Don't write me off yet, though! If you don't happen to like, or have never seen, the series, I bet you'd like some of the music featured on the show. Whoever they have as their Music supervisor (or whatever you call the person that picks music) is a friggen genius. Take, for example, the theme song:
Jace Everett "Bad Things"
Not only is the song amazing, but the visuals are stunning. I don't know what the south is actually like, seeing as I've never been anywhere but Austin, but this video depicts exactly how I visualize it.
Allow me to supply you with some more examples of True Blood's amazing song selection:
Gil Scott-Heron "Me and the Devil"
I've never heard of this person, but Gil Scott-Heron is definitely going on my download list. The backtrack is amazing, and his voice is haunting. Not to mention this video mesmerizing.
Cary Ann Hearst "Hells Bells"
When I heard this song for the first time, I almost thought it was Ashlee Simpson singing it, and boy am I glad it's not! Now I can consider this song a pleasure, without the guilt. Cary Ann Hearst is weirdly beautiful. Another down on my download list.
BlakRoc "What You Do To Me"
THE BLACK KEYS HAVE A HIP-HOP PROJECT! Sorry, I had to put that in caps because I was unaware of this! I know, someone as obsessed with the Black Keys as I am should know these things, but I had no idea! This song is making me blush.
Massive Attack "Paradise Circus"
I love Massive Attack and I cannot believe I haven't written about their song Teardrop before (the theme song to House). The singer's voice is haunting and sultry. She sounds like the little sister to Audrey Hepburn, and the lesbian lover of Grace Potter. None of that is true, obviously. I want to jump ber bones, though I've never seen a picture of her.
Dr. John "I Don't Wanna Know"
Of course the first hit I get for this song is a True Blood mash. The live version is even better than the album track, and I love that. You know a true artist when they're better live, and Dr. John is indeed a true artist.
Little Big Town "Bones"
The beginning of this video is entertaining because you can hardly hear the girl, so it kinda looks like she's singing with a man's voice. Now, I didn't used to be into Country. I always thought every country song sounded exactly the same, and I still do, but I like that sound now. This one gives me goosebumps.
Neko Case & Nick Cave "She's Not There" (Zombies Cover)
I am ashamed to admit that I recognize this song from Glee. I am not ashamed to say that Neko Case & Nick Cave do a MUCH better job with it. I like it even more than the original Zombies version even. It fits perfectly with the True Blood series.
CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis "Bleed 2 Feed"
Here's another going on my download list. It's like a cross between a California Surf song, Louisiana back-yard porch hoe-down, and Austin Texas Rock 'n Roll. I dig it.
Is it just me, or do all of these songs make a curiously erotic playlist? Oh my, I have found myself blushing again.
This theme of losing internet at home every other week is not really to my liking. I've been snatching internet from Rio's down the street, where I'm becoming something of a piece of furniture there: constantly doing homework on my laptop. I'm currently at Austin Java, between classes.
This week's Music Monday has been amended to a Movie Monday (including some music), because I have dedicated it to Disney Channel. You remember, those movies you love to hate and hate to love (but you know you love them). If you're my age, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If younger, you probably missed it all-together. If older, this would be the equivalent to that of Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber to my generation: annoying as all hell.
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
"Supernova Girl (Zoom Zoom Zoom)" Protozoa
I'm now realizing how awful these lyrics are. The movie was pretty stellar though! I haven't seen it in years, so forgive me if I'm fuzzy on the details: Zenon is kicked off the space station (space stay, I think they called it) because she was getting in the way of some master plot to take it down (is that right?). She goes to stay with her aunt on Earth, where she's unaware of the customs and fashions of earthlings (I think they had a name for people that live on earth, other than earthlings). From Earth, she has to save the Space Stay from destruction. Her only hope is her favorite Pop star, who is leaving for a concert on the Space Stay (a concert in which Zenon won an on-stage dance with the pop singer in some contest). Raven Symone is in it!
Motocrossed
"Top of the World" The Juliana Theory
Well first of all, this movie follows a girl named Andrea, so how could I not like it? Obviously it's going to be the best Disney Channel movie ever. I even allowed people to start calling me Andy after this. The dude Andrea's got the hots for is pretty damn hot. Andreas have good tastes. I still don't get how she got away with pretending to be her brother. I mean, nobody caught on. How does that work? Oh, Disney.
Lifesize
Lindsay Lohan & Tyra Banks!
