www.FierceAndNerdy.com

'Tis official, Bloggin' on the etc is now Fierce and Nerdy.

I hope you like and enjoy the new site, as it's much more clever.

To go to the new blog click here. See you there!

Gummi Gummi Yummi Yummi

Okay, if you've been following my updates on Facebook, you probably know that I've completely let my sweet tooth out of its cage, and I have been indulging it like crazy lately.

It did not help that we visited Cybele from Candyblog and her husband on Sunday, and were treated to like the hugest gummi bear ever. I can't even describe it, but lucky for you, she did with pictures in her review. Read about it here. You'll want to click through for the picture of the decapitated gummi bear alone.

But in my opin, the real gummi winner of the night were these little Haribo pineapple gummis, that I pretty much polished off all by myself. Cybele did you do a review of these, too? If so could you post the link in the comments?

Anyway, all the gummi goodness was followed up with gummi worms from Vons on Monday. And tonight the hubby bought home more Haribo gummi things from Cost Plus World Market.

If you don't have a Cost Plus World Market near where you live, I feel sorry for you. You know there are starving children in developing nations who will have suffer to efffects of extreme poverty for the rest of their lives. And I feel worse for you. Because these Haribo Tropifruttis are em-effin bomb, though CH preferred the sugar-coated Haribo Fruit Salad -- which I liked as well. Not as much as the Tropifruttis, but still I doubt that either bag will survive the night.

Anyway, this is all to say, check out Cybele's Candyblog. Really, you'll love the picture (if you're a little sick like me). Also I will probably weigh 20 more pounds than the last time you saw me if I don't get back on the wagon soon.

Oh, and 3 more days to Fierce And Nerdy. 3...

TV's Back In School PT. 2 - Bones and 90210

So I have mixed feelings about watching the 3rd season of Bones. On one hand it's not bad, but on the other it's not necessarily good. For instance, I played 3 games of Word Twist (my latest Facebook App Obsession) and started this blog during the season premiere without missing a beat. Also, I have a terrible track record of falling asleep about 15 minutes into episodes of this program when I don't have the web to distract me. In other words, it's no House.

But at least it's improving from season to season. I'd say that this series started out fairly mediocre, and now it's a little more than mediocre. So, progress. However, I'd trade it in for another season of Angel any day of the week.

Oh, and if you're a Torchwood fan, one of the chycks from the original team is in the season premiere which is set in London.

BT-dubs, I also tried to watch the new 90210 the other day, and it was pretty bad. Sooooo boring. Like even more boring than the season premiere of Gossip Girl, which I didn't even think was possible. Also, I just felt sorry for Tristan Wilds (aka The Adopted Black Kid), as I can't imagine going from meaty Wire scripts to this useless drivel -- not that I have anything against useless drivel (I mean I do watch America's Next Top Model). But if you're going to be useless, don't also be boring, that's just a waste of time.

However, Rob Thomas is the Executive Producer, and I miss Veronica Mars just enough to give him and the series a few more episodes before I give up on them. But it's definitely on the DVR Bubble.

Have I mentioned that I'm soooo happy that TV's back? Seriously, I'm not sure how I survived the summer. Thank God for Doctor Who.

One more thing, not sure if I've mentioned this, but Fierce And Nerdy is launching on Sunday, September 7th. That's only 3 days away. 3...

TV's Back In School

So a couple of summers ago, CH and I did the math about how much HBO and Showtime cost (around $240 a year) vs. how many programs we watched on both channels. (4--7) and figured that the expense wasn't worth watching things in real time, and that we could just wait for all our favorite shows to come out on DVD.

Practical conclusion, but man was I hurting when that last season of The Wire came around. And for a while there, I couldn't bear that I was going to miss the new Alan Ball series, True Blood. What you say? Vampires + The Executive Producer of Six Feet Under? It was like HBO launched this series to punish me for quitting them. But then I saw the trailer, and it seems like they might have a great idea/poor execution + Kiwi Anna Paquin w/ a hard-to-believe Southern accent problem. See what I mean below, and let me know what you think if you have HBO and watch it.



On the brighter side, I discovered Skins (picture to the right) on BBC America about 3 weeks ago, which is basically a middle-class version of 90210 meets The Wire and so much better and diverse than any high school dramedy that we have on the air that I feel embarrassed for America whenever I watch it. Also, there's not a ton of soap opera involved and it's really easy to jump right into to it. So seek it out if you're looking for something good to replace Gossip Girl, which I watched last night, and have now redubbed Rich And Somehow Incredibly Boring Teenagers.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of things you should seek out, 4 more days until the Fierce And Nerdy launch. 4...

Karma Karma Karma Cornelious

Okay, as many of you know, b/c I've talked about it on this blog and Facebook a couple of times, our cat, Cornelious, though incredibly cute, also

a) was slightly feral when we got him,

b) won't let us pet him and runs away whenever we come anywhere near him, yet

c) insists on following us everywhere in the house, and

d) staring at us like a stalker, which is why

e) we recently acquired two new cats (we meant to adopt just one, but stuff happened) --  to offset his general creepiness.

Well, lo and behold, over 6 months after bringing him into our home, he suddenly decided to start loving on us out of the total blue.  He pushes our laptops out of the way, climbs over our shoulders, launching himself at us at a run -- he'll basically do whatever it takes to get petted. And has made an almost complete switch to being an aggressively lovey-dovey cat. 

We've applied Occum's Razor, and decided that he's either been 

a) Having deep, philosophical conversations with his new older brother, Brian about the benefits of human companionship (now that Brian is on the mend, we're finding out the hard way, that he is also aggressively affectionate -- he obviously went out of his way to hide this trait when he wooed us at the shelter). OR

b) Cornelious has been taken over my a body snatcher.

I'm leaning towards "B," becasue in Stephenie Meyer's The Host, the body snatching alien parasites start with the bees and observe us for some time, before taking over the humans.

So keep your eye on CH and me. If we start be way nicer than we used to be, you know what happened. 

BTW, 5 more days until the Fierce And Nerdy launch. Can't wait! Can't wait! 5...

See CH Break 2 Bones Pt. 6 of 6 - Saturday

This was definitely the worst week of my and CH's relationship so far. And of course, as with all "worst" things, it was also one of the best. 

I don't wish broken bones on any couple, but I do believe that the "in sickness" part reveals a lot about your relationship. It's easy to love someone when things are going well, but in many ways, it's even easier to love someone when they're down. When you're tired and addled with guilty pinch of annoyed and put-out, what I can only describe as this weird back-up generator of Love kicks in and does the work for you. So in a truly loving relationship, it's okay if you lose all of your poetry for a little bit, that generator has your back.

At least that's how it went with us. 

