I had been kicking myself for not trying to extend my stay in the Emerald City through the weekend, but I guess things have a way of working out for the best whether we realize it or not.  M-----l headed west the day after I came home, and he and Homebody spent the morning watching my team play his team.  I could have been there watching with them.  It's best that I wasn't.  There are worse fan bases in sports, but no fans are worse than Bengal fans when it comes to keeping a little bit of success in proper perspective.  I still remember vividly the bitching and moaning on the part of Bengal fans when the Steelers shredded them (and Carson Palmer's knee) on the way to Super Bowl XL.  You'd have thought the league promised them a championship or something, the way they cried about "being robbed."  And I have no doubt that everyone in southwest Ohio believes after today that they are owed a Super Bowl victory.  After two flukey losses, I kind of hope we face the Bungles a third time in the playoffs.  I look forward to seeing them (and, hopefully, Carson Palmer's knee) shredded by the Steelers once again on their - the Steelers' - way to a seventh Lombardi Trophy.

Who dey?  Dey ain't nuthin', that's who dey.

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It's going to be some good Thanksgiving eats this year!

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ceremony 2

We've just returned from Dabysan and Carrienation's wedding and our follow-up trip to New York City and I could not be  a happier new mother-in-law. The wedding itself was perfection, thanks to their meticulous planning and generous attention to the sweet details that made everyone feel special.  More importantly, I'm just so happy that these two found each other.  They seem so compatible in so many ways.  I love her, love her family and just generally loved every moment of the experience.  My mom, who is in her eighties, was enthralled and I was also thrilled that my cousin Rosanne and her husband Ralph made it down from New England for the event.

carrie 2

Reading 2

sorting hat

in central park 2

big piano 2

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• 10:58 @neohawk よく考えたら11/21（土）でもいい気がしてきた。ご予定は？ #
• 12:20 ミシュランガイドの歴史を見て最初に驚いたのは、ミシュランマンという名前だと思っていたタイヤのキャラが実は「ビバンダム」という名前だったこと #MiGuideTrivia bit.ly/X60Qf #
• 13:05 @neohawk じゃあ11/21にしましょう、シャンの日。さて食べ物は、今日はどんな趣向で行きますかねー？ #
• 15:37 ミシュランガイドの歴史は、歴史好きの私にとって楽しい発見の連続。なんとノルマ\xE3 \x83\xB3ディ上陸作戦の地図として、1939年版ミシュランガイドが再版され連合軍に配られたとか！ #MiGuideTrivia bit.ly/RLU70 #
• 21:08 @kenjieno's song just started! (kenji_eno live › ustre.am/3zdV) #

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It seemed about to rain all day. Glad it didn't, we accomplished a lot.

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• 00:34 @neohawk え、でも遊びでしょ？w #
• 00:36 @kwmr お疲れさまです！ #
• 10:16 @shrimpdancer おめでとう！ #
• 10:30 [Nob's Vox] ミシュランガイド東京2010のパーティに向けて準備着々: ミシュランガイド東京2010の出版記念パーティで、ブロガー記者とTwitterレポーターを募集していたので、倍率が低そ.. bit.ly/41Y1wI #
• 10:38 Twitterfeedが悪いのか、受け手のTwitterが悪いのかは分かりませ\xE3\x82 \x93が、1日以上たったブログのフィードがTwitterに投稿されると、なんか決まりが悪い件 #
• 12:50 @neohawk なんだ、やっぱり遊びなんだw #

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Little Dragon - Swimming Little Dragon Tour Dates 11/14/09 Double Door Chicago, IL 11/16/09 Al’s Bar Lexington, KY 11/17/09 Cliff Bells Detroit 11/18/09 Wrongbar Toronto, ON 11/19/09 ll Motore Montreal 11/20/09 Westcott Theater Syracuse, NY 11/21/09 LPR NY, New York 11/22/09 Liv Nightclub Washington DC 11/23/09 Magnus Music LLC Charlottesville 11/24/09 Milestone Charlotte, NC 11/25/09 Local 506 Carrboro, NC 11/27/09 BottleTree Birmingham, AL 11/28/09 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA 11/29/09 House Of Blues Dallas, TX 11/30/09 Emos Jr Austin, TX 12/02/09 Rhythm Room Phoenix 12/03/09 Casbah San Diego, CA 12/04/09 El Rey LA, CA 12/07/09 Rythm Factory London 12/08/09 HiFi Club Leeds 12/09/09 Jam Brighton 12/17/09 Palác Akropolis Prague Read More Little Dragon http://weheartmus... Among the music she's listening to, she highly recommended Little Dragon. When I found out that s...

Such a nice night for mid-November at the 400 Bar. Athletes in Slacks (myspace) warmed up the crowd with their laidback loungey harmonizing sound that only two keyboarders and a guitarist can produce. The band claims all their songs are about love, except later on their hour-long set, they introduced a song about hating two guys from New York. They did finish strong with a cover of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart", and that's what really matter.

