Musical Associations

Have you ever associated a song with something or someone, even though it really should stand on its own. In my case, its the song The Gambler by Kenny Rogers. About a year ago I saw a clip from the BBC series Blackpool. After that, I could never not think of David Tennant eating ice cream when I hear this song.



Have any of you had anything similar happen with a song?

Rest in Peace, Leslie Nielsen

This is a death that can't go unmentioned. Chances are high that we all love at least one of his movies, & haven't even finished going through Netflix for the ones I haven't seen yet - including Wrongfully Accused, which my boyfriend loves and brought up the other day. But I am a fan of Airplane, like most other rational human beings with a sense of humor.

Surely he will be missed.

Burlesque!

Confession: I love Cher. I mean, I really love Cher. Even with all my talk of rock bands and such, I think Cher is completely amazing. If Cher wasn't in Burlesque, I probably wouldn't be this interested in (well, okay, Alan Cumming makes an appearance and I love him, too).

It does look pretty neat, though, and it also appeals to the side of me that counts Moulin Rouge among my favorite movies.

Christina Aguilera is the only thing that bothers me, to be honest, and I can't even explain why. I'm going to blame "Dirty" for this and the fact that the girl got straight-up nasty for a little while there. Like, Kesha nasty (I refuse to use the $ in her name because it's the stupidest thing I've ever seen, but how much I hate Kesha isn't the point - how much I love Cher is).

Anyway, the trailer (and Cher!):

Want to Win a Car?

I know we're not all Conan fans here, but the dude's giving away a car. Not impressed? You're right. People give away cars all the time. There was a White Collar/Ford promo, I believe, to win one of their cars. But it's not just one car - it's twenty.

Yeah. Twenty cars. Ratings ploy? I doubt it. You don't have to watch to win. All you have to do is go to http://teamcoco.com/chevycruze and enter.

And this post could totally ruin my chances of winning. Because, you know, I'm totally going to win one of these cars. Hey, I can dream, right!?

Movie Review: Call Me Mrs. Miracle

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the sweet romantic, tug-at-your-heartstrings-chick-films on Hallmark.

Last year, Doris Roberts, took on the character of Mrs Miracle from the book of the same name by Debbie Macomber.

This year she reprised the role for the sequel, also a book. The book and the movie are almost two different things, but they do keep the general theme of the story, though I'm not sure why they felt that they had to change the original story for the film. But it doesn't matter, it worked.

The film was precious and will tug at your heart...and your tearducts. Holly is taking care of her nephew, because her brother was deployed...not sure which place Gabe's dad was, they didn't say, and she's trying to do her best to be a good aunt/makeshift mom.

Gabe is adorable. A sweet 10 year old, who is missing his dad, played by Quinn Lord. I hope we see this kid in something else. He's wonderful.

Then there are the Finley's Jake and his dad. Jake is played by Eric Johnson, and he's definitely reason enough for women to watch. He's gorgeous! Jewel Staite plays Holly and she's just adorable! Eye candy for the guys without being too slutty.

One of the best characters in the movie is her boss, Lindy Lowe, played by Lauren Holly. She's a fashion designer who opens her mouth and totally inappropriate things come out. She's obnoxious but in a lovable way.

This was the perfect Saturday Night, cuddle up on the couch movie. Any fan of Debbie's books will love it.  It has real people with real problems and a bit of a fairy tale twist. I'm so glad Mrs. Miracle has made a return both to print and the small screen.

I just wish she's show up again, but with 3 other characters that Debbie wrote about ages ago, the angels, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy.

This wench gives the movie two thumbs up!!

Something Neat for the Music Fans

Those of you who have accounts over at LastFM know about some of the the nifty little perks, like the scrobbling feature that links your account with your iTunes to keep track of play counts and such. They've taken that one step further with social media sites, namely Twitter and Facebook.

