Third show in three states
A chatty crowd in Philly
Stalking done for now
A chatty crowd in Philly
Stalking done for now
Amy LaVere, World Cafe Live (Upstairs), Philadelphia, PA, 2/6/09
2.07.2009
2.06.2009
Revku IX
It wasn't the same
But it never really is
Still, a good, fun show
But it never really is
Still, a good, fun show
Marah, Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ, 2/5/09
2.05.2009
Who Wants Another One?
In my senior year, I came to the realization that I was probably not going to become a journalist when a class assignment found me at a meeting that seemed to never end and featured a significant period of time being devoted to reprimanding someone for going to the bathroom without telling anyone first. The mere thought that I would have to pay dues by sitting through these four-hour meetings and crafting some sort of coherent article about them made me think twice about the career I had chosen.
That said, there were plenty of entertaining things going on at these meetings in Ithaca. And, it turns out, they still are. And here's the proof. If you don't feel like reading the whole article, here's the best moment:
I fondly remember watching Mr. Palmer's public access show, which wasn't quite as great as the Saturday night call-in free-for-all but still quite entertaining, and it's good to see he's still flying the crazy flag. I hope you got your shoes back, buddy.
Helmet tip to the Roller Derby Diva for alerting me about the article.
That said, there were plenty of entertaining things going on at these meetings in Ithaca. And, it turns out, they still are. And here's the proof. If you don't feel like reading the whole article, here's the best moment:
Peterson then told Palmer that his time was up, to which Palmer replied, "I know it is."
He then reached into a bag, pulled out two shoes and hurled one at Alderman J.R. Clairborne, D-2nd, and another at Peterson. The first shoe flew between Clairborne and Alderman Eric Rosario, I-2nd. The second fell short of the Mayor. Several Council members pushed their chairs away from Palmer while Clairborne and Aldermen Svante Myrick, D-4th, stood and began to approach Palmer. There were roughly 30 people in the city hall audience.
Palmer pulled another shoe from his bag and waved it at Council members, asking "Who wants another one?"
I fondly remember watching Mr. Palmer's public access show, which wasn't quite as great as the Saturday night call-in free-for-all but still quite entertaining, and it's good to see he's still flying the crazy flag. I hope you got your shoes back, buddy.
Helmet tip to the Roller Derby Diva for alerting me about the article.
2.03.2009
Revku VIII
Shorter show at Joe's
Talk of earning cone titties
You had to be there
Amy LaVere/Joe Pug, Joe's Pub, NYC, 2/3/09
Amy LaVere/Joe Pug, Joe's Pub, NYC, 2/3/09
2.02.2009
What I Liked About January
*Inauguration Day 2009, Washington, DC
*Bowling eight games at Hudson Bayonne Lanes, Bayonne, NJ
*Maybe Pete, The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
*The Campbell Brothers, BB King's, NYC
*Amy LaVere, Concerts in the Studio, Freehold, NJ
*Tool Academy
*Beef stew, Chip Shop, Brooklyn, NY
*Rodney Crowell and His Acoustic Trio, Sanctuary Concerts, Chatham, NJ
*Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder/Tommy Emmanuel, BB King's, NYC
*Alex Meixner, Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
*A three-game winning streak for the Islanders
*The willingness of people with cars to drive me places (such as the Metro station at 5 in the morning...thanks Jesse!)
2.01.2009
Revku VII
A house party show
Thumpin' bass, then stuff your face
Watch her on Conan
Amy LaVere, Concerts in the Studio, Freehold, NJ, 1/31/09
Thumpin' bass, then stuff your face
Watch her on Conan
Amy LaVere, Concerts in the Studio, Freehold, NJ, 1/31/09
1.30.2009
Song o' the Month: January 2009
Every January, I discover a song that I am sad to have left off my mix of the best songs of the previous year. And this year's winner is Matt Mays & El Torpedo's "Building A Boat":
"I'll bring all my Roy Orbison tapes." Nice.
"I'll bring all my Roy Orbison tapes." Nice.
1.28.2009
Kiritkumar Parikh RIP
We generally keep things light here at Tinsel and Rot, but sometimes something comes along that's a little on the darker side. And it doesn't get much darker than what happened three doors away from me Tuesday morning.
Let me first start by saying that I'm the type of guy who gets sentimental for the people that sell me my newspapers in the morning. I can remember the guys at the Optimo in Staten Island who sold me my papers every morning on the way to high school (and my wrestling magazines before I graduated to newspapers) and called me "Chief." I was always fond of George, the raspy-voiced guy at Mac's at Ithaca College, where I stopped every morning (or, in the later years, after I discovered no real need to take classes in the morning, every afternoon) for my papers. And I recently had a crisis when the woman who sold newspapers outside the Pavonia/Newport PATH, and had my Post and Daily News ready for me every morning, suddenly disappeared and I had to adjust to a new guy, who lost my business when he chased me into the PATH station because I had given him a dollar bill with a tiny corner piece missing. I'm trying to warm up to a newsstand near the station, but it's not feeling quite right yet.
All that is to say that I have a great fondness for those who sell me my newspapers. And that includes the family at the bodega on my street, where I routinely stop for my weekend papers, assuming I can rouse myself to put on pants before the papers sell out (I don't buy the daily papers there because they don't get the Sports Final). They're always very pleasant and friendly, and the patriarch of the family always had a kind word as I went on my way or even if I saw him closing up shop at night. I'm certain I never had a real conversation with him, but still, I felt a certain kinship, because I like the people that sell me my newspapers.
That guy at the bodega, whose name was Kiritkumar Parikh, was killed Tuesday morning by some heartless douchebag in a botched robbery attempt at the store. That bodega where I bought my newspaper was on the cover of one today, and that family is now without their father. When I walked past the shrine that is now outside the bodega tonight, I almost lost it. Not because someone was murdered three doors down and about 90 minutes after I passed by (though, truth be told, I'm not feeling all that great about that), but because Mr. Parikh is gone. Just gone. For no reason. And I'll never again see him on a Saturday morning, or heading home for the night. It doesn't seem right, or even possible. All because of a creep and his gun.
Requiescat in pace, Mr. Parikh.
And if you're so inclined, faithful reader, say a prayer today for Mr. Parikh's family.
Let me first start by saying that I'm the type of guy who gets sentimental for the people that sell me my newspapers in the morning. I can remember the guys at the Optimo in Staten Island who sold me my papers every morning on the way to high school (and my wrestling magazines before I graduated to newspapers) and called me "Chief." I was always fond of George, the raspy-voiced guy at Mac's at Ithaca College, where I stopped every morning (or, in the later years, after I discovered no real need to take classes in the morning, every afternoon) for my papers. And I recently had a crisis when the woman who sold newspapers outside the Pavonia/Newport PATH, and had my Post and Daily News ready for me every morning, suddenly disappeared and I had to adjust to a new guy, who lost my business when he chased me into the PATH station because I had given him a dollar bill with a tiny corner piece missing. I'm trying to warm up to a newsstand near the station, but it's not feeling quite right yet.
All that is to say that I have a great fondness for those who sell me my newspapers. And that includes the family at the bodega on my street, where I routinely stop for my weekend papers, assuming I can rouse myself to put on pants before the papers sell out (I don't buy the daily papers there because they don't get the Sports Final). They're always very pleasant and friendly, and the patriarch of the family always had a kind word as I went on my way or even if I saw him closing up shop at night. I'm certain I never had a real conversation with him, but still, I felt a certain kinship, because I like the people that sell me my newspapers.
That guy at the bodega, whose name was Kiritkumar Parikh, was killed Tuesday morning by some heartless douchebag in a botched robbery attempt at the store. That bodega where I bought my newspaper was on the cover of one today, and that family is now without their father. When I walked past the shrine that is now outside the bodega tonight, I almost lost it. Not because someone was murdered three doors down and about 90 minutes after I passed by (though, truth be told, I'm not feeling all that great about that), but because Mr. Parikh is gone. Just gone. For no reason. And I'll never again see him on a Saturday morning, or heading home for the night. It doesn't seem right, or even possible. All because of a creep and his gun.
Requiescat in pace, Mr. Parikh.
And if you're so inclined, faithful reader, say a prayer today for Mr. Parikh's family.
Revku VI
Sonny sure can play
But the Campbells will move you
Yes, I jumped for joy
But the Campbells will move you
Yes, I jumped for joy
Sonny Landreth/The Campbell Brothers, BB King's Blues Club, NYC, 1/27/09
1.26.2009
We just might live the good life yet
So far, 2009 has brought much exciting news.
*I've discovered a nearby bowling alley that offers $2 games on Sunday mornings (and it's right next to a diner...and across the street from the Acme where Randy the Ram worked in "The Wrestler").
*I've found out that the Newark Bears not only will not be forced to fold, but will come back with former White Sox catcher and Tinsel and Rot All-Star Ron Karkovice as their hitting coach (for some reason, my friend Brian and I selected him as our favorite player in the late 1980s/early 1990s; it may have been his albinoesque appearance). And to think I almost threw out my "Officer Karkovice" t-shirt.
*The multitalented (and, OK, quite attractive) Amy LaVere is soon to star in an MTV Web series called "$5 Cover" that looks like it might be both good and good for her. And she'll be on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" next Monday, too.
But perhaps the most exciting news came the other day when I got an e-mail from Shout! Factory touting the March 17 release of another TGIF staple, the criminally underappreciated "Mr. Belvedere." Yes, Uecker lovers of America, your prayers have been answered (or at least your Belvederian prayers; I can offer no good news on the "Wacky World of Sports" boxed set front). I think it's a great shortcoming of TV Land that there isn't more variety on the station. Look, we all love "The Cosby Show," but enough already. There were a lot of other great shows on TV in the 1980s. With over 100 hours to fill, you think you could dig a little deeper.
Fortunately, come March 17, we Fans of Brocktoon no longer have to wait for TV Land to wake up. We will have the first two seasons of "Mr. Belvedere" right at our fingertips. Let us rejoice.
Cue the music.
1.25.2009
Revku V
I walked for two miles
To see a show in a church
A righteous good time
To see a show in a church
A righteous good time
Rodney Crowell and His Acoustic Trio (featuring Will Kimbrough and Jenny Scheinman), The Sanctuary at the Presbyterian Church, Chatham, NJ, 1/24/09
1.22.2009
Charlie Is Real
From a great interview by Juli Thanki on the equally great blog The 9513:
JT: Satan is Real is hands down the best album cover in music history. Can you tell me a little bit about the process of creating it?
Charlie Louvin: After the song was finished, it hadn’t been released yet. They wanted to put out an album, and we asked if we could make Satan is Real the album title. We got the okay on that. My and Betty’s oldest son had a Lionel train on a four by eight foot piece of plywood. At the time, money was scarce, so we removed the train from the plywood, cut it in two and made Satan sixteen feet tall. We pictured Satan as having a pitchfork and horns; that’s what we were told when we were kids, but I find that it’s not true: I’m pretty sure I saw Satan the other day in a bikini on the beach.
1.21.2009
Scenes From A Mall (and the Surrounding Area)
My reasoning went something like this: If I'm gonna live a life where I take a Greyhound from New York to Charlotte for a wrestling convention, wait on line for two hours to get a picture with Corey Haim, and head out in a vicious rainstorm to see Dustin Diamond do stand-up, then I'm gonna need a really good reason why I shouldn't attend the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Distance wasn't really a factor, since D.C. was only about four-and-a-half hours away.
