WHAT! WHAT!!
I did it!!! I made my goal!!! Got 20 posts in under a month!!!! Yeah!! YEAH !! Uh huh!! Uh huh!!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Star Trek - Q
Star Trek: The Next Generation brought forth a plethora of fantastic characters. My personal favorite is Q. This character appeared in the pilot ep of NextGen and re-appeared consistently throughout the seven seasons NextGen was on the air. Played by the MARVELOUS actor/director John De Lancie, Q was a vastly entertaining force for chaos on the show. Whenever he appeared, you knew you were in for some crazy times.
I think initially, Q was meant to be a major villian for the show. After all, how do you beat a creature who is all-knowing & all-seeing with unlimited control over time & space? That sounds like a worthy villian to me! But in watching Q's appearances, he comes across more as a teacher than anything else. While he did get some sadistic entertainment from pushing and prodding at the various characters in NextGen, DS9, & Voyager. There was always a lesson to be learned. He's like that teacher you hated in school, but in retrospect realized that all the crap they put you through made you a better student and person.
That's what makes Q such a powerful character for me. Despite the whimsy and fantasy, Q's methodology always had a deeper meaning. To this day, I find Star Trek's greatest flaw is that they never made a movie where Q made an appearance.
I think initially, Q was meant to be a major villian for the show. After all, how do you beat a creature who is all-knowing & all-seeing with unlimited control over time & space? That sounds like a worthy villian to me! But in watching Q's appearances, he comes across more as a teacher than anything else. While he did get some sadistic entertainment from pushing and prodding at the various characters in NextGen, DS9, & Voyager. There was always a lesson to be learned. He's like that teacher you hated in school, but in retrospect realized that all the crap they put you through made you a better student and person.
That's what makes Q such a powerful character for me. Despite the whimsy and fantasy, Q's methodology always had a deeper meaning. To this day, I find Star Trek's greatest flaw is that they never made a movie where Q made an appearance.
All Women Are Beautiful
I'm of a mind that women are beautiful no matter their size. Everyone has their own personal preferences, but all women are beautiful. Apparently, this is not so for our television programming.
For the past week, there's been a big honking to-do going on over the banning of Lane Bryant's new lingerie ad from tv, ostensibly due to it being "too racy". Tell me if this ad is too racy for tv...
I've seen some of the Victoria Secret commercials. I'm sure, dear reader, you have as well. Compared to those, this ad is G rated. I mean seriously... what is up with people today?? Lane Bryant claims the ad was banned because it featured a plus sized model. I think they're right.
The model here, Ashley Graham, is representative of a segment of the population rarely showcased on TV. In fact, the last plus sized women I saw showcased on tv was Miracle Laurie on the tv show, Dollhouse. Besides the fact that these women are dead on target with my personal preferences, I think tv networks have a responsibility to show people as they are. Lane Bryant did a fantastic job with the ad, and made a great choice with their model. Why should the tv studios NOT air this??
For the past week, there's been a big honking to-do going on over the banning of Lane Bryant's new lingerie ad from tv, ostensibly due to it being "too racy". Tell me if this ad is too racy for tv...
I've seen some of the Victoria Secret commercials. I'm sure, dear reader, you have as well. Compared to those, this ad is G rated. I mean seriously... what is up with people today?? Lane Bryant claims the ad was banned because it featured a plus sized model. I think they're right.
The model here, Ashley Graham, is representative of a segment of the population rarely showcased on TV. In fact, the last plus sized women I saw showcased on tv was Miracle Laurie on the tv show, Dollhouse. Besides the fact that these women are dead on target with my personal preferences, I think tv networks have a responsibility to show people as they are. Lane Bryant did a fantastic job with the ad, and made a great choice with their model. Why should the tv studios NOT air this??
Thoughts On... Musical Tastes...
As I stated in a previous post, music has been, is, and will always be and integral part of my life. Although my tastes in music tend to be a bit strange, according to anyone who listens to my music, or even sees my music collection. It's not any one artist that is weird, but all of them taken as a whole that gets bizarre.
Seriously, check out this list of artists that I like: Gloria Estefan, Will Smith, Huey Lewis & The News, Evanescence, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Godsmack, Mozart, Queen, Tommy Dorsey, The Temptations, The Crystal Method, Boa, Johnny Ventura, Benny Goodman, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, George Michael, Madonna, Franz Lizt, Elvis Crespo, Soluna, Aerosmith, and the list goes on...
