Number 5....Number 5....Number 5

No I haven't messed up the chant to that old Beatles (was it a) song. I'm working on a suggestion for a mix cd. The suggestion was given to me by a fellow blogger, and I thought the idea was great.

The mix will be compiled of various track fivess from my cd collection. It does seem that many track fives are strong songs. I have about 10 songs ready for the mix now, so I only need to go through about 8 more cds looking for track five.

I will of course, post the mix here and on the art of the mix site when I'm done.

Deb also gave me the idea of using movie songs. This could be quite interesting, since I have loads of movie soundtracks. Sad thing,The Moody Blues really haven't had any of there...Oh wait..I lie...The Moody Blues will be on that mix. I completely forgot the soundtrack for Journey Into Amazing Caves. Squee, the Moody Men won't be left out.


I think the fun part of making these mixes is going to be doing the artwork. I have some ideas for the Track 5 mix. When I finish the artwork will be posted at the Art of the Mix site as well. Now I just have to find the songs to put on the mixes.

Erasure in the Studio

My boys in Erasure are hard at work on a new album. Can I get a Squee from the peanut gallery? There are about five or ten bands that I keep a close watch on and three or four that I really really like to know every last move they make, Erasure falls under the last category.

I send a friend of mine in Chicago to meet them, so I could have an autographed copy of their last studio album, Other People's Songs.

Right now Vince, who is the brains in the band, is keeping a diary of their recordings and posting blurbs over at their official site. From past fanzines that I have, I've learned that if you want a hilarious account of things, let Vince Clarke tell you about it. If you don't believe me, peruse the website, they are keeping some of the old fanzines on file on the site. I hope they get some of the cartoons that were included up, they were hilarious.

So who knows when the album will be finished, these guys are slow, but not as slow as some. (coughs...Duran Duran....chokes...Moody Blues) It's definitely something to look forward too. My hope is that the new album will be ready for winter release, but I've learned not to get my hopes up too high.

This past year we had two albums from them and a DVD so I'm not complaining. OK, yes I am, because I still haven't been able to find that DVD in a store, and it has several videos on it that I haven't seen. (Thank you Vh-1 for not playing good music anymore) I'm a bit behind on buying my Erasure stuff. I still need 2 of the singles boxed sets and EEEP another concert DVD, all of which have to be specially ordered. Grumble Grumble Grumble.

So it looks like this is going to be a good year for new music, much better than last year, where Other People's Songs by Erasure, Reality by David Bowie and December by the Moody Blues were the best things I found to purchase.

Making Mix CDs

I love making mix cds, but I've been really uninspired lately for themes. It's no fun to randomly toss songs onto a cd anymore. That's what you do when you first get a cd burner. Even when you make mixes for a band, say Oingo Boingo, you get tend to go overboard. I had about 20 mixes of Oingo Boingo music. (they were the band of the moment when I got my burner back in 2000)

After you have the burner for awhile you become more creative with what you put on mixes. That's when you discover places like Art of the Mix and start carefully keeping track of everything. I have most of my mixes posted there, and I keep them in a notebook. Just in case, goofy yeah, but you never know.

I'm really sad that there aren't and mix swaps going on. Though it's really disgusting, everytime you participate in one of these, there's someone that doesn't send out there mix. I've tried it twice, it doesn't work. Somehow you're going to lose out. It kinda irks me too, because some people really put a lot into making the discs. Granted it's only a few bucks down the drain, but still. It costs less then 2 dollars when you break it down to do a CD swap, maybe a few pennies more if you do really nice artwork, or are from Canada.

Of course, that's not the point. The point is, I can't think of any good themes. I'm about to sort through my mp3 collection and bring more of my cds to the hard drive, so now would be the greatest time to make a few mixes. I just need some inspiration.

And In Music News Today

Agnetha Faltskog has a new album in the works. This will be her first album in 17 years. I'm kinda looking forward to hearing it.

I have one of the two solo albums she's done; Eyes of a Woman, that has the Hayward penned The Angels Cry on it. (Just to let you know, that cd was bought long before my Moody obsession)

Of the two women in ABBA I have to say I like her voice the least, but I will check out her new album because of all the prefabricated vocalists in the industry today, I'd rather listen to her.

But wait, I'm not saying she has a bad voice. I think the thing that always irked me about her singing was that she almost sounded monotone. If you heard the two versions of The Angels Cry, you'd understand. There's a certain lack of emotion to her version. Annie Haslam's version is far superior, partially because you can hear Mr. Hayward on her version, but mostly because Annie has a stronger voice.

Agentha has had some wonderful songs after ABBA though. She recorded a beautiful duet with Peter Cetera that appears on his Greatest Hits CD called I Wasn't the One (Who Said Goodbye). There is also the single Wrap Your Arms Around Me.

So all in all, something to look forward too this spring. Early reports had the album being released in March, but since she's just signed a record deal with Warner I'd probably say it's going to be a little later than that.

Survey Says

You are stranded alone on a desert island .... forever .... and you only have 1 book, 1 CD, and 1 movie. Which would you have with you? Answer why if you want to.

Let me first say..."Why is the Rum Gone?"

Ok, now onto this delightful little meme that I stole from Tummy Monsters

Book: Only one, so this is a hard choice. I'll have to go with The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, simply because it's one of the only books I've re-read and still loved. I highly recommend it, especially if you want to see how bad Hollywood and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber screwed up the plot.

CD: Let me first say this is cruel to make me choose. Because picking between the Moody Blues and Elvis Costello is downright mean. Very mean. And if I pick the Time Traveller box by the Moodies, I'll lose out on the beauty of Strange Times and that Reindeer song from December.

And if I pick a Costello best of, well I lose out on all the Moody beauty. ARGH!

Twisting brain!

My best bet though would have to be the Time Traveller Box, as it has most of the Moody Blues beauty I need to survive.

Movie: Pirates of the Carribean, hands down the best film that I can watch over and over again. Plus the cast is just too darn gorgeous.

Costello and Elfman at the Oscars

Well they will be, I'm sure of that. Both are nominated for their works. How exciting, but if the Globes are any indication, neither of them will walk away from the ceremony with a statuette.