Transportation was a similar nonissue, as there are plenty of buses and trains that head into D.C. every day. And, all things considered, the price of such transport was pretty reasonable
The weather? Well, yeah, that would be rough. But I spent my college years in a city where a walk from one end of the campus to the other could leave you crying as the winds pried open every tear duct you had. So I was prepared for that and was well-versed in the art of layering.
So, knowing full well what I was getting into, and with a place to crash Monday night (thanks, Ellis family!), there was in fact no good reason not to bear witness to one of the more historic days in the nation's history. Even though, much like my good buddy Alan Jackson, I'm not a real political guy, I'd been to Clinton's first inauguration, with a bus full of guys in high school I didn't like (one of whom put a battery in my mouth when I fell asleep on the bus), and had memories of how cool that was (despite getting lost afterward). I had the feeling Obama's day, and being among the potential millions of deliriously overjoyed on the Mall, might be a touch cooler.
That's how I got to Washington.
There are people better versed in political history and, indeed, more invested in President Obama's political career who can fully explain the import of the day. But what I can do, aside from show you pictures, is tell you the following:
* The thunderous sound of millions of gloved hands clapping during pauses in Obama's address is a sound I will never forget.
* If you're going to stand in sub-freezing cold for five hours, you oughta do it with one million people whose sheer collective joy will get you through those moments when you can't feel your toes and your right leg starts shaking involuntarily.
* You should see the sun rise behind the Washington Monument. It's kinda cool.
* It's also cool to walk through the I-395 tunnel.
* Even after spending five hours essentially in the same spot, even after bobbing and weaving through the mobs exiting from the Mall, even after standing amid hundreds of disgruntled mass transit users waiting to be let into Union Station (and getting in with about ten minutes to spare before our train headed out of town), I have no problem saying that there is no place I would have rather been on January 20, 2009, than on the Mall, watching America take a firm, confident step forward.
As I was figuring out all the transit particulars last week and making sure we had a solid plan about where we were going and when, my mind wandered to thoughts of my friends' kids and how, when they grow up, it won't be a strange idea that an African American can be president. There won't be discussions about whether certain groups would let that happen. Because it did happen. The doubts of the past have been erased. And I was there when that officially changed. Pretty cool.
Good luck, Mr. President. And thanks for the party.
Back view of the Capitol on Inaugural Eve:
The Capitol, ready to go:
Representing the state of New Jersey:
Morning has broken:
Calisthenics with Garth Brooks, via his performance of "Shout" at Sunday's concert, which played on the screens before the ceremony began:
Not dead, just resting:
Swearing:
A nation records:
Statue of Liberty (2009 Remix):
I kept my headlights off:
Let this be a lesson, future bootleg t-shirt makers: Even in the new America, you're still gonna need to know how to spell.
Distance wasn't really a factor, since D.C. was only about four-and-a-half hours away.
Transportation was a similar nonissue, as there are plenty of buses and trains that head into D.C. every day. And, all things considered, the price of such transport was pretty reasonable
The weather? Well, yeah, that would be rough. But I spent my college years in a city where a walk from one end of the campus to the other could leave you crying as the winds pried open every tear duct you had. So I was prepared for that and was well-versed in the art of layering.
So, knowing full well what I was getting into, and with a place to crash Monday night (thanks, Ellis family!), there was in fact no good reason not to bear witness to one of the more historic days in the nation's history. Even though, much like my good buddy Alan Jackson, I'm not a real political guy, I'd been to Clinton's first inauguration, with a bus full of guys in high school I didn't like (one of whom put a battery in my mouth when I fell asleep on the bus), and had memories of how cool that was (despite getting lost afterward). I had the feeling Obama's day, and being among the potential millions of deliriously overjoyed on the Mall, might be a touch cooler.
That's how I got to Washington.
There are people better versed in political history and, indeed, more invested in President Obama's political career who can fully explain the import of the day. But what I can do, aside from show you pictures, is tell you the following:
* The thunderous sound of millions of gloved hands clapping during pauses in Obama's address is a sound I will never forget.
* If you're going to stand in sub-freezing cold for five hours, you oughta do it with one million people whose sheer collective joy will get you through those moments when you can't feel your toes and your right leg starts shaking involuntarily.
* You should see the sun rise behind the Washington Monument. It's kinda cool.
* It's also cool to walk through the I-395 tunnel.
* Even after spending five hours essentially in the same spot, even after bobbing and weaving through the mobs exiting from the Mall, even after standing amid hundreds of disgruntled mass transit users waiting to be let into Union Station (and getting in with about ten minutes to spare before our train headed out of town), I have no problem saying that there is no place I would have rather been on January 20, 2009, than on the Mall, watching America take a firm, confident step forward.
As I was figuring out all the transit particulars last week and making sure we had a solid plan about where we were going and when, my mind wandered to thoughts of my friends' kids and how, when they grow up, it won't be a strange idea that an African American can be president. There won't be discussions about whether certain groups would let that happen. Because it did happen. The doubts of the past have been erased. And I was there when that officially changed. Pretty cool.
Good luck, Mr. President. And thanks for the party.
Back view of the Capitol on Inaugural Eve:
The Capitol, ready to go:
Representing the state of New Jersey:
Morning has broken:
Calisthenics with Garth Brooks, via his performance of "Shout" at Sunday's concert, which played on the screens before the ceremony began:
Not dead, just resting:
Swearing:
A nation records:
Statue of Liberty (2009 Remix):
I kept my headlights off:
Let this be a lesson, future bootleg t-shirt makers: Even in the new America, you're still gonna need to know how to spell.
