Not a good year for

people associated with "Road House." First Jeff Healey, now this...

Patrick Swayze is fighting pancreatic cancer, a rep for the actor has confirmed to Access Hollywood.
"Actor Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing treatment," a rep for the actor said in a statement released on Wednesday. "Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family."

Awwww

the bit where the girl is putting the eyeliner on...

The Brothers Jarman & Johnny "freaking" Marr

At the NME awards. Too cool.

Even though

this is readily available on YouTube, I will no doubt be setting my alarm (for the middle of the night) to watch this performance on the big screen (on Jools Holland). Am weak like a kitten.

Oh, no

RIP, Jeff.

Swingline

Warning- I curse a lot in this post. Okay, in most posts.

Today at work, I was attempting to do some very necessary word processing, and was experiencing "issues" with the printer.

I sent the following email to my girls, Kaz and QB-

AM TRYING TO PRINT OUT INVITATIONS FOR OUR PROM OPEN HOUSE AT THE END OF MONTH.

AND THE MOTHERFUCKING PIECE OF SHIT PRINTER KEEPS FUCKING JAMMING UP. I SWEAR TO THE NME AND ALL THAT IS HOLY, I'M GONNA CHUCK THE FUCKER ONTO HIGHWAY 61 AND LAUGH MY DAMN ASS OFF WHEN A SEMI HITS IT AND CRUSHES IT INTO OBLIVION.

Kaz sent me back the following YouTube clip. I adore my friends.

Whenever

I'm feeling a bit down, Monty Python YouTube clips always perk me right up.

Especially this one. Elderberries. Hee.

Oh, Matty

Why are you eating a candy apple whilst chatting with Radio1 DJs? And where does one get candy apples at the NME awards?

'Mersey Paradise'

Just because I don't think I've posted this in the last 6 weeks...gorgeous.

I betcha

this is the eyeliner (in 'Baked') The Wire had on last night. Bless his glammy little heart.

Hee hee

Another one

of my bass-playing "boyfriends," Mr. Nicholas (Jones) Wire. I swear to y'all, I liked guitar-guitar players not but a year ago... Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

"That was the one I turned up for! It was between me and Patrick Wolf!"

Oh, Nicky....

Random ten

1. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb- Spoon
2. Joy To The World- Three Dog Night
3. Caravan Girl- Goldfrapp
4. Let's Stick Together- KT Tunstall
5. Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee- Stockard Channing
6. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away- The Subways
7. You Know I'm No Good- Arctic Monkeys
8. Anyone Who Had A Heart- Shelby Lynne
9. Come On Come On- Jet
10. Soul Man- Sam & Dave

Bonus-
11. Can't Get Out Of Bed- Charlatans
12. Heart Of Glass- Blondie

WANT.

Bizzle's hoodie.

God, I love it when he gets rant-y

Ladies and gentlemen, my writer "boyfriend," Mr. Charles Pierce.
Witness the peerless takedown of Timmeh Russert. A thing of beauty.

His shillery came later. In a week when St. John McCain was being roasted over his lobbyist-laden past and when the FEC had started to look at the Straight Talker's cheap-ass lawyering around the campaign-finance statutes, Russert chose to spend useless minutes hasing Barack Obama around something Obama had said last year. Hillary was dead right there at the end, although she needs work on the snark, too. Nothing about China. Nothing about FISA or signing statements or the wreck of the constitutional order. Nothing about climate change.

But plenty of time for a three-rail shot about Obama, his pastor, and Farrakhan, whose name I swear I have not heard twice in the past decade. (Marty Peretz hears it through the fillings in his teeth, but that's another matter.) That stuff was truly rank.

What in the name of god does the relationship of Obama's pastor to Louis Farrakhan have to do with being president of the United States? John McCain's state co-chairman in Arizona, a sitting congresscritter, got himself indicted this week. Think that'll come up any time soon? Hell, if you wanted to tweak Obama about somebody with whom he had a more tangible connection, Tony Rezko went on trial YESTERDAY. No mention of it that I heard.

The only reason to bring up Farrakhan was to play the Scary Negro card. At this point the lines between hackery and shillery form a perfect right angle and stretch on to infinity. And, by the way, it would help MSNBC's campaign to become the Scourge Of Public Bigots if it didn't keep putting Pat Buchanan on my TV screen every 11 seconds.

via

'Girls Like Mystery'

The Cribs will be joined by Johnny "fucking" Marr at the NME awards tomorrow...

The Smiths' Johnny Marr is set to join The Cribs for the whole of their set at the Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 Big Gig.Marr has been regularly performing on the last section of the band’s sets on the recent Shockwaves NME Awards Tour, but the guitarist will now join them for their whole set at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow night (February 28).

Sometimes...

I'm not too bright.

I've been a bit paranoid lately. We've had what could only be referred to as a shitload of snow this winter, and I've recently noticed odd tracks in the snow outside of the house (I live in the sticks).

I've been thinking that we have a yeti (no, not Jawwwwwwwn's band) roaming about the pastoral countryside here. Or worse, weird stalker-type persons.

Imagine my relief (and concern for my own mental health) today when I realized that they were footprints from DEER. And possibly, our dumb but lovable Labs, Daisy and Rosie.

It's been a rough season is all I'm saying....