Grrr

Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett are nominated for the song "Scarlet Tide" from Cold Mountain, which is sung by Alison Krauss. And since "Into the West" from Lord of the Rings took the best song at the Globes, I'm not holding out on that one. Sadly I haven't heard any of the songs nominated, but I'll be holding out for my hunny. Hey, maybe Krallomort will get jealous of hubby's success and ditch him! (allow me to dream please...women never ditch Elvis...he ditches them)

Mr. Elfman sadly has been nominated for best score, for Big Fish. Big Fish getting completely ignored with this one exception at the Oscars. A sad sorry shame, since this was the most glorious film I've ever seen, and by far Tim Burton's best movie EVER.

But as I was saying, since this is a Lord of the Rings year, there's no hope for Elfman beating out Howard Shore, for best score. Even marriage to Fonda, won't help my sexy redhead in that department.

Pirates of the Carribean is up for a few awards for technical stuff, and Johnny is up for one too, which he won't win either. Grrrrr. I want my Johnny to have a statuette.

So now I just want to know, what the hell this Scarlet Tide song sounds like. Cos I never heard of it!

While everyone's talking about the Golden Globes I'll just pout

I didn't really think there was a chance that that absolutely beautiful film "Big Fish" would win anything. Heaven help the world if they acknowledge Tim Burton's greatness in any way. For that matter, could Danny Elfman get just a little recognition for the beautiful film scores he creates?

NO! I didn't think so.

Which is why I can't watch these damn shows. I back the underdogs and the industry won't let underdogs win, (at least not too much) even when they are the sexiest man alive.

The only thing that kept me amused by the Globes were some of the outfits people wore. Let's just say when you decide to wear one of Cyndi Lauper's cast off dresses from the She's So Unusual era, I'm going to have a laugh. (and I did..thank you Ms Sarah Jessica Parker) Nicole Kidman, please eat. Every photo of you on Yahoo (while I was searching for pictures of the elusive Elfman) showed outlines of all your ribs. Food is not bad, try eating it sometimes. Oh and other awful outfit awards go to; J-Lo, for whatever the hell that was she had on and Jennifer Aniston for that hideous black number she had on. Blech!

So since none of my sweeties got any respect last night, (Hugs to Danny, Tim, Alan, and Johnny) I shall simply pout.

Pearls Before Swine

I've become addicted to a comic. Thanks to Stormy, I've been reading all the latest of these snarky odd little animals all week

If you haven't had the chance to read this oddly amusing strip, I advise you to click here. This link will take you to last Monday's strip, which is the first of the Apocalyptic Refrigerator strips. Read the whole week! It's worth it.

There are about 4 strips I check on a regular basis. (We don't get this one, so I have to read it online) My favorites are Bizarro, Non-Sequitor, Mother Goose and Grimm and Fox Trot. I'm also loving the re-runs of The Far Side. (which is the damn best thing ever done)

So go forth and be amused by this, cos I said so.

Don't Need a Reindeer. Don't Need the SNOW

Well, good morning winter. (and afternoon and evening as well) What a fine 3 inches of snow I've found on my porch. No, I'm not snowed in, but no there's no way I can get out other than to Wal-mart. Which means I may at least get the Maroon 5 cd I'm obsessing over.

Sadly I was craving some nummy food from Panera Bread, but I guess that's going to have to wait until they clear that godawful road my friends live on. It's funny that on a hill that has about 100 residents, the road crews don't put down salt. Hmmm, not very nice. But then again, there are a lot of not very nice things in this world. The list would be too long to start.

I'd rather do a list of the things I need to acquire.

01. The 6 or 7 Davy Jones CDs for sale at his site.
02. Maroon 5 - Songs about Jane
03. Duran Duran - Singles Box
04. Erasure - Hits CD and DVD
05. The Damned - Light at the End of the Tunnel CD
06. 1 Herman's Hermits CD (a greatest hits compilation will do)
07. A few more Annie Haslam CDs
08. The Monkees Missing Links Vol 1 and 3 and the Summer Live CD
09. A new copy of Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street
10. The two most recent Delerium CDs

Now the question is, how to prioritize this list?

A Little Friday Five

A rather amusing Friday Five for you.

At this moment, what is your favorite...

1. ...song?

At this moment I'm still adoring that Reindeer song by those Moody guys. But there's also this song called This Love by Maroon 5 that really kicks butt!

2. ...food?

Can I just say the lobster rolls at Red Lobster. Yummy!

3. ...tv show?

Coupling...UK version...it's addicting

4. ...scent?

I still adore Juniper Breeze from the Bath and Body Works

5. ...quote?

Life isn't a garden so stop being a hoe. (This was on someone's LJ icon..Lurve it..) Will also add "Why is the rum gone?" is a close second.

Another Episode of Winter

It seems the weather knows when I want to go on a quest for new music, namely the Maroon 5 CD. I really love their music. They remind me just a bit of Jamiroquai, with a bit of an edge. I planned to go to Best Buy or WalMart tonight and we're expecting snow tonight and freezing rain over the weekend. Lovely to see you too, winter.

They are probably the first "new" band that I completely adore. They had a beautiful song on the Love Actually soundtrack, but the song I really love is the new single, This Love. It's just beautiful and funky, makes me want to get up and dance. (That's something I haven't said in a long time)

As always it helps when a band is cute. Eyecandy is a good thing. Eyecandy with talent is better. Maroon 5 are of the talented variety.




And a picture of the lead singer, who I think is adorable.





Really, go to vh-1.com and check out their page there. There are video clips and a bio. Don't take my word for it, listen and hear for yourself. Finally, a new band that gets my seal of approval.

I'm Addicted

I think Bands Reunited has taken the place at the top of the "Good" shows on Vh-1. You know, the shows about music! The reason behind the success of Behind the Music had to do with hearing the artists jabber about their hard times etc and Storytellers too. It's the band bitching.

