In all the time I've had off "work" recently, I've succumbed to what has been a long campaign waged by my roommate to get me to watch British TV. It has been an epic battle partly because I am, on occasion, stubborn just to be stubborn. Sometimes you have to say "no" so that your "yes" has more meaning.
The major deterrent was my inability to appreciate the British version of the Office. I tried to watch it several times. I clenched my jaw through the first few episodes of the first series (for some odd reason, in the UK a television season is called a series. I suppose it’s classier.) However, the boss on the show made me so uncomfortable I had to stop watching. Had I not, I would have been forced to dig out my eyes and eardrums. So, back to square one which was ignoring British culture.
And then I got bored. And under the constant barrage, I became intrigued.
I relented slowly at first. After being sent numerous clips from Never Mind the Buzzcocks, I developed something of an affinity for a certain guest captain Noel Fielding. He appears in only three episodes (series 21 episodes 2, 3, and 4) and he is hilarious. For the uninitiated, Noel is the dark haired bloke who looks a bit like a British hobgoblin in this clip (which is my favorite of him):
So score one point for NMtB (well, one for Noel Fielding, really). Unfortunately, there is only a limited amount of Noel material available on this show. On the other hand, as you can see, the host of the show is also awesome. His name is Simon Amstell. And, as he pointed out, he has fact based jokes. But I suspect he'd be funny even without an autocue. Like he is here:
That is my second ever favorite clip from NMtB. It's funny! The BBC had to put up a disclaimer!
I digress. So Never Mind the Buzzcocks clearly snowed me. It took a bit to understand how the quiz itself worked since it appears as secondary to the chaos and chatter. As near as I can tell, NMtB is like 10% random British trivia, 10% quiz on aforementioned trivia and 80% British celebs (and sometimes American) screwing around. It's fun when guests take themselves too seriously (like when Preston stormed out). It’s also fun when guests refuse to take themselves seriously as seen here with Josh Groban. Note: on Youtube, all episodes are in three parts.
Thus, I had to grant that Sarah was correct about British TV.
But, despite being entertained by Simon Amstell, something was missing. I missed Noel Fielding and his ridiculously awesome hair. And then I discovered that he was also a contestant on the Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2006 and 2007. With Russell Brand serving as his partner-in-crime (or partner-in-goth-detectiveness, you'll see what I mean). AWESOME! This is a clip from 2007. The really funny bit starts around 2:40. But watch it all! It's worth it.
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year show is not nearly as hard to understand as Never Mind the Buzzcocks. I highly recommend watching the 11 or so parts that comprise each quiz. They’re very funny.
So after watching all of that, I was ready to try out Sarah’s original recommendation: the Mighty Boosh. This is Noel Fielding’s main comedic outlet (yes, we’re back to him, whatever, he’s awesome!). In the Mighty Boosh, Noel and his friend Julian Barrett play friends Vince Noir and Howard Moon and have an Ernie and Bert type of relationship. Clearly, because he's shorter (and more awesome) Noel is Ernie. This clip is from the first series. They used to do intros before the insanity ensued in the zoo (they played zookeepers, then in the second season they inexplicably didn't.)
See, just like Bert and Ernie. Julian/Howard even has a bit of a paperclip fetish in the second season when he builds Stationary Village. I am obsessed with Stationary Village! It’s super cool.
I’m not sure what else to say about the Mighty Boosh. I guess you could compare it to Flight of the Concords if you were so inclined. Like Flight of the Conchords, the Mighty Boosh has a lot of singing. Except they call it “crimping” but it’s basically the characters making up random, spontaneous songs. I like to do that too! Of course, my songs are nowhere near as quality as theirs. All the episodes are online to watch. I recommend tv-links.com because sadly, the Mighty Boosh DVDs are only in region 2 format which means they probably won't work in your DVD player. Alas.
And, in case you haven’t quite had enough Noel Fielding, he appears in a couple of episodes of the IT Crowd (but not in the clip below). Actually, another Mighty Boosh character stars on the IT Crowd as Morris (the poofy haired bloke). I like the IT Crowd because it makes me feel technologically adept. Somewhat, anyway.
