MOG - dharmachris's Posts

Adele chases pavement. What does that mean?

dharmachris — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:39:43 GMT

This was one of those songs I never noticed until my wife pointed out to me the utter nonsensical nature of the lyrics. Chasing Pavements? What does this mean? Is she going to be a Steven Malkmus stalker? Was she a groupie who decided to jump on the neo-soul/R&B English girl thing like Duffy and Amy Winehouse?

The video has no answers, other than using a motorway wreck as a motif:

Meanwhile, Duffy is just on Warwick Avenue trying to break up for the last time...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HhZ5-L9znt8

Hey World, worthy of inclusion in the strategic plan mix?

dharmachris — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:15:15 GMT

The latest theme of mix CDs is strategic planning (don't ask why...). So I'm thinking about geopolitics, Northern and Southern hemispheres, war, leaders, etc... then stumble across this new release from Michael Franti & Spearhead. Now I can't stop bopping about to get the mix done before I hit vacationland....

enjoy

Mercy, Don't Do Me No Favours

dharmachris — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:15:48 GMT

Oh this is sweet stuff... Duffy, from Wales, doing the retro soul thing like Amy Winehouse without (I hope) the offstage antics.

I was listening to her debut CD this afternoon, and when it was over, turned on the radio, and there, soulfully swinging out of my radio came James Hunter, singing "Don't Do Me No Favours", from his new album, The Hard Way. And for some reason I think he actually lives in Philadelphia. Not sure where I got that.

I wonder what year it is anymore.

R.E.M. in Philly with Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr

dharmachris — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:49:13 GMT

REM absolutely roared during their long set at the Mann Music Center on Wednesday night! I'd never seen them before (not sure how that happened), so when the tour began I told my wife we must must must see them. So I bought the tix,,, we figured out a babysitting plan, etc, and were all set. As events transpired however, it turned into just me going and then contacting an old college friend to join me. So we drove down in the rain, praying it would end, as the Mann is an outdoor venue, and our seats were on the Terrace, not under cover. And, lo, as we arrived, the clouds departed and the sun spread out through suddenly blue skies. The National was playing as we found our seats, and they were good, though I am not a big fan. Modest Mouse rocked it, and I dug the guitars. Mr. Marr is quite skilled, after all. I still owe thanks to one of my former students who recommended them to me (after I had to address some mischief he found himself in...) The bill was an inspired mix all in all.

Check out the pic of the city, glowing in the sunset:

Other pics are here

A few things struck me as we enjoyed the show:
1. what's the right thing to wear to a concert when you're 45? I chose loose khakis and some layers. It got cool dammit!
2. Ray and I might have been the median age for the audience--- there were equal numbers of teenagers/college age kids and then folks our age. Many parent and teenage combos too. Alas, Cooper at 15 months is likely still too young for a concert that goes to midnight.
3. Michael Stipe has written a lotta songs about LIFE in big capital letters. Life and how to live it type songs...
4. Life and How to Live It: we followed out some teens who enjoyed the show. The boy told the girl, "yeah, its some obscure 80s album." I felt old.
5. I really truly don't get the whole texting thing. The three teens in front of us spent more time looking at their phones and sending messages than they did experiencing the moment. What's up with that? It's why I don't take pictures at such events. I was too busy dancing in the aisle.
6. It's most excellent to hang with an old friend who knows you and knew you when.

Bonus aspects: Eddie Vedder joined the band for "Begin the Begin" and when not singing, danced around very giddily (and non-rhthymically, it must be said). Then Johnny Marr joined the band for Man on the Moon and another song,, I forget what it was.

Highlights: Living Well is the Best Revenge, Ignoreland (he had to explain the hostages and the 80s), Electrolite (damn that is an excellent song), Life and How To Live It, and I'm Gonna DJ)

Set list (from http://remurmur.blogspot.com/2008/06/rem-concert-set-list-philadelphia.html )

1. These Days
2. Living Well Is the Best Revenge
3. What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
4. Wolves, Lower
5. Man-Sized Wreath
6. Turn You Inside-Out
7. Imitation Of Life
8. Staring Down The Barrel
9. Ignoreland
10. Bad Day
11. Hollow Man
12. The Great Beyond
13. Houston
14. Electrolite
15. Walk Unafraid
16. The One I Love
17. Find The River
18. Let Me In
19. Departure
20. Life And How To Live It
21. Orange Crush
22. I'm Gonna DJ

23. Supernatural Superserious
24. Losing My Religion
25. Begin The Begin (w/ Eddie Vedder)
26. Fall On Me (w/ Johnny Marr)
27. Man On The Moon (w/ Johnny Marr)

Highlight in an uneven spoof of a film, Dewey Cox walking hard in his nascent Doc Martens hopped up on coke

dharmachris — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:08:41 GMT

The ol' Netflix queue is full of music DVDs lately... I'm Not THere, Control, some Wilco, and last night, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story". Not too bad a film, with some funny bits, but nowhere near something as classic as Spinal Tap or The 40 Year Old Virgin.

And the whole Judd Apatow juggernaut is a conversation for another time.

But check out an excellent John C. Reilly in this allegedly coke-fueled creation of punk rock.

And watch out for those machetes, kids!

Driving with the windows down cos its spring

dharmachris — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:52:55 GMT

When my brother and I were in high school we bought a 1967 Chevy Impala with a 283 V8 and 4 barrel carb, complete leaky fuel line and a hole in the roof above the rear view mirror, paying $25 for it.

We promptly went to the Fisher Big Wheel (a sorta low-rent K-Mart) and bought a tape deck and two small speakers for $35. At this point we were broke, and proceeded to make some sweet cassette tapes of various albums. Not having anything to cut through the rear seat deck panel to place the speakers, we ran some speaker wire and jammed them underneath the elevated headrests.