Well this takes it one step further. The bands have broken up..and Vh-1 is making them kiss and make up. It's great. The Flock of Seagulls epi was the best. It brought the two Score brothers back together. (Now granted I don't believe it all happened as easily as that, but I think it's great that something like this has fixed a riff in a relationship)

Of the 3 I've watched, (Berlin, Romeo Void and now Flock of Seagulls) the Seagulls were the best performance wise. My guess is that since Mike Score still performs with his version of the Seagulls, he kept the others in line.

It was also really kewl that this wasn't an American band. Not really sure why I feel that way, except maybe that most of the really great 80's bands were from England, hell even the not so great 80's bands were from England.

The question is, will they be able to find more bands to reunite after they finish these 2 weeks of shows? I really hope so.

Sometimes You Get to Read the Funniest Things

I was over at LadyStarlight's Blog, checking the weather in hell, various ill smelling liquids for those of you that don't know,(Looks out the window...guess he got it wrong again) and I couldn't help but laugh.

Really just go read her latest rant, cos ranting seems to be what she does best.

I never realized she was that much of a Moody Blues fan. Hmm the Moody Blues and the Scorpions on one website, now there's an odd combination.

When the Lyrics Make No Sense

Since the band Duran Duran came into my mind yesterday, I've actually listened to a song or two of theirs again. It's been a while since I've had that chance. Too many other things to listen to these days.

Simon LeBon has a very unique way with words. Not only does he write songs that are catchy and managed to move a generation of teenage girls (girls that still swoon over him to this day) but he managed to do it with songs like "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Union of the Snake" and "Rio" (who has been dancing on the sand for many years now..poor girl must be awfully tired)

When you're in the car singing or wherever, you don't really give much thought to the words that the songwriter wrote. Hell, you're singing at the top of your lungs to keep from getting road rage, but when you get home, take the time to open the CD case and read the lyrics.

After all Simon did write, "I smell like I sound. I'm on the hunt, I'm after you."

"I smell like I sound" OK Simon. Since I'm not standing next to you, I don't really know! Just a little literal interpretation there, but that's 80's music for you.

And here's a fine example of Mr. LeBon's writing style and one of my favorite Duran Duran songs.

New Moon on Monday

Shake up the picture the lizard mixture
With your dance on the eventide
You got me coming up with answers
All of which I deny
I said it again
Could I please rephrase it
Maybe I can catch a ride
I couldn't really put it much plainer
But I'll wait till you decide
Send me your warning siren
As if I could ever hide
Last time La Luna

I light my torch and wave it for the
New moon on Monday
And a firedance through the night
I stayed the cold day with a lonely satellite

Breaking away with the best of both worlds
A smile that you can't disguise
Every minute I keep finding
Clues that you leave behind
Save me from these reminders
As if I'd forget tonight
This time La Luna

Bands Reunited

I finally remembered to watch something on the telly yesterday. Bands Reunited was on Vh-1 at 10pm last night. I'm actually glad I turned it on. The band in question was Berlin. Anyone remember these new wavers besides me?

It was kinda interesting to see what happened to these guys after the hoopla died down. (Hoopla..at least I'm not knee deep in it)

It makes you wonder what it must be like after everything dies down and you have to go back to leading normal lives. Terri Nunn is the only one that doesn't look like normal was ever part of her vocabulary. She still sports the same two toned hair that she wore in the 80's. I have to say, age has been kind to her, kinder than it has been to Debbie Harry.

It was nice to see the band perform on stage too, but I think Vh-1 could have devoted more time to the performance. After all, this is really what I want to see. What 4 middle aged former rockers did with their lives isn't really on my agenda. I want to hear the band play! They did show the vast majority of The Metro and No More Words, but that didn't really satisfy me. I really think there was more that could have been devoted to that, but then again, they only had an hour. It's a shame as usual Vh-1 devotes more time to the "show" and less time to the "music." Guess we all know what's important there.

Over the next 2 weeks, they are going to reunite Kajagoogoo, Romeo Void and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. (More than that..but those are just the ones I'm anxious to see)

Now why can't they try to reunite Oingo Boingo! LOL! Can you see them knocking on Danny Elfman's door. (hahaha trying to get through the gate more like it) Please please reunite the old band for a one off on Vh-1. Only imagine the expletives that would come out of his mouth!!

I think it would be great if Vh-1 picked up on the more interesting band that's reunited: Duran Duran. I've been hunting all over and I still don't see that they've been signed to a label yet. (There first new song by the fab five will be on the Queer Eye soundtrack) Only imagine how huge things would become for them. They are selling out venues in minutes these days. Unbelievable considering their last major hit was 10 years ago with Come Undone, which hit the number 2 spot on the charts.

The sad thing is..there are so many notable bands that are still together and recording great albums that Vh-1 neglects. (Psychedelic Furs..even OMD was still doing album into the late 90s..oh and the Pet Shop Boys)

It's not all Top 40, someday Mtv will remember it's origins..and radio will follow suit.

I also dream a lot.

After The Love Has Gone

Another Music Whore Original Mix. Artwork can be found here

Tracklisting:

Maroon 5 - This Love
Elvis Costello - I Hope You're Happy Now
Roxette - Sleeping Single (demo)
Duran Duran - Someone Else, Not Me
Herman's Hermits - No Milk Today
Lisa Stansfield - Someday (I'm Coming Back)
The Monkees - Man Without a Dream
Paul Young - It's What She Didn't Say
Elton John - Sacrifice
John Lennon - Jealous Guy
The Moody Blues - A Winter's Tale
Nick Lowe - What Lack of Love Has Done
The Beatles - For No One
Justin Hayward - It's Not On
Sarah McLachlin - I Will Remember You
Boingo - Spider
Arcadia - Goodbye Is Forever
English Beat - I Confess
Marti Webb - Tell Me On A Sunday

The Word of the Day

This is one of my favorite words and it appears with it's definition in Stephen King's Dreamcatcher.

The word: FUBAR

The definition: Fucked up beyond all repair

Use in a sentence:

Marie Hayward's face is fubarred.

Quite a useful word I think.

It's All About Love

I came up with this lovely mix last night, because my brain still isn't ready to work on Man Out of Time. The mix and it's artwork are posted at the Art of the Mix site. If you want to see the pretty art I found just click on my mixes in the linky poo section of the blog.