1.20.2009
Revku IV
It was a good show
Until they kicked out the jams
Then it was awesome
Until they kicked out the jams
Then it was awesome
Maybe Pete/Adam and Dave's Bloodline/Meagan Brothers, The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ, 1/17/09
1.13.2009
1.12.2009
Revku I
Tinsel and Rot aims to stay fresh. So, look for a few new features to be introduced here on the blog in 2009, the first of which is Revku. What's Revku, you ask? Good question. It's my attempt to review some (I'd like to promise all, but who can guarantee poetic inspiration?) of the shows I go to using a variation of the Japanese haiku format (we're sticking with the five-seven-five structure but dropping the obligatory tie-in to the weather, though we inadvertently nail that on the first one). Each concert revku will also feature a photo I took at the show.
Got it? Good. Here we go.
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder/Tommy Emmanuel, BB King's Blues Club, NYC, 1/11/09
Got it? Good. Here we go.
First, Aussie lightning
Then hard Kentucky Thunder
'Twas a mighty storm
Then hard Kentucky Thunder
'Twas a mighty storm
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder/Tommy Emmanuel, BB King's Blues Club, NYC, 1/11/09
1.06.2009
What I Liked About 2008
Five Really Good Albums (By People I Don't Know Personally):
"Trouble in Mind"--Hayes Carll
"Real Animal"--Alejandro Escovedo
"Eastern Standard Time"--The Magpies
"We Have You Surrounded"--The Dirtbombs
"Asking for Flowers"--Kathleen Edwards
Two Really Good Albums (By People I Know Personally):
"Straight to Red"--Maybe Pete
"Desire To Burn"--Hudson Falcons
Ten Really Good Shows:
Levon Helm Band/Punch Brothers (with special guests Garth Hudson and Cassandra Wilson), Woodstock, NY
Levon Helm Band/Terry Adams Rock and Roll Quartet (with special guest John Sebastian), Woodstock, NY
Waco Brothers/Chris Mills, HighLine Ballroom, NYC
Was (Not Was)/Todd Snider, Blender Theatre, NYC
Slo-Mo/Sue and Steph, Chapter House, Ithaca, NY
The Pogues/Billy Bragg, Roseland, NYC
The Bottle Rockets/Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio, Mercury Lounge, NYC
Avett Brothers, The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
Jason Ringenberg/Maybe Pete, The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
Tony Clifton, BB King's Blues Club, NYC
Ten Photos I Am Particularly Proud Of:
"Trouble in Mind"--Hayes Carll
"Real Animal"--Alejandro Escovedo
"Eastern Standard Time"--The Magpies
"We Have You Surrounded"--The Dirtbombs
"Asking for Flowers"--Kathleen Edwards
Two Really Good Albums (By People I Know Personally):
"Straight to Red"--Maybe Pete
"Desire To Burn"--Hudson Falcons
Ten Really Good Shows:
Levon Helm Band/Punch Brothers (with special guests Garth Hudson and Cassandra Wilson), Woodstock, NY
Levon Helm Band/Terry Adams Rock and Roll Quartet (with special guest John Sebastian), Woodstock, NY
Waco Brothers/Chris Mills, HighLine Ballroom, NYC
Was (Not Was)/Todd Snider, Blender Theatre, NYC
Slo-Mo/Sue and Steph, Chapter House, Ithaca, NY
The Pogues/Billy Bragg, Roseland, NYC
The Bottle Rockets/Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio, Mercury Lounge, NYC
Avett Brothers, The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
Jason Ringenberg/Maybe Pete, The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
Tony Clifton, BB King's Blues Club, NYC
Ten Photos I Am Particularly Proud Of:
1.02.2009
What I Liked About December
*The 2nd Annual Christmas Eve Dinner, a Movie, and Department Store Window Ogling Extravaganza*Mom getting out of the hospital ... again (here's hoping she stays out in January)
*Free bowling, Leisure Time Lanes
*Christmas loot
*Crooked Still/Chris and Cassie, Drom, NYC
*Frankie and Kelly McGrath/Chris Skel/Mark Linskey, Fitzgerald's, Clifton, NJ
*The Chambalas Take Manhattan
*Dom Flemons, Googie's Lounge, NYC
*The Star Spangled Waffle, Broadway Diner, Bayonne, NJ
*Maybe Pete, The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
*Retrieving The Grand Ole Opry from the top shelf at the Strand
*The willingness of people with cars to drive me places
12.31.2008
The Band: Tinsel and Rot Hall of Famers
It seems appropriate to wrap up a year in which I was lucky enough to see Levon Helm play in his barn twice by inducting Mr. Helm and his Bandmates into the Tinsel and Rot Hall of Fame.
I've spent a lot of time here and elsewhere (someday either I'll scan in my No Depression tribute to Rick Danko or just find the disk I have it on) pontificating on the greatness of The Band, so I'll keep this brief. Simply put, I can't imagine there will be another band that will ever be as so overflowing with talent as The Band in their prime (and it should be noted that this induction applies solely to Misters Danko, Helm, Hudson, Manuel, and Robertson, lest anyone from the later years think they're getting in, too). There certainly won't be any group with three guys as vocally strong as Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Richard Manuel (who weren't too shabby on their instruments of choice, either). Add in a pretty damn good guitarist in Robbie Robertson (good enough even to overcome his awful decision to invite Neil Diamond to "The Last Waltz") and a genuine eccentric master of the keys in Garth Hudson and, well, you've got something there.
I could write for hours about each member's greatness and how it blended so perfectly with the others', but that's been done a lot and I can't imagine I can add too much more without making this post a tedious read. Plus, why write when there are so many YouTube clips?
