Don't Wanna See What Happens Next

New Jim Sturgess Website

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:17:59 GMT

There is a new Jim Sturgess website out there! Its a fully interactive multimedia site for ALL things Jim Sturgess related -- including News, Videos & Art!

http://www.jimsturgessonline.com

The photo gallery already has over 2300 images - professional photoshoots, red carpet events,
screen caps,production stills, and fan photos.

There is a forum for discussion of all things Jim related, and the video gallery is fully interactive so
that anyone and everyone can register and upload stuff on their own.

http://www.jimsturgessonline.com

Check it out!

My Morning Jacket Continued / Ryan Adams Concert

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:03:59 GMT

Ok, as I promised I have purchased several more of MMJ releases.

It Still Moves
At Dawn
The Tennessee Fire
Z

Honestly, the only one I have seriously sat down to listen to was Z. Which I love. Just a fantastic release. The other three I have listened to a few times, but I cannot tell them much apart at this time. It is sort of like old R.E.M. All the tunes sound the same, and sound very organic. Not that that is a bad thing! But it seems that the last two releases from the band (Evil Urges, Z) are going to be my favorites. I enjoy the bit of funk they have injected lately as opposed the the creepy sleepiness of the first releases. Not that all the tunes are like that, but there are no stand out songs like Dondante on the first three releases I bought. To be fair, I have not listened to those as much, I've needed some upbeat tunes thanks to the hellish tone at work, but they are nice to relax to on the weekend.

Moving on - Got to see Ryan Adams for the first time when he came to town Oct 3rd. He played a really cool old theater downtown that I had never been to. The hubby and I really enjoyed the venue, and had great balcony seats! Ryan was just what I imagined him to be - energetic, funny, and an all out rocker. An American treasure for sure. The crowd was much more DeadHeadish than I expected. Even got a compliment on my Dead hat. Sure miss those Dead days. My husband probably only recognized two songs he played (and one doesn't count since it was Oasis' Wonderwall - which ROCKED better than Oasis ever did it) but still had a good time. SO he says! I know I did :)

Latest Tunes: Who - Jacket - Elbow

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:27:52 GMT

Purchases for the week! Had good luck this time. Instead of browsing within the brick and mortar of my beloved Borders, I ordered some things from Amazon. It started with my all time favorite documentary finally being released on DVD. Byzantium - The Lost Empire. This was done by The Learning Channel in 1997. Hosted by famed Egyptologist John Romer, it is 208 minutes of wonder. I've watched it countless times. Firstly, I'm a huge fan of Byzantine art, but mostly, John Romer is the ultimate host. He will keep you enthralled the entire time.

BUT - on to the music...

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

Well, how I never tripped upon this band before amazes me. This release was recommended to me by Amazon, so I bought it. Smart move, indeed! I've been listening to this cd basically every chance I've had for the past three days. Great stuff. Great American stuff! I am shocked by all this great American music I'm finding. Not since the early nineties with STP, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Live, and that lot, has this county had so much to offer me. Then yesterday, I found the awesome animated video for Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2. Just a thrill. Next week, I'll be purchasing their entire back catalog (four or five releases I believe), so my next music post will be a love letter to My Morning Jacket.

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Winner of the Mercury Prize this year, an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland. I have previous winners and have never been disappointed, so I got on YouTube and checked out the video for Grounds For Divorce. Sold. Starlings is probably my favorite track (that line 'You are the only thing in any room you're ever in" just kills me) but The Fix is coming up close. Guy Garvey's lyrics are outstanding.

The Who - The Kids Are Alright

I remember the day I got the album. My Mom and I were Christmas shopping, but I had some money saved up from something and spent it on The Who. I remember going from store to store fulfilling everyone's lists just dying to go home and spin this baby. Then it started snowing. It was dark, and I remember sitting in the car watching the snow cascading down around the parking lot lamps. It is a memory that sticks with me really heavy. I was probably 13 or 14 at the time. Anyway, after the movie was re-released last year I've been meaning to get the soundtrack on cd. Finally did. Containing all live recordings, my favorite is the still classic, poignant, ever relevant Won't Get Fooled Again.

Beginning of The End....

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:43:56 GMT

September is the month that we begin shutting down the plant. I had a rude emotional smack across the forehead this morning when I cut thru the stair shop to the UPS receiving dock.

