Unjust

I cannot, for love nor money, acertain why The Stone Roses never broke in the US. (Obviously, am watching my Roses DVD I got for Christmas while writing this).

I realize, of course, that Ian's voice, wavers, shall we say. But the stage presence he has, unfreakingbelieveable. At the Blackpool concert, for the love of God, the man comes out playing with a damn yo-yo. John Squire is one of my favorite guitar players, despite his serious wah-wah pedal issues (Sounds good, just a lot). Reni should be on everyone's lists of best drummers ever. Big sound, 3-piece kit. No room for debate. And my favorite, Mani. Best bassist ever. Seriously. Doesn't do the wanking bass work (Les Claypool, I'm talking to you), is very subtle, but makes the music move along, groove along if you will.

The Roses never breaking here is just another example, of why American taste in music, in my humble opinion, tends to do the impossible, and both suck and blow at the same time.

Songs Obsessively Listened To This Week

1. The Jam- Saturday's Kids
2. Sugababes- Ugly
3. New Order- Temptation
4. Stone Roses- Mersey Paradise
5. Basement Jaxx feat. Dizzee Rascal- Lucky Star
6. Kayne West- Touch the Sky
7. Artic Monkeys- Bet You Look Good On the Dance Floor
8. Paul Weller- Instant Karma!
9. Damian "Gong" Marley- Welcome to Jam Rock
10. Oasis- The Masterplan

Grief

When it all comes down, I think, barring major international incidents, that one of the most traumatic things in my life (so far), happened tonight.

My paternal grandmother had been suffering from various Alzheimers/dementia-related ailments for years now. This morning, things took a turn for the worse.

Mom and Dad went over to the nursing home several times today. My poor Dad, who is too soft-hearted to go deer hunting, sat with my other soft-hearted uncles watching Grandma pass to the next world all day. Mom called and asked me to go down to keep Grandpa company after work.

After finishing up at the flowershop, I ran to the grocery store to get Grandpa something to eat. As he is 90, and doesn't give a damn about cholesterol, I got him fried chicken and Old Style Light- beer, nectar of the Gods and the Chicago Cubs- for supper.

Along with one of my cousins, we sat with Grandpa, knowing that as it was 8:30 at night, and we hadn't heard anything, no good news would be along shortly. We looked at old pictures- my Dad and his siblings had a pet duck and squirrel, named "Duck" and "Squirrel," natch- and listened to Grandpa talk about WWII, and how he was terrified of Crocodiles when he was stationed in Australia.

Periodically, Grandpa would say, "I guess that Mom has taken a turn for the worse." I didn't know what to say. I thought, the grandma that taught me to sew, embroider, and about flowers is dying in a god-forsaken nursing home, having not recognized anyone who loves her for the past 3 years. She is surrounded by her children, yet, they might as well be workers, because she knows them not. Her husband of 60+ years sits in their home, wringing his hands, because he's too fragile to watch the transition. Again, I didn't know what to say.

As I sit here, drying my tears, I know, intellectually, that my grandma is better off, wherever people go when they leave this plane of existence. I know this, in my mind.

But what I weep for is that she never got to know her great-grandchildren, see most of her grandchildren married, graduate from college, etc.... That the last time that Grandpa saw her, she didn't know who he was, her husband that she sent off to war, pregnant with their first child. Her husband that she raised four children with. Her husband that stood with her when their little boy died of SIDS.

I wish, that somehow, the last time I saw my Grandma, before the disease took hold, I could remember that I told her that I loved her. I'm sure that I did, but still....And that, somehow, in the depths of her illness, that she remembered that. Even now.

What Miles Davis said

Impossibly cute

So much adorableness. Cuteness. Fluffiness. Any place that has 16 Panda cubs is the "Happiest Place on Earth." Get bent, Disney.

