Bull Roar!

The Songs that Made Me Who I Am In 2010!!!

2010-12-22T21:25:00.004-06:00

This year has been both an emotional roller-coaster and a top-down drive through the night! Those songs that resonated with me, the ones that brought out the personal epiphanies, and the ones that just wouldn't leave are what I am listing here for you all to soak in. Requirements to get onto this year's compendium are just like the other years': the song pretty much had to be unheard by me before. I like to think I am still a little hip, although I probably never was in the first place, so I do have a percentage of songs that actually came out in 2010. If you are one of those nit-pickers who is going to have a stroke because I listed a song from 1973 here, you have been dutifully warned and you will have to read this post at your own discretion (I have since added asterisks to the songs I think came out this year). The rest of you will hopefully discover a song or two here that will change or define your life as it has done mine. Thanks for reading!

Annie
*My Love is Better
From last year's Don't Stop album, Norwegian pop genius delivers again with this stand-up single!

Antoine Dodson
*Bed Intruder Song (Autotune)
"He's climbin' in your windows!"

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
*Bright Lit Blue Skies
A groovy, surfy cover of the 1966 RamRod's classic! A summer feel-good gem!

Belinda Carlisle
Runaway Horses
This song is one of two on this list that I have heard before, but I haven't listened to it for years. I was getting pretty sentimental about love and stuff sometime this year and this kept getting stuck in my head. If I were ever to drive off a cliff, this pulse-pounding driving pop song would be my final anthem.

Benoît Pioulard
Ash Into the Sky
A late addition to the list- a friend of mine, Jenn B. recently posted it on facebook and I was instantly enthralled!

Best Coast
Best Coast is certainly one of my favorite bands of the year. Beth Cosentino has the voice of a summer sunset. "Crazy For You" is arguably one of the best albums of the year.
*Boyfriend

*Crazy For You

*When I'm With You

Sun Was High (So Was I)

Beyonce
*Why Don't You Love Me
Beyonce's association with Lady Gaga was nothing short of brilliant. After their pairing Beyonce dropped this single, one I don't think got enough accolades.

The Bird and the Bee
*I Can't Go For That
A ridiculously effective cover of the great Hall and Oates song! Quite indicative of the entire album. A joy to listen (and sing along) to.

Brigitte Bardot
Moi Je Joue
Never heard this until it was used in some dumb tv commercial this year.

Camera Obscura
*My Maudlin Career
Title track to last year's amazing album. I couldn't stop listening to this song, nor stop watching the self-professed, self-indulgent video which featured various clips of the band on tour. I saw Camera Obscura play in concert twice this year! "This maudlin career has come to an end, I don't want to be sad again." I have a total crush on one of the band members in this video, big-time.

Caribou
*Odessa
A nightmarish-sounding song that is impossible to not want to dance to! I'm a big Caribou fan!

Carstairs
It Really Hurts Me Girl
Ohmygosh, I really, really buried myself into songs that made up the Northern Soul movement this year! Incredibly infectious, well-crafted Mo-town style tunes that ended up becoming huge hits in England in the late 1960's and into the seventies. This is one of my favorites!

Charlie Ash
I Wanna Sex You Up (Colour Me Badd Cover) (BL Rewind 2)
Amazing, catchy right-to-the-point cover of the laaaaame early 90's hit. In my honest opinion, this reworking raises the bar for all other cover songs!

Chris Montez
Call Me
I first heard "Call Me" listening and watching Frankie Valli at Summerfest this year. I went home and found this original version by Mr. Montez who's best known for his early rock hit "Let's Dance." After that hit he was influenced by Sergio Mendes and Herb Alpert and did a cover of Petula Clark's "Call Me." When this song first came out everyone thought it was a girl singing. Anyway, this song affable as it is catchy.

Christina Aguilera
*Not Myself Tonight
I think Christina Aquilera is a real ass-hat sex clown. But this song is too damn stupid to not get down to!

The Clientele
*I Wonder Who We Are
Modern, wispy 1960's Mersey-sounding dream-cats!

Cliff Richard
We Don't Talk Anymore
A big hit that I haven't heard in decades. Cliff was and is a HUGE star in Britain. Since the 1950's he's been putting out hit after hit- he's pretty much the British Elvis. In America, he's probably best known for his unforgettable duet with Olivia Newton-John on "Suddenly." Thanks, Matt for bringing this back to my attention!

Cloetta Paris
Did We Collide?
Oh wow! This song is a few years old, but I just heard it a couple weeks ago. Easily, it begs comparison to any of the Sally Shapiro discography. Swedish, wispy dream Italo-disco pop with a hint of mystery and fragility.

Coldplay
Don't Panic
Never really listened to Coldplay before, this chillout tune reminds me of two separate things. One, it reminds me of the public policy projects I worked on this last fall semester: the flooding in Whitefish Bay, the phosphorus levels in the MMSD wastewater effluent, and the disaster planning problems. Then it reminds me, on an entirely non-kitchy level, of an old friend who's back in my life.

Crystal Castles
*Celestica
Dreamy elf-disco with a lot of synth probably produced on a Mac.

Cults
*Go Outside
When I hear this song I like to think I'm hearing it waft out the door of an old church or auditorium. Full of life and breathing soul into you on a cold day.

Cut Copy
*Where I'm Going
This will be sacrilegious to some readers, but this is what you would get if the Beatles and the Beach Boys were one group and started making music now instead of the sixties.

Dar Williams
I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono
One of my favorite driving songs this year, I'm sure many people saw me singing along to this little gem! I've included an interview session with Dar here. Fast-forward to the 5:40 mark to listen to Dar sing this song.

David Archuleta
*Something 'Bout Love
I know I'll get crucified for this, but I really like this guy- he has a great voice and a sincere personality. Guess, I'm addicted to songs about virgins singing wise songs about love! Little Archie needs a hug, and I do too.

David Lynch
*Good Day Today
I've been a fan of most of Lynch's films: Blue Velvet, Straight Story, Mullholland Dr.,as well as the soundtracks to those movies that featured old-time hits by Roy Orbison and Linda Scott, and new songs by Angelo Badelementi and Julee Cruise. Now the director has ventured into the music world to create his own stuff. Right before I listened I had a pre-conceived notion of what I was going to hear, maybe some old dark moody jazz, but what I heard was a blessing. Synths and distortion with a melody.

Dev
*Booty Bounce
I joked earlier on facebook that this song is the ultimate hipster jazzercise song, and I still stand by that. This song is most famous for being the skeleton of that stupid G6 song that's being played about 17 million times on the radio at this very moment.

The Divine Comedy
*At The Indie Disco
This British singer gets it right, singing a love song to all my favorite indie hits! "Give us some Pixies, and some Roses, and some Valentines!" and "She makes my heart beat the same way as at the start of 'Blue Monday...'" Wow!

Don Ray
Born a Loser
Whenever I'm down in the dumps, I can think of this Northern Soul classic and see how being born a loser can make you want to reach such soaring heights!

Dragonette
*Pick Up The Phone
Due to blah blah blah, this song really hit me real bad this summer. It distills what was perfect about 80s dream power pop and 70's glam and rolls it into a emotional electro-disco pick-me up.

The Drums
Another one of my favorite albums of year, every song is a classic indie new-wave surfer hit!
*Best Friend

*Let's Go Surfing

*It Will All End In Tears

Dum Dum Girls
*Baby Don't Go
Sounds like the Concretes taking on the Sonny and Cher classic.

Edith Piaf
Non Je Ne Regrette Rien
From that horrible Inception movie, the only thing I took away was the music. Hans Zimmer worked his magic, and the use of this Edith Piaf song stuck with me much longer than any of the rest of the macho movie masturbation.

Enrique Iglesias
I have a love/hate relationship with Enrique Iglesias' music. Half of it pure crap, but then he elevates the rest of it to the pinnacles of pop heaven. Real good to listen to when you are crushing on someone! The fact that he sounds like he's crying his songs really works my emotions to the bone.
*I Like It

*Heartbeat

*No Me Digas Que No

Erykah Badu
*Window Seat
The video was pure spectacle as Badu slowly disrobed until she was nude as she walked along Dealey Plaza in front of all, but the song is a modern soul classic. Real groovy.

The Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs
Oh wow!!!! From the awesome, awesome cover of Madonna's "Borderline" to this! These three groups with the help of Henry Rollins and Peaches create one of the most "did they really do that???" moments in music history. They effing covered the entire "Dark Side of the Moon." And Holy Balls is it great! It's been a great year for covers- The Bird and the Bee doing Hall and Oates, Flaming Lips covering Floyd, and then there's Charlie Ash, the Dum Dum Girls and a bunch of others coming up!
*The Great Gig In the Sky (feat. Peaches & Henry Rollins)

*Speak to Me / Breathe (feat. Henry Rollins & Peaches)

Fleet Foxes
English House
This song is sooo beautiful! I got my hands on soo much music this year and the last, that some of the stuff that came my way last year is still filtering in. I'm elevated when they are singing "My love, oooooh my love" acapella. So powerful and beautiful.

Francois & The Atlas Mountains
I became obsessed with Francois and the Atlas Mountains after months of trying to figure out who the mystery member of Camera Obscura was in their "Maudlin Career" video. Lots of internet snooping and detective work led me to the fact that Francois is a brilliant artist who has a mind for music and all types of art. Real friendly, he helped out TraceyAnne's band during a tour. What a guy! He did a lot of the artwork for these videos by hand!
I'm So Glad I Met You

Be Water (Je suis de l’eau)

Tracey Emin

The Generationals
*Trust
I love the guitar in this song! Oh, and the drums! "That you're living in a way out world!"

Gitte Henning
Every Little Star
I've been a huuuuge fan of the Linda Scott version ever since I was a little kid, and even more so after it was included in a scene of David Lynch's Mullholland Drive. This year I discovered that there was a version done by early 1960's German chanteuse Gitte Henning! I love that far-out and simple sound!

Goldfrapp
*Rocket
Although I enjoyed Goldfrapp's last album, Seventh Tree- a lot of fans were disappointed it was a quiet album without a focus on driving electro-rhythms. But then Goldfrapp returned with "Rocket!" Wow! "You're never coming back!" A break-up song that breaks the disco seal.

Horace Heidt
I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
I can not for the life of me figure out how this particular song came into my life, but this super golden oldie from 1941 had me singing along for days-

Janelle Monáe
Nothing but genius!!! I am convinced Janelle should be named the new Queen of Music. Holy shiz! Every song is devastatingly right-on as she covers all bases and styles- Michael Jackson here, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder there, classical, pop, rock, everything!. In concert, she is a power-house. You will hear more from her, she's just getting started!
*Dance Or Die (Feat. Saul Williams)

*Locked Inside

*Wondaland

Jay Electronica
*Exhibit C (Main)
I'm in love with his use of samples, reminiscent of the Avalanches, but with a coooool nostalgic hip-hop flavor.

Jay-Z
Empire State Of Mind (Featuring Alicia Keys)
I'm sure all of you and your great-grandmas have heard this song but somehow I didn't hear it until this year! Was a nice back-drop song when I returned to NYC this fall!

Jo Lemaire And Flouze
Je Suis Venue Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais
I heard of cover version of this song which in itself is a breathy 80's synth cover of the famous Serge Gainsbourg song!

Josh Rouse
*Valencia
Rouse has been soaking up the culture of Spain after moving there a few years ago. As you all probably know, he's one of my favorite musicians out there right now and I can't see him doing any wrong! Although, he likes to take down and block any videos of his music on youtube. This video isn't the album version, but a live street rendition. I want to move to Spain. I also included a song I haven't heard before way back in the day when Josh worked with Kurt Wagner.

Josh Rouse/Kurt Wagner
That's What I Know
click here to listen

Katy Perry
*Teenage Dream
Pop-sludge that won't come off no matter how much I scrub!

Ke$ha
*We R Who We R
I caught an incurable STD from listening to this song and now I'm passing it off to you.

Kelis
*22nd Century
Ms. Milkshake hits us hard with a futuristic new dance album where "We are the Stars, We are Stars, and Everybody's Dancing!"

Kings Go Forth
*One Day
Wow! Milwaukee's own Kings channeling the souls of Curtis Mayfield and other great dance-soul groups!

Kylie Minogue
More from Kylie- not sure if she took over America yet, but it's a good try! I included an inspiring video where she's singing with the PS22 school class!
*Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)

*Cupid Boy

La Roux
Reminiscent of Yaz, very 1980's new wave. She scares me.
*Bulletproof
click here for youtube video

Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce
*Telephone
Just because I'm a fan of prison bitches.

Leslie & The LY's
"Yo Grandma! Yo Grandpa!" "I'm like an Expiration Date, I'm so Tight!"
"Watch out for my Body Rolls!" "Activate your Dance-floor Kitty!"
"Don't blame me, Blame my booty- It's such a cutie!" "Corn-fed Unwed Drop-Dead Girl. Just a Bootilicious Booty Breaking Your Heart!"
Ring A Ding-Ding

*Tight Pants/Body Rolls

Blame the Booty (NSL's bottom-heavy remix)

Lily Allen
*F*** You
I could happily sing this to a few choice people this year!

Linda Griner
Goodbye Cruel Love
A favorite Northern Soul shaker of mine! "Now I'm leaving you behind...I've got to move on!" Love the horn section!

Loveninjas
Keep Your Love
A favorite little ditty from a Swedish pop-rock band featured on the Labrador label.
click here to listen

M.I.A.
Zealous political commentary. The video sticks in your mind for awhile- but its the music I'm into.
*Born Free

The Magnectic Fields
*We Are Having A Hootenanny
The Magnetic Fields came out with a stripped down album after releasing "Distortion" last year. I picked this song because they say the word "Hootenanny" and they buzzzzzzzz!(Well, not in this live version that I posted, shucks!)

Major Lazer
The most effed up videos in a long time. I wonder if the women in Keep it Going know what was being done to their faces. Incredible!
Keep It Goin' Louder feat. Nina Sky & Ricky Blaze

Pon De Floor' feat. VYBZ Kartel
click here for youtube video

Mary J. Blige
*Whole Lotta Love
Wow! I've gotten soooo into Zeppelin this year and then to find out Blige covered them- and sooo incredibly!

The Mary Onettes
*Puzzles
This band has risen above being a Swedish Echo and the Bunnymen wannabe group. Haunting pop.

Mastgrr
Cooking by the Book (lil' Bigger Mix)
"You gotta do the cookin' by the book!" Amazing mashup of the kids' show Lazy Town with Lil John!

Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA has been a joy to listen to as I drive home to Beaver Dam from school. I've been putting his songs on mix cds. Very American music.
Halloween

Snow Day

Minnie Riperton
Les Fleur
Most famous for singing the oft-sung and parodied "Loving You," Minnie put out an astounding collection of music in her short life. I discovered her discography this year and this is by far one of my favorites!

Monie Love
I found this late 80's forgotten Afrocentric favorite on a mix-tape from a thrift shop!!!
Grandpa's Party

The Morning Benders
These guys make me want to be like twenty years younger- I think they are pure genius and their enthusiasm for music is dangerously infectious. Probably my favorite new band of the year.
*Excuses

Lovefool (Cardigans Cover)

Nancy Sinatra
Call Me
Her version of Petula Clark's hit. Yeah, I know I have this song on the list three times!

The New Pornographers
*Your Hands (Together)
This song is a total self-confidence booster!

Oh No Ono
*Swim
Part Passion Pit and part Knife. Dreamy in a disturbed after-school special way.

Olivia Newton-John
I can't believe I am still discovering ONJ songs. "Winterwood" is a cover of a Don MacLean song. Became a favorite of mine after I put it on a special winter-driving mix cd I made a couple weeks ago. I'm still trying to figure out if its about breaking up or meeting a new love. "Twist of Fate" is a song I have heard before but never resonated with me until this year. :^)
Winterwood

Twist Of Fate

Pat Lundi
Party Music
Another Norther Soul booty shaker!

Petula Clark
Call Me
The original Call Me. Love it (well except for what I think is an awkward ending)! Warm, upbeat, and hopeful!

Phoenix
Girlfriend
When I hear this song I feel like my blood flows in synch. Pure pop deliciousness!

The Radio Dept.
This band has been one of those where any song of them helps reflect upon what I've been feeling. I had a big heartbreak earlier this year, a couple of family pets passed away, meeting new loves and wow, so much! Life's incredible and music is a gateway to the feelings to what's going on, blah blah blah, I just really like the band!
*Heaven's on Fire

Pet Grief

Reparata & The Delrons
It's like Leslie Gore wannabe got a hold of the Sapphires incredible hit (which btw, was one of my absolute faves of 2009!)
Who Do You Love?

Rihanna
*Only Girl
I can't help love this song (and video)! The production on this song is out of this world.

Robyn
I think Robyn (haha, of course from Sweden) is probably the best pop powerhouse act out there right now. If you haven't checked her out, you'll have your choice of records. She's coming out with three all within a year!
*Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do

*Dancing On My Own

Röyksopp
*The Drug
Last year the Norwegian act put out part one of a dual album project, the upbeat and dancey "Junior." Then this year they released "Senior." It's a bit more chill!

The Runaways
Wasted
I saw the movie and thought, "eh.."- but it was a chance to discover old Runaways music I haven't heard before. This one is a definite favorite.

Sally Shapiro
*Save Your Love
I featured a bunch of Swedish electro-synth disco star Sally Shapiro in past years' lists, but this one song stood out this year from its inclusion on some roadtrip mixes I made. I can't wait for a new album!

The Sapphires
Evil One
It's been a difficult chore trying to find the 1960's girl-group The Sapphires discography, but with a tremendous amount of effort, I now own quite a collection of them. These girls could outsing the lot of them!

She & Him
*Gonna Get Along Without You Now
Surprising cover of an arcane 1950's song made kind of famous by sister act Patience and Prudence, a sweet little group that bring up malt-shake memories of classic American youth. Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward do good here.

Sheena Easton
Telephone
Another song that somehow escaped me all my life until now! Reminds me of some people in life who would rather avoid situations rather than face them, making them needlessly worse. Sheena sing it!

Siouxsie & The Banshees
Halloween
Featured on a Halloween mix I made this year, I kept this on rotation well into December! Whenever I hear this powerful song I picture the perfect "rock as art" lifestyle that Siouxsie helped create.

Speidells
Crystal Blue Persausion
I had to include it because it is such a bizarre rendition of one of my favorite songs of all time. Is that a cowbell I hear?

Spoon
*Who Makes Your Money

Squarepusher
Tommib
I've heard this before, but the song came to mind as I was walking around one of those cricket-chirping summer nights discussing life issues with a friend. So beautiful I made a video for it, thanks Squarepusher!

Taio Cruz
*Dynamite
I only include this dumb song because it reminds me of one of the best nights I've had in a long time!

Tame Impala
*Solitude is Bliss

Toro Y Moi
*Blessa
One of the most beautiful songs of the year!
click here for youtube video

Underworld
*Always Loved A Film

Vampire Weekend
*Horchata

Wanda Jackson
*You Know That I'm No Good (Amy Winehouse Cover)
Rock legend Wanda Jackson returns with the help of Jack White to turn out this wicked version of Amy Winehouse's famous song.

