Newness(ish)

The show "Gotham" has only 4 episodes left. They haven't had much in the way of music during its run, but there's one that sticks with me. "The Sinking Ship, The Grand Applause" by The Paper Chase. It's one that builds, and has a good rhythm to it. I'm glad the music vid is the way it is, because it doesn't distract you from what you're hearing.

I've also really been into Brody Dalle lately. More specifically, her Spinnerette album. Brody is wife to "Ginger Elvis" Josh Homme, who heads Queens of the Stone Age (among a few other high-profile projects, look him up). She began as a punk rocker in the band The Distillers, which disbanded, and moved on to Spinnerette, and has also done solo work. I came across a YouTube vid that is absolutely amazing, her and Garbage babe Shirley Manson, singing a song for Record Store Day back in 2014. Gotta get this vinyl.

Anthony Bourdain did not get recognition in the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars this year. Along with many other snubs like R. Lee Ermy, Carol Channing, Verne Troyer, Harry Anderson, Al Matthews, Dick Miller, Aretha Franklin, and EFFING JOHN MAHONEY. WTF, Academy?

Same Chick, Different Day

Since my last post, I've acquired a new job! No more bartending, back to what I love... working with kids! I'm a para again! And absolutely loving it. It happened about a month after my last entry, actually.

I discovered a couple of songs via youtube. Sorry, what? Well hell yeah, of course I'm gonna share 'em! The first is from a band I hadn't heard of previously, called The Dead South. This song... something about it really stuck with me. I find it catchy.

It's difficult for me to understand what the song is about, but I gather it's a couple who meets a rather violent end, with him ending her and them himself, saying he'll "be in good company" in hell, since that's where they both are probably going.

The second song I discovered is from a band I already love, The Kills. Their album Blood Pressures is one of my top 5 favorites. And I don't think I can listen to this song without watching to music vid to accompany it. Greatness.

She (Alison Mosshart) is also in another band called The Dead Weather. (I may have mentioned this before. Totally bears repeating.) When I first discovered her, thanks to Anthony Bourdain's Nashville episode, I delved into her music and found I preferred The Kills over The Dead Weather. NOW, however, I find that the latter's Dodge and Burn album has really grown on me.

In essence, Alison Mosshart holds a special place in my heart. And my musical choices.

So I just watched the first John Wick movie, for the first time. I had a slight idea of what it was about, guy's dog gets killed, he seeks revenge. 'S'what I'd heard, anyway. And basically yeah, there's a bit more to it, but that's what it boils down to. I think what surprised/amused me was, EVERYONE'S reaction. "You killed his dog? F*ck!! You f*cking IDIOT!" Followed by a huge impressive violent revenge tale.

Finally painting again! As of about an hour ago! Something I've long had on my to-do list. Poison Ivy on canvas to go with my Harley Quinn. And it's off to a pretty good start.

To be continued...

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.

Parts Unknown & Fondness... Always

My mom has recently gotten me interested in Anthony Bourdain. He's a chef, author, and TV personality who has a show on CNN called Parts Unknown, where he travels abroad. He eats different foods, learns and shares history lessons, discovers cultures. He's humorous at times. He's a recovered addict - of many things, apparently - but still indulges in his booze.

And this next picture reminds me of something on my bucket list I need to accomplish...

Oh yes... Oysters and stout. I missed out on an Oysters & Stout festival that was a couple hours away a year or two ago. Since then, it's been one of my top to-do's.

He has great disdain for Guy Fieri and has often ridiculed him.

I spent New Year's out of town with a couple friends. We attended a New Year's Countdown show at a comedy club (and drank too much whisky) and then saw a limited 70mm release of Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" the next afternoon. Very good times.

Incredibly upset to hear of Alan Rickman's passing. I haven't been this affected by celebrity's death since Robin Williams. If you look at my movie collection, you can see that I sometimes collect flicks by actor, when I really like them. Alan Rickman was one of these few such actors. My collection - quite suddenly - now has an end.

Goodbye, Mr. Rickman. And thank you.