That car rocked.

We sold it for $200 a few years later, and my dad was as proud as only a used car salesman papa could be.

The latest mix theme for the growing CD traders at work thus was "Spring Driving with the windows down", prompted by my memory of said car, and to celebrate my dad's sale of a similar vintage Impala convertible he sold recently via the internet. He thought that was pretty cool that a woman in Seattle bought his car in western Pennsylvania...

And when I hear Van Halen cranking out You Really Got Me, I am back in my Impala....

I'll load the whole mixtape up to my M site

Futurama theme song.... what is up with the one-eyed girl?

dharmachris — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:17:36 GMT

I've never been able to get into Futurama, but totally dig the theme song when it pops up after Colbert...

But wait! Youtube tells me there is another version.. allegedly the original? Who can shed light on such obscurities.. Perhaps even better!

People Have the Power

dharmachris — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:35:16 GMT

Primary election day here in Penn's Woods. Go vote for the right candidate, my fellow Pennsylvanians!

"The power to dream / to rule to wrestle the world from fools it's decreed the people rule it's decreed the people rule LISTEN I believe everything we dream can come to pass through our union we can turn the world around we can turn the earth's revolution"

Can't access youtube from work to post the video, but, hey, you get the idea.

I Want You (and lots of synths): New Wave Wednesday

dharmachris — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:13:03 GMT

Because nothing says good New Wave like synths. Though CV was rather influential in the development of electronic/house music after their Rough Trade counterparts kinda faded away.

Check out the video for "I Want You"

Carbon/Silicon streamed concert, Live at the World Cafe

dharmachris — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:47:38 GMT

One of the advantages of being home now is the ability to listen to the good interviews on WXPN's World Cafe. Yesterday afternoon one of the DJs interviewed Mick Jones and Tommy James of Carbon/Silicon, and then in the evening Carbon/Silicon played at the World Cafe in Philly, carried live on XPN.

You can hear it repeated today on Y-Rock at XPN, at 3 pm Eastern time.

Alas, I have no C/S clips to upload, having not obtained the album yet.

The interview was great, and the DJ Jim McGuinn talked about seeing the Clash in 1982, and how when he interviewed Tom Morello it turned out they had been a the same show, and it blew him away too.

Speaking of commodities...

dharmachris — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:41:45 GMT

As Mr. Ivylander and I were discussing the commodification of everything.....major labels and myspace have made a deal to perhaps make some money in the record biz again.

We'll monetize around the experience in many ways, Kapur said. That includes such models as advertising, and downloads and mobile sales and ticketing and merchandising, and all of that flows into this ecosystem that we're building that's very much unprecedented.

Can experience be monetized?

Everything is monetized. Or will be the subject of a Hillary Clinton 3 a.m. TV add.

PS Not implying the myspace deal is good or bad; I don't have enough knowledge of music biz practices and such to make an honest evaluation of said practices. They wanna make money like anyone else, and the article clearly points out how they have lost out in the digital revolution. My only guiding thought is that the artist creating the music should be adequately compensated for their labor, so therefore I do disagree with the idea that music should be free to the consumer. Hey, I paid $12 for the Radiohead download, and I don't think I was a chump for it.

Oprah, puppy mills and dog rescues (sorry for the non-musical post)

dharmachris — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:15:47 GMT

Just over 3 years ago we brought home our first dog, Pumpkin, from Main Line Animal Rescue, and when we met the guy who runs it, Bill Smith, we were struck by his passion for what he does. Our dog was brought to the US from St. Croix, where she was slated to be put down. Small dogs are not as popular to rescue through shelters and such, but are big business through puppy mills and pet stores.

Since then, Smith has gone on to crusade against Lancaster County puppy mills with a series of provocative billboards on the roads leading to the popular outlet malls and tourist attractions of Pennsylvania Dutch/Amish country.

He recently put up a billboard in Chicago near Oprah's studio, asking her to do a show on puppy mills. And he succeeded. Check it out today, April 4. The clips she ran yesterday were outrageous.

And if you want a dog, check out the shelters and petfinder, or follow the suggestions on the MLAR website for finding a reputable breeder.

Classic Rocker Men = McCain; Alt Rocker Chicks Dig Dems. A vast oversimplification, the media fails again.

dharmachris — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:30:23 GMT

New polling data suggest that men who are into classic rock (Led Zep, Pink Floyd, or any band created before 1975) are likely McCain supporters. Alt rockers and women are leaning Democrat.

As always, polls fail and the media oversimplifies.

I guess I better remove my freshly imported copy of the soundtrack to Dazed and Confused. Either that or the Obama sticker from my car.

And no one has apparently checked out our resident right winger's Songs You Should Be Listening To. DMDM, you better get that Brighteyes and Golden Smog stuff off there.

Though at least Mike Dukakis is not around to play a Neil Diamond song as his theme song. What was John Kerry's? No Surrender? It shoulda been "Windsurfing Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey"

Felicidade alegria, the weaver woman said. A homecoming post.

dharmachris — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:19:22 GMT

Like Frank sang it, it's nice to go traveling, but it's oh so nice to come home, especially when you bring home your son. Thank you to all for your kind words and support through our adoption times.

The picture below is us on Saturday night around midnight, sitting in the Charlotte NC airport after our flight was delayed.

Note how awake and happy he is. That was not the case yesterday. Prior to this little scene of familial bliss, you could have seen us sprinting through the airport after being released from customs and the clutches of the TSA, thinking we had only mere minutes to catch our connecting flight to Philly. Cooper loved the sprint, zig-zagging around the spring breakers, the wind in his hair.

