Stay There

I recently had a John Hughes weekend and 'plowed' through a bunch of the old 80's favorites.  I've watched the movies over the years and obviously some of the jokes/situations just wouldn't go over so well in today's politically correct world.

• Long Duk Dong
• Basically all of Weird Science

One realization that I've come to over the years is that 'Pretty In Pink' has become my favorite John Hughes film over the years.  This is the exact opposite from my teenage years.  I remember watching it as a young teen and just being perplexed at the ending.

How could someone as intelligent and 'wise beyond her years' as Molly Ringwald's Clare end up falling for a guy named 'Blaine'.  The name alone conjures up thoughts of a future frat boy, rohypnol date rapist with a priviledged upper class upbringing (apologies to any Voxers named Blaine....unless any of the aforementioned adjectives apply to you).  I'm not a person who dislikes someone solely based on their inherited financial situation. Why focus on wealth when there are so many other reasons to dislike someone?

Many will argue that Duckie was an in-the-closet homosexual.  I'll admit that I too thought Duckie was a bit ambiguous but after seeing his Otis Redding lip synching routine it was clearly apparent to me that this guy would've given the world to Claire.  Blaine on the other hand would probably have traded in Claire for a twenty-something in a decade.

Pretty In Pink - (Jon Cryer) Duckie Dancing

What's the weirdest baby name you've ever heard (or considered)?

Twins born in Baltimore, MD.  Audacious and Bodacious.....seriously.

If a waiter stopped by right now to take your order, what cocktail or drink are you having?

That's simple. 

Belvedere Vodka and Tonic.

I had a particularly tiring Tuesday a couple of weeks ago.  I had completely forgotten about the Spank Rock/Ghostface show at the Highline Ballroom in the meat packing district. I honestly wasn't sure if I wanted to go but I decided to go online to see if tickets were available  I certainly wasn't aware of the booty shakin' experience I was about to have.

Being from Baltimore it's a shame I've never seen the hometown boys do their live show.  It is certainly the stuff of legends as far as underground rap is concerned.  For those who are unfamiliar with the Spank Rock sound; they're basically a mix of dirty rap lyrics, a little bit of funk, underground hip-hop production with a touch of electronica thrown in.  That description is just awful and doesn't do them justice.  I'll let the music do the talking.  Here's the song that they closed with for the night.

07 Sweet Talk

1 comment

Their live show is where their strength is.  Listening to the music through the headphones, radio or 8-track just isn't the same.

Now I've been to hundreds of concerts but I've never seen a performance that just brought out the inner freak in all of the women.  The concert turned into a dance party on the stage for the last 20 minutes of the show.  I'm somewhere in the middle of that fray but I'm glad that it's not documented in digital format for all my coworkers to FW: to my boss.

Here's a review of the show on  NY Mag.com  Here's a picture of the umm.....last sentence of the review.  Yea, Momma wouldn't be too proud.

In 5 words or less, who are you? 
Submitted by dejablu503.

• Ambitious
• Content
• Quiet
• Loud
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• ummmm.......Fergaliscious?
  

I like this song (I'll be honest.  Beyonce looks really good in the video).  I never paid attention to the lyrics but it was catchy and I got it from iTunes.  I was sitting in a cab the other day and happened to pay closer attention to the lyrics this time rather than concentrating on the incredible hips on Ms. Knowles.

Now typically in my career when I hear the word 'upgrade'  I'm instantly thinking some new version of software and the endless amounts of validation and testing that'll come with it.

Beyonce' has totally flipped things on me (and every other man in the world).  It'd be too good to be true if she happened to be singing about technology, software, coding, etc.  (But it is totally within the realm of possibility.....According to Ms. Scotch and the responses from some lovely ladies of the Vox community)

Is Beyonce for real?  Not only does she offer super sexiness but she's encouraging others to be 'kept men'?

Let's look at the evidence:

You need a real woman in your life (That's a good look)
Taking care, home is still fly (That's a good look)
Imma help you build up your account (Thats a good look)
Better yet a hood look, Ladies thats a good look

Gonna help me build up my account?  Are you serious?  I spent my college days in the 90's where Alanis made an album that opened up the floodgates to man-hating up and down the Billboard charts.  Where is the justice?  Today's women are being advised to throw money into the accounts of their significant others.  Amazing.

