i wrote this back in 2013 when Lou Reed passed but posted on FB & not here so I'm updating.
was never lucky enough to see Lou Reed live so the story that is in my brain is a late Sunday night at the Corktown in November - maybe 5 years ago? HMA award wknd. following the Frank Venom tribute. that Tom Wilson highjacked the stage & schooled the house band for a bit & finally broke into Sweet Jane. which was fantastic. & about 1/2 thru Tim Gibbons hit the stage with what started as a full-ish bottle of beer & danced his arse off in that way exhausted people do when they hear a song that is part of them.
The first 2 people I thought of were them & Karl Knack who I for sure has given me greater appreciated for Lou. I still crack out New York on a Saturday morning & let it soak in along with the coffee.
I can't make you feel what I feel. My ears are plugged from a cold & everything sounds like I'm listening from under water. including this news.
It doesn't seem real there's a world without Lou Reed in it making music.
Do something really truly brave this week if you really want to honour him.
I will.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Saturday, August 19, 2017
"Listen to the rhythm. Don't be scared"
25 years.
I was already a bit of an Aussie film fan by then. "Breaker Morant". "Man From Snowy River" and heaps more to follow in the ensuing years.
I'm pretty sure it's one of the only films I ever saw at the theatre in Suttons Bay, MI. During the Suncoast years, when we were up in Traverse City.
The cineplex in the mall there was pretty good & we went to the State on Front St a bit.
But we had a great Disney rep & these were prime Miramax years. She would offer us loads of screeners & was great about making sure we knew about films like this.
I played it a ton at work. What a pleasure to have something this quirky & interesting that was 'mall friendly'.
A kid named Mike worked at the Nascar kiosk in front of our store. I think he was as obsessed as I was. He was a good kid. We got to be friendly with him. He went back & got his GED & eventually we were able to hire him. After I left, he was moving up into management.
Even thought those stores are all gone, I hope it gave him a good start & chance to be something more than mall dude in TC.
I just remember how much he loved this film. I don't think he'd known anything like this could exist.
I love it for many reasons and still love seeing the cast pop up in stuff.
But it's for sure one of my fonder memories of that time.
If you're one of my British pals, it's on the BBC iplayer. if you're elsewhere, seek it out. This, "Muriel's Wedding" & "Adv. of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" were a helluva back to back (to back) set for the venerable Bill Hunter there. It's worth a look for that alone.
Traverse City seems like a different life time, but this still feels like a fresh discovery to me.
Thanks for the memory. Handy that Christopher just brought me that U&I Lounge glass. I can have a Michigan beer while I watch.
AACTA Strictly Ballroom 25 years
Friday, July 21, 2017
Suffragette City
When I was a kid, the big splurge for our family was to pay $30 for a yearly membership to the proper library.
Willard in Battle Creek. There was a tiny village library in our hometown of Athens but my mom read her way through that pretty quickly so on our weekly grocery shopping trip to the big city, we'd spend hours (literally) stocking up on books.
I loved anything that was a series so there were more - the "Little House" books, the Betsy-Tacy adventures, Beany Malone & her family. I never felt much deprived of women authors. And I read my brother's selections of Greek mythology & Encyclopedia Brown along with my own choices. Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew.
We belonged to tons of books clubs also and mom didn't see the reason to deprive us of non-fiction so there was plenty of history around also.
I wish I could recall the name of the series of biographies* the library kept. I mean, they had 100's of reference books, even in the kids room but there was a special series. And they were all about women in history. Molly Pitcher. Clara Barton. Amelia Earhart. I devoured them all. I liked the Louisa May Alcott one better than her actual novels. Our deck of 'Authors' assured I already knew who Ralph Waldo Emerson was & I found the idea of her family life fascinating.
For sure, the knowledge of Julia Ward Howe's life as writer, abolitionist, & suffragette had a profound effect on my world outlook. I was never astonished at the thought of human rights because I knew how hard the vote, and other rights, for women & minorities had been fought for.