Essentially, the show is about the IT department at a major British Corporation. It's staffed by two main geeks and overseen by their computer illiterate lady boss. There's a lot of chaos on this show, too. Here's a clip:
So that basically sums up why British TV is so awesome these days, in my opinion. Almost all of the good stuff can be traced back to Noel Fielding. Hooray. The stuff that can't is probably related to Doctor Who/David Tennant. We will cover that in the next post.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Albums I wish I'd listened to more in 2008:
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Hailing from Wisconsin (just like me!), Bon Iver topped many lists this year with the album "For Emma, Forever Ago." Sadly, I was not able to honestly include it in my Best of '08 list because I did not listen to it. I'm not sure how I managed to overlook this sleepy gem for so long, actually. Its title practically screams "pick me up and love me, Ashley!" and I will usually listen to Jagjaguwar releases because they have a track record of being awesome. I suppose I let all the critical acclaim psych me out which happens a lot and is why I have never seen Napoleon Dynamite. Sometimes I'm just stubborn to be stubborn (see British TV entry).
So anyway, Bon Iver is super awesome. Justin Vernon has an amazing voice that blends in flawlessly with the delicate, sweet, quasi-nostalgic, kinda sleepy sounding music.
Random trivia: according to wikipedia (so you KNOW it's true), "the name, Bon Iver, is an Anglicization of the French "bon hiver" (good winter)."
www.boniver.org
2. Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
I listened to a LOT of the Mountain Goats this year. According to LastFM, they were #8 on my overall 2008 charts, even above the Black Kids, which should tell you something. But I did not hear "Heretic Pride" until today simply because I didn't know it existed. This is VERY sad. I feel like I have a pretty good sense of what's going on in the indie rock world (despite what this list suggests) and I still managed to completely miss this album, which has been out since mid-February. Alas.
In my defense, John Darnielle has such an amazing and extensive back catalog (15 other albums) that it would be neigh impossible to listen to them all and appreciate an entire new CD in just 365 days. Additionally, while it's a very solid album and definitely worth owning, "Heretic Tree" didn't seem to break any new ground, sonically. Even so, "Heretic Tree" will almost assuredly keep the Mountain Goats in my charts for another year.
Random Trivia: According to Pitchfork Media, "the album takes its title from from Aura Noir's song "Black Deluge Night" (found on their 2004 album The Merciless) which contains the couplet 'Soaring demons now swarm the skies/ In awe and heretic pride.'"
www.mountain-goats.com
3. Antony and the Johnsons - Another World EP
Listening to Antony and the Johnsons makes me feel like a more rounded person because it's not the traditional indie rock that I usually listen to. Actually, it reminds me a lot of Cocorosie which, come to think of it, is actually pretty par for the course with me, but I digress.
Whereas I had heard positive things about Antony and the Johnsons, it wasn't until WLUW received the EP "Another World" that I actually sat down and listened to the band. The songs on the EP are quirky, beautiful and artistic. It's pretty awesome. Fortunately, Antony and the Johnsons have a new full-length album coming out in January entitled "The Crying Light" so I don't have long to wait. According to wikipedia "Antony has described the theme of the album as being 'about landscape and the future.'"
Random Trivia: Their early live shows were often opened by Dr. Julia Yasuda, an intersex person, who performed the welcome in Morse code.
www.antonyandthejohnsons.com
4. The Foals - Antidotes
There were so many Sub Pop bands on my Best of 2008 list that it's not surprising I may have overlooked one or two releases. I also listened to a lot of dancey-dance music this year so I may have just been overloaded on that. However, I really don't have an excuse for not picking up "Antidotes" after being thoroughly impressed by them at Lollapalooza this summer. Additionally, I'm 90% sure I saw the singer on Never Mind the Buzzcocks (s21e10 - see British TV entry) and he was vaguely funny (I think). So I really, really should have listened to more of their music which is something I shall strive to remedy in the coming year.