Guinness Sign

Guinness Sign, originally uploaded by Andy Hares.

Lucid dreaming in Venice

Lucid dreaming in Venice, originally uploaded by Vesuviano - Nicola De Pisapia.

Love the reflections on the water....

"I've just seen a face"

This is so sweet.

Boy....

Sydney Bristow cleans up nice... Look at that necklace!

Gorgeous

Just gorgeous.

Mr. Urban!

When on the red carpet, do not ogle your wife's boobies!

think pink

think pink, originally uploaded by chpaola.

Windy afternoon

Windy afternoon, originally uploaded by klausthebest.

gorgeous composition....

Little Miss Sunshine and Klaxons

From the Brit Awards. Rihanna gets her new rave on...

"Faster than parked is fast enough to kill"

Oh, this is quality snark. Abstinence-only drivers ed. Makes about as much sense as abstinence-only sex ed.

Fear not, kids: there's a time in your life when driving a car will cease to be an evil and disgusting shame-riddled experience. That happens after you're married. My husband got me a Corvette for our anniversary. How sweet is that? And take it from ME: NO premarital driving could ever have felt as good as the driving my husband and I do together.

Remember this handy little slogan: "No ring on your finger, no hand on the shifter."

via

Macca and Beth

Someday, I will own a wee chapeau like La Ditto's. Also, I'm glad to see that Macca's face lift is relaxing...

On the way

On the way, originally uploaded by Dan Grant for Congress.

What Amanda said.

Random ten

1. Voulez Vous- ABBA
2. Love Has A Diameter- Biffy Clyro
3. Common People- Pulp
4. William, It Was Really Nothing- The Smiths
5. Who's Got A Match?- Biffy Clyro
6. Little Of Your Time- Maroon 5
7. Just Friends- Amy Winehouse
8. You Shook Me All Night Long- AC/DC
9. Faster- Manic Street Preachers
10. Summer Nights- Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

Bonus-
11. Shadrach- Beastie Boys
12. Monkey Casino- Babyshambles

You know,

during all the red carpet brouhaha at awards shows, it's always refreshing to hear someone genuinely thrilled to be wearing something made especially for them. Case in point- La Ditto's near-squee of joy in this interview at donning custom Luella Bartley and Terry De Haviland for the Brits.

Fierce

Miz Sarah Harding at the Brit Awards. Love the clutch, honey!

Adorable!

Ms. Kate Nash at the Brit Awards

Awwww, lads.

They do love their costumes. Bless.

Arctic Monkeys won the Best British Band award at the Brit Awards 2008 tonight (February 20) in London.The band were dressed up in traditional English rural clothing for the event, resembling old fashioned farmers, sporting brown wellies and flat caps.

“Thank you everybody. We’re the Arctic Monkeys. We are the most fantastic,” said front-man Alex Turner, before blowing a large horn he had brought on stage into the microphone.

Am I crazy?

I think that in this vintage pic of Cream, Clapton looks like the dude from Gogol Bordello. He does, am I right?

(Actually, he's also a dead ringer for what's-his-ass from the Doobies. The munitions expert or whatever).

And my Lord, was Ginger Baker scary looking!

There are times

when cover versions actually surpass the original tune. I believe this may be one of those times.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 'Umbrella' by the Manic Street Preachers.


via

Icky

I'm home from work, sick with the stomach flu of the 'Trainspotting' variety. Blerguh. So in an effort to feel less sorry for myself, here are some of my current sick-time (SICK GIRL!) favorites...

-Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Nectar of the gods for those with upset tummies.

-Archipelago Botanicals Pomegranate Hand Creme. Soothes dehydrated skin.

-Wyler's Beef Bullion. I know, sounds disgusting, but something hot and savory is wonderful when you've been having stomach issues.

-French Lavender Colonial Candles. Smells fresh, clean, and vaguely aftershave-y. In a good way.

-'Top Gear' on BBC America. One of my favorite shows. Providing I can stay awake long enough for the 7PM showing.

'Denial'- Sugababes

Guanaco

Guanaco, originally uploaded by David Thyberg.

Ireland

, originally uploaded by shannonerin.

'A&E'- Goldfrapp

I can hardly wait for this album.

Random ten

1. Baby I'm Yours- Arctic Monkeys
2. A&E- Goldfrapp
3. Shoot The Poets- The Cribs
4. Jailbreak- Thin Lizzy
5. Stronger- Kanye West
6. There She Goes- Babyshambles
7. Shotgun- Junior Walker & The All-Stars
8. Tragedy- Bee Gees
9. Queen Bitch- David Bowie
10. Makes Me Wonder- Maroon 5

Bonus-
11. Fast Moving Train- Restless Heart
12. Hot Stuff- Donna Summer

'Can't Speak French'- Girls Aloud

What exactly are they hinting at here?

Benefit cosmetics new blusher is called "Thrrrob." Product description?

Turn on the flush, turn up the rush…with Thrrrob, our new "turned on" face powder. This pulse-racing pink powder simulates the natural flush you get when your heart races.

Hmmmmm.....

Overheard

Comments made by employees at Iowa's Coolest Flower Shop this week. (names withheld to protect the pervy, the foul-mouthed and the hysterically tired)

-"Yeah, you get the sweet customers. I get the dipshits and the smartasses."

