I just recieved a pair of tickets to the Okobos Festival in Green Bay next week. Amongst the performers are Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds and M. Ward. If you are interested in winning these tickets, please leave your name and email address in the comments box.

You will be notified by me if you won on Tuesday! The festival is next week, on Saturday October 11th,  so make sure you can go before entering.

Good luck!

Check out the Okobos Festival and its lineup here.

Not So Fast Cavs Haters

With NBA training camp beginning last Tuesday, I figured I would give Cleveland fans something to smile about. I won’t lie, I am all smiles when thinking about the 08-09 Cavs season, but can’t help but think about the future of LeBron James. Take a listen to this 1:40 clip. This is something that you won’t see on ESPN because it’s positive for the Cavs. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and everybody else on the planet wants to talk about Bron wearing Yankees hats, and how he’s going to leave in two seasons, but nobody wants to listen to what he says positive about staying. “I ain’t going anywhere”. Say what you want, but the Cavs are going to be a powerhouse this season. A full season playing together with the new line up, Mo Williams lights out shooting, and a Mike Brown that’s looking to push the ball, get your popcorn ready. We’ll talk more Cavs as soon as the Browns are 2-6, it’s only a matter of time.

Around the NFL

Felix Jones is my favorite running back in the NFL. This rookie is playing like a veteran, and it’s showing weekly. I think he’s the front runner for the rookie of the year. He rushed for 96 yards yesterday on only 9 carries, and a TD. Is there a faster running back in the league?

Let’s give Kerry Collins some more credit. He is the reason Tennessee is off to their best start in franchise history. Collins orchestrated a game winning drive against the Ravens on Sunday by completing an 11 yard TD pass to Alge Crumpler, giving the Titans a 13-10 victory.

Is Trent Edwards actually an awesome quarterback? I am thinking so, especially after he was Kimbo Sliced out of the game Sunday, and the Bills quickly crumbled. Did anyone see that fight on Saturday night? Slice, the mammoth street fighter, was abused by some dude with pink hair just 14 seconds into the fight.

What the hell was Sage Rosenfels doing on Sunday? He played like he took shrooms in the desert with the Entourage boys, good episode by the way. Maybe, Sage (who names their kid Sage?) needs to play more Madden. All he had to do was protect the ball in one of three possessions with four minutes to go, and his lousy Texans get a win. Go Colts, and go Peyton Manning. Indy is going to be in a world of trouble next week as they play the Ravens, a team that can run the ball and is terrifying defensively.

The Bears, Panthers, and Giants weren’t kidding around Sunday as they demolished their opponents, the Lions, Chiefs, and Seahawks. Eli Manning is looking more and more like his older brother these days. Not a good sign for Browns fans as the G-Men roll into the rocking city of Cleveland Monday night.

I hate the Steelers. How do they consistently pull out wins? I’ll tell you how….COACHING. Although it hurts me to say it, Mike Tomlin is the type of coach that I dream of having in Cleveland. Have you seen him on the sidelines? The guy’s always fired up and inspiring his players to play hard. Let’s try something out there. Compare Romeo Crennel in the fourth quarter, and compare Mike Tomlin in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Tomlin will do anything he can to make sure his players are ready to go out there on the final drive and win the game, whereas Romeo Crennel is just focused on making it home before dinner gets cold.

Who would have thought the Redskins would be the leader in the NFC East? There isn’t a team in the league playing better than the Redskins. I feel like I heard London Fletcher’s name called a million times Sunday. Jason Campbell has played very well, and has been excellent using his leagues to help the Skins. Can the Redskins keep this up for a full season is the question? Their next three games consist of teams that have a combined 1-12 record in Detroit, St. Louis, and Cleveland.

Monday Night Money Man

VS

Minnesota @ New Orleans (-3)

This is by no means a lock, but after a solid weekend of wagering, I am going to try and pick this one. New Orleans is 2-2, and lost their two games to Denver and Washington by a combined total of 7 points. Minnesota is 1-3, but with losses to Green Bay, Indy, and Tennessee. This game is going to be close, and in a close game, you have to go with the home team, especially on Monday night. I like the Saints.

Browns Blurb

I am not sure what to say about the Brownies. With the Giants striking on all cylinders, and Eli Manning looking like the best quarterback ever made, the Browns should be prepared for 60 minutes of hell on Sunday. Maybe the Browns can call these guys for some advice on motivation, look, I promise you might chuckle. You know what makes things even scarier for me? The Browns follow up a Monday night game with the Super Bowl champs with games against Washington, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Buffalo. We very well could start the season off 1-8. Just thinking like a realist, not the dreaming Browns fan I usually like to be.

