Musikken fra i går (se forrige bloggpost) følger. Spesielt interesserte kan følge denne linken for å lese Aftenpostens gode anmeldelser.

C’est vrai, je passe pas mal de temps sur Twitter. Endroit idéal pour la procrastination du no-life quadragénaire en reconversion misanthropique avec syndrome d’angoisse sociale Allégations à vérifier chez un de ces psy dont la parole vaut de l’or vu ce qu’ils tarifient la demi-heure pour lâcher quelques mots

Donc, en tweetant, parmi ce qui me sert de plus en plus de fil d’infos – autant si ce n’est plus que les abos RSS et agrégateurs habituels -, on suit pas mal de liens vers des articles ou du contenu produit par les blogueurs. Mais il y a aussi un temps pour partager ses goûts et au hasard de clics on peut s’offrir de belles découvertes ou l’occasion de se plonger un peu plus dans ce qu’on avait négligé. Les applis de partage sont nombreuses, comme ce Blip.fm par exemple, mais il suffit aussi de linker vers Deezer, Spotify, Dailymotion, Youtube…

Justement là, je vais rester sur les chemins qui m’ont été tracés vers des écoutes via ce site de partage.Tranquille ce dimanche après-midi, avant d’aller gagner à la sueur de mon front ma maigre pitance sous le joug inhumain du capitalisme financier (je galéje un peu là : je bosse assis derrière un ordi et la paye est assez correcte; mais l’idée y est quand même – je vous donne pas de détails ?), voilà que b-mode (retrouvez-le avec “ses” co-auteurs sur Ruminances et sur Tes reins et terroirs) et loloster (par ici pour son blog) s’échangent quelques “scuds” amicaux mais musicaux. Ni une, ni deux, je profite de ces “tirs” croisés…

Et me voilà débarquant en vol aussi libre que plané chez des cadors du jazz. Faisons simple, je ne peux prétendre à aucune connaissance dans ce domaine. Tout au plus quelques notions éparses via notamment un super pote,  zikos expat’ et fervent du genre, mais une culture bien insuffisante pour tenter quelque analyse de ce que j’entends. Je serais plutôt du genre auprès de qui on peut faire passer du free pour du bebop et du cool pour du west coast (et je ne cite là que des courants dont j’ai retenus le nom )  Ce qui n’empêche de se laisser aller à l’écoute et à être emporté par (dans) le son. Issu de leur échange, et mis en favoris de suite, je me fis donc “bêtement” plaisir en écoutant plus avant Charlie Mingus et John Coltrane.

Ce qui me valut de me faire Impressions dans la foulée

Autre chemin sympa via les méandres du web, celui qui m’a conduit vers un Bashung crépusculaire revisitant L’Homme à tête de chou. C’est depuis chez Thephase3 que j’ai rapatrié dans mes esgourdes ces Variations sur Marilou de Gainsbourg, dont la version originale était déjà écoutable jusqu’à l’infini pour y découvrir sans cesse des détails aussi infimes qu’indispensables qui s’y étaient dissimulés. Ce titre fait partie d’une relecture de cet album concept définitif que Bashung envoie post-mortem pour une mise en scène et une chorégraphie de Jean-Claude Gallotta présentée à Grenoble et qui s’apprête à voyager (dates à la fin de ce billet de Menilmuche).

Quatre autres titres sont dispos en écoute sur le site de L’Express (clic clic clic).

Finissant ce billet, je ne sais pour toi lecteur quelle heure il sera au moment où tu le croisera. Pour moi, celle du sommeil approche. Le moment de trouver sérénité et quiétude, de se laisser aller vers un état un peu contemplatif. Cette ouverture des Glassworks, je ne me souviens plus, malheureusement, par le tweet de qui j’y atterris (s’il se reconnaît sait-on jamais qu’il le dise pour être linké plutôt que de se taire à jamais).

