe I don't miss Madison as much as I thought. Although, I did laugh when they drove past the Electric Lady. I spent a few nights stumbling home from that place.

Sorry for the boring post. Haven't had much to write but I thought I should put up something.

Oh, I decided to start reading the HP series early. I've ust about plowed through book one and I am getting ready to read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. There's still time to join me if you want to read along with me.

Human Giant

So, I think you all might be missing one of the funniest shows on tv. It wouldn't be hard to miss as it's on MTV and I don't know too many other thirtysomethings who still watch MTV. Excepting myself, obviously. Something about those Real World/Road Rules Challenges keeps pulling me back.

Anyway, Human Giant is a new MTV show and it's funny. I mean, really funny and in a very wrong way. Human Giant is the three man team of Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer. They have several funny skits. I love the Shutterbgs skit where Aziz and Rob act as agents to child actors and then fund a move called Lil' 9/11. It's very wrong and inappropriate. And that is just how I like my humor. They have a bunch of their skits loaded onto their website. I suggest watching some of them. Although, I think I might have serious love for Sensitivity Training and Predator vs. Predator over all the other skits.

So, check it out on Wednesday nights.

Tori has new music too!

So, here's the video for Tori's new release. I have to say that I was pretty skeptical since her last two albums have left me less than impressed and more than a bit sad at the thought that one of my musical goddesses (also including Bjork, Alison Krauss, PJ Harvey, Jill Scott and others) had fallen from grace. Squater seems to think that Scarlett's Walk was a good cd. However, there are two reasons why this train of thought can be disregarded: 1) he's a dude and I'm sorry but Tori doesn't make music for dudes, gnerally speaking; and 2) it was a bad album made of bad music with none of the Tori spark, wit, anger, and angst. Also, not dealing directly with Scarlet's Walk, but The Power of Orange Knickers is no Me and a Gun. Hell, it wasn't even a Hello, Mr. Zebra.

This new song pretty much rocks. So, I am hoping that the rest of her new cd will also rock. I guess we will all find out on May 1 when the American Doll Posse cd is released.

Bjork's new stuff

Check out this video clip of Bjork's new song Earth Intruders. It's one of her Timbaland collaborations off her new disc Volta. I cannot wait until it's released on May 8.

I just love how crazy and odd she is. Her music just speaks to me. I think Bjork is easily one of those artists that you either love or hate. There is no in between with her. Obviously, I love her.

Drive

Well, last night I watched the two hour series premiere of the Fox show Drive. I can honestly say I've never watched a show on Fox before. I never got into 24 enough to watch it not in dvd form and I never watched Firefly or Arrested Development in real time, probably because I am stupid on occasion. So, I am hoping that Drive gets treated a bit better than Firefly did. Anyway.

The show is pretty interesting so far. The premise is that there is some secret cross country race with a prize of $32 million dollars at the end. Each day you get a clue or two and have to arrive at the designated place. Being last is bad. Each person has a different reason for being in the race and some people seem like they got recruited while others sought out the race. For example, one character is competing to get the money so she can flee her abusive hubby and another man seems to in the race so he can spend "quality time" with his daughter before he dies. And so on...

I am really liking the character of Alex Tully played by the awesome Nathan Fillion. Yay for Capt. Mal getting a new show. Also, this show features Amy Acker (Fred on Angel) as Alex's kidnapped wife. Alex is compelled to race to get his wife back.

Anyway, I hope you all will tune in tonight for episode three. If you feel like I didn't 'splain it good enough, well, check out Strega's recaps.

In movie news, I watched the very funny Confetti yesterday. Confetti stars Martin Freeman and others in a documentary/mockumentary style farce about weddings. The premise is that Confetti Magazine (a bridal mag) is holding a competition for "most original wedding." Three couples complete. Matt (Martin Freeman) and Sam want a musical wedding; Josef and Isabelle want a tennis wedding; and Joanna and Michael want a nudist wedding. The wedding planners are frakkin' hilarious. One of the funniest parts of the movie actually didn't make the final cut. In one scene, the wedding planners think aloud about maiming and/or attacking one of the bride-to-be's mother. Hilarious! Anyway, if you want a movie that has the total cuteness of Martin Freeman and lampoons weddings, then check out this film.

