The second (bigger) part is that I don’t listen to much music at all these days.  I’ve been sort of down, and when I get into a funk (a depression to be honest) I cannot tolerate music.  It makes me overly emotional and overly melancholic (and not melancholic in the good way, which despite what I should have learned from “The Sorrows of Young Werther”, I love to feel).  So, when I watched a recent episode of SNL and found myself humming the songs I heard performed on it again and again – then seeking them out to play on my various musical devices, then listening to it at the gym on repeat (I tend to listen exclusively to podcasts when working out), and then actually choosing to walk places instead of riding the bus or biking so that I could have more time to listen to it – I took some notice.  So here it is: I love and am obsessed with Lana Del Rey(‘s music).

Thats right, folks.  She of the collagen lips and SNL hatred, she that garners the contempt of hipster runoff and a lot of my friends.  She that, eight years ago, I would have listened to in secret, so very ashamed of googling her song lyrics so that I could sing along to every awkwardly phrased line and impossible to hit trill.  (yes, I did that) (to be fair, it was partly fueled by free hair-salon champagne).

But you know what guys?  I don’t care anymore.  I am almost 30 (28 in March, y’all) (oh my goodness I just had to subtract 1984 from 2012 on my calculator to remember how old I am – maybe you shouldn’t listen to anything I have to say) anyway, older, wiser, and I like what I like.  I’m gonna scream “I WILL LOVE YOU ‘TIL THE END OF TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME” and “You’re so FRESH TO DEATH and sick as CA-CA-CANCER” in the shower, and while I’m cooking, and ….. well, I live in studio flat, so other than those two rooms everything is sort of one big space.  But you know what? I’m singing in there TOO.

Now, if you’re in the even-semi-know you’ve probably heard of Lana Del Rey primarily because of her recent performance on SNL.

It did not go well for her.

Or at least that is what almost everyone is saying.  God-like taste makers (please note the sarcasm) such as Perez Hilton (“Lana Del Rey was horrible on SNL last night #bomb”) and Eliza Dushku (“Who….is…..this wack-a-doodle chick on SNL…? Wha….?”) joined the twitter barrage that hit.  Even Brian Williams got in on it, saying that “…Lana Del Rey had one of the worst outings in SNL history…” – ouch, Brian, ouch.  Del Rey was booked on SNL having no record contract (at the time) and very little performance experience.  So maybe it showed.  I say maybe not every act that comes on SNL needs to do headstands or, I don’t know…. GIVE FAKE ORGY BIRTH TO A PUDDLE OF GOLD OOZE (yeah, Lady Gaga, take that).  But obviously I’m defensive, you decide:

I honestly do not understand where the outrage and hatred is coming from. Her voice isn’t perfect, but it’s interesting – and I value that so, so, so much more.  We don’t need anymore pitch-performance-perfect American Idol runners up in this world.  Now, some of the answer might come not from the video above, but from Lana Del Rey’s infamous reputation.  There are a million reasons out there to hate her.  (Well at least more than a dozen).  Where to start? Ok, first she’s had a lot of plastic surgery done (I mean, look at her lips people).  Seriously, look:

“Dude, it’s like wherever you go in the room they follow you.”

Ok, they are pretty bad.  They are big and they are fake, and I constantly wonder why people do this to their mouths.  I don’t think it EVER looks good.  But you know what guys? She is still a damn fine singer through those monsters.  To get an idea of how different she looks in this iteration, here is an older video (although maybe her lips are done here too?) Just did some research and this isn’t her in the video, it’s some French video maker lady.  Sorry – but I’m leaving it in because it is Lana Del Rey’s song, and the guys in the video are super cute.  (I think this song is really fun, by the way).

Of course, a lot of flack that gets sent her way comes from her being an attractive woman.  And she is.  I’m not putting up all these photos of her because they hurt my eyes.  She has a cool, sexy-vibe, image.  Sadly, this often turns to slut-shaming.  I have read SO MANY articles that only talk about how much she “wants it” or is “asking for it” etc, etc, too many sad/disgusting things to list here where I know I get mixed readership. (Hi Mrs. Bollmer! ! I hope you’re still reading my blog, sorry for cursing so much!)  Part of this might also come from her “stand by your man” esque lyrics.  I love her songs, but my three favorites (the singles that have been released: “Video Games” “Born to Die” and “Blue Jeans” are like the same song.  She will love her man no matter what, be by his side even if he stays out all night, does everything she does to make him happy and all that jazz. Not the best message, but the Spice Girls had “girl power” and they sucked.  I mean, everyone is talking about how great Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” is (using her because she performed on SNL right before Del Rey to a very positive response) and I think that the message of that song is horrifying.  Talk about women against women rhetoric and bitchiness.

