twee things

Thursday Twee

2010-11-18T13:06:00.004-05:00

The Ramones

Underneath those leather jackets, behind the raw tireless sound and in-your-face attitude, beyond "Punk", lies some of the best pop music that has ever graced this sad and beautiful world.

Well kids, there's an indiepop tribute!

No More of Your Fairy Stories - An indiepop loveletter to the Ramones (various artists) from Precordial Catch Records

Friday on Twee Time, I will be playing selected tracks from this sold-out compilation. For now, how about a little taste of what's to come?

Today's track Don't Go by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (composed by Joey Ramone)

Thanks to Taylor for the heads up!

Wednesday Twee

2010-11-17T09:00:00.004-05:00

This is the first installment of the Daily Twee, wherein I post little twee things for your viewing, reading, and listening pleasure... every day of the week! Expect music, video, links, quotes, show and CD reviews, listings, news, "tweevia" (trivia), and images of cute kittens and Blythe dolls.

Today's quote is from my friend Sam:

You know you're an old washed up indie pop scenester when you listen to some new band and it sounds like Aislers Set or Talulah Gosh to you but all the reviews compare it to Best Coast and Vivian Girls.

Today's video You're Kidding Aren't You by the Field Mice. From the 10" mini album Snowball (Sarah 402), released in 1989.

Today's track Dream Baby Dream by Black Tambourine. From the compilation Black Tambourine (Slumberland), released in 2010, which has their complete recordings and six new songs.

Today's Tweevia Dream Baby Dream is a cover, originally recorded by the protopunk band Suicide.

Monday Twee

2010-11-15T21:00:00.001-05:00

Seapony - Dreaming from Anabel Navarro on Vimeo.

Sunday Twee

2010-11-14T17:16:00.001-05:00

Morning, well... it was for me

2010-10-09T23:52:00.002-04:00

I look exactly like my Mom

Fantastic bed head!

Grrr...l

Wherein I post about the one

2010-08-10T13:24:00.004-04:00

My kitty MooMoo was sick at the veterinarian on and off for the last two weeks. He is 16 years old, so his kidneys have an insufficiency. Now he is eating a special low-protein diet.

I can't stress how important is it to take your cat to the vet if they show signs of lethargy, or become constipated, or have diarrhea (that symptom can be a sign that they are constipated).

It was so scary. Signs of his illness became apparent, and I whisked him away to the veterinarian, a year to the exact day Grendel died.

The Moo is still here, and I am so glad we're together again!

His follow-up appointment is at the end of this month.

Wherein I post about what I'm up to tonight

2010-08-03T22:28:00.003-04:00

Listening: The Yardbirds and Elvis Presley. I feel like listening to Rock and Roll these days.

Watching: Daria. Just the other day I was wondering why the series never dealt with the topic of Daria having sex, only to discover that I had two episodes missing from my collection. In "My Night at Daria's", Daria and Tom innocently fall asleep, and Tom gets caught by Jake as he tries to sneak out at 4:00AM. A misunderstanding on Quinn's part begins a rumour that Daria and Tom are having sex. Some stuff happens, and Daria remains a virgin.

Reading: The spines of all the books on my book shelf that I bought and have yet to read because I'm lazy.

Wearing: Frizzy hair, white tank, cut-off jean shorts, and (as always) red lipstick traces.

Wanting: A damn Snapple. I bought one with the last 2$ I had to my name, then I dropped it as I tried to unlock my door, which was stuck due to the humidity. This depressed me. The Snapple was peach iced tea, and I was really looking forward to it.

Wherein I post North East West South

2010-07-28T10:25:00.003-04:00

The Twee Time podcast on podomatic is on hiatus until I can justify the paid account. Money is tight right now, and with those September birthdays looming, I need to save my pennies for family celebration.

The good news is, you can listen to Twee Time live on CJLO 1690AM every Friday starting at 8 P.M.

It has been forever since my beloved 5D Mark the Second has been used. I really need to fix that.

For now:

Set

2010-06-08T21:27:00.000-04:00

Wherein I post a captive flower

2010-06-07T21:05:00.000-04:00

Jam Session

2010-06-06T17:48:00.000-04:00

Wherein I post about a wish

2010-06-05T00:41:00.001-04:00

Maybe if I see a rainbow tomorrow, things will get better.

wherein I post pictures of myself at age 36

2010-05-29T17:55:00.005-04:00

Wherein I post about Spring

2010-05-08T11:10:00.002-04:00

The flowers survived a late-April snow storm <3

Wherein I post about the rich getting richer

2010-04-19T03:40:00.002-04:00

What's great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest. You can be watching TV and see Coca Cola, and you know that the President drinks Coca Cola, Liz Taylor drinks Coca Cola, and just think, you can drink Coca Cola, too. A coke is a coke and no amount of money can get you a better coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the cokes are the same and all the cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows it, the President knows it, the bum knows it, and you know it. --Andy Warhol

Sauce

Wherein I post some recent photographs

2010-04-13T00:33:00.003-04:00

Bored to hear your heart still breaks

2010-03-29T02:52:00.013-04:00

This time last year I started a new relationship.