Washed Out
*Belong

Weed and Foxes In Fiction
*Teenage Dream (Katy Perry Cover)

William De Vaughan
Be Thankful For What You've Got

Willow Smith
*Whip My Hair

Yo La Tengo
*Center of Gravity

Miscellaneous:
*Gimme Pizza (slow)

*Mommy and Daddy Song

*Sing Talk (Tik Tok Parody)

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

There we go, I might add a few more comments to the last bunch of songs. Hope you all find a song or two that's up your alley! Your buddy Jeff

My Top 100 Songs of the Decade!

2010-01-09T13:47:00.005-06:00

Here's my list of my 100 favorite songs that were made within the last ten years! It was hard enough to filter my list from the top 425 or so, so I didn't put them in any particular order- just alphabetically- the way they fell on my iTunes (which I tried to make an iMix of but half the songs didn't show up for this or that reason, so I gave up on that).

Cherry Blossom Girl Air

You Don't Know My Name Alicia Keys
You Don't Know My Name Video on Youtube

Heartbeat Annie
Heartbeat Video on some European site

Songs Remind Me Of You Annie

Since I Left You The Avalanches

Once Around The Block Badly Drawn Boy

Look On The Floor/Hypnotic Tango Bananarama

Naughty Girl (ft. Lil Kim) Beyonce

Unison Björk

Summer Parade Brookville
Summer Parade snippet on Lala

Let's Get Out of This Country Camera Obscura

Seems Fine The Concretes

Dress You Up Darren Hayes

Bulldozer Datarock

Fa-Fa-Fa Datarock

Six Days DJ Shadow

Walking On A Dream Empire of the Sun
Walking On a Dream Video

Escape Enrique Iglesias

Every Party (Has a Winner and a Loser) Erlend Øye

All Through the Night Escort

American Boy (Radio Edit w/ Kanye) Estelle
American Boy Video

We All Wanna Be Prince Felix Da Housecat

Science Genius Girl Freezepop

Amazing George Michael
Amazing video

Ladyflash The Go! Team

Strict Machine Goldfrapp
Strict Machine video

Hollaback Girl Gwen Stefani

I Believe In The Good Of Life Hidden Cameras

Cruisin' Huey Lewis & the News & Gwyneth Paltrow

Streets Of Your Town Ivy

Rock With U Janet Jackson

Your Arms Around Me Jens Lekman

Winter In The Hamptons Josh Rouse

Quiet Town Josh Rouse

Bellona Junior Boys
Bellona snippet on Lala

Like A Child Junior Boys

Move Your Feet Junior Senior

Toxic Girl (Monte Carlo 1963 Version) Kings Of Convenience
Toxic Girl video

I Believe In You Kylie Minogue
I Believe In You video

DNA / Love to Me The Lady Tigra

Open Your Heart Lavender Diamond

Magic Stick Lil' Kim

Kim & Jessie M83
Kim & Jessie video

Hollywood Madonna

I Love New York Madonna

Let It Will Be (Paper Faces Mix) Live at the Koko Madonna

Valerie Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse

Valerie -Live

In A Funny Way Mercury Rev

Roscoe Midlake

Bottle Action Miss B.

Lose Control Missy Elliott

Starts Off With A Bang Mobius Band

Most Of All Morgan Geist

Feeling Free Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators

Want You Back Nite Jewel

Wild Young Hearts Noisettes
Wild Young Hearts video

Kiss, Kiss, Kiss Yoko Ono & Peaches

It's For You Out Hud

Disappear Pacific!

Stars Are Blind Paris Hilton

Sleepyhead Passion Pit

Starry Eyed Surprise Paul Oakenfold

Fuck The Pain Away Peaches

AA XXX Peaches

Shake Yer Dix (feat. Mignon) Peaches

Young Folks Peter Bjorn & John

Too Young Phoenix

If I Ever Feel Better Phoenix
If I Ever Feel Better video

Feel Good Time P!nk & William Orbit

Folder (Original Mix) Plastic Operator

We Will Become Silhouettes The Postal Service

You Drift Away The Postmarks
You Drift Away snippet on Lala

Do It Like A Robot Princess Superstar

NYC C--T Princess Superstar
NYC C--t snippet on Lala

David The Radio Dept.

I Don't Like It Like This The Radio Dept.

Save Me Remy Zero

Let Love Res

Poor Leno Röyksopp
Poor Leno video

Sparks Röyksopp

Only This Moment Röyksopp

Oh What A World Rufus Wainwright

Stars Above Us (Eric Kupper Club Mix) Saint Etienne

Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me) Sally Shapiro

Star Guitar (Original Mix) Shinichi Osawa

Phantom Limb The Shins

Jams Run Free Sonic Youth

Murder On The Dancefloor Sophie Ellis Bextor
Murder On the Dancefloor video

Candy Girl Soviet

Counting Stars On The Ceiling Stars

This Charming Man Stars

Moviestar Stereo Total

Moviestar - MyVideo

The Strokes Vs Christina Aguilera - A stroke of genius Strokes vs. Christina Aguilera

Juxtaposed with U Super Furry Animals

Raise The Roof Tracey Thorn
Raise the Roof video

Two Months Off Underworld

Summer People The Webb Brothers

Seven Nation Army The White Stripes

À Cause Des Garçons (Tepr Remix) Yelle
A Cause Des Garcons video

Little Eyes Yo La Tengo

2009- The Music of My Mind

2010-01-04T14:17:00.013-06:00

Another year, another compilation of songs that got stuck in my head this last year! As you can tell from my previous posts (as you can see I haven't blogged since last year) that I like to gather up a list of all the songs that really moved me, rocked me, and became part of me within the last 365 days. They don't have to be from 2009, there is so much music to discover that I find normal means of chronology confining. If it's new to me, even if it came out fifty years ago, and it's a song that defined who I was this year, it makes the list. Hope you all enjoy what I've posted—maybe you'll find something that will dance in your head for the next couple days or weeks!

Do The Joy Air (2009)
A short French electronic symphony! I like the robotish dialogue in the middle.

Sing Sang Sung Air (2009)
A refreshing joyful burst of childlike soul from the same album, Love 2 that came out this last year. My favorite part is, "Don't be so dumb."

Sing Sang Sung official video

Eye in the Sky The Alan Parsons Project
A grocery store discovery. I was shopping for spaghetti sauce ingredients at the Pick N Save here in Shorewood and I could hear it just enough over the shopping carts and scanners and everything else. It seemed like I was being serenaded down the grocery aisles. "I can read your mind!" Anyway, I taped it using the audio function on my camera and looked up the lyrics afterward when I got home.

Closer Animals Within Animals
There is a great website online that takes your favorite songs and reinterprets them using alternating computer voices for each word of the song. It's educational and fun! My good friend Matt made a great homemade video of the song for the annual Blossom Lane Film Fest. It rocked!
Singing Dictionary

Anthonio (Original Version) Annie (2009)
This past year, was a complete tease for fans of Annie. The Norwegian indie electronic pop princess was due to release it, but thing after thing resulted in delay. Argh! Luckily, she made and released this single while the album was in the works. A driving synth song with a mix of dancibility, sadness, longing, and morality.

Songs Remind Me Of You Annie (2009)
Yay! Annie released her new album finally toward the end of the year and it is extraordinary! This is the vanguard of pop music!

Hell Yes Beck
Beck is a musical genius, and he's always coming with some interesting musical concoction. Hell Yes is a mix of something off of his Mellow Gold and his Midnight Vulture album. I love the "Hell Yes" statement and the inclusion of the Japanese girl.
Hell Yes video

Gamma Ray Beck
This is a 60's style hot rod song re-imagined Beck-style. A mix of race car driving, spy thriller, and a desert mirage.

Beck - Gamma Ray
Music Video Codes at www.roxwel.com

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) Beyoncé (2009)
Sorry, I'm sick of this song too.

Again & Again The Bird And The Bee
It's like the Carpenters meeting Brian Wilson, this song is a pop confectionary.
Again and Again

Don't Stop The Music (Rihanna Cover) The Bird and the Bee
A second The Bird and the Bee song on my list...like the Charo song later on in the list, it's a cover a Rihanna song. On my quest to find that online, I stumbled upon this version. It's impeccable. Very dreamy and addictive!

That's When The Tears Start The Blossoms
This year I discovered a series of CDs put out collecting old 1950's and 1960's Girl Group songs. This one by the phenomenal Blossoms, known best as a backing band for many of the hits of the time, is one of the best of the collection. The lead singer is Darlene Love, one of the greatest singers ever. When I found the video to this song, lip-synched about forty years after the song was cut and released, I just fell in love. You can see the joy of the three Blossoms being together again. I played it over and over about a thousand times!

Heaven On Earth Britney Spears
Everyone thought Britney Spears was a washout and a has-been, but I guess she came back. I'm not a fan of hers by any stretch of the imagination. As a symbol of pop music she represents the worst, but I guess her people know how to find the right collaborators to bring out the best.

Great Mistake Brookville (2009)
Brookville is Andy Chase from the New York band Ivy, and this is from his latest solo effort. I was really hoping to meet him on his tour with the Postmarks, who he produces and plays as an opening act for, when they came to Milwaukee; but, he didn't show up. I think he make a great sensitive little guy. You should see him sing this song riding his cycle around NYC.

French Navy Camera Obscura (2009)
I'm such a huge fan of Camera Obscura's sound, a sometimes danceable, toe-tapping blend of melancholy pop. I guess it like old girl group sound mixed in with the twee-pop sound of fellow Scottish band Belle and Sebastian. I was so incredibly lucky to see them live this year at Turner Hall here in Milwaukee and they were utterly fascinating. There sound is so spot on, every member of the band is a true musician.

The Sweetest Thing Camera Obscura (2009)
More Camera Obscura heart-baring symphonic pop. This song makes you think, ruminate, run nostalgic, all while making you tap your toes and sway. Lead singer Traceyanne Campbell makes you think about love....sigh!

The Way I Want To Touch You Captain & Tennille
My first words were to their more popular song, "Love Will Keep Us Together, (I will! I will! I will!)" but that was about all I really knew about the Captain and the Tenille. Then I found their greatest hits collection on one of my numerous library musical trips and found this song. I like the eager vocal force that build up to the sunshine-shadow contrast. Tenille had it real bad for the Captain. I want to be someone's captain again.
Captain And Tennille - The Way That I Want To Touch You

Nobody Does It Better Carly Simon
Somehow, for the thirty plus years of my life this song escaped me...until this year, when I heard it three times, three different places in the same 24 hour period! The Loud Family in the building next door, a family of about 12 people who shared a two-bedroom apartment congregate certain nights for an evening of karaoke. As a black family, they sang Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and other Motown and rap songs...but when they broke into "Nobody does it better..." I was perplexed and amused. A classic moment hearing all 12 singing about, "The spy who loved me!" Then in the morning I heard at I was searching the aisles of the dollar store for shampoo or something; and then again at a karaoke bar that evening! God was pulling a practical joke on me!

Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams Charlie Christian
This song found its way to me along my search for the same song by Les Paul and his wife Mary Ford, which I heard earlier on an internet radio station. From the swing period, Charlie was an innovator in using the electric guitar in jazz. Just listen to that opening! Wow!
Charlie Christian on Itunes

Don't Stop the Music Charo (2009)
Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon gave us a special treat of Charo really working it—lip synching and gyrating to her own recorded version of Rihanna's Don't Stop the Music. It's fascinating! You can't get the vision of sixty-plus old Charo grinding her crotch into the bodies and faces of telethon audience members. Charo really made this song hers.

Call on Me Chicago
This automatically goes on my early 70's AM favorites, up there with Bread, Gordon Lightfoot, and Stevie Wonder.

You Are What You Are (Beautiful) Christina Aguilera
I really enjoyed this reworked version of her big hit from years ago. It sounds like the group Air or Goldfrapp got their remixers wrapped around it. Low-key, more humble, and more future-forward than what everyone knows.

The Next Step Youll Take Club 8
I feel like going out getting an early early morning coffee in Rio when I hear this song.
The Next Step You'll Take on Lala player

Technologic (Basement Jaxx Kontrol Mixx) Daft Punk
I'm going to try and get a different remix of Technologic on my music list every year. I keep finding more! This song is c-c-c-c-raaaaaaazy in an insane robot chipmunk way!

True Stories Datarock (2009)
Datarock, my favorite Norwegian rock band are at it again! This song is a catchy tune whose every lyric is from a Talking Heads song. Datarock put on an awesome energetic show, red jumpsuits and hoods and all!

When Love Takes Over (Original Mix) David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland (2009)
If there were songs like this on the stupid radio, I might actually turn it on someday.
When Love Takes Over video

Foolish Fool Dee Dee Warwick
My friend Steven has incredibly good taste in music and he passed this gem along over to me.

To Have and to Hold Here Today Gone Tomorrow The Distant Cousins
One night when I first installed my digital teevee converter box, one of those late night black and white B-Movie programs that are hosted by beatniks on a couch was on. It was "Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster" with a few songs by sixties band the Distant Cousins. There was a great scene in the movie where some guy and his girl are riding a scooter around Italy or Hawaii (European streets and palm trees and ocean???) Anyway the song got stuck in my head, and I couldn't find it (well, now it's on youtube). I can't find any internet documentation of Here Today Gone Tomorrow.

Lying Still (Level 42 cover) (BL Rewind 2) Electric Youth (2009)
One of my favorite songs of all time is Level 42's "Something About You." Well, the weird thing is, is that I don't any of their other songs—at least until I stumbled upon a great website that got new artists to cover all their favorite hits in a rewind sort of way. I really dug this cover of Lying Still without ever hearing the original. Well, I have heard it and I love it, but this has a more up-tempo beat and spritish-punkish pop vibe to it.

Hijack Enoch Light
Thanks to the Sonic Youth "Sacred Trickster" video I discovered this song. In the beginning of their video the band members are digging through an old box of records and and there's this Enoch Light album. It's like Ewoks in the Playboy Mansion. And I can't find a video or mp3 of it...

Ada - Luckycharm/ Erlend Øye - Intuition (Acapella) Erlend Øye
I don't know how this song escape me from the year before....anyway I played it much more to make up for that slight. A perfect song to first whistle along with, then to snap along too. It's from his DJ Kicks album, one of series of albums where cool musical artists make a mix of songs. I like checking these out and finding cool new grooves.

We All Wanna Be Prince Felix Da Housecat (2009)
From the beginning synth beat and drum to the Prince vibe this was probably the most infectious song of the year!

Borderline (Madonna's Cover) The Flaming Lips (2009)
The slow build-up and following intensity of this song is gi-normous. They take a simple 80's pop delight and develop it into an epic statement. It grabs you and enthralls you in it's majesty. Wow.

2009 Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs - Borderline from George Salisbury on Vimeo.

I Can Be A Frog (Featuring Karen O) The Flaming Lips (2009)
A short dreamy childlike classic. Karen O on a telephone answering machine tape making short playful animal noises and the Flaming Lips pining for love.

Over My Head Fleetwood Mac
I think I need to get more into Fleetwood Mac. This dreamy song is by Christine McVie who I just found out is a July 12th baby, just like me!

Swimming Pool Freezepop
From Freezepop's 2007 album, this song didn't make it's way into my soul until this year. My music player is set on shuffle and with over 12,000 songs it sometimes takes some time for a song to embed itself into my psyche, but I think this one finally made it since I picked up swimming this semester at the university pool.

Paris Friendly Fires (2009)
The Friendly Fires know how to mix the synth beats and a cool dancing vibe. They know how to wow you with dreams of love tomorrow.

I'm Gonna Be Strong Gene Pitney
As my friend Shelli would say, "Gene, take it like a man!" Mr. Pitney was one of the greats voices of music in the last fifty years. This song was his affirmation of survival after losing love...sigh....

When They Fight They Fight Generationals (2009)
This song has a great grab-you sixties pop feel. I thought it would be a great sitting at a Mexican bar drinking a margaritha song and then it seemed like someone on youtube had the same idea!

Kevin Is Gay Giant Drag
Hahaha, I think most Kevins are gay.

We Almost Lost Detroit Gil Scott-Heron
As an urban planner and designer this song gets me hooked, but then I get reeled in with the 70's underwatery psychedelic groove and the soulful lament of Gil Scott-Heron. "What would Karen Silkwood say?"

Lust For Life Girls (2009)
This is my poser indie power-pop song of the list.

This City Kills Janove Ottesen
I don't know much, if anything, about the background of the song, but it makes me think of being a young slightly poetic Canadian in a plaid scarf sitting around outside with a cup of hot chocolate. The mind is a funny thing.
This City Kills mp3 on Lala

I Hate People Jemina Pearl & Iggy Pop (2009)
Iggy Pop needs to put out a duets album. On my computer I him and Kate Pierson of the B52's. Peaches. And now Jemima Pearl. For some reason I have in my head, Iggy is some kind of punk monster luring her from the nice little Nashville scene and trashed her up a bit, kind of a reverse Cinderella situation.

Save Room John Legend
I love how this song starts on the chords of "Stormy." For some reason this song is on my list even though it sounds like something you would hear when you're cashing your check in a small town bank.

John Legend Save Room
Uploaded by avajra. - See the latest featured music videos.

Stop This Train John Mayer
When I feel like a high schooler trapped in the throes of growing up and making hard decisions this song is the one for me. Another great standing in line at the bank song.

11th Dimension Julian Casablancas (2009)
A happy synth dance ditty from the lead singer of the Strokes.

Justified And Ancient The KLF
From the amazing amazing concept album from the KLF back in 1992 or so. Transcendent!
Justified and Ancient mp3 snippet from Lala

Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) Lady GaGa (2009)
This is one of Lady Gaga's simpler pop songs. Just reminds me of someone.

Paparazzi Lady Gaga (2009)
I like to replace the word "Paparazzi" with "Pupparoni" for some reason. It was weird watching Lady Gaga become popular this year. I remember when whe wore masks like a singing super-hero (villain) last year and Christina Aguillera stealing her image for awhile.

How High The Moon Les Paul & Mary Ford
As soon as I heard this song I downloaded every Les Paul song that I could. I'm such a huge fan of the early early electric guitar. I also have an affinity for the multi-track layering this song makes use of extraordinarily well!

Celebration (Benny Benassi Edit) Madonna (2009)
This song was so much better than most of that stinkfest album of hers from last year. That was gross. This song, from another greatest hits cd (who still buys those????), I think is better because of the collaboration with Benny Benassi who is kind of a good remixer. He gives this song a bit of a drive.

I Want You Madonna
It's always weird finding new old music from Madonna. This is from a 1981 demo tape. She was a bit more rock then. Very refreshing from all her overproduced shit.

Be Thankful For What You`ve Got Massive Attack
Massive Attack has a new album out now, but this, I think, is from their first release. It has a bit of Northern Philly soul feel to it, again, I think. I do know, it got stuck in my head for quite a while.