I like to think I appreciated those opportunities back then, in my small way. I certainly took advantage of access to books and knowledge. It helped having a mom who encouraged reading & never told me what to chose (other than shoving Daddy Long-Legs at me on a regular basis)
And I certainly am more aware now that the bright young girl who we saw start as a clerk & watched work her way up through the ranks while starting her own family had a strong impact on my access to women writers & these kids of books.
I've meandered but seeing Jon Batiste sharing his knowledge of Ms. Howe's iconic tune and it's history in his own life brought back those memories. Scrounging the shelves for books that gave stories behind the stories.
It's an amazing listen.
"Battle Hymn of the Republic"
*this is possibly that series. the subtitles ring a bell
Friday, January 6, 2017
Weekend Update update
Tina Fey, reminding everyone that while others may use the Weekend Update desk, she & Poehler own it. Forever. With a little explanation. Che & Jost are killing it this season. I go for weeks without watching but I'll always go back & check the news. I'm a little hit or miss with Colin; he's improving.
But Tina & Amy own that desk in a way no one ever will. They can walk back in for 3 minutes at the drop of a hat & it fits them like a glove. They raise the comedy stakes & the game of anyone around them.
I'll never deny they wouldn't exist without OG Jane Curtain. I'll always adore & respect her. I'm old enough to remember when SNL started up.
For sure they learned from her but they were & are game changers.
Attention should be paid.
(original post, FB, 9 Oct. 2016)
But Tina & Amy own that desk in a way no one ever will. They can walk back in for 3 minutes at the drop of a hat & it fits them like a glove. They raise the comedy stakes & the game of anyone around them.
I'll never deny they wouldn't exist without OG Jane Curtain. I'll always adore & respect her. I'm old enough to remember when SNL started up.
For sure they learned from her but they were & are game changers.
Attention should be paid.
(original post, FB, 9 Oct. 2016)
21 Songs
Tons of folk I know should find this interesting - from working in music stores & love of different bands & music history & sources of songs. So many reasons. It's such a huge span of my adult life. I was 19 when the first tune on this list came out. 22 & working at Camelot, my 1st record store in '89 when the Danzig track was released. And in my 40's working for Borders in Chicago when that Dixie Chicks tune came out.
I'm flooded with memories of the MTV era, which they talked about music & what folk like Tom Petty did with the form. the resurgence of artists like Queen & what the combination of RunDMC & Aerosmith opened up in rock & urban music.
How "Hurt" was Johnny Cash saying goodbye to us.
And how Rubin just knows great artists - legendary songs that will stay with us. Amazing to think of the journey these groups have been through in this time and all that has happened to us.
Thanks Lana, for sharing.
original post on FB, 13 Oct. 2016
Rick Rubin - My Life In 21 Songs
I'm flooded with memories of the MTV era, which they talked about music & what folk like Tom Petty did with the form. the resurgence of artists like Queen & what the combination of RunDMC & Aerosmith opened up in rock & urban music.
How "Hurt" was Johnny Cash saying goodbye to us.
And how Rubin just knows great artists - legendary songs that will stay with us. Amazing to think of the journey these groups have been through in this time and all that has happened to us.
Thanks Lana, for sharing.
original post on FB, 13 Oct. 2016
Rick Rubin - My Life In 21 Songs
Let's Go Cubs!!!
About a million years ago....ok sometime in the 80s, my grandparents got Cubs tickets - one of those bus day trip things.
They were huge fans & loved Chicago.
So we got my Grandpa a hat for Father's Day. I honestly don't know if I ever saw him happier.
He was just....thrilled to bits to have it to wear to the game. And it was a day they talked about for years. Whenever I went home, Grandma would always ask how Ron Santo was doing, because living in Chicago, naturally I had the inside scoop (I didn't).
It's a mixed history. They're the 'other team' we rooted for. #Tigers4Life. Back when there was no inter-league play. A Cubs/Tigers WS would be a sign of the end times.