It was over in less than two months.

Part of me understands that after time passes, it is not the person but what they represented that you still love. The feelings you had when you were with them. The hormones. The happiness you feel. Apparently, those are the things you love after it's over.

Right now I just don't feel like that is true. I know that I love him. I miss him terribly. I cry every day, and my heart breaks more intensely as the present becomes the past, and the future feels lonely.

Last year was hard for me. I found him. I lost him. My cat died. It's still hard. I love them both. Grendel lives in my heart, but the guy! He left a huge empty space in my aorta.

I remember every day we were together. What I wore. What we did. The whole time we were only apart one day when he took a trip to Quebec City.

I will list the reasons why I know that I love him, and not just some abstract idea.

The things I can tell you:

We met after the St. Paddy's parade through a friend and went bowling.
We bonded over a mutual hatred for one particular person we both knew.
Our first attempt to get together was cock-blocked by his roommate.
We went for drinks on a Thursday. Him, me, his two friends from Switzerland.
That Saturday we went to a show.
I saw him checking me out, and I knew.

Our first dance was to the song "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn, and John.
The song had been following me around for a while. I was glad to find someone to relate it to.

I got to live that song for a month and a half.

He is smart, intelligent, honest and kind.
He always held my hand as we walked along the street, or watched a movie.
He dried my tears when I cried during the Kite Runner. I always cry when I watch a sad movie.
We cuddled as we slept. I woke up in his arms every day.
Our relationship was private and intimate. And I felt like my soul connected to a person.

He wasn't devoted to the things I'm devoted to: Twee, cats, and all things cute.
But he was interested in learning about them.
He read all about Twee and listened to the music with me.
Not once did he insult my music or my people.
He raps in Swiss German and is in a fab Swiss hip hop band.
I prefer old-school rap, but it's cool.

His best friend has the same name and is such an amazing person.
I wanted his friend to be my brother.

I never really cared for how he dressed, but I did find it endearing.
Giant baseball caps, over-sized shirts, and big pants.
He didn't care for the way I dressed either. It was good.

He has weak wrists.
His teeth are busted.

He was constantly talking and telling stories. He never repeated the same story twice.
He always told the truth, no matter how painful, or how much trouble it would get him in to.

He would joke about marrying me to get his Canadian citizenship.
Sometimes that made me uncomfortable.

It was strange: we gave our potential children their first names "Dale and Eris"; he combined our last names with a hyphen.

He has a blank banner below his tattoo of ancient warriors. He told me that's where his children's names will be inked.

For the first time I thought about maybe becoming a mother, and I imagined Dale and Eris on his arm.
I imagined what they would look like.
Just like him, but with blue eyes and blonde hair.
I didn't say my thoughts out loud. It's weird even writing about it now.

On his bedroom wall were photos of his family, and I loved them. I don't know why.
I would look at the photos when he was off doing other things, or studying.
For the first time in my life I became attached deep in my heart to complete strangers.

His sister is so beautiful, and she understands the dolls and the toys.
She makes little videos of her stuffed animal Rooli, and updates her facebook page with photos and videos.

Is it weird that I want to introduce them to Claudia? (see previous post)

His brother likes MSTRKRFT, drives an old car, and is now well-known in St. Gallen.
I spoke to his mom on the telephone once, and she said she hoped I would visit that summer.
She thanked me for keeping him company.
I remember her voice, and it sounded like a female version of his.
He resembles his mother most.
He told me his dad works very hard. His dad has white hair and likes dogs.
His hair is turning grey too. So is mine, but I dye it.

He said he felt like himself when we were together.
That I made him feel as if he could be.
He told me none of his old girlfriends would ever dance the night away to MSTRKRAFT like I did.

I don't know exactly why he ended it.

I was willing to change and become the person I always wanted to be.
The change was starting.
I didn't want to change for him, I wanted to change for me.
I wanted to be different. Not who I was then, and not who am now.

Not where I am now.
I would leave this place and see the world with him.

When we broke up, I had to be just as honest, so I told him how I felt about him.
He told me he felt the same way, and that all the feelings he said he had for me are true.

The only difference is, my feelings equal love, and his do not.
He said his heart was cold inside.

I never told him that I truly loved him, except on the day he broke up with me.

