Can socialism be built in the desert?

yes, but it is not advisable. after a while there will be a shortage of sand! The above and following jokes come from this very interesting documentary, Hammer & Tickle, about humor in the Soviet Union. This title is spectacular, or unfuckwithable, as one might say. One problem: it's not on Netflix and I can't rate it. It's truly sad when I can't give it that closing stamp that is a Netflix rating. And now for some more jokes:

Ladies and gentleman, we are about to enter the Soviet Union. Please sit down, fasten your seat belts, put your trays up, and wind your watches back ten years.

East German toilet paper is always two-ply because we have send a copy of everything we do to Moscow.

On a side note, LAist used another one of my photos--this time uncredited. :-/
Additionally, LA Weekly has an interesting article about the way billboards are getting by as "mural signs."

I'd rather be a forest than a street.

Back from a break of these little insights into my record collection, as records are now out of boxes and sprawled across the floor of my home rather than neatly organized alphabetically in my now previous apartment. Starting off where I left off:T-B, L-R:
1) Sergio Mendes - s/t (1983)
2) Shelley Berman - Outsie
3) Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends
4) Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
5) The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas
6) The Special AKA - Free Nelson Mandela (The Special Remix)

1) I love Sergio Mendes; I don't love this album at all. But, hey, it was only 10 cents at the Rhino closing sale. Also, the peppers being bigger than his face -- a little silly.

2) Nice old Jewish comedian. I really like the cover drawing. Don't remember where I got it.

3) Inherited this from the parents, although someone named Sandler seems to have owned it at some point. It's a classic, obviously, and includes my favorite of their songs, "A Hazy Shade of Winter," and probably their best known, "Mrs. Robinson." When I saw Simon and Garfunkel on their Old Friends tour, I cried. But that was because of some weird medical nonsense that makes me crazy at super loud thunderous sounds, like marching bands and most things that happen at the Staples Center.

4) Another one from the parents, another classic. My favorite song on this album is "Cecilia," but I love that they had a song called "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" and also like the mostly Incan "El Condor Pasa."

5) wooo, gots to love the incorrect grammar of this record's title which I bought from MAMSROC. The Sinatra Family wishes, you know, not wish. But whatever, I forgive them, primarily because of Frank Jr.'s sock/shoe combo and Nancy Jr.'s sleeves. Also, this record is "under the direction of Nelson Riddle," a man who was pretty awesome.

6) I've been waiting to get to this record since the start of this series; it is definitely one of my favorites of all the ones I own. First, the boldness of the cover is great. Second, this album was produced by Elvis Costello and purchased during the height of my EC obsession during high school. This record has the LP version, instrumental mix, annnnd six-and-a-half minute club mix. Yeah, that's right, a spectacular dance song about social injustice. This one cost me a whole three bucks! One of my teachers in high school once recounted an anecdote of the I-didn't-need-to-know-but-thanks-I-guess variety: he and his sister used to dance on tables this song. There were a lot of colorful descriptors involved, but I have already forgotten those.

oh man, Lillian.

[22:59] EmeraldFacetsGlo: my gloved hand touched his gloved hand twice today at work
[22:59] EmeraldFacetsGlo: *swoons*

I miss Adam-12 marathons.

Dear TV Land,

I feel like I have written this letter many times, but, if I haven't already, it's about time! While I do appreciate Hogan's Heroes being brought back, that is not nearly enough to make up for all the grave programming mistakes you have made.

The first error was to play shows that were on TV originally during my lifetime. I am not old enough for this! I was mildly agitated with Wings and quite annoyed about Full House, but The George Lopez Show? Come on! And then now you start having "original programming." But only the worst possible original programming--the exact opposite of the quality shows you previously aired. Going from Mary Tyler Moore to High School Reunion? And now this She's Got the Look, which plays Coldplay snippets every four minutes. The upcoming Family Foreman looks beyond absurd.

TV Land, get your act together.
Laura

Hodge Podge Mod Podge

1. Oh man, do you remember Mod Podge?!! That stuff is the best. 2. I saw Rhett Miller walking on the street last night. Didn't react in time to roll down the window of a super old car, though, to say hi.

3. Rilo Kiley was much better than I expected but still a little boring. Also, the audience was too much of a hipster relay for me.

4. Some things I learn as a file clerk: Suge Knight's real name is Marion, hole punching takes way too much strength, super fast multi-page scanners are awesome except when they jam every 45 seconds

5. Wattstax is way interesting.

6. I wanted to go to this, but there was way too long of a line.

Lesson #2.

Lesson #1
Lesson #2: Check spam filter! Or you miss winning free concert tickets!


Also, this is my 150th post. Carazy.

I Believe.

L-R, T-B:
1)Starsailor: Love is Here
2)Stephen Stills: Right by You
3)Stephen Stills: S/T
4)Steve Martin: "A Wild and Crazy Guy"
5)Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life
6)Stevie Wonder: Talking Book

Lots of ST-starting names today. You know, when one has a lisp, it is easier to say the 'st' sound than the pure 's' sound. There ya go, as NBC previously pronounced with a shooting star for emphasis, there more you knowwwww.

1) I bought this for a lot of money at Amoeba. I like this album a lot, but it wasn't worth all that money. It's not one of the ones I really need to have somewhere other than my computer.

2) From Rhino. 10-99 cents. Pretty bad album. Sorry Steve, I guess I should have guessed from the cover that you wouldn't live up to your best.

3) Rhino, 99 cents. This album on the other hand, I love. It includes the classic "Love the One You're With."

4) I never understood why titles are put in quotation marks on the thing itself. Bizarre. Anyways, this is from MAMSROC. These days Steve Martin bothers me quite a bit, but there are times when I am way into this album.

5) Steeeevie! From my parents' collection. This album includes my favorite Wonder song--"Sir Duke," the oft-sampled "Pastime Paradise," and department store staple "Isn't She Lovely," and quite a few other greats. This "Collector's Album" edition from 1976 comes with a small book! There are so so so many lines I'd like to copy out here for you, but really you just find a way to see this yourself. Especially on the back page of the book and the inside of the first page. I guess I'll just give you one sentence to entice!:

"Songs in the Key of Life" is only a conglomerate of thoughts in my subconscious that my Maker decided to give me the strength, the love + love - hate = love energy making it possible for me to bring to my conscious an idea.

6) This album, also from my parents' collection, has braille on the cover and inside of the gatefold! I wonder how expensive that is to do. I like every song on this album. But I especially love "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will be Forever)," which is the last track on the album and also featured prominently in the ending of the film High Fidelity. This song will be playing at my wedding, f'sure.

On a side note, I just made a sauce for my favorite Costco potstickers, and I put waaay too much chili oil in it. Yeesh!

Being Mice Elf Again

L-R, T-B:
1)Styx: Kilroy Was Here
2)The Supremes: Where Did Our Love Go
3)Taj Mahal: Music Fuh Ya' (Musica Para Tu)
4)Talking Heads: Little Creatures
5)Three Dog Night: Joy to the World: Their Greatest Hits
6)Triumph: Just a Game

1) Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!