But I always liked them. During the time I lived there I got more involved, paid better attention. We used to put the tv in the backyard to watch while BBQ-ing. With the sound off, but Santo calling on the radio.
I used to joke about 2003 being my fault as much as Bartman. I left work during that game (my boss couldn't take it & sent me home). And that all happened right after I walked into the house. I know my ex always blamed me. So it's the day I should've known to leave.
I certainly drifted away from paying as much attention after we split & when I moved to Los Angeles.
Like I said - a mixed history. I feel a bit like their win exorcises that demon.
But I met & worked with some amazing fans. People I still adore that I know are so happy today. Juan, Mario, Christian, Jane, Eric and many more.
It's a fun city to be in when they do well at sports. Picasso will have a hat on. There will be more parties than work for the next week. I can't even fathom the parade. I hope it goes on for miles - from the river all the way up to Wrigleyville.
It was great seeing such a tough battle between 2 old school cities with huge baseball hearts and I wish nothing but the best to Cleveland for the future.
What an amazing bit of history to see happen. Or have relayed to me via messages because I was too nervous to watch.
Now if someone wanted to go put red & blue ribbons or flowers on Glenn & Mildred Hinchman's graves, I'd appreciate it.
(original post on FB, 3 Nov. 2016)
They were huge fans & loved Chicago.
So we got my Grandpa a hat for Father's Day. I honestly don't know if I ever saw him happier.
He was just....thrilled to bits to have it to wear to the game. And it was a day they talked about for years. Whenever I went home, Grandma would always ask how Ron Santo was doing, because living in Chicago, naturally I had the inside scoop (I didn't).
It's a mixed history. They're the 'other team' we rooted for. #Tigers4Life. Back when there was no inter-league play. A Cubs/Tigers WS would be a sign of the end times.
But I always liked them. During the time I lived there I got more involved, paid better attention. We used to put the tv in the backyard to watch while BBQ-ing. With the sound off, but Santo calling on the radio.
I used to joke about 2003 being my fault as much as Bartman. I left work during that game (my boss couldn't take it & sent me home). And that all happened right after I walked into the house. I know my ex always blamed me. So it's the day I should've known to leave.
I certainly drifted away from paying as much attention after we split & when I moved to Los Angeles.
Like I said - a mixed history. I feel a bit like their win exorcises that demon.
But I met & worked with some amazing fans. People I still adore that I know are so happy today. Juan, Mario, Christian, Jane, Eric and many more.
It's a fun city to be in when they do well at sports. Picasso will have a hat on. There will be more parties than work for the next week. I can't even fathom the parade. I hope it goes on for miles - from the river all the way up to Wrigleyville.
It was great seeing such a tough battle between 2 old school cities with huge baseball hearts and I wish nothing but the best to Cleveland for the future.
What an amazing bit of history to see happen. Or have relayed to me via messages because I was too nervous to watch.
Now if someone wanted to go put red & blue ribbons or flowers on Glenn & Mildred Hinchman's graves, I'd appreciate it.
(original post on FB, 3 Nov. 2016)
I'm A Survivor
Holiday shopping makes me grumpy.
The ton of amazing humans who assisted us yesterday did not.
From the lady at Ann Taylor who spent a 1/2 hour helping my mom find the pair of pants that fit perfect to the clerks in (at least) 4 different shoe stores helping find the perfect pair of brown heels.
Free samples at Lindt outlet? yes, please.
To the clerks at Children's Place helping sort out a discount for the woman in front of us buying bagfuls of hats & gloves to donate.
To all the staff at North Star Cafe Beechwold, who greeted us with warmth & seriously took care we enjoyed our meal. Including our server buying my mom a cookie out of her tips.
I paid more for a book at a local comic store because we wandered in thinking it was a different business & the clerk was helpful & friendly & directed us to the store located behind them.
The clerk at the game store who took my mom's list & presented options of combinations of games & reasons they'd work for quantity of players & amount of money she spent. And didn't bat at eye at us explaining there was a companion/carer involved helping my brother.