-"John Wayne? Why the hell would John Wayne order flowers?"

-"It'd be really handy to have a chainsaw around here."

-"I love it when you spank me hard."

-"Cozies get a lot looser when you put your bottle in and out a lot."

-"God, when she shows up, I hope she doesn't bring that big one with her again."

-"Do we have any red carnations? Do we fuck."

-"Yeah, that's what every woman dreams of for Valentine's Day. Flowers to match her damn kitchen."

These are in addition to our usual-
1. discussions on how moronic people can be
2. sighing over sweet old men buying flowers for their wives in the nursing home
3. ...or David Beckham
4. complaining about husbands and relatives
5. ...or having impure thoughts about Daniel Craig and/or Jonny Lee Miller
6. also, worrying if we can keep up with the orders
7. thinking about food
8. ...or me arguing that Drew Babyshambles is actually one of the sexiest men on Earth, and everyone else throwing things at me, both literally and figuratively
9. discussions about movies, music and other pop culture things
10. .... or sending persons on pop/change/bank runs

Let's get ducked

Hee hee. My masterpiece won't leave the hat on...

Let me get this straight

a- the fact that Amy's personal life is a trainwreck of epic proportions completely negates any artistic achivements she may make.
b- it was acceptable for Ms. Cole to take drugs on the sly, whereas Ms. Winehouse's (albeit somewhat unintentional) openness about her substance use makes her bad, bad, bad.

Hmmmm..... methinks someone is trying to jumpstart their career by kicking someone when they're down. Shut the fuck up, Natalie. Go sing another duet with your dad. That worked out well for you last time.

Singer Natalie Cole has slammed the decision to award Amy Winehouse with five Grammy Awards, claiming that it is rewarding her bad behaviour. Cole, a Grammy Award winner herself who admitted to using the drugs LSD, heroin and cocaine in her 2000 autobiography, said that Winehouse did not deserve the honours.“I don't think she should have won,” Cole, the daughter of legendary singer Nat King Cole, told People magazine. “It sends a bad message to young people trying to get into this business, trying to do it right and keep themselves together.

And so it begins

Valentine's Day is this coming Thursday. At the shop, we're battening down the hatches, so to speak- conditioning flowers, typing the cards for the orders we already have, figuring out where the hell we're going to put everything.... Today, we started with 18 orders- we ended the day with 38. Eek.

Like many professions, florists have many inside jokes. Something that my shop in particular finds humor in may sound a bit mean- we laugh about how men* will buy ANYTHING for Valentine's and/or Mother's Day. Especially at the last minute. And when I say anything, I mean it. ANYTHING.

For example, last year at Mother's Day, I sold a decorative Wellington boot with fresh flowers in it. Yes, some unfortunate mom got a fucking boot for Mother's Day. And the guy was as pleased with it as a kitten with a bowl of milk.

However, the most legendary example of The Man Who Will Buy Anything is from the old shop that Mom and the other girls worked at (before Mom took off on her own). This man-who is a totally nice guy, bought for his wife-

-at Valentine's, an arrangement of sprayed purple and orange carnations
-at Mother's Day, a "crete" (arrangement of silk flowers in concrete, intended for cemeteries at Memorial Day)

No lie. His poor wife. Of course, I am the daughter of a man who once got his wife a picnic basket that weighed 20 pounds for Valentine's Day. 2 months after he got her a rowing machine for Christmas. Both of these were not requests. Amazingly enough after this performance, my sister and I were sent uptown to the jewelry store with a blank check for every subsequent holiday.

Last week, we discussing the most random things we could pawn off on some poor soul for V-day. I glanced over in the corner, and spotted a ceramic duck planter, intended for congratulating parents of newborn children.

I'm going to do one of those bad boys up with some roses, put a sign on it that says, "You're just ducky," and watch that bastard fly out the door. Though unfortunately, not literally.

*and bless them. Makes up for the days that we don't move jack/crap out the door.

I think girlfriend may have been a bit shocked

I just want to give her a hug. And a sandwich. Keep getting healthy, honey!

Amy Winehouse won the Grammy for Song Of The Year for 'Rehab' at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles tonight (February 10).

Amy Winehouse accepts Best Record Grammy
Uploaded by TheDlisted

Kew Gardens - Statue

Kew Gardens - Statue, originally uploaded by Arnty M.

Love the Dali....

'Just A Little Bit Of Lovin'

Shelby Lynne's album of Dusty Springfield covers is both inspired and so very sexy. Well done, Ms. Moorer.

Retro-fabrication is a term you won't often hear outside of dentistry or the garment industry, but it's a concept becoming prevalent in music nowadays, as more and more artists seek inspiration in the past, a little too literally at times. It certainly looms large over most of this week's releases: for Shelby Lynne with Just a Little Lovin', it's a case of paying tribute to the greatest of all female pop singers, Dusty Springfield, by re-casting several of Dusty's signature songs in the style of Dusty In Memphis.

Phil Ramone's spare, reflective production drains away the melodramatic orchestrations of the originals to leave songs such as "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and "Anyone Who Had a Heart" stripped bare of any emotional cover, leaving Lynne's subtle, measured vocals inhabiting a vast landscape of pain.

Some of the arrangements pull off audacious strategies – the natural exuberance of "I Only Want to be With You" is abandoned for a much torchier tone, more akin to Julie London than Dusty, while her version of the Southern soul classic "Breakfast In Bed" is surely definitive.