Partner Let me upgrade you
Audemars Piguet you
Switch your neck ties to purple labels
Upgrade you

Wow.  Just wow.  I'd be smiling silly if my wife gave me a $20 giftcard from Target.

The next time someone says that relationships between men and women aren't getting any better, women are gold diggers or that pop music just can't deliver deep messages;  point them in the direction of Beyonce's new album.

Hello again my dear Voxie.

I know it's been a while.  I know that I left unexpectedly after having such a good time together.  I honestly just didn't want to disturb you that morning. 

Yes, it was abrupt.  No, it wasn't you at all.  You were great.  You kept adding more features, more users, met our demands and requests, tried to bend to appease me......

You must feel neglected like Britney and Paris' panty drawer.

I promise to call.  I'd like to rekindle that amazing fire that we had between us.

Just give me another chance.  I promise to make it right and I'll never interact on those other social networks again.

Please....pretty please....with a cherry on top?

What's one thing you regret not doing? 
Submitted by Mr. Nice.

Asking Lorena E. out on a date.  The girl dropped more signs than a deaf mute (not to offend deaf Voxers).

Double for the 6 ft. sexy blonde at Body English/Hard Rock in Vegas.  Smart, successful, music fan......Where were you 3 years ago?  Sigh.

Buying Google stock.

That's three.  I guess I just don't know how to follow the rules.

Edit:  That entry really sounded quite shallow after reading it.  I guess I basically don't have too many regrets.  I feel rather confident in most of the major decisions I've made in life.  The mistakes I've made have invariably shaped me for who I am right now and I'm happy with that.

Lady Sovereign probably says it the best on her latest single.

----If you love me then 'Thank you'.  If you hate me then 'F*$# You'-------

A bit too direct but pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about work this week.  I'd never be this blunt in the workplace  but the words are certainly going through my mind.

One day I'm criticized then the next day I'm being praised.  Huh?  I just can't have anyone doubting my trust and honesty.  Regardless of the salary I'm being paid its just not worth it.

Maybe its exactly what I need for the motivation to start looking for my next consulting gig.

While I'm in total hater mode:

• Jay-Z's album is a major disappointment:  Go back into retirement, owning basketball teams and holding hands with Beyonce.
• Atlanta Falcons fans:  Michael Vick is practically the only thing you've got going for you.  The only time your team wins is if he is willing to run.  Get some receivers who can actually catch and hold on to the ball when it hits their hands.
• People who wait in days in line for a Wii, PS3:  Get a life.  Do you have a job?  Did you actually request days off to wait in line?  You're like those same Real World cast members who have nothing else going on so they keep coming back to these pseudo 'Battle of the D-list celebrities'.
  
• Intolerant People: Build a house deep in the woods, mate with relatives, eat mayonaisse sandwiches and don't come out......or decide to complete a selfless task and go hang yourself to make the world a better place.
  
• Those who pretend to not understand others due to their accent:  Thats right.  The guy with the accent came into this country, learned a new language and is now more successful that you are.  Don't hate because you squandered your opportunity by spending time at the Alpha Delta frat house instead of studying.
  
• People who criticize those with formal education.  Is it needed to be successful?  Of course not.  Does it help? Sure it can.  Does it always?  Nope.  I've never met anyone who is overly critical of a formal education that actually experienced it first hand (and completed it).

What are your top 5 CDs/albums of 2006? 
Submitted by eliz. s.

Hmmmm.  I'm sure I'll come back to this post later with some updates.  Off the top of my head:

1. Seba and Paradox-  Beats Me: Best D&B that's come out in the last 5 years in my opinion.  All of the 12" singles these guys put out are not only technically impressive but still happen to have some sort of soul, funk and atmosphere to them.  This CD compiles a bunch of their releases of the past couple of years.

2. Natalie Walker- Urban Angel: Lovely downtempo, trip-hop (I don't like this term but probably best describes the sound to those who haven't heard her music).

3. Hot Chip- The Warning: The whole electro-punk sound didn't catch my ear.  It came across as a bit trendy and not something that would stand the test of time.  This CD changed my mind.

I'll edit this post with 4 and 5.......