Question of the Day: 9:23 p.m.

What were you doing at 9:23 tonight?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Sitting at the bar!

My answer:
Driving south on the Sawgrass Expressway to pick up a friend, who then helped me purchase a memory card at Best Buy and showed me how to use the new digital camera he gave me. Yay! I'm all set now, armed with two digital cameras (one in each hand) for this weekend at Disney World (with my best friend who's visiting from Indianapolis) and my Groupie Road Trip Around the South (to see several Big Head Todd and the Monsters shows with that Camera Gifting Guy). *excited*

(Y tu? Post it.)

Question of the Day: Cold

It's unusually cool in South Florida, and likely wherever you are, tonight. Will you warm yourself by turning up the heat, piling on extra covers, or dragging a friend into your bed?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Covers. Boring, yes.

My answer:
Blankets, book, bed. Tonight is not my night for excitement. Sweet dreams, all.

(What's happening in your bed tonight? Tantalize us via comment.)

Question of the Day: Resolve

What resolutions did you keep (or changes did you make) in 2007?

Answers I've received so far:
~ It wasn't a resolution I made on New Year's Day, but mid-year I decided to get healthy and lose weight, and I've been doing it.
~ I know which I didn't keep: to stop talking to "him," but here we are, best buddies. I don't know how that happened.

My answer:
I'm not sure that I'd really defined any resolutions for myself last New Year's Day, perhaps for fear of not being able to answer this very question today. But I can say that I've tried putting into practice some lessons I learned about who I am and how I tick. I also made some significant changes in the ways that I take care of myself -- working out several times a week (and truly enjoying it), drinking tons more water, giving up caffeine almost entirely, and slowly convincing my taste buds that healthier food really is tastier food.

That said, self-improvement (physical and otherwise) is an ongoing effort, and I certainly aim to improve further in 2008 -- fitting in more physical activity with a focus on cardiovascular endurance, devoting more time to shopping for and cooking healthy and yummy food, getting a full night's sleep every day, giving myself permission to work on crafts and other projects that bring me joy, believing that it's really OK to stay home some nights and do absolutely nothing, etc.

I've a few other goals -- be more patient, make travel happen (some way, some how), read more, curse less, save money for a down payment on some real estate, spend more time with my family, take my pups to the dog park more often, etc. I believe these are all completely reasonable, feasible goals; and I especially like that there is no set quota (say, "dog park every Saturday morning," or "dinner with Mom two nights a week"), as quotas almost always forecast for me unmet goals. I'm learning that constant, incremental improvement is the best we can ask of ourselves. After all, didn't we learn as children that slow and steady wins the race?

I wish each of you all the self-love, motivation and support you could possibly need to keep the promises you make to yourself this year.

Viva la buffalo!

This video is absolutely unreal. You just have to watch it.



Here's how Time.com/CNN describes it:

Revenge, Buffalo-Style
Well, reality sure beats the crap out of The Lion King. In an astonishing video shot by a tourist in South Africa's Kruger National Park, a baby Cape buffalo is attacked by several lions and dragged into a watering hole, where a crocodile latches onto the still-struggling prey. The 8-minute video, referred to as "Battle at Kruger," shows the big cats winning this tug-of-war, only to be defeated by dozens of buffalo, one of which flings a lion into the air with its horns. And the kicker? The baby buffalo gets up and returns to the herd.

Free is good advertising

It's true. If you let them try it for free, there's a chance they'll love it and become repeat customers.

That's what Todd Park Mohr and his monsters are hoping to do by giving away half a million copies of their newest album, "All The Love You Need."

Of course, I'd pay for their albums many times over, play them 'til they couldn't play no more, and follow their tour around the country, seeing them play two, three, 10 nights in a row. (Oh wait, I will be doing that next month! So stoked!)

Yes, Radiohead did something similar a few months back, and it sparked a lot discussion among music fans, mainly online. But they only gave away a download of their new album (not a physical CD), and they asked for donations at the fans' discretion -- sounds a lot like busking to me. But, whatever it takes to build your fan base and make a living doing what you love, I guess.

Me, I'll keep giving BHTM free plugs. Visit www.bigheadtodd.com to listen to their music! Go! Do it now! Guaranteed you'll be glad you did, and you'll definitely wanna meet me at one of the nearby shows... or all of 'em. Whatever. :)

(And yes, I'll post pix from those shows in Atlanta, Birmingham, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, etc. Stay tuned.)

