Thursday, February 27, 2003

Stolen Surveys

Ah yes, another survey klepto'd from Linds' blog! This blog will appear in 47 other blogs by the end of next week :D

What band/artist have you been playing the most this month?

Ah well, that's an easy one Elvis Costello. He's ruled the cd player for more than a year now.

What was the last CD you bought?

Paul McCarney's Wingspan. I bought it to have Helen Wheels and Waterfall in one place, plus it has some great pics of Macca and Linda.

Do you like mix tapes/CDs?

I'm obsessed with the idea. I used to make all sorts of mix cds. I was trying to do an 80s A-Z compilation back when I had a tape recorder in my car. I got through half of the alphabet too. Now that I have a cd player I just burn and burn and burn. I'd love to find a good mix club to get ideas for mixes. The Art of the Mix site is also the greatest place too.

What genres of music do you most enjoy?

This is a hard one, because my taste is varied. I like Rock/Pop in some forms. Hell you can even find some boy bands in my collection, not that I'm proud of owning them. I love New Wave, as you can tell by the 80's mix tapes I was making. Light pop and new age. I like techno pop, like Depeche Mode and Erasure, but not to hard core techno. Classic Rock, the Beatles...Bowie...Fleetwood Mac....etc. And altnerative prior to the grunge era....

What song/album/artist do you play in the bath?

I don't usually play music when I take a bath, but it would be something relaxing. I could enjoy listening to someone like Julia Fordham who has an incredible voice or the band the Devlins while soaking. I highly recommend the 3 albums by the Devlins to anyone who has a fondness for soft gentle melodies with great lyrics. Songs of choice for bathing or otherwise...Consent...Static in the Flow...Someone to talk to.

Name a band/song that is special to you, and explain why.

Right now the song "This House is Empty Now" It's funny that song took hold of me about a year ago when I was working on the story Distorted Angel, which can be found on my fanfic blog or my other fanfic site. That song inspired me to twist the story a bit, plus I adore Elvis' vocal on that. The line that gets me everytime.."Does the extinguished candle care about the darkness?" Bravo Elvis!


Have you ever been certain a song was written just for you?
Haven't we all at some point? The first one that comes to mind for me is from the album Mighty Like a Rose, and the title is All Grown Up. I'll just put the lyrics here, and those of you that know me will completely understand.

All Grown Up
"I'm trouble" she said
Spread out on the floor of her father's house
Her promise was almost undone
Under her tongue, dissolving her responsibilities
To finally deny everyone with every unflattering comparison
CHORUS
All grown up
And you don't care anymore
And you hate all the people that you used to adore
And you despise all the rumors and lies of the life you led before

Did I hear you right?
You're feeling hounded and pushed around
You want to just lay down and die
If all of this life has been such a big disappointment to you
Why don't you stop blaming some guy
And go give the next one a try

CHORUS

But look at yourself
You'll see you're still so young
You haven't earned the weariness
That sounds so jaded on your tongue

"I'm weak" she says
And blesses herself and gets into bed
Clutching the covers to her throat
"So punish me now and let me go back to the sham of my life"
"This night is the perfect antidote for all of the poison that
you wrote"

CHORUS



What song never fails to make you cry?

You Must Love Me by Madonna from the film version of Evita. It didn't have that affect on me until I had seen the movie, but after that, it can always move me to tears. It's a lovely song written by the exceedingly talented Mr. Tim Rice with music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.


If you could go on stage with anyone + duet with them; who would it be, what song would you sing, and why?

Ok I have 2 actually. First would be Michael Crawford of Phantom of the Opera fame. I'd want to do the song Phantom of the Opera with him (not that I could pull of the aria, but who cares) Why? Because I would love to be that close to that gorgeous and supremely talented man, plus I've always wanted to sing the part of Christine Daae.

The second would be Mr. Elvis Costello. The song would be "Baby It's Cold Outside" The reason, you ask. If he can sing it with Anne Sofie Von Otter, why not me. Plus it's a really gorgeous song, and afterwards I'd like to snuggle up to Dec with a nice hot spiked cup of coffee!

