14 posts tagged “music”

What's your musical horoscope?  (Put your player on shuffle and write down the first 10 songs that come up.)
Inspired by Stephanie.  

1. Lovesong - The Cure
   
2. Shellshock - New Order [Truthfully, this is actually one of the few New Order songs I could live without.  It's kind of ...oh, what's the word... campy!]
3. Alison - Elvis Costello
4. Question - Rhett Miller
5. Brooklyn - Jesse Malin
6. Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head - Sufjan Stevens
7. Political Scientist - Ryan Adams
8. Pittsfield - Sufjan Stevens
9. Venus in Furs - The Velvet Underground
10. At the Speed of a Yellow Bullet - Head Automatica

What do these songs say about me?  How would this read if it were an actual horoscope in my morning paper? 

VIRGO
With the Sun in Pisces today and Venus harmonizing with Saturn, you should find someone to spend some alone time with; they'll make you feel like home.  You may have a tendency to lose faith in yourself today, but don't give up.  Your aim is true.  If someone asks you an important question today, say yes.  Virgos living in New York should think about relocating to Brooklyn if things are rocky with your significant other.  You are full of great ideas today, Virgo!  But remember that there are no guarantees in this life.  Don't be afraid of being lazy and tired; definitely try and get some sleep today, a thousand dreams await you. Remember to try and see the truth, even if you feel like your eyes aren't really open.

What are your top 5 CDs/albums of 2006? 
Submitted by eliz. s.

What song gives you the most holiday cheer?
Submitted by Roxy.

I love Christmas songs. This is a recent occurrence, as until recently I didn't like Christmas very much at all. I don't know why I had such a change of heart. Maybe it's being in New York right now; it actually feels like Christmas here. Anyway, to cut to the chase, my favorite holiday song is "Baby, It's Cold Outside." I especially love it when Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell did it:

What are you thankful for?

I wasn't on my computer at all yesterday as I was having a pumpkin fudge crisis, and then went to John's aunts house for the rest of the day.

Sadly, the pumpkin fudge crisis, which began on Wednesday night, has not come a peaceful end as of yet. Right now both the fudge and I are taking a time out to think about what we've done, but what the fudge doesn't know is that I am formulating a plan to whip it's soft ass into shape. One way or another. [I've cooked it twice, it just won't get hard, although it's definitely more "fudge-like" after that last cooking. So maybe one more time?] In case you couldn't tell, I've never made fudge. I'm pretty annoyed that the fudge wasn't ready in time for  Thanksgiving dinner, which was kind of the point. But I'm not giving up so easily.

...So, as you can see, I'm not very thankful for this pumpkin fudge catastrophe. Here are some things I am thankful for, however:

• My wonderful, brilliant boyfriend, John. I love coming home to him everyday; we have so much fun together. He makes me laugh, cooks me delicious food, is completely silly with me, makes me tea, humors me when I'm being difficult, and is basically the greatest guy I've ever known. I hope we have many more Thanksgivings together.
• My family. We all drive one another crazy, but we have a lot of fun too. We're a pretty silly bunch, and I love and miss them and wouldn't want any other family than the one I have. [I especially miss playing video games all day with my brother - a Thanksgiving tradition!]
• My friends: Chaundra, Hilary, Kate, Kenny, Josh, Michael, Maya, Lily, John, and everyone else. I love you guys; I miss those of you that are in Wilmington. I am the luckiest person in the world to have you all in my life.
• John's family, who always make me feel like I am one of them, since I am so far away from my own family.
  
• My animals back in Wilmington: Sylvester, Cassie, Princess and Felix.
  
• My amazing co-workers; and the animals at work who I love hanging out with everyday.
• New York: I have made lots of new friends and had lots of incredible experiences since I moved here in May. Sometimes I hate it, and want to go back home, but overall, I'm happy I moved.
• All the music I have gotten to see this year. My favorite part of New York is the fact every musician I love comes through here. So I'm thankful for Sufjan Stevens, Neko Case, Jesse Malin, The Decemberists, Lucero and all the other incredible bands I've been able to see live.
  

I'm thankful for a lot more than that, but those are the basics; the important things.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

My clothes were a hot topic of conversation yesterday for one reason or another:

• "Did you get dressed in a John Hughes' movie this morning?" -My co-worker, Joe, in response to the ribbon in my hair, my oversized sweater, and the fact I wore hot pink heels with ankle socks.
  
• "Quit trying to look pretty and put some damn clothes on." -My boyfriend, John, in response to my chattering teeth and the capri jeans I insisted upon wearing despite the fact it was about 35 degrees last night.

Thanks guys. You really make me feel good about myself. [I still think I looked pretty awesome.]

We saw the Decemberists at Hammerstein Ballroom last night, which I will write a more detailed post upon later. I expected nothing short of brilliance, and was not disappointed.

My NaNoWriMo has gotten off to a somewhat slow and disappointing start, due to a lack of time and a silly need for sleep. I am nipping this need in the bud, however, and should be caught up by Sunday. I do have an idea, however, and a fantastic character: Amos. He came to me just about fully formed the other night while passing a crazy man on the way home from the bus. Thanks crazy man!

Finally, tonight is the grand opening of The Williamsburg White Room, a new gallery in Brooklyn. The whole event is being orchestrated by my dear friend Lily, and I am quite looking forward to the evening. Great art, music and people. I will no doubt have photographic evidence of the event tomorrow.

A quick update; more to follow...

Books, movies, music; what's in your top 5 right now?*/**

Books

1. Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
2. Naked - David Sedaris
3. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
   
4. Wise Blood - Flannery O'Connor
5. Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides

Movies

1. Harold and Maude
2. The Big Lebowski
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
4. The Life Aquatic
5. I Heart Huckabees

Music***

1. 138th Street - The Walkmen
2. Romulus - Sufjan Stevens
   
3. Memphis Moon - Magnolia Electric Co.
4. Common People - Pulp
   
5. Theologians - Wilco

*These are in no specific order.
**This list will no doubt be invalid in 24 to 48 hours.
***These are what I am currently listening to over and over. Not favorite songs of all time. Except for Romulus, which is my favorite song of all time, and which I am always listening to.

I have been reluctant to write about the Sufjan Stevens performance John and I attended on Sunday night at Town Hall, only for the fact that my meager description could never do the evening justice.

Let me say, I have been to some amazing shows. I have seen just about every musician I have a great love for at least once. Going to shows has been my part-time job, for whatever reason. One of the major reasons I moved to New York was solely for the music; the guarantee that everyone will come through here, and I will hopefully get to go. After Sunday, however, I'm ready to retire.

It was - by far - the best show I have been to since I moved, and probably the best show I've been to ever. Sufjan Stevens is an absolute nut. And I mean that in the warmest way possible. He seems so genuine, and that comes across in his music. He had a fifteen piece band, all of which were wearing butterfly wings and masks. He had someone actually start the show by playing a saw. Yes, as in "I'm going to saw this tree down." A saw. It was beyond incredible.

He announced the themes of the evening were flight and transcendance. He spent the time in between songs telling stories about his family and the tour. He played the banjo and piano and made me feel like I wanted to laugh and cry all at once. During "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts," Superman blow up dolls were dropped from the ceiling and into the audience. During "The Worst Christmas Ever," he did the same thing with Santa dolls. Everything was bright and alive and he made everyone feel as though we were all part of something; part of the show.

As I said, my words don't depict the evening accurately enough. It's really one of those "you had to be there" things. You just have to go and see for yourself. 

In about four hours I'll be seeing Sufjan Stevens at Town Hall. And you won't.

[Sorry. That was mean. True, of course, but mean. I'm just really excited. I guess Mr. Stevens wouldn't think that was very nice.]