JB

God, I'm a weepy fucking mess about this right now. The world just ain't right without the Hardest Working Man In Show Business, Soul Brother #1, etc.....

James Brown singer and songwriter has died today (December 25) at the age of 73 after being admitted to the Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta suffering with pneumonia.

It's CHRISSSSSSSTMASSSSSS

The Jam

The Jam, originally uploaded by modena_musicrock.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Sadly, this seemed appropriate for the holiday weekend. Happy birthday, Baby Jesus. We're in Bat Country now..... I know, I know, I'm twisted.

Dirty Pretty Things feat. Tim Burgess

My favorite Charlatans song, North Country Boy, performed by Dirty Pretty Things. With added Tim Burgess goodness!

Nan, You're a Window Shopper

One of the best song titles ever. Seriously. I adore Lily.

Stone Roses - She Bangs the Drums (V.2)

My boys, mugging for the camera.

THIS

is case-in-point why I adore Girls Aloud.

From hipsters to housewives, they're Britain's most untouchable popstars. Teenyboppers love their sparkly style, indie bands love hanging out with the kind of girls who dissed them at school and David Cameron loves them because... well, there's an election to win, right? They're scientific proof that pop music - when done with sass, style and lots of fizzy synth bits - works . And, unlike the production line of media-tamed drones clogging up the rest of the charts, you can spot Girls Aloud a mile off, the kind of group who don't just settle at being snapped getting carried out of clubs - they get snapped being carried into them as well (as Sarah did after this year's Q awards).

Friday 10

1. Hallelujah- Rufus Wainwright
2. Santa Claus Goes Straight To the Ghetto- James Brown
3. Standing In the Way Of Control- The Gossip
4. You Know I'm No Good- Amy Winehouse
5. Satin Chic-Though the Mystic remix (Flaming Lips)- Goldfrapp
6. Hong Kong Garden- Siouxsie and the Banshees
7. Some Velvet Morning- Primal Scream Feat. Kate Moss
8. My Way- Aretha Franklin
9. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)- Darlene Love
10. Ramblin' Man- Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan

Bonus-
11. Can't Get Out Of Bed- Charlatans
12. Fool's Gold- The Stone Roses

Quote of the year

I have to agree with Alexis Petridis's (The Guardian) choice for quote of the year:

Noel Gallagher on his brother's non-appearance at an awards ceremony: "He's gone to the zoo. The monkeys are bringing their families along to have a look at him."

Party People

This is totally cool- a listing of articles on 24 Hour Party People.

What Winterbottom’s film seems to be examining among other things is the inevitable tensions between the creation of a youth culture which is dependent upon naivety combined with lashings of energy and enthusiasm and the workings of industry and business. Here, as we see, Factory Records and the Hacienda Club cannot sell out. There is quite literally nothing to sell, instead the idealism is eroded and eventually heavily compromised by the real forces of chaos and anarchy in society the ‘lumpen’ criminal classes.

There is no such thing as a utopian 24 Hour Party in which the workings of the system can somehow be ignored in some utopian space. The criminal classes eventually come to control the door and the massive drug fuelled scene in the Hacienda. The drug scene itself can be seen as a part of the reaction of young people to a ‘no future’ type’ of a culture in which the living is done for today not tomorrow.

via BBC America

You Know I'm No Good

Awesome song by Amy Winehouse.

Abbey Road

abbey road, originally uploaded by Bugsy Rocker.

Someday, when I figure out my scanner, I'll upload my ultra-cool pics from London to Flickr. Seriously.

Darlene!

Woo! Ms. Darlene Love is going to be on Letterman on Friday night! Am officially in a festive mood now!

Note- I have a huge soft spot for Dave Letterman. Anyone who would dub his music crew "The World's Most Dangerous Band," have a segment called "Will It Float," have his mom on for Olympic coverage, have Regis wrestle a bear, et al... is a man after my heart.

Also, I've been watching him since I was but a wee girl, when my parents fell asleep. Slackasses.

You learn something new every day

Things that I was not aware of:

1. It's been 6! years since Kirsty MacColl was killed
2. Shane MacGowan is writing for the Guardian

Dafydd? No longer a singleton

Congrats to Matt and Kevin.

When it comes to comedy, Matt Lucas has been inseparable from David Walliams ever since they launched the Little Britain phenomenon more than five years ago. Yesterday, however, the other man in his life emerged when Lucas wed his long-term partner, Kevin McGee.

Spoonbridge and Cherry

Spoonbridge and Cherry, originally uploaded by EmiEmerald.

One of my favorite bits of sculpture.

Random Ten

Let's key up the old iTunes, and see what happens. Okay, that was quite lame, but I really feel I need a segue for these lists.