Here's what PollStar had to say about Big Head Todd and the Monsters giving away their new CD.

Love, Big Head Todd & The Monsters
Monday, Dec 10, 2007 4:16AM

Hard-touring blues-rockers Big Head Todd & The Monsters, who will hit the road again next month, are spreading the word about their latest release, All The Love You Need, by giving it away.

The band began the giveaway on its web site, where 25,000 fans signed up and were sent the CD, and has grown to include several major radio stations.

KBCO in Denver, the group's hometown, will mail 75,000 CDs to its subscriber list. Other stations like KGSR in Austin, KPRI in San Diego and KTBG in Kansas City, Mo., will do the same.

The album will also be available as a free download in early 2008 through the band's web site.

The band will play a two-night stand December 29-30 at John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel and Casino, before officially kicking off what is expected to be a 60-city U.S. trek January 10 at House of Blues in New Orleans.

Other stops on the schedule include the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre in Atlanta (January 12), Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (January 17), NorVa in Norfolk, Va. (January 24), the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. (February 15), Paradise Rock Club in Boston (February 21-22), Bowery Ballroom in New York City (February 27-28), and Mountain Stage in Athens, Ohio (March 3).

Tickets for many shows are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Frontman Todd Park Mohr, who started Big Head Todd & The Monsters in 1986 with high school friends Brian Nevin on drums and Rob Squires on bass, said giving the album away makes perfect sense to the band.

"We see the record as our main marketing tool," Mohr told the Denver Post. "It's no longer a source of income - not that it ever has been for me, given the way major labels work."

Hillary and Todd, sitting in a tree...

Denver's Westword recently posted this article about Hillary Clinton's camp choosing Big Head Todd and the Monsters' "Blue Sky" as its campaign song. This is like Oreos and milk for me -- what a sweet combination! I couldn't be happier to see a great candidate give my all-time favorite band some amazing (and well overdue) exposure.

Of course, there's icing on those Oreos, as this song has taken the place of the original campaign song: some airline jingle by Celine Dion, "You and I." CNN isn't sure if this was a smart move for the campaign -- check out the news clip. But I am. :)

Big Deal for Big Head Todd
The Hillary’s suddenly alive with the sound of good music.
Published: December 13, 2007



After Big Head Todd and the Monsters kicked off Senator Hillary Clinton's appearance at Auraria in October, she added "Blue Sky" — the song that Todd Park Mohr and company had written at the request of members of the Space Shuttle Discovery for their 2005 mission, the first since the Columbia disaster — to her campaign playlist.

And now the former University of Colorado at Boulder boys have really taken off, because "Blue Sky" has replaced "You and I" as the official sound of Hillary. In a much-publicized online vote in June, the people picked that saccharine Celine Dion tune (a former airline jingle) as the campaign's theme, and it was announced during the Clintons' famous Sopranos commercial. But that was then, and Big Head is so now, as an alert ABC reporter blogged in revealing the switch in tuneful allegiances.

Is the Big Head flip-flop a risky move with only a few weeks until the critical Iowa and New Hampshire caucuses? Probably not. Dion hails from Canada, while Mohr and his bandmates still live in Colorado (when they're not touring), and this state will be Democrat Central come August and the party's national convention. In fact, the selection could be a nod to the importance of the Rocky Mountain West in the Democratic game plan. Mining that same vein, Off Limits noticed that Hillary was sporting lovely turquoise earrings and a matching necklace at an appearance last week — a sly way, perhaps, to split some of that all-important New Mexico vote away from presidential rival and current New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.

From here on, it's nothing but "Blue Sky."

Question of the Day: Socks

Why, oh, why do people wear black socks with white sneakers? Especially when they're wearing shorts, so that their fashion faux pas is glaringly obvious?

Answers I've received so far:
~ They're Canadian or European usually.
~ They're Canadian!
~ No taste.

My answer:
I have no answer. It seems I'm stumped for words today, in general. (Note: I think some people are mistakenly visualizing the slouchy, wool knee socks worn under Teva velcro sandals, the Disney vacation garb found most often on German tourists. That's a topic for another QOD!)

AIDS vaccine backfires!

