american blues vol. 1

This is a new song from Pete Yorn. He said that he wrote it on July 4 of this year when he was overwhelmed by all the bad news he was reading in the newspaper. I think that's a pretty popular sentiment right now. Here's the video for the track.

Pete Yorn - American Blues Vol. 1

holy stereotypes, batman!

I stumbled upon this Web site Sociological Images: Seeing is Believing. Very interesting stuff. The first post is a take on what our favorite celebs would look like if they were Midwesterners. Can you name them?






In my mind, these are not funny because they are supposed to be "Midwesterners." They're funny because they look like our fave celebs with the bodies of our own family members. You could just as easily say they are stars as "white trash" or "Southern rednecks." Why do we resort to stereotypes? Would it be just as funny if it was titled "When Celebs HIt Middle Age and Let Themselves Go"?

And why am I in such a preachy mood?

The credit for the original post went to Jeremy Enke, who gave the Photoshop credits to PlanetHiltron. All the sites look like they are worth a visit... with an open mind.

By the way, that's Nicole Kidman, Johnny Depp, Ashlee Simpson and Pamela Anderson up there.

save bitch!

So, if you know me, you also may know the story of a job interview I had a few years ago in which I tried and failed in my effort to refrain from saying the word "bitch." Yep. I said it in a job interview. With the director of communication and the vice president of public affairs. I didn't get the job. 

But the VP remembered me, and when I saw him about nine months later at a conference, I re-introduced myself to him, and he said, "Oh yes, you're the one who talked about Bitch Magazine. You didn't want to say it, but we made you." Three months later, I was on his team.

I like to think that Bitch Magazine helped me make a lasting impression. During the interview, I mentioned a story on NPR and an NBC news story from earlier that morning. He said that it sounded like I kept up with the news, and he asked if I subscribed to any magazines. 

My inner feminist let out a crooked smile.

"I listen to a lot of music, so I have subscriptions to some music magazines, as well as some feminist literature." 

"What kind of feminist literature? A magazine?"

"Yes."

"What's it called?"

"Um, it's called 'Bitch.'"

It was like my grandma when she was trying to make my young mom's high school boyfriend squirm in front of her. Knowing full well the ultimate answer and enjoying it immensely, she asked him, "Where are you going?"

"We're going to a dance."

"What's the name of the dance?"

"Um," he said, backing away from my German grandma and nearly tripping over the glass coffeetable. "It's called Get Naked."

I like what subscribing to a feminist magazine says about me. I explained that it's a thought-provoking magazine that illustrates the feminist response to popular culture. Diversity is important to my company, and I believe my opinions and values are appreciated. I'm just glad that the mag isn't called something like "Vivacious Vaginas." I can't lie. I would have had to say it.

All that to say that Bitch Magazine is amazing. It's a great publication, and it's a nonprofit. The staff sent out a plea for help recently, and they were overwhelmed with the results. They raised $46,000 in about a week, maybe less. That ensures another issue, and possibly some stability in the future, too. I know it's a lot to ask especially when people are losing money right and left, but if you can support the Bitch cause, please do. At the least, you can subscribe to the mag. You won't be disappointed. 

For a taste of Bitch, check out their Web site. It will make you want to shout Vivacious Vaginas Unite!!

isn't anything sacred?

Sarah Silverman & Jimmy Kimmel have apparently broken up. Her publicist confirmed it to the Associated Press. It's sad enough that they are ending a 5-year relationship, but the fact that our local news anchors get to add in their two cents about how unfunny they think they are -- yes, i'm talking to you WESH-TV morning crew. It's like, "You're a loser in love, and by the way, you're not funny." Sarah is hilarious -- her show is genius, and so is her video with Matt Damon.

In other news of the bizarre, did you hear about the people who claim their retinas were damaged during a dance party in Moscow. Lasers were too strong for the small venue, and it burned their retinas. That's crazy! It probably harmed their hearing, too, but that won't show up for a few years. I sound like an old biddy! Click here to read the story.

the feminist stylings of an '80s icon

Although it freezes on a very unfortunate image, this is actually a pretty cool video from Mark & Ari about one of the biggest feminists of our time, Ms. Pac-Man.

happy fourth!

From CollegeHumor.com

new tilly tune

The kids look all growed up!


Pot Kettle Black from Team Love on Vimeo.

Tilly & The Wall will play an early show at The Social on July 22.

an eye for orlando?

7775007-R6-031-14_3.jpg
Originally uploaded by steph1874

The Great Wheel Corp., a company based in Singapore, is expected to announce next week that Orlando will be the first North American home of ... well ... a great wheel. Similar to the London Eye, which I fell in love with a couple of years ago, the 400-foot-wheel will hold 40 passengers in each glassed pod. It's rumored that the skyline-changing icon will be near SeaWorld off of I-Drive.