Does your style match your music taste?

Not really, because it's so varied. God know what I'd look like if I did. Half goth...half earth child...that could be a rather odd combination. Of course I'd have an excuse to have my fuzzy cuffs with me at all times. Yippee!


What band/song could you never get bored of?

Oh god, this is a hard one. There are very few bands that I've liked that I've gotten bored with. It's going to be a Costello song though, because he's one of the only artists that I've listened to for more than 10 years. I've been a fan for 14 years now. The song I would have to say is Riot Act. It's just one of my original Costello favorites


What song would you like to have dirty rough sex to?

Erm.."I Want You" Elvis Costello. Oh and the sex would be with Elvis Costello thank you very much.

What song would you like to make love to someone to?

Peter Gabriel's Red Rain...still with Elvis Costello please...

What band/artist/song makes your ears bleed?

Britney Spears and Christina make my ears bleed as well as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. I'm sure there are some more wailing bansheelike females that I can add to this list.

List five bands + a song of theirs that you love (in no particular order):

Elvis Costello - Next Time Round
Duran Duran - Ordinary World
Oingo Boingo - We Close Our Eyes
Erasure - Siren Song
Def Leppard - Where Does Love Go When It Dies?

If you had a band - what would you call them, and what would be your role?

The Dazzlers, and I'd like to be the lead singer. (go ahead laugh hysterically now) And the group name will make sense to some of you too, I'm sure.


Who would you do a support slot for?

Oh, I'd love to be the opening wench for Elvis Costello or Duran Duran.

Have you ever been in love with a song/band?

I had quite an obsession with Duran Duran for quite awhile as well as Oingo Boingo. I don't know if I were in love with the band so much as certain members as I was in love with members of the band. Of course it was the love of the music that brought me to the love of the bands. Listen to Dark at the End of the Tunnel and you too will fall under the spell of the Elf.


Is there any song that you just can't bear to listen to because of the memories? (if so, what + why)

There's one Boingo song that is hard to listen to though I manage. It's Skin. It's a gorgeous song but it brings back alot of memories of my senior year in high school which I'd rather forget,if you please.

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Elvis Costello, How I Love Thee...Let me Count the Ways

I'm feeling particularly silly today, and I'm not sure how much of Man Out of Time I'll have done, so I thought I'd devoted today's blog to some mindless sillyness. Everyone's entitled right? Even if they are not, I'm doing it. For the purpose of shits and giggles alone.

1. His songwriting enthralls me.
2. His sexy body makes me oh so weak in the knees.
3. His current single state (or semisingle) brings me joy!
4. His sense of humor is divinely wicked
5. He sings Oliver's Army better than Greg Proops (sorry Greggie..his song..and it was oh so murdered)
6. He may be older but he is better looking than the above mentioned comedian.
7. He isn't going bald as some rumors suggested.
8. Looks snappy in hats, though some of the hats are damn ugly.
9. A very charming celebrity if you get the chance to meet him.
10. Any man the covers Abba should be loved. (that goes for Erasure too.)
11. He worked with Paul McCartney (bow to his greatness)
12. He can write music for just about any genre
13. The song "I Want You" nuff said.
14. He's been the inspiration for several stories and 2 other characters. (any guesses which?)
15. He's intelligent as well as sexy
16. He beat Celine Dion for a Grammy! (go Elvis go Elvis)
17. He makes specs sexy!
18. Even the demos of his recordings are good.
19. He performed on the Grammy's in a suit! (bless him)
20. He's a damn sexy devil and if you don't believe me, go watch the video for this town!

