Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Past In Present 07.08 - Come As You Aren't

Six years ago, Tori Amos dropped a covers album titled Strange Little Girls. One song in particular gave me the chills and still does to this day. It's her rendition of Eminim's '97 Bonnie & Clyde. The original version only had an impact because of the controversial subject matter (a father kills his ex-wife and take his young daughter with him to dispose of the body), but Tori's rendition brought it to a whole new level of psychotic. I think the dark theme suite today rather nicely.

Like what you hear? Check out more from Tori over on iTunes via the links below:
Tori Amos
US

Tori Amos
UK

Tori Amos
France

Tori Amos
Germany

Tori Amos
Spain

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Put Your Records On 07.41

Pink Martini is a well-rounded 14-piece band that hails from Portland, OR. A fusion of latin, jazz, lounge and just about anything else you'd want, their latest album Hey Eugene! is something you really have to be in the mood for. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic album. I, personally, just can't listen to it all the time. There is one track that is pretty accessible, and it is the title track.


Check them out on iTunes via the links below:

Pink Martini
US

Pink Martini
UK

Pink Martini
France

Pink Martini
Germany

Pink Martini
Spain

Monday, October 29, 2007

Here's The Plan

I've found a hotel in Hoboken, NJ. A little out of the way, yes, but it's nice and within my price range. So far things are on course.

Once I find out which real estate firm my boy works for, my friend that lives there is going to call and arrange a viewing with him. Then I'll show up in place of my friend.

A little risky since I'm not at all sure how he'll react, but I'm not afraid to put myself out there. Besides, I have friends who live there that I can hang out with if all doesn't go quite according to plan.

Taking Chances

I'm a hopeless romantic, so, yes, I love cheesy and romantic chick flicks. My NYC guy and I have been talking nearly every day since we met earlier this month. It's surprising to me that he's maintained interest for this long considering the earliest I'll be able to move there is December 2008. It hasn't been as easy for him as it has for me (not that it has been easy, but he's younger and hornier), so I'm trying to plan a surprise visit for mid-November. I wouldn't even consider it if I didn't have enough miles saved up for a free plane ticket, but, since I do, I'm all for it. Of course, I need to spend as little money as possible and am trying to find a decent hotel in the city. It's proving to be rather difficult.

So, if you know anyone who would be able to get me a great deal on a hotel room for one night (I'm thinking 11/17/07), please let me know.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

The Church Is Filled With Losers

Last year I posted a song called Gronlandic Edit by Of Montreal. The general consensus was that it was a little too quirky. I'll agree, but that doesn't mean I don't still love the song. Not surprisingly, it is the group's third single from their brilliant album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?. Actually, the video is more than a little quirky, as well.



Like it? Check them out on iTunes:

Of Montreal
US

Of Montreal
UK

of Montreal
France

of Montreal
Germany

Of Montreal
Spain

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Dress Up In You 07.14

Artist: Starsailor
Track: Push The Button
Original Artist: Sugababes



Like what you hear? Check out more from Starsailor via the links below:

Starsailor
US

Starsailor
UK

Starsailor
France

Starsailor
Germany

Starsailor
Spain

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Put Your Records On 07.40

I love the new album, Chinese Boxes, from Kim Richey. I was longing for some new alt country the other day when I stumbled across Kim, though I had no idea she was a country artist at the time. While it is definitely rooted in country, it also sounds far from it. That may have something to do with her calling London her second home, her first being Nashville. Regardless of which genre you want to lump her under, this album is one of my favourites of the year.

Artist: Kim Richey
Album: Chinese Boxes
Track: Not A Love Like This



Love it? Check the rest of her catalogue out over at iTunes via the links below:
Kim Richey
US

Kim Richey
UK

Kim Richey
France

Kim Richey
Germany

Kim Richey
Australia

Kim Richey
Spain

Hmmm...

One of my friend's friends that I met this weekend told me that he would be coming up to Dallas in a couple weeks. He asked if I could show him around and I told him that I would. The following day, my friends and I were discussing the previous day's party over breakfast for lunch (no, not brunch), and it was casually mentioned that the guy I agreed to show around had been in prison. I wasn't concerned about that until one of them revealed that he had found out a little bit more on this guy. He was apparently there for seven years and it was for manslaughter. Of course, that's all the information that they were able to get out of the guy, so I don't know what type of manslaughter. I thought my friends knew this guy well, which is why I agreed to show him around. Now I'm a little nervous, but I don't know if it is really justified considering I do not have all the details. Maybe I'll convince a friend of mine to join us or something.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Friends Of Mine

I drove down to Houston on Saturday to attend a benefit that my friends put together. A great time was had by all thanks to vodka, Jello shots and boys. Not as many people came as they had hoped for, but we made the most it. I'd post a bunch of pics here (cause I took some great shots), but turns out my card is missing. I believe it fell out when someone dropped my camera while we were out at a club later. Not too happy about that, but, what are you going to do, right?

Friday, October 19, 2007

Day Man: Fighter Of The Night Man

The perfect reason why you should be watching It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Thursday nights on FX

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Dress Up In You 07.13

Lily Allen contributed to the new album Radio 1 Established 1967 by covering The Pretenders' Don't Get Me Wrong. While I enjoy her stops at Jo Whiley's Live Lounge more, it's still a pretty good track.



