Thursday Thirteen #21: Movies

Thirteen Movies I Love!

1. Charles Chaplin's City Lights
My #1 favorite movie of all time! It's funny, poignant, and brilliant.

2. Labyrinth
The music! The Puppets! David Bowie! All the glitz and glamrock even makes up for the 16 year-old Jennifer Connely's bad acting.

3. Harold & Maude
Another movie with a wonderful soundtrack, Cat Stevens at his best! A wonderful story of love and growth. it doesn't get any better than the Hearse-Porche!

4. Being There
My other #1 Fave! Peter Sellers is best known for playing the bumbling Inspector Cluseau in the Pink Panther films, but I like him best as Chance (Chauncy) the Gardner.

5. The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppolla made a masterpiece with this one, and I'm still amazed at the actors performances of this brilliant screenplay.

6. Groundhog Day
I watch it every year on Ground Hog's day, and I still laugh at Bill Murray!

7. Annie Hall
I could fill this list with Woody Allen films, but I'll settle for just one. A perfect combination of a great screenplay, wonderful actors, and Allen's direction.

8. The Producers (1968)
I fell in love with Mel Brooks after seeing The Producers. Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel are over the top characters, and the brilliant writing on Brooks' part is brilliant!

9. Star Wars
I can watch all three films in the Original Trilogy over and over, and it's as exciting as the first time I watched it!

10. When Harry Met Sally
Can men and women remain only friends? Apparently not.

11. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
It's snarky, it's dark, and it's hilarious. Robert Downey Jr masters this film, and the on-screen chemistry between RDJ and Val Kilmer rocks.

12. This is Spinal Tap
Every musician has to see Spinal Tap. Every theatre person has to see Waiting for Guffman. And dog lovers should see Best in Show. Christopher Guest is a genius.

13. Chaplin
This is my favorite bio-pic, and it's probably one of the best ever, since it beautifully tell's the story of Charlie Chaplin's life. Robert Downey Jr was robbed of the best actor Academy Award!

7 Songs...for 7 Brothers?

The rules are post 7 songs you've been listening to lately, and tag 7 people...but as far as I've seen, all the people I visit regularly have done the meme, so consider yourself tagged if you haven't.

1. Queen-Somebody to Love

2. Lily Allen-Alfie

3. Elvis Costello-(I don't want to go to) Chelsea

4. The Living End-Short Notice

5. The Spring Awakening Soundtrack-And Then There Were None (And the rest of the album for that matter)

6. Seven Places-Even When

7. Big City Rock-Sink

Definitely give these songs a look!

Awkward? Very.

The Top 15 funniest Comic Book plates


Most are hilariously funny and/or awkward...

Thursday Thirteen #20: Bruce Springsteen

The Thirteen Best Bruce Springsteen Songs

In case you didn't know, the name "Cosmic Kid" comes from a song by Bruce Springsteen, who is one of the most influential musicians in my life. In honor of him, here's my 13 favorite Springsteen Songs

1. Racing in the Street
There's too many amazing lyrics to choose from in this song, but here's one I love:
Some guys they just give up living/And start dying little by little, piece by piece/Some guys come home from work and wash up/And go racin' in the street

2. Jungleland
For me, this song is 10 minutes in heaven...
the poets down here don't write nothing at all/they just stand back and let it all be/And in the quick of the night they reach for their moment/And try to make an honest stand but they wind up wounded, not even dead/Tonight in Jungleland

3. It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
The acoustic version on the Tracks box set is my favorite
The devil appeared like Jesus through the steam in the street/Showin' me a hand I knew even the cops couldn't beat/I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat/It's so hard to be a saint when you're just a boy out on the street

4. Dancing in the Dark
Sure, it's got a terrible video, but it's a great dance song!
Message keeps getting clearer/radio's on and I'm moving 'round the place/I check my look in the mirror/I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
5. She's the One
A great live song...
And no matter where you sleep tonight or how far you run/Oh-o she's the one, she's the one

6. Thunder Road
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, possibly.
so Mary climb in/It's a town full of losers/And I'm pulling out of here to win.

