In This Moment, Then As Now Forever

Hey there. Five months post-NOLA and nothing new. 'Cept maybe some music. (And the Covid-19 pandemic.)

Starcrawler. The lead singer is... well I can't look away. Very striking. In a way where you wonder about her health. But as for their music, I do recommend a listen.

Bet My Brains music video

I Love LA music video

This spring, I was planning to go see In This Moment. They're another woman-fronted rock band, and a few months ago I heard their song Blood on SiriusXM, and loved it. I dug a bit deeper and found out that I rather like their music overall. Their music videos are interesting. Usually directed by the frontwoman herself, Maria Brink. But the artistry reminds me a bit of Marilyn Manson's. Yeah, I was going to see them live, but this less-than-awesome pandemic has interfered. Anyway, here are some of their music vids:

Blood music video

Sick Like Me music video

Sex Metal Barbie music video

Hmm, what else... BTW, sorry I can't just put the videos on like I usually do. For some reason, that way isn't working.

I randomly came across something the other night, and I was half paying attention, but it quickly had me interested. First, please watch it HERE, and next I'll explain it. For real, I wish for you to experience the way I did.

Seriously, ^watch it^ before continuing to read. Please. So, this is a video from the Swedish alt-pop/synth-pop/pop-rock band Kent. I'd never heard of them til this video. Apparently, its title, Da Som Nu For Alltid, means "Then As Now Forever" and means the upcoming album is their very last, their farewell album and tour. So this video is them making that announcement, and includes various references to their previous albums. Such as the airplane, the sled dogs, the girl in the denim, the white tiger, the girl on the horse...

So now, if you rewatch it with this knowledge, it takes on a whole new meaning, right? It did to me anyway. I thought it was brilliant. And of course I come across this years after it's made. (It was released in 2016.)

Take care out there. Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay home. It sucks, I know. My wanderlust is hurtin' bad right now.

Busy Be the Blogger

The trip by train to the city went alright. Not as well as I'd hoped, but hopefully still memorable. It's difficult to keep an autistic ad/hd kid entertained during 2 long train rides to a mostly-by-foot two day romp around the city. Where things he wants to do, like river boat tours, cost $40... for one of us. But that's not to say that fun wasn't had. He loved going up in one of the skyscapers to the skydeck. And we found a very interesting, imaginative and extensive playground. I just hope that he remembers it, and fondly. The fun stuff.

Just got back from a trip to see my mom's side of the family three states away a few days ago. Drove 14.5 hours one way with my son and mother. Stayed for 6 days. Once we got there, the time flew by. Suddenly we were leaving the next day to drive the 14.5 hours back.

What reeeaaalllyyy sucked was we didn't have the satellite radio I'm spoiled with in our car. AND of course, my media player was nowhere to be found. So no RoadTrip PlayList '18. Erg. And the further south we went, the more stations on the radio were... gospel, religious, etc. No thanks. And unfortunately, the radio signal was so damn rare that I found myself settling for country music.

I may have wiped blood from my ears once or twice.

(No insult meant for gospel & country music fans. It's just really, truly not for me. You all say the same about Ozzy, Manson, Ramones, and Eminem.)

So since my return, I've resumed work on the new-- wait! You nonexistent readers don't know yet! We bought a house! Our first! Moved in about a month ago. Right before the trip to the city. Anyhow, I've been working on the new place, but it's slow going. So effing busy with stuff this summer, and unsure of how I want things. Like stuff hung on the walls. And what to put in storage (now that we have sooo much more storage, thanks to the attic & basement space!). It's a process, but I've done things here and there. We'll get there.

One fairly recent occurence that hit me hard... Anthony Bourdain's death. I deeply admired him. He's inspired me to find the lesser-known eateries in the places I travel to. To find out what said places are known for, and the history and culture. When we vacationed last year and ended up going to Nashville, I watched the N'ville Parts Unknown episode a few days before. While I didn't end up going to any of the places he went, it did introduce me to two bands, The Dead Weather and The Kills. I absolutely love the album Blood Pressures by The Kills. You may think Nashville is nothing but country, but there are a few hidden gems.

Anyway... it still stings. And will for time to come.

I remember the first ep I watched... It was at my mom's house, after she came home around midnight after work. We watched his Okinawa episode. I loved it, and had to see more. I loved the way it was written and filmed. It wasn't just food, it was as I said a bit ago, culture and history. And food. And adventure. I just started reading the book that got his stardom started, Kitchen Confidential. It emanates the same spirit you see in his show. Humorous, carefree, rebellious.

Since I've been back from the south, I've started watching a new show: Orphan Black. Damn good! I'm hooked. They do a fantastic job with it. Making each "sister" her own character... and very believable, at that. Tatiana Maslany is phenomenal.

Ta.

Gifts, Glitches, and Gour- er, Journeys

Yours truly is now 31. Had a very low-key birthday this year. But a good one. Spent with the two main guys in my life. Received some pretty awesome pirate-y gifts. Sextant, spyglass, and ship (Queen Anne's Revenge, which was Blackbeard's) in a bottle.

The Glitch Mob just dropped a new album! Their third, not including their remix releases. "See Without Eyes" is its name. I fell in love with their first album, Drink The Sea, but their second - Love Death Immortality - didn't catch on like its predecessor. Unfortunately. Even with my girl Aja Volkman from Nico Vega on a track! But alas... Anyway, giving the new my first listen now.

I like how they use Braille. And the image kinda reminds me of the opening credits of the American version of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movie.

Summer vacation nears. The 35 hours a week I have to myself will decrease significantly... by about 35 hours.

Yeah I'm on track 5 and it's still not catching me like Drink The Sea did. Shame.

Taking the kid on a overnight trip this summer. One I've wanted to do for a while now. Get on the train, ride to the city, let him see what the urban atmosphere is like. I think he'll love it.

Since the kid's currently watching Loony Tunes in the other room, I'll leave you with the classic...