The first time I heard about Swedish band Little Dragon, was in January. Ceji was really into them. Since we generally like Swedish bands here, I did try and keep up with their whereabouts. As it turns out, they're in the middle of their tour through the US to promote their sophomore album, Machine Dreams. Although the band's been here already, they confessed last night that this was their first time in Minneapolis.

Little Dragon-Recommendation

They didn't do Ceji's favorite "Recommendation" song, but I though hands-down their best song played was "After The Rain", complete with an amazing ending.

From what I heard from their live set, their new songs seems to drifts from the R&B and Jazz influence to more electro and beats. I think the combination works well for them, especially since I like their big beats/electronica sound.

Little Dragon

So one thing I should point out is that singer Yukimi Nagano's dance moves looks very martial and yoga-like. She's often doing this tough smirk and her fists in boxing stance. It's as if she's saying, "bring it on". The way she dances and handles herself, she seems like she was born to be an entertainer.

I've been to a lot of shows lately, and I can tell you that this was one of the best shows yet. They're heading their way to the East Coast, so definitely check them out. If they're not heading through your city, you should check out Machine Dreams, out now on Peacefrog Records.

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Today in the Twitterverse:

• 18:59 @lisapoyneer hahaha! I guess this means they won't be doing Laura, though, since you took the L name #

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At the start of the day I thought I knew what today's "Note From The Universe" meant and I laughed out loud at its perfect timing and choice of words.

However, at the end of this day, I am less certain what it means than when the day started.

But it is Friday the 13th and perhaps it's time to think some entirely new thoughts.

The Universe is looking out for me. I just need to keep listening. 

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The Maladies

The Maladies - Album Launch - Oxford Art Factory

It was a dark and stormy night.... well, less stormy and more irritatingly rainy.... anyway it was a night to venture out for the purpose of viewing the album launch show of Sydney boys, The Maladies. 

Playing a bunch of songs from their debut album, With You Right By My Side, Baby The Deal Just Can’t Go Down, it was a pretty fine show, I must say. Loud, dirty, bluesy rock, from foot tap inducing tunes to slow, sullen mini-epic songs, but still not quiet. I'd never actually been to a Maladies show before so I was not sure what to expect. Thankfully, it wasn't disappointing in the slightest. I can only assume that the horn section and the back-up lady singers might have been a special occasion for album launching purposes, possibly not the correct sized stage for so many people to squish on to, but you really can't go wrong with a very large saxophone. All the same, quite impressive musicality, the entire band (including back-up musicians on this particular occasion) didn't put a foot wrong. Nice.

Ask me to name a track. Well no, I can't because I am yet to acquire a copy of the album, but i can assure you, that either catching a Maladies show and/or purchasing your very own copy of With You Right By My Side, Baby The Deal Just Can’t Go Down is quite a good idea.

If you are in Brisbane or Melbourne you are in luck because there's more shows to be played:

19 Nov - The Step Inn Fortitude Valley, Queensland w Mexico City & Sue Ray           

27 Nov - The Tote Melbourne, Victoria. w James McCann’s Dirty Skirt Band, Black Pony Express & Little John.           

 

An honourable mention also has to go to Jamie Hutchings. I'm sure he's being playing shows in some form or another since before the dawn of time. Always enjoyable.... and, it seems, about to embark on a tour of europe, so if you're over that way, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled. Or maybe just look at his website for tour dates (might be easier).

The Maladies - http://www.myspace.com/themaladiesband

Jamie Hutchings - http://www.myspace.com/jamiehutchings

The Rocketsmiths

The Rocketsmiths

The Rocketsmiths.... brought to me by facestalk.... but really.... considering the vast volumes of bands that pop up via the internet I must admit this offering from The Rocketsmiths is not too shabby at all. Not what i'd usually admit to listen to. 

Anyway, a neat little tune named Doctor has landed on my earpod, and i must say I like it. It's simple, it's pounding, straight down the line. Punk pop, short and sweet. A five piece from Brisbane, The Rocketsmiths have been around for some time (well, since 2006 at least) and released a handfull of EP's. Well worth further investigation.

Tour dates for the Doctor tour... here:

20 Nov 2009 - MUM at World Bar, Kings Cross, Sydney,

21 Nov 2009 - The Clubhouse (formerly Empire Corner Bar), Fortitude Valley

The Rocketsmiths -http://www.rocketsmiths.com/

Fan Death

Fan Death

Well, according to Wikipedia (an obvious reliable source) Fan Death is "a South Korean urban legend which states that an electric fan, if left running overnight in a closed room, can cause the death of those inside (by suffocation, poisoning, or hypothermia)." 

As for the band, Fan Death is a couple of ladies who make a brand of discotheque pop stylings of the type that I have never heard before. It's like modern disco, really. Very simple standard disco backing with two female voices singing over the top. Enough to drive you nuts if disco isn't your thing, but i have a little soft spot for disco music....(thanks mum), but not so much for this tune (bring on the Walter Murphy Band... ahem). 

There's not a lot of obvious information available as to where these ladies are from, so I can only assume that they are american and it appears there are no live shows on the horizon. Maybe they've gone to Korea to dispel the rumours.

Fan Death -http://www.myspace.com/fandeath

Sally

sally@weheartmusic.com

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