2) 10 cents! Rhino. Diana Ross looks SO scary here, kinda like a really frightening Eartha Kitt. I think it has something to do with the really awkward talon-like hair that falls right between her eyebrows combined with the not-exactly-a-smile smile.

3) How can you not like something titled "Music Fuh Ya'"?! That's like not liking the Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." Also, Taj is the man who once said "I do play by the rules; I play by intergalactic, cosmic rules, man! The light steps out through me and I don't cheat on it."

4) This may be one of my least favorite Talking Heads albums, but it's the only one I have. I do, however, really like their outfits on the back of the album. I am continually sorry I didn't take pictures of the backs of the records for these posts.

5) I can't remember if this is one of my dad's records or if it is another one I bought for him at Rhino that he never listened to. It's a nice font, no? Also, for some reason this record has everything written in Portuguese; I think this was from Brazil. Two of the singer's sons are in bands that have been on my show, woo!

6) Another Rhino purchase. I really like the six minute epic song that is "Hold On." 1979 arena rock. Grand!

Morricone Youth

L-R, T-B:
1)U2 - Joshua Tree
2)Various Artists: Chanukah Songs
3)Various Artists: Do Re Mi
4)Various ArtistS: Do They Know It's Christmas?
5)Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Eddie and the Cruisers
6)Ennio Morricone: Frantic

Guess who told herself she'd not do anything Friday night so she could write her essay? Guess who still hasn't done it and is instead blogging? Me? Correct!

1) This album is a classic; this album art is classic. The 49 cent price ain't bad either (Rhino). Also, this is definitely U2's best album. Period.

2) 1988! I have no idea where I got this. But it did teach me some things. While most Chanukah songs are "traditional," some are actually attributed to people. For example, "Chanukah, Oh Chanukah" is apparently by M. Rivesman. I have listened to all my records at least once, but that must be it for this one because I have no idea what it sounds like.

3) I don't know if you can tell this from the picture, but the red is showing through the black part which was cut to reveal the wonderful stuff underneath, especially the Phil Silvers illustration. I haven't seen this movie, but I like Silvers a lot. This is allegedly "A Great Razzle-Dazzle of a Musical!" As promised in an earlier post, here is another gem from the small print on the back of the outer sleeve: "This record contains the revolutionary new antistatic ingredient, 317x, ..." Woah, code name for antistatic ingredient!

4) They don't know a lot of things. Neither do we. MAMSROC!

5) I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to get this record. I saw this movie once on TV and thought it was alright. And then, I don't know exactly when or why, began to love it tremendously. I also saw the really bad sequel on TV relatively soon after that. It's an incredibly silly movie, but the main character (Eddie) is 80's good looking in a Bruce-Springsteen-kind-of-way and the songs of his "band" sound like sorta weak Bruce Springsteen songs. Y'all know how much I love The Boss. MAMSROC for two dollars, but I went to Record Surplus yesterday and they have at least two copies in the attic so you should go get it (92 cents, come on!). Especially great song = "On the Dark Side."

6) Another movie I haven't seen, nor probably will ever see. A Roman Polanski film. Roman Polanski is a creepster. Ennio Morricone!

Chandlertown.

I was planning on going to sleep after I wrote the previous post, but then I looked out my window and through the shades I realized it was already getting to daylight. I had class at 11am; it was going to be way difficult to get up if I went to sleep then. I then had the genius of idea of going to up to my roof to watch the sunrise--gots to take advantage of my apartment before I move out!

As expected, it was beautiful and calm. I finished reading my most recent of Chandler novels, The Little Sister.

"I smelled Los Angeles before I got to it. It smelled stale and old like a living room that had been closed too long. But the colored lights fooled you. The lights were wonderful. There ought to be a monument to the man who invented neon lights. Fifteen stores high, solid marble. There's a boy who really made something out of nothing."

Birds were chirping, sun was rising. All was great--until a bee landed on my leg and I sat there perfectly still. eek! Anyways, I went back down after the sun was up with all these great plans--cooking a full breakfast, watching an old movie, and even getting some work done before class--but I ended up going to sleep anyways at 8. And, now, it was even more difficult getting up at 10 for class! But it was worth it.

I just started a book by Edward Thorpe called Chandlertown about Los Angeles. Check it out in the sidebar links.

Husky men of war.

L-R, T-B:
1)Various Artists: Gigi
2)Various Artists: The Gospel at Colonus
3)Various Artists: The Guns of Navarone
4)Various Artists: Hogan's Heroes
5)Various Artists: Honky Tonk Rag Pickers
6)Original Soundtrack Recording: Lawrence of Arabia

Ok, so it's 4:38 AM when I have class at 11. I obviously fail at being sensible today. I also have some heartburn right now. Records are currently stacked on my desk backwards, so I'm going to work my way from #6 to #1.

6) Many things of note with this album. A: ORANGE. B: Classic classic movie. C: way cool painting of the main face. D: Winston Churchill quote (yes!).

5) I have to say, most of the best lookin' albums in my collection have at least something to do with honky tonk. I mean, seriously, so cool. This one's from Rhino.

4) This record is actually very aptly titled, as it includes only Hogan's Heroes, not Hogan himself. This is where Erica would chime in with "Hogggan!" Anyways, they "Sing the Best of World War II." Come on, the best of World War II has to be great. And it is. There's, perhaps not surprisingly, a lot of Hogan's Heroes representin' going on in my collection as it is my favorite classic TV show. The title of this post comes from the words of the "Hogan's Heroes March" which are not sung in the show but are on this record. The record also includes such greats as Irving Berlin's "This is the Army Mister Jones." I got this record as a gift! From Matt Cohen in high school. Really good gift. Kudos. Update: TV Land is now playing Hogan's Heroes again! Hallelujah. Weird, though, that they don't play the end credits with the theme song and end title sequence.

3) Unfortunately, I haven't seen this movie. Disgraceful, I know, but it is in my queue. I do love Gregory Peck and David Niven; I am not sure if I could even choose a favorite amongst those two. Dimitri Tiomkin is a fab film scorer. On a side note, I highly recommend the Maritime song "Guns of Navarone." OH, I finally 'got back' to David Niven. It's been a while, eh?

2) This movie I have seen--several times, starting in 10th grade is Ms. St. Clair's English class. What a silly class. The Gospel at Colonus is Sophocles' Oedipus trilogy in gospel Black Pentecostal Church form. And it is INSANE. With the Soul Stirrers! The Blind Boys of Alabama! Morgan Freeman! Robert Earl Jones! This one was 49 cents at Rhino.

