2 posts from January 2009

You could say I am an innovator and a pioneer, being on the bleeding edge of this "slow blogging" movement. What's slow blogging you say? Educate yourself. Google it. Throw it around in company meetings with terms like "social media."

Because my lazy, haphazard style of blogging now has a name, I'm justified in mourning the passing of yet another musical great in 2008 when we're almost two weeks deep into 2009. Alton Ellis, the godfather of rocksteady, died back in October.

I've always liked this song, "Can't Stand It," about a relationship gone south. By the way Ellis wails away, you know he's been there. Check out the video and discuss why the sight of a record player going round and round is compelling. Or at least I think so. The record even skips. We need more videos like this.

Oh, hi, yeah, remember me? I write intermittently on this space. Prediction for 2009: I will post once per week. Don’t expect more. My writing is in direct proportion to my happiness. It’s a meter of sorts. The more I write, the less satisfied with life I am. So if you don’t hear from me, rest assured that means I’m happy.

I’ve been in a prolific phase, turning out mixes and compilations at a fever pace. Hot Rod, your Smiths education begins next week. I've said before, there’s nothing I like getting or giving more. Over the holidays, I got the first real mix tape that can play in my shitty old car in almost a decade. It’s got a picture of Michael Cera on it. I wish I didn’t have an age-inappropriate crush on him, but I do. Prediction: I will not get it on with Michael Cera in 09, mainly because I’m past the point in my life of wanting to teach. And he looks like the sort of fellow you’d have to teach. I listen to the Teaches of Peaches, not the Moldy Peaches. He couldn't handle me.

Did you hear Zooey and Ben got engaged? Isn’t that sweet? I'm betting he got down on one knee and ripped his own lyrics from “I will follow you into the dark" to propose. Prediction: She’ll sour on him once she figures out what I already know: Ben Gibbard has bad breath. Please don’t ask me to tell you how I know this. It’s just one of those things you know.

If I had to read the tea leaves, go out on a limb and make a music prediction for 2009, I’d say this: The recorder is going to make a major comeback. How do I know? Based on the bewildering success of Fleet Foxes.

If a band of beardy men playing music that seems suited for renaissance festivals can garner critical acclaim in 08, we’re a hop, skip and a jump away from the recorder. This bodes well for me and the likelihood of U.K. Pussy making an honest go of it in 2009, since it's the only instrument I feel qualified to play.

Perhaps the surest sign of things to come in 2009 occurred on Christmas Day, before the Peel family turkey had been placed on the platter. The platter has a light blue rim with a picture of a turkey in the middle. We like our dishware to be obvious. This plate has been in my family for years, but this is the first year I really saw it before the turkey was set on it. ¿Qué significa.

It’s the same laurel given to the winner of the annual Karaoke to the Death championship. That’s right. Lord Ramsey’s Cup has been in my family since before the dawn of bad Karaoke’s finest competition. I’m taking this as a sign. Prediction: I’m defending my title as FFKttD (first female) champion this year, and returning Ramsey’s cup to its rightful owner in year nine. Because my specialty is hitting high notes, I’m strongly considering this ode to orgasm to lead me in battle: