this show is going to be amazing. afterparty for serious heavy hitters only – it’ll involve a rooftop and the sun coming up.
The Dance Party www.myspace.com/thedanceparty
“If you’ve never heard the Prince George’s County power pop quintet the Dance Party, you should know they didn’t pick their name to be ironic. They really do want people to dance and party, as evidenced by their wild shows… In other cities, such a hedonistic musical approach might seem passe, but in the earnest D.C. scene, their rowdiness has made them stand out.”
- Washington Post Express
Ra Ra Rasputin www.myspace.com/rararawks
“Local favorites Ra Ra Rasputin give the best of both worlds, a live act that reliably can get asses not only in the door, but shaking on the floor with their infectious dance punk.”
- DCist.com
Tigercity www.myspace.com/tigercity
“With echoes of the Bee Gees, Prince and Roxy Music, Tigercity’s funky, electro-driven indie-pop was born of a desire to avoid what [lead singer] Bill Gillim calls the ’scratchy post-punk guitar sound’ New York bands have been milking for the past few years. The group’s earliest tracks relied heavily on synthesizers and computerized beats, but their move to New York brought the addition of drummer Aynsley Powell and guitarist Andrew Brady, and with them a progressively refined combination of New Wave’s mechanized sheen and funk’s organic grooves.”
- Rolling Stone
Casper Bangs www.myspace.com/casperbangs
“Rob Pierangeli, formerly of local indie-pop standouts the Hard Tomorrows, is back with a new project, and thankfully, the same knack for hooks.”
- The Washington Post
From Sips & Apps by Kathy Casey, Chronicle Books 2009
Fresh basil lends a fun flavor note to the classic combination of strawberries and lemonade. Soda water introduces a lively sparkle.
Makes 1 drink
1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil
1/4 cup Sugared Strawberries, with juice (recipe follows)
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water
For garnishing
Fresh strawberry
Small basil leaf
In a cocktail shaker, press the basil and strawberries together with a muddler to release the basil’s flavor. Fill the shaker with ice. Measure in the vodka and lemon juice. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, top with soda water, and stir. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.
Sugared Strawberries
From Sips & Apps by Kathy Casey, Chronicle Books 2009
Makes enough for about 6 drinks
1 pint fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Mix the ingredients and let sit for 15 minutes before using.
reasoning:
strawberries and basil make the best combination, so perfect for summer.
i’ve been going through some heartbreak, and as per the recommendation of CG, a mix according to the ’stages of grief’ just might help me get through this. the only model i was able to find with some academic theory to back it up was Kubler-Ross’ Five Stages of Grief . but even the brief synopsis of the Wikipedia writes about how the theory has been discredited by many experts in the field as incomplete. a google search will bring up ‘the seven stages’, or the ’six stages’, but no credit to whom came up with the theory is ever given. if you can find a better model, please please let me know. Kubler-Ross is more focused on a loss in terms of physical death, i’d like one that’s more just about loss in the general: loss of a friend, loss of a love, etc.
in the meantime, i bring up this break-up mix to ask for your help – i’ve credited in parenthesis the recommendations of friends as for what particular songs would fit or relate to one of the stages listed. if you have any, please tell me about it in the comment section. i am hoping to keep this on hand for when friends go through rough times and breakups.
Denial is usually only a temporary defense for the individual. This feeling is generally replaced with heightened awareness of situations and individuals that will be left behind after death. [1]
Example - “I feel fine.”; “This can’t be happening, not to me.
You know what it is – T.I. (DDW)
2) Anger:
Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy. Any individual that symbolizes life or energy is subject to projected resentment and jealousy. [1]
Example - “Why me? It’s not fair!”; “How can this happen to me?”; “Who is to blame?”
Since You’ve Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson (SL)
These Boots Were Made For Walking – Nancy Sinatra (JM)
If I know You – Presets (DDW)
3) Bargaining:
The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the person is saying, “I understand I will die, but if I could just have more time…” [1]
Example - “Just let me live to see my children graduate.”; “I’ll do anything for a few more years.”; “I will give my life savings if…”
During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect themself from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer an individual up that is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed. [1]
Example - “I’m so sad, why bother with anything?”; “I’m going to die . . . What’s the point?”; “I miss my loved one, why go on?”
Depressing – Beyonce (FA)
Keep Breathing – Ingrid Michaelson (FA)
In the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie (FA)
“If You Could Read My Mind” – Gordon Lightfoot (PC) ->Depression/acceptance, with a wee bit of bargaining
This final stage comes with peace and understanding of the death that is approaching. Generally, the person in the fifth stage will want to be left alone. Additionally, feelings and physical pain may be non-existent. This stage has also been described as the end of the dying struggle. [1]
Example - “It’s going to be okay.”; “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.”
the song is nowhere new, but i’ve had it on repeat and been dancing all over the place. it’s also made me give Spoon a second listen to -> they might be one of my new/”old b/c they haven’t come out with anything lately” bands. i didn’t buy too much into that little young rollie-pollie thing at first, but it does become cuter and cuter the more you watch.
guess which is the joint effort attempt of DF and me at a mobile, and which one is the calder.
where did we go wrong?
we failed to make it viewable from all sides -> probably the very first rule of mobiles
the painting of a bird that turned into an abstract peacock/upside-down rainbow, along with the happy meal hello kitty watch dangling below it pale in complexity, and stability to the calder standard
i need a couple more visits to the Hirshhorn for further inspiration, but the more i look at our ‘work of art’, the more i see the potential to add more on to it and make it a more LEGIT mobile. hopefully this creative crafting itch is here to stay, i need something new to keep me occupied.
looking at the last two post and now this, i’ve got sex on the mind. come to think of it, i wouldn’t mind devoting this entire blog to sex – the culture, how to, how not to, my lack of it, etc. but this post has more to do with than just sex… or actually i guess it doesn’t. if anything, the women’s activist groups are more hoping the kenyan unity party government will stop fighting under the subtext that ‘they did it all for the nookie’ (oh, limp bizkit – how pop culturally relevant you are). at first, i thought this ban was an interesting move in demonstrating the power women can possess over men, like that phrase “behind every good man is a woman” – i think that talks specifically about men in power, whether it be business or government.
wouldn’t it be great if the government infighting really did stop after the week-long sex ban, especially if the wives of the PM and President join in. but wait – what’s to stop these men from just getting their need for ass somewhere else? a politician sleeping around with people other than their spouses is nothing new. the women’s activist groups say they will pay prostitutes to abide by the ban, as well. but surely there are more women in kenya that aren’t the wives of politicians or prostitutes that might still be intrigued and willing to sleep with a married government man.
Jimi Izrael of The Root brings up a good point that this ban may have ‘women’s empowerment’ written on it, we’re almost going backwards to tarzan/neanderthal thinking that men are ruled by their penises. Does one withholding sex really motivate the partner to get their shit together? kelly moore argues it has the opposite effect and can be more damaging in the long-run, perhaps that’s why this ban is only supposed to last a week. but sex is one of the enjoyable parts of being a human being, can we really say we are above physically needing it because we are now ’sophisticated’, ‘advanced’, and ‘developed’ people with better things to do?
May is the month of many things: flowers, Asian Pacific American Heritage, Jewish American Heritage, Mental Health Awareness, Bike-to-Work Day, Better Sleep Month, Date Your Mate Month, National Waitresses/Waiters Day, National Hamburger Month, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day… and now to add to the list National Masturbation Month. this is something i can actively support. everybody can use more loving, even especially self-loving.
instead of just recycling or planting a tree this Earth Day, think about not having sex. because that pleasurable act of human nature can lead to babies, and there are already too damn many of us. <- this type of rhetoric drives me insane. yes there are lots of problems here, compounded by the fact that most are human-created, so let’s not add more to the mix. but too often this rhetoric falls into the territory of “it’s the poor people – they shouldn’t procreate, they are causing all the damage”. birth control has a double-edged sword – it can be liberating and (i hate to use it but…) oppressing. but moreover, the concept of birth is about access – to the physical pills themselves, to the information about the different forms of birth control, and to the concept of family planning.
it is becoming harder and harder to compromise with the logic of overpopulation harms the earth. this point of contention is making it difficult for the reproductive rights and environmental movements, however progressive they may individually be, to ally with each other. if you talk about actively promoting family planning and birth control as a means of population control [environmental movement - Malthus, Ehrlich], there is the danger of discriminating against the poor, and underprivileged – those without access. similarly, you cannot promote family planning and birth control as the ultimate liberator without considering who you are targeting.
i agree that the human-made global warming is having quite an effect on our planet, and adding more people at an exorbitant rate won’t help the matter, however we also need to be looking at the people living here now: how can we reduce consumption or our ‘carbon footprint’? i am nowhere near reconciling or coming to a conclusion to end this physical and sociological fight. i will say that touting abstinence as a form of birth control to help save the earth is logical, but not entirely reasonable. despite the overseeing and overarching umbrellas of religion or global warming, people will continue to have sex – we are too wrapped up in fufilling and enjoying our carnal desires, often so much so many of us probably don’t even know or realize or care that it’s Earth Day.
this is where i live in DC. right across the intersection is Big Bear Cafe, it has all the makings of the perfect coffeeshop – its service is often questionable – but french press coffee, and comfortable wooden tables. it’s a generally sweet place when it’s not too crowded. the farmer’s market is opening in May right in front of the cafe – yeah, i live right across the street from this. sometimes it’s almost too cool. the beautiful ledroit park mural was just completed in the fall, i helped set up the scaffolding for Garin and Bryan. it’s really an incredible piece. i can also vouch for Thai X-ing, deliciously spicy curries at a decent price.
honestly, Bloomingdale was a rough neighborhood to move into, especially when you’re coming in from the suburbs of PA. but i’ve gotten to know many of the people who live on my street, they call me “the bike girl”, its super convenient to downtown and other chill neighborhoods. there’s no stuffiness or pretention – it’s still a mixed area of families, elderly, and young artists/musicians. and there are some really sweet looking rowhomes. please come visit, the places featured in this video are only a little part of all the other cool stuff Bloomingdale has.
peep dioramas – people are just so creative. the winner: Hopper inspired ’NightPeeps’ is so good, especially when you hear the story about how it was created. some of my other favorites include ‘Mrs. Peepcock, In theConservatory, With the Revolver’, ‘R-E-S-PEEP-ECT’, ‘Purple Tunnel of Peeps’, ‘Peeptown Cupcake’, ‘Steve Jobs Presents IPeep Nano’, and ‘Sweet Revenge’. Finally, Peeps have more of a purpose than just to be stretched out and blown up in a microwave. those 3 dots on their face give them such a humanistic quality, i wish real humans came in purple, pink, yellow and blue – our art would (perhaps?) be more endearing and colorful. in the pagan, consumerist American sense of the holiday word -> Happy Easter!
reasoning:
Conservatory, With the Revolver’, ‘R-E-S-PEEP-ECT’, ‘Purple Tunnel of Peeps’, ‘Peeptown Cupcake’, ‘Steve Jobs Presents IPeep Nano’, and ‘Sweet Revenge’. Finally, Peeps have more of a purpose than just to be stretched out and blown up in a microwave. those 3 dots on their face give them such a humanistic quality, i wish real humans came in purple, pink, yellow and blue – our art would (perhaps?) be more endearing and colorful. in the pagan, consumerist American sense of the holiday word -> Happy Easter!
