Oh Joey....

This is my guilty-pleasure show.

Joey Greco is a sad excuse for a man, and a reality-show host.

But he's so damn fun to watch as he "empathizes" with the cheatee, and gets self-righteous with the cheater.

I love the quiet time in the van as they are en-route to bust up a cheating session.

Cheating is bad.

But Cheaters is good.

Let Go, Let Flow

I do this at the end of every year.

Never fails.

I mull, whine, over-think, stew and generally complain about situations in my life that need shedding, shredding and vetting.

Then I "Make a plan".

Then I "Put it in motion".

The, I hope against hope for the best.

The thing is, most of these situations I have moderate, if not complete, control over.

So, it's really about coming to terms with doing the "right" thing for me, knowing my ego will suffer, but in the end I will be the better for it.

I'm mulling over a couple situations right now, and am, of course, struggling.

I googled for a time machine, but apparently they haven't been invented yet.

As I am no Dr. Who, the only thing I can do is...move forward.

It's time to fish or cut bait.

I'm going fishing.

Best Of 2009 - Music

In looking at the various "Best Of 2009" lists, I've come to accept I am not the hipster I thought I was - well, according to Pitchfork, Spin, Magnet, NME and Rolling Stone.

However, I am pleased to say I have at least 40% of the albums listed on the various Top 50's. Here are a few of my top picks:

The xx: The xx
- this is a phenomenal album I was very recently turned on to. I was told to "turn down the lights and turn that one up" to experience maximum aural pleasure. Try not to listen alone - this is a sexy, velvety album that demands your partial attention (the rest of your attention should be focused on the person who's with you under the covers...)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
- this is a fun album, light and progressive with an alternative feel. It does fall into the campy Vampire Weekend sound - it could be a soundtrack to a former youth you remember fondly, would like to repeat, and are constantly trying to recapture in your near-middle-age.

Dinosaur Jr.: Farm
- how could I resist this blast-group from my university past? The fact that they're still pushing out hits when they're pushing 45 makes me happy, and gives me less pause when I daydream about being a rock star at my age.

Royksopp: Junior
- it moves me. Nuff said.

Yo La Tengo: Popular Songs
- I respect a band that's easy, and Yo La puts out in a major way. They are on tour, and I am there...soon.

Crystal Stilts: Alight of Night
- I featured a video of this dirty genius machine earlier this year - grainy and highly melodic, and am pleased to say they made a few lists. Moody garage rock - their clips remind me of a Spits show I attended in a former life - loud, messy, hopelessly perfect. Hope to catch their show soon.

The Horrors: Primary Colors
- rock, through and through, with a hint of grime and goth. Again, a must see live band.

More lists later. I'm contemplating a "Top 10 Overrated Albums Picked By Snobbish Hipster Music Mags". Stay tuned.

Movie reviews

So, I watched two films this holiday weekend that couldn't have been more different, yet both were extremely entertaining works of art (in my opinion):



The Cove
***** (five star fantastic)

I'd read up on this documentary, and expected a decent movie. It delivered, and then some.

To sum it up, the original dolphin trainer from the television show Flipper, Ric O'Barry, decided later on in life that capturing dolphins to supply theme parks was wrong, and with a small group of fellow activists waged war against fishermen in Taiji who hunt, capture, ship and slaughter dolphins for profit.

What impressed me the most was how well it told an actual story - background on Ric, the intelligence of dolphins, the oceanic community, etc. The hunt takes place in a cove on the coast of the city of Taiji, and when it's finally shown (at the end), you've spent over an hour bracing yourself for it and you feel ready because of the tremendous and thoughtful buildup throughout the movie. Not so much. It's disturbing, sad and graphic.

Overall, a well-done film and I could go on and on about but won't. I'll end with - rent it.




Coffy
**** 1/2 (four and a half star dynomite)

I got this for Christmas and watched it last night. A perfect film for unwinding.

I love Pam Grier - she wasn't half-bad as Coffy, considering the plot, dialogue and snazzy wardrobe. Oh, the wardrobe. Can a man have camel toe? The answer is, yes. This movie has it all - shotguns, dirty cops, heroin, hookers, polyester pantsuits, fro's, blue eyeshadow, weaves with strategically-placed razor blades, a pistol-packin teddy bear, and Sid Haig. Yup - that lovable fellow from Devil's Rejects.

Rent it. You're in for a treat.

No post-holiday blues here

The holiday was near perfect - the weather didn't cooperate 100%, other than that a good time was had by all.

I heard from many friends, old and new, over the break and it was great fun catching up. Spent a lot of time with my family, played games and watched movies, ate and ate, and generally experienced bliss 24/7. My marathon brunch session yesterday was decadent - over 4 hours of great dish, the verbal and consuming kind.

Getting tickets today for Yo La Tengo and the BRMC (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). Cha cha cha!

Some new music was gifted to me over the weekend. Have yet to get to the others as I can't break away from my love of The xx. Thanks again Kenny!

Life is good.

May the Dow be with you...

Not sure how I missed this yesterday....crack me UP!

Holidaze

Spinning was a wasteland today. Only two psycholists. Guess the holiday rush is getting to some people.

Is the rush getting to me? Nope - there are a couple things I still need to purchase, and I'll get 'er done. No worries.

I love this time of year. Speed up, slow down, crazy times and people. Lots to enjoy and look forward to.

These are a few selective things I look forward to during the holiday season:

- watching "It's A Wonderful Life" a katrillion times. This year, it's a Blu Ray experience. Yeah!

- Christmas Eve noshing: my aunt puts on a warm, inviting, highly-caloric spread that begs the plates to be licked clean.

- playing multitudes of board/card games. Newest one is Scrabble Slap, which had us all in tears on Sunday night. "Wait! Wait!" (had to, Mom)

- playing the annual piano duets with my cousins on the Baby Grand.

- giftcards. Plain and simple.

- getting together with friends, new/old/constant.

- sleeping in. I now do this whenever I can. Because it's a delight I didn't rediscover until just recently (thank you, P).

- ice skating

- cookies, cookies everywhere. Whee!!!!!!

- frufru coffee. I usually don't drink coffee, but this time of year I will hit up Starbucks or Companion once a week for some holiday cheer in a cup. Chai Tea or dark roast with cream and sugar, depending on my mood.