Tonight’s APWBWGTTD was a lot of fun. It was cool meeting Brody, and talking with him, Barry, and Rebekah most of the night (as well as everyone else, who’s names I am surely forgetting… sorry)! I, for one, am super glad that APWBWGTTD has been resurrected. I really need to start getting out again; it has been far too long, and I have become far less social. Here’s to trying to get out more!
Category: happenings
happenings, listen up!, mixed media, music musings
flashback to pop greatness
by duane • • 7 Comments
So I missed the Superbowl last night because I was caught up in a 7 hour study session for my Anatomy test (yikes!), but I did manage to catch a recap of the FANTASTIC performance Paula Abdul gave before the show via youtube (thanks to discopop for the heads up):
Let me just say this now, THIS performance is how you bring a fucking comeback. Paula has been out of the music scene for over 10 years, and here she is, tearing it up again. Whether or not you were a fan of Paula back in the day, there is no denying that she had a bevy of hits in her hay day, and it is safe to say, that this new song should be a hit for her as well. The song is catchy, and perfect for her. As she says at the end of the video, and I couldn’t agree with her more, the timing definitely was right.
Congratulations, Ms. Abdul, great show. Truth be told, I always knew she had it in her; I love me some Paula Abdul, and I always have. The first CD I ever bought was Paula Abdul: Shut Up and Dance! The Remixes. Embarrassing? Maybe… but there’s no denying that in her prime, the lady definitely had a knack for pop. I am just glad that her comeback single is such a good one. I wonder where she will go with this… a full album? Who knows… all I know, is that if Randy Jackson had this up his sleeve, I hope that she stays with him for the duration. Paula, you are definitely, forever my girl.
happenings, listen up!, mixed media, sex (oh yeah), show the love, that is so gay
torchwood season premiere tonight!
by duane • • 5 Comments
In case you may be like me, and are saddened by the fact that there is practically NOTHING to watch on TV these days (thanks to the writer’s strike), I have good news; I am here to rescue you from TV boredom!! Tonight is the season 2 premiere of Torchwood, the most fantastical show, fresh from BBC America! For those of you that have no idea what Torchwood is, here’s a brief “synopsis”, from wikipedia:
Torchwood is a science fiction drama television programme, created by Russell T Davies and starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles. It deals with the machinations and activities of the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute, who deal with supernatural occurrences.
Basically, it is technically a spin off of the recent revival of the Dr Who series, but in my opinion, it is much more serious (no camp here folks), and more adult; not to mention, better in my opinion. It is great television, and has a serious edge to it, which is both refreshing, and fun to watch.
If you need any further reason to get on board with Torchwood, check this clip out from one of my favorite episodes in season one:
In my opinion, this is seriously the most romantic and beautiful kiss I have ever seen on a TV show. Wow. If you liked that, and are looking for a new sci-fi based drama, check out Torchwood! I know that I am glad that I did, and I seriously cannot wait for the season premiere; which comes on tonight on BBC America!
blog on blog, happenings, hotness, show the love
blog pimpin’
by duane • • 0 Comments
I normally don’t get involved in such “best blog” this-n-that shenanigans, but a blog buddy of mine is in a race to win the best gay bloggies, so I thought I would give him a shout out here. Make sure you go to gaybloggies.com and vote for the luscious D’Mike, aka CitizenDangerX. Not only is he a crazy-good photographer, but he is also teh hotness… he’s got my vote; now give him yours!
all about me, happenings, the catch-all-egory, venting, wtf?!
my thanksgiving day
by duane • • 2 Comments
UPDATE! A note about 5SF: For today, I am taking the day off. To be honest, I forgot it was Friday!! We’ll be back next Friday with 5 new songs! Just enjoy your weekend folks, and sorry that I forgot about today’s 5SF.
I spent almost the entire day studying anatomy, before taking my test last night.
