hallelujah, a new jeff buckley video!

so adorable, it's SCARY!

It was Ashley's first Halloween, and I can't imagine how much fun it must have been! Her costume is absolutely adorable. Yes, the photos made me cry. I'm a proud auntie!

makin' my baby daddy my man

Marry Your Baby Day?

"An all expenses paid wedding extravaganza, celebrity wedding dress designers, vendors and wedding planners are on board to make this a memorable and important moment in the lives of some very 10 fabulous, loving couples... Marry Your Baby Daddy Day is an effort to strengthen 2-parent homes and promote marriage and family values."

For all of those couples who love each other but can't afford a wedding, join in this one. Sounds noble, but of course, if you're gay, you're still out of luck.

i left my heart in new orleans

Metro Three has some new T-shirts! They have some cool totes, too -- perfect for your grocery store trips. Now why don't they make one that says "Making Groceries"?

ashley's crawling!

My niece is growing up so fast. She'll probably be dating before I do.

ben still does it for me

steal you will

ahhh, trent. i love you.

Trent Reznor of my beloved Nine Inch Nails spoke out about the high cost of his CDs in Australia several months ago. You can't say no one was listening because I guess he got a lot of crap for it from his record execs, but he didn't forget it. If you keep watching, there's a nice version of "The Day the Whole World Went Away" following.

steal you will

ahhh, trent. i love you.

Trent spoke out about the high cost of his CDs in Australia several months ago. You can't say no one was listening because I guess he got a lot of crap for it from his record execs, but he didn't forget it. If you keep watching, there's a nice version of "The Day the Whole World Went Away" following.

ella, ella, ella

Elevate. Listen. Love. Appreciate
an upcoming celebration of the female Florida artist

i want someone to eat cheese with

This new Sarah Silverman flick looks really funny. And check out all the cameos!

hot knives burn bright

I just saw Bright Eyes' new video for the first time, and I love it. You can see all the elements of the live show I enjoyed so much (bright eyes at hard rock live) including Janet on drums, the live art, the white suits, the tiny orchestra and the ridiculously passive Nathan on keyboards. Enjoy.


"Hot Knives," Bright Eyes

There's also a really great interview posted on MTV.com that mentions Conor's famous performance of "When the President Talks to God" on "The Tonight Show" and where yours truly was right on the front row. Some of those screams you hear are mine! Ow! Ow! Ow!

it's on my list

When I first moved to Orlando, I heard about the jazz strolls at Leu Gardens, and I thought it sounded so romantic. A moon-lit evening with requited love and live music under the stars sounds lovely, doesn't it? There are even candles lining the sidewalks!

Ten years later, I still haven't had the planets align and actually be dating someone at the time Leu Gardens was hosting its little love fest. Now, I have the opportunity (oh joy!) to add to my list of wonderful ideas to, if I may quote Kool & The Gang, cherish the love here in O'do.

Here's one that will be just as tricky -- having a date on the same day as a shuttle launch that won't be scrubbed because of astroaut intoxication.

A Day Away Kayak Tours offers outdoorsy couples the chance to paddle up a canal to a site that's only seven miles from the launch pad and offers an unobstructed view of the shuttle's ascent. Yes, it's a two-person kayak, and, yes, ou might even see a manatee. It's $30 a person.

I better get my Match.com profile ready because the next opportunity is on Aug. 7. If it all works out, I'll be at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge with someone who's a lot older and heavier than their online photo.

There's also something called "Moonlight Paddles." I'm not sure what that is, but if my online match also spends time in the S&M chat room, then my stock is gonna skyrocket.

By the way, the Leu Gardens Annual Fall Jazz Stroll will be held at Leu Gardens on Nov. 3 and dates are not required. Instead of walking hand-in-hand, you can pop a squat on the lawn with your picnic basket and declare your independence.

my new addiction

If you can't get enough of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart -- and really, who can't? It's the fastest 30 minutes in the whole 24 hours of the day. If you need more sassy humor in your life, then try out the new online game, The Most Important Trivia Game Ever.

It's addictive! You compete in a series of mini-games against other "journalists," and you'll need to know geography, history, popular culture and current events to win. You also have to be quick with the mouse. Good luck -- unless you're playing me. I want to win!

ashley is so punk rock

It was Crazy Hair Day at day care on Friday. I don't think punk rockers are supposed to be this adorable!

another reason to hate the falcons

It's just the way that it is. New Orleans Saints' fans hate the Atlanta Falcons. I don't use the "hate" word lightly. We hate them.