How will it end?

As May approaches I feel like it's time to tackle the ever present question about Gilmore Girls ending. There is a major hue and cry on the internets to keep this show going. Kristin from E!Online had a poll and GG won the Save one Show poll. Personally, I just don't care anymore. I am only watching out of habit these days. If they don't have a season eight, I am not sure I would be sad about that. I feel like this show hasn't really been "on" since season five. I think my hate of many of the more recent plot points has been discussed here and on B-Mart's blog. I just sort of want it over; I want to free up my Tuesday nights. I want to think back on this show and remember it when it was good.

I am contrasting this with my experience today of rewatching the finale of Buffy. Maybe it's because I didn't watch Buffy over seven years, maybe it's because I love Spike a bit more than I love Luke, but I could have had Buffy go on for more seasons. The way Joss ended Buffyverse was very open, obviously, this is way we can have a comic now. But I just think the scene where Buffy tells the potentials that the slayer power can be theirs and then we see all the girls around the world getting their slayer strength is so powerful and beautiful. I think it would have been interesting to see that play out. I know the comic will answer some of that but not in the same way a tv show could and would.

All this comparison is to say that all the good will I've had towards the Gilmore Girls was squandered last year by Amy Sherman Palladino and while I have tried to recapture that love with the new team, it just hasn't clicked for me. So, I hope that they bow out gracefully this year. I may not get my Lorelai and Luke wedding that was promised to me in season two(can we say Chuppah, anyone?) In my mind they end up together and maybe I don't need to see that. Anyway, I just want the show to end with some frakkin dignity. I don't think that's so much to ask.

Where should it go?

So, I am getting a new tattoo. It's been picked out and approved by moi. I am not even getting it alone. Squater and I are, in fact, getting matching tattoos. Now the question is where do I put the damn thing on my body? I thought for a time that our matching tattoos should go in the same place but since Squater is putting his on his left arm (as part of his soon to come left arm sleeve) I basically nixed that idea. No other tattoo will detract from the beauty of my Hand of Fatima tattoo (although, that picture on Wikipedia is kind of ugly and looks nothing at all like my tattoo).

So, all this begs the question, where should I put my new tattoo? I've been pondering this question for several weeks now and I have shot down most every idea I personally have come up with. Currently, I am giving serious thought to my right shoulder blade or upper right arm. So, what do you people think?

Reread?

So, beginning May 1, I am going to reread all the Harry Potter books in preparation for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Anyone want to join me? For all you readers who are slower readers than me, feel free to start earlier.

Every time I read a series book and then a new comes out I like to reread the previous books so I can remember all the details. This might be why I have read all the Diana Gabaldon books about seven times each. Oh and also because I frakkin love them. I hope she's writing the last book now. I need to know what happens next!

History is cool; believe it

Recently I got rid of HBO. It's my way of protesting the loss of Rome forever. However, with the loss of HBO I have been trying to fill the tivo with other things to watch. I have found that the History Channel in its various forms have been filling the void. Most notably the show Digging for the Truth rules. Hosted by hottie Josh Bernstein, viewers are taken on journeys to Egypt, Israel, Brazil, Ethiopia, and so on to find out the truth that can me found from archaeological digs. I just watched an episode yesterday on something called the Copper Scroll which talks about a treasure buried somewhere (scholars argue about the exact place; possibly in Israel or Egypt). It was pretty cool although they never really answered the question of where is the treasure. No one actually knows. This show makes me think I should have become an archaeologist and not a librarian because it just looks like it would be so fun to find treasure. Last week, Bernstein found out about the real Goliath. Did he exist? Was he really a giant? Could a stone to the forehead really have killed him? (Answers: maybe, nothing supports this, yes) Anyway, I have always been a real geek for this kind of stuff and it's nice to see the History Channel showing something that doesn't have to do with World War II (no offense Band of Brothers, you know I love you).

