Thursday 13 #28: What I've been up to...

13 Things I’ve been up to since you last saw me…

1. Stage Managing a Sketch Comedy Show!
At the University of Michigan, Orientation is a huge deal. The program has all the usual walking tours, question and answer sessions, etc…but the best part is the Sketch comedy show that the Freshmen get to see on their first night in Ann Arbor. I’m stage managing/tech directing the show this summer, and it’s been keeping me super busy, but it’s also been a blast.

2. Spring Classes
On top of everything I’ve been working on I’m attending 2 classes 3 days a week. It’s difficult to keep up with all of the material, but at least the classes are interesting!

3. Jimmy Pardo
Imagine my delight when I found out my favorite stand up comedian was performing for a weekend in Royal Oak! Well, I rounded up a couple friends and we made a night of it, and it was totally worth it. Jimmy performed amazingly and even autographed a CD for me.

4. Movies
Summer time means that I finally have the money to rent and attend movies! I’ve been a regular at Blockbuster lately, and I’ve seen quite a few movies. Favorite rentals: A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, The Godfather of Green Bay, Music & Lyrics. Favorite in theatres: Disturbia, 28 Weeks Later, Knocked Up

5. A Bad Axe Gig!
My church band got asked to play a baccalaureate mass in Bad Axe, MI…which is approximately 3 hours away from Plymouth. The band drove up the Saturday before, set up, rehearsed, had a meal together, and then played the mass the next day. Spending time with the LifeTeen band is one of my favorite things to do, so I had a great time in Bad Axe. And considering what a small town it was, they loved our music!

6. Home Depot
As the Technical Director of a show, I spent a lot of time at Home Depot a few weeks back. I love home depot, but it’s a frustrating place for me to be. None of the workers wait on me because they don’t think they’ll get a sale out of me, and all of the patrons hit on me because I’m a woman in the middle of the boys club! Now, if any of these men weren’t 10-20 years older than me, I wouldn’t mind. But they’re not.

7. Board Games
I’ve become obsessed with board games. My friends come over, and I immediately want to play DVD Clue or Apples 2 Apples or Pop-O-Matic Trouble. It’s awesome.

8. Fountain Dwelling
So, there’s this fountain in front of the Michigan League, and at Freshman Orientation you walk through it as a right of passage. My roommate and I, being Upper Classmen and tired of Frisbee decided to take a frolic in the fountain once again before I graduate.

9. Frisbee
Yes, I suck at Frisbee. BUT I have a light up one, so people tolerate my suckage to play with my awesome toy. There’s nothing better than a late night game of glow frisbee

10. Music
In the same way I have money for movies in the summer, I have money for music again! Here’s some music I’m loving for summer: Oh What a World by Rufus Wainwright, Ludo’s self titled album, Dustin Kensrue’s album Please Come Home, Warren Zevon’s songs Lawyers, Guns, and Money and Keep Me In Your Heart

11. Tigers Game
I went to a Detroit Tigers game during Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately it was during a losing streak, but I still had a ton of fun at Comerica park with all of my friends.

12. Family
I’ve seen my family a lot lately, especially the extended family since my Grandmother had her surgery. It’s nice to see them all again, since I’m always so busy during the school year. I’m making lots of plans for the summer/fall to have family come hang out or visit me!

13. Painting
I’ve started painting some canvases to give as gifts to friends and relatives. Here’s a rose I painted for my grandmother after her knee replacement surgery. I’m so happy with how it turned out.

Thursday Thirteen #27: Lyrics

Thirteen song lyrics I love.