1. The Man Who Would Be King- The Libertines
2. You Know My Name- Chris Cornell
3. Merry Xmas Everybody- Slade
4. Comfortably Numb- Scissor Sisters
5. Morning Glory- Oasis
6. Wannabe- Spice Girls OH GOD, WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?
7. Breathe- The Prodigy
8. Elephant Stone- The Stone Roses
9. Easy- Sugababes
10. Both Sides Now- Joni Mitchell

Bonus-
Friday Night- Lily Allen

The Queen Of Soul

Oh, I'm going to NEED to see this.....Have listened to the music lots, and have actually read the book.

A bitch adores Aretha Franklin, so my ass was beyond excited to hear that her autobiography Aretha: From These Roots is being turned into a musical which will tour America.

Putting On the Ritz

RIP, Mr. Peter Boyle. Did you know that John Lennon (yes, THAT John Lennon) was the best man at Boyle's wedding? I sure didn't. You learn something new every day.

This scene from 'Young Frankenstein' reduces me to helpless giggles every time.

RS's Songs Of the Year

Can't say I completely agree with this list, but I'm happy to see Gnarls and two of my fav Brits, La Goldfrapp and La Allen, in the top ten.

Velvet Goldmine

Lucky bastards....

Forty years after it was made, The Velvet Underground's first recording has become a financial hit — in cyberspace. Bought for 75 cents four years ago at a Manhattan flea market, the rare recording of music that ended up on the influential New York band's first album, "The Velvet Underground & Nico," sold on eBay for a closing bid of $155,401.

I think the following would go in the "Holy Crap" category-

Warren Hill, a collector from Montreal, bought the record in September 2002 at the flea market, according to an article written by his friend, Eric Isaacson of Mississippi Records in Portland, Ore. in the current issue of Goldmine Magazine.

Isaacson helped Hill decipher the nature of the lucky find.

"We cued it up and were stunned — the first song was not 'Sunday Morning' as on the 'Velvet Underground & Nico' Verve LP, but rather it was 'European Son' — the song that is last on that LP, and it was a version neither of us had ever heard before!" Isaacson wrote.

Yeah, but no, but yeah, but no, but HELL YEAH!

It's a real challenge to find an actress to take on the role of Vicky Pollard's mother.

Who could fit the bill as having spawned the loathsome teen?

Well, there's one lady who is taking it all in her stride...

Dawn French has donned the tracksuit and trainers to play Vicky's mother Shelley in a two-part festive edition of Little Britain.

goldfrapp

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Oh, but this song is lovely....

Oh, Lord

The medical professional consulted for this Savage Love column? My cousin's Republican husband, who has an fantastic sense of humor. Seriously. He once said to me, at his wife's grandmother's wake-directly after the Rosary, mind you, "I didn't know they were letting prostitutes in here tonight."

This would have been mildly amusing, but for the fact that the priest who just conducted the service was standing directly behind him, and made some comment that we should watch what we said, blah, blah, blah.... Also, Jeff said that with a live microphone in his vocal range. My family? Still hasn't recovered. I have not laughed that hard in many a year..... My parents laughed until they cried.

Medical and legal risks

Dan Savage discussed the subject in his October 25, 2006 "Savage Love" newspaper column. Savage wrote, "attempting a Donkey Punch can lead to ... unpleasant outcomes", including "injury, death, or incarceration"; he also pointed out that it "doesn't even work". He quoted Dr. Jeffrey Bahr, a faculty member at the Medical College of Wisconsin,

To the best of my knowledge, there is no definitive reflex in the human neurophysiology that induces involuntary tightening of the anal sphincter after receiving blunt-force trauma to the occiput, or back of the head.... Trauma to any part of the skull can have serious ramifications. Pain, intracranial hemorrhage, memory loss, neck injury, and possibly some related sensory deficits in the arms and legs. A strong enough blow to the back of an unsuspecting person's head could result in a vertebral fracture which, I hope most people know, could cause paralysis or even death.

Savage concludes, "Attempt a Donkey Punch and it's likely that your asshole will wind up constricting spasmodically — around your cellmate's cock."^[6]

A Festivus For the Rest Of Us

Dear God, Festivus has it's own Wikipedia entry.....

Festivus is a nondenominational holiday featured in "The Strike" episode of Seinfeld, a popular United States based television sitcom of the 1990s. The holiday was a plot device in the episode, which first aired on December 18, 1997. Many people, influenced or inspired by Seinfeld, now celebrate the holiday, in varying degrees of seriousness. Some do it religiously; others do it with good tidings in their respect to Seinfeld.

According to Seinfeld, Festivus is celebrated each year on December 23, but many people celebrate it other times, often in early December. Its slogan is "A Festivus for the rest of us!!" An aluminium pole is generally used in lieu of a Christmas tree or other holiday decoration, shedding holiday materialism. Those attending participate in the "Airing of Grievances" in which each person tells each and everyone else all the ways they've disappointed him/her over the past year, and after a Festivus dinner, The "Feats of Strength" are performed. Traditionally, Festivus is not over until the head of the household is wrestled to the floor and pinned.

