Fun to be had.

Monday Night Beats: New Mixtape

2011-02-21T20:43:00.000-08:00

Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, Daft Punk, Kraftwerk, //Tense//, Depeche Mode, The Emperor Machine, Fad Gadget, Fixmer/McCarthy, Grafton Primary, IAMX

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?

2011-02-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

Note: I am not taking credit for the majority of this post; only for finding it on Facebook. The author, Meredith, does not have messaging available on her page so I am reposting this without her explicit permission, *BUT* she did encourage others to share it so with that said the following post is here with the author's indirect permission.

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?
     Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit!
We can get that for less than minimum wage.

     That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).

     Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.
LET'S SEE....
That's $585 X 180= $105,300
per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

     What about those special
education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an
hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.
Wait a minute -- there's
something wrong here! There sure is!
The average teacher's salary
(nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days
= $277.77/per day/30
students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.

I see dead people......

2011-02-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

I've had an obsession with cemeteries for years, ever since I was a little kid. My childhood home was within close proximity (i.e. walking distance) to three cemeteries. There was a crematorium two blocks away from where we lived and we called the black ashes that sometimes fell on the sidewalk "black snow". Such an ideal goth childhood, no?

As a teenager and young adult I hung out in cemeteries a few times at night, drinking beer, smoking cigarettes (or cloves) and listening to Sisters of Mercy. No joke. Such an ideal goth adolescence, no?

Once I was able to travel one of my favorite places to visit was....wait for it...cemeteries. I've seen Highgate Cemetery in London, Old Calton Cemetery in Edinburgh, The Necropolis in Glasgow, Pere Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmarte (all in Paris). Such an ideal goth adulthood, no?

I'm not the only person in the cemeteries taking pictures of gravestones and memorials. There is definitely a sub-culture of us folk who like walking around the dead. I spent several hours in Montmarte, having ditched my map, just exploring and hanging out with the scores of strays who lived amongst the tombstones and mausoleums.

My first trip to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery was in August of 2009. I made a return visit in October 2009. My main goal was to find one crypt: that of Rudolph Valentino, the most famous lover of the silent film era. Valentino died at the age of 31 in 1926. I've read books about his life and watched his movies. But I wasn't able to find him...until today.

It turns out I was looking in the wrong part of the cemetery. All I had to do was ask one of the groundskeepers "Donde esta Valentino?" and he pointed at the other mausoleum at the other side of the cemetery. The ones I had passed both times I had been there previously.

Knowing that I was about to face one of my idols I prepared myself appropriately; I brushed my hair and made sure my makeup was OK. It was pouring rain but I had to look good for Rudy.

Sure enough, there he was in plot 1205, waiting for me:

It was a pretty poignant moment for me, finally being able to see the resting place of one of my icons. I paid my respects, and then like any good nerd/lover of the dead started snapping away to capture the best photo of Rudy and I. Unfortunately, his plot is six feet above ground and it was hard for me to squeeze both of us in the photo.

This is the best I could do:

I found one new friend on the way out of the mausoleum:

A beloved psychic...couldn't pass this up.

Call me strange, call me weird. Tell me your hobbies.

It's my birthday biyatch!

2011-02-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

Turning the big 3-1 on Saturday

some choice tracks for my birthday

The Fighter

2011-01-11T19:22:00.000-08:00

The Fighter

Directed by David O. Russell

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo

I recently listened to an interview from NPR's 'Fresh Air' where Terri Gross talks with David O. Russell and Mark Wahlberg, respectfully the director and star of 'The Fighter'. Listening to this interview I can't say that I considered myself a Wahlberg or a Russell fan. The only work of Russell's that I had seen prior to 'The Fighter' was 'Flirting With Disaster' (and I didn't even know he had directed it until I just looked him up on IMDB.) Wahlberg has always been a good actor in my opinion but I haven't gone out of my way to see any of his movies. He did crack me up in last year's 'The Other Guys' and I appreciated his work in 'The Departed'. But other than that....'Boogie Nights'? Yeah, it was good, but I wasn't blown away. Hmm.

My opinion of David O. Russell has always been tainted by the clips of him going off on actors during the filming of 'I Heart Huckabees' (2004). Yeah, you've seen them. He sounds like an egotistical prick, and we're talking HOLLYWOOD here.

I was drawn to the story of two brothers that are part of a (very) extended family from Lowell, Massachusetts, and how boxing changed their lives. I felt Wahlberg's passion about the project come through during the interview and was intrigued to check it out. When I found out that Christian Bale was cast to play Wahlberg's older (and crack-addicted) brother that sealed the deal for me. Bale is known for his physical transformations for his roles ('American Psycho', 'The Machinist') and it often takes away from the fact that he is an absolutely brilliant actor.

Bale plays Dicky Eklund, who knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard in a boxing match in the late 70s. Since then he has become addicted to crack and pretty much wasted his life. Wahlberg plays Micky Ward, Dicky's younger half-brother who has spent the majority of his boxing career as a 'stepping stone', meaning that he is paid to box so that others can beat him and move up the rankings. Melissa Leo plays Alice, Dicky and Micky's mother (as well as the mother of seven daughters) who managed Dicky and now manages Micky. Alice continues to look at Dicky as the prized son and doesn't seem to give a damn about Micky's well-being (letting him box fighters who are 25+ pounds heavier than he) all in order to get a pay check and some sense of glory.

Alice is an extremely unlikeable character. She spends most of her time fawning over Dicky and talking about his "inevitable" come back while ignoring the fact that he is malnourished and clearly in need of serious help for his drug addiction. Dicky appears to have an understanding that his glory days are over but has been unable (and unwilling) to pass the torch to his younger brother, who seems to be at the end of his career at the beginning of the movie. Micky meets Charlene (played by Amy Adams) in a bar after practice one night and convinces her to give him her phone number. He doesn't call when he says he will because he's too embarrassed after getting knocked around in yet another uneven match. Charlene convinces him to leave the management of his family and seek training from those who care about him, not his washed up brother.

I felt extremely sympathetic for Micky Ward, who had a promising career but was overlooked by his family and called “ungrateful” when he began to speak up for himself. The movie culminates with the title match in London. Beautifully shot by the camera men who worked for HBO Sports in the 90s, the fight scenes capture the reality of the bouts and really show how much training Wahlberg himself put in to accurately portray a boxer in peak physical shape.

Bale is eerie and scary to watch. At times it appears that he is the main character of the movie, which is confusing since he has been nominated for supporting awards. Once again Bale has pushed the limits of what an actor should do in order to play a character. He is emaciated, apparently shaved a bald patch into the back of his head, and truly does appear high. As much as you want to hate Dicky it's very easy to feel sorry for him. Perhaps this is because I am the older sibling but I can't blame Dicky for his behavior. I blamed Alice, who condoned his drug use and antics for years. Dicky does not get clean on his own; it is forced on him. It is only with a clear head and the ability to think for himself that he realizes how much he has fucked up and turns his life around.

Adams plays a multifaceted character. Charlene is a girl who had a full scholarship to URI for track and field and messed up her chances of getting out of Lowell because she partied too much. She buries her misery by drinking while tending bar and wearing revealing clothing. Micky's sisters call her an MTV girl. Inside it appears that she wants to be loved and to get out of the hole she has dug herself into. She finds a hook in Micky and his career and becomes his major anchor in life, despite the fact that they have a tumultuous relationship.

I found 'The Fighter' to be an inspiring story about family and dysfunction and coming to terms with the realities of life. Wasted opportunities, low expectations, and determination are all major themes of the movie. I expect Wahlberg, Bale, Adams and Leo to all receive praise for their performances, as well as David O. Russell for his direction.

John Taylor.......

2011-01-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

You are a true gentleman.

I'm kind of at a loss for words right now because it's really special to me that you read and apparently cared about this little bloggity blog.

A rough day at work is now ending on a high note.

Trust the process y'all.

XOXO,

Kristin

'All You Need Is Now....And Then'

2011-01-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

Since the release of Duran Duran's new album 'All You Need Is Now' in mid-December I've been listening to it and relishing the feelings of nostalgia that come along while listening to the tracks. It's definitely an insult to the Birmingham boys to say that AYNIN is a rehash of the glory days (i.e. Duran Duran, Rio, and Seven and the Ragged Tiger). In my opinion it's almost a tribute to a classic period of time for music.

What I've done is taken the 9 tracks off AYNIN and 9 older tracks and prepared a playlist on my iTunes and iPod. I've called it 'All You Need Is Now....And Then'. If you're a big time Duranie like I am give it a try. Each of the older songs had something that made a musical connection with the corresponding new track.

I'd love feedback from Duran fans, as well as those who aren't.

Track listing...........'All You Need Is Now...And Then'

1) 'All You Need Is Now'
teamed with 'New Moon on Monday' from Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983)

2) 'Blame The Machines'
teamed with 'Careless Memories' from Duran Duran (1981)

3) 'Being Followed'
teamed with 'Anyone Out There' from Duran Duran (1981)

4) 'Leave a Light On'
teamed with 'Save a Prayer' from Rio (1982)

5) 'Safe'
teamed with 'My Own Way (Night Version)' from Rio (1982)

6) 'Girl Panic'
teamed with 'Union of the Snake' from Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983)

7) 'The Man Who Stole a Leopard'
teamed with 'Tel Aviv' from Duran Duran (1981)

8) 'Runaway Runaway'
teamed with 'Hold Back the Rain (Remix)' from Rio (1982)

9) 'Before the Rain'
teamed with 'The Chauffeur' from Rio (1982)

You can't (automatically) judge a girl by her 'tramp stamp'

2011-01-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

I was recently on a very popular Internet dating site filling out information for a profile when I was prompted to answer the following question (somewhat reworded):

Tattoos on women: Yes or No?

Yeah, tramp stamps are awesome
Tramp stamps identify the kind of women I want to date
No

I was terribly confused by the three choices I had to answer this question. The question itself had to do with tattoos, while the answers mainly focused on 'tramp stamps'. Where was the choice where I could say 'Tattoos are a great way to express yourself!'?

If you aren't familiar with the term 'tramp stamp', Urban Dictionary has tons of definitions. Scanning through the first seven or eight pages I felt a range of emotions well up; from anger, to sadness, and finally a bit of remorse.