Il va sans dire que la musique classique contemporaine en général et Philip Glass en particulier, ce n’est pas mon univers d’origine ni même de prédilection. Quand on grandit le regard entre Best et Rock&Folk, avec sur sa platine les Ramones, les Clash ou le Boss et que ses nuits de concerts furent longtemps faites de Cramps, de Gun Club ou de Lords of the new church, il y a quand même des séquelles Cela n’empêche pas d’écouter. L’occasion de prolonger une soirée où je le vis rendre hommage à Allen Ginsberg avec Patti Smith. Cette vidéo minimaliste sur  Opening Glassworks,  filmée en plan fixe un jour de pluie depuis une fenêtre à Los Angeles par twentyflights a, sans non plus ici prétendre à toute lecture “autorisée” de cette musique, des vertus que je trouve bien apaisantes.

când ai nevoie de dragoste nu ti se da dragoste.
când trebuie sa iubesti nu esti iubit.
când esti singur nu poti sa scapi de singuratate.
când esti nefericit nu are sens sa o spui.

când vrei sa strângi în brate nu ai pe cine.
când vrei sa dai un telefon sunt toti plecati.
când esti la pamânt cine se intereseaza de tine?
cui îi pasa? cui o sa-i pese vreodata? (Mircea Cărtărescu – Când ai nevoie de dragoste)

cineva…

intr-o zi…

cândva…

este…

undeva…

chiar daca e noapte…

chiar daca e muzica prea tare…

chiar daca imaginile sunt apă dulce…

si versurile curg ca focul….

strat după strat….

mă aştern pe strada….

ta…

…….şi te vei linişti…
în final vei fi fericit

poate îţi vei dori să fii şi tu nebun
ca mine
sau ca tine
ca nebunul de acum din tine
care dă să iasă din lăcaşul închinat lui de la începutul timpului tau

oricum,
fericirea e ACOLO
uite-o!
atige-o!
fericirea s-a îndragostit de tine!
n-o dezamăgi
chiar dacă n-o iubeşti-
strânge-o în braţe şi alint-o
te va iubi şi mai mult după…

This is what I call the beauty of pain. It makes it hurt like hell.

factory template

Visitors to the Cadbury World will be in for a real treat. If your a chocolate lover then you will be in heaven

Address: Telephone: Website: Opening Hours: Price(s): Comments:

Opening times:

Prices: Free

Today was all about productivity; hence the late post.

After our downer of a welcome, fixing the window became top priority. Yesterday I called around to a few different local places and got a quote from Safelite {the chain our insurance works with}. Safelite came in at $189.95 +tax for consumer non-claim repairs. {Our deductible is $500, so filing an insurance claim wasn’t worth it.}

I also called B&B Auto Glass on McCarter Hwy. They came in at $140+tax. They had a pleasant enough phone manner. Finally I called K & S Auto Glassworks. Found a great review & 10% off coupon online. The $129 +tax quote came in the lowest anyway. They had an open 7:30am appointment Tuesday morning. We had a winner.

I got out the door late and didn’t end up making it to K&S until closer to 7:50 this morning.

Pretty unassuming from the outside.

Getting an early appointment was apparently an excellent idea. There wasn’t anyone else waiting; my car was taken back right away. The guy really seemed to know what he was doing. The window was installed & he even popped the weather stripping/trim back into place.

I was out the door by 8:10 and to work on time. In total, it cost us $130 {including the glass, a kit thing, something else, & the discount}. I would TOTALLY recommend them. They were quick, professional, and competitively priced.

We’ll see how it holds up but I have very high hopes. It was a very pleasant way to end a not-so-pleasant experience.

K & S Auto Glassworks
310 1st Street
Newark, NJ 07107

Industry:

E-Jeepney

By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

The foray of the electric-jeepneys (e-jeepneys) in Makati and Bacolod has created not just a buzz, but an awareness that the actual use of a pollution-free public transport is possible. The ongoing test run is just the beginning.

This endeavor is a collaborative effort among three visionary groups.

The Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. (PHUV Inc.), Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines’s (MVPMAP) business unit, assembles the e-jeepneys. The Green Renewable Independent Power Producer (GRIPP), with its Climate Friendly Cities (CFC) Project, is the initial market for the e-jeepneys. The DOEN Foundation, a Dutch organization that funds enterprising and sustainable ventures, is the financier.