Random Trivia: Childhood friends Jack and Yannis were previously in a cult math rock band named The Edmund Fitzgerald but this was disbanded after they claimed that things had become "too serious" and they wanted to have more "fun making their music."
www.wearefoals.com
5. Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer
My roommate Sarah brought my attention to Amanda Palmer when the whole controversy over her belly erupted. It is best explained by her on her blog. After reading it, my opinion of Amanda Palmer increased tenfold. At least. And so even though I'd previously written off her work with the Dresden Dolls because of their association with bands like Panic at the Disco I thought I'd give her a try. And wow. Amanda Palmer is one sassy broad with the most dramatic delivery I've heard in awhile. And she has wit, too. It's pretty awesome.
"Who needs love when there's Southern Comfort?" Indeed.
Random Trivia: The title is a play on an expression used by fans during Twin Peaks' original run, "Who killed Laura Palmer?"
www.whokilledamandapalmer.com
7. CSS - Donkey
I bought this album when it came out and then just didn't listen to it. Having seen them live recently, I really wish I could find my copy. Alas. But anyway, CSS had an awesome debut album and I had heard "Donkey" was no match for it. This was enough to make me hesitant to listen to it. This happens to me a lot. I really need to stop reading reviews before a record drops. Also "Donkey" came out in July when I was busy with shows and hated my job (and its anxiety) so even though it may well have cured my ills through dance, I just wasn't ready to see the light at the time. Mea culpa.
Random Trivia: Their name was taken from a reported quote by Beyoncé, who allegedly declared that she was "tired of being sexy."
www.csshurts.com
8. Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
Yeah, OK, so they had that big song in that one commercial this year. Noah and the Whale are very catchy, very poppy and just very much fun. Thanks to Sarah and bands like Los Campesinos! and the Lucksmiths 2008 was my year of "hooray twee!" And this band reminds me of the Boy Least Likely To, which is a twee band, I think. So I should have listened to "Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down." But I did not.
Random Trivia: Their name is a marriage of the title of one of the band's favourite films, The Squid and the Whale, and the director of said film's name (Noah Baumbach).
www.noahandthewhale.com
9. Rise Against - Appeal to Reason/Rancid - B Sides and C Sides
Nostalgia.
I've been discussing punk with a kid at work recently and it kind of makes me wish I was still a freshman in college doing a radio program with Menguin. I went to a lot of fun shows back then, moshed a little (I know...right?!) and generally had a really good time. Sure, towards the end there were very few good new releases and had I continued I may have developed a liking for Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance bands (*SHUDDER*)...but in the heyday of my youth I got to interview Tim from Rise Against and he was pretty cool. I also remember memorizing Rancid lyrics months before ever actually hearing any of their songs. I was (and remain) a huge dork. So, I will still probably get around to listening to these albums eventually. And I may even enjoy them.
Random Trivia: The acoustic version of "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against is the prettiest song on earth. For real.
www.riseagainst.com and www.rancidrancid.com
10. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
I've known people who were very enamored of Stephen Malkmus. And they have inspired me to WANT to be likewise taken in. But then I get distracted by other shiny things like Los Campesinos! or the Black Kids. Anyway, the band was awesome when I saw them with John Vanderslice (side story: I really wanted to see John Vanderslice and so got tickets for that show and later learned Stephen Malkmus was playing the same day in town and was sad because I thought seeing John Vanderslice meant missing Stephen et al. And then I learned they were playing together and I felt soooo happy. And kind of dumb.) and someday soon I really am going to listen to this album which will hopefully inspire me to listen to his others and then revisit Pavement's discography.
Random Trivia: The album is the Jicks' first to feature Quasi and former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss.
www.stephenmalkmus.com
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Hailing from Wisconsin (just like me!), Bon Iver topped many lists this year with the album "For Emma, Forever Ago." Sadly, I was not able to honestly include it in my Best of '08 list because I did not listen to it. I'm not sure how I managed to overlook this sleepy gem for so long, actually. Its title practically screams "pick me up and love me, Ashley!" and I will usually listen to Jagjaguwar releases because they have a track record of being awesome. I suppose I let all the critical acclaim psych me out which happens a lot and is why I have never seen Napoleon Dynamite. Sometimes I'm just stubborn to be stubborn (see British TV entry).
So anyway, Bon Iver is super awesome. Justin Vernon has an amazing voice that blends in flawlessly with the delicate, sweet, quasi-nostalgic, kinda sleepy sounding music.