A Brief History of My Tramp Stamp

1998: Right before college I wanted to get a small tattoo. I wanted to REBEL and show the world that I didn't need to listen to my parents. I could be an adult and look really cool too! So I went to a shop on St. Mark's Place and got the Chinese symbol for "Peace" tattooed on my left side.
1999 ( I think): Got bored one day and decided to get the Chinese symbol for "Chaos" tattooed on my right side. Yes, I'm now that girl.
2001 (?): Here comes the real transformation. I decided to get a quote from Ovid's Metamorphoses tattooed in between the two Chinese symbols. The Latin quotes says 'In medio tutissimus ibis', or, in English, 'In the middle you shall walk the safest'. Don't ask my why I decided to get the decree of mediocrity on my body. I was 21, thought that having Latin tattooed on me was cool. So sue me.
2004: My friend and I each wanted to get a red star tattoo. I decided to get it above the Latin quote.

After 2004 I focused more on my left arm and haven't had a back tattoo since then. But that website has had me thinking about my 'tramp stamp' and what it means to have one.

Do I get additional tattoos to create the illusion that it's not a tramp stamp?
Do I get it covered up?

The reason why I decided to get tattooed in that area of my body in the first place is that it was easy for me to cover it up. As much as I wanted to rebel I was also afraid of what my parents would say and scared that they'd "hate" me. As I got older and more mature I realized that I didn't want to hide my tattoos and chose to get them in places where they would be visible. As of next weekend I will have a half sleeve on my left arm and a large piece on my left leg. For the record my parents LOVE my tattoos.

Where does that leave the tramp stamp? Do I chalk it up to immature stupidity? What about the men in the Internet dating world who will judge me as a skank because I have a tattoo on my lower back? What about the men who will refuse to date me once they hear about my t-stamp?

Plain and simple: FUCK THEM. My t-stamp is a part of who I am (quirky, somewhat unpredictable, a little bit out of place). It doesn't mean I'm going to take it up the butt. It means I wanted to grow up before I actually did. It may have been a mistake but I'd probably do it the same way if given the opportunity.

If I'm ever approached or accused of having a tramp stamp I'm not going to deny it. I'll use the cute little nickname 't-stamp' that I've used here. Or maybe I'll just find a guy with an equally embarrassing tribal tattoo. We can share stories about how errors make you a better person.

My t-stamp in all its glory

2011 MLB Schedule

2010-12-23T10:09:00.000-08:00

It's not even 2011 but there are 99 days until opening day of the MLB. I already have tickets for three Giants home games this year but these are some other games on my wish list.

July 4th: Mets @ Dodgers (in LA)
July 5th: Mets @ Dodgers (in LA)
July 6th: Mets @ Dodgers (in LA)
July 7th: Mets @ Dodgers (in LA)
July 8th: Mets @ Giants (in SF)
July 9th: Mets @ Giants (in SF)
July 10th: Mets @ Giants (in SF)

There will also be a bunch of A's games on that roster but I'm not as interested in the American League. But let baseball start SOON!

Tron: Legacy Soundtrack

2010-12-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

The sound of fucking perfection. You need to get it.

One Year Ago Yesterday.........

2010-12-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Ventura County Star Interview with Nitzer Ebb

My second Nitzer Ebb show, at the Majestic Theatre in Ventura, California.

It was a day that I will remember for a long time to come. It was the last day of work before the holiday break. My students left at 2pm; I followed shortly thereafter, driving the 350 miles down Highway 101 to Ventura. I stopped in a Burger King a few blocks from the venue and changed into my concert gear, then headed to the venue.

I remember it being absolutely GORGEOUS but way too big for the crowds that Nitzer Ebb can pull for a gig (maybe 700-800). The venue's website says it holds 1,200. That night there were perhaps 80 or so people there. Of the 80 more than half were behind the barricade way in the back of the venue where you could drink.

That leaves 30 or so people at the front of the stage. 10 of them hang back and do some odd variations of goth and industrial dancing, 10 or so stand right up against the stage barricade and do NOTHING and the other 10 are fucking screaming their hearts and minds out (get the pun?). I was one of those last 10.

The Ebb played a fucking BRILLIANT set, including 'Ascend' (I nearly lost it when they played it). I had brought along my 'I Give To You' 10 inch record for Doug and Bon to sign. After the show I hung around the front of the venue and chatted with some people. Within ten minutes after the show everyone else had left.

What the fuck. So I stick around, pacing back and forth wondering if they think I'm a crazy stalker. I call several friends on the phone and ask their advice. Should I stay or should I go? Finally, after about an hour, Jason walks out. I felt sort of sheepish because he didn't play on the record I had in my hand and therefore couldn't sign it. But I told him what a great show it was and how sorry I was that so many people missed out on an amazing performance. I didn't really have much else to say to him so he walked over to their band's vans/cars and started packing.

Then Bon came out. I chatted with him for a few moments and asked him to sign my record. He did gladly, and even provided a Sharpie. When Doug came out of the venue I asked Bon if I could borrow the Sharpie and sort of dropped him like a hot potato (I feel SO bad about this now). I shyly walked over to Doug and blabbed on a bit about the show, about how I was going to see them in Europe in a few months, yadda yadda. Doug's girlfriend was standing quietly behind him waiting patiently like a saint while I practically drooled all over the her boyfriend. Doug signed my record (spelling my name incorrectly even after he asked me how to spell it) and I was on my merry way. I made sure I was at least 100 feet from the venue before I called my friend and gushed about how I had just met Doug, etc, etc. I was on cloud nine as I drove away heading back up Highway 101 for another hour before resting in Santa Maria.

(Little did I know then that a particular member of the band saw me get in my car and drive away and to this day remembers the make and model of my car. He disclosed this information two months after the fact in England. I was floored.)

My Nitzer Ebb rant of the day.

(From Nitzer Ebb's gig on my 30th birthday-2.19.10-what more could a girl have asked for?)
Video from Karen of Karen Depeche Mode

NEP FTW

All You Need Is Now

2010-12-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

Duran Duran 'All You Need Is Now'

I've been a hardcore Duran Duran fan for more than half of my life. Granted, I'm only 30 and that means I missed out on the mega Duran mania of the 80s. But I've religiously bought every album since The Wedding Album came out in 1993. I can't remember how many times I've seen Duran Duran live (somewhere in the 20s). I've traveled hundreds of miles to see them play (even in Canada!). I was one of 200 or so people to see John Taylor play a solo show in New Jersey after he broke from the band (only to come back several years later). I've done my fair amount of stalking and have had decent luck in getting to meet John and Nick a handful of times. And I've seen Simon LeBon's sleaziness up close and personal (really, you have to hit on girls the same age as your daughter?)

I LOVED Red Carpet Massacre which came out in 2007 and was a collaboration between the Birmingham boys and the hit making machine that is Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. So many Duran Duran fans were pissed off and didn't like the hip hopish direction the band was taking. It was a great album to see performed live, so much so that I jumped in my car the day after my only planned show of the tour and drove 300+ miles to grab a second row seat just as the show started. It also marked the departure of Andy Taylor for the second time (huzzah!). I still get chills thinking about the brilliance that was the 'electro set'.

I had mixed feelings when I found out that Duran Duran were going back into the studio to make an album “Duran Duran fans want to hear.” In my opinion that means rehashing the old chestnuts from Rio and Seven and the Ragged Tiger. Sing Blue Silver all over again, except now the screaming girls are obese soccer moms in the early 40s (trust me, I've been to enough DD concerts to know that this is being very fair). Their selection of flavor-of-the-week producer Mark Ronson (who did an amazing job with Amy Winehouse before her implosion) left me a little skeptical. How were Duran Duran supposed to find their own sound again if they were relying on a super producer?

When I heard Mark Ronson talk about his utter love of all things Duran I was convinced that this could really work. I didn't really stay on top of all the goings on in the studio and didn't hear the clips that were being released on the website and on YouTube. I even watched the 'Behind the Music-Remastered' a WEEK after it's airing. Bad, bad Duranie.

That all changed when I heard the clip of 'All You Need Is Now'. I had goosepimples the first time I heard the chorus. I eagerly awaited the release of the single on December 14th and was overjoyed when iTunes and Duran released it days earlier-for FREE. You can't get much better than that!

Slowly the entire album (which is set for release this Monday in Europe and Tuesday in America on iTunes) began to leak. Initially I was going to hold my ground and wait....but eventually I caved in an found some links to hear the tracks. I began the album with the title track at the beginning of this blog posting; now I am on track 6 'Girl Panic', which is Simon LeBon's favorite song on the album. I'm letting the songs sink in slowly. I'm picking up bits and pieces of brilliance in each song. John Taylor's baseline could definitely fit in any of the 'Night Version' remixes from 81-83. Nick Rhodes seems to be following Martin Gore's lead in dusting off many of the old synths; bits of 'New Moon on Monday' and 'Shadows on Your Side' leap up momentarily. Roger Taylor's machine gun drumming was always missed during his absence (sorry Sterling Campbell and Joe Travers). Simon LeBon hasn't sounded better in years.

I'm sure there will be much more written about 'All You Need is Now' in the coming days and weeks. My plan is to give the album a few more listens and then come back and break it down track by track. All I need to say right now is: so far, so good.

The Return of 'Fun To Be Had'

2010-12-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Baby's got a new computer and will be posting on a very regular basis. Stay tuned my peaches.

When you feel like you've lost all control.

2010-08-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

There is nothing else to do but to cry at work. Today was just one of those days. My students have been exceptionally escalated since school began and today seemed like everything went completely and utterly wrong.

I pride myself on being a good teacher but I've been struggling with staying afloat so far this school year. Paperwork from other agencies that I'm required to fill out in a specified amount of time has left me lacking time to get my lesson plans done. When the opportunity arises that I have extra time in the afternoon to catch up I have to stay with students that are either suspended from the bus or have to stay behind because of other reasons. Twice this school year I've been at work until 6pm with a student. No work was done during that time, it was purely babysitting.

These are the times when I question my competency as a teacher. I know that I'm doing the best that I can but when I have second and third graders calling me some of the most colorful names in the book I know that there is something wrong. Is it me? It is the fact that they were out of school for three weeks in a less structured setting? Who knows.

I'm going to be here late tonight yet again. The only thing I want to do today is leave early, go home, cry, possibly read a book, drink some wine, and maybe cry again. It's got to get better, right?

Feeling optimistic about life

2010-08-08T15:41:00.000-07:00

I get down on myself very easily. This year has had some definite highs and lows. Sometimes I just get wrapped up in how difficult life is and go down this spiral of self-deprecation and depression. It doesn't last for very long though.

Casual conversation with a friend Friday night. We were out at a bar and I was commenting on the game we had just played (and lost). I apologized for 'sucking' and he asked me what I meant. I felt this was a great opportunity to take a stab at myself and said "Well, sucking at life in general."

His response:

"You're beautiful and young and you live in the Mission (the area of San Francisco that I live in). You don't suck."

I wish I could have asked him to repeat what he said so I could have recorded it in order to play it back whenever I'm feeling down. I'm sure it would work at least part of the time.

