Dec 14, 2009

Now, Voyager

289. The Untold Want

"The untold want, by life and land ne’er granted,
Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."
-Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

I am no longer sitting here, waiting for my life to start. It's in motion--all wheels turning, rivers flowing, infinite possibilities germinating. I cannot tell you how it scares me beyond belief to know that the future is unwritten, but the book is mine for the writing.

I'm slowly learning what it is to have courage, to be a brave being, to fight for what I want. I thought I was all zen when I would say things like, "If it is meant to be mine, it will come to me." However, there's a difference between harmony and passivity. I never fought for anyone or anything. Today, I'm putting up my hands. Ready to embrace. Ready to duke it out. Here I am to take the punches that will surely fall squarely on my chin. That's what going out into the world for the first grand adventure is all about.

This morning, I looked that girl in the mirror square in the eye and said, "This is it, kid. We're going to put on a brave face and walk out that door to face the world." I loved that girl in the mirror today. I will love her for all of my tomorrows.

For B.K., who inspired a "smart cookie" to rethink the green.

Dec 13, 2009

A Little Love for Billy Squier

Billy Squier and MTV wish to remind you that "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You" circa 1981.



I love Billy Squier, regardless of past indiscretions.

Dec 10, 2009

Some Things I Like

Jake Ryan's anatomy, Lloyd Dobler boomboxes, Molly Ringwald's hair color, Baudrillard's ideas of simulacra, Christian Slater's amazing receding/reappearing hairline, Uncle Jesse's sex appeal, Beach Boys studio chatter, vintage cocktail dresses, denim jackets, swinging from tree branches, musty books, walls of sound

Dec 8, 2009

Becky Lee Beck - "I Want A Beatle For Christmas"



This little ditty is adorable after you get past the hideous organ. And if you're curious as to which Beatle I would like for Christmas, I'd put Mr. Harrison on my list.

Dec 3, 2009

Notes from the Margins of a Van Halen Commonplace from April 2007

Do I want to be exclusive to the DLR years or is Van Hagar allowed?

Any way to tribute EVH guitar solos?

Can we reference cover songs or does that damage the integrity of the piece?

You and your damned celery.


Not really sure what was up with the plural pronoun in the third sentence. Racking my brain to figure out why I was driven to expletives over someone's celery.

Dec 2, 2009

Twist and Shout to a Jingle Bell Beat

Rubber Band - "Jingle Bell Rock"


As I prepare for the first real snowfall of the year, and by that I mean that there is significant accumulation for making snow angels, I dust off some of my favorite holiday tracks. This one is by the Rubber Band, a Beatles cover band from Denmark who released a great holiday album, Christmas! The Beatmas, which reworks famous holiday tunes with Beatles instrumentals. It is fantastic, to say the least. Some other tracks will be appearing later in the month, but let's start off with this one, set to "Please, Please Me."

Nov 28, 2009

Priest Promotes

Commercials made to promote the 1986 Judas Priest album, Turbo.