Starting again, once again, in a matter of speaking

Hello dear readers-all two of you.

I really loathe pushing the "fourth wall",that invisible divider that separates the character from the audience. Ironic, since I spent a long time talking directly to an audience. Well actually, just an audience member, one person....that's the key to great radio...one on one communication, talk directly to one individual.

But I digress...

I know I've been remiss on posting as frequently as I should. You know how it is, once you get off that bicycle...you head to a bar and then you can't remember where the heck the bike is, or something like that.

I know, I know the saying is really: "it's like riding a bike"...the all purpose catch phrase for something not forgotten... but doesn't seem to apply to me... I don't even know if I could ride a bike anymore quite frankly. I'd like to, but with the hills around here...who knows.

The bike I was on, metaphorically speaking, was the East Coast. I was distracted all week from writing even the simplest of posts to keep the blog momentum going. I couldn't get a New York minute in at all. It's crazy I know, and it’s something I really need to work on. And that's important, keep working on, not giving up.

Cuz sometimes it's so much easier to give up.

It’s always a process really, being a human being, trying to keep going. It’s easy to get caught up in the smallest minutia of life and forget the big picture.

So, once again, as always, I'll pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.

The adventure continues my friends, the adventure continues.

But I'm suppose to be Susan!

Song of the day: "My Name is Not Susan" Whitney Houston

A long forgotten dance gem in my opinion.

I loved "talking out" of this song on the radio, because simple humor amuses me most.

" 10:52, Whitney Houston there, who's not Susan, but I am!"

I used to think that was sooo funny. But it probably wasn't to most people. Which can explain alot.

Yes, my name is Susan. And I'm here to claim it.

What got me on this protective Susan rant is something I just read about- a new "mockumentary" that will be appearing on the web. And it stars Sarah Silverman. Who I don't particularly care for. I don't know why. Some would say it's jealousy. But whatever, the point is...her characters name is SUSAN! grrrrr.

But of course I've just given the show a plug, so there you go. Any P.R is better than no P.R I always say. Look at Britney if you don't belive me for heavens sakes!

But I digress...

Sarah Silverman playing a Susan is not as bad as the mother of all eyebrows lady who I really really don't care for, Brooke Shields who did a show called "Suddenly Susan" for what seemed like forever. I could NOT believe Susan was her characters name. I took it as a personal assault. Back then I was on the air and I would rail about it constantly. The universe had plotted against me. That too would probably explain alot.

Cute Susan side note, while Googling for "Suddenly Susan" I came across a interesting little blog by that name.

See, my "Susan bashing" is random. For example, I didn't mind Madonna's character being called Susan in "Desperately Seeking Susan".

Although I always wonder-Why does the flower's name have to be Black Eyed Susan??

Why are trays that rotate around called a Lazy SUSAN???

Yes, my name is Susan and I'm a bit of a a nut job.

It's been about six months since I started this blog, and I wasn't quite sure where I was going with it. I just knew it was something I really wanted to do. And felt I should do. People have been asking me, what is your blog about? And I usually say "pop culture", which is partially true. But really it's about me I guess, and my little observations on the world. And it's a release for rants that would normally be reserved for the radio.

We are all "me centric". We all think the universe revolves around us, and can't understand why people would not agree with us, hence the reason there is so much bickering going on in the world.

I used to say, "I'm the sun, and you are all planets circling me"
And someone said to me, "Well in that case, I want to be Pluto, as far away from the sun as possible"

That brings you down a peg.

Because in the end, it's the over sized ego that gets you, no matter what your name is.

A tale of an April fool on the radio

Once upon a time, in a land that is “hi” in the middle and round on both ends* there was a beautiful on-air radio personality. And lo, she was a funny girl too, at least she thought so anyways. She decided it would be a hoot to play a little trick on the 1st of April on the kindly townsfolk.

She thought and she thought, and finally came up with a brilliant idea. At least she thought so anyways.

When her radio show started, she began to report the most wondrous news to her eager listeners. She told them in the most convincing tone that her show was being filmed, live! If you, dear listeners, turn your television sets to channel 77 you will see the fair maiden DJ in all her glory.

The townsfolk were so excited and eager to see this spectacle; they immediately ran to their TV’s and switched them to channel 77.