Beyond her physical “image” is her “image, image”.  Del Rey has a rich, rich daddy (Robert Grant – billionaire domain investor). (or maybe millionaire – I’m not going to do THAT much research for this blog post you guys).  And because she comes from money, she’s had a lot of opportunities that a lot of other musicians have not.  She has a team around her as it were.  They named her (real name Elizabeth? Lizzy? Grant), they told her to be a solo act, they promoted her, they produced her.  You know what they’re not doing? Singing for her.  And you know what I like about her? Her singing.

Basically, (and go ahead and crucify me for this) I don’t care how the sausage gets made.  I like to eat it.  So she isn’t “authentic”, she is a “sell out”; how many bands aren’t? I mean really, when it gets down down down to it – and what do these things really even mean? Is she any less authentic – or is her lack of authenticity just more transparent?  I realize this is problematic, that I’m part of the problem, that I have no soul/conscience.  Sorry.  When it comes to music I look for it to entertain me, for me to enjoy it. Not to make a political statement with.

I don’t really like her as her image – I mean, from the few interviews I’ve seen she seems crazy-shallow-silly, and lame, and completely pulling that starlet baby voice schtick. (I HATE that).  But I’m not judging her for that. Nope. Not me. To the music itself!

She’s being touted as a “ghetto Nancy Sinatra” – and to that I say…. meh?  I think of her as sort of a mix between P.J. Harvey, perhaps some second-rate Antony (from Antony and the Johnsons) (You GUYS! remind me to tell you how I got to see him live in Marina Abramovic’s play one time – he had a pet lobster on a leash, it was mind blowing)  and some Bruce Springsteen.  Born to run turns into born to die by way of Versailles-tinged Tragedy.  (A lot of this comes from her music video below)

I really, really love that song.  The video above also demonstrates her Gaga esque (yeah, now I’m applauding the lady, I can have different levels of opinions, ok?)  talent for choosing really hot male costars.  (how could we forget eyepatched Skarsgard?)

Her “Born to Die” costar is the lovely Bradley Soileau:

Heeeelllllooooo Bradley. (Hey Weezy).

He isn’t the model from those Juicy Couture adds is he? That guy was hot too.  Ok, so to recap: I’ve gotten a copy of her album “Born to Die” and love all the singles off of it.  Beyond those there are about three other stand out songs, and the rest make for ace background music to clean/write/sway listlessly to.  Her old album “Lana Del Rey, aka Lizzy Grant” is alright.  Very uneven, sometimes weirdly awesome, sometimes catchy, sometimes embarrassing.  But I’ve been listening to her songs the whole time I’ve been writing this, and my opinions haven’t wavered.  Here is the video for her song “Blue Jeans”

I cannot believe that my longest blog post ever was devoted to this.  I honestly have no clue why I care so much, it is taking even me by surprise.  But I like her music, it is bringing me happiness. What do you guys think?  Am I way off base? Why? Do you secretly or not so secretly love her too? I’d love to know!

P.S – as a self-proclaimed Quiktrip junkie (not kidding, this is always the first place I go once I get off the plane from England) her lyrics about “take me to the gas station” don’t hurt anything.

So, on that note:

1) True Stories

Oh man, you guys.  I sort of have the feeling I’ve blogged about this before, because…. how could I NOT? This is definitely in my top three favorite movies of all time.  According to IMDB it is about:

“A small but growing Texas town, filled with strange and musical characters, celebrates its sesquicentennial and converge on a local parade and talent show.”

I prefer the dvd cover, that it is a “Completely cool, multipurpose movie.” – because IT IS!  This movie, which stars David Byrne, Spalding Gray, and this young up-and-comer:

You guys, this movie is just so good – so very, very, odd, and good, and wonderful, and cool.  If you haven’t seen it, you should.  Like, now.  Seriously.  It is filled with songs from the Talking Heads, and many wonderful quiet moments with David Byrne.  It’s a very hard movie to describe, so here are some clips:

and the trailer:

Please go watch it! And let me know what you think!

2) (this is not cheating) The song “People Like Us” from “True Stories”

I’ve been on sort of a weird music kick lately – not anything new, but old old stuff I really loved in highschool.  So, lots of violent femmes, velvet underground, Warren Zevon, and travelling Wilburies.  And defo Talking Heads.  My current favorite talking heads song is “People Like Us” – which was sung at the climax of the movie “True Stories’ by John Goodman.  It’s a very, very country sort of song, but I love to sing along with it – it’s probably the most heartfelt thing David Byrne has ever sung.

3) I-pet Companion

Ok you guys, this has been a bad week. (In some ways, work-wise I’m doing amazingly) – it has been a week so bad that having my bank information stolen and losing lots of money, and dealing with the stupid British customer service people to fix it (still not fixed)) was not NEARLY the worst thing that happened to me.  Because of this I’ve needed lots of happiness, and because of this I am now sharing with you a lieblings I’ve been hiding for awhile, because it is just SO GOOD. Ok, here it is: the ipet companion.  Basically, you go to this website and you get to play with REAL LIVE CATS!!!! REALLY! Every time I’m feeling down I go here and play.   (the best one is Michigan’s) – basically this is a website that allows you to play, in real time, with real shelter  kittens.  Each shelter has machines you control through the magic of the internets.  It is awesome, just go try it.

4) THIS (birthday idea, anyone?)

What if I don’t like Chardonnay OR Merlot?

5) Green Onion Tips (aka, I’m never buying green onions AGAIN, bee-yotch!)  (I am so sorry I just said “bee-yotch” but this is cool guys)

So this isn’t the prettiest of pictures, but this tip is great.  You know how you always have to buy like, 8 green onions in a pack, but the recipe only calls for one or two? Or perhaps you just like garnishing things with green onion – anyway, all you do is take the white parts of the green onion and stick them in water, and put them near some sun, and voila! They regrow! I didn’t think there would be enough sun here in Manchester, but it really did work.

1) Gojee

Gojee.com (link HERE) is a really neat website that allows you to type in any combination of foods you are craving, foods you have on hand, and/or foods you don’t like and then comes up with delicious recipe options for you.  This was especially wonderful for me, because I’m moving soon and have tons and tons of food to use up before I go.  (mostly an assortment of odd grains – I still have more than three kilograms of quinoa left!!!!)  The website is designed well, easy to use, and really fun (you can unlock different trophies depending on what types of food you look up).  (apparently I crave lamb too much and just got a “killing spree” award).  (I used up a ton of red lentils on this delicious dish: lamb with red lentils) and have been eating it every night for over a week – it’s just that good!

2) This Video

Belushi, Akroyd, Wilson – so much to love. So, so much.  How crazy out of it does Brian Wilson look anyway?

3) The “My Vintage Book Collection” Blog

How can you not be intrigued by this photo!?!?  If you don’t look at it and say to yourself “what the heck is going on here? I MUST KNOW!” Then to be honest, you are not someone I really want to get to know. So, pffffft.  For the rest of you, this is an illustration from one of the many, many fascinating and odd, and often oddly fascinating old children’s books that Mallory puts up on her website My Vintage Book Collection.  This website is so good I almost didn’t want to share it – so that I could always have secret awesome images to confuse people with – but you know what you guys?  For you, I’ll share – I mean, we’re friends, and thats what friends are for.  (also I’m being lazy and only doing three lieblings today, so one of them had to be stellar!) The above image comes from a book called “Three Little Horses” by Piet Worm.  It is probably my favorite of all the books scanned into the website.  I wish I could find an actual hardcopy of it to someday terrify and delight my future offspring with! 

Now, really when I say Doctor Who I mainly mean the 11th doctor (played by Matt Smith) and the newer seasons of Doctor Who.  Pre-Matt Smith I liked Doctor Who, I knew it existed, I would be happy if I caught an episode on the sci-fi (I refuse to recognize the name change of syfy because that is STUPID, you guys) channel.  I laughed and clapped my hands in gleeful recognition when, at Grant’s cousin’s wedding, they played the Doctor Who theme for their entrance song – but overall I was a passive fan, a fair-weather fan.  I never loved David Tennant (sorry, he bothers me guys, the converse are lame), I was not die hard.  NOW I am die-hard.  I watched both of the new seasons bam bam bam in a row in, like, less than a week.  I would stay up until 3am just to watch more Doctor Who – every night, at least one of my dreams involve Doctor Who, I want to get a tattoo of a tardis with a bow tie, FOR REAL.  Ok, so that said, number one, is, of course:

1) Matt Smith (the eleventh Doctor)

LOVE. LOVE. I have such a huge crush on Matt Smith, you guys.  He is cute, he was going to be a pro-footballer until he hurt his knee, he is an excellent actor and the best Doctor Who.  Plus, his doctor has added a very important addition to his look, which brings me to:

2) Bow-Ties (Bow-ties are cool)

As most people who know me know, I am a big supporter of the bowtie.  Not enough guys wear bowties- and you know what? They ARE cool.  Not only does the 11th doctor wear a bowtie, he is constantly defending this choice to the world with the charmingly stated phrase “bowties are cool“.  He did wear a fez for a bit (“it’s a fez, I wear a fez now.  Fezes are cool”) and I liked that too, but unfortunately it was blown up by a futuristic shotgun.