And with that statement on Friday night a whole new can of worms has now been opened up.

Hiatus

2010-08-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Fun to be had has been silent for over a month. The main reason for this absence is that I moved and in the process of moving am now without a computer at home. The majority of my web surfing now comes courtesy of my iPhone 3GS and there is an application where I could post via my phone. This would simply take way too long. I promise my dear minions that I will make a valiant attempt to post more often. So much has been going on for me personally and I've been inspired and drawn to writing more and more.

I've made a pact with myself that the rest of 2010 will be spent taking care of ME. With this decision made, I've decided to go back into therapy. It's been several years but I think it's the right time for me to start speaking to a professional again. With all the turmoil that's been going on in my life my self-confidence has taken a serious hit. There are days when I don't want to look in the mirror. Sometimes I feel like everyone is going to eventually betray me, because I have put my trust in others and that trust was broken. Then there are days when I truly believe that everything is going to be ok and that the world isn't such a bad place. I want there to be more of those days and less of the days when I struggle to leave my room. Seeking professional help is the logial step to take.

I'm also struggling with the fact that my lifestyle has to change. For too long I was used to being part of a duo and now that this next stage in my life is upon me I have to be comfortable with being alone. I'm teaching myself that it's ok to go to the movies solo, or have a nice dinner or go have a beer. I'm finding that I enjoy the down time and not having to hold a conversation. At the same time I see others around me in pairs and couples and while I hope that's something that's in store for me in the future I know I'm not ready yet. I have a small group of friends that I can rely on to be around part of the time but I also don't want to push too hard.

Last night I walked into a bar only a few blocks from my house and had a beer. I sat down at a table by myself and took out my notebook. I wrote down the following things:

I promise to put myself first in all situations and not to think of how others might judge me.
I promise to try and love myself as much as possible and to realize that I am full of potential and am smart. These two qualities are attractive in their own right. By being confident in who I am I portray a more positive image to others, and that will want people to get to know me.
I promise not to compromise myself and my expectations for others when it comes to relationships.

Call it psycho-babble bullshit but it was very helpful for me to write these things down. I can't promise that I'll be able to keep these promises all the time but by identifying them and writing them down I'm getting started on becoming a better person.

Oil and Water

2010-06-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

As evidenced by recent events in the Gulf of Mexico we all now know that oil and water do not mix. They can't; it's scientifically impossible. Oil will inevitable rise to the top and stifle water.

Sometimes I think that people can act as oil and water. No matter how hard one or both parties try to make things work someone is going to rise to the top and someone will be stuck at the bottom.

Am I the oil or the water? And why does it have to be this way?

En-ger-land!

2010-06-12T09:46:00.001-07:00

Love's got the world in motion.....

Nice job California

2010-06-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

Not that Gavin Newsom has been very present as San Francisco's mayor since he announced he was withdrawing his name from the Governor's race in November, but now we are really going to have an absent mayor.

Newsom beat out Janice Hahn for the Democratic nomination yesterday with 54.7% of the vote. Hahn was endorsed by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, partially because The Guardian hates Newsom and partially because Hahn was obviously better for the job. Unfortunately not many people know of Hahn outside of Los Angeles County (where she is the heir apparent to a political family dynasty) and waaay to many people know about Gavin/how "hot" he is.

Newsom will be running with Jerry Brown, who easily secured the Democratic nomination for governor. As much as I love Jerry and will most definitely vote for him I can't help but think of this:

Sorry Moonbeam. I love you anyway.

On the Republican side all those rich people from Walnut Creek and Laguna Beach voted for two dotcom chicks who have zero political experience: Meg Whitman secured the nomination for Governor and Carly Fiorina the nomination for US Senate (she'll run against Barbara Boxer).

Meg Whitman has said jack shit about what she's going to do if she's elected and has spent assloads of her own Ebay fortune on the race, yet she can't get a haircut that flatters her face.

And Carly, Hillary Clinton wants her haircut from 2000 back.

But I'm sort of excited that Fiorina won because this means we'll get to see more amazing political ads like this:

I have no idea how she can top 'Demon Sheep' but it's going to be awesome.

And one more thing..........FUCK YOU PG&E!

Happy Birthday Nicholas James Bates!

2010-06-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

Styles change.

Style doesn't.

Happy 48th Birthday Nick Rhodes

Summer Concert Schedule

2010-06-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Sunday, 6/20 A Place to Bury Strangers @ Rickshaw Stop OR William Control @ DNA Lounge
Saturday, 6/26 Goldfrapp @ The Fox Theatre
Friday, 7/23 Level 42 @ Nokia Theatre (NYC)
Sunday, 8/1 Squeeze @ The Fillmore

Looking for more fun things and events to do.........

It's Friday....

2010-06-04T16:34:00.000-07:00

and that means it's time to break out some classic fucking QUEEN!

This song always gets me in a good mood, even if I'm down in the dumps. My life has been a rollercoaster for the past few months and I think I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I was getting wrapped up in so many things that I had no control over, and in the end lost sight of myself.

I'm a pretty fucking awesome person. I'm smart, witty, sassy, and I suppose I have other attractive attributes. It's important to remind myself of these things, even if I don't necessarily believe them all the time. There will come a day when my friends aren't the only ones who see this. I'll see it too, and then maybe I can be successful in life.

Rue McClanahan Rest in Peace

2010-06-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

You'll always be our Golden Girl.

Your dose of Wednesday night punk

2010-06-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

Not sure what makes me turn back to punk rock but here we are. I'm being completely honest when I say I'm just getting into the Dead Kennedeys. I don't own any of their albums and can maybe name three of their songs but I'm just jonesing on it right now. YouTube and Pandora have been my friends in this discovery.

This song also keeps popping up on my Pandora frequently. Pennywise were another one of those bands I never got into....just love the vocals and the drums are absolutely sick.

Any great song/band suggestions?

Information Society's Version of 'Lay All Your Love On Me'

2010-06-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

So yesterday it appears that my 'ABBA vs. Erasure' battle made it onto an Erasure message board, hence all the pro-Erasure comments. But several people also mentioned that Information Society also had a version of this song, which I had never heard. Until now.

How do you think this all adds into the mix?

The Clash song of the day

2010-06-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

"1-2 Crush on You"

B-side to "Tommy Gun". It's such an homage to early rock and roll.

my day will come...........

2010-06-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

I know someday I'll be the only one........

Heartbreaking punk at it's best.

ABBA vs. Erasure

2010-06-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

I just can't get over the brilliance of this song and love both versions. Which do you prefer and why?

ABBA-1981

Erasure-1991

Kiss the Bottle

2010-06-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Lyrics by Blake Schwarzenbach

It gets lonliest at night
Down at the liquor store
Beneath the neon sky
Our moonlight
Six a.m. the floor comes alive with lice
The pan's dried up so tight
With hardened beans
We're hungry
So I lean on you sometimes
Just to see you're still there
Your feet can't take the weight of one
Much less two
We hit concrete
How were we born into this mess?
I know I painted you a prettier picture, baby
But we were run out on a rail
Fell from the wagon to the night train

I kissed the bottle
I should've been kissing you
You wake up to an empty night
With tears for two

Cigarettes they fill the gaps
In our empty days
In our broken teeth
We're jonesing
Say mister, can you spare a dime?
Some change could make a change
Could buy some time
Some freedom
Or an ear to hear my story
It's all I've got
My fiction beats the hell out of my truth
A palm upturned burnt blue
Don't call it sunburn
You've been shaking on the job
Just one drink ahead of your past
There's a white light coming up
You draw the blinds hoping it'll pass

I kissed the bottle
I should've been kissin you
You wake up to an empty night
With tears for two

In Memoriam

2010-05-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

On Memorial Day it's important to stop and think about the sacrifices made by the people who have served our country during times of both war and peace. Many of my relatives, including both of my grandfathers, served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Fortunately all of them came back from these wars intact and they went on to lead wonderful, fulfilling lives.

But I think the important thing to remember is that the word sacrifice doesn't necessarily mean giving your life.

My maternal grandfather, Enrique Cerro, served in the Navy from 1944-1946. He was older when he was called up (26) and had a wife and two young children. His sacrifice, and the sacrifice of my grandmother, was missing his daughter and son grow up. The only thing that I inherited from my grandparents is an amazing collection of letters they exchanged from the time my grandfather began boot camp in early 1944 to mid 1946 when he was on his way home. Not only does it renew my faith in finding someone that truly loves you but in the power of the human spirit. He returned from the war and they had two more children; never really digging themselves out of the working class neighborhood they began in but in love despite this.

My grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on January 15th, 2006. My grandfather died on February 26th, 2006 at the age of 88.

My grandfather with some of his shipmates while docked in the Bay Area during World War II. I have the original copper photo that they took in a photo booth in Oakland. How many times have I walked down the streets that he passed 60 years ago?

A photo of my grandfather while he was in boot camp in Wisconsin. This is probably early-mid 1944. I believe my mom has the original photograph.

It's been over four years since he's passed and I miss him every single day. There's a gap in my heart that can never be filled; he was one of the most important people in my life and continues to be. Both of my grandparents were two of the most honest, caring people I've ever known but my grandfather was an absolute perfect soul.

I wear him on my sleeve every day.

My dad's dad also served in World War II. He actually entered the Army in late 1939 or early 1940 and served the majority of the war in the Pacific. Unfortunately we were estranged for several years and I only saw him again towards the end of his life. I never truly knew him but he was so important to my father.

So thank you for everything you've done for me. And I know you're looking down at me, hopefully happy at the directions I've taken in my life.

It's (almost) summer in The City

2010-05-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

I think almost everyone, myself included, take our surroundings for granted. For the past few months I have spent so much of my time indoors because of depression or feeling ugly due to the pityariasis I've been dealing with.

Those times are coming to an end. It's time to experience all that my amazing, wonderful City has to offer.

Alan Fucking Wilder

2010-05-20T18:25:00.001-07:00

30 something

2010-05-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks I've been going through what you could call the beginnings of a third-life crisis. Not exactly sure where I want to wind up in life, I looked at teaching special needs students abroad. This search proved to be futile: most of the teaching jobs abroad are volunteer only. As much as I'd love to go to India or sub-Saharan Africa and work in a school for Special Education students I need to pay my bills. Scratch that off the list.

Whenever I'm anxious or unsure about my direction in life I usually start fucking with my hair.

Exhibit A: late March 2010

My bangs were getting in the way so I decided to go with the side-sweep look. This worked for about two more weeks when I had to get them chopped off.

Exhibit B: May 1st, 2010

In my attempt to "do something" with my boring hair I bleached huge chunks of it (including sections of my bangs). I had always hated how I was as a blonde and never intended on stepping out of my house with my hair that way. In fact, I liked it so much that I wore it like this for close to a week. Ultimately, I had to take the final step.