Just Ain't Gonna Work Out Mayer Hawthorne (2009)
Such a great sound, a soul throwback much like Amy Winehouse or Nicole Willis.

Freak-A-Zoid Midnight Star
This song will help form the core trinity of songs that will play during my funeral after I croak. The others are Styx' "Mr. Roboto" and Missy Elliott's "Lose Control."

Massive Fear (Massive Attack vs. Lily Allen) Mighty Mike (2009)
The first of a couple of mash-ups on my list. This one is a brilliant bridge between the new Lily Allen song and an old Massive Attack song. They fit together quite well.

Party in the USA and Party and Bullshit Mashup Miley Cyrus and Notorious B.I.G. (2009)
My party song of the year. "Where the party at???"

Most Of All Morgan Geist (2009)
Winsome. Very nice collaboration with the Junior Boys' Jeremy Greenspan. The Junior Boys are one of my favorite bands out right now.

Want You Back Nite Jewel (2009)
Annie advised her fans to take a listen to Nite Jewel's stuff. Amazing. Dreamy. I think I need to move to Europe and get involved in the art and music scene there.

Wild Young Hearts Noisettes (2009)
Starts off with hand clapping and la-la-la's. A great song that recalls the fun nights of summer. Mine was a blast! Lots of nights and Summer Shandy at the Memorial Union Terrace! (Thanks to Steven for turning me onto the Noisettes!)
Wild Young Hearts video

Requiem For O.M.M.2 Of Montreal
I never watched the OC teevee program, but I picked up a nifty cd collection of songs they put together for each season. The library is my friend. A great garage dance song.

Please Don't Keep Me Waiting Olivia Newton-John
The greatest movie that no one has ever seen is the "Beaver Trilogy" A story of a young starstruck man who yearns to become famous. Although not gay, nor a female impersonator, this guy sings this Olivia Newton-John son,one that I've never heard before, at a local talent contest. It's pretty sad and intense all balled up into one. Haunting. The movie amps it up with a young Sean Penn and Crispin Glover reinacting the story of the young man and singing the song on stage too.

Amoureuse Olivia Newton-John
ONJ has included a bunch of cover songs on her earlier country-slash-vocal albums. This is a song from a French singer I don't know of, and was also a song covered by Kiki Dee. It lifts you up and then carries you.

Sleepyhead Passion Pit (2009)
This is pure musical crack. Word is, this is from an album some guy made for a Valentine's Day gift for his girlfriend.

Dreamer's Bay Patience & Prudence
From the same 1950's sister group who sang "Tonight You Belong To Me" and "A Smile and a Ribbon." I got the entire collection of their songs. Sometimes simple is better.

Serpentine Peaches (2009)
This is the direct opposite of the last song! Got to see Peaches twice this year, both time in Wisconsin, wow! Anyways this song rocks as much as the video for it. Watched it in the Urban Planning workroom at school with a few friends. Made some instant Peaches fans right there! "Never a straight line, Serpentine!" "Touch me here and give you Impetigo."

Lose You Peaches (2009)
Lots of songs from Peaches last album "I Feel Cream." Peaches is surprisingly vulnerable in this song.

Billionaire Peaches (2009)
A rousing declaration from Peaches..."F*** You Like a Billionaire!"

Take You On Peaches (2009)
I can't remember if this was the song that Peaches walked across the top of the audience at the Milwaukee show, but it reminds me of holding her up by the boot and she stood there and sang!

Hanky Code Peaches
An extra song to an older album of hers, that I somehow didn't hear until this year. Everytime I went out, I looked to see if anyone was wearing a hanky. I also sang this song as I rode my bike home from school. I'm kinda weird, I know.

15 to 20 The Phenomenal Handclap Band (2009)
Thanks to my good friend Shelli for getting me into this one!!! A great counting song with vocals by the Lady Tigra!!!

11:59 The Postmarks
Speaking of numbers, the Postmarks put out a number themed cover album where each song is about the number that song is in order of on the cd. The first song is "One Note Samba." The eleventh song is Blondie's amazing "11:59." I saw the Postmarks play at Shank Hall this fall..along with six other people! They played this song and I bought the album from them afterward. They hung out with me too and autographed my cd!

No One Said This Would Be Easy The Postmarks (2009)
Phil Specter meets spy movie music meets indie pop. I like the jangled symphonic soul of this band.

Too Too Too Fast Ra Ra Riot
This band and song speaks to me on a mental level.

David The Radio Dept. (2009)
The Radio Dept., best known for their soundtrack contributions to Sofia Coppala's Marie Antoinette movie put out a single this year. It makes me get all dreamy over someone.

Wildcat Ratatat
If there is a cat noise in a song it is automatically one of my favorites. This one, theoretically could have lost the cougar growl, and I would have still loved it. But it is there!!!! RAWR!!!!

Last Dance The Raveonettes (2009)
This is probably one of the Raveonettes more sugary concoctions. I love the oooo-ooo-wooooing.

Juliet Robin Gibb
Andy Gibb's brother put out a solo record years ago in the early eighties. Thanks to the rewind cover website I found this last year I heard a remix of this song. Although that version was okay, it wasn't as great as the original.

Get Up Get Out The Rosebuds
This band must like OMD, New Order, and other alternative eighties band as much as me!

Happy Up Here Röyksopp (2009)
Shades of "So Eple" from their first album.

The Girl And The Robot Röyksopp (2009)
Norwegian Royksopp collaborates with Swedish Robyn. A driving pop song, European style.

When You're Young And In Love Ruby & The Romantics
A lost girl group dreamy classic by the same group who sang "Our Day Will Come."
When You're Young And In Love video

Love In July Sally Shapiro (2009)
Etheral and danceable. I'm such a sucker for Sally.

Jackie Junior (Junior Boys Remix) Sally Shapiro
A great remix of Sally Shapiro's great "Jackie, Jackie" by the Junior Boys! Wow! I'm glad I finally found this remix!

Tear Drop Santo & Johnny
From the wailing guitars of Santo and Johnny, the masterminds behind "Sleepwalk" came another classic. That guitar has more emotion in one wire than I have in my whole body.

Who Do You Love Sapphires
I ask this all the time. Well, I loooooove this song, that's who.

She Wolf Shakira (2009)
I was trapped in Covance as a medical guinea pig when one of the staff members played me the video for this goofy Shakira classic. Awooooo!

Sacred Trickster Sonic Youth (2009)
Sonic Youth is still at it! This is the type of music that brings out my artistic side.

Shout to the Top The Style Council
My favorite song find of the year! I love every note, lyric, and message. If you were in a car next to me waiting for a red light, I am sorry for what you saw. The video for this amazing too! I love how they are just hanging out in some room and the way each one gets involved with the song is intriguing. Pure 1980's bliss!!

Swim (To Reach the End) Surfer Blood (2009)
I think this was the last song to make the list this year. Anthemic and catchy!

Lipstick Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro is one of the true queens of rock and roll. I'm glad I finally got to hear this song!

CNR Weird Al Yankovich
My mom loves the Match Game! She would tape reruns of it everyday. So it was great to hear Weird Al did a great story song about how great Mr. Reilly was! Done in the style of the White Stripes!

Million Dollar Bill Whitney Houston (2009)
Thanks Steven, for making me really like one Whitney Houston song! Put one hand in the air!

À Cause Des Garçons (Tepr Remix) Yelle
I turn into a dancing machine whenever this song comes on!!!
A Cause Des Garcons video

Favorite Songs of 2008

2008-12-30T16:40:00.008-06:00

Wow, 2008 is over and it is time to share my list of songs that found their ways into my head and heart! Unlike other, more traditional best-of lists, where songs have to come out the year of the list, the only rule I follow in compiling my list is that I "discovered" the song sometime during the year. Basically, this music-list is the soundtrack of my last year. It's a bit larger than past years- somehow I had to choose from the over 2500 songs that made it onto my laptop this year- enjoy!
Oh, by the way, the songs aren't rated nor in any particular order, except that they are listed alphabetically by artist!

#9 Dream----a-Ha
[A cover of John Lennon's ethereal song done for an Amnesty International charity album with proceeds going to help save people in Darfur. a-Ha, the group who sang the eighties' hit "Take On Me" do well here.]

Eastern Glow----The Album Leaf
[A song off of one of the cd collections from a show I've never seen: the OC. A reflective, misty-eyed memory-catcher from some hip, alternative band I'v never heard of.]

Wherever You Are----Andy Gibb
[Reminds me of driving through the green green forests of the Olympic National Park in Washington. Jeremy and I stopped in Port Angeles and got Gibb's "After Dark" tape on sale for a buck from Goodwill. A classic Gibb song!]

Fluorescent Adolescent----Arctic Monkeys
[A catchy little song about regret---oh, where did you go, where did you go?]

And Then He Kissed Me----Asobi Seksu
[An excellent Japanese shoe-glazey cover-version of the Crystals' classic teen-song. Beautiful!]

Sad Song
Stars----Au Revoir Simone
[I'm in love with nerd-girls playing synthesizers! Simple and brilliant!]

Love In The Year 3000----The B-52's
[An electric, love-fest, ROCKIN' song that should be played at every party!!! The B-52's came back again this year in true form, yay!]

Is There a Ghost----Band Of Horses
[Haunting anthem that asks "When I lived alone, is there a ghost in my house?" Who knew being sensitive would bring out the riff in rock?]

Photo Jenny----Belle & Sebastian
[A jubilant pop-song asking how in the world to get Photo Jenny to pose for a photograph! A perfect encapsualtion of teen-style fascination!]

Cuanto Le Gusta----Carmen Miranda
[Will. Never. Leave. Your. Head. Oy!]

I Have A Boyfriend----The Chiffons
[This is the first of sixties' girl-group songs on my list. Classic Pop with Real Soul.]

Baby, Baby (I Still Love You)----The Cinderellas
[Another girl-group lost relic- "I think I'm gonna cry..."- a soaring, toe-tapping post- break-up song...]

Laugh/Love/Fuck----The Coup
[I think God wrote this song!!!! Thanks, Shelli for bringing this song to my attention!]

Dress U Up----Darren Hayes
[In a year of crappy Madonna songs, it was a pleasure to include this one on my list. Ex Savage-Garden lead Darren Hayes posted his tribute to the Material Girl on his Myspace page. Somehow, I heard about it; and somehow, I actually got Myspace to load up the page. I have Myspace problems. Anyway, this gets your head bobbin' and your toes tappin'!]

Crush----David Archuleta
[I can't explain how a song by an American Idol contestant appeared here on my list, but it got stuck in my head...the chorus kind of gets me...sigh! "Goin away-ayay-ayay-away-yaaa!"]

San Francisco----DJ Shadow
["Listen." These are the sounds of San Francisco as compiled by the awesome DJ Shadow for the contest sponsored by Nokia called "What does your city sound like?"]

Don't Drop Out----Dolly Parton
[Early, early pop-rockin' Dolly making a fine, fine Brenda Lee clone. A driving anthem aimed at keeping you in school and not dropping out of her life! An uncovered treasure!]

Last Stop This Town----Eels
[My friend Matt made an awesome, touching video of him and Franky taking Joan Harper out for one their walks. Joan was an incredible lady, and though I can't see the video very often, I can always play this song and think of their enduring friendship.]

Walking On A Dream----Empire of the Sun
[A thrilling return of smooth eighties pop! This Australian band should be played on the radio instead of all the crass chest-beating ego-driven, diva-dangling chutzpah that's being pooped out now!]

All Through the Night----Escort
[A youtube sensation! A modern disco band out of Brooklyn, yay! I'm about to Pop!]

American Boy (Radio Edit w/ Kanye)
1980----Estelle
[I was soo surprised to hear that Estelle is being played on the radio here in the US. I first heard these songs in the very beginning of 2008 and I had the hardest time tracking them down for my own collection...now she's all-over. Hmph! Somehow, I still enjoy "American Boy" even with Kanye's dumb rap over it. I still think of rap-overs as being some dominant-monkey mother-fucker trying to out-do the singer.]

Inside And Out----Feist
[A smooth disco-jazzy version the Bee-Gee's "Love You Inside and Out" by Feisty, as I call her. I love the little synth chirping that appears throughout the song!]

Pop Music is Not a Crime----Freezepop
[A statement that I agree to each and every word with!]

Glower----The Globes
[A hushed melody lifting itself out of your night-light like a dazzling lullaby. A nice song posted to Jeremy's Myspace page for awhile.]

Oompa Radar
Happiness
Caravan Girl----Goldfrapp
[Oompa Radar is off of Goldfrapp's classic album "Felt Mountain," a song that neglected to load the first time I added the album to my laptop. I corrected it later this year. It's like a spy love song heading to a parade on a rainy day!
The other two songs are off the newest album "Seventh Tree," the easier-going follow-up to their glam-rockin, electro dance fest. Melodic and a bit more subdued, Alison Goldfrapp looks like a pirate on the cover of the album. Arrrr!]

Lovertits----Gonzales Feat. Feist
[Feist and her song-writing partner Gonzales offer up this new rendition of the classic Peaches electroclash anthem for Feist's remix album. A bit French-lounge Bossa Nova!]

Keep Your Eyes Ahead----The Helio Sequence
[This Oregon duo, brought to me by the attention of my old roommate Monica, have made the perfect indie-pop song for driving. It reverberates into a nightly haze.]

Blind----Hercules and Love Affair
[Gripping contemporary disco music, and- wow, non-ironic music out of NYC!]

Ready For The Floor----Hot Chip
[Bendable power indie-dance pop! Hot Chip put out a pure classic album with "Made in the Dark." Go and get it!]

Keep Breathing----Ingrid Michaelson
[Ingrid puts on a good live show. I admit I was a little worried going when Pam asked me to come along, I've never heard Michaelson's music before and I heard that her music was used as background on show I've never seen like Grey's Anatomy and stuff. Anyway, the show was personable and fun, and the music, especially this song are lasting.]

Luv
Rock With U----Janet Jackson
[Even though Janet looks like a tranny on the cover her latest album "Discipline," she includes some real gems like "LUV"(luv the spelling!) and "Rock With U" which I think was the greatest video of 2008 (Ms. Jackson time travels back to the 1980's to do Jazzercise in some old barn with some New-Wave misfits and briefly swaps spit with some JT look-alike --- Rad!)! Her record label really dropped the bomb by not promoting it more...boo!]

Wish I----Jem
[A catchy song whose chorus sounds like a buried 1950's relic which seems long-forgotten but whose essence is brimming from every pore. Probably used in lots of tee-vee shows and commercials, for all I know.]

A Postcard To Nina
Your Arms Around Me
You Are the Light (by which I travel into this and that)----Jens Lekman
[Swedish sensation, Jens Lekman produces some amazingly orchestrated, lush pop gems here. I'm in love with every lyric and melody here. I want to go back in time so I can attend the show of his at Music Hall on campus that I missed last February!]

Lemon Tree
Michigan (Live on KCRW)
These Long Summer Days----Josh Rouse
[Josh Rouse on my annual list? Jeez, what a surprise!!! This year he was touring touting some songs he compiled for his Bedroom Classics label, including "Lemon Tree." I've seen him live so often that I included his classic "Michigan" on the list. Plus, I finally got my hands on his duet album with his Spanish girlfriend called, "She's Spanish, I'm American." Brilliant!!!]

Know-How
I'd Rather Dance With You----Kings Of Convenience
[Long a fan of Norwegian pop, I finally got my hands on the Kings of Convenience album "Riot on an Empty Street." A good night-time folksy-pop album, I've included a track here that features a duet with one of my favorite Canadian singers Feist!]

Pumpin' and Blowin'----Kristy McNichol
[My sister Cari hired me to find her the soundtrack to one of our favorite horrible 80's movies, "The Pirate Movie" starring Kristy McNichol (Krispy McPickle, as I luv to call her) and Christopher Atkins (Brooke Shields' costar in the "Blue Lagoon)!!! This song is an over-the-top totally sexual song that (maybe, probably) went over our little heads when we watched this on one of those free-trial Showtime specials back in the day. Truly outrageous.]

The One (Freemasons Edit)
In My Arms
All I See
Wow----Kylie Minogue
[Kylie is the queen of pop this year. Lots of goodies, here!!! Check out her album, "X!"]

DNA / Love to Me----The Lady Tigra
[Electroclash meets 1980's Deniece Williams style pop!]

Open Your Heart----Lavender Diamond
[Sweet, sentimental piano pop with a great video with lead singer Becky roller-skating and taking care of an egg in her hands! Blissful and catchy!]

The Difference Between Us----Leonard Nimoy
[The library houses stashes of weird and exotic collections of cds gathering dust, just waiting to be found by me! Nimoy is a god!]

Skiss av träd----Library Tapes
[Speaking of libraries, the Library tapes out of Sweden can be classified as classical, experimental, and ambient. Kind of like Philip Glass and an old record-player. Piano and feedback. Good music to do homework and to just think to.]

Lip Gloss----Lil Mama
[haha, lip gloss! luv the beat!]

Smile----Lily Allen
[Lily Allen shows how to smile at the tears of an ex....she sounds kind of mean, but the song is catchy pop done right! Innocent and sing-songy, but it has claws, meow!]

Kim & Jessie----M83
[Style embodies My Bloody Valentine as produced for a John Hughes flick! Eighties-Emo and cinematic shoeglaze!]

You Don't Love Me No More----Madeline Bell
[A heart-ripping plea asking, "What am I going to do?" after a break-up. A girl-group great lost and found!]

Miles Away----Madonna
[Madonna's latest album "Hard Candy" disappointed me a bit, but this one song grabbed me. Miles away, so far away, so far away.]

Three-Way
California Girls----The Magnetic Fields
[The Magnetic Fields like to do themes for each of their albums. "69 Love Songs" and "I" were literary..."Distortion" is sonic! "Three-way" is a sonic instrumental bubble that makes me want to march around the room like a goon. "California Girls" is an ode to how beautiful people make us all mad!]

Pobre Estupida----Maria Daniela Y Su Sonido Lasser
[High-energy electropop-insanity from Mexico!]

Valerie----Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse
[My favorite song of the year! Every time I hear it I get up and boogey! The neighbors have got to hate me!!! See, I just got up again!! Woot! Mark Ronson and classic Winehouse did a great cover of the Zodiacs here. Awe-inspiring groove-shaking, and soulful!]

Beechwood 4-5789----The Marvelettes
[A forgotten Motown favorite of mine from when I was a little kid listening to my parents' records. America's most famous phone number until 867-5309! I'm so glad this song came back to me this last year!]

Boyz
Paper Planes----MIA
[Infectious jumping and hip-swinging will occur while playing "Boyz." You will get a cardiac workout! Wow, I didn't know "Paper Planes" got as popular as it did. I'm doing my research here!]

Tonight, Before You Were Sleeping----Modern Skirts
[This song is so sweet, I almost cry every time I sing along. Things better said, and things better unsaid...alright, okay.]

blah blah blah (give up)----Monster Bobby
[Described as engagingly spare this British pop is wonderful!]