But the pivotal role for this project to really takeoff is that of Local Government Units (LGUs).

GRIPP Project Director Yvonne Castro said they have eight units of e-jeepneys on the road already, six more are coming out in February, and six more by April this year.

“We will make sure there will be at least 50 units by the end of 2010,” Castro said.

An E-jeepney is sold to GRIPP at P600,000 per unit by PHUV. It would be distributed by GRIPP through LGUs.

PHUV already has memoranda of agreement to sell the vehicle to the LGUs of Makati, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod and Baguio. GRIPP is also hoping to partner with Pasay, Taguig, Marikina, Quezon City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Iloilo cities.

The pilot test runs in Makati and Bacolod will ensure the technical, commercial, environmental, and social feasibility of the project.

PHUV Inc. President Ferdi Raquelsantos said the consortium has total committed investments of P350 million.

The consortium is composed of mostly MVPMAP members who share the same desire to do business with a cause. They are Autoliv Seatbelts, Glassworks, MD Juan, Manly Plastics, Nito Seiki, Sanoh Fulton, and Yazaki Torres.

MVPMAP is also now working to help make the project commercially viable and acceptable to the export market.

“There is also a big potential for exports,” Raquelsantos said.

While LGU beneficiaries and end users are expected to run the e-jeepneys only on either short, closed loops or experimental routes not currently serviced by the public utility jeepneys, Raquelsantos foresees e-jeepneys to serve the mobility requirement beyond these limited borders.

“The truth is our orders and inquiries are for large school campuses, resorts, golf and country clubs, villages, farm lands, theme parks, malls and even for mobile ads purposes. But we will prioritize the LGUs as we want to also disperse the technology to the countryside,” he said.

But the environmental benefits of the e-jeepney may be what would really make this PHUV project hot.

“It is very promising as it answers to environmental needs. It will continuously grow its market as people realize its benefits,” he said.

The assembly of e-jeepney will boost the capability of local auto parts manufacturers. Its formulated local content is around 80% already. But the consortium said that localizing the electric motor, which is imported from China, would spell a big difference for the project’s sustainability.

The Board of Investments (BOI) has thrown its support for the e-jeepney, having listed it in the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP). Being in the IPP entitles one to tax and fiscal incentives– income tax holiday and preferential duty on the importation of capital equipment.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has just established a category for electric vehicle– LSV (Low Speed Vehicle) allowing PHUV to register the e-jeepneys and be issued with license plate.

The PHUV, however, has urged LGUs to grant its assistance to e-jeepneys through a special incentives package.

“We hope government could provide incentives like special parking for this special vehicle,” Raquelsantos said.

For now, local patronage of the e-jeepneys is the most that the e-jeepney assembler can hope for.

Aside from the environmental benefits, e-jeepneys will provide increased income to drivers.

Statistics shows that the gross amount of fares that a driver collects in a day is roughly P1,800 to P2,000.

From that, he spends at least P800 on diesel and pays the jeepney owner P400 to P500 average “boundary” or a day’s rent for the passenger jeepney.

On a good day, a driver may go home with P240. On a bad, he can turn out subsidizing the boundary fee.

With the e-jeepneys, the net take home pay of the driver is expected to increase two to three times because of reduced fuel expenses. The pilot tests of e-jeepneys in the various cities are expected to firm up the revenue projections.

If it becomes successful, the e-jeepneys may find its way throughout the country. There must be a way to make it viable because of its environmental benefits which brings the issue beyond mere profit.

It will even provide additional livelihood to over 50,000 direct workers dependent on the local parts making industry for survival.

E-jeepneys would fit the Philippines scenery and terrain. First, it would not let go of the iconic Philippine jeepney. It would still represent the popular local jeepneys– minus the smoke emission and air pollution.

The e-jeepney is powered by rechargeable batteries and could drive for 120 kilometers a day at a maximum speed of 40-kilometers per hour on an eight to 10-hour charge. Like most public jeeps, it can carry a maximum of 14 passengers including the driver.