The power went out twice before I took the test, and I was hoping that things would be fine while I was actually taking the test (which is online, and timed for one hour). I always save my answers as I go, so if it cuts you off, it isn’t that big of a deal, and you can start where you left off. However, with 2 minutes left to go, the power went out again. I “finished” with the test, but I hadn’t submitted it yet. Fuck. I managed to get my PC back up, and log in, only to see my time had expired; but I had saved all of my answers. I submitted the test, and I emailed the professor, and I hope that everything is okay. Technically, I finished in the allotted time, so I hope that there isn’t an issue. It says I got a 92.5, which is also a plus.
I will definitely be MORE thankful when this damn semester is over. Seriously, it has been HARDER than I was expecting. Here’s hoping that next semester is better; and that we don’t have anymore close calls like yesterday.
I hope everyone had a great day! Now, James and I are going to Best Buy to see what’s left!
get involved, happenings, listen up!, show the love, that is so gay
Iranian spared from execution!
by duane • • 1 Comment
Yay!!!
Amid global pressure from human rights organizations, and due to global protest, “Iran’s chief justice nullified the imminent death sentence of Makvan Mouloodzadeh”!!!!
This is FANTASTIC news. This restores a tiny bit of faith for me in humanity.
To everyone that blogged about it, and cast attention towards the issue, this shows that speaking up can make a difference! This is great news. I, for one, am very happy that at least this one case was changed because of global pressure. If we keep putting pressure on these people, hopefully, MANY more people can be spared!
all about me, happenings, hmm interesting, is it just me?, mixed media, music musings, politics, wtf?!
we regret that we must now interupt your regularly scheduled blogpost…
by duane • • 7 Comments
For whatever reason, I have been “in it” again lately.
I actually stayed home sick from work yesterday, and slept until 5:30pm. It still blows my mind that I could sleep all night and all day. I feel like Rip Van Winkle, without the silly long beard. I feel better today, and I am glad that I took the sick time… but it is definitely reflective of how I feel lately.
I am fed up with my classes. My statistics professor apparently would rather trick us, rather than actually quiz us on what we are studying. That is the only explanation that I have for her behavior, and method of asking questions on information that is not covered. Additionally, my absent anatomy teacher is frustrating, but not something I am really complaining about… less fuss if you ask me. I just don’t want trickery on tests; which would be my complaint. Overall, my first semester back in college has been a weird one. It is going to be a long road. I have already registered for next semester, and I hope to god it is much better than this one was.
Speaking of God… apparently, praying for rain the night before the weather service calls for rain makes it rain. Cool. Perhaps I shall pray for the sky to be blue tomorrow, or for air to have oxygen in it. Maybe that’s how we should do all government things… just pray for what we already know is going to happen, and then be like, “See! God is listening! Pray some more, and everything will be right as rain!”. Gah… what a douche you are, Sonny. It is just frustrating that people like him have so much money and power.
Other than the rain, I would like to thank God for my ipod, and just music in general, because without it, I would truly be lost. That, and the fact that my new DVD player plays region 2 DVDs… I am loving Spaced so much right now. Also, I am really looking forward to my 31 days of music in December. I am really enjoying getting my 31 CDs ready for the list, and I hope that everyone will find at least something to enjoy.
Hope you are all well out there in blogland… I’ll see you tomorrow for your 5SF. Take care!
concerts, flickr, happenings, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion
the pipettes @ vinyl atlanta, 11/9/07
by duane • • 6 Comments
Wow.
The Pipettes were AMAZING. They are such a kooky lot, and they danced and sang their way right into my heart. Seriously, as crazy as I was about them BEFORE the show, I am deeply, deeply in love with them now!!! They blew me away. I was also happy to be so close to the stage, and got to see a really great show.
The whole night was a lot of fun. Even the opening act, Nicole Atkins, was smashing as well. I downloaded her CD, and am enjoying it right now. She is quite the talent as well.
Overall, I am so pleased that I went to see the Pipettes. There is a reason that their debut album is one of my top picks for this year; it is amazing, and so are they. If you get the chance to see them in the future, I highly suggest you do!! These three ladies are amazing!!!
Here’s a LITTLE clip of “Pull Shapes” I managed to get (not great quality, but gives you the idea):
Also, here’s a link to the flickr set with the pictures that I took at the concert. I don’t know how I feel about them, because the quality is a little off, as it was really dark in the venue. I am sure that they are fine though, and I am being too hard on myself, but whatever… I had a fantastic night, so I guess that’s all that really matters!
all about me, happenings, near and dear, tragic
so I disconnect…
by duane • • 9 Comments
Do you ever have those times in your life where you want to run as far and as fast as you can away from anything, and just be alone?