But alas, there was no picture, only a fuzzy grey and white pattern. They were sad, for they were so looking forward to seeing the inside of the grand radio studio as well the fair maiden DJ.

“Don’t fret”, said the DJ. “You just need to wiggle your antenna, or jiggle your set.”

“That doesn’t work!” exclaimed an excited listener, calling on the station request line.

“Perhaps you need to adjust your cable, make sure it's plugged in all the way." responded the DJ.

And so it went. Caller after caller tried to get reception on channel 77, and nothing was working.

Some thought they might see a shadow of some sort “ See me now, I’m waving my hands back and forth” announced the DJ at one point to a caller live on the air.

“Oh yes” squealed the listener, “I can see something shadowy moving on my screen, now that you mention it.”

And so it went on some more, as listeners became callers, but alas none of the townsfolk were able to get television reception on channel 77. Although some claimed they could indeed see something moving on their screen when the DJ persuaded them to look harder. The power of persuasion, especially from a soothing voice, can be very magical.

And then suddenly, the dreaded Studio HOT Line rang. This was a super duper, top-secret phone number that only the evil program director boss knew. He would dial this number whenever the fair maiden DJ was doing something wrong, or what he deemed to be wrong. The Hot line ring was every DJ's greatest fear, behind dead air.

The evil boss roared, “The cable company is getting flooded with calls. People think there is something wrong with their cable because some fool DJ is telling them to turn to channel 77 to view the radio station studio live.”

The fair maiden DJ chuckled. Channel 77 did not exist in this town. The listeners, unwittingly, and fallen prey to an April Fools Joke!

And oh, how she laughed and laughed as she told the townspeople the news. And oh, how they screamed and yelled when told they had been the victims of a prank.

But they didn’t stay angry for long, and everyone eventually had a guffaw over the whole affair.

And every once in awhile, some townspeople would admit later, they’d turn to channel 77…just to see if MAYBE it wasn’t a joke after all.

*(Ohio)

Recovering DJ's latest grooves

Indie Songs I’m groovin’ on this month-just a few of many

It’s that time of year, we're over Winter and anxious to move on to Spring already. While I can’t do a darn thing about the weather, I can offer up some musical gems that might take the edge off.

There’s an irony in my little household that once upon a time, I was the one discovering new music to spin on the radio. Find artists to educate the masses…make the listeners see, well actually hear, the error of their musical ways and try to persuade them who they really should be listening too. At least that’s how you think it’s gonna work when you start out as a baby DJ. Record companies and artists were always sending me albums and CD’s so I didn’t have to look for music, it came to me.

Now, my main source for new music is my husband. He’s got a knack for discovering a quirky group…usually someone he read about in Blender or Rolling Stone. With the rise of iTunes (and the Genius feature, which is awesome.) Anyone can find new music.

Most of these songs I came across on XM satellite radio, Channel 43 XMU. It's actually Sirius XM now and unfortunately, XMU is not that great since that the companies have merged, which is a shame because it was a Xcellent indie music source. It's funny I liked XM much better, because they were owned by that biz killer, Clear Channel.

It’s kinda hard to make note of new songs when driving, which I only do about once a week. I try to say the names aloud a few times over and over in hopes of memorizing the band name. If I have paper and pen close by, I try to write and drive, or sometimes I take a picture of the radio with my phone in hopes of being able to see the digital readout later. That one doesn’t work out so well.

Truthfully some of these tunes aren’t “new” but they’re new to me, and therefore as far as I’m concerned, new to my universe. What’s old is new again. Like flowers poking their heads once again through the frozen dirt, some songs finally reach the surface of my existence and I finally notice.

Rogue Wave-“Chicago X 12”
I’d call them a “poppy-alternative” hybrid. These guys are on Jack Johnson’s label now after Seattle’s Sub Pop dropped them.

The New Pornographers -“Twin Cinema”
Title track from their 2005 release, I missed the boat the first time around on this cheeky band from “up north ay“ in Vancouver.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah -“Over and Over Again””
Another ’05. All the kids call these Brooklyn/Philly boys CYHSY. The lead singer totally sounds like David Byrne, which is a big duh for those who have already been on the train. I again remember reading about them, but eh…just never got around to checking them out, for shame!