Exhibit C: May 5th, 2010

LOVED this color! Unfortunately the fucking dye started wearing out after the second wash. What gives! Mind you, I waited four days to wash it the first time (this photo was taken on day three) so it was rather gnarly.

As we speak I have PINK hair dye in my hair. We shall see how it comes out. I don't think I'm going to be very crazy about it and may even re-do it tomorrow evening. But I promise to upload a photo of Exhibit D before it goes the way of so many bad hairstyles in the past.

Matthew Sweet is my number one boy crush of all time

2010-05-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Since the age of 15 I've been obsessed with Matthew Sweet. It's been an on and off relationship but when it comes down to it I always come home to Matthew.

Perhaps the most recent lapse of judgement was the longest. I think it had been at least five years since I listened to the albums that shaped my teenage years. Girlfriend, Altered Beast, Son of Altered Beast, 100% Fun, and Blue Sky on Mars are his body of work from the years 1991-1997. And they are a-fucking-mazing.

I recently found out that the Berkely Rep theatre was putting on a play that featured songs from Matthew's 1991 album Girlfriend. I'm itching to go and hoping that I can scramble together the funds to get a ticket. The excitement over this news caused me to pull out my CDs and put them in the Volkswagon for a listen this past week.

Why did I ignore you for so long Matthew?

Love Love Love

A List of My Favorite Matthew Sweet Songs
(granted, this doesn't contain anything after Blue Sky on Mars since I haven't heard them. I will soon.)

Thought I Knew You (from 'Girlfriend')
You Don't Love Me (from 'Girlfriend')
Don't Go (from 'Girlfriend')
Your Sweet Voice (from 'Girlfriend')
Smog Moon (from '100% Fun')
Where Do You Get Love (from 'Blue Sky on Mars')
Missing Time (from 'Blue Sky on Mars')

Echo and the Bunnymen at the Fillmore 4.20.2010

2010-05-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

The awesomeness that is Gary Numan

2010-04-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Shows at the Fillmore and the El Rey are to be postponed, with the possibility of a rescheduling for September. Mr. Numan writes on his website today:

I'm extremely sad and disappointed to have to announce that our short US Mini Tour has had to be postponed. We obviously have not been able to leave the UK as the airspace is still closed and so we have no option but to admit defeat and let you all know the bad news as soon as possible. Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement over the last few days and thank you also for your many bits of advice on different transport avenues to try. We investigated them all, including the possibility of taking buses and trains from the UK through France and into Spain, and even into Portugal, and trying to get flights to the US from those distant places. But, as we found pretty much everywhere, getting our group of ten onto the trains wasn't possible as of yesterday and, even if we had been able to get to Spain in time, we couldn't find a single carrier still flying out of there or Portugal that had a single seat to sell, let alone ten. It's been a most unpleasant, and shockingly expensive, experience.

We are already talking to our US agent and the promoters to rearrange these shows for later in the year, most likely September time. That doesn't include Coachella of course although I hope that we will be invited back to the 2011 festival next year. Anyone wanting a full refund will have no trouble getting their money back and, as I understand things at the moment, people can keep their tickets if they wish as they will be valid for the rearranged shows. As soon as I have more information on that I will post it but, for now, I would advise checking in with the San Francisco and Los Angeles venues. Everyone involved understands that the volcano erupting and causing the disruption that it has is a very rare phenomenon and, mostly, people are being very helpful, for which I'm enormously grateful.

Thank you to everyone that bought tickets to come and see us, either at Coachella or for our shows in San Francisco or Los Angeles. We are all deeply sorry that we haven't been able to get there and I hope that we will be able to see all of you again when we do tour later in the year. We hope to make that September tour a much bigger affair than the three shows we had in place this time.

Can't wait to see you then Gary.

Are you going to be in San Francisco Monday night?

2010-04-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Eyjafjallajokull 2, Gary Numan and Bad Lieutenant 0

2010-04-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

More disappointment for US fans due to the buzzkill volcano Eyjafjallajokull.

Bad Lieutenant posted on their official website today:

“We’re stuck in Manchester,” said Bad Lieutenant’s Bernard Sumner. “We were hoping that conditions might change at the last minute and we’d be able to come and play for our fans. Obviously, this is a situation out of everyone’s control, and we are crushed that we won’t be coming to America for these dates.”

Affected shows: their set tonight at Coachella (which they had been hoping to push back to tomorrow), The Metro in Chicago on Monday, and Webster Hall in New York City on Wednesday.

Gary Numan, who has been so diligent about updating his fans about his situation, posted twice today. At first it appeared that things were looking up when he posted the following blurb on his website:

It is now about mid-day on saturday and UK airspace has been officially closed until 1am sunday morning. According to British Airways we took the last six seats available on their 297 flight due to leave tomorrow morning at 09:55 and the last four on their mid-day flight. And they charged me an extra £2,000 for the priviledge with the words 'if you don't book these seats now we have plenty of other people who are willing to pay a lot more'. I never expected to be held to ransom by British AIrways especially in such a difficult situation for everybody. Still, you live and learn.

We have not given up. All members of our group, band and crew, living more than 90 minutes away from the airport have been booked into hotels nearby so that we are able to take advantage of any positive change in the situation, should that occur. I am leaving for a Heathrow hotel within the next hour to make sure that I am right on the doorstep if any good news comes in. The band and some crew will go out on the first flight, should that be allowed to leave, and the remaining crew on the second. We are talking to our people in Los Angeles, arranging back up crew in case the second plane is cancelled or delayed, talking to Coachella about later slots, anything and everything that is within our power is being done, but that means very little if the aeroplanes don't fly. I have to say that everyone is being incredibly helpful, everyone except British Airways sadly, e-mails are flooding in from people at the festival offering to help with crew and equipment and the Coachella organisers are doing all they can to make it happen.

What happens to our other two US shows is obviously also in doubt but I can promise you that if there is any way we can get there, we will take it.

Gary Numan seriously kicks ass. It's obvious he really wanted to be at Coachella. After seeing him once about nine years ago I know that he enjoys performing and interacting with his fans. He's definitely gone out of his way to make these shows happen. Sadly, a few hours later, he updated once again:

It is now 5PM here in the UK. A short while ago I received a message saying that both the San Francisco and Los Angeles shows had sold out which cheered me up no end. A few minutes after that I received another message saying that British Airways have cancelled our flights to the US tomorrow which brought everything straight back down again. We have called every transatlantic airline that operates from the UK and not only are they not flying, they are not currently accepting any new bookings, not until tuesday for many of them. So, even if they do allow planes to fly later on sunday or monday, and that's a very big if at the moment, we can't book seats on any of them. Even I have to admit that it's not looking good. As soon as we know more I'll update you all. I can't tell you how disappointed we all are.

You can pretty much deduce from this last post that the San Francisco show at The Fillmore AND The Wiltern show in Los Angeles will have to be scrapped. It's so sad that these were both sold out shows. But I get the impression that he will make every effort to get over here as soon as possible to make it up to his fans.

I'm currently shaking my fist at you Eyjafjallajokull, you unpronouncable son of a bitch.

Asshole volcano.

Music versus the Volcano

2010-04-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Coachella, perhaps one of the most anticipated festivals of the year, may lose many of its UK acts on the bill due to the volcanic Ash from Iceland.

Hasn't there been a lot of weird weather shit going on recently? It was only a matter of time before it would interfere with the enjoyment of barely clothed, drunk hipsters in the desert.

Here are the casualties so far, as well as bands that are reported to still be stuck in Blighty.

Bad Lieutenant-Variety magazine is saying that they are officially a no-go for the festival but no official word from the band. Earlier today they released word on their MySpace Blog that their San Francisco gig scheduled for tomorrow night (4/16) was canceled. Their main MySpace page has their updated US tour itinerary: Coachella, The Metro in Chicago, and Webster Hall in New York.

The Cribs-Johnny Marr's group has apparently been forced to cancel their Coachella set, which was to be sometime Friday afternoon. According to Contact Music the band is doing their best to get to the States and is in talks with festival organizers to have their slot pushed back to Saturday or Sunday. As of now it looks highly unlikely they'll make it.

Gary Numan-This is what he had to say on his website today:

The last thing I expected this morning when I woke up was to hear that volcanic ash might be preventing us from flying to America. At the moment the very best British Airways are offering us, and this without any guarantee, is to put us on a sunday flight that gets in to Los Angeles in the afternoon on sunday. That is one step away from useless and means that, if we are very lucky, we might just make it to the festival site (a three hour plus drive from Los Angeles) in time for our slot but without a single second of rehearsal with Robin Finck, the American based guitar player for the US shows, who has never played with us before, and no real chance of collecting and checking the equipment that we have hired for those shows, which includes all the keyboards, guitars, drums etc etc.
We are still waiting to find out if British Airways can offer any better alternatives. Very upsetting though to see such a huge opportunity slipping through your fingers. I am glued to the TV news at the moment"

In other words, he's going to have to cancel. Still up in the air: Tuesday 4/20 in San Francisco and Wednesday, 4/21 in Los Angeles.

Other bands such as Frightened Rabbit and Los Campesinos! are also stuck in the UK trying to make it to Indio. Other European acts such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Music, PiL, Fever Ray, Hot Chip, Gorillaz, The Specials, and Florence & The Machine are already on American soil.

First US Recoil date.........May 15th

2010-04-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

More dates to come.........

My love for The Damned

2010-04-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

I have never truly expressed my complete and utter devotion to The Damned on this blog. Yes, we've heard all the crap about Depeche Mode and Nitzer Ebb and yadda yadda yadda. Dave Gahan wore makeup to look pretty.

Dave Vanian wore makeup to look fucking creepy. Later on he took on the "pretty boy" image but in doing so became one of the undisputed granddaddies of goth. And he's still quite the fox today.

Oh so creepy scary hot in the 70s

1980s-Johnny Depp's inspiration for his "Sweeny Todd" role

Late 90s

Rockin' the Vincent Price look in 2008.

The Damned isn't just Dave Vanian. It's Captain Sensible, the kooky, anarchist hippie punk who manages to put a smile on my face at every show. He manages to be ridiculous and make perfect sense at the same time. Whether it's playing a guitar with a beer bottle or talking about how fucked up the government is, or even Tweeting about his train travels in the UK he's quite a character.

Rounding out the current lineup are Pinch, one hell of a drummer; Monty Oxymoron, a genius on keybords, and Stu West, a kickass bassist.

