Charlie Rose is on my list of five.
That's right, you heard me.
Here's something...odd.
28.5.07
I'm sitting here drinking a white wine and watching Warren Buffett on Charlie Rose and I realized something.
Charlie Rose is on my list of five.
That's right, you heard me.
Charlie Rose is on my list of five.
That's right, you heard me.
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
22.5.07
Don't....Stop....Softening Your Image...Don't...Stop...The Primaries Will Soon Be Here...
Hillary Clinton needs your help picking a campaign song.
You can hear the short list and vote for your pick here.
Now, in my humble opinion some of the songs on the short list belong on the short bus, but I can't come up with a decent write in vote (The theme to the Mary Tyler Moore show? Something by NWA maybe?) so we'd better work with what we have. Let's break it down...
City of Blinding Lights by U2
While I understand the temptation to pick a song by the insanely popular do-gooder Bono why go with something that has such a lackluster tempo and lyrics like "I knew much more then than I do now"? Also, doesn't the title make you think of Ronnie's "Shining City on the Hill" stuff? I don't think she wants to go there. I mean, as another campaign song famously pointed out, yesterday is GONE.
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
Tunstall is a pretty good singer/songwriter...from England. Does Hillary want to take over for Tony Blair? Doesn't she realize if she out sources her campaign song Lou Dobbs will go all Old Testament on her ass? Besides, with an opening lyric like "Her face is a map of the world"...well, we don't want to start a dialogue about botox, do we? I didn't think so. I didn't think so.
I'm a Believer by Smash Mouth
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Let's see....how can we take a CRAP Boomer song and make it more crap? Have some crap band from the 90's make it grungy! I hate this song. I hate it like poison. I hate it like Hillary hates the fact that she voted for the War.
Get Ready by The Temptations
I love the Temptations. I think an upbeat Motown tune would be a great choice. I'm not so sure about this one. While "Never met a girl who makes me feel the way that you do" is a great opening to the song, is it right for the "girl" who wants to be the first female president? I mean, I'm ALL about owning my femininity and stuff, but I'm not Hillary. She's got to be careful. There is a nice little sax solo in the middle of the tune that Bill could play though, if the opportunity arose...
Ready to Run by The Dixie Chicks
"What's all this talk about love? I'm ready to run!"
Ahem.
Again, I get why the Chicks would be a good choice to rally the anti-Bush base, but Hillary won't be running against the memory of Bush if she gets the nomination, she'll be running against (in all likelihood) a Republican who has a better voting record on the War than she does. Bitching about Bush won't be the answer in this campaign. And I like the Chicks, but it's too twangy to be mainstream.
Rock this Country! by Shania Twain
Say WHAT now? Trampy girl from Timmons? That Shania Twain? While this Canadian girl might make the NASCAR Dads hot you gotta wonder about this lyric: "I woke up this morning with a buzz rollin' round in my brain. I haven't been drinkin' but it feels pretty good, just the same". If Hillary goes with this she'd better see if Chanel will make her suits with midriff baring jackets. You gotta commit.
Beautiful Day by U2
This might be the perfect campaign song. It's upbeat and full of optimism, it sounds current, but not too cutting edge and it's sung by the world's last great hope, the aforementioned Bono. One problem. It's so good, it's already been used to death. I'm guessing that every High School election has at least two candidates using this song. Somebody else used this song recently...who was that...? Oh, right, JOHN KERRY! That's what you want to do. Remind everybody of why they didn't vote for your party last time.
Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones
Almost as bad as the Smash Mouth tune. Hate. It. Jesus Jones = utter crap. And I think this has already been used in a car commercial or something.
I'll Take You There by The Staple Singers
And we have a WINNER! It's got the right upbeat tempo, without feeling frantic. It's funky, which to me displays an air of confidence. The message in the lyric is perfect. Mavis Staples is a WOMAN with a strong, confident voice. I would follow her through flames, I think. Maybe Mavis Staples should run for President? The thing this song does that the others do not is inspire. The Staples Singers came from Soul and Gospel world into the mainstream R&B world and they took that church choir vibe with them. As Mavis herself put it "When we heard Dr. Martin Luther King preach, we said, 'If he can preach this, we can sing it.'"
I like this one so much, I think Obama should use it too.
What's got your vote?
Hillary Clinton needs your help picking a campaign song.
You can hear the short list and vote for your pick here.
Now, in my humble opinion some of the songs on the short list belong on the short bus, but I can't come up with a decent write in vote (The theme to the Mary Tyler Moore show? Something by NWA maybe?) so we'd better work with what we have. Let's break it down...
City of Blinding Lights by U2
While I understand the temptation to pick a song by the insanely popular do-gooder Bono why go with something that has such a lackluster tempo and lyrics like "I knew much more then than I do now"? Also, doesn't the title make you think of Ronnie's "Shining City on the Hill" stuff? I don't think she wants to go there. I mean, as another campaign song famously pointed out, yesterday is GONE.
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
Tunstall is a pretty good singer/songwriter...from England. Does Hillary want to take over for Tony Blair? Doesn't she realize if she out sources her campaign song Lou Dobbs will go all Old Testament on her ass? Besides, with an opening lyric like "Her face is a map of the world"...well, we don't want to start a dialogue about botox, do we? I didn't think so. I didn't think so.
I'm a Believer by Smash Mouth
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Let's see....how can we take a CRAP Boomer song and make it more crap? Have some crap band from the 90's make it grungy! I hate this song. I hate it like poison. I hate it like Hillary hates the fact that she voted for the War.
Get Ready by The Temptations
I love the Temptations. I think an upbeat Motown tune would be a great choice. I'm not so sure about this one. While "Never met a girl who makes me feel the way that you do" is a great opening to the song, is it right for the "girl" who wants to be the first female president? I mean, I'm ALL about owning my femininity and stuff, but I'm not Hillary. She's got to be careful. There is a nice little sax solo in the middle of the tune that Bill could play though, if the opportunity arose...
Ready to Run by The Dixie Chicks
"What's all this talk about love? I'm ready to run!"
Ahem.
Again, I get why the Chicks would be a good choice to rally the anti-Bush base, but Hillary won't be running against the memory of Bush if she gets the nomination, she'll be running against (in all likelihood) a Republican who has a better voting record on the War than she does. Bitching about Bush won't be the answer in this campaign. And I like the Chicks, but it's too twangy to be mainstream.
Rock this Country! by Shania Twain
Say WHAT now? Trampy girl from Timmons? That Shania Twain? While this Canadian girl might make the NASCAR Dads hot you gotta wonder about this lyric: "I woke up this morning with a buzz rollin' round in my brain. I haven't been drinkin' but it feels pretty good, just the same". If Hillary goes with this she'd better see if Chanel will make her suits with midriff baring jackets. You gotta commit.
Beautiful Day by U2
This might be the perfect campaign song. It's upbeat and full of optimism, it sounds current, but not too cutting edge and it's sung by the world's last great hope, the aforementioned Bono. One problem. It's so good, it's already been used to death. I'm guessing that every High School election has at least two candidates using this song. Somebody else used this song recently...who was that...? Oh, right, JOHN KERRY! That's what you want to do. Remind everybody of why they didn't vote for your party last time.
Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones
Almost as bad as the Smash Mouth tune. Hate. It. Jesus Jones = utter crap. And I think this has already been used in a car commercial or something.
I'll Take You There by The Staple Singers
And we have a WINNER! It's got the right upbeat tempo, without feeling frantic. It's funky, which to me displays an air of confidence. The message in the lyric is perfect. Mavis Staples is a WOMAN with a strong, confident voice. I would follow her through flames, I think. Maybe Mavis Staples should run for President? The thing this song does that the others do not is inspire. The Staples Singers came from Soul and Gospel world into the mainstream R&B world and they took that church choir vibe with them. As Mavis herself put it "When we heard Dr. Martin Luther King preach, we said, 'If he can preach this, we can sing it.'"
I like this one so much, I think Obama should use it too.
What's got your vote?
SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT! Listen to Generations Jazz Trio this Saturday Morning...
