Thursday, December 27, 2007
Musings
Maybe it's just me, but have you ever noticed that during the holidays, when people actually have time off to be able to watch TV, there is never anything interesting showing? Like I said, maybe it's just me...
Favorite Things
Some of my favorite acquisitions this year:
So excited to FINALLY have one of these!
And this calendar is so beautiful in person! I already have January displayed even if it is a bit early...Wednesday, December 19, 2007
A Little Cheer
A little Christmas cheer for you:
Tricia sent me this photo that Jeffrey took of the tree at Rockefeller Center this year (she knows how much I love being in New York!), and I wanted to share it with you all. (Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Kurtz)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Persepolis
I want to see all of these movies. I think I might die if I don't see them (or at least La Vie En Rose and Persepolis). Click on the poster if you want to know more about the movie.
For Your Edification
The 10 Led Zeppelin songs you really should know
With rumours of a reformation gathering weight, we take a look at the most powerful music from the world's most powerful band
(REUTERS)Michael Moran
Led Zeppelin, despite their public perception as the archetypal Heavy Metal band, were actually talented and inquisitive musicians, more likely to hypnotise with folky subtlety than hammer an audience with bludgeon riffola. When they did choose to rock, though, they were without peer. Here are ten classic Zeppelin songs every aspiring guitarist should learn.
1: Immigrant Song
A deceptively tempting ostinato that lures the guitar novice with its endearing brute stupidity before exhausting them with the minefield of tricksy anacrusis concealed within. Still, audiences should be bludgeoned into submission by the riff or distracted by the singer’s shrieking long before the guitarists’ fingers wilt from exhaustion.
2: Black Dog
It could well be that even Jimmy Page doesn’t really know what time signature Black Dog is in. The mixture of outlandish syncopation underpinned with Bonzo’s apparently unrelated tub-thumping produces an occult alchemy that has to be heard to be believed, and even then is only imperfectly understood.
3: Whole Lotta Love
To a certain generation this will always be ‘The Top of the Pops Riff’ even though the recording used in the BBC’s flagship (arguably only) pop show was by CCS, a loose aggregation of session players led by Alexis Korner. If Mankind ever does encounter an extraterrestrial species, and for some reason needs to explain what a guitar riff is, this is the one to play them.
4: Stairway to Heaven
The sound of a million guitar shops, the arpeggiated introduction to Stairway rather overshadows the crudely effective restatement of the three descending chords at the end of the song that is, mercifully, within even the most inept guitarist’s compass.
5: Heartbreaker
Another riff that sounds easy, but defies the tightest bands and illustrates what a sensationally together band Zeppelin were. It’s worth persevering to see if you can get to the halfway mark for the guitar solo that definitely inspired some of Nigel Tufnel’s best work.
6: Kashmir
With its eastern harmonies and exotic meter, Kashmir wouldn’t seem the obvious place to look for a powerhouse guitar riff but the hypnotically looping chug of guitar (which also underpins P.Diddy’s Godzilla soundtrack song and a wildly irresponsible Schooly D. rap) is one of the most compulsive pieces of music ever put to tape. At almost nine minutes long, it’s still too short.
7: Nobody’s Fault but Mine.
Played by a good guitarist, the Nobody’s Fault but Mine riff is a masterpiece of blues-rock economy. Played in unison by guitarist and bassist, as it is for about half of the Zeppelin recording, it’s one of those nuggets of music that gets into your ear and refuses to leave. Few listeners get to the end of the song without wishing it were just another false ending.
8: Rock & Roll
A riff which takes the basic Chuck Berry rock'n'roll template and wrings it by the neck. If Chuck were ever to be possessed by Satan, he’d probably play this.
9: Houses of the Holy
Led Zeppelin aren’t conventionally thought of as a funk band, but the swaggering riff at the heart of Houses of the Holy (which, confusingly, was left off the album which bears its name) is as funky as any Meters number, just a good deal heavier.
10: When the Levée breaks
Famed for its drum intro but also possessed of a rolling, looping slide guitar rhythm ostinato that just will not quit. The ideal choice for a guitarist who’s unexpectedly found a bottleneck in the bottom of his case and is keen to impress with some southern fried heavy metal blues.
Led Zeppelin, despite their public perception as the archetypal Heavy Metal band, were actually talented and inquisitive musicians, more likely to hypnotise with folky subtlety than hammer an audience with bludgeon riffola. When they did choose to rock, though, they were without peer. Here are ten classic Zeppelin songs every aspiring guitarist should learn.
1: Immigrant Song
A deceptively tempting ostinato that lures the guitar novice with its endearing brute stupidity before exhausting them with the minefield of tricksy anacrusis concealed within. Still, audiences should be bludgeoned into submission by the riff or distracted by the singer’s shrieking long before the guitarists’ fingers wilt from exhaustion.
2: Black Dog
It could well be that even Jimmy Page doesn’t really know what time signature Black Dog is in. The mixture of outlandish syncopation underpinned with Bonzo’s apparently unrelated tub-thumping produces an occult alchemy that has to be heard to be believed, and even then is only imperfectly understood.
3: Whole Lotta Love
To a certain generation this will always be ‘The Top of the Pops Riff’ even though the recording used in the BBC’s flagship (arguably only) pop show was by CCS, a loose aggregation of session players led by Alexis Korner. If Mankind ever does encounter an extraterrestrial species, and for some reason needs to explain what a guitar riff is, this is the one to play them.