1. Jack's Mannequuin- Bruised
I lace my Chucks, I walk the aisle/I take my pills, the babies cry/All I hear is what's playing through/The in-flight radio/Now every word of every song/I ever heard that made me wanna stay/Is what's playing through/The in-flight radio

2. Tally Hall-Greener
Wherever you are/Is breaking my heart/Don't leave it alone/Don't leave it alone/You fit just right/Right next to me

3. Rent-Finale B
Women sing: "The hand gropes, the ear hears, the pulse beats/Life goes on, but I'm gone/Cause I die without you/I DIE WITHOUT YOU"
Men Sing: There's only now, there's only here/give in to love or live in fear/no other path, no other way/NO DAY BUT TODAY"

4. Bruce Springsteen- Jungleland
Outside the streets on fire in a real death waltz/Between flesh and whats fantasy and the poets down here/Dont 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

5. The Beatles-Blackbird
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see/All your life/You were only waiting for this moment to be free/Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly/Into the light of the dark black night.

6. Dashboard Confessional-This Ruined Puzzle
But I’ve hidden a note/it’s pressed between pages/that you've marked to find your way back/It says Does he ever get the girl?

7. Elton John-Ticking
Oh they pleaded to your sanity for the sake of those inside
"Throw out your gun, walk out slow just keep your hands held high"
But they pumped you full of rifle shells as you stepped out the door
Oh you danced in death like a marionette on the vengeance of the law

8. Ludo-Save Our City
(This is one of 5 songs from a mini-rock opera)
O'er the Mayor's ruined head, the boy steps the window/and cries out from the ledge to the people below:
"There's a time to pray, and there's a time to fight.
Anything can be a weapon, if you're holding it right.
Defend what is yours, they will not take our souls.
It's time to rise, and fight!"

9.Elvis Costello-Radio Radio
You either shut up or get cut up/they don't wanna hear about it/It's only inches on the reel-to-reel/And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools/tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel

10. Harry & the Potters-Human Hosepipe
well maybe I shouldn't have mentioned hermione/and maybe you shouldn't have brought up cedric diggory/because I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriends over coffee...Cho Chang, what have I done?

11. Patty Griffin-Long Ride Home
Headlights searching down the driveway/The house is dark as it can be/I go inside and all is silent/It seems as empty as the inside of me
I've had some time to think about you/And watch the sun set like a stone/I've had some time to think about you

12. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists- Me & Mia
(two faves from this one!)
a. "Do you believe in something beautiful? Then get up and be it!"
b. "Not doctors, nor your mom and dad, but me and Mia, Ann and Ana/Know how hard you try. Don't you see it in my eyes?/Sick to death of my dependence, fighting food to find transcendence/Fighting to survive, more dead but more alive

13. U2-Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own
(two from this one too)
a. "We fight all the time/You and I...that's alright/We're the same soul/I don't need...I don't need to hear you say/That if we weren't so alike/You'd like me a whole lot more
b. "Can - you - hear - me - when - I -/Sing, you're the reason I sing/You're the reason why the opera is in me"


I Could probably do another 13 if I wanted to!

Music Obsession of the Week:

Rufus Wainwright's version of the latin "Agnus Dei"



I've become intrigued with how many classical and catholic mass pieces are being reworked by contemporary artists. First, with Sufjan Steven's "Holy, Holy, Holy" and now Rufus Wainwright's version of this Agnus Dei. Rufus is hauntingly gorgeous on this song. He's approached it as some a protest song, begging god to forgive us our sins. Take a listen.

Thursday Thirteen #26: Summer!

Thirteen things I'm looking forward to this summer!

1. Living in the City
I will be right in the heart of Ann Arbor all summer, and I'm completely excited for it! Those big sales at urban outfitters during the art fair? You better believe I'll be there from day 1!

2. Detroit Tigers!
Another run for the world series is coming our way, I hope to catch a few games this summer.

3. Sleep
No more early morning production meetings! Unless I'm getting up to make some money, I won't be waking up early.

4. Harry Potter
This summer is a Harry Potter-palooza, with the final book and the movie being released. I'm more than excited for all of the big events.

5. UMetc
I'm stage managing the sketch comedy show for the University of Michigan Educational Theatre Company this summer. The show is performed at every orientation session, and each incoming freshman will get to see it. How good is that going to look on my grad school application? Very. 32 Performances is a little daunting though, right?

6. GREASE
Another Summer, another High School Alumni production to stage manage. This year, it's GREASE. Should be quite an adventure!

