I’ve made a new playing list. Do you have a special music list at your iPod/MP3/etc?

1. Lykke Li – Possibility
2. M.I.A – Paper Planes
3. Oh Laura – Release Me
4. Tori Amos – Winter
5. Antsy Pants – Vampire
6. Muse – Time is running out
7. Muse – Starlight
8. Muse – New Born

9. Katie Melua – If the Lights go Out
10. R.E.M – the Great Beyond
11. Velvet Underground – I’m sticking with you
12. Kimya Dawson – Tire Swing

13. Arctic Monkeys – Mardy Bum
14. Bloc Party – Two More Years
15. Bloc Party – This Modern Love
16. The Cranberries – Zombie
17. The Cranberries – Salvation

I am kinda into that alternative music sound these days. Not that these artists are too alternative. But still, they make really great music.

A Missão Juno é a próxima missão que a NASA vai enviar a Júpiter e ao sistema joviano. A sonda irá penetrar nas nuvens da atmosfera joviana, procurando desvendar os mistérios da formação do Sistema Solar e, mais especificamente, de Júpiter.

A Juno será alimentada por painéis solares e irá mapear o campo gravitacional, os campos magnéticos e a composição da atmosfera. Estas medições serão conduzidas por radiômetros de microondas, magnetómetros, detetores de plasma, um espectómetro ultravioleta, um outro de infravermelhos, sensores gravitacionais e uma câmara a cores que transmitirá imagens para a Terra de cortar a respiração… A missão da Juno tem uma duração estimada de um ano, durante o qual a sonda completará 33 órbitas em torno de Júpiter.

O estudo de Júpiter é fundamental para a compreensão do processo de formação do Sistema Solar porque poderá explicar a formação dos gigantes gasosos planetários como Júpiter, Saturno e Úrano.

A missão não terá como missão estudar o fascinante satélite joviano Europa, com a intrigante possibilidade conter viva no fundo das fendas do seu extenso oceano de gelo, mas poderá contribuir para conhecer melhor o sistema onde se enquadra Europa e aumentar o conhecimento sobre a formação da nossa grande casa comum: o Sistema Solar.

Fonte:
http://newfrontiers.nasa.gov/missions_juno.html

Gea/Gaia

La Tierra. La Diosa Madre. Surgió tras el Caos, y concebió por sí misma a Urano con quien tendría dieciocho hijos. Ella fue la fundadora de los posteriores Dioses del Olimpo.

Urano

Es el principal dios del cielo. Hijo y esposo de Gea con quien tuvo dieciocho hijos. Cuenta el mito que no los quería, por eso encerró a los más jóvenes en las profundidades y la oscuridad. Cronos, el más pequeño, le cortó los genitales como venganza.

Rea

Hija de Gea y Urano. Hermana y esposa de Cronos. Madre de los principales Dioses del Olimpo (Hades, Hestia, Poseidón, Hera, Deméter y Zeus). Fuertemente asociada a la diosa Cibeles, se la representaba montada en un carro tirado por leones. Se le rinde culto para pedir ayuda en los partos.

Cronos /Saturno

Hijo de Gea y Urano. Hermano y esposo de Rea. Padre de los Dioses del Olimpo. Cuando el oráculo le advirtió de que uno de sus hijos le destronaría, comenzó a comerselos. Se los comió a todos excepto a Zeus que logró salvarse gracias a Rea. Éste logró arrebatarle el poder y convertirse en el rey de los dioses. Fue considerado el protector de las cosechas y se le representaba con una hoz.

Zeus/Júpiter

Rey de dioses y mortales. Gobierna todo el Olimpo. Es el dios de los fenómenos atmosféricos y sus atributos son el rayo, el águila, el toro y el roble. Era hermano y esposo de Hera con quien tuvo tres hijos: Ares, Hebe y Hefesto (otros dicen que fue Ilitía). Pero tuvo más hijos con otras diosas y mortales.

Hera/Juno

Hermana y esposa de Zeus. Su principal labor era presidir los nacimientos y las bodas. Sus atributos son la vaca, el pavo real y el león. Se la representa con corona, símbolo de las grandes diosas, y una granada en la mano, símbolo de la fertilidad. Se la conocía como una diosa celosa y vengativa con las diosas y mortales con las que Zeus la engañaba.

 Hades/ Plutón

Dios del inframundo y de los muertos. Considerado como el invisible gracias a un casco que porta, reinaba sobre los muertos con la ayuda de los demonios que controlaba. El mito cuenta que vive en el inframundo con Perséfone, hija de Zeus y Deméter, a quién raptó y convirtió en reina. Era un dios temido y muy respetado, y aunque se creía que era cruel y malvado, en realidad era un dios bastante pasivo y justo.

Hestia/Vesta

Diosa del fuego que calienta y da vida a los hogares. Prometió a Zeus que permanecería virgen y este le relegó cuidar los hogares y de las familias, por eso apenas sale del Olimpo y se mantiene alejada de las disputas entre dioses y mortales.

Poseidón/Neptuno

Dios del mar y los terremotos. Cuando estaba tranquilo mantenía el mar en clama y protegía las islas de las fuertes mareas, pero cuando se enfadaba golpeaba el fondo del mar con su tridente y provocaba terremotos, hundimientos y naufragios. Los navegantes le dedicaban sus oraciones antes de zarpar. Era esposo de la ninfa Anfítrite y con ella tuvo muchos hijos, la mayoría héroes.

Deméter/Ceres

Diosa de la agricultura, protectora del matrimonio y las leyes sagradas. Controla las estaciones del año. Fruto de su relación con Zeus nació Perséfone, que fue raptada por Hades. La diosa decidió paralizar la vida de la Tierra mientras la buscaba hasta que Zeus intervino. Se decidió que Perséfone pasaría seis meses con Hades y otros seis con su madre. Por eso cuando Perséfone esta en la Tierra, ésta es fértil y los campos florecen; y cuando está con Hades los campos se secan.

Atenea/Minerva

Diosa de la sabiduría y la guerra justa. Fue considerada el principal apoyo de los héroes. Era la protectora de la ciudad de Atenas. No se le conoce ningún amante y por eso se la consideraba una diosa virgen. Nació de la cabeza de Zeus cuando éste engulló a Metis mientras estaba embarazada. Sus símbolos son el olivo y la lechuza y se la representa armada con su égida y su armadura. Es una diosa guerrera que participó en varias batallas clásicas como la guerra de Troya.

Apolo/Febo

Hijo de Zeus y Leto y hermano gemelo de Ártemis. Es el dios del sol y la belleza humana. Considerado un dios apuesto tuvo muchos amantes, pero a quien realmente quería era a Dafne, una ninfa a quien su padre transformó en laurel. Por eso, el símbolo de este dios es precisamente el laurel; además de otros como el delfín o el cuervo.

Ártemis/Diana

Hija de Zeus y Leto y hermana gemela de Apolo. Se mueve por los bosques y parajes salvajes en donde caza junto con sus ninfas. Es una diosa vírgen, cruel y muy vengativa, aunque atractiva y de aspecto muy femenino. Dice el mito que el cazador Acteón la vio desnuda mientras se bañaba y ésta lo transformó en ciervo. También se dice que castigaba a todos aquellos mortales que la olvidaban en sus cultos, o cuando ésta les ordenaba algo y no lo cumplían. Se la representa cazando rodeada de animales salvajes.

