Fight Me, I'm Irish!

Ugh, what a head on me this morning. Last night I passed out after a case of Guinness. I dreamt I was in a bar fight with Phil Lynott. It was some stupid argument over Dolores O’Riordan. She wanted us both, but Phil wasn’t into a 3-way. Boy does my mouth feel icky.

I hope this St. Patrick’s weekend never ends. This is too much fun.

International Fashion

Some international fashions for you in today's Day in Pictures.

CAPTION: Designer Olga Gromova's chrome-like bodysuits shimmer on the catwalk in Kiev.

CAPTION: A model wore a design by the Japanese fashion brand h.Naoto as part of the 2008-9 autumn-winter collection by the designer Naoto Hirooka, during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo.

4 Cats on the Car

I wonder what is in this car? Kibble? Raw fish? A super fun mouse tatami room?

CAPTION: Carjackings are on the rise in Wabash, Ontario.

EARLY St. Patrick's Day to you!

Today is the day the Catholic church wants us to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, because March 17th falls during Holy Week.

As any good hedonist, this just means the holiday is transfered to a whole season spanning the entire weekend. Do drink up lads. No time to rush this one. We've got all weekend! But just don't steal each other's Guinness costumes. That just isn't cool!

"Please Read The Letter"

I was intrigued when I heard about the pairing of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

When I heard the CD, I was interested. And when I heard it again, I was hooked. It's an amazing record that gets better and better. It's an intimate sound as if you're not supposed to be listening. It's like peering thru a window while they're singing. You're part of a conversation you're not supposed to hear. It is transporting. And isn't that what music is supposed to be?




This live performance is my favorite track on the CD. Gets me ever time.

If you want to hear more samples... go here.

Too bad I'm going to miss them live and in concert. See the tour dates here.

Oceania

Best CD I’ve Heard this Week

I was perusing the CD racks at my local library and found this gem from 1999. The sleeve explains the music is mix of traditional New Zealand’s Maori and modern technology.

To me it’s a cool mix of chants, world rhythms, and an ambient grove without sounding like circus music at “Cirque du Soleil”.

It’s a really unique mix of old and new; makes me think of last week’s discovery Ruben Blades’ “Mundo” – Really hypnotic and unafraid.

Check out a sample here.

Bird at our house

A sure sign of Spring around our house is this bird.

Every year we get a bird nesting in one of the planters that hangs under the eaves of our home. I peeked and she’s got 2 eggs in there, but maybe more.

Once they’re hatched it’s fun to watch her feed them since this planter is right outside the kitchen window.

So if you come to our house, be vewy, vewy careful not to disturb her.

"Lost Boys 2" trailer

Wanna see the trailer for “Lost Boys 2: The Tribe”? Click here

And yes, the Corey’s are back.

No pun intended, but I’m pretty sure the flick is going to suck!

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Scott - here's wishing you some great cake and a pint of Guinness!

Tony's Beurre blanc sauce

Just watched Tony Bourdain's episode of "No Reservations" in South Florida. He's called to make beurre blanc sauce.

Being a French chef he says "I can make this sauce standing on my head with one hand behind my back and a bong in my mouth - believe me, I've done it!"

Made me laugh my ass off!

Madonna inducted into Rock Hall of Fame

Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last night. Huh?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Madge. She had me at “Borderline”. She was thrilling during her “Blonde Ambition” Tour in 1990. How can we forget the now-iconic Gaultier coned bra? Rex’s cornea still isn’t attached!

But the Hall of Fame? The ROCK Hall of Fame? If there was Pop Hall of Fame, sure. Otherwise I’m not convinced.

Was her nom a reflection of the changing tastes of music in America? Or has the Hall run out of nominees? Or did the Hall just want to see if she would show up in that Gaultier bra?

And why is there a museum for rock? Rock is supposed to be in-the-moment, unpredictable, and something you listen to really loud to piss off your parents. Not something in a museum!

That aside, I applaud Ms. Ritchey. I hope she never stops and always makes me feel “touched for the very first time.”