I've seen The Damned seven times so far:

November 2006-Slim's, San Francisco

November 2008-Slim's, San Francisco

November 2008-House of Blues, San Diego

December 2008-Kentish Town Forum, London

May 2009-Irving Plaza, New York City

May 2009-The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, New Jersey

February 2010-Slim's, San Francisco

I'm not sure when they are touring the States again (usually they just do California) but you need to see them.

Here are some of my favorite Damned songs:

So many more, but you just have to find them for yourself.

I'm ready to play today!

2010-03-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

I can say without a doubt that this will be the first and only time that I reference John Fogerty on this blog. Yes, granted, he's a great songwriter, yadda, yadda, yadda. Not my thing.

I played softball consistently from the age of 7 all the way through high school. During my sophomore and junior years of high school I was on three teams at once: my varsity team (where I mainly sat the bench), a CYO team (where I ruled) and a Little League team (where I ruled again). After high school my cleats went into the closet, my bat and glove got tucked away and I just....stopped.

Until about two months ago. After talking about softball with my co-workers I decided to give it another try. I found The San Francisco Softball League. I posted on their message board that I was interested in playing (29yo female bats left, throws left) and received two responses that day. One team played Sunday mornings, which was an immediate 'no thank you'. The other team played Friday nights, which would be fun. So I signed up, gave them my name, and became a Scumball.

Plus, I think I'm one of the only softball players to have some kick-ass EBM intro music (I'll post the tune as soon as I get the artist/title from my manager. He investigated my Facebook music profile and found a really great song).

Wherehouse instore signing in L.A. 3.20.1990

2010-03-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

Love the reporter in Part II that reads the group name as 'Deposh Mode'

Enjoy..........

Happy Birthday Violator!

2010-03-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

March 19th 1990 (UK Release)

March 20th 1990 (US Release)

20 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed that one band would make such an impact on my life. I'm going to be perfectly honest; I wasn't one of those cool ten year olds who went to go see The Pixies and Sonic Youth. I was listening to pop music: New Kids on the Block, Michael Jackson and my parents' Beach Boys and Beatles records. I listened to Top 40 radio (which in the late 80s/early 90s was Z100 in New York City) so I was aware of some of the "alternative" bands that were making splashes. But to be honest I just wasn't that interested, I still wanted to wear my Benneton hoodie and wear my hair in a top ponytail with a Scrunchie.

But here I am 20 years later and Depeche Mode have affected my life in many ways. First and foremost I can thank them for introducing me to my wonderful boyfriend four and a half years ago. Secondly, for introducing me to some of my best friends. Thirdly for helping me cope and deal with the deaths of my grandfathers in January and February of 2006. Fourthly for inspiring me to travel the country and abroad to see them in concert. Fifthly for introducing me to my other favorite band Nitzer Ebb.

There are so many other things I can list but I don't want to bore you.

Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, Alan Wilder and Flood created a masterpiece in Violator. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll be listening to it for the next twenty years and beyond.

St. Patrick's Day Play list

2010-03-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

Just a sampling of my favorite songs by Irish artists and those with the Irish spirit.

Tomorrow Never Comes by VNV Nation

In the Name of the Father by Bono and Gavin Friday

High Fidelity by Elvis Costello (Declan McManus)

Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

Silver and Gold by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros (not Irish, actually Scotch, but great song for a pub sing-a-long)

National Express by The Divine Comedy

Irish Blood English Heart by Morrissey (Steven Patrick Morrissey)

Burn Baby Burn by Ash

Say It To Me Now by The Frames

Nine is a nice number. Enjoy!

Great Spanish EBM band-Mekanik Disorder

2010-03-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Taken from their website:

"A trip to the purest and coldest essence of Electronic Body Music. A sunset over a desolated land in which frontiers move from Front 242 to Calva y Nada, from à;GRUMH to Nitzer Ebb, from DAF to Absolute Body Control. The long-awaited Mekanik Disorder's debut release shows, in 12 awesome tracks, its strong personality inside the current old school EBM scene. Cold and visceral electronics as a last way to escape from feelings, expressed in four languages –English, German, Spanish and Dutch-, in an extraordinary variety of tempoes, melodies and vocal ranges."

They just released their debut album, Cold & Strong. Take a listen at their MySpace page.

It's very 'Isn't it Funny How Your Body Works'. Check it out.

Tomorrow.....

2010-03-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Very excited about the VNV Nation show at DNA Lounge. I found this amazing website that has links to tons of live show recordings. You can find it here.

I'll try to take photos at the show tomorrow. I've also emailed their publicity people about doing promo work for their show in Sacramento next month. Sounds like they haven't sold many tickets. I'm excited to see them live for the first time tomorrow!

Day of Protest for education funding March 4th 2010

2010-03-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

This is the end........

2010-03-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

After Nitzer Ebb left the stage I really began to feel sick, as evidenced by this photo that BRAT (aka Daniel Barassi) took of me during 'Walking in My Shoes'

I look tired as fuck at a Depeche Mode concert. What is wrong with me?

But it was all worth it when I was able to experience this for the second time in less than a week:

Americans just don't know how to do it the way the Europeans do.

I did manage to snap three photos of Martin while I was trying to remain on my feet:

By the time 'Policy of Truth' came on I was barely managing:

I was hoping for the same kind of reaction at the end of the song we had experienced at Royal Albert Hall. The crowd let the balloons fall and then it sounded like fireworks as everyone stepped on them. Alas, it was not to happen. Shortly after this I decided to leave the arena.

But I spotted these pom poms:

And figured I had to stay for a little bit longer.

As 'Never Let Me Down Again' began I decided it was time to leave again. But then I stopped and looked at the hands waving back and forth and began to cry. And guess who decided to walk right into my video: Daniel Miller.

I met up with Karen, Martin, Judith and her partner (Mark?, sorry, I forgot your name) as they tried to hail a cab to The London Stone. I then walked to the bus to get back to the hotel. I decided to go and sleep and try to feel better for my flight the next morning.

Finally, the time on the clock in the hotel as when I came in that night:

That was my Tour of the Universe.

O2-London 20.2.2010

2010-03-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

After drinking half the alcohol in Nottingham the night before I managed to make it down to London for the 4th show of my trip: a double bill of Nitzer Ebb and Depeche Mode. Unfortunately I missed my 5am train and staggered onto the 7:28am train still drunk (and having accidentally paid 71 pounds for a return trip ticket!)

Made it to the O2 around 10am, dragging my suitcase behind me. As I get to the entrance I see Bon Harris looking bright and cheery. He nods and says hello as he passes by. I trudge on, hoping that I don't look too much like a train wreck hot mess.

By the time I arrived all of the numbers had been passed out (there were only 75 of them). Somehow I managed to make it to the Hilton Tower Bridge where Kimberly, Miranda and Les had stayed the night before. They were very tired and hungover but I think I was feeling the most pain. Somehow we managed to get about 45 minutes of sleep before showering, getting dressed, and leaving the hotel around 2pm.

Then the waiting began. And the waiting continued until 6:15pm when they finally let us into the venue. Miranda managed to squeeze me right up front with her. It was a good thing because I was beginning to have dizzy spells and was swaying back and forth, from lack of sleep, water and food. All day I managed to shove about ten crisps in my mouth and it was an effort to keep them down. I PROMISE NEVER TO DRINK AS MUCH AS I DID IN NOTTINGHAM!

Nitzer Ebb take the stage around 7:30pm. I think I have converted Miranda into a Nitzer Ebb fan, as she is singing along and dancing with me. I don't notice any particular special attention from the stage but the Polish girl who is standing to my right taps me on the shoulder and yells "He LIKES you!", pointing to Douglas, who did seem to spend a lot of time on our side of the stage dancing. I think I also got a smile. Hm.

And then, after only 40 minutes or so, it was over.

'Getting Closer' in Nottingham

2010-03-10T19:59:00.001-08:00

My last video from Nottingham, sigh.

Time Slips By

2010-03-09T17:30:00.001-08:00

Thanks to both Sean and Neil for the tip; 'Time Slips By' is the intro music for Nitzer Ebb's Industrial Complex Tour.

Seperated at Birth

2010-03-09T17:13:00.000-08:00

Many laughs were produced from the pairing of these two videos.

Hit You Back-live from Notts

2010-03-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

The synch is really good on this one. This video features our favorite dance move as Douglas sing 'gotta step through the shadows'. SO HYSTERICAL!

Lightning Man "live" in Nottingham

2010-03-07T17:37:00.001-08:00

Erm, not really. I loved the footage that I took with my iPhone but the sound was just shit. I can't perfectly synch the video and the audio because Doug sings the song differently every time.

Audio is from 'Live at Peabody's, Cleveland, November 2009'.
My apologies if it gives you a headache. I tried.

Notts

2010-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

This really cute girl got the set list at the end of the show. Turns out she's been listening to NEP for about three months. I find this extremely awesome.

Seeing Nitzer Ebb in Nottingham on my birthday was honestly one of the best shows that I have ever been to. Karen and I walked into Rock City just as the Intro music for Ebb started. We made our way right to the front and positioned ourselves at the barricade, standing in the center.

Like a dork I had sent Douglas McCarthy a message on Facebook that afternoon telling him it was my birthday and asking him to play 'Ascend'. I knew it was technically possible since I heard it in Ventura but thought that it wasn't going to happen. Turns out it didn't, but I was not bummed in any way possible. The show was too good to be disappointed.

Karen (brilliance) managed to go up to the bar and brought back four Red Stripe tall boys. Just as she comes back 'Godhead' begins and the mosh pit erupts. Fortunately no beer was spilled and we toasted Douglas, Bon and Jason as the show continued. Beers quickly slammed as the show progressed. But soon....it was over.

After the show we began chatting with some of the other audience members and met Sarah, who had been to the show the night before; and Neil, who said he knew the band and was going backstage. BACKSTAGE! I was beyond excited at the possibility. When I turned my head though he and his friend walked towards the backstage area while I waited for Karen to return from the loo. DAMN; it looked like our plans had been foiled. But...Karen has tricks up her sleeve, i.e., just walking right backstage.

I had met Doug and Bon in Ventura months before and had chatted with Jason in York but I still had some serious butterfly issues. The tiny backstage area was crowded. I felt awkward and realized I didn't even know what to say. Somehow I walked right up to Douglas and said hello. He appeared to recognize me and we chatted for a bit about the show, Ventura, California, etc. I congratulated him on his engagement and then said goodbye. He pulled me in for a hug and a kiss on both cheeks! I think I began to blush :)

By this point security had walked into the backstage area and busted us both. We had to leave; I managed to say a quick hello to Bon on the way out. Jason then stopped me and said "Oh yeah, Happy Birthday by the way". I was shocked. Not only had Douglas read my message he told the other guys. My shit-eating grin floated me back all the way outside and into the horrendous 90s club that was connected to Rock City.