18.5.07
Get your weekend off to a great start this Saturday, May 19th and tune into Ross Porter's "Music to Listen to Jazz by" on JazzFM which will feature a rebroadcast of the Sound of Jazz Concert Series appearance of "Generations" (Andrew Scott - guitar, Dave Young - bass and Gene DiNovi on piano). Ross Porter's program starts at 9am on Saturday, the concert should be on the air from about 11am - noon. Don't miss it!
That's 91.1 FM on your radio if you're in the Toronto area or you can listen online at http://www.jazz.fm/ from ANYWHERE in the word!
I hope you can take a listen, I'd love to know what you think!
The Good People at T-Shirt Hell Do It Again.
17.5.07
And now, I am DONE acknowledging this guy. Not talking about him anymore. Actually, not talking about anything much lately, what with the tonsillitis. I'll tell you this though, the Robeau bought me this Cepacol throat numbing spray and it is SO great. I wonder if you can use it on other body parts? Maybe your brain?
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead.
15.5.07
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) -- The Rev. Jerry Falwell, who founded the Moral Majority and built the religious right into a political force, died Tuesday shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University, a school executive said. He was 73.
Well. Thank goodness that's over.
Who knew $25 worth of molded resin could bring this much pleasure?
11.5.07
My new favourite place is our back deck and the Muskoka chair we got at Canadian Tire last week. Is it just me, or does even looking at this picture relax you?
My skin is so dry right now...
9.5.07
that I'm walking around my house looking like a bad imitation of Jolson. Lucky Robeau.
Come ON!
8.5.07
It's May 8th. We've had a few beautiful Spring days here in Toronto. Today is, in fact, probably the nicest. EXCEPT for one thing. There is a SMOG alert. In early May!!!! It's not even Summer yet, people. Are we all going to have to be in gas masks by August?
Come.
On.
Come.
On.
You're all winners!
6.5.07
This morning I did the 10K for Camp Ooch, a camp for kids living with cancer. It was the perfect day weather wise and while I am now a card carrying member of Camp OUCH it was a great way to spend Sunday Morning.
There were THOUSANDS of people taking part. I wonder if anyone else had this running through a loop in their head?
[Setting: Roxanne's apartment]
JERRY: Well, better load up on some carbs before the race. (Starts selecting food from the tables)
ROXANNE: Oh, the marathon is great, isn't it?
JERRY: Oh, yes. Particularily if your not in it.
ROXANNE: I wish we had a view of the finish line.
JERRY: What's to see? A woman from Norway, a guy from Kenya, and twenty thousand losers.
--- later ---
(Jerry walks over to George)
JERRY: You have no idea what an idiot is. Elaine just gave me a chance to get out and I didn't take it. (Points to himself) This, is an idiot.
GEORGE: Is that right? (Showing him up) I just threw away a lifetime of guilt-free sex and floor seats for ever sporting event in Madison Square Garden. So please, a little respect. For I am Costanza. Lord of the Idiots!
ROXANNE: (Yelling out the window) You're all winners!
GEORGE: But suddenly, a new contender has emerged..
(Scene ends)
There were THOUSANDS of people taking part. I wonder if anyone else had this running through a loop in their head?
[Setting: Roxanne's apartment]
JERRY: Well, better load up on some carbs before the race. (Starts selecting food from the tables)
ROXANNE: Oh, the marathon is great, isn't it?
JERRY: Oh, yes. Particularily if your not in it.
ROXANNE: I wish we had a view of the finish line.
JERRY: What's to see? A woman from Norway, a guy from Kenya, and twenty thousand losers.
--- later ---
(Jerry walks over to George)
JERRY: You have no idea what an idiot is. Elaine just gave me a chance to get out and I didn't take it. (Points to himself) This, is an idiot.
GEORGE: Is that right? (Showing him up) I just threw away a lifetime of guilt-free sex and floor seats for ever sporting event in Madison Square Garden. So please, a little respect. For I am Costanza. Lord of the Idiots!
ROXANNE: (Yelling out the window) You're all winners!
GEORGE: But suddenly, a new contender has emerged..