The Kills-“The Good Ones”
I should really call this list the "best of ’05." I guess Sirius doesn’t have any newer CD’s, what with having to pay Howard Stern (*SNAP*)Anyways-this one of those songs that just really gets under my groove skin, which is different than your regular skin, don’t ya know?

M.Ward featuring Zooey Deschanel-“Never Had Nobody Like You”
This one is actually from 2009!! M. Ward lives in Oregon and his latest work is an old school sound with a fresh car smell. A bit more popish than some of his pervious work I think, but the addition of the always-"Elfish" Zooey gives this song a unique feel.


While "music is within a world within itself, in a language we all understand (so says "Sir Duke" himslef, Mr. Stevie Wonder), music is also EXTREMLY subjective and personal, so if you don’t like my list…please keep that in mind.

Before You Tube, it was just...the Tube

Song of the day:
"57 Channels and nothin; on"-Bruce Springsteen

For me, TV is comfort food. Good ol’ shows like “Seinfeld”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Will & Grace”, Frasier, 90’s shows in syndication on your basic cable channels like TBS, Lifetime, and Family Channel. I hear the snickers now, but whatevah.

New shows don’t it for me as much. “Family Guy”, “Ugly Betty” and “How I Met Your Mother” about my only new “comfort “ shows. I love “Lost” but that’s an event, not a soothing moment. And then the so-called reality TV is not reality at all and all the voyeurism just wears me down. How does the minutia of someone else’s life seem interesting??

TV lulls me, soothes me and whatever your arguments are about TV, I know I’ve wasted a lot of time with the boob tube, but isn’t admitting it the first step towards recovering? You’d think so anyway.

Like last week I was half watching “ER”, something I haven’t done in years. Half watching means I was on the phone, or reading, or playing Pogo. Back in the day, “ER” was a show that introduced me to a whole different world. The Michael Crichton writing the George Clooney hotness, it was such a high-speed, slick show at the time.

You have cop-show people, soap opera people, I think I’ve always been a hospital show person. “St. Elsewhere”, “Chicago Hope”, “ER”. And yes “Grey’s Anatomy”. The first season was crazy frothy fun with a great soundtrack-CD that got me through a lousy time. A show about a city I had never been to nor had any desire to see. Yes, the irony that I now live in the shadow of Seattle Grace doesn't escape me.

Who says TV doesn't model real life??

I often wonder why there isn’t an “all-old” sitcom/drama network. I know there’s “nick at night” but I’m talking only the stuff I like.

I know there’s licensing issues and the money it costs to make all this happen. So maybe someone can come up with a “My channel”? If you are a subscriber to a cable network, and you could pull together all the shows you want to watch on one channel, like a mix tape. Stranger things have happened.

A (news) paper cut can go deep

I know I’ve belabored it, another post about a silly newspaper. In a town I’ve only been in a few years yet. Wall Street crumbled and I hardly even blinked an eyelash, GM might go under and I shrug, but now my eyes keep spilling over as I read the last print edition of the Seattle Post- Intelligencer, the P.I.

I know I’m harping, but it seems no one else is. Which makes me even sadder. I’ve been leafing through the last edition, and the history that the paper has been a part of is awe-inspiring.
There’s an episode of “Seinfeld” where Jerry tells a woman that his friend George Costanza is a marine biologist. George exclaims “But you know I’ve always wanted to pretend to be an architect.”

I myself-I’ve always wanted to be a journalist, and I'm sorta pretending to be one now. Had I not been so lazy when I was younger I think I would have tried a lot harder to get into print or broadcast news.

(One of my all time favorite movies, “Broadcast News”…the part where Holly Hunter unplugs the phone and cries hysterically than goes back to work…. I can relate. )

But for me, there was also a glamorous glow in newspaper writing. I don’t know where I got that feeling, but I think I’ve always felt that way.

I feel bad for the PI employees who had to go. Some of them, 10, 20, 30 years on the job. I know what it’s like to be in an extremely specialized field.

I remember trying to get a “real “ job in New York City. I was registering with a temp agency and the recruiter went over my resume with a black Sharpie, obliterating 10 years of my life. She reduced my radio career to whatever “administrative” or “managerial” work I had done, insisting I include nothing about being on-air, which she said would hurt my chances for getting a job.