Sunday, February 23, 2003

Some things that I've been forced to think about

I nabbed this off of Linds' blog. I found it amusing and I thought I'd nab it. I haven't done any survey swapping in ages, and since I need a respite from the story for a time, here goes.

ten things I miss
01. 80's Night at Metropol
02. Concerts that didn't cost 100 bucks a ticket
03. Whose Line Marathon's on Comedy Central on Monday Night
04. Spare time
05. vacations when I actually got to go somewhere
06. My Mind
07. warm weather
08. Red Dwarf
09. British Comedies on PBS (there aren't nearly enough on anymore)
10. Weekend trips to Pittsburgh (It's just too damn cold and snowy)


nine things I hate
01. Expanets
02. Mtv (which doesn't mean music television anymore)
03. Diana Krall (do I have to mention why?)
04. Mandatory Overtime
05. Danielle Steele novels (god does she have to kill off everyone?)
06. Screeching blonde female singers (do I have to mention names?)
07. waiting
08. seafood
09. The Pittsburgh Concert scene (no one comes here!)


eight things I love
01. Elvis Costello
02. my computer
03. my cd collection
04. Greg Proops
05. Danny Elfman's film scores
06. Tim Burton films
07. my pets
08. Vampire novels


seven things I remember the most
01. meeting Elvis Costello
02. the Monkees concert from 02 and the chaos of getting back to the car
03. Improv All Stars at the Funny Bone in Pittsburgh
04. Watching Modern Vampires for the first time
05. The bus ride to Toronto to see Phantom in 92
06. The four day excursion to Strongsville OH, to work for no good reason.
07. Seeing Paul McCartney at the Civic Arena in 90


six things I want to do eventually
01. see Greg Proops perform stand up
02. Get a new job
03. Visit Toronto for a week
04. Buy a newer car
05. Print out the cover art for my bootleg cdr collection
06. Write (well finish) a novel


five songs I can listen to over and over
01. "Riot Act" Elvis Costello
02. "We Close Our Eyes" - Oingo Boingo
03. "Next Time Round" - Elvis Costello
04. "You Must Love Me" - Madonna
05. "New Moon on Monday" Duran Duran


four words that describe me
01. quiet
02. opinionated
03. obsessive
04. weird


three things I want to change
01. my job
02. my hairstyle
03. my wardrobe (yes it's time for clothes shopping)


two people I want to disappear

Oh no..I'm not answering that, I'd get in way to much trouble

one thing I want
01. serenity

Thursday, February 20, 2003

Fun and Happy Music

I've been trying to compile some fun happy music for a cd. Yeah it's all about the mix cds. It's become an odd obsession. So far this one is coming along a bit more quickly. I might be able to get this burned soon. Woo hoo for me. You have to admit though that there's quite a bit of music you can choose for this mix.

Some songs that come to mind

Monkees - Cuddly Toy
They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse In Your Soul
Adam Ant - Stand and Deliver or Ant Rap or both of them
Roxette - Joyride
Erasure - Heavenly Action
XTC - The Mayor of Simpleton
the Bangles - Walk Like and Egyptian (annoying but happy)
Counting Crows - Hangin Around (I love this one)
Oingo Boingo - Happy
Def Leppard - 21st Century Sha La La Girl
Another Fine Mess

Ah yes, get started making mix cds and you'll fast become obsessed and well disgusted. I just can't think of any good topics for mixes..and the sad thing was a few years back I used to be able to turn out all sorts of mixes at the drop of a hat.

What I need right now, are ideas for mixes...I'm just not inspired at all. And yet I'm so sick of listening to Elvis Costello's Blood and Chocolate on my way too and from work that I could just scream. The worse part is that when I make a mix tape, it's lifespan is so darn short. My car cdplayer eats them like candy.

I've also come to the conclusion that everytime I find a new favorite Costello cd, I get a new favorite song. In the last month my top 2 songs by the Dishy Devil Declan are "The Big Light" and "Next Time Round." Neither of which are on any of the mix cds that I've made previously.

Which really means I need to make a Costello Mix..but the decisions involved in that are just too tremendous right now.

Other bands that really need new mix cds made by me...