Fairytale of New York

Speaking of the Pogues... Shane McGowan and Kirsty McColl's voices are absolutely fantastic together. And yes, that is Matt Dillon in the video.

This made my day

From Stuff On My Cat. Totally sweet.



Heather, will you marry me? Love, Jeff.
(McMinnville, Oregon)

Christmas #1

Most of us in the US were introduced to the concept of the 'importance' of the Christmas #1 music single in the UK through the movie, "Love, Actually." This article is quite interesting, but I found this bit particularly true for all music, at holiday time or otherwise....

For all their rabble-rousing punk swagger, meanwhile, The Pogues are best remembered for "Fairy Tale of New York". Held at No 2 in 1987 by the Pet Shop Boys' "Always On My Mind", it has grown into a perennial. Challenged by Elvis Costello to write a Christmas classic, Shane MacGowan's lyrics, finding the remaining sparks of love between a boozing, ageing Irish couple, one possibly dying of alcoholism, allied to Jem Finer's redemptive melody, make a heartbreaking record. It was intended to combat "the torture of packaged party time", Finer told Uncut, and every year its mix of harsh Christmas realism and transcendent romance does just that.

The Pogues proved beyond doubt that Christmas is as rich a time as any to write about, once you fight past clichés; and that you can enter the rhythm of people's lives if you succeed.

(War is Over ) Happy Christmas

Lennon died 26 years ago today. His plea for peace? Still quite relevant.

I'm so smart sometimes

When I first heard about Liam loving 'X-Factor,' I thought to myself, "There is not a chance in hell that Big Brother is going to let Our Kid on that show." Guess what? I was right!

Winter Wonderland

Looking through the gallery of pictures in UK Vogue from the Garrard party, I had the following questions flash through my head.....




1. THAT'S Lisa Moorish? (Mother of both Liam Gallagher AND Pete Doherty's children)









2. THAT'S Jemima French? (fashion designer)

















3. THAT'S a woman? (Designer Selina Blow)

Top Ten

1. Come Pick Me Up- Ryan Adams
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Diana Krall
3. Higher Ground- RHCP
4. Welcome To the Black Parade- MCR
5. Nobody Does It Better- Carly Simon
6. 20th Century Boy- T.Rex
7. Hips Don't Lie- Shakira
8. Peacock Suit- Paul Weller
9. Strange Town- The Jam
10. The Eton Rifles- The Jam

*I swear I didn't screw around with the shuffle function to get 8-10... (former) Girl Scout's Honor.

Bonus-
11. Strict Machine- Goldfrapp
12. Thriller- Ian Brown

Darlene Love on Letterman (2005)

To paraphrase a comment from YouTube, it isn't Christmas until the Divine Darlene Love performs this song on Letterman.

Lab overload

Too cute...... So tie-tie....

Freebase

When I saw this on RS's website, I thought, "Holy fuck, why is there a picture of my darling Mani on Rolling Stone online? Did some writer get religion?" Then I realized that the aforementioned website/magazine is 'getting ideas' from nme.com, again.

You know My Name

I'd like to write something eloquent about how much I enjoyed Casino Royale today, but I seem to be only capable of laughing ala Beavis and Butthead, while visions of Daniel Craig's perfectly formed pecs dance through my head. Like visions of sugarplums, only sexy. Grrrr......

So here's the theme song from the movie.

Joy Division

Joy Division, originally uploaded by disco saturday.

Cool pic of Stephen, Hooky, Ian and Barney.

Amy

What a voice! What a mouth!

So, while we have the chance, let us salute not just that song, but its author. Ames has been in trouble of late - first for heckling Bono at the Q Awards (mid-way through his list of thanks, she said "Shut up. I don't give a fuck," which is not exactly Wildean, though it will do), and then thanks to a rum old duet with Charlotte Church on the latter's TV show. (For anyone who missed it, the pair did their thing on a version of Michael Jackson's Beat It, for which Amy tumbled well away from metre, precise diction and other such trifles and played a strange kind of blinder. You can find out more by going on YouTube and looking for "Church, Winehouse", and you will laugh until it hurts.)

Friday Random Ten

1. I Am the Resurrection- The Stone Roses
2. I'll See It Through- Texas
3. Move Your Body- Marshall Jefferson
4. Run, Run Rudolph- Chuck Berry
5. When You Were Young- The Killers
6. I'm Bad- Rick Ross
7. Shoot the Runner- Kasabian
8. Turn Me On- Norah Jones
9. Koko- Goldfrapp
10. Fade Away- Oasis

Bonus-
11. I Feel Fine- Beatles

The Holiday premiere

Though the Go Fug girls chose to focus on the tragic outfit that Cameron Diaz wore to the premiere of her new movie, The Holiday, I feel they missed an opportunity with the get-up that (alleged) stylist Rachel Roy wore to the same event.