Oh wait, it came out once by accident the first time we knocked boots.
I wanted to say "your eyes" but my voice said "you".
That damn Freudian Slip.

I think he got scared because things moved way too fast.
What he didn't know was... I was scared too.

I had much more changing to do than he did.
It's not easy to let go and just change.
And, as it turns out, I was the one who had everything to lose.

Claudia & Bunny

2010-03-28T03:16:00.001-04:00

True love forever

View from my balcony

2010-02-06T14:28:00.001-05:00

Some things

2010-01-01T17:15:00.000-05:00

On repeat

2009-12-17T01:02:00.007-05:00

The Watercolor Paintings

Sister and Brother duo Rebecca and Josh "Hoshwa" Redman, lo-fi and twee :)

I first discovered them when I bought the With the Light On 7" off of the Yay! label.

They recently released the CD Open Your Mouth (2009):

You can pick up all their releases at Lost Sound Tapes.

Check out their myspace page for info!

Here's a little youtube to make you happy:

Wherein I give you my half-assed end-of-decade list

2009-12-15T00:04:00.005-05:00

Ten years.

Albums Year 2000

Belle & Sebastian - Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant
Elliott Smith - Figure 8
Yo la Tengo - Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out
The Parcels - Have a Go with the Parcels
The White Stripes - De Stijl
Stereolab - The First of the Microbe Hunters
Billy Bragg and Wilco - Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
Boyracer - Boyfuckingracer

Albums Year 2001

The Lucksmiths - Why That Doesn't Surprise Me
Pixies - Complete 'B' Sides
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
Regina Spektor - 11:11
The Strokes - Is This It
The Moldy Peaches - The Moldy Peaches

Albums Year 2002

Tullycraft - Beat Surf Fun (the album with the fabulous "Twee")
All Girl Summer Fun Band - All Girl Summer Fun Band
Sonic Youth - Murray Street
Regina Spektor - Songs
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Tom Waits - Alice
Tom Waits - Blood Money
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Neko Case - Blacklisted

Albums Year 2003

Fishboy - Zipbangboom
All Girl Summer Fun Band - 2
Lederhosen Lucil - Tales From the Pantry
The Darkness - Permission to Land
The White Stripes - Elephant
The Raveonettes - Chain Gang of Love
Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Liz Phair - Liz Phair

Albums Year 2004

Bearsuit - Cat Spectacular!
PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her
The Magnetic Fields - i
Courtney Love - America's Sweetheart (can't help but love that crazy bitch)
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
The Futureheads - The Futureheads
Regina Spektor - Soviet Kitsch
Tom Waits - Real Gone
Elliott Smith - From a Basement on the Hill

Albums Year 2005

Bearsuit - Team Ping Pong
Tullycraft - Disenchanted Hearts Unite
Boyracer - A Punch Up the Bracket
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Black Mountain - Black Mountain
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart
The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

Albums Year 2006

The Nymphets - Pro-Fucking-Motional
Math and Physics Club - Math and Physics Club
The Snow Fairies - Voila
Pants Yell! - Recent Drama
The Manhattan Love Suicides - Manhattan Love Suicides
Loveninjas - Secret of the Loveninjas
Friendly Rich & The Lollipop People - The Friendly Rich Show
The Life Pursuit - Belle & Sebastian
The Besties - Singer
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Tom Waits - Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards
Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block

Albums Year 2007

Tullycraft - Every Scene Needs a Center
The Wedding Present - The Complete Peel Sessions 1986–2004
The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
Fishboy - Albatross: How We Failed to Save the Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll
Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
Julie Doiron - Woke Myself Up
Dinosaur Jr - Beyond
Elliott Smith - New Moon
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Albums Year 2008

The Lucksmiths - First Frost
The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into it

Albums Year 2009

Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Pains of Being Pure At Heart (my pick for "album of the year")
Yo la Tengo - Popular Songs
Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Dinosaur Jr - Farm
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Karen O and the Kids - Where the Wild Things Are

Stuff to Note

- 2009 marked the 20-year anniversary of the album "Sittin' Pretty" by the Pastels
- The only band that truly excited me in the last decade: The White Stripes
- This made me want to kill myself: Anywhere I Lay My Head - Scarlett Johansson (2008)
- Awesome band name wasted on a shitty band: The Used (formed in 2001)
- I will always love you: PR, TM (aka "Stupid Kid")
- You will always be missed: Joey Ramone, Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Joe Strummer, Johnny Cash, Grant McLennan, Elliott Smith, Mary Hansen, Mana "China" Nishiura, Bea Arthur (right on, Maude), Bettie Page, Patrick Swayze, there are more but it makes me sad to think about who died

Wherein I talk about leopards and old ladies

2009-10-07T22:37:00.004-04:00

Not much is new. I had a birthday. I got an amazing vintage leopard coat on etsy that fits like a dream. I'm well on my way to becoming an eccentric old spinster. Having a boyfriend was really putting a dent in that persona, so thanks again for ending that relationship for me, Universe. 'preciate it.