1) This record symbolizes three things. One, whenever I travel, I like to go to record shops. This record was purchased at Angelo's in Denver, Colorado. Two, I like to buy people records as gifts. I bought this record for my mom 'cause she loves the movie. Three, my mom never listens to records I buy her because she never listens to music outside of her car. Hence, this record is now in my collection. This record is also an example of the fact that I frequently forget that I own some records that I rarely listen to. I have another version of this record that doesn't have the singers from the movie. And, really, I love Maurice Chevalier, so I am not gonna listen to no "TV stars including Michael Stewart, The Gay Blades, something Winter (white text on white background isn't really smart folks), Jack Brown, ..." Perhaps the next time the radio station has a record swap, I'll be able to get something for the non-Chevalier version. This past swap I didn't have any records I didn't want. Really, I am glad I don't have more than one record I don't actually want to have. That would be foolish.

This post will not become obsolete.

L-R, T-B:
1)Various Artists: The Muppets Take Manhattan
2)Various Artists: No Nukes: From the Music Concerts for a Non-Nuclear Future, Madison Square Garden, September 19-23, 1979
3)Various Artists: Percussion Espanol
4)Henry Mancini: Peter Gunn
5)Henry Mancini: The Pink Panther
6)John Williams: The Reivers

2) Rhino. I paid a whole four dollars for this. It's a gatefold album so on the inside there are lots of fun pictures from 1979, including Jackson Browne looking good, Chaka Khan looking grossly spandex-ed, Gil Scott-Heron looking cool, and Doobie Brothers looking like it has waaay too many people. This has three records; all of which are good. James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Graham Nash do "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and someone named John Hall does a greatly titled song "Plutonium is Forever." Also the sun on the cover is embossed, oooooh.

3) I bought this for the album art. And the fact that is says in quotation marks: "THE BIG SOUND."

4) Peter Gunn! Only the best theme song ever. From the back, "This music is Peter Gunn's kind of jazz. I think you'll find that it's you kind, too" (their italicization!). Also, this is one of those great records that says "You can buy today, without fear of obsolescence in the future." Some even better statements like that will come in future posts, most definitely.

5) Wooooo, more Mancini! And at 99 cents! Peter Sellers wrote the notes on the back. Pink Panther! I mean, that's enough. And then there's something about some 'new' RCA invention -- "Dynagroove." One of its characteristics is "Realistic Presence--sound projected in 'photographic' perspective." What the hell does that mean?

6) I haven't seen this movie, but who doesn't like Steve McQueen? And John Williams is pretty competent, I think you'd all agree. This doesn't even sound like Star Wars (like oh so many of his scores do). The back of the record quotes Time Magazine: "The Reivers is one of the year's most pleasant movie experiences." I wish reviews still sounded like that. So pleasant!

I know the Royce celeb-sightings have been few lately; that's because I have been working more back of the house stuff. Hopefully soon I'll have some more for you, although I am sure it will be mostly angry parents in the upcoming slew of graduations.

Six Records Speak

L-R, T-B:
1)Various Artists (Dani Dassa): Rikud
2)Various Artists: Roots: The Black Beginnings of American Music
3)Various Artists: The Secret Policeman's Ball
4)Six Presidents Speak
5)Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The Sting
6)Various Artists: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band

1) I got this at the last night of Cafe Dansa before it closed. I had always wanted to go but never did, but at least I made it out there before it was gone foreverrr, and it was exactly how I wanted it to be--way tiny, cramped, and stuck in the 1970s. I danced with random old men (old men seem to be becoming a recurring motif in this blog). And got this great record, which is made even more great by the picture on the back of Dani Dassa in all his eyebrow glory. I have some good pictures of this, but since I am an inadequate tagger, I cannot currently find them on flickr.

2) This also came from the Rhino closeout sale. As you can see by the cover, it has some pretty good artists on it, like Big Bill Broonzy and Fats Waller. The record also has some nice generalizing statements on the back: "Here then is 'Roots'. Black Music (capitalization theirs). Black Music that speaks for God and man; joy and sorrow; hard work and good lovin'; music and artists who have influenced the music of America, the music of the world."

3) Rhino. I never listen to this. Was worth the ten cents just for the fact that it says on the back "Stage show slightly directed by John Cleese."

4) I don't remember where I got this one. It includes FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. It was produced by the Ford Customer Service Division of Ford Motor Company in 1972. I wonder for what reasons people were given this record. Everyone got it? Only if you had car trouble? Christmas gift? Bank of America once gave my dad a really bad holiday CD. I would have much preferred this. It's pretty great to listen to; some of it is unbelievably dry. I like to listen to it while watering my plants on the balcony.

5) Scott Joplinnnnnn. This soundtrack is superb. The movie ain't bad either. I love Paul Newman. This movie made me see why people like Robert Redford, but I still prefer Newman. Also, what a great font!

6) Another soundtrack. This movie is crazy. Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees play the Beatles. I am sure this movie was created due to all sorts of drugs. The songs are ok, some better than others. I like the Bee Gees, for sure, but they are better singing their own songs. Billy Preston doing Get Back, on the other hand, is great.

In other news, I may have failed my midterm today, but I am still GM of UCLAradio.com for next year. Oh yeah, James Franco was on Auto Stapler today. He's silly.

We Won't Play Sun City (or eat gross salad dressing)

First, LAist used a photo of mine again. Crepes!

Second, records part deux.L-R, T-B:
1)Various Artists: Songs of Naomi Shemer
2)The Original Cast Album: Song of Norway
3)Artists United Against Apartheid: Sun City
4)Various Artists: Them Old Country Songs
5)Various Artists: A Treasury of Christmas
6)Various Artists: We Are the World

1) I bought this from the middle-aged man who sells records on campus. I don't want to have to write that whole sentence in the future. From here on out, all such records will be signified by "MAMSROC" (middle aged man sells records on campus). I didn't pay much attention when I bought this--It is the songs of Naomi Shemer sung by other people. It still has some classics, though, such Al Kol Eleh, Anashim Tovim (Chalutzim, Tsofim, the Sabras, and the Seniors, CITs, JCITs, and Staff. Kochavim! etc.), and a medley of songs like Yesh li Chaver (middle school classic!) and Hopa Hey.

2) I don't know where I got this, maybe Rhino. I obviously bought it just because I like Norway, not 'cause I knew anything about it. The interesting thing about this record is that instead of a plain paper inner sleeve, the record is enclosed in a bizarre fitted plastic bag, printed on which are the words "A New World of Sound" and a funny cartoon character that has no face and is holding a globe. I am sorry I don't have a picture of that for you as it is more fun-er than the cover.

3) A Rhino purchase. I bought for 10 cents during their going-out-of-business sale (oh, how I miss thee, Rhino Records!). I didn't know anything about Sun City until I took History of Rock and Roll my first quarter of college. I bought this record around the same time. This is by Artists Against Apartheid, which scandalously didn't include Paul Simon who continued to tour in Sun City. It does include such notables as Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Bono (of course), Jackson Browne (who is playing a free show today which I will not be going to. boo), George Clinton, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Darlene Love!, Melle Mel, Lou Reed, Joey Ramone, the Boss, and Ringo, among a lot more.