Where to start? The coat with the rumpled hem and weird leather trim? Too many necklaces? The pulled-back hair which is much to severe for such a grandma-esque look? Gray handbag with an otherwise brown ensemble? Not to mention that she appears to have forgotten her skirt, but not in a saucy Cleaver-flirting-with-Jones way. Yikes.....


Hold on, Elroy. I think this is THE Rachel Roy that is married to music-type dude Damon Dash, whom I believe is quite successful. Despite the fact that-if he is whom I think he is- he produced Posh's last (unsuccessful) solo album. Rachel! You have money! Get A Tailor. And also, gray and brown? Not so much.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

As it will be December soon, here in the upper Midwest, the weather is starting to turn freezing-ass cold. (Yikes, December starts in about an hour. Crap, I really need to get cracking on my present-buying/requesting).

Due to a front moving through, we're supposed to get between 4 to 304 inches of snow tonight. Though it hasn't started to snow yet, the news channels have begun their "Breaking News" updates. We've no snow yet, but lots of breaking news.

All is well here, though. I have a Kashwere robe, DSL, a snuggly kitty cat and an electric blanket to keep me warm. Those aren't going to do a DAMN thing for me when I have to go to work tomorrow, though. Shit.

Heh

In my eyes, Billy Crudup has been a skeeve for quite some time. While the post is typically funny, the following is what clinched it for me.

Additional Note: The GFY Terror Watch squad would also like to announce that Wilmer Valderrama has been ejected from the "Guarded" category for looking really rather presentable lately, and not at all as if he hasn't slept in three days. Congratulations, Wilmer. He has been replaced by Chad Michael Murray, who, while appearing relatively physically clean, is a Hilton-banging cheating douchebag pig-dog and therefore merits placement on the scale.

Official Order of the Phoenix Teaser Trailer!

Oh, Lord. I am so excited for this movie!

Shoot The Runner

Oh, this is cool.

Gah. GAH! Part two

Oh, FUCK me! And Kasabian opened? Sweet Baby Jesus on a cracker!

Solo acoustic set list-

'It's Good To Be Free'
'Talk Tonight'
'Fade Away'
'Cast No Shadow'
'The Importance Of Being Idle'
'Listen Up'
'Half The World Away'
'Wonderwall'
'Whatever'
'Slide Away'
'Strawberry Fields'
'Don't Look Back In Anger'
'Married With Children'

Country House

Goodness, Damon was pretty, wasn't he? And looky! Matt Lucas from Little Britain!

What's the Story?

Morning Glory

Stop The Clocks

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Cool

ITALY 2006 Portofino 01, originally uploaded by Omunene.

I love random-seeming photos like this.

Turkey Day Random Ten

1. What Is Hip?- Tower Of Power
2. Holidays In the Sun- Sex Pistols
3. Handle With Care- Jenny Lewis
4. Tupelo Honey- Van Morrison
5. Doctor Jimmy- The Who
6. Kill All Hippies- Primal Scream
7. Baby, I Love You- Aretha Franklin
8. Smithers-Jones- The Jam
9. Riot Van- Arctic Monkeys
10. Twist- Goldfrapp

Bonus-
11. Part Of the Queue- Oasis
12. Lucky Star- Basement Jaxx Feat. Dizee Rascal

Gold-FINGA

"He's the man with the MY-das touch."


I want to look as good as Shirley Bassey when I'm older. Crap, she even out-does La Moss!

Good Lord

Simon, I have no idea what you were thinking with this outfit, especially the unfortunate shoes. Hon, you look like a dork. A big one.

I'm going to watch the 'Rio' and 'Hungry Like the Wolf' videos about 25 times each to erase this image from my brain. And I'm not sure that even the table-tossing scene in the latter is going to do the job.

For God's Sake, man, your wife is a supermodel! Let her do your hair. Look at how cute she looks! And let her pick out your clothes, since you obviously can't do it yourself. Do you think that Gela lets John leave the house looking like this? I'm not thinking so!

Sam and the Gene-Genie win big

Oh, HELL yes!

British shows Life on Mars and Little Britain were among the winners at this year's International Emmy awards

Life On Mars was named best drama series at the New York event, while Little Britain won best comedy.

Bridget

I am unable to hear this book's title without thinking, "Oh, it's like Kafka's Motorbike. Is that Mr. Titzherbert, er, Fitzherbert, there?"

Obviously, I am a fan of the collected works of Helen Fielding.

Give me an E!

The Happy Mondays, Oct 05, originally uploaded by barney britton.

Bez sez, "Dance, you bastards!"

Posh! Nice Hat!

I know this will sound vaguely insane, but ever since I saw the hat that Posh wore to the TomKat nuptials, or cosmic space odessey, or whatever they're calling it, I've been dying to know what the Go Fug girls were going to say about it.