3) River Song

There are many things that make the newer seasons of Doctor Who especially great, many people credit the Doctor’s new companion, Amelia/Amy Pond:

and she is, to be fair, really great.  She is probably one of the best companions.  Also, Steven Moffat is writing a lot of the episodes and he’s great (he also writes for the new “Sherlock”) but my favorite new character is River Song.  There are so many reasons why she’s great – she gets to make out with the Doctor all the damn time, and call him “sweetie”, and… well I really can’t say any of the other reasons she’s great because of:

but take my word for it, she’s great.  Her plotlines are excellent.  She is a wonderful bad-ass.  Did I mention that she gets to make out with Doctor Who all the time?

Because she does.

4) The Vincent Van Gogh Episode (Vincent and the Doctor)

Of course, as an art historian I’m biased towards this episode – but that is because it is done so well.  I would have been just as likely (if not more so) to be biased against it if they had done something stupid with it, but they didn’t.  You GUYS, this episode is amazing.  It’s also a good one-off episode, so even if you don’t know much about Doctor Who and the season arc, you can still watch it and not be too confused (you do know that a tardis is bigger on the inside, right?)  So, I love this episode so much that I’ll admit it, I cried not once but TWICE during this episode.  And not just a little trickle down of a single wayward tear, oh no, full out dumboing (for those of you who know what that means, those who don’t, just ask) – bawling, continuous blubbering.  I cried. A lot.  The first time was when they were laying in the field and saw the starry starry night painting realized and the second time – oh the second time.  I don’t want to give too much away, but it was pretty much any art historian’s wet dream (to be crass about it).  I mean, half way through the episode I was saying “I know they won’t do this, but I really wish they WOULD do this” and then, you know what guys? THEY DID IT! And it wasn’t cheesy – it was emotional, and beautiful.  Anyway, if that doesn’t make you want to watch it, nothing will.  Oh, and also the blind invisible monster is totally a metaphor for mental illness and vision, you guys! It is just all so sublimely sad.

5) The Best of The Doctor on Itunes

Oh no! I was mainly suggesting this show because it was free on itunes last week, but now, for some sad reason, it is not.  I got it when it was free and watched it at the gym, and it was great.  Basically, it just goes through the best episodes that Matt Smith has been in, with witty and amusing commentary by Doctor Who celebrity fans.  There is everyone from my personal favorite, Paul F. Tompkins, to Reggie Watts, to Eugene Merman, to Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman.  It’s also a really good way to dip your toe in and see if you want to invest the time to watch all of the newer episodes (trust me, you do).  You can buy it on amazon or itunes.

BONUS) The Sarah Jane Chronicles

This is sort of embarrassing, but I liked this show before I feel back in total love with Doctor Who.  Basically, Sarah Jane was one of the Doctor’s past companions, and this show is a spin-off starring her.  It is, to be honest, a children’s show, but it gets dark for a kid’s show, you guys.  Anyway, it’s best episode is also art history related (a two parter in which a museum comes to life and the Mona Lisa is EVIL).

BONUS BONUS)  Matt Smith playing the Doctor Who theme song with Orbital at Glastonbury

LATE BREAKING-JUST DISCOVERED-BONUS BONUS) The F*** Yeah Matt Smith’s Wardrobe Tumblr!

I just found this website like one minute ago while I was trying to find a rumored sexy photo of Matt Smith in a v-neck t-shirt, and am stoked.  It’s dedicated to Matt Smith’s wardrobe. The end. Nuff’ Said.

AND ONE FOR THE ROAD) Since this post is already gif-heavy (at least it’s supposed to be, I can’t get the bowties are cool one to work):

Blog Regularly 

I don’t know if anyone out there either reads or enjoys this blog o’mine, but for my own sake, I’m going to start posting at least once a week, every week again.  I promise!  Some will be lieblings (I have so many great ones for you all!) Some will be random updates on my life, and some will be awesome recipes.  (I am not going to really food blog per-say, because there is so much beautiful food photography I can never compare with – but I will go through the bajillion recipes I mean to try and share some of my favorites).  

Get Back Into Running

About this time last year (sadly, probably earlier) I stopped running regularly – this was 70% due to laziness and 30% due to knee problems.  While I do plan on starting up power yoga again (dude, you have no idea how intense this yoga class is) and joining the Chorlton leisure center (since I moved away from my old gym) (I miss it!!!) I want to get back to running regularly -right now I run every now and then and can hardly get anywhere – it is very, very sad.  I miss the days where I could just run and run and feel awesome – so thats a goal.

Complete at least (3-5?) Tomatoes a Day

Oh isn’t google image search fun?  By tomatoes I mean, of course, the awesome get-work-done program “my tomatoes” (which I’ve mentioned before).  I am the sort of person that doesn’t do work until the very last minute – I pride myself on my internal “now you must get work done NOW’ clock – this clock allows me to get work done and be as lazy as possible.  Basically, I’ve never missed a deadline throughout my whole academic career – but I haven’t worked that hard.  I know, I know, lame- but it’s true.  I think if I worked at maximum capacity I could be done with my dissertation by now, but as it stands I’ve finished all my chapters and have my intro and conclusion planned out.  Now, I have a long stretch of time with no teaching and no panels where I have to finish the whole thing.  SO, hopefully, instead of doing it all in the last two months, I’m going to do at least three to five tomatoes (that’s about 1 and a half to two and a half hours) per day on my dissertation.  Boring, but probably very good for me.

Become  A Monique Wittig Expert

In case you aren’t aware. Monique Wittig is a radical lesbian separatist author.  I plan on, along with Deleuze and Guattari, making her the key theorist in my dissertation.  (I vow to become the first responsible and awesome feminist Deleuzio-Guattarian.)  (bite it, Braidotti).  Anyway, every single panel meeting I get into an argument with my advisor concerning our very different readings of Wittig, and this year I vow to  convince her that I am right and she is wrong.  I am in the middle of reading everything Wittig has ever written, and it is all awesome.  I don’t speak French, so this resolution will probably never really happen, but heres trying.

Get A Super Cool Hair-Cut

Ha! DONE.  Well, to be fair I got so much hair cut off that although I wanted to go shorter, the hairdresser told me no..  So I think in the new year I’ll go shorter – I like this cut:

Ok, folks – see you next week!

1) PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES

This is only one of two ipod games I’ve ever actually paid for (the other is the inferior, but still fun “Sally’s Spa) (don’t judge me!) Plants vs. Zombies (or PVZ as the kids in the know call it) is awesome – basically you defend your home against zombies by strategically planting plants with different skill sets.  I got this game for myself for my birthday, and then proceeded to spend the weekend in bed finishing it all too quickly (I said no judging!)  It is that good people.  Sort of like stratego, but animated… and with zombies…. and better. I highly, highly recommend it.  Here is a screen shot of the game:

2) JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN PODCAST

John Hodgman is wonderful, but he has a very specific style of humor – one that doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to be properly showcased, which has always been a shame – but is no longer a problem because of this witty, sardonic, goofy podcast.  I LOVE this podcast, and eagerly await its weekly update.  The basic premise is that John Hodgman acts as a judge in order to rule on and solve a variety of petty arguments (my girlfriend is hiding food from me, my friend won’t join facebook, my dad forces me to watch classic movies with him) – the arguments aren’t the interesting part, what really shines is Hodgman’s amusing comments and ridiculously impressive knowledge of banal things (I especially love his extensive expertise on word origins). I highly suggest subscribing to this.

3) HAUNTED COLLECTOR

I am a sucker for the free tv show downloads that itunes often offers – I will pretty much watch anything on there (hey, it’s free!) the shows are usually awful, and I’m not saying that “Haunted Collector” isn’t awful – it’s just awful in an amazing and delightful way.  The show (on Syfy) basically combines antique roadshow with ghost hunters.  The main guy and his team go around the country rooting out haunted objects (apparently objects can be haunted, not just houses).  There are many delicious layers to this show – first of all, the main ghost collector dude (can’t remember his name) is so deadpan and awkward and lovable – secondly the show has some genuinely interesting historical facts, thirdly everyone on the ghost/object hunting team is highly skeptical about the existence of ghosts at all, and aren’t afraid to be like “this is all bullshit” – and then there are the further layers, such as when I convinced myself that this guy is actually a genius scammer who is stealing valuable antiques from people (it usually just so happens that the most valuable object in the house is the one that is haunted, and thus must be taken safely away to the haunted collector’s house) – and then there is the weird relationship he has with his much younger daughter replacement potential lover teammate- and BEST OF ALL – the things actually doing the haunting are awesome – we are talking GHOST SHARKS people!