I've been looking for a leopard coat for years. Even bought a couple. One was just a bit too "hooker" and the other was a bit too "cute". This one is >just< right. Perfect in fact! It makes me hip and modern in my 30's, keeps me stylish and sophisticated in my 40's and 50's, and will bring me straight through into retirement as the stylish deranged old cat lady I am destined to become. Then I will be buried in it when I am dead at 98.3 years old—longevity runs in my family, and that is the average age of my grand parents at their deaths.

People stare at me on the metro.

wherein I talk about fur (part 1)

2009-09-15T00:18:00.001-04:00

In this first installment of weird things I've found on etsy by searching vintage items for the word "fur", I bring you FAKE TAXIDERMY FOR CATS

It's handcrafted!

Seller: Furburger

a sign <3

2009-08-26T01:09:00.001-04:00

2009-08-24T22:30:00.001-04:00

Hey pop kids, it's Twee Time podcast number twoo

Stephanie Pastel's Podcast

mmMmmmmMm CANDY

2009-08-21T00:16:00.000-04:00

Traum Wolkies

"After more than 2 years of development, we have managed to make our little clouds so fluffy that they almost flew away."

2009-08-15T02:06:00.002-04:00

My first pod-cast, woo!

Adolescence

2009-08-10T22:33:00.004-04:00

My dear friend Lord Whimsy asked the question, "I feel bad for the man and his family, but am I the only one who is left completely cold by the smug upper middle whiteness of John Hughes' films?"

To which I answered, "The teen-aged me didn't have the capacity for critical thinking the 35-year old me has. At the time I just wanted the goofy side-kick Duckie, the damn pink car, the hot boyfriend (didn't matter if he was the horribly abused rebel Bender, the rich kid Blane, or the all-around popular guy Ferris), and a day off from school. ;-)"

John Hughes

2009-08-06T22:04:00.002-04:00

Dear Mr. Vernon,

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you're crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us. In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... and a basket case... and an athlete... a princess... and a criminal. Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,

The Breakfast Club

Today's doodle

2009-08-02T16:15:00.001-04:00

The Universe is BRINGING IT

2009-07-30T15:50:00.006-04:00

I blacked out on the metro as I rode to work this morning, and ended up in the emergency room. I was dizzy, confused, I threw up. They took my blood, tested my blood and urine, asked tons of questions, and then checked my heart. There might be something physically wrong with me.

Blood test!

Heart test!

?? test!

I don't know why they had wires by my hips. Why did they attach wires to my hips and my ankles?

I love Grendel

2009-07-28T22:50:00.000-04:00

Rest in peace my baby kitty. I miss you already :(

He died in my arms on the way to the vet :(

CB I Hate Perfume

2009-07-26T14:45:00.003-04:00

I am immediately draw to anything regarding memory or nostalgia (I'm always thinking about the past, good or bad). Each scent in this line of perfume has a personal story and memory behind it.

Check out:
CB Manifesto
Website

On Repeat

2009-06-28T13:11:00.006-04:00

"Please don't think of us as an 'indie band' as it was never meant to be a genre, and anyway we are far too outward looking for that sad tag."

- Stephen McRobbie

Oh if I can't have you
I don't want nobody else
And if can't have you
I won't take nobody else
I tear myself apart
And cry a million tears
Break the walls of pain
And fall into the hard dead sea
Oh if I can't have you
I don't want nobody else
And if can't have you
I'll be certainly depressed
I tear myself apart
And cry a million tears
Break the walls of pain
And fall into the hard dead sea
Oh if I can't have you
I don't want nobody else
And if can't have you
I won't take nobody else
I tear myself apart
And cry a million tears
Break the walls of pain
And fall into the hard dead sea
A million tears
A million tears
A million tears

Take my hand and take my heart, I shiver when you're near
Deliver me from everything and drive me home my dear

Accelerated pain, white nothings on the wheel again
Shut your mouth, let's move on out of here
Just try and keep this light or someone may get hurt tonight
Don't talk that way don't talk that way don't talk that way

Hold it there a second let me dump this stupid pride
I'm ready for you sweetheart now my mind is open wide

Shut up and make it count, your concentration's paramount
Remember what was meant to be this year
The past is a disaster and the future's coming faster now
What you say we go and get a beer

Simply nothing to be done oh tell me I'm the only one
Simply nothing to be done oh tell me I'm the only one
Simply nothing to be done tell me I'm the only one
Simply nothing to be done tell me I'm the only one

