TL/RX karaoke heartbreak = dropped drink

It took a few days for me to get over my TL/RX karaoke heartbreak. To know that I would have had to do was get there an hour or so earlier and I would have had the once and a lifetime opportunity to sing with Ted Leo, and I HAD MISSED IT... it was almost too much too bear. And the worst part is that the majority of people that got to sing were karaoke amateurs. Some didnt even know the song that they were singing!!!!!!!!! The nerve to take a karaoke slot from somebody who has been dreaming of this all their life, to get up there and not even know the words to the song ?!?!? Lucky for them Ted saved them by chiming in. Some of them even got hugs. Where is my hug Ted?
I was so heartbroken over the full sign up sheet (and was daydreaming about singing with Ted) that I dropped my full drink. I suppose the open vodka bar could have contributed, but I would rather blame the heartbreak. I mean, one second I was watching the TL/RX set (which was awesome as always) and then the next second, my drink was splashing on my feet while my hand still held out in the shape of a cup. I wasnt even bumped or anything.

For my subsequent vodka drinks I adopted a much safer cup hold. You just put your pinky under the cup for support. That way, even if the cup is a little slippery, or your grip relaxes for a second, you still have something to catch the weight of the glass.
See, this is you classic cocktail hold and a disaster waiting to happen. It cost me a full vodka club soda. Some would say that if you cant hold on to your drink, your probably dont need it, but those people probably dont have much fun.
Here is my new improved vodka hold, with pinky under the cup. I edited this image from a blog discussing a similar hold that the writer uses to manage flimsy coffee cups. Great minds think alike.

TL/RX karaoke - what should I sing??!!

I cant imagine anything in the world that I would love more than to sing karaoke with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists backing me, and tomorrow night, I may be able to live that dream. I say may, because while I am definitely attending the event, I cant count on getting a chance to sing. I really have no idea how they are going to select audience members. I guess I can do is get there on time and hope. Gotta get there on time for the open vodka bar (from 8-9) anyways.

Anyways, of the song choices (rest of the list below), here are the ones I am considering.

KELLEY CLARKSON - "Since You Been Gone" - this is one of my regulars... problem is that it a pretty tough song and usually requires some warm up. I worry it may not be a good idea to try to sing it cold.

YEAH YEAH YEAHS - "Maps" - This is another one of my regulars... problem with this one is that I dont really want to since such a "I am taking myself very seriously" song, particually a Yeah Yeah Yeahs song to an indie crowd. I really dont need to be judged like that.

BLONDIE - "Dreaming" - This is probably my best option since it seems pretty easy and fun... But i have never sung it before... Ahhhh! Is that really a good idea? I wish so badly it was "Call me" its def my best ever karaoke song.

Whats a girl to do?

Other songs that other people will sing:
OUTFIELD - "Your Love"
PRINCE - "Kiss"
THE WHO - "My Generation"
STOOGES - "Search And Destroy"
RAMONES - "Blitzkrieg Bop"
MISFITS - "Where Eagles Dare"
IDOL - "Dancin' With Myself"
AC/DC - "Dirty Deeds"
CURE - "Just Like Heaven"
CLASH - "Rock The Casbah"
BOWIE AND QUEEN - "Under Pressure"
JOY DIVISION - "Transmission"
SAINTS - "Stranded"
ARETHA FRANKLIN - "Respect"
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "Dancin' In The Dark"
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "Born In The USA"
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS - "Suspect Device"
MINOR THREAT - "Minor Threat"
CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL - "Fortunate Son"
AMERIE - "One Thing"
STEELY DAN - "Reelin' in the Years"
SANTOGOLD - "L.E.S. Artistes"
THE KINGSMEN - "Louie Louie"

Best turntable set-up for under $1000

While anything would be a step up from playing CDs out of my TV's speakers, I must say I am pretty pleased with my new set up.