1. Erasure (I made one recently..but I'll be damned if I can find it)
2. Duran Duran (a cd that won't annoy me this time)
3. Paul McCartney

Wednesday, February 19, 2003

The Most Beautiful Love Song

If any of you know me ...you know that I have a fondness for Mr. McCartney and his work. I've been a Beatles fan since I was about 5 years old. So as I was working on Man Out of Time tonight, I noticed that Everett...is acting out not only a Costello song...but also my favorite McCartney song.

You might also have guessed what song I'm talking about, because it's the title of my one Greg Proops fanfic..you know the only one where Greg actually gets some. Poor Greg, I abuse him so in my stories...

But in honor of Greg...and my darling character Everett. I'm posting the lyrics to the most beautiful lovesong ever written.

Paul McCartney
Title: Maybe Im Amazed

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
And hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you

CHORUS:
Maybe I'm a man and maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help me understand

Chorus

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you

Tuesday, February 18, 2003

The Infidelity Mix

Ok..this is what I've been obsessing on for days now. Making a mix cd of songs that are about infidelity.

Here's what I've come up with so far

Elton John - I Don't Want to Go On With You Like That
Elvis Costello - Baby Plays Around
Frida - Something's Goin On
Oingo Boingo - Better Luck Next Time
Olivia Newton-John - The Rumour
Duran Duran - Love Voodoo
Morrissey - Alsatian Cousin
Def Leppard - When Love and Hate Collide
Erasure - Boy
Cure - In Between Days
Madonna - Lovesong
The Cast of Chicago - Cell Block Tango

One day I'll get it all sorted out and burned...one day...

Monday, February 17, 2003

Snow storms and other not so fun things

Ah so here it is 11:30 on Monday morning. I'm frozen and looking out my window to see about at least 12 or more inches of snow. Let's just discuss how wrong this is. Not that I mind not being at work. I couldn't get off my hill at this point. It's always nice when the weather cripples your ability to make money. ARGH! I wish this job would go away.

The other fun thing or rather not so fun thing was trying to get through on the call off line this morning. I think the whole center either called off or was going to be late. Double my fun! Yee freaking Ha! Well I guess the whole center will be getting occurences. Oh well.

If there is a celestial being / higher power / God....looking over my care...he will aid me in my search for new employment. NO..never mind he won't. That's my responsibility. What I would like is that place in Charleroi, to start calling people back. It would be really nice if they called me back..and well hired me.

A girl can dream right?

Now on to other pressing matters of business. I'm finishing up the last of a few trades. I think I might take a break from trading and clean up a few of the Boingo shows that I have that well could use a little help! Let's just say, half the boingo shows in circulation could use a little help. That in itself is so wrong.

But enough of my whining. I'm going to finish up on this trade, write somemore of Man Out of Time for those of you that keep up with it, and likely work on that Infidelity Mix I was yapping about the other day.

Saturday, February 15, 2003

The little light bulb went on inside my head

I was wandering through the lovely pages of The Art of The Mix again. That site is becoming a pain in my hard drive. I was looking through the mixes, cos I was bored. I'm burning cds today, so I had to be doing something else,and I happened on this one mix. It was called Infidelity.

It seems there's a group out there. I'm not sure where as yet, but they come up with themes etc for mix cds. I think it sounds fun. If only I could find it. If not perhaps I could start one of my own. Who knows. It's just a little idea that popped into my brain today. I think I might take that theme of Infidelity and run with it though. It could be very amusing to say the least.

Songs Like Better Luck Next Time by Boingo and I'm Not Angry by Elvis Costello pop into my mind for that one. I'm sure I'll think of a dozen more by the time I'm done.

Thursday, February 13, 2003

Fun with the Art of the Mix site

Slowly but surely I'm getting my Oingo Boingo Compilations up on the site. This weekend in between doodling with the one live concert that I need to edit, I'm going to be making some new mix cds. I just haven't determined what I want to do yet.