When I was young I used to say
I didn't care for anything
When I was young I used to say
I didn't care for anything

Sometimes I get this feeling
That the sun is shining
And the birds are singing
All because of you
And I'm living my whole life because of you
And everything I tried is because of you, it's true
Cos all I see is you, oh yeah
Sometimes I think about you and the funny things you do
When I'm saving all my time to be with you
And I'm living in this world because of you
Cos everything I tried is because of you, it's true
Cos all I see is you, oh yeah
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost, without you

oh well whatever nevermind

2009-06-20T00:32:00.005-04:00

Three years ago I subbed for my friend's show Turn Down the Suck and did a "Grunge" music special. While looking for an MP3, I found the recording I made of the show, and ARGH I freaking LOVE this music!

Download the show HERE. View the play list HERE.

Funny parody songs, bands that influenced grunge, core grunge bands, grunge chicks, and Canadian bands from Halifax who had music out at the same time.

Yup, this mix is gonna be a repeat for a while.

me and me alone in my room

2009-06-05T14:42:00.004-04:00

My amateur EP. Recorded a couple of weeks ago, download it here.

The things I miss

2009-06-01T21:36:00.011-04:00

- Holding hands
- Having someone to dry my tears
- Connecting the freckle dots
- Talking about dolls while he plays the green ukulele
- Having a reason to be late for work
- The things we did when we were alone
- His DNA

On repeat:

Volume 1, track 6 "I Don't Want to Get Over You"

I don't want to get over you
I guess I could take a sleeping pill
And sleep at will
And not have to go through what I go through
I guess I should take Prozac, right
And just smile all night
At somebody new
Somebody not too bright but sweet and kind
Who would try to get you off my mind
I could leave this agony behind
Which is just what I'd do if I wanted to
But I don't want to get over you
'cause I don't want to get over love
I could listen to my therapist
Pretend you don't exist
And not have to dream of what I dream of
I could listen to all my friends
And go out again
And pretend it's enough
Or I could make a career of being blue
I could dress in black and read Camus
Smoke clove cigarettes and drink vermouth
Like I was 17
That would be a scream
But I don't want to get over you

new music

2009-05-21T19:54:00.005-04:00

This is the only thing that's making me feel better right now:

"Enter the Vaselines" deluxe edition reissue (released May 5, 2009): remastered previously-released recordings, never-released demos, and live-in-concert tracks by my faves Frances and Eugene. I'm saving my money to get the 3-LP vinyl set, but for now I've got the CD.

Here are a couple of songs!

1. Son of a Gun (demo)
2. I didn't know I loved you ('til I saw you Rock 'n' Roll) (live in London)

The sun shines in the bedroom when you play
the raining always starts when you go away

Claudia

2009-05-18T18:36:00.001-04:00

break up

2009-05-17T08:51:00.002-04:00

I know this wasn't always true, but this where I am now: I can't even think of one day in my life where I didn't love him. I feel murdered

Puck Rock

2009-04-24T18:41:00.000-04:00

Went to see the Hanson Brothers last night. No, not THOSE Hansons. The original, Canadian, Hansons. I bought Nomeansno 0+2=1, 2-disk white vinyl. Very exciting.

My Internet radio show is in an hour and 15 minutes. http://www.cjlo.com/cjlo.m3u

Here's a tiny photo for your amusement:

life at the moment

2009-04-16T19:57:00.001-04:00

Boyfriend <3

Boyfriend and Catfriend <3 <3

my love for him is gushing out like a big red sugary strawberry gooey mess that I'm totally not ready for but it's happened and it's scary and easy and what the fuck ever, yay!

New and better beginning

2009-03-30T19:04:00.001-04:00

Isn't it crazy how one Friday you could be:

- Crying about love because your recent ex-boyfriend calls out-of-the-blue to tell you that he's already seeing someone else, to...
- Feeling sad all day the Saturday after, and wanting to give up on love forever, to...
- Dragging your sorry ass out of the house to go see the St. Paddy's parade even though you really don't want to be seen in public, to...
- Meeting someone new and awesome at the festivities after the parade and developing a huge crush, to...
- Hanging out and text-messaging each other throughout the week, to...
- Going dancing with the new awesome Swiss friend (not even a week after the ex called) and really hitting it off, to...
- Finding out he's crushing over you just as bad, to...
- Spending the night together, learning everything about each other, and feeling so happy to...
- Waking up the next day and finding out you still want to be together?