I'm excited. Sure it's another tourist attraction, but if it's anything like the London Eye, it will be a must-see.

lazy sunday

As soon as I get out of bed in the morning, Tilly is right there to take the prime spot on the pillow. I can't get upset -- she's too adorable.

show your obama pride

MoveOn.org is giving away free stickers to show your support of Barack Obama. Get one for free, 10 for a $5 donation or 100 for a $25 donation.

coldplay returns to orlando

Coldplay just announced a show at Amway Arena on Nov. 7. No support act or ticket prices have been announced. The band is following up the next day with a show in Miami.

In other toe-tapping concert news for Orlando ...
- Tilly & The Wall are playing an early show at The Social on July 22. Tickets are $15, and doors open at 5 p.m.
- And don't forget about Nada Surf on June 1 at The Social. Tickets are still available.

get your FRINGE on!

Oh yes, it's that time again in Orlando. The FRINGE Fest is in full swing at Loch Haven Park, and there are a lot of promising shows on the schedule -- everything from one-(wo)man shows, to dancing, to live music, to plays with lots of characters and costumes.

As soon as I realized the performers were posted online at orlandofringe.org, I started looking for my dishpig. Greg Landucci was the star of last year's FRINGE, as least, in my little world. Dishpig was an intense, hysterical and incredibly creative ode to life as the lowly kitchen employee at a restaurant where he's trying to keep up with the insanity of being a dishwasher, dealing with crabby chefs and maybe get some action from the hot hostess.

This year, Landucci (pictured right) is back, and he's musing about his time as a radio-station mascot. I can't wait to see it! His rapid-fire delivery of tongue-twisting philosophies and observations makes you wish you could take home the script. There's genius in there, and you know it, you hear it -- but you want more time to let it seep in and flow through all the convolutions in your brain.

Yesterday, Devan, Beta, James and I caught two performances -- VarieTEASE No. 24 and TJ Dawe's Totem Figures. The latter came highly recommended from Devan, who saw Dawe's (pictured below) performance last year. I guess he's kind of a staple at the fest, much to the delight of everyone who FRINGEs. He co-wrote and directed Dishpig, by the way.

We all loved it and some of us even went home and Googled some of the people Dawe described in his one-man show. Truly amazing writer, observer of patterns and performer, Dawe made me want to go home and make my own Sgt. Pepper's album cover.

VarieTEASE was colorful, musical and full of pretty people. It was odd, intriguing and maybe about 10 minutes too long. Still, it was the definition of FRINGE -- you just never know what you're going to see, sometimes even when you're in the theater.

get some free goodness

That's right. Click the box above and you can sign up to receive a free sample of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

Or, try this. Kashi is offering free samples of its new Mountain Medley granola, described by Kashi like this: "We begin with our heritage Seven Whole Grains, freshly harvested and then gently rolled to preserve their nutty flavors and unique textures. They're mixed with a touch of golden honey and the grains are then baked into perfectly crunchy granola clusters. Finally we added lots of goodies like chewy fruits and crunchy nuts to create granolas that are both tasty and good for you." YUM!


So, you've got a snack and a beverage -- how about some free music? Verbena Selected 3: The Aftershow Party features your favorite bands' selections of their favorite electronic tracks. Here are a few of the tracks in the lineup, and yes, it's a free download. (It came across as one track -- bizarre and annoying, but still free.)

Adventure Kid: "De Lorean Motor Company" [Selected by I'm From Barcelona]
T2: "Heartbroken" [Selected by the Pipettes]
Uffie: "Ready to Uff" [Selected by Sohodolls]
Does It Offend You, Yeah?: "We Are Rockstars" [Selected by Zookeeper]
Autokratz: "Pardon Garçon" [Selected by Kaiser Chiefs]
Björk: "Wanderlust (Ratatat Remix)" [Selected by Tilly & the Wall]
The Bug ft. Killa P & Flow Dan: "Skeng (Kode 9 Remix)" [Selected by Bright Eyes]
Black Moth Super Rainbow: "Sun Llips" [Selected by the Go! Team]
Orange Juice: "Rit It Up" [Selected by Stars]
Gary Numan: "Are Friends Electric (Andy Gray Remix)" [Selected by the New Pornographers]

Notice how much Coachella is included? I love it! Thanks, Pitchfork for the music tip and Hungry Girl for the coffee and granola.

the slip

God, I love Trent Reznor. Today, he released a new album on his Web site, and everyone and their mom can download it for free. Huh, whaaaa???? That's right, you heard me.