Here's the tracklist:


Benjamin Orr - Stay the Night
Yes - Love Will Find A Way
Julia Fordham - Love Moves In Mysterious Ways
Sting - Sacred Love
Christine McVie - Love Will Show Us How
The Monkees - Smile
Robin Zander - Show Me Heaven
Shakespeare's Sister - Stay
Justin Hayward - Maybe It's Just Love
Genesis - Follow You, Follow Me
George Harrison - Cloud 9
Erasure - Always
Elvis Costello - Still
Icehouse - My Obsession
Joe Jackson - Love At First Light
Roxette - Run To You (demo)
David Bowie - As The World Falls Down
Cyndi Lauper - Unconditional Love
The Moody Blues - Wherever You Are
Madonna - You Must Love Me


And yes, there's a track from North on there, be proud and afraid

Have I mentioned?

I luv this man:





Oh and Luv is a combination of lust and love. Can't get much better than that.

The Weekend From Hell

It is really bad when the only entertainment worth watching is the Carol Burnett and Friends marathon on TV Land. Not that I find that a bad thing, I loved those old variety shows, like Sonny and Cher and Laugh In. (and yes, I got the humor in Laugh In, even though I wasn't born until 1974)

Forgive me, the 60's are a time of fascination for me, they always have been. Makes me want to watch Monkees episodes now. (Only I don't think some of my tapes have held up since the 80's when they were on Mtv)

While I was guzzlefishing, I realized that I was missing a few Monkees CDs; 3 to be exact and another box set. Why did Rhino put out another box set when it already had "Listen to the Band?" Ah..anything to make more money. Wish they were that attentive to Mr. Costello's reissues!

Anyhow, I'm missing 2 volumes of Missing Links cds and the live cd from 1967. GAH! You know these will be a bitch to find. Not even BMG can help me there.

On a happy note, I'm finally getting Martin Gore and Dave Gahan's last cds. Yup, the Moody Blues took over before I could buy Counterfeit 2 and Paper Monsters. I ordered them from BMG this week, and happy day, I'm only paying shipping on Paper Monsters!! Squee!

There are still a dozen or so cds I need to buy. Hopefully someday I'll get around to it. I haven't got any of the Delerium cds yet, but at least I have several mp3s. I also need to complete my collection of Enigma discs. So much music I want, and so little time or money to find and purchase it.

Why am I droning on about this? Because yesterday when I was supposed to be seeing Big Fish, we had a small winter storm. A few inches of snow followed by some sleet and freezing rain and then some more snow! Yippee! Grrrrr.

So essentially I wasted my day between playing on the internet and reading Dreamcatcher. (I'm almost at page 500 be proud) Yesterday was so damn boring, and I couldn't even work on Man Out of Time, because my brain wasn't into it.

Today I'm going to strive to get a few things done. (maybe) I'm at least going to work on the story for a bit. Who knows maybe I'll get around to making a few mix cds.

Computerized Music and One of Justin Hayward's Rants

Back in the early 90's when Red Rocks was being recorded, Mr. Hayward made a few comments about computerized music that didn't quite sit well with me. My perception of his comments went along the lines of his not thinking that there was much area for that form of music to grow, and thus not an avenue that the Moody Blues would probably go down.

I guess that can be interpretted in many different ways, but my first thoughts were to wonder what computerized music was he dismissing? Certainly some of it is very mechanical and uninteresting but some of it is not. Also when music takes a turn for the technicial, it puts the real musicians with nothing to do.

I don't think Justin had the opportunity to listen to techno/pop which is more on the lines of what good computerized music should be. You know, bands like Erasure, Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys and to a lesser extent the Shamen. The first 3 bands manager to encorporate more than just bleeps and bloops to their music. Though I could never see the Moody Blues move into a more computerized sound, I don't think the slight move they made to the new wave sound was such a bad idea.

Maybe it was the bad taste that Patrick Moraz left in the other band members palates that stopped them from going forward with a more synthesized sound. Certainly it would have made sense too. Instead they took on the role of being one of the best Adult Contemporary bands, now in the new millenium moving back to the sound of their contemporaries, namely the Beatles. Kudos to Mr. Hayward for mastering the guitar technique of the late George Harrison.

It still leaves me wondering what the Moodies would have sounded like if Patrick had remained in the band or had they continued down the same avenue as the albums The Other Side of Life and Sur La Mer were leading them down.

I guess there are some things we'll never know..but I still wish Justin would pick up Erasure's Chorus or I Say I Say I Say. So he could acquire a different opinion on computerized music.

Odd things that happen when listening to your playlist on shuffle

I was working on Man Out of Time, or rather reading it last night when my WMP began to play Elton John's Sacrifice. This is by far my favorite more recent song by Sir Elton. It was also a big inspiration for one the stories I wrote about four years ago.

That song is prominent in the first fanfic I wrote about Greg Proops, back in 2000. The Story was called Maybe I'm Amazed. The link is to the original version of the story. I did some edits awhile ago, but I don't remember where I posted it. I think it might be here. If you click on that link, I apologize for the pop ups that will spring into existence. It's a free tripod account...and it's full of pop ups. ARGH! I know I posted both versions at some point, I just can't remember where each version is. Sad day for me, I guess.

It's been a long time since I thought about that story. For the most part, when I finish something, the characters leave me, unless there's something I need to finish or if the story begs for a sequel. That doesn't happen often though, I've only written 3 sequels; We Close Our Eyes was the sequel to this one. The other stories that had sequel's were Such Unlikely Lovers who's sequel was Brilliant Mistake. There was also New Horizons with the sequel of Want to Be With You. I don't have either of these stories posted on a site though. I think the last two are lurking in my Live Journal in the memories section, but it would be so hard to find all the posts, I won't even bother to direct you. If you want to read them, leave a comment and I'll send the files to you.

Secondary Randomness

So many things to ponder so little time.

01. A romance writer that hails from Pittsburgh, Melanie Clarke, I think her name was, is going to marry the Oracle software tycoon. She's 34 he's 58. And people tell me to give up my pipe dreams of marrying a rich old fart! HA!