A barbie (obviously Tyra) comes to life when a girl (Lohan) wishes(?) for it to happen. I think that's how it went down. Look how cute and innocent Lindsay was! I always forget she was one of those Disney girls.
Smart House
"Slam Dunk (Da Funk)" Five
How old are these kids? 13? And they're having a house party? With a guest list? My parents didn't let me go anywhere when I was 13 without speaking with a parent. I suppose the Smart House lady could have talked with all the parents... She was a devious scoundrel, after all. In case you're completely in the dark about this glorious film, it's about a house that is inherently smart. She can make the walls change, make nutritious breakfasts, catch the morning paper and bring it in, etc. Eventually, I think the house took the family hostage and I don't remember exactly why. If you watch Pretty Little Liars (among many of my guilty pleasures), that kid is Ian. I swear he was in almost every disney channel movie ever made.
Johnny Tsunami
go big or go home.
There was a solid period of time when I thought this was how all Hawaiians talked. I was also under the impression that skiiers were uncool, and I decided then and there that I wanted to learn to snowboard. Yes, folks, I hopped on a board because of Johnny Tsunami. I wanted to be an urchin (that is what the snowboarders were named, right?). P.S. Is that not the chick from Zenon???
Honorable Mentions
Rip Girls
The opposite of Johnny Tsunami
Stepsister from Planet Weird
Phantom of the Megaplex
Tonight @ 8/7c, on Disney Channel!
The Luck of the Irish
Kid from Smart House (and Pretty Little Liars)
Double Teamed
that name sounds wrong.
Cadet Kelly
Get a Clue
Lindsay Lohan is a detective!
Cheetah Girls
Didn't they turn into a real group after this? Isn't that the chick from 3LW?
My calender has been filling up with activities and goings-on of San Francisco this summer, so I'll probably post events each month on here for yalls enjoyment; maybe even an events calendar widget. I won't be attending everything, but you might as well go and tell me all about it. Of course there are thousands of other events, being the beginning of summer and all, but here's the highlights:
May 1st (Sunday)
I will not be attending any of these, for I will be at the ballet in the afternoon!
Glen Park Street Fair
Last year; photo courtesy of www.glenparkfestival.com
This festival has been around since 1997 but I had never heard about it until I saw it on funcheap.com in the free section. It looks to me mine a regular ol' street festival with the normal food, community leaders in booths, flea market jewelry, and the like. Apparently they have life music, "great food" and raffle prizes... tell me how it goes? [clicks here dude]
Boat Parade
Opening Day Boat Parade
It's a friggen parade of boats! Get yourself down to Fishermen's Warf (or anywhere on the Embarcadero), get yourself some lunch/cocktails, and watch the boats float by.
How Weird street faire
Never been, but a little intrigued. The about page is much to long for me to attempt reading at this juncture, but yall are welcome to tell me the cliff notes. I'm guessing it's full of the normal SoMA freaks that make their way outa the houses once in a blue moon, in which case, I'm there! I'll probably stop by for some eats and tunes after the afternoon ballet. (look at me, all cultured n shit, goin to a ballet!) Apparently if you donate $10 you get a MAGICAL STICKER! As if getting a fucking sticker wasn't enough, it's magical? I sure hope it gives me the superpower I've always wanted: understand and speak/write in any and every language in the universe.
May 5th (Thursday)
it's a thursday, and I'm a responsible student (teehee) so I probably won't be celebrating too hard, which means I haven't really researched all the fantastic mexican events in the city. I do, however, know that FREE cab rides will be available...
Free cab rides
Yeah, that's right kids! It happened on New Years, it happened in St. Patty's day, and it'll happen again for Cinco de Mayo. Berg Injury Lawyers apparently want you to get home injury-free, so they're paying a shit-ton to cater to the bay area's need to drink and get home (without driving, duh). Deets: San Francisco: (Within city limits only) call Luxor (415) 282-4141 Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley: (Within city limits, and home to SF) call Veterans Cab (800) 281-4488 Rules
Rides available from 3pm-3am
Cabs must be requested by phone
When calling the cab, tell them Berg Injury Lawyers are picking up the tab
Rides are not guaranteed for everyone (worth a shot though)
Must be picked up at a bar/restaurant (not somebody's house) and taken straight to your house (or where you're going to sleep that night)
Maximum fare $35, you pay the difference over that
Not only is it my sister's birthday, but plenty of fun shits goin down in the mission. I'll be at Great America, so have fun without me!
Cinco de mayo @ Dolores park
10am-6pm at Dolores Park
if you don't know where that is, you don't belong there.