Entourage

Yes, I liked last evening’s episode, but it was the worst one of the series so far. Entourage creator Doug Ellin should be giving Soprano’s creator David Chase a cut of profits from Sunday’s episode, because it couldn’t have been more copied. Remember Tony taking they peyote before his escapade into the heat? I need the boys from Entourage to start getting somewhere with their careers. The show doesn’t go anywhere at times, and it’s somewhat frustrating to me. Jeremy Piven (Ari) is hilarious though, and the show is worth watching for Piven alone. I think that Vince is going to go talk to Alan Gray, and smooth things over, and end up on Smoke Jumpers. Just a guess.

Tune Time

Ryan Adams – Wish You Were Here

I have been listening to this song non-stop for the past week or so. It’s such a great tune by one of the most versatile artists in the music industry.

Britney Spears – Womanizer

It’s a pop single. Nothing more can be said about it, except that it’s a number one hit. The song is catchy and fits the sound of music today. This will be Britney’s start on her trek back to the top of music charts. Britney Spears is back, and will definitely be one of the top stories of 09.

The Game – Can Never Say Goodbye

I finally got around to listening to LAX, and wasn’t necessarily blown away by this album, but think this track deserves some play because it pays homage to three of raps greats.

Ben Folds – You Don’t Know Me

Another pop single from Ben’s newest album, Way to Normal. There are some other good tunes on this CD, and might be something worth looking into if you like the sounds of Ben.

The Killers - Human

The 80’s are coming back, and Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers is going to get the party started with this tune. Fall Out Boy will be the next band to follow suit. I like this tune, and am interested to see the public's perception of it.

Crank Dat….YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU

You might not think this is funny, but it makes me laugh sometimes.

Shout Out

I don’t really have anyone to give a shout out to, but just wanted to ramble. Er, thanks for the Croc story in my last entry. I am going to update again later in the week, and might even but something up short on Tuesday or Wednesday while I’m in class. I have been staying at home and hanging out with the roommates a lot lately, and basically relaxing. I hate drinking lately too. A hangover, spending absurd amounts, and acting like an idiot aren’t appealing to me these days. Well, it’s late, and I have to work in the AM.

Ben Folds has a new album!  It's called Way To Normal.

The way I learned about this is through the modern technology of Tivo.  I've told my Tivo to record any show on which Ben Folds appears, and he was on Conan last week.  You can watch him perform "You Don't Know Me" feat. Regina Spektor on NBC.com, though you probably have to watch a commercial first, then fast forward to the fifth section of the show.

Anyway, I picked up Way To Normal today and have listened to it twice so far.  It seems to be about Ben's divorce and how to get over it and get back to normal and, as you can imagine from the post immediately below, you can see how that would resonate with me.

Anyway, so you should watch the performance.  Ben is my favorite musician and Regina Spektor is also on that list.

I also was a pretty big fan of the Killers back in the day, so it's interesting to see them try to return to form. I saw them once on an episode of SNL that I did standby for. Good times.

Also on Hulu, they have these SNL backstage things with Fred Armisen. There's a fun one with James Franco up. Watch it!

Cold Open!: Everyone's favorite part of the show, right? The Tina Fey appearance? Man, SNL is really going to go downhill after the election. But hopefully after the election we never have to hear about Sarah Palin again. Queen Latifah! How many random guests can we have in a season? Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz, Chris Parnell, William Shatner, Debbie Phelps and now the Queen. We're only on episode four here, too. It's a sad state of affairs when you know that half of it is because SNL is severely lacking in the female and race departments. "As my mother would say, God love him, but he's a raging maniac." Tina's Sarah Palin is much better than it was last week. I wish that Biden would call him "John" instead of "John McCain," because that's what he did the whole debate. And boy, do I love Sarah Palin's "No, I don't want to answer your questions, but I do want to give a shout out." Get mavericky with it. There really is a problem on the set with people wearing glasses. So many reflections! Sarah Palin loves the Jews and the Cuban food. The talent portion bit is AMAZING. And Sudeikis is being the crazypants Biden we all know and love. Mentions of debate drinking games. Yes, SNL is back. For now. We're back in the era of the 12 minute cold open, and it feels good.

Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals: Wow, Andy Samberg has something to do! "You eat apples right? I produce Entourage." This impression is pretty solid, actually. Color me surprised. I'm proud of ya, Samberg. "A lot of people want to eat you, but I just want to talk to you, okay?"

Mary Poppins: This is a pretty genius idea. Anne Hathaway kind of looks like Julie Andrews, and she has impersonating her down from all of those "act like your grandmama!" scenes in The Princess Diaries. Intriguing. Who knew that she could sing like that? I'm disappointed that Bill Hader doesn't do a better Dick Van Dyke, though. Mary Poppins is a slut!

The Killer - "Human": So I'm pretty sure Anne Hathaway loves the Killers. Or is just very, very enthusiastic. I do love their back from commercial photo. So many plants. Is Brandon Flowers really wearing a fur-trimmed blazer? I enjoy this song. Flowers looks so nervous. So nervous. I feel his voice is mildly restrained because of his nerves. However, I haven't heard the song before, so maybe his voice is always restrained in this song. Wow, here's some awkward dance moves to rival Duffy's last week. Okay, I really like this. Welcome back, Killers.

The Lawrence Welk Show: This is one of those sketches that I suppose you need to be familiar with the original show to enjoy. Kristen is perpetually playing the weird, creepy lady. I can think of about five sketches off the top of my head. It's grating sometimes. Amy Poehler cannot conceal her pregnancy at all, but that's okay. Anne Hathaway should sing in films more often.

C-Span Bailout: I forgot that Sudeikis has replaced Forte as GW Bush. Forte needs a Mark Wahlberg character before he falls off the face of the earth. Wiig is a good Pelosi. I never realized how much they looked alike. Bush's reactions to everyone's stories are phenomenal. He is hiding out in the background and still going all out. Go, Sudeikis. Baby Mama shout out!!! Man, Amy Poehler, that pregnant belly is out of control!

Extreme Challenge Digital Short: Um, this is amazing. In so many different ways. Right down to the random ass "Becoming Jane" joke. Will Forte hates himself more than any of them. Kristen Wiig looks so tough in that outfit, too. When did that happen? Chair pin! Seriously, I could watch this all day. It's a million times better than Space Olympics. Final Tallies -- Andy: 6, Kristen: 4, Will: 2. Although "Do This" had no winner. Way to go, Samberg! You win with your digital short and your Mark Wahlberg impression.

Since I did not see the rest of the episode, including I hear, a sketch with Jason Sudeikis singing (my favorite thing ever! he has a great voice..), I will leave you with a video of him playing the trombone for Ben Folds and Regina Spektor. You can watch it if you fastforward to the last segment here. Besides the fact that Ben Folds is awesome, Regina Spektor is precious and a drummer randomly walks on in the middle, do not take your eyes off of Sudeikis. It's times like these that make me wonder why he isn't a million times more famous.

We'll be back soon with Josh Brolin and Adele. Though I will be out of town, so mayhaps a delayed (instead of instant?) review is in order. Wonder if Brolin will do his W?

- shiny silver, odd green or jet black.

All have this unique sound, but all different versions have a slightly different way to interact.

Nevertheless a good Muff is worth to be used as often as possible.

With a guitar or with a bass.

For DEAD HI-FI the best sounding Muff is the big black russian model. Combined with a telecaster thru a little tube combo you have instant Smashing Pumpkins flavor. All of the Ben Folds bass players used and still use the big black thing on nearly every recording. Eels didn't complete a song without his Muff and Metallica's and Muse's bass players are not able to impress the mobster without it. And that are just a few examples.

Why do we modify something which seems to be that perfect?

Good question - simple answer:

The sound of the black Big Muff is a unique (as mentioned above), smooth and warm fuzz.

So to say it sounds perfect!

But it suffers from the quality of it parts: The pots are crappy, the bypass is often everything but not true bypass, there is no dc jack, the wires are kind of shitty and the input/output jacks didn't withstand more than 100 times, because they are out of cheap plastic.

Here comes the ITC YELLOW CAKE MOD:

Replace all the crappy parts with high quality and durable parts without changing the unique sound.

• handcrafted in Germany

• professional rewired with new cables and proper soldering

• Yes, now it's true bypass!

• custom yellow knobs

• Alpha pots

• Switchcraft or Neutrik jacks

• powered by a 9V battery

• additional 9V-dc-jack

...and your Muff is ready for the rough world of late night club concerts!