The e-jeepney can then take on up to an incline with 20% grade and wade in flooded streets of up to one foot in water level. That is the advantage of the local design. The e-jeepney can take on local road conditions unique only to the Philippines.

Perhaps, the e-jeepney is the answer to the local parts industry’s search for a truly Pinoy vehicle.

It will complement MVPMAP’s other projects such as the PhUV (Philippine utility vehicle) itself, PUJ (public utility jeep) refleeting program, and the One-Brand Project.

“It proves that given the opportunity and the resources, the Pinoy can design and build a vehicle that is truly Filipino in character,” Raquelsantos said.

When the project soon shifts to full throttle, he said, “This we hope will make the Philippines the leader in the electric vehicle industry in this part of Asia.”

The LTO’s agreement to issue a license plate to the e-jeepney has enabled PHUV to begin the next phase of the program, the mass production of electric-powered jeepneys.

PHUV is now planning to include the smaller electric tricycles in its product lineup of locally-assembled electric vehicles.

“Available in three different body configurations, the e-trikes will be the clean alternative for mass transport in the countryside. We will soon submit a proposal to some LGUs and transport cooperatives for the e-trikes to replace the gasoline-powered tricycles in their localities as part of our comprehensive Climate Friendly Cities Program,” he added.

The e-jeepney costs P625,000, the e-trike, P250,000.

Aside from trying to mitigate climate change’s effects, the e-jeepney also helps ease solid waste management problems.

GRIPP’s initiative to initially field a few e-jeepney forms part of a program on sustainable transport, waste management, and renewable energy-based technologies.

Its other components are the establishment of a depot as a charging station and maintenance center for the fleet and a power plant consisting of a generator, a solid anaerobic biodigester and a gas engine from which electricity will be generated from organic wastes collected from the commercial food establishments and wet markets of the city.

The e-jeepneys will then go to an electric depot – an ‘alternative to the gas station’ – where their batteries will be recharged overnight for at least a period of eight hours.

This is GRIPP’s way of demonstrating that there are climate-friendly alternatives to the current polluting modes of public transportation in the country.

During the launch of the project, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has expressed strong support for the promotion of this clean vehicle technology considering the volume of vehicles of around 777,000 during weekdays plying the Central Business District in Makati. These diesel-fed jeepneys contribute largely to the kind of air the city has.

“I believe the electric jeepney is an innovative way of addressing two major concerns of cities – pollution and waste management,” Binay said.

He said the city is moving toward creating a business climate that gives priority to clean air and quality of life along with attractive tax rates, infrastructure, and incentives.

“If we can further improve the air quality in the country’s financial district, then we are literally improving the climate for business, and more business translates into more revenues to fund our programs and innovations in education, health care, and social services,” he said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia noted that the coming of the e-jeepneys will project the city’s image for “openness to new ideas and economic dynamism” that will further enhance Bacolod’s image as the Most Business-Friendly City in the Visayas.

Nobel prize winning scientist Dr. Daniel Kammen said the Philippines’ e-jeepney project has the biggest impact on the transport industry in the future.

If the CFC Program is replicated in other mega cities, and vehicle sharing will be a norm in the Philippines, Kame said that the envisioned 80% reduction in carbon dioxide can be realized.

The 50th Anniversary Beachcomber’s Fine Art Show is being held at the South Padre Island Convention Center this weekend. There are many artists and beautiful works of art that will strike your fancy. The work  of Mrs. Joanna Ordonez of Videriosa Glassworks really struck me as outstandingly stunning glasswork. The artist calls it, “Art for the soul inspired by the sun.”

Texas bluebonnets

This is the beautiful Joanna Ordonez.

These pendants shimmered as if she had captured the sun’s rays on glass.

Our beautiful model got one that said “LOVE” because without love, life is nothing.

It’s hard to love with a barbed wire chaining your heart down so this piece of work struck me as beautiful.

The stunning works were a hit and Mrs. Ordonez’s sales were very successful. Even while I was there, there was a line of people in her booth.

