soul1383’s Neighborhood

were going back in time to November 09, 2005.In this video, Alex talks about the fake left and their huge carbon footprint.Also, Alex talks about the fake neo-con, Noam Chomsky and his little mind games he likes to play with the general public to fool them into thinking government had nothing to do with 9/11.
http://prisonplanet.tv/

YaY!  The Avatar edition of Cinefex is out.  Usually they have 5-10 copies on average.  Brian got their last 2.  I might send mine to my mom and get another later.  Mom missed Brian's name in the credits while looking for them and this is cooler -- a full page ad taken out to thank his team and another -- with his name in it.  Can't miss it.

So, as we near the end of the year I though I would put together my best / worst lists.  I'm too lazy.  Sleep is a mess.  Not getting anything done.  Didn't get to go see Avatar again yet.  Didn't get to mail stuff yet as I've not been awake at hours I could use sewing machine, so stuff to mail to mom isn't done.  Etc.  So, I'm just going to do.. hmph.  My best person and worst person of the year, how's that?  Good, good.  Here we go then:

Best person of the year -- The Iranian people.  I realize they're not one person.  Shush.  They realized they got screwed.  They knew they'd face death if they stood up and said so.  They stood up and said so anyway.  They're still saying so.  They're still dying.  In fact today, it's being reported that Mir Hossein Mousavi's nephew was killed.  It seems to be confirmed on Mir Hossein Mousavi's FB.  Other reports say it wasn't him.  Whoever it was that died -- it's a YouTube video.   I'd not post the link, except they want to be seen it seems.  Because that's what they're fighting for.  Their country doesn't want them to be seen or heard.  So, whether protesting or dying they want it seen.  Sad.

Runner up for person of the year --  Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.  I know, I know.  He says he's no hero, that he was just doing his job when he landed that plane in the water.  But you know what?  We also had some pilots who should have been doing their jobs while they missed their runway by what 70 minutes?  So while airlines charge customers more and more for every little thing and pay pilots less and less? And those other pilots sleep through their duties?  Good job to Sully for being awake and alert and doing his job pretty damn well!

Worst person of the year -- Politicians.  Most of them collectively.  Again not one person, I realize this.  But there were only a few who seemed to stand true to what they believed without wavering back and forth about opinions, without caving, without being bought and sold.  And while I'm okay with a little silliness?  Most of them seemed to encourage flat out stupidity, rudeness, ignorance, just -- wow.  Between the two major parties -- I can probably use the fingers on ONE hand to count the ones who stayed totally true to their political views all year and weren't douchebags in the process and didn't encourage really bad behaviour.  A little showmanship I expect -- the rest, shame on them all.  

Runner up for worst person of the year -- rude people.  From Kanye West deciding to ruin Taylor's moment, to Joe Wilson yelling You Lie, to people deciding that "I have Freedom of Speech, God Dammit" means being the biggest jackass man has ever seen.   Your neighbor too has Freedom of Speech and frankly I'd rather listen to the one who was speaking calmly and respectfully -- not the one yelling over everyone, insulting everyone, ranting, waving their arms like a madman, etc.  Act respectable or I'm gonna suggest that people take headphones with them everywhere they go -- and when you exercise your freedom of acting like a fool they should blast those headphones as loud as they go until it's someone else's turn to speak, oh wait it wasn't your turn -- that's why you're rude.  

Brett Anderson - The Hunted Brett Anderson Tour Dates 01/22/10 O2 Shepherds Bush Empire London 01/24/10 Tivoli Utrecht 01/25/10 Luxor Koln 01/26/10 Knust Hamburg 01/28/10 Nalen Stockholm 01/29/10 Parkteatret Oslo 02/01/10 Lido Berlin 02/02/10 Atomic Cafe Munich 02/03/10 Tunnel Milan 02/05/10 Divan Du Monde Paris 02/06/10 Trix Antwerp 02/08/10 Academy 3 Manchester 02/09/10 King Tuts Glasgow Discography [Mar 2007] Brett Anderson [Sep 2008] Wilderness [Nov 2009] Slow Attack Read More Suede http://weheartmus... I suppose, I was a pretty big Suede fan, and Brett Anderson being on the cover with a quote like ...

BRETT ANDERSON
brettanderson.co.uk ♥ myspace.com

Those who follows our W♥M Podcast, you'll know that between Sally, Kristen, and I, that we really, really love our Britpop music. When Suede burst on the scene, with all their hype*, I was a bit, what's the word? Resistant.

I eventually got over it when I heard Metal Mickey, a nice rock n roll glammy track with aggressive Butler guitars and Anderson's unique voice. The songwriting duo of Anderson/Butler did not last for long, and Butler's replacement, Richard Oakes, seems only a pale copy of the original. I think everyone knew that, and eventually, Bernard Butler and Brett Anderson got over their differences and re-united - but not as Suede... they were then The Tears. I think everyone was confused on how to interpret it at first (personally I think it's like tears/crying, not ripped/tear).

