My friend Kara just completed her 30-minute film, "Bachelorette 34" about her mom's #1 goal to marry off her daughter. Kara's work is both satirical and deeply thoughtful. The film premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam and is ready for distribution. She's looking for donations so she can become part of the New Day film co-op and self-distribute her way into Women and Gender Studies departments around the country. If you've been thinking of donating some dollars to the arts--look no further. This is a deserving artist. Tax deductible--of course!
More information on donating and some press reviews are on her site.
"Bachelorette 34" trailer
"Grrlyshow" trailer - Kara's documentary on women who publish zines. This just showed at San Francisco Zine Fest. I worked on a brief segment with Kara on this film, which didn't make the cut, but it was so interesting to see all the little pieces she puts together to make a documentary--she's a filmic quilter.
Filtered through the brain cells of Lisa McElroy
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Partridge Family - Why Not?
Quentin Tarantino once asked, via 'Pulp Fiction,' "Are you a Beatles or Elvis person?" (When I search deep into my soul, I must say: Elvis.) So it goes for the Brady Bunch or the Partridge Family. Though I once dreamt of becoming a member of the Brady Bunch (the seventh child), I know that I'm basically a Partridge Family person.
The passion! The weirdness! The sardonic manager, Reuben! They practiced in the garage of their suburban San Pueblo, CA home, and had the most laid-back stage mom in the history of show business. They were too polished to be real, or even to be a proper garage band (and why exactly was Bobby Sherman hiding out in the garage during one episode? The 70s were so boss!). But they rocked my Friday nights and looked fine in dark velvet and ruffled shirts.
Memorable incidents included Susan Dey's character, Laurie, receiving radio-transmitted broadcasts through her newly applied braces, causing her to play the wrong keyboard notes during rehearsal; Danny stealing everything his older, cuter, stupider brother Keith owned in order to sell the items to would-be groupies; Shirley Partridge's pixie haircut, which Shirley Jones has worn for the past 60 years (surely a record); and year-round red velour, vested, high-necked stage costumes.
I Can Feel Your Heartbeat - Direct quote by me, at age eight: Keeeeeeeeeith!!!!!!
I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family assert their manly domain over radical feminism. This is why the Equal Rights Ammendment couldn't pass.
Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted - Not since Spanky McFarland of the "Our Gang" comedies had such a precocious kid dominated the small screen. Danny Bonaduce looks for a new family, to no avail. It's all uphill from here, kid.
\
Bandala - The Family celebrates diversity, but then blow it by replacing their 7-year-old brunette drummer, Chris, with a blond-haired, blue-eyed version the following season. Richard Pryor in the audience, enjoying the cowbell.
\Spike Lee's Crooklyn got 70s childhood right. One of my favorite scenes, featuring I Woke Up In Love This Morning and a box of Lemonheads candy:
The Cowsills - Anything Changes
The Cowsills were to be the Partridge Family but when Shirley Jones was hired over their mother, they refused to do the show. The show's producers said, "Hey, screw you, Cowsills. We'll do the show anyway, with kids who can't sing or play." And they did.
Disclosure: At age seven I owned a Cowsills drum kit and played the drummer in a Partridge Family lip-synch cover band that I formed with my friends. When I couldn't make the performance due to a cold, they told me it went all right anyway. I said, "Without the DRUMS?!"
The passion! The weirdness! The sardonic manager, Reuben! They practiced in the garage of their suburban San Pueblo, CA home, and had the most laid-back stage mom in the history of show business. They were too polished to be real, or even to be a proper garage band (and why exactly was Bobby Sherman hiding out in the garage during one episode? The 70s were so boss!). But they rocked my Friday nights and looked fine in dark velvet and ruffled shirts.
Memorable incidents included Susan Dey's character, Laurie, receiving radio-transmitted broadcasts through her newly applied braces, causing her to play the wrong keyboard notes during rehearsal; Danny stealing everything his older, cuter, stupider brother Keith owned in order to sell the items to would-be groupies; Shirley Partridge's pixie haircut, which Shirley Jones has worn for the past 60 years (surely a record); and year-round red velour, vested, high-necked stage costumes.
I Can Feel Your Heartbeat - Direct quote by me, at age eight: Keeeeeeeeeith!!!!!!
I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family assert their manly domain over radical feminism. This is why the Equal Rights Ammendment couldn't pass.
Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted - Not since Spanky McFarland of the "Our Gang" comedies had such a precocious kid dominated the small screen. Danny Bonaduce looks for a new family, to no avail. It's all uphill from here, kid.
\
Bandala - The Family celebrates diversity, but then blow it by replacing their 7-year-old brunette drummer, Chris, with a blond-haired, blue-eyed version the following season. Richard Pryor in the audience, enjoying the cowbell.