This heart is burdened but not with spikes, maybe the person he/she loved left her but he/she has gotten over the pain. You never know with art; it can tell all kinds of stories.

This made me LOL and a lady there said, “That made me crack up too.” There were many glass coasters to choose from but I still think this one’s my favorite.

 JoAnna’s work may be seen at www.vidriosa.com or www.4coolglass.com

The Beachcomber’s Art Show is still going on right now at the Convention Center. It is only $3.00 to get in and you can see literally, thousands of really neat things from Western Art, Modern Art, Coastal Art Paintings (many), photography, belts, too many things to describe. If you want something out of the ordinary, you should go down to the Convention Center on the North side of the Island. The Convention Center looks like this:

The paintings of the whales are gargantuan in size.

Stained Glass

Read our original post with full details HERE.

DUB FEST 2009

Date: FRIDAY, MAY 29TH:

Cost: $9

CASH BAR

21+

This event kicks-off with a film screening of Dub Echoes, followed by a Rooftop Reunion performance by THE CHILDREN, and concludes with a dub war soundsystem in quadrophonic sound w/ deejay’s Matt Anthony, Sir Basil Outernational, and LayLow.

SCHEDULE

DOORS OPEN AT 7:30P

8-10p Film Screening: Dub Echoes

“Dub Echoes” is a documentary that traces the origins of the Jamaican dub music and it’s influence on the development of hip hop and electronic music. The film shows how the Jamaican invention called dub ended up influencing much of the music we hear today, from electronic music to hip-hop, transforming the studio in a musical instrument and giving way to all of sonic experiments.

Key names, from both reggae and the electronic music world, talk about the birth of this genre, how it helped to change the way we perceive music and how it’s presence can still be felt today. Just follow the bass lines. Filmed, produced & directed by
 BRUNO NATAL

10:30-11:30 Rooftop Performance by…

The Children

The Children, (experimental dub rock) “one of Louisville’s most exciting and inventive bands” returns for a special one-night performance.

11:30-1:30 After party…

Dub War Sound System w/ DJ’s LayLow, Sir Basil Outernational (WFPK’s World Force Reggae), and

Matt Anthony (WFPK’s Sound Clash)

Rooftop Concert Series Continues at Glassworks.

On June 5, 2009, Glassworks will host a night of spectacularly peculiar music and all around fun loving times. Louisville’s own futuristic rock outfit, Ultra Pulverize will be joined by Bloomington’s guitarless avant-punk rockers Prizzy Prizzy Please and glimmering pop masters, The Delicious. Opening the night with a performance and also serving as MC for all of the evening’s festivities is Chicago’s Lord of the Yum Yum, with his unique blend of experimental a’capella music and comedy. As if this weren’t enough, Louisville DJ Sam Sneed will be in control of the music before the show and between bands.

We’ve seen each of these artists before and this is a beautiful collaboration.  Lord of the Yum Yum (above) opened for Dan Deacon at my favorite show of all time, Dan Deacon at the Metro in Chicago.  This is a definite “can’t miss” show in the ‘Ville.

Doors open at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm. It is an all-ages show. Admission is $8. There will be a cash bar serving those with ID. Glassworks is located at 815 West Market Street in downtown Louisville. In case of rain, the event will take place indoors. This event coincides with the Downtown Louisville First Friday Trolly Hop.

ULTRA PULVERIZE

“We like to search the alligator pit at the zoo after-hours, collecting the pennies that accumulate down there. We actually financed the new album entirely in this way. So I guess those pennies were good luck for somebody after all. Besides that, we pretty much sit and listen to Jermaine Jackson’s “Escape from the Planet of the Ant Men” on repeat.” Ultra, Excerpt from an interview in the LEO Weekly