Why hasn't the media splashed this story all over the place?! Admittedly, I'm not always on top of the news, despite my profession, but I only happened to stumble upon this story near the bottom of a news site. People need to know this!

The Associated Press announced today that a trial AIDS vaccine not only doesn't work but actually INCREASED recipients' chances of contracting HIV.

I'm stunned. No words do this justice. It's frightening that such a huge study, conducted by a very well-financed company, failed so miserably. They've done permanent, serious damage to the lives of the trial participants, and it's a huge setback in the quest to find a vaccine.

The majority of the 3,000 participants were gay men and female sex workers (prostitutes and porn actresses). Why? In my irritation, I can think of only two possibilities:
1) Merck didn't notice that the majority of people contracting HIV these days are in their 30s, and that about half the people who get HIV/AIDS through sexual contact are straight? Shoot, a large number of them are seniors, especially here in Florida -- thanks, Viagra!
2) The study attracted that demographic simply because those folks are more frightened than the rest of us and thus eager to try just about anything to protect themselves. Are the rest of us blind to our risk?

This blog was posted in haste during my very unpleasant reaction to the news story. I don't know much about this trial or what went wrong, so I'm going to read up on it. Perhaps some of you know more and can educate me -- either assuage my fears or anger me further?

Start here: Merck and HIV Vaccine Trials Network.

Snowball's got rhythm

This is probably the cutest thing I've seen all day. (And bear in mind that I saw babies dressed as pumpkins and Tootsie Rolls while Halloween costume shopping today.)

Keep an eye out for his lil' green buddy busting a few moves in the cage behind him, and wait for the headbangers' ball at the end.



(Thanks to the cool cats over at the BHTM boards.)

A dog-gone sweet way to trick-or-treat

If you're still looking for something fun to do on Halloween, have I got an idea for you!

Many of you know I'm involved with the Humane Society of Broward County ~ adopting pets, buying treats and cute doggy duds in the shop, enrolling in obedience classes, and organizing my company's team for the annual Walk for the Animals.

PetSet, the society's fundraising group of young professionals, hosts a variety of fun benefits throughout the year: a Pajama Jam, a White Party and more.

The Halloween Masquerade Party is exactly how you'd like to spend your Halloween night. Sexy, compassionate and costumed 20- and 30-somethings converge on Las Olas Boulevard to drink, dance and mingle the night away. Isn't that more your speed than your back-up plan: watching scary movies at home, stuffing your face with candy, and answering the door every 3 minutes to *share* that candy with the neighborhood tikes?

Here's what the Humane Society of Broward County's web site has to say about the party:

Join PetSet at their annual Masquerade Party

Wednesday, October 31
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
River House Restaurant
301 SW 3 rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

$30 for PetSetters, Top Dogs & Pick of the Litter members
$35 for Guests
$45 to Join & Attend

Evening includes 2 complimentary spirits & delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres

Attire: Be Anything But Yourself

*Prizes Given to the BEST Costumes*

Save $5 by Pre-Paying (pre-paid tickets will be available until noon on Oct. 31)

For Pre-Paid Tickets contact 954-266-6827

(Limited valet available at The River House- parking will also be available at various public garages downtown)

Hope to see you there! And if you don't live in this area, find a Humane Society or other worthy nonprofit in your area. Guaranteed one of them is planning a spooky soiree that's perfect for you and your friends!

P.S. If you join PetSet at this event, you'll get a discount for every other event for an entire year!

Question of the Day: Halloween

What are you planning to do for Halloween?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Don't know yet.
~ Sitting at home with all the lights out so the kids think no one's home.

My answer:
I'm torn between a Humane Society costume fundraiser and a friend's costume party/scavenger hunt. (I need to come up with a costume! Ah!)

Question of the Day: Dance

You can have a single dance with anyone, to any song. Who is it, and what's the song? (And for those of you who are taken, relax. It's a fantasy.)

Answers I've received so far:
~ Probably my friend who died, and some love song like "Without You" by Motley Crue.
~ Sir Mix-A-Lot's "I Like Big Butts" with Steve Carell.
~ "Wonderful Tonight" with let-me-think-about-it.

My answer:
Today, it'd be "First Time" by Lifehouse with someone special. *sway sway sway*

Question of the Day: Affairs

Are online affairs really cheating?