I feel a little silly, now that I'm wrapping this series up, because of course it is in CH's words every time someone tries to fuss over him, "just a broken shoulder and hand bone." And maybe that is all it is for him. He'll probably look back at this time negatively - after all, he's the one who had to go completely against his nature and depend on someone else for almost a complete week. He might remember that his wife, who never yells, got quite stern and/or passive aggressive with him on several occasions when he tried to do something he shouldn't by himself, gave her directions that she didn't need, asked her to do something without saying please. 

The interesting thing about relationships is that there are these constant discoveries. Over the last few months CH has found out that I used to have a Saturday radio show in college; that I'm not the fastest runner, but I'm definitely faster than probably 80% of my female friends; and that I am a stickler for "please" -- really it just drives me crazy when people don't say please.

And I've found out that CH is even more stoic, patient, agreeable and DIY than I was giving him credit for -- and you have to understand he already had a high-credit limit with me for those things before the accident. Now, I've got to upgrade him to a Black Amex card.

Anyway this is all to say, it was a crazy week, I hope that all of you get or have gotten the chance to have one of your own.

That's all,

etc

See CH Break 2 Bones Pt. 5 of 6 - Friday

On Friday, Manny was kind of enough to drive CH to an appointment with the hand specialist that he had been referred to while I attended a recording session at work. 

I met him at the doctor's office, which just so happened to be in the same building as another specialist that I'm seeing right now (more on that maybe later), and one of the nurses led me to an examination room where the doctor was putting a neat little half cast on CH.

As it turned out, CH's hand was broken -- not his finger. The ER doc hadn't told us that, but I'm assuming that why he had put CH in the cast, and no, CH probably shouldn't have been using only a finger brace for three days now. 

But the new, slicker, lighter, MPIH cast was much better and allowed CH to move his fingers and perhaps more importantly "wipe my butt." Like I said, CH was a great patient, but he had his limits. 

Plus as soon as he got cleared from the shoulder doctor, he could start driving, "Just to work and back," he assured me.

The shoulder doctor wasn't quite as lovely as the other MPIH cast -- I mean crew. It took forever for them to usher us in to an examination room, then forever for the doctor to actually see us, only to find out that he wanted CH to get a cat scan at St. Joseph's.

So we went to St. Joseph's and that took awhile, and by the time we were done, we were both hungry and cranky. 

However, in the X-Ray/cat scan waiting room, there was an older woman reading a book. I wondered who she was waiting for, but about 15 minutes later they wheeled a woman on a hospital cot. She laid on her side, obviously weak or in pain, and the woman immediately went over to her cot, took her hand, and started bantering with her. Within 5 minutes, the sick woman had perked up and even laughed weakly at a few things the other woman said.

Oh, it must be her mom, I thought to myself. But after several minutes of eavesdropping on their conversation (I'm a writer, it wouldn't even occur to me not to eavesdrop, sue me), I realized that this wasn't her mother or even relative. She was a friend. And she was there for her friend in her time of need. And her friend was feeling better because of it.

I know I was tired and worn out, but I love people. They never cease to surprise, impress and touch me. And I know terrible things happen, I know we do terrible things to one another, but I think we're all beautiful at the end of the day. I hope you know that.

The cat scan wouldn't be available for hours. "I can pick them up before Janice's bridal shower tomorrow," I said, just so we could get out of there. 

As many of you know, I have the worse sense of direction. But my friend Debra was hosting the shower at her apartment, and when I first moved to Los Angeles, I stayed on Debra's and Janice's (she was Debra's roommate back then) couch for ten days, so I knew it was close by.

What's strange is that I never asked her for this favor. I came to L.A. on a vague visit with my grad school program, which provided a hotel for 3 days, and then I would be on my own. I still remember Debra, who had graduated from the Dramatic Writing the year before me,  sitting beside me on a bench at the Alumnae Welcome Picnic for the new grads and asking me if I needed a place to stay while I found an apartment. It was the first in a Series of Fortunate Events. 

Like I said, people are wonderful.

See CH Break 2 Bones Pt. 4 of 6 - Thursday

I spent Thursday, catching up at work. I was tired, starting to feel rundown. I switched back to caffeinated coffee in the morning. And that was only helping a little bit. 

I think life is a series of discoveries about your own character. Some things you fight against (I'm constantly on a vigilante quest against laziness, pride, fear, low self-esteem, and a host of other traits that I'd rather not harbor), and some things you learn to accept over time. I'm never going to be a tidy person who thinks before she speaks and watches PBS documentaries before going to bed at the same reasonable time every night. And though I wouldn't describe myself as selfish (most days), I am not a natural caretaker at all. 

I found it difficult to arrange my time around someone else's schedules and needs. I found myself trying to fit everything in and therefore getting nothing done particularly well. Also, my famously short attention span did not lend itself well to care taking. I kept forgetting to buckle CH in and let him out. And I was becoming increasingly addled. For instance I said, "Thank you" when I meant to say "Love you" several times to CH. I don't know why. 

But we didn't have any doctor's appointments or must-dos on Thursday, so I took a nap. And I immediately felt better.

Naps are good. 

And highly recommended. 

See CH Break 2 Bones Pt. 3 of 6 - Wednesday

Oh, I did I mention that Brian is also sick? 

CH took him to the hospital the Saturday before the accident, and he was diagnosed with some respiratory illness and tongue ulcers. He was on a steady diet of meds, but by Tuesday night, he was still refusing to eat and had started wheezing through his mouth on top of everything else, even after we cleaned out his gunked-up nose. Plus, he smelled horrible, because he was unable to clean himself. Poor Brian.

So Wednesday morning, I got up early and took him to the Gateway Animal Clinic, which though first come, first serve, was still way faster and efficient than any human medical center I have ever visited. I actually found myself thinking, "Lucky dog."

The vet, who I had never met before (CH usu. handles the vet visits) was really lovely. He petted Brian, even though he smelled horribly, all through the consultation. And I felt reassured after he took Brian away to get rehydrated and told me to pick him up at 5pm.

When I came back out to the lobby, there was a family, waiting there: A mom, a dad and two small daughters. The mom's eyes were red from crying, and the youngest daughter was being comforted by her father. The oldest daughter (she was about 7) though spent a few minutes trying to peek into my cat carrier, until finally she asked, "What's in there." 

"It used to be my cat," I answered, "But he's inside get fixed up. He's sick."

She nodded and sat back in her seat. A few minutes later, the mom asked her if she wanted to go back and say goodbye to their cat before they put her to sleep. "It's your cat," the daughter answered. The mom nodded and didn't say anything else.

I know kids are what they are, and most of the things they say cannot be held against them. But I wish that little girl had been nicer. My actual Alec Baldwinesque, sleep-deprived thought was, "You're a little shit, and I can already see that you lack compassion, that you're going to become one of those horrible adults that lack compassion." 

I was tired. I hope that isn't true. I hope she grows up into a perfectly nice woman who doesn't remember saying to her mother, "It's your cat." Just like I don't remember half the mean stuff I said to my mother. It's easier that way. Cycle of life and all that.