02. The first new track by all five members of Duran Duran will appear on the Queer Eye Soundtrack. Why am I not surprised?

03. Aaron and Nick Carter's mother was arrested for assault the other day. (tries to contain mirth) Get this, she broke into her husband's home and attacked his girlfriend while they slept. A little bit of prozac or zoloft is needed here. No, methinks something much stronger maybe.

04. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is apparently so hard up to review "good" music that they are now resorting to reviewing import titles. In this mornings magazine section, Ed Masley reviewed the third singles box set of Elvis Costello. This little box clocks in at about $52.00. Geezy Creezy, I hope he got his for free!

05. I still haven't seen Big Fish, have I mentioned this? Have I mentioned that everytime I think I'm going to be able to go see it, the weather does something nasty. Freezing rain is in the cards for tomorrow. ARGH!

06. Made the Costello mix CD for Moody Mistress and neglected to make one for myself. Why do I always do this?

07. Still pondering a Best of Moody Blues solo compilation as well as the Beatles, but I think there's no way I could get it down to 2 CDs each for either band. (Oh and wait..I have very little Lennon or Starr solo material)

08. Michael Jackson appears in court. Oh hell, the man is a nutcase. I seriously think they should be looking at his mental health and stop trying to put him in jail. I don't think jail is where he belongs, a mental institution is more like it. You only have to listen to him to know that something isn't right in his head.

09. Eddie Izzard's web page wins Yahoo's Peoples choice award. The link is in my links table at the side. Take a look. It's really worth your time, and you'll get a giggle!

10. Cyndi Lauper is touring for her new CD, At Last. Do you think she'll come to Pittsburgh? If you guessed no, you get a cookie!

Would someone pass the electric blanket, please?

It's very cold. No, I lie, it's not very cold. It's fucking cold. It's you go outside and you need 7 layers of clothing cold. It's car won't start cold.

On the Today show, one of the hosts tossed a glass of water up in the air (outside, of course) and it came down with ice crystals!

Does that sufficiently tell you how cold it is?

It's too cold to be sitting in this room all day, that's for sure. For some reason, my computer room is the only room heat doesn't seem to travel too. (except when it's 95 degrees then the heat is all about this room)

So my choices of entertainment are very slim today. I either work on Man Out of Time and watch icicles grow off the end of my nose, or I go downstairs and read some more of Dreamcatcher.

I'm rather amused by Dreamcatcher, though the length of the novel is really depressing; a whopping 882 pages. I'll be reading this one for awhile. Hearts in Atlantis was just as long, but I remember reading it in about a week. Most likely it was because I had just seen the movie and wanted to read the book to find out how bad they killed it.

Speaking of books and movies, I have to hunt down a copy of Big Fish. (Might as well read the book if I'm never going to see the movie) It would also fall under the non-romance category, so I'd be keeping my resolution alive! Plus for me...one resolution is alive and kicking. I'm waiting for slightly warmer weather to work on the other one.

Guzzlefish Update

I'm still trying to get the vast majority of my collection posted. It's not easy. Half of my collection isn't listed. I have every Erasure CD single...and loads or Duran Duran ones as well. Are any of them on there? Nope! They don't even list the more recend CD singles.

Import titles? Nope they aren't on there! That crosses out half of my collection. Grrrrrr. I submitted Justin Hayward's Moving Mountains info a few days ago, it's still not listed.

As for rankings, when the site updates tomorrow sometime, I'll have the 40th largest collection overall and I'll be number 8 in music alone.

There is a reason why they call me the music whore!

Mixes done...next step dejunking

OK, so I didn't post the Costello mix at Art of the Mix. I think it's just a pain since it's all one artist (and it's two discs). So with that finished, I have one thing left to do, besides work on Man Out of Time and that's clean up.

I'm one of those people that likes to have Christmas up until Epiphany etc. so now's the right time to take the tree down. I'm going to miss it terribly. I wonder where I'll put the Moody Blues "December" ornament. I don't want to pack it away. I also don't want to lose it.

So hopefully I'll get that done today. Lord knows I'd like to get something done today. Anything done today besides Man Out of Time. (Apparently that's all I work on these days) I'm getting scared of getting into a rut where the story is concerned. It's about 184 pages now. I think I'll do a happy dance when I hit page 200. That will be quite a milestone I think.

It's the dejunking thing that still scares me. There's so much crap I should get rid of; old mix cds, posters that are falling apart, (I had to throw away a Monkees poster I've had nearly all my life at the beginning of the great de-junk...oh how that hurt) shoes..stuff like that.

Being a packrat doesn't make this easier. I can always rationalize a reason to keep things. I love my stuff, what can I say?

What makes things harder is the age of my house. It was built around 1900 and had an addition put on sometime in the 50's I think. The closets are only a few inches wide. (There's truly no place for clothes to go) I'm always jealous of people with walk in closets. I want one of my very own someday. (that and an LCD monitor)

So I've got 2 things working against me; no space and lots of stuff. It makes the de-junking so much more fun.

Another Episode of Randomness

01. Finished disc one of Moody Mistress' Costello Compilation. I'll be posting the tracklist over at Art of the Mix later today.

02. As a result of being a perfectionist the most mild mannered performers can turn squirrelly. Especially when their backup singers are flat and throw you off a song that you don't usually perform.

03. The mild mannered performer is sexy when he's squirrelly.

04. What the hell is Elvis Costello doing now that he's married again? (Nah don't answer that, I really don't want to know)

05. Why is it when you want to nap, you can never fall asleep, but when you don't want to sleep you konk out in minutes?

06. Some men look incredibly sexy in suits, others look completely out of place.

07. Snow always has bad timing. Expect 5 inches or more if you have something you want to do on a January morning.

08. The fashion industry has issues with seasons. Why is it you can't find a sweater in February when you have at least another month and a half of cold and after the fourth of July all the bathing suits are gone? (not that I'd buy a bathing suit)

09. Speaking of fashion. Why do pastels have to be the shades of choice for clothing from Jan - April?

10. Why is the nearest (nice) walking path almost 5 miles away from my home? I like walking. I need to walk, but crikey driving to walk..it sounds stupid.