He says it's serious. Is this how it really happens? I like him sooooooooo much!

chat log

2009-03-27T21:01:00.000-04:00

Latest chat conversation with my friend Canada:

[20:39] SP00NHUMPER: last night while watching jeopardy i said the following thing
[20:40] SP00NHUMPER: which i think is the least intelligent thing anyone has ever said while watching jeopardy
[20:40] SP00NHUMPER: "that chick is stacked!"
[21:00] ErisSaves: I literally laughed out loud just now
[21:00] ErisSaves: you're beautiful

total crush

2009-03-26T22:57:00.000-04:00

My new friend Phil is from Switzerland.

The Swiss have this word, Chuchichäschtli that translates to "kitchen cupboard." Apparently someone who is not from Switzerland knowing this word knows the way to a Swiss person's heart. I asked Phil why is the kitchen cupboard so significant? And he told me it's because that's where they like to hide things.

Dude, I totally do that!

Phil also thinks that squirrels are evil. I asked him why, and he told me that they're laughing at us, plotting to take over the world. So watch out!

I like Phil. There are freckles on his arms that I already want to connect.

You need this record

2009-03-06T19:18:00.000-05:00

Liz Phair and me

2009-03-03T19:51:00.002-05:00

I bought the remastered vinyl set of Liz Phair's first album. There are two 12" LPs and an extra 7" with three unreleased demos. I love them all so much, and everything sounds freaking awesome. Included is a CD of all songs on the plastic.

Call me when you think the coast is clear
I've been hiding out almost a year
Is there something wrong
What's taking you so long?
An yeah, you know it's not easy

You said if I waited it'd pay off
But my eyes are growing wild and my body's gone soft
Is there something wrong
What's taking you so long?
And yeah, I know it's not easy

You said I should let go of your hand
But I don't even know if I can
You're the only one
You are the very sun to me
And you know it's not easy

Well I look at the stars and I know you're under them
I look at the books and things people are reading
I know that you've written them too
You've got so many little things to do

But then I look at my life and I know you've forgotten
The promise you made to me
I think that's rotten
I'm hopelessly lost and there's hardly a sound
Anymore coming through
That can show me around
As I'm endlessly endlessly searching the crowd
Looking for something from you
Just one fucking measly clue
Any shitty little tip off would do
But I'm just an ant in Alaska to you

I'm just an ant in Alaska
An ant in Alaska
An ant in Alaska to you

fabulous vinyl player

2009-02-21T20:03:00.001-05:00

I can listen to vinyl again, YAY! I feel like myself again.

Right now: Todd Rundgren, Something/Anything. It's such a wicked album.

soon!

2009-02-15T21:16:00.000-05:00

(to be released in April, 2009)

it's just that song

2009-02-05T18:48:00.001-05:00

Rest in Peace Lux Interior, you are now on

in the sky!

kids

2009-02-03T21:09:00.001-05:00

It is my mission to get this vinyl record.

chat log

2009-01-23T17:43:00.001-05:00

latest from my friend Canada:

[17:56] SP00NHUMPER: we should make a show like the xfiles
[17:56] *** Auto-response sent to SP00NHUMPER: I am currently away from the computer.
[17:56] SP00NHUMPER: but instead of aliens and oddities we should just have snacks
[17:57] SP00NHUMPER: so it would be like, some people who work for the government eating snacks

Kitty!

2009-01-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

This is my kitty Grendel :)

Wherein I type a list of things I want to accomplish in 2009

2008-12-28T18:54:00.000-05:00

In 2009 I want to...

- Be more social
- Begin drinking alcohol again
- Start a pop night in Montreal, then pass it off to someone who actually has the time to hold a pop night
- Use my day planner so forgetting appointments will be kept to a minimum
- Go to more shows (at least 2 a month)
- Lose the 10 pounds I gained from working in Laval
- Learn a new song on the guitar
- Decorate my bedroom
- Buy art

These aren't resolutions, just what I want to do. Maybe I will end up doing these things, maybe I won't. Ha.

Belle and Sebastian video

2008-12-22T23:46:00.000-05:00

This video is adorable. The guy prepares for college by going to a "hip" clothing store and asking the sales clerk for the same outfit Bob Dylan wears on the Blonde on Blonde album cover.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

2008-12-10T03:12:00.000-05:00

thoughts

2008-12-08T03:11:00.000-05:00

I belong to the ________ generation. Too young to be X, too old to be Y.

The things I miss...