Download the slip. Trent says he'll release it as a CD and on vinyl in July. He also adds on the download site,

"we encourage you to
remix it
share it with your friends,
post it on your blog,
play it on your podcast,
give it to strangers,
etc."


And as if you're not completely wowed and probably stopped reading because you clicked your way to a new soundtrack to tomorrow, THERE'S MORE.

This may not be new, but I just stumbled across it for the first time. Nine Inch Nails fans can access free music to create their own remixes and post them for other fans to stream and download. Trent has made his music available for years as GarageBand files for fans to remix, but here's a little playground (remix.nin.com) with slides, swings AND a merry-go-round!

Day 3

Two down, one more to go. Saturday was a lot hotter and many more fans poured onto the polo fields. I finally saw the Speedo guys that I see each year, and I finally saw the purple one. Prince was amazing, and I am sure he'd tell you that himself. He started the longest set in Coachella history (I'm making that up, I don' really know -- but it ended at 1 a.m., way past the midnight noise ordinance.) with "You are at the coolest place on Earth tonight." I'll have to write more about his set, but I just need to add that he covered Radiohead's "Creep" and transformed a self-loathing loser anthem from "I" to "You" with lyrics like "I wish you were special." and "You're a creep, you're a weirdo."

It was also the night of special guests -- Mark Ronson delivered with Tim Burgess from the Charlatans, Kenna, as well as the lead singers of the Klaxons, Kaiser Chiefs and Kelly Osborne - where has she been? Other special guests were unknown to me, but they were great little surprises that made for an outstanding set. Kelly and I were right up front, so I captured lots of video I'll share soon.

Today is supposed to be the hottest day of the weekend with temps in the low 100s. It just adds to the amazing adventure that is Coachella. I need to soak up as much as I can today because the real world is calling, and I need to return soon.

Day 2

Friday was amazing. In typical Coachella fashion, there were the bands that overwhelmingly delivered on the hype I placed on them and those that delighted and surprised me. Friday was a constant rush between stages. Today should be a bit more laid back, maybe. I'm looking forward to getting a closer look at the art and some of the cool Coachella lagniappe you just happen to stumble upon.

Coachella '08 begins!

I'm the only one awake and looking out the window onto the mountains and blue sky, I want to scream with antici ....... pation! It's going to be a hot day, but still 10 degrees cooler than last year. So I'm packing the SPF 30, have lots of $$$ for water and have my Blackberry because I am Twittering from the desert right on up to URB.com.

coachella metrics

LA Weekly's music blog takes a quasi-scientific look at the numbers that are Coachella 2008. Goldenvoice will never win awards for gender equality on the main stage, but in all fairness, some of the best shows I've seen at Coachella were full of estrogen -- Sleater-Kinney, Tegan & Sara, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, Metric, and so on. I missed Imogen Heap, but her set wowed James enough to encourage us to catch her at The Social about a month later -- and she was amazing.

Check out the article for more pie charts and graphs about everything from YouTube hits to ethnicity. I applaud LA Weekly for at least trying to cover the show from a completely different angle.

i told you vedder was a love god

According to Yahoo News ...

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - Sean Penn and his wife, Robin Wright Penn, have withdrawn their divorce petition.

A Marin County Superior Court commissioner has dismissed the divorce proceedings between the couple, who call the community of Ross, Calif., their home.

Neither attended Tuesday's hearing, and no comment has been released on the latest development.

The dismissal came a day after they attended an Eddie Vedder concert at the University of California at Berkeley, where the actor reportedly went on stage to dedicate a song to Wright Penn.

They filed for divorce in December.

it's official: the desert will glow purple

The rmors are true! According to Coachella.com, Prince has been added to the lineup and will headline the second night of the three-day festival.

music saves

Music, as defined in one of the coolest tattoos I‘ve seen, is the "sounds used to symbolically recreate human biological rhythm."

I love thinking about that definition because it reminds me of that feeling you get when you hear a song that truly moves you. You’re transported, you fill with this indescribable feeling of completeness. I assume that it’s the same feeling the religious experience at church. Everything makes sense, if only for the moment.

This weekend, I was lucky enough to catch two documentaries during the Florida Film Fest about the power of music to help people heal, find their inner strength, bridge the gaps that isolate us and enjoy life to the fullest.

Young@Heart will probably be the best film I see all year, or at least the most genuinely moving and the funniest. The British documentary follows the seven weeks preceding the Young@Heart chorus’ May 2006 performance of “Alive and Well.” The average age of chorus members is 80, but you’d never know that from the vivaciousness of its stars.