Random ten

1. Caravan- Van Morrison
2. Ready For The Floor- Hot Chip
3. B.U.R.M.A.- Dirty Pretty Things
4. Breakfast In Bed- Shelby Lynne
5. Olive Oil- Happy Mondays
6. Bitch- The Rolling Stones
7. Sex Type Thing- Stone Temple Pilots
8. Liza Avec Z- Liza Minelli
9. Every Sperm Is Sacred- Monty Python
10. Sleazy Hughes- Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong

Bonus-
11. Little Baby Nothing- Manic Street Preachers
12. Revolution- Robbie Williams

You know,

some people really need to shut the fuck up. Well, jeez, Lar, at least they didn't use birth control effectively. They'd be ultra-sluts then.....

...Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, called unmarried teen parents "sluts" at a Republican caucus.

...Liston used the derogatory term during a Republican caucus lunch on health care to express his view that unmarried teen parents are sexually promiscuous and to complain that society condones premarital sex.

"In my parents' day and age, (unmarried teen parents) were sent away, they were shunned, they were called what they are," Liston said at the lunch. "There was at least a sense of shame."There's no sense of shame today. Society condones it ... I think it's wrong. They're sluts."

via

This makes me happy.*

Oh so very happy.

PAUL WELLER’s new album is already shaping up to be a belter-featuring collaborations with Britpop heavyweights NOEL GALLAGHER and GRAHAM COXON.

The modfather has called in support from the OASIS legend and the BLUR star on his forthcoming double album. And word is filtering back that some of the material is a return to his best.

A source said: “Noel and Oasis’s GEM ARCHER have spent time at Weller’s studio. Most sessions end in serious alcohol fuelled tear-ups. But the music has been brilliant.

“Weller slapped his name on the writing credits first with Noel and Gem - even though he spent most of the session getting the beers in. That’s the bonus of being 50 - and the guv’nor.”

*if it's true- 'tis The Sun, after all

Marc by Marc Jacobs@ Fashion Week

I can't decide if this dress would look adorable on either Lily Allen or Kate Nash, or if I've already seen them wear something similar. Possibly both.

"Young, beautiful scum pissed off at the world."

In this week's NME, a huge interview about Richey Edwards with my beloved Nicky Wire. Absolutely heartbreaking.

My, they were so very pretty.

Interesting

Fascinating article on why Northern Soul is, er, Northern Soul, and why Country and Western is so popular in Scotland...

In more recent times, Sheffield has shown itself to be home to music with a strong storytelling sense, with acts such as Pulp, the Arctic Monkeys and Richard Hawley. "The narrative thing I find interesting," says Frith, "because I always associated Sheffield with electronic music. It was the home of Warp and the Human League - though their songs did have a sense of narrative." Russell notes the strong love of amateur operatics in the area in the late 19th and early 20th century, "which created a love of humorous lyrics". Then, of course, came the music hall tradition. "And in some way the music hall spawned the very literate songwriting with wit and humour." It is precisely this we can see in the lyrics of Jarvis Cocker and Alex Turner.

But why does Scotland favour country and western music? "I came to Scotland in 1987 and was struck by how significant country music is," says Frith, who notes that radio station playlists in Scotland are tangibly different to those across the border, playing a considerable amount of country music. But the Scottish love of American country and western is little more than a reclamation; country and western music was largely born of the music of the Appalachian Mountains, which itself was rooted in the music brought to American shores by immigrants from Europe, especially the British Isles. So country and western has much in common with traditional British folk music, Celtic music, and Scottish and Irish fiddle styles in particular.

Aragorn a no-no

What Jessica said.

We have SEEN YOU, Viggo. We know that you are HOT. And when you are THAT HOT, it is really a crime to show up places looking like you just walked off the set of Not Without My Confederacy: The Jefferson Davis Story, now filming for Lifetime.

Valentine's warm up

Next Thursday is Valentine's Day, arguably one of the biggest holidays at Iowa's Coolest Flower Shop. We start getting the fresh in tomorrow, and have already unpacked the vases. The cards are stamped, the help lined up- we're ready to go.

Something that (deeply) annoys me about my job- our local papers basically have us come up with the copy for our ads. Mom pays out the wazoo for the damn things, and I do the copy. Bastards.

Anyway, on Monday, we were trying to figure out wording for our big V-day ad campaign. My suggestions?

-"Let ______ help you buy a one-way ticket to nookie town."
-"At ___________, let us help you break off a piece of that."
-"______________. We'll make it possible for you to tap that ass."

For some reason, these were rejected. Mom's no fun.

Am currently preoccupied with making mixes for the week. Do you think 'Every Sperm Is Sacred' would be appropriate? How about 'Fuck Forever'? No?

Es Vedrà, Ibiza

Es Vedrà, Ibiza, originally uploaded by Yulete.

'Rockferry'- Duffy

Lovely, just lovely.

Well done, honey!

Adele has gone straight to the top of the UK albums charts tonight
(February 3) with ’19’.The singer’s debut album has gone in at Number One. Meanwhile in the singles countdown the London singer has remained second with 'Chasing Pavements', just behind Basshunter who holds on to the Number One spot again with ‘Now You're Gone’.

