Thursday 13 #30: Potter Pics

My Thirteen Favorite Pictures that I took at the Harry and the Potters Concert in Ann Arbor!

1. Draco & the Malfoys opening the show...


2. Harry Potter 7th Year (Paul) during "Voldermort Can't Stop the Rock"


3. HP7 with his party hat on because it was Harry Potter's Birthday!


4. Harry Potter 4th Year (Joe) with the Library Sign


5. HP7 breaking it down...


6. HP4 demonstrating the new Hagrid song with dance moves!


7. An awkward moment with Bill Weasley on drums during "The Weasle"


8. HP4 rocking out during "The Weasle"


9. HP4 letting loose


10. The signature HP4 Mic Cord move


11. I really just love this picture of Paul. Adorable.


12. SAXY TIME!


13. The Weapon We Have is Love!


Want more from Harry and the Potters? Check out their Myspace

Thursday 13 #29: Harry AND THE Potters!

After another summer hiatus, here's a great Thursday 13 to make up for it! One of the best live bands ever is a band called HARRY AND THE POTTERS, the original Wizard Rock (WRock) band, and still the best. If you hadn't guessed it already, Harry and the Potters play songs only about Harry Potter and even dress as Harry Potter. The two brothers play Harry Potter 4th Year and Harry Potter 7th Year, who met during a night of time travelling and decided to form a band together. Check out their albums, which are now available on iTunes! So without further ado...


13 of my favorite Harry and the Potters songs

1. Dumbledore
Written after Dumbledore's death in book 6, the song can make me cry.
"You were the best we ever had (you were the best)/I wish we could have shared more together/But now you're off on your next adventure/DUMBLEDORE WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU TONIGHT!...Your love is keeping us alive!"

2. Save Ginny Weasley
The song that helped start the movement!
"We've got to save Ginny Weasley from the Basalisk!/We've got to save our school from that unseen horror!"

3. Save Ginny Weasley from Dean Thomas
"My Wizard Scar still burns for you..."

4. Fred & George
A great stuttering rock song that is so punk and so catchy
"So what's your deal? Are you a prankster? Or are you just looking for some skivving snack boxes to get you out of class?

5. Dumbledore's Army
"Oh my god you look like a frog/Oh my god you look like a frog/Umbridge you're going down, Umbridge you're going down"

6. Platform 9 3/4
"The bus don't run to Hogwarts/You have to take the train/We'll take the train from platform 9 and 3/4

7. We save Ron's life (part 8)
A really funny song about all the times Harry and Hermione save Ron's life

8. Phoenix Song
One of the best produced Harry and the Potters songs, and it's got a gorgeous intro. Just go download it!
"Put your wand in your hand!/Put love in your heart!/Get your friends by your side!/And tear evil apart!"

.9. I am a Wizard
I think you get what this is about, right?

10. Song for the Death Eaters
"You're running scared/You run and hide/your hearts have nothing warm inside"

11. The Weapon
And there's one thing that I've got/One thing that you've got inside you, too/One thing that we've got/And the one thing we've got is enough/To save us all/The weapon we have is love"

12. The Human Hosepipe
"I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriend over coffee...Cho Chang, what have I done?"

13. Cornelius Fudge is an ass
"Do you wanna go back to the way we were?/And do you wanna stay how we used to be?/And do you wanna pretend that the Dark Lord didn't come back?"

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!

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 #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!

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

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.

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!