This is going to be my first weekend in ages where I don't have to go into work at all. I'm so very happy about this! I have about 27 cds to burn, perhaps more, but I have 3 days to do it in! That in itself brings me joy. I've already got about 6 mixes up there. I have so many more, but I haven't had the chance to get them onto the computer to get my setlists.

It's one of those projects you can only accomplish on a snowy weekend, and this looks like it's going to be just that. So it's going to be me, my mp3s and my cds and a whole lot of burning going on.

Burning the Midnight Elfman as I like to say.

Ciao kidlets

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Updates to my CDR Trading List

The link it at the side of the page as some of you may know. I just spent the last hour or so updating the list. There are now over 400 shows with more on the way. Is that not scary?

What do I have coming in? Well mostly Elvis Costello, but there's some Duran Duran, Oingo Boingo (cos I'm such an elfslut), Bowie, Buffett (for my brother, cos I love him) Crowded House, Cure, Depeche Mode, Madonna, Annie Lennox and XTC. Yeah I have ecclectic taste.

I've been sharing my good fortune with my friends Erin and April. So when I get Cure and Bowie shows I reburn them for them. That way the music is spread and shared all around this great lovely valley of ours!

So today I was going through all my discs and making sure everything or at least close to everything I have is listed. I also put up setlist for some of the shows that I have. I may go back through and do that for a few others later. It makes trading so much easier. Having the setlists on the site, saves me from having to email them later, which can be a big old pain in the butt.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish up my burning in the next 2 days so I can devote my weekend to the Art of the Mix! I have some really interesting ideas for mix cds now, and I can't wait to get burning!

Tuesday, February 11, 2003

New Things At the Blog

As you might have noticed, there are 2 new pictures in the corner. Look at my two lovely Pookies. Mr. Costello and Mr. Proops looking as dishy as can be. I might add a picture of two later. Of course if you want to see more, click on the more link and you will see all my concubines on my photo album page.

I'm in the midst of another uber huge cd burning spree. I've just finished an 18 disc trade to England and have about 47 more discs to burn this week. I am some kind of a nut. All this for Elvis Costello, and Madonna, and Depeche Mode and well several other bands that I adore.

Once I finish up these trades I might just might get a chance to work on my mix tapes and the one Costello show I have that needs some editing. It's from June of 84 and the setlist is fantastic. Someday soon it will be perfect. It's darn close to it now, but it needs some work.

I'm a fool for the Punch the Clock tour, but I'm also a fool for that album. It's one of my favorites, not because it's a fantastic piece of work, but because it's so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it's not his best work, but it's damn good.

Laters...

Sunday, February 09, 2003

Fun things found on the internet

I stole this from Linds' Live Journal. It's a site that makes acronyms from your name. So here's mine. Feel free to laugh all you want.

Artificial Networked Dangerous Repair and Exploration Android

Saturday, February 08, 2003

Quasi Spring Cleaning and other Randomness

Here I sit amongst my concert cds. In a vain attempt to get some order to my collection I spent thirty dollars at Best Buy on a storage case that holds 208 cds and came with a smaller case that holds 32. Guess what? They are both completely full, and there are still cdrs on the floor.

Let's just say that this project is going to take more than a day or two to complete.

other randomness.

I've got tickets to see Def Leppard in Pittsburgh again. Section 3 row B of Peterson Event Center. Can I grin any wider? Probably not. Finally I should have seats where I can see the guys I've adored since the mid eighties, or rather the late eighties. For a band whose music is really past it's time, they always put on a great show. You'll never be disappointed seeing them. I can't wait.

What else about today? Well I also got a few new cds. Who would have thought it? (grins) Let's see, I finally got the new Devlins CD Consent, The 97 Broadway cast of Chicago, Caroline Lavelle's Brilliant Midnight, Pet Shop Boys Ltd edition for Release as well as Rufus Wainwright's Poses...oh and the Millenium Oingo Collection. The Last I bought because I'm a completist and need to get a life.