Weekly Top Ten

Songs I've listened to more than a bajillion times this week:

1. This Is the One- The Stone Roses
2. Transmission- Joy Division
3. Trouble With Love Is- Kelly Clarkson
4. Thick As Thieves- The Jam
5. All the King's Horses- Joss Stone
6. Red Dress- Sugababes
7. Let There Be Love- Oasis
8. Landslide- Fleetwood Mac
9. Let's Groove- Earth, Wind & Fire
10. Caught Up- Madonna

Where's a wizard when a girl needs one?

http://www.slate.com/id/2131640/?nav=tap3
Link
I have to tell you, I don't listen to the radio much. Cuts into my obsessive listening to CD's by Brit bands that I think about entirely too much and way too often.

That being said, when I was flipping thru the channels today- it snowed 5-6 inches here, and I wanted to hear road conditions- I heard this song. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I can't begin to describe the stupid.

I was more appalled by this song, than I was by the country song where the prisoner's wife pimps out their dog (to distract the guard dog), so said prisoner can break out of aforementioned jail.

Hee. Imagine my joy when I found out I wasn't the only one who felt this way.

First of all, I couldn't figure out what the f&*% they were talking about. Then, I thought it was an unholy remake of "The Humpty Dance." Oh yeah, betcha hadn't thought about the Digital Underground in a while. God, I just name-checked Digital Underground.

Man, I wish some of the crap in the Harry Potter books were real, because I could use a good Obliviate right now. Get that damn idiot song out of my grey matter.

What the hell?

http://www.hellomagazine.com/music/2005/12/07/billboardawards/
Link

I have to admit, Gwen Stefani isn't exactly my cup of tea, style-wise. Bit too rip-offy of your average teenager. I worship the stylistic ground (though obviously not some of the personal choices of the following) that my girls, Kate Moss, Carine Roitfeld (editor of French Vogue), and Sienna Miller, walk on. But I digress.

That being said, I like the dress that Gwen has on, but what in the name of All That Is Holy is on her head? Was she going for Rita Hayworth, had a brain spasm, and got Gilda confused with Carmen Freaking Miranda?

Honestly, you can't make this crap up

Link
Rep. Jeff Miller, R-FLA, official Bonehead of the day.

"Not a single person was marched into a gas chamber and killed," Miller told the survivors.

No freaking crap. What a moron.

More Manchester worship

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/christmas/s/189/189672_top_ten_gigs_of_2005.html
Link

Killer.

Oh, but for the grace of God

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1659316,00.html
Link

Had I not grown up in a rural area, with strict parents, this so could have been me (only with New Kids On the Block).

Love the Modfather

http://www.nme.com/news/oasis/21631
Link

Weller rules.

Oprah's Favorite Things

I know that it is a sign of my unbelievable shallowness, but I have something on the Big O's list! The Kashwere robe! In Iris!

Idiots

Okay, so I'm supposed to "wait for the bling." What if there is no "bling?" Will cash suffice? Uhhh, wait, let me rephrase that...

Dubious honor

Each year, the Literary Review (UK) awards authors with particularly awful naughty scenes, their "Bad Sex in Fiction" award. Sadly, I don't believe that Scooter Libby's book qualified this year.

YAY! It's Happy Goblet of Fire Day!

http://salon.com/ent/movies/review/2005/11/17/potter/
">Link

The only movie review in memory that made me cry. Love Salon. Can hardly wait till 6:30 tomorrow evening, when I see the movie.

Hee. HEE.

">Link
This made me laugh so stinking hard, I about passed from this plane of existence.

Oh, Holy Jesus

">Link


That would be more fun than proverbial monkeys-in-barrels to see in concert.

Lizzy and Darcy

http://salon.com/ent/movies/review/2005/11/11/pride_prejudice/
">Link

To say that I'm excited about this movie, is possibly the biggest understatement of the past six months.

Today in my unhealthy Oasis obsession

http://www.nme.com/news/oasis/21465
">Link


I would so hit that. Don't think twice, it's alright, baby. With apologies to Mr. Zimmerman for the latter.