7. Growin' Up
My namesake!
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere and you know it's really hard to hold your breath./I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress

8. Born to Run
It's the song that most people identify Bruce with, and it's an incredibly layered song musically and lyrically
Baby this town rips the bones from your back/It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap/We gotta get out while we're young/'Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run

9. If I Should Fall Behind
This song closed out the entire 2001 Reunion tour, and the version off the Live in NYC record, is gorgeous...
We said we'd walk together baby come what may/That come the twilight should we lose our way/If as we're walkin a hand should slip free/I'll wait for you/And should I fall behind/Wait for me

10. Born in the USA
This is not a triumphant american anthem, and if you think it is, go take another listen and you'll see why Ronald Reagan was stupid to try and use it as a campaign anthem.
Come back home to the refinery/Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"/Went down to see my V.A. man/He said "Son, don't you understand"

11. Stolen Car
I discovered this one when Patty Griffin covered it, and it's a really raw, heart wrenching story
And I'm driving a stolen car/On a pitch black night/And I'm telling myself I'm gonna be alright/But I ride by night and I travel in fear/That in this darkness I will disappear

12. Land of Hope and Dreams
Now this is an American Anthem!
(This train) Carries saints and sinners/(This train) Carries losers and winners/(This Train) Carries whores and gamblers/(This Train) Carries lost souls/(This Train) Dreams will not be thwarted/(This Train) Faith will be rewarded/(This Train) Hear the steel wheels singin'/(This Train) Bells of freedom ringin'


13. One Step Up
The Tunnel of Love album has a few gems on it, and this is the best.
There's a girl across the bar/I get the message she's sendin'/Mmm she ain't lookin' to married/And me well honey I'm pretending

Honorable Meantions: Rosalita (I named my dog after that one), You're Missing, Jesus Was an Only Son.

You can stream all of these tracks at www.brucespringsteen.net under the SONGS section

Name that Rockstar...

Name that Rockstar! 2 chances to get it right with this one...

Album Review: Ted Leo

Artist: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
Album: Living with the Living
Release Date: March 20, 2007
Recommended Tracks: Bomb.Repeat.Bomb., Bottle of Buckie, Colleen
Rating: &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts 1/2 (out of 5)

It's a new release Tuesday, and there's finally something for me to talk about!

Ted Leo, who I have deemed the "blue-collar hardest working man in show bussiness" released his much anticipated new album Living with the Living today. The New Jersey native indie rocker gained some recognition a few years ago after releasing a cover of Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone, building his small fan base into a much wider one. For Ted Leo fans this album has been highly anticipated after Shake the Sheets was released in 2004, and it shows a great amount of growth in production and musical styles for the entire group.

Living with the Living features textbooks example of Ted Leo's musical style, with muscular guitars and strong support from the Pharmacists' rhythm section. However, the group flexes it's musical muscles with Rude Boy rhythms and some acoustic breaks. Ted brings political agenda to the table, confronting the war in Iraq on the track Bomb.Repeat.Bomb, but accompanying his lyrics with a rushed punk rock guitar accompaniment, creating a raucous anthem. For me, the songs that I enjoy the most are the ones that I envision working well on stage, with Ted backed solely by the 2 members of the Pharmacists, and many of these tracks fit perfectly into the energetic stage presence that Ted Leo and the Pharmacists embody.

Look for Living with the Living at a record store near you, and if you can't find it, REQUEST IT! Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are currently on a US tour to support the album. Visit www.tedleo.com to find a complete list of tour dates.

Thursday Thirteen # 19: Style

Thirteen things that define the Cosmic Kid "Style"

A quick over-view of 13 items that I'm often found wearing/carrying, from top to bottom.

1. Military Cap

Bad Hair Days beware, because I've got plenty of hats to cover it up with. My favorites are military caps, with their shorter brims, and flat tops.

2. A Disciple's cross, and St. Christopher Medal
The disciple's cross is made of 4 nails and wrapped wire, and comes in tons of colors. I'm always wearing my black one. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travel, so I keep him with me during everyday travels.

3. A choice from the T-Shirt Collection
I have a huge collection of T-Shirts, and most days I spend a while figuring out which one to wear. I have a few favorites, like my Harry and the Potters T, my new Sun Records shirt, a vintage Springsteen concert T, and many more. Most of my Ts are either concert memorabilia, or thrift store finds.