It's a strange mix, right? The question then becomes: why would I have such an eclectic mix of music tastes? Personally, I don't know for sure, but I do have an operating theory. It starts with my relationship with music as I grew up. I went over my music history in the previous post. Suffice it to say, that I've had a slightly erratic & eclectic experience with music and that has colored my perceptions of what is classified as good music. For any given piece of music to be considered good in my estimation it would have to fall into one of the following categories.
Emotionally Touching:
This is where a piece of music resonates with an emotion within me. Usually this happens instantaneously. An example of this is Eminem's album "The Eminem show". I wasn't really into Eminem's music until the time I heard this album. I don't remember why, but I was insanely angry at the time and this album seemed to be able to tap into that rage and allow me to channel it. Every time I hear this album it's a cathartic experience. Afterwards, I really started enjoying Eminem's music.
Exceptional Performance:
This is where a piece of music is performed in such a way that it just commands attention. Don't get me wrong, it's not that the song isn't good, but the material gets enhanced by the performance. The first time I watched the Blues Brothers movie, the scene with Cab Calloway singing "Minnie The Moocher" captivated me from the first trumpet solo all the way through to the last notes.
Desired Performance:
In this category, the music make ME want to join in and play. People will see me "conducting" music, playing air instruments (guitar or drums mostly), or actually singing along to the music. Then they point & laugh. My friends join in and sing with me! :-)
Memory Link:
This category is for a song that is linked to an intense personal memory. A good example of this is Charlie Dore's "Pilot Of The Airwaves". When I was little, my mother made a recording of me singing the song. I couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old. While I can barely remember actually singing it, I do remember hearing my voice over my stereo when I found the tape at age 14 or 15 and played it. It was... a strange experience. I've never forgotten what that felt like, and I've had a soft spot for that song ever since.
Interesting Music:
To be in this category, the only part of the piece that I'd find interesting would be the music, not the lyrics or the performance. For example, Lil Jon's "Snap Yo Fingers". Despite all the artists in that tune, the only worthwhile part of it is the beat.
Interesting Lyrics:
The opposite of the above category. To be here, the only worthwhile part of the song has to be the lyrics. For example, "Stutter" by Joe feat Mystikal. The lyrics were actually pretty good, but I was unimpressed by the music.
Entertaining:
The last category for me is entertaining. Here the song is just fun to listen to. No real lasting merit of any kind, just a fun tune to pass the time listening to. An example of this would be "We Like To Party" by the VengaBoys.
On any given CD, mix, or play list, my musical choices jump from category to category like a Kangaroo on the Australian outback. But it does get a bit lonely when the bulk of the people around me tend to not appreciate my music. But, I have songs to listen to for that. :-)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
My Music History
I've waxed poetic many a time about how my childhood was a solitary one. (I have, seriously ask anyone who knows me!) One of the side effects of growing up that way is I had a great deal of time to fill with my own brand of entertainments. I don't remember when, but I think it was somewhere between my 8th & 10th birthdays ('84-'86) that two big events, musically, happened to me. I was given my stepfather's hand-me-down stereo system complete with tape deck & record player. (Yes, that's how old I am.) The second event was finding my mom's old collection of 45s.
During one of the greatest era's of music, the 80s, I was getting my musical experience expanded by being exposed to artists like Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Ray Charles, The Doors, David Bowie (old school Ziggy Stardust style at the same time as 80s Bowie, how AWESOME is that!!) other artists from the 50s, 60s, & 70s. I learned what a REAL power singer is from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Luciano Pavarotti, and Placido Domingo. I learned the power of lyrics from the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, the Eagles, and The Who.
Four years later, during the 90s birth of the Grunge music phenomenon, I joined the LHS Lancer Marching Band and went FURTHER back in time musically to the 30s & 40s where I learned of jazz music from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan, and my search for other artists who played my instrument (the trombone) got me into big band swing with Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman & Glenn Miller. Being in my high school marching band also exposed me to the high school choir. Before you ask, my high school had over 1500 students in it, no one cared enough about choir to make it a Glee-like experience. Through the slight overlap choir had with band, I was introduced to acapella music. Plus throughout all of this I was also being exposed to a wide variety of spanish music as well.
In college ('94-'98), I tried to reconnect with current popular music and got into dance, club & techno music which took me back on a tour of the music released during my lifetime and became more aquinted with the various forms of the 80s music pantheon and the 90s re-emergence of R&B. From that point forward, I just soldiered on, so to speak, picking up new music as I encountered it.