I was reassured by my visit the doctor's office, but overwhelmed. I already had to go home, get CH showered and dressed, drive him to work, get the rest of my work done and then get back over to Atwater to pick up Brian. 

I thought I appreciated everything CH did beforehand, but much like my love after he nearly got hit by that car, my appreciation of his efforts seemed to super-quantify* that day. 

I didn't understand how I had managed by myself all that time before him. I didn't understand how single mothers do what they do.

This is one of the many reasons I am such an avid supporter of gay marriage. Some of us are naturally independent, but most of us need another person in our lives, to help, to love, to balance us out -- to pick up the slack when the other one falls. 

Pairing up is a basic human right. And I seriously don't see how any of us could deny that right to any other human being. It's the equivalent to saying, "It's your cat" to your crying mother. That's all.

*yeah, i'm not sure this remotely means what i want it to mean in that sentence. but it sounds so perfect. please forgive.

See CH Break 2 Bones Pt. 2 of 6 - Tuesday

So the good news is that Monday's blog was by far the longest installment. The bad news was that it was just one of 6. 

Here's goes Tuesday:

There are some people who suffer nobly, gritting their teeth against pain, silently suffering through the inconvenience of it all. But as many of you know, I'm not like that.

Not only do I tend towards noisy, hyperbolic language the one time of the year that I come down with a 4 day flu or lately, a sinus infection, but I also like to put it out there (I think reasonably) that I might be dying. I sprained my ankle once back when I was still playing with the Derby Doll. I still refer to the two weeks that I was on crutches as The Dark Times. And though, I've never actually broken anything on my upper body, I know that not being able to write with both of my hands would probably send me into an incredibly whiny cycle of complete and utter despair.

So in many ways I don't feel I deserve a husband who is the complete opposite of me when it comes to whining.

The first day he was in a lot of pain, but he insisted that I drive him to work, because "he could still point."

What annoyed him most was not being able to do anything for himself. And when I came back later to drive him to his doctor's appointment, the JKL paramedic had taken off the bulky arm cast and replaced it with a much more efficient finger brace and wrap. 

A paramedic is not a doctor, and I would've been annoyed, but it was CH. Really, it just goes against his nature to stay that incapacitated if he felt he didn't have, too. And at least he was a little sheepish as he got into the car.

Tuesday was also the day that I found out that people who are on the Motion Picture Health Plan are luckier than the rest of us. 

I've heard that most government workers get crazy-nice insurance that covers everything, and this isn't quite that. But the MPHP offices in Toluca Lake seemed nicer and more efficient than any medical office that I had ever visited. There are black and white pictures of old Hollywood stars lining the walls, and people in the waiting room range from actors to crew to agents. The doctors were smilier, more capable and reassuring -- just like the actors that play doctors on TV, but you know, with actual medical degrees.

There are tons of other perks, including access to alternative medicines, and a clear set path into an MPHP retirement home if you work enough hours. It makes you mad at regular insurance. I mean, if government and the entertainment industry can come up with such wonderful programs for themselves, why can't we come up with a good national healthcare option?

Anyway, here's hoping that we're all lucky enough to see a day when every one in America has access to great health care, not just our government and entertainment industry workers.

8:12 and I Am Still Crying

I have almost never been one to lay my political feelings out on this blog. I privately believe myself to be an optimist, but in writing, I am most often cynical and sarcastic. But I need to say this:

There has never been anything I thought I couldn't do because I am a woman. The most successful, dynamic, and beautiful people I know are women. And I will tell you on any day and on any occasion that I am a feminist, not because I wish to be equal to men, but because I love women, and want us all to know that we are worthy of, that we are capable of, that we have to ability to achieve EVERYTHING. If anything, I expect more of myself because I am a woman.

But I need to tell you this, guys. I need to tell you this: There have been so many things that I have thought that I could not do, because I am black.

And that stopped tonight. I never thought that I would see this moment. I never thought that I could believe in a country the way I believe in America tonight.

I feel like a child again, and I realize that I still have my whole life ahead of me, that my future children still have their whole lives in front of them.

You do, too. And we can do anything. All of us. We can do anything. And we can do it together.

I will always remember how I felt right now. And no matter what happens, I will try to hold on to it.

I am so sad that my mother couldn't have been here to see this. "Not in our lifetime," she answered with a practical shrug when I asked her if there would ever be a black president.

She would have loved this. She almost never cried, but I believe she would have done so tonight.

This is so important to everyone that ever thought that there was something about themselves that would hold them back forever. It can't and hopefully it won't.

It is 8:36 and I have finally stopped crying.

Now, I'm just smiling. Obama '08.

100% Love,

etc

Because no one was hurt...

No one actually had to walk a plank or anything, so this article about modern-day pirates robbing a party yacht full of rich people is kind of hilarious. They made off with over$180,000 in booty -- I mean cash.

Read the full New York Post story here. I don't actually read the post, but the folks over at Gawker.com do, and they referred me. Just stating that for the record...

Arghhh!

etc

Why Oh Why?

Why oh why haven't these bands released album on I-Tunes. I don't believe in downloading things illegally, but man, part of the problem with getting music suggestions from Perez Hilton, is that half the stuff isn't available in the States. Here are songs that I love, which haven't actually gotten a Stateside release yet. Ranh.

Adam Tensta - "My Cool": Who knew Swedish hip-hop was so much fun?



Dragonette - I don't understand why can I find deep cuts from Nickelback on I-Tunes -- but only one soundtrack song from this (actually good) Canadian band. Anyway, download "I Get Around" if you haven't already, and check out their super-cheeky song, "Competition" below:



Also, Madison! How much do I love this California blonde take on Lil Wayne's "Lollipop?" It's so bad girl.


And perhaps, most egregious. "We've Got Some Breaking Up To Do" by the Danish group, Private. This song is perfectly 80's and unfortunately, perfectly unavailable in The States. Check out the awesome video below:

October 13, 2008

So the more I listen to this new Keane single, "Spiralling," the more that I can't frickin' wait until their new album comes out on October 13th. I just find this track really listenable.

If you haven't heard it yet, check it out below:

Terrence Ho

Still trying to decide how I feel about this Terrence Howard song. On one hand T-Ho can't really, you know... sing. On the other hand, I like the pretty video, production and lyrics. I aslo like that he's at least coming with something different, which you don't often see from actors-turned-musicians. So cool points for bravery. But then cool points subtracted for actually pretending to conduct the orchestra towards the end -- that was annoying. Anyway, I'm all torn. Feel free to weigh in with your opinions. Here's the vid:

T Howard
by ch1c

Lucky You Guys!

Just in case you've been dragging your feet about downloading the much hyped about (by me) band, The Black Kids. Get thee over to I-Tunes now, because my favorite track is their Free Single of the Week. Can't beat that price with a stick. Lucky you guys!