4. a Zip-front sweatshirt or track jacket

The Ted Leo sweatshirt is an old favorite, but recently I've acquired a cool Hard Rock Cafe track jacket and a Rent zip-front hoodie. Most of these are black, so they match with anything I decide to wear.

5. Bracelet
I got this bracelet at ALDO after christmas for $10, I can't bring myself to spend the money on boots there though...


6. Jacket
I'm a jacket junkie. Depending on the weather, I've got a leather Vespa jacket, 2 thigh length vintage over-coats, 2 Members Only jackets, a mechanic jacket, a jacket deemed "The Ugliest Jacket Ever" by my friends, and more that I don't have time to meantion.

7. Messenger Bag/Purse
During the school day, the purse is inside the messenger bag, which is a simple black bag that I love. The purse is amazing. Be Jealous.

8. Studded Belt
Whether I'm in jeans or dress pants, I'm wearing my studded belt...mostly because I'm pretty sure it's the only one I own.

9. Belt Buckle
For a long time I searched for the perfect belt buckle, and 3 years ago I found it. And, it's a time saver when introducing myself to new people!

10. iPod
Yes, my iPod is ancient...but it works, so of course I use it! I've got to get my podcast fix!

11. Jeans
I wear Levi's 515 Nouveau Boot Cut jeans. This is a recent discovery, since for the longest time I loved the cheap Sears brand called Canyon River Blues...but these Levis are too comfortable, and have the perfect leg shape, since most jeans have too much room in the hips, and I have none.

12. Colorful Socks!
My socks don't need to be patterned, but they need to be colorful. If I'm feeling especially proud to be a Michigan Wolverine, then I'll wear one Yellow and one Blue one, but mostly I just love having a bright Red sock peek out from under my jeans cuff.

13. Shoes!

I've got skate shoes to skate in, some slip-ons for warmer weather, and multiple pairs of sneakers. Of course, none of these are just run of the mill sneaks. I recently went on a mission and purchased 2 pairs of 80s style high tops (one even has a velcro strip at the top). My current slip ons have a Union Jack on them. I love fun & funny shoes, so I've got a closet full of crazy patterns and colors.

Top Ten: Va-Va-Victory!

It's the little things that count in my life right now...

1. I am going to bed on time for the first time in almost a week and a half tonight! Yes!

2. Everyone liked my Lighting Design Project! Woo!

3. I get to stage manage a ballet! Anastasia the Ballet: March 24!

4. My history GSI (Graduate Student Instructor AKA a T.A.) understands that I have a life outside of HIstory class...which includes 6 classes, 3 Jobs, and a show to stage manage!

5. I'm obsessed with British singer/songwriter Lily Allen

6. Sufjan Stevens is supposedly starting to write/record his next record in the 50-States Collection!

7. I gave one of the best talks of my life on retreat last Saturday

8. Finished this year's Pine Car Derby car with my Bro on sunday

9. I saw RENT on Wednesday...WOW!

10. It's starting to get warm in Michigan!!!!!!

Thursday Thirteen #18: Memphis

Thirteen of my pictures from my trip to Memphis, TN for Spring Break!

1. Happy Cousins!


2. Rock On!


3. Beale St.--Downtown Memphis


4. Maya Dressed Herself...


5. Unfortunately, this princess camera wasn't real...


6. Touring the Gibson Factory


7. She's a bear! With a tail and everything!


8. W.C. Handy, won't you look down over me? Yeah, I got a first class ticket, but I'm as blue as a boy can be...


9. Crafts!


10. O'Sullivan's


11. Gibson Factory again...


12. Beale Street again


13. The best pic from the entire trip...



Unfortunately, due to bad weather I couldn't visit Graceland or Sun Records, but hopefully that'll happen if I go back in May!

SHE LIVES!

Yes, I'm still alive!

For an entire week I suffered with a broken computer...which turned out to be something easy to fix, and I fixed it myself.

Aside from that, I was in Memphis, TN visiting family and the roots of rock music. I enjoyed 5 days of Rest, Relaxation, and Rock & Roll! I'll post some pics soon, since I'm catching up on class work I was supposed to complete over break!