The stair shop was empty. What used to be full of woodworking saws and material, carpenters and piles of finished sets of stairs, was a huge empty void. All moved to our other facility across the river in Kentucky. It was a difficult walk thru that vast void. We used to have the Christmas parties there back in the day. All the saws would be moved out of the way and the alcohol moved in. This was when we were still a family owned company, people were still buying houses, and you still party at work with a few drinks without fearing a lawsuit. Every year folks would mingle over to the bar next door, and stories would circulate the next week about who got into a fight and who went home with who. I never been in a fight, and I always went home with my husband, but they were still good days. I miss so many of those folks now. Most are long gone. Many left with the corporate buyout. The rest have been sliced off sporadically thru the years. Only a few of us remain, and we stick together like soldiers in a foxhole. Hopefully, we will make it thru the war.

RIP Jerry Reed

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:39:38 GMT

Jerry Reed died over the holiday weekend. Jerry was great. A fantastic guitar player and singer/songwriter, but best known as an actor. His most famous role was Snowman in Smokey And The Bandit - one of my favorite movies. You could not grow up in the seventies and not love that movie (along with Jaws and Star Wars but that is another post). Everyone had a crush on Burt Reynolds, but I loved Jerry Reed. He was funny and down to earth. And he had the dog.

Amo Moses is one the coolest country songs every recorded. I remember listening to his music as a kid. It was great stuff. He wrote songs for lots of people. Maybe some you have heard of - Johnny Cash, Brenda Lee, ELVIS. Jerry was 71. A ripe age to clock out. I mentioned my favorite death song in a previous post - so it is fitting I post the lyrics today. Written by Harry Nilsson - the greatest American songwriter ever. Even better than Brian Wilson. There. I said it, and I mean it.

God Bless You Jerry....

I'd Rather Be Dead (Than Wet My Bed)

I'd rather be dead--I'd rather be dead

I'd rather be dead than wet my bed

I said dead - than wet my bed

Oh, I'd rather be gone--Than carry on

I'd rather go away--Than feel this way

Oh, I'd rather be there--Where you haven't got a care

And you're better off dead--Though it doesn't seem fair

Oh, I'd rather be dead--I'd rather be dead

I'd rather be dead than wet my bed

(Elderly Ladies)

I'd rather keep my health--and dress myself

But you're better off dead than sitting on a shelf

(Elderly Men)

I'll tie my tie 'till the day I die

But if I have to be fed then I'd rather be dead

(Entire choir)

And when he takes my hand on the very last day

I will understand because it's better that way

(Back to Harry)

Oh! It's nice to be alive--When the dream comes true

You'll be better off dead--It could happen to you

Oh! I'd rather be dead--I'd rather be dead

I'd rather be dead than wet my bed

I'd rather be dead--I'd rather be dead

I'd rather be dead than wet than wet my bed

(Alright! Give yourselves a big hand!)

[Clapping.]

Another Three Day Weekend Over....

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:35:46 GMT

Holiday weekends are sort of a drag. You end up getting your chops busted for that day off. This Labor Day weekend was no exception for me. I ended up volunteering to work on Saturday to do some painting in the new offices. I quite enjoyed hanging with the guys and yucking it up. It didn't seem like work at all. The rest of the weekend was a bust , having to do some actual work from home for the end of the month accounting close. Holidays always fall near the end of the month, really mucking things up for those of us in information services!

I've cheerfully been loading things on my iPod when I get the chance. I've been amazed how many discs I've loaded of stuff that I had not listened to for years. I mean years. Here are a few of my rediscovered gems

The Cranberries - No Reason To Argue - how did I lose track of this one? I'm not big on female singers, but there are a few I really like. Dolores O'Riordan was always so unique. The title song just crushes me. Released 1994.

Live - Throwing Copper - Everyone loved this for Lightening Crashes, but the whole thing rocks. These guys sort of got lost in the shuffle after this release, which is a shame. They had a nice spiritual and somewhat uplifting message, unlike Pearl Jam who were also huge at this time, who wished everyone was as miserable as they were. Released 1994.

Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth - Named after the three books of the Bible, emotion runs strong throughout this album. Wow, I had forgotten She's Already Made Up Her Mind. A fucking brilliant song, how did I forget? Some of these songs hit harder now for me than then did when it was released in 1992. For instance Since The Last Time

I went to a funeral
Lord it made me happy
Seeing all those people
I ain't seen
Since the last time
Somebody died

Everybody talking
They were telling funny stories
Saying all those things
They ain't said
Since the last time
Somebody died

But you take a look around you
Don't it seem like something's missing
I said something that weren't missing
Lord the last time
Somebody died

You took him from the last time
To that hallowed ground
I'm praying take me to the next time Lord
So I can hang around

Then the people start to looking
And some of them start crying
And all the little children
Lord they're scared
Because they ain't never seen
A dead man before

You took him from the last time
To that hallowed ground
I'm praying take me to the next time Lord
So I can hang around

He's swimming through that Jordan
Going to the other side
But if it's all the same to you Lord
I think I'll stay dry

Now it's church on Sunday
It's a bar on Friday night
It's work on Monday
The preacher Lord you know he might sing

Hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah

He's got church on Sunday
And he got drunk the night before
And he got his good gal when he got home
The preacher said he wants some more of that

Hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah

Now if you want to get to heaven
Let me tell you what to do
You better grease your foot up buddy
With that mutton stew
And when the devil comes after you
With them greasy hands
You just slide on over to the promised land

Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah

Now there was two little imps
And they was black as tar
And they was trying to get to heaven
In an electric car
And that car wheel slipped
On down the hill
Instead of going to heaven
They went to Jacksonville

Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah
Sing hallelujah

Thank you, you've been so nice
All my friends they came
Now close the lid down tightly
And quit crying
Because when they close them
They all look the same

And grab hold of the handle
It won't be too heavy
And take me to the graveyard

I went to a funeral
And Lord it made me happy
Seeing all those people
I ain't seen
Since the last time
Somebody...

It may sound morbid, but it is true as the day is long. Actually, it reminds me of my favorite death song. More on that next post!

Just Announced! Pennington Starts With Dolphins! Its Official!

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:29:14 GMT

The 32-year-old Pennington, who was the Jets' first-round pick in 2000, ranks first in NFL history among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 attempts with a 65.6 completion percentage. In all, he is 1,259-for-1,919 with 13,738 yards and 82 touchdowns along with 55 interceptions in 70 games (61 starts).

He won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2006 as he threw for a career-high 3,352 yards with 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while leading the Jets to the playoffs and starting every game for the first time.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to lead this team,” Pennington said.
“We’ve worked extremely hard over the last two weeks, and I’m proud to be a Miami Dolphin.”

YEAH!!!!!!!

Fantasy Football & New Tunes

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:00:40 GMT

We had the draft for the fantasy football league Friday after work. I am the only woman in this league, but its just a bunch of great guys I work with (or used to work with). Hubby went to the draft with me. We had it in a garage this year and it was only, oh, 89.9 degrees in there! Still had fun though. Here are some of my favorite picks...

Clinton Portis
Terrell Owens
Jeremy Shockey
CHAD PENNINGTON
Shayne Graham

My team is called the Deadhead Knights. I have either good years, or really bad years. I think this will be a good year. Wish me luck!

New tunes for the week....lots of goodies this week!

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple. Wow, love it. Really strong to start, the first four songs are incredible, then it sort of evens out. Still a great release all around. Yummy.

Happy Apple - The Peace Between Our Countries. A fusion jazz trio from Minneapolis. Drums/Bass/Sax. I found out about this band in an interview with the drummer from Tapes 'N Tapes. Its good stuff. The drummer is out of sight, very melodic.

Massive Attack - Mezzanine. Read somewhere that Jim Sturgess is a fan so I picked this up. Enjoy it more than I expected to after the 30 second previews on Amazon. I really like Inertia Creeps (which makes me feel dirty) and Angel (which makes up for it). I'll have to check out some other releases since there are quite a few. Not sure what I will pick up next. It also reminded me how much I like the band Garbage, but don't have any of their releases. Just Number 1 Crush on the Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack. Mental Note - buy Garbage.

This morning I am working from home waiting for the Geek Squad to arrive. I've had it with these problems I've had with ad-ware and spy-ware and having to reinstall this damn machine every week and a half. They are coming over to get this thing in a better state and make some ghost images. Hopefully it pays off.

More Bite The Dust At Work - But The iPod Is Majestic

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:45:23 GMT

Good news and bad news, of course. Couldn't have just good news, nooooooooo. So, lets get the bad news out of the way. Three more folks lost their jobs in the last three days. Roll call is getting shorter and shorter. The housing industry can kiss my big toe, ya greedy bastards.

On to the good news. Lots of it, funny enough! Received my iPod yesterday, all glorious 80GB in a sleek black case. My home PC caught the virus for the fourth time in three months, so I had to reinstall that before I could setup the pod. Adware sucks! Managed to get everything done and in motion last night. Tonight I will probably work on importing more artwork that iTunes cannot seem to identify.