Some of you might already know about and use this. It's pretty neat. Through http://www.tweekly.fm/, you can link your Facebook or Twitter to your LastFM account/iTunes and have weekly statistics on your listening habits published to those social media sites. It lists your top three most listened-to artists, including play counts. That way, all followers/friends can see what you're into and praise or question you accordingly.

Admittedly, this doesn't have much of a point and might even be kind of useless. But then again, so are Twitter and Facebook (but I still love them).

Farewell, Four Loko

So the beverage I and many other college kids like me love so much is officially banned and will no longer be available as of December 13.

So now that it's banned, we'll have a Four Loko black market on our hands, homemade alternatives (some have already popped up on YouTube), and we'll be stuck with paying $6 for a Red Bull and vodka at the bar.

Oh, government. Why is what I ingest your business? Why is there no personal responsibility or accountability? Why are Four Loko makers the bad guys here, and not the idiots that knowingly consumed too much and ended up in the hospital or dead? At least recently, the ingredients and potential effects or drinking Four Loko were well-known. If someone wants to continue drinking it, isn't that their business?

My Cat Would Never Wear The Hat

Nope my cats would just take the turkey and run. That's pretty much what the feral colony did when I brough their turkey treat out to them today.

Hope everyone...human or furry, has enough to eat and has something to be thankful for on this day.

Happy Thanksgiving

I Hate Whiny Celebrities

Dear Kayne West,

Stop your damn whining. It is most unbecoming. Oh and stop picking on Matt Lauer and Taylor Swift. You dug your own hole, now you have to get out of it.

You say Taylor milked the anguish you put her through at the VMA's. So what! You were an ignorant asshat! So if Taylor got some extra special treatment as a result, whose fault is it? Yours!

President Bush thought that the lowest point in his presidency was when you called him a racist. OK, so that's pretty much ignoring a whole lot of other stuff he did in 8 years, but do you see a pattern here?

Your mouth...and people being offended.

Do you think maybe you should shut it for awhile?

Personally, I think all this whining you are doing now, is publicity for your new album.

Couldn't you take an easier road and just perform?

Oh wait, since you were offended by Matt Lauer, calling you on the stupid things you said, you won't be doing that.

Grow up! Man up! Or get out of show business!

Sincerely,

The Mistress Of The Dark

Ten On Tuesday

An meme about how this wench spends "the holidays"


1. What are your plans for the holidays? Do you travel at Thanksgiving? If you celebrate Christmas, do you travel then, too?
This wench doesn't travel, and with the way the whole system is looking right now, I wouldn't travel if I had to, and that goes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Right now I'm glad everything is done at my house.


2. How do you make the plans for the holiday? If you have a significant other, how do you decide which family to visit?
Mom and I budget what we need to get for the meals. I do the shopping. I do most of the cooking now too. Mom does the supervising.

3. Do you have your Thanksgiving meal at lunch or later in the day? Thanksgiving dinner is usually mid-afternoon, between 1 and 2 pm, because some of the family visit other people throughout the day.
4. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
.The Macy's Parade!!!

5. After a big meal do you lounge around or get up and take a walk?
Zzzzzzz

6. Do you shop on “Black Friday” or do you avoid it?I avoid it like the plague! I worked retail for many years and wild horses couldn't drag me to a store on Black Friday!

7. When do you usually finish your Christmas shopping?
If I'm lucky, within the first two weeks of December, though there's usually one gift that I forget and I have to scramble at the last minute.


8. Do you and your significant other exchange gifts? Is there a budget?
No significant other here, so this isn't a problem

9. When do you decorate for the holidays?
If I'm lucky the day after Thanksgiving! I love to get an early start on the festivities!


10. Do you go “all out” with the decor or do you keep it simple?
Very simple. We have a bunch of cats, and well..we wouldn't want to see too many things get broken.  It's hard enough keeping them out of the tree!

Sometimes You Just Need A Laugh

Laughter can come from just about anywhere; a tv show, a book, a photo.

Let's focus on a photo today.

Why is it funny?