Prizzy Prizzy Please

“Prizzy Prizzy Please sound like what Fugazi would have sounded like if Ian McKaye were backed by members of Prince’s Revolution and Parliament on drugs — a relentlessly punky attack that defies any real characterization. Is Prizzy Prizzy Please a punk band or a funk band? At times they are neither, and at other times they are both. Essentially, Prizzy Prizzy Please is as it chooses. Much like 1970s avant-punk/fusion/funk legends Pere Ubu, Prizzy Prizzy Please is self-aware and self-consciously weird, sometimes obtuse, but always entertaining.” – Matt Erier, BSU Daily News

The Delicious

“The Delicious balance pop smarts and remarkable musicianship with a knack for unpredictable song structure and clever lyrics. All the right influences are intact (Pavement, Weezer, Neutral Milk Hotel), and the complex arrangements and time changes make things much more interesting than your run-of-the-mill power pop.” – Ghettoblaster

Lord of the Yum Yum

“Known for strange vocal ruminations and a hilarious live show, Lord of the Yum-Yum promises only the highest quality, most enriching and mind numbing entertainment all at the same time. Lord of the Yum-Yum, aka Paul Velat, combines a guttural scat vocal style, classical/jazz themes, throat singing, improvisation, and electronics to take the modern voice to a new place.” – CDBaby

]]> http://backseatsandbar.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/young-widows-cheer-accident-phantom-family-halo-glassworks-423/ Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:13:58 +0000 Nick http://backseatsandbar.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/young-widows-cheer-accident-phantom-family-halo-glassworks-423/

Thursday, April 23rd
Glassworks Rooftop
www.louisvilleglassworks.com
815 W. Market St.

Young Widows
www.myspace.com/youngwidows

Cheer-Accident
www.cheer-accident.com

Phantom Family Halo
www.myspace.com/thephantomfamilyhalo

**EARLY SHOW**
Doors at 7 P.M.
Show at 7:30 P.M.
*The show will begin promptly at 7:30 P.M. and end before 11 P.M.*

$7 – proceeds will benefit Ohio Valley Creative Energy www.ovceart.org

All Ages
(Cash Bar with I.D.)

(If the weather is bad, the show will be moved inside Glassworks)

GLASSWORKS

http://www.philipglass.com/

The Kentucky Derby is much more than just a horse race.

During the week leading up to the greatest two minutes in sports, the city of Louisville throws the Kentucky Derby Festival, which includes a hot air balloon race, a steam boat challenge, a marathon, fireworks and lots and lots of parties.

Every year these events bring out sports and entertainment celebrites to rock the Derby. Yes, the pretty people will soon descend on Louisville to give us their opinions on nothing we truly care about. But they are sure to look good doing it.

And for at least one day of the year — Derby Day at Churchill Downs – it will be difficult finding all those guys named Vinnie who usually populate racetracks, walking around with their racing forms rolled up in their back pockets. And those pudgy,  cigar chompers named Louie or Charlie will be replaced for the day by svelte Generation X’ers and Y’s wearing sports coats, designer sun glasses and plenty of hair gel.

And the women at the Derby – who in the past included Jessica Simpson, Heidi Montag, Holly Madison and Bo Derek – are sure to be dressed to the nines.

Anyway, these days celebs are being paid big bucks to host parties. Usually it’s popular party girls like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and the like. They collect tens of thousands of dollars to show up, blow kisses to their admirers then sway to the music from behind the velvet VIP ropes. Sometimes they stay for an hour, and maybe even two if they’re really having fun.

That’s because fabulous people always have better places to go, so they can’t stay anywhere too long.

This year, TV’s Kim Kardashian is hosting the Derby Spectacular on May 1 at Glassworks in Louisville. If you want to go, tickets are $150, but to increase you chances of actually seeing Kim – and to avoid the line out front – you might want to consider peeling off a couple of hundred more for the $350 VIP status.

However, as a VIP you are important, but not quite that important. Because at Glassworks they have Ultra VIP. As an Ultra VIP, you pay $750, but get access to the first three floors, the rooftop and the Loft Blue celebrity lounge.

Yep, hanging out with fabulous people is expensive. And if you plan to go to Glassworks, my advice is not to buy too many drinks.

Because it’s tough to bet on the Kentucky Derby when your pockets are empty.