Watched a great movie the other night. King of California with Michael Douglas. I really don't like him that much. Fatal Attraction really freaked me out when I was a teenager. It just gave me that creepy guy, men suck mentality which I don't enjoy having. It was quite a heavy movie for its time and I was at a very impressionable age. That and the rabbit in the soup. That was just unfuckingnecessary. The only reason I wanted to see it was for Evan Rachel Wood who was awesome in Across The Universe. Anyway, what a great flick!. I wish they made more movies like that. Wood was fantastic in it - the chick has some chops.

I'm Getting A New iPod And I'm STOKED

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:40:22 GMT

Bought a refurb 80GB iPod on eBay the other day. I am soooo ready to upgrade. I've had an old monochrome screen mini for a few years now. It is only 4GB, and I was getting frustrated by constantly having to edit a playlist that would fit on it. I've been ripping some of my favorite music videos in order to get them ready for that nifty little color screen.

All Genesis so far, but these are my favorite videos EVER:

Follow You Follow Me
Duchess
Turn It On Again
Abacab
Keep It Dark

Now I just need to find a way to get Phil's I Missed Again video and I'll be set!! Bought two of my other all time faves on iTunes - Kasabian's Shoot The Runner and Tapes 'n Tapes The Insister. AWESOME videos both!

Yeah!

Wow, Four Weeks!

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:23:27 GMT

What a hellish four weeks! I am amazed that much time has passed. Well, bad news burdens me. I work in the home builder supply industry. Probably the worst job to have besides a mortgage loan officer at this time. It was announced that they are closing my location and I must transfer. I am one of the lucky ones. Many lost their jobs. Folks that I have worked with for YEARS. I have been with this company for 21 years, so I pretty much know everyone. I am very sad and heartbroken about the whole ordeal. Working in a location that is closing down is a strange feeling. Half the people are working their jobs away. Basically cleaning and packing things up for the move, then they are gone. Others, like myself, are working like mad trying to make the transformation happen smoothly enough that it doesn't affect our customers. Not much luck of that happening! Anyway, That is the latest hailstorm I am dealing with. A really sucky, heartbreaking ordeal. Just happy shit happening all the time anymore.

Wow, Do I Suck At This...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:29:37 GMT

I had all intention of keeping up with this damn online journal stuff. That was May. Now it is July! No activity - no posts! No one even noticed! Ok, I'm back on it, I swear. I need the therapy.

Keep On Working...

Tue, 27 May 2008 23:34:50 GMT

Back to work today. Thank goodness.

Holiday weekends can drive me crazy sometimes. Memorial Day is the kick-off to summer, my least favorite time of year. Now I yearn for Labor Day weekend and the beginning of fall. Ohio sucks in the summertime. It is humid, hot, and usually unbearably dry. By August I'll be losing my mind over the weather. Getting into a 400 degree car everyday after work sucks. It doesn't cool down until I'm halfway home.

Oh well, trying to make a post every day or so to get my writing skills back into check. With cryptic text messages and fragmented emails, I feel I am losing the ability to write. We'll see if it comes back to me.....

Ugh, Sundays Slay Me

Mon, 26 May 2008 00:23:11 GMT

Sundays can be unbearably dull. Sometimes they seem to last forever. Since this is a three day weekend holiday, I am excessively bored. Therefore, welcome to my first post! John Prine did a great song regarding the Sunday-Night-Syndrome.

It's an awesome song, check out John Prine if you never have, you wont' regret it. Great Days: The John Prine Anthology would be the perfect start.....

Black faces pressed against the glass
Where rain has pressed it's weight
Wind blown scarves in top down cars
All share one western trait
Sadness leaks through tear-stained cheeks
From winos to dime-store Jews
Probably don't know they give me
These late John Garfield blues

Midnight fell on Franklin Street
And the lamppost bulbs were broke
For the life of me, I could not see
But I heard a brand new joke
Two men were standing upon a bridge
One jumped and screamed you lose
And just left the odd man holding
Those late John Garfield blues

An old man sleeps with his conscience at night
Young kids sleep with their dreams
While the mentally ill sit perfectly still
And live through life's in-betweens

I'm going away to the last resort
In week or two real soon
Where the fish don't bite but once a night
By the cold light of the moon
The horses scream- the nightmares dream
And the dead men all wear shoes
'Cause everybody's dancin'
Those late John Garfield blues