Allow me to show you:

If that jacket isn't funny, I don't know what is. That is more appropriate for Red Nose Day than the Children In Need special, cos John Barrowman really looks like a clown!!

TV Recommendation

I have to say, I'm growing more and more disgusted with comedies on US television, which is why I am always excited when I find shows from the UK.

This past week, I found a really hysterical show starring Miranda Hart, simply called Miranda.

Miranda is 6"1 and she's not in the least pretty or thin or anything anyone would expect from a woman on the telly here in the US. She's rather average looking.

God bless her!

We can't all look like Courtney Cox.

Her life in the show is not fabulous, but not totally sucky. She's a bit of a cock-up, ok she's more than a bit of a cock-up and that's what makes her so funny.

Don't believe me? Watch this clip from the show. The teacher in this episode is played by Peter Davison, also known as The Fifth Doctor.

If You Like Harry Potter & Hate Twilight

The whole "Mark Reads..." series has got to be one of the funniest and sometimes, most touching things I've ever read on the internet.

The wonderful series started on on Buzznet long ago with Twilight and chapter-by-chapter reviews whose criticisms of the book's bad writing and treatment of certain subjects was just as eye-opening as it was hilarious. Does the Twilight fad annoy the shit out of you? Do you loathe Stephenie Meyer? Then MarkReads.net is for you. What makes it most worth looking at, aside from Mark's fury at the whole series, is a closer analysis of the Twilight series - it outlines issues of racism and misogyny, among other things, and basically advocates them. That's right, kids. Not only is Twilight badly written trash with unlikeable characters and major plot holes, but it supports all the things we're spent decades as a country trying to combat. Not that we've fully succeeded, but still. Stephenie Meyer could certainly set us back.

But then came Mark Reads Harry Potter, wonderful for a myriad of different reasons. The criticisms are minimal - the fun here lies in watching someone who knows very little about the series read the whole thing for the first time, occasionally throwing in personal anecdotes that range from funny to moving. J. K. Rowling (unfortunately) isn't a perfect writer and he acknowledges that, but she's leagues better than Stephenie Meyer and he acknowledges that, too.

Take some time every day and read an entry or two. You won't regret it. Both are wonderful, whether you love or hate either series. I'd even recommend it to the crazy Twi-hards, so they understand just what the complaints against the series are.

I Can't Believe I've Read So Much

I keep track of all my reads at the eharlequin website. They tally up my books every time I post a review, and it doesn't have to be a harlequin.

~glares at people scoffing over my romance novels~

So far....I've read 158 books give or take a few.

If I keep up I should be somewhere between 170-180 books.

And not to worry, not all of them were harlequins. In fact a great deal of them aren't.

Now if you don't mind..I have a book to read.....

The Beginning of the End Starts Tonight

That's right, my fellow nerds. The first part of the final installment of Harry Potter opens tonight.

Anyone else planning on seeing it, at midnight or otherwise? I'll be at the Waterfront dressed as Tonks. I'm excited. High hopes!

Wenches That Rock: Regina Spektor

Okay, so, we've spent some time here talking about girls that annoy us. We've also talked about guys we like. Both very nice topics. But what about some love for the ladies that we think are doing it right? After all, we are the Certifiable Wenches.

So, Regina Spektor, anyone?

She's Russian, which is pretty cool. Her music ranges from dark & serious to catchy & fun, she writes them herself, & she plays the piano. She has a very distinctive, pretty voice - this girl can actually sing. And she did a song with Ben Folds, & I know some of you love that man as much as I do.

This is a few years old now, but still a good representation of Regina.



Side note: look at her eyes, & how she rocks that hair!

I Read The News Today Oh Boy

So, Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married.

That's the big news today!

Actually it is the best news today!

The couple have been living together for several years....might as well tie the knot so he can make her his Queen. I thought it terribly sweet that he gave her the same engagement ring his father gave to his mother. I only hope that Kate has better luck with it than Diana did. However they both have more maturity on their side than Diana did.