(BTW, I thought the hat was fantastic. Phillip Treacy maybe? Could have done without the big string bow on the dress, however. And Becks? Don't wear sweaters. Weller could barely carry them off during his French-ciggie smoking, Style Council days, and you're not the Modfather, love. Just look pretty for the camera).

This? Is hysterical.

PopBitch brought us this seriously entertaining little story about Wolf Gillespie, son of Bobbie Gillespie and fashion stylist Katy England. Apparently Wolf recently got in trouble for doing something vaguely naughty at nursery school, earning him a scolding from his teacher. Instead of sobbing or throwing an appropriately melodramatic fit, the four-year-old reportedly shrugged and said, “It’s only rock & roll.”

I Needed So Much More

Rainclouds, oh they used to chase me,
down they would pour.
Join my tears,
allay my fears,
sent to me from heaven,
Sally Cinnamon, you're my world.


Back Turner Street , Manchester UK, originally uploaded by marky1969.

This picture made me smile, like the song always does.

Bridge over Mississippi River: Burlington, IA USA

Bridge over Mississippi River: Burlington, IA USA, originally uploaded by troeth.

This is what we see when we drive into downtown B-ton.

Venteux...!*

Venteux...!*, originally uploaded by imapix.

Wow- what a gorgeous composition to this photo.

Oooo, chocolate

Recipes from the Guardian. Anything that contains the words 'molten, chocolate and pudding' in the description, I'm going to be wild about. Now, if I could just figure out what the hell 'caster sugar' was, we'd be set. Or what the UK measurements meant in Iowegian. Shit. I'm screwed.

Molten Chocolate Pudding

This pudding can be likened to a volcano. When you cut into it, molten chocolate 'lava' will erupt from the centre. You will need a pudding bowl with a capacity of 1.5-1.8 litres or small individual ramekins, and a lidded saucepan into which it or they will fit. The saucepan needs to fit in the oven.

For the molten centre

125g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
15g butter
50ml double cream
25g caster sugar

For the pudding

200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
100g unsalted butter, at room temperature
100g caster sugar
6 eggs, separated
100g plain flour
40g cornflour
11/2; tsp baking powder

First make the centre. Melt all the ingredients over very low heat. Pour into a small bowl, cover it and leave in the freezer for approximately 20 minutes until firm.

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Grease the bowl with a little butter smeared on its wrapper. Sift in a little flour and shake the bowl around until covered with a dusting of flour. Slowly melt the chocolate in a small bowl over hot water or in a microwave. Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon for a minute or two until pale and fluffy. Then take a whisk and whisk in the egg yolks one by one. Whip the egg whites into soft peaks and reserve. Add the flour, cornflour and baking powder to the butter/sugar/egg mix and stir in with a wooden spoon. Fold in the melted chocolate, then the egg whites. Start with just a small proportion of the whites, then when the mixture has loosened up fold in the rest. Pour a third of the mix into the pudding bowl, then retrieve the chocolate from the freezer and lay the set 'plug' on top. Add the rest of the pudding mix. Cover the bowl with greaseproof paper and tin foil.

Place the pudding in its bowl in the saucepan and pour in water until it comes halfway up the bowl. Put the lid on the saucepan and bring to the boil on the stove top. As soon as the contents begin to bubble, place the saucepan in the oven for 1 hour. If you are making small puddings, bake for 30 minutes. You can also cook the puddings in a steamer. Take the saucepan out of the oven, extract the pudding from the bowl and leave it to rest for 15 minutes before serving with double cream or vanilla ice cream.

This is cool

How to make your own fresh evergreen wreath! Believe me, these are usually very expensive. Pretty, but pricey.

Big Wheel, Edinburgh, Scotland

Big Wheel, Edinburgh, Scotland
Originally uploaded by David Hall Photography.

This is from flickr. I'm going to be wasting way too much time on this site, I fear.

Welch Ave. Station

Welch Ave. Station, originally uploaded by r3dcurlz.

This was my bar of choice in college. Why? Let me count the ways....

1. Cheap
2. Dollar daiquiris on Thursday nights.
3. Easily manipulated rock-snob DJ's. I'm telling you, request the Spinners, and you're golden.
4. 'South Park' Wednesday nights
5. My friends were there.
6. The Pizza Pit, home of the world's best cheese bread? Upstairs.
7. I only vomited there once. Less humiliating glances from the aforementioned wait staff...

Awesome

Since it's getting to be Turkey Day time, I thought I'd post my friend, Jenn's Sour Cream Apple Pie recipe. It's truly killer. Make it, and try not to eat the whole thing. Yourself.

Sour Cream Apple Pie
Filling
2 T. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp nutmeg
little bit of cinnamon
3 cups of diced apples
9″ pie crust (unbaked)

Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
5 T. butter

Sift together flour, salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add egg, sour cream, vanilla and nutmeg. Beat to a thick, smooth batter; stir in apples. Pour into 9-inch unbaked pie crust. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30 minutes. Mix flour, sugar, dark brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter. Remove pie from oven and top with sugar mixture. Return to 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Friday Random Ten

On Thursday, that is....