But now all that matters is we are home, and he is a happy baby!

I will try to post more pics on Multiply.#

Viaja música

dharmachris — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:03:12 GMT

In all the preparation of our baby's room, we lost track of a CD purchased some time ago, but have found it!

The tune is Hanal Weech, sung in Mayan and Spanish (I think.) The lyrics tell the story of a man who thinks his girlfriend smells like an armadillo, done to a cumbia rhythm.

lyrics: You, beautiful woman even though you are very attractive the day will come, when I will leave you because you smell like the armadillo

You know why I always remember you you know why I can't forget you

Lila is the daughter of a Mixtec Indian woman and Anglo father, and has lived in Oaxaca. The Mexican cumbio rhythym is common, and apparently originated in Colombia.

Music Geek, Gamer Geek..... Gary Gygax passes away

dharmachris — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:35:47 GMT

Gary Gygax, creator of Dungeons and Dragons, has passed away.

I am betting there is a sizable number of music geeks here on Mog (Dale!) who also have rolled their share of 20-sided dice.

And at least in my case, the geek did get the girl.

Change, Yes we are the Ones that can

dharmachris — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:12:25 GMT

new video for Obama from will.i.am:

If you go to the youtube site where it resides, read his comments and response to the Obama detractors who say his campaign is just words, and consider how W. and Rove used 'just words' to keep us in a state of fear: WMD, terror, alert, Saddam.

And I'm excited that Pennsylvania's primary might actually count!

Painting music, crib countdown

dharmachris — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:36:16 GMT

I always wondered how people got the energy to work a full day at work then come home and do home renovation projects. Then we found out we will be traveling in 2-3 weeks to bring home our son. Deadlines have a way of focusing the mind.

And since I'm trying to drink less than 4 cups of joe a day, I needed something to keep me going.

Enter my friend and co-worker who earned EMCD status by passing me a copy of The Fratellis Costello Music.

My wife is now officially tired of it, but it gets the job done.

More snow dog pics on multiply

Brazilian Heads

dharmachris — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:59:23 GMT

I won't be around this Sunday to post under the covers, (and it could fit for Friday night funkery) and just found this on Stereogum, a very groovin' cover of the Talking Heads Crosseyed and Painless.

Balloons are under my covers

dharmachris — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:30:33 GMT

From the compilation Chill: Brazil, volume 2, a decent cover of the Fifth Dimension's "Up, up, and away" by Osmar Milto. (I remember singing this when I was 4 or something, for some reason.)

Though the more interesting thing I found was that the Laura Nyro song, Stoned Soul Picnic, was actually made more popular by the 5-D, as all I ever have heard is her version. Will have to check that out. In the meantime, don't get too high in that balloon!

Sunday Under the Covers with Matt Pond PA and champagne

dharmachris — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:12:34 GMT

From Matt Pond PA, Philly-grown indie kids who scored a tune on The O.C. #4 soundtrack. Enjoy!

lady girl science fiction and the return of the mix tape

dharmachris — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:50:50 GMT

With the big M no longer so accepting of sharing, I've been sharing CDs with some folks at work, face to face, and we have started doing so as themes: Girl, Woman, Science Fiction....

Baaba Maal, Bess, You Is My Woman Now:

Truly enjoying the sci-fi theme, as my wife and I were digging Star Wars Disco by Meco on our drive this weekend... perhaps will post that mix list later.

The Night Before, 24 hours of holiday cheer for you!

dharmachris — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:56:09 GMT

To all my mog mates of this year, I have truly enjoyed your company, both real (go Philly Mog!) and virtual (mickimicki, deadmandeadman, miketheknife, dzendvokh, the list goes on.... )

Happy Christmas and a very Cool Yule to you! I am blessed, and we are blessed to live in this age.

Whatever religion, or lack of, this is the best time of year for family and friends.

Happy Christmakwanzakah, because I just wanna be nice to you.

but more music....

http://www.xpn.org/listen_live/listen.php

Every year WXPN does a long Christmas Eve show, "The Night Before", this year started at midnight and will go on to midnight (US Eastern time). Listen live and enjoy the tunes!

A very nice alternative to the usual Christmas saccharine stuff.

Santa's Second Line, another Christmas song that doesn't suck

dharmachris — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:06:03 GMT

For your seasonal listening pleasure. the band is aptly named, as well.

I was playing this yesterday in one of our schools on my traveling iPod and speaker, and I could swear that some of the counselors broke out in the Mummer's Strut, a loose cousin? to the 2nd line dancers, perhaps?

Everybody (Should) Eat When They Come to My House

dharmachris — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 01:04:05 GMT

Local story that I have seen nationally, and it seems so wrong that there is even a need for food banks here, let alone a spike in need for the holidays. The local story, Hungry Times for Area Food Banks, citing a couple of reasons why there is less food available for food banks now, including the rise of dollar stores. I had read elsewhere that another reason for the decrease in food bank supplies was the increased demand for corn and other grains for ethanol fuel. (Another reason for different energy sources.)

And, for those interested in making donations instead of giving gifts, check out Philabundance's donor website

Santa Dub baby

dharmachris — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:39:46 GMT

From the Trojan 3 disc Christmas set, a little ska riddim to keep ya warm.

Frankie Goes To Australia

dharmachris — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:46:23 GMT

1959, Melbourne Australia. Frank Sinatra with a killer jazz quintet led by Red Norvo. Dig the vibes intro on this most excellent version of Night and Day.