Speakers: Paradigm Mini Monitors $385

Receiver: Denon Stereo DRA-397 $360

Turntable: Rega - P1 w/Ortofon OM5e Cartridge $395

Pre-Amp: Cambridge azur 640P $179

Yes, I know... this is over $1000, but really, who can stay on budget these days? Aren't price limits more of a suggestion and made to be broken? I was pretty close before the pre-amp, which I bought a little later, but it was a very necessary addition. Really the pre-amp is what set apart the vinyl/turntable from a good sounding CD. As soon as we hooked it up the Radiohead we were using as a test record really popped. It was cleaner and everything just stood out so much better.

I cant justify the cost right now, but all will be complete once I get one of these sexy color felt mats for my Rega.

Comments

Are now allowed.

Smart enough for Pitchfork

So I was killing a few minutes at work with some internetting, when I can across a column on Pitchfork, Silent Party #5. Having only... a few minutes... I attempted to make it a quick read/skim. I think whatever Eric Harvey had to say was pretty interesting... but I am not sure because I didn't really understand most of it. Seriously, I felt like I needed to print it out and go at it with a highlighter. Who has time for that kind of leisure reading on a music blog? Half the time I get to the end of an album review on that site, I am not sure whether or not the reviewer actually liked the album or not. But honestly, I rarely ever get to the end of one of their reviews. Is it bad writing? Is it not meant to easy reading (they want us to take time and really think about all of the points they are making)? Or am I just not smart enough?

Trust me I am smart:

1. I am a scientist
2. I am good at searching the internet
3. I recycle
4. I understand sarcasm (>75% of the time)
5. I dont accept candy from strangers unless it is individually wrapped
6. I took Latin in high school
7. I play classical music
8. I am in 2 book clubs
9. I know that I should back up my files (I will do it soon)
10. I wear glasses

Really though, the column was entertaining and some good points were made. I think I am just bad at reading.

11/14 M83 and School of Seven Bells drawings

I really like their one song... but maybe they should have played some of their other songs too. Really though, I like their sound... but (based just on the live show) this band seems a little like a one trick pony.
Good show. Played a good variety of songs, and they sounds great live. I really like how M83's style is evolving. They don't really engage the audience at all, but it is still entertaining to watch.

show wristbands

Me: What do you call this? A wristband?
J: (laughs and holds up her beer) What do you call this? A cup?

The conversation was sparked by some awfully sturdy wrist bands we had been given upon entering tonights M83 show.

J, who has very small wrists, noted how much she appreciated that the bouncer had taken the time to properly fit her wrist band. While I appreciated that he had taken then time to line up the sticky part with the rest of the wristband.

Me: I just hate it when the sticky part hangs over and keeps grabbing your wrist when they don't do it right.
J: Yeah! Its like they are just saying "I hate my job. And I hate your wrist."

We then went on to discuss wristbands as opposed to hand stamps. While we both agreed that we would rather avoid having our hand stamped, I played the devils advocate.

Me: But the hand stamps are a great way of letting all of your co-workers know how cool you are.
J: My co-workers already know how cool I am. Besides, its also a great way of letting your co-workers know how well you wash your hands.

Hipster Boys - One

This is going to be a series.

Overheard coming off the subway:

Hipster Boy 1: We only made like $10 from that last show. I can’t even afford to go out on dates anymore. You just go out and blow all your money on a girl in one night.

Hipster Boy 2: And there is no guarantee you’ll even get laid.

Hipster Boy 1: Yeah.

Hipster Boy 2: It sounds like its time for you to start recycling ex-girlfriends.

11/9 - Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band drawing

I'm not as into the new album as Conor's Bright Eyes stuff, but I still had a great time at the show. Conor and whoever he is playing with always put on a great show and this was no exception. The Mystic Valley Band was super and Conor's voice sounded especially good. Better than last time I saw him (as Bright Eyes). Honestly, he could sing the ABCs and I would swoon.

Names inspired by Teen Girl Squad.

Drawings...Cartoons...Doodles

Whatever you want to call them. They were pretty popular. So, I guess thats gonna be one of my new things. I will draw one for all the shows I go to. It doesnt really make sense to spend my time taking pictures at a show anyways. I mean... unless its some great photography, or there was something really cool that happened, who really wants to see picutes of a music show?