She slashed and cut, and a piece of me went too. I left the building to sob on the corner in the pouring rain, realizing I didn't have enough money to get a hot dog AND get the bus back to Jersey. That’s when I realized radio was no longer payin’ they bills, the mean ol’ Sharpie lady was right.

It’s ironic that the very part that was cut is the very part that people are fascinated with. My friends, family are always like “my friend used to work in radio” It doesn't matter what I’ve done after. That will be the defining time of my life. It can be exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time.

So I do empathize with the PI peeps. It’s hard to adapt to “civilian” life. I don’t think I ever really have. I truly wish them all well in their future endeavors, and hope they don't run into too many recruiters who are brandishing Sharpies.

And I think the kids today; they don’t know the glitz of the daily’s. The well written thought out news stories, in-depth articles, thought provoking opinions. Instead, the cynical "short attention span" generation gets all it’s news from a bunch of yahoo bloggers. Yes, present company included.

There’s a picture on the front page of the last PI issue that’s showcases a quote from Thomas Jefferson gracing the walls of the P.I building:

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."


Here here!

Seattle PI put to bed

The Seattle PI is no more! Tomorrow, March 17, 2009 will be the last edition. It's so sad, the demise of a paper.

As I mentioned last week, I've only been a Seattle resident for a short time, but anytime a journalistic empire goes under is cause for dismay.

Songs of the Day:
In honor of the PI

"Sunday Papers"-Joe Jackson

"Second Hand News"-Fleetwood Mac

"News of the World"- The Jam

Would you believe that's all I could find??!!

Why I picked the P.I

When I was a baby DJ, the Internet was still just a gleam in the eyes of many a tech geek. News came down the old fashion way, from the AP news wire. Show prep (in civilian terms, that means prepping for your show) was done in the most archaic fashion, pulling it from the wire and reading the newspaper.

I’ve always been a big fan of the newspaper. I enjoy the feel of scratchy paper and rubbed-off ink on my fingertips. I grew up reading the Detroit papers, the News and Free Press (The Freep had better comics, that’s all an eight year old cares about.) Many a day was spent pouring over the pages, not understanding what I was reading sometimes but overjoyed at the prospect of what I might learn.

I wrote for my High School Paper (The Blue & White!) and my college paper for a short time. I was torn between going into broadcasting or print journalism. I had given up my kindergarten ambitions of being an actress or the Queen. I went with, what I thought at the time, was the safer bet-radio. (Yes, that’s a whiff of sarcasm mixed with irony)

At any rate, as I began to move around the dial I’d grab my locals every day-The Lima News, The Akron Beacon Journal, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Buffalo News. And when I moved to NY/NJ It was like a newspaper junkie’s dream come true; it was the land of a dozen papers. The Star Ledger, The Bergen Record, The New York Post and the gray lady herself The New York Times. All could be easily folded and read on the subway. And all had a special place in my heart for different reasons.

My newspaper Jones doesn’t diminish in my travels. Of course there’s always the USA Today, which I have to say isn’t the worse thing I’ve read. I’ve picked up The L.A Times, The Miami Herald, and The Chicago Tribune, even the Las Vegas Sun. Wherever I’ve been I’ve perused the local paper.

So, you can imagine, moving to Seattle and leaving my East Coast stable of papers behind was a little daunting. I was somewhat mollified when I discovered Seattle was a two-paper town, The Seattle Times and the Seattle Post Intelligencer. With a JOA in place that is sort of like Detroit’s, the Sunday paper is a combo of both. The dailies are a bit different and unique, and it took me awhile to decide who was going to have the honor of gracing my doorstep. Call me a loon, (and many do) but opening the door in the morning to the newspaper at my feet is one of my most favorite things. It doesn’t take much for me, and my husband is constantly grateful for that.

So how to pick? The P.I’s office is right down the street, with an old school “Daily Gotham” like globe spinning atop the building. At first I didn’t really know where the Seattle Times office was, but I knew they didn’t have such a hip rooftop ornament. The P.I name was more unique; different from any paper I’ve known. The Seattle Times…well around here they’re “The Times”, and I thought at first people were referring to the only paper that will ever be just “The Times” to me…The New York Times.