Random ten

Am away from home, so here's the ten from my sis's iPod. Viva la difference...

1. Let's Get It Started- Black Eyed Peas
2. Glamorous- Fergie
3. Hot In Herre- Nelly
4. Slow- Kylie Minogue
5. Stronger- Kanye West
6. Feel Good, Inc.- Gorillaz
7. Goodnight Goodnight- Maroon 5
8. Shake A Tailfeather- Nelly
9. Since You've Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson
10. The Sweet Escape- Gwen Stefani

Bonus-
11. Gin And Juice- Snoop Dogg
12. Closer- NIN

Back to my regularly scheduled indie next week....

window in Puebla

window in Puebla, originally uploaded by Zé Eduardo....

Hmmmm, royal blue.

Emerald

Emerald, originally uploaded by Lumase.

Gorgeous. Wish I was in the Seychelles instead of going to Minnesota for the weekend. Where, as you may know, it's colder than a witches other elbow this time of year.

Brrrr.

My day

It's been interesting..... today's events-

-Left for work this AM-50 degrees. It is now 6. With a windchill factor of -17.

-ran to town and got Jen's birthday presents. Did a rather great job, if I do say so myself. They're shiny. Her favorite color.

-since I was already in town, had to run to the mall and get the new copy of Spin. The one with Peter on the cover. And has pictures of The World's Best-Looking Rhythm Section within. Oh, and Mik. Bless his scary-eyed heart. As it is rather expensive, it would be bad to waste gas. And I'm virtuous. That way.

-delivered several arrangements to a town nearby that is, shall we say, a bit pink around the collar. Saw the craziest thing ever. Somebody has several hand-lettered signs in their front yard related to political issues. They say-

-"A Vote For A Democrat Is A Vote For The Islamofacists"
(awww, somebody watches Fox Noise)

-"Barak Obama Is The Anti Christ" (actual spelling)

- something about Ollie North. (I have no idea what it said- was about pissing myself laughing at that point)

Wouldn't you be PLEASED if this was your neighbor? There's your typical level of crazy. Like wheeling yourself around in a wagon like that dude in 'Evening Shade.'

Then there's the making-signs-for-your-front-yard-about-the-perceived-Anti-Christ- crazy. And that's not just crazy. That's Krazee.

Such is a typical day round he-yah.

Lago Grey, Patagonia

Lago Grey, Patagonia, originally uploaded by FlyNutAA.

One of the places on earth I would most like to visit. Patagonia. Why yes, I do watch a lot of 'Globetrekker,' why do you ask?

"Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh....

THE RIGHT STUFF!"

Ah, you never forget the first band you fangirl...... ( I don't want to hear about it- I was freaking 12)

New Kids On the Block are reportedly preparing to reunite after 14 years.The hugely successful American boy band, which broke up in 1994, are expected to make an official announcement in the coming weeks, reports People magazine.

NME Awards noms

The nominees for the February 28 ceremony were announced just a bit ago. And may I say, my bands are well-represented.

Though the sexiest male category..... Patrick Wolf? ARE YOU JOKING ME????? Flautists are not sexy. They are Jethro Tull. And hats off to the Boosh fandom- way to be organized, y'all! Getting both your boys in there- well done!

As usual, Pete is on both the best and worst dressed nominee list. I'm not sure he's either- maybe there should be a category for "Most Rosaries Worn," or "Most Kittens Adopted." Or as could be argued, "Frontman In A Band With The Hottest Rhythm Section." He'd win those for sure....

And Amy, sweetie darling, you are a nominee for Villain Of The Year along with Gordo, The Poodle, Bushie and JoBo. AND YOU COULD POTENTIALLY WIN. If this isn't enough to inspire you to stay and keep clean, well, I just don't know....

Best British Band
Arctic Monkeys
Babyshambles
The Cribs
Klaxons
Muse

Best New Band
The Enemy
Foals
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
The Pigeon Detectives
The Wombats

Best Live Band
Arctic Monkeys
The Cribs
Kaiser Chiefs
Muse
My Chemical Romance

Best Solo Artist
Kate Nash
Jamie T
Jack Penate
Amy Winehouse
Patrick Wolf

Best Album
'Favourite Worst Nightmare' - Arctic Monkeys
'Shotters Nation' - Babyshambles
'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' – The Enemy
'Myths Of The Near Future' - Klaxons
'In Rainbows' – Radiohead

Best Track
'Fluorescent Adolescent' – Arctic Monkeys
'Flux' – Bloc Party
'Men's Needs' – The Cribs
'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' - Oasis
'Let's Dance To Joy Division' – The Wombats

Best Video
'Teddy Picker' – Arctic Monkeys
'Flux' – Bloc Party
'D.A.N.C.E.' - Justice
'Golden Skans' - Klaxons
'Teenagers' – My Chemical Romance

Best Music DVD
'Up The Shambles' – Babyshambles
'The Song Remains The Same' – Led Zeppelin
'Unplugged In New York' - Nirvana
'Lord Don’t Slow Me Down' - Oasis
'I Told You I Was Trouble' – Amy Winehouse

Best Live Event
Carling Weekend: Reading And Leeds Festival
Glastonbury
Muse At Wembley Stadium
T In The Park
V Festival