Any respect that I had for Michael Vick as a talented quarterback has been completely drowned out. He was indicted late last week for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring. Apparently, Vick and his cronies ran a fighting ring "where losing dogs were often killed in the ring or executed by hanging, drowning or electrocution," according to NPR.

Dog fighting is a felony in 48 states, and if you're like me and naive to the popularity and history of this disgusting practice, then you might be shocked to know how "trendy" it has become. Although its beginnings can be traced back to the Romans in 43 A.D., it's sounds like almost a status symbol now.

Vick faces $350,000 in fines and six years in prison if convicted of the charges. The dogs don't fare quite that well. All of the dogs that survive the ring are eventually killed because they are conditioned to be aggressive to other dogs. They're anti-social and probably very scary. And it's not their fault.

According to one of the news reports I read, "Officers reportedly found equipment associated with dogfighting, blood stains on the walls of a room and a bloodstained carpet stashed on the property. They reportedly removed more than 60 dogs from the property."

The more I read about this, the more disturbed I get. I cannot imagine anyone finding dog fighting fun. It's inhumane, and Vick deserves to be knocked down from whatever pedestal Nike, the NFL team owners and fans have put him on.

slumber party!

Walt Disney World has Cinderella's Royal Chamber -- a luxurious suite where lucky Guests can spend the night right inside the Magic Kingom. It's magical, and people would pay big bucks to stay there if they could.

In Norway, there's a similar must-have experience. Slumber parties at IKEA!

From July 23-27, IKEA fans can shop until they are so exhausted, they fall asleep right there in the showplace. People will actually be able to spend the night in special rooms set up in the store, including:
* Bridal suite, with a hanging chandelier and a round bed
* Luxury suite -- includes breakfast in bed
* Family rooms for parents and kids

A company spokesperson said, "It will be like an alternative hostel." Guests will check in at 10 p.m. -- just an hour before the warehouse closes -- and need to be up and have the bed made by 10 a.m., when the store opens. No need to wash the sheets -- IKEA is giving them away as a souvenir! They also get bathrobes with the IKEA Hostel logo on it and slippers!

simpsonize!

Look at me, I'm a Simpson! You can be one, too. Upload your photo at SimpsonizeMe.com.

wii have lots of fun

These videos really speak for themselves. I love me some Coachie Wii!

Wii are silly


Wii look ridiculous


Wii love to play


Wii are really running this joke into the ground


Wiiiii'll never stop


Wii need a rest

when disaster strikes

These impactful new bulletin boards, sponsored by the American Red Cross give viewers a realistic look at the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake. The billboards are part of a campaign to promote earthquake preparedness in San Francisco.
(Photo credit: Jill Palmer)

Speaking of American Red Cross, whoever is in charge of their merchandise line deserves a raise. I've donated money to the Red Cross before, but the idea that I can help others and get some cool merch, well that's just sauce!

let's get digital

Insound just put up a full album of free downloads it promotes as "fifteen tracks of the hottest smooth light jazz you’ll ever hope to hear." There's a catch, though. IThe songs are only free for one week, then you gotta pay up -- so start clicking!

Here's the tracklist:
Justice - "Phantom"
Takka Takka - "Draw a Map"
Aesop Rock - "None Shall Pass"
Mirah and Spectratone International - "Credo Cigalla"
1990's - "You're Supposed to be My Friend"
No Age - "My Life's Alright Without You"
Architecture in Helsinki - "Heart it Races"
Okkervil River - "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe"
Minus the Bear - "Knights"
Turbo Fruits - "Pocket Full of Thistles"
Tiny Vipers - "On This Side"
Rocky Votolato - "Postcard from Kentucky"
Editors - "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors"
Ferraby Lionheart - "Small Planet"
Portugal the Man - "Shade"

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In other music news, the shortlist for the Mercury Prize were announced today. The judges chose these as the top albums of the year from British or Irish artists. The winner will be announced on Sept. 4.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Basquiat Strings (with Seb Rochford) - Basquiat Strings
Bat For Lashes - Fur and Gold
Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English
Jamie T - Panic Prevention
Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future
Maps - We Can Create
New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom
Fionn Regan - The End of History
The View - Hats Off to the Buskers
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
The Young Knives - Voices of Animals and Men