4) WORDS WITH FRIENDS

This is a great free itunes app that lets you play scrabble with your friends- check it out (and start a game with me, I’m gakather)

5) INAPPROPRIATE MUSIC VIDEO

so, everyone knows ipods can play music videos – this one is a particular current favorite (not suitable for all audiences!) (but how awesome is it that the man slaves are all carrying around 4 loko?)

This reminds me of one of the first shows I ever saw in the UK, called “Trapped” – basically the show is like a children’s version of the mole, where one kid has to sabotage the other kids- but a combination of very high quality freakiness and odd staging (a demon midget that eats bones and only comes out in the dark anyone?) and screeching backstabbing British children makes you really believe that “Lord of the Flies” is complete nonfiction.  

Another show I love? I don’t think anyone here will be surprised, but I love…… GENIE IN THE HOUSE!

now, I ran into this show while flipping through the channels- my tv is only black and white, and in black and white the main character (said genie in said house) Adil looks like he’s wearing black face – he isn’t really, but it’s enough to give one pause, and in that pause I became addicted to this show.  It’s one of only two shows made by Nickelodeon for a “european” market (the creator is French, but wanted to make “England the new America” – I can’t describe why I love this show, but I do – so much so that I stay up until 3am every night to watch it.   And even better news? It will be a 3D movie soon! 

I can’t embed it but here is the opening theme: http://youtu.be/Si6IVVgUR4c   after watching about (oh, maybe two dozen) a few episodes, I realized that the show only uses one song whenever they play a song, and that, my friends is the amazing PINEAPPLE SONG: 

This show is always followed by the only other non-US nickelodeon show, “Summer in Transylvania”  - the show is bad, but the theme song is……. enjoyably generic (?) watch at about 1:28 here

As far as British shows I actually like (as in, they’re really very good) go- there are the classic British comedies, Black Adder, Father Ted, The Young Ones, Black Books, Allo Allo, etc.  A new comer to this category is Simon Amstell’s sitcom “Grandma’s House” – Simon Astell was the host of “Nevermind the Buzzcocks”, which he left to do this show.  The show has my personal favorite, Noel Fielding on a lot:

Here is some more:

NMTBs suffered, but Grandma’s House is hilarious and underrated.  It is basically about Simon quitting a lucrative career as a gameshow host and everyone being disappointed about it ( so close to real life!) 

I’m pretty sure “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” has made it to the states, but now the UK has turned it into a whole series, and it is beyond amazing.  

This show follows the wedding customs (and in the second season further lifestyle traditions) of UK gypsies.  They are obsessed with weddings, which are usually beyond grandiose (but in a sad way, because women are second class citizens who only get their way once, on their wedding day) here are some of the dresses displayed:

The gypsy culture is really interesting- they are very strict when it comes to sex before marriage, but they let their children run around like this:

Ok, other show thoughts… there is a show called “compete for the meat”- EVERYONE should go watch “Outnumbered” right now because it is my favorite British comedy – and……..  the Brits have an odd take on disabilities.  On the one hand they have shows like America’s next top model, where disabled (in wheelchairs, missing limbs, etc) women compete – but then they have uncomfortably exploitative shows like……

CRIPPENDALES.  -  a show about disabled men who want to be strippers.  I mean, it’s one thing if disabled men want to get their kits off for kicks, but to show them struggling documentary style and calling it CRIPPENDALES? just seems squeamy to me.  Although the blind guy is pretty fit:

Well, that was my ramble, I have many more insights and feelings towards british tv (I love you “Come Dine With Me” and “Golden Balls”) but this is all for now.  GO WATCH OUTNUMBERED!

OH! I almost forgot my favorite- “Snog, Marry, Avoid” -in this show POD (personal overhaul device) gives scally slags makeunders!

For those who care- life updates: I am moving to Whalley Range in July- the evil house of Levenshulme will be someone else’s problem and I will live near Unicorn (a whole foods type independent grocer that has the only decent produce in this city- and APPLE RINGS (I love apple rings) and Pie (a restaurant/pub that serves classic British pies and has an amazing beer selection – although I tend to just get Blue Moon there because they have it (pretty much unbelievable to find it here) and it reminds me of America).  My current chapter is on Painting Machines, and Sade, and Roussel, and…..  cool stuff.

So, on to the lieblings!

1) PJ HARVEY’S “LET ENGLAND SHAKE”

I’m a bit behind letting you know about this album (then again, I haven’t posted in over two months) but making up for lost time: GO BUY THIS ALBUM RIGHT NOW!  It is far and away the best new thing I have heard in years.  I am a bit biased because I like the England/America connections and statements made within the lyrics, and the outfit PJ has been donning as she does the rounds of all the British music shows is just great. (Very sister-wives wedding dress with a bird on the head), but trust me, good stuff.  (although I’ve been told that if you are super-partial to her older stuff you may not appreciate the vocals on this).  So here are some of my favorite songs:

Let England Shake (this is from a British politics show, which may explain the funny bit in the middle where the show’s hosts are shown watching the live performance from a tv)

The Last Living Rose – this is tied for my favorite song on the album

Glorious Land – also tied for my current favorite

The Words that Maketh Murder

also, I want an autoharp now.