I Might Actually Have to Watch This

Okay, as many of you know, I'm kind of resigned to being a fan of America's Next Top Model. Yes, it goes against almost every notion of womanhood and feminism that I believe in. Yes, it panders to the lowest common denominator, and yes, Tyra, is bat-shit ridiculous (in a really-smart-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank sort of way). But what can I say...

Two or three girls
Has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him
I dont know why I should
He isnt true
He beats me, too
What can I do?
-- Billie Holliday, "My Man"

Anyway, this all to say, that the obvious ratings bait that is the tranny contestant will probably sucker me in for yet another season. See her intro below. She's cute, but girlfriend needs to work on her ennunciation. I spent much of the 50 seconds, trying to figure out if she had a) braces, b) marbles in her mouth or c) that's just the way she talks.

Start Counting Down to September 7th!

Haven't forgotten about you, I promise. In fact I have a launch date for Fierce and Nerdy, which I've been working extra hard on for the past few days. 

Mark your calendars for September 7th, and think about how cool it will be when I'm turning around blog posts every weekday and in a timely manner. Plus contributors! So many cool people are on board for this. I really can't wait for you guys to see the new site. 

In fact, I'm going to try to find one of those ticker widgets, so that I can be just super-obnoxious about counting down to September 7th -- you know how I do.

That all said. A new (probably music) blog post is coming Wednesday. 2 -6 of the immensely popular CH breaking his arm saga will be here by the end of the week -- so stop asking me! :)  

Until then, here's your moment of FaN (aka Fierce and Nerdy):

See CH Break 2 Bones Pt. 1 of 6

So apparently, I was wrong, b/c according to the several email messages, comments, and Facebook Pings that I got following Wednesday's blog, most of you don't "already know all about" CH's bone-breaking accident. So here's a condensed (as I'm capable of writing given my love for the sound of my own typing) version of what happened ... in six parts. 

Starting with Monday:

After hitting all my work-related writing goals for the day, I dutifully updated my Facebook status to let everyone know that "Ernessa is getting rehydrated for the bike ride home." Said hydration, led to a quick restroom pit stop before I left for the day, which was fortunate, because when I returned to my office to pick up my pink helmet, the red "message" button was lit up on my phone. 

I thought about not answering. Having already talked to my boss several times that day, I couldn't really imagine an emergency that would actually keep me in the office a minute longer, when I had a new audible.com novel waiting for me on my I-Pod -- don't ask me what it was, I'm too embarrassed to tell you.

But as many of you know, I have an almost O.C.-level  thing about checking messages, so I pressed the message button. It was CH, saying that he had just missed being hit by a car, braked hard on his bike, and tipped, because he couldn't get his clip-on bike shoes out of the pedals in time to prevent a fall. He thought that he might have broken his arm.  He sounded chagrinned. 

I called him back in a panic, which immediately stopped when he said that he needed to be taken to the emergency room, but none of the nearby friends he had called were answering their phones. I'm not the best decision maker in the world or even a person that most people would call in a crisis, but one of the side effects of being a (hopefully) good writer, is the ability to disconnect from your emotions and decide What Needs To Happen Next.

I was an hour's bike ride away. Everyone I knew who could give me a ride home had already left for the day -- also it would take to long to get there if CH needed attention now. There was nothing left to do but call down my list of Silverlake-Los Feliz friends. It was 5pm, which would mean most people were just getting off of work in most places. But in L.A. with our constantly changing entertainment work hours, you can usually find someone to help you out in a pinch (as long as it doesn't involve holding the boom mic for your no-budget short) -- one of the many benefits to living in our great city.

I called down my list in order of the people who I had known the longest, lived the closest and who I thought might actually be home. The List for those of you who love the details:

1. Clark from Clarkblog and my CMU programmate, who lives within walking distance in Los Feliz.

2. J.P.,  my CMU programmate, who also lives within walking distance in Los Feliz.

3. Gudrun, my animator friend from Writing Pad, who lives right around the corner.

4. Janice, my costume designer friend who lived in nearby Glendale.

Clark went to voicemail, but J.P. picked up. I stated the situation. He said he was on it. I called CH back to let him know that J.P. was headed over. CH said, "Okay, thank you." 

"Are you in pain?" I asked, b/c he sounded so laidback.

"Yes," he answered in the same tone of voice that someone would say "Of course, my arm is broken, silly." 

So unlike me, CH is definitely the kind of person someone would want to call in a crisis, because even under the worst circumstances, he stays like crazy calm.

I hung up and biked home as fast as I could. When I got in the door 37 minutes later, there were two messages: one from J.P., saying that CH was at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. And a second one from one of CH's best friends, saying that he had gotten CH's message and was now waiting with him at the hospital.

It occurred to me as I drove to the nearby hospital that this was another stage of marriage. You realize just how much you love your husband, when he has a near-accident. 

I was incredibly grateful that CH hadn't been hit by that car. Because my mother died much sooner than expected, I have always been generally scared that other people I love would die, too. It's just one of those things. But I would've been destroyed if anything happened to CH. I thought I loved him before the wedding, but boyo, now I knew that I loved him so very, very much now.

I fluttered into the hospital on a gentle wind of love of gratitude that it was only a broken arm -- that wind was pretty much dead by the time we left the hospital almost four mind-numbing hours later. We were both tired, hungry, trying-not-to-crank and ready to go home already.

As it turned out, it was CH's shoulder that broken, not his arm. So he had been given a mostly fabric sort of double-belted sling, which is called (in a rather overdramatic turn, I think) a "Shoulder Immobilizer." CH also had a broken finger. And he was not happy, because the nurse had put a poorly-wrapped bulky cast on his left arm, only to realize that it had to go on his right. "Do I really need all of this," CH asked her. "It's just a broken finger."

"That's what the doctor ordered," the nurse answered flatly. Stepford style.

"This is coming off as soon as we get home," CH muttered as soon as she was out of earshot.

A small argument ensued, at the end of which, I had (barely) convinced him that he needed to leave the cast on until he saw his regular doctor on Tuesday, just in case the E.R. doctor was somehow right about him needing a full arm cast for a broken finger.

Later that night, another small argument bubbled up. CH refused to let me cut him out of his Obama T-shirt, which is his favorite right now, even after I pointed out that we could get him another one. "Remember how long it took to get the first one?" he reminded me.

He had a point. So that's how we learned to get him out of a T-shirt with a broken shoulder. 

The E.R. doctor had told CH that he had to sleep on his back, which interestingly enought, is how I started sleeping right after I met CH, but almost never how CH sleeps himself. I felt bad for him as I turned off the light and rolled onto my back on my side of the bed.

I imagine we both stared up into the dark for a bit before we feel asleep. 

Tuesday Preview: If you don't work in government, you should be insanely jealous of the Motion Picture Industry Health Care Plan.

So What? I'm Still a Rockstar!

Okay guys, you have GOT to remind me never to skip another weekly music blog. Now I've got so much to tell you about, that I'm having a bit of trouble arranging my thoughts. But here goes...