School's In. Sit down and put your iPod on and plug in to Guitar Hero

dharmachris — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:50:28 GMT

The stars align, matching up three of my favorite things:

1. music 2. my ipod 3. education & learning

Steve Van Zandt has written a music history curriculum, focusing on rock music primarily, and David Brooks wrote about it in the NY Times, about The Segmented Society . It seems that rock n roll will in fact save our souls, or at least, unite us. Since I used to teach history, I often wanted to do an entire year of looking at US History through the lens of the music of each time period, sorta like Ken Burns does with his documentaries.

The points he raises are very thought provoking. Not sure if its good or bad yet.

Then, I read in the LA Times about colleges making lectures available via podcast or mp3 on iTunes U. Check it here

I downloaded the philosophy professors lectures on philosophy from the Greeks on, and apparently is quite popular. Even though listening to a lecture is not my favorite way of ingesting a lot of info, I found it to be very interesting and accessible.

Time for Dee Dee, Joey and the boys to school us all:

Autumn Leaves

dharmachris — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:29:05 GMT

My favorite middle school art teacher and lunch partner Zan turned me on to the artist Andy Goldsworthy a few years ago, and his work resonated deeply within me from the moment I saw it.

His book, Time, is a vast meditation on the transient nature of things, as he creates sculptures that disappear as the temperature rises or falls, or as the sea comes in to claim the cairn of stones he balances so carefully.

So Friday I spent the day blowing leaves and mulching them all over the yard, turning the oak and beech leaves into small brown squares to replenish the soil, and save me the task of bagging over 40 trees worth of autumn color. The wind blew hard that night, and the next morning the brilliant yellow maple leaves had fallen around like some wild golden blanket. Feeling inspired after 3 cups of coffee, I spent maybe five minutes pushing a few yellow leaves around, to bring out the arc a little more, and snapped these two pictures.

Someday I will get more ambitious and so something larger for that space….

its Haggis for Thanksgiving

dharmachris — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:36:27 GMT

Enter The Haggis, playing next Thanksgiving Eve, in Philly at World Cafe Live

Maybe I am will loan me a kilt.

The mp3 is from their live album.

When I bought the song, it slid right into iTunes above Enya's "The Celts". Serendipitous...

I love the internet

dharmachris — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:36:46 GMT

So Deadmandeadman posts here about Paul Asbell, and a most excellent version of "Ain't Misbehavin'.

A quick search on iTunes and Amazon yields an interesting discovery: Amazon now sells MP3s, and cheaper than iTunes. So I download the album for $6.99-- I paid more for Sgt Pepper in 1978. Sweet! Instant gratification....

now, I ask, when will the nano-replicators exist so I can order something more substantial than a digital tune, and have it show up in physical form on my real desktop?????

more info on his songs, good reading! is here

Chunky Monkey Gumbo, the song for my ridiculous yellow dog, who is, in fact, a chunky monkey.

Jello Love?

dharmachris — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:07:36 GMT

in the same category as such mis-heard song titles as "Scuse me while I kiss this guy", my wife interpreted Bad Brains "Jah Love" as Jello Love.

I think she's right. And I do love some jello!

Dub time friday night

dharmachris — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:35:13 GMT

Some Bad Brains, Until Kingdom Comes,, and then the Easy All-Stars dub covers of Dark Side of the Moon,, or "Dub Side of the Moon"

sweet

Internet Radio Receiver?

dharmachris — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:30:47 GMT

Anyone have experience with an internet radio receiver?

I read an article about it in this month's Atlantic, and it sounds very intriguing. Connects to your PC via wi-fi, can do preset channels, etc.... article is here, though you may need a subscription).

I'd be curious if anyone has purchased a receiver and how you like it.

Revolution Rock

dharmachris — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:25:00 GMT

Music + politics =

the revolution mix

Revolution Rock, The Clash Yell Fire, Michael Franti + Spearhead Fortunate Son, John Fogerty Waiting for the Great Leap Forward, Billy Bragg (I'm waiting, too, Billy) Handsworth Revolution, Steel Pulse The Clash trilogy: Spanish Bombs, Washington Bullets, Charlie Don't Surf Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2 I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts, X (Is it just me, or were they referring to the contras) Surrender, Cheap Trick (well, only sorta related) Anarchy in the UK, Sex Pistols Jerusalam, Steve Earle (this bit makes me quiver: "Well maybe I'm only dreamin' and maybe I'm just a fool But I don't remember learnin' how to hate in Sunday school") What's So Funny 'bout Peace, Love & Understanding, Elvis Costello

what's your suggestion?

Fly like an eagle

dharmachris — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 01:04:06 GMT

I took the day off yesterday and we went to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary , which is about an hour north of Philadelphia. What a cool place! After a stroll up the side of the mountain we sat and enjoyed the view:

In the brief time sitting on the cold rocks (note to self: bring coffee and a blanket next time!), we saw three red-tailed hawks.

And then we journeyed to a bastion of red-state America, Cabelas in scenic downtown Hamburg. Ok, so it was at the intersection of two highways running through the rolling ridges of the frontline of the Appalachian mountains, with the color of the highway matching the iron gray of the sky, but this has been a boon to the Hamburgers!

It turns out my wife is a MUCH better shot than I am at the laser shoot-em up gallery, but that's another story. Next time you need to arm yourself with shotguns, rifles, handguns, crossbows, compound bows and more camouflage than a division of Army Rangers, this is the place.

Not sure how they would find the baby with this camo on:

The only negative to the day was I forgot my iPod, and had to search for good music, which we never found.

Good adoption news

dharmachris — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:25:34 GMT

Thank you to all who emailed, faxed etc, in response to my earlier post. It appears the Guatemalan gov't will likely process pending adoption cases, and our case is now in the final stage of the bureaucracy before we travel. So... we hope to bring him home by the end of February!