7. Concerts
Last year was a crazy summer for concerts, and I only missed a few, so hopefully this summer also turns out to be a great summer of tours!

8. Interesting Summer Classes
I always take summer classes that are super interesting, and this year I'm taking Shakespeare with the greatest professor of all time, and a Cultural Anthropology class about the Linguistics of Religious Language.

9. The Ann Arbor Art Fair
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of the most famous things about Ann Arbor in the summer time. Most of the city shuts down and is taken over by artists and artisans from around the world. Now that I'll be only a block away from the action, I can only imagine how fun it's going to be!

10. Summer Fest
Movies at dusk in front of the Graduate building. Concerts on the diag. World class musicians on the University mainstage. These are just a few of the awesome things that the Summer Festival presents every summer, and most of the events are FREE!

11. Hunting for Graduate Schools
This summer I'll be beating the pavement and the internet to hunt down the perfect Theatre Education/Theatre for the Young Grad program for me. I've already gotten in contact with two schools, so hopefully this will be a very successful summer for me.

12. Visiting the Lake
I grew up on a lake my entire life, and now that my mom is planning on purchasing a speed boat...I'll probably spend quite a few weekends back home. Plus, I'll need to hang out with the two siblings, and my dog!

13.Makin' Money
For the first time EVER I'm getting paid to stage manage, so add that to my church job, and a day job I'll be acquiring soon, hopefully I'll have a nice chunk of change saved for the fall!

Thursday Thirteen #25: On the Look Out (Movies)

13 Movies I'm Looking Foreward to from May-September
I don't trust some of the release dates I found for these movies, but I'm positive all are coming soon, and I'm psyched!

1. Across the Universe
(September 28)
I saw the trailer for this movie on sunday, and I'm pretty sure that this will be one of the best movies of 2007. If I could only see 1 of the movies on this entire list, it would be this one.


2. 28 Weeks Later
(Coming out May 11)
Yes, I like zombie movies. The trailer for this movie is pretty awesome too, so I'm excited to see how it turns out.

3. ShowBussiness: The Road to Broadway
(May 11)
From comingsoon.net: Over the course of one Broadway musical season, "ShowBusiness" follows the four high-profile productions that would eventually become Tony nominees for Best Musical: a big-noise musical named "Wicked," the Rosie O'Donnell/Boy George collaboration, "Taboo," the much-anticipated Tony Kushner musical, "Caroline, or Change," and an irreverent puppet show named "Avenue Q."

4. Live Free or Die Hard
(June 27)
I fell in love with the Die Hard franchise a few years ago, and it's still a favorite of mine. So, of course I can't wait for the newest installment!

5. Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix
(July 13)
Who ISN'T looking forward to the newest Harry Potter movie? Of course I'll be seeing this one!


6. Hairspray
(July 20)
I will admit that I'm pretty disappointed with some of the casting choices in the film...(Zach Ephron? Seriously? He didn't even actually sing in High School Musical...and really, did he act?)...but I'll probably still catch it just to see how it translated back to the screen.

7. Under Dog!
(August 3)
"Never Fear, Underdog is here!" I was in love with Underdog as a child, so I'm pumped for a big screen version. And I'm intrigued to see how the whole live-action thing works.

8. Stardust
(August 10)
The trailer for this movie makes it look like an awesome blockbuster. Too many stars to name are in this, and it looks visually incredible!


9. Fanboys
(August 17)
From comingsoon.net: "The movie follows four "Star Wars" fanboys from the Midwest who drive across the country to honor the wish of their dying friend: to see the yet-unreleased "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" in its most optimal setting, George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch."

10. The Wristcutters
(August 31)
From comingsoon.net: "From the moment Zia (Patrick Fugit) cuts his wrists and enters a bizarre afterlife reserved for suicides, this film becomes a strangely uplifting, darkly comic tale about a journey through the hereafter. This is a world where everyone still bears the scars earned from the manner in which they "offed" while the everyday reality is a twisted mirror image of our own mortal world."

