I keep repeating this Jack Kerouac quote from Visions of Cody over and over again.  It sums up my method of existence:

I wish I had ten personalities, one hundred golden brains, far more ports than are ports, more energy than the river, but I must struggle to live it all, and on foot, and in these little crepesole shoes, ALL of it, or give up completely.

I need an intern.

3 jobs. Grad school. Documentary. 

More info soon about how YOU can help me spread the Gospel of Connie Converse.

If you would like to know right this second, please email:

connieconversedoc@gmail.com

Almost done...

I am working on a short piece consisting of the footage I shot in Michigan.  I'm hoping it leaves you mentally, entertainmently, and intellectually salivating for more.  At the very least, it'll give you more of an insight into the woman I've been talking about for a year and a half now.

Connie Converse is my life.

This is What I Do On Saturdays

I sing about...FRIDAY!

I Found My Instrument

...my drum teacher said so.

Percussion is better than therapy.

I went to practice today at Funkadelic Studios on 35th.  It was an hour of deep relaxation and self-awareness.  It was an hour of awesomeness.  I wish I had a drum kit at home, I don't think I'd ever be upset for any substantial period of time again.

Tomorrow it begins.

I have not posted my analysis yet because I've been busy preparing for this weekend.  I actually have already written short pieces about the majority of her songs and have just a few more to get through.  It's amazing the kind of thoughts you have when you put on your headphones at a cafe in downtown Troy by the window for two hours.  I'll try to do the same thing in Brooklyn. I just have to find a good spot.  It's harder than you think.

Tomorrow I'm going to Ann Arbor tomorrow to spend the weekend with Phil & Jean Converse, Connie's brother and sister-in-law.  Given that I've never made a documentary before, I'm a little nervous.  I hope they know I do not claim to be a professional but I do claim to put my heart and soul into this. Here is my mantra: Conversation. Sequences. Close-ups. Conversation. Sequences. Close-ups. Conversation. Sequences. Close-ups. And fun.  Phil & Jean seem like lovely, lively people despite their self-proclaimed age.

One of my best friends is picking me up from the airport, which adds an even more intense layer of excitement on tomorrow's events.

Now I will try to sleep.  It's like Christmas Eve!

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?

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.

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!

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!

A Time to Be Sexy, A Time to Be Silly

If you have had any kind of correspondence with me since I moved back upstate, it is guaranteed that you probably haven't had a full conversation with me without hearing the most amazing word of the 21st century: ZUMBA! An unlikely match, Zumba and I have developed a very close, therapeutic, and passionate relationship. It's an almost cult-like sensation. Or a drug addiction. Once you start going, all you can think of is your next fix (class), wondering if the instructor will play your favorite song, what new dances you'll learn, and whether that one lady in the corner will fart again.

I have been ruminating for a long while on what exactly has fueled the fire behind this craze, as it seems to be catching on everywhere. From the young to the old(er), the larg(er) to the small(er), those without natural rhythm and those who you would guess aren't a stranger to the pole. Zumba is a female-centric dance fitness class using many different genres of music such as salsa, cumbia, merengue, Bollywood, reggaeton, regular hip hop and dirty latin hip hop (my favorite). Some men do venture to the classes (usually one male per a whole room of sweaty females), and I suspect they have ulterior motives. But, hey, as long as they're willing to do the moves, I welcome them. I'm lookin' at you, Mikey.

My sister and cousin introduced me to this wonderful activity. The first time we cowered in the corner, completely clueless and giggly and almost soiling ourselves with how goofy we all must have looked. Everyone seems to have a similar first class experience. Needless to say, we were hooked. The routine I remember most vividly from the first time is that "Apple Bottom Jeans" song, during which one of the steps involves slapping one's own ass (iethe lyric she gave that big booty a slappp). I haven't quite worked myself up to the point where I will willingly slap my own ass, but I'm sure it will come with time. My sister, cousin, and I have progressed light years with our hot moves and are currently waiting for anyone we know to have a party or get married so we can show off...

So, what is the allure of Zumba? Well, my friends, I have theories. Personally, I finally have full use of my hips, and for this I am eternally grateful. It seems that I have spent the past 19 years of my life afraid of them. A lifetime of Catholic school combined with hitting puberty later than all of your peers plus having your only "conversation" about sexuality come from a book called The What's Happening to My Body Book For Girls will do that to you. I did not realize that you could dance "it" out without being trashy...or judged. How ignorant I was! There's something powerful about a group of women taking control of their bodies for their own sake, to have fun and dance and feel good and not worry about what other people are thinking about it. At Zumba, you very rarely notice anyone else doing anything "wrong" or "out of step" since you're so focused on yourself staying with the music and getting that beto timing just right. There's also no incorrect way to Zumba, as long as you're moving around and enjoying yourself, you're doing it. (And for anyone who knows me, you know how much I loathe arbitrary competition!) I've been known to fear/dislike women, but this estrogen-filled enjoyable environment has helped me to commence defeating this terrible tendency.

I take my class at a VFW post in the middle of nowhere, and our instructor often likes to point that out. "IN NASSAU WE GET CRAZY! SEXY AT THE VFW!" What's not awesome about a group of middle-aged white women gyrating to raunchy songs sung completely in spanish, the lyrics of which they have no idea? Try to come up with an answer, you'll be hard-pressed. Pitbull, you have so many fans up here. Sure, there are classes in gyms in hip places like Manhattan and Chicago and Troy, but I prefer the rural setting with pastel blue painted rifles mounted to the wall. It makes me feel American - the good kind of Amerrican. In the proud, "I do what I want / I'm having fun / I'm bettering myself" kind of way.

Zumba has, believe it or not, helped me with my comedy. By learning the way my body moves and by making it move in ways it didn't think it could, I'm able to tap more into the physicality of a joke and creating characters. Also, and more obviously, it's a damn good work-out. It's the only time I've ever gotten that pukey pain in my side other than running the mile in gym class or during various middle-school sports. And that pukey pain in the side signifies progress and physical fitness! My sister and my cousin look even more awesome than before and I think we all feel more confident in ourselves as well. It's the satisfaction of knowing we're doing something good for our bodies - and, to be a little risque, our future/present significant others' as well... *cough cough* (If this were 3 months ago, I wouldn't have even felt comfortable making that joke!)

It is possible that my favorite part of class is spending time in the same room with the brassy, enthusiastic, sometimes gruff instructor. Again, if you know me, I'm sure you've heard me lovingly imitate: "STEP! STEP! HIP HIP HIP!" It's entertaining and inspiring and hilarious - and she knows it. Her eye contact and encouragement really help her students in getting out of their comfort zone to let it all out.

The rap and hip-hop music makes you feel powerful.

The reggae makes you feel happy and optimistic.

The latin music makes you feel attractive.

The combination of the almost hypnotizing music plus the endorphins of collective exercise makes you feel phenomenal.

Who doesn't secretly want to have a designated place where they are demanded to shake what their mama gave them? And I mean e v e r y t h i n g, without being self-conscious. Every person has that desire. Every person in the world who I want to be friends with, at least. I happen to think that it's more fun to shimmy you have a little jiggle to your wiggle. But that's just, like, my opinion, man.