Writing this down, I've suddenly realized that my musical life is just as strange & out of whack as the rest of my life. It's amazing that I've never really considered it until now.
Supernatural - O Death
In looking over my posts on this blog (such few as they are), I've noticed that I haven't really posted anything about music. Given that music has been such a huge part of my life, I'm actually surprised at that. So, here goes my first post dealing with music by way of TV.
One of my favorite shows on air at the moment is called Supernatural. They are currently airing the last few eps of their fifth season, the theme of which is the end of the world. To commemorate this, the producers of the show created a new version of an old song, O Death, where a man dying is pleading with Death to let him live.
This particular song has been around since the 1600s. I believe it was a british dirge (funeral song for those who don't know). More recently, it was brought back to light on the soundtrack of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" where it was performed by Dr. Ralph Stanley. Here's a recent video of Dr. Stanley singing O Death acapella.
The peeps at CW tweaked the lyrics to fit the theme of this season and got some of their own, Jennifer Titus, to perform it. Seriously, here's the story on it. Personally, I think it's awesome and I hope Ms. Titus considers a music career. I'm sure she'd do exceptionally well!! Here's proof, the Jen Titus version of O, Death.
Here's one of the coolest parts, though! One of the many aspects of the end of the world the fifth season of Supernatural deals with is the appearance of the Four Horsemen. For the last few eps, they've kind of danced around who would be Death. Just recently, they released a trailer in which Death makes his first appearance!! With "O, Death" by Jen Titus as the background music. This is SUCH an AWESOME trailer, and portrays Death exceptionally!!!! I like it so much, I'll actually post it up here!!! Look for his appearance in the last 20 seconds of the promo. I've also included the lyrics to both versions of the song after the video!
Supernatural Lyrics:
O, Death... O, Death...O, Death...
Won't you spare me over another year?
Oh what is this that I can't see with ice cold hands taking hold of me
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold,
Who'll have mercy on your soul?
O, Death... O, Death...
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
O, Death...
Well I am Death, None can excel
I'll open the door to Heaven or Hell
O, Death... O, Death...
My name is Death and the end is here
The original lyrics:
O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year
Well what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands takin' hold of me
Well I am death, none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell
Whoa, death someone would pray
Could you wait to call me another day
The children prayed, the preacher preached
Time and mercy is out of your reach
I'll fix your feet til you cant walk
I'll lock your jaw til you cant talk
I'll close your eyes so you can't see
This very air, come and go with me
I'm death I come to take the soul
Leave the body and leave it cold
To draw up the flesh off of the frame
Dirt and worm both have a claim
O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year
My mother came to my bed
Placed a cold towel upon my head
My head is warm my feet are cold
Death is a-movin upon my soul
Oh, death how you're treatin' me
You've close my eyes so I can't see
Well you're hurtin' my body
You make me cold
You run my life right outta my soul
Oh death please consider my age
Please don't take me at this stage
My wealth is all at your command
If you will move your icy hand
Oh the young, the rich or poor
Hunger like me you know
No wealth, no ruin, no silver no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
O, death
O, death
Wont you spare me over til another year
Wont you spare me over til another year
Wont you spare me over til another year
One of my favorite shows on air at the moment is called Supernatural. They are currently airing the last few eps of their fifth season, the theme of which is the end of the world. To commemorate this, the producers of the show created a new version of an old song, O Death, where a man dying is pleading with Death to let him live.
This particular song has been around since the 1600s. I believe it was a british dirge (funeral song for those who don't know). More recently, it was brought back to light on the soundtrack of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" where it was performed by Dr. Ralph Stanley. Here's a recent video of Dr. Stanley singing O Death acapella.
The peeps at CW tweaked the lyrics to fit the theme of this season and got some of their own, Jennifer Titus, to perform it. Seriously, here's the story on it. Personally, I think it's awesome and I hope Ms. Titus considers a music career. I'm sure she'd do exceptionally well!! Here's proof, the Jen Titus version of O, Death.
Here's one of the coolest parts, though! One of the many aspects of the end of the world the fifth season of Supernatural deals with is the appearance of the Four Horsemen. For the last few eps, they've kind of danced around who would be Death. Just recently, they released a trailer in which Death makes his first appearance!! With "O, Death" by Jen Titus as the background music. This is SUCH an AWESOME trailer, and portrays Death exceptionally!!!! I like it so much, I'll actually post it up here!!! Look for his appearance in the last 20 seconds of the promo. I've also included the lyrics to both versions of the song after the video!
