Thursday, September 23, 2010

Kolossal K-Town Karaoke WeeKend

I'm very much looking forward to this.  Only two weeks away!  I know that when the time comes I'll be so excited and anxious that I'll have a really difficult time choosing songs I want to sing.  Then I'll end up picking songs I like but don't have any business singing for karaoke.  "Hey Good Lookin'" seems like a great idea, until you get up there and have to awkwardly bop from side to side during the 32 measure instrumental break.

To remedy this problem, I'm going to prepare a list of possible choices in advance so I have some certainties in mind.  Maybe I'll even bring it with me!  Things I'm going to take into consideration: the crowd/group of friends I'll be in front of, who I'd like to sing with, ability to wildly belt out the song, and sentimental value.  Choosing an effective karaoke song is an art in itself.

I'm not a phenomenal singer, but I can get by (at least that's what I tell myself).  Especially when doing Neil Diamond or Van Morrison impressions.  I would like to play/perform music more, and if I did start writing songs I'd probably be Dar Williams-y in style.

But anyway, back to karaoke.  I luhhh it.  It fulfills my almost sociopathic desire to perform without having to do any of the actual "work" (i.e. writing songs, playing the instruments, etc).  My friend Charnee and I had our first friend "date" together in Korea Town, hoping to find a place to sing.  We were very disappointed to find out that a) you have to be 21, b) our group of friends bailed on us for the night, and c) it's very expensive to rent a room with just a couple of people.  We ended up going back to my apartment and watching Neil Diamond's version of The Jazz Singer.  Two years later, we're going to try and rekindle the warm and fuzzy feelings of that night that signified the beginning of our friendship (which, I'll admit, had mostly to do with the "magical" pepsi we carried around).  Only this time, we want to SANG our little souls out.

Here's my list of possible song choices:

"Unbreak My Heart" by Toni Braxton (with Charnee, of course!  When we worked for our dorm office we would sing this loudly and probably scared away a few residents.)

"Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin (with Charnee...are you seeing a pattern here, yet?)

"Cracklin Rose" by Neil Diamond (with Michelle, perhaps.  Did you know the song is about playing Risk late into the night with Neil Diamond's mother?)

"Two Outta Three Ain't Bad" ("Paradise By the Dashboard Light" if I can get a friend to join me.  I must make up for that wretched performance from the last time) by Meatloaf

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (with Dave...I have a really vivid memory of blasting this in his car while driving around Rensselaer with both of us singing as damaged goods)

"99 Problems" by Jay-Z (no explanation necessary)

"Wild Night," "Brown Eyed Girl," or "Moondance" by Van Morrison (My friend Kelly and I sang Van Morrison with a street band in Washington Square Park one night.

"The Weight" or "Up On Cripple Creek" by The Band 

"You Shook Me All Night Long" - AC/DC


For later in the evening when we're all more tolerant of dance breaks and we'll all be a big trainwreck anyway:

"Love Shack" by the B-52s

"Dont Stand So Close to Me" and "Roxanne" by The Police

"Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones (prih-tee prih-tee prih-tee pri-tee gurhhhl)

"Last Train to Clarksville" by The Monkees

"Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran

"Psycho Killer" by The Talking Heads (I can only pronounce French late at night)

Anything by Herman's Hermits.



What are your favorite karaoke songs?
Any suggestions?

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Oh muh gah! I have a headshot!

Laura, you're the best!


I don't have a scanner so I took a picture of it on my carpet.  Ghetto, I know.

Woooo I'm a real person now!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Sometimes I'll be driving and think I'm someone else

I feel the extreme need to give LFO some airtime in this bloggy.  The main member, Rich Cronin, just died from leukemia.  Which sucks.  That's all I can say, it really sucks.  I stood by LFO through both albums.  Even when Rich Cronin was in Operation: Man Band.  As a child when I listened to a couple of the later tracks such as "I Will Show You Mine" on their self-titled, I felt like I was listening to a secret because it was so outright dirty.  I actually didn't really even know exactly what they were talking about,  but I just knew it was good stuff.  Sitting on the rope swing with my neon green cd player, alternating between LFO and O-Town.  Wow, what a memory.  LFO's second album is more uplifting.  In the title track, "Life is Good" the group sounds so happy that they're almost angry as they sing LIFE IS GOOD.  LIFE IS GREAT. LIFE IS UNBELIEVABLE.  Their raspy Boston affected hip-hop voices probably contribute to this, and I love it.  

Many fond memories are attached to listening to Life is Good while cruising around near Lake Champlain with my friend and her brother.  In fact, I think a huge bonding moment for us was admitting to each other that we still listened to the cd, even as seniors in high school.  I think we were the only ones we knew who even knew the album existed.  One of my friend and I's greatest victories is getting her macho brother to sing the baritone line, and da wheels on da bus go 'round during that should-have-been hit, "28 Days."  I'm pretty sure my friend got two or three speeding tickets from being all caught up in the infamous saga about being holed up livin' in da bodega detailed in "Alayna."  What better time to croon unknown wannabe hip hop boy band melodies than while speeding through the winding roads of upstate New York.

And, naysayers, I'm sorry, but "Dandelion" has some good ideas.  What a metaphor!

I met LFO at an FYE in our local mall.  I bragged about it for years.





No, the title of this post has nothing to do with the content.

First Ever Stream of Consciousness Post

When I go to write a post or share a video, very often I want to post more.  Some related, some unrelated.  But I don't want to overwhelm you all.  I hope my readers go off and take the suggestions I make to heart and find their own favorite videos and websites and writings based on the ones I share.  Tonight, however, I am overwhelmed with all of the media that has been clogging my head lately.  So, I say, WHY NOT!  Why NOT post everything I'm consuming at the moment?  Who's gonna stop me!

It's my bloggy and I'll post what I want to, post what I want to
 You would post too if you had the unstoppable impulse toooo
(bum bum bum bump-bump)


Firstly, I want to share a gaggle of my favorite videos from Paul Crik.  I don't know what the hell he's trying to accomplish with these, but I'm into it.  At first I was confused, but now I'm killin' it.






For my second section, onward to my current and past preoccupation with MoTown and Patsy Cline.  This is me reverting back to a 3-4 year old Zeld.  Apparently, when I was a child, I used to sing "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" and "My Girl" from my car seat.  As for Patsy Cline, I was obsessed.  On any given summer day you could find me on the sidewalk with a boombox, dressed in a full cowgirl outfit - complete with fake guns.  I remember toting around a carrying case full of Patsy Cline tapes that my Aunt Donna gave me.  "Walkin' After Midnight" was my first karaoke song and thus the first song that ever made me cry while driving.  Some day I will try and post some pictures of that happy time...



This is the first time I've seen the "Lovesick Blues"... wow.  So calm, cool, collected.  Glad she got her eyebrows done, though.  You go, Patsy.

I love the name Patsy.


For my third section of thoughts (now, I think this is getting to be an autobiographical youtube timeline of my life), I want to post an early crush: post NKOTB Jordan Knight (don't judge me!).  You have to admit that "Give It To You" is catchy and to this day I still do not skip it when it comes on shuffle.  I also felt the need to share "I Love You Came Too Late" by none other than Joey McIntyre.  The bluest of blue, that's what your eyes are, Joey.





Fourthly, and lastly, here are a couple of songs I currently have on repeat rotation.  I have grown exponentially in my media taste, but it's good to revisit your roots every once in a while.






Yes, even though the Felice Brothers' lead singer's mustache is creepy.


That is all.  Maybe next time I'll share some favorite old tv shows or something.  Or maybe I'll actually write something.  NOBODY KNOWS.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

I'm going back to New York City...

I do believe I've had enough!


Well, I'm coming back for a couple days.  October 8th-11th.  For the first time since my ridiculous birthday weekend.

Some things on my list to do:
- A seaport sail (if they're still doing it)
- See if there's any live music goin' on
- Visit some Broome Street family
- Find a cozy pub or two
- karaoke?
- Amble through the West Village and see if I still have that walking tour memorized

If anyone knows of anything cool going on that weekend, be sure to post it in a comment!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

People Say We Monkey Around: Donna on Mower.

People Say We Monkey Around: Donna on Mower.: "This requires no explanation."


What's your Spirit/Power Animal?

I'm not usually into this stuff, but it's kind of dead-on and eery...

WHALE
Creation
Power of Song
Inner Depth



A Whale totem teaches you to go deep within yourself
to awaken your inner creativity.
But they also teach us not to become lost in our creative imagination,
but to live in the real world.