4: Stairway to Heaven
The sound of a million guitar shops, the arpeggiated introduction to Stairway rather overshadows the crudely effective restatement of the three descending chords at the end of the song that is, mercifully, within even the most inept guitarist’s compass.
5: Heartbreaker
Another riff that sounds easy, but defies the tightest bands and illustrates what a sensationally together band Zeppelin were. It’s worth persevering to see if you can get to the halfway mark for the guitar solo that definitely inspired some of Nigel Tufnel’s best work.
6: Kashmir
With its eastern harmonies and exotic meter, Kashmir wouldn’t seem the obvious place to look for a powerhouse guitar riff but the hypnotically looping chug of guitar (which also underpins P.Diddy’s Godzilla soundtrack song and a wildly irresponsible Schooly D. rap) is one of the most compulsive pieces of music ever put to tape. At almost nine minutes long, it’s still too short.
7: Nobody’s Fault but Mine.
Played by a good guitarist, the Nobody’s Fault but Mine riff is a masterpiece of blues-rock economy. Played in unison by guitarist and bassist, as it is for about half of the Zeppelin recording, it’s one of those nuggets of music that gets into your ear and refuses to leave. Few listeners get to the end of the song without wishing it were just another false ending.
8: Rock & Roll
A riff which takes the basic Chuck Berry rock'n'roll template and wrings it by the neck. If Chuck were ever to be possessed by Satan, he’d probably play this.
9: Houses of the Holy
Led Zeppelin aren’t conventionally thought of as a funk band, but the swaggering riff at the heart of Houses of the Holy (which, confusingly, was left off the album which bears its name) is as funky as any Meters number, just a good deal heavier.
10: When the Levée breaks
Famed for its drum intro but also possessed of a rolling, looping slide guitar rhythm ostinato that just will not quit. The ideal choice for a guitarist who’s unexpectedly found a bottleneck in the bottom of his case and is keen to impress with some southern fried heavy metal blues.
Article found here.
I Knew It!
| You Belong in London |
 A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |
Monday, December 10, 2007
Women Leading The Way...
With all the talk about the possibility of the US making history by having it's first female president, I thought it would be interesting to bring up a fact exemplified in this article. Although it is amazing progress to have female leaders, I find it interesting that so many of them are related (daughters or wives) of former male leaders of those same countries. Maybe that's why I root so hard for Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Here's an interesting website that lists current female heads of state if you are interested in checking it out (and I hope you are)!
Interesting fact: There are 192 members of the United Nations and 2 independent states outside. 17 have got female leaders at the moment.
Interesting fact: There are 192 members of the United Nations and 2 independent states outside. 17 have got female leaders at the moment.
Seriously...
This is seriously one of the funniest interviews. I don't know if this commerical is playing outside of CA, but the ad is hilarious. The irony is that the ad is all about healthy habits, and half of the interview is about junk food. It's great! You really should watch it all the way through.
The Black One
Handled one of these babies at WS last week. Being made of titanium, it is heavier than the everyday card and I actually dropped it.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Aha!
Finally, this article makes me understand myself a little better and why I have never been really excited about going to tropical places for vacation.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Brewing
Today is, literally, the day before the storm. We have a big storm heading our way that is supposed to hit tonight. These last few days have been amazing for surfers with swells over 20 feet high and perfect weather (high 70s and sunny). Actually, surfers have been coming from all over the world because of the conditions (and unfortunately there has already been one fatality with the really strong waves and ocean conditions). That all changed today. Today was really cloudy and the wind has been kicking up all day. Although we really need the moisture, there are a lot of precautions being taken in the recent fire areas due to the fear of mudslides. Those poor families that were evacuated here in OC because of the fires a month ago are and again last week during a more minor storm are, once again, being evacuated. You can read about it here if you are interested. Anyway, I am anxious for the storm to break since it seems that there is just this anxious feeling in the air. I am concerned, though, about how J's party will go on Saturday since the forecast is for rain, thunder, and lightning. Maybe it'll just add a little spice, eh?
Visions Dancing In My Head
Each day after coming home from my shift at WS, all I can think of is getting my shoes off and not moving my feet again until the next day. I also dream of an amazing foot massage, but it's not like I could afford one and there are definitely no takers here at home! Anyway, my point is that my had-it $20 shoes from the BYU bookstore that are about 4 years old definitely feel like torture traps after just a couple of hours on my feet, not to mention 5 straight hours. After saying all of that, these are what I dream about:
or these...
but especially these...
These last Corso Como Candy shoes are the ones that I covet the most. Not only are they black and close-toed, but I love how they look and really think that they woudl be comfortable for standing. Ah, well, I can dream. Santa?
or these... but especially these...These last Corso Como Candy shoes are the ones that I covet the most. Not only are they black and close-toed, but I love how they look and really think that they woudl be comfortable for standing. Ah, well, I can dream. Santa?
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Say What?
When asked at preschool today what she wants to be when she grows up, Avery (age 4) responded, "A vampire." Who knew?
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Food for Thought
The 2007 Global Gender Gap Report is now here. For those of you who don't know, the US is ranked 31 out of 128 countries. To find out more about this report, which is sponsored by the World Economic Forum, check it out here. Just some food for thought...
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