Wordless Wednesday: Snow Dog

Music Monday: The BEAUTIFUL Tuesday Edition

You didn't think I forgot about you, did you?

Well, I can see how you would. I've been rather absent in these parts lately, but I have good reasons. It's called life (and I'm enjoying it).

Please, rest assured I did not forget. Mondays can be a little rough (what with my 4.30 AM start time) and by the time I got home, searched for a clip (which could not be found) and napped Tuesday was here!

For my Canadian friends it was Juno night! This is the Canadian music award show, and it was pretty spectacular this year - way better than the Oscars! My favourite performance of the night was Down With Webster. I was hoping to find a good quality clip to share, but alas, I resurfaced from the interweb saddened and soiled (and without the clip I wanted).

To be honest, after the disaster that is Rebecca Black's "Friday" I needed something to scour the FUN FUN FUN from my brain.

I needed something big.

After my original idea was canned, I found a new repository of worms for you to renew your faith in music. It worked like a charm. I am no longer singing along to a song against my will. My sanity has been saved and the youthful blunder of Miss Black has been bagged.

What is this dark horse I speak of? Shake your money maker to Salt-'N-Pepa's I Am The Body Beautiful:

The song can be found on the To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar soundtrack. If you haven't seen this movie, you need to. Immediately. Preferably when you have a big bottle of wine or some other form of giddy-inducing consumable (I hear chocolate cake can work well, if you need some ideas). This is the only flick you that will ever feature Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes in drag.

Need I say more?

Did you watch the Juno's? Have you seen Rebecca Black's YouTube sensation, "Friday"? How about To Wong Foo?

It's okay if we don't agree. It is even okay if you disagree and bop around to the ballad of Miss Black. Just know that every time you bop and hop and bring the house down a fairy loses her wings.

Blowing over Black,

L

Music Monday: Missing the Maxi

Today's song is hailing from the nineties. It isn't big, or popular, nor was it ever.

It is just a really cool song. It's a track every woman should have lying in wait on her MP3 player for that elusive trip to the grocery store.

It also features Shaggy (before he was somebody). Essentially, if Mick Jagger died, Shaggy would take his place.

He's just that good.

Look no further, your perfect pick me up is here. For your pleasure, the official video for "That Girl", sung by Maxi Priest (featuring Shaggy):

Interesting fact: Maxi Priest's birth name was Max Alfred Elliot.

Even more interesting fact: Shaggy's birth name was Orville Richard Burrell.

I promise you'll get more about sexy Shaggy another week, but until then, bring on the popcorn!

Shopping with Shaggy,

L

Music Monday: I'm Going Mad

Gooooooooooood MORNING.

The Newf and I got to share a little sleep in this morning, so we are right as rain and ready for the week to come.

It's about time I got back on this music horse, so I have an interesting comparison for you. Today's song is one that you have likely heard more than once. It's a song that sticks with you - both its lyrics and its harmony are erie and wonderful, all at the same time.

I find this is a song that everyone has an opinion about. Most people feel it paints a depressing picture, but is that what it was meant to be?

Here is what the writer, Roland Orzabal, had to say about his incredibly popular song: "Lyrically the song is pretty loose. It throws together a lot of different images to paint a picture without saying anything specific about the world."

Curt Smith, the original singer of the song (and a bassist, I *love* bassists) said, "It's very much a voyeur's song. It's looking out at a mad world from the eyes of a teenager."

First, let's take a look at the original band, sound and video of the song. Please, saddle up for a listen to Tears for Fears and their international hit "Mad World.

That probably wasn't what you were expecting, was it? You gotta give the guys credit, they certainly know what it meant to be part of the eighties.

Here is the more often thought of version of "Mad World", a cover by Gary Jules which was done for the freaky flick Donnie Darko:

I tend to be biased for originals, but I think the context of the song is lost in the cover versions. Do you prefer the original version or one of the many covers? Does the slow speed change the song for you, at all?

I'm excited to hear your opinion!

Mad for Monday,

L

Wordless Wednesday: Colour Your World

Here I Am (The Public Health Threat)

Hurumph.

Friends, I am slightly bitter over here in Linnie Land.

It all started last week, on Wednesday: while standing in line at the grocery store I sneezed. I wish I could say it was a cute little girl sneeze - one of the barely there blow outs, but no, it was not.

As I've mentioned before, the Powers that Be have decided my motto is "go big or go home". My sneezes are no exception, to be completely honest, I sneeze like a horse. Big and beautiful. I do, of course, ensure that my nose and mouth are pointed in such a direction as to limit the contact of my sneeze by-product with the rest of the public.

Unfortunately, none of this seemed to matter. In one quick swoop I had been push to the bottom of the public pool, I was infected. All conversations halted and I was cut out and ignored.

I was the new leper on the block, and baby, I rocked it.

Regardless, I went home furious that the public fear of disease has grown so great. I laughed at the hens behind me clucking about their insatiable need for anti-bacterial cleansers, gels and sprays.

I satisfied myself with their ignorance (all those anti-bacterial products do nothing but clean the weakest of germs, leaving the big bad ones to infect you) and my newly purchased chocolate ice cream.

A week later, I am sick. My face is leaking, I am freezing cold and my skin hurts. I have enough mucus to feed a small army (if armies ate mucus).

To you ladies in the grocery store: touche.

You have won the battle, but I will win the war.

What is your view on anti-bacterial? Are you pro Purell?

Fighting the (ferocious) flu,

L