So, let me just welcome The Band into the Tinsel and Rot Hall of Fame. From the second I heard the post-Robbie/post-Richard Band at the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Celebration (on the radio, lest you think I was actually there), I could feel that something inside me had changed. And I am grateful for that.
The first time I heard The Band (dueling accordions!):
Richard Manuel singing "Rockin' Chair":
Rick Danko singing "It Makes No Difference":
Levon Helm singing "Don't Do It":
****
And with this induction, the Hall closes up shop for what we expect will be the length of 2009. It's getting pretty full in the Hall, and we want to give the inductees some room to breathe and/or avoid Gary Busey.
I've spent a lot of time here and elsewhere (someday either I'll scan in my No Depression tribute to Rick Danko or just find the disk I have it on) pontificating on the greatness of The Band, so I'll keep this brief. Simply put, I can't imagine there will be another band that will ever be as so overflowing with talent as The Band in their prime (and it should be noted that this induction applies solely to Misters Danko, Helm, Hudson, Manuel, and Robertson, lest anyone from the later years think they're getting in, too). There certainly won't be any group with three guys as vocally strong as Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Richard Manuel (who weren't too shabby on their instruments of choice, either). Add in a pretty damn good guitarist in Robbie Robertson (good enough even to overcome his awful decision to invite Neil Diamond to "The Last Waltz") and a genuine eccentric master of the keys in Garth Hudson and, well, you've got something there.
I could write for hours about each member's greatness and how it blended so perfectly with the others', but that's been done a lot and I can't imagine I can add too much more without making this post a tedious read. Plus, why write when there are so many YouTube clips?
So, let me just welcome The Band into the Tinsel and Rot Hall of Fame. From the second I heard the post-Robbie/post-Richard Band at the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Celebration (on the radio, lest you think I was actually there), I could feel that something inside me had changed. And I am grateful for that.
The first time I heard The Band (dueling accordions!):
Richard Manuel singing "Rockin' Chair":
Rick Danko singing "It Makes No Difference":
Levon Helm singing "Don't Do It":
****
And with this induction, the Hall closes up shop for what we expect will be the length of 2009. It's getting pretty full in the Hall, and we want to give the inductees some room to breathe and/or avoid Gary Busey.
Song o' the Month: December 2008
Because a good song'll make you laugh and cry, here's Hayes Carll's unreleased (but available here) "I'm Grateful for Christmas This Year" (it starts at 3:00):
Potential Greatest Movie Ever Now in Production
Here's something to look forward to in 2009: the movie Corey Feldman is currently shooting, "The Adventures of Belvis Bash." How do I know it will be great? This sentence, from Feld-Dog's blog:
"The film also features cult film icons such as Daniel Baldwin, Mark Metcalf from Animal House/Twisted sister videos, the old wrestler The Iron Shiek who appeared with me in the Cyndi Lauper Goonies video, and even a song and guest appearance from Frank Stallone (Rambo’s little brother)."
The 2010 Oscar race is officially over.
"The film also features cult film icons such as Daniel Baldwin, Mark Metcalf from Animal House/Twisted sister videos, the old wrestler The Iron Shiek who appeared with me in the Cyndi Lauper Goonies video, and even a song and guest appearance from Frank Stallone (Rambo’s little brother)."
The 2010 Oscar race is officially over.
12.26.2008
The Year in Celebrity Photos, Vol. 3
4. Kathleen Edwards, New York, NY
This picture is doubly special because it was the next-to-last photo taken before Zankel Hall security shut down the picture taking because "We don't allow pictures to be taken here." Bad news for the third member of our party who was blocked from taking a photo with Ms. Edwards after two of us (and perhaps a half-dozen before us) had already been taken care of. But on a positive note, he now has a signed "Asking for Flowers" album (an album, or CD, or mp3, or whatever that you should, as I've pointed out before, own) with a picture of him and Ms. Edwards as stick figures, in which the stick figure of Ms. Edwards is giving the finger to the unseen security guard. Classic.
3. Billy Redden, Parsippany, NJ
To think I almost passed up the opportunity to have a photo taken with the banjo-playing boy from "Deliverance." Crazy. This would have been a great Holiday Greeting because I would guess that if I sent it (with some cropping), I would have achieved 100% "who-the-hell-is-that?" clearance among the recipients. I could've held a contest for people to guess who it is. Or I could've tipped my hand and written "Hope you don't squeal like a pig this holiday season." How classy would that have been? Alas.
2. Corey Haim, Parsippany, NJ
This enables some lucky Holiday Greeting recipients and collectors to complete their "Photos with James and the Two Coreys" collection, and enables me to complete my "Photos with Me and the Three Main Actors in the Erotic Thriller 'Blown Away'" collection (and if you didn't know that that movie stars the two Coreys and Nicole Eggert, shame on you). I waited on a line for about two hours to get into the main pit at the Chiller Theatre convention and then went directly to Mr. Haim's table to find he had no line at all (the only reason the main pit line was so long was because Linda Hamilton's line wrapped around most of the pit). So I forked over my money to Mr. Haim's mother (sign you watch too much reality TV: you know what Corey Haim's mother looks like), Mr. Haim said something I didn't understand about the eagles on my shirt, and this magical photo was taken. Trivia fact: in my photos with the two Coreys, they are both wearing sunglasses. And we were nowhere near sunlight in either of them.
1. Maureen McCormick, Ridgewood, NJ
Another coup for Holiday Greeting enthusiasts looking to complete the Greg and Marcia Brady series. This photo was taken at the end of yet another long wait on a line, this time at a book signing at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ. I had gone to get a couple of books signed, but I also hoped to get Ms. McCormick to sign a football "Oh, my nose! Maureen McCormick." 'Twas not meant to be, as the rules of the signing were that she was only signing books. This was confirmed a few people in front of me when a trio of guys were shut down from having their photos and Marcia Brady doll signed, so I didn't push the issue. I thought about hanging around to see if she would be willing to sign the football after the event was over, but that would've required me to stand outside the store by myself with a football in my hand. There was a time in my life when that sort of behavior would have seemed normal. But these are my 30s. At least I got the photo.