Many, many drinks later Karen and I stumbled back to our hotel. Pizza was ordered and I remember the guy knocking on the door to deliver it but I refused it when Karen tried to force me to eat. I went to sleep drunk and woke up drunk three hours later when I realized I had missed my train back down to London to line up for numbers for the Depeche Mode O2 gig.

Shit, but was it worth it! Hells yeah!

Power of Voice Communications

2010-03-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

Audience Bootleg from the Nitzer Ebb set at the O2, London, 20.2.2010

(Great Sound-if you don't mind an occasional cough or two)

Set List

Intro
Getting Closer
Let Your Body Learn
Once You Say
Lightning Man
Hit You Back
I Am Undone
Godhead
Down On Your Knees
Control, I'm Here
I Give To You

P.S. I get a shout out from the audience (hi Karen) at the end of track 7/beginning of track 8. Karen, who is as much of a loudmouth as I am, manages to scream "Kristin Vogel" in an arena of 20,000 people. AMAZING.

Front row at NEP show

2010-03-02T21:51:00.000-08:00

First song of the show.

Friday the 19th

2010-03-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

I woke up 30 fucking years old sleeping next to a sexy lady. Wow, my day had started great!
Ok you horny bastards, I was sharing a room with my good friend Karen and yes, we slept in the same bed. Get your mind out of the gutters please.

So in the morning we headed down to the pub for our complimentary English breakfast. I honestly don't remember what we ate so it couldn't have been that good. But it was free and filled my belly for the time. We walked back upstairs and grabbed our shit and left The Golden Fleece by the 10AM checkout time (which is ungodly). The guy at the pub was nice enough to watch our bags so Karen and I headed across the street to Marks & Spencer for some quality shopping time!

I managed to get some cute leggings and a slip and Karen bought a shirt. We then went back to the inn to grab our bags and walked to the train station. On our way to Nottingham we had a brief stop over in Sheffield. Woo hoo.

This was one of the saddest things I saw during our train ride from York to Sheffield:

There was more than one set of them actually, I was only able to get a picture of this because it was closer to us. Other highlights of the train ride to Sheffield:

Nodding off while listening to "Godhead" (if you know the song you can realize how ridiculous this scenario is)
Talking about the song "Ascend" and saying "you know, when the Alan Wilder part kicks in" and Karen knowing exactly what I was talking about
A really strange woman who was feeding her children peaches directly from the can whilst drinking a tallboy

The train from Sheffield to Nottingham was crowded as fuck. I wound up sitting in the vestibule with our bags while Karen sat in her seat (someone was already in mine and refused to get up). Whatever. We got off the train and after a quick cab ride we were at the Premier Inn right in the University Center.

Karen and I promised each other we'd nap for a few hours before the concert. It took us a while to stop laughing but I think I fell asleep around 4PM to wake up around 7.......

Shower and get ready for the show! Doors opened at 7PM so we intended on leaving the hotel around 8:30PM to get to the club by 9PM at the latest. Somehow, I had a sneaking suspicion we should leave earlier than that. We would up leaving the hotel around 8PM and managed to get to the venue around 10 minutes later, just as Nitzer Ebb were taking the stage......

Live at Peabody's in Cleveland 29.11.2009

2010-03-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

Nitzer Ebb Live at Peabody's 29.11.2009

Royal Albert Hall shirts on sale now at Depeche Mode's European shop

2010-03-02T18:11:00.001-08:00

Nitzer Ebb at the Duchess 18.2.2010

2010-02-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

I met up with Karen at King's Cross Station around 1:30PM to catch our 2:00PM train to York. We were excited to see Nitzer Ebb at The Duchess that night, plus we were booked to stay in a haunted inn above a pub that had been in operation since the 1500s! That's freakin' history!

Our taxi driver called us "bat shit crazy" when we told him we were staying at The Golden Fleece. We didn't really get much more of what he said; those Yorkshire accents certainly lived up to their expectations. We arrive and brought our bags up to our room:

We were pretty hungry after our trip (and I don't think either of us had had a proper meal in England up to that point), so we walked back downstairs for some traditional British pub food. This was a historic moment for all, as it was Karen's first encounter with Spotted Dick. I had to take a photo to commemorate the occasion.

Neither one of us had the Spotted Dick though; I had a house pie, which was absolutely delicious! Karen had fish and chips, always a favorite. We then walked back up to our room and proceeded to get dressed and ready for the night quite slowly.....we left the inn shortly after 9PM to walk to The Duchess, which was less than two blocks away.

We missed the first band entirely and caught a good portion of the second band. It was fronted by two female singers with a pretty awesome taste in fashion. Karen and I both remarked on how straight the seam in their hosiery was. I sure as hell couldn't do that.

Around 10PM, as promised, Nitzer Ebb took the stage. Mind you it had been exactly two months since seeing them last so I was very, very, stoked.

After having seen Nitzer Ebb in San Francisco (surrounded by a bunch of people who weren't that into it) and in Ventura (surrounded by nobody) this was certainly a refreshing scene. It was wonderful to have Karen singing and dancing right next to me. It was also great to have so many people, men and women, simply enjoying the music and shouting along.

The highlight of the show was when they played "Warsaw Ghetto". I screamed very, very loudly. Never in a million years did I think I would ever hear it live. Every other song in the set was amazing. As best as I can remember the set went something like this:

Promises
Let Your Body Learn
Shame
Hearts and Minds
Once You Say
Lightning Man
For Fun
Hit You Back
Blood Money
Payroll
Godhead
I Am Undone
Warsaw Ghetto
Down On Your Knees
Murderous
Control, I'm Here
Join in the Chant

Encore

Getting Closer
I Give To You

(I think). I you happen to have the set list from this show please correct me. The stage hand wouldn't give me one at the end; said they "recycled them".

After the show we hung around the venue for a bit and got to chat with Jason. "Oh, you are the Americans that were up front. We heard you." We think that was a good thing. Then we walked around York for a short while to see if anything was open, as the bar had closed around 11PM at The Duchess. YORK IS DEAD ON A THURSDAY NIGHT. We decided to call it a night and walked back to our inn; running into Jason as he grabbed a late night snack.

Karen and I spent the next few hours looking at various photos and videos on her computer and my phone and just acting like overall asses. When we finally decided to call it a night there was a ruckus from the street below and we entertained ourselves watching some drunk guys eat chicken in the middle of the street and throw a orange street cone around. THEN it was time for bed because the next day we were traveling to Nottingham for yet another NEP show AND for my birthday celebration.

Sphere Magazine Reviews Nitzer Ebb at The Duchess 18.2.2010

2010-02-28T15:32:00.001-08:00

Our review to follow shortly.

Your Daily Dose of Ebb

2010-02-28T15:24:00.001-08:00

From Warsaw, Poland on 12.2.2010
GREAT video!

The end of an era, the end of Tour of the Universe

2010-02-28T14:01:00.000-08:00

Last night Depeche Mode's Tour of the Universe came to an end. I wish I could have been there; so many of my friends made the trek. Unfortunately my fundulation ran out.

Here is an amazing video that nadgahan shot last night. Martin thanks Dave; Dave drops to his knees in gratitude. My eyes welled up with tears. Also, nice to see Nitzer Ebb get to take that final bow with Depeche.

We'll see you next time boys. Thank you for all of the amazing experiences and friendships you've helped me establish since the beginning of the tour. I'm going to try and name everyone but forgive me if I forget you.

Missy, Marina, Leah, Sam, Raj, Terra, Harold, Marcy, Miranda, Jenn, Karen, Amanda, Tara, Claire, Stacey, Amy, Cynthia, John, Jane, Penelope, Sara, Sylvia, Katrina, Carissa, John, Melanie, Dina, Les, Kimberly, Lee, Sarah, Woody, Sara, Neil, Lydia, Pila, Nicole, Emilie, Daniel, Andy....the list goes on and on.

Dave, Martin, Andy, Peter and Christian...thank you for continuing to make such amazing music! Keep it up!

VNV Nation live in San Francisco 16.3.2010

2010-02-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Purchased my ticket this afternoon; very excited!

I'm still somewhat new to most of VNV Nation's music, but after several suggestions to listen to them I've decided to give it a go. I downloaded their albums this weekend and am going to spend the next few weeks listening and familiarizing myself with their music. I'll keep you posted as things progress.

You MUST go!

2010-02-27T10:38:00.001-08:00

Party at The Stone 17.2.2010

2010-02-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

After the show at The Royal Albert Hall team North America hopped in a cab and jetted over to The London Stone (108 Cannon Street). There was much concern about the capacity of the club and the demand from post-concert revelers. We made it there in no time and promptly made our way downstairs to the dance floor.

The night was unofficially sponsored by Kronenberg beer, one of the lightest and most refreshing beverages to be found:

With the exception of "Murderous" by Nitzer Ebb and a few Erasure and Yaz songs it was all Depeche/Dave solo/Martin solo for hours straight. Once of the best dance parties ever! (Yes, even better than Vegas because this party didn't play any crappy remixes)

With Pernilla from Sweeden

With Dina, another amazing Bay Area Depeche Mode fan!

With Sarah from the DMMB (little15girl). She is an absolute sweetheart!

DJ Stix from Electric Dreams, who was responsible for the amazing tunes!

By the end of the night things were getting a little hairy!

Woody wanted to reach out and touch The Kilt (but he swears he's not a Depeche Mode fan)

Fun times were had by all! But soon enough it was 4AM and time for us to sadly depart The Stone. Sarah and I hailed a taxi back to Bayswater and we arrived back at UMI around 5ish. I was so wired I couldn't go to sleep so I wound up watching Olympic coverage on my hotel TV. Shaun White won Gold! I finally fell asleep around 6AM, with my alarm set for 9:30AM the next morning.

What a fantabulous night!

I was so excited to meet so many new friends. Unfortunately, I don't have contact information for all of you. Please, PLEASE get in touch with me if we spoke that night! I love expanding my Depeche Mode family!

Return to Old Blighty (Royal Albert Hall 17.2.2010)

2010-02-26T22:57:00.000-08:00

I arrived in England in the early afternoon of 17 February and manage to fly through immigration and customs (a first for me). A mere 45 minutes later I alight from the Heathrow Connect in Paddington Station and walk to my hotel, the UMI in Bayswater/Notting Hill Gate. After flying for 9 hours on a plane that smelled like dirty nappies I had to quickly shower and change to get ready to depart for Royal Albert Hall and the Depeche Mode gig later that night.

Ticket in hand I leave my hotel at 3:30PM and grab a cab (8 pounds) to Royal Albert Hall.