- Granny Byrd, and how she used to make Campbell's mushroom soup and French fries for lunch
- Seeing the stars
- Young love
- Having a large group of friends
- Friends
- My cat Little Bones
- Jan, his red hair and how intelligent he is
- Autumn

Unemployment

2008-11-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

Here's what I've been up to lately:

- Taking photos of my dolls
- Selling stuff on eBay and using the money to buy stuff on eBay and Etsy
- Going to the post office
- Putting outfits together on Polyvore.com
- I'm so bored, I've even been on facebook a little
- Having phone interviews with potential employers
- Watching the Rachel Zoe Project and Stylista
- Chatting with Gavin, Kevin, and Canada (I have no 'in-person' friends)
- I found some ginger snaps. Close, very close.
- Making lists
- Cleaning my apartment, and messing it up again
- Read the demise of "Opus" (I miss that little penguin)
- Listening to records, and some Peel Sessions on CD (The Wedding Present is quite wonderful)
- Chatted with me mum and dad
- Grooming the cats
- Staying up late, but waking up at a reasonable hour each day
- Reading about the world, close enough to watching it go by

Claudia

2008-11-25T15:58:00.001-05:00

Irène

2008-11-22T12:39:00.001-05:00

New York, part 3: Claudia in Manhattan

2008-11-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

Mulberry, Little Italy

Empire State, 5th Avenue

Flatiron Building

Travel bag

Union Square

Getting a hot dog

The Strand

Greenwich Village, Avenue of the Americas

Delancey and Chrystie

Crossing Delancey

Starbucks, Delancey and Allen

New York, part 2: Miscellaneos NYC things

2008-11-01T14:52:00.000-04:00

Kate Moss meets a starving third-world child. This freaked me the fuck out.

Fried Dumpling, 99 Allen near Delancey

Rocket Joe's Pizza, 61 Delancey

This used to be CBGB's, it is now a vintage store.

Mulberry Street

Empire State Building

Everything is so expensive! 35-37$ for a PUMPKIN

Food behind velvet rope on Broadway

Jay Reatard at the Bowery Ballroom

Jay Reatard at the Bowery Ballroom

Kevin Smith, New York premiere of "Zack and Miri Make A Porno"

New York, part 1: Tiles for America

2008-10-30T13:05:00.000-04:00

home?

2008-10-27T15:41:00.000-04:00

I'm back from NYC. Tired. Bored. I don't like being back. Montrealers, for the most part, are pretentious as fuck. I'm tired of snotty people and their sense of entitlement.

I found the building where I want to live. It's across the narrow street from the Cake Shop on Ludlow.

Recent photos

2008-10-08T21:51:00.001-04:00

The universe sent me a message

I boggled my Blythe Allison

2008-09-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

I made a video

2008-09-08T00:31:00.000-04:00

Show Promo

2008-08-31T14:23:00.000-04:00

I made this for my radio show "Twee Time"

The Gruesomes

2008-08-24T11:36:00.000-04:00

I said ya ya ya
She said ya ya ya
We said ya ya ya
AAAHHHH!!!

chat log

2008-08-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

latest chat conversation with Kevin

[21:34] ErisSaves: jenny jenyy who can I turn to
[21:34] ErisSaves: you give me something I can hold on to
[21:34] ErisSaves: I know you think i'm like the others before
[21:34] ErisSaves: jenny I got your number
[21:34] ErisSaves: I need to make you mine
[21:34] ErisSaves: jenny don't change your number
[21:34] ErisSaves: 8675309
[21:35] ErisSaves: jenny jenny you're the girl for me
[21:35] ErisSaves: u don'[t know it, you make me so happy
[21:35] ErisSaves: I tried to call you before, I lost my nerve
[21:35] ErisSaves: blh a blha bahhh
[21:35] ErisSaves: 8675309
[21:35] ErisSaves: I got it
[21:36] ErisSaves: I got your number on the wall
[21:36] ErisSaves: I got it
[21:36] ErisSaves: for a good time
[21:36] ErisSaves: for a good time callllllllllllllllllllll
[21:36] dresinguptodance: i wonder how many people have that #
[21:36] ErisSaves: hmmm
[21:36] ErisSaves: I bet every city in the universe won't let peple have it
[21:36] dresinguptodance: hahaha
[21:37] ErisSaves: that, or they only let people named Jenny have it
[21:37] dresinguptodance: that'd be awesome
[21:37] ErisSaves: or or, every time the song plays on the radio, people wit the number get annoying phone calls
[21:37] dresinguptodance: it's just the song playing over the line
[21:37] ErisSaves: that would be awesome
[21:38] ErisSaves: in montreal, we used to have this line called the poem
[21:38] ErisSaves: t-h-e-p-o-e-m
[21:38] ErisSaves: 843-7636
[21:38] ErisSaves: and when you called it, this machine picked up with the recording of a poem
[21:39] dresinguptodance: that's kind of cool!
[21:39] ErisSaves: yeah, I used to call it every week when I was a kid
[21:39] ErisSaves: then they stopped, I was devastated
[21:39] dresinguptodance: awww

losing touch

2008-06-10T21:47:00.000-04:00

Six years ago my friend Lorne was killed by a car, and I only found out today.