In The Middle, In The Middle, In The Middle----NYS Department Of Safety
[As I've said the before, the library has hordes of old cd's collecting weird little gems like this! A good lesson learning-tool!]

Snow Tip Cap Mountain----The Octopus Project
[A haunting duet between a theremin and marimba on this song. Synthesizer music that is full of joy and pulled heart-strings.

Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse----Of Montreal
[Fun indie-pop pleading the chemicals to not cloud the joy and hope of life!]

Disappear
Hold Me
Sunset Blvd----Pacific!
[One of my favorite new bands this year. This Swedish band's (surprise, surpise, the Nords have been doing it for me lately!) sound falls in between the 70's AM dial, the modern French acts of Air and Daft Punk, and cold-cool 80's synth pop. Dreamy!]

Good Girl/Carrots----Panda Bear
[A twelve minute ode takes you on an echo-y trip through space and time. A little bit Beach Boys, a little psychedelic jam, a little shoeglaze-session, and big noises mixed in a sonic foundry.]

It's Gonna Be Special----Patti Austin
[Another sister request find. This song is one of the non-Olivia Newton-John songs from the soundtrack to the tanked "Two of a Kind" motion picture from the early 80's. It's one of those lame R&B power-pop songs that grows on you like a cancer- think el Debarge meets early early Whitney Houston...sorry!]

People Have The Power----Patti Smith
[This song embiggens the spirit and uplifts you into taking action! I want to meet Patti Smith again!]

Thinking of You----Paul Weller
[I found a recent cd collection of cover songs, and one of the best was Paul Weller (of the bands, the Jam and the Style Council) doing his version of (I think) Sister Sledge's "Thinking of You." It makes me think of someone sitting in an old armchair outside on the deck overlooking Laurel Canyon and the Pacific Ocean.

Young Folks----Peter Bjorn & John Feat. Victoria Bergsman
[I think this was a song that came my way early on in the year, which amazes me, because it seems like it's been with me my whole life. It's like a Swedish indie powerpop lament with a bit of a punky Lee Hazlewood/Nancy Sinatra duet. Victoria Bergsman was, until recently, the lead singer of the Concretes. And, oh yes, the whistling is key to this song!]

Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)----Peter Sarstedt
[Played on Jason Schwartzman's iPod in the beginning of Wes Anderson's movie "Darjeeling Limited."]

Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)----Pink
[Pink is today's Pat Benatar. And this song is sooo me, so full of contradictions. So shoot me.]

You Drift Away----The Postmarks
[Dreamy. Misty. Beautiful. Despairing. Breathy chamber pop.]

Le Groove et Moi (Madonna vs Air)----The Reborn Identity
[An excellent, delicious mash-up of Madonna's classic "Into the Groove" and Air's "Le Soleil Est Près de Moi." Definitely cool, so cool.]

Smell Yo Dick----Riskay
[This is just plain filth. Soo stupid that I love it---"What the fuck is you doing?!?"]

Konichiwa Bitches
Cobrastyle
With Every Heartbeat----Robyn
[Robyn, another singer from Sweden!) is going to be super famous. She is kind of weird-looking, but has the star-power that goes with looking the way she does. I saw her on David Letterman and it was like watching a star with a 1980's presence. Her videos are weird too. The songs are good and catchy- pop dance and powerpop dance ballads!]

I'll Be By Your Side
Find My Soul
He Keeps Me Alive
Hold Me So Tight
Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me)----Sally Shapiro
[ohmygod...Sally Shapiro is amazing- like snowflakes gently falling onto your face, like the smell of an old favorite sweater. There is something so elemental, yet homey about her sound. Sally Shapiro comes from Sweden and presents with unabashedly romanticism, the sound of Italian synth disco.

L.E.S. Artistes----Santogold
[This is what rock music of today should sound like! Smart and raw.]

Chove Chuva----Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
[Brazilian powerhouse of the late sixties- vocal harmonies and Bossa Nova beats- I'm glad to add Sergio to my musical lexicon!]

Give Him A Great Big Kiss
The Train From Kansas----The Shangri-Las
["When I say in luv, you best better believe I'm in luv, L-U-V!" "Mm, he's good bad, but he's not evil!" Well, this last year my musical palette discovered the Shangri-Las, the sixties girl-group who sang the teenager-death song "Leader of the Pack." Music like their's ended up inspiring almost every other rock band later on, like the Ramones and Blondie. These girls (two sets of sisters from Queens, one set of twins) are pure rock and roll. Their music was filled with pent-up emotions of joy and despair.

Sentimental Heart----She & Him
[The teacher from "The Bridge to Terebithia" movie lends her voice to the indie-vibes of some guy. Touching and sincere music. Shelli and I went to their concert at the Barrymore and found out that Becky from Lavender Diamond was special back-vocalist, yay!]

Star Guitar (Original Mix)----Shinichi Osawa
[An infectious remake of the Chemical Brothers song by an Japanese electro-artist with female chorus assist by the nerdily-beautiful members of NYC girl-band Au Revoir Simone!!!! The song (and video) are digital cotton-candy. It holds up well, and may surpass the original in my mind!

Sleeping Lessons
Australia
Phantom Limb----The Shins
[Each of these songs is manna, a gift from heaven, to every indie darling out there! "Phantom Limb" was my Myspace profile song for awhile!]

Fireworks----Siouxsie & the Banshees
[My friend Steven (hello Steven!) was on huge Siouxsie binge when I came to visit him in La Crosse. "Fireworks" is one of my favorites and I thought I should include it on this year's list! Quite dramatic- like a New Wave Opera!]

Sandcastle Disco----Solange Knowles
[I have the feeling the Beyonce's sister got into her time-machine so she could sell her album to people in the past. She seems like Beyonce's less-corporate and kinda weird sister, and that's why I like her!]

You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
The Underdog----Spoon
[I can't stop jumping around to the Cherry Bomb song and I can't stop raising my fist to the Underdog song!

Long Hot Summer
My Ever Changing Moods----The Style Council
[Every once in a while I find out about bands like several decades after they came out! How does that happen? Well, this pair of songs are like pure dee-licous honey to me- yum!!! Paul Weller put an end to his loved band the Jam in order to form a new band that incorporated more elements of soul, R&B, and jazz--the Style Council. How did I never know this??? Well, I say bring on more discoveries like this!!! I've must have listened to these songs over a hundred times this last half a year!]

Only Yesterday----Taken By Trees
[Ex lead singer of the Concretes, Victoria Bergsman has come out with a beautiful, despairing album of all her own. I love the way she says, "Oh, honey..."]

Femme Fatale
Raise The Roof
It's All True (Escort Extended Remix)----Tracey Thorn
[Yay- Tracey Thorn! Well, first on the list is an early cover of the Velvet Underground and Nico classic. Thorn's voice is rich and expressive even early on. Twenty-five years later, the other two songs are from Tracey's new solo album. Melodic and sometimes bouncy and sometimes moody---it's as if she hasn't been gone for years.]

Gotta Move (Club Mix)----Turbofunk
[From the same Thrivemix collection that I first heard Shinici Osawa on. An electro-dance hit!]

Mansard Roof
One (Blake's Got A New Face)----Vampire Weekend
[Two very fine songs that appeal very much to me and deserve to be on my list.]

Be My Baby----Vanessa Paradis
[I thought this song was new, but was surprised it came out in the early 1990's (what???). Anyway, it doesn't matter that she's now married to Johnny Depp, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. It is classic girl-group!]

Little Eyes----Yo La Tengo
[A soft and fuzzy little trip!]

What's Shakin'?

2008-05-30T16:00:00.002-05:00

Hmmm...what's going on in my world? I think I'm experiencing post-school ennui- no deadlines to meet, no projects to rush in, no work to go to....so I've just been doing a lot of reading!

I've been reading Naomi Klein's "Shock Doctorine", a scathing synopsis of corporatism- capitalism gone bad. It's weird reading about coup d'etats, torture, power struggles, and greed all while drinking beers at the Union Terrace. There were a bunch of boy ducks chasing this lady bird madly about- divebombing and flapping wildly about right there where all these people were sitting down and relaxing with pitchers of Leinie. How metaphorical, I thought as I kept reading on. Can't anyone just get along??? "QUACK!"

Accidental Tourist

2008-05-23T20:26:00.012-05:00

Yesterday I decided to take a quick bike-ride to the nearby Goodwill Store and somehow I ended up in the Madison suburb of Sun Prairie! Here is a photo-journal of my adventure!

On the bike path that I've have only seen, before, from my car along Hwy. 151 on my way to Beaver Dam

Like wild horses, wind blowing through my beautiful mane- Roar!

Sun Prairie is vast and can be beautiful. Home of many future lot lizards.

The lines between Madison and its burbs are blurring.

I'm glad to see multi-use development being built- but saddened, that like other sprawl, it's sitting on now-former farmland.

I made it to Sun Prairie proper and happened upon its new library building.

A haven for readers, a church of literacy!

Aqua-Jeff!

Shhhhhh!!!!!!

Shhhhh!!!!! Again! (The walls are golden too...great interior design plan!)

Behind the library lies a creek...

Having a Monet moment.

A view from the park.

Down the road at another park- the Firemen's Park.

What a ding-dong!

Sun Prairie has been working on an ambitious redevelopment of their downtown. Mixed-use zoning and development is providing a beacon of hope for businesses, as well as providing an excellent chance for bringing people to the core of the city to work, live, and play. Instead of just sprawling outward (which is unfortunately happening) they have taken over former brownfield (industrial area) sites and replaced them with a vibrant centralized community. Hurray!

Their historic downtown watertower.

I took over a hundred photos on this trip- really!

Local Hanley Hardware going out of business.

Hanley reminds me of this SNL clip!

My tummy was a rumbling and I was so happy to fill it with ice-cream!

Photo taken seconds before a pair of bad mommies entered with their bratty tots. Next time they go out in public, they should take special mommy classes.

Next time I will go to Sir Hobo's fine dining.

Cute little motel shed-style rooms! My grandma once stayed in one of these.

Strip-Mall photo fun!

An abandoned farm-house off of Hwy 151 bound to be torn down and redeveloped.

Smith's Crossing.

Coming back to Madison.

The capitol building is fucking beautiful!

No pictures of my cute lil' sunburn!

Post Graduation Happenings!

2008-05-21T23:34:00.003-05:00

As of this last Saturday (May 17, 2008), I have in my hands three degrees. The latest is my Associates in Architectural Technology. Now that I'm no longer at school and thinking about homework all day long, this is how I've been spending my time:

-Not attending my graduation ceremony (many reasons for which I'm glad stopped me)

-Bambi and Steve's Wedding- Eight minute ceremony at the Press House on the UW campus presided by some Universal Life Minister named Pastor Shaggy. Reception followed in the town of Columbus. Some little girl danced vigourously, and almost professionally, to Hannah Montana.

-A trip to the giant Elkhorn Flea Market with my mom and sister. Lots more comics were purchased and have been added to the tower of them I have yet to read.

-Some minor readjustments of the apartment decor.

-Movie watching ("The Brave One" starring meta-textual Jodie Foster as a vigilante, and Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" ), book-reading (a collection of Ellen Forney's comics "I Love Led Zeppelin", and Philip K. Dick's " Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"- soooooo highly recommended!)

-A schockingly half-hearted attempt at Digging and Saving at Dig-N-Save, but the dim lights made me weary after only one table and I left with *gasp* NOTHING.

-Bought a book that makes fun of Generation X called "Generation Echhh." It's kind of a relic, now that nobody cares about my generation anymore.

Oh yeah, now that I'm a recent graduate (I'm talking within the last few days...) I've already been contacted by the GREAT LAKES STUDENT LOAN PEOPLE and.....THE NAVY!!!!! wow. really. wow.

Do Bloggers Dream of Cyber Sheep?

2008-05-21T23:16:00.002-05:00

Hi, Bull Roar Readers!

I have "awoken" and I'm back to sound off! It's been an arduous last year for me, my schoolwork was labor intensive, and anything I did have to share with you, I probably posted quickly on *ahem* facebook. Now that I've graduated from MATC, I'm hoping, life and creative-wise, to get back into the swing of things. There are literally hundreds of books, exponentially more comics, and lotsa music that I've collected since I've moved back from NYC that I have to catch up on. I'm also going to stay ambitious and continue working on my portfolio and applications for grad school.-----All my projects and doings I will keep you up to date on!

Glad to be back!
yours, Jeffrey

My Favorite Songs of 2007!

2007-12-23T14:14:00.000-06:00

Another year of my favorite songs, new songs that came out this past year or older songs that I discovered hopping around here and there one way or another. Again, like previous yearly posts, I'd be glad to make a mp3 disc for anyone who is interested. Just let me know! Enjoy the new year while I reflect on the past, Bull-Roar Fans!

Here are the songs in no real particular order, just randomly dropped into the mix!

Read A Book----D'Mite
[A bunch of my favorite songs this year are compiled from watching little clips and videos on the internet. This song is from a video originally aired on BET a satire on black hip-hop culture, which I feel applies to all people. Yeeah! Youtube Video Link]

Never Stop (Discotheque)----Echo and the Bunnymen
[Measure by measure, drop by drop, A pound for pound this song always rocks!]

Aquaman----The Linger Effect
[A somber, dreamy reflection of childhood, this reminds me a lot of Liz Phair's early demo-tracks. And, one must remember, the song of the sea is a sad one.]

The Beat Goes On (By Offer Nissim Remix)----Madonna
[Somehow, I heard this remix of a leaked song off of Madonna's upcoming album. It's not coming out until sometime next year in the US, but I guess this song and its remix is a big hit in the danceclubs of Brazil. I keep on waiting, anticipating more, more, more Madonna- this mix is intense!]

Candy Shop----Madonna
[Her last album was my favorite so far, but I'm so looking forward to the next one. She's been working with Timbaland and Pharrel Williams. She's going more for an urban groove as opposed to the Moroder disco-stylings of Confessions. Sticky and Sweet!]

Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth----The Brunettes
[Pure pop perfection! A cheerleaders crescendo meets wall-of-sound! This New Zealand group is terrific to see live, go check 'em out if you can!]

Hey Mr. Magic----Pamela Stanley
[This year I got hooked on a Seventies internet radio-station that played tons of awesome disco. This particular song by Ms. Stanley stood out, and I spent a looooooong time searching it out trying to get an mp3 of this ode to the DJ!

Little Star (Static Revenger Mix)----The Elegants
[Whenever one thinks of a remix, they think of some danceclub grind or disco-diva tune; so how refreshing to hear an old fifties tune reworked so flawlessly! From the soundtrack album for the movie "Destroy All Humans" this song sits along other remixed oldies likte the Crewcuts "Sh-Bom" and the Chordettes' "Lollipop", as well as great new songs like Kelis and Timo Maas' "Help Me." Now, I only have to see the movie!]

D.A.N.C.E.----Justice
[The Langley Schools Music Project meets the Go Team! I get up out of my chair everytime I hear it!]

Gimme More (Live at the VMA)----Britney Spears
[This song is important to me, because it represents everything shitty about modern top-40 MTV pop music today. I saw the video of Britney opening up the VMA's and f-ing up sooooo badly that I LOVED IT! It's like she is a pop-terrorist ripping apart the music industry machine from the inside---it's Britney, bitch!]

Bonafied Lovin----Chromeo
[This is smoove! Get up and groove! Listen to that keyboard!]

Love Me or Hate Me----Lady Sovereign
[Any song that starts with the line, "Yeah, it's officially the biggest midget in the game...I don't know..." has got to be on my list! Thanks to my friend Evan for posting this on his Myspace profile page. Spunky English Crunk!]

Skeletor/Beastman!----Gnarkill
[I'm disturbed how much I dug this horribe, immature exercise in toy-related filth! Basically, it's a challenge/duet between the two villians from the Masters of the Universe going on what they're going to do each other sexually. I think a naughty ten year old could have written this song, but somehow it gets so stuck in my head- thanks Jeff P.!!! Youtube Video Link]

Bin Laden----Mos Def, Immortal Technique
[Another thanks to Jeff P. for also showing me the video to this song on Youtube. Youtube Video Link An insurgent statement on who really knocked down the towers. You have to watch out who you hum this song in front of...]

Feeling Free----Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators
[Great modern soul made with real instruments and vocals, all from...Finland? Oh man, this stuff is soooo great, my body melts to it!]

Waiting for the Man----OMD
[An awesome, awesome new-wave remake of the Velvet Underground's hit song, this came off OMD's first full album and was recently included in a compilation CD of new-wave artists covering classic songs put out by Nouvelle Vague!]

Hustle On----Evidence
[A brilliant introduction to their "Red Tape Instrumentals" album; I discovered this song, along with a few others on this year's list by going to Strictly Discs on Monroe St. I'm so glad for their listening stations!]

Mushaboom----Feist
[I'll admit song first seemed kind of "VH1-ey" to me, but it quickly caught on with its soaring chorus.]

Fidelity----Regina Spektor
[Like Mushaboom, this song seems kinda cutesy in a coffeeshop way and was really not my style, but it did get stuck in my head - quite a bit!]

Be With You---Atomic Kitten
[A Romantic, English, Swirling-Dance, Girl-Groove Disco-anthem that makes you glad that you're in love! A direct descendent of OMD and the beautiful, heavenly cousin of those Spice Girls tarts!]

Shoes----Liam Sullivan
[Another Youtube song favorite. Here's a link to the video, now let's party! Youtube Video Link]

Kiss, Kiss, Kiss----Yoko Ono with Peaches
[Earlier this year Yoko invited many musicians to take her back catalog and rework the songs for her Yes, I'm a Witch album. This track shows the mastery of one of my favorites, the electro-glam, rauch-diva Peaches. Unforgetable!]

Main Title (Voyage Under the Sea)/ The Super Sub----Frankie Avalon (Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter)
[This opening song for the old fifties adventure movie Voyage Under the Sea was my Myspace profile song for awhile after I discovered it on one of Frankie Avalon's pages on that site. It was nice of him to include the song for download too! This song of the sea isn't as sad as most sea-songs are; it's a bit more romantic and inspiring!]

True Confessions----Bananarama
[I've loved Bananarama for awhile but it wasn't until this year that I got their albums in my possession, thanks to the dollar bin at the local Half Price Books store. This great sing-along is from the group's album of the same name as the song. Bananarama made some pop gold here!

I Can't Help It----Bananarama
[This song is from another Bananarama album I purchased from the dollar bin. Wow! is a bit more pop and seems to have this incredible power to get you out of your seat and perform body movements akin to jazzercise. Now see what happens when you put in the player in the car like I did!]

My Piano----Hot Chip
[An infectious song from the electro-pop and dj masters Hot Chip from their album they put together for the DJ Kicks series. I am a HUGE fan of DJ Kicks, so should you!]

How Long Do I Have to Wait for You?----Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
[An excellent modern addition to the soul/funk genre. Thanks Shelli, for sharing this song with me!]

Dem Dong (Winter Night)----Phuong Dung
[Here's another song I'm grateful to my friend Shelli for introducing me to. I've tried to find some info on to share with you all; but, all I found out that it's a Vietnamese oldie. Haunting and mysterious!