Ares/Marte

Hijo de Zeus y Hera. Es el dios de la guerra y, como tal, disfrutaba de las matanzas y el derramamiento de sangre. Todos los demás dioses le odiaban excepto su amante Afrodita y su tío Hades, porque enviaba al inframundo a los guerreros jóvenes que mataba. Aunque era un dios guerrero, en ocasiones era humillado en combate por otros dioses. Sus símbolos son el perro y el buitre y se le representa armado de pie o en un carro tirado por corceles.

Afrodita/Venus

La diosa del amor y la belleza femenina nació de la espuma que generaron los genitales de su padre Urano cuando fueron arrojados al mar. Siempre llevaba un cinturón bordado que provocaba un amor irresistible y por eso era envidiada por las demás diosas. Estaba casada con Hefesto, pero le era infiel con dioses y mortales, entre ellos Adonis y Ares. Se la suele representar con corona y vestidos provocativos, aunque es más común representarla desnuda.

Hefesto/Vulcano

Dios del fuego y los metales. También es dios de los volcanes. Se dedica, desde su fragua, a fabricar armas para dioses y héroes y regalos para las diosas. Es hijo de Hera, aunque no está tan claro si también lo es de Zeus. Hay varias versiones sobre su infancia, pero todas coinciden en que fue arrojado al mar y se quedó cojo. Aunque era feo se casó con Afrodita quien le fue infiel con Ares. Éste confesó todo al sufrido marido, lo que le provocó un enorme enfado. Por eso un día, diseñó una red y la colocó en la cama de los amantes. Cuando estos se tumbaron quedaron enredados y Hefesto, para vengarse, llamó a todos los dioses del Olimpo para que los mirasen.

Hermes/Mercurio

El mensajero de los dioses era el protector de comerciantes, ladrones y tramposos porque era embustero y habilidoso. Además de ser mensajero, ayudaba a las almas a llegar al inframundo de Hades. Era hijo de Zeus y de Maya y se le representa llevando un casco con una pluma, símbolo de los viajeros, o un gorro alado. También lleva zapatillas aladas y una vara mágica. En los relatos clásicos se cuenta que apoyó a los griegos en la guerra de Troya, y que ayudó a Ulises a escapar de la isla de Calipso.

Dioniso/BacoLíber

Dios del vino, de la locura y del éxtasis. Era hojo de Zeus y de Sémele. Su misión como dios era hacer que todo el mundo olvidase sus penas, y la mayoría de las veces lo conseguía bebiendo y montando orgías. Sus principales simbolos son el vino, la serpiente, el toro y la hiedra. Las llamadas Bacanales, eran las fiestas donde se le rendía culto y se realizaban actividades contrarias a todo tipo de ley, por eso se prohibieron. En Roma estaba identificado con el antiguo dios itálico Líber Pater.

Eros/Cupido

Dios de la atracción sexual, el amor y el sexo. Su equivalente romano era Cupido, también llamado Amor. Es representado con aspecto de niño y con alas, aunque éstas no siempre aparecen. Su procedencia no está del todo clara: unos dicen que nació del Caos; otros, que era hijo de Hermes y Afrodita. Los poetas lo reflejan como un dios que, aunque con aspecto infantil, es capaz de producir profundas heridas con sus flechas. Cuentan que Apolo se burló de su capacidad como arquero y en venganza hizo que se enamorara perdídamente de Dafne.

主持：朱Sir、Juno

嘉賓：Steven

內容：港隊輸波；Keyman soho；拿破崙之手。

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First D.C. Sniper Shooting

John Allen Muhammad and his teen-aged associate, Lee Boyd Malvo, initiated a shooting spree in the Washington, D.C. area on Oct. 2, 2002

The first shooting at 5:20pm broke a window but missed the intended target.  A second attempt at 6:04pm resulted in the death of a male victim. This chart is quite simple and straight forward for a daily chart.  I’ve been including asteroids in my charts lately.  Including Chiron (officially a comet, not an asteroid) and the four primary asteroids (although Ceres is now designated a dwarf planet like Pluto) this makes for a busy chart layout.  Most notable in this chart are the following factors:

Natal MC and transiting Sun at the IC angle: Whenever any natal angle is at an angle in a solar return chart or a progressed daily angles chart, something of significance is likely to happen if a planet is also angular.  One’s goals take on a new direction (MC at the IC), a willful choice (Sun) is made.  Also, the natal MC at an IC angle of another chart is always a “challenge” of some sort.

Natal Saturn at the Descendant: A sense of responsibility and of constraints are realized relative to another person (Malvo).  Saturn’s position in the natal first house carries with it a sense of caution and strategy.

Ceres transiting at the MC angle: A nurturing element is involved here, more of a teacher or guide (MC) role.  Given that the IC angle has recently passed over transiting Mercury (now about to turn direct), this instructional role was probably at the urging of his young associate, providing John Muhammad with a mentoring role to fill his need to be important.  His natal Moon was at the natal Descendant; a need to have a partner to reflect his ideals, leadership.

The above three notations are what this chart offers us.  Does it “say” that there is going to be a sniper-shooting spree?  No.  The situation that is defined is one of a challenge, a change of one’s direction in life, a realization that one is entering upon a fearful and cautious path, and a guiding of another.  The IC’s recent contact with Mercury suggests that the young associate asked that this shooting spree be entered into based on stories by John Muhammad.

My next postings will review the ideas and construction of these wonderful charts. Following that instructional posting we will pick up this story including the arrest, the trial and the ultimate fate of John Allen Muhammad.  As always, comments and questions are most welcome.  I can be reached at    dadsnook@charter.net    if one does not want to make a public comment here.  Dave

Well, with 2009 approaching the ol’ finish line, you’ll start seeing lots of year-end wrap-up lists and things. And since it’s the end of the Double-0 Decade, you’ll be seeing lots of decade recap lists as well. (Some early spoilers: Pitchfork has crowned Radiohead’s Kid A the best album of the Double-0s, while the NME favors Is This It by the Strokes.)

But you won’t find that here, and not now. No, here you will find a year-end recap that dares to be somewhat different. This is the first-ever Listen Up! Year-End Awards ceremony – or you can just name them the Harleys after the adorable little trophy I’m giving out to the winners.

Let's see the Academy beat THIS one.

The fun begins after the jump!

All right, let’s get this show on the road! Bring on the first award!

Most Ridiculous Album Art of the Year

First, let’s have a look at the runner-ups…

Brooke Hogan, The Redemption

Um, wow. This looks like the kind of thing that some Dungeons & Dragons nerd might have airbrushed on the hood of his car back in 1987. I don’t even think people do that anymore. Also, that album title… don’t you have to screw up a successful singing career before you can make a comeback album called The Redemption? Quick, name the last time you heard a Brooke Hogan song. And VH1 doesn’t count.

Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment

If Aladdin Sane went to the neighborhood mall, got some Glamour Shots photos taken, and then scanned the most ridiculous pose into his computer so he could Photoshop it poorly and add ugly ‘80s hair-metal logo fonts… well, the result still wouldn’t look as stupid as this album cover.