Cool

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1513153/20051107/index.jhtml?headlines=true
">Link
Way to go, young ladies. Much respect.

Amen

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_11/007521.php
">Link

I would just die

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1635733,00.html
">Link

Okay, just saying for the record, if I was at a White Stripes concert, and Jimmy Page was in attendance, I would die. On the spot.

In interest of full disclosure, I once had my picture taken in front of Jimmy's house in London (the one with only stained glass windows). I know, pathetic. But I'm not afraid to admit my Led Zep fan girl status.

On my mind

Okay, I have to get this off my chest.

My little brother, who is a senior in college, just called me, and asked me what it would take for me to be he and his friends designated driver tonight. I told him "a tank of gas and the new Jam at the BBC CD." I'm fully prepared for vomiting in the Jeep.

Luckily for me, my hetero life-mate, Stacy, was a Contiki travel guide in Europe, and has passed on to me many ways of dealing with inebriates. She should know, escorting 30-40 drunken 18-25 year-olds round the Old World every three weeks for three years. Mainly, looping carrier bag handles round their ears to reduce projectile mess in moving vehicles.

This is not a normal occurence, though my brother is a great deal more responsible than I was at that age, as God only knows. 3.97 GPA versus my own pitiful at 21 GPA of 2.3. For you see, he and his friends are out on the town tonight because one of their buddies is back from the Army in Iraq.

While my baby brother worries about grades and getting a job in June, his friend- whom he attended K-12 with, is praying the military doesn't start the Stop-Gap thing again, and he's able to come home in January. While Z is planning the semi-annual Beer Olympics, he's hoping that the car that his Humvee is passing won't explode.

We have a picture of all the guys that I'm picking up at the bar tonight, when they were at my brother's 6th birthday party. They are all without their shirts on, and their skinny white boy chests are covered with fake tattoos, as they flex their non-existent muscles, grinning fit to kill, wired on cheap frosting.

This war is, well, I don't know where to start. What I do know, is that my mom can't talk about my brother's 3 friends who are in the military without crying, and neither can I. We pray that God blesses our troops, but what if that isn't enough? Doesn't every country pray for their soldiers? Who are the truly blessed? And why....

So, I will happily schelp my ass to pick them up tonight, hoping all the while, that I don't weep while driving them to their homes, as I am now.

Songs of the week

I.E. songs that I have sung (screamed) along to in the car more times that I'd like to admit.

1. Jesus Walks- Kayne West
2. One Love- The Stone Roses
3. I Heard It Through the Grapevine- Gladys Knight and the Pips
4. Winterlong- Neil Young
5. This Is A Low- Blur
6. Red Alert- Basement Jaxx
7. Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond
8. Eleanor, Put Your Boots On- Franz Ferdinand
9. Digsy's Diner- Oasis
10. Going Underground- The Jam

Much better

http://www.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,16373,1607626,00.html
">Link

Okay, my cat-related injury is not improving greatly. Still sitting here with an ice-pack on my hiney. Treating pain with fine barley products. Feeling rather pathetic for doing such.

Then, I read this interview with Pete Doherty, and suddenly, I felt quite virtuous and organic. Healthy, even.

Oh, boy

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2005/11/03/charlesandcamilla/">Link

Somebody needs to tell Laura Bush to lay off the Botox. Seriously, she probably doesn't cry, she leaks Botulism. She's the Nicollette Sheridan of the political world.

Look at Camilla- most likely has had work done, but looks totally age-appropriate.

I find crap like this fascinating

http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/music_geek/pamusic_103105/
">Link

Article from MTV on how various bands choose the tunes that play before they take the stage. Obligatory quote from my secret boyfriend, Noel.

One of my fashion idols

http://www.hellomagazine.com/music/2005/11/01/eurythmics/
">Link

I am, among many other things, (Alias, Iowa State Cyclones, Oasis, Bridget Jones, et al...) rather obsessed with fashion. There are some who simply help to revolutionize how a certain era looks, such as Anita Pallenberg in the 60's. Annie Lennox- well, it doesn't get too much more iconic than she. Try to imagine what the 1980's would have looked like without the Eurythmics videos. You can't, can you?