Into the Wild

dharmachris — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:07:08 GMT

Transcendent, beautiful, tragic and joyful. All at once. Like life.

When I read the book Into The Wild, by Jon Krakauer, I was prepared to think poorly of the young man who journeyed to Alaska alone, only to die tragically-- you know, what a fool, traveling alone, no map or compass, minimal food, with an attitude of "gonna live off the land and set my soul free." A dangerous naivete. But then he lives there for 100 days or so, before succumbing to starvation because he mis-identifies a plant as edible, when it's not.

And now it all reminds me how cautious most people (yeah, me included) are, how we hold ourselves back from experience. Chris McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, did not have that caution.

And the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder is perfect.

The article in Outside magazine

Life, and baby, is waiting.... ... a non -musical post

dharmachris — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:07:49 GMT

Over a year ago my wife and I started the process to adopt a child from Guatemala. In April we were matched with a beautiful baby boy, then 3 weeks old, and have received monthly updates, including pictures. All has been proceeding as planned, until the President of Guatemala announced that all adoptions, including ones in-process like ours, would be halted on January 1, 2008.

We anticipated traveling there in January or February.

This is one of those moments when you wonder about a supreme deity and feel more Job-like than you would like.

Our agency has pointed us in the right advocacy direction and there are sources online. So since adoption, like Mogging, is an act of intentional family creation, I'm opening this up my Mog family for help. If anyone is interested in emailing or faxing folks, you can find information here:

Guatemala 5000 Initiative

Background info is here.

For Philly area folks, Channel 10 ran a story this evening, and a friend tells me the Harrisburg news stations also have run stories.

And here is our soon to be son!:

Men In Kilts, for I_Am

dharmachris — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:20:55 GMT

Tilting In Kilts

My high school marching band had bagpipes, and at halftime 4 young ladies of the band front, instead of twirling streamers or flags, would do The Highland Fling. That apparently is not done anymore since the band now appears to have maybe one-third of its members from when I was there:

Yikes!

Wow.

dharmachris — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:45:59 GMT

This clip blew us away,,, gave my wife goosebumps listening. Check out some classic stuff.

Maybe he will sell ringtones.

another reason I love my ipod

dharmachris — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:38:44 GMT

At the periodontist yesterday as he used what I can only assume was a tiny tiny saw and drill to cut away parts of my gum and bone so that a crown could be placed on a chipped tooth. I felt nothing because of the anesthetic, and heard nothing as I cranked my earbuds waaaayyyyyyy up. Social Distortion, Strokes and other loud tunes, forcing the dentist to repeatedly have to tap me on the arm, "uh, Chris, I need you to turn a little more this way."

Oh Blackwater, add it to I-am's Amendment posts

dharmachris — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:16:41 GMT

Someone was asking about how our rights to privacy were being lost. Chills down my spine, and not in a good way here.

Fascist America, in 10 easy steps, by Naomi Wolf

And Blackwater Smuggles Arms that go to anti-Western terrorists

Wiener boy meets the Queen.

dharmachris — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:18:52 GMT

so i kept trying to figure out the lyrics to my new fave song stuck on hi-play on my ipod. Having no luck, and tired of tuneless yammering along with it (which startled my office-mate), I googled it:

You're the Queen of all the surface streets I'm a wiener boy, that you're here to meet

That's one of the lines??? Come on, such a pretty song and he's calling himself a wiener boy?

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=3530822107858650011

Punk Rock Boot Camp, Goth Moms: Welcome to Philadelphia!

dharmachris — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:46:03 GMT

Two articles in today's Inquirer on why DIY and Philly rules:

Li'l Goths: The Goths have multiplied, procreated no less!

Photo and article here: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/image/20070916_Lil_Goths.html

And my favorite! Punk Rock Boot Camp! I want my gym to offer these tunes instead of the stuff I hear from the spinning room.... Black Flag, Bad Brains, 7 Seconds, Stiff Little Fingers.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/image/20070916_Punk_Rock_Boot_Camp.html

Check out his website for lovely views of punks working out along the scenic Delaware River! http://brianadoff.com/PunkRockBootCamp.html

Reissues mark anniversary of short-lived Joy Division

dharmachris — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 04:09:10 GMT

http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN0721666920070908

Getting ready for the release of Control, the Ian Curtis biopic, and I was reminded of the movie 24 Hour Party People, about the Manchester scene.

Midnight Ziggy

dharmachris — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 03:55:26 GMT

at KEXP, on the always excellent DJ Michele's show:

http://www.kexp.org/streamarchive/archive_time.asp?fldDate=9/8/2007&fldHour=12&fldMinute=00&fldAmPm=am

Choose the stream for Sep 8 at 12 am, midnight.

Didjeridude, didgeridoo, dig it

dharmachris — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:31:54 GMT

I can always count on my wife to broaden by musical experience. She dragged me to her chiropractor's office last winter for the Didjeridude, Harold Smith, who does both jazz and healing. Laid out on the floor were bowls, gongs, all manner of didgeridoos, conch shells, and chimes. A small crowd was sprawled about, and it was a meditative experience. I don't know from healing and such things, but I did feel the power and joy in his music. And he does house parties. Enjoy!

http://www.didjdude.com/

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=970

Desert Film Noir

dharmachris — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:11:13 GMT

Chasing a nameless foe, or being chased, across the desert, saguaro cactus throwing shadows on the canyon walls. Lizards watch us, bored.

Viva, uh......

dharmachris — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:49:34 GMT

Every time I see this it cracks me up.

And I love the original too.