(Scene ends)
Tom
3.5.07
Comedy lost one of its best and brightest yesterday. Equally adept at playing the goofball or the straight man, Tom Poston was a class act all the way.
Just a couple of weeks ago when Kitty Carlisle Hart passed away I posted a clip from To Tell the Truth where one of the other panelists was the wonderful Tom Poston. News of his passing came along yesterday. This one makes me more sad than I would have expected what with the whole "long life, well lived" thing. Someone who made it to 85, had such talent and such a great career and a seemingly contented and fun personal life - well - it's hard not to just say "good for you", applaud those 85 years and smile. But this one makes me sad. Like most people of my generation I first saw Tom Poston on "Newhart" in the 80's, but the way I will remember him, and the way I most enjoyed him was on The Steve Allen Show.
Just a couple of weeks ago when Kitty Carlisle Hart passed away I posted a clip from To Tell the Truth where one of the other panelists was the wonderful Tom Poston. News of his passing came along yesterday. This one makes me more sad than I would have expected what with the whole "long life, well lived" thing. Someone who made it to 85, had such talent and such a great career and a seemingly contented and fun personal life - well - it's hard not to just say "good for you", applaud those 85 years and smile. But this one makes me sad. Like most people of my generation I first saw Tom Poston on "Newhart" in the 80's, but the way I will remember him, and the way I most enjoyed him was on The Steve Allen Show.
Mayday!
1.5.07
I'm having one of those days. One of those "what was I doing this time last year" days. Last May 1st I got up early, leaving the Robeau asleep at the hotel room and took a long walk around the French Quarter of New Orleans. I then found my way to Louis Armstong National Park, which was beautiful and inspiring. The sun was warm, and the air was soft. There was a nice little pond with ducks in it. American ducks don't look like Canadian ducks. That was weird. The ducks were cute though, and they sat in the shade of the giant, larger than life statue of Louis Armstrong.
Every minute felt like an hour, but in a good way, a really good way. Not a Friday afternoon at the office way. I was plugged in to my ipod, blasting Terence Blanchard's Malcolm X Jazz Suite. I stumbled on a Mayday protest at the park. The "Day without Immigrants" they called it. Illegal workers all over the country had skipped off work to protest. I snapped some pictures.
Afterwards, I went back to Cafe du Monde and had the inside of the cafe all to myself. It was a Monday morning and I guess everyone was back to work or on planes heading home. Beignets, covered in icing sugar. Pretty soon, no beignets and me, covered in incing sugar. Iced latte with chickory. Refreshing, comforting, soothing. This? This I could do all day. This is perfection.
I was joined a few tables over, by some ladies who worked at the cafe, having an early lunch.
At this point I realized even though I'd had a completely self indulgent day and it wasn't even noon yet, I felt as though I had accomplished more than I sometimes do in an entire week at home. What is that about? Today, I realized that I've spent a year trying to recapture that feeling here at home. I know what that's about. I know I'll never do it either, but I don't think that will stop me from trying.
Every minute felt like an hour, but in a good way, a really good way. Not a Friday afternoon at the office way. I was plugged in to my ipod, blasting Terence Blanchard's Malcolm X Jazz Suite. I stumbled on a Mayday protest at the park. The "Day without Immigrants" they called it. Illegal workers all over the country had skipped off work to protest. I snapped some pictures.
Afterwards, I went back to Cafe du Monde and had the inside of the cafe all to myself. It was a Monday morning and I guess everyone was back to work or on planes heading home. Beignets, covered in icing sugar. Pretty soon, no beignets and me, covered in incing sugar. Iced latte with chickory. Refreshing, comforting, soothing. This? This I could do all day. This is perfection.
I was joined a few tables over, by some ladies who worked at the cafe, having an early lunch.
At this point I realized even though I'd had a completely self indulgent day and it wasn't even noon yet, I felt as though I had accomplished more than I sometimes do in an entire week at home. What is that about? Today, I realized that I've spent a year trying to recapture that feeling here at home. I know what that's about. I know I'll never do it either, but I don't think that will stop me from trying.
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