So friggin cool

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1606698,00.html
">Link

Concerts I would have sacrificed non-essential extremities to attend- Gorillaz at Manchester Opera House. (Yes, I realize that they're cartoons).

Today in my unhealthy Oasis obsession

http://www.nme.com/news/oasis/21395
">Link


Oooo- GOODY! A new concert DVD!

So much better than the Grammys

http://www.bbcamerica.com/britain/brit_awards/brit_awards.jsp
">Link

Watching the Brit Awards on BBC America. So much better than the Grammys, it's not even funny. Performers include: Franz Ferdinand( major dance break there), Green Day, Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield, Robbie Williams and Joss Stone, Jamelia, Scissor Freaking Sisters, and The Streets. Worth watching alone for the GD performance. "American Idiot," indeed. Not to mention, Jamelia and Lemar perform a duet to "Addicted to Love." I want my legs to look like hers in my next life. Also, my abs to resemble Jake Shears's.

Haha- we win!

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3425435
">Link

Oh Thank You, Jesus, we won. I have a year's worth of leverage against my Aggie friends. Hee. Hee. Hee.

NKOTB

Though I am a complete Anglophile (working class) rock snob now, this was not always the case. Back in junior high, my favorite group was, shudder, New Kids On the Block. Yes, I just said that. Hey, I was 13, give me a break. At least it wasn't Stryker!

I loved NKOTB for many, mostly peer-pressure-related reasons, that make me cringe now. Madonna and Prince were a bit too much for my pre-sexual self, but the New Kids were okay somehow. Though now, looking back, I think that I loved them so, was because Donnie Wahlberg scared me a little. In a "good" way. (Not just because of the righteous mullet).

That confession aside, the scary man, Mr. Donnie Wahlberg, is on Jimmy Kimmel tonight. Watch, if simply for the reason that he was unbelievable in "Band of Brothers" and "Boomtown." Such a great actor.

Poor, poor, pitiful me

My life sucks right now. I was supposed to go to the Twin Cities this weekend to A- celebrate Cyclone-style the High (both literally and figuratively) Holidays (Halloween) with Stace and Brookie, and B- Avoid my right-winger relatives that will be arriving to help clean my grandpa's timber for the upcoming deer season (quit snickering).

But, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- things just had to go wrong. Wednesday night, I was minding my own business, getting ready to go down to the basement to email various amusing (Robbie Williams nekkid) things to my friends when I was met with tragedy. My damned cat, Holden- let me tell you, I am regretting that particular name choice, ran in front of me and nearly knocked me down the stairs.

Whilst I was keeping myself from going ass over teakettle down the friggin' stairs, I pulled my gluteal area. Yep, that would be my arse. This resulted in my limping about like I'm 90, and two appointments with the chiropractor. Not to mention, it's the right cheek, which causes me to put my weight on my left ankle, the bum one, that resulted from my girl's bachelorette party in, oh God, I don't remember. (The famed sliding-down-the-big-Lego-at-the- Mall of America- incident).

And also my current situation, sitting in front of the computer, watching "Little Britain," with an ice pack on my can, drinking a lovely tequila- based drink to kill the pain. As pain-relieving gels go, let me tell you, BioFreeze is a vast improvement on IcyHot. I can't even tell you how much it pains me to say that. Again, with the literal and figurative.

So, not only am I still living and working for my parents, 30 and a singleton, now, my butt is gimpy. Instead of drinking heavily in inappropriate costumes with my girls, I now get to hear about how Hillary Clinton is conspiring to implement the New World Order, and how John Kerry actually shot himself in Vietnam. Instead of busting out my Catholic schoolgirl costume for the umpteenth time, I get to hear about how rich, white, private-school educated people are so incredibly oppressed in America. With an ice-pack on my ass. I rule! So kidding there. Jeez, I hope Dad still has some Vicodin left in the medicine cabinet. Kidding. Okay, not so much.