In most towns, you have the conservative leaning paper and the liberal leaning paper. In Seattle, there’s the liberal paper, (Seattle Times) and the really liberal paper, (Post-Intelligencer). I don’t normally pick a paper for its politics. There are certain ascetics I’m drawn to- like layout, lifestyle section, and various syndicated columns. The New York post is ultra right, but I love Page Six. The New York Daily News has better sports. The Bergen Record was more about North Jersey and had a much better layout than the more popular Star Ledger.

And the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has better comics. Yes, the eight year old won. Not to mention my husband liked the sports section better. And I also liked the layout and lifestyle sections.

But now, just like that, The Hearst Corp. is cuttin’ the P.I loose. No more printed word, only a glowing, cold online format. I’ve been through format changes, I’ve been through staff changes, but I’ve never worked at a station that ceased to exist.

And the sad thing is, most people don’t care. Most people don’t read the dailies anymore. The ‘net is a great place, and yes I get most of my news from it these days. But it just feels like an end of an era. You can’t really fold up the ‘net and read it wherever, or tear out a recipe out or cut out an article.

And it's really hard to read the comics online.

My happy thoughts go out to all the P.I people who are cut lose. As you compete for the same jobs I’m going for now, just know that you'll persevere, you will pull through. Hopefully.

And at least some of the time, you’ll at least think you’re recovering. ☺

SNL: The Rock Obama: Don't Make Obama Mad (VIDEO)

I have to admit, "The Rock" can be entertaining! If you can't laugh, then what's the point...this is a hoot.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

A little ditty 'bout time

This morning my brain was brewing a clever li'l post about time. And then I realized I already wrote a little ditty about time in the fall.

Spring Forward!

I did want to mention the switch to Daylight Savings time this weekend. We lose an hour, ugh. And it seems so early this year, no?

Time was really important in my on-air radio career. When struggling for what to say at the next break (which was often) I'd start with the time. “Q-9 5 5, Susan Cruise at 10:52 with the latest from Matchbox 20 there….”

Time became a crutch, so I was told. It wasn't so important in midday's. (10am-2 or 3 pm shift) as it was on the morning show, where time checks were given all over the place, in several different forms...digital..."It's 10:52”...old school…"It's about 10 minutes before 11:00."

You also had to be on time for work. People really really noticed if you were late for your shift, so there wasn’t any excuse that was good enough. If you were prone to tardiness, it was great when you didn't have a talk break right away at the top of the hour.

But usually that was not the case. Nothing like racing to the station and hearing someone else do my first break. AND they're telling the world they are doing it because you are late. Oh yeah, I wasn't sneaking into the studio without getting yelled at after that.

The time changes also messed up the playlist. Playlist? Oh yeah, the top secret playlist “civilians” aren’t suppose to know about. Long story short, every hour has a list of music. So when a shift has an extra hour, (like during “Fall Back” in the fall) I had to make sure to add an extra page of music. I'd also have to remember to tell the idiot night jock that there actually WAS an added hour of music, so they didn't play the same hour twice.

Although, truth be told, I’m sure not that many people noticed that.

Recovering DJ props to Paul Harvey

Just a quick Paul Harvey tribute, who died over the weekend. He was a true radio pro in a biz full of posers. In several of the small markets I worked at I had to run his show, and what started as an annoyance (he was taking time away from MY show) turned into a comforting habit and lessons learned in consistency and loyalty.

Whether you agreed with him or not, he had longevity and CLASS in a business that has very very little of either. Unless you're a syndicated douche blowhard taking jobs away from everyone, than you might have some longevity....(snark, snark)

At any rate, there are few old school radio peeps left these days that I respect. Anyone who has persevered as long as Mr. Harvey had deserves a standing "O".

My movie two cents...

...Two Cents...adjusted for inflation...what would that be???

I'm know I'm a day late and a dollar short....but man oh man...the Oscar's were pretty excruciating!

I was all excited I got home in time to watch them... AND I thought it was sooo money they were live on the West Coast..all the other awards shows are taped which soooo annoys me...