Hero Of The Year
Matt Bellamy
Pete Doherty
Noel Fielding
Ryan Jarman
Thom Yorke

Villain Of The Year
Tony Blair
Johnny Borrell
Gordon Brown
George W Bush
Amy Winehouse

Best Dressed
Pete Doherty
Noel Fielding
Kate Nash
Alex Turner
Gerard Way

Worst Dressed
Johnny Borrell
Pete Doherty
Mika
Gerard Way
Amy Winehouse

Best Dancefloor Filler
'Flux' – Bloc Party
'Hummer' - Foals
'D.A.N.C.E.' - Justice
'Atlantis To Interzone' - Klaxons
'Let's Dance To Joy Division' – The Wombats

Best Album Artwork
'Favourite Worst Nightmare' – Arctic Monkeys
'The Good, The Bad And The Queen' – The Good, The Bad And The Queen
'Sawdust' – The Killers
'Because Of The Times' – Kings Of Leon
'Send Away The Tigers' – Manic Street Preachers

Best Radio Show
Russell Brand (Radio 2)
Zane Lowe (Radio 1)
Chris Moyles (Radio 1)
Colin Murray (Radio 1)
Jo Whiley (Radio 1)

Worst Album
'1973' - James Blunt
'The Trick To Life' – The Hoosiers
'Spirit' - Leona Lewis
'Life In Cartoon Motion' - Mika
'Blackout' - Britney Spears

Worst Band
30 Seconds To Mars
Fall Out Boy
The Hoosiers
My Chemical Romance
Panic At The Disco

Best TV Show
'Heroes'
'The Mighty Boosh'
'Never Mind The Buzzcocks'
'The IT Crowd'
'Skins'

Best Film 'Control'
'Hot Fuzz'
'Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End'
'The Simpsons Movie'
'Superbad'

Sexiest Man
Howlin' Pelle Almqvist
Julian Barrett
Noel Fielding
Nicky Wire
Patrick Wolf

Sexiest Woman
Jenny Lewis
Kylie Minogue
Rhianna
Hayley Williams
Rachael Yamagata

It's Monday, and

we already have our quote of the week. (okay, it's an old quote, but I've never seen it before)

Regarding his iconic cover for The Strokes album, 'Is This It?' the photographer, Colin Lane says-

“[When it ended up on The Strokes’ album cover] my ex-girlfriend was thrilled – she was a very rock 'n' roll girl so it’s a big feather in her cap to have her ass on The Strokes’ cover.”

I love them

A confession- I adore bodice-ripper novels, particularly of the Regency genre. LOVE THEM. I blame my misspent youth reading Cosmo at the public library. Warped me proper.

Anyway, one of the best sites out there, in any category, is 'Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books. The two bitches, Candy and Sarah, are both extremely gifted writers, and incredibly profane. They are also fucking hilarious. Obviously, I love them. I feel that we could be friends, except they're much smarter than me. But if they need a dumb indie-rock obsessed sidekick, I am so there.

But I digress.

One of the main targets of the Bitches ire is Cassie Edwards, a romance novelist that specializes in romances of the Native American variety. The stereotypes and incredibly stilted dialogue are simply amazing. See SB Sarah's evisceration of Edwards Savage Moon for a classic take-

“It seems that fate today has arranged that you and my adopted daughter should finally meet. Perhaps it is the will of the spirits. I am not one to argue with fate.”
Fate, huh? Chief Stepfather clearly studied his Greek and Roman mythology in Indian chief school.

He knew that this night would not pass without their coming together as lovers!
Chiefs who speak in exclamation points are probably
lousy in bed, though.

Nothing had stopped Chief Bear’s hate until that bullet entered the base of his skull and rendered him almost a vegetable.
Yes. Native Americans totally used that phrase to describe catatonic people.

So when they came upon some fairly blatant plagiarism in Edwards works, they were on it like ducks on junebugs.

With all the exposure this case got, some big media types made some particularly stupid comments about how romance novels are hackneyed, and the plots are all derivative. Well, that went and pissed Candy off, so she made a chart comparing different books, plots and genres to show that many plots, in all genres, tend to repeat.

Some examples-

Title and Author- 'Lord Of Scoundrels' by Loretta Chase
Basic Premise/Plot- Plucky miss shows jaded aristocrat the meaning of love, and proves to him that Not All Women Are Evil
Genre- Romance

Title and Author-Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Basic Premise/Plot- Plucky miss shows jaded low-born gambler the meaning of love, and proves to him that Not All Women Are Evil
Genre- Romance

Title and Author- The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
Basic Premise/Plot- A plucky group of ragtag misfits defeat Evil and thus save the world. The short ones provide occasional comic relief. The world is forever changed.
Genre- Fantasy

Title and Author- Most of the books in the Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis
Basic Premise/Plot- A plucky group of ragtag misfits defeat Evil and thus save the world. The short ones provide occasional comic relief. The world is forever changed.
Genre-Fantasy

And my favorites-

Title and Author-As You Like It by William Shakespeare
Basic Premise/Plot- Two couples attempt to sort out love amidst various hijinks.
Cross-dressing ensues.
Genre-He's motherfucking Shakespeare. He doesn't need a motherfucking genre classification.

Title and Author- Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Basic Premise/Plot- Two couples attempt to sort out love amidst various hijinks. Cross-dressing ensues.
Genre- He's motherfucking Shakespeare. He doesn't need a motherfucking genre classification.