I find several of my California friends in line: Terra, Harold and Sara. After wondering where Miranda was I walked to the other side of the venue to find yet another line with several other friends, including Miranda. I decided to stick with my original line as I was closer to the front and the characters in Miranda's line didn't look like they'd let me through.

Spent a few hours in line chatting with old friends and new, including Melanie from Canada. There was even a guy from Santa Rosa who managed to squeeze his way in with us. Funny how being from a particular region gives you a certain sense of entitlement to skip the line. Hmmmm.

As the doors opened we realized that a renegade line had formed on the other side of the door. Those bastards were being let in with us, and some of them had shown up only a half hour before! Despite our best efforts a "fake" Russell Brand was let in and managed to be front row, center for the entire show. I saw him show up to the venue around 5PM.

Frustrations withstanding we finally made it inside the venue. My photos do not do the place justice; it's a fucking amazing place:

I had given The Horrors an advance listen before coming to the show, and were impressed with what I saw and heard, however, I was way too excited for the show to really appreciate them. They are definitely worth checking out in an Echo & The Bunnymen/Sisters of Mercy type of way. Each band member has their own little style image thing going on; which was endearing.

After The Horrors left the stage a huge commercial for the Depeche Mode watches appeared on the big screen. Almost everyone in the crowd was singing and screaming; Miranda and I were cracking up at everyone getting so excited over a freakin' commercial.

Roger Daltry then took the stage to talk briefly about the charity that was benefiting from the concert, Teenage Cancer Trust.

This was followed by a short clip of the patients in the Teenage Cancer wings and an appearance by one of the boys that took part in the film.

Then, without further ado, DEPECHE FUCKING MODE!

The first few songs were the same as the ones I had seen on my previous TOTU shows, until World in My Eyes. Martin's first "solo" songs were amazing: One Caress and Home, both backed by strings from the Royal Academy of Music. One of the reasons why I had been dying to see a show in Europe was the famed crowd response. At the end of "Home" the crowd continued to chant "wooooahooohoooohhhhwooooahahhhhhh!" for about three minutes after the song ended. Dave, Christian and Fletch returned to the crowd chant and Dave jammed to the beat while Christian improvised with the crowd. Quite a moment.

Back to the normal TOTU setlist. The Policy of Truth balloons were amazing. At the end of the song everyone began to pop them and it sounded like fireworks. It was such an absolutely perfect moment. NLMDA's arm waving was fantastic and sent chills up my spine. This song normally doesn't do it for me and I usually can't wait for it to be over.

End of main set. Waiting patiently when............WHAT THE FUCK?! Alan Wilder joins Martin onstage for "Somebody":

And then as quickly as he arrived onstage it was over...holy hell!

I think the crowd was in shock when Dave returned to the stage, performed "Stripped" and then launched into "Photographic". The 2 people that might have been sitting down at that point must have gotten up to dance. Miranda and I had our coats tied around our waists and our skirts were hiking up to Mt. Everest. But we didn't care; this was a historic moment for Depeche Mode fans!

When the show ended I said my goodbyes to Miranda (who had managed to grab an after party pass) and headed over to The London Stone with Sara and Melanie. But that will have to wait for another time.

Nitzer Ebb at the O2 in London

2010-02-23T06:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't even reviewed any of the shows but I am going through serious withdrawl and came across this excellent video this morning. Sound quality is top.

Uber-fan Paul singing to the camera pre-Royal Albert Hall

2010-02-22T19:13:00.001-08:00

You know, that guy with the TOTU flag.

Royal Albert Hall show.......AMAZING recording!

2010-02-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

I was asked to remove the direct link to the file but if you want it email me: kristin_vogel@hotmail.com

Here is a link to a great fan recording from The Royal Albert Hall show last week. The official recording was done by Live Here Now, and it is assumed that all proceeds from this recording will go to TCT as well. So while you are waiting for your LHN CD to come in take a listen to this one. But please, order the one from LHN. It's for a good cause.

Alan Fucking Wilder!

2010-02-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

This is the first of the goodies that I have to post about the Royal Albert Hall show from last Wednesday. I'm sure you've seen this before but my good friend Terra recorded it. This is the best video of the performance that I've seen on YouTube!

Rabbit Rabbit

2010-02-01T21:04:00.001-08:00

Had to say it.

Club Gossip Pre-Valentine's Day Party.......'A Question of Lust'

2010-01-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

aka pre-England party
aka pre-birthday party
aka pre-Damned party

Marina Santana...you want to come up for this?

Listen to the new Nitzer Ebb album online

2010-01-17T11:37:00.001-08:00

What a great video from Budapest!

2010-01-13T18:23:00.000-08:00

"Blood Money" from the Nitzer Ebb solo show in Budapest last night:

Nitzer Ebb live in Berlin 1.9.2010

2010-01-10T17:07:00.000-08:00

Reports from last night's show at the O2 world say that the majority of the crowd wasn't into Nitzer Ebb. Come on people....what the fuck. How can you not be into this?

Setlist courtesy of Karen, with a little help from Niggels on the HOME site:

Let your Body Learn
Shame
Once you say
Hearts and Minds
Lightning man
Hit you back
Payroll
Down on your Knees
Control I'm here
I give to you
Italicized songs are from the new Nitzer Ebb album Industrial Complex:
Buy Industrial Complex on iTunes US or here

First great song of the year

2010-01-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hurts are a Manchester-based band. I can't wait to hear more from them. Here is the first song they've released called 'Wonderful Life':

Arthur Baker did a lot of work with New Order (another Manc band) in the 80s and he does a brilliant job with turning the original tune into a freestyle club hit. Feel free to download it and share it (courtesty of Castles of Noise)

Hurts-Wonderful Life (Arthur Baker remix)

My Top Ten Albums of the 2000s

2009-12-31T21:51:00.000-08:00

With less than two hours left to go in the decade (Pacific Standard Time) I've finally decided to post my Top 10 favorite albums of the 2000s.
I'm not one of those people who can post a Top 10 list of 2009 because honestly I haven't bought ten new albums this year. While I do purchase new music I spend most of my time researching older music.

The reason it's taken me so long to finally put this list up is because I can't figure out how to rank the albums. So I'm just going to list them from 1-10. The number the proceeds the album DOES NOT rank it in relation to the others.

Without further ado, here are the winners:

Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros

Streetcore

(2003)

Hellcat Records

This is the third and final album that Joe Strummer recorded with The Mescaleros. Released after his December 2002 death it was completed by the remaining members of the band and contains many first takes and other recordings that may not have made the album that Joe was working on. What I like about it is that this raw, incomplete feeling really serves as a fitting tribute to Strummer.

*Key tracks*-Coma Girl, Redemption Song (Bob Marley cover), Silver & Gold

Placebo

Black Market Music

(2000)

Virgin

Placebo put out four albums in the 2000s, all of them never topping the success of 1998's Without You I'm Nothing (which contained the drug anthem 'Pure Morning') Black Market Music, Sleeping with Ghosts (2003), and Meds (2006) all could have been on this list. Sorry Battle for the Sun (2009), you just didn't cut it. For me a Placebo album needs to be listened to in bits; there is never a general flow between songs. But this was the best of the four and definitely contained some gems.

*Key tracks*-Taste in Men, Special K, Haemoglobin

The Faint

Danse Macabre

(2001)

Saddle Creek

The Faint are one of the greatest things to ever come out of Omaha, Nebraska. I remember the first time I saw The Faint: it was in 2001 and in a tiny club in New York called Brownies (now defunct). I didn't really know what to think of them and walked out feeling really confused. A few weeks later a friend had passed on an MP3 from their second album Blank Wave Arcade (1999). This album flows from start to finish and really fucking rocks. That's all I have to say.

*Key tracks*-the whole damn thing

David Bowie

Heathen

(2002)

ISO/Columbia

Heathen is a call back to Bowie's albums of the late 70s, and can be listened to with them (think: Low, Lodger, Heroes, Scary Monsters & Super Creeps) without sounding weird. It's probably his best album since that time. Tony Visconti, who produced Scary Monsters...., also produced Heathen.

To support this album Bowie performed at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City to a crowd of fans who were members of his website. Also in attendance was Dave Gahan and his wife (I was standing behind her in line for the bathroom and chatted briefly with DG during the intermission). At this show he played Low and Heathen from start to finish, as well as the obligatory hits. He also played five shows: one in each borough of NYC. I was able to attend four of them, save for the show in the Bronx (I had the flu). This album holds a lot of sentimental value for me.

*Key tracks*-Slow Burn, Afraid, Everyone Says Hi

Depeche Mode

Playing the Angel

(2005)

Mute

This is my favorite of the three albums that Depeche released in the 2000s: Exciter (2001) and Sounds of the Universe (2009) are also strong but don't match PTA in consistency and quality. This is the first album that Dave Gahan contributed songs to, "Suffer Well" is now one of my favorite DM tracks. Funny story: I had the same hat that Martin wore during this tour (http://www.knit-head.com) and lost it in a cab a few days after the Madison Square Garden shows in December 2005.

*Key tracks*-Suffer Well, The Darkest Star, Precious

Nitzer Ebb

Industrial Complex

(2009)

Self-released

14 years after releasing their last CD, and 3 years after reuniting, Nitzer Ebb have come back with a solid album. While this CD may not get a proper US release it is being released in Europe in 2010. This album was released for iTunes in October 2009 and was sold on their November/December North American tour. In my humble opinion it ranks up with their best albums Belief (1989) and That Total Age (1987). I was lucky enough to have seen them twice during the Industrial Complex tour and will see them again in February when they open for Depeche Mode AND solo!

*Key tracks*-Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Hit You Back, Going Away

Elvis Costello

When I Was Cruel

(2002)

Island

Pure pop, Elvis Costello style. This is the first album to feature Elvis' new backing band The Imposters (The Attractions minus Bruce Thomas). I think this is why it has that classic 70s feel to it (this is the second time I'm saying this!). This is also the last Elvis Costello album he made before he got married and started sucking big time.

*Key tracks*-Spooky Girlfriend, Tart, When I Was Cruel No.2

AFI

Sing the Sorrow

(2003)

Dreamworks

AFI are one of the bands that I got into around 2002 and was delighted when they released a new album. It differs so much from their old records that initially a lot of fans didn't know what to make of it. I remember reading a lot of magazines saying "AFI sold out" and all other loads of crap. Coincidentally this is also their first album on a major label.

AFI were able to take their larger recording budget and use it to the best of their abilities; this album has such a rich sound and every song is miles above what their previous work was. Decemberunderground (2006) and Crash Love (2009) continue this trend but Sing the Sorrow did it best.