Ode to Zach Braff----SuperSecretProject
[ZB 4-eva! This is a great Youtube find where this guy is a huuuge fan of Zach Braff, star of Scrubs and Garden State, and wrote a song about his affection for him. Todd sent me the link and it became a favorite about the time of my road trip with Pam and Jeremy this summer. Youtube Video Link]

Man Vs. Nature----Killdozer
[Youtube Video Link A great musical synopsis of three early 1970's disaster films, the Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, and the Towering Inferno. Funny, educational (kinda, some of the facts are wrong), and a total blast all from the true originators of grunge music and the deadpan growl, local Madison band Killdozer!]

Dance Into My Life----Donna Summer
[Another disco-internet discovery; you can really hear the influence of producer Giorgio Moroder (whom I admire) in this one!]

Sweet Charlie Babe----Jackie Moore
[Upbeat soul song from the early 1970's - makes one smile!]

Gravity's Rainbow----Klaxons
[Dance-punk that embeds itself into your mind and soul and makes you groove. I think of this song as a super-hero love song!]

My Humps----Alanis Morissette
[Youtube Video Link What a great April Fool's joke. Alanis spoofs the hip-hop band Black-Eyed Peas song singing it slow, mournful rendition. Very clever and funny- I wasn't ever a huge fan of her's, but I give her credit for making me laugh and for making me like her version of the song.]

Ugly Primadonna----Datarock
[This March was Datarock month for me. Shelli, Matt, and I drove down the Empty Bottle in Chicago and rocked out to these crazy Norwegians. I got into them last year, but this song was in my heavy rotation this year - yay!]

Earth Intruders (Mark Stent's Extended Edit)----Björk
[Always inventive, my favorite Icelandic nymph gives birth to another masterpiece - part tribal dance, rock opera, Scooby-Doo mystery music, and techno-urban grooveshaker!]

I Can't Stay Mad at You----Jonathan Richman
[I fell in love the Scottish group Camera Obscura this year and I heard they did a cover of Skeeter Davis' big hit. While on the hunt for their version, I came across Mr. Richaman's acoustical guitar stylings. I love it!]

This Past Week----The Radio Dept.
[This band is the Swedish amalgamation of moodiness, self-reflection, and long drives or walks. One part My Bloody Valentine, another part Pet Shop Boys and Junior Boys. I feel like such an idealistic teenager when I hear songs like this.]

Danger Sign----Carol Williams
[My dad, of all people, wanted me to find this song for him earlier this year, which led me to my discovery of the internet disco station. Nice use of flute and a great message about getting hurt in relationships. A great feel-good groove about feeling bad!]

Murder on the Dancefloor----Sophie Ellis Bextor
[A discofied groove thinly wrapped up in a very deadly threat! Sashay that weapon away from here!]

A Smile and a Ribbon----Patience and Prudence
[Three things to mention about why this song is on my list: 1. Its inclusion in Daniel Clowes' graphic novel and motion picture Ghost World. 2. This youtube clip. Youtube Video Link 3. It was going to be included in my setlist for my conceptual band I named Americer (as in, I'm more Americer than you. I'm faster, bigger, better than you!), which was the sideproject from the conceptual band Pam, Matt, and I invented while brainstorming over dinner at the OCB. It's kind of a mantra for trying something better than you are now. You aren't good the way you are, you have to smile and wear a frickin' ribbon- and tah-dah, you're better...but remember someone else is out there who might be better....so smile more and wear a bigger and brighter ribbon!!!!!!]

Trippin' On the Moon Suite (Cerrone Mix)----Claudja Barry
[This song makes me want to make a groovey disco-fi movie! Advenure! Fun! Excitement! Danger! Intrigue! Sexuality!]

Tonight You Belong to Me----Patience and Prudence
[Another Patience and Prudence classic from the late fifties. A mix of Patty Duke or Hayley Mills meets the Peanuts kids choir meets stalkerville! Here was a great youtube video kind of like the other one I found: Youtube Video Link]

Pillow Talk----Sylvia
[This is the silky-soul Sylvia, not the early 80's pop-country, my-man's-been-cheating Sylvia that I love so much. Just as fun, though! She's having so much fun in bed she's starts speaking baby Spanish, aye, aye, aye!]

Let's Get Out of This Country----Camera Obscura
[Many Camera Obscura songs dominate this list of mine. I only listened to their new album non-stop for about three months! Any song that uses the term "bee's knees" makes me happy. Oh, and I so identify with this song....I better get my passport soon...!]

Razzle Dazzle Rose----Camera Obscura
[This album was on heavy rotate at the time that Tobey-Cat died. This song comes swelling in like a quiet nighttime storm. Tears are shed....]

If Looks Could Kill----Camera Obscura
[I want to grab someone by the arm to start dancing around the house whenever I hear this song! If outdoors, I want to start rolling down hills!]

Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken----Camera Obscura
[How dreamy...sigh!!!!]

Proper Education----Eric Prydz vs. Pink Floyd
[Mash-up songs usually have mixed results, but this one really worked for me. Maybe because I'm a student again and I have teachers that don't ever seem to leave us kids alone! Anyway, it's groovy!]

Candy Girl----Soviet
[This is a romantic electro-pop masterpiece!]

Lovely 2 C U (T. Raumschmiere Remix)----Goldfrapp
[This is one of the best tracks off of Goldfrapp's album "We Are Glitter", a glam-fabulous collection of remixes of some of their best songs, all great dancehits on their own. Pure Electro-spice!]

Painter in Your Pocket----Destroyer
[A strange dichotomy, where at first I think I really hate this guy's voice, but then about 45 seconds into the song I feel my heartstrings and groovestrings being pulled. "Hey, there's Christine...", thanks, Jeremy!]

Born on the Cusp----The American Analog Set
[A driving self reflective, moody use of vibraphone and acoustic guitar. Another song Jeremy introduced me to!]

Bedtime Story (Orbital Mix)----Madonna
[I'm still amazed that I'm finding Madonna songs I haven't heard before. This is best of the crop of the old songs that I first heard this year. Written by Bjork, sang by Madonna, mixed by Orbital---sweet.]

I Can't Stay Mad at You----Camera Obscura
[One of two covers Camera Obscura performed based on two of my favorite oldies. This one is a cover of Skeeter Davis' hit song. It really enforces your love for a band when they love, perform, and record the same songs you admire...all while bringing their own distinct style to it and not ruining it. Swoon!]

More Than Physical----Bananarama
[Everyone, especially Jeremy, is probably sick of hearing me singing, in my muttering fashion, key phrases from this song! "Baby, I'm waiting, anticipating.... I can't disguise it, I'm so excited..."]

The Get Go----New Young Pony Club
[Party-hopping art-student music!]

Sound and Vision----David Bowie
[I've checked out tons (really!), tons of CD's from the public library this year trying to hear music I haven't listened to before, wondering the whole time why I haven't yet! This is my favorite of all of them! It takes me to another place!]

All Summer Long----The Beach Boys
[After getting hit head-on late last year by the Truck-Slayer, I was at a loss how I was going to get to my College Physics class for spring semester. MATC wasn't offering the course I needed at the time I could take it at at my campus, so I enrolled at the Watertown campus. My dad was cool enough to lend me his Ford Aspire (the Ass-fire) and the Beach Boys tape in the player until my truck was fixed (resurected like Jesus, more like it!). As this was the only music I would listen to, for I have forsaken the FM radio, and the AM station I liked could only broadcast so far, and I had no cassette tapes of my own anymore, I learned to love the collection of Beach Boy songs I was given. I will always remember my commute to class and the Lake Mills high school classroom my class was moved to whenever I hear this one!]

Na Na Na----The Knife
[Gameshow countdown music meets etheral wood nymph meets KNIFE! Thanks, Shelli!]

I Don't Need Love, I've Got My Band----The Radio Dept.
[I'm such a sensitive teenager at heart!]

I Love How You Love Me----Camera Obscura
[This is the Scottish group's rendition of the Paris Sisters' classic. I searched and searched for this song and I love how this song loves me!]

Give Me Danger----Dangerous Muse
[Electro-Nipple-rock.]

NY, You Got Me Dancing----Andrea True Connection
[I haven't been to NY all year, but I'm still dancing (to disco music by an early 1970's porn-star)!]

Melody----Jack Wild
[Thanks to my friend Kyle's love of old Saturday morning cartoons, he lent me a CD of old Josie and the Pussycat songs with this one included. Jack Wild, a sparky, Oliveresque English lad singing about Melody Jones, his Melody Jones reminds me of when I was a kid and I made up a character called Puberty Jones...I dunno what to say about that!]

Zodiacs----Roberta Kelly/ Giorgio Moroder
[This one is on the list because it is both a little strange and fun to listen to. Astrology in a song...a disco song!]

Roscoe----Midlake
[Thanks to my friend Mark, I discovered this gem. I get a feel of Radiohead meets Fleetwood Mac...anyway, this song seems like it was birthed in a cave- primal and wanting.]

Sweetie----Josh Rouse
[Josh Rouse is one of America's finest troubadours (though he has forsaken us for the coffeeshops of Spain). His earthy-pop songs are identifiably catchy and make me fall in love. He puts on a good show, I got to see him front row at the Annex this year.]

Sexy Twilight Back----Justin Timberlake vs. 2 Unlimited
[An intense siren of sultry sexiness...1990's European Rave meets modern hyper-pop! A youtube discovery that I wasn't able to find an mp3 version of anywhere....have to make do with this transfer...Youtube Video Link!]

Last Train to London----ELO
[There's nothing like a classic falsetto ELO lyric of longing: "I really want tonight to last forever...I really want to be with you!" I'm glad I finally got to add this song to my life!]

End of School... and Another Covance Stay?

2007-12-19T12:27:00.000-06:00

Yay! School is done pretty much for another semester. Looks like I'm getting an 'A' in four of my classes...and, oops, and incomplete in my Electrical/Mechanical class. I have an entire project yet to do...looks like I'll have something to work on if I make it into this Covance study that I'm waiting to see I made in yet.

Squeak!

BIG LOSS!

2007-11-29T01:33:00.000-06:00

BIG LOTS IS CLOSING!!!!!!!!

Another one of my favorite neighborhood shops is closing down!!!! Grrrrr!!!!!! Big Lots (in the old Kmart building down the street) was where I went, without having to drive in this stupid-town, whenever I needed something. I am really sad! Now I'll end up at SHOPKO (for real!!!!!)

Thanksgiving Break Round-Up!

2007-11-25T22:36:00.000-06:00

Short and Sassy Review of my time off for the festivities of the Turkey:

Wednesday:

1. Rather than racing straight home after my last class, I unexpectedly attended an impromptu lecture by visiting cable-teevee star Barry Wood of "Trading Spaces" and HGTV's "Hidden Potential." Informative and persuasive. ("Sketch, sketch, sketch!") He had a twinkle in his eye. Pics will be posted!

2. Dig-N-Save, my favorite store in the world, had me as a customer once again.

3. My last trip to Westfield Comics by Westgate Mall. They are inconveniently moving further west from me next week! Grrrrr! Pics will be posted!

Thursday:

1. My mother and I had our Thanksgiving meal with my great-aunt Lillian, who at 100 years old is still driving! After yummy stuffing and turkey (and watered-down, bland mashed potatoes) we drove out to the Hamden Cemetary.

2. Spent the rest of the day watching HGTV at my mom's and yelling at Tasha.

The kitties ACTUALLY SAT ON OUR LAPS!!!!

3. I made a mincemeat pie the night before, and it was still kinda good even though I fell on top of it the next morning as I walking out to my truck and I slipped on some stupid ice and landed right on my back. Ouch and yummy! Pics will be posted!

Friday:

1. My dad came down to Madison and we went to eat at Fazoli's! Lots of free breadsticks were consumed!

2. Jeremy came back from Seattle! Yay! I picked him up from the bus-stop by the Arby's.

Saturday:

1. Jeremy is back in Covance (for four days). I think he's becoming a lot like me!

2. Another Dig-N-Save expedition. I find a lot of goodies there!

3. Matt and Dale came over and helped me to tow Jeremy's van away to Goodyear around the corner to fix the starter cable. The van had been illegally parked every other night out on the wrong side of the street (damn you, alternate-side parking law!).

4. I ended up meeting them at Shamrock later on to buy them drinks for helping me out. I had a Bloody Mary...

Sunday:

1. It has been made painfully aware to me that I can not handle liquor. Who the hell gets a hangover from one stinking drink????? Grrrrrrrr!

2. I tried to do all my homework that I put off this whole break by trying to do it at Barriques downtown in one day. I end the study session deciding to toss out what I've been working on to go another route on a different project - only 15 schooldays left!!!!

Postscript: All the while, thinking about the upcoming AQUA-PARTY this coming Friday, Nov. 30th at my place! Yes, I am planning a party, if you didn't already know (from all my other sources...)

Something I HATE!

2007-11-21T00:04:00.000-06:00

I WANT TO BREAK DOWN WALLS AND SMASH IN GLASS WHENEVER I "LOSE" SOMETHING AND SPEND HOURS AND HOURS REARRANGING THE ENTIRE MOTHER-EFFING APARTMENT, ONLY TO FIND "SAID ITEM" IN MY BACK-PACK- THE SAME BACKPACK I ONLY LOOKED THROUGH FIVE-HUNDRED-THOUSAND TIMES BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cat-Talk!

2007-11-21T00:00:00.000-06:00

Tonight my mom once again held the phone up to an animal to make animal chatter or whatnot at me. Joey (the gray cat) purred! He was always aloof before Toby Cat died. Now, I think he has to suck up to us humans because Sammy Cat sure won't have anything to do with him.

Idea!---I'm going to write the first soap opera for Animal Planet, starring cats.

Hey, Professor!

2007-11-12T23:14:00.000-06:00

Tonight some student at school walked into the classroom where I was working alone on my homework and started yapping at me like I was one of his instructors. He was going on and on about some game he just played, and I'm just kind of nodding along because I'm was trying to get my project done. Finally he turns around and leaves yelling, "Good night, professor!" through the door at me.

I'm thinking he must not be a very good student, if he doesn't know his instructors this late in the semester he's gotta be really hurtin'...

MATC is great.

Guess What My Winter Plans Are!

2007-11-08T22:24:00.000-06:00

Looks like I'm going to try to be a guniea pig at Covance again! I called up today to schedule a screening date - can't wait!

Overheard!

2007-11-07T20:48:00.000-06:00

"If you want to eat out someone's ass-hole, you should use maple syrup."

(advice from Goggles, the wise downstairs neighbor, to one of his co-horts)

Let's See, What Haven't I Blogged About...

2007-11-07T16:45:00.000-06:00

Here's a checklist for all my Bull-Roar fans of material I haven't shared with you all for one reason or another (you know I have excuses) for the last couple of months - aw heck, the past half a year.

- that time a bunch of my fingernails fell out (at the buffet table, of all places - how embarrassing!)
- I found out I have a long-lost twin named Bernard
- the condo I bought in Paducah, Kentucky with Lorraine
- the death of Nibbles
- which in effect, led to the demise of Rusty
- my new job at a Christian pharmacy
- getting fired from the Jesus "Pharm" for what "they" called gross negligence
- losing my passport in Botswana (kindly advice: don't do it!)
- hints for collecting supermarket coupons

Sorry I haven't blogged about the above. Time, as it is, is fleeting - so I will probably never blog about the above items - ever. I'll just let you, my dear blog-devourer to imagine these happenings in the context of my illustrious life. Okay, back to gutting that 14-point deer I just shot (and it's baby)!

CSI: Beaver Dam!

2007-11-07T16:22:00.000-06:00

Hiya Bull-Roar Fans!!!!

I'm back for a bit here. Sorry about shirking my duties as a blogger - school's keeping me waaaay toooo busy! Yikes!

Anyway, to the heart of this entry- my mom's yard in Beaver Dam was the scene of a criminal investigation! No, Tasha didn't maul anyone. From what she told me on the phone, some teenagers robbed a pizza delivery guy in the neighborhood and ran, dropping evidence, i.e. a gun and something else (maybe pizza crust?) behind her garage and by the life-size ceramic deer in her yard. It was taped off and everything! Tasha didn't bark at the criminals, but she did open her yap for the police.

Here's a link to a story from the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen:

http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/area_briefs/255558

Summer (and Spring) is Over! Time for More Bull Roar!

2007-08-30T18:00:00.000-05:00

Sorry, Bull Roar Fans for my extended absence from the cyberworld. I was busy living life instead of commenting on it. Really though, I was sick of looking at a computer screen all the time and except for a few logins to myspace and wikipedia I gave my computer up....but now I am back!

Datarock!

2007-04-13T00:10:00.000-05:00

Here's another late post! Matt, Shelli, and I drove down to the Empty Bottle in Chicago on the 19th of March. What a show!
Before the show we walked down the street, took a few pics, almost got robbed, ran into a nearby cafe, took more pictures, and had a good time! If ever in Chicago go to Cafe Zori or whatever.

Cafe Zori's bathroom had lots of hair products I felt free to try.

Pants.

Datarock from Norway!

Closing Cat!

Cafe Zori come for the dessert and American blue jeans!

Patrick and Holly's Visit

2007-04-12T23:30:00.000-05:00

This is a little late, but I thought I'd post these anyway. Hey Patrick, it was great seeing you again! Hope the thesis-writing is going great. Holly, I'll never forget Uncle Jeb!

Here we all are (with Colleen, Patrick's sister and Pamby!) in front of La Hacienda on Park Street. I needed a haircut.

Shopko?!?

2007-04-12T23:28:00.000-05:00

Really excited here for the two-day sale starting tomorrow at the Shopko! I see in the flyer that the the bookshelves are 50% off! I can always use more shelves!

Blogger Update- and oh yeah, Jeffrey stuff too.

2007-03-18T12:07:00.000-05:00

The new blogger got tired of me denying it and just up and signed me up anyway! I am now owned by the Great Google.

I'm not really doing my homework because my laptop is unusable. I'm supposed to do some Powerpoint presentation on the Guggenheim, but all my info is on the said laptop. Yesterday the stupid chord, which I've noticed becoming "fragile" kinda zapped out. I saw a quick mini-flame shoot out and intstantly I yanked it out of my precious computer and the wall socket. I'm now using the old "AquaMac." It's funny, how things become relics so suddenly. I had it upgraded a couple years ago, but now, I can't even use Yahoo on the browser...WTF?

Last night, I thought I'd go out...I went out to the Club- big mistake. Walking in reminded me of just why I wanted to move away from Madison before. I paid four bucks to get in, walked around a bit, and stomped out in ennui and disgust. I ended up driving around the curvy wide streets and dead-end cul de sacs of the sprawled out zombie-zone of Fitchburg while I listened to the Mulholland Drive movie soundtrack. It's been awhile since my last late-nite, gas-wasting wandering.

Another Ides of March Has Come and Gone...

2007-03-16T17:29:00.000-05:00

And, yipee!- I'm still alive!