4) MAMSROC. I obviously bought this because of the great font and title. Also because it has a song called "Laura (What He's Got that I Ain't Got)"--undoubtedly great. Not to mention that it has a Porter Wagoner/Dolly Parton duet, two people whom I quite enjoy.

5) Rhino. 49 cents for a four record treasury! what a steal. And this ain't no elevator music--it's Leonard Bernstein, Doris Day, Mahalia Jackson, Johnny Cash, Andre Previn, and others. All good Jews love Christmas music; we follow the way of Irving Berlin aka Israel Isidore Beilin.

6) You know everything about this one. I like Sun City better. FYI, Bob Dylan's eyes are closed on the cover. Cyndi Lauper's hair is yellow and pumpkin-colored. Michael Jackson is wearing lace socks.

Yes!

Ok, so let's start this record collection rundown. I am going to start at the end of the alphabet because I have yet to upload the pictures from the first half.

L-R, T-B:
1)Various Artists: Globestyle Worldwide Your Guide
2)The Who: Who's Next
3)Wings: Wings Across America
4)YES: 90125

1) This album is SO good. I got it from UCLAradio.com because they didn't want it anymore. They are missing out. I got it because the title was just so great and rhyme-y. Ooh, assonance! The standout tracks are Ofra Haza's "Yachilvi Veyachali" and Dissidenten & Lem Chaheb's "Inshalla - Kif Kif." Now let me delight you with some text from the back of the sleeve. About Haza: "String sections, samplers, electro and traditional yemenite percussion (including petrol can) .... Also available is 'Galbi' -- the first Yemenite tradtional 12" club mix??" Andddd, "What next from Globestyle? More of the same aka more of the different! Worldwide - Your Guide!"

2) I don't know where I got this one, but it was originally owned by someone named "Lee." I actually don't listen to it too frequently, but it's a solid pick with "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again," of course. The Decca label on the LP itself is way nice, very colorful.

3) This has 3 records in it. I inherited it from one of my parents. I have listened to it only once. Nothing really to say about this one.

4) This has "Owner of a Lonely Heart." It doesn't have the one YES song I actually like -- "Roundabout." I bought it at Rhino (my favorite, now-extinct record store) for 49 cents. 90125 is its original catalog number, not a zip code. If you type it into google maps, you get Palermo, Italy.

No Scrubs

I went to a record store today to ask for a job. The last time I was at this store, there were maybe four other people. Today, there were at least a hundred people (88% old men). Turns out, their huge sale is happening right now unbeknownst to me, obviously a bad time to ask for a job. No big deal; I'll go back next week and I bought nine records for three dollars!

Anyways, as I was searching through the "12" Singles" category, I found TLC's "No Scrubs" and was excited. This is an example (although not as much so) of a recent phenomenon. Songs that I did not like, even some songs that I could not stand, now are viewed with much greater appreciation. I don't think this is due to a change in taste, rather those songs now fit into my continual nostalgia. This nostalgia is usually for things before my time but seems to be expanding now to my elementary school years.

So, even that is not the point of this post. The point of this post is the old man who was tremendously excited for me finding that record. This man, who was roughly 6'2", almost entirely bald, hunched over, and probably in his late -60s to mid-70s, appeared behind me out of nowhere pointing to the album on top of my pile saying "oh, you like that, too?! I love that song. TLC. So bluesy. I own the blah blah blah blah edition. I also bought the blah blah blah when it was first released. So good!" He went on for probably a full five minutes. Spectacular.

Title

Look at me, actually posting more than once a week again! wooo. Anyways, I took this video in early 2006. But it is now 2008, and flickr has video hosting. woooo (again). Erica, pay close attention. Oh yeah, the details = LA Chinatown Chinese New Year celebration in early 2006.

Brotherly Love.

Dear Robert Carmine,

Why are you everywhere I go? I would much prefer it if your brother was everywhere I go. Can you make that small change for me?

Thanks,
Laura

P.S. Swingers, your cupcakes are good, but four dollars good? No way.
P.P.S. Why do all jukeboxes eat my change?

"Some Fwend, Mostly Chef"

Dear Daniel Boulud,

I really like your programme (yes, I know I spelled it programme), After Hours with Daniel. I also really like the way you pronounce your name like Danielle. However, I really can't handle this sudden influx of Grey Goose advertising during your show. It's beyond product placement now. I was okay with the constant ads and even fine with the constant close-ups on the bottles. But now you have gone too far! Don't get me wrong; I would love to be your best friend and perhaps marry one of your chefs de cuisine, Olivier. You randomly yelling out "that Grey Goose is great, eh?" in the middle is just really bothersome and distracting. Please stop.

Thanks in advance,
Laura

Dear Bloomingdales,
This is incredibly unsatisfactory photography.
You have shamed yourself,
Laura

Knuckles

Guess what? I have a midterm tomorrow (er, today). So it's perfectly logical that I would choose to write an entry now, right? This is just a quick preview of a new feature of this blog: an expedition through Laura's Record Collection. Perhaps I will come up with a witty title for real entries, but this is doubtful. Anyways, to give you a sneak preview of the wonders that this feature will reveal, check out this gem:
Explosive Honky Tonk by Knuckles O'Reilly! Obviously, I bought this record because of the album art. You must admit it is amazing, especially the random vessel/vase/thing behind him, which could be so many things, perhaps a spittoon? I can't remember exactly where I bought this record; it may have been from the old guy who sets up a table on campus and tries to pretend like he's giving me such a good deal by selling records for two dollars, when he always sells them for two dollars. He may be forgetful, but I am not!

Anyways, if I did, in fact, buy this one from him, the record was well worth the two dollars. The music does also not disappoint, especially the strong start--"Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis"--the great song from 1904 which is prominently featured in the Judy Garland movie, Meet Me in St. Louis.

Recommended listening time: sunny afternoons! Perhaps whilst watering plants. Or whilst drinking a weird lime-infused concoction.

'Eye Nosh'

Woooo, on LAist again!

Update: Also, people, I would say at least seven men, are currently singing that soccer Ole Ole Ole Ole song very loudly somewhere nearby. Oh, college.

Anddddd, Jon Brion!

Also, I just love the way Jon Brion comes up in things randomly. Like everyone is just saying whatever and the only fitting conclusion to everything is Jon Brion-related. Even the FollowThatOstrich-approved Robyn Hitchock did so (in an answer to question on a blog post I found through hypemachine in a completely unrelated search--woo internet!):

the gig in this pub in East London. And I think we did ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ there…possibly with Jon Brion; I know he was in town. I love digging that one up at parties.

By the way, I was going to acronym Follow That Ostrich into FTO, like Erica acronyms Read Dance Bliss into RDB, but then I googled FTO and saw it was Foreign Terrorist Organization and decided that might not be the best idea.

You should be happy I don't have a picture attached to this post.

So, uh, er, I just watched the guy from Man Vs. Wild eat a yak's eyeball and have liquid spew out of the eye whilst it's in between his teeth. I didn't want to watch that, David Letterman! Why'd you have to show that clip?! Cringe! oy. Boo you.