Independent Tone Control is a collaboration of two cologne session musicians from the independent music scene together with an electronics specialist and with the intention to get the unique sounds and stomp boxes of the sixties and seventies back on track. Long time unaccounted sounds combined with handcrafted quality and a true bypass switch - made for daily studio work and rough live situations and way ahead back to the time when a good sound was analog and Zappa was still alive.

No further reproduction, usage and copying of the text without permission of the author. Commercial use is strictly prohibited!

It began with her music. I love it. I was flipping through my playlist with another fervent question. Her song was my answer. It's a beautiful lamentation of the things we hold on to, long after they're gone.

The flowers you gave me are rotting and still I refuse to throw them away
some of the bulbs never opened quite fully
they might so I'm waiting and staying awake

Things I have loved I'm allowed to keep
I'll never know if I go to sleep

I'm taking the knife to the books that I own and chopping and chopping and boiling soup from stone

Oh even music is not enough to make me love you. Oh no. I wanted to show you the song but instead I fell in love at exactly 3 minutes and 29 seconds.

Regina Spektor - The Flowers
from Soviet Kitsch (2004)

So. ADORABLE!!1!
She wins the title of CUTEST RUSSIAN WOMAN EVAR. Hands down.

I asked another question and this time Ben Folds joined in to answer.

You can figure out what I asked if you're smart.

Ben Folds featuring Regina Spektor - You Don't Know Me
from Way to Normal (2008)

ALSO SO ADORABLE. Where are these people? I need to hunt them down and make them join my Legion of Infinitely Cool Kids.

Disclaimer: Mom, i know you secretly read this. I was kidding. I am straight. Please don't worry. Love you.

amazing.

I have no idea where she got the belt, but if you do you should e-mail us! If you are interested in similarly snazzy Obama merchandise, though, you should check out his official site -- there is a Runway to Change store with clothing and accessories from a slew of major designers, including a tote bag by Marc Jacobs and a bracelet by Proenza Schouler.

Cualquer canción que quieran, CUALQUIERA, se las mando a su correo ¡gratis!. El Blog del Munguis, al servicio de la comunidad.

I just found this on Amanda Palmer's website, and I'm a bit behind on my Ben Folds, so...

Um.

Sometimes music travels through me and hits me emotionally in a way nothing else can.

This is one of those moments.

If you're not feeling it after the first listen, listen again.

She reminds me of PJ Harvey and Marilyn Manson and Jane Siberry and showtunes and my ex-girlfriend from back when I dated the hooters and Lucifer and Jesus and genius.

"Astronaut" from her new record Who Killed Amanda Palmer, which was produced by my man-husband Ben Folds. Don't tell his wife. For that matter, don't tell him either.

More songs from the record here.

Yes, I like the Sox a lot.

The funny thing was that I was extremely anti-sports as a young(er) person and didn't get into the Red Sox until I moved to California.  Nearly everyone I knew there was from Somewhere Else (and so said "hella" in an ironic, cheeky way that I found annoying) and talking baseball seemed, somehow, to allow us all to claim our home town origins even while we had moved, often, thousands of miles to get away from them.  Sounds complicated, but I think it's pretty simple and terrifically common.  In any case, talking the Sox reminded me of the summer nights I'd hear games on the radio while my dad "puttered around" outside.  It's a nice memory and all tied up with this fandom thing.  I mean, hey, it can't be all Joss Whedon and Jack Gilbert and pixies, can it?

Actually, I'm sitting here listening to the new Ben Folds album.  I'm frequently embarrassed to admit I like Ben Folds, but that's foolish.  So I admit it here.  It's only the first time I've listened to this new stuff, so I have no review quite yet.  But I have high hopes.

I also have no news about Anathem.  I love Neal Stephenson, I really, really, do, but this book - with it's semi-made up vocabulary and Big Themes - is going to have to wait until I have the mental real estate to deal with it.  Which probably means between semesters, which means this will be a winter read.  Just a little light reading to keep things cheery...

Speaking of winter, I am at war with the seasons.  I refuse - flatly refuse - to put the heat on until October every year.  Won that battle.  But all this low bank balance tanking economy plumbing baloney has made me shoot for a higher goal.  Oct. 15.  Think I can do it?  Do the kids have sweaters?  They do.  And heavy blankets.  I will win.  I will be cold and angry, but I will win.