You know how everyone celebrates their birthdays. Well, I think it would be (morbidly) interesting if people kinda knew what day they were going to die. Just think ahead to the future and you could read your gravestone and you see that you croaked on, let's say, August 28. Well, just think of all the August 28s you lived through not knowing that in an exact amount of years you would be dead on that day.

blahblahblah...

Anyways, I picked March 15 just because Julius Caeser was, according to Shakespeare, killed on that day; and he and I supposedly share the same birthday, July 12. So it's only fitting that I could celebrate my deathday on the Ides of March- any dumb reason to hold a party, ok?

Hey, I also share a birthday with Bill Cosby, Pablo Neruda, Andrew Wyeth, Kristi Yamaguchi, Henry David Thoreau, and Richard "Get that Butter off your Buns" Simmmmmmons!

The Day After the Party...

2007-03-07T00:39:00.000-06:00

There were A LOT of Jeffs everywhere!

Checking out the comment cards!

The Comments!

Thanks to everyone who showed up - what a grrrrreat time!

P.S. Pam, you left your door-prize here...

Jeff 2 Party Last Friday

2007-03-06T20:40:00.000-06:00

Jeff moved in earlier this year and I thought it was about time we had a party!

Me and Jeff with the Jeff Cookies Pam made!

Paula, Becky, Art!

Paula and Pickle-Me Elmo (who is still being punished for knocking out my two front teeth!)

Too bad it didn't work out between me and Paula!

Evan and Pam!

How about some Shamrock shakes?

Jeff's crowd!

Pam and the other Jeff!

Pam and Shelli! Chihuah!

Pam and I making the comment cards at the last minute!

Thank god for duct tape!

Jeff and what's-his-name lounging about!

Hello!

Lots of drugs were ingested. Lots of drugs.

Dale, Laird, and Matt!

Someone needs some self-improvement!

Where are the odor-eaters?

You better be giving my party a ten!

Shelli and Frankeeeee!

I'm sorry, it's FRANK.

Quit telling everyone about the pubic hairs on the bathroom rug. It's a bunch of Bull-Roar!

Me and Ev! (oh yeah, thumbs up...)

GARY!!!!!

Don't eat the drages! They will kill you, seriously.

I'm not sure what is more disgusting here...

Matt makes good documentaries...

Boy, do I ever love Tooty Frooties.....EEEEEK!

Tonight's video background included: "The Man Who Fell To Earth," "The Adventures of Mighty Isis," and "Land of the Lost." Here's Dopey! Sigh....no Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar tonight.

Pam is trying to use her inside voice.

Peaches Rocks!

Time for some Datarock! Sing along to "Bulldozer!"

Strike a Pose!

Dave?

Come on and dance, Jocelyn (Jeff's lady-friend)

Good times!

Happy Birthday, Aqualad!

2007-03-06T17:51:00.000-06:00

According to the DC Comics Calender of 1977 today is Aqualad's birthday. He is such a Pisces...

Toby: I will miss you

2007-02-28T20:30:00.000-06:00

I'll always remember you for being such a good fun boy, hanging out when the other cats wouldn't dare come out of hiding (especially when those naughty nieces of mine would come over!).

Your squawky pseudo-meow that suddenly appeared out of nowhere- as a kitten you didn't make a peep, then one day Mwrahhhh!!! You'd then bleet at us whenever you'd want something or some attention and you'd get it!

You were our Toby Cat, Toe-eee, Opie, Dopey, and Boiy! And you'd come running especially if you knew there was a box for you to jump into.

You were very good at leaping up from the floor into our awaiting arms.

You were Joe Cat's best friend. (Mom thought you two were boyfriends, yep.)

I'll always remember your big (darker) orange spot that reminded me of the whirlwinds of Jupiter.

I'd love how you'd always piss of my mom- putting your feet in your drinking water, begging to go outside and end up eating grass by the big tree even though you weren't supposed to, sitting in the sink, couch, bed, cabinets, or wherever else you felt comfy.

Christmastime always included you. You'd come out and have a thrilling time in the discarded wrappings and empty boxes.

Remember that time you got your big pumpkin head stuck in the upstairs railing? Haha! That was FUNNY!

You were kind of klutzy too- I think you broke a bunch of mom's stuff. Oh well!

Toby, thanks for making my life happier, I'll always remember the good times we had!

R.I.P. Toby Cat

2007-02-28T09:50:00.000-06:00

This morning my mom called me up to let me know Toby passed away. I'm feeling pretty upset right now, I'm missing him so much already. It's gonna be a hard day trying to get all my homework done without thinking about him. I'd really like to say a bit more right now, but I'm feeling too heartbroken...

I'll post some pictures and write up a bit more later.

Toby Cat
1993-2007

Blizzard!

2007-02-25T19:52:00.000-06:00

More Free Money!

2007-02-11T20:32:00.000-06:00

Yay!

Recently I won one of the Foundation Awards at MATC for $800.

And I just got a $100 check from Covance as a referral bonus.

Note about winning scholarship money: They (the man!) take away your financial aid money if you end up with TOO MUCH scholarship dough.

Luckily, I already made too much scholarship money with my last award and had my work study job taken away (don't fret, the school hired me on directly)- luckily, I say, because I heard that Bushy Bush took away the funding for the Federal Work Study Program - and as of March, all the work-study people at my school are being laid off. And now, I won't be laid off because I was already hired on regularly. Whew!

Guess, America has better things to spend their money on than education.

Everyone should know...

2007-02-11T19:49:00.000-06:00

v_f² = v_i² + 2ax

v_f = v_i + at

x = v_it + (1/2)at²

x = [(v_i + v_f)/2]t

Weirdo Dream Alert

2007-02-11T19:43:00.000-06:00

Last night I dreamt I went to a movie theater in NYC to watch a documentary about the abortion debate...which was narrated by and starring the Care Bears.

WTF?

ZZZZZ....

2007-02-11T19:42:00.000-06:00

Bull Roar is sooooo boring lately... too much physics homework.

Snooze....

Anna Nicole

2007-02-08T23:36:00.000-06:00

How sad... I saw the news while in school today. Our class had to download some 3-D models of buildings off the internet. When I came to my homepage I saw the news and I blurted it out to the whole class. Nobody believed me at first, but they checked it out too. Big celebrity deaths always seem to have a dream-like quality to them.

I don't really get into celebrities at all. I think the lot of them are a bunch of f-ckers- but, I genuinely liked Anna Nicole. I liked the goofy, underdog, d-list quality she exuded. I think she got caught up in a world that chews people up and spits them out. Hell, from what little I know, I think she did a heck of a job enduring as long as she did. I don't think their will be another pseudo-celebrity like her...

Yesterday was Mera's Birthday...

2007-02-01T19:53:00.000-06:00

According to the DC Comics' 1976 Calendar- and I MISSED IT!

Well, I'm zero for two for the Aqua-birthdays. Mera is Aquaman's underwater wife who has incredible powers over water-shaping: her hard-water powers, as they are sometimes called. I'll have to remember Aqualad's birthday coming up in March...

I'm a bad comic-nerd.

Yesterday Was Aquaman's Birthday...

2007-01-30T10:16:00.000-06:00

According to DC Comics' 1976 Calendar- and I MISSED IT!

The powers that be that created the calendar made Aquaman an Aquarian, not knowing that sign is an AIR sign. Just because they both start the Greek prefix "aqua." Arthur Curry, according my guess should be a Cancer, which is a true-water sign. Aquaman has lots of emotion he likes to keep trapped inside, yikes!

I'm going to find a pic of Aquaman to post here (I'm at school right now and don't have that type of access...)

Next year (JAN. 29!) I should have an Aqua-birthday party with octopi and penguins and other assorted guests. Humans will be invited as long as they can either breathe underwater or control sea-life...

Dear Truckslayer:

2007-01-30T00:22:00.000-06:00

Thanks for sending me another payment! Sometimes I get scared that you're gonna just forget about me and make me pay for all the damage done to the Deerslayer, but you've come though! Every little bit helps, and I feel relieved when each check comes my way. Life isn't so bad!

MATC-Watertown: Nice Knowing Ya!

2007-01-30T00:11:00.000-06:00

Starting this week, instead of driving all the way to and through stupid Watertown for that intolerable College Physics class, our instructor has asked us to start attending class in her classroom at the Lake Mills High School where she's a full-time teacher. Much closer to home (yay!), and after seventeen years I now get the chance to hear the ball-dribbling of high-school basketball players and walk down hallways with lockers half my height.

PS: I transferred out my current Trig section with the teacher I called Cowboy Curtis (she's got a Texan accent) to one that meets in the interim between this spring semester and the summer. Starting May 22, I'll have 13 days of nothing but sines, cosines, and tangents! Good times!

Elevator Bitches and Bass-addicted Neighbors

2007-01-30T00:07:00.000-06:00

These are people who ANNOY ME!

1. THOSE PEOPLE WHO RIDE THE ELEVATOR ONE FLIGHT INSTEAD OF TAKING THE STAIRS!!!!!

2. MY REDNECK-GHETTO NEIGHBORS WHO ARE IGNORANT TO THE FACT THAT THEY PUT THEIR SURROUND SOUND, EXTRA BOOMERIFIC BASS STEREO SOUND SYSTEM ON THE WALL ADJOINING MY STUDY AREA!!!!!!

ARGH!!!!

YEAH, I KNOW I'M SCREAMING!!!

Eyercise!

2007-01-29T23:56:00.000-06:00

Yikes!

My poor eyes! They're finally starting to feel the effects of staring at this computer at home and that computer at work and that other tool-of-the-devil at school. Wah!!! I'm really thinking I have to go in and get my eyes checked out...

So until I do, I'm going to cut down on my puter-time and do some exercises for my eyes. Someone told me, and it wasn't the internet, that you can work your eye muscles back to normal. Well, hopefully, it ain't too late and I won't have to wear glasses!

Just so you all know, and for the record, I don't believe wearing glasses is necessarily bad, it's just that my nose is kinda got this bump in it, which seems kinda refined and noble to me, but it is at the wrong height for wearing eyewear. Whenever I wear sunglasses I get this pinching red-mark on my naturally-sculpted snout. So, I'm imagining what wearing prescription-glasses would be like...and, oh yeah, I know about contacts---just shut up about it!

Haha, anyway, I gotta go do some eye-reps! (Puff! Puff!)

Pamby's Filmfest 2006

2007-01-16T22:33:00.000-06:00

Here's a short, abbreviated photo-blog on this last year's Blossom Lane FilmFest held Dec. 23 at Pamby's house. I'd include more, but Pam is producing a moving-picture slideshow feature on it herself and I don't want to steal her thunder!

Some hi-lights:

The Peanut Gallery!

March of the Penguins!

That's my THUMB!

This year's trophies!

Slab showed up!

Happy Birthday, Reggie! (FOR REAL!)

Our old landlord Dad (aka Richard Braun) and his wife and our long-lost "sister" showed up!

Dad and his former tenants! Hey, where's Pam?

Lots of awesome entries this year!

Matt's "Chicken Movie"

Carol's "Gert with Guitar"

Pam's "Farm Progress Days" and "Gert's Kitty Poem"

Susie's "Rebel Girl"

Paula's "Best Day Ever"

Tom and Vicki's "MST3K" showing

and they showed my "Shopko?!!" movie again, since I showed up late for the fest the year before.

If you want to see any of them, I think Carol has posted them online on the Youtube site under Blossom Lane.

Assertive Poetry

2007-01-16T22:00:00.000-06:00

Looks like Amnesiac Pete, who mysteriously disappeared sometime around the new year, was a master of a form of lyrical writing I have dubbed "Assertive Poetry."

He apparently left this for me to find amongst the piles of junk in his uncleaned, deserted room. Maybe a souvenir of his creepiness, or a possibly valuable lesson in being hard-core?

Yes, Pete, you embody fire! You were strong, when you left without saying good-bye and leaving things behind like your check-book and social security information! And, Pete, you must have really been a "Mighty Inferno" from what I can tell from all those huge yellow stains all-over your bed's mattress!

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCHOOL = $$$$$$

2007-01-16T21:38:00.000-06:00

Yay! I just wanted to let you all know that I was one the recipients of the $3,000 ACE'M Scholarship here at MATC! I had to write some essay about my future in the field and stuff and, wah-lah!

For your information ACE'M stands for the Architectural, Civil engineering technology, Electronics, and Mechanical design technology. plus an invisible I, for Information (apparently, like the kind the government keeps on you) technology. I just had to look that up myself, since I had no idea what it stood for. Oops, hope that doesn't mean I have to pay it back now!

Anyway, I ALMOST had all my other financial aid money and my work-study position at the testing center taken away before school started. Something about me having too many attempted credits counted from the time I was last at MATC (like in 1992!), blahblahblah. I had to write an essay about how being poor would affect my schoolwork and stuff. So, I got my appeal, and have plenty of money for a little, tiny while.

I still shop at the Salvation Army and the ALDI.

And I'm still waiting for the Truckslayer to cough up some more cash for her assault on my little Ford Ranger...

First Day--- Semester Two

2007-01-16T19:47:00.000-06:00

Well, the countdown for summer's beginning, haha!

It was nice not having to be at stupid school at 7:30 in the gosh-darn morning! Yay- no more early morning cranky Jeffrey!

After a nice breakfast of Cocoa Puffs mixed with the last of my Trix, I rambled on in to the school-building at 9:30 for a two-hour stint doing my work-study job in the Alternative Learning Division's testing center. Nothing to do, no one to take tests yet, so I started reading Book Two of Osamu Tezuka's "Buddha," called "The Four Encounters." It's part of an eight volume comic (manga) retelling of the Buddha. Quite enlightening! I'm looking forward to finishing it and reading the rest of the books in the series. (Note, world reknowned graphic designer Chip Kidd produced the covers for this group of books!)

After work I headed to Design Communications (In Architecture) where all the students were told to write our names on a folded sheet of paper, and then trace the backward image on the other side. After that we were supposed to open it up and try and create a design that said "something" about ourselves as part of our introduction to the other kids in the class. A bunch of guys drew rifles, pistols, or ray-guns somewhere in their masterpieces. Some guy drew a psycho murderer bunny- for real! I was feeling symbolic and such after reading some about Buddha:

When it was my turn to tell the class about "myself" all I could muster was something like, "I like Earth." Guess, I'll never be one of the Heathers!

Then I had Architectural Theory afterward and it looks INTENSE. I have the same instructor for this class and Design. I had him last semester too, and, boy does he like to hear himself talk! Yikes, and it's going to be heavy on the writing. I'll just have to pretend each 5000 word short essay and architectural analysis is a Bull-Roar blog-post!

After this class, I have the afternoon off for vittles and relaxation. Then off to stupid Trigonometry. WTF! The teacher is naming all these things off that we'll get points docked off for this semester. Man, you can't sleep in class! What???? Haha, anyway, then she's going on how this is a Tuesday-Thursday class and she's thinking about only making it a Tuesday class and leaving Thursdays open for dumb-fucks like me who'll have any questions or need help. I know I'm going to have issues with this class. She already made us 1.) get into GRRRRR-OUPS for GRRRRRRRR-OUP work, and 2.) making us do most of the questions in Appendix C of the textbook on FUNCTIONS. I haven't had this level of math since 1994, twelve years ago. Argh!!!! Luckily, I somehow remembered domains and ranges. How I did that, I can't explain---maybe all those drugs in Covance didn't destroy my algebra brain-cells...

Besides my daily work hours (two hours every weekday), Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays my schedule is slightly different. I have a part two to last semester's Architectural Graphics class and after a bite to eat at home, I get into a vehicle and drive to the college-town (note intense sarcasm) of WATERTOWN, WI. for College Physics. For some reason, Madison is a liberal haven of people who refuse to believe in PHYSICS, so I have to drive past about 400 cow-farms to learn about gravity and other "magical" things.

That's pretty much it, thanks for reading my latest "diary entry!"

Songs of 2006!

2007-01-13T13:54:00.000-06:00

Here's my annual list of songs that I discovered old and new, almost all great (and, um, a few bad!) that made up my musical year of 2006. If any of you want I can send you a playlist!

Summer Night City, by ABBA-
-An intense, dark and slightly gothic song that was my theme song for hitting the NYC nightlife this last summer! A stay in early January at Covance Labs proved my introduction to ABBA. A nurse there lent me a DVD of their music videos that she used as ther workout companion. I think ABBA is genius.

An Everlasting Love, by Andy Gibb-
-More Genius! Perfect pop music cloaking a well of emotion... and um, was my Myspace profile song for awhile...welp!

After Dark, by Andy Gibb-
-This song puts me into a rolling hypnotic trance. Simply one of the best love songs!

Snowbird, by Anne Murray-
-I am a "Rejector" of "Cool." Bleh! So, what better way than to embrace the wonderful vocal musings of the one and only Anne Murray to cast off the grimy coating snot-nosed scenesters?

Time Don't Run Out On Me, by Anne Murray-
-Any "coolness" I had was eradicated when after I moved back to Wisconsin this summer and my dad and I got his old record-player working again. This was the record we got to spin and play. My dad and I like the same music, haha!

Day Dreaming, by Aretha Franklin-
-I never thought myself a fan of the Queen of Soul, but was pleasantly surprised to find out this was one of her songs after I heard it at the Goodwill store near my place in Brooklyn. It's very organic and etheral! Smooth, even!

Sleeping Single In A Double Bed, by Barbara Mandrell-
-Last year I was wowed by Barbara's "Crackers" song where she wouldn't mind if you ate crackers in her bed, now she's all by herself-in bed! I wonder if this year I will discover a third song of hers about being in bed? This proved to be a popular Myspace profile song for me...

Bela Lugosi's Dead, by Bauhaus-
-Some of you may remember how I was on a Bauhaus and Bread kick this last spring. For some reason my iPod liked to play the two bands, one right after the other. In a dream world I would like the two to share a stage together! This song is real good subway soundtrack music!

Girl Don't Tell Me, by The Beach Boys-
-I have a feeling my dad has only one cassette tape in his possesion, "Endless Summer" by the Beach Boys. Sounds like the Beach Boys are having pen-pal problems- some girl won't write back to them!

Rocket In The Sky (Radio Edit), by Benassi Bros Featuring Dhany-
-I'm a dork! I jump around my place to this song!

This Modern Love by, Bloc Party-
-Is this scenester music? I've never seen the video or anything, but it gets stuck in my head.

Fools Rush In (Kevin Shields Remix), by Bow Wow Wow-
-From this year's Marie Antoinette film soundtrack. I have a total crush on its director Sofia Coppola! With every movie she's put out (Virgin Suicides, Lost Translation) she's proved she knows good music (heck, she put Peaches, Jesus and Mary Chain, Air, Phoenix, and Roxy Music songs in the mix). This song is soooooo infectious!

Worse Than the Girl, by Boys of Scandinavia-
-This song represents the dark coffeeshop dude in me who wants to get down and boogey in some European catacomb. ????

It Don't Matter To Me, by Bread-
-Luckily, I have no idea what a person(s) called Bread looks like, but this song is pure bliss. Soaring NYC subway music when you come out from the underground up onto the sun sparkling on the Manhattan Bridge!