AT&T censors Pearl Jam's anti-Bush lyrics in webcast

dharmachris — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:16:05 GMT

They erred? Was Karl Rove in the control room of the Lollapalooza webcast for AT&T?

AT&T errs in edit of anti-Bush lyrics

By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press WriterThu Aug 9, 4:29 PM ET

"Lyrics performed by Pearl Jam criticizing President Bush should not have been censored from a webcast by AT&T Inc., a company spokesman acknowledged Thursday.

AT&T, through its Blue Room entertainment site, offered a webcast of the band's headlining performance Sunday at Lollapalooza in Chicago. The event was shown with a brief delay so the company could bleep out excessive profanity or nudity."

(rest of the article is here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070809/ap_on_hi_te/at_t_pearl_jam;_ylt=AvU4PpE.r3cP5EonYG7XXHpk24cA

I guess that means George W's name by itself is excessive profanity. I can live with that.

Fortunate Son, revisited

dharmachris — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 01:49:41 GMT

On the radio yesterday I heard a new single from John Fogerty's upcoming album, Revival. (props to XPN in the afternoon!)

Wow! Talk about a biting and pointed attack on the Bush War. He also references Fortunate Son, which is fitting, as even that song still seems relevant to me.

Unfortunately, it's not been released to the public..... as far as I can find online at least. Anyone else heard it?

And speaking of Fortunate Son, that's another candidate for TV Commercial mismatch. I think it was used to sell Chevys a few years back.

The World's Most Uncomfortable Late Night TV interview

dharmachris — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 03:12:49 GMT

Joan Rivers, messing up the song title, asking "who's the wild one, what's your name?" and then the segue into the 85 year old marathon runner.

Thankfully, no Celine Dion to sing "New Day Rising"

I Guess they told him to go

dharmachris — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:42:41 GMT

When do we get asked the same question by George W.?

"Bush likely to prevent aides' testimony" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070801/ap_on_go_co/bush_congress

Can I Put You On Hold?

dharmachris — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:45:27 GMT

The world has indeed changed.

I called an organization this morning that I regularly call, and I think their phone system has been hijacked by aging punk rockers! I was put on hold and was checking email, when it hit me that the song playing was Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.

OK, so thats kinda weird. But maybe someone just heard the melody, thought maybe it was calming (?). But then, the next song was I Wanna Be Sedated. ???

Unlikely love song

dharmachris — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:51:54 GMT

I traded iPods with a guy at work and we shared some CDs, and among the crazy 70s pop collection (including the song to the Rockford Files!), was AC/DC's Back in Black. Got me thinking about unlikely love songs, as my wife and I grooved to You Shook Me All Night Long"

But then I found this and was horrified:

heaven help us all.

The Pogues, The Wire, what song was that??

dharmachris — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:00:01 GMT

I'm watching season 3 of The Wire, and watched the 3rd episode from the season tonight, called "Dead Soldiers". Spoiler... one of the cops, a minor character, dies, and a wake is held in a bar, the cop's body laid on the bar clutching a bottle of Jameson's. T

hey play a Pogues song and I did not recognize it, nor did they run the name of it in the credits.

Anyone know it?

ah, wait, I found it on Youtube...

Lucky 7s!

dharmachris — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:55:57 GMT

The agenda for 7-7-07:

Find the Borgata in Atlantic City

Roulette table for 7-7-7, with a nod to my dad and his club.

Eat a fatburger:

See Diana Krall:

Jukebox Hero part 2

dharmachris — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:29:21 GMT

funny how the jukebox looks a little different next to the toys. Luckily I was able to find some vintage Kenny Loggins 45s for a gift!

Jukebox Hero

dharmachris — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:40:28 GMT

So I'm talking to my dad this afternoon and he always has some sort of deal going on, even though he retired from selling cars many years ago. He's telling me about his neighbor who's giving him his old jukebox and my dad is going to give it to my brother. Knowing how my dad operates, I ask him, does Curt know you're giving him a jukebox? Well, yeah, for once, it's not gonna be a surprise.

The iPod of its day, with the best shuffle feature around!

So I can't wait to see the 1967 Seaberg Jukebox in my brother's basement. I'm looking for this song on a 45 to give him as a gift!

Millenium, and the best season finale ever

dharmachris — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 23:29:18 GMT

I'm jazzed for the final season of the Sopranos starting tonight, but then hearing some Patti Smith on the radio prompted me to recall the season finale of Millenium from about 10 years ago. The 2nd season of the show was way dark, mystifying and overall excellent. My wife and I were watching the season finale and this bit suddenly helps close it all.

Apocalypse set to Patti Smith's Land:

UNBELIEVABLE! We sat there, glued to the set, just totally blown away. I don't know if it should be considered a music video or not, and if you have never seen the series, I urge you to check it out, as the punch contained in this clip is even more raw and powerful when seen in the context of the whole thing. (The limitations of YouTube?)

If I remember correctly, the character in white is hiding in the mountains after some ebola-like virus is decimating the land.

I have yet to see anything as trippy or crazed on regular network TV.

Superstar

dharmachris — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:42:55 GMT

The latest song stuck in my head, and how can you blame me when you combine good 70s AM pop with the Youth??

Superstar

dharmachris — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:55:59 GMT

The latest song to get stuck in my head. How can you not beat good AM 70s pop with the Youth??

Do You Want to See The Explosions in my Eyes

dharmachris — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:41:26 GMT

Finally got around to wandering about the web looking for the connection between Sonic Youth's Sister album, an all time fave, with another all time fave, Philip K. Dick. The song, "Beauty Lies in the Eye" I thought had always referenced some scenes in Blade Runner (a PDK novella put to the screen). But then I find that the entire album was inspired by PDK, including the name, referring to his deceased twin sister whom he mourned all his life.