First of all, embarrassing things that I have downloaded in the past two weeks:

1. "OVERDOSIN" -- Heidi Montag-- and no, it wasn't for work. Every so once awhile I just like something that I absolutely shouldn't for reasons I don't quite understand. Please forgive.

2. "SO WHAT" - Pink. Now this is kind of interesting, b/c I had thought that I was kind of over Pink, as I'm not in my 20's anymore. But then she hit me in both my musical Achilles heels: fucked-up love song mixed with swagger track. Now she's 99 cents richer (less I-Tunes and record company fees) because of me.

3. "FINE LINE" - Little Big Town. Confession: I ADORE Little Big Town. They are a country band I just consistently enjoy. I would probably even go to one of their concerts if given the opportunity. And this is another delightful track. See the typical country video here.


Top 10 Things I've Downloaded Since The Last Time That I Told You About The Top 5 Things That I Recently Downloaded:

ALBUMS:

1. Lykke Li - Youth Novels: Now I know that I've been gushing about Lykke Li for like a couple of months now. You're probably sick of hearing about how awesome, bittersweet, twee, and Swedish she is. In fact, even I expected to be disappointed when her album finally got released Stateside. But guys, I'm so not. If possible, I love her even more -- to the moon and back. This album captures every impossible emotion during my teenage years. And there's even a Black Kids remix of "I'm Good, I'm Gone."

I nearly fainted.

Seriously, download this yesterday. It's FANTASTIC. Key tracks if you must be like that and not get the entire album: "I'm Good, I'm Gone," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Breaking It Up," and "Everybody But Me."

2. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line: I almost never buy a complete album from somebody I've never heard of, but I like so many of the samples, when I was trying to decided which two tracks to buy, that it just got the whole cow. And man, was it worth it. Dreamy, romantic, airy, and pretty UKish for a band out of Syracuse, NY. Impressive. Makes me want to sway around my office. And remember when I said that Kate Bush was, surprisely, one of the few artists that other artists cover quite well? Wait until you hear their version of "Suspended in Gaffa." Another Ready for Primetime Track: "Can You Tell (Epoch Remix). See the video for "Dying Is Fine" here.

3. Janelle Monae - Metropolis: The Chase Suite: I like Janelle Monae, b/c she has an awesome Afro, which she often puts into awesome and unusual hairstyles. I also like Janelle Monae, b/c she is a black girl from the Midwest and she actually made a concept album about a robot that's forced to flee from her robot society when she falls in love. The only track that I don't like on this album (which is super-cheap if you download it on I-Tunes), was the "Smile" cover. If I never hear that overused song again, I could die happy. I'm talking to YOU, Jimmy Durante (even though you're dead).


WRITING MUSIC:

4. Midnight Juggernauts - "Into the Galaxy" and "Tombstone" - This band makes me feel like I'm writing in outer space -- which is pretty frickin' cool. See the firmly awesome video for "Into The Galaxy" here.



5. Monkey: Journey to the West - OMFG, Damon Albarn, why are you so fricking wicked awesome??? I thought I loved Blur. I thought I loved the Gorillaz. But that was just a grade-school crush, compared to the deep and abiding love I have for Monkey: Journey to the West. It's basically a Electronica Chinese Opera stage adaptation of one of China's oldest and most popular tales. And Damon Albarn was brought in to do the music. Billed as a "circus opera" it premiered in England last summer, and I am so incredibly jealous that it still hasn't made it to the States. What gives? This is maybe the most unfair thing to ever happen on the planet, and my frustration mounts. Anyway, writing to the soundtrack makes you feel ancient and epic at the same time. Key Tracks: "Heavenly Peach Banquet." See the trailer for the most awesome stage work that I haven't seen yet here.


LISTENING MUSIC:

6. Matthew Perryman Jones - "Save You": I bet you 50 bucks that this song will be featured in a Grey's Anatomy episode within the first 3 months of the season. Any takers?

7. The GasLight Anthem - "The '59 Sound": If Bruce Springteen and Johnny Rotten had a female lovechild. This band would propose to her sight unseen. However, the video makes you think less of them. See it here.

8. Accidental Rhythm - "Seventeen": If Justice and Junior Senior had a female love child. This band would yearn for her.

9. Amy Kuney - "Love is Trippy": This single actually seems to feature a Phil Spector "Wall of Sound." Wonderful throwback sound. Current Lyrics. Dynamic voice. Just lovely.

10. Kings of Leon - "Sex on Fire": I somehow both love and hate this song at the same time. It's kind of like when I read Death of a Salesman. Go figure.


Honorable mentions: Shearwater - "Hail, Mary" (thanks for the suggestion Yusef!). I also liked "Century Eyes" and "Whipping Boy."


Man, how long is the blog??? Again flog me if I ever try to skip a week again.


Okay, I was torn about whether to embed a video for "Growing on Me," a great older song from the brilliant-until-they-imploded-in-a-drug-fueled-supernova band that is The Darkness or the cheap(er) Pink Floyd wet dream that is the "Shadows" by today's featured band, Midnight Juggernauts.


Well, I am the wife of a lighting designer. So see "Growing on Me" here. And watch "Shadows" below:

Is it sad that I actually want this?

Seriously feel free to gift me with one of these. Public Radio Listener For Life!!! -- unless they're having a pledge drive, in which case I change the channel like every other person on the planet. Dude, I would actually pay more than my usual KPCC yearly donation, just to have the option of NOT having to listen to otherwise awesome radio personalities beg me for money every 3 months.

It's kind of like when you're really good friend, starts taking those cult-like "self-improvement classes," and then she invites you along. Still the same friend, but dude, you don't want to join her cult and it makes you uncomfortable that she keeps on asking to come with her to a class, because she gets a free class if she brings someone along. Wouldn't it be cool, if you could say, "Listen, I'll give you $200 dollar towards your next 'self-improvement class' if you never bring it up or invite me to go to one again."

And in the same vein, imagine how much money your local public radio station(s) would make if they were somehow able to offer the option of paying them like 200 bucks in exchange for you NEVER having to hear a pledge drive for like a whole year. That's more than I currently give, but I'd take that offer, if that was the pay-off.

This is all to say, that I'm officially flaking out on blogging about CH's broken left shoulder and right finger for a couple of reasons:

a) I don't really have time to tell such an epic story. It's at least 2 -- maybe 3 chapters in the memoir I'm planning to write when I'm 80. And...

b) If you've talked to me since Monday, you already know all about it, and I don't want to repeat myself (for once).

Will try to put out a music blog tomorrow. The new (to us) Lykke Li is so beyond frickin' good, you deserve to hear me go on (and on) about it.

100% Love,

etc

etc's Hitting the 2009/2010 Best Sellers List

I mean, I've been listening to a TON of Lil Wayne, while working on the new girl gang novel. And according to Stereohyped (by way of Hip-Hop DX), Lil Wayne is the Wheaties of Champions:

Michael Phelps listens to Lil Wayne before he competes, with a little Young Jeezy and Jay-Z thrown in. Jamaican track star Dwight Thomas has added Lil Wayne to his pre-race rotation after finding out Phelps secret.