The B&N staffer who helped us track down items for a book drive & talked children's illustrations with me & let me make fun of Rush Limbaugh. (and my cousins Amanda & Pamela who gave great suggestions)
I laughed at seeing vinyl in Crate & Barrel and the lady who greeted us listened with interest as I showed her the Big Pink & explained my friends had just stayed there. and the young lady who checked us out & chatted about Le Creuset & British cooking shows.
The waitress at the brewery the evening before who took great care of all 6 of us & chatted music after explaining she had a Harry Chapin tattoo. (of course, I told her to check out Stephen Fearing's stuff)
It's been a roller coaster of a year & a tough fall. And I've worked in retail. There's good days & bad days. For staff & customers.
I'm probably more chatty than they're interested in but for sure it was a trade off. I know some of the stores & employees improved our mood. And I know we left some of them happier by not being jerks.
Shopping will always make me grumpy.
But it's sure easier when you remember the people working are just other humans with a life like you & not a giant company. And it's presents, not medical supplies or anything.
I'm happy to give my money to any business that has a sense of humor about neither of us being perfect.
The best way to approach the world.
And god love any mall with a bar, because a beer at the end of that & a chat with nice bartenders is cool too.
Thanks to so many stores at Tanger Outlet Delaware (especially Ann Taylor), North Star Cafe Beechwold, Laughing Ogre Comics - High Street, The Soldiery, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams(Clintonville), Barnes & Noble - Easton, Crate and Barrel - Easton, Columbus Funny Bone Comedy Club, Restoration Brew Worx & places I'm forgetting for helping solve our holiday problems & making our day far better than it could've been
The ton of amazing humans who assisted us yesterday did not.
From the lady at Ann Taylor who spent a 1/2 hour helping my mom find the pair of pants that fit perfect to the clerks in (at least) 4 different shoe stores helping find the perfect pair of brown heels.
Free samples at Lindt outlet? yes, please.
To the clerks at Children's Place helping sort out a discount for the woman in front of us buying bagfuls of hats & gloves to donate.
To all the staff at North Star Cafe Beechwold, who greeted us with warmth & seriously took care we enjoyed our meal. Including our server buying my mom a cookie out of her tips.
I paid more for a book at a local comic store because we wandered in thinking it was a different business & the clerk was helpful & friendly & directed us to the store located behind them.
The clerk at the game store who took my mom's list & presented options of combinations of games & reasons they'd work for quantity of players & amount of money she spent. And didn't bat at eye at us explaining there was a companion/carer involved helping my brother.
The B&N staffer who helped us track down items for a book drive & talked children's illustrations with me & let me make fun of Rush Limbaugh. (and my cousins Amanda & Pamela who gave great suggestions)
I laughed at seeing vinyl in Crate & Barrel and the lady who greeted us listened with interest as I showed her the Big Pink & explained my friends had just stayed there. and the young lady who checked us out & chatted about Le Creuset & British cooking shows.
The waitress at the brewery the evening before who took great care of all 6 of us & chatted music after explaining she had a Harry Chapin tattoo. (of course, I told her to check out Stephen Fearing's stuff)
It's been a roller coaster of a year & a tough fall. And I've worked in retail. There's good days & bad days. For staff & customers.
I'm probably more chatty than they're interested in but for sure it was a trade off. I know some of the stores & employees improved our mood. And I know we left some of them happier by not being jerks.
Shopping will always make me grumpy.
But it's sure easier when you remember the people working are just other humans with a life like you & not a giant company. And it's presents, not medical supplies or anything.
I'm happy to give my money to any business that has a sense of humor about neither of us being perfect.
The best way to approach the world.
And god love any mall with a bar, because a beer at the end of that & a chat with nice bartenders is cool too.
Thanks to so many stores at Tanger Outlet Delaware (especially Ann Taylor), North Star Cafe Beechwold, Laughing Ogre Comics - High Street, The Soldiery, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams(Clintonville), Barnes & Noble - Easton, Crate and Barrel - Easton, Columbus Funny Bone Comedy Club, Restoration Brew Worx & places I'm forgetting for helping solve our holiday problems & making our day far better than it could've been
Bookstore love
She is & always will be one of my favorite authors.