\Spike Lee's Crooklyn got 70s childhood right. One of my favorite scenes, featuring I Woke Up In Love This Morning and a box of Lemonheads candy:
The Cowsills - Anything Changes
The Cowsills were to be the Partridge Family but when Shirley Jones was hired over their mother, they refused to do the show. The show's producers said, "Hey, screw you, Cowsills. We'll do the show anyway, with kids who can't sing or play." And they did.
Disclosure: At age seven I owned a Cowsills drum kit and played the drummer in a Partridge Family lip-synch cover band that I formed with my friends. When I couldn't make the performance due to a cold, they told me it went all right anyway. I said, "Without the DRUMS?!"
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Juke-Bot Your Troubles Away
I know there's a recession going on and the unemployment rate keeps going up (I myself have managed to procrastinate updating my résumé for two days now). But DJ Shadow has the answer: Juke-Bots for sale.
He sums up the concept nicely:
"We conceived it as a throwback to a pre-digital era. There's something about a jukebox doing battle with pesky iPods that seems to resonate with people. It's a kind of protest against the technology rat-race, particularly where music is concerned."
So like those commercials that show awesome battles between war toys, which are only mock battles with kids holding the toys, making explosive sounds with their vocal chords (Pchheww! Pchoo! Pchoo!), this is just pretend. But the concept does resonate, with me anyway. And at $92.99, it reflects the rising inflation rate quite nicely.
Robot Commando commercial - Ideal, 1961
He sums up the concept nicely:
"We conceived it as a throwback to a pre-digital era. There's something about a jukebox doing battle with pesky iPods that seems to resonate with people. It's a kind of protest against the technology rat-race, particularly where music is concerned."
So like those commercials that show awesome battles between war toys, which are only mock battles with kids holding the toys, making explosive sounds with their vocal chords (Pchheww! Pchoo! Pchoo!), this is just pretend. But the concept does resonate, with me anyway. And at $92.99, it reflects the rising inflation rate quite nicely.
Robot Commando commercial - Ideal, 1961
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Zombies - Still Excellent 40 Years Later
That's right: 40 years. That's 105 in rock-n-roll time. A major part of the British invasion of 1965-68, The Zombies broke up before the release of their second album, Odessey and Oracle in 1968. That album was never played live, even though it contained their huge hit, Time of the Season. In the late 90s, after Odessey had become a cult favorite among critics and music geeks worldwide, genius composer and keyboardist, Rod Argent, and angelically breathy vocalist, Colin Blunstone, reformed and finally performed to throngs of worshippers, first in England and then the U.S.
I am one of those worshippers. While we vacationed on the Connecticut coast last week, Keith happened to notice in the local paper that The Zombies were playing at the Mohegan Sun Casino down the road a ways. "Don't you like The Zombies?" he asked as we sat on his mom's couch, surrounded by piles of summer reading materials: literary mysteries, People Magazine, and several newspapers (bought in a frenzy of Internet deprivation). "I love The Zombies," I replied, putting all the emphasis I could on the word "love."
After determining that they were playing that very night, we made babysitting arrangements and headed deep into the rocky, forested Indian reservation that now holds North America's largest casino. Before you get all, "A Ca-SINO?!" on me, let me say that some of the best shows I've ever seen were at iffy venues that shouldn't have been any good, but against all odds, were beyond excellent: Johnny Cash and The Carter Sisters in a tent at the Marin County Fair; Sun Ra and his Arkestra at The Market St. Cinema (a former porn theater and strip club) in San Francisco; McCoy Tyner playing two sets in the middle of the afternoon in the SFSU Student Union building, which is made entirely out of cement and has no meeting places in order to deter would-be snipers. The point is: don't ever miss a show because of the venue.
The show took place in the Earth Casino (as opposed to the even bigger Sky Casino next door) in the Wolf Den--one of those open theaters in the middle of the building where everyone could peek over the railing to see the show, but filtered through a wall of slot-machine noise. Because it was free, we had to wait in a very long line consisting almost entirely of 63-year-old guys and their dates, who all had the look of former high school jazz ensemble students. Everyone was very eager to get in the club, but because of the advanced age of the audience, the stress of waiting manifested itself in murmurs of emcouragement and optimism that the 350 seats would not fill up before the 8 p.m. show time. With age comes patience, I guess.
The Earth Casino is decorated in such a way that if you removed all the gambling paraphernalia, you would be standing inside the largest tribal meeting house in world history. Everything is in Earth-tones, decorated with tradtitional Native American patterns. Raw timber beams criss cross above you in graphic configurations, framing gigantic shields seemingly made of mastodon leather (what else could be that leathery and that big?). Life-sized animatronic wolf statues perch high above you on false stone pillars, occasionally wagging their tails, flattening their ears, and eyeing the gamblers below hungrily. It was, as they say, a weird scene.