Hoo-yah! Watch out New York Times Best Seller Trade Fiction List! I make it rain -- if by "rain" you mean "cringing while I slip a couple of dollars under a male stripper's greasy thong, and then saying 'please go focus on someone else now. I'm really not into this'." -- which I'm sure is exactly what Lil Wayne intended with that line. Umbrella, baby!

Sesame Street Soap Opera

Now ya'll know how I feel about Sesame Street, so how tickled was I to find this backstage romance in this week's NYT Vows column. Especially since it reads like a soap opera:

THE letter “D” is for Divorce. “P” is for Pining Away, and “R” is for Remarriage.

Don’t look for those alphabet mnemonics anytime soon on “Sesame Street,” although they are story elements in the backstage romance between Annie Evans and Martin P. Robinson...

Mr. Robinson, 54, is a puppeteer who plays Snuffy, Telly and Slimey the Worm on “Sesame Street,” where he’s worked since 1981.

When he met Ms. Evans, though, Mr. Robinson was mired in creating his own puppet extravaganza, which depicted, he said, “the entire creation of the universe, protons up to sentient beings, and its destruction.”

Days before its premiere at the O’Neill, the project was a shambles. “Puppeteers are notorious for getting lost in making their puppets, sets and costumes, but forgetting to write a strong story,” Ms. Evans said. “Marty, who I’d just met, clearly needed my help, big time.”

Over countless hours of argument and revisions, a mutual admiration blossomed. Mr. Robinson remembered being struck by her intelligence and ability to quickly unearth the core emotional truth of a scene. “Annie jumped right in, without any judgment,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is really an excellent girl.’ ”

Mr. Robinson conceded that he had been prone to mixing business with pleasure. When he met Ms. Evans, in fact, he was involved with a woman he had begun seeing during a stage production of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

“Encountering someone cold, maybe at a bar, then dating? I wouldn’t know how to do that,” he said. “But in the pressure cooker of theatrical work — all the tension, laughter and intense emotions — you get to know someone really well, and can segue that into a relationship.”

Though she, too, was smitten by his energy and sense of humor, Ms. Evans said, when she learned that Mr. Robinson was seeing another woman, she “slammed the door” to her heart. “We could be friends,” she said. “Nothing more.”

Dunh-dunh-dunh!!! See how the Sesame Street Saga turned out here. 

Preview: my previously stated belief that writers will date (and perhaps marry) anyone who claims to be a huge fan of their writing turns out to be true. We're compliment slutty that way.

Bad-Ass Davie Jones

So today I'm on the hunt for an Afro wig and a good place to run into the setting sun.

Don't ask. All will soon be revealed.

Til then, here's your moment of Lauryn:

Friday Night Kiefer

Sooo... I'm going to dinner and what looks like an extremely scary movie (Mirrors) with my friend Stephanie tonight. Looking forward to dinner, but kind of fearing the movie, as I haven't seen a horror film in quite awhile. What are you up to?

I Spy With My Little Eye

So apparently, my friend Kyle from Frank's Wild Lunch spotted me yesterday morning on my bike. Or as he put it, "in your pink helmet." I love when stuff like that happens!

Google Google Reader Ya'll!!!

So I'm seriously trying to figure out how I lived so long without The Google Reader. 

I finally joined up last week, and not only is it a lovely way to keep all the blogs I read and love organized all in one place, but it also allows me to procrastinate much more efficiently and (perhaps more important) lazily. Nice, right? If you're as behind the curve as me, get on board here.

Home Alone

So, the New York Times has this interesting article about when children should be left at home alone. Interesting, because, my parents started leaving me at home alone when I was eight years old, and growing up, I always found the whole babysitter thing a little hard to fathom for kids over the age of 9. And one would think in this age of cell phones that it would be even easier to step out for an hour or two without worry.

However, when I posed the question of when our hypothetical future children should be left at home alone to CH, he answered, "12 or 13 at least, depending on how responsible they are." Then as a narrow-eyed afterthought, "Why? When do you think you they should be left at home alone?"

I decided not to press my eight-years-old theory, since apparently it doesn't really fly outside wild and wooly 80's. But read about all the parents struggling with this decision themselves here.

The Unbearable Cuteness of Steve

Okay... 

We meant to get one cat, but we ended up getting two. Here's what happened. We went to get a nice older lap cat, who could also be a companion for our (literally) scaredy-cat, Cornelious.

But then as we were walking past a cage with two kittens, one of them pressed himself up so strenously against the bars, that he seemed to be saying, "Hulloo! Come over and talk to me!" 

We both immediately agreed that he was a cutie pie, and might need to come home with us, but the problem was that he was only 3 and half months old -- which is not exactly an old lap cat.

Then Brian, who was next door to the kitten, started meowing at us. And he was 2 years old. Not an old lap cat, but close enough.

We asked to see both cats in the cat room, and it turned out that the kitten was extremely affectionate, while Brian was more of a explorer. Also, the kitten, reminded us of our friend Steve Connell, because he was so wildly friendly from go. Furthermore, the Pasadena Humane Society was having an adopt 2 cats special for $85, so how could we not agree to take both of the cats that absolutely did not fit our description of the cat we originally wanted home with us -- and name the kitten Steve?

Anyway, this is all to say, that if you're looking for a cat, but are not sure whether you want one, don't got to the Pasadena Humane Society. Not only is it the nicest shelter that either of us have ever seen, with the most helpful volunteer staff, but the cats are too cute. And if you're anything like us, you will end up taking a 2yo cat home with you, and then coming back three days later to pick up the kitten after he has been altered. Just warning ya...

Along the same vein, skip "Tropic Thunder" if you don't want to laugh. CH and I went to see it last night, and we saw the black guy from "The Office" and Pineapple Express (which we had actually seen the night before!) in the audience. Good sign, right?

Well, I don't want to ruin anything for you, so I won't go into all the ways it was funny, but I will say this. Black people: Robert Downey Jr. is a lot more funny than offensive. Australians, blonds, actors, agents, movie executives, rappers, English people, SFX people, fake memoirists: The movie is a lot more funny than offensive. Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey haters: Totally understand where you're coming from, but this movie might actually make you like them again -- it's that funny.

Is it Friday yet? I'm kind of ready for it to be Friday?

Random Wednesday

So in the midst of watching the Olympics 24/7, I have managed to collect a few random items to discuss on this blog.

Apparently, that cute-as-a-button little girl that sang at the Olympic Opening Ceremony was a front for a not-so-cute little girl doing the real singing behind the curtain. Having played the informal and ultimately unsuccessful game of "Find An Ugly Chinese Child And Take A Picture Of Him Or Her" with my programmates while in China, I am extremely curious to see what the Chinese consider too ugly to sing in front of cameras, because as far as I know this child doesn't exist. Thanks to MKV for sending me the article about this. Read it here.