But it was pretty much all for naught. The Hugh Jackman/Anne Hathaway bit was cute. But then... Previous supporting actress winners came out to give long drawn out homage to the 2009 nominees....and suddenly I knew it was going to be a long long haul.

The even moolah was on "Slumdog Millionaire" so not too many people were disappointed. Despite the Slumdog backlash. There's always backlash, but I felt this film was deserving..much more so than past winners...


Top 5 Best Picture Oscar winners that didn't deserve it:
1981 "Chariots of Fire"
My friend and I went to see this after it won, and it was sooooo awful we left pretty early. I think it's the only movie I ever walked out on!

1990 "Dances With Wolves" Never saw it, never will. Have no interest in it. Just the way I roll.
1997 "Titanic"
Ohhh, will never watch this long, lame monstrosity. The boat sinks, they all die...I'm really going to waste 3 hours of my life? There's more to my Titanic distaste, but for another day...

1999 "American Beauty"
Really thought this was weird, bizarre and awful. I think I'm the only one though.

2004 Million Dollar Baby
I was soooo rooting for "Ray" and "Sideways" that year. Hey, maybe it's the word MILLION that helps a flick win? But seriously,Baby was lame and personally I think that's why the far superior "Gran Torino" did not get Clint ANY nominations....the academy blew their wad on this one!

And so ends another award season!

Sick of being sick?

The Recovering DJ is Recovering!

I've been sick. Bad cold, nothing serious. But I'm a big baby. And I haven't been sick in quite awhile, so it hit me hard. I'm not surrounded by people as much, so my immunity is not boosted by others anymore.

Working in a small, airtight on-air radio booth sharing a microphone with others is a HUGE breeding ground. It's worse than a daycare. I remember one time in Lima the P.D using what seemed like a CASE of Lysol to spray down the on-air studio when one of the jocks came down with the flu. If one got sick, we all got sick. But of course you still had to work because there's no such thing as a sick day for DJ's, unless you completely lost your voice. And even then it was debatable. Oh, the glamours of the radio biz, snark. Even today I panic when I lose my voice, old habits die hard...or never at all.

When I first moved to the NJ/NY area, I was illin' all the time, a blast of bugs to my system. But after about six months, I was hardly sick at all. I attribute that to riding the great mass transit system know as the PATH to the New York City Subway. I say everyone should lick a subway pole and that would boost your immunity ten-fold!

If that just made you throw up a little in your mouth thinking about it, sorry. But I know there are other things you can do do boost your immunity, everyone has their favorites. I like Vitamin C, and those Zinc supplements. Plus lots of tea and water and juice. I don't do echinacea anymore, but I do think yogurt and garlic have their merits.

It's all a crap shoot probably, or perhaps it's a little bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy- If you FEEL the vitamin or supplement will help you get better, than perhaps you WILL feel better!

5 Songs About Illness

1. "Night Fever"-Bee Gees
2. "Bad Case of Loving You"-Robert Palmer (RIP- R.P)
3. "You Be Illin'" -Run DMC (RIP Jam Master Jay)
4. "Unwell"-Matchbox 20
5. "Cat Scratch Fever" -Ted Nugent

Bonus : "Fever"-Various Artists

Many have recorded this including Peggy Lee, Tom Jones, Elvis & Madonna

A "25 random things" Facebook musical replacement

There's a thing going on around the social network Facebook called "25 random things" that is so popular that even the mainstream media has been commenting on it.

You basically list 25 random things about yourself to your Facebook community. Some people like it, some don't, either way it's the latest thing to create and read.

At any rate, I'm not so much into making the list about myself, for a variety of reasons, but I was sent this little ditty that I found much more enjoyable. Of course it takes a little time, but it's kinda funny how it all turns out. And if you aren't on Facebook ( and why aren't you, ha ha) Than you can just e-mail to your friends. This would also make a fun little party game as well.


RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS. (I admit to fudging a bit here and there...;) )
4. Tag AT LEAST 10 friends (including me so I can see your results).
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

ALL CAPS is the question, Italics underneath was what came up for myself

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY [I AM]?
Our Lips Are Sealed-Fun Boy Three

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Holdin' On Together-Phoenix

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
King of New Orleans-Better than Ezra

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Just Another Night-Mick Jagger

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Where Does the Good Go? Teagan & Sara

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Flamethrower-J.Geils Band

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Be Be Your Love-Rachael Yamagata

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Rock DJ-Robbie Williams

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Pennies From Heaven-Louis Prima

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Everlasting Love-U2

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Dance Away-Roxy Music

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Heart of Glass-Blondie

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Somebody Told Me-The Killers

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Do You Want To-Franz Ferdinand

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?(if you already had one, just pretend ;) )
When I Fall-Barenaked Ladies

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Good Times Roll-The Cars

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Never Surrender-Corey Hart

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
It Ain't Over Til it's Over-Lenny Kravitz

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Don't Leave Me This Way-The Commandos

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Nine Million Rainy Days-Jesus & Mary Chain


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
A Thousand Beautiful Things-Annie Lennox


WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
September-Earth Wind & Fire

Recovering DJ Grammy grumblings-better late than never

I always feel like I have to watch The Grammy's. I’m an award show junkie in general, but not watching the Grams, considering I’m a Recovering DJ, it seems sacrilegious. There was a time they were my fave awards, but the truth is, I like the Globes, the Oscars, and the SAG’s better.

I get soooooo annoyed with the tape delay thing on the West coast. Once again, The Grammy’s were at the Staple center in L.A. but I have to wait till 8PM PST. I could have checked out who won online, because none of the websites were holding back anything.

The Grammy’s always seem out of touch, and behind, and granted I’m getting there too. I felt that right away when U2 kicked it off the show with their new song, "Get on your Boots" and I thought; "man oh man…they’re lookin’ a bit old. " Heck, they should… I bought their albums’ 20 some years ago!



I couldn’t tell you what most of the nominated artists sing, although I could take a guess. I knew M.I.A, (LOVE “Paper Planes”-despite the Clash sampling) but I couldn’t honestly discern who the rappers were that joined her onstage. I knew who they were after I watched the wrap-ups the next day, so I'm not completely out of it...yet.

Whitney Houston looked good, but man she rambled. She present an award to Jennifer Hudson, who I’ve begun to really like…. I loved her in “Dreamgirls” Poor J-Hud… I started to make fun of her dress...it looked like she had a lobster bib on the front, but then I remembered the horrible tragedy she has endured and I stopped. Apparently some people liked the outfit, and what do I know about fashion anyways?

Kid Rock was pretty good. I don’t have a visceral hatred for him like I used to. I honestly think it’s because he’s from the East side and I’m from the West side. I was that way with Eminem too. I don’t get the Coldplay allure. I know they're the hottest band in the world right now, but they are just "eh” for me.

The robotic Jonas Brats and the Stevie Wonder combo just brought me sadness. Those three children had no business being on the same stage as Stevie, his handlers should be fired!

I actually got bored about 10:30 PM and flicked over to the Cartoon Network to watch “Family Guy” I’m bummed I missed Neil Diamond’s performance, but not so sad I missed the Robert Plant and Alison Krause gig. What is up with those two, why does the Grammy board love them so? Robert Plant is lookin’ A LOT like Mickey Rourke…come to think of it, have you ever seen those two photographed together?

Once upon a time, I did love the “gram gram’s” My favorite Grammy moment took place in 2003. It was the Joe Strummer tribute performance with Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, Steve Van Zandt and Elvis Costello jamming on "London Calling," by the Clash. The Boss introduced the song, "This is for Joe,” and I lost it! I remember just sobbing on the floor, my nose to the TV, my heart breaking and healing all at once as one of my all-time favorites was properly immortalized by a group of artist that I loved and respected as well.


That’s what the Grammy’s mean to me Virginia, proper props by proper musicians.

How long should you hold onto a rental?

How long have you kept a Netflix DVD that you’ve NEVER watched? There really should be some sort of a guideline. I just discovered that I’ve had “The House of Sand and Fog” for SEVEN months. SERIOUSLY! I went back and checked my account and I received it in JULY of ’08! At this point, I could have just bought it. I loved the book, I think I’ve been waiting until I’m in the right mood to watch the DVD, but that might never come at this point.

I’ve done this before, had movies sitting around for MONTHS unwatched and I end up sending them back. It feels wrong, but I can’t imagine I’m the only one who has done this. I’m a betting it happens quite a bit, but no one wants to admit it.