Once seated, the casino noises faded away completely (but unfortunately not the cigar smoke). I noted that everything I had seen so far was incredibly high-tech and expensive (yes, even the raw wood timber pillars), and that included the sound board nearby so I had a good feeling going in. This feeling was magnified as the Zombies started their set with a cover of I Love You, a 1968 release by People. Nice.
The Zombies look about ten years younger than they really are. Colin Blunstone is still handsome and has a wonderfully sweet stage presence, smiling serenely and swinging his arms slightly to the beat. His voice is so lovely--none of the nasal quality of youth, just smooth and lilting. If you listen to it long enough, endorphins will rush about your brain for a nice floaty feeling. Rod Argent appears to have a serious gym membership going on and is doing some musically weird-ass stuff with his keyboards; kind of jazzy, kind of proggy in parts. I would like to just watch his fingers to try and figure out what's going on back there, but no such luck. He's the musician as magician. The band was TIGHT. The Zombies have always been musicians' musicians: lyrical, mysterious, musically intelligent.
Plus they're happy to be playing all these songs live. I've never seen such a happy band. "This is our second time here," enthused Argent. "We love playing at the Wolf Den and playing for you--it's wonderful." I get the feeling that if you met The Zombies and started acting all crazy and fan-like, they would smile, pat your arm, and say, "You're TOO kind!"
More highlights: A swinging, prog-rock(?) cover of What Becomes of The Broken Hearted, an early-80s synthesized hit for Blunstone. Three songs from Odessey, plus Time of the Season: A Rose for Emily, Beechwood Park, Care of Cell 44. Time of the Season was so sublime--incredible keyboard solo by Argent while Blunstone stood still in the middle of the stage, occasionally snapping his fingers by his thigh, intently listening to his bandmate play. That got a great big standing O to acknowledge one of the best pop songs of all time. It's fun to see an audience of older guys pumping their fists in the air with big smiles on their faces. Much enthusiasm for Tell Her No, as well, an underrated 60s hit.
Two Argent solo songs: Hold Your Head Up and God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You, had me thinking about the Zombies premature breakup. I imagine the dialogue went something like this:
Rod Argent: Hey gents--give a listen. I've written a new song to herald in the 70s! (Plays a bit of Hold Your Head Up.)
Zombies look on with blank, open-mouthed expressions.
Colin Blunstone: B-b-but I thought we were a psychedelic pop band, known for our astounding harmonies sailing over glittering minor-key melodies.
Argent: We ARE. I just want to rock out a little sometimes. Is that so bad?
Blunstone: I can't be wailing over this thumping, driving beat. I'll get vocal nodules for certain!
Argent: FINE. I'll do it myself then. I'm taking the bass player from The Kinks with me. Maybe you'll see us around in 40 years.
Blunstone: Smashing. I'll try my hand at insurance then. I understand the benefits are excellent.
In any case, it's very exciting to have them back together, touring, and enriching our lives once more. The show filled me with ecstasy and wonder. You can't ask for more than that.
Last song of the evening:
Wait! There's more:
- The Zombies are coming to a casino near you this summer. And to The Wonder Ballroom in Portland, July 23rd.
- "Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London"(2005) is a live recording of the entire "Oracle and Odessey" album, as performed for the first time in 40 years. Critically acclaimed--Colin's mature voice: dreamy!
- Sure, you know Santana covered The Zombies, but so has Beck, Elliott Smith, Of Montreal, and Action Camp, among many others.
-The History of The Zombies (NRK Lydverket) - the narration isn't in English but the footage and the interviews are fantastic.
I am one of those worshippers. While we vacationed on the Connecticut coast last week, Keith happened to notice in the local paper that The Zombies were playing at the Mohegan Sun Casino down the road a ways. "Don't you like The Zombies?" he asked as we sat on his mom's couch, surrounded by piles of summer reading materials: literary mysteries, People Magazine, and several newspapers (bought in a frenzy of Internet deprivation). "I love The Zombies," I replied, putting all the emphasis I could on the word "love."
After determining that they were playing that very night, we made babysitting arrangements and headed deep into the rocky, forested Indian reservation that now holds North America's largest casino. Before you get all, "A Ca-SINO?!" on me, let me say that some of the best shows I've ever seen were at iffy venues that shouldn't have been any good, but against all odds, were beyond excellent: Johnny Cash and The Carter Sisters in a tent at the Marin County Fair; Sun Ra and his Arkestra at The Market St. Cinema (a former porn theater and strip club) in San Francisco; McCoy Tyner playing two sets in the middle of the afternoon in the SFSU Student Union building, which is made entirely out of cement and has no meeting places in order to deter would-be snipers. The point is: don't ever miss a show because of the venue.