I also finished a book last night. The Good Men: A Novel of Heresy by Charmaine Craig was an interesting tale loosely based on true events that took place in 14th Century France. So, the plot, a priest in a small French village encounters heretics (whose teachings he generally agrees with) and battles his own inner turmoil over his lust for women. Through the years he beds many of the village women except Fabrisse, his niece, although she doesn't know this and falls madly in love with him. Then the Inquisition comes. It's never good when the Inquisition comes.

This was an enjoyable read although I had a hard time feeling empathy for the priest. I had an even harder time feeling empathy for the ring leader of the Inquisition. This was a book filled with a lot of sadness but I am glad I read it because the tale was intriguing. It's even based upon the testimony of Fabrisse's daughter who actually lived. So, check it out.

Books Read in 2007:
The Good Men: A Novel of Heresy ~ Charmaine Craig
An Abundance of Katherines ~ John Green
The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas
Looking For Alaska ~ John Green
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest ~ Stephen Ambrose
Drinking, Smoking, and Screwing: Great Writers on Good Times ~ edited by Sara Nikles
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood ~ Ann Brashares

Back in Black

This weekend my neighbor had another party. While she was actually much more quiet this weekend than she was last weekend, she and her loud ass friends still woke me up twice on Friday night. Now before you go thinking I am some sort of fuddy-duddy, I did have friends over until almost 1 am. They left and then that is when my neighbor brought home what I can only assume was every single person left in a bar that closed. Because I would have sworn there were around 15 people in her apartment. I was only awakened when someone opened the door to the apartment. Now this weekend, instead of running up and down the stairwells, they were courteous enough to just go ahead and smoke in the shared hallways. That way their cigarette could permeate my walls only ever so slightly. Thanks!

But the best part was when I went outside on Saturday to run some errands. Sitting on my car were three cans of Colt 45. Now, I am pretty lenient about many things. However, I do not appreciate people who I do not know using my car for a frakkin' coaster for their nasty malt beer. So, yeah, not pleased.

Now, if only my neighbor would come home so I could have a little chatty mcchatterson with her about RUDENESS. I know I am going to come off as the bitchy neighbor but seriously, what else can I do?

In happy news, Selena and I are going to see Lily Allen in June. Woohoo!

In other happy news, B-Mart will be delighted to know that I watched The Robinsons. I do love me some Martin Freeman. He's just so adorable. Anyway, The Robinsons is a Brticom about the Robinson Family. Ed, played by Martin Freeman, is the main character. He's just been dumped by his wife and he lives in his aunt's flat. Then he loses his job after the girl he's beeb shagging at work gets his promotion. Hilarity ensues with his man-picky sister, time consumed brother, and parents who seem to want a divorce more than they want a drink. Hee. Anyway, I liked it a lot. Thank goodness for Netflix.

Memes, like the cormers of my mind

From Bill via Docs Rock

Name your top six favorite tv shows without reading the questions below:

1. Ugly Betty
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Everwood
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
6. Alias

And now the questions:




















1. Who is your favorite character from #2?

Hmmm. I think it's a tie between Helo and Starbuck.

02. Who is your least favorite character from #4?

Madison aka Bucky

03. What would a crossover between #1 and #5 include?

Fashionista vampires being staked by the Slayer.

04. Who is your favorite ship from #6?

Spy Daddy, Vaughn, and Me. Ha! No, come on it's Syd and Vaughn.

05. If you were to set one person from #3 and one person from #6 on a blind date, who would they be?

SpyDaddy and Addison might be hot.

06. If you could meet one person from #4 and spend the day with them, who would it be, and what would you do?

Oh man. That is so hard. Only one person? Man, I am going to have to go with Chris Pratt. Well, I don't know exactly what we would do but him being shirtless would be a good portion of our time together.

07. If you could change one thing about #2's plot line, what would you change?

Possibly make it a bit funnier but then I worry about it being too light. No, I wouldn't change a thing.

08. Explain a relationship between two people (not necessarily romantic) from show #5, and why you like the relationship between them.