For some weird reason, I like to watch movies on TV, with basic cable being my first choice of channels-TBS, USA, Oxygen, AMC, etc. (That's a GREAT name for a network…ETC!!! Ha Ha. ) Maybe it’s just easier than putting in a DVD? Yes, I’m that lazy. Sometimes I think it’s because I like to keep in contact with the world when I’m watching a movie.

Some DVD’s I actually HAVE watched recently, in case you’re looking for your next Netflix pick…

“The Bank Job” is really good, and I didn’t expect it to be -so it was a nice surprise. It’s a goofy little bank robbery caper with a few little twists and turns and some interesting characters.

“House of the Rising Punk”-If you are a fan of vintage punk like the Ramones, Iggy Pop and Television, this is right up your dark ally. Excellent footage from the beginnings of what became the world famous CBGB’s in NYC.

“Iron Man”- I love Robert Downy Jr. so I was rooting for him in this one. My husband kept saying “It’s not as good as the “Dark Knight’” but I don’t think that is a fair comparison. They’re two different flicks. Yes, they're both superhero action films, but “Dark Knight” seems to try to hard to be so “meaningful”, while “Iron Man” is not so dark and much more cheeky. Let’s face it, we aren’t watching these movies for the reality, we’re watching these movies to be entertained and to escape the realities of our own lives.

Oh heck, what do I know; I hang onto my Netflix DVD’s forever. ☺

What the Super Bowl means to me-another football season is over!

So, in case you've been under a rock, this Sunday is the granddaddy of all Sundays, the Super Bowl. I myself, could care less...but somehow I end up co-hosting the party. I've learned a few things along the way, and I am happy to share my last minute Super Bowl party tips.

The one nice thing about the west coast...kick-off is at 3:18 pm, instead of 6:18 pm. I NEVER understood why the game starts so late on a "school night." Why not start earlier, or play on a Saturday?

All I know is, football is over for awhile, thank goodness!! And on February 14th, pitchers and catchers report to Spring training. Why is that important? That means SPRING is on the way! Whooop Whooop!

The Recovering Actor? SAG round-up

The SAG’s were on Sunday night. Yes, I really am an award show junkie! The SAG's began with a selection of actors from around the room reciting a quick lmonologue extolling the virtues of the craft and ending with…”I’m so-and -so and I’m an Actor”

That get’s me every time, I could’ve been a contender, and I could have been an actor!

My love of the stage started back in a grade school class play, when I slyly expanded the small role of Lady Lemondrop with comedic ad libs. Suddenly, I was a bit of a celeb, and I LOVED it. More school plays, musicals, and summers spent doing shows at the local community center. I was building up quite the resume. Ahh…C’est la Vie.

SAG one-liners round up

• Is there a 30 Rock backlash yet?
• I'm starting not to care for Kate Winslet. I don‘t respect actors who fall apart when they make a speech. Get it together lady!
• That House guy really cleans ‘em up. That show is "eh" for me.
  
• Sally Field winning was a bit of a shock. I guess they still really, really like...oh you know...
  
• Mad Men really is good, just have to be in the right frame if mind.
• There was a nice tribute for James Earl Jones, who is very cool. It was a little long so that is where I switched over to Family Guy. Overall the SAGS are actually pretty snappy time wise. We'll see what the Oscars bring!
  

Seattle Community Examiner: For your consideration-more theaters showing Oscar nominations

Hug a DJ today

Today is National Disc Jockey day! So as a Recovering DJ, I found myself a little bouquet!

Although I'm really a Recovering On-Air personality, DJ does sound better.

Mr. Obama goes to Washington

Song of the Day: "Young Americans"- David Bowie

Like most of the world, I've been viewing the Presidential Inauguration festivities today. I can't really remember watching so much coverage, I don't think I have ever cared so much before!

I have a friend who told me her son had the choice of going to recess or watching the Inauguration. Ha Ha....he's in 1st or 2nd grade...it's like asking a kid if he wants to take his medicine or have a piece of candy. The school should've had ALL the students watch, it's a piece of history no matter what your beliefs. That's a shame, he's missed out on a memory that would always be a part of him.

Good luck President Obama, I wish you the best!