This article is just a road trip map for sure.
Great ideas for whatever part of the country you're in.
I grew up going to Readmore in Battle Creek. And special trips to the legendary Borders, on State St. in Ann Arbor, back in the 70's.
Later there were closer trips to John Rollins in Kalamazoo.
The Baranof in Juneau, where I got my first Nancy Drew back in '73.
i've lived in 14 states & loved an indie bookseller in every one of them.
Nashville is a stand out on that list. Happy memories of browsing the now closed Davis-Kidd over in Green Hills, Tower Books, & Bookstar. & the great used haunt of Bookman/Bookwoman still going in Hillsboro.
Not at all surprised to see my 1st bookstore internship on this list.
I was at "Women & Children First" over winter term in 1985, at the old Halsted St. location.
Terrific to see"The Last Bookstore", a favorite L.A. haunt.
Nothing in the world smells or feels or stays with you like a bookstore. Because they sell dreams and memories and imagination.
What more could you want?
Ann Patchett's Guide for Bookstore Lovers
(original post on FB, 8 Dec. 2016)
Rogue One: An Aussie boy's story
There's loads of people who love Star Wars. There's load of people who've adored it their whole lives & for many different reasons.
I always say you can't explain to people who weren't around what it really was like when the original (ep 4) was released. That theatre experience. The then rare experience of a sequel & anticipation, without an internet.
Ben Mendelsohn is an actor I've adored for years. He's a truly rare talent. And age wise, falls right in the sweet spot where that for sure was a huge moment in his childhood.
This is a great piece. By an writer who seems to get him.
I hope maybe people who love him in something larger than live, like this, will go seek out the smaller films. Animal Kingdom. Year My Voice Broke. Love My Way (tv) The Efficiency Expert.
He's really an astonishing talent.
Like I said - people love Star Wars in different ways. & it's not a contest.
But I couldn't wish success on anyone who deserves it more. & loved & appreciated being involved.
and as a kid who had a great Star Wars experience & loves film quite a lot,
it will be a singular thrill to see that face on a big screen as part of that particular universe.
(og post on FB, 8 Dec. 2016)
Guardian interview
#WIE
I will never be as smart as her. I will never be as funny. But every day I try I am a better me. and the world is certainly better & funnier with her in it.
She & her crew have busted their arse to give women a voice & a future.
I love this speech, including bonus #Hamm. I fully support the Golden Girls revival with she, Poehler, Maya Rudolph & Paula Pell
I am calling my next band "Basement Lupone". our first album will be called "PBS Pretty".
This flawed, funny, and fiercely irreverent lady is well worth your time & her voice is worth hearing.
(og post on FB, 12 Dec. 2015)
Speech
She & her crew have busted their arse to give women a voice & a future.
I love this speech, including bonus #Hamm. I fully support the Golden Girls revival with she, Poehler, Maya Rudolph & Paula Pell
I am calling my next band "Basement Lupone". our first album will be called "PBS Pretty".
This flawed, funny, and fiercely irreverent lady is well worth your time & her voice is worth hearing.
(og post on FB, 12 Dec. 2015)
Speech
Go Greig!
in my serious attempts to avoid any kinds of spoilers, I'd missed this bit of information. But I'm seriously glad I know it going in.
It'll be interesting to see them both through his eyes, so to speak
Pretty impressive & diverse films for a cinematography & the rest of his impression CV reflects that.
I don't believe anyone has ever received a double nomination in this category - for Oscars or Globes or the like.
Would be pretty damn cool for Greig. have been a fan since his work with Bluetongue Films & have promoted a few of his films via #shortfilmsunday.
(originally posted on FB, 15 Dec. 2016)
IndieWire article
It'll be interesting to see them both through his eyes, so to speak
Pretty impressive & diverse films for a cinematography & the rest of his impression CV reflects that.