2) I HURT, I AM IN FASHION

This is a sometimes hilarious, sometimes oddly poetic, entrancing blog. Check it out- I hurt I am in Fashion

3) XOJANE

Remember Jane Magazine? (Or, perhaps, Sassy – I was a bit too young for Sassy in its heyday) remember the makeunders? and the favorite things that you could actually afford and were awesome? I do – I was a subscriber up until the bitter end when I got the sad sad letter saying they were not going to continue publication.  Well, do not fret, I have not brought up these sad memories for nought – oh no, there is a slight substitutive hope (sort of like Splenda) and it is called xoJane.com - it is not as good (and I miss holding an actual glossy magazine in my hands) but it’s alright.  Jane Pratt started it and it has some good tips and some good writing (and some really bad writing, but I guess they’re finding their stride).  (and for those of you who may or may not remember, Daria parodied Jane in an episode where a person named Val had Val Magazine :

4) KICKSTARTER

Kickstarter is a website that helps fund creative projects.  Basically, someone with a project (be it a cookbook, art show, fashion line, etc etc) sets a monetary goal for how much it will cost to carry out, then set a time limit on it, and then people from all over the world can donate money.  If you reach your goal in time, you get the money, if not, you don’t get any of the funds raised. Donators receive perks at different levels (like for 10 dollars you get a tote bag, 100 gets you an original art print, etc, etc).  Of course, this is all well and good and rah rah independent creative folks – but the real reason I’m lieblings-ing it is because it is a terrific time waster.  I’ve spent most of the afternoon searching through projects people have suggester.  For example, the picture above is from someone who wants to make a bike-powered butter and toast maker.  There is a quite meta project who’s only goal is to produce a t-shirt about the project.  The projects range from the absurd to the REALLY absurd .  Oh, and here is one for my brother Daniel: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimmyjoeroche/black-midnight-death-trip-jimmy-joe-roche?ref=recommended

5) BRIAN COX’S SCOTCH PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 

I love Scotch- do you love scotch? Then know how to pronounce it for pete’s sake! :

quick note: some of these can’t be played from the site- just click the “watch on youtube” link for hassle free enjoyment.

THE OSMONDS: CRAZY HORSES

the first may well be the best- this is a genuinely good rock arena/metal song by the Osmonds- who would have thought?!?! (and you can’t beat that chicken dance)

NIRVANA: SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

now this is one of the rare times where TOTP was IMPORTANT- Cobain (one of my first crushes after Luke Skywalker – although he scared me because he was dead and all) (and yes, my favorite Nirvana album in unplugged in New York- I mean, Lead Belly and Bowie covers? yes please) did a very very odd vocal rendition of his classic

T-REX: GET IT ON

“dirty sweet and you’re my girl” -what lass doesn’t want the sexy sexy lead singer of T-REX to say that about her?  This is a great song by a great band, but through the power of TOTP Elton John is on piano!!!

THE WHO: WON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN

oh dear lord do I ever tip my hat to the new constitution- I love the Who beyond reasonable boundaries- and although there are many songs I love more, this is the only one making it to TOTP

EDISON LIGHTHOUSE: LOVE GROWS

I have always loved this song, but it became super special when I saw that the artist Walter Dahn, in lieu of writing an exhibition article on his friend (my PhD topic) Rosemarie Trockel- he just typed up the words to this song.

THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN: FIRE

costumes! fire! fire costumes!

ROY ORBISON: CRYING

my favorite Roy Orbison song. enough said.

DAVID BOWIE: STARMAN

So very, very, very, very good- the song is not as well known but worth a full listen (the chorus is amazing), even if Bowie does look like Miranda from “Sex and the City” here  (also, look at the guitar player’s MAJOR sideburns)

STRAY CATS: RUNAWAY BOYS

one of the first bands I ever liked- my cousin Sarah would let me listen to her cassettes of them (when she moved on the Beastie Boys she only let me listen if I couldn’t make out the lyrics- so responsible!