Head over to iTunes to check out more from Lily Allen:
Lily Allen
US

Lily Allen
UK

Lily Allen
France

Lily Allen
Germany

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Past In Present

matchbox twenty is back with a greatest hits compilation, Exile On Mainstream. It's hard to believe it's been 11 years since they stormed the charts with their 12X platinum debut, Yourself Or Someone Like You. Actually, they used to be called matchbox 20, but made the change in an effort to distinguish themselves from all the other bands sprouting up using numbers.

Track: 3 a.m.


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Their current single How Far We've Come, one of the six new tracks on Exile, is currently ranking high on the charts. I've been listening to it for three months now, so I've moved on to one of the other new songs.

Track: All Your Reasons


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Like what you hear? Head on over to iTunes and check out and purchase other tracks or albums:


Matchbox Twenty
US

Matchbox Twenty
UK

Matchbox Twenty
France

Matchbox Twenty
Germany

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Put Your Records On 07.39

It seems that breaking up with Kelly Clarkson has its benefits. Graham Colton has a batch of ballads about love (mostly lost) that could easily be all about his relationship with her.

I've singled out one track for your listening pleasure, though. I was drawn to it because it made me recall one of my favourite episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Back in season two, there was a train wreck that left a man and a woman connected via a steel rod through their chests. The woman is worse off and knows that she is most likely not going to make. While they try to hold off until her fiance arrives (his flight was delayed), they end up having to rush into surgery if anyone was going to survive. Since she knows she won't make it, she has McDreamy relay a message to her fiance once he arrives. It was something along the lines of, "If love was enough, I'd still be here." Now I don't typically get all weepy over stuff like that, especially since that particular scene wasn't all that. But all the scenes with the dying woman leading up to that were enough to get me all teary eyed.

After all is said and done, this song could easily be heard on a future episode of Grey's. So here's my song of the week...

Artist: Graham Colton
Album: Here Right Now
Track: If Love Was Enough


<br /><bgsound src="http://www.hddweb.com/65155/If_Love_Was_Enough.mp3"><br />

Pick up the album on October 30, 2007 here in the US. If you're interested in hearing more from this artist, use the iTunes links below:


Graham Colton
US Only

Monday, October 15, 2007

So Happy

I'm not able to pinpoint exactly what triggered it, but something happened in NYC that knocked down (at least partially) the wall I've had built up. I'm actually happy. I have confidence. I'm not nearly as quiet or reserved.

And while, yes, I did happen to meet a boy while I was there, I don't attribute it to him. Whatever it was occurred before I met him, since I had the confidence to approach him (which is a total first for me). Right now I'm on a high, and I plan on riding this for as long as I am able.

Oh, and the true test was yesterday when my parents came up for the AIDS Walk. Normally, they have me so stressed out that I can't even have fun. It was just the opposite...although, I can still only manage them in small doses.

Happy Monday everyone!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Thank You

Thanks to everyone for their donations and/or support for this year's AIDS Walk!

Friday, October 12, 2007

25%

Only a quarter shy of my donation goal for this Sunday's AIDS Arms LifeWalk. Feel free to donate via the link in the right hand column. You'll not only be helping me reach my goal, but you'll be helping thousands of people in the Dallas area who are HIV+. Help make a difference.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Motivated

Since my return from NYC on Sunday, I have felt a renewed positive outlook and motivation. I've changed my eating habits and am working out. I've been downright cheerful. And tonight, after I meet some friends for dinner, I think I may just sit down and start a new drawing.

Dress Up In You 07.12

Kylie Minogue is on the comeback and her first new song is featured on the album Radio 1: Established 1967. It's a cover of the 1975 hit by Roxy Music and it's HOT.

Artist: Kylie Minogue
Track: Love Is The Drug
Original Artist: Roxy Music


<br /><bgsound src="http://www.hddweb.com/65155/Love_Is_The_Drug.mp3"><br />

Get Kylie Minogue on iTunes via the links below:


Kylie Minogue
US

Kylie Minogue
UK

Kylie Minogue
France

Kylie Minogue
Australia

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Back On

A few weeks ago, I ran into a slight financial predicament that made me come to the decision to push school back by a couple months. I wouldn't have been able to afford both my trip to London and my first school payment since they were both due at the same time. That wasn't really the issue, though. It was that some money I had planned to go toward my savings had to be directed elsewhere, leaving me with just enough to barely get by during my week overseas. Instead of spending the next couple months stressing over it, I decided it would be in my best interest to delay school. I didn't want to, but I couldn't come up with another option since I can't get a loan on my own (bad credit from some mistakes I made in my younger days).

However, I was thinking about it yesterday and figured that it would be worth a shot to see if the school would be able to work with me. Since I was meeting a friend for dinner in that area, I stopped by to speak to admissions after work yesterday. Thankfully, they postponed by first payment until I return from my vacation and my second payment will also be slightly delayed. Then I get back on track. So now starting in January is back on and I couldn't be more excited. And scared. Not sure how I'm going to afford it, but I'll find a way.

Past In Present 07.07

Toby Lightman hit the scene three years ago with her album, Little Things. It didn't have much of an impact until her second single, Devils And Angels, received some rotation on VH1. Her follow up, Bird On A Wire, dropped last year with barely any notice. This, my friends, is a one-hit-wonder, but it's a good song.

Artist: Toby Lightman
Album: Little Things
Track: Devils And Angels (Tom Coyne Vox Up Mix)


<br /><bgsound src="http://www.hddweb.com/65155/Devils_And_Angels_(Tom_Coyne_Vox_Up.m4a"><br />

Like what you hear? Buy it on iTunes via the links below:


Toby Lightman
US

Toby Lightman
UK

Toby Lightman
France

Toby Lightman
Australia