Random trivia: according to wikipedia (so you KNOW it's true), "the name, Bon Iver, is an Anglicization of the French "bon hiver" (good winter)."
www.boniver.org
2. Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
I listened to a LOT of the Mountain Goats this year. According to LastFM, they were #8 on my overall 2008 charts, even above the Black Kids, which should tell you something. But I did not hear "Heretic Pride" until today simply because I didn't know it existed. This is VERY sad. I feel like I have a pretty good sense of what's going on in the indie rock world (despite what this list suggests) and I still managed to completely miss this album, which has been out since mid-February. Alas.
In my defense, John Darnielle has such an amazing and extensive back catalog (15 other albums) that it would be neigh impossible to listen to them all and appreciate an entire new CD in just 365 days. Additionally, while it's a very solid album and definitely worth owning, "Heretic Tree" didn't seem to break any new ground, sonically. Even so, "Heretic Tree" will almost assuredly keep the Mountain Goats in my charts for another year.
Random Trivia: According to Pitchfork Media, "the album takes its title from from Aura Noir's song "Black Deluge Night" (found on their 2004 album The Merciless) which contains the couplet 'Soaring demons now swarm the skies/ In awe and heretic pride.'"
www.mountain-goats.com
3. Antony and the Johnsons - Another World EP
Listening to Antony and the Johnsons makes me feel like a more rounded person because it's not the traditional indie rock that I usually listen to. Actually, it reminds me a lot of Cocorosie which, come to think of it, is actually pretty par for the course with me, but I digress.
Whereas I had heard positive things about Antony and the Johnsons, it wasn't until WLUW received the EP "Another World" that I actually sat down and listened to the band. The songs on the EP are quirky, beautiful and artistic. It's pretty awesome. Fortunately, Antony and the Johnsons have a new full-length album coming out in January entitled "The Crying Light" so I don't have long to wait. According to wikipedia "Antony has described the theme of the album as being 'about landscape and the future.'"
Random Trivia: Their early live shows were often opened by Dr. Julia Yasuda, an intersex person, who performed the welcome in Morse code.
www.antonyandthejohnsons.com
4. The Foals - Antidotes
There were so many Sub Pop bands on my Best of 2008 list that it's not surprising I may have overlooked one or two releases. I also listened to a lot of dancey-dance music this year so I may have just been overloaded on that. However, I really don't have an excuse for not picking up "Antidotes" after being thoroughly impressed by them at Lollapalooza this summer. Additionally, I'm 90% sure I saw the singer on Never Mind the Buzzcocks (s21e10 - see British TV entry) and he was vaguely funny (I think). So I really, really should have listened to more of their music which is something I shall strive to remedy in the coming year.
Random Trivia: Childhood friends Jack and Yannis were previously in a cult math rock band named The Edmund Fitzgerald but this was disbanded after they claimed that things had become "too serious" and they wanted to have more "fun making their music."
www.wearefoals.com
5. Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer
My roommate Sarah brought my attention to Amanda Palmer when the whole controversy over her belly erupted. It is best explained by her on her blog. After reading it, my opinion of Amanda Palmer increased tenfold. At least. And so even though I'd previously written off her work with the Dresden Dolls because of their association with bands like Panic at the Disco I thought I'd give her a try. And wow. Amanda Palmer is one sassy broad with the most dramatic delivery I've heard in awhile. And she has wit, too. It's pretty awesome.
"Who needs love when there's Southern Comfort?" Indeed.
Random Trivia: The title is a play on an expression used by fans during Twin Peaks' original run, "Who killed Laura Palmer?"
www.whokilledamandapalmer.com
7. CSS - Donkey
I bought this album when it came out and then just didn't listen to it. Having seen them live recently, I really wish I could find my copy. Alas. But anyway, CSS had an awesome debut album and I had heard "Donkey" was no match for it. This was enough to make me hesitant to listen to it. This happens to me a lot. I really need to stop reading reviews before a record drops. Also "Donkey" came out in July when I was busy with shows and hated my job (and its anxiety) so even though it may well have cured my ills through dance, I just wasn't ready to see the light at the time. Mea culpa.