I must give this guy props for letting FYE sponsor his album title, though. If I ever get a record deal, I’m changing my name to Sam Goody and recording an album of techno-pop called Circuit City. The critics will call it a “best buy” even though it will basically sound like a cheesy ripoff of MGMT. Or Weezer’s “Can’t Stop Partying.” You decide.

Chris Brown, Graffiti

What’s the worst crime he commits with this thing? Carrying a guitar even though I’m pretty sure he doesn’t play? Borrowing Adam Lambert’s cheesy-looking font? The pseudo-outer-space scene in the background? The robot hand holding a spray can? No… it’s those ridiculous cartoon characters in the corner that earn this one its WTF status.

And the Harley goes to…

Shwayze, Let It Beat

What the hell is going on here? It looks like they tried to spoof the famous shot of the Statue of Liberty at the end of Planet Of The Apes. Only here, the statue’s been decapitated and dismembered. And she’s wearing a bikini. And she has speakers where her boobs are supposed to be. And her iPod is plugged into her belly button. And she’s apparently visiting the set of Miami Vice.

Most Awesomely Ridiculous Album Art of the Year

And the Harley goes to…

Weezer, Raditude

Just look at it. I mean, what else could you expect for an album that got its title from the guy who plays Dwight on The Office and called Ellen Page “homeskillet” in Juno?

Funniest Song of the Year

And the Harley goes to…

Theory Of A Deadman, “Hate My Life”

I still can’t figure out what to make of this song. On one hand, these lyrics are hilarious: “I hate that I can’t tell/When a girl’s underage/You know, I tell her she’s a nice piece of ass,/Then her daddy punches me in the face.” On the other hand, the singer sounds so sincere that it’s like he really wanted people to relate to this.

If it’s meant to be funny, then it’s a clever parody of angst-ridden post-grunge radio rock – you know, like Theory Of A Deadman’s other songs. If it’s not meant to be funny… well, that just makes it funnier, doesn’t it? And the acoustic version of this song, believe it or not, is even funnier. Unintentionally funny things are always funnier than things that are supposed to be funny. That’s why The Number 23 is the funniest movie Jim Carrey’s made this entire decade. Even with some strong competition from Weird Al, there was no way this wasn’t going to Theory Of A Deadman.

Plus, is it just me, or does the lead singer kind of sound like the guy who sings the songs in Team America?

Biggest Pop Star of the Year That I’ve Still Never Heard Of

And the Harley goes to…

Justin Bieber

I don’t have a clue who this guy is. I don’t know where he came from, and I have no idea whether or not he’s connected to the Disney Channel (the most likely cause for such a meteoric rise to fame). All I know is that he’s suddenly everywhere, I am clueless as to why, and I don’t really care either.

Most Inexplicable Attempt At A Singing Career

And the Harley goes to…

Heidi Montag

Apparently this girl from The Hills has been trying to get a music career off the ground for a while now. So far it has been greeted with the same enthusiasm people reserve for trees falling in the forest that they aren’t around to hear. But bless her heart, she keeps on trucking.

And hey, if this singing thing doesn’t work out, she could always pose for Play… oh, wait. She did that already. Never mind.

Runner-Up: That woman from Real Housewives who sang “Tardy For The Party”

Most Shocking Musical Controversy of the Year

And the Harley goes to…

Britney Spears vs. Australia

What do you mean Britney Spears doesn’t sing live? I for one am absolutely appalled that she lip-syncs! We made Ashlee Simpson a freaking pariah for pulling the same stunt on Saturday Night Live; now people wouldn’t buy her albums if you gave them away for free! You mean to tell me people will actually pay their hard-earned money to watch a singer who pretends to sing?

“If you’re shocked that Britney was lip-syncing at her concert and want your money back, life may continue to be hard for you.”

– John Mayer

For me, the controversy is not about Britney lip-syncing. Much like Mr. Mayer, I’m shocked that people are still shocked about this. Have the Aussies not been paying attention for the last ten years? Come on, Australia. Britney’s been lip-syncing since day one. I don’t even think that’s her real speaking voice. There’s probably someone sitting outside in an RV talking into a headset microphone or something.

Best Supergroup of the Year

And the Harley goes to…

Them Crooked Vultures

And in a stunning upset, Them Crooked Vultures takes home the Harley over… well, how many supergroups actually came out this year? There was Chickenfoot, Monsters Of Folk, and… uh…

I’m only half-kidding about this. Maybe I’m kind of biased since this band features Josh Homme (Kyuss, Queens Of The Stone Age) on guitar and vocals, Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, lots of other bands) on drums, and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) on bass. It’s kind of hard to go wrong with a lineup like that. If you like classic rock like Zeppelin or Cream, or if QOTSA’s Songs For The Deaf ranks among your favorite albums, or if you play an instrument, or if you like rock music in general, you’ll probably like this band.

Runner-Up: Monsters Of Folk

Most Baffling Music Video Trend of the Year

And the Harley goes to…

NSFW VIDEOS

I’ve never been a fan of censorship, really. That’s why if I ever come up with an idea for a TV show, I’d want it to be on HBO – because they let you do pretty much anything you want. Yet for some reason, this recent trend of NSFW music videos has taken me by surprise. Truly, Rule 34 of the Internet (“If it exists, there is porn of it – no exceptions”) continues to reign supreme.

Would you like to watch Rammstein porn (“Pussy”)? Do you think it would be funny to pretend another person’s penis is a microphone (Girls, “Lust For Life”)? Have you ever wanted to see Wayne Coyne naked (the Flaming Lips, “Watching The Planets”)? Well, guess what? All of these videos have been made just for you. But be warned – what has been seen… cannot be unseen.

Runner-Up: Everything Lady Gaga has ever worn. EVER.

Best Non-Existent Album of the Year

And the Harley goes to…

Radiohead, Wall Of Ice

It must have been interesting to be a member of Radiohead in the days leading up to August 17, 2009. Someone had recently leaked a new song called “These Are My Twisted Words” and the Internet was suddenly all abuzz about a mysterious new EP called Wall Of Ice. This despite the fact that nobody in the band had ever said anything about the leak, the new song, or anything they were planning for August 17. No blog posts on Dead Air Space, no news updates on At Ease Web, no interviews, no press releases, no nothing.

Yet all of a sudden everyone was convinced that Wall Of Ice was coming. After all, this was the band who released In Rainbows pretty much out of nowhere nearly two years earlier. Were they about to pull the same trick again?

Well, no. As it turns out, the Wall Of Ice EP existed only in Internet rumors. And the mysterious event set for August 17? The official release of “These Are My Twisted Words.” Somehow, without even doing anything at all, Radiohead had managed to pull off perhaps the biggest hoax since Orson Welles’ War Of The Worlds broadcast. But if “These Are My Twisted Words” is any indication, Wall Of Ice would have been pretty kickass. And Pitchfork would have given it at least an 8.5 out of 10.

One last Harley award to give out, and then we can all go home! Now, this one may be the last, but it’s certainly not the least. And anyone who’s paid attention to any award shows over the past few years will agree that this is a pretty big award.

The Kanye West Award, for excellence in the field of being Kanye West

And the Harley goes to…

Kanye West

Well, duh. At least now he won’t be throwing any fits backstage (or onstage) about how he should have won something.