But now my question is this: if the line from Stereo Sanctity, "I can't get laid cuz everyone is dead", is from a PDK work, which is it? The man was nothing if not prolific. Any other fans that might know the book or story containing the song lyric?

Beauty Lies in the Eye:

Here's a link to some basic info about the man: http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/authors/philip-k-dick/

Too bad he's not around today to comment on things....

"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words."

So Wrong: good music, questionable commercial

dharmachris — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:04:35 GMT

What were they thinking??? And I mean the bands or their management companies... these are wrong:

1. Violent Femmes, Blister in the Sun, shilling for.... Wendy's? Will my Frosty be blistered? What can I get on my permanent record? Fries? I miss Dave Thomas!

2. The Buzzcocks, I can't recall which song, but,,, the AARP?? Is there a British punk-pop version of the AARP? Do the senior citizens have a big English Jack flag flying from their golf carts? Sign me up! (oh wait, they already sent me an application when I hit 40.. ?)

3. Jimi Hendrix, for... Burger King??? Words escape me.

What's your suggestion?

Again and Again and Again

dharmachris — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:01:36 GMT

I don't know what year it is when I hear this, or see this video, but I don't care because the song is so stuck in my head!

And I don't know what's real anymore when I see it in Second Life:

State of the Onion; I hope George W. has heard this

dharmachris — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:23:48 GMT

I am not typically a fan of posting an entire song's lyrics in Mog, but I heard this today on XPN and was blown away. There's not often good protest music that rocks as well as informs, and this is the exception. Check it out. (The version I heard was from XPN's World Cafe Live, not the regular album.)

http://www.jamesmcmurtry.com/

We Can’t Make It Here

There’s a Vietnam Vet with a cardboard sign Sitting there by the left turn line Flag on his wheelchair flapping in the breeze One leg missing and both hands free No one’s paying much mind to him The V.A. budget’s just stretched so thin And now there’s more coming back from the Mideast war We can’t make it here anymore

That big ol’ building was the textile mill that fed our kids and it paid our bills But they turned us out and they closed the doors We can’t make it here anymore

See those pallets piled up on the loading dock They’re just gonna sit there ‘til they rot ‘Cause there’s nothing to ship, nothing to pack Just busted concrete and rusted tracks Empty storefronts around the square There’s a needle in the gutter and glass everywhere You don’t come down here unless you’re looking to score We can’t make it here anymore

The bar’s still open but man it’s slow The tip jar’s light and the register’s low The bartender don’t have much to say The regular crowd gets thinner each day Some have maxed out all their credit cards Some are working two jobs and living in cars Minimum wage won’t pay for a roof, won’t pay for a drink If you gotta have proof just try it yourself Mr. CEO See how far $5.15 an hour will go Take a part time job at one your stores Bet you can’t make it here anymore

There’s a high school girl with a bourgeois dream Just like the pictures in the magazine She found on the floor of the laundromatA woman with kids can forget all that If she comes up pregnant what’ll she do Forget the career, forget about school Can she live on faith? Live on hope? High on Jesus or hooked on dope When it’s way too late to just say no You can’t make it here anymore

Now I’m stocking shirts in the Wal-Mart store Just like the ones we made before ‘ Cept this one came from Singapore I guess we can’t make it here anymore

Should I hate a people for the shade of their skin Or the shape of their eyes or the shape I’m in Should I hate ‘em for having our jobs today No I hate the men sent the jobs away I can see them all now, they haunt my dreams All lily white and squeaky clean They’ve never known want, they’ll never know need Their shit don’t stink and their kids won’t bleed Their kids won’t bleed in their damn little war And we can’t make it here anymore

Will work for food will die for oil Will kill for power and to us the spoils The billionaires get to pay less tax The working poor get to fall through the cracks So let ‘em eat jellybeans let ‘em eat cake Let ‘em eat shit, whatever it takes They can join the Air Force, or join the Corps If they can’t make it here anymore

So that’s how it is, that’s what we got If the president wants to admit it or not You can read it in the paper, read it on the wall Hear it on the wind if you’re listening at all Get out of that limo, look us in the eye Call us on the cell phone tell us all why

In Dayton Ohio or Portland Maine Or a cotton gin out on the great high plains That’s done closed down along with the school And the hospital and the swimming pool Dust devils dance in the noonday heat There’s rats in the alley and trash in the street Gang graffiti on a boxcar door We can’t make it here anymore

Take the Lead

dharmachris — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 02:30:25 GMT

It took Antonio Banderas at least four or five sessions before he demonstrated to his students why ballroom dancing is hot:

Wow!

The guilty pleasure of watching these kinda corny teacher hero movies always gets me, and usually the tunes are good, even going back to "To Sir With Love" when Lulu sang the song of same name. Can't wait for Freedom Writers, too! Even with the op-ed piece in the NYT complaining that the kids in the LA ghetto were too nice to be real, that they listened to their teacher after only a brief bit of disrespect.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/19/opinion/19moore.html?ex=157680000&en=e1a70ef41a0ef04d&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

And so it goes,,, time to shut up and dance.

Abs of Bond Steel, or, A Non-Musical Post

dharmachris — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 02:39:30 GMT

We went to see Casino Royale on Saturday, starring Daniel Craig doing his best male-Ursula Andress impersonation, witness below:

Then, New Year's Eve we watched Zardoz, featuring the original 007, Sean Connery. Only this time, Mr. Connery wore both a red G-string latex type outfit AND a wedding dress. After trying to get through the plot without the benefit of the illicit drugs John Boorman et al were apparently influenced by in the making of such a flick, I pondered Mr. Connery's middle-aged abs in the speedo, and began wondering how the ideal of male beauty changed since 1974 when a kinda-paunchy guy like Connery:

could be the hero?