Plenty of booze, food, and latinos running around the mission. What else is new? This is sure to be a grand ol' time. Stop by, see what's up, eat some great food for me.
icee hot loft party
Kitsch Gallery is closing! They're planning 3 fairly large events, so at least they'll go out with a bang! Icee Hot is their first of the series, featuring fabulous DJs with beards and aliases. Go drink booze and jam till "late" for $5. Bargain!
[I'll post about the other events when I know more]
May 8th (Sunday)
Sunday streets (mission)
Sunday Streets is basically just a day where a major street is closed to traffic to promote walking, biking, and skating.
But what exactly is it? From the website:
Sunday Streets is a series of events put on by the City of San Francisco to encourage health, community and fun, inspired by similar events in cities throughout the world. A Sunday Streets event creates a large, temporary, public space by closing off stretches of a neighborhood’s streets to automobile traffic, and opening them to pedestrians, bicyclists, and activities for several hours on a predetermined Sunday.
This Sunday Streets will be held in (where else?) The Mission. I mean, really. Do I ever talk about anyplace else? Aside from Austin, of course. Valencia will be closed off (except to cross traffic on the even numbered streets) from Duboce to 24th, and 24th st will be closed from Valencia to Hampshire (except to cross traffic on major streets). Streets will be closed from 11am-4pm. Will I be there? Yeah; the fuck kinda question is that? You better be too.
May 15th (Sunday)
Gee, what on earth could be happening on this day?
Bay To breakers
This would not be a complete San Francisco summer list without Bay to Breakers, Pride, Outside Lands, and free shit. This year is the 100th anniversary of Bay to Breakers and in honor, San Francisco has the finest celebratory change planned: no booze and no floats. I've also heard no unregistered runners allowed, but I'm not entirely sure this is correct. On the subject of booze-less B2B, yeah go ahead and bring your cleverly concealed liquor in eco-friendly bottles ironically labeled "water" and the like, but be warned that this years volunteers are on the prowl for violators of the new order. Anyone caught with alcohol will be a) arrested b) fined c) cited or d) all of the above. On that note, here's a map of liquor stores along the B2B route, though some might be closed in honor of the new rules. Oh and if this is all jibberjabber to you because you've got amnesia from drunken accidents at the last B2B and don't remember wtf it is, click here. My friends and I will go dressed to the friggen 10s. That's right, 10s, not 9s. Cause thats how we roll.
This is also the anniversary of my rabbit's adoption day, and because I rescued her and nobody knows her birthday day, we'll be celebrating her 2nd birthday on this date. Happy birthday, Kitty!
May 21st (Saturday)
movie night @ duboce park
The Rock is among the 4 movies I can tolerate spending any amount of time with Nick Cage (the other 3 being Grindhouse, G-Force, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High). Have you ever been to Duboce Park? This will probably be my first trip over there, but well worth it to hear Sean Connery say "Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen." Yeah, we we we so excited.
Event is free! Movie starts when it's dark, probably around 8ish. This won't be as crowded as the Dolores Park movie night.
May 27th (Friday)
Pride night @ Great america theme park
(this will be the highlight of my month)
Robyn (that adorable chick from the '90s that sang Show Me Love) is headlining because apparently she's popular again? At least she is with all the gays in SF. Whatever. DEV IS GOING TO BE THERE! With the Cataracts, of course! Plus all the rides will be open (except the children coasters and water park, but who does those at night anyway?) and it'll be gay central! Night starts at 6pm and ends at 2am. I'm going with a special lady and a few friends. Buy tickets here or win them at various Castro parties. I believe they raffle off a ticket at Ladies Night @ Trigger every tuesday, but I could be making that up. Did I mention the event is all ages? See ya there.
How cute is Dev? She's my guilty pleasure. She could bend any straight girl.
Apparently this song came out like 3 years ago, but I just discovered it and have had it on repeat for the past week or so. Robyn is adorable.
May 28th (Saturday)
if you're not too hungover from last night...
Carnaval
Carnaval is a pretty low-key event for the Mission; unless you want it to be chaos, in which case there's plenty of booze, culture, food, and people to make it that way. Last year I brought my bunny to the parade on a harness and I was the belle of the ball. This year I'll try to make it, but no promises. The pupusas are glorious and well worth the trip. The parade starts at 10am on Bryant & 24th street, and heads down 24th to mission to 17th st. The festival goes all day along Harrison.