So to sum up, shit happens. Including plot repetition. Even to motherfucking Shakespeare.

Things that amuse me

Part of an ongoing series....

-talking to one of my Republican brothers on the phone while listening to the Manics singing 'The Masses Against The Classes.' Hee hee.

'Just'- Mark Ronson

Maybe if I'm a very good girl today, and try my best to behave myself, I'll have a dream similar to this video tonight.

Mark Ronson-Just (minimp3center.blogspot.com)
Uploaded by minimp3center

via

Natchez Fish Mart, Natchez Mississippi

Natchez Fish Mart, Natchez Mississippi, originally uploaded by Dizzy Atmosphere.

I adore black and white photography. Why does decay in the South always look more romantic than elsewhere?

Barong Dancer - Ubud, Bali

Barong Dancer - Ubud, Bali, originally uploaded by paddysat.

This is the coolest shot- love her headdress, as well as the light in the picture....

Oh, not smart. NOT SMART.

Cheryl is by no means my fav Girls Aloud (i.e. not Sarah or Kim), but wow. WOW. She's gonna have her husband roasted over a pit. Slowly. As she should.

Chezza'll cut a bitch. And his little dog, too.

Pop star Cheryl, 24, vowed never to forgive the England footballer after hearing about his seedy sex session. A source said the furious Girls Aloud singer yelled at her husband: “How could you humiliate me like this in front of everyone?”In her rage, she ordered him to pack his bags, saying: “Get out. It’s over - you’ve ruined it all.” Feisty Cheryl - who warned a year ago that she would leave her hubby if he cheated - later told a friend: “I can’t believe he has done this to me. He has ruined everything.”

Cashley is toast. TOAST.

Well....

Their first album was dinner party music, the second dinner party music for swingers,and the third an electro glam stomp-y thing. Why not folk for the fourth?
I love me some Goldfrapp- and not just because we have 'Supernature' and 'Black Cherry' on constant rotation at the shop... And Alison just rules.

"People expected me to be this pop dominatrix all the bloody time, and I got quite uncomfortable with that in the end. If I turned up at an aftershow party without my costume on, for instance, people would gasp at me in horror, and that isn't nice. I mean, we weren't creating a person, we were dramatising the music. But suddenly, without me even wanting it, I became part of this trashy magazine world where everyone's too thin or too fat or too old if they're past 25, where everything's WRONG! RIGHT! WRONG! I mean, I don't go strutting around the house in my bloody horse tail shouting 'How ya doing, London?' at the neighbours, do I?" She shrugs. "Thank God that this time, the emphasis is elsewhere."

I love this girl

Adele, the hotly-tipped singer from north LDN, is freaking hilarious. A hell of a singer, and has the proper favorite out of GA. Well done, honey.

Indeed, satirical pop website Popjustice.com nailed it when they observed that Adele looked as if she had an 81 per cent ability of winning a pub brawl and a 50 per cent chance of slagging off Girls Aloud. "Oh no, I love Girls Aloud!," she squeals. "Especially that Sarah Harding girl, she's so pretty. And she likes a drink, too. Ha, ha. No, I would never slag them off. I would blatantly win a bar brawl, though. I'm big boned, me. And I drink Stella, so I'm a good beater."

and this is so cute. Awwww.....


"After the show, I planned to walk past Paul McCartney. But he pulled me aside and said, `I really enjoyed you tonight and I'm looking forward to hearing more stuff from you'," she grins. "And I was like, `fnnarsmoorsmackle', tripping over my words. I acted like a right ********! But he was the most starstruck I've ever got. Because he's a Beatle."

Um, I wanna go!

ROAD TRIP!

The soundtrack to my college experience- Stevie Wonder, Buffett and Billy. Sheryl as well... And holy crap- Cassandra AND Diana? And the Rev. Al Green? AND Randy Newman? Wow! Also, Tim is fantastic in concert.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stevie Wonder has not performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 35 years, and has never headlined the event. Organizers want to change that this year. Wonder was scheduled to headline the second weekend of the 2008 Jazz Fest along with Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow and Louisiana native and country music star Tim McGraw, festival promoter Quint Davis said Thursday in announcing the lineup. Joel, Crow and McGraw are all festival first-timers.

Glacis

Glacis, originally uploaded by bodji.

As it was -8 here overnight, am a wee bit obsessed with warmer places. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

Random ten

1. Good To Be Gone- Sugababes
2. Go Let It Out- Oasis
3. The Letter- Al Green
4. Girlfriend In A Coma- The Smiths
5. Cupid- Amy Winehouse
6. Don't Look Back In Anger- Oasis
7. She Comes In The Fall- Inspiral Carpets
8. Feel Good Inc- Editors
9. Standing On My Own Again- Graham Coxon
10. Two More Years- Bloc Party

Bonus-
11. Ampersand- Ampersand
12. Express Yourself- Madonna

Today in stupidity

Gallows were to play Disneyland? *snort*

Gallows were due to support California punk monarchs Social Distortion at a concert venue located in Disneyland, California, yesterday, but were removed from the bill due to offence taken to their lyrics by the family-friendly Walt Disney Company.

and HAHAHAHA!