Project Costello

I'm helping Moody Mistress develop an Elvis Costello habit. After all, you can't always listen to the same band. Try though we may.

So I'm putting my nose to the grind and I'm trying to come up with a compilation set of 2 discs with my best of Elvis Costello. (leaving off My Aim is True and Blood and Chocolate because she has those already)

OK, so that pretty much scratches several of my favorite songs (I Want You, Crimes of Paris, Battered Old Bird, Blue Chair, Next Time Round, I'm Not Angry), but there are hundreds left to choose from.

I'm separating this into 2 discs: The Rock Disc and the Mellow Disc. That way both sides of Costello can be seen, and yes, I am going to put a track or two from North on the CD. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean someone else won't. Yeah, so I'm not neglecting that one. Who knows maybe this time around, I'll unearth another song I can tolerate. It would be a miracle, I know, but I'm still trying.

I don't know if I want him to go back to his When I Was Cruel self..but I wish that his next album were less jazz/pop then North. I guess it's always been hard for me to say why I don't like that record, since I love the Juliet Letters and Painted from Memory. I also like his contributions to Roy Nathanson's albums. (Which probably explains why I like Impatience, the one bonus track on the UK North)

I suppose it all boils down to the "I can't sing along with it" theory that I've had since the beginning. Even his more mellow offerings have had songs that I can screech along to. This one has not.

But this wasn't meant to be a "I hate North" post.

I will say this..I am putting Still on the Mellow CD, because it is a beautiful song. (The video is even prettier)

Monday Randomness

A few random things, not all rants. Aren't you thrilled to death?

01. My car hates me. In every possible way, it hates me. Courtesy of the cold weather, the fuel pump up bit the big one. My car behaves like a human in cold weather...it gets sick.

02. I watch very little tv. When there's something I want to watch on the telly, I always forget! Every damn time! Greg Proops hosted something on Vh-1 and it was supposed to be aired yesterday, guess who forgot to watch?

03. Watched a very lovely DVD, ok a couple of lovely DVDs this weekend, all featuring my favorite concubines, who's names all begin with the letter "J."

04. Man Out of Time is now over the 170 page mark. It's a shame it took me over 2 weeks to write those 20 pages. ARGH! I will strive to do better.

05. I am halfway through John Grisham's The Summons now. I'm liking it. I may even want to read more of his work. WOW! I still like my cheesy romance though.

06. Back to Guzzlefish. My rankings: Total albums I am at number 10, expect me to go higher and higher this week as I try to sort through what I've missed and soundtracks etc. and in Most Titles collected I'm at number 48. Bow to my obsessiveness.

07. Determined that Christmas trees are easier to put up than take down. Tell me again why you can't have a tree up in July? After all, I'll be playing "Don't Need a Reindeer" then.

08. Pondered again, why anyone would by an LCD monitor for 399 when you could get a whole new computer for about a hundred dollars more. Where's my sugar daddy?

09. Determined that the de-junking must continue (kicks Linda) but on a very different level. I need to get rid of books faster. I spread them around everywhere to people who read, asking them to pass them on.

10. Help the cat (aka psycho kitty, aka misty) to find a new place to sleep, besides the monitor. Cos you know, kitties can't sleep on floors or beds..that would be too easy.

Still Gushing Over a Cheesy Old Movie

My friend, Mary and I watched Don Juan DeMarco last night. Why? It's in the ranks of the only Johnny Depp movies that I haven't seen.

It's such a cheesy film, but who cares when Johnny Depp is in it? Personally I would pay 6 bucks just to watch the man sit around and eat pizza or something. It would still be entertaining.

Either way it was a great movie, a great fairy tale and for the most part very easy on the eyes. What I want to know is why Johnny isn't in more cheesy kinda comedy roles? It seems he does stuff like that so well. Not that he doesn't do more serious roles well either, loved Chocolat..what does Edward Scissorhands qualify as?

Still the last two films have had a more humorous nature to them, Pirates and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Both so very amusing. ::sigh:: I wonder how many more Depp films I can watch today.

Return of the Survey Klepto

I only steal musical surveys, cos those are the only ones I can really enjoy taking. These two are brought to you by Steph and One.

1. What was the last song that you listened to?

Elvis Costello - Girls Talk (This will change as I type..cos of the second part of this entry)

2. What was the last album you bought?

I just ordered The Moody Blues - Anthology and Martin Gore's Counterfeit 2 from BMG. I also got the most recent Train CD.

3. Are there any albums or songs you plan on getting soon?

Pink Floyd's Momentary Lapse of Reason and Division Bell
Erasure's Hits
A few more of Nick Lowe's CDs as well as one or two more CDs by the Damned, particularly Fiendish Shadows and Light at the End of the Tunnel
Will also not neglect to mention Annie Haslam who has a great many discs I need.



First 10 songs that come up on a random shuffle of the music on my computer:

Duran Duran - View to a Kill (Live Aid)
Elvis Costello - Girls Talk
Robin Zander - Show Me Heaven
Moody Blues - Higher and Higher (without the visual of Graeme's dancing)
Oingo Boingo - Long Breakdown (live version possibly Irvine Meadows)
Oingo Boingo - All the Pieces
Madonna - Promise to Try (Willing to Dance Remix)
Elvis Costello - Pills and Soap
Duran Duran - Serious
Elvis Costello - Everday I Write the Book (US Remix)

I think my WMP is partial to some artists. It's possibly trying to tell me to listen to more Costello.

Oh and if you go to stats at Guzzlefish, you will find I am 11 on the list of largest album collections and 60 on overall collections.

Resolutions Revisited

Hey I'm on my way to actually doing something for one of my resolutions. I said I wanted to read more non-romance this year. (That of course doesn't mean I won't read any romance, cos that would kill me) I now have 2 books to read after I finish my current bit o' smut, John Grisham's The Summons and Stephen King's Dreamcatcher.

