File under awesome

This was about to be some song that I used to like (after crazy radio over play), but I think I'm in love again after this video... or maybe I just want to adopt these kids!

The Love Competition

Let's evolve together.

The Love Competition from Brent Hoff on Vimeo.

Can one person experience love more deeply than another? That’s what The Stanford Center for Cognitive and Neurobiological Imaging and filmmaker Brent Hoff set out to understand when they hosted the 1st Annual Love Competition. Seven contestants, ranging from 10 to 75 years of age, took part. And they each spent five minutes in an fMRI machine, thinking deeply about love and allowing the imaging technology to measure activity in their dopamine, serotonin and ocytocin/vasopressin pathways. If you think this sounds unromantic, you’ll want to reserve judgment. Though science may be the explicit focus here, the film has a touching human dimension to it. via

I want to pick a guy who allows me to be who I am.

Copy, Transform, Combine

"By idolizing those whom we honor we do a disservice both to them and to ourselves... we fail to recognize that we could go and do likewise." Charles V. Willie

This is the basis for the videos I watched this morning. Everything is a Remix is a series that examines artists and inventors and how their coping/borrowing/stealing led to their greatness (growing/transforming/evolving). Some good stuff here, check it out:

2011/08 Kirby Ferguson from CreativeMornings on Vimeo.

On blast.

Ray and Brandi!

Last night I was lucky enough to catch two of my musical favorites in one venue. Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlile performed at Merriweather to an adoring crowd. Most of their songs bring me vividly back to several years ago. A totally different point in my life where I was single and very restless. Crazy how powerful music can be, that just some simple notes can conjure the same anxiety, excitement, joy and sadness felt years ago. I welcomed all of it. It makes me appreciate where I am now, plus these two artists are amazing live performers. They both contain similar raspy/velvety voices that dig deep. Don’t miss an opportunity to see them live!

 

The Hunger Games

Besides hosting a cozy lil BBQ for my family this weekend, one of the highlights was definitely finally slowing down to relax in bed with Stanley (my puggle), Mylo (my nephew puggle) and Sweet Lips (my sweet lips) while reading the second book of The Hunger Games series. I was so intensely absorbed in reading my book, that Sweet Lips picked up the first book I had laying around and started reading. So there we were... Monday (Labor Day) morning quietly reading together in bed with two puggles and the rain coming down the window panes. I need more mornings like those! 

Anyways, I highly suggest the series. A very inventive, sci-fi-ish, action, drama that's super easy and fun to read. Sweet Lips already finished the first book and is urging me to finish the second.
Of course, the series' popularity has already spawned a Hollywood blockbuster. It is in the making, set to be released in March 2012. Usually, I scoff at remakes of my novel favorites, but the star is the star of a recent flick I watched – Winter's Bone. I was really impressed with Jennifer Lawrence's performance, so maybe there is hope for Katniss on the big screen! I hope so!

Check out a mini-mini-sneak-peak:

Silopanna Festival Ensemble

Looking forward to the Silopanna Music Festival next weekend! Two of my favorites... Matt and Kim and Sharon Jones and the Dapkings will be performing. Preparing by investigating some of the other musicians (Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Fitz and the Tantrums) and planning fun festival attire. Below are some pieces that I think will suit the occasion.

Silopanna Festival Ensemble by goyagirl featuring hot short shorts

Amy

I'm very saddened to hear of the passing of Amy Winehouse. Her "Back to Black" album came to me at a time when I most needed a powerful female voice. I can remember vividly putting those tracks on repeat. I had just moved into my first solo apartment after having just broken up with a longtime (royal Ahole) of a boyfriend. Lots of new found freedom and a "my terms" attitude. It was a really freakin' fun and somewhat self-destructive time and I wouldn't take back one minute. I feel I can dodge bullshit like Neo because of it. Below are some pics from Virgin Festival, Summer 2007. After wearing her album out, I was beyond thrilled to see her live with Lil Miss Taco Tuesday. An epic festival day.

Game of Thrones

For those of you trying to wrap your brain around Game of Thrones, perhaps this character diagram will help... Frankly, it makes my head spin, but what a great show! If you dig sci-fi, gore and period flix, check it out on HBO.

View full diagram here.