Excellent Asians.

They filmed the Asian Excellence Awards at Royce on Wednesday. I won't reveal any of the winners since they don't air until May 1st, but I don't think you care about that anyways. Let's just go through a quick run-through of the random people who were there, starting with Kenny G. What? Then there were a ton of reality TV folks (most of whom I wouldn't know if I hadn't read the program): some American Idol girl named Ramiele, JabbaWockeez, Cheryl Burke, Cristian de la Fuente, Carrie Ann Inaba, Karina Smirnoff, and Tia Carrere (who sang two Hawaiian songs and was really uninteresting). And the folks that someone once cared about and have now become reality TV folks: Ian Ziering, Daisy Fuentes, oh yeah-Vern Troyer. And then the so-called celebrities other people were excited about but whom I had never heard of: Rex Lee (Entourage?), the guy who (co-?)invented YouTube, and so many more. Sonja Sohn, of the Wire, gave a pretty intense speech about how it was 'about time' and great that the Asian community was accepting of the mixed race folk. This speech went on for quite some time. B.D. Wong who plays the psychologist (I think) on Law and Order: SVU! I don't even like this show but anything even semi-related to Law and Order has the potential of making work just slightly less boring. heh. Also, a very disheveled Quentin Tarantino. People who are awesome: Kristi Yamaguchi (so skinny! so short! pretty dress).

A great moment: we didn't let Three Six Mafia into the VIP reception cause of a lack of tickets to the VIP reception, only to get the oh-so-funny "You don't know who they are?!?!" There was also one guy from the Black Eyed Peas.Also, three pageant queens were there. "Miss LA Chinatown"'s crown was perhaps a foot tall. It was beyond absurd, especially for a winner of not even a city's pageant, just a section of a city's pageant.

Finally, !!! Mr. Iron Chef America Chairman Mark Dacascos said hi to me and my fellow usher and started walking away before he turned around and came back to shake our hands and tell me I "have a great smile." awww.

"painted over like a mezzuzah on a Boyle Heights doorway"

Dear Dad,
Please follow through on our agreement which was brokered over the Afikoman. You got the matzah; I get a car.
Thanks,
Laura

P.S. The title of this post is quote from Culture Clash's 'radio play' excerpt about Chavez Ravine from the Ash Grove 50th Anniversary show night one at Royce Hall this past Friday.

Venn Diagram

So, it sucks to be sick.

This, on the other hand, is awesome. Two of my photos in the "Seven Reasons LA is the Best" post on LAist. yay!

Where do these two meet? Being sick makes me sit around and do nothing--otherwise known as adding pictures to my flickr account.

Transportation Dunce Cap!

This view from the Wilshire RapidBus is pretty great--could have so much heavy-handed metaphor in this but will leave it out (although I already put some of it in the title).

A little biographical information.

Old superpatriotic movies make me teary-eyed, especially ones starring Gary Cooper. I like that about myself. I am not as much of a fan of Cary Grant, although I like him quite a bit. Bogart's okay, don't like Clark Gable. I do like William Powell. Gotta love Joel McRea. David Niven is second to none but James Stewart. Oh yeah, can't forget John Payne. Yes, Payne, not Wayne.

Basically, this is here because I removed it from my facebook profile but didn't want to delete it entirely.

Also, some new colors on this here blog. Wooooo!

Dine & Dance

dining and dancing of a different kind. Portland, OR.

Ex-LAT dance critic Lewis Segal went to see La La La Human Steps at Royce tonight. Which made me kinda sad. (also weird that I recognized him). Not that I ever read any sort of dance criticism in LAT or otherwise. Which made me feel kinda fake.

In other news, I started a new blog tonight, "I like to eat on Pico Blvd." Real posts will start soon.

A Metaphor.

Steve Wiebe is the Brian Wilson of Donkey Kong.

I thought you were famous, but actually you are just incredibly attractive.

I kinda agree with this, but also think Zev needs to stop making excuses. On the subject of newspapers, I am going to take this opportunity to provide you with a few more sentences from The Long Goodbye which made me think a lot about Sam Zell--not that he would be saying these sentences at all, except maybe the first one.

I own newspapers, but I don't like them. I regard them as a constant menace to whatever privacy we have left. Their constant yelping about a free press means, with a few honourable exceptions, freedom to peddle scandal, crime, sex, sensationalism, hate, innuendo, and the political and financial uses of propaganda. A newspaper is a business out to make money through advertising revenue. That is predicated on its circulation and you know what the circulation depends on.

Now, as promised, here's the Royce Celebrity Update (TM). Daryl Hannah, lookin' mighty Botoxed and Cocaineoxed, Tom Morello, and the guy who hosts Survivor were in attendance at the Steve Earle show on the 25th. There was also a man which inspired a fellow usher to state the sentence which has become this post's title. Tonight--er, yesterday--Amy Brenneman and Maria Bello showed up to see Anne Lamott and Elizabeth Gilbert (the author of a book Erica and Oprah like). This show was almost unbelievably sold out, but a lot of people didn't show up after buying tickets. Also, the majority of this crowd, a supermajority even, were middle-aged women; perhaps, 40% were bottle blondes. yeech.

Even though this picture was taken in Colorado in December, I am oh so sure these women would have flown in to see the "conversation" tonight. By the way, please do notice that the four women are all wearing THE EXACT SAME THING.

I am Scared of Spring Break.

The usual scene.

Last night, I left work at midnight. There was not one other person when I walked to my apartment. eeek! The campus was so eerie. Usually there are at least tens of people around campus at that time. Dancing, even! But there weren't even any people walking around the apartments either. creepy spring break!

There were some fun/noonereallycares celebz at the show, which I will get to in a later post.

In other news, I finally went to Mashti Malone's yesterday and it was delicious!

A "Long Goodbye" to the "Time Lady"

The sun has set (on Sunset) for the Time Lady.

You can't hear this mechanical voice anymore. AT&T stopped offering this service at the end of last year. According to NPR, a recording of the voice of the last "Time Lady," Joanne Daniels, will be put in the Smithsonian! I would link you the audio but I can't find it. Instead, I'll point you to this article that cheesily proclaims, "Time has run out on the Time Lady." The service started in the 1940s but was obviously already well known enough to be referenced by Raymond Chandler in 1953 in The Long Goodbye, a book I highly recommend.

And when she spoke her voice had the lucid emptiness of that mechanical voice on the telephone that tells you the time, and if you keep listening, which people don't because they have no reason to, it will keep on telling you the passing seconds for ever, without the slightest change of inflection.

As someone said, Layla Hey Dad!

'honey, what are you wearing?!'

Dear Royce Hall patrons,

Please be advised: Dressing 'thematically' is unacceptable. A 'world' show is not license for absurd dress. We appreciate your enthusiasm, but a push-up bra, a fake coin necklace, and a bindi on your forehead does not make you seem more authentic. You would not wear this anywhere else so why wear it here? Plus, you are totally mixing up your nationalities.