I don't believe anyone has ever received a double nomination in this category - for Oscars or Globes or the like.
Would be pretty damn cool for Greig. have been a fan since his work with Bluetongue Films & have promoted a few of his films via #shortfilmsunday.
(originally posted on FB, 15 Dec. 2016)
IndieWire article
Kennedy Center Honors
AKA - the snark I posted. Enjoy it while it lasts. Good chance I won't watch for a few years.
- Catching up with the Kennedy Center Honors from last night. you've been warned. starting with -
TREVOR NOAH!!!!!! up in the box of honor, seated right behind FLOTUS & POTUS!!!. holy smokes. you've come a long way, kiddo
- Catching up with the Kennedy Center Honors from last night. you've been warned. starting with -
TREVOR NOAH!!!!!! up in the box of honor, seated right behind FLOTUS & POTUS!!!. holy smokes. you've come a long way, kiddo
- I loathe the new format. It completely interrupts the flow of the documentary portions & live music, lacking any coherant connection.
Seriously bad choice.
- Le Sklar!!!!!
- Mavis' date is Jeff Tweedy:)
- is there a chance they'll be willing to hold the Kennedy Center Honors without inviting the President for a few years?
- Don Cheadle singing along to "Hotel California" is so very Cowboy Buck.
- Bob Seger!
not excited because I love him (I do not much at all)
it's just making me laugh 'cos I saw Don Henley play at the Palace.
Bob insisted on singing "Old Time Rock & Roll" & Don wouldn't even stay & play drums. we could see him standing just off stage, arms crossed. not thrilled.
Bob did that with lots of bands. it was fun when Billy Joel played piano along
Bob insisted on singing "Old Time Rock & Roll" & Don wouldn't even stay & play drums. we could see him standing just off stage, arms crossed. not thrilled.
Bob did that with lots of bands. it was fun when Billy Joel played piano along
- Not their strongest event.
I think Darius Rucker was maybe the strongest choice & it's quite fun he got to sing "Carolina In My Mind"
One Last Goodbye
I remember with great fondness the episode of M*A*S*H* where Colonel Potter made the whole camp watch "My Darling Clementine". the film keeps breaking so in between bits, they do jokes & the like & eventually bring in the piano for Father Mulcahy to play for a sing a long. And pass around his floppy hat & do impressions of him.
He was, by all accounts, a terrifically nice man. An activist for autism on behalf of his own son & other
84 is good years but cancer can still kiss my arse. He deserved better.
For those of us of a certain age, one last tough goodbye for the year.
Thanks, sir.
William Christopher obit
He was, by all accounts, a terrifically nice man. An activist for autism on behalf of his own son & other
84 is good years but cancer can still kiss my arse. He deserved better.
For those of us of a certain age, one last tough goodbye for the year.
Thanks, sir.
William Christopher obit
Monday, January 2, 2017
"The Hippopotamus"
I remember reading a review of the Stephen Fry novel when it was released, stating there would be a point where you'd have to put the book down and just walk away to process for about 2 weeks. But you'd have to return to see how it all turns out. I scoffed, purchased it anyhow and dove in the fiercely smart & funny words he'd put together.
And about 3/4 of the through, I put it down and walked away. Not for two whole weeks but definitely a few days.
I'd have guessed it unfilmable but they've had a go. Can't think of anyone more perfect to pull off the lead role than Roger Allam. Count in Tovey, McInnerny. Shaw. All worth a watch.
Fingers crossed it's the thoroughly inappropriate dark comedy we all deserve.
"The Hippopotamus" trailer
And about 3/4 of the through, I put it down and walked away. Not for two whole weeks but definitely a few days.
I'd have guessed it unfilmable but they've had a go. Can't think of anyone more perfect to pull off the lead role than Roger Allam. Count in Tovey, McInnerny. Shaw. All worth a watch.
Fingers crossed it's the thoroughly inappropriate dark comedy we all deserve.
"The Hippopotamus" trailer
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