Not one, not two, but THREE  famous people sightings yesterday. While riding home, I rode past Perez Hilton and his personal trainer (BTW, Perez looks GREAT!!! Apparently, he's really been working out). Now, I'm not one to call out to celebrities -- it's just not done in L.A., but I was on my pink-and-black electric bicycle in my pink helmet and dressed in brown yoga capri pants with a printed yellow top -- in other words, I looked crazy, and probably sounded crazy when I called out, "Love your column!" -- although he has a blog. 

Later in the evening, CH and I went to the ArcLight for Every Other Tuesday Date Night (aka Need to Get Out of the House While Housekeeper Is There, So We Might As Well See a Movie and Have Dinner Night), and during the dinner part of our evening, we saw Felicity Huffman and her husband, William H. Macy, who was sporting a pretty sweet stache. Not to make stalkery observations, but they talked non-stop during dinner. And I thought it was pretty sweet that they still have so much to say to each other.

Just finished listening to The Host, the first adult novel by Stephenie Meyers, which had me in full out book thrall. I was particularly impressed, b/c her first book, Twilight, though completely compelling was not very well-written. However, she must've put in boatloads of work on her craft, because The Host kept me on the edge of my bicycle the entire time, but was also really well written. I love that. Also, the story, which is basically Invasion of the Body Snatchers from one gentle alien body snatcher's point of view, was just brilliant. Can't wait for her next adult novel. Highly recommended.

Last but not least, Gawker.com put out this interesting call for pics of people using their Kindle. 

THE KINDLE IS THE SASQUATCH OF THE BOOK WORLD: There have been dozens of alleged sightings, but have you or anyone you know actually seen either Bigfoot or a an actual person using Amazon's electronic reader? Yet, Citigroup reports that its sales are "better than expected" and predicts that "Amazon will sell up to 380,000 Kindles in 2008, up from a previous forecast of 190,000." Wishful thinking? Crackpot theory? We need non-faked photographic evidence.

As a Kindle owner, at first I was offended by this theory, but then I realized that I myself had never actually seen anyone other than myself using a Kindle. So for what it's worth, here's me on my awesome, beloved Kindle. Feel free to forward it on to Gawker.

 

100% Love,

etc

Life of Brian

Okay, as it turns out, I won't be able to blog about my Beijing memories b/c I'm too busy watching the actual Beijing Olympics. Blogs might be a little light this week.

But just wanted to post a picture of the newest furry member of our little family, Brian.

And just in case you're wondering, yes, Brian is named after our friend and wedding officiant, Brian Viehland, because we did not like his original name (Buddy) and needed to decide on a new name before he got microchipped (basically kitty lojacked).

"How about Brian. He kind of reminds me of Brian," CH said.

Me too, though I still can't quite put my finger on why.

Anyway, he's a complete cutie-pie and though Gibson is still missed and irreplaceable, it's nice to have a cat that's willing to be petted again. As many of you know, our other cat, Cornelious basically stalks us around the house but runs away if we try to touch him. We love him, but he's kind of creepy. Brian balances things out.

Further details coming later in the week.

Til then, here's your moment of Brian:

By Request of CH

So this week, I'm going to begin every blog with a Beijing side-note in honor of the Olympics, which I'm basically watching non-stop except for a short Venture Brothers break last night -- you gotta make time for the Venture Bros. Go Team Venture!


Anyway...

As many of you know, CH held the Olympic opening ceremony hostage from me, b/c he was working til late on a Friday-Saturday gig, and refused to give the Opening Ceremony anything less than his full and completely intense attention -- he was on the Salt Lake City and Athens lighting team, so he takes these things much more seriously than say, anybody else I know.

Unfortunately, this meant that I, the (self-anointed) queen of pop culture, was forced to say no, time after time, as people asked me if I had seen the apparently spec-frickin-tacular opening ceremonies.

In all fairness to CH, he did tell me that I could watch it alone, but as all people who are partnered up with a lighting designer can tell you, that's not the same.

So, I had to wait til Sunday, to see the opening ceremonies. But man oh man, was it worth the wait. I've never seen anything like it, and though I've never really desired to go back to Beijing, I have never wished more that I could witness an event in person.

It was also good that I waited for CH, b/c I kept asking how all the super-clever light effects worked, and apparently it was all stuff he had seen before, only on a much, much, much bigger scale and done with a ton more human labor.

I found the whole spectacle very inspiring and the next time I have a few million to spare, I'm going to do up our entire house in LED screens. Wait for it...

On another CH note, he requested that I update last week's music blog re: European lighting. Basically, I posted the new(ish) Yelle vid and said it was a great example of how CH says that Europeans do lighting differently, and he says that's not what he meant. Here's the update that I attached to the original blog out of context:

UPDATE: Have been informed by CH that this is not what he meant when he was talking about Europeans and lighting. Apparently, one company owns the patent rights to LED technology here in The States, which makes it prohibitively expensive for our event shows to go all out lighting-wise. Europe doesn't have that patent-problem, so it's relatively cheap for them to go really big. But apparently, the face of American award shows and the like will change as we know it, when the patent runs out in 2010. So wait for it...

Meanwhile here's an example of what CH is talking about when he says the Europeans go there with their lights:

Rancho Cocoa

So favorite elfin artist and future Fierce and Nerdy contributor, Missy Kulik, has a blog. Who knew! 

Check it out like yesterday. She and her BF, Raoul are jedi masters of all things beyond cute and particularly fierce and nerdy.

Click here for the link or go to my blog roll:

Ice Princes and Princesses

PHOTO CREDIT: Inya

I don't know how the NYT does it, but almost every single week, they manage to find some character that I'd slap if I met them in real life -- and I'm a pacifist.

A couple of weeks ago, it was the Botox Bridezilla, and this week it's the Ice Snob. This is a person, who likes her or his ice a certain way and feels that it's perfectly acceptable to BYOI to a party.

I have never had anyone bring their own ice to a party, unless I called them in a rushed fever of festivity set up and asked that they do so. But if someone did show up with a container of ice, chipped or shaped just so, purely because they couldn't deal with regular ice, I would be like, "Bitch, you is crazy, and we are no longer friends. Get out my house." Even if they were a lifelong friend, I would say it just like that.

Anyway, get the full report on Ice Snobs here.

Though in a bit of a rant reversal, I must say that these Russian-designed tetris-shaped ice trays are beyond brilliant and would make a perfect housewarming present for your favorite Fierce Nerd, if they ever get around to actually marketing them. Oh Russia.

Oh no, America!

Just woke up and found out that Bernie Mac died. I adored Bernie Mac. He was consistently funny. His signature angry bug-eyes managed to be comic without being minstrel. And, man oh man, how funny was it when he back-handed EVERYBODY as a Vice Presidential candidate in Head of State?