11. The Nanny Diaries
(September 7)
The best selling book is moving to the big screen with Scarlett Johanssen as the star. I enjoy Scarlett's work, and the book was pretty good, so hopefully this film version works out as well as the Devil Wears Prada did.


12. The Savages
(September 7)
Wendy Savage (Laura Linney) is a self medicating struggling East Village playwright, AKA a temp who spends her days applying for grants and stealing office supplies, dating her very married neighbor. Jon Savage (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is an obsessive compulsive college professor writing obscure books on even more obscure subjects in Buffalo who still can’t commit to his girlfriend after four years even though her cooking brings him tears of joy. Then, out of the blue, comes the call that changes everything – the call that informs them that their father ... Lenny Savage (Philip Bosco), has lost his marbles. And there is no one to help him but his kids. Wendy and Jon are forced to live together under one roof for the first time since childhood, soon rediscovering the eccentricities that drove each other crazy. comingsoon.net

13. Evan Almighty
(June 22)
I would watch Steve Carrell read the manual to my dvd player, I love him so much, so I'll definitely be watching Evan Almighty

Thursday Thirteen #24: The DO WORK playlist

Ok, I'm back! I survived TOMMY, and finals, so here's my first Thursday Thirteen of THE SUMMER!



Thirteen Songs off of my playlist entitled "DO WORK, SON!" which I listened to while studying/writing papers this year during finals.

1. Chicago-Sufjan Stevens
Off of the Illinois album, and featured heavily in Little Miss Sunshine this song has a really calming effect on me, and is a really great song to work to since it's not distracting.

2. Indoor Fireworks-Elvis Costello
Elvis' voice is like velvet on this song, LOVE IT.

3. Counting Down the Hours-Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
The definition of finals week this spring!

4. The Song of Purple Summer-The Spring Awakening Broadway Cast Recording
This song oozes summer out of every note, and I can't wait to listen to it some night as the sunsets. It's on the list to remind me of what I'm working toward.

5. The Animal Song-Savage Garden
So...this is a huge guilty pleasure for me, I'll admit it. Savage Garden produces some great pop tunes.

6. A Day in the Life-The Beatles (Love Remixes)
I was apprehensive when I was told Cirque du Solei remixed the beatles to creat their show LOVE, but I was very pleasantly surprised. This album is amazing!

7. A Case of You
As the facebook group puts it: "Joni Mitchell is a F***ing Baller" and I will listen to her until the day I die.

8. Nan, You're a Window Shopper-Lily Allen
I can't get enough of Brit "hip-pop"...as I like to call it. Lily Allen rocks out on this track with her dry wit.

9. North Country Girl-Pete Townshend
I love Pete's voice, and his guitar playing. This song is gorgeous.

10. Lost in the Supermarket-The Clash
Joe Strummer is my homeboy.

11. Racing in the Streets-Bruce Springsteen (Live Bootleg)
This song is so beautiful that I have to stop all my work and just take time to listen to the lyrics when it comes on.

12. Head Over Heels-Tears for Fears
Yessssss 80s music!

13. I'm Not Alright (Acoustic)-Sanctus Real
I didn't think christian alt-rock could be this hauntingly beautiful.



And the 2006/2007 school year comes to a close. (I don't think my mom has realized it yet...but I'm officially a senior here at the University of Michigan!)

"Called it"

My name is Cosmic Kid, and I'm a movie "caller".

I made this realization tonight, while watching the movie Fracture, starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. An hour into the film I knew how it was going to end. I never said anything out loud, however, it drove me crazy for the rest of the film. What bothered me the most about figuring this movie out so early was that I definitely enjoyed the entire movie, and thought it was very well made, but I guessed it so early.

This is not the first time this has happened, either. The Prestige: 45 Minutes. Disturbia: 30 Minutes. And these are just the recent occurances, and both are movies that I really liked! I'm starting to think I've just seen too many movies. Have I hit my film peak? I mean, I am only twenty years old!

...maybe I'm just procrastinating so that I avoid writing the paper, the take home final, and the research project I have due this week. That's probably it.