Excalibur Mining Limited (ASX: EXM) announces spectacular results for the first two diamond drill holes at Juno, at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

Highlights:

• 13m @ 42.84g/t Au from 160m, including 5m @ 102.38g/t Au
• 14m @ 1.24% Cu from 236m
• Further drilling underway

This drilling represents a new discovery of a high grade gold mineralised pod geologically similar to Juno, Nobles Nob, M10 and other deposits in the Tennant Creek region. A follow up RC drilling programme is planned to test the extent of this new discovery.

Click here to see the full announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Tim Lagdon
Managing Director
Ph: +61 8 9322 8000

Media enquiries:
Fortbridge
Ph: +61 2 9331 0655
Luke Dean
M: +61 414 535 433
E: luke.dean@fortbridge.com

I was in Melbourne, as some of you know, for my cousin’s wedding.  The wedding got rained out (it was originally planned ot be in the Pioneer Women’s Gardens) but went fantastically anyhow.

I was knitting Juno for the wedding.  I started planning when they announced their engagement, two years ago.  It took me just on a year and a half, although there were several periods of no knitting in there. 

I finished it the week before we left, which meant I had the weekend to block it.  I rule at deadlines.

Here it is on ravelry.

As pretty as the lace on the ends is, I really love the railway track bit in the middle.

I know I’m about the fifty billionth blogger to say this, but blocking lace = SO MUCH AWESOME. 

It went from a pretty pile of pretty fibre to…. a THING.  So weird.  SO magic.

The silk was from Sunshine Yarns.  I bought it from their etsy store, which I believe is now closed, but they have a proper internet store.  I am seriously tempted to buy more and make another one for myself.  But then again, maybe I’ll make Muir or the Seascape Stole, both of which I covet, and have the yarn for.

This heatwave is really taking its toll on my knitting, though.  It’s not been below 20 degrees for a week and this week we’ve got two days forecast to be over 40.  IN NOVEMBER, I MIGHT ADD.

I finally saw the roller derby girrl power movie Whip It this weekend. My friend Julie and I found the movie after discovering our first choice Precious wasn’t yet playing in my area. Julie and I wanted to see it, but its easy to figure out why its not in wide release yet since I described the film to my brother as “about a pregnant 300 pound teenage girl. Oh yeah, she has AIDS.  And her dad is the father of her baby.” 

Whip It has received much praise especially in feminist circles for its strong female cast and direction by Drew Barrymore. But it didn’t appeal to me – the roller derby scenes bored me the same way any sports movie does.  As Alia Shakwat’s character, Pash, explains to her best friend, Ellen Page’s Bliss, when she gets excited about roller derby: “I never had a roller skating phase. I had a fat girl, sit in the shade, reading a book phase.”  

Photo: flavorwire.com

Other parts of the movie I wish had been explored were the values placed on both beauty and athleticism in Bliss’ small Texas town.  Her father sits in his truck watching a football game and is jealous of his neighbor’s sons playing for the high school team.  I learned about the religion of football from the non-fiction portrayal of a similar town in Friday Night Lights. Bliss participating in a contact sport like roller derby seemed to play a big role in her father’s acceptance of her new hobby – would his feelings change if Bliss’ hobby wasn’t athletic in nature?

The book Friday Night Lights also explored the entrenched sexism in these dying towns left behind by the oil boom. Bliss’ mother Brooke is a former beauty queen, but is obviously so much more as evidenced by her working-class mail carrier job and tearful admission of her own mother’s lack of involvement.  What exactly is the story behind Brooke’s broken dreams? And why does she cling to pageants as a way for her daughter to snag a wealthy man instead of encouraging academic/professional success instead?

The movie was a much greater commentary on small-town American values in postmodern society than a representation of third-wave feminism.  Perhaps that accounts for Whip It’s less than stellar box office performance.  I’d like to think audiences aren’t buying cinema’s misunderstood daughters with dream-thwarting parents anymore — life is always more complicated.

Here at AppMtn, it isn’t so very unusual to receive an outraged email or comment after I’ve said something less than flattering about a name.  The longer I write, the more keenly I think about the fact that these names are worn by real human beings.

So it is doubly thrilling when I write something and the parents are happy to discover the post.  Better still, they write about it on their blog.  Which brings us to adorable baby Estelle over at The Emperor’s New Crib.  Thanks to her parents, I now know that frikadelle means meatball in Danish.

A bunch of other random thoughts:

• I like Anneliese.  I can understand respelling her Annalise or Annalisa.  But Analyse?  Yup, I’ve just spotted a baby Analyse.  I don’t think her parents are psychiatrists;
• Anyone think True will catch on as a first name?  It’s sort of like a virtue name on steroids – far bolder than the established Grace and Faith, stark compared to the gently old-fashioned Felicity or Amity.  Actor Forest Whitaker has a daughter called True Isabella Summer.  True Jackson, VP is a Nickelodeon show ’bout a super-stylish teen who ends up heading up a line at an honest-to-goodness fashion label.  (And no, her mom’s name isn’t Kimora.)  The show is in season #2 and now airs on Nick UK an Nick Latin America;
• Nicole Kidman is about to return to the big screen as Claudia in the musical Nine. If it is half the hit of Moulin Rouge, the sadly neglected Claudia could finally get a boost.  After all, the devilish Satine still surfaces on message boards;
• I keep meaning to mention the compound name of my favorite project runway finalist – Carol Hannah.  I’m not wild about either name, but I find the combination strangely appealing.  Or is it too close to Poltergeist’s tragic Carol Anne?  I also heard a prospective model’s name mentioned during casting for the contestants’ shows – Drielle, which sounds a too much like a French power tool to be pretty;
• Nancy mentions strangely appropriate names – as in, a retail analyst named Tiffany Co.  I recently met a cantor named Aria and while chasing the kids around the Bass Outdoor Extravaganza Warehouse Winter Wonderland, I heard a camouflage-clad dad call his son Hunter;
• Bewildertrix spotted a Juno Alexandra Zénaïde, little sister to Hugh.  I agree with her – what a fabulous combo;
• Digital Spy talked with Emmerdale (it’s a UK soap) star Charlotte Bellamy about the names she and partner Mungo Denison chose for their three kids: sons Sunnie and Herbie and daughter Teddie Boo Florence;
• She’s not here yet, but Joey Lawrence tells Celebrity Baby Blog that Charleston’s little sister will be called Liberty Grace.

A few noteworthy posts you might’ve missed:

• Did you catch the Nameberry post on Old Lady Names?  It’s interesting to see how trends evolve – they report on the granny chic picks they’ve mentioned in each edition of Beyond Jennifer & Jason, now rebooted as Beyond Ava & Aiden.  They’ve definitely caught on in the DC ‘burbs – I can think of Ida, Mabel, Hazel and Elsie all in my ‘hood.  Funny to think that someday Cynthia, Barbara and Deborah will all sound fresh again, too;
• It’s no longer fashion limbo.  They’re now outlier names. Celebrity Baby Blog interviewed Nameberry’s Pamela Redmond Satran about names like Paulina, Bronwyn and Helena;
• Lastly, Xanthe Linnea has a great list of one-syllable names for boys.  I love Bram, Clark, Heath and Rhys.