So that's it for the celebrity photos in 2008. Who knows what next year will bring? Will the Holiday Greeting be retired? Will I get a photo with Gary Busey? Stay tuned.
This picture is doubly special because it was the next-to-last photo taken before Zankel Hall security shut down the picture taking because "We don't allow pictures to be taken here." Bad news for the third member of our party who was blocked from taking a photo with Ms. Edwards after two of us (and perhaps a half-dozen before us) had already been taken care of. But on a positive note, he now has a signed "Asking for Flowers" album (an album, or CD, or mp3, or whatever that you should, as I've pointed out before, own) with a picture of him and Ms. Edwards as stick figures, in which the stick figure of Ms. Edwards is giving the finger to the unseen security guard. Classic.
3. Billy Redden, Parsippany, NJ
To think I almost passed up the opportunity to have a photo taken with the banjo-playing boy from "Deliverance." Crazy. This would have been a great Holiday Greeting because I would guess that if I sent it (with some cropping), I would have achieved 100% "who-the-hell-is-that?" clearance among the recipients. I could've held a contest for people to guess who it is. Or I could've tipped my hand and written "Hope you don't squeal like a pig this holiday season." How classy would that have been? Alas.
2. Corey Haim, Parsippany, NJ
This enables some lucky Holiday Greeting recipients and collectors to complete their "Photos with James and the Two Coreys" collection, and enables me to complete my "Photos with Me and the Three Main Actors in the Erotic Thriller 'Blown Away'" collection (and if you didn't know that that movie stars the two Coreys and Nicole Eggert, shame on you). I waited on a line for about two hours to get into the main pit at the Chiller Theatre convention and then went directly to Mr. Haim's table to find he had no line at all (the only reason the main pit line was so long was because Linda Hamilton's line wrapped around most of the pit). So I forked over my money to Mr. Haim's mother (sign you watch too much reality TV: you know what Corey Haim's mother looks like), Mr. Haim said something I didn't understand about the eagles on my shirt, and this magical photo was taken. Trivia fact: in my photos with the two Coreys, they are both wearing sunglasses. And we were nowhere near sunlight in either of them.
1. Maureen McCormick, Ridgewood, NJ
Another coup for Holiday Greeting enthusiasts looking to complete the Greg and Marcia Brady series. This photo was taken at the end of yet another long wait on a line, this time at a book signing at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ. I had gone to get a couple of books signed, but I also hoped to get Ms. McCormick to sign a football "Oh, my nose! Maureen McCormick." 'Twas not meant to be, as the rules of the signing were that she was only signing books. This was confirmed a few people in front of me when a trio of guys were shut down from having their photos and Marcia Brady doll signed, so I didn't push the issue. I thought about hanging around to see if she would be willing to sign the football after the event was over, but that would've required me to stand outside the store by myself with a football in my hand. There was a time in my life when that sort of behavior would have seemed normal. But these are my 30s. At least I got the photo.
So that's it for the celebrity photos in 2008. Who knows what next year will bring? Will the Holiday Greeting be retired? Will I get a photo with Gary Busey? Stay tuned.
The Year in Celebrity Pictures, Vol. 2
8. Lester "Beetlejuice" Green, Fairfield, NJ
Someday, I will be destitute. That day may come soon or it may come a couple decades from now. But it will almost certainly come. And when it does, I will desperately hope for $20 so I can get through the day. Perhaps I will come begging to you. When I do, you will think about it for a bit, then remember this photo and say, "Hey, didn't you once pay twenty dollars to have your picture taken with Beetlejuice? Who's to say that if I give you this twenty bucks, you won't just run out and spend it on another photo with Beetlejuice?" Sensing defeat, I will walk away in shame. But I still won't regret this photo.
7. Brigitte Nielsen, Parsippany, NJ
If I had to pick one person from "Celebrity Rehab" to have my photo taken with, Brigitte Nielsen is, I must admit, pretty far down the list (if I have to tell you, who's at the top of the list, you need to go back and do some catching up on the blog). Still, any opportunity to spend a few fleeting seconds with a Celebreality star should be seized. And so it was. This was the second of two attempts, and I look no less comfortable in the first one than I do here.
6. Nicole Eggert, Fairfield, NJ
A lifelong dream fulfilled, several years after it really would've meant something. Still, it's Nicole Eggert, and no matter the year, it is still an important achievement in my life history. Of course, that does not speak well of my life history to date, but if my history was full of great and wondrous achievements, I would have no time to blog. Think of what a void that would leave in your life. What's that? It wouldn't make one bit of a difference? Well, screw you then. I touched Nicole Eggert.
5. Charlie Louvin, New York
Look at me--I'm a Louvin brother! Well, as close as I'll get. This was taken after his show at Banjo Jim's, which was the back end of a Charlie Louvin doubleheader for me. The night before was at the 92Y Tribeca, and that was pretty damn good, but Banjo Jim's may have been better. It didn't really occur to me to get a photo with Mr. Louvin, but my friend Jon asked me to take a photo of him and Mr. Louvin, so I figured I should get in on that action (thanks Jon!). Like Billy Joe Shaver last year, Mr. Louvin misses out on being on the official Holiday Greeting only because 98% of the friends on my list would just be confused about who the old guy in the cowboy hat is. Sorry, Charlie.