Random Trivia: Their name was taken from a reported quote by Beyoncé, who allegedly declared that she was "tired of being sexy."
www.csshurts.com
8. Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
Yeah, OK, so they had that big song in that one commercial this year. Noah and the Whale are very catchy, very poppy and just very much fun. Thanks to Sarah and bands like Los Campesinos! and the Lucksmiths 2008 was my year of "hooray twee!" And this band reminds me of the Boy Least Likely To, which is a twee band, I think. So I should have listened to "Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down." But I did not.
Random Trivia: Their name is a marriage of the title of one of the band's favourite films, The Squid and the Whale, and the director of said film's name (Noah Baumbach).
www.noahandthewhale.com
9. Rise Against - Appeal to Reason/Rancid - B Sides and C Sides
Nostalgia.
I've been discussing punk with a kid at work recently and it kind of makes me wish I was still a freshman in college doing a radio program with Menguin. I went to a lot of fun shows back then, moshed a little (I know...right?!) and generally had a really good time. Sure, towards the end there were very few good new releases and had I continued I may have developed a liking for Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance bands (*SHUDDER*)...but in the heyday of my youth I got to interview Tim from Rise Against and he was pretty cool. I also remember memorizing Rancid lyrics months before ever actually hearing any of their songs. I was (and remain) a huge dork. So, I will still probably get around to listening to these albums eventually. And I may even enjoy them.
Random Trivia: The acoustic version of "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against is the prettiest song on earth. For real.
www.riseagainst.com and www.rancidrancid.com
10. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
I've known people who were very enamored of Stephen Malkmus. And they have inspired me to WANT to be likewise taken in. But then I get distracted by other shiny things like Los Campesinos! or the Black Kids. Anyway, the band was awesome when I saw them with John Vanderslice (side story: I really wanted to see John Vanderslice and so got tickets for that show and later learned Stephen Malkmus was playing the same day in town and was sad because I thought seeing John Vanderslice meant missing Stephen et al. And then I learned they were playing together and I felt soooo happy. And kind of dumb.) and someday soon I really am going to listen to this album which will hopefully inspire me to listen to his others and then revisit Pavement's discography.
Random Trivia: The album is the Jicks' first to feature Quasi and former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss.
www.stephenmalkmus.com
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Lost in the Harbor
Out of boredom I guess, this is "Getting to Know Me 101" (sort of)
(Following the rules, I opened my music browser, put it on shuffle, and answered the questions.)
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Rag & Bone (White Stripes)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Been Smoking Too Long (Nick Drake)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Celia's Dream (Slowdive)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Second Chance at First Place (Grade)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
The Comeback (Stars)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
They Want Us to Make a Symphony Out of the Sound of Women Swallowing Their Own Tongues (Le Tigre)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
My Slumbering Heart (Rilo Kiley)
WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
New Man (French Kicks)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Just Be Simple (Songs: Ohia)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Spotlights in the House of the Late Scapegoat (Modest Mouse)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
The Things We Did and Didn't Do (Magnetic Fields)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
What We Fall for When We're Already Down (the Good Life)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I Guess I Planted (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Sky Starts Falling (Doves)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Blackout (British Sea Power)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Paper Crowns (Burning Airlines)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Topsy Turvy (the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir)
WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS?
Lost in the Harbor (Tom Waits)
(Following the rules, I opened my music browser, put it on shuffle, and answered the questions.)
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Rag & Bone (White Stripes)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Been Smoking Too Long (Nick Drake)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Celia's Dream (Slowdive)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Second Chance at First Place (Grade)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
The Comeback (Stars)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
They Want Us to Make a Symphony Out of the Sound of Women Swallowing Their Own Tongues (Le Tigre)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
My Slumbering Heart (Rilo Kiley)
WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
New Man (French Kicks)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Just Be Simple (Songs: Ohia)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Spotlights in the House of the Late Scapegoat (Modest Mouse)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
The Things We Did and Didn't Do (Magnetic Fields)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
What We Fall for When We're Already Down (the Good Life)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I Guess I Planted (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Sky Starts Falling (Doves)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Blackout (British Sea Power)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Paper Crowns (Burning Airlines)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Topsy Turvy (the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir)
WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS?