Proceed Cautiously,
Laura

Presidents and Bad Facial Hair

Another series of letters.

So close to a flying V!

Dear Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen,

You are such a fantastic father and son pair, and, as you age, you look more and more alike. Seeing you yesterday made me think of triumphs of both the presidential and water bird kinds. I hope you enjoyed the show.

You are both mighty,
Laura (Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack!)

This picture was taken in 2005, because I couldn't find my camera charger in time to bring it to Wednesday's show.

Dear Ira Elliot,

I am such a fan of yours. How grand it is that you are named after Ira Gershwin; such a nice Jewish name (although I don't think you are Jewish, are you?). I am also a great fan of your band. But, how come you had to go from being an attractive 43yearoldmanwholookslikehes35 to a 45 year old man with creepster facial hair? Tsk tsk. Still, you are rad.

Still a fan,
Laura


Dear Nada Surf,

You are so good live. Thanks for playing mostly old songs.

Kudos,
Laura

What an analogy!

Also, read this.

Don't rightly know, Child. Don't rightly know.

I should either be studying or sleeping. As I am doing neither, I might as well be blogging. I just finished Sergeant York, which stars Gary Cooper.

As some background information, you should know I have a big place in my heart for Gary Cooper, although not as big a place as I've got for Jimmy Stewart. I also am incredibly inclined to love old patriotic films. I was born close to 4th of July and I've always been quite the patriot in some ways. Additionally, I am a huge fan of American Dream movies, as long as they were made several decades ago. Also usually love those Capra morality tales. With these stipulations in mind, you can bet correctly that I love all the films you are thinking of. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington? Definitely. Yankee Doodle Dandy? Oh, it made me weep! The Spirit of St. Louis? Tremendous! et cetera, et cetera. I also really love prison movies, but that's another post.

Well, it turns out, I didn't love Sergeant York. Very surprising, indeed. I am not exactly sure why I didn't think it was grand. hmmmmm. On the other hand, the actual story of Alvin Cullum York is remarkable and fascinating. And it is also pretty grand that York refused to authorize a film version of his biography unless Gary Cooper would play him. Pretty solid taste, I say.

Gary Cooper is certainly better lookin' than the real York.

Sorry the above picture is sideways. I am too lazy to fix that right now. It's (probably obviously) a picture of the tv. heh. From an odd but enjoyable film, It's a Big Country.

Roommates and Supertramps

Sometimes I wonder if my roommate thinks I am as crazy for watching so much Murder, She Wrote and Law & Order as I think she is for watching so many Lifetime Movie Network and what I like to call Judge Phil (Judge Judy, the People's Court, and Dr. Phil).

I know dandelions are, but I am have no idea about this pretty tree.

In other news, I am in the process of (intermittently) reviewing my notes for tomorrow's biogeography final. My professor, by the way, is basically David Hasselhoff as a lacrosse athlete who for some reason ended up studying geography in China. Anyways, several weeks ago we learned about "supertramps"--species that spread widely and easily. Oh, Professor Zackey!

Edit: Upon some quick googling, it turns out that the "supertramp" was coined by the one and only Jared Diamond, the UCLA professor who makes his students write essays to get into his classes. According to Wikipedia:

The name was coined by Jared Diamond in 1974, as an allusion to both the itinerant lifestyle of the tramp, and the then-popular band Supertramp.

This is kinda hilarious.

Holiday Inn

No, not the hotel chain, but the movie, obvs! My favorite Christmas movie has great songs for a bunch of holidays. On this St. Patrick's Day (although officially St. Patrick's Day was moved to the 15th this year, fyi), I'll provide you with a fabulous song&dance number from the movie unrelated to any holiday, because St. Patrick's Day was not in the movie. The following clip really shows off Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire's specialties. And, it's just really cute.

The way you sing don't mean a thing
You'd better stick to your dance
And as for you, your dance won't do
You'll have to sing for romance

Hitchcock once said, "Self-Plagiarism is Style"

So it's time to resume the letter writing.


Dear KCRW card,

Please develop some way of notifying me that you are useful in particular establishments. I was going through your guide this evening and got very sad about the amount of money I didn't save in my several years of owning you.

Hopefully,
Laura

rolling with the Holm(i)es

So, apparently Angela Lansbury was at Royce on Thursday and nobody bothered telling me until today. A little late, no? Angela Lansbury!!! Man, she is as good a mystery solver as Sherlock Holmes, I am sure. And then of course there is the inimitable Bedknobs and Broomsticks. She perhaps would have been my fav Royce celeb; too bad I wasn't there! boooooooo.

In other Murder, She Wrote (MSW) news: I am almost at a point in my MSW watching career in which I can claim that actors from all my favorite shows have had guest roles on MSW. This weekend I have watched two episodes with some rad folks. Kevin Tighe, of Emergency!, played Lt. Moynihan in the 1990 episode, "How to Make a Killing Without Even Trying" and Martin Milner, of Adam-12, played Sheriff Bodine in the 1985 episode, "Reflections of the Mind." Adam-12 was one of the most technically accurate police dramas, by the way, and AMAZING. Earlier posts have explained previous appearances by Ellery Queen stars, but I don't know yet if I have seen any Hogan's Heroes crossovers (Although Bob Crane was once on an episode of Ellery Queen entitled "The Hard-Hearted Huckster"--what a great title, right?). That's what I am waiting for.

On a side note, I am beginning a collection of photos of those stamps in the sidewalk. Does anyone know what they are called exactly? This one above is taken on a street that is perpendicular to Echo Park Lake, if I remember correctly.

Edit: I didn't remember correctly. This one was somewhere in Koreatown.

Opera Dictator's Paradise

Is it just me, or is "Paul Potts" too eerily similar to "Pol Pot" in name? Perhaps this is just what happens when I see "Paul Potts reflects on his journey from mobile salesman to opera star." as the main headline on yahoo when I go to check my email after spending the weekend reading Golden Gulag, a terrificly depressing book about California as THE INCARCERAL STATE . yeech. (But, I am proud of myself for finishing a book before the final, for once. Fin=added to the list to the right!).

This afternoon at work I scanned Mr. Ron Howard's ticket to a screening of the classic silent film Safety Last with live organ accompaniment. While our entire interaction consisted of some electronic bar code reading and some "Hello"s and "Enjoy the Show," I must say he is a genuinely adorable man in his baseball cap and reddish hair. I then realized that I can't think of one movie he's helmed that I've seen. I do enjoy me some Happy Days, though.

Roy thinks of hearts and livers and brains when he thinks organs.

HOWEVER, what was more interesting about this show is that COOLIO was supposed to come, as a guest of weirdo organist Christoph Bull, nonetheless. gangsta Coolio, yo. See, we get the will call tickets once the box office closes up and there was an envelope with tickets for him. While I was super excited about the prospect of Coolio attending a silent film, I then realized I don't think I would be able to confidently identify him. This did, however, give me the opportunity to regale my fellow ushers with tales of the hilarious Cooking With Coolio. Oh, wow.