I like the Spike/Dawn pairing because he doesn't generally treat her like a kid the way the rest of the group does. He protects her but he also lets her get into a bit of trouble. But I do like how protective he is of Dawn, especially in the early parts of season six.

09. If the lead title characters (first name in the credits) from #1 and #3 were both drowning, and you could only save one, who would it be?

Betty beats Meredith hands down. Plus, Betty would just be more fun to hang out with.

10. If you could change the title characters' order in the credits for #4, what order would you choose?

Nothing to change.

11. If you were able to add a new character, any kind of character you wanted, to the storyline for #6, what would the character be like, and what would their role be?

I think maybe a brother for Sydney. Someone besides Vaughn and Will who she could trust. He would be a super spy like her and maybe raised by Irina or the KGB or some Rambaldi contingent. But he's a double agent for the CIA. Something like that.

12. What happens in your favorite episode of show #2?

I am kind of hoping that it will happen in season four. I am not sure I could pick a favorite episode right now.

13. If you could kill off one of the characters in #1, who would it be and how would you do it?

Oooh. I think maybe have Alexis accidentally kill Bradford but then she frames Daniel and then he goes to jail but then Betty finds out the truth and Daniel is freed.

14. If you got the chance to visit the set for either show #3 or show #5, which would you choose?

I am picking Buffy.

15. If you could date anyone from any of these shows, which show and which person?

It's kind of huge tie between Sark, Vaughn, Bright, Lee, Helo, Sam, McDreamy, and Spike. Don't make me choose, folks.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Since B-Mart is taking the time to rant over on her blog, I thought I might do the same here on Jalehlabad. My rant has to do with neighbors. Specifically my neighbors.

I used to have one of the best neighbors ever. His name is Mark. He was NEVER home; seriously, he maybe spent two nights a week in his apartment, maybe. In fact, I didn't actually meet him until about two weeks before he moved out. I loved that he was never home. I think he had a girlfriend and that they stayed at her place a lot because occasionally he would come in with a girl but they never stayed all that long. Anyway, a few weeks ago Mark moved out because he bought a house. Way to go, Mark.

However, now, I have a new neighbor. Technically, I haven't met this person yet. I know it's a woman but I haven't actually spoken to her. It's probably best that I don't speak to her until I am more calm because this chick is really starting to grate.

Issue #1: She leaves the back stairwell light on 24/7. My back door has a window in it that has a screen. However, it still lets in light all night long like some super large night light. And it's frakkin' with my sleep.

Issue #2: While we are on the back stairwell, she lets people come in and out of the back stairwell all the time. Here's my problem with this. One, the back door has an automatic lock on it, meaning if you ain't got a key and the door closes you are s.o.l. I like this feature because it keeps out the people who walk around in my back alley. Second, I am not used to people using the back stairwell and when her two friends were standing back there the other day, well, they scared the shit out of me. I don't like to be startled.

Issue #3: This mother frakker is loud. I mean really loud. I can hear her freaking snoring. It kept me up last night. I don't feel like I should have to hear a person snore if a) I am not related to said person; b) if I am not actually sleeping with said person; or c) if I have no relationship at all with said person.

Issue #4: The partying. Last weekend this bitch had so many people over. I am sure she kept up everyone in my building. Luckily for her I was having an ulcer attack and couldn't really sleep anyway or else I would have called the frakkin' police. These assholes were running up and down the front and back stairwells until 4am. Yes, you read that correctly. Not only that but they decided to yell to each other from the balcony into the yard.

It's just rude. Look, I am sure I am loud sometimes. I am sure the people below me think, bitch lose some weight and stop tromping around your apartment. I am sure they hear me laugh and they hear my tv. I know I hear them. But I am not rude about it; in fact, I've even apologized for being loud on several occasions. And, I don't act like a jackass until 4am.

But, if this shit happens again this weekend. I am going to go introduce myself and maybe the police. People don't tend to like you when you bring the police along to bust up their party but that's chance I am willing to take. I guess we will just have to wait and see.