Despite banning Gallows from the Magic Kingdon, Disney have not, as of yet, explicitly ruled out using the band's collaboration with Lethal Bizzle on the soundtrack of their next instalment of The Lion King.

I very rarely

wish misfortune upon others*, but I sincerely hope that anyone involved with the Westboro Baptist Church's protest at Heath's funeral develops a debilitating facial tick and uncontrollable Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

WWJD? Not protest at fucking funerals...

*because I believe in a thing called KARMA

Mods and rocker badges

Mods and rocker badges, originally uploaded by Andi-b.

Found this while dinking around on Flickr today.

Waiting to go...

Waiting to go..., originally uploaded by mutenostrilsyndrome.

I wish I was here. Would be much preferrable to freezing my arse off.

I am so glad

that Chuck is going after these assholes.

— Hinn’s salary is somewhere between $500K and a million dollars per year.
— he has a $10 million seaside mansion
— he owns a private jet with annual operating costs of about $1.5 million (this is what is being replaced by Dove One)
— and he drives a Mercedes SUV and convertible, valued at about $80,000 each. (He may have traded up by now.)

My weekend

One of the many benefits (*snort*) of working retail for my mom is the bi-annual trip to Chicago for gift show, where we stay at a posh hotel downtown, and eat/drink our weight in "free"* food/booze. We also do a fair amount of personal shopping- both at gift show and on Michigan Ave.

Before we get to the loot bit, may I say that if one is ever in Chicago, and desires the best steak EVER, get thee to Bistro 110. Order the steak frites. Mmmmmm.....

As I am attempting to start saving money for the first time in my life, I was operating on a limited budget. However, I managed to acquire some cool-ass shit.

This Beijo Bag-

-A sign from Danielson Designs that says "Showgirl Entrance"

-Set of jars from Midwest Of Cannon Falls that have skulls on the lids (intended for Halloween, but I'm going to use them for everyday)

-Print from Art In Motion of a chandelier with some French words in the background. Because I can't speak French, so I'll let the funky music do the talking..... sorry about that.

-Nars blusher in 'Orgasm'

-Philosophy lippie in 'Melon Daiquiri'

-EP from The Libs for 'What Became Of The Likely Lads'

-The DVD for 'Up The Shambles' by my beloved Babyshambles

-These Chuck Taylors- I got these for 8 bucks at the Gap! (Didn't like the slip-on look, so took a seam ripper to them today and made them into lace-ups)

Believe me, this is positively RESTRAINED from my usual consumer indulgence.

*"free" is in parentheses because my mom drops an awful lot of cash at these places. They should make us chubby and get us drunk.

Dior Haute Couture

Not so sure about the styles, but the colors are spectacular.

Coachella looks likely

The Verve, Rilo Kiley, Hot Chip, Rev and The Makers, Love And Rockets, Jamie T, and Enter Shikari? NICE.

Oh, and Pink Floyd. Woot.

...They'll join The Verve, The Raconteurs, Rilo Kiley and My Morning Jacket at the ninth annual festival, set to take place April 25-27 at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California, as previously reported. Also on the bill are Hot Chip, The Streets, Jack Johnson, Cold War Kids, Enter Shikari, Metric, Death Cab For Cutie, Reverend And The Makers, Love & Rockets, The Bees, Jamie T, Vampire Weekend and Simian Mobile Disco, among others.

Lakes2006_Z16022

Lakes2006_Z16022, originally uploaded by Ennor.

Gorgeous colors- almost looks like one of those damn Kinkaid "paintings."

Awwwww

It seems that Mr. Peter Doherty has a YouTube channel which showcases home videos of..... his kitties. Yes, Mr. Rock and Roll is a cat lady. Awwwwwwwww....

Three Shire Heads (Winter Ver.)

Three Shire Heads (Winter Ver.), originally uploaded by Jonnyfez.

I love the running water, as well as the moss and the lichens in the background....

This week's sign that the Apocalypse is upon us

As previously mentioned, my mom has satellite radio in her car. The following is an actual conversation-

Mom- "Hey, I think I heard that rapper from that YouTube clip that you made me watch."

Me- "Huh?"

Mom- "The one where Peter was rapping."*

Me- "Derek B?"

Mom- "Yeah, the one where your boy was laughing...."


*yes, my mom refers to Peter as, er, Peter. I've only talked incessantly about The Libs and the 'Shambles for the past 4 months...

'No One'- Alicia Keys

I want to look like Ms. Alicia when I finally grow up. That is all.

*rolls eyes*

Oh, for the love of Pete....

Fed up with the orgy of mindless violence and sewer-mouthed profanity that passes these days for your average family film? Scared to take your kids to the flicks in case they have to sit through naked cartoon animals and rude words like "ass"? Fear not! A variety of parental and religious websites have sprung up, telling you exactly what offensive material you will encounter. Which means innocently stumbling into a screening of Cannibal Holocaust II with little Johnny will be a thing of the past. It also means that pretty much every film ever made apart from Stuart Little is a no-go. So, can you guess the films from their warnings?

...

"...The main character is shown consuming fancy alcoholic drinks and usually drives in a reckless manner."*

*'Casino Royale'

Borrowdale, Lake District

Borrowdale, Lake District, originally uploaded by craig_352.

The shades of green are just incredible- from emerald to chartreuse to absinthe...