Speaking of one-syllable boys, a year ago I was writing about Rex.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

These photos were sent to me by my father, who recently took a trip with musician Barry Louis Polisar to Philadelphia to visit Nancy Heller, Professor of Art History at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia.

Some interior shots of the Melrose Diner before it gets re-done. The impending remodel was confirmed by staff at the diner.
This site has a good exterior photo.

The clock which used to hang above the Melrose counter until the mural was installed, I believe sometime in the 1970s. I bought and restored the clock after finding it listed on ebay several years ago.

Polock Johnny’s Polish Sausage- Baltimore, Maryland

Broad Street and Tasker. Tavern neon – Philadelphia

Museo Del Jamon – Ham Museum

Broad Street Diner, an old Fodero

主持：朱Sir、高竹、Juno

下載收聽(mp3)

Questa settimana il mio adorato Cinema (in senso lato) ha avuto 3 mie visite, tutte degne di nota.

Ho iniziato domenica sera con Julie&Julia, storia portentosa di cibo raffinato, amore, scrittura, puzzle di due vite vissute in due differenti epoche ma intrecciate tra loro. Già l’inizio, ambientato nella Parigi anni 50, è fascinoso e personalmente appagante, poi tutta la vicenda è un montaggio ben costruito tra la vita di Julia Child, moglie di un diplomatico innamorata della buona tavola, dei mercati parigini, della vita, che inizia a frequentare un corso al famoso Le Cordon Bleu e diventa una delle prime chef donna diplomate, e Julie Powell, giovane moglie newyorkese sposa di un editor con il quale si trasferisce da Manhattan in un’appartamento del deprimente Queens, sopra una pizzeria piuttosto fetida, e inizia a scrivere un blog sulle ricette della Child. La prima vicenda si svolge tra gli anni 50 e 60, la seconda ai giorni nostri, magnificamente intrecciate da un libro di cucina e dai cibi stessi. L’apoteosi dei piatti, degli ingredienti, dei sapori e colori è tale, che uscito dal cinema mi è venuta un’irresistibile voglia di mangiare, nonostante avessi già abbondantemente cenato. Soprattutto, guarda un po’, mi è venuta l’acqualina in bocca  per una peccaminosa torta al cioccolato, e mi è rimasta fino a quando mi sono addormentato.

Mercoledì i sensi, soprattutto visivi, hanno avuto un ulteriore balzo dionisiaco grazie a Parnassus, elogio della mente creativa, della visione senza freni, dei poteri della mente. Che dire, l’uso delle immagini, dei colori, del montaggio, della fotografia…che orgasmo! Già l’aspetto visivo vale il biglietto del cinema, anzi molto di più. Anche la storia è originale. Un carrozzone felliniano e insieme burtoniano vaga per le strade buie di londra, trasportando il dottor Parnassus, sua figlia, un nano e un giovane attore. Presto si scopre che lo spettacolo ambulante include un passaggio al di là di uno specchio posticcio che permette l’ingresso nella mente del vecchio e immortale Parnassus, nella quale ognuno vede riprodursi il proprio personale mondo mentale, fatto di desideri, paure, angosce, e visioni trascendentali. Ci si può perdere o ritrovarsi, di solito bisogna scegliere tra una strada e un’altra, tra il bene e il male. Senza raccontare oltre, bisogna solo aggiungere che c’è di mezzo il diavolo e un personaggio interpretato dal compianto Heath Ledger, Jude Law,  Johnny Depp e Colin Farrel. Questi ultimi 3 si sono offerti di interpretare le scene che la morte del giovane Heath aveva lasciato incompiute, devolvendo in beneficienza il loro incasso.

E dulcis in fundo, ieri sera nella comodità della mia casa e del mio divano, ho potuto vedere finalmente un film di qualche anno fa’, Juno, tenero racconto di una sedicenne che si ritrova ad aspettare un bambino, dopo aver fatto sesso con un immaturo, infantile e dolce coetaneo. Colonna sonora splendida, molto folk e a tratti punk, effetti grafici carini, linguaggio colorito e ricco di sproloqui, storia a metà tra la cruda realtà e la favola dolce/amara. Insomma, un piccolo film indipendente che induce in un umore dolce e malinconico, soprattutto anche perchè una canzone dei Moldy Peaches che conclude il film mi ha riportato alla mente una persona che è passata veloce in un inverno della mia vita, ma ha lasciato un’impronta piuttosto evidente nel mio cuore.

Insomma, 3 film che consiglio, che sono un po’ l’allegoria di un’intensa dolce vita: del cibo sopraffino e gustato fino al midollo, un uso della creatività e della mente che colorino ogni attimo che si trascorre su questa terra, e un amore ingenuo, bello e puro, che conclude ogni giornata con un caldo abbraccio, e una canzone sussurrata da entrambe le bocche. I don`t see what anyone can see in anyone else, but you. du du dudu du du.

About two weeks ago I created my WordPress account.  I was so psyched.  The family blog was getting started and my fingers were soon destined to be dancing all over my keyboard.  But, apparently, my dance floor required hurdles.  The first hurdle was WordPress vs Juno.  They do not mix.  They do not talk.   They do not anything.  Thankfully, GMail and WordPress are good buds.  I skipped over there and set up an account.  Now comes hurdle número dos.  This was a very sneaky one.  It was more like this: I’m dancing.  I’m dancing.  Ooh, there’s a cliff.  I’m falling.  I’m falling.  Ouch.  Ouch.  Very sneaky.  Sidetrack over, I went the WordPress site, chose a username, a password, and sat waiting for my confirmation e-mail.  Almost instantly, *DING*, I had the message.  I did my whoop, whoop dance and went to long onto WordPress.  I type my username and my password, bouncing with excitement because of the new world about to open up to me.  Then some writing pops up and says(something along these lines), “We’re sorry but something is invalid.”  I sit there confounded.  I type it all again, making sure everything is entered correctly.  This is the point that I look like a Neanderthal.  Why is it not working?  Bekah, aka the brains, comes over to bench press my problem.  Two minutes later, she’s got it.  “Shelah,” she says while working her brain biceps,” you misspelled your name.”  “What?”  “You misspelled you name.  You only put one ‘n’ in you last name.”  “Seriously?”  “Seriously,” she puffs, doing brainiac aerobics.  Wow.  Boy did I feel stupid.  I couldn’t spell my last name.  But it was ok because Bekah had a plan which included the third hurdle.  The plan was that I would go to the editing page and edit my display name so that the world didn’t have to know.  I took a breath and was like, “O-k…”  I went to the page, hope building high in my chest, added my nickname and chose it as my displayed.  Submit.  Nothing.  Serbonesen was still sitting on the family blog like a zit on the face of an angel.  I went through again until three times later I was practicing my “Why me?’s”  What you must know is that you can’t delete a WordPress account and you can’t have your WordPress account directed to an e-mail that already has an account directed to it.  I could keep my WordPress and constantly be reminded of my error or I could create another GMail account and another WordPress account.  I went with the second option.  Finally, four accounts later, I was an offical member of Group Discount and my fingers were free to cha-cha-cha.  The lesson is if you want to dance a little sooner than me I would suggest that you remember the number of “n”’s required in your name.

Hi dog-lovers!