The show took place in the Earth Casino (as opposed to the even bigger Sky Casino next door) in the Wolf Den--one of those open theaters in the middle of the building where everyone could peek over the railing to see the show, but filtered through a wall of slot-machine noise. Because it was free, we had to wait in a very long line consisting almost entirely of 63-year-old guys and their dates, who all had the look of former high school jazz ensemble students. Everyone was very eager to get in the club, but because of the advanced age of the audience, the stress of waiting manifested itself in murmurs of emcouragement and optimism that the 350 seats would not fill up before the 8 p.m. show time. With age comes patience, I guess.
The Earth Casino is decorated in such a way that if you removed all the gambling paraphernalia, you would be standing inside the largest tribal meeting house in world history. Everything is in Earth-tones, decorated with tradtitional Native American patterns. Raw timber beams criss cross above you in graphic configurations, framing gigantic shields seemingly made of mastodon leather (what else could be that leathery and that big?). Life-sized animatronic wolf statues perch high above you on false stone pillars, occasionally wagging their tails, flattening their ears, and eyeing the gamblers below hungrily. It was, as they say, a weird scene.
Once seated, the casino noises faded away completely (but unfortunately not the cigar smoke). I noted that everything I had seen so far was incredibly high-tech and expensive (yes, even the raw wood timber pillars), and that included the sound board nearby so I had a good feeling going in. This feeling was magnified as the Zombies started their set with a cover of I Love You, a 1968 release by People. Nice.
The Zombies look about ten years younger than they really are. Colin Blunstone is still handsome and has a wonderfully sweet stage presence, smiling serenely and swinging his arms slightly to the beat. His voice is so lovely--none of the nasal quality of youth, just smooth and lilting. If you listen to it long enough, endorphins will rush about your brain for a nice floaty feeling. Rod Argent appears to have a serious gym membership going on and is doing some musically weird-ass stuff with his keyboards; kind of jazzy, kind of proggy in parts. I would like to just watch his fingers to try and figure out what's going on back there, but no such luck. He's the musician as magician. The band was TIGHT. The Zombies have always been musicians' musicians: lyrical, mysterious, musically intelligent.
Plus they're happy to be playing all these songs live. I've never seen such a happy band. "This is our second time here," enthused Argent. "We love playing at the Wolf Den and playing for you--it's wonderful." I get the feeling that if you met The Zombies and started acting all crazy and fan-like, they would smile, pat your arm, and say, "You're TOO kind!"
More highlights: A swinging, prog-rock(?) cover of What Becomes of The Broken Hearted, an early-80s synthesized hit for Blunstone. Three songs from Odessey, plus Time of the Season: A Rose for Emily, Beechwood Park, Care of Cell 44. Time of the Season was so sublime--incredible keyboard solo by Argent while Blunstone stood still in the middle of the stage, occasionally snapping his fingers by his thigh, intently listening to his bandmate play. That got a great big standing O to acknowledge one of the best pop songs of all time. It's fun to see an audience of older guys pumping their fists in the air with big smiles on their faces. Much enthusiasm for Tell Her No, as well, an underrated 60s hit.
Two Argent solo songs: Hold Your Head Up and God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You, had me thinking about the Zombies premature breakup. I imagine the dialogue went something like this:
Rod Argent: Hey gents--give a listen. I've written a new song to herald in the 70s! (Plays a bit of Hold Your Head Up.)
Zombies look on with blank, open-mouthed expressions.
Colin Blunstone: B-b-but I thought we were a psychedelic pop band, known for our astounding harmonies sailing over glittering minor-key melodies.
Argent: We ARE. I just want to rock out a little sometimes. Is that so bad?
Blunstone: I can't be wailing over this thumping, driving beat. I'll get vocal nodules for certain!
Argent: FINE. I'll do it myself then. I'm taking the bass player from The Kinks with me. Maybe you'll see us around in 40 years.
Blunstone: Smashing. I'll try my hand at insurance then. I understand the benefits are excellent.
In any case, it's very exciting to have them back together, touring, and enriching our lives once more. The show filled me with ecstasy and wonder. You can't ask for more than that.
Last song of the evening:
Wait! There's more:
- The Zombies are coming to a casino near you this summer. And to The Wonder Ballroom in Portland, July 23rd.
- "Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London"(2005) is a live recording of the entire "Oracle and Odessey" album, as performed for the first time in 40 years. Critically acclaimed--Colin's mature voice: dreamy!
- Sure, you know Santana covered The Zombies, but so has Beck, Elliott Smith, Of Montreal, and Action Camp, among many others.
-The History of The Zombies (NRK Lydverket) - the narration isn't in English but the footage and the interviews are fantastic.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Lord's Point is Heavenly
My mother-in-law Joan has lived for the past several decades in two of the most beautiful spots in the country. Berkshire County in Western Mass. (where Keith grew up), and currently at Lord's Point in Stonington, Connecticut. Stonington is down the road from Mystic, which you may know from Julia Roberts' break-out role in Mystic Pizza. Yes, there she is in Mystic. Also starring Lili Taylor, and a memorable scene involving an expensive sports car and the catch of the day.