*Key tracks*-Silver and Cold, The Great Disappointment, The Leaving Song Pt. II

Jets to Brazil

Perfecting Loneliness

(2002)

Jade Tree Records

This is the last Jets to Brazil album, and sadly, I decided not to go to their show in New York in July 2003. What the fuck was I thinking? I'll never get the chance to swoon at Blake Schwarzenbach and his gravelly voice.

Ok, I'm getting tired.

*Key tracks*-Cat Heaven, Perfecting Loneliness, Rocket Boy

Sneaker Pimps

Bloodsport

(2002)

Tommy Boy

Initially I was going to choose Splinter as one of my favorite albums of the 2000s. Then I found out it was released in 1999.

'Doh.

Bloodsport was released in 2002 but I remember buying a promo copy off Ebay in early 2001. I don't know what the holdup was because it's a great album. Unfortunately they were on Tommy Boy, a label I always associated with House of Pain, and I don't think they knew how to promote Sneaker Pimps. Bloodsport came and went, Chris Corner left to form IAMX and that's the end.

*Key tracks*-Kiro TV, The Fuel, Bloodsport

So that's 10!

New Blog Name!

2009-12-31T11:45:00.001-08:00

I only received a few responses for my call for names for the blog, but in the end 'Fun to be had' won out!

Thanks for all of your help!

Going to update blog

2009-12-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

Hello all-

In an effort to make this blog a better place I am going to start doing some renovations.
If you write a blog or host a website, and you want to link sites, feel free to shoot me an email or write a comment with your website name. I'll post it in our 'favorite link' section.

UK Itinerary....as of 12.23.09

2009-12-23T13:26:00.001-08:00

Arrive at LHR 2.17.09 from San Francisco
Meet up with Karen and check into hotel

Night of 2.17.09-Depeche Mode @ Royal Albert Hall, London
GA Standing ticket

2.18.09 *Free day as of now* (Hint, hint to Nitzer Ebb: I'd love to see you in Leeds of Manchester this night!)

2.19.09 MY BIRTHDAY! Nitzer Ebb @ Rock City, Nottingham
GA Standing ticket

2.20.09 Depart from Nottingham to London in the AM, line up to get wrist band for GA section, check into hotel, get dressed and prepared, go to O2 to see
DEPECHE MODE AND NITZER EBB!

2.21.09 Sadly, depart for SFO at noon.

Oh, if only I could stay for a few more days...........

Birthday of the Universe February 2010

2009-12-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 17th-Nitzer Ebb @ Classic Grand, Glasgow OR Depeche Mode @ Royal Albert Hall, London

Friday, February 19th-Nitzer Ebb @ Rock City, Nottingham

Saturday, February 20th-Depeche Mode/Nitzer Ebb @ O2, London

Went to the post office today........

2009-09-19T15:51:00.001-07:00

And picked up my ticket for the O2 show in February!

Five months to go til my birthday, and five months from tomorrow til the show!

Let the planning begin!

A little more than two weeks until the convention!

2009-09-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to see my DMFFs again and meet some of the great boardies at the Depeche Mode convention in Los Angeles.

Talking to Missy on the phone tonight we were reminiscing about some of the best moments from our TOTU. I'll be compiling a list and posting some of my favorites here some time over the weekend.

Stay tuned.

P.S. WOW I can't believe so many of you read the blog! I have many new friends on Facebook this week. Don't forget to comment on the photos!

Hotel Booked for the Depeche Mode Convention

2009-09-13T20:32:00.001-07:00

We'll be staying classy at the Motel 6 right off of Hollywood Boulevard.

Oh yeah.........

If you're trying to add me on Facebook

2009-09-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

Please add a short message stating that you're a reader of the blog. If I don't know someone who is trying to add me I usually deny the request.

All the photos are now up on Facebook

2009-09-13T11:37:00.001-07:00

I am not sure when I am going to be able to upload them all to a server such as Photobucket or Flickr so if you want to see all of them you can send me a friend request on Facebook.

You can do a search through email; my address is kristin_vogel@hotmail.com

On to other things....the Depeche Mode convention in Los Angeles is three weeks from today. I am in the process of getting my plans together. I definitely do see this as a continuation of my Tour of the Universe.

And then.........

February 20th 2010 in London. Day after my 30th birthday. I'll be blogging about planning this trip.

Stay tuned.

Oh no! I AM going to Florida!

2009-09-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

More details to follow......

2009 TOTU ends for me.....

2009-09-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

So my plans to Mexico have been scrapped. My friend was not able to get the proper paperwork in time to make this happen. So for now I will just have to settle and wait til February for the O2 gig on February 20th.....

This also means that I'll be able to attend the DM convention on Sunday, October 3rd. Hooray! But I am also a little sad.

Post Tour of the Universe Blues

2009-08-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Wow.

I have some serious post TOTU blues. I just got home about an hour ago, unpacked some of my belonging...and just dropped on the couch. To be perfectly honest I don't know if my life will really be the same.

The past two weeks went by in a flash and I was able to meet some amazing people (you know who you are). I was able to travel and see parts of the country I've never seen before. And I was so so fortunate to see Depeche Mode 9 times in concert.

Last night after everyone in my group went to sleep in our hotel in Dallas I couldn't rest. I took my iPod and sat in the front of the hotel at 4:15 am listening to "In a Matter of Speaking" over and over and just bawled. This morning, when watching one of my friends board his plane back home, I balwed. Listening to Depeche Mode on my iPod on the flight home, I bawled. After bringing my bags up to my third story flat I bawled. I think I will be doing a lot of that in the near future.

Right now I am going through a lot of personal issues that arose while I was away. I'm also starting a new job tomorrow. So the blues are going to hit me hard. But I think I might have to watch 101 later on or go through my photos of the shows and my friends.....

Some photos from Santa Barbara

2009-08-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'll post more later today..

Anaheim Photos....8/19

2009-08-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Yet another late post but it's better late than never.

The marquee at the Honda Center in Anaheim...I wonder what show we are going to see?

Sam, Harold, Terra and Kristin pre-partying it up across the street from the Honda Center!

Terra and Leah-two awesome DMMBers....

My girl Leah...DMFF!

We luv each other!

What the hell was a Storm Trooper doing at the DM show? The real question is: what is he packing in that cod piece?

Finally! Hollywood Bowl Photos

2009-08-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

My photos from the Hollywood Bowl aren't that great in comparison to Missy's or some other ones that I've seen. I didn't take photos at all the first night; mostly because I was standing behind a really tall lady and secondly because I really wanted to focus on the show. Here are some photos from Sunday night:

The marquee in front of the Hollywood Bowl

DMFFs! Kristin and Leah
DMFFs! Marina's friend (sorry, I forget your name), Marina, Sam, Kristin, Missy, Leah
Disco Ball

Martin
Fletch, a.k.a. Felch :)

Dave

Martin

Martin

Take a bow gentleman! Martin, Christian, Peter, Dave and Fletch

While I have time to kill in the airport......an update and reflection halfway through

2009-08-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that this journey is more than half over. On this leg I have just three shows left. Then it's back to reality for several weeks before I hit two more shows in Mexico!

Seriously, Mexico. I think the idea started to get thrown around on Wednesday at the Anaheim show. Silent80 and I were in the pub across the street from the Honda Center talking with fellow fans when one of us brought up the idea (I don't know which one of us it was).

The Mexico City dates are Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th. I have the whole thing planned out in my head already:
-Go down to L.A. Friday night and see some friends
-Leave for Mexico City early Saturday morning. Check into hotel in Mexico City and head to the show that night.
-Sunday: sleep in, walk around the city, go to DM show that night.
-Monday: call in sick/fly home.

It's a totally fool proof plan. Now all Silent80 has to do is to get his passport. I can get tickets for Sunday's gig on ticketmaster.mx. It looks like Saturday's show is sold out so that may be a little more difficulty to get tickets for.

After six shows I would have to say that my favorites are in this order:

1) Santa Barbara
2) Phoenix
3) Hollywood Bowl Night 2
4) Hollywood Bowl Night 1
5) Vegas
6) Anaheim

Who knows where Salt Lake, Denver and Dallas will be. I am so glad I went to last night's show because it was the best full view of the stage I have had thus far. Plus, Martin was looking in our direction the majority of the night and that made it that much more special.

If I had one wish it would be for me to shrink all of the friends I have made along the way and have them travel with me so they can see the shows and I can experience the shows with them. With every friend that ended the tour a little piece of my heart left with them. Granted, there is going to be enough for friends who I haven't seen yet but there is a tiny bit of sadness in all the joy.

Phoenix

2009-08-23T23:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, just got back from the show........it was AMAZING.

The setlist was as follows:

In Chains
Wrong
Hole To Feed
Walking In My Shoes
It's No Good
A Question Of Time
Precious
Fly On The Windscreen
Little Soul
Home
Miles Away / The Truth Is
Policy Of Truth
In Your Room
I Feel You
Enjoy The Silence
Never Let Me Down Again

Somebody
Stripped
Behind The Wheel

Personal Jesus
Waiting For The Night

It wasn't as hot as last night in Vegas but it WAS very hot.....Dave switched from his vest to a black tank top after he came back out for the encore. Someone also threw a g-string on stage; Dave picked it up and gave it a quizical look before tossing it to the side.

Martin killed it on Somebody and Home. He also brought back the little wispy hand movements...great!

Missy was able to take some fantastic photos, which she will post soon. It's off to bed and tomorrow we wake up to go to Salt Lake City!

Santa Barbara!

2009-08-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Last night's show at the Santa Barbara Bowl was amazing! I was able to get right up front in the second row, right in between Martin and Dave for the duration of the show. Towards the end of the show one of the girls in the front row got sick and had to be taken out. The lovely people around me then moved me to the front row...right in front of Dave!

I have amazing photos from last night, which I will post later on. I don't think they necessarily compare to Missy's but her camera is much better than mine.

What an experience to have been at the show where the power went out! Plus, the dancing guy who got on stage was hysterical! Dave and Martin were enjoying themselves so much last night; it's definitely evident in the photos that I have.

And I almost got a ticket in Santa Barbara last night for making a left hand turn onto a one way street!!! Learn to make your signs more visible Santa Barbara!

I have been slacking... I know!

2009-08-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight is our third show, this time in Anaheim. I have sort of slacked on posting, so I have a lot of stuff to make up for. For now, I will post a few pictures that I took at the second Hollywood Bowl show on Monday. Originally I should have been in Terrace and Kristin had a ticket for section D, but after Sunday's amazing show, Kristin and I decided to upgrade to Pool seats (we were in Pool for Sunday's show). I'm so happy that we upgraded because seeing two shows in the Pool was something else.

enjoy~
m

Some poor/mid quality audio from last night's show @ the Hollywood Bowl

2009-08-18T10:45:00.001-07:00