I'll admit to occassionally reading a Stephen King novel, but it's been so long since I did so, I figured he could be part of the new reading. I think the last novel of his that I read was made into a movie that Anthony Hopkin's was in. GAH! I cannot remember the title and I'm too lazy to hunt down the book. All I remember was it was very long, but it was also very good.

Of course now I can't find the book and I don't feel like hunting through Anthony's profile at the IMDb to find the title, so would someone care to help me along with this? Please.

On a non-resolution note, my guzzlefish music collection is up to 1050 cds. I still don't have 1/3 of them listed. At least doing DVDs and Videos won't be too hard as there's not much to add there, except loads of Red Dwarf VHS and silly stuff like that.

Oh and I'm hoping to see Big Fish this weekend! Squeeeeeee! A Tim Burton film with score by Danny Elfman. Now if only I could get someone to come along with me.

Going Guzzlefishing

This is all Kristin's fault. Onesy gave me the link to this place awhile back, but I thought, no I don't have the time! Today I was reading Kristin's blog and saw the same link to Guzzlefish, so being board and suffering from writer's block, I went in and set up an account. Seven hours later I have almost a third of my CD collection cataloged. A third of it!! 1007 discs so far!

If you want to see the discs I listed go here. I'll probably be adding more over the next few days. There's so much that's not listed here too, like Justin Hayward's Moving Mountains and plenty of CD singles from Duran Duran and Erasure.

So don't be shocked when you see my top artist as Madonna. That's cos all her CD singles were listed, and I'm a completist, I have many of them. Oddly they didn't have the Evita Soundtrack. Hmmm. Odd little site, but very addicting as Kristin can attest to.

Stolen Surveys

Moody Mistress posted this at her blog and I thought I'd steal it. Cos that seemed like the thing to do at the time.

If you can kill one person of the mentioned category, who will it be and why?
1. Pop artist: I told the Moody Mistress the answer to this on in her shout out box. Quite simply, Celine Dion. The world would be a better place for me without her screeching and caterwauling. Next in line Whitney Houston, but I think her drug use and abusive husband will take care of her for me.

2. A comedian: Jim Carrey, just because he grates on my nerves. After that 98 % of the SNL cast please. They haven't been funny in years.

3. A TV host: This is a tie because both of them are obnoxious as all hell, Wayne Brady and Kelly Rippa! Just shut them up and take them off my telly please. Both are screen hogs and overly gushy and downright annoying.

4. A political man: I don't have to answer that, you all know what my answer would be.

5. Someone you know online: Right now I could list a few, but I won't, I'm not stooping to their level, which is far down in the depths.

Mean survey that was, but it was quite fun and I enjoyed it.

How could someone do this?

I was over at my Live Journal reading the Classic Rock community when I happened on this article about George Harrison.

His estate is sueing the doctor that treated him, because he forced a dying Harrison to sign a guitar for his son. The whole story just upsets me a great deal.

George was dying damn it! Dying!

The man, who's music is lost to most of the world, by the shadow of McCartney and Lennon, is no more. The doctor knew this. He may not have forced Harrison to sign it, but it was certainly in breech of ethics.

He should be ashamed of himself. Very ashamed!

Red and Black

I missed the concubines so here they all are.. Can you find them all?

Go ahead I dare ya?

Comfortably Numb

Some people take comfort in food, I take comfort in music. Only during times when I'm really depressed can I not seek solace in music.

Today I plan to be completely comfortable. I'm just going to let the music take me away. I'm not even sure I care where it takes me, though away from here would be nice. I don't think it has that kind of power though.

The albums that take away the stress vary for me, depending on the time of my life and who holds the reigning postion in my collection. So it's rather obvious that the Moody Blues are the band transporting me to la la land today.

Over the years I've lost myself in the voices of Danny Elfman, Andy Bell and Elvis Costello...today Justin Hayward will take me away from the crap that is my life and each day more crap appears.

It also dawned on me that most of my favorites don't have many videos or dvds out. Duran Duran only has the one and it costs way too much money at this point. Erasure has 1...ONE!! WTF! The Moody Blues 4 and Justin Hayward 1. Yay Moody Men!

OK..so todays viewing will include Justin Hayward Live in San Juan Capistrano, Moody Blues - Hall of Fame (which I prefer to Red Rocks) and then I'll dig out some VHS of Elvis Costello, cos I think I could stand to watch A Case of Song, plus I miss Mr. Elvis Krall. Well not Elvis Krall..but the snarky part of that man, the man that's hiding now.

Then again, maybe I'm not going to watch anything, my DVD player is being screwy. It doesn't help matters that it's less than 20 degrees out and my room never gets warm. Grrr I guess my solace will come from VH-1 Classic. They damn well better play a block of Moody Blues videos.

Or maybe I'll just go through all my mp3s and randomly listen to stuff.

Did I mention that crap happens and it always happens to me?

Another Day in Paradise

I can only take so much crap before I start going insane! Just thought I'd share that, in case it wasn't common knowledge already.

In the clutter of my life, there is a certain amount of organization. I like to know where my books are, my cds and how much money I have in the bank. I wish other people were like that.

I wish some of those other people would at least open their mail. GAH! It's awful when you know someone isn't bothering to even open their damn mail, bills and court documents etc.

ARGH!

Just another way for me to acquire a headache.

Would you believe I'm listening to the Moody Blues December now? Yeah....Christmas music. And do you know what? I don't even care. I love this album...I love it...I love it.

I also wonder, when did Justin Hayward learn to play guitar like George Harrison? Hmm. I think it was around Strange Times that you could hear the very Beatles-like riffs. I'm almost tempted to say JH is playing slide. Makes me wonder.

As to Man Out of Time, still nothing typed. ARGH! I'm so tempted to start something else, but it will only make things more difficult in the long run. That's the one resolution I vow to keep; work on only one story at a time. (lest I go insane)

Just another Manic Monday

I promise there will be nothing about Tuesday Afternoon in tomorrow's blog. I just wandered on by here, because I'm actually going to be out and about today. So for all my IM friends who have been keeping me sane. I'm going insane today and will be back later.

I'm having no luck with Man Out of Time at all. My brain is not functioning on that level right now. (or much of any level actually) I'm really begging for feedback on the story to the people that are reading it. Please, please and please. I need the help right now to get me on track.