It is funny that in the 80s the royal family was still looking for a virgin for their prince! A prince that was twice the age of his chosen princess.

~shudders~

What a strange world we live in.

It is no wonder that Diana turned into such a loopy loo, albeit a beautiful loopy loo, who did much for her many charities, and for making royalty seem, not so stuffy.

I remember watching Diana and Charles get married when I was little. I remember her flubbing his many names. Perhaps a sign that things weren't meant to be.

I hope William and Kate have better luck. They certainly make a beautiful couple. Plus it is nice to see something nice in the news every now and then.

Four Loko

If you haven't heard about Four Loko yet, it's probably because you're either not a college student or you drink responsibly.

It's an energy drink with alcohol. Think Red Bull and vodka, except more potent & cheaper than $6 a drink. It's really only 12% alcohol, but when you combine that with the carbonation, one can of Four Loko is equal to 4.7 beers. And it comes in many different, very tasty flavors. I'm a fan of watermelon. And I'm drunk before I finish a can. Which leads to the next point - because of all this, it's been referred to as "liquid cocaine" and "blackout in a can." College campuses are warning their students about it. My own campus - although a bit late to the party - just updated the Health Center's dry-erase board with Four Loko information and warnings. But here's the thing: college kids notoriously love drinking, and when you tell kids about a drink like Four Loko, they're not going to say, "Hey, this sounds potentially dangerous." They're going to do what my friends and I are doing and make it a party staple.

That said, kids have gotten really sick and some deaths have even been blamed on Four Loko. Talks of a ban are going down in Pennsylvania and the Liquor Control Board has asked distributors to stop selling it. Some have and others are refusing until an actual ban is imposed, and on Four Loko's website searching for distributors in PA isn't possible. But is this the government's business?

There's no denying that Four Loko can be dangerous, but aren't all forms of alcohol? Warnings are fair since not everyone is aware of how a combination of alcohol, caffeine, and carbonation all work together, but a government ban may be going too far. Should those of us who are aware of and pay attention to their limitations while drinking be deprived of a drink we enjoy because others are choosing to abuse sch a strong drink? Beyond that, what will a ban accomplish? All that will do is force kids who want it to cross state lines, then kids will start buying it by the case and selling it. We could have a whole Four Loko black market on our hands, and it won't solve anything.

The one thing I am sure of? I have a good time with it and I'm going to keep drinking it.

They Make Em' Better In Britain

The more British TV that I watch and the more British music I listen to, the more I have to say, The Brits are better.

I've been watching a short and yet unusual drama featuring one of my favorite UK actors Richard Coyle, called Strange.

In it, he plays a defrocked clergyman, who is working to rid the world of demons.

No this isn't like the show that later starred Philip Glenister. It is much darker in nature than Demons and I'm only 2 shows in, and they really seem to like to kill people off. Of course, that's what demons do.

It really is a shame this show only aired for 7 episodes, which is a full season over on that side of the pond. I'll never quite understand that.

You'd never see a show like this in the US, even for 7 episodes. It deals with religion...and clergy members that are a little on the evil side.

Oddly, I think that's why I really like this show.

It is a shame it only had one season.

And while I'm complaining, I wish Richard Coyle would do more UK telly...His pretty face isn't on any of my screens nearly enough for me.

Damn It, Enrique

"I Like It" is just too damn catchy.



I can't be held responsible for what happens when any given bar on the South Side plays this while I'm there (namely, Jimmy D's).

Jacob's Patience

I need to know I'm not the only one who finds this funny. To keep me sane. You understand.



Jimmy Fallon has the most bizarre, nonsensical sketches ever and I love them all.

A Different Twist On Country Music

Most people in their 40s on up will tell you that country music just isn't the same anymore. For some of us that's great. I know I've given more country music a try in the last few years than I would have before. Country music has a more Top 40 following than ever before, and that's really thanks to artists like Faith Hill and Martina McBride and more recently Taylor Swift.