The ghetto witchdoctor superstar chef is here to make you forget about every cooking show you've ever heard. Get your tomatoes, your mozzarella, a little balsamic, and get your ass into that kitchen, baby.

The Leak Stops Here!

LA Weekly informs me that one of my favorite signs has been gone for months! How oblivious I have suddenly become. I took this picture in 2006.

I don't spend enough time on jentacular activities.

I don't give myself much time in the mornings before I must leave for class or the radio station. I pretty much have time to shower and give the email a quick check. But I really am not a happy person if I don't have breakfast. Sometimes I'll just grab a granola bar but that's really lame. Please give me some suggestions that are quick! If only I could live near City View Restaurant, the best dim sum in San Francisco (definitely not the one pictured).

You either give up or you chase history.

Damn straight, Jay-Z, damn straight.

The Adage To Live By (today's post's title) given to Charlie Rose by Jay-Z several months ago has imbued many a young boy with the fighting spirit, I am sure. It may also have instilled a challenge within a not-so-young weirdo middle-aged man (the more likely Charlie Rose audience member) to buy an overflowing cart's worth of groceries--$220! worth, in fact-- for himself! and to glare at me and my fellow shoppers. What a creeper.

The time spent at Trader Joe's on Friday, however, was not without the equally-weird, but much more delightful experience of a jolly old Scottish man telling me the general arc of his life story. He was so adorable.

Trader Joe's is the best.

But, then again, there's always the weird renaming-based-on-ethnicity-of-foods-thing.

Good Medicine

Celebz galore yesterday at the Good Medicine benefit for the Solidarity Fund, which was created by the WGA to aid crews who were hurt by the WGA strike, at Royce. Well, most of the celebz were on stage and not in the audience (actually, there were very few celebz in the audience, I saw only three who aren't really celebz but are on Grey's Anatomy). But anyways, on the stage were most of the casts of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. Ones I actually saw close up or interacted with at all were Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, TR Knight, James Pickens Jr, Sara Ramirez, Eric Dane, Brooke Smith, Loretta Divine, Tim Daly, Audra McDonald, Paul Adelstein, Taye Diggs, and Chris Lowell.

Apparently a ton of them are Tony award-winning folks. And they can actually sing, it's true. Those who couldn't sing did pretty un-funny little skits in between. Shonda Rhimes, the creater of the shows, said a lot of uninteresting stuff, too. Most of them that could sing did Broadway musical theatre stuff, but Amy Brenneman, Chris Lowell, Paul Adelstein, and Tim Daly did "California Stars," my favorite song from Wilco and Billy Bragg's album of unrecorded Woody Guthrie lyrics, "Mermaid Avenue," and it was spectacular. Tim Daly, who I totally thought was super good looking when I was a young gal watching Wings (haha), is still pretty good looking and plays bass pretty well. Adelstein also is excellent on the keys (although he kinda butchered his earlier solo number of Slip Slidin' Away on guitar). Lowell was kinda whatever the one time I watched the pilot of Private Practice, but in real life he is very good looking and wore a swell hat--and plays a mean harmonica. haha. Brenneman was beyond adorable in a beautiful cocktail dress and flats, singing the song and shaking a tambourine. The rest of the songs I wasn't too interested in.

Sandra Oh once sat at a neighboring table to me at a show at the Largo. She was with some people, one of which had the most annoying laugh ever that drove me crazy. I didn't talk to her yesterday. Katherine Heigl is actually very pretty in real life and seemed very charming, although apparently is a chain smoker. Justin Chambers is also a nicotine fiend, although he was polite and put the cigarettes out on the bottom of his shoe and threw them away instead of littering (at least the one time I was around). TR Knight is so little! The Chief (James Pickens Jr) was really nice and did a silly James Brown lip-syncing thing. His real wife, who also performed, has an amazing voice. Eric Dane just looks so greasy. yeech.

Then in the audience were some people with small roles of Grey's: the guy who played Joe the bartender, the woman who plays the nurse who gave somebody an STD (I can't remember), and some guy who plays one of the interns who joined the show after I stopped watching it.

still ringing.

really cute ducklings in Echo Park Lake

Dear The Echo & British Sea Power,

Thanks for taking ten percent of my hearing from me.

Not,
Laura

British Sea Power

via mikeakelley|flickr

FYI, British Sea Power on Automatic Stapler tomorrow Tuesday 02.26 4:45pm pdt. Listen at UCLAradio.com as usual. IM us at BruinRadio during the show.

Also, check out a photo of mine being used by LAist!

Murder, He Wrote

Ian David | flickr

Oh man, how did I not know about this?! Jerry Orbach as a returning character on six episodes of Murder, She Wrote!!!!! Playing almost exactly the same character as Lenny Briscoe on Law and Order. At the end of the episode, Orbach asks Angela Lansbury to join him at his private detective agency. She should have said yes; they could have had a spin-off, and it would be my favorite show ever. Probably even top Ellery Queen!

Superb!

Oh yeah, Alex Rocco is in one of the episodes, too!

Ok, so I have to edit this because the episode "Murder Takes the Bus," which is on the same disc as the previously described Jerry Orbach episode, is full of crazy guest stars. I love how both Murder, She Wrote and Law and Order attract all the great character actors, plus some big names as in Julia Roberts in L&O. Anyways, this episode had Michael Constantine (who was also on Law and Orders amongst many other things), Larry Linville (M*A*S*H!!!!!!!), David Wayne (Inspector Queen from ELLERY QUEEN!!!), and Rue McClanahan from Golden Girls. yowza, what an episode.

Happy Presidents' Day!

I almost bought Gerald R. Ford stamps today. HA!

Just so you know, TR is my fav president.

Dear Kevin Roderick,

Thanks for using the phrase "Holy Geography, Batman."

I now love you,
Laura

Americana

1. I am SO excited that I got the Eddie & the Cruisers soundtrack LP today from the oldmanrecordseller on campus. woooooo! There is nothing better than a movie about the false death of a fake Bruce Springsteen. yowza.

2. Weird.

3. I am giving away tickets to see Afrika Bambaataa (at the Roxy 2/21) on my show next week. Listen in Tuesdays 4-6pm pdt UCLAradio.com

I should post about Jon Brion more frequently.

Dear 'harmonium,'

I am not dreaming, but thanks for getting me a lot of hits.

Laura

Letter Writing Campaign

Dear USPS,

Please stop increasing the price of letter postage. I am quite the fan of letter writing, but I really can't afford all these increases! Plus, I still have 37 cent stamps, nonetheless 41 cent stamps. Not ready for 42 cents. Oy!

Sincerely,
Laura

P.S. Would it be ironic or just stupid to start a 'letter writing campaign' to the USPS to stop the price hikes?