Breakups: the soft and the silly

I called into 106.5 yesterday to try and win tickets to see a sold-out Sara Bareilles show. I rarely do this sort of thing, my main motivation was to hear Gravity live. It's pretty damn lovely. I think we can all relate to this song. At some point or another there's always that certain someone who continues to tug at our rib cage, someone seemingly impossible to forget.

And now for some breakup comic relief!

Michael & Michael Have Issues
Break-Up Sweatpants
www.comedycentral.com
Jokes The Comedy Awards The Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump

 via Shmittenkitten

Rolling in the Deep

"There's a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bringing me out the dark

Finally, I can see you crystal clear.

Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship there.

See how I leave, with every piece of you

Don't underestimate the things that I will do."

I've been listening to 21 over and over on KCRW, but it's now available for purchase and it is every bit as good as her first album... there goes my lunch money.

Video via Uncle Beefy

I Heart Kim (and Matt)

Last weekend I jumped up and down for my fave lil indie duo... Matt & Kim. Always a lively show. So much freakin' good/positive energy. They love to pay tribute to Bmore club music, so every now and then they'll drop it in... Bonus!

Watch how they switch it up. It's quite lovely.

Here Kim has told us of her plan to be Beyonce for Halloween, so she is standing on the hands of the crowd to give us her best booty shake. Just caught the end of this, but do you see why I love her?!

A man after my own heart.

Sample of Eminem’s, “Space Bound”

We touch, I feel a rush 

We clutch, it isn’t much 

But it’s enough to make me wonder what’s in store for us 

It’s lust, it’s torturous 

You must be a sorceress cause you just 

Did the impossible 

Gain my trust, don’t play games it’ll be dangerous 

If you fuck me over 

Cause if I get burnt, I’ma show you what its like to hurt 

Cause I been treated like dirt before ya 

And love is evil 

Spell it backwards I’ll show ya 

(Verse 1) 

Nobody knows me, I’m cold 

Walk down this road all alone 

It’s no ones fault but my own 

Its the path I’ve chosen to go 

Frozen as snow, I show no emotion whatsoever so 

Don’t ask me why, I have no love for these mufuckin’ hoes 

Bloodsuckin succubus, what the fuck is up with this 

I’ve tried in this department but I ain’t had no luck with this 

Its sucks but its exactly what I thought it would be 

Like tryin’ to start over 

I gotta hole in my heart, I’m some kind of emotional roller-coaster 

Somethin’ I won’t go on til you toy with my emotion so its over 

It’s like an explosion, every time I hold ya wasn’t jokin’ when I told ya 

Ya take my breathe away 

You’re a supernova.. and I’m a 

(Hook) 

I’ma space bound rocket ship and your heart’s the moon 

And I’m aiming right at you 

Right at you 

250 thousand miles on a clear night in June 

And I’m aiming right at you 

Right at you 

Right at you 

Bmore Club LOVE

Hipsters gone wild. Pretty bummed I missed this.

Some pretty funny commentary via GuyWerner on youtube: Kids went nuts. Dancing was dirty like Swayze. Someone got pregnant, had a baby and sent it to art school. Scottie B spun the canon of club, the pantheon of pop, the hits of hipsterdom. Hipsters were clapping with their hands above their heads and no one minded the smell. Kevin Blackistone was wearing a hat that made him look like Lawrence of Arabia crossed with Super Mario. Cullen struck 1000 poses behind Scottie without ever being on stage.

The Black Keys at Constitution Hall–Monday night!

I was super/super excited considering my recent obsession with their music. Plan was for Lil Miss Taco Tuesday and I to Metro in, do happy hour in Dupont and cab it to the concert, then cab it back to Chulito's house for a sleepover. Actually the original tentative plan was to stay with Sly Fox, but he notified me last minute that he would be preoccupied. Ironically, while waiting for the green line to DC–we ran into him. Possibly a sign, but if I had to guess... not a sign for me. Either way, we welcomed his company on our ride. Lil Miss Taco Tuesday guessed that he had a date that night and he confirmed that indeed he did and if all went well... he would not come home. Hmm.......................... Yeah/yeah I get it... we all have needs, but has'nt he ever heard of "Bro's before Ho's"? Hello! Bro's before Ho's Dude! Me being the "Bro" in this situation. Plus, it was a Monday night date. You don't schedule dates on Mondays with anyone you are really interested in. The way I see it, Monday dates are for the possible snoozers. Regardless, I was happy to run into my Bro and he did fill our bellies with pizza and guide us through a nice scenic walk to Dupont.