What is there to do at Lord's Point?
Jackson helped clean up several streets and removed quite a pile of fireworks debris from the coastline after 4th of July. Thousands of hermit crabs tipped their snail shell homes to him the following day.
We swam in the Atlantic, which is really calm at Lord's Point. Sea kayaking is more like lake kayaking. The water is balmy in July, so jump on in. Be prepared to encounter seaweed--pretend you're a mermaid! (Easy to do when you emerge with sea grass sticking out of your bathing suit.)
In Mystic, trains, fireboats and huge sailing vessels compete for our attention with the ancient drawbridge that goes up every hour to let seafaring folk pass through. Next to the drawbridge is an old-fashioned ice cream shop with views of the water and shipyard. Did I mention the Paradise-like nature of the area?
Many mornings, I held a coffee cup in my hand and simply marveled at the beauty. Salt air: mmmmm, zesty.
The other highlight of the trip was an outing to the stupifyingly big Mohegan Sun Casino to see a free show. One of my favorite groups of all time, The Zombies, have reunited (at least the two main Zombies, anyway) and are currently touring the U.S. Seeing The Zombies play live was not only the highlight of my trip, but kind of a highlight of my life. They deserve their own post, so tomorrow for that, after I recover from an unscheduled stopover in Kentucky(!?) and a very early-morning flight today, due to bad weather. It's 80+ degrees here in Portland and the Cascades looked marvelous from both sides of the plane.
The Zombies - Summertime (this is one of the few summer-themed songs they didn't play at this show, but it's befitting of my vacation memories and sounds great besides).
Studio version:
What is there to do at Lord's Point?
Jackson helped clean up several streets and removed quite a pile of fireworks debris from the coastline after 4th of July. Thousands of hermit crabs tipped their snail shell homes to him the following day.
We swam in the Atlantic, which is really calm at Lord's Point. Sea kayaking is more like lake kayaking. The water is balmy in July, so jump on in. Be prepared to encounter seaweed--pretend you're a mermaid! (Easy to do when you emerge with sea grass sticking out of your bathing suit.)
In Mystic, trains, fireboats and huge sailing vessels compete for our attention with the ancient drawbridge that goes up every hour to let seafaring folk pass through. Next to the drawbridge is an old-fashioned ice cream shop with views of the water and shipyard. Did I mention the Paradise-like nature of the area?
Many mornings, I held a coffee cup in my hand and simply marveled at the beauty. Salt air: mmmmm, zesty.
The other highlight of the trip was an outing to the stupifyingly big Mohegan Sun Casino to see a free show. One of my favorite groups of all time, The Zombies, have reunited (at least the two main Zombies, anyway) and are currently touring the U.S. Seeing The Zombies play live was not only the highlight of my trip, but kind of a highlight of my life. They deserve their own post, so tomorrow for that, after I recover from an unscheduled stopover in Kentucky(!?) and a very early-morning flight today, due to bad weather. It's 80+ degrees here in Portland and the Cascades looked marvelous from both sides of the plane.
The Zombies - Summertime (this is one of the few summer-themed songs they didn't play at this show, but it's befitting of my vacation memories and sounds great besides).
Studio version:
Friday, July 11, 2008
Neil Diamond - "Solitary Man" live, 1971
Probably the greatest song from a great pop songwriter/performer. Is anyone more melancholy even as he regales us with his catchy, memorable melodies? An unusual and welcome mix of sadness/gladness.
The brighter sounding radio version.
Neil Diamond plays the Rose Garden in Portland, 9/22: Tix.
The brighter sounding radio version.
Neil Diamond plays the Rose Garden in Portland, 9/22: Tix.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - "Nevertheless"
Let's look in on Anton Newcombe and his 2006 line-up, one of at least 40 over the years. Peace, my brother.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
The Week In Weather: Lightening Strikes on the John Hancock Building
This blog is on auto-pilot. Video from The Weather Channel on Vimeo.
Lightning Strikes on the John Hancock Building from Craig Shimala on Vimeo.
Lightning Strikes on the John Hancock Building from Craig Shimala on Vimeo.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
The Week In Weather: Rain is Beautiful
This blog is on auto-pilot. Video from The Weather Channel on Vimeo. (Watch standard rainy weather shots for about a minute because after that: hummingbirds! Nature's ambassadors of hyperactivity.)
Rain is Beautiful from goldentouchfarm on Vimeo.
Rain is Beautiful from goldentouchfarm on Vimeo.
Monday, July 07, 2008
The Week In Weather: Paago das Pias - Odemira
This blog is on auto-pilot. Video from The Weather Channel on Vimeo.
Pêgo das Pias - Odemira from Pedro Miguel on Vimeo.
Pêgo das Pias - Odemira from Pedro Miguel on Vimeo.