Basically I want to know how the characters are shaping up...if the story is paced well...that sort of thing. So please..I beg of you, help. Cos I'm sick of staring at a blank page.

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday

In the nearly 30 years that I've been wandering around on this planet, I've never once been accused of being a morning person. For good reason. I hate mornings. I'm like Garfield in that respect. Mornings make me cranky.

I know you're saying, what doesn't make you cranky?

Ah I have an answer to that!



>

This never ever makes me cranky.

This makes me drool and a few other things but never cranky.

Would you believe I'm still listening to the Monkees?

I do the oddest things when I'm depressed. The Monkees are part of the depression thing I think, but I can't listen to the Monkees and not feel good. It's cheesy 60's pop, but it's good pop, something that's seriously lacking in this enlightened age.

I need things that are bouncy and silly at times like this. It may not be the most intelligent music, but it brings a few smiles. Sometimes that's all that's needed.

Sometimes this is all that's needed too.



It may be out of season, but damn it's cute...and I may be able to get through my day now. Who knows maybe I'll be able to work on Man Out of Time..which I'm having issues with right now.

Early Morning Blues and Greens

I wonder if anyone will recognize that song title. It's been a very weird few days for me. So I've pulled out some old cds. I mean really old cds. And have been listening to them to cheer me up.

So I've got the Monkees on, and I've been listening to their stuff for days now, in between some Justin Hayward and Moody Blues. It feels weird to listen to them, even Headquarters, which incidently is where this song came from.

All of it makes me think and wish I could go back, maybe not to 1986, but sometime then and change things or change myself. I think I would have done my whole life differently if I had a chance. I'd never change the music I love though, just the people that surrounded me.

It's taken me too long to realize that I'm the type of person that prefers to be alone. I thrive on it. The fewer close friends I have the better. I think there are 2 people that fall into the circle of "close" friends and one that is almost on that same level..and one other...that just abandoned me after nearly 20 years of friendship.

Gee, I didn't know I was feeling this melancholy today.

I guess it's that time when my want list is expanding but I have little to take care of those wants.

::sigh::

I never thought I'd have to deal with this situation twice in two years. I can't even blame myself for this one, except that I dreadfully wanted a job close to my family, and look at where it's gotten me. Nowhere and fast.

My only accomplishments lately have all centered around the Moody Blues. Having found Photobucket. I now have a place to host some of my images for free. Squee! Though you can give them a donation to keep the site going. Woot! Very nice.

As for Man Out of Time, I'm still working on it, but it's not coming along as quickly as before. Maybe that's because I know where I want the story to go and my characters tend to flow more freely to the page when they decide.

It seems I'm at a roadblock in every aspect of my life.

Early Mornings and Music

I've been listening to some odd things this morning. Mainly because I thought I might be working, but so far no. I'm getting really tired of not knowing anything on the job front, and I'm really sick of there not being anything on the job front as far as finding a new job.

OK..enough of that. It's not worth it to complain.

I've found myself listening to Moody Blues CDs that I've not paid much attention to in the past. Yeah...there are one or two that I don't listen to regularly. (I'm listening to Octave now)

So before I start rambling on about how everyone should buy Octave..cos it's a damn fine album, I'm going to tell you what My Moody Essentials are. The Moody Blues albums I can't live without. I bet your excited!

1. Strange Times (99 was a good Moody year)
2. December (I will be listening to Don't Need a Reindeer in July)
3. Seventh Sojourn (The Best of the Best)
4. Long Distance Voyager (Number one for the Moodies in the 80's)
5. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (Just a gorgeous album)

So what of the others? Well oddly...I'm a compilation girl myself....so my best of's get more turns on the cd player than the albums. (Except I love playing my vinyl copies of the Core 7)

But really, why is Octave so good?

Mmm Justin..is all I can say. He's got some really great songs on this one, starting with The Day We Meet Again..and then Driftwood..and my personal favorite Top Rank Suite. (I love dancing about to that one) Oh, I neglected another beautiful Hayward song, Had to Fall In Love, bad me.

The more I hear Justin's voice...the more I have to fall in love with him. He just sounds so divine.

Of course I've neglected John in my praise of this album...and he's not without stellar tracks. Steppin in a Slide Zone...great song...as well as Survival. Oh dear god, Lodgey just made me melt. Haven't listened to Survival much...I have to Thud for a minute.

Why you ask?

Cos they look like this





Sexy men...that's all I can say..

Another Year Over and a New One Just Begun

Another Year Over and a New One Just Begun

Welcome to 2004, will this year be as crappy and bizarre as 2003? Probably so. What will I do to make it less crappy? Not much besides being my bizarre little self. Unless the money fairy and the "real job" fairy intervene. So far I haven't had much luck with those two fairies.

I will do the following. (watch out these are new years resolutions)

01. The whole weight loss thing. I'm feeling the insanity of fatness and I'm not liking it.
02. I will finish Man Out of Time in the next month or two, depending on my level of writer's block. I hit page 150 and my head said...stop the insanity for a few days.
03. I will endeavor to use my digital camera as much as possible.
04. I will see the Moody Blues at least one more time this year (with said camera)
05. I will not return home from the concert because Justin and John will have kept me for their very own. (Ok..so this was a pipe dream...leave me alone)
06. I will begin work on Not My Slave. (I think a complete overhaul may be happening on that one as well)
07. I will not work on 2 or more stories at the same time. If any of you see me doing this beat me with a cyberstick. (or a real stick if you are related or a friend that lives close by)
08. I will not read crappy fanfiction written by people who can't write...or more to the point by one person that can't write. (All others..as long as it has plot..I'll giggle through)
09. I will read more, but not just the usual thing. (Yeah I read a lot now..mostly romance...cos well I like that..I will branch out this year and read some different things, like all those classics that I own, and I've only read Les Miserables)
10. I will do my best to be tidy. (meaning Linda's dejunking bug has hit again)

OK..those are my resolutions. 10 of them in all...if you really think the Jays' will kidnap me. Oh how I wish they would kidnap me.

Happy New Year, everyone!