I need cheering.

Songs that bear repeated listening. This week.

1. Kinky Afro- Happy Mondays
2. Freak Like Me- Sugababes
3. Sweet Jane- Velvet Underground
4. What's So Funny ('bout Peace, Love and Understanding)?- Elvis Costello
5. The Masterplan- Oasis
6. Broken Stones- Paul Weller
7. Extraordinary Machine- Fiona Apple
8. Tupelo Honey- Van Morrison
9. Working My Way Back to You- The Spinners
10. Jailbreak- Thin Lizzy

I love him

http://www.oasisfanatic.com/band/oasis/quotes/noel/30.html
">Link


I laugh my head off at this site. He's so funny......

God, Jack and Ginger

http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20051028/en_music_eo/17667&printer=1
">Link

Is it sad, that I once wanted to take up percussion, because I wanted my legs to look like what I imagined Ginger Baker's thighs to look like?

Wait, just answered my own question.

Tats, etc

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051027/wl_uk_afp/britainroyalharry_051027092524
">Link


Let's hope Wills obtains a tattoo by the time he gets to the same point at Sandhurst. I know, sick. But you know you're thinking the same damn thing.

Yeah, but no, but yeah

http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/comedy_games/little_britain/little_britain.jsp
">Link

I love Little Britain on BBC America(suprise, suprise). Makes me laugh my arse off. The laydees, the "only gay in the village," the vomiting elderly women, VickyPollard- who has six children from seven different fathers... Totally hysterical.

Ahoy, mateys! New Pirates II Info!

http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/268871/moviemain.jhtml
">Link

I adored the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. Adored. It. What's not to love? My girl, Keira, kicking some butt in a corset, Orlando, the prettiest man in the universe sword- fighting, and Johnny Depp, acting like a pirate version of Keith Richards? Nothing, I tell you, there is nothing not to love. Not to mention, the hottest kiss in the known universe at the end of the show. And, since I have a recurring dream that I'm stranded on a desert island with Mr. Depp, with lots of rum, the movie hit close to home. Okay, I'm lying about that part, but, damn, that would be a really great dream. Please listen, subconscious.

The next one comes out this coming summer. I am really stinking excited, in case you couldn't tell from the above paragraph.

God Love Liam Gallagher. I certainly do.

http://salon.com/ent/col/fix/2005/10/24/mon/index.html
">Link

I love Kate Moss- as a fashion icon, she is without peer. But this quote from the delightfully mouthy Liam Gallagher, made me giggle like a 10 year- old girl after eating Pixi Stix and drinking a Mountain Dew.

"I don't care, man. I don't care about her, her f***ing drugs or her f***ing stupid mates. Same goes for f***ing Babyshambles. I don't want to fight them, I don't want their f***ing birds, I don't want to shoot their dogs, I don't want to stand on their hamster's head. I'm just not into their music."

(I do feel that I need to point out that Pete Doherty and Liam both have a kid by the same woman, and Pete is allegedly sporadic with his child support. Also, Pete's new band, Babyshambles, was supposed to open for Oasis at their concert at Southampton, and didn't show up. Because he allegedly had a fight with Kate. Nice way to get a new rock group off the ground, there, Pete. Do a no-show in front of 75,000 people. Hence the bitterness from Gallagher the Younger).

From Yahoo!

http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/va/20051024/113020049300.html
">Link

24 days till Goblet of Fire! YAY!

The Good Doctor's Widow

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety
/story/0,6000,1598398,00.html?gusrc=rss
">Link

R.I.P, Hunter, wherever you are.

The Weird Sisters

http://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/21320
">Link

I realize that I am most likely going to be the only one in the theater watching "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" that knows that members of the Weird Sisters band include the guitar player and drummer from Radiohead, and Jarvis Cocker from Pulp- but hey, I'm okay with that. Just like I was cool with being the only one during "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" to recognize Ian Brown. (Can't miss the cheekbones). My name is Jen, and I am a rockaholic.