Someday, I will be destitute. That day may come soon or it may come a couple decades from now. But it will almost certainly come. And when it does, I will desperately hope for $20 so I can get through the day. Perhaps I will come begging to you. When I do, you will think about it for a bit, then remember this photo and say, "Hey, didn't you once pay twenty dollars to have your picture taken with Beetlejuice? Who's to say that if I give you this twenty bucks, you won't just run out and spend it on another photo with Beetlejuice?" Sensing defeat, I will walk away in shame. But I still won't regret this photo.
7. Brigitte Nielsen, Parsippany, NJ
If I had to pick one person from "Celebrity Rehab" to have my photo taken with, Brigitte Nielsen is, I must admit, pretty far down the list (if I have to tell you, who's at the top of the list, you need to go back and do some catching up on the blog). Still, any opportunity to spend a few fleeting seconds with a Celebreality star should be seized. And so it was. This was the second of two attempts, and I look no less comfortable in the first one than I do here.
6. Nicole Eggert, Fairfield, NJ
A lifelong dream fulfilled, several years after it really would've meant something. Still, it's Nicole Eggert, and no matter the year, it is still an important achievement in my life history. Of course, that does not speak well of my life history to date, but if my history was full of great and wondrous achievements, I would have no time to blog. Think of what a void that would leave in your life. What's that? It wouldn't make one bit of a difference? Well, screw you then. I touched Nicole Eggert.
5. Charlie Louvin, New York
Look at me--I'm a Louvin brother! Well, as close as I'll get. This was taken after his show at Banjo Jim's, which was the back end of a Charlie Louvin doubleheader for me. The night before was at the 92Y Tribeca, and that was pretty damn good, but Banjo Jim's may have been better. It didn't really occur to me to get a photo with Mr. Louvin, but my friend Jon asked me to take a photo of him and Mr. Louvin, so I figured I should get in on that action (thanks Jon!). Like Billy Joe Shaver last year, Mr. Louvin misses out on being on the official Holiday Greeting only because 98% of the friends on my list would just be confused about who the old guy in the cowboy hat is. Sorry, Charlie.
12.18.2008
The Year in Celebrity Pictures, Vol. 1
The Holiday Greetings have all been mailed. (Didn't get one? Be nicer to me next year.) So we can now begin looking at the top dozen "celebrity" photos of 2008 (perhaps no year has that word been pushed further to its limits). Enjoy! Or don't! But try to at least hold your insane jealousy to a manageable level.
12. Ted Danson, Jersey City, NJ
Ted Danson was the main guest at the Green Expo in Liberty State Park (easily crushing Deirdre Imus), but I was more focused on picking up free stuff (lightbulbs! frisbees! a brochure for biodegradable coffins!) than I was on getting a picture with Mr. Danson, a man whose stature has shot up in my eyes largely because of his appearances in "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Then I saw him just wandering around talking to people and figured, "Well, why the hell not?" I believe this is the first celebrity photo taken by my mother. Can you feel her pride? If not, can you feel that awesome Jimmy Sturr t-shirt (thanks, eBay!)?
11. Julie Newmar, Fairfield, NJ
Another one I didn't really plan on getting, but since I had already engaged the woman who is arguably the best Catwoman in a long conversation attempting to confirm that she actually left a comment on my sister's blog (all signs point to yes), I figured I might as well get the photo. Plus, it's always fun to take a picture with someone paler than me. Someday, I'll get around to posting a photo of me and wrestling legend Ric Flair from several years back. The skin-color contrast (my deathly pale versus his inhuman bronze) is phenomenal.
10. Bob Bourne, Uniondale, NY
I suppose I should care that you don't know who Bob Bourne is. I don't. But to educate you, he was on all four of the New York Islanders Stanley Cup teams (yes, kids, they used to win Cups) and though I have only fleeting memories of watching him play, he was my kind of player: smart, a little pesky, and a lot quick. Check out a tribute here and pay close attention to the end-to-end rush against the Rangers at 1:44 (which I wish they would show in just one speed). A lot of people at the Core of the Four autograph signing were anxious to meet Mike Bossy or Denis Potvin or Bryan Trottier. Not me. I was all revved up for Bourne. It was pretty cool to meet him.
9. Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom, New York, NY
More Islanders from the good old days (back when I was between 3 and 7...the memories aren't as strong as I wish they were). This picture was taken at an event at The Pond at Bryant Park, which apparently very few people gave a crap about. Good news for me, though, as I got on line, got my stuff signed, got the photo taken, went to Kinko's across the street, printed the photo, got back in line, and got the photo signed by Mr. Gillies (one of the greatest nicknames of all time..."Jethro") and Mr. Nystrom (one of the nicer guys you'll ever meet...I even remember him being nice when I was a wee lad). They seemed a little taken aback. Luckily, I'm used to that reaction.
12. Ted Danson, Jersey City, NJ
Ted Danson was the main guest at the Green Expo in Liberty State Park (easily crushing Deirdre Imus), but I was more focused on picking up free stuff (lightbulbs! frisbees! a brochure for biodegradable coffins!) than I was on getting a picture with Mr. Danson, a man whose stature has shot up in my eyes largely because of his appearances in "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Then I saw him just wandering around talking to people and figured, "Well, why the hell not?" I believe this is the first celebrity photo taken by my mother. Can you feel her pride? If not, can you feel that awesome Jimmy Sturr t-shirt (thanks, eBay!)?
11. Julie Newmar, Fairfield, NJ
Another one I didn't really plan on getting, but since I had already engaged the woman who is arguably the best Catwoman in a long conversation attempting to confirm that she actually left a comment on my sister's blog (all signs point to yes), I figured I might as well get the photo. Plus, it's always fun to take a picture with someone paler than me. Someday, I'll get around to posting a photo of me and wrestling legend Ric Flair from several years back. The skin-color contrast (my deathly pale versus his inhuman bronze) is phenomenal.