Lost in the Harbor (Tom Waits)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Wanda Sykes
Sarah and I went to Chicago's anti-Prop 8 march today. And hopefully tomorrow when I'm less exhausted I will blog about it. Meanwhile, I'd just like to share this news snippet with you (thanks to Sarah for the heads-up).
Wanda Sykes says she's 'proud to be gay'
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Comedian Wanda Sykes says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about being gay.
"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.
"Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said.
Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked."
"Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay."
I have liked Wanda Sykes's comedy for awhile now. I think she stole a lot of scenes in Evan Almighty, for example. I also like to watch her on Youtube, something I started doing after a summer of watching Last Comic Standing. She's just really funny. And I really admire her.
It takes a lot of courage to be yourself, especially in Hollywood where every move you make is scrutinized. So hooray, Wanda Sykes! You are AWESOME!
Wanda Sykes says she's 'proud to be gay'
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Comedian Wanda Sykes says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about being gay.
"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.
"Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said.
Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked."
"Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay."
I have liked Wanda Sykes's comedy for awhile now. I think she stole a lot of scenes in Evan Almighty, for example. I also like to watch her on Youtube, something I started doing after a summer of watching Last Comic Standing. She's just really funny. And I really admire her.
It takes a lot of courage to be yourself, especially in Hollywood where every move you make is scrutinized. So hooray, Wanda Sykes! You are AWESOME!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
-Sonnet 116, William Shakespear
I wanted to write something eloquent and impassioned to argue against Proposition 8. But what could I contribute to the arguments I have heard this week? I know I only cast one ballot in the last election and didn't really volunteer or anything but I was really proud to help elect Barack Obama as president. I know the two issues are not really related; I don't live in California (for starters). But my new-found pride of being American was tempered when I heard about California's decision.
Briefly, this is what I believe:
1. Allowing two people to stand before each other and profess their love and union affects those two people, not anyone else.
2. Banning marriage based on something as arbitrary as the physical sex of the participants undermines EVERYONE'S marriage.
3. Allowing or banning gay marriage is not a religious issue. It's about civil rights. (And I will stand up for your civil rights when they are threatened too.)
Thus I am going to protest Prop. 8 on Saturday in Chicago. I hope that I will be joined by many, many people. And I hope that together we can make a difference.
I'd like to make a sign for the protest. Possibly like the one in the middle. Possibly the one on the right.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Feel the Rhythm in Your Bones
So I've been a bit MIA recently. Sorry? I've been occupied elsewhere. I saw Conor Oberst on Halloween (review to come, promise) and spent election night at Grant Park. Also having company this weekend which required some cleaning. Additionally, some things on the internet that have intrigued me recently (and will help distract you when I cannot):
1. Cute Boys Make Me Nervous
(Exhibit A)
I don't remember how I found this blog. Maybe on Bust's website. Basically this anonymous lady travels around and takes pictures of cute guys under the guise of running a fashion blog. This gives her an excuse to talk to hipsters who might otherwise intimidate her. I respect and admire that initiative.
2. I Can Has Cheez Burger
Basically the best LOLcat blog ever. So much awesomeness. Sometimes I read it in the living room and Sarah-Sarah gets le mad at me. But it's worth it. If you want to submit your own, there's also an online translator.
3. Yes We Carve
Sarah-Sarah and I carved pumpkins for Halloween. Mine is on the left. I think it turned out well given the knives we had at our disposal. And my lack of art skills.
4. the Election
I know it's all over (hooray America!) but the video is still sort of funny. Especially if you're a Gossip Girl fan. Which I am. It's the new Degrassi.
5. Devendra Banhart
I think his music* speaks for itself.
*by "music" I also mean "facial hair"
1. Cute Boys Make Me Nervous
(Exhibit A)
I don't remember how I found this blog. Maybe on Bust's website. Basically this anonymous lady travels around and takes pictures of cute guys under the guise of running a fashion blog. This gives her an excuse to talk to hipsters who might otherwise intimidate her. I respect and admire that initiative.
2. I Can Has Cheez Burger
Basically the best LOLcat blog ever. So much awesomeness. Sometimes I read it in the living room and Sarah-Sarah gets le mad at me. But it's worth it. If you want to submit your own, there's also an online translator.