Is the media trying to make us average guys insecure about our looks and physiques, as they do with women? Does excessive cannabis use lead to the hero cross-dressing? And why did they have to crash that Aston-Martin?

Happy New Year and Wake Up!

dharmachris — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 02:28:04 GMT

So my loving wife gave me an alarm clock/ipod item for our bedside...and given that it takes a LOT to get me moving in the morning, she suggested I choose some good upbeat selections to get my sleepy self out of bed before the coffee is gone...

what's your suggestion?

Here's what I have: The Long Goodbye, A Girl Called Eddy Ziggy Stardust, Bauhaus Gold Digger (clean version), Kanye West & Jamie Foxx Rock Steady (Danny Krivit Edit), Aretha Franklin Blue Orchid, The White Stripes Mr. Brightside, The Killers You Say You Don't Love Me, The Buzzcocks In The Waiting Line, Zero 7 Across The Universe, Rufus Wainwright Two Of Us, Aimee Mann & Michael Penn High Fashion Queen, Steve Earle Siberian Khatru, Yes Baba O'Riley, The Who 5:15, The Who The Denial Twist, The White Stripes

(and my intent is not to listen to all before getting up, of course!)

Cover versions better than the originals!

dharmachris — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 02:06:37 GMT

Found myself listening and enjoying a lot of songs that are covers----- here are my faves, and picks for pieces in which the cover version is better than the original, in my opinion.... what do you think?

1. Bangles: Hazy Shade of Winter... that scene in Less than Zero, with Robert Downey and big bikes in Palm Springs, scary, rushing... like this song, NOT Simon and Garfunkels!

2. Rufus Wainwright: Across the Universe, from I Am Sam.

3. After The Gold Rush, k.d. lang--- AWESOME album by k.d., (Hymns of the 49th Parallel). Forever indebted to Michael, my wife's cousin, for turning me on to it.

What's your pick for better cover than the original?

Dave's Lounge

dharmachris — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 01:26:16 GMT

MOG and KEXP have allowed me to get more into the chillout, triphop stuff, and this podcast site is one I download from regularly. The guy who does it has removed his links from iTunes due to some biz things I regret to say I don't fully grasp, but whatever.

His podcasts came in handy during the Labor Day roadtrip this weekend....

http://www.daveslounge.com/

Y-Rock Returns!

dharmachris — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:34:07 GMT

Indie rock back on the air in Philly! If you know Philly, ya know about the PECO building and the messages transmitted there. All on one of the best stations in the land, WXPN. Loved hearing some good tunes last night, including a world premiere from the singer of Guided By Voices. Welcome back Y-100!

http://www.xponentialmusic.org/

The World of Overwhelming Choice

dharmachris — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 02:04:07 GMT

I received a gift card for Barnes and Noble as a birthday gift, and stopped by to check out some CDs or books. Two things come to mind-- first, their (and most retailers) music prices are OUTRAGEOUS! $18 for a CD? Are ya kidding me? While I like the CD booklet and such, when iTunes sells it for $10, come on.

But the second problem, and the reason for this post -- I saw Neil Young on Colbert last week, and have downloaded some of his songs, but sheesh, the guy has what, 40 albums?? And I want to get more into his music, but the selection was a bit much, and i ran out of time. Help!

So,,, what's a good Neil Young album to pick up? I'm equally into the country-tinged stuff and his rock punk roots work.

The clip is excellent, btw, esp when he sings Impeach the President with Colbert.

Louis Armstrong and Hurricane Katrina

dharmachris — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 01:14:51 GMT

I watched the Spike Lee documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" and can't begin to describe my anger, sorrow and heartache. Caused not by the storm, but by the stunning lack of response and incompetence on the part of all levels of government. So many questions.

Without New Orleans there would be no jazz, no American music as we know it. It is a landmark and politicians act as if we can abandon it. I could go on but this is a music blog....

The clip for "What a wonderful world" would be too ironic and flip so I chose this one so the Saints can return to the Crescent City.

Bob Mould, Husker Du and What If's

dharmachris — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 22:14:19 GMT

I first saw Husker Du in 1984, in Florence, NJ, after a long drive from State College that involved losing my car's exhaust system on the Schulykill Expressway; me, my wife to be, and three others, dressed in black and skinny punky as hell, waiting, hoping someone would stop to help us. One guy finally stopped and essentially tore the pipes out with his bare hands. We stuffed them in the trunk.

The show was good-- Dead Milkmen opened and before the show we were sitting next to Bob Mould while he drank a Slurpee. For real and so cool I still wonder about it.

And he has a great blog and lots of good online stuff, and I've followed his work, Sugar, solo, acoustic, what have you. Here's the blog: http://modulate.blogspot.com/

His blog of today has a link to NYT articles examining "What if 9/11 never happened?", and it's excellent reading, especially Andrew Sullivan's "parallel" blog.

http://newyorkmetro.com/news/features/19147/

(And if I figure out how to make text linkable in here, I will. Until then, suffer with me as I put links separate rather than embedded.)

And check out the poster from the club: Suicidal Tendencies! Replacements! Beastie Boys doing Cookie Puss! Who remembers hearing that on the radio before they got hip-hopped????

Still Missing Joe Strummer

dharmachris — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:22:00 GMT

From SNL in 1982, the Clash performing Should I Stay or Should I Go. And while the song got overplayed, this live version reminds you of why it ruled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uModxwkoMu8