Other May activities
May 3rd (Tuesday) my friend Priscilla will be singing with her band Palavra at Elbo Room. The band is Brazilian and phenomenal. Show starts at 9pm at Elbo Room (Valencia between 17th & 18th). Facebook it. May 14th (Saturday) another brazilian friend (have I mentioned how many Brazilians I'm friends with?) Neto is promoting a dance event at Mist (11th st between Folsom and Harrison across the street from Slims) featuring brazilian DJs spinning brazilian beats. If you know the brazilian scene in the SF Bay Area like I do, you know it's bound to be an insane night. $10 at the door, 21+. Facebook it.
And of course the regular monthy/weekly events that are always present: Whisky Wednesdays @ Benders (19th st & S. Van Ness) every wednesday- I might actually make it to one of these... fingers crossed... haven't been in a couple months... Free Zoo Day for SF residents @ SF Zoo every 1st wednesday of the month (may 4th) - bring proof of residency Free Academy of Science Days every 3rd wednesday of the month (may 18th); and for SF residents - dependent on your zipcode, apparently... my 94134 days are may 27, 28 & 29th. Find yours here. Giants 29 games this month. I might be at the one on the 6th, so who wants to come too?
Anything else I should know about? Let us know in the comments section, por favor!
I am a huge Batman fan.
A rich dude in a bat suit doing superhuman things without super powers?
Ef yes!
Back in the day
Well the movie is starting to take shape, through much controversy within and outside of the production crew. First there was the rumor that the young guy from 3rd Rock From the Sun was going to play the Riddler... I was not fond of this idea because the Riddler is far too similar to the Joker. Sure both characters have immense differences, but you can't follow a joke with a riddle. I thought it was interesting to cast Joseph Gordon-Levitt in this role because I've never imagined him as a villain; it'd be interesting to see. Another grevience I'd have against the casting of Levitt as Riddler is that he looks just like Heath Ledger these days! Christopher Nolan must have noticed this... how could you not? I think it would be an insult to Ledger's inspiring performance in the Dark Knight to cast someone that looks just like him, to play the one roll most similar to his own. Not to mention the fact that they've been in a movie together: 10 Things I Hate About You. Let's not try to replace my modern age James Dean, kthanksbi. But this is neither here nor there, for thank goodness this will not happen.
Doppelganger?
So who will the next villain be? Bane, that's who! Now, I must admit that I have not yet read the comics. I know, "How can you be a true Batman Fan then??" right? Well I am ashamed of myself. But I turned to my (relatively) trusty friend IMDB for a character synopsis on this guy I've never heard of. The short story: dude's a super genius that speaks 6 languages and spent his early life in prison in place of his missing revolutionary father. He started taking a drug called Venom that gives him super-strength, and can't stop taking it or he'll suffer side-effects. Since his childhood, he'd been haunted by a demonic bat figure, and so developed a grudge against Batman and went to seek him out upon his escape from prison. Apparently this character was the dumb henchmen to Poison Ivy in the '97 Batman. Why don't I remember this? I'll have to watch it again. Anyhoo, this Bane guy is going to be played by Tom Hardy.
Tom Hardy: Inception
Hold on.. how on earth did you come up with that bit of casting, Nolan? Oh that's right, he was also in Inception. I am really disappointed in the creativity in casting these days. Just because you are already comfortable with a guy from doing a past big-budget movie, doesn't mean he'll be right for a roll in your next project. I haven't seen Hardy enough to really have an opinion on his acting skills, though, so maybe I shouldn't judge. The character could be entertaining, interesting, captivating, stinky, or just stupid. We'll see. I put my trust in you, Nolan.
Speaking of casting trends, remember the Scarecrow in Batman Begins? Rich dude in Inception. Michael Cane Inception: Father; Michael Cane Batman: Father Figure. Hmm.
This Just In: A new rumor (which seems to be more than a rumor, but you never know these days in Hollywood) has taken form of another villain. Why is it that each Batman film needs 2 or more villains at the same time? Whatever happened to character development? Are we that ADD to where we can't pay attention to one malicious character at a time? Anne Hathaway has been cast to play Catwoman. No thanks! I love the gal, but as Catwoman? Sure she had some sensuality in Havoc, but am I the only one that wasn't fooled by that role? She's too Girl-Next-Door for me. I think she needs to stick with the squishy, girly roles, though I'm sure she'd slap me for saying it. And Rachel Getting Married? No. She doesn't captivate me like I'd want my Catwoman to.
Well that's all for now, I'm off to my Geology class. I may write more later. We'll see.