Thursday Thirteen #23: Opening Night

In honor of the opening night of the show I am Asst. Stage Managing this weekend, here are...
13 things to know about the opening and running a show!

1. Everyone is happy because there are no more early morning production meetings
Most shows have regular production meetings, and UMich likes to have them between 9am & 11am. Tommy was blessed with 9am meetings, which after rehearsals that went until 11:30, is early.

2. Never say "good luck"
In every performance circle, the big G.L. is actually bad luck. For theatre say "break a leg" and for opera say "Toi Toi Toi!" (I still have no idea what Toi means)

3. The Cast is usually well behaved
Between nerves and wanting to perform a good show, most casts are quiet back stage and nice to everyone.

4. People get to see the show!
After 5 weeks of rehearsals, bad moods, late nights, and hard work, friends and family finally get to see what you've created such a fuss about. (And hopefully they're impressed)

5. It gets easier!
Rehearsals, Techs, and Dress Rehearsals are frenzied, but usually things get easier during the run of a show. The crew has finally learned the show, so most things become routine. With a long running show everything can become clockwork...as long as no disasters happen.

6. Something always goes wrong
I love problem solving, so waiting for that one thing to go wrong and having to trouble shoot around it is a challenge I look foreward to.

7. Stage Blacks
My wardrobe is distilled down to 4 things during performances: Black shoes, black pants, black Tshirt, and a black hooded sweatshirt. THis makes getting dressed a lot easier in the morning.

8. No Foot Wrestling
On Saturday's rehearsal the crew was so bored that they actually foot wrestled backstage. Now they barely have enough time to sit down!

9. The Orchestra Arrives
With musicals, opera, or theatre featuring compositions, once the musicians arrive beautiful things happen to a show. I always love when full orchestrations are added, since the show really comes alive once they're all there.

10. Never mention the "scottish play"
Another huge no-no once a show has moved into the theatre is ever mentioning Shakespeare's "scottish play," M*cB*th.

11. "Thanks"
Once the actors have moved past the insanity of moving into the theatre, then adding costumes, they start to notice all of the hard work the Stage Managers and crew members are doing, and start saying thanks. It's nice to finally reach this point, since all the hard work is being rewarded.

12. Costumes rock
Whether the show is a period piece or modern, costumes are always an awesome addition to complete the world of the production. Love them!

13. Cast Party!
It's finally time to celebrate all of the work you've done!



Here's to a successful opening night of The Who's TOMMY here at UMich!

Loving Love

One of the room mates finally burned me a copy of The Beatles' LOVE, the collection of remixes from Cirque du Soleil. All I can say is WOW. This album takes these Beatles tunes to a whole new place, and it's a good place.

Thursday Thirteen #22: Television

13 TV shows I absolutley have to see each week!

1. House M.D.
Can you say "obsessed"? I record every new and repeated episode each week

2. The Riches
This new show from FX rocks! Eddie Izzard is amazing!

3. Grey's Anatomy
I'll never miss a new episode of Grey's

4. Mythbusters
I'm a nerd, and happy to admit it

5. Dirty Jobs
Discovery runs my life, and Mike Rowe is just too entertaining

6. Colbert Report
Mr. Colbert amazes me, because he is so perfectly in character during each moment of his show, that I love every second of it.

7. It Takes a Thief
It makes me paranoid and entertains me all at the same time.

8. Cash Cab
The greatest game show ever, that takes place all in the back of a New York City taxi cab!

9. Project Runway
I've watched it since day one, so I'm not giving up on it any time soon

10. Hell's Kitchen/Top Chef
I like Hell's Kitchen more than Top Chef mostly because of Ramsay, but Top Chef is pretty awesome too.

11. The Sopranos
This show is so incredibly well written that I can't stop watching!

12. Curb Your Enthusiasm
The funniest show on television, hands down!

13. Scrubs
Scrubs is the snack food of tv, if it's on, you can't help but keep enjoying it!


What shows do you have to see/Tivo?

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.