Here are some more very sweet dogs in urgent need of rescue or home!  Please crosspost for them!  If you can help, please contact them and give an ID number of the dog.  There are many more dogs also in need of home at their location.  You can view them all at the website below.  If you can help, call

Athens-Clarke Co. Animal Control

706-613-3540

45 Beaverdam Ext.

Athens, GA 30605

http://www.athenspets.net/

Macy – 29321

Available!

Macy

• Age: 7 years
• Breed: Schnoodle
• Gender: Female
• Impound Date: 11/5/09
• Ledger #: 28321
• Weight: 10 pounds

Why choose me?

Macy is a little designer dog (possibly a schnoodle) who’s already been here a few days without any applications.  She’s wearing a bright collar, but no ID tags, so it’s hard to locate her family.  Also, she is very thin and her coat is in horrible condition.  She would be much more comfortable after a nice bath, groom, and brush-out.  It’s important to remember that dogs like Macy need to be brushed regularly and groomed every 4-6 weeks so that their coats don’t become matted or tangled.  This is a commitment that Macy’s new owners will need to make so that she can be beautiful and comfortable all year long.  In spite of her current situation, Macy is a very happy dog who just loves people (and cookies too!).  She would dance around on her hind legs or sit pretty for a cookie and hopped right up on the bench to sit beside someone to get some attention.  She’s definitely very people oriented and would make a great companion for someone looking for a small, yet playful, dog to complete their family.  Please don’t let Macy’s age deter you from adopting her.  Small dogs like Macy can live for more than 15 years with proper preventative medicine, nutrition, and exercise, so she has a lot of years left to love!  Don’t delay in coming out to meet Miss Macy because her time here is almost up!

Available! - Rescue Groups Only!

Oz – – Rescue Groups Only!

• Age:
• Breed: Poodle/Terrier Mix
• Gender:
• Impound Date:
• Ledger #: 29340

Why choose me?

Oz is a little poodle/terrier mix weighing in at only 16 pounds.  Oz ended up at animal control after possibly being hit by a car.  Oz can walk and get around just fine but has a problem bumping in to things because of blindness.  There is a cataract in the left eye and the right eye seems to have some sort of infection.  Oz is available only to rescue groups because of the blindness.  Besides the blindness, Oz seems to be a nice dog who didn’t fuss at all about being picked up, carried.

Ralph – 29312

Update: ADOPTED!

• Age: 8 yrs
• Breed: German Shepherd
• Gender: Male
• Impound Date: 11/4/09
• Ledger #: #29312

Ralph is a super smart dog and very well behaved. He knows how to sit and shake and is very friendly. He is a “hopper” and might jump over a low fence, but this guy would surely know better. He would be a great addition to any household!

Update: A concerned citizen has offered a $200 donation towards Ralph’s rescue if saved by a licensed rescue group. If your group saves Ralph, email Allyson at athenspets@gmail.com, and I will put you in touch with his sponsor. Thank you!

Available!

Juno

• Age: 2 years
• Breed: Shepherd Mix
• Gender: Female
• Impound Date: 11/7/09
• Ledger #: 29342
• Weight: 42 pounds

Why choose me?

Beautiful Juno is no stranger to animal control and is well-known by the staff and officers.  In spite of her regular trips to animal control, she is in wonderful health and even appears to have been groomed recently.  She also knows some basic obedience and will sit on command.  If Juno is not reclaimed by her owner, she’d love a new family that makes sure that she is safe and happy in the home as part of the family and not running through the streets and ending up at animal control.  If you’d like to give Juno that life, hurry in to animal control to meet her.  She’s worth the visit!

Hello everybody,

Nothing like inspiring some debate from the get-go for the first legitimate post on this blog, and what better way to do so than with a list? Folks, this was a tough one, but here are my picks for my favorite bands of all-time. By the way, there will be a separate Top 10 for solo artists!

1. Echo and the Bunnymen. Number two on this list is pretty close to taking over this spot, but for now Echo and the Bunnymen still have a hold on things. Echo has been my fave since about 1987-88, a long time to have such a stranglehold on Number One.

No wonder. The first albums from Echo are in my mind the all-time best start to a career, four stunning records of post-punk and early Britpop mastery. What was most exciting about this band was how different each album was from the previous. Crocodiles was an incredible debut, full of energy and a melodic post-punk edge. Heaven Up Here added mysticism and power to the mix. Porcupine was a masterpiece, combining the elements from the first two albums into one unique combination. My favorite track from the band, In Bluer Skies, appears on the third album.

However, the 1984 release of Ocean Rain remains one of the top albums in music history. At least in Tfronky’s eyes. Nine breath-taking tracks of pure beauty, highlighted with the first track on side two of the album, The Killing Moon. This album has been reissued on a couple of occasions. Find the one with a second disc of a live concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1983.

Echo would make one more album with the original line-up. Once drummer Pete de Freitas was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1989, the magic was in many ways gone. Echo and the Bunnymen continue to tour and record to this day with vocalist Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant. They recently released their 11th studio album, entitled The Fountain. I will have to check it out.

Critical album = Ocean Rain

2. Elbow. My good friend Bobby Lerma has introduced me to some great music over the years. One day he handed me a disc he had burned from a band I was not familiar with by the name of Elbow. The next day I called him and when he answered, I immediately began cursing at him, pissed because he had waited so long to tell me about these guys!

If the next album from Elbow, which will be their fifth studio disc, is better than Echo’s fifth, self-titled album, then Elbow will slide into the Number One spot. Amazing to think that this foursome toiled for years in obscurity under the different moniker of Soft, because they have developed into the greatest band in the world at the present time.

That disc Bobby burned contained tracks from Elbow’s first three albums, Asleep in the Back, Cast of Thousands and Leaders of the Free World. Their fourth disc The Seldom Seen Kid was the album that finally gained them the commercial success they so richly deserve. These guys have yet to create a bad song, and more often than not have created some of the best music in the past 12 years. No one can touch Guy Garver for Top Dog in regards to vocals. Their show at the Bluebird Theatre in Denver May of 2008 ranks as the best concert I have ever seen, no mean feat when you consider how many shows I have been to over the years.

Critical album = The Seldom Seen Kid

3. Sugar. Sigh … what a shame that such an incredible band was only around from 1992-1995. Husker Du was incredible, the first two solo records from the legendary Bob Mould were very good, but when Sugar’s debut Copper Blue was released in 1992 I went nuts. The punk aesthetic of Husker Du was tempered with Mould’s melodicism from his solo work, but the structure of the music went far beyond what he had done before. Sugar possessed a delicate ferocity. Every song possesses brutal power, but the pop hooks each track possessed were absolutely incredible. I only had the pleasure of seeing this band perform once, at the Electric Ballroom in Tempe, AZ. No joke, my ears may still be ringing.

Thank God Bob soldiers on today, remaining one of the most crucial artists in music.

Critical album = Copper Blue

4. Agent Orange. My favorite punk rock band, although Agent Orange expands on the limits of that formula. Take melodic punk, add in a heavy surf rock element and you have the formula for some of the most dynamic music produced in the past 30 years. Guitarist/vocalist Mike Palm is the only original member left, but his presence alone still makes this trio a powerful force.

Critical  album = This is the Voice

5. Swervedriver. An original part of the early nineties U.K. shoegaze scene, Swervedriver pushed the boundaries on that genre of music and left a definite imprint as one of the best bands on the nineties. Swervedriver takes several of the characteristics of Britpop, mixes in some explosive power and one of the best vocal styles in rock and roll from Adam Franklin.