I am having one of those times right now. I feel almost like I need a vacation from just being me; or from everything for that matter. I love James, my friends, and everyone around me, but I feel completely and utterly overwhelmed; and this isn’t about them… it’s about me.
Part of my stress is that school is proving to be as difficult as I feared, and the stress has taken me to a place I don’t like to be. I hope that next semester is better, because there is no going back from here. If I don’t move forward with the “next phase” of my life, I don’t know what will happen.
I know that this will pass, as it always does, but damn, it fucking hurts when you are in it, you know? If you don’t, good for you.
It would really do me some good to just get some time to myself, and the bad thing is, I don’t see that happening any time soon. Sorry to post such a depressing sentiment, but that’s where I am right now. I hope everyone else, at least, is doing better that I, and even more, I hope that I am doing better very, very soon myself.
all about me, blog on blog, happenings, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion, the catch-all-egory
it’s that time of year…
by duane • • 6 Comments
…Where the weather starts to FINALLY cool off. It’s also that time of year where there tends to be a surge of music releases, usually from the heavy hitters; which I always look forward to.
Just recently, we have had great releases from Melissa Etheridge, Annie Lennox, The Pipettes, the Sugababes, Radiohead, among others. I am also certain that there are tons of other great releases out there that I am still waiting to discover; whether they were recent releases or not.
I am also riding high, because just this week, one of my favorite artists from the other side of the world (Australia) released her amazing 3rd album: Delta. I seriously don’t know how Delta Goodrem isn’t huge here, because she is amazing, and given her new album, it is a shame that more people don’t know about this talented singer. I am just glad that I was introduced to her a while back by my buddy Stu… Her new CD is on steady repeat for me right now. Seriously, it is wonderful. She will be featured this week on five song friday, so stay tuned for an introduction to the amazing Delta Goodrem!
There is also so much to look forward to as the rest of year marches on… Not surprisingly, the next release most on the “radar” for me, is Britney’s new CD, which drops Tuesday. While I know there are plenty of people wanting this CD to fail miserably, I have to say, I have heard most of the tracks from the new CD, and, well, I am completely blown away. Britney has done what she needed to do with her music; regardless of what is going on with her life. I for one will be getting it right away, because from what I have heard, it is one of the best pop CDs of the year; and definitely of her career. This new release blows her last CD out of the water. If you like pop music as much as I do, I highly suggest you give it a whirl. If she isn’t your style, then you probably won’t become a fan because of her new stuff… but if she is, you will probably really like what you hear.
Other than that, there are new releases coming from Westlife, Shayne Ward, potentially Girls Aloud, Alicia Keyes, and many others I am sure that I don’t know about yet… But what are you most looking forward to? There have been some amazing releases this year, as evidenced by the growing list of favorites I have, which you can see on my ongoing favorites list page here. I swear, I fell so far out of music just a year or so ago, and coming back in and discovering so much great music to listen to has been amazing. I love exploring new music and new artists, and look forward to the next few months on that life long journey. There really isn’t much in life like experiencing an amazing song, or album. It really is a feeling that can’t be described.
Also, I didn’t really say anything on the main blog, but I have “sort of” gotten into last.fm. I added a link to my profile on the “more than just a blog” link list, so feel free to go and add me as a friend (or just click here). I have to say, that currently, it doesn’t really represent what I really listen to, so I hope that with time, and with some more “scrobbling”, it will eventually get more in tune with what I am listening to. Either way, another neat web app to play around with, right?
Let me know what you are listening to, and what I should be checking out…. I am always looking for the next music selection!!!
Finally, I am also SUPER EXCITED about the release of Guitar Hero III on Monday. I think that I am going to take the day off and shred all afternoon… I LOVE Guitar Hero, and I can’t wait to get my hands on these new songs. I am also excited to get to play it on the Wii! If you are into GH, we should totally get together and jam!