We used to talk on the telephone all the time. He loved the Stone Roses. I don't even know how we lost touch. Last time I saw him was when I was on my way to class at McGill. We exchanged emails, but neither of us sent a message. The thing is, even when you're not in touch, that doesn't mean you're not friends anymore. You're just not in touch. Lorne and I are still friends, but now he's gone. Damn his family must still be devastated.

No kidding, I was just thinking of them the other day. I was going to look up Lorne on facebook. I still have a cassette tape he gave me. It has only two songs that him and his band, Lord Quagmire, recorded. That was in 1991/92. So long ago. They were just kids. Really fucking talented kids. The tape still sounds perfect, even though I played it probably a million times. I'm going to give it to Andrew along with their band sticker, which I also saved. I think he should have them. I hope it doesn't make him sad. I hope I don't show him that I'm sad.

Call me a hippie
And I'll wear them beads
Call me a frog
And I'll hop from far to see
But tell me that I'm evil
And the sun comes out at night

When Andrew asked me if I heard about Lorne, he couldn't even say "died" at first. He just made motions up to the sky. What I wanted to hear was "Lorne won the lottery, toured Europe, met a hot French girl and got married, now they live in Kenya with two kids and they help the poor."

Why did it have to be the exact opposite? Andrew told me it took him 3 years to ... I dunno ...

All this, just by running into an old college friend in the street. Damn it. I want him back. I miss him, and I didn't know that until today.

2008-05-28T21:38:00.000-04:00

ARGH

I need someone to join me and gush over This American Life.

my baby

2008-05-03T11:37:00.001-04:00

wherein I love the Ramones

2008-04-15T21:33:00.000-04:00

Best. Movie. Evarrrrr

I've bought the DVD about 3 or 4 times now. Every time I lend it out, I never get the movie back!

The Way of the Vaselines

2008-04-10T22:39:00.000-04:00

In the mid-1980s a little band from Bellshill, Scotland, were making beautiful, pure, perfect noise.

Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee formed The Vaselines in 1986. Over 4 years the band released two short EPs (Son of a Gun, Dying For it), and one album (Dum-Dum). Then the band broke up on a rainy day in 1989.

The Way of the Vaselines: A Complete History

About the Vaselines, by Eugene Kelly:

The Vaselines were born out of the bored and very sick minds of Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee. They were later joined by Eugene’s brother Charles on drums and James Seenan on bass. We only wanted to have some fun. We were friends of Stephan from "The Pastels" and he introduced us to Sandy McClean with whom he had set up a label "53rd & 3rd." Stephan took us under his wing and produced our first two singles as we had no studio experience whatsoever. The first single was the first time we had ever been in a studio. We were camp and pretended to be sleazy and we were very drunk. Vaselines rehearsals involved meeting in the pub and talking about. James would often turn up and realise his bass was locked in a bar we used to drink in. Charlie turned up once without drum sticks and then constructed some from bamboo sticks, two nails and lots of tape. We soldiered on until 53rd & 3rd went bust. The band split the week the album was eventually released with help from Rough Trade. We were bored, had no money and sick of it. We hoped someone would get the joke. They did and we live on.

Dum-Dum LP (I want this vinyl so bad)

Frances and Eugene

Frances, Frances McKee. I love her music with every part of me...

At the time, the Vaselines were virtually unknown outside of their little town in Scotland. The band might have faded into obscurity, but Kurt Cobain loved them so, and credited Eugene and Frances as his "favourite songwriters in the whole world." Look for the songs Molly's Lips and Son of a Gun on the Nirvana album "Incesticide." Those are Vaselines songs.

Cobain invited them to open for his band in 1990 when the Nirvana played in Edinburgh, and the Vaselines said yes. Later, Eugene and Frances went on to form other bands; Eugenius (aka Captain America) and Suckle respectively. In 2006 the Vaselines played in London for one night to promote their solo projects. I'm glad they're still friends. Hopefully that won't be the end of the Vaselines because I love them.

Trivia: guess who Frances Bean Cobain was named after (a hint: it was not actress Frances Farmer).

The Vaselines - Son of a Gun (when they got together for a show in London June, 2006)

The Vaselines - Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam

Nirvana - Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam (MTV Unplugged)

Nirvana - Son of a Gun

Nirvana with Eugene Kelly - Molly's Lips

old photos

2008-03-11T23:11:00.000-04:00

Just going through some of the photos I've taken, old & new. I like these. Click the images for larger sizes.

(taken with either my Canon 350D or Sony Cybershot DSC-W50)

MooMoo

2008-03-10T23:22:00.001-04:00

I love him, he never lets me down.

New blawg

2008-03-05T19:20:00.002-05:00

was LJ: http://riffrandell.livejournal.com

I still update, so add me there if'n you like