The Tears didn't live for very long, and by 2007, Brett Anderson releases his inevitable solo self-titled album. I never bought his solo stuff, because I don't think his music post-Suede's Head Music** were ever re-release or re-marketed to the US audience, so the few promo downloads that he's made available for free, I wasn't so impressed with. I remember thinking his debut solo album was trying to be orchestral (based on what I've heard).

Imagine my surprise when I got a chance to listen to a few tracks from his latest album, Slow Attack, officially via We7.com. It was all very operatic, almost minimalistic in its approach of piano and percussions. I did like that it brings out Anderson's voice loud and clear, but it generally made all of his music to be on the sadder end of the scale.

While I think one or two slow songs would be OK for a full length, all of the tracks I sampled were in that very similar tone. Kind of ballady and depressing.  I kind of miss the old Suede stuff. The only redeeming value is that at least, his voice isn't altered/over-produced as with Suede's Head Music and Coming Up.

I suppose, Anderson's much older now, wow you can see his cheek bones sticking out of his face... such a difference of imagery, from a time when mean-spirited fans were calling him "fatty" (we all kind of knew it was the getting off the drugs that was causing the weight thing... allegedly).

Anyway, if you were looking for the glory rock days, don't bother looking into Slow Attack. If you're a hardcore fan, chances are you probably own the limited edition anyway. The album will probably not be released in the US, as were all his previous releases. Import costs are generally cheaper these days, but expect to pay about $20 for an import album (Amazon is listing $19).

Brett Anderson is touring in 2010, so if you live in the UK, you can relive your youth days. If he were touring the US, I might leave my hibernation to see him. As you know, I've met the band before at a special "after-party", I'm sure he'll have no idea who I am.

* "Best Band in Britain" before releasing their album? Really, Melody Maker, really??)
** Suede's last album, A New Morning was never released in the US.

TRUE NATURE
truenatureband.com ♥ myspace.com

As you know, I also run a website on artist George Perez, and it's rare when my music and comic website mix. How does True Nature and George Perez cross paths, you ask? The cover artwork for True Nature's EP, Feels Like Centuries, stars actress/model Tonya Kay (with some artwork and directions from Glen Wexler).

CREATURE (Tonya Kay) (2008), art by George Pérez

Perez, through his associations with Fetish Con, have actually drawn Tonya Kay as a print, for Fetish Con's "Who's the Best Bondage Super Heroine?" contest. The original artwork was auctioned off for charity.

So, there's the connection. As for True Nature's EP, Feels Like Centuries, based on the cover artwork, it looks like they're also marketing themselves as somewhat of a spiritual rock band. I reckon if you like classic American progressive-type rock, you might enjoy this EP. Despite having only five tracks, the EP is "centuries" long (so long that it felt like a chore to get through). It's not that I dislike singer/songwriter, Lou Barlow's vocals, it's just really not the type of music I enjoy.

Their best track is the opening song, "Truth I Have To Steel (Simple Heart)", which started off strong and remain steadily so throughout the song. You can sample the entire track on their official website.

You can pick up Feels Like Centuries at CD Baby or Amazon. Although, not really my thing, I'm glad that there was at least a common connection for me.

 12/26/2009 19:48:38 ♥ vu () ♥weheartmusic.com♥twitter.com/weheartmusic♥news.weheartmusic.com

Our daughter became engaged to her Scottish partner today. He is a fine young man, and we are very happy for them both. It is three years today since they met in Inverness, Scotland. They came to Toowoomba last April, and plan to make their future home here. We had planned a BBQ for tomorrow night. I wonder if her partner and I will be dancing together like we were at the wedding we attended in Manchester last year. Better not, I suppose. I don't want to make our daughter jealous...

Okay so after watching our traditional Christmas movies (A Christmas Story and Badder Santa, `Brian decided maybe it was okay to open presents.  He'd planned on opening presents after midnight.  We finished the movies at about 11:30.  That was surely close enough.  heh.  I'm telling you, he's a big kid. 

So what did I get? 

From mom:
- Bags and the like (1 purse, 1 tote, 1 keychain bag, 1 wallet, 1 pencil type of case) 
- A paint by numbers faerie painting.
- An Eeyore shirt.
- A bracelet
- Vinyl that I wanted for sewing with but couldn't find easily online and forget to buy in the store -- then getting back to our local store is woah boy no way due to traffic in that area

From Brian:
Are you ready for my big surprise?  A Kindle.  I've already played with it a little and I'm sure you're all dying to know my initial thoughts.  It was auto registered to him since he bought it.  We de-registered it and then registered it to me in a matter of seconds -- simple simple.  I have gift card balances (which is what it will take your charges from first), but I also made sure I set up the card I wanted it to default to, as you have to use 1-click even if purchasing on the web. 

I skimmed the store a  bit.  Decided I'd buy a book from my wishlist (Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck).   So I click on buy -- it takes me to the screen saying I can keep shopping or whatever and my purchase will show up on my homepage when it's done downloading.  So I go to my homepage -- and it's there when I get there pretty much.  w00t!   Fast enough for this girlie.  So I click on it.  Bang loads right up.  First page is art.  Fast loading.  Next page please.  Also fast - it's the text, straight into the book.  Not like a normal book with all of the usual thank yous, copyrights, etc.  Weird.  Without looking at anything I figured out the bookmarks, how to get to a word to see what it means (the dictionary is so simple that you just basically get the cursor to it and poof the definition is there -- but not in your way).  I didn't actually need to do this with this book, just wanted to see if I could figure it out.  So far I'm LOVING it.  Reading on does feel even nicer than a book.  I believe if the early feelings hold true, then I was right -- I'll only be buying things like comics and other books with lots of images in hard copy now.

