A little of this...and that...

There's this thing I like to do - skimming through the bleak offerings of music at my local library, I come across a CD that I've never heard of the band but I'll try it out anyway. Usually the cover captures my attention or the names of the songs seem to intrigue me. I've stumbled upon a few cool bands (or at least a song or two) I enjoy this way & I encourage you to break out of your comfort zone and try it for yourself. I did this last night and while I enjoyed The Cloud Room (self-titled) it wasn't anything that I couldn't hear at a local bar. It had catchy yet simple lyrics, with an 80's vibe, which made it worth listening to at least once.

I also picked up the CD collection, 69 Love Songs, by The Magnetic Fields. Interesting is the best word to describe this collection. There are literally 69 songs - 3 CDs worth. I really enjoyed the variety of musical instruments in these songs, and the fact that one could hear most any sort of song style on these disks (from acoustic, folk, punk & techno). What I didn't enjoy unfortunately was their lead singer's voice. It really was a deal breaker for me. Yet, I just couldn't pass up a CD with 69 love songs and one of them was titled"How Fucking Romantic." If that cracks you up, then my dear reader, we might just be soul mates.

Speaking of the library, I finished that one feature book I mentioned in a previous entry: "Gil's All Fright Diner" by A. Lee Martinez. It was a fun, light read. I recommend it! I've already started reading a new book, "The Year of Yes" a memoir by Maria Dahvana Headley. This book is about a year in the life of a NYC girl looking for the "right man". Since her old (picky) ways were not producing the results she had hoped for, she decides for a year she will agree to go out with anyone who asks her. You read that correctly: ANYONE - homeless men, taxi drivers, old, young, a few women and one 77 year old guy who only spoke Spanish and she didn't. It sounds very interesting - but 20 pages into it, I'm beginning to see why she is single. The woman really is a neurotic mess. I hope the book gets better. I'll let you know if it is worth your time.

So what else is going on? Unfortunately, I still have my "2-packs a day" cough lingering around (just to piss me off I think). I may have to break down and go to the doctor. My $300 car is officially dead until I get some money. There is a belt near the front right headlight that is not turning. So when the car is running, smoke rises and a burning smell fill the garage. The battery is not getting charged either. It definitely needs towed to a garage. I'm working on the legal issue.

I went out to Wall Street with some friends the night before Thanksgiving. We met up at Union Station first for some dinner. I was really happy that JD got to be there. It had been way too long since we last hung out - I miss our time together before "she" became a "we." Yet, I can't blame the girl for wanting a relationship. I just wish her girlfriend would let her out alone more often. Dinner was fun. We got a chance to get caught up on each other's lives. I, of course, ordered the white pizza - because I am so predictable. Then suddenly the Madonna concert came on and the place filled up with squealing, giddy gay men. My God! Gays really do love their Madonna! LOL I mean, I've heard about it - but now I believe it. ;o)

After dinner we headed over to Wall Street's Heaven & Hell Night. I had never been, but it is an annual party which always seems to attract a large- there were feathers all over the floor and the walls looked like clouds. Downstairs was Hell and the walls were black with sparkly red flames. They had also hired some dancers who were dressed in appropriate attire- all hail the yummy black devil dancer!

It was an OK time. The music was way too loud and not very good. One out of 5 songs was danceable. Why do clubs have to play such crap?! They all sound the same as the last song - and that isn't a good thing. I still think some songs are more fun without the remix or whatever. I guess this would be the part of my monologue when Michael (from the U.S. version of Queer as Folk) would interrupt and remind me that the "thumpa-thumpa" club music is the life blood of the gay club culture. I guess that is how I really know deep down that I am straight, because I can only take so much. Whatever happened to techno, trance or goth? I'll take a NIN or Depeche Mode remix any day over Fergie's London Bridges. Ah, I digress.

We played a bit of pool before the place started to get full and people finally spilled onto the dance floor. I also lost one of my new earrings which Susie had given me as a belated birthday present at dinner. I was so upset! They were so cute. They were dangling rainbow colored crystals. I guess one had gotten caught in my hair and flew off into a pile of feathers or slid into a pocket of darkness on the dance floor. I spent 30 minutes on my knees looking without success. People tried to help too - but it was impossible. Susie was very gracious but I felt like shit over it. It kind of soured my mood to say the least.

The holidays passed without much fan fare. I ate at my Mom's and only bought 2 small gifts in all the sales over the weekend. Brian spent most of the time putting up Christmas lights and it looks really nice. We put up the tree on Sunday andI'm planning on tackling the Christmas cards this week. Despite not having any money, I am in the holiday spirit.

Well, I need to run - we are going to see some panels from the AIDS quilt that are on display downtown as part of World AIDS Day (Dec.1st) events.

I'll be posting the next segment in my saga very soon - keep an eye open!

Random thought: HEROES rocked last night!!! I totally figured out the "secret" to the show too...(spoiler alert) Here's my (brilliant) thought: Sylar is collecting the "bad pieces" of the mutants' brains. He is putting them together (like the watches) in a new brain (maybe Brian Davies' brain?) which once he collects the cheerleader's mutation, he can then place in himself and heal before he dies!!! Thus, save the cheerleader and save the world because he won't be able to do this without her "piece". TA DA! I am brilliant! Thank you. LOL What I can't figure out...who is Claire's Dad working for and is he a mutant too? Also, how is Sylar able to use his "powers" - because he has no mutation. This is obvious when Peter couldn't absorb Sylar's powers and use them against hiharnessedey entangled at Claire's high school. He has harnassed Brian's telekinesis, but still has no powers of his own. Lastly, yes I need a life outside of the TV.