This band has gone through several hardships during its career, especially in regards to some terrible luck with its record labels. After the release of their fourth album 99th Dream in 1998, the band broke up a year later and were on hiatus for nine years. Then in April of 2008 Swervedriver reunited at Coachella and once again proved they are capable of creating some of the most beautiful damage when they play together. The show I saw at the Mason Jar years ago brings back some incredible memories.

Critical album = Mezcal Head

6. Juno. One day my friend Bobby Lerma walked in to the store I was working at back around 2001-2002. He handed me a disc, told me to put it in and fast forward to a track entitled Killing it in a Quiet Way. The song was from Juno’s second full-length album A Future Lived in Past Tense. I was immediately blown away. Juno was emo without all the horrible characteristics of that genre of music.This was emo reminiscent of the mid-eighties Washington D.C. Dischord Records era and Sunny Day Real Estate. Intense music, inspired and soaring vocals, and a three-guitar attack highlighted this incredible band that had far too-short a career from 1995-2001.

Few bands can create long instrumentals and keep them interesting. Juno had an amazing ability to do so, and their more standard tracks possessed immense power and a subtle tranquility. I wish I could have seen these guys live.

Critical album = A Future Lived in Past Tense

7. Band of Horses. I had been introduced to this band before, but for whatever reason had not made a huge impression on me. Then I had the opportunity to see them play at the second Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO September of 2008.

There were several great acts during that weekend, but when Band of Horses took the main stage on Sunday evening, they put on a performance for the ages. The one band with a sound big enough to capitalize on the stunning acoustics of Red Rocks, Band of Horses played an incredible set that evening, highlighted by their signature song The Funeral. The cool weather, the wonderful scenery of Red Rocks and the outstanding delivery of that song provided in my opinion the highlight of the weekend, powerful enough to nearly move me to tears.

I had the pleasure of seeing them at Coachella this year, where Band of Horses unveiled two new tracks. I am stoked for the new disc, whenever it does finally come out!

Critical album = Everything All the Time

8. Dead Can Dance. The beauty of Gregorian chant mixed with ethereal dreampop is one way you could describe this duo. Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard combined their talents to deliver one of the more unique styles of music I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.

Typical of most 4AD bands from that time period, Dead Can Dance released a string of albums that were mellow enough for your parents to enjoy, but contained enough elements of alternative music to satisfy the indie crowd. For a great introduction to this band, check out their live release Toward the Within.

Critical album = Within the Realm of a Dying Sun

9. Gang of Four. The best, most powerful and most intelligent post-punk band of the late seventies-early eighties, Gang of Four released two incredible albums to commence their career, the landmark Entertainment! and my fave, Solid Gold. The Gang created music that makes you think. They also create music so powerful that it pummels you into submission.

He may not be the most technically correct guitarist in music history, but Andy Gill is a genius. There was an eighties concert film by the name of Urgh! A Music War. To this day I marvel at the band’s delivery of He’d Send in the Army, and the manner in which Andy Gill destroys his guitar while playing that song is incredible.

Critical album = Solid Gold

10. The Ramones. Without this band I never become a fan of the Sex Pistols, Agent Orange, M.I.A. or Social Distortion. The impact of the Ramones is still felt in rock music 35 years after they first formed in Queens, NY.

Now granted, the last five albums the band released were terrible, and only three of the previous five were worthwhile. However, the first four releases from the Ramones were so outstanding and so ahead of their time that I could still put Ramones, Leave Home, Rocket to Russia or Road to Ruin on today and immediately be brought back to my youth. I immediately recall how simple their music was, and how powerful that simplicity was in creating controlled chaos.

Do yourself a favor and rent the movie Rock and Roll High School if you get a chance, great stuff!

Critical album = It’s Alive

Let the debate begin!

Cheers,
Frank

Oh My God… What kind of thing is it? Commitment phobia? Is it a kind of food, or film, or something?! Hahaha.. Enough guys. All I know is I’m just slapped by my old sista with this kind of sentences this evening. How come she says like that? Uhm, there’s a reason behind. But I think, I would like to know what is commitment phobia means. Based on Wikipedia, commitment phobia [or it called fear of commitment] refers to avoidance of long term partnership and/or marriage but the problem is often much more pervasive, affecting school, work and home life as well.

In other source, commitment phobia is rooted in fear – fear of lost option or fear of making poor decisions and avoidance of having to commit to anything but especially relationship. And like the proverb, it’s a double edged sword: on the one hand you avoid obligations, ties, and commitments yet at the same time the commitment phobic secretly crave the lives of those who committed and the growth that those roots produced.When we speak of commitment phobia among singles, we are referring to folks who avoid committing to long term relationships such as marriage. Previous abusive relationships, intimacy issues or traumatic childhood experiences could be causes for this kind of commitment avoidance. Another possibility is that the child might have witnessed, or been a victim of, poor role models, or even abusive relationships during those formative years. Not surprisingly, this can (consciously or unconsciously) colour the way they feel and take part in relationships as an adult, too.

Yep, maybe that’s what I feel a few days. It’s somekind of uncomfortable and confusing feeling. And I just realize know what I feel since my sista say it to me. Am I had commitment phobia? Maybe, I actually fear to commit with someone rite now. Because, this commitment was made for a long term. The consequences is I lost my freedom, too much sacrifice (including career, friendship or doing something I loved). And I do not ready for it. A complicated feeling, between hate, love, mercy, depressed, bitter, sweet mix on one bowl. I do not know how long I could handle this feeling. It sucks feeling, i do really wanna stop this feeling. God, just make me sure if he’s the rite ones for me give me the clue. But, the problem was not he’s really the rite ones or not. The point is am i really ready for a commitment? Am i ready for lost my freedom (like i always do before in a relationship with him), giving a lot (too much sacrifice), and all the consequences follow behind. I dunno…

Then, to release my sucks feeling, i decide to watch a movie tonite. I watched Juno, a long time ago film. This great film slapped me (again).  I do really love the scene when Juno discus with her father bout commitment.

Juno’s father said that: ”All you need to do is find the person who love you for exactly who you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, what have u. The rite person’s still gonna think the sun shines out from your ass.”

Is it relevant with what I’m feeling rite now? Is it the clue? But I do really big hopes run out from this situation. I believe God will give the clue by anything soon. I hope…

Artist: Kimya Dawson
Full Title: Remember That I Love You
Label: K Records
Year: 2006

1) Tire Swing*- 10.0- One of my top ten favorite songs of all time! Very powerful for such a simple song. The guitar is merely a few plinks on a guitar, really just background sounds to Kimya’s ever endearing vocals. The lyrics provide great images of riding back and forth on a tire swing and forgeting “everything that had ever hurt our feelings.” I listen to this song almost every day and I never get sick of it, either I am crazy or it’s that catchy; I think it’s both.