Summer Parade, by Brookville-
-One of my top five songs of the year. Brookville is one of the side projects of one of the members of Ivy, one of the best bands of NYC. They make some of the best in pop music. Just think of what the world would be like if the radio would play music like this instead of the lowest common denominator shit they play now!

Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft, by the Carpenters-
-Ohmygosh!!! Whoa! The Carpenters are hailing aliens!!!! This is the perfect song for a weirdo like me!!!! You all have to hear it, it's an epic pop tour-de-force at seven minutes long- an amazing message about humanity!

Hollywood, by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan-
-A gem I discovered driving past Chicago on my way to NYC last February. Nothing to do with Hollywood!

Needy Girl (Bloc Party Remix) by, Chromeo-
-A smooth, velvetty remix that gets me boppin'. Check it out!

Technologic - Peaches No Logic Remix 01, by Daft Punk featuring Peaches-
-I loooooved the original, and then I discovered they got foul-mouthed Peaches to voice the lyrics for this version- you all know how I love the Peaches!

Strange Magic, by Darren Hayes-
-A horrible, horrible cover version of the great ELO song that I discovered while looking up remixes, mash-ups, and what-not. It is the "gayest" (sorry about the junior-highism!) song ever, I think it was recorded for the "Ella Enchanted" or "Ice Princesses" soundtracks or some teeny-bopper girl movie. I almost tossed it into the trash bucket after downloading it, but I kept playing it and comparing it to the original and now the stupid-ass song took me over.

Daybreak, by Daso-
-A discovery off of Myspace. Good futuristic homework music!

Bulldozer, by Datarock-
-Alright!!!!! This is one of my favorite songs of the year!!! At just under two minutes long this little song packs a punch, "BMX is better than sex!"

Fa-Fa-Fa, by Datarock-
-There is an incredible music scene breaking out of the town of Bergen, Norgway. Last year I was into Annie, now this year Erlend Oye and Datarock! This songs like a groovey tune being played live in a school-gymnasium. It rocks!!!! I love it anytime a song breaks into non-words like tra-la-la, or fa-fa-fa!

Computer Camp Love, by Datarock-
-I smile everytime I hear this song! :)

Brothers On A Hotel Bed, by Death Cab For Cutie-
-Sigh, what an introspective, staring out the car-window on a rainy day song. Thanks, Jeremy!

More Where That Came From, by Dolly Parton-
-I love this song, but I'm sure the good folks who wear red at Target are SO over this one! I remember shopping for a television at the Atlantic Center Target in Brooklyn and this song was one of their commercials set on nonstop rotation. I thought it was weird listening to Dolly in the middle of NYC. Oh well, she rules!

Drop (Kings of Convenience Remix), by Cornelius from Erlend Øye's DJ Kicks album

2D2F, by Avenue D from Erlend Øye's DJ Kicks album

I Need Your Love, by Rapture from Erlend Øye's DJ Kicks album

Metalchix & Always on My Mind (Acapella), by Skateboard and Erlend Oye from Erlend Øye's DJ Kicks album-
-These last four songs are from one of my favorite albums I discovered this year. "Drop" was my Myspace profile song for awhile and is one of my favorites of the year. 2D2F (haha! Too Drunk To Fuck) is so crass! So fun to listen to while taking the train to work in NYC. Stupid work! "I Need Your Love" is desperation incarnate and the "Metalchix" remixed with Erlend's acapella verison of "Always on My Mind" is so good.

Lonely Is As Lonely Does, by the Fleetwoods-
-By the fifties doo-wop band from Washington state who wrote and performed "Come Softlty To Me" and "Mr. Blue." This was one of their later hits that came out in the early-sixties. I love their style of music what I call, Humble Pop. This song was a favorite of mine subwaying through NYC. The songs builds up intensity in the end with the percussion, strings, and whoo-eees. Very Midtown-y!

Sprite, by Freezepop-
-Very bouncy!!!!! Boy, they put on a good show!

Pull Up To The Bumper, by Grace Jones-
-It's great finding music that's been around for years to find that it still sounds brand-new.

Here In Your Arms, by Hellogoodbye-
-A song I'll never seperate from my memories of a certain someone!

Love Action, by Human League-
-Infectious despite (or because of!) some rather insipid lyrics! I love synth pop. I'm so glad this song was introduced to me. Thanks Vincent, or should I say Sam! (Hey, I knew you're real name all along, duh.)

Thinking About You, by Ivy-
-This band should be ruling the airwaves instead of that BlackEyePeapod shit! A trio out of NYC, they got the pop thing down perfectly!

Fly Away, by John Denver with Olivia Newton-John-
-I'm always floored by any ONJ song I haven't heard, and I guess this was a big hit. Sometimes I wonder what world I live in!

It Don't Matter To Me, by Josh Rouse-
-A sweet remake of Bread's song. Rouse rules!

A Well Respected Man, by Josh Rouse-
-Another cover song recorded by Mr. Rouse of the Kinks song. Good job!

Quiet Town, by Josh Rouse-
-Strange, this song reminds me of Brooklyn! When I got the album this song is off of, I would walk the Park Slope neighborhood among the blooming springtime trees along Fifth Ave. staring at the stars and the brownstones.

Summertime, by Josh Rouse-
-Another walking about song. Josh Rouse was known for his Midwesternishness, but now he packed up and left for the relaxation of Spain: something I wouldn't mind doing.

Wonderful, by Josh Rouse-
-The strings and percussion of this song really connect with me. Guess what? I can still remember certain cracks of Brooklyn sidewalks as I strolled around listening to this song. Inspiring! I think Josh Rouse has dipped his pen in the same well of inspiration as the Fleetwoods.

SexyBack (Dirty), by Justin Timberlake-
-Sorry! I like the part where the lady shortly squawks, "AreYaReaday!!!???" hahaha!

Is It Any Wonder?, by Keane-
-Very U2 meets Coldplay and stuck in my head. I guess all the kids are into them?

Summer Madness, by Kool and the Gang-
-Heard this one after one of Livia and Dav's Champagne shows at Plan B. The bartender/ dj would hook up an iPod and I remember this song coming on and wondering who did this one!

Sorry (Pet Shop Boys Remix), by Madonna-
-At the end of last year, Madonna released her groove-heavy album "Confessions on a Dancefloor and it was excellent! I heard about all her influences on this album at the time and it was incredible, because I had been listening to all the same music: ABBA, Cerrone, Giorgio Moroder, and the Pet Shop Boys! So when the single collection for "Sorry" came out, I was stunned that the Pet Shop Boys did this remix. Sweet! I guess it makes sense since Madonna is all British and stuff now, that she'd be hanging out with them. Cheerio!

Let It Will Be(Paper Faces Mix) Live at the Koko, by Madonna-
-This live and version rocks! I love it when Madonna tries to get all fierce and dark! This song would be my inspiration for whenever I had job interviews and such in NYC (not that I tried to hard to get a job there...) But this song's great for the beats, the small audience screams, and techno feedback---"Just Watch Me Burn!!!!" Okay!

Erotica-You Thrill Me (Live at the Confessions Tour), by Madonna-
-Remember in the early 1990's when Madonna was a COMPLETE sleezebag, overzealous whore? She came out with "that" book, starred in the "Body of Evidence, and came out with the Erotica song and video. Yeah. Well, this song is a compete turn-around live remake of that song in the vein of a driving disco ballad! Did I ever mention how much fun I had at the Confessions concert this summer???? Yep!

A Bailar, by Maria Daniela y su sonido Lasser-
-My favorite Spanish song of the year! Man, I need to learn Spanish!

Whenever You're On My Mind, by Marshall Crenshaw-
-Pure American Pop that makes you believe the world is all-good. How come I never heard this one before? Thank you for all those cable teevee stations that play music all day long like they're the radio!

Shape of Things to Come, by Max Frost & the Troopers-
-Target got this groovy, mod little ditty or hired someone to remake it for them. It must be a fun job looking to license songs for all their stupid commercials!

Maneater, by Nelly Furtado-
-I become an animal when I hear this song! Roar!

Hung Up On A Blue Monday, by New Order vs. Madonna-
-This is one great mash-up song. I think you could remix any song with New Order's "Blue Monday" and still come up with gold! I think it's the beat-- (well, DUH!)

Native New Yorker (Full Version), by Odyssey-
-I heard this old disco ballad on the radio a couple days after I moved away from Brooklyn while I was driving around BEAVER DAM here in Wisconsin! "You're no tramp, but you're no LADY! Talking that street talk. You're the heart and soul of New York City!" "You're a native New Yorker..." hahaha!

Soul Kiss, by Olivia Newton-John-
-Man, I loved Olivia when I was a kid but when the album this song was on came out it was a scandal! She was posing in front a mirror with big sexed-up Missing Persons hair, a riding crop, and no shirt on! She had a scarf dangling around her neck draping over her Newton-Johns! There was NO WAY I was getting that record album for Christmas! Anyway, it wasn't until this year that I discovered the "Soul Kiss." Who would have thought that Olivia would wander into dark and moody goth techno???? By the way, I also figured out what a "soul kiss" really is...

Twist Of Fate, by Olivia Newton-John-
-I should have been kicked out the ONJ fan club for never hearing this one before either!!! From her second movie with John Travolta that tanked, this song rose from the ashes and should be embraced by all those who love 80's power-synth sound!

WinterLady(remix), by Olivia Newton-John-
-A mashup of bits of a B-Side to 1988's single "The Rumour" called "Winter Angel" and Modjo's "Lady (Hear Me Tonight) a dance hit from 2000. I like the beginning where they got a snippet of ONJ telling an audience that she crosses her fingers that they like this song from her new record. I do!

Stars Are Blind, by Paris Hilton-
-She knows so much about love, so I like to hear her sing about it! She's the new millenium's version of all those dopey 50's and 60's teen stars like Johnny Crawford, Patty Duke, Annette Funicello, etc. that went from teevee to pop-music, and boy, do I dig them! By far, not a great song, but it got stuck in my head.

Boys Wanna Be Her, by Peaches-
-One of the best songs of this last year's "Impeach My Bush" album! Rock and roll!

Precious to Me, by Phil Seymour-
-Another one of those perfect early 80's pop songs I discovered this year on that cable teevee radio channel. Living in NYC was soooo awesome! (Free cable, suckers!)

Folder (Original Mix), by Plastic Operator-
-A great little electronic pop-song out of the UK. Check them out, they're one of my Myspace friends (sorry if I'm sounding like an advert!). You know a song is really great when it can use the lyrics "copy and paste" infectiously!

Pinball Number Count, by The Pointer Sisters-
-ONE,TWO,THREE,FOUR,FIVE----SIX,SEVEN,EIGHT,NINE,TEN---ELEVEN,TWELVE!!!! Thank you for coming back into my life!!!!!!

Perfect, by Princess Superstar-
-I really like this song and it was great seeing the Princess out and about on East Side. I got to see her spin at the Beauty Bar on 14th!

I Don't Like It Like This, by The Radio Dept.-
-Like I've mentioned earlier, if indie-cult figure Sofia Coppola likes it, chances are, I will too. Moody, introspective pop. I want to hear more from this band from Sweden!

SOS, by Rihanna-
-A big hit on the radio, I only heard once- on my way through Wisconsin driving back from my time in NYC. I liked the use of "Tainted Love," I've always wondered how long it would take for someone to take this song and sample it into their's. The wait is over. Now I just want to hear a song sampling another Soft Cell song, "Sex Dwarf." Go for it, Rihanna!

Girlfriend (Club mix), by Robbie Rivera featuring Modgik-
-Such a comforting club song. She's never gonna run away or tell you lies, or cheat on you and make you cry. Yay!

What Else Is There, by Röyksopp-
-So powerful! This band is one of my favorites I've yet to see live. I just got a hold of a live album they just released and it's amazing! So if I ever get a hold of concert dates, I'm getting tickets- anyone wanna come along?

Stars Above Us (Eric Kupper Club Mix), by Saint Etienne-
-Okay! I admit it! I primp and get myself all pretty to this song! It makes me feel good...

Hong Kong Garden, by Siouxsie & the Banshees-
-I first heard this one in one of NYC's great dive bars, the Mars Bar on 1st St. on their wonderful jukebox. Loved it! Then, lo-and-behold, Sofia Coppola uses it on her Marie Antoinette soundtrack! (I still have to see that movie...)

I Can't Stay Mad At You, by Skeeter Davis-
-Thanks Kyle for telling me about this adorable oldie!

Angry Inch, by Sleater-Kinney and Fred Schneider-
-Awesome variant remake from the title-song from the great movie, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Angry and Rocking! Remember I got "love-shacked" by Mr. Schneider this year in a Manhattan thrift-shop?

1-2-3 Sesame Street , by Stevie Wonder-
-Here's another Sesame Street favorite that made me soooo happy this last year! I made a collection of these old Sesame songs for my nieces. I hope they like it as much as I do!

Luka, by Suzanne Vega-
-This last year I moved into a second-floor apartment.

La Rock, by Vitalic-
-Very energetic! There are sparkles of noise that sound like you're snorting musical crack while racing laps in a crowded urban speedway. I'm not sure how this fits into my musical stylings, but hey!

Rock Show, by Vitalic vs Peaches-
-A mash-up of "La Rock" and "Rock Show", yikes, sensory overload made fun!

New York Woman, by Yoko Ono-
-The beginning sounds like "Cinnamon Girl" but then Yoko starts going on and on about loving a New York woman. "New York woman, New York woman, New York woman, New York Woman..." Very easy to get stuck on the brain...Thanks Demetrius, reminds me of the time before you moved to NYC and you were visiting with Robert and we walked to the MOMA! Good times!

Early Release!

2007-01-13T13:40:00.000-06:00

I was let out of Covance early on Wednesday after dosing went wrong the day before. Yay! (Don't worry! I'm okay!) Basically, a bunch of us threw up right away because the solution they mixed the test drug into was a sulfate usually found in capsule form of most drugs, but for some reason, the client insisted it be in liquid form. Yuck! It was like drinking a bunch of industrial soap. I tried to hold it down after two guys before me yacked it up, but I burped a little and....you can guess the rest.

Later on, I was told by one of the doctors that they decided to cancel the study for everyone but the first guy who kept it down when I, the PROFESSIONAL guinea-pig that I am, got sick. I'm always a good test subject, and if something went wrong with my dosing, it had to be a bad study. Who knew I had such power?

It was nice that I only had to stay two days, that's a thousand a day--- good wages, I say!

Squeek! Squeek!

2007-01-08T20:51:00.000-06:00

Hello!

Here I am in Covance...again!!!! Jeffrey the Human Guinea-Pig!

When am I ever gonna become a "normal" person and make money at a real job????

Haha, who cares? I'm making money, suckers!

[Not saying, you, my Bull-Roar readers are suckers... :) ]

PS: Hoping to blog a bit here while I'm kooped up here, despite the fact that the internet is sssssssssssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww .....................................................yawn............................... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....................................

Back to Bull Roar and Off to St. Louis!

2007-01-04T23:05:00.000-06:00

Hiya Bull Roar Fans!!!

Things I should have been blogging about this last month:

-The outcome of my accident and my truck's christ-like resurrection.

-How my exams and final projects worked out. (Smile!)

-The good times at Pamby's Filmfest.

-Hosting and showing Jeremy around here in Madison.

-Holiday celebrations and gift outcomes.

-The mysterious departure of Pete the Amnesiac roommate and the introduction of new roommate Jeff #2.

-The winning of a major scholarship.

-And then, the possible termination of my regular financial aid (yikes!).

Also about,

-Heading back to Covance next Monday, hopefully for the whole weeek to participate in yet another health study.

-Leaving tomorrow morning with my father to drive to St. Louis to pick up yet another vehicle he may have bought.

And!

-I've been busy compiling a list of songs that were either really important to me, or were somehow incredibly, and sadly, stuck in my head in the year of 2006.

Thanks for checking in on me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: I still have many Jeffrey Relics and Pics to share, as do I, both stories of my jobs and more pages from my Earth Science notebook from 1993!

Yikes! Bad Blogger!

2006-12-10T21:50:00.000-06:00

December's been a busy one! With all my schoolwork, my accident, my search for a new flatmate, and haha- my incessant playing of Poppit (on pogo.com) at work, I simply haven't had the energy to report any new bull-roar in my life.

Trust me though, there's been PLENTY!!!

Here's an article where my truck made the news. Oh cheese and rice, the link doesn't work anymore! Here's a copy-and-paste job:

------Woman Charged With Hit-and-run

Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL :: C3

Friday, December 1, 2006

A 27-year-old Madison woman was arrested Wednesday night after hitting three vehicles while driving the wrong way on East Washington Avenue, according to the Madison Police Department.

Amy M. was driving east in the westbound lane of East Washington Avenue near Oak Street around 7:30 p.m. when her vehicle hit a truck, causing it to hit another vehicle, police said. Amy M. continued driving east in the westbound lane and crashed into two more vehicles. A 19-year-old man was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Amy M. was arrested on tentative charges of driving against traffic, drunken driving, driving without a valid license and a hit and run, police said.----------

There's more to the story now, but I have to sign off and go to bed (I have a big test tomorrow). Sorry to leave you all in suspense.

I'm Without Wheels...but I'M ALIVE!

2006-11-30T09:22:00.000-06:00

Hey Bull-Roar fans!

Last night,on my way to the local library, some drunk driver was speeding on the wrong side of the street (I was on E. Washington a block up from Ella's Deli) and before I could do anything, hit me head on, totalled my truck and kept on going up the road and hit a few more cars.

Luckily, even though my poor truck is a complete wreck, I somehow walked away okay!

I'd go more into it in my verbacious Jeffrey way, but I'm still in shock. I just thought I'd let you all know I'm doing fine.

Sob DORITOS...

2006-11-28T00:33:00.000-06:00

HAHA! for Jeremy!

Bat-tree Wars on E. Wash!

2006-11-28T00:28:00.000-06:00

My neighborhood is a good place for your bat-tree needs!

Discovered: A Better Photo

2006-11-25T20:55:00.000-06:00

On my Sept. 27, 2006 blog I posted some pics of when I went to visit my sister and her family. Unfortunately, one picture I posted was imperfect. Here's a superior version!

Well, almost perfect. There's a bowl in my crotch!

Happy Frankie Birthday!

2006-11-25T18:24:00.000-06:00

Eating 32 scoops of ice-cream at the creepiest place on earth- Ella's Deli!!!

Lots of ice cream!

A Banana B.J.

Thanksgiving Weekend Shenanigans

2006-11-25T16:27:00.000-06:00

Wednesday- God, I've been looking forward to this day soooo much! School has really been a pain in the...ahhhh, I've needed this break incredibly so. Started off my weekend by inviting people to come over to watch Madonna's Confession Tour on the teevee that night. My friend Kyle showed up and I made popcorn and tried to make cookies, but the dough was mushy and wrong. The cookies were stressing me out so I gave up on them.