Well allow country music to step a little further into the pop arena with The Band Perry. They certainly aren't your typical looking country band. Their first single Hip To My Heart has a folk pop rock sound. It more like pop music with  touch of country. It has a very catchy chorus that begs for you to sing along.

Oh and have I mentioned these kids and they are kids..as well as brothers and sisters...don't even look all that country.

Check out the video for "Hip To My Heart"



But if you prefer a more country sound their latest single is "If I Die Young"



These guys really have talent. Here's hoping they'll be around for awhile.

More Awesome Music for You

And this time, it's not kind of bizarre. It's fun, catchy, & piano-filled & a band everyone should probably listen to, because they'll make you very happy.

They are Jukebox the Ghost. I feel like everyone knows about Jukebox the Ghost, but then if that were true they wouldn't be playing places like the Brillobox. Not that the Brillobox isn't totally awesome, it's just very little. And at said Brillobox, they played such gems as "Close to Me" by The Cure & a bitchin' Beatles medley.

So check it out.

And for older but equally beautiful Jukebox, look for "Good Day," "Hold It In," "Under My Skin" & "Victoria."

And Now for Something Completely Different

Let me start by saying that this isn't for everyone. It's pretty unlike anything I've ever heard, even though I like to think I'm pretty well-versed in my music. Although I've come to find that my friends prove that wrong almost daily, but I digress. The point is, don't ever say that no one's doing anything different in music these days.

The name is Suavity's Mouthpiece, hailing from my very own college campus. And you can listen right here, and if nothing else, do it out of sheer curiosity.

The best way to describe the sound is big band merged with post-punk with some electronica thrown in, and a crooning singer. It's interesting and a good time.

You know what else was a good time? Seeing Suavity's Mouthpiece perform on campus Tuesday night. Mainly the singer, Justin Trafford, backed by friends from school since the usual band couldn't make it. It was one of the more interesting and fun performances I've seen, and definitely not your typical acoustic and mellow coffeehouse performance.

Also of interest: they have a new single coming out tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be posting about that, too, especially since my own blog is down for the moment. What's a blog-hungry girl to do?

Require Suavity's Mouthpiece.

It Was 35 Years Ago Today

Today is the 35th Anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior. The tragedy that inspired the epic song by Gordon Lightfoot.

29 lost their lives that night.  The youngest was only 20 years old and the oldest was the captain at 63.

Let's remember them through the song and may their spirits be resting in peace.

~ Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours

To learn more about the Wreck...click here

So Where Were You Last Tuesday

More young voters turned out to elect Obama, but then when he needed the support, they defected, or just didn't bother.  Good job, youth of America. Good job!

It is really proof that our country doesn't give a rat's ass about what goes on in Washington, except when it comes to electing the President or complaining about how awful everything is. I'm guilty of the complaining, but guess what? I've voted in every election but one since I turned 18, and sadly that was the 2000 election, which my poor vote would have been cast for the man who had the Presidency stolen from him.

~sigh~

But here we are with Obama as president and with a butt load of republican wingnuts controlling the house. A good many of them wingnuts that Sarah Palin supported.

WTF is wrong with us!

We listen to this daft woman, but we wouldn't nominate Hillary Clinton for President.

What is wrong with that? Right now she's the only good thing about this administration. She was also the woman I wanted as President. I supported Obama when it came down to the election. I even canvased the streets for him, so strong is my hatred of the republican army of nutjobs, but I didn't drink the koolaid.

As I watch the news these days and listen to those wingnuts talk about how corrupt this government is..I wonder...where are all the people that voted for him just a few years ago? Why are we upset by a man that kept his campaign promises.

Why is it wrong to bail out GM and Chrysler, when some other admistrations bailed out the airline industry?

We are quick to forget things in favor of our own problems.

Yes, we need to get jobs created, but what would have happened if these two huge companies went bankrupt and/or closed their doors forever?

Why don't we thank Obama for getting them back on track?

