Reblog: Kim Kardashian is a Role Model

Great note from Warming Glow. I am sure that Kim Kardashian is a wonderful person, but I am confused about Sean Hannity holder her out as a role model given their conservative "values". Kardashian isn't exactly the poster child for Abstinence Now.

Thanks to Debbie for passing along.
This is a timeline of Kim Kardashian’s life:

1980: Born. O.J. Simpson becomes her godfather.
1998-2002: Doesn’t attend college
2000: Marries music producer
2004: Divorced
c. 2006: Begins getting mentioned in gossip circles for partying with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan
2007: Makes, releases sex tap
December 2007: Appears nude in Playboy
April 2009 - Sean Hannity CALLS HER A ROLE MODEL FOR LITTLE GIRLS

Driving Lessons

After a very hectic and stressful few weeks at work, I took yesterday off and ran some errands. Normally, I loathe errands. If you can't order it online (groceries, toiletries, clothing, music), I am generally not interested. This explains why I am a month late on the oil change. Yesterday, however, was special. I went to Ikea.

The official reason for the trip to Ikea is an engagement party I am hosting in two weeks. Ikea has the best champagne and wine glasses. Made of real glass, they are cheaper than those plastic kind that always fall apart, and are reusable. Of course, once there I get sucked in by crazy Swedish design and end up with a bunch of spatulas. Bonus of course is watching bizarre Swedish childcare. You just check your kid in, get matching wristbands and off you go, kid free for the next two hours. I wonder how many parents drop their kids off just to get a few hours of peace?

I must admit, however, the secret reason I love going to Ikea. To spend 40 minutes round-trip cruising on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Picture yourself meandering down a four lane parkway straight through a gorgeous wooded area. Its sunny and warm, the windows are down, and you are singing along with your favorite music. Parkway driving is slow enough that you can enjoy the wind through your hair, without the blaring sound of your fellow traveler flying past you at 80 miles an hour. There is no concrete except the road underneath you, no honking horns, no streetlights and no strange and unidentifiable smells. Its heaven and I love going for a Saturday drive on the Parkway.

Monkey Fighting Snakes

This might be the best TV censorship job ever.

Reblog: Bon Iver Goes Back to School

Awesome blog post from Stereogum about Bon Iver's Justin Vernon playing with his high school jazz band. Check out the videos . . .

Teabagging

Conservatives across America (and in the park across the street from my office) are protesting taxation and high government spending. Check out the coverage from Rachel Maddow on the April 15th protests. My favorite part is where she says "No laughing in the studio, I am barely keeping it together as it is!"

Ah, for the days of college and frat/sororities . . .

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Fights Occur Where They are Needed.

Watched HBO's Thrilla in Manila this weekend. Fascinating coverage of the fight between Smokin' Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Beyond just documenting the rivalry between the two and the loss of friendship between the two,the story is framed in the context of Vietnam and the Philippines' Marcos regime.

Check it out if you have HBO or watch for it on Netflix.

Sacrifice

UPDATE: CHECK OUT THE NPR'S RECORDING OF NEKO AT THE 930 CLUB HERE.

Its that time of year again--Passover and Easter--think about sacrifice. In that vein, I am agreeing to sacrifice ever going to DAR Constitution Hall again. Big of me, I know. As part of April's Concert-palooza, we saw Death Cab for Cutie. Nothing against Death Cab but the acoustics in DAR are terrible and the whole venue is seated. If you do stand, you can barely move since the Hall was designed for 5'4" colonial guys.

I am much more of a small venue music lover. Tonight's edition of Concert-palooza is Neko Case at the 930 Club. My favorite part seeing a show there is the stripped down performance. There are no crazy strobe lights or circus costumes, just you, the band and the music.

I just hope Neko is leaving the crickets at home.

Try a White Bourdeaux

I don't normally blog about wine, because, frankly, I don't know that much about it. But, this article from the WSJ validated my wine cravings since last summer for a nice, tangy White Bourdeaux. I have a bit of a sour tooth (as a child I often ate lemons, whole) and usually reach for a nice New Zealand Savignon Blanc, but a white Bourdeaux definitely mixes it up (and is a little more red drinker friendly). The article mentions a few reasonably priced bottles, so no harm to your pocketbook!

2009 Cherry Blossom Festival

This Saturday, H, Kiki Sparkles, C-dawg and I dressed up like annoying tourists and made our way down to the Cherry Blossom Festival. As promised, tourists abounded (one wee one even punching the Cherry Blossom mascot, a beaver, in the stomach. Awesome!) and were ever so delightful! We, of course, had a blast as everything is more fun in costume.

 

 

 

 

Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes' Solo Project

Just discovered Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold's solo work, under the name Animal Name or White Antelope on myspace. Two songs are posted there, False Knight on the Road and Guitar Duet. Definitely worth checking out, esp if you have a hard core music crush on the Fleet Foxes.

Mates of State and the Black Kids

This Saturday, I am going to see Mates of State and the Black Kids at the 9:30 Club. As always, NPR is streaming the concert live so you can hear it too! The first time I saw the Black Kids was last year when they opened for Cut Copy at the Black Cat and they had me at the first song. Granted the beer helped that out a bit. If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommended doing so. I am looking forward to seeing who shows up to see these two (slightly different) groups!

UPDATE: Rachel and I had a great time at the show--the Black Kids were a blast. Both the Mates and BK's sets are posted on NPR. My favorite part was the audience--young and old alike were dancing and singing along.

Subpop Give-Away

Subpop Records and Amazon are giving away a sampler of various Subpop artists until April 19th. Check it out--I have been especially enjoying Blitzen Trapper and Daniel Martin Moore lately.

April Fools!

The only reason I remember its April Fools' Day (at least since graduating junior high) is that Google always does a fun little April Fools' joke. This year is no different. Check it out.