ROD STEWART: MAGGIE MAY

beautiful song AND John Peel on mandolin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPARKS: THIS TOWN AIN’T BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US

ok guys, real talk here – do you know about sparks (especially YOU little brothers???) they are an awesome band consisting of  a set of twins that don’t look like twins because one has lustrous locks and the other a hitler stache. I love them. They have a record called “kimono my house” LOVE THEM

SPARKS (AGAIN): GET IN THE SWING

I really love Sparks- I came late to the game and I love the twins- and so, due to leather panties, and good hitler stache twin looks, they get TWO videos:

HERMANS HERMITS

fuck you, Justin Bieber

BOY GEORGE AND THE CULTURE CLUB: CHURCH OF THE POISONED MIND

LAURIE ANDERSON: OH SUPERMAN

as promised, Ms. Anderson’s “oh superman”

ROXY MUSIC: VIRGINIA PLAIN

if you don’t like roxy music, just please stop interacting with me right now…. they are the best- look at Brian Ferry’s jacket! and Brian Eno’s FEATHER CAPE -seriously, just appreciate this, please- so that we can still be friends

DAVID BYRNE: LAZY

oh dear blog readers, sometimes embedding is disabled and sometimes (always) it is sad. here is the link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnhxZyd3h-A Now, this is a bittersweet entry- Talking Heads is one of my favorite bands ever- and they were NEVER on TOTP!!! But David Byrne was, and (as any rabid fun is) I am a fan of him too – and have always like this song.  SO please don’t you be “lazy” and not click the link to the song. it is GOOD. As a side note: my dad told me David Byrne was “Mr. Rogers on drugs” before I had any idea what drugs were. AND David Byrne is actually Scottish. Plus I met him once, but totally spazzed out and couldn’t talk.

MOTORHEAD: LOUIE LOUIE

Fun facts: I love Motorhead.

I love Lemmy more.

This cover is not great.

Motorhead appeared on the Young Ones

Lemmy lived down the street (like, I can kick a can to his house right now) from where I live now.

THE KINKS: LOLA

If you don’t love this song, then you have no heart or soul. go away. stop reading this. booooooo

SLADE: CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE

I mean, look at these fashionz! these stylezzzzzz!

ABBA: WATERLOU

you are incredibly freaking welcome for the great day you will now have:

X-RAY SPEX: GERMFREE ADOLESCENCE

this is just a platform for me to say that x-ray spex are one of my favorite bands ever- nothing can beat “oh bondage” for punk licks, and not even the Slits (who I saw live) can beat them for lyrics- they are smart and wonderful and on TOTP (conveniently) -anyone else love this group? I’d love to hear….

WEEZER: HASHPIPE

Oh hai… have we met? I like totally tried to see weezer SEVEN TIMES in high school and was always thwarted (once due to my boyfriend’s earring being torn out of his head)  and yes, I liked this album, and no, I couldn’t find anything from the blue one. shut up.

WHEATUS: TEENAGE DIRTBAG

so first off, TOTP totally makes fun of these “spotty” “delusional” singers.  I loved this song at a very important time in my life and now you have to listen to it.  For those in the know and especially KELLEE HEGGAN  - I loved this lame ass song the first time I was truly away from home- living on the beach of Cape May with my amazing, kind, cousin who took me to see Jimmy Eat World in concert.

THE KINKS: SUNNY AFTERNOON

another embedding disabled- but check it out, I love the kinks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGKxMMkg5Rs

still love THE KINKS

and lastly, (maybe not most interestingly) but not leastly:

GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS: FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY

oh man, one of the first songs to ever make me feel melancholic- I would sneak into Patrick’s room and play the recording of it I made off the radio (he had a cassette player and recorder, I didn’t) this is just….. good

BONUS: A TRIBUTE TO PAN’S PEOPLE

Someone, who for their sake if they ever visit Britain will remain nameless, said of Pan’s People (TOTP in-house dance troupe) : “the ultimate proof that British people have a genetic disability when it comes to dancing”

1) REGRETSY

You’ve all heard of the website etsy (if not, it’s a website where you can buy handmade goods).  Regretsy collects the worst of the worst crafts found on etsy (and oh man, there are some gems) and shares them with you.  Not only are the items unbelievable, but the website commentary is really, really funny.  I have been wasting SO MUCH time on this site recently and I highly recommend it.

2) BEAT UP CREATIONS CHINA

Beat up Creations is an etsy seller. (You can see their page here)  I actually found them through regretsy, but personally, I love this stuff.  I wish you could register for it as wedding china.  Here are some of my other favorites:

3) REMAKING ROMANCE NOVEL COVERS

Oli Kellet is someone that does something in advertising, but on the semi-side she recreates Mills and Boon romance novel covers with her boyfriend. You’re welcome.  (oh, check it out here)