If you're a mass online book "window shopper" as I am -- I think the web site itself is slightly better for that.  I always feel like I end up on random 100 click spree and that's how I end up finding stuff usually since I don't keep up with the must read stuff, I find it later or I find more obscure stuff or whatever -- like this, try that, then this, then that.  There's some of that while shopping directly from the Kindle but since the navigation is obviously different -- well there's a bit less of that too but since you can shop from the Kindle or your computer -- either / both / whatever, who cares.

From my little time with it so far, no serious gripes. The ones I have are minor.
1 - I think some publishers are on crack when it comes to pricing.  But that's their issue not Amazon's or B&N's or whoever you use to buy the books from.  Not sure they remember that they don't have to print them on paper, ship them, etc.  I don't expect free books -- but it shouldn't cost me the same or basically the same as it costs me to buy a hardcover book -- and those are the ones I won't be buying -- douchebags.  Paperback prices?  I'm cool with that.  Hardcover?  Screw you.

2 - On pretty much every page within the Kindle, the cursor thingie -- it defaults to the link that is on the top of the page.  As you would expect on any computer page, browser, etc.  But if you click within the Kindle store and go to an individual book -- usually the top link is one to be a read more within the description yet the cursor is always on the buy now by default.  So you'd want to be careful not to press down on the erm pointer thingie when you go to scroll up or down as you go to explore that page right off or you might go to buy the book instead.  I say this because as someone with a tremor, the first time I went to use that pointer thing I pressed down on it on accident when I went to navigate with it.  So having it right on a BUY button first thing as it gets to a page is annoying.  With my memory probs I already forget if I had to confirm or not. I don't think I did, but their site says you can contact them for mistakes at least and Amazon has always been good to me, so I'll believe them and hope I never have to find out.

3 - The one click purchase in general.  It makes sense on the Kindle itself -- maybe it's a pain in the ass to allow you to log in, manage a cart, pick a card, etc.   I'm okay with needing a default card stored for shopping directly on the Kindle.  They'll disable it instantly if I tell them it's stolen.  Etc.  Cool.  But if I want to buy books on the website for the Kindle or the Kindle app on my computer?  I often like buying more than one book at a time.  With 1-click Kindle purchases, you buy a book.  BAM sale.  E-mail receipt.    What if I want to buy 3 books at once, I'm erm old school  digital shopper, I kind of like the cart and picking how I pay for each purchase.   Minor annoyance given I get them in seconds, no longer will have 100 cardboard boxes around my house, etc. 

Brian thinks I'm crazy -- I do plan on buying a cover.  He thinks I should just store it on my bookshelf as I have this one shelf that has a filing box in it.  So  the cats can't get into the shelf but it has room to set something like the kindle on top of that -- between it and the shelf.  Erm, what fun is that.  I read, sometimes a lot.  Why store it out of the way all of the time.  I'll want to keep it out where I am and not have to keep getting up, putting it over there for 10 minutes while I do something else, then go get it,  etc.  I want to keep the screen protected from ev0l kitties and keep it out where I'll be using it.  Now my real tough decision?  Do I go with something modern -- zipper and all  that I won't care if the cats destroy  or something artsy, amazing, and way more expensive -- did I mention amazing?

From Karina and Keegan:
- An Amazon gift card -- and in the words of the attached e-card: "Unfortunately I am a broke ass bitch so hopefully there is something both you and Brian equally want, its up to you though... you two can agree on something, you can keep it for yourself or you can divide it anyway you want."

I told Brian we could figure that out later -- he just said maybe I could send a Doctor Who book to the Kindle... lol.  I was thinking well maybe there's some DVDs or something we'd want to order or something, but I should have known he'd want to play with my present -- he warned me.  Then when I opened it, he was like no no it's your present, when would I read a book on it anyway, etc.  Now... I had my time ;)

I'm still awake.  The cats went crazy -- Santa brought them catnip and peacock feathers.  Due to our late night, movies, new toys, I didn't work on those to mail this weekend stuff at all.  Probably won't get to today either.  Brian assures me it  can wait til this week as it's a holiday and enjoying Christmas stuff was more important.  Me?  I kind of agree though I'm already way way way way behind.  *shrug*  We had a good time.  Materialistic stuff was good of course.  Did the charity stuff.  Keegan will get his stuff today.  Kitties had a blast.  Lucky all around.

Don't forget to celebrate with Felt and Rosie Perez this holiday season. Cop Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez at your favorite independent or chain music store.

http://itunes.com/felt
http://fifthelementonline.com/felt

Directed by Ben Cohen
http://www.cohenben.com

Graphics by Dan Marker-Moore &
http://www.DontCryBaby.org

Nike Dunkin On Reindeer Commercial Featuring KRS-One & Lupe Fiasco