When a Whale totem shows up in your life, examine your own use of creativity.
Apply your own creative intuition to formulas --



This is what imbues them with power and magic.
Creativity for the sake of creativity is not what the Whale teaches.
It awakens great depth of creative inspiration, but you must add your own color and light



to your outer life to make it wonderful.
The sound of the Whale teaches us how to create with song.
The whale, along with the dolphin, are the other sentient beings of our planet.
They too are self-aware and have souls.



Accordingly to the Michael Teachings, they are on their fourth cycle,
while most of mankind is on its eleventh or twelfth cycle.



Taken from:



The whale shares many characteristics with the dolphin as they are both members of the cetacean family which has over 90 different species. They are the world's largest mammals, and can be found in almost all locations around the planet.



Legend says that the whale once walked upon the earth. When the land masses began to sink and re-shape, all the knowledge of the universe was locked into the memory banks of the whale and it was sent into the sea. If you carry whale medicine, you also carry the memories of much knowledge that can be tapped into if you honor the teachings of whale.



Whale tells you to be sensitive to tone, and the vibrational qualities in tones. If you're alert, you can activate your built-in sonar to be conscious of things and people moving in and around your personal space. Do you just "know" when someone is near, or something is amiss? Whale medicine is working.



As each family of whales has its own "song", you too can find your soul song to recall those memories stored deep in your super conscious mind. Hum, whistle, sing, chant, use tones until you find that one level of tone that is yours alone. You will know. It will resonate deep in your soul seat. Remember the sound, and use it as often as you can -- especially in meditation. You will find knowledge you didn't know you had floating to the surface. You are tapping into the memory banks of your soul.


Whale also speaks to us of creativity, and of the need to rely on our own talents and abilities. As with the buffalo, no part of the whale goes to waste. Do not be guilty of wasting your own value, your own in-born strengths. Use your own instincts and creative abilities to make the ordinary things in your life magical. Let your imagination soar.....but be careful to stay grounded and in touch with reality.


Whale also symbolizes the power of the family unit; the careful nurturing of the young; the balance between great strength and gentleness. In times of difficulty, do you pull together as a family, or do you allow those hard times to separate and divide? Remember whale.



Taken from: 


So, tell me, what's your spirit/power animal?  And why do you think so?

Monday, September 6, 2010

A Friend's Concern and Proposed Solution.

yo,
i just watched your tatoo videos.  very cool.  here's my only question though.  are you not concerned that now that you have a whale on your right foot, when you try to swim, your right foot will be so much stronger that you will only go in counter-clockwise circles?  that's what i would be worried about.
--dave


A few hours later...


alright, i've pondered this and here's what i came up with.  the sperm whale has an arch-nemesis in the person of the giant squid - that mysterious creature which has  never actually been seen alive until only just a few years ago.  the battles between these two beasts are epic.  perhaps if you got a giant squid on the other foot, when the two came together in the water, they would fight against each other with such ferocity as to propel you forward at speeds heretofore unknown to man.
also, by way of coincidence, i learned today that the sperm whale has a 9 foot long penis.  (i learned this on a british quiz show, lest you get any ideas).

--dave

For being such loyal followers...

I will share an embarrassing picture with you...

Three-person show!

How Capitalism Saved the World!
and other improbable comedy

A timely and larger than life variety of improvised stories, song and dance created on the spot and featuring you, our audience. We can tell your fortune, perform a musical of your life and re-enact your first date. Forget your credit card debt and laugh!

Saturday, September 18, 2010 
8pm
ZuZu's Wonderful Life
299-301 Hamilton Street,
Albany NY

Admission: $12 adults, $8 students/seniors/military ($2 discount when you make a reservation)
make a reservation online or phone (518) 439-7698

Come out and see how well I do in taking 1/3 of the responsibility for you having a good time!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

A High School Musical I might actually watch


Amanda Palmer went back to her old high school to create a musical based on Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over the Sea.  Hmmm...

Gracias, Rob, for sending this my way!

Another good song

That wasn't available on YouTube until now.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Part Two: Bring the Pain!

I got a tattoo Part 1!

Broadway Joe's

I'm layin' it all out here for ya...


I got a bootleg Jay-Z DVD!  And some street cred.



My re-entry into the Capital Region stand-up comedy scene.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Patricia Waller

Patricia Waller

This is kick-ass. I want the tiger. So bad. Almost as much as I wanted that Meerkat Nativity set.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I only sit on things that are purple.

 I have loved ZG since 7th grade.  He was like a Backstreet Boy to me.  And he's influenced - either directly or indirectly - everything I've ever done since then.