A Series of Letters Relating to this Evening and Other Things

Dear Largo,

Thanks for being so awesome. I could deal with better prices on the food or no cover charge--fixing one or the other would be excellent, but otherwise you're real smooth.

I love you,
Laura


Dear Greg Proops,

You are pretty hilarious. I, too, am glad we have advanced enough technologically as a people to have a cyborg run for president. "You like Tusk? I Like Tusk!"

Please be on my show,
Laura


Dear Jon Brion,

You looked super greasy today, maybe wash your hair tomorrow. Nevertheless, how are you so awesome? Your ragtime Tainted Love was solid. Your jacket was supacool, too. Please make the world align so that I may actually get reservations for one of your Largo shows in which you play more than two songs. Have fun in Paris.

Please be on my show,

Laura

The first #2pencil portrait I ever did, back in the day

Dear Rhett Miller,

Your hair might be a smidgen on the too long and feathery side today, but you are still beyond handsome. And your hip swiveling is always grand. Additionally, I appreciated your compliments about my show, and if you wouldn't mind getting Spoon on my show like you said you would tonight (really randomly, I might add), that'd be swell.

I love you and please come on my show (again),
Laura


Dear iTunes,

Why do you make the Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits' album art the album art for every greatest hits collection?

Not cool,
Laura


Dear Readers,

You are grand. I adore your comments.

Please listen to my show tomorrow (or today, I guess. Tues 4-6pm pdt UCLAradio.com!),
Laura

What? Jenny Lewis is doing a duet with Elvis Costello? Huh?

Maverick

It is a really beautiful day--the epitome of a perfect spring day in the middle of winter.

He's Fantastic

Don't steal my drawing, thanks.

Going through my daily time-waster of reading a gazillion blogs, I was inspired to write a post about two of my favorites combined! also known as Sondre Lerche's obsession with Alfred Hitchcock. So wonderful, but you may not have noticed. So, let me illuminate:

1. The font on all Two Way Monologue-era material is very much like the genius Saul Bass' poster work for Vertigo.
2. The bird motif on TWM is also an obvious allusion to The Birds.
3. The spirals inside the album booklet of TWM are another (slightly less obvious) allusion to the title sequence of Vertigo (also Saul Bass's work).
   
4. "She's Fantastic" off of The Phantom Punch makes obvious references to Rebecca: "In that old movie 'bout Rebecca's spell, I feel like Max never felt, minus the drama and the fraud..." and Vertigo: "Just like in that old movie about Carlotta's spell, I feel obsessed like Scottie felt."
5. In almost all interviews with Sondre about his scoring for the recent film Dan in Real Life, he brings up Jon Brion and Bernard Hermann, who scored Vertigo and Psycho, among many other Hitchcock films.
   

I am sure there are more but that's all that come to mind at this moment.

Also, while we're on the Saul Bass posting spree, check out this amazing website that has over twenty of his title sequences and info about them, including a non-Hitchcock film, but my second favorite move EVER, Around the World in 80 Days with David Niven and Cantinflas! (which I of course own on DVD if you'd ever like to watch it. hehe).

And, while not scored by Bernard Hermann, Victor Young's Oscar-winning score of Around the World in 80 Days is my favorite film score ever--a gift I would be happy to receive. ;-) (I have four different releases of it on vinyl but not on CD).

I kinda want to go to this...

http://laist.com/2008/02/07/jayz_mary_j_bli.php haha

Also, I just ate about a gazillion sugar snap peas.

Rollin' with the Homies

I knew he looked familiar! But more than looking familiar, his voice is so only his voice! I didn't place it when he played an obnoxious lawyer representing the bad guy on an episode of Law and Order or CI (I can't remember), but right now I am watching an episode of the new season of L&O for the first time on which he is a regular (the newest in a series of replacements for the best--Jerry Orbach). Aaaaaaaaaand it is none other than Elton from Clueless!!!!!

A Rascal's Disciple

photo via derekb at flickr

It's a little crazy how many recognizable actors have been on an episode of Law and Order or L&O: Criminal Intent. In the episode I am currently watching, Jeffrey Tambor plays a hilariously inept judge, Honorable Barry Dilwynn.

Also, I just love that people other than me use the adjective 'Saulbassian.' While that is not a particularly exciting post, I highly recommend the Brand New blog about brand/identity work.

Finally, while 'falling on your ass' is perhaps more embarrassing, I am pretty sure falling on your knees is more painful as the blood on my left knee can confirm. Thank you, the combination of socks and slippery wood floors.

By the way, Saul Bass has the coolest signature.

for evil to flourish all that is required is for good men to spout cliches

Dear KCRW,

I gave you almost a week's worth of my salary this afternoon. I didn't win the iPod Touch or the MacBook Pro, but I can still win the Australia trip or the SmartCar fortwo. Please make that happen.

Thanks,
Laura

P.S. Obviously, the title has nothing whatsoever to do with this post. It is just a great quote from the last season of A Bit of Fry & Laurie, which I have now sadly finished.

procrastination comes in many forms

Dear movies,

Congrats on being oh so modern and using instant message conversations in your plots. It, however, drives me CARAZY that your characters always read aloud their conversations. It doesn't work that way, though. And in your worst offenders (Thanks, Erica), the reading of each sentence comes after the line has already been typed and entered.

Please change your ways,
Laura

Ryan, Royce, and Random.

I should point out that while I complained about Mr. Adams, the show was, indeed, pretty spectacular. But the real kudos goes to Royce Hall acoustics--man, it sounded nice.

And now that we are on the topic of Royce Hall, I might as well update you on the celebz (a post theme I haven't revisited in months!). On the first of December of last year, I reported that Donald Sutherland wore his shlumpy pajamas (or what might well have been) to see Teatr Zar (at Freud, but close enough). Since then, there have been a small smattering of less than fascinating folks but celebrities nonetheless. First, Kate Beckinsale and David Arquette (not together) went to see The Nutcracker on December 22nd. At the second Ryan Adams show, we lovely ushers were graced with the presence of Mandy Moore, Zoe Saldana (whom I will be cool with even though she was a little rude, just because she is in my fav chick flick EVAR, Center Stage), Joel Stein! (who thinks he is really funny while he is only a little funny but I love him anyways), Margaret Cho, the October Road kid (too lazy to imdb that), and the coma woman from Grey's Anatomy.

On the first Ryan Adams, the one in which I was an audience member and not an employee, I wasn't in prime position for being bored and spending my time looking for celebrities, and thus I saw only two folks -- Sam from The Parson Redheads (who are pictured above on my show, which you should listen to Tuesdays 4-6pm) and Frankie from Big City Rock.

The following isn't actually what one would consider a 'sighting,' since, uh, it was his show (1/18), but part of my job is scanning tickets, and that evening David Sedaris scanned tickets for his own show. er go, David Sedaris and I scanned tickets together. It was kinda amazing. He said all the snarky things to the patrons that I always want to say but for which I would get fired.

Finally, Rainn Wilson was at Dan Zanes today.

And that, my friends, was your every-once-in-a-while update.