Everybody's been talking about this supposed Dark Knight curse, so does that mean Transformers is cursed, too, since Shia LeBouf like just rolled that car? If Josh Duhamel and Fergie call off their wedding, you heard the "More Than Meets The Eye Curse" theory here first. If Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green break up, though, that's not the curse, just the universe correcting itself. Frankly, I'm shocked that they've lasted this long. 

Anyway, this is all to say Rest in Peace, Bernie Mac. You started off with nothing, and you did the damn thing. Did it well.

UPDATE: So far I like the Gawker.com obit the best -- even though it doesn't specifically mention him backhanding everybody in Head of State. Read it here.

Notice Anything Different?

That's right, I got a dress that you probably haven't seen before. Handmade by this lovely woman who has a stand at the Silverlake Farmer's market every Saturday.

And yes, we added some bookshelves -- 3 huge floor-to-ceiling cases. It's SO nice having a proper set, now we just have to fill them up. Yeah, that's going to be kinda hard now that I have the Kindle, but I'm trying to be diligent about buying used books and plays --

What's that you say? What happened to my hair? I cut it all off! Did I not mention this before? Well, as many of probably didn't know, CH (by request) cut off my dreads on Sunday. For the first few days, I felt very, very naked -- I had forgotten how face dependent short hairstyles are. Bad face days are really bad face days. Also, I've gained weight since the last time I had a natural, and I looked so much like my mother, that I actually startled myself a few times when I caught myself in the mirror. But then I got my hair put into twists on Thursday, so eerie ghost problem solved. 

Read about my long decision process in making this big change here. 

The really exciting thing about this new look, is that this is just the first of several hairstyles that I plan to try out as I grow out my natural into a full-blown bodacious afro (which will take years). Next up, a braided-at-the-sides fauxhawk??? We'll see... 

How Much Do I Love Thee?

So much, that I'm posting a blog, even though I really have no time to do so.

But I wanted to let you know that I'm posting a hair blog tomorrow, because everyone (read: two people) has been asking what I decided to do, and fielding all (read: both) of the requests has become tiresome.

XM has dedicated an entire channel to Coldplay for the entire month of August. I guess they feel that this band is just not getting enough radio play. Check out XM Channel 51 if you feel the same.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, check out 100.3 The Sound in the mornings. One of my particularly awesome former co-workers, Larry Morgan, is the morning DJ and he's not lame, plays lots of music, and is (as I mentioned before) particularly awesome.

I'm trying to shake off a sinus cold, which means I haven't been able to ride my bike into work since Monday. So not only am I suffering, but I also miss my bike, and I STILL don't know what's happened in the last few chapters of the edge-of-my-seat audiobook that I've been listening to during my bike commute. Alas.

Yes, I did decide that transitions are not necessarily necessary today. Why do you ask?

That all randomly said, here's a clever little comic remix that CH sent me courtesy of Boing Boing. It's funny b/c it's Steve Jobs, and b/c there does seem to be a formula to all the Pixar movies -- though obviously that formula works gangbusters. Click here to see it bigger and give Boing Boing some (more) web traffic.

De Ce Doux Jeu D'amants

So did you notice it's Wednesday? Guess that means it's time for another music purge:

1. Still in love with "Viva La Vida," though it's given a spin every single time I'm in the car, often 2 or 3 times, it's like the radio gods want me to start hating it. Hopefully, I'll be able to resist their evil machinations. Meanwhile, was disappointed to find that the video was super boring, basically an extension of the I-Tunes ad with absolutely nothing added. See what I mean here.

2. I tried to pre-order the Lykke Li album which streets on August 19th last Friday, only to find out that I had already put in a pre-order. Obviously, I can't wait for this record. At least I have "Dance Dance Dance" and my absolute favorite social anxiety ditty "Everybody But Me" to tide me over. See the super-cute, super-Swedish video for "Dance Dance Dance" here.

3. Nearly dropped dead of shock when I heard the new single, "Sprialling" by Keane (aka that English band you like b/c they sound a lot like Coldplay, but who aren't in fact Coldplay). Very 80's, it sounds nothing like Coldplay this time, and I have completely fallen in love with it. Also, it's available for free at their website until 11 am on August 11th. Download it here.

4. If you like country, I-Tunes free song of the week, "In Color" by Jamey Johnson is pretty good.

5. But their other free song of the week, that's kind of hidden at the bottom of the page is much better. It's called "Infinite Night," and it's by Carrie Rodriguez.

That all said, without further ado, here are the Top 5 Things I've Downloaded since the last time I told you about the top 5 things I downloaded:

ALBUMS:

1. The Brazillian Girls - New York City:The Brazillian Girls are great writing music. In fact I'm listening to them while I write this blog!

2. The Faint - Fasciinatiion: I'd never heard of this band before, but I liked so many of their samples that I decided to download their entire album, since it was only $7.99. Also, very good writing music. In fact, I'm listening to them while I write this blog -- yes, I just abruptly switched from The Brazillian Girls, but you know what I mean. Anyway, this album is cool, because it makes me feel like I'm in a movie writing montage of feverish creativity while i'm at my computer.

SONGS:

3. Marching Band - "For Your Love," "Gorgeous Behavior," "Don't Go" - I know you're not supposed to judge a band by its brightly colored album cover, but I confess that I only clicked on this band's music, b/c I have the sensibilities of a bird. However, the package matched the music. These three songs are just gorgeous and I think I might complete the album next Tuesday.

4. Airborne Toxic Event - "Sometime Around Midnight" - I kept hearing this song on Indie 103 and KROQ, and kept trying to hear the name of the band, but no dice. Then, lo and behold, I stumbled across them on I-Tunes, because they also had an intriguing album cover. What a pleasant surprise! Fucked up love song. I love fucked up love songs.

5. Group1Crew - "Keys to the Kingdom" - as many of you know, I'm not a fan of most Christian rock. The old black lady in me much prefers gospel standards like "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." But this is actually pretty good, in that it's somehow awful and wonderful at the same time. It's like Evanescence meets Linkin Park, and the band looks like a We Are the World ad. 

And last but not least. Today's youtube honors goes to Yelle's fabu new video for "Ce Jeu." I'm not sure if it's possible at this point for me to love her any more than I already do. CH is always going on about how absolutely brilliant the Europeans are with lights, and I think this video proves him right. Enjoy the oh-so-Frenchie-French brilliance below:

UPDATE: Have been informed by CH that this is not what he meant when he was talking about Europeans and lighting. Apparently, one company owns the patent rights to LED technology here in The States, which makes it prohibitively expensive for our event shows to go all out lighting-wise. Europe doesn't have that patent-problem, so it's relatively cheap for them to go really big. But apparently, the face of American award shows and the like will change as we know it, when the patent runs out in 2010. So wait for it... 

Meanwhile here's an example of what CH is talking about when he says the Europeans go there with their lights: