Someone Like You

Still my favorite version of this song. That girl is so much better live she should skip studio sessions altogether. Would someone tell me who her piano player is?

This will blow you away

Artist = Girl Talk.
Track = Feed the Animals.
Tell me this doesn't make you a God at your next party.
Download it now. Catch them all. Thanks for the mash-up Doc.

And Now for a Quiet Moment

It's about time somebody did this.











Credit goes to Amir Jutt, an Engineer with a bent for the graphic.

What every girl should know

What makes Libra think he's so perfect? Why does Scorpio make Darth Vader look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy? Which zodiac couplings are likely to result in derision, depression, divorce or death?

This book coughs up the astrological goods on men by their sign, with tongue deeply in cheek. Written by two British women who camouflage deep insights with vitriolic hilarity. For example, here's the advice on marrying a Cancer:

Never, ever, ever marry a Cancer bastard. Or else you'll be forced to become his surrogate mother because that's the only way you'll get his attention and her goat.

Now don't think I'm hating. You know I love men. But this pocketbook paperback provides non stop giggles in addition to a few epiphanatic "OMGs that's so true." The authors also serve up convenient compatibility tests on sexual prowess, spending habits & controlling the remote control.

For the record a guy turned me on to the book, so there.

Lionel Richie Immortalized - a bit more

Compliments of Holland-based videomaker Matthijs Vlot.

A Little Bit of Everything

I've heard this song on the radio before. No not Hot97. The only station playing it is 90.7, Fordham's independent WFUV and the best music in NYC. Quote me on that, go ahead. Check out their playlist. Better yet, listen live. At first I thought I was hearing new Jackson Brown. Not. It's an LA band called Dawes.

Apparently Robbie Robertson uses them as his backup band. Their sound is called Laurel Canyon influenced by Crosby Stills Nash, and so on. Frankly who cares? Any band who sings about the death of their first dog. About mashed potatoes and biscuits. About a bride deluding herself into marriage. About the red moon when it's full...And the vocals, well if you feel like you're listening to Jackson Brown you're not crazy. The slide guitar is even compared to David Lindley's. Remember that on The Loadout? No fooling, it's so reminiscent it's eerie. But also sweet in its tribute.

Last year I was enamoured with the Broken Bells. Still digging them but this year has a more light-hearted feel and therefore a more fitting soundtrack. It better.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

This made my year

All the sober talk around 2012 got me craving some fun and levity. Where's the humor to break this I'm-so-tired-of-the-boring-cold-drudgery? This video to the rescue. Don't know who this chick is but she wins my giggling gratitude for demystifying and poking fun at all the new age blather. Watch past the credits for the best part.

Having said that I can't wait to buy eye shadow for my 3rd eye...

2012 not the end of the world, just the end as we know it

Don't know about you but I've been too caught up in the morass of my mind to appreciate the launch of this landmark year. Based on all that occurred in 2011, what will you do with this year? My focus lies on the holy trinity: Love, Career & Health. Possibly in that order.

Jonathan Cainer, the astute Brit astrologer offers insights by the zodiac. Also posting Lena Steven's sobering write-up.

With all planets in forward motion till Jan 23 it's gonna feel unstable. And it is. Dream and Claim your deepest desires. I am.

Cookie baking, champagne chugging, tree dressing time

Chopping walnuts, softening butter. Singing along with that a-cursed 24/7 Christmas station. Can you remove Bon Jovi from your playlist, please? Hunting down sentimental Christmas ornaments. Hanging up Mom's gorgeous wreaths. Actually buying a tree! This weekend was a flurry of last minute holiday prepping. So last minute that Duke and I coudn't fit in our Xmas shoot, so you'll have to do with this one from last year. I think it captures our exhaustion perfectly.

I'm calling it Bushwacked. Duke's calling it damn-it-to-hell-all-the-lobster-boiling-pinetree-dragging-redbow-wearing-forcing-me-to-be-cute-crap.

The Eclipses are Coming!

No need to get verklempt. Matter of fact I'm rather looking forward to the December eclipse. Having been in a vicious holding pattern for the last 3 years I'm tickled over the prospects of this era-ending eclipse.

When? December 10, 2011 9:30 am EST

What? Full moon lunar eclipse in Gemini. Gemini is ruled by Mercury so expect lots of chattiness, monkey mind or over analyzing. This I know as my big bro is a Gemini. Never a shortage of discourse, or mind changing. Which is appropriate as Gemini is the twin. Need two of everything: choices, cars, options, dates...Not that he dates, being happily married for 30+ years!



What to expect? Talented writer and astrologer Dipali Desai says this:

With this revved up Full Moon in Gemini, it may feel like a very tumultuous high tide within the emotional energy body. Like rocks being tumbled in a river, we may feel a bit jostled and tossed about too. Yet we may just feel polished and shiny when all is said and done.

I'm all for shiny. Read more at Celestial Space

NEWLY ADDED

Also read Maharani Rutan's beautiful essay on this momentous eclipse: Total Lunar Eclipse December 10, 2011: The truth is revealed . What are her insights?

This eclipse is geared to transform mutable signs: Pisces, Gemini, Virgo & Sag. Think back at how life was 19 to 20 years ago. Many people will revolutionize their plans for the future by looking at all the things/people that have not met their needs - and held them back for so long to obtain their sublime bliss.

This eclipse is predominantly relationship oriented – and our associations with others can be disconnected, challenged, or suddenly welded back together as shock calls one to action.

To fully appreciate the potential in the lunar eclipse, we must explore both houses and signs that are brought into play. Where the Moon (Gemini-communication and fickle-mindedness) is – we can confront our demons, old behaviors and doubts, and where the Sun (Sagittarius-truth and learning) is we may find the means to embrace a release from whatever repression we experience in life through our creative efforts. In any event, there are opportunities for deeper understanding, and finding balance in our lives.

Maharani is the bomb!