At Public Bar's rooftop in Dupont

Outside Constitution Hall

THE BLACK KEYS!!!

Nothing but love :)

Our lesbian box-mate

The fairly docile crowd that had me reconsidering my move...

Thoroughly enjoying  myself!

"the regular, she'd rearrange, the girl knew how to chop and change"

At Chulito's crib... isn't that a beautiful flag? Also, the Metro stop back the next morning... look the capitol!

How I choose to drown my sorrows.

I'm sure when I stop pressing repeat something will come to me.

I'm a mean/mean woman hidin' underneath this hearty shell.

Audra Mae performed this Janis Joplin cover Saturday night. I think she was singing to me...

Turtle Blues

Ah, I'm a mean, mean woman 

And I don't mean no one man, no good, no. 
I'm a mean, mean woman, 
I don't mean no one man, no good. 
I just treats 'em like I wants to 

I never treats 'em, honey like I should. 

Oh, Lord, I once had a daddy, 

He said he'd give me everything in sight. 

Once had a daddy, 

Said he'd give me everything in sight. 

Yes, he did 

So I said, "Honey, I want the sunshine, 

You take the stars out of the night. 

Come on and give 'em to me, babe, 'cause I want 'em right now." 

I ain't the kind of woman 

Who'd make your life a bed of ease, ha ha ha ha! 

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 

I'm not the kind of woman, no, 

To make your life a bed of ease. 

Yeah, but if you, if you just wanna go out drinkin', honey, 

Won't you invite me along please. 

Oh, I'll be so good to ya babe, yeah! 

Whoa, go on! 

I guess I'm just like a turtle 

That's hidin' underneath it's horny shell. 

Whoa, whoa, oh yeah, like a turtle 

Hidin' underneath it's horny shell. 

But you know I'm very well protected - 

I know this goddamn life too well. 

Oh! Now call me mean, you can call me evil, yeah, yeah, 

I've been called much of some things around, 

Honey, don't ya know I have! 

Whoa, call me mean or call me evil 

I've been called much of some things, all things around, 

Yeah, but I'm gonna take good care of Janis, yeah, 

Honey, ain't no one gonna dog me down. 

Alright, yeah.

Lost is coming to an end... tear/tear

Hands down the best show I've seen in my 31 years of existence. I get super-siked each week (for years now) to see where those wacky/scifi/philosophical writers are going to take the storyline and characters. There is no way in hell I would even begin to explain the plot. The show is an investment, not something you can pick up half way and not something you can half@ss. You are either a Lostie or not, no in between lukewarm viewing. Themes that the show addresses: Destiny/Free Will, Good/Evil, Sin/Redemption, Science/Faith, Mothers/Fathers, Jack(good guy)/Sawyer(bad boy)... Bonus: hotties for both men and women! If you're not familiar with the show, I suggest dedicating a weekend or two/three to uninterrupted viewing. Crank the AC, grab a down comforter, possibly a companion that will cook for you and not ask too many silly questions (because yes, there are dumb questions).



Only 1 episode left before the series finale on May 23rd (2.5 hours!). It's bittersweet. I'm hoping for the residents of Pigtown's sake, that it goes out with a bang! I will be rioting! Till then I'm planning my Lost finale menu. At 1st I was thinkin' wild boar! But since I have no clue where to find/cook that, maybe pig instead... Possibilities: –pulled pork –pork ribs –fish pockets –tuna skewers –chicken satay with Dharma peanut sauce –fried plantains –mango/tropical fruit salad –sashimi –peanut butter/chocolate treats –Dharma beer/wine –piña coladas (in coconuts of course)

I Got Mine.

Last night while at neighbor's house for a Cinco de Mayo gathering (I got many neighbors btw) (we like to call it Crackhead Melrose ;) – I received a lil pop-up message on my phone from the 9:30 club... Black Keys Presale! I had to let out a lil shout. Actually, I looked for my keys to leave immediately so I could hit-up ticketmaster, but after reading the email a lil further I realized that they weren't available for purchase till this morning. But I GOT MINE! Get yours! Password: Howlin

Cuz sometimes you need to say things 2x

Frank has an eHarm profile... too bad I already deleted mine :(