The concert was fantastic! It was nice to see a lot of the action closer-up this time- I recognized the choreography and much more clearly than I did at the actual concert (I was one of the many attendees at one of her shows at the Madison Sqare Gardens shows). It was nice to have pointed out what I missed in person. What was the whole fuss about the "Live to Tell" song? NBC edited out the scenes where Madonna was attached to a discofied, mirror-plated cross. Big whoop and a bull-roar. She was just trying to point out the plight of AIDS orphans in Africa. Who would be offended by that? Sometimes, I think there's got to be some person with something mighty huge up his/her ass and who has a lot of time to let everyone know it's there. Jeeze, get a life! Haha, anyway, I was pretty happy to have the chance to see the concert again and to relive it. Thankfully, whether for time or for pure ennui, the powers-the-be decided to cut four of the songs- two of which I felt really deserved the axe. I remember that during the concert those two songs, good as they were, were a real yawn-fest. People were getting up out of their seats, not to dance, but to leave to buy beer and pretzels. During the broadcast, we had commercial-time to do that. No ballads during a dance-concert, Madonna, duh!!!!

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day- My mom had me over and we had a tasty lunch.

Watch out, Pam! Tasha looks hungry!

People usually end up watching a lot of teevee during the holidays, my mom is no exception. She has at least four teevees around the house. She was peeved that her "Christmas Story" movie wasn't being aired so we ended up watching some other shows, some of which I wasn't quite sure were good for eating turkey to. I wonder if the pilgrims would have held thanksgiving dinner knowing that, sometime in the future, people would be watching a marathon of shows about coroners trying to identify the bodies of hapless souls without photo id's who croaked under bridges, in houseboats, on the road under the wheels of a bus, in maggot-infested beds, and so-on.

Maybe the teevee people were trying to use reverse psychology on its viewers this Thanksgiving. Learn to appreciate that you have a driver's license in your pocket and that that it isn't you on the slab getting your bloated, drippy-skinned fingers chopped off in order for the forensic person to fendangle a way to somehow, almost impossibly, get a set of fingerprints. Yuck, good dinner watching. Luckily, my mom realized Match Game was on and the channel was changed pronto!

Haha, looks like the neighbors invited the travelling carnival over for dinner. Or is it Destitute Camouflage Claus and his wife Smoking Hippie Claus? Hmmm...

After lunch, we took Tasha for a drive and ended up in Columbus where my mom's Aunt Lillian lives. Lillian's a great old lady, she just turned 99 years old and has lots of stories to tell! After complaining about my mom's pumpkin pie and leaving it on the counter we sat down and Lil shared with us boxes of old pictures and the stories that went with each photo. How cool!
Here's Lil (in the white polka-dot dress) with her sisters and their kids in 1942:

The barn in the background is the same one from my grandfather's polaroids that I posted a couple weeks ago. I found out that my great-grandfather (the man on the right) worked the farm before Lil's brother, Arnold- my grandfather, did.

Here's Lil, my mom and me!

Lil really flattered me by telling me what a looker I was! *Blush!* Haha, she also kept staring at me trying to figure out who in the family I looked like. It's interesting to get the perspective from someone who knew everyone from my family: my great-great-grandparents and on!

She also wondered how old I was. I told her (34) and she freaked out. Everytime I tell someone how old I am they don't believe me. Haha, should I be annoyed or thankful? I'll go with the glass is half-full one on this, I guess!

Friday- I had my post-Thanksgiving party. I spent the whole day getting ready. The party's theme was the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and I served pretzels, jelly-beans, toast, and popcorn in honor of the meal that Snoopy and Woodstock served up for the Peanuts cast. I even bought lawn chairs for everyone to sit in! Too bad hardly anyone came... Bambi showed up with her friend Michelle, then my buddy Matt popped by. At one point I thought more guests were showing up when I heard a knock at my door, but it was only my crack-addict neighbor and one of the hefty girls from downstairs inviting themselves to my "bash." Yeah, whatever. I think they were picturing beer-kegs, bong-hits and farm-fed orgy action. I told them if it picked up I'd let 'em know. Didn't happen. I guess I don't know how to throw a party at all. Sigh.

I retried an attempt at making my sacrilicious Madonna cookies!

-the cross that Madonna was hooked up to that NBC wouldn't show
-the Malawian baby that Madonna kidnapped
-"Open Your Heart!"
-her guitar that she rocked out to during "I Love New York!"
-Madonna with her cone-bra represented by two chocolate chips
-and the phone to get "Hung Up" on

Random Notebook Pages- Earth Science: Fall 1993, #4

2006-11-25T15:42:00.000-06:00

I seemed a bit enthusiatic about impending global doom, didn't I?

Jesus makes an appearance in a lesson about water-tables.

Earth.

Random Notebook Pages- Earth Science: Fall 1993, #3

2006-11-20T21:05:00.000-06:00

Deidre sat next to me each class period. She was such a blast! Fun everyday even though the class material could be a little, uh, dull. We'd entertain each other with our notes! On the upper-left hand corner on my notes below, she's "telling" me that love is around and that I shouldn't be judgemental. Probably about my asssessment of "Sci-Fi Dude's" attire and hair-style that day. I think I responded by telling her not to judge me. Sigh, I miss you, Deidre!!!!

Another "Obscure-Fact Dude" quote!:

Bethke is Mr. Bethke, the class instructor. I remember he used the words, "ignorant tike," in reference to himself, and I must have thought those words combined were the cat's ass or something.

Upcoming Get-Togethers and Parties!

2006-11-20T19:30:00.000-06:00

Hey there, Bull Roar Fans!!!! Party at my place!

Details:

This Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 6:30 pm. Madonna's Confession Tour is going to air on NBC and I'm gonna invite ya all to show up to my place and watch it with me. I'm going to make some sacriligious-themed cookies (or as Homer Simpson would say, "Mmmmmm, sacrilicious...") and turn on the teevee for a couple hours of that great kaballah-thumping, disco tracksuit-wearing, American-hating, baby-stealing Madonna! As many of you know, I saw her live in NYC this summer and it was a great show...hope you can show up!

But...if you don't I'm gonna have another get together two nights later for a post-Thanksgiving, left-overs bash. I'm gonna have the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving playing while I serve up left-overs, mixed up with a batch of toast and popcorn! That'll be this Friday, Nov. 24 around 7 or so also. I'm gonna try and get lawnchairs for everyone to sit in!

F.U.R.L.S

2006-11-19T23:22:00.000-06:00

My mom made up an acronym for all the customers that come into the Wal-Mart she works at.

F - fat

U - ugly

R - rude

L - lazy

S - stupid

Remember this term for an upcoming pop quiz! Plus, it'll be useful the next time you talk about your last trip to Wal-Mart.

Random Notebook Pages- Earth Science: Fall 1993, #2

2006-11-19T23:04:00.000-06:00

Looks like "Sci-Fi Dude" had a few quotes this particular class period.

Workin' Worthen #1

2006-11-19T21:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I just sit and think about all the darn jobs I've had in my life and what a busy-bee I've been. Toil, toil, toil! I don't think when I was a kid that I'd ever grow up to do any of these stupid, craptacular jobs I've had, oh well! Anyway, I thought I'd compile a list and blog a post for each one of my many different jobs and share my work adventures with all of you. I hope you all enjoy the tales of my never-ending enslavement.

My first work experience was delivering early morning newspapers for my stupid cousin, Jacob- my slightly older, yet shorter, Adam Rich-looking, snobby-ass cousin while he would go on vacation with his family down to Florida. I was eleven years old and in the fifth grade when I started filling in for him. My dad would wake me up at 3:30 in the morning and we'd drive over to my cousin's place to get the papers ready for delivery. I remember it being so DARK out. I was never up at that time before, it was weird to be up when I was for sure everyone else in the world was asleep. How cool!!!! I still remember my dad and I driving around the west-side, lakeshore part of Beaver Dam, the area where my cousin's route was. These houses were all the doctor's and attorney's houses. All the rich people of town lived here and I got to run up their driveways, as my dad sat in the car, and drop their Milwaukee Journals (how high-class: the out-of-town paper!) into their various newspaper bins, inside screen-doors, or under rocks. Up until that point, I never gave new radio songs the time of day- my parents always seemed to listen to the "oldies;' but when we were out delivering my dad had on Z104 or something playing all the pop-rock hits of the time. Those songs have been driven into my head and whenever I hear them now, I think of early morning runs up those doctors' driveways!

"Electric Avenue" - Eddie Grant
"Every Breath You Take" - The Police
"Urgent" - Foreigner
"Snapshot" - Sylvia (a country-pop crossover artist who paved the way for the Shania Twains and their ilk. All her songs seem to be about catching her boyfriends cheating on her)
"Down Under" - Men at Work
"Owner Of A Lonely Heart" - Yes
"Steppin' Out" - Joe Jackson
"Gloria" - Laura Branigan
"My Baby Takes the Morning Train" - Sheena Easton
and practically any Huey Lewis and the News song!

My aunt probably forced my cousin to send this to me- what a little shit. Oh well, this was an interesting start to my work-life!

Random Notebook Pages- Earth Science: Fall 1993, #1

2006-11-18T22:09:00.000-06:00

Haha, now that I'm getting a 4.0 (so far) in school this semester, it's funny to see how I was in class at the same school a lifetime ago- I must have thought I was pretty funny!

I seemed to have names for everyone in the class, as seen in the "roll-call" below. "Obscure-Fact Guy" is pictured above. He was one of those "returning adult students" who sit in the front row and interject with the most mundane comments like clockwork. Much to the chagrin (sp?) of my current classmates, he's kinda my role-model now, haha! Not really, I don't have the moustache needed for spouting out class-wasting, barely-on-topic comments. Though, there is a guy in my Construction Materials class this semester who seems to have inherited that position! God, he never shuts up.

Advice For My Sister

2006-11-18T20:24:00.000-06:00

Supposedly, I'm gonna be an uncle again! Whether or not my sister is for sure on her "condition," I thought I'd share this:

I had this advice taped up to the door of the Museum (my old apartment) just in case I came across any babies during my day. I guess babies are something people just look at, and want to shake like Shake 'N Bake!

My Theme Song!

2006-11-13T22:12:00.000-06:00

During my first stint at MATC (way back in 1992) I took a basic music theory class where I had to write a song!!! I admit I got a helping hand from my good friend Brian Kolterman.

I should have a contest to see who can come up with the best lyrics!!!

Release the Guinea Pigs!

2006-11-13T20:47:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, my Covance health study was completed. They sent us out with nice, fat checks! So what did I do right away?

BOOK-SHOPPING!!!!

I've been really poor for awhile now and have been holding off on adding any additional weight to my heaving bookshelves, but with this newfound money in my account I tore up the bookstores, actual and online, alike! Yay!!!

I hit Frugal Muse on the northside of town, the used bookstore that was closest to my banking establishment. I purchased the new collection of FOUND! Check it out- it's hilarious!

Then I drove by one of my favorite thrift-shops, only to find that it is closed!!! Did you all know that the HOUSE OF THRIFT shut its doors and moved away somewhere???? Well, I didn't!

Then I headed downtown to the library, to return about a million dvd's. I'm not kidding. Ask Pamby! Anyway, the library was having a sale of discarded children's books upstairs- 25 cents each! At one point during my scavenging I almost had to fight some old lady to the ground for some awesome books on architecture. She got there, like, a nano-second before me and I missed out on some cool DK guides, but alas, she didn't get them all!!! I don't know why she was even buying books. Like she's gonna have the time to read them (ouch!). Anyway, I hope she likes them as much as I like the ones I got!

The Inside DK Guidest to Super Structures

The Eyewitness Visual Dictionary of Buildings (super awesome for school, I've been constantly checking this one out from the library), and

Building a House ( a neat book that talks about framing, foundations, siding, etc.)

After the library I thought I'd swim through the massive bins of unwanted books at the St. Vinnies Dig N Save. But today I wasn't having the best of luck! Dig N Save stopped selling books!!!!!!! Where else am I gonna be able to buy books by the pound, twenty-five cents a pound????? BOOOOO!!!!!!! HISSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

So then I went home and checked my Amazon.com cart to see what I've put on hold during this last year!
I couldn't get everything in there yet but I did get these:

New Architecture in Spain - a guide that was published alongside the installation I attended at the MOMA in NYC.

World's Finest Comics Archives, Volume 3 (DC Archive Editions) :featuring the great Superman/Batman and Robin team-ups of the late 1950's

The Metal Men Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) - The Metal Men was a 1960's product of DC Comics where these robots were somehow invented with responsometers that gave each robot, each made of a different element, emotions and personality. Very fun!

The Complete Peanuts 1959-1960

The Complete Peanuts 1961-1962 - a continuation of the series put out by Fantagraphics that will collect every Peanuts comic strip ever!

and I got some more books devoted to architecture:

A Field Guide to American Houses - a must have for anyone in the world of building!

A Visual Dictionary of Architecture

The New York World's Fair, 1939/1940: in 155 Photographs

1939 New York World's Fair Film 3 DVD Set - 6+ Hours - for some reason I'm a freak about the 1939 New York's World's Fair. Now I can really geek out on it!

I'm Almost Did the World a Favor!

2006-11-13T19:46:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I swear I almost hit Carrot-Top as I was driving down Gorham St. in Madison!!!!! I was driving, minding my own business, and all of a sudden...

This guy runs right in front of my truck! There could have been carrot juice splatted all over the place.

I'm so sorry, Carrot Top. I don't really have anything against you. Why does everyone pick on you? I hope you are doing fine and are successful at whatever it is you do.

Love, Jeffrey

Jeffrey Relics #23

2006-11-13T19:37:00.000-06:00

Hmmm...looks like I won a scholarship back in high school for college! Too bad, I didn't know what I was doing with my life and I ended up working in Beaver Dam (the Pyramid Supper Club, the Elk's Club Friday fish-fries, and Super 8 Motel!) instead of school. Guess, I'm just slow at life...

I wonder if I can go back to Dr. Berry and see if that money I didn't use is still available. Would be nice for school this year!

What's In Your Wallet?

2006-11-13T18:55:00.000-06:00

Rummaging through boxes of old stuff I found part of one of my old wallets, too bad there was none of the green stuff! Here's who I carried close to me:

Hank, one of the two people who ran 20th Century Books here in Madison. I used to go there every week when they operated downtown off the capitol square. I kept his picture, which I clipped out of the local whiny newspaper, the Isthmus (which always seemed to run stories about the misfortunes of the independent booksellers and featured interviews with Hank, who I guess, was the only expert on the matter) in my wallet in hopes that he would see it when I paid for my comics and give me a discount. Never worked. Anyway, I wish I could have also had a picture of Deb, his girlfriend or wife or whatever she was to him. She was an overweight fantasy, sci-fi fan stuck in 1974. Loved her blue eyeshadow and the sensibly bookish ponytail. She also liked a certain blue sweater that was pretty much her life-uniform. I'm not sure how they ever ran their business profitably. They seemed to stare down any possible customer, as if that person might shoplift or something. I weathered the stares to become one of their weekly faves. They had great deals on back-issues (usually, cover price when the comic was new!!!).

Janet Pyeatt!!! She was the Channel 3 weatherlady for awhile. I remember how she would shake for awhile after she first started. Her body would tremble during her report, her nerves were being shot right there on camera, live in front of everyone! I admired her for not being some phoney-camera smile. She was human!

Wonder Woman! Also some fortune-cookie advice!

That other blog of mine...

2006-11-09T16:11:00.000-06:00

The Quarter Bin is back in production!

Some of the items I wrote about I could have posted as some of my relics of the past here on Bull Roar, but due their "comic-book"ishness I posted them there instead.

Hope to see you all at the Quarter Bin!

Old Article about Madison

2006-11-09T14:00:00.000-06:00

I was going through my books and magazines and found an issue of CMJ Music Monthly in the stacks. In addition to the Chris Isaak cover feature this June 1995 edition featured a couple pages on Madison, Wisconsin, my city. I really enjoyed this feature: every month CMJ would have some local musicians write up a review of the town they lived in to kind of document the "scene." This was about the time I really started going on roadtrips and so I found it quite helpful as well as entertaining to read.

Killdozer was our city's reviewer. Great band: makes me think of all the shows I used to attend at the late O'Kayz Corral.

In Covance for the Weekend...

2006-11-09T13:51:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone, just sitting in Covance Research Units waiting to be dosed tomorrow. I'm hoping to blog a bit here and the Quarter Bin, as long as the internet connections don't get all tied up! (or if I have a baaaad reaction to the medication...)

Aquaman at the Post Office!

2006-11-06T21:35:00.000-06:00

As I was sending something off (um...to no one in particular) at the post office today I finally decided to purchase the set of stamps commemorating DC Comics super-heroes that came out this last summer. All my favorites are on it! Here's a pic I found of them on the web (I scanned them in, but thought I'd get in trouble for posting them on the net, since they're considered legal tender...):

Here, though, is a scan of the backside (pause), that I was incredibly happy and surprised to discover:

A pop quiz on these DC legends may be given at any moment- so read up!

Okay, now that you read all the mini-bios on Superman, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, etc. I have to impart upon you all my giddiness for what I found next at the post office! Wow, oh wow!!!!! It was like a dream, slow-motion and all, I was completing my transaction and I kinda turn to the left, and there up over on the far wall are a bunch of matted pictures, and this was one of them:

Whoop-whoop! My soul lit up on sight- Happy Day!!!! It's drawn by either Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Dick Giordano, or both. I know both of these men were the masters of DC's promotional art of the late 1970's and early 80's. Any product: t-shirts, stickers, lunchboxes, beach-towels. Their art was what you saw. I love it!
Extra bonus! This, what I think is an envelope, is on the bottom of the matted picture (scanned separtately cuz my scanner isn't big enough). It has the postmarking of the stamp, this case Aquaman; but what I'm really grooving on, again, is the art!!!!! This is my idea of what comic art is all about. Crisp and fun!

PS, Bull-Roar readers, I posted this to my Quarter Bin blog too, so don't bitch!

Autumn Leaves

2006-11-05T00:22:00.000-06:00

I headed out of Madison today to hang out with my dad to give him his birthday present, and then to my mom's to rake her stupid lawn!

The stupid rake snapped in half, like fives strokes into the job. My mom was pissed at me for breaking the rake. I "pushed it too hard!" Bull-roar, I did! It was a cheap piece-o'crap from Wal-Mart. She didn't even care that when the handle snapped it whacked me in the neck- I could have been stabbed in the juggler and she would have stood over my slumped over body and yelled at me for getting blood all over her lawn! I had to use the half-rake on the entire lawn. My mom complained that I wasn't getting all the leaves. Whatever!

Raking gets you all sweaty and I had to take off my jacket! I can't help but get irritated with the bad patch job around the next-door neighbor's kitchen window. Tragic. (PS: this was the house that Kathy Schuster came to visit in 1985)

My mom got less bitchy afterward and we watched "Airplane" on cable- until she remembered she had the latest Price is Right on tape in her teevee/vee-cee-arr in the kitchen.

PS: I'm sporting my autumn beard!