10. Bob Bourne, Uniondale, NY
I suppose I should care that you don't know who Bob Bourne is. I don't. But to educate you, he was on all four of the New York Islanders Stanley Cup teams (yes, kids, they used to win Cups) and though I have only fleeting memories of watching him play, he was my kind of player: smart, a little pesky, and a lot quick. Check out a tribute here and pay close attention to the end-to-end rush against the Rangers at 1:44 (which I wish they would show in just one speed). A lot of people at the Core of the Four autograph signing were anxious to meet Mike Bossy or Denis Potvin or Bryan Trottier. Not me. I was all revved up for Bourne. It was pretty cool to meet him.
9. Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom, New York, NY
More Islanders from the good old days (back when I was between 3 and 7...the memories aren't as strong as I wish they were). This picture was taken at an event at The Pond at Bryant Park, which apparently very few people gave a crap about. Good news for me, though, as I got on line, got my stuff signed, got the photo taken, went to Kinko's across the street, printed the photo, got back in line, and got the photo signed by Mr. Gillies (one of the greatest nicknames of all time..."Jethro") and Mr. Nystrom (one of the nicer guys you'll ever meet...I even remember him being nice when I was a wee lad). They seemed a little taken aback. Luckily, I'm used to that reaction.
Change I can believe in: UPDATE
One coupon down, two to go.
Three games bowled (my first with the new shoes AND my own ball): 151, 151 (consistency!), and 174 (stamina!)
And a reminder: If you're thinking of going to Leisure Time Bowl and you don't have a coupon for a free hour of bowling, rethink that. It couldn't be a less welcoming place. On the bright side, they played "Hey Ya!"
While I'm passing along reminders, when bowling, always defer to the person on your left. And if the person on your right is lined up and starting his/her approach, maybe you shouldn't choose that time to run up and throw your ball. Have some awareness of what's going on around you. Just saying...
Three games bowled (my first with the new shoes AND my own ball): 151, 151 (consistency!), and 174 (stamina!)
And a reminder: If you're thinking of going to Leisure Time Bowl and you don't have a coupon for a free hour of bowling, rethink that. It couldn't be a less welcoming place. On the bright side, they played "Hey Ya!"
While I'm passing along reminders, when bowling, always defer to the person on your left. And if the person on your right is lined up and starting his/her approach, maybe you shouldn't choose that time to run up and throw your ball. Have some awareness of what's going on around you. Just saying...
12.15.2008
If the Sacramento Kings had any sense of history...
...they would have followed up today's firing of Reggie Theus with the hiring of Dick Butkus.
And if you get that reference, congratulations--you're hot, you're in the zone. And you're officially Tinsel and Rot's kind of people. The rest of you, go study up on your TNBC history so you can be prepared when I inevitably reference the theme song to "City Guys."
Those who got the reference can spend their time debating who really was better: Coach Fuller or Coach Katowinski? For the record (and I really hope you're keeping a record), Tinsel and Rot is totally on Team Katowinski.
And if you get that reference, congratulations--you're hot, you're in the zone. And you're officially Tinsel and Rot's kind of people. The rest of you, go study up on your TNBC history so you can be prepared when I inevitably reference the theme song to "City Guys."
Those who got the reference can spend their time debating who really was better: Coach Fuller or Coach Katowinski? For the record (and I really hope you're keeping a record), Tinsel and Rot is totally on Team Katowinski.
12.14.2008
Change I can believe in
I estimate that I've been walking the streets (not in the euphemistic sense) of New York City and the surrounding areas by myself for a little over 15 years (not consecutively). In that time, I have had numerous strangers attempt to hand me a piece of paper I don't need. Sometimes that piece of paper touts a sale on suits, sometimes it points me to a nearby strip club, and sometimes it's offering me a free first month at a gym. The common denominator is that every single piece of paper that has looked to make its way into my hands on the city sidewalks has been one I don't need. And so when I see someone attempting to thrust a piece of paper into my hand, I reflexively put my head down and say, "No, thanks."
But that all changed last week when I was walking on Broadway downtown and I heard a pitch as I flew past that contained the words "bowl free." I immediately turned my head and moved back to the sweet, sweet angel handing out coupons for a free hour of bowling at the generally irredeemable monstrosity that is now Leisure Time Bowl at the Port Authority. It used to be a cool bowling alley, but then it got a makeover and now has an in-house DJ, waitress service, and a rule that says you can't wear hats. But I will overlook these sins when you give me a coupon for a free hour.
So, for the first time ever, I was glad to receive a piece of paper from a stranger. So glad, in fact, that I made sure to go back the same way and get another coupon an hour later. And pick one up off the sidewalk. I drew the line at reaching into the nearby trash can that contained dozens of discarded hours of fun. But I thought about it. Hard.
They say that change is coming. Now I believe.
But that all changed last week when I was walking on Broadway downtown and I heard a pitch as I flew past that contained the words "bowl free." I immediately turned my head and moved back to the sweet, sweet angel handing out coupons for a free hour of bowling at the generally irredeemable monstrosity that is now Leisure Time Bowl at the Port Authority. It used to be a cool bowling alley, but then it got a makeover and now has an in-house DJ, waitress service, and a rule that says you can't wear hats. But I will overlook these sins when you give me a coupon for a free hour.
So, for the first time ever, I was glad to receive a piece of paper from a stranger. So glad, in fact, that I made sure to go back the same way and get another coupon an hour later. And pick one up off the sidewalk. I drew the line at reaching into the nearby trash can that contained dozens of discarded hours of fun. But I thought about it. Hard.
They say that change is coming. Now I believe.
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