"We Can Be There For Tweaks And Repairs, Should You Come Back Home" - Musings on the 100th episode of "Burn Notice"

It's a well known fact that I love watching television. My viewing taste tends to lean toward drama, with a very little sprinkling of comedy. There is one show I especially enjoy watching - my guilty pleasure - "Burn Notice." It's a show that combines drama, action and romance with the tongue in cheek humour I really appreciate. Mindy Kaling mentioned it on Twitter a few years ago, so I watched the pilot and was hooked.
"Burn Notice" is entering its seventh and final season and tonight they aired the 100th episode. Truly an accomplishment when fewer television dramas make it past the first couple of seasons.
After watching this milestone of an episode, I couldn't get Elbow's song "Open Arms" out of my head. Quick summary: Michael Westen returns home for some "tweaks and repairs."  I don't know why, but I tend to associate many things with songs. Call it a quirk.
Watch the show, listen to the song, and maybe you'll get it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcsVEwJyj8

"And we've love enough to light the street 'cause everybody's here"
- Elbow

I Thought I Knew My ACBs...

                                                  

Check out this web link for the ACBs latest album: http://theacbs.bandcamp.com/album/little-leaves

The title is "The Little Leaves"  and if you like the rock/indie/pop sounds of bands like The Delays, Band of Horses, The Stills, and The Beach Boys you will like these guys. Their catchy, yet original melodies, smart lyrics and unmistakable vocals make me wish summer was here and that I drove a convertible.
I've had a lot of fun listening to them in my car; "Attic Fan," "Ocean," "Plants," "Xanies" and "Training Wheels" are my favourites (in that order).
The rest of the album is stellar too. It flows nicely from song number one to thirteen. Most clocking in under three minutes. This music is extremely radio friendly and the bright sounds come just in time for our impending summer season.
I can picture it - driving down a rural stretch of highway in my little Cabriolet with the ACBs blasting their sunny pop-infused music through the speakers. Fun!

Album listing:
1. All Over
2. Surface
3. Attic Fan
4. Feel Winter
5. Ocean
6. Plants
7. Underweight
8. Television
9. Xanies
10. Training Wheels
11. No Kink In My Costume
12. Record Store
13. Lover Yeah

Hibernation? Procrastionation? - Nope - Obligation

I keep making excuses for my lack of productivity. You know, I live in Toronto, Canada; it's cold in winter, so naturally I "hibernate." This, in turn, somehow leads to procrastination - doh?

They say the road to recovery begins with the admission that you have a problem. This particular problem has been a part of my life for eons. In fact, I joke about it often. Here's to hoping that my public declaration will be an affirmation to the obligation I have - to myself - to "be all that I can be..."

"I've been waiting for tomorrow all of my life..." - no more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVQ-i4hSESI

Wanted - Dead Or Alive

Monday February 18, 2013 I went to a Bon Jovi concert!
Back in 1985, I remember dancing to Bon Jovi at The Spoke - a little campus venue at Western. And although, their music had a pretty big impact on me at the time, I never owned an album.
Some 28 years later my eleven year old niece (HUGE fan) accompanies me to the ACC in Toronto to see Bon Jovi live.
Because I don't want to sound like I am writing a review, let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had. Bon Jovi really know how to put on a show - especially in an arena venue. Great sound, lights, big screens for the all important close ups; but what impressed me the most was the performance. Nothing makes me happier than to see/hear a band that sounds just like their albums. Jon's not looking too bad either - he's got a terrific smile.
The band enjoyed engaging the audience and the crowd reciprocated with love and energy that we could feel throughout the venue.
Truly a highlight (standout?) to the many concerts I have had the privilege to enjoy. And yes, I did  "have a nice day."

- for Liv

Express Yourself (Don't mind if I influence you)

My eleven-year-old niece just created her first CD mix.

Here it is:
1. Blue Jeans - Lana Del Rey
2. Pain - Three Days Grace
3. Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
4. Skyfall - Adele
5. Sail - AWOLNATION
6. Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
7. Jolene - The Little Willies
8. Shiny Happy People - r.e.m.
9. It's My Life - Bon Jovi
10. Lost Highway - Bon Jovi
11. Keep The Faith - Bon Jovi
12. Blue Lips - Regina Spektor
13. Kids - MGMT
14. Jungle Drum - Emiliana Torrini

Except for the Bon Jovi triad in the middle (what can I say, she has a crush on Jon), this is a pretty eclectic and thankfully Bieber free compilation that I actually enjoy playing while I'm shuttling her around in my car.

- My work, although not done, is well on it's way...

"We are Young Despite the Years... We are Hope Despite the Times"

Superstition makes us believe that maybe, someday, something good will happen.
I believe that hard work, perseverance, and the unwavering trust in your own ability to deliver the goods may actually play a part in this. We can't trust that we'll win the lottery and all will be fine. It's time to get up off our asses and do the work. I know this - I am doing it right now! Run Dee Run!

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

What do you get when you combine the best of two great movies - "Run Lola Run" and "The Conversation"?

I'm not sure yet, but the answer is slowly unraveling right before my eyes.

I don't try to fool myself with the assurance that everything I write is original, one-of-a-kind, unique, etc., etc., etc... (even that's not original). Instead, with every piece of pop culture - art, film, and  literature that I have absorbed through the years, I hope to combine the freshest of ingredients, and much like a chef, produce a dish that will satisfy. Something that offers a little bit of comfort (familiarity) with a dash of "Je ne sais quoi."