Supernatural Lyrics:
O, Death... O, Death...O, Death...
Won't you spare me over another year?
Oh what is this that I can't see with ice cold hands taking hold of me
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold,
Who'll have mercy on your soul?
O, Death... O, Death...
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
O, Death...
Well I am Death, None can excel
I'll open the door to Heaven or Hell
O, Death... O, Death...
My name is Death and the end is here
The original lyrics:
O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year
Well what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands takin' hold of me
Well I am death, none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell
Whoa, death someone would pray
Could you wait to call me another day
The children prayed, the preacher preached
Time and mercy is out of your reach
I'll fix your feet til you cant walk
I'll lock your jaw til you cant talk
I'll close your eyes so you can't see
This very air, come and go with me
I'm death I come to take the soul
Leave the body and leave it cold
To draw up the flesh off of the frame
Dirt and worm both have a claim
O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year
My mother came to my bed
Placed a cold towel upon my head
My head is warm my feet are cold
Death is a-movin upon my soul
Oh, death how you're treatin' me
You've close my eyes so I can't see
Well you're hurtin' my body
You make me cold
You run my life right outta my soul
Oh death please consider my age
Please don't take me at this stage
My wealth is all at your command
If you will move your icy hand
Oh the young, the rich or poor
Hunger like me you know
No wealth, no ruin, no silver no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
O, death
O, death
Wont you spare me over til another year
Wont you spare me over til another year
Wont you spare me over til another year
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
My Celebrity Spouse
A celebrity spouse. Everyone has one. That one celebrity that you would say yes to without a single moment of hesitation. Imagine the moment....
You're sitting outside enjoying the day. Having a cool, refreshing beverage and hanging with friends. Then out of nowhere, they walk up. You're amazed to see them in person and a hush falls over your friends. They sit down and talk to you. After a few moments, they take your hand and lead you away. For me, that celebrity is Alyssa Milano.
I've been in love with her since I first saw her on "Who's The Boss?" all those years ago. I followed her from Who's The Boss all the way through Charmed. One of the worst movies in human existence, Embrace of The Vampire, I own just because Alyssa was in it! Alyssa is truly wonderful. Sexy, strong, smart, and goofy. She's the closest thing to perfection I have ever seen. That is why she's my celebrity spouse. You may ask why I'm writing about this now. To be completely honest, I was recently reminded of her power over me.
I'm not someone who enjoys sitcoms. After awhile they become repetitive and boring. It's because of this exact phenomenon that reality TV was born. I will NEVER forgive sitcoms for THAT! Yet, the instant I heard my celebrity wife had a new sitcom on the air, I went and watched it. No hesitation. I even ENJOYED IT! Especially that one scene when she comes down the stairs dressed up for her date. Mmmmmm....
Anyway, back to the point. I could overload this site with the pics I have of my celeb wife, but I won't. Instead, here are some of my favorite pics of my celebrity wife. Isn't she lovely??
Truly proof of the existence of God.
So, dear reader, who is YOUR celebrity spouse?
You're sitting outside enjoying the day. Having a cool, refreshing beverage and hanging with friends. Then out of nowhere, they walk up. You're amazed to see them in person and a hush falls over your friends. They sit down and talk to you. After a few moments, they take your hand and lead you away. For me, that celebrity is Alyssa Milano.
I've been in love with her since I first saw her on "Who's The Boss?" all those years ago. I followed her from Who's The Boss all the way through Charmed. One of the worst movies in human existence, Embrace of The Vampire, I own just because Alyssa was in it! Alyssa is truly wonderful. Sexy, strong, smart, and goofy. She's the closest thing to perfection I have ever seen. That is why she's my celebrity spouse. You may ask why I'm writing about this now. To be completely honest, I was recently reminded of her power over me. I'm not someone who enjoys sitcoms. After awhile they become repetitive and boring. It's because of this exact phenomenon that reality TV was born. I will NEVER forgive sitcoms for THAT! Yet, the instant I heard my celebrity wife had a new sitcom on the air, I went and watched it. No hesitation. I even ENJOYED IT! Especially that one scene when she comes down the stairs dressed up for her date. Mmmmmm....
Anyway, back to the point. I could overload this site with the pics I have of my celeb wife, but I won't. Instead, here are some of my favorite pics of my celebrity wife. Isn't she lovely??
Truly proof of the existence of God.
So, dear reader, who is YOUR celebrity spouse?
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