My answer:
I prefer to answer on a case-by-case basis, but let me say this: Emotional affairs are more destructive than solely physical ones.

(Post your thoughts as a comment.)

Question of the Day: 6 p.m.

Where exactly were you at 6 p.m. today?

Answers up 'til now:
~ Sitting on Stan's sofa, talking to Phil about Nikki Sixx and his new book.
~ Garage. Putting laundry in dryer.

As for me:
I was just getting home from the post office, prepping for a shower.

(Y tu? Post it here.)

Question of the Day: Games

If you could get tickets to a game played by any two teams, what would it be?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Yanks vs. Red Sox in Boston
~ Senators vs. Cardinals

My answer:
In an ideal world, I'd get to see the Dolphins play the Eagles.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

An explosion of indie artisans

I am so, so looking forward to Stitch Rock 2007, an indie craft fair, and I'll tell you why.

(Wait. First, get those images of grandma and friends crocheting tissue box holders outta your head. This is different. Really.)

OK, this type of event has become an annual tradition in more counter-culture-friendly places like Austin and Vancouver, thanks to the Craft Mafia and other like-minded groups. It's about time it's come to South Florida!

A variety of young, funky, inspired artists and crafters (think tattooed cuties with brains and talent) will display their wares in the historic gymnasium in downtown Delray Beach this coming Saturday.

You'll find embroidered tees, silver and beaded jewelry, pin-up photography, knitted toys, hand-sewn purses and so on -- stuff you'll just love. I'm sure of it.

Click on the link above for the address, vendors and other details. Be there, or be square!

P.S. If this type of thing is right up your alley but you can't make the event, look to the right ---> for links to Etsy, Craft Mafia and so on.

Question of the Day: Ride

What was your first ride?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Firebird
~ a two-tone green 1952 Chevy convertible with a black top
~ Pontiac Tempest convertible, yellow
~ Ford Ranger

My answer:
I inherited my Grandpop's 1980 Chevy Caprice Classic. It was a boat that could hold up to 11 friends, who called it "the hooptie." Fond memories.

(What about you? Post your answer as a comment.)

Question of the Day: Cash

What's the last thing you bought with cash?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Gas.
~ I can't remember. It's been that long.

My answer:
Two burritos for dinner. Mmm.

(Post your answer as a comment. Let's hear it!)

Some cool music

Here's some music I've enjoyed lately. Perhaps you will, too. Let me know what you think.

Over the Rhine ~ Trouble
(Stripped and sexy. "If you've come to make some trouble, better make it good. Your sexy cocktail hour stubble is doing what it should." Oh.)





Aesop Rock ~ None Shall Pass
(They call this hip hop and compare him -- Ian Bavitz -- to the Beasties. I don't know, but it's irrelevant 'cuz I LOVE this song. And Aesop Rock is just a cool name. Damn, I'm bouncing around in my chair as I type.)





Iron and Wine ~ Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car
(Soundtrack: driving, in the middle of the night and with the windows down, to absolutely nowhere along a lonely road lit only by the occasional street light -- so you can think, or, rather, not think at all.)





Flosstradamus
(Hot. Who says spinners aren't artists? I feel an impromptu party coming on. Who's with me? Turntables? Anyone?)





Ryan Adams ~ Everybody Knows
(Sit tight while the French TV host introduces Ryan, who's backed by The Cardinals. It's worth the wait/laugh. And you get a tiny bonus interview at the end!)





Jake Shimabukuro ~ Third Stream
(The uke. Wow. Who knew? Oh, and he's Japanese, lives in Hawaii, and loves George Harrison -- need I say more? And if you enjoy this, watch him play "Crazy G" on YouTube; your wrist will ache in sympathy.)





Medeski, Martin and Wood ~ Uninvisible
(Funk. Period.)

Today's tunes

It's been a while since I shared, so here are some tunes you might enjoy.

Daft Punk ~ Harder Better Faster Stronger
(Here's the song as it's supposed to sound, before Kanye blasphemed. Oh, and this dancing girl is quite entertaining, as well.)


Arcade Fire ~ Rebellion Lies


Coldplay ~ Fix You
...lights will guide you home
and ignite your bones
and I will try to fix you...


Galactic featuring Lyrics Born ~ What You Need


Cary Brothers ~ Who You Are