Eileen, a feisty 92-year-old British woman, opens the film with her solo performance of The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” It’s a perfect scene, and it sets the tone for the whole show.

In rehearsals, Bob, who leads the chorus, attempts to teach the group songs from The Talking Heads, Sonic Youth and Allen Toussaint. It’s hilarious. And it’s also extremely heartfelt. The chorus members invite the film crew into their lives. We meet their families, see them at home and learn how many of them have survived illnesses that brought them close to death. But then, they’re old and fully aware that they’re living close to death every day.

These people live to sing and perform. In fact, I think it keeps some of them alive. There’s a lot I wish I could say about the film, but I firmly believe it’s best to know as little as possible about a movie before you see it. I will say that I won’t listen to Coldplay’s “Fix You” the same again, and I’m better for it.

On the other side of the age spectrum, there’s Girls Rock!, a documentary about the Portland girls camp that invites 8 to 18-year-olds to learn an instrument, join a band and perform in front of 700 people – all in one week.



Similar to Young@Heart, Girls Rock! introduces the audience to people who are fans of music but are ultimately unaware of the life-affirming impact it will play in their lives. These are young girls of course, and as the filmmaker points out, they are battling the media images of Britney and other scantily clad video vixens who make it nearly impossible to feel significant or even just good enough.

The camp counselors, who seem like some of the coolest girls you’d want to meet, help the girls find their voices, literally. I completely related to one of the admin ladies who said girls are always apologizing for their opinions and the space they take up – something our male counterparts do not. So the campers are encouraged to scream into microphones, talk through the problems they’re having with their new bandmates and … well … rock.

There are so many moments in both of these films that are hilarious because they capture the genuine innocence and honesty only kids and elderly folks allow you to see. Music saved me as a young girl, and I think it's going to keep me alive as part of the AARP crowd, too.

falling slowly

Mike was telling me about this site PeopleFallingDown.blogspot.com. Although it hasn't been updated in a couple of years, these videos -- at least those that are still live -- are timeless. This one is my favorite -- I laughed through the whole thing.

young @ heart tonight!

Showing tonight as part of the Florida Film Fest ...

more like bountiful than nada

Trying to get on to ticketmaster.com this morning was like trying to get from one side of the Magic Kingdom to the other during SpectroMagic!

I was trying to purchase tickets to see Nada Surf at The Social, which is crazy exciting, of course. And I'm sure it's going to sell out, so I was trying to be good and get mine as early as possible, so as to avoid the disappointment I suffer from missing Iron & Wine this summer.

The site must have been on the screens of about a gazillion computers at the same time because I could get through all the screens up to the one where I actually make the purchase. My computer kept timing out because "the server stopped responding." So, I do what any concert kid would do, I pick up my phone and try to get the tix old-school style. After lots of busy signals, I get in and purchase three tix. Because I'm an emo soul, and I worry that my friends might miss out on the show, I decide to get 3 tickets.

I relax, play some online solitaire, and I check my e-mail. Holy cranberries! There's an e-mail from Ticketmaster confirming my online order for 2 tickets. Seriously? Seriously, this is 21st century technology?

So, um, I'm a real "Happy Kid," with 4 more tix than I actually need for the show. Any takers? You Coachies get first dibs, of course!

get your banana seat over to bikes, beans & bordeaux

This weekend, my good friends Jamie & Rob introduced me to a new place in Winter Park that's a real gem. Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux is located on Corrine Drive, in the strip mall just east of Winter Park Avenue. It's just skipping distance from Park Ave CDs and Stardust.

I met Jamie & Rob there for dinner before catching Spamalot at the Bob Carr. The show, by the way, was hysterical and was a definite crowd-pleaser. I've never seen a standing ovation begin immediately after the curtain falls. Usually at Bob Carr, it takes a while for people to start getting off their butts to show their appreciation. Apparently, British humor goes a long way with Orlandoians.

But back to Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux, which the owners refer to as B3 on the Web site. I got there a bit late thanks to the gridlocked parking lot known as I-4, but it was great timing for me, as the appetizer had just arrived. The Hummus Wheel. I love hummus. And this hummus was delicious. The pita bread was baked in some kind of buttery delight, and there were carrots, pickles, celery and zucchini all sliced and fresh for dipping. I had no idea how good carrots and hummus would be together. Yum!

I had half of a turkey sandwich (on the menu as Tyler Turkey, a.k.a. The Floyd) and a bowl of black bean soup. Both were good and filling -- not spectacular, but solid. After the show, we returned for dessert. My friends each enjoyed a cupcake, and I indulged in the best chai latte I've had outside of Starbucks. And dare I say, I think it was better than Starbucks.