I do not care

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2005/10/21/princewilliam/
">Link

I do not care what my friends, Glamour magazine, et al say. Prince William does not have thinning hair. Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip.

This is why I love the Kaisers

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1598283,00.html
">Link

They are essentially Brits. Therefore, I adore them.

Finally

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200510220019
">Link

Thank you, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Songs I have listened to more than 10 times in the past week

An explanation:

My current job involves delivering arrangements for my mom's flower shop. Not a bad gig, doesn't pay crap, but after teaching in an inner-city school for the past 4 years, I could use a break. Though it is kind of a pain, dodging tractors and combines on a 2-lane highway (harvest time). Soooo, I have lots of time to listen to music. The following are songs that I have listened to way too often in the past week or so.

1. Town Called Malice- The Jam
2. DARE- Gorillaz
3. She Bangs the Drums- The Stone Roses
4. Push the Button- Sugababes
5. Waterloo Sunset- The Kinks
6. Buffalo Soldier- Bob Marley
7. Do You Want To?- Franz Ferdinand
8. Country House- Blur
9. Rock Steady- Aretha Franklin
10. This Charming Man- The Smiths
11. Acquiesce- Oasis
12. Twist- Goldfrapp
13. Step On- Happy Mondays
14. Since You've Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson
15. We Used to Be Friends- The Dandy Warhols

Reason #299 that I want to move to the U.K.

http://www.nme.com/news/blur/21297
">Link

Okay, my girls and I have been discussing repeatedly for the past few years, why we did not just chuck it all and move to our spiritual homeland, the United Kingdom, family and work crap aside. The discussion started because of our general disgust of the current American political and pop culture climate. I mean, a network actually gave shows to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears? And to Jessica and Ashlee Simpson? Daddy issues, anyone? Good God. Did you watch the travesty of the Britney and Kevin show? Tragic, I tell you.

We love the literature (Shakespeare, Brontes, Austen, Fieldings both Henry and Helen, and Jo Rowling), the architecture (Wren), and the music (Beatles, Who, Stones, Kinks, Zeppelin, Dusty Springfield, Jam, Pistols, Clash, Stone Roses, Oasis, Robbie, Blur, Franz, Kaisers, et al). Okay, we're not crazy about lots of rain and bad teeth (and I loathe the mustard), but we'd be willing to make sacrifices.

It'd be hard to leave the Midwest, but when I read articles like the above link, well, let's just say we'd be willing to make the change- just on the off chance- that the possibility existed that we could run into Damon Freaking Albarn's fine ass self in the local pub. Jeebus.

Mad, bad, and dangerous to know

http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/byron/byron.jsp
">Link

Sick Boy from "Trainspotting" is playing Lord Byron in a movie on BBC America. Dangerous to know, indeed. Rwaaah!

Fanfreakingtastic

http://www.snobsite.com/
">Link

Trust me when I tell you, it is possible to waste massive periods of time on this site. Days, even.

I love this show

http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/bourdain/bourdain.html
">Link

Oh, Good God- Tony Bourdain is in Vegas. He and his buddy are driving around in a red convertible (Land Shark) and acting like Raoul Duke and his Lawyer. Though said buddy does not appear to be Samoan, Tony does appear to have some habits that are quite similar to Duke's. Loving it. Food and a Good Doctor spoof.

I don't even want to f-ing talk about it

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200510150022
">Link

Mizzou 27, Iowa State 24 (OT)

Why do you hate us, God, Allah, Buddha? WHY?

Oh, Robbie, you scamp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1594197,00.html
">Link

The shrieking sound you hear is my best friend screaming her head off, "I'll marry you, Robs!"