Friday, July 04, 2008
USA: 232 Years Young
Fireworks are legal to set off in Vancouver, WA for a solid week before July 4th. After the big day, you even get an extra 24 hours to detonate your surplus. With all the lawn mowers, leaf blowers and weed whackers around here, fireworks are just one more loud bang to add to our modern-era noise stew. I wish there was a quieter way to celebrate the outcome of the Revolutionary War. Next year could we all sit around and read poetry out loud?
All these fireworks can be bought from the literally hundreds of tents set up around the city, mostly as church and high school fundraisers. Coming from California where fireworks have been illegal for many years (too much of a fire hazard), I'm kind of in culture shock. We used to buy ours on the border of Daly City--a damp town--back when I was a kid. I guess it's nice to see and hear fireworks in abundance for a solid week. I...guess... (trying not to sound like the neighborhood crank).
The Vancouver National Historic Reserve boasts the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi. That's gotta be big.
Here's a home-made fireworks display from 98th Street. This must be equal the fireworks on the shores of the Mississippi.
All these fireworks can be bought from the literally hundreds of tents set up around the city, mostly as church and high school fundraisers. Coming from California where fireworks have been illegal for many years (too much of a fire hazard), I'm kind of in culture shock. We used to buy ours on the border of Daly City--a damp town--back when I was a kid. I guess it's nice to see and hear fireworks in abundance for a solid week. I...guess... (trying not to sound like the neighborhood crank).
The Vancouver National Historic Reserve boasts the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi. That's gotta be big.
Here's a home-made fireworks display from 98th Street. This must be equal the fireworks on the shores of the Mississippi.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The Week In Weather: Clouds over Kinsmen Beach
This blog is on auto-pilot. Video from The Weather Channel on Vimeo.
Clouds over Kinsmen Beach from Brian Boudreau on Vimeo.
Clouds over Kinsmen Beach from Brian Boudreau on Vimeo.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The Week In Weather: Timelapse of Downtown Vancouver, B.C.
This blog is on auto-pilot. Video from The Weather Channel on Vimeo.
Timelapse of Downtown Vancouver from Emmy Cmz on Vimeo.
Timelapse of Downtown Vancouver from Emmy Cmz on Vimeo.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Kitchen Sink Links
CWW is off on vacation for a bit where computer access will be minimal. That's a thorough vacation. This blog will continue to provide the content you crave, thanks to Blogger's bitchin' pre-posting ability. For now, here's a bunch of summer fun activities with a smattering of visual interest from the jpeg vaults. Ciao, bellas.
Did you ever have a friend who was incredible on the Etch-A-Sketch? Well, I was that friend, but the Etch-A-Sketchist blows me away. He inspires me to Etch-A-Sketch greatness.
Do you read comix? Do you use Post-its? Then you'll love Post-it Comix.
Sxy Fashion Queen is the most obsessive celebrity/fashion blog I've ever seen. Great photos. In English and Spanish, so I can practice my bilingual fashion commentary.
Get out of the fresh air and sunshine and play retro videogames, like Space Invaders. (From Project GAME OVER.)
And there's always Human Tetris as well.
Queen Latifah--the early days. Courtesy of Rich of fourfour.
Preview from my new blog, Erotic Cacti:
Try not to be too hard on Jessica Simpson while I'm gone.
Did you ever have a friend who was incredible on the Etch-A-Sketch? Well, I was that friend, but the Etch-A-Sketchist blows me away. He inspires me to Etch-A-Sketch greatness.
Do you read comix? Do you use Post-its? Then you'll love Post-it Comix.
Sxy Fashion Queen is the most obsessive celebrity/fashion blog I've ever seen. Great photos. In English and Spanish, so I can practice my bilingual fashion commentary.
Get out of the fresh air and sunshine and play retro videogames, like Space Invaders. (From Project GAME OVER.)
And there's always Human Tetris as well.
Queen Latifah--the early days. Courtesy of Rich of fourfour.
Preview from my new blog, Erotic Cacti:
Try not to be too hard on Jessica Simpson while I'm gone.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Weekend Report: Fairy Falls, Sweltering Heatwave, and Jesse Sykes Too
Jesse Sykes and The Sweet Hereafter played a fine show at the Doug Fir Lounge this weekend. Shades of Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Emmylou Harris (both Harris and Sykes have great hair), and Sykes' own raspy unique folk-rock style combined with Phil Wandscher's dreamy jam-space-rock guitar made for a sweet evening. Laurie loved the Doug Fir, and said it reminded her of Frontierland at Disneyland. I agree--with its log-cabin aesthetic and acoustics, the Bear Country Jamboree would sound great in there.
Like, Love, Lust
Station Grey
We were slightly Popsicled(tm) by the high-powered central AC, which is saying something considering Portland weather was in the high 90s. The next day, the Columbia Gorge was over 100 degrees as we drove along the Historic Columbia River Highway to visit some cold, shady waterfalls.