2) My Mom- 9.7- Not quite as uplifting as the premier track, but certainly shares it’s catchiness. There’s a nice little bell sound, perhaps it’s a xylephone? I have no clue, but I dig it. Once again passionate vocals from Kimya. Lyrically this number describes, wait for it… Kimya’s mom and her state of health: dying in a hospital bed, “and there’s something in her blood, and there’s something in her leg, and there’s something in her brain.” You really feel for her and her genuine concern for her ailing mother. She naively commands ghosts to stop haunting her mom, so she can get strong; this is sad and humuorous all at once, a microcosm of Kimya’s discography (at least what I have heard).

3) Loose Lips*- 9.5- A cool protest song of sorts. “Fuck Bush and Fuck this war.” I can picture peaceful anarchsits screaming this song in the streets and dancing around burning flags, trying to persuade bystanders to join them. And when the cops come, they simply will start up again and “pretend nothing ever happened” as the song proclaims. It’s a moldy peachy version of an early Against Me! track I suppose. A fantastic sing along, to say the least. The “dupe” (or doop) thing tickles my fancy quite a bit.

4) Caving In- 9.3- The theme of her mom’s deteriating health arises again amongst other scattering thoughts. There’s a cool eastern guitar (probably not, but sounds sorta like it) in this track. This is sound, but not as good as the three that preceeded it.

5) Better Weather-9.3- Catchy as most of her tracks. In terms of music, for Kimya, as I have said before and she, herself as claimed, it’s all about the vocals. Most of the music is the same, not to say she doesn’t have range. In this tune, she delves into fatherhood, specifically her brother, who is now successfully raising his child. Uplifting

6) Underground-9.3- I think of 1960s radicals when I hear this song lol. One of the funniest lines appears in this song: “So, I tattoo instructions on my ass that say don’t ever put this body in a casket.” Kills me every time. She stresses that she DOES NOT want to live underground and who does?

7) I Like Giants*- 9.1-Nice and simple and catchy, like the others. I don’t have too much to say about this track. It’s a solid recording. I will note though, that there seems to be more going on then just guitar, or it’s better guitar playing? I don’t know. That xylephone (?) is back too lol.

The Competition- 9.2- Postive track about being special and saying “fuck you, I’m awesome, I don’t care what you think.” At some points, you feel sorry for the, young, poor, Ms. Dawson. Like, when people used to call her “fat” and told her that “she was better off dead.” Assholes. Well, it motivated her to make great music, so she proved them wrong. Yippie!

9) France- 8.9- Decent track, but nothing really stands out here to me. Though, I adore the lines, “David put that seven inch on…” “he said silly ass bitch that’s my favorite song.” David, you showed that silly ass bitch! Since, you got your song.

10) I Miss You- 9.1- An extremely brief, but really catchy tune!

11) 12/26*- 9.4- One of the sadder tracks about a massive earthquake in Indonesia on December 26. 2004. She then delves into the Iraq War and how it’s impossible to understand what these victims go through: losing their families, homes, etc. “A tragedy is a tragedy, no matter where it happens.”

12) My Rollercoaster*- 9.5- A superb finale about the ups and downs of this wacky world. Another fabulous sing along, well towards the end anyway, when abunch of folks sing the chorous and it gets real silly, but that’s the point. Just every day folks making music with their friends. Which brings me to my next point, where she incorporates lyrics from other famous songs like Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” and ” Metalica’s “One.”

Overall, I highly recommend this “Outsider” album. I always appreciate ass kicking alternatives to traditional pop music. Remember that I LOVE YA!!!

* appeared in the terrifc film Juno (2007)

Chris

I’ve developed an infatuation with Diablo Cody. I really have. Call it a celebrity crush, but I found myself searching for interviews with her on Google and reading anything even remotely related to her work. And I was once like you. All grimaced and pouty-faced whenever somebody mentioned her name. Trashing “Juno” and bringing up her dialogue in some vain attempt to seem smarter than everybody. I once let hate dictate my feelings toward Diablo Cody. But then I read this article wherein she described the reaction she received from one unnamed gentleman:

“There are some people out there who think that I’m repulsive, that I’m not even human. This guy said, if he had a choice between having sex with me and cutting his dick off, then he’d cut his own dick off. And I was like, first of all I think you’re lying.”

Repulsive, not even human, and castration-inducing. Geez, some writers have all the luck. As mentioned in my previous post, Diablo Derangement Syndrome is real. But to stir that level of contempt from such a large group of people? That’s WWE “heel” level heat right there. And I think it’s absolutely goddamn adorable.

Let’s face it. America is a country that relishes in other people’s shame. As part of our Judeo-Christian heritage, we’re the only people in the modern world capable of building stigmas so thick they keep rape victims and battered wives from testifying against their attackers. Think about that. We shame victims simply for being in the path of some deranged, dickless asshole. Shame is an interesting concept; it relies upon having a fear of being humiliated. So when I see so many angry neck-beards repeating “a fucking stripper” over and over and over I have to wonder whether they’re angry that she was a stripper and became a writer, or if what truly pisses them off is that she’s not humiliated by it.

What I’ve come to realize is that it’s July of 1991 again. Hair bands light up the top 40 with safe entertainment for mass consumption. Mr. Big? Now that’s a group that everyone can enjoy! And while the music industry suffers trying to find the next big thing, it resorts to spectacle, scale, and excess to produce expensive music videos and multi-million dollar arena rock shows. The artists are vision-less, overpaid dinosaurs revelling on a meal ticket they see as lasting forever. And meanwhile, hip-hop is doing no better. Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer provide the foolish illusion that what people want can be dictated based upon careful market research and clever advertising. They know what people will pay to see, so they’ve just invested a few million in the latest MC Hammer video and let Vanilla Ice go and star in his own film.

And then Nirvana catches airplay with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Dre releases “Nuthin’ But A G’ Thang” and everybody realizes how fucking terrible everything was that came before. And it happens overnight. Literally overnight. Before anybody even knew what happened. The hair bands suddenly looked silly. The arena shows crashed with small attendance. And everybody was caught in a fucking tailspin allowing new artists to barge in and run wreck shop on the asylum.

If people don’t know what to make of you they’ll talk about you. And if people are talking about you they’re pretty much under your thumb. And that’s why I’m infatuated with Diablo Cody. She brings gonzo to an industry that is full of planners and marketers and organizers while curmudgeons BAWWWWW because this isn’t the regiment they’re used to. Unplanned isn’t supposed to happen. It doesn’t work that way. Some stripper isn’t supposed to waltz in and snatch an Oscar on her first try. Who the fuck does she think she is? Some garage band isn’t supposed to just hop on the radio and sell millions of records. We spent a whole year primming Sebastian Bach for a solo tour with Warrant!

I, for one, dream of the day when I could be so lucky as to have breakfast with Diablo Cody. It’s kind of like my morning work daydream, just before my noon lunch daydream with that chick from Roxette and my two o’ clock stint where I stare at my computer screen trying to summon 1989 Stacey Q through a wormhole using my mind.

I imagine we could have breakfast at that place in San Diego that makes those unbelievable walnut pancakes… I would put too much syrup on mine. And then Diablo would have some snappy line about too much syrup… like “you danko your panco“… and I would laugh. Because I love it when she does that. And then we’d go to Sea World. Because I love the Sea Otters. And then that lesbian chick from Roxette and I would start a super group. I would rekindle her career, and when she’s standing at the Grammy’s holding up her award for Best Album she’d mouth “Thank you” to me while I gave her a big, heart-felt thumbs up… wait, where am I?