Frida's "Me and My Parrots"

Frida Kahlo is having a centennial celebration in Mexico, with a retrospective at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and displays of memorabilia at Casa Azul, the Blue House, Kahlo’s home.

I haven’t seen this particular painting before. Cool!

Christine Ebersole in San Francisco

Dear sweet Christine played San Francisco this past Sunday.

Never heard of her? Think back to “Saturday Night Live” circa 1981-82 (she was a cast member) or the recent episodes of “Cashmere Mafia.”

But what I know her for is her 2 Tony awards for “42nd Street” and “Grey Gardens”.

Seems her cabaret show was a smash. The “SF Chronicle” had this to say:

“Innocence and impishness, irony and wisdom, character and flashes of sorrow - it was all there to be seen and heard in 70 expertly fashioned minutes of music.”

And of course her funny banter:

“Of her return to San Francisco, she said brightly, ‘it's exciting to come back here and work on my gay icon status.’"

Cracked me up.

If you want to read the whole review, go here: SF Chronicle Review

It Might as well be Spring? Huh?

Man, oh man! I’m sure glad I don’t live here!

My niece in Ohio just sent me pictures of the snow storm that packed a wallop over the weekend.

Isn’t it supposed to be nearly Spring?

Aaaahhhchooooo!

Yea, yea, it’s pretty. But I all I want to do is sneeze. Ahhchoooooo!

CAPTION: Cherry blossoms and mustard blooms are fodder for photogs in Tokyo's Matsuda village.

Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies

Just a few more days until St. Patrick's Day! Yesssss..........

Something else to get you into the mood - those randy young lads, Flogging Molly!

I'm pretty sure this video was shot at the infamous Molly Malone's in LA, but Jenny will have to tell me if that's true.

Oh and be careful. There's some simulated Irish vomiting in this video... reminds me of posolé and hominy in Gorey for some reason...?

Enjoy. Even the 2nd time around!

Audra McDonald pics

What? It's been like 8 posts and I haven't put up any Audra pictures? Like um...what the hell is wrong with me?

So here's some recent snaps....

Lisbon Fashion Week

Um…not sure what’s the point here. High fashion is soooo head-and-shoulders above the rest?

CAPTION: Dress by designer Dino Alves at Lisbon Fashion Week

Amy at the Brits 2008

I'm not an expert of British music today, but I like to watch the Brits every year to see what's happening. It aired on Sunday on BBC America.

I'm a big fan of Amy Winehouse and pretty sure she's loaded in this interview. Why else would she say about Billie Holiday, "Fuck Her."

Loved Amy's performance of "Valerie" with producer Mark Ronson.

Mark Ronson is a guy that did a covers CD called "Version" and used different vocalists to mix it up. Great stuff. I need a copy of that CD (even Robbie Williams sings on a track).

Sadly, the YouTube of "Valerie" isn't "embedable" if that's a word. Go here to see it.

In the meantime, Amy and her boobs....

Idina Menzel - Part 2

Oh...and Idina is married to Taye Diggs. Now THAT'S hot!

Check out their Australian vacation video...made me laugh!

Idina Menzel - Part 1

I've been a fan of Idina's since her start as Maureen in "Rent" on Broadway. Even from the very last seat of the Nederlander where I was sitting (thanks for the tkts R), I knew Idina was terrific.

I never saw her in "Wicked" but since I'm in touch with my inner-13-year-old girl, I bought this CD this past week.

Not sure what's the point of this video though. "I'm brave enough to wear pants?"

Just 1 More Week!

In 2006, we had a swell St. Patrick's party. Check out the neat-o drinks!

But there's always a swear finger in every picture, right?

Blast Off!

Yep, I finally took a dip into the pool. I finally got off my proverbial ass and I started this blog.

I don’t have great ambitions for this thing, just wanted a space where I could post whatever. Maybe something about a restaurant I visited, or travel destination, or maybe some urban legend I feel like perpetuating.

Regardless, this should cut down on the SPAM I send to friends in trad emails. Here goes nothing...!