1. Ugly- Sugababes
2. And So This Is Christmas- Lennon
3. Acquiesce- Oasis
4. Noise Annoys- Buzzcocks
5. Can't Knock 'Em Out- Lily Allen
6. Lido Shuffle- Boz Scaggs
7. Every Time I Roll the Dice- Delbert McClinton
8. Levon- Elton John
9. I Shall Be Released- The Band
10. Transmission- Joy Division

Bonus-
11. Rehab- Amy Winehouse
12. Long Hot Summer- The Style Council

Salon has a point

Okay, so The Clooney has been the Most Shaggable Man On Earth or similar before. I have to get behind their list, which includes:

Stephen Colbert
Alton Brown
Jon Stewart

and the Piece De Freaking Resistance-
Alan Rickman

A-freaking-men, Salon. A-FREAKING-MEN.

Several questions

Full disclosure here. Despite the fact that I am very open-minded, groovy and multi-cultural and everything, the Black-Eyed Peas (the musical group, not the lovely food) annoy the hell out of me. Specifically, Fergie.

I used to think that it was just the song 'My Humps,' but no, it's her. And I try, as a rule, to stay away from bashing females, because of the rampant anti-female vibe that often lies underneath said bashing.

Why does she irritate me? Because of crap like this.

The woman responsible for introducing “fergilicious” into our pop-cultural vocabulary recently sat down with Vibe and calmly explained that those who mock her voice mock God. “I may not have the type of voice you like, but I can sing,” the Dutchess reportedly said. “You can’t take that away from me, ‘cause singing is a gift from God, and when people say I can’t sing, it’s kind of like insulting God.”

Okay, why is it necessary to bring God into it? Also, if mocking her voice is mocking the Big Guy (or Girl- again, I'm very groovy and non-gender specific in the addressing of deities), then it wouldn't be a big stretch to say Fergie herself not liking her face would be disrespectful to the Person Upstairs. So why would you (allegedly) have massive amounts of 'work' done? Wouldn't that be against God's Plan? Hmmmm?

Buzzcocks On Tour

Yet another cruel reminder that I live in the Midwest. And have no $$ to go to the U.K. to attend concerts. Oh Shit.

The Buzzcocks have announced a special birthday tour to round off the year.

The tour “Buzzcocks 30” will also include a retrospective photo exhibition at the shows with classic shots from the 70s and 80s by Chris Gabrin and Kevin Cummins.

The exhibition will also feature the band’s original album artwork by pioneering graphic designer Malcolm Garrett. He was responsible for designing the eye-catching sleeve artwork for all of their early records including 1980’s “A Different Kind Of Tension.”

Oh, he brought sexy back a while ago

Articulate, amusing, handsome, knows how to work a tux like nobody's business.

And he's the Go Fug Yourself girls's intern!
(This would be in the same universe where I'm the future Mrs.
Noel Gallagher).

The 'Intern George' files. Works of comic genius.

Your Sexiest Man Alive, people. The Clooney.

OMG. Teh Cute.

The 'pupzilian.'


From Cute Overload, of courses.

Darwin Award, Honorable Mention

A botched kidnapping ended with one of the assailants shooting himself in the groin, Wichita police said. The man had just stuck the gun back into his waistband when it fired, shooting him in the left testicle.

He cringed, causing the gun to fire again and strike him in the left calf.

When the shooting ended, the 23-year-old man managed to walk himself into the hospital for treatment, police said. He and his two accomplices, ages 18 and 20, were arrested for aggravated attempted kidnapping and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

The men were attempting to kidnap a teen in a dispute over stereo speakers, police said.

Stereo speakers? STEREO SPEAKERS?

McQueen, La Moss

Not a surprising choice of designer, but I would love to see the finished product. Provided the wedding actually comes off, mind.

Engaged British supermodel Kate Moss has called upon fashion designer Alexander McQueen to make her wedding dress.

Moss, who is engaged to Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty, has been friends with McQueen for several years and he is said to be honored by her request.

An insider claims the catwalk queen has plans for a $38,000 white dress with black lace, which is "traditional but with a modern unique twist -- typical of both Kate and Alexander."

Oh. My. GOD.

U.K. rock mainstay Paul Weller will celebrate the late January release of a career-spanning boxed set with a three-night stand at New York's Irving Plaza.

The four-disc "Hit Parade" is due January 23 via indie label Yep Roc; Weller will then play January 29-31 at New York's Irving Plaza, with the shows divided thematically.

Although each show will include music from his entire career, the first night will focus on the music of the Jam, while the second will feature the music of the Style Council. The third gig will cherry-pick from throughout Weller's discography. Tickets go on sale Friday; the thematic concept will not be repeated at any additional concerts.

Low Post

Hysterical. Matt Taibbi is quickly becoming one of my favorite political writers. Don't worry, Pierce, Walcott and Ms. Molly, you'll always be at the top of the list.

When I woke up in my hotel in Pittsburgh the morning after the elections there was a yellow legal pad and a Pittsburgh Pirates novelty pen ($4.95 in the Sheraton gift shop) splayed on the bedspread, the pad containing about nine pages of single-spaced notes. The night before, after coming home from Rick Santorum's concession speech downtown, I'd flopped in bed, popped a sleeping pill and started frantically taking notes from the various cable-news election spectaculars.

There is a lot of garbage and nonsense in these notes (i.e. "10:47 p.m. Chris Matthews' mouth always looks like it just had a cock in it/something about the way he moves his lips/creepy") but on the whole it is a fairly accurate representation of the long arc of depression I followed before finally falling asleep late in the morning:

Trial By Fryer

This is hysterical, and very much jibes with much of Tony Bourdain's writing....

There are people -- and as much as I'd like to distance myself from them, I once counted myself among them -- who think that just because they have a stove and a good recipe for duck they can open a restaurant. Because it's "only cooking," any hardworking, dedicated person could do it. What seems effortless -- you in the kitchen spooning reduced cider sauce over confited duck leg while your spouse hustles the front, overseeing the dining room with a warm touch and a glass of cabernet, just like the dinner parties you've been throwing in your apartment for ten years -- is not. The difference between being a good cook and being a good chef is as big as the difference between playing online Texas Hold'Em in your pajamas and holding a chair in the World Series of Poker.

Duane, 35 years on

Interesting point

No matter what the circumstances, deaths in the world of rock and roll tend to become romanticized over the years. It has less to do with the tragedy itself than it does with the warm memories that the music of the artists in question have continued to provide, and the sharp reality that there will be no more such music on the way.

What creative frontiers would Jimi Hendrix have explored if he lived beyond the age of 27? Where would Janis Joplin’s music have taken her if she didn’t pass away at 26? Exactly how would we have been entertained if Jim Morrison, Jeff and Tim Buckley, John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, John Bonham, Sid Vicious, Keith Moon, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Otis Redding, Berry Oakley, Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley, Gram Parsons and Frank Zappa, as well as many others, had been allowed to hang around a little while longer?

Vincent Vega lives?

Well, kinda. Possibly. Depending on Tarantino. Oh, Lord.

It's the film Quentin Tarantino fans have spent the best part of a decade waiting for. The latest word from Michael Madsen is that the proposed Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs spin-off, featuring Madsen and John Travolta as the Vega brothers, could be heading for production after all.

McQueen

One of the coolest movie stars, ever.

His collection of cars and bikes attracted high bids at Saturday's auction. A 1937 Crocker V-Twin motorcycle fetched $276,500, a world record for a Crocker, according to auction house spokesman Levi Morgan. The Persol sunglasses, sold to an anonymous buyer, are the ones McQueen is believed to have worn for the opening scenes of the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair. A Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which featured in the same movie, went for the same price. Sales from the auction totalled $2.9m.

Lovely

Doesn't La Minogue look fantastic? Good to have you back, Kylie!

Borat

Next week, God willing, Mom and I are going to take one of our friends, who has been having a shit year, to see "Borat." Am absolutely dying with anticipation. This just adds to it.

Duped, my ass.

Two fraternity members from a South Carolina university are suing over their appearance in the hit movie "Borat," saying they were duped into making racist and sexist remarks.

Instant Karma, Wellah-style

God, he's attractive.

As if

my crush on Mr. Bond could get any worse- I read this- to which I say: "Fwaaaaaaah, Mr. Craig." Fwaaah, indeed.

Seems like actor Daniel Craig has the hots for one of his female Casino Royale co-stars...

And she's not the new Bond girl.

It's actually his boss M, played by Dame Judi Dench.

Daniel, 38, claimed to have a bit of a soft spot for the actress, 71, despite the slight age difference.

According to the Daily Express he said: "She has the naughtiest eyes in show business.

"She looks you straight in the eye and she is stunning."

Also, is there a more evocative word in the English language than 'naughty?' I think not. Okay, maybe 'dickhead.' Which would definitely not apply here.

Random 10

1. This Is the One- Stone Roses
2. Don't Be Shy- Libertines
3. Pedalpusher- Stereophonics
4. Here To Stay- New Order
5. Almost Forgot Myself- Doves
6. Oh My Gosh- Basement Jaxx
7. Minature Disasters- KT Tunstall
8. Basket Case- Green Day
9. North Country Boy- Charlatans
10. The Doberman- Kasabian

Bonus-
11. Life On Mars- Bowie
12. She Moves In Her Own Way- The Kooks

To express how I feel,

just a little Dancing Hugh from 'Love, Actually.'

And, is it sacrilege that I prefer the Girls Aloud cover of 'Jump' to the original Pointer Sisters's version? Wait, just answered my own question.....

No sex for you!

In the spirit of the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld, maybe there will be a shag Nazi as part of the national plan to encourage adults to abstain from sex outside of marriage.

• Launching nationwide initiative to end boredom
• Starting 24-hour hotline they can call anytime the urge to have sex strikes; $2.99 a minute
• Suggesting that at any moment their parents could walk in
• Reinstating Prohibition
• Convincing Al Green to record "No Need To Rush It, Baby"

via Feministing

Martin Hannett turns on the holiday lights

Oh wait, I'm sorry, Andy Serkis turned on the holiday lights on Regent Street, not the late, great Joy Division/ Happy Mondays producer Hannett. Sir Ian McKellen was there, too.

Most people would have gone for the obvious Gollum/Gandalf joke, but hell, I'm not going to miss a chance to bring up my favorite movie ever, 24 Hour Party People.

Roland Mouret at the friggin Gap?

I have GOT to move to the UK. Oh wait, Speaker Pelosi! Speaker Pelosi! Speaker Pelosi! Damn, that feels good to say. But Mouret at the Gap? Man.....

HIGH Street store Gap put the “sold out” signs up today after eager shoppers snapped up posh frocks created by Roland Mouret.

Buyers queued outside shops an hour before opening to get their hands on the designer’s dresses, which went on sale priced between £45 and £78.

A Gap spokeswoman said demand for the tunic and shirt dress designs had been “phenomenal”. She added: “It has been very busy today. Some stores have sold out completely.”

Speaker Pelosi! Speaker Pelosi!

Hit 'em with the freaking chair, Nancy!

What is wrong with this picture?

People's Choice Awards nominations. The stupid. It burns.

Group: Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Pop song: "Hips Don't Lie," Shakira; "Promiscuous," Nelly Furtado; "Stupid Girls," Pink.

I ask you, where the FUCK is Gnarls Barkley in either of these categories? NICKLEBACK? Are you JOKING me?

This brings to mind one of my favorite quotes from possibly my favorite movie ever, 24 Hour Party People:

"You know what the public is in favor of? Public executions."

Casino Royale Trailer

In the spirit of the continuing 007 theme I've got tonight...

Oh my EFFING GOD

I'm Shaken AND Stirred. Jeez Louise!

K Fed? Buh-bye!

I can't improve upon this from GoFugYourself. Snicker.

Letter of Fug: Part WHOO HOOOO

Dear EVERYONE,

I TOLD Y'ALL I WAS GONNA DO IT.

To Kevin: HA HA. I was just waiting until I started to get hot again to file the papers. Check out my cute, post-baby body. HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS? Yeah! That's what I'm TALKING ABOUT. It's a CLASSY dress on a HOT BODY and I still have LIKE A LOT MORE DOLLARS THAN YOU DO. So you can SUCK IT. When I told you the other night that I was bringing sexy back, I was NOT kidding, even if you did laugh. Who's laughing now?! (I am.)

I hope you enjoy the case of Pabst I gave you to celebrate your stupid "album" dropping, because that is the LAST THING you are going to get from me EVER. I hope your cornrows all fall out and you trip on your manpris and you break your face and you crash your car.

To Cameron Diaz: Watch yourself.

To the rest of world: YOU'RE WELCOME.

LOVE, BRITNEY!

Random

Clicked on iTunes to take my mind off of wanting to slap the crap out of Chris Matthews, and hit shuffle. The first four songs were-

1. American Idiot- Green Day
2. Sound of the Underground- Girls Aloud
3. Bye, Bye Badman- Stone Roses
4. Shoot the Runner- Kasabian

Nice, don't you think? And hopefully a sign of things to come:)

Hee.

Truer words have never been spoken.

He tosses off perfect quotes in the most casual of circumstances and he’s always gleefully talking shit/propping up some other band.

Also, in the picture, my darling Noel has thankfully gotten rid of his Neil Young-circa- Crazy Horse-looking pork chop sideburns.

Sydney Bristow sez vote, bitches.

Or she'll sick Spy Daddy or Mommy on you. Or Sark. Yummy. Okay, so it's JUST Jen Garner. Do your civic duty. VOTE.

La Faithfull, healthfull

Well, thank God. I adore Ms. Marianne.

Singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has made a full recovery from breast cancer, her publicist has said.

Doctors in France diagnosed the disease in September forcing the star to postpone her world tour.

The cancer was found in its "earliest stages", and following surgery last month, the 59-year-old has decided to resume her tour in spring next year.

The star said: "It has been an extraordinary experience and, in many ways, extremely positive. I didn't realise how many true friends I had.

"I feel so lucky and loved and thank everybody for all their good thoughts."

Limp-baugh

Rush - Moving Pictures

Oh, but this is good.