I'm still mad at Danny for going off and getting engaged without my consent. That's so wrong. Why can't any of my Pookies stay single so I can have a happy fantasy? Oh yeah, cos they have REAL LIVES

PAH I say...PAH

Oh well I must get back to my cleaning and hopefully you will have more story tomorrow.

Thursday, February 06, 2003

The Music Whore Weeps in Sadness

My pookie Elfy is getting married. I weep and wail at the news, but I will get over it. I knew it had to happen eventually, because he is prime male goodness, and some intelligent female would have to ensnare him. (damn why could it not be me) So as I mentioned in my livejournal I weep and am silent.

For a moment.

Ok moments up.

There is happy news though. Def Leppard is coming to Pittsburgh! Yee Ha. I'm such a silly creature when it comes to bands I love. I'm so excited! I hope to be going with the friend that I went to Costello and the Counting Crows with. I'll be spinning around in pure joy for a bit. So that may cancel out some of my sorrow! Only I'll now have to listen to X to see if I like it. Cos I don't think I've listened to that CD since I bought it yonks ago.

Either way I'm alittle happier now and I might be able to continue on with my storytelling with Not My Slave or Man Out of Time, I'm not sure which though.

Wednesday, February 05, 2003

The Music Whore is Tired and Depressed

I don't have it in me tonight to post any story, not that any of you really care. I'm posting it for myself I think. So I think I need to take a little "me time"

My job is getting me down, it seems like there is nothing I can do that is right. The thing is I try so hard to do what is expected, but I get nowhere. There's so much that needs to be done and I can't get too it. It's just making me absolutely crazy. So right now I'm taking some time to not think so much. HA HA!

The music whore will return with more story and less depression in the next few days I hope. Right now I feel like a Morrissey song, but I'm not sure which one.

Sunday, February 02, 2003

In the mood for David Bowie

I've always been one of the few people that really is amused by David's music from the 80's. Sure it's nothing to leave you struck dumb at it's genius, but for the most part there are some damn good songs recorded in that period. Absolute Beginners is one of my favorite songs from the 80's plus the songs from Labyrinth. That was truly the best movie, and the video for Underground kicks ass. How often do you get to see the Thin White Duke dancing with muppets?

This brings me back to the project I was meaning to start weeks ago; making the perfect mix tape of Bowie material. I'm thinking of doing something on the romantic scale for the first Bowie cd; so I can get songs like Never Let Me Down, Thursdays Child and As the World Falls Down on the cd.

Personally I enjoy looking at the man. In the 80's Bowie was truly beautiful, though he's been pretty darn easy on the eyes for quite a long time.

But back to underappreciate Bowie material. The album Black Tie White Noise. How can you say this album isn't good? The singles from this record are fantastic, Jump They Say and Miracle Goodnight. It also helps that they have some interesting videos to go with them. Of course until the DVD for the New Best of Bowie came out, you never saw them in the US. Heaven forbid the music (ha ha) stations played something good.

I might add that I find the albums Hours, Outside and Heathen to be among some of his best. But enough for now, I have some cds to ponder.

Saturday, February 01, 2003

Building a Perfect Mix

The Music Whore strikes again. I'm trying to compile a relaxing acoustic set of songs to fill a 80 minute cdr. I've been downloading and downloading lately. I want to thank Linds for getting me started with Rufus Wainwright. There goes some money when I start buying his cds and Eric for Peter Mulvey, whose cds are damn near impossible to find anywhere except online.

So far here are some of the selections I'm planning to put on cd.

Tori Amos- A Sorta Fairytale
Elvis Costello - The Big Light
Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
Counting Crows - A Long December
The Devlins - Consent
Peter Gabriel - Solsbury Hill
Poe - Strange Wind (an interesting song co-written by my snuggle bunny elfyman)
Julia Fordham - Manhattan Skyline
Peter Mulvey - On the Way Up

I'm trying to decide if I want to add some Crowded House and Sarah Brightman's version of Scarborough Fair which I find to be quite lovely.

Then there will be the question of a title and some artwork. So much to think about.