Sure we can bitch about the bank bailouts...the banks are evil and they always will be...but let's also look at what good he has done.  And then for the love of god,  when there's an election VOTE! It only takes a few freaking minutes.

The Prodigal Wench

I've been gone a long while, I know. Somehow I had no time over the summer, & even less now that I'm back at school. But I have returned, & hopefully I'll be able to be around more often.

Let's talk about Conan O'Brien, shall we?

He's back on TV, & it feels like he never left. In a good way, of course. It's nice to see him. The jokes & bits are funny & the guests were great. The most interesting was probably Jack White. For one thing, it's nice to see Conan singing & playing guitar because he's actually quite good, & Jack White is an interesting collaboration. Over the summer, they actually got together & recorded an album full of just straight-up rock while Conan was in the middle of his tour.

And since I wasn't around all summer, I'd like to talk about the tour a little too. He managed to do some pretty neat stuff, & not just in terms of comedy. Enjoy, & prepare for YouTube overload.

First, the funny: the tour's opening video.



And before Stewart & Colbert were holding rallies, they were having dance-offs:



Honestly, the more memorable parts of this tour very well may have been the musical ones.

"Seven Nation Army":



Eddie Vedder turns "Oh Yoko" into "Oh Coco":



And last, but not least, one of the most epic covers ever. Eddie Vedder brings it once again with The Who's "Baba O'Riley":

Farewell Hannah Montana

Last night was the last episode of Hannah Montana. I have to say, that even though I'm not a huge fan of Miley Cyrus, I am going to miss the show.

It was cute, and most of the acting was good for a sitcom.

However I was peeved that in the last season, they didn't utilize Mitchell Musso's character and he didn't appear in the last episode at all.

That sucked.

I loved Oliver.

I realize Disney gave him another show, but it didn't feel right to close out the show without him.

Boo hiss to Disney for this.

Now I have to wonder if Miley's career will really take off or if she'll become another one of those has been child actresses. Her latest album didn't do much of anything, and she causes more controversy by acting stupid than for creating good music. (Something that she can do, if she'd stay out of the pop genre) Miley, go country, like your Daddy and you might stand a chance.  Otherwise it will be fun to see how long it will take before you end up in rehab.

I'm sure you'll stay in the news a bit since you're mama and daddy are getting divorced...but please..fade into oblivion afterwards..unless you learn how to make some better music or ..LEARN TO ACT.

So Much To Say

I'm not sure what I want to blog about...the sad state of affairs as a result of this midterm election or the reason Billy Ray Cyrus and his wife of 17 years, Tish are divorcing?

I say let's talk about Tish and Bret Michaels. That's far more amusing than the sad state of affairs that is our government.

It seems that when Brett was working with Miley earlier this year, he got a little close to Miley's mom? Why? None of us are sure.

Both Brett and Tish are denying this, which always makes one wonder.

Now granted, I'm one that usually doesn't give a flying rat's ass about celebrity breakups, but when it comes down to politics or gossip, I'll go with gossip any day. Plus...OMG they are both so creepy that even if they didn't hook up...

All I can say is...Ewwwwww and that's on all counts.

I kinda feel sorry for Billy Ray and Miley and the rest of the clan.

Ewww ewww ewww..

I need some brain bleach to get rid of that picture...

Maybe I should have talked politics

Election Day

I hope everyone went out and rocked the vote today! I sure did! I almost forgot, since today was my first day back to work in 7 months and we worked our butts off to help set up the store for reopening. But thankfully I did my part and got my voting done!

I dunno about you, but I love voting! It makes me feel like what I think actually matters. I made sure my parents voted too.

Let's hope we get some good people in office who will get stuff done!

Phil...Oh How I Love Thee

This song makes me wish I were a gay man.

 
Forgive me for fangirling on Phil. He's really awesome and I've adored his music for the past few years. Check him out on Phil Putnam.com and while you're there, snag the free mp3 he's offering today. Trust me, it will be worth it. All his songs are worth it!