3. Yes We Carve
Sarah-Sarah and I carved pumpkins for Halloween. Mine is on the left. I think it turned out well given the knives we had at our disposal. And my lack of art skills.
4. the Election
I know it's all over (hooray America!) but the video is still sort of funny. Especially if you're a Gossip Girl fan. Which I am. It's the new Degrassi.
5. Devendra Banhart
I think his music* speaks for itself.
*by "music" I also mean "facial hair"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
LoveLetterTypewriter
I have a cold and new earrings. I'm only excited about one of those things.
In addition to working a new internship, I also signed on with a company that does retail marketing for major label artists. On the plus side, I'll be paid to hang up posters (until this point, postering was its own reward). On the minus side, my first artist to promote is Katy Perry. I now have 20 of her CDs and a billion posters in my apartment. Tomorrow (today, when I wake up) I have the honor of traipsing around Chicago looking for stores willing to host displays. How did this become my life?
I feel like little J from Gossip Girl circa mid-summer when she was just a lowly little intern. "Anything to make it," that's my new motto. "No job too small."
Speaking of which, I heart Gossip Girl. Have I mentioned that? Not only because they are doing a ridiculously awesome job with the Vitamin Water product placement (sadly scaled way back this week) but also because of the drama. Oh my, so much drama. It's the new Degrassi.
Oh, and they've added a new character: Aaron Rose.
Tres hipster fabulous, no? Sometimes he wears huge Elvis Costello glasses and it's even more awesome. Mondays are the best.
In real life, which nobody cares about, his name is John Patrick Amedori. Finding out that he's the kid from "Stick It" made me feel really dirty. Like maybe I should be on profiled on Hipster or Pedophile. I'm obviously not a hipster though, so...
Speaking of Gossip Girl, I'm on Twitter and we should be friends. You should join Twitter. You can be friends with me AND(/or) with Rufus_Humphrey. Win-win-win.
And on that note, gentle reader, I will bid adieu.
p.s. I played two awesome new artists on my show this past week. Saint Milkweed and Daniel Martin Moore. Both are rather mellow.
p.p.s. Speaking of Myspace, why do some people take it as a challenge to be as tacky as possible? And not in a kitchy, ironic way. I'm promoting some artists on Myspace for my internship and it's killing me. Here are just a few examples of the nightmares that make my eyes bleed and my brain melt.
In addition to working a new internship, I also signed on with a company that does retail marketing for major label artists. On the plus side, I'll be paid to hang up posters (until this point, postering was its own reward). On the minus side, my first artist to promote is Katy Perry. I now have 20 of her CDs and a billion posters in my apartment. Tomorrow (today, when I wake up) I have the honor of traipsing around Chicago looking for stores willing to host displays. How did this become my life?
I feel like little J from Gossip Girl circa mid-summer when she was just a lowly little intern. "Anything to make it," that's my new motto. "No job too small."
Speaking of which, I heart Gossip Girl. Have I mentioned that? Not only because they are doing a ridiculously awesome job with the Vitamin Water product placement (sadly scaled way back this week) but also because of the drama. Oh my, so much drama. It's the new Degrassi.
Oh, and they've added a new character: Aaron Rose.
Tres hipster fabulous, no? Sometimes he wears huge Elvis Costello glasses and it's even more awesome. Mondays are the best.
In real life, which nobody cares about, his name is John Patrick Amedori. Finding out that he's the kid from "Stick It" made me feel really dirty. Like maybe I should be on profiled on Hipster or Pedophile. I'm obviously not a hipster though, so...
Speaking of Gossip Girl, I'm on Twitter and we should be friends. You should join Twitter. You can be friends with me AND(/or) with Rufus_Humphrey. Win-win-win.
And on that note, gentle reader, I will bid adieu.
p.s. I played two awesome new artists on my show this past week. Saint Milkweed and Daniel Martin Moore. Both are rather mellow.
p.p.s. Speaking of Myspace, why do some people take it as a challenge to be as tacky as possible? And not in a kitchy, ironic way. I'm promoting some artists on Myspace for my internship and it's killing me. Here are just a few examples of the nightmares that make my eyes bleed and my brain melt.
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