Seriously, we both have an unholy fixation on Robbie Williams. This has been ongoing for a while now, ever since we heard a rumor that when he dated the chick that played Sandy in the West End's production of "Grease," that they performed songs from said musical as, ahem, a prelude of sorts. The obsession ain't pretty, folks. Though perhaps more understandable than my continuing preoccupation with Noel Gallagher.

My name is Bond. James Bond.

http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2005/10/14/danielcraig/
">Link

Mmmm, they're going for rugged this time. Love it. Love. It.

Goblet of Fire! 33 Days! WOOOO!

http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=gof/youknowwho_promo.jpg
">Link

New Promo billboard for the 4th Harry Potter movie in L.A. I cannot stand it. I am totally pumped. I know, DORK.

This article is making me crazy. Okay, crazier. Glastonbury 2007

http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_1572661.html?menu=entertainment.pop
">Link

When I saw this, I started jumping up and down and screaming. More than usual.

Glastonbury Festival is one of the major summer music festivals in the U.K. It's taking a hiatus next year, but will be back in '07. This summer's lineup included, but is not limited to the following artists: Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, M.I.A. (absolutely fabo female Brit of Sri Lankan extraction rapper- no, that is not an oxymoron), Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, The Killers (whose guitar player, Dave Keuning, is representing Pella, Iowa), Coldplay, Basement Jaxx (my current favs), and has hosted on previous occasions- Paul McCartney, Oasis (my guys), and Robbie Williams.

This is crazy-making for 2 reasons. First of all, I'm going to be absolutely dying for about, oh, 16 months, before they announce the actual line up. The headliner "isn't American?" THAT narrows it down. Second, I realize, even if I knew who was playing, I'd have to sell my soul to Satan to get tickets. I'd even camp at the festival willingly.

This is a telling statement on how bad I want to go, as I detest camping. Why would you camp when there are perfectly good hotels? Also, I hate porta-potties. Even though I would look darling in Glasto gear- rubber boots, flowing skirts, carrying a beer- much like my girl, Kate Moss, or Gwyneth Paltrow. Though ever so slightly less supermodelly. And obviously without Pete Doherty's crackhead ass, and Chris Martin. This is how desperately I want to go. Supadupabad.

Fwaah, Mr. Darcy. Also, Harry Potter.

http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=2078862005
">Link

Okay, I realize that the Beeb's production of P and P is completely separate from Austen's book, but I can't hear the name "Mr. Darcy" without thinking of the following quote:

"It was Mr Darcy. The same posh, deep, can't be bothered voice that he proposed to Elizabeth Bennet in on the BBC." From Bridget Jones, The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

Okay, am actually leaving the computer now.

Please, Jesus, don't let the free-fall continue

http://cyclones.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/101105aaa.html
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Okay, it's more of a skid, but seriously.....

ISU v. Mizzou- 1 PM in Columbia. After getting my hopes up after we thrashed the Suckeyes, they were quickly dashed with losses to the friggin' Huskers and, for the love of Mike, Baylor. I'm still demoralized from the Nebraska game. Thought we'd finally defeat the Evil Empire. It doesn't sound good.... we're not a road team. Okay, Captain Obvious.

Mizzou beat OK State last weekend- who apparently aren't full-on this year so far. On a more encouraging note, since it's football, I won't be distracted by how shagtastic Quin Snyder (Mizzou men's BB coach) is....

I know I'm being a negative Nellie, but again, have had my hopes cruelly dashed far too many times (Elite 8 2000 against Michigan State and Tom "AntiChrist" Izzo, anyone) to be positive. Should have known better after the Iowa game.

Lots of writing going on, but not much on the tube tonight, my beloved Alias aside. I know I'm just going to cave, and watch the Food Network, but am putting it off as long as possible....

Best-dressed man in show business- Paul Weller

http://qglastoblog.typepad.com/q_awards/2005/10/winners_the_q_o.html
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God, I love me some Wellah. Look at that jacket. And the pants! Don't get me started!