The owners are big cycling fans, and the theme is evident in the decorations and the menu. Even the widescreen television is always tuned in to a bike race somewhere in the world. The location of the month's big race is also the home of the featured beers that month -- very clever.

BTW, B3 has a couple of comfy sofas and free wi-fi. And the employees there Saturday night were lovely. They fit in perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere of the cafe -- very laid back and kind. Just one thing to note -- you need to go up to the counter to order, and they'll bring your food to you. Yeah, I didn't realize that at first.

B3's hours
Monday - Closed
Tuesday-Thusday - 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday - 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday - 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Support local businesses!

sarah + matt

I know this is old -- but I'm posting it because I'm playing catch up. You don't even have to have a crush on Sarah Silverman, like I do, to fully appreciate the fantasticness of it all. And has Matt Damon ever looked cuter? I laugh out loud each time I watch it.

Call your BFF, it's the FFF!

Hallelujah, a new post! I was beginning to get razzed about my lack of posts over the last few months, so I figured I needed to get a move on. I started a new job in January, and it has kept me busier than ever. When I come home each day, I have a hard time finding the creative umph to post. But I miss it, so here goes.

The Florida Film Fest is here! Here are just a few of the ones that make me want to get the popcorn ready. Go check out the official site and buy your tickets early -- this is one of the cultural events that make me happy about living in Orlando!!

Girls Rock!
Saturday, April 5, 9-10:30 p.m. at Regal
Sunday, April 6, 7:30-9 p.m. at Regal
I remember hearing about this camp because of Carrie Brownstein's participation. She's one of the members of Sleater-Kinney, one of my favorite bands, and one that I refuse to label as "now-defunct." I'll let the official film summary do its job ...

Portland’s Rock ‘n’ Roll camp for Girls isn’t just a week-long retreat where preteens learn how to become the next Joan Jett. It’s an incredible feminist project that reclaims the Spice Girls-tainted concept of girl power by helping young women ranging in age from eight to 18 love girlhood in all its awkwardness--while they play power chords with their amps set at 11. This doc focuses on the kids -- campers like Laura, a Korean adoptee obsessed by death metal; Misty, who is emerging from a life of meth addiction, homelessness and gang activity; and Amelia, an eight-year-old who writes experimental rock songs about her dog Pipi.


Young @ Heart
Friday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. at Enzian
Saturday, April 5, 6:30-8:20 p.m. at Regal

Since 1982, Young @ Heart, a New England senior citizens chorus, has been defying expectations and delighting audiences worldwide with its unique covers of songs--everything from The Clash to Coldplay, James Brown to Talking Heads, The Zombies to Dylan, has been part of their eclectic repertoire of punk, R&B, and rock. Led by Bob Climan, their strict but talented choral director, the group of retirees (average age: 80) are given the task of learning six new songs for their upcoming show titled Alive and Well just a few weeks away. Numbers such as Sonic Youth’s discordant “Schizophrenia” and Allen Toussaint’s tongue-twisting “Yes, We Can Can” prove to be particularly challenging.


Disfigured
Sunday, March 30, 6:30-8:05 p.m. at Enzian
Thursday, April 3, 4:30-6:25 p.m. at Regal

Lydia is a charming and confident overweight woman who belongs to a “fat acceptance” group that’s just a bit too unaccepting for her easy style. Along comes Darcy, a recovering anorexic who wants to join the group. Darcy sees herself as fat even if no one else in their right mind does, and wants to learn to accept her appearance. What she doesn’t say is that she’s pretty much starving herself and is reaching out for help. Lydia and Darcy fall into a rich, unlikely friendship. Even when Lydia starts a sexual relationship with Bob, an attractive overweight man, the real relationship is between the women.


Pageant
Sunday, March 30, 2:30-4:15 p.m. at Regal
Thursday, April 3, 9:30-11:30 p.m. at Enzian

Meet the men behind the makeup. This revealing film features five gay men competing in the 34th annual Miss Gay America Pageant, including Robert Martin (stage name: Chantel Reshae), an Orlando resident who works for Disney as a "Wellness Coordinator." They are all beautiful, talented, hormone-free female impersonators, and confident they will win. The film takes us behind the scenes as the men primp, practice, and otherwise prepare for the 2006 competition held in Memphis. Musical numbers are stunning, and interviews are engaging. The filmmakers go far beyond the typical drag show into the reality of how wigs, waxing, and wardrobes transform the not-so-common into the truly incredible. Not only do we get to know these people well, but also their friends, families and support mechanisms that will help them make their dreams come true.