I. is doing homework these days and I'm trying to make it fun and positive but he sees right through me to the long years of Trapper Keepers and procrastination ahead.  Still, he's super smart (and I'm not just bragging; the kid's got some big old brains) and I'm hopeful that he'll find something he really loves to study and get some energy from that.  Now, he's mostly bored, except in math, where he's occasionally frustrated.  He likes Star Wars.  He doesn't like sports.  He reads A LOT.  My boy has GEEK written all over him.  I hope he finds geeky friends and carves out a decent school experience for himself.

G., on the other hand, is now deeply invested in playing with I., doing everything he does, etc.  Unfortunately, she occasionally decides she'd like to occupy the same space he does and gets incredibly jealous of his very existence.  She'll shriek to indicate he's doing something to deeply offend her, and while sometimes he is poking or staring or doing other irritating sibling things I don't understand because my own brother is so much (13 years) younger than I am, he is just as often simply sitting on the couch, looking bewildered.  He will often simply move to keep her quiet, and she smiles sweetly and goes about her business.  She's a tough cookie.  While I worry about I.'s resilience and intense emotional reactions to things, I worry about what G. will inflict on others around her.  She is a force of nature and she's not yet two.

So blah blah blah oh, I have been skipping class and not doing my assignments.  Very much out of character for me.  I've checked out; I've said it before.  I'm done with school.  Unfortunately, school is not done with me.  Still, I'm thrilled every day to realize that the countdown is in smaller and smaller numbers - now just over seven months until I graduate, just under a year until I am (hopefully) working.  I've almost made it.  I just have to keep getting my ass to the University to finish these damn classes and then I'll be overworked, underpaid, and far from appreciated.  And I'll love every (other) minute of it.

Watching the VP debate tomorrow night?  I'll catch the end, I hope.  I will have the blanket handy, just in case.

Ben Folds's yogi pose can also be seen on his website and specifically, flashing through "BenTV."

(An update: this record is now out, and that is indeed the cover image.)

Citizen Kane II: Raising Kane
After being raised from the dead by a Voodoo priest, Charles Foster Kane goes on a murderous rampage in a desperate attempt to find Rosebud. He still won't tell anyone what exactly Rosebud is though.

To Kill Another Mockingbird
Scout, who has grown up to be a lawyer, defends a man accused of killing a mockingbird.

Kiss Me Deadly II: Hammer and Tongs
Hardboiled private eye Mike Hammer undergoes extensive surgery to remove a pair of barbecue tongs from his digestive system.

Duck Soup: A Second Helping
Freedonia is under strain from the "Credit Crunch", after Harpo spreads the economy on a cracker and eats it. There's only one thing to do; 75% of the population must be culled. Will Zeppo be first against the wall?

On another note, the new Ben Folds album is deeply disappointing.

But, I just got a link in my email for his video for his first single, You Don't Know Me.

I could listen to Ben Folds all day long and never tire.

Here's a Springsteen sound from a relatively new band.  The music is desperate and emotional.  Among my favorite indie bands, this one sits comfortably between The Arcade Fire and The Hold Steady.

Music I've carefully considered this week: Damien Jurado's Caught In the Trees

I've long held out on listening to much of Jurado's music, because I've been a little uneasy about some things he's said in interviews.  However, if I'm going to call myself a big fan of compatriots like David Bazan, Rosie Thomas, Dennison Witmer and the like (ilk?), it's about time I dove in...and what an album this is.  Not that it's the sole measure of a good record, but listen to "Gillian Was a Horse" and just try not to sing along!

Music That the Jury is Still Debating: Ben Folds' Way to Normal

I've been a big Ben Folds fan since the first trio (quintet?) record more than 10 years ago.  Lately he seems to be moving more in the ironic smartass slash nerdy gangster direction, rather than, IMHO, being ok in his own skin of writing beautiful and catchy songs.  It's almost like he's parodying himself, apologizing for what he really is: a talented singer and songwriter. 

That's what I found in Ben Folds lastnight. He's a decent singer, a fantastic pianist, a clever songwriter, and a captivating performer. After the show I wanted to simply go home, sit down with a notebook and a guitar, and write an entire album's worth of music in one sitting.

I didn't, but he made me want to...a sign of a great musician.

Check out Regina's OBAMA belt :)

das lied macht tierisch laune. empfehlenswert ist regina spektor generell :)

zwar nicht so gute launemäßig, aber definitiv empfehlenswert: the strokes mit regina spektor - modern girls and old fashioned man

get it! (strokes + regina spektor)

and get this shit! (ben folds + regina spektor)

(wie immer alles in der downloadbase)