Franz is sweet

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1578108,00.html
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Splits during "Do You Want To?" I'll tell you what I want to do- die. A happy woman. Good God. Alex doing the splits? Nice. That's about as hot as during the end credits of "Charlie's Angels" when Sam Rockwell does the splits while smoking. A cigarette, though Sam is on fire, too. Both literally and figuratively.

It is truly a sign of my moral ambiguity that I- 9 times out of 10- find the villains in movies more attractive than the heroes. And to me, Sam got way cuter when I found out he was a baddie. Case in point, Alan Rickman in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." I need to lie down now.

Happy John Peel Day!

For you non- rock snobs, John Peel, who passed away unexpectedly last year, was an immensely influential DJ on BBC's Radio 1. Unlike the vast majority of DJ's here in the States (or anywhere, for that matter), he went out of his way to help young bands starting out, even financing some because he so believed in what they were doing. Some of the bands he helped through the years were The Who, Joy Division, Bloc Party, The Jam, Sex Pistols, The Smiths, The Ramones and Oasis. More than 300 concerts were held today in the UK alone to honor him. An immense legacy.

Hey

Just a brief intro and some insight into my M.O.

Lack of foresight and planning on my part, has resulted in a hiatus at my parental unit's home in rural Iowa. Believe it or not, this is a bit of a change from where I've lived for the past 4 years, Houston, Texas. Houston was a bit of a mixed bag for me- met some wonderful people there, taught in a school where you really felt you made a difference, the food in the city was freaking fantastic, et al. But. I. Could. Not. Stand. The. Weather. Also, big bugs. HUGE. Also, my boss, for you Harry Potter fans, resembled in both form and function Dolores Umbridge from "Order of the Phoenix." So back to the Tall Corn State went I, resulting in large amounts of free time, and this blog. Currently working for my blessed mother, and psyched to be able to watch the Iowa State Cyclones on network TV. Go Cyclones!

The main concern of this blog is going to be popular culture, with brief forays into politics. I am an unrepentant Anglophile (music, books, writers, movies), so if the U.K. does not interest you, look elsewhere my friend. I also like American bands, too! (The Killers, and, God, there have to be more, huh)?

On a more L.A.- related note, I am positively obsessed with 2 TV shows- Alias and Veronica Mars. Obsessed to the point that I'm embarrassed about it. But that doesn't stop me from blabbering about them, ooo, noooo....

Current Favorites:
1. Paul Weller (Former Jam frontman- has new album out now)
2. Sugababes (Brit pop group- extremely catchy tunes)
3. Kaiser Chiefs (You should know who they are. Going to be huge)
4. The Stone Roses (Ahhh, the promise that they had once. Their "Very Best of" album is a must-own. Mani and Reni formed the best one-two punch of bass and drums since, pause for respect, John Paul Jones and Bonzo in Zeppelin)
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm (Best reason to get HBO around)
6. Franz Ferdinand (Mmmmm, Alex Kapranos)
7. Footballers Wives (On BBC America- like Desperate Housewives with soccer, cocaine, and way more sex- what's not to like?)
8. Sienna Miller (So your fiance cheats on you with the nanny, and you want revenge and you don't know what to do? You allegedly shag the NEXT JAMES FRIGGIN BOND, that's what you do. Mad respect, man. She deserves a black belt in vengeance, that one)

The Ick List
1. Jessica and Nick (Shut up, already. I don't care. My friends don't care. No one I know cares)
2. John Bolton (You'd think the Ambassador to the UN should, I don't know, not look like a damned walrus, but there you are)
3. People in vehicles with anti-choice bumper stickers that do not make their children wear seatbelts (You care until they actually enter the world, then you DON'T? Look, I don't care that you hate Roe v. Wade. In the name of all that is holy, put the kid in a car seat)

On another car-related note....
4. Those silhouettes of busty reclining women that idiots of all persuasions seem to have on their vehicles. I just want to ask these piles of crap, "Have those decorations ever, and I mean ever, resulted in any positive interaction with women?" To top off the classy factor, I saw some today that had the American flag on them. What a great guy.