After visiting the rugged spectacular weirdness that is Latourell Falls, we decided to trek the mile up the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead to see Fairy Falls. This was ambitious on such a hot day, with a six-year-old along for the walk, but Keith had good directions from Michael Skourtes' Oregon Foto Blog, so we went on up. It was HAWT. But as you climb you do get a really great view of the Gorge, and then to the top of Wahkeena Falls, which is like a giant, fan-shaped shower that sprays you with the most wonderfully cooling mist. We along with a dozen other hikers just hung out there, smiling blisfully as the water crashed around us.
Continuing on, you finally enter a forested canyon that's probably at least 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the trail. Here you walk along Wahkeena's rushing creek. It gets really rocky and you can finally peek up at Fairy Falls through the fallen trees across the rocks and water. One more switchback and you're there:
Like, Love, Lust
Station Grey
We were slightly Popsicled(tm) by the high-powered central AC, which is saying something considering Portland weather was in the high 90s. The next day, the Columbia Gorge was over 100 degrees as we drove along the Historic Columbia River Highway to visit some cold, shady waterfalls.
After visiting the rugged spectacular weirdness that is Latourell Falls, we decided to trek the mile up the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead to see Fairy Falls. This was ambitious on such a hot day, with a six-year-old along for the walk, but Keith had good directions from Michael Skourtes' Oregon Foto Blog, so we went on up. It was HAWT. But as you climb you do get a really great view of the Gorge, and then to the top of Wahkeena Falls, which is like a giant, fan-shaped shower that sprays you with the most wonderfully cooling mist. We along with a dozen other hikers just hung out there, smiling blisfully as the water crashed around us.
Continuing on, you finally enter a forested canyon that's probably at least 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the trail. Here you walk along Wahkeena's rushing creek. It gets really rocky and you can finally peek up at Fairy Falls through the fallen trees across the rocks and water. One more switchback and you're there:
I told Laurie that the last time we visited the Gorge, we came across the film crew that was finishing up their shoot of "The Road." They were helping hikers down the narrow, muddy path to Latourell Falls between takes. When we got down to the viewpoint at the bridge, I realized that the star standing in front of the falls, behind bushy beard and homeless-guy attire, was Viggo Mortensen. It was the closest moment I'll probably ever have to living in Middle Earth, with Aragorn standing in a most New Zealand-like setting. No such vision at Fairy Falls, but watching Jackson dance around like a pixie in the water was pretty fantastical as well.
Multnomah Falls was completely over the top with humanity as usual, but the view from the bridge was even more spectacular due to the sun shining through the walls of mist, creating not one but two giant rainbows to the left of the falls. Bliss! And ice cream from the concession stand at the bottom.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
80s Divas Want Your Ass on the Dance Floor
Laurie and I arrived too early to see Rollerball last night which meant we had to watch the two opening bands. They ranged from insufferable to tolerable in presentation. By the time Rollerball got on the Someday Lounge stage, my ears were TIRED. But I knew right away we were in very good hands. This is a really tight, flowing, jazzy, groove-laden band, collectively led by Mae Starr, lead singer and keyboard player (she plays a mean red tambourine stick too).
I wanted to see Rollerball because their jazzier stuff reminded me slightly of forgotten 80s band, Weekend. But live, they more resemble a grittier version of Romeo Void if Romeo Void were an art-rock band. Mae Starr is such a confident musician and her voice is powerful, dark and dare I write: compelling.
Here's some strong women performers from the past. We could use a bit more of this if only to have more fun with music.
Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper, 1981. A style-maven who made androgyny so pretty. Even though her voice was criticized by some as not technically proficient, no one could ever deny her supreme star power. Plus she looked like she could deck you one, but good.
Nina Hagen - Zarah, 1988. I don't use the word "bitch" lightly but Nina Hagen is one fierce bitch. She can really sing too.
Danielle Dax - Big Hollow Man, 1988. I'm not familiar with Danielle Dax's tunes but she was a big deal in Europe after singing in The Lemon Kittens. Only in the 80s could someone's solo career fail due to being too pretty, but I sense this is what happened to her. She was a fine Goth performer as well.
Lene Lovich - New Toy, 1981. Nobody seemed to take Lene Lovich seriously, even Lene Lovich, but she's wonderfully wacky. I liked her braided hair aesthetic--not everyone can pull that off. I didn't realize her big hit Lucky Number was from 1979! The same year as Patrick Hernandez' Born To Be Alive. Great year for music.
I wanted to see Rollerball because their jazzier stuff reminded me slightly of forgotten 80s band, Weekend. But live, they more resemble a grittier version of Romeo Void if Romeo Void were an art-rock band. Mae Starr is such a confident musician and her voice is powerful, dark and dare I write: compelling.
Here's some strong women performers from the past. We could use a bit more of this if only to have more fun with music.
Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper, 1981. A style-maven who made androgyny so pretty. Even though her voice was criticized by some as not technically proficient, no one could ever deny her supreme star power. Plus she looked like she could deck you one, but good.
Nina Hagen - Zarah, 1988. I don't use the word "bitch" lightly but Nina Hagen is one fierce bitch. She can really sing too.
Danielle Dax - Big Hollow Man, 1988. I'm not familiar with Danielle Dax's tunes but she was a big deal in Europe after singing in The Lemon Kittens. Only in the 80s could someone's solo career fail due to being too pretty, but I sense this is what happened to her. She was a fine Goth performer as well.
Lene Lovich - New Toy, 1981. Nobody seemed to take Lene Lovich seriously, even Lene Lovich, but she's wonderfully wacky. I liked her braided hair aesthetic--not everyone can pull that off. I didn't realize her big hit Lucky Number was from 1979! The same year as Patrick Hernandez' Born To Be Alive. Great year for music.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday Night - What To Do?
Laurie's visiting from SF and I'm trying to figure out what we should do tonight. Choices, choices.
At Holocene: Nudge, Extra Golden, Coprascrescent.
Extra Golden - Obama. Composed after Obama helped Kenyan members of the group enter the U.S. (is there nothing he can't do?)
Doug Fir Lounge - Tea For Julie, Crosstide, The Turn Ons
Tea For Julie - Snow Globe (perhaps one Coldplay in the world is enough...?)
Someday Lounge - Rollerball, Vialka, Powernap
Rollerball - live at Cita' Del Capo Radio Metropolitana in Bologna (Rollerball has released 11 albums--#12 gets released tonight. I'm leaning toward Rollerball...)
At Holocene: Nudge, Extra Golden, Coprascrescent.
Extra Golden - Obama. Composed after Obama helped Kenyan members of the group enter the U.S. (is there nothing he can't do?)
Doug Fir Lounge - Tea For Julie, Crosstide, The Turn Ons
Tea For Julie - Snow Globe (perhaps one Coldplay in the world is enough...?)
Someday Lounge - Rollerball, Vialka, Powernap
Rollerball - live at Cita' Del Capo Radio Metropolitana in Bologna (Rollerball has released 11 albums--#12 gets released tonight. I'm leaning toward Rollerball...)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Political Ringtones For All
Keith showed me Slate's political ringtones today. Go to Slate to for the text codes. Now your cell phone can serve as a sound-byte reminder of all the ongoing glories of Campaign 2008. I couldn't resist posting these here. Good for some laughs. Have someone call you so you can all go: heh heh heh. John McCain "my friends" compilation.
McCain's a name-caller.
Hillary Clinton shames Obama.
Reverend Wright damns America.
Clinton laughs.
Barack says we can.
McCain doesn't believe it.
photo from kimandjason.com.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Heavy Metal Moment: Scorpions - "Animal Magnetism"
So there we were, Martha and me, sitting in the East End in Portland, waiting for her band, Amber Asylum to go on. Martha plays a very cool-looking and sounding electrified cello but we had some time before her set to hang out and catch up on each other's lives. I had just been mentioning what a real dive the East End was and I liked that, when Martha ordered a beer with something floating in it. The bartender peered in the glass and announced it was a blade of grass before she got Martha a fresh brew. At that point I modified my description of the East End: a real dive in Oregon (no grass, twigs or bugs appeared in any other drinks as of this writing).
At one point, I was babbling about how music is such a strange, unknowing current in our lives, dredging up all kinds of things we don't quite understand, when Martha mentioned that Amber Asylum has a bit of a heavy-metal-kids following. "Isn't it weird," I said, "that you really liked Black Sabbath back in high school, and now you have a heavy-metal-kid following?" She agreed. At that point the DJ, who had been playing the most evil-sounding mix of death-metal (that particular genre that sounds like chicken's blood is about to come spurting out of the digital mix and land all over you), suddenly switched gears and put on the 1980 title track of Animal Magnetism. Martha gave me a knowing smirk and a shrug, since we used to listen to this 25 years ago. In fact, I don't think I've heard it in 25 years. What an ominous treat.
Since the cover of Animal Magnetism
always reminds me of that Spinal Tap sexist/sexy exchange, I put World Wide Live image here instead (hey, it's better than a photo of a guy with forks in his eyes). Kind of a demonic ode to lust (see fan-made video below). Although I always pictured the Devil listening to a lot of Sinatra, or John Coltrane (sorry Saint John Coltrane Church).Amber Asylum did a haunting lullabye of a set. They really belong in an abandoned cathedral, but I enjoyed the evening anyway. East End employees: very nice. Crowd: Very respectful, good listeners. Amber Asylum: soothing answer to lack of Dead Can Dance in our lives. They'll be playing the Autonomous Mutant Festival tonight, then going back to SF to play at The Hemlock Tavern on 6/26, before recording a new album. Martha: looking and sounding good.
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