Gen-ah-sis@Giants Stadium

"Wow, I didn't know he could drum so well," my friend had exclaimed to me at the thursday night Genesis Concert in NJ. Upon hearing this, I shot the newbie fan a look of surprise and said "ITS PHIL COLLINS, COME ON!" Fortunately, the amazement of the night between the two of us continued, maybe for myself, more than for my friend, who didn't want to hear "Follow You, Follow Me" and the swarms of people who left during the beautiful "Ripples" and refused to dance. "I can't dance" was the general additude of the fellow audience in nosebleed who prefered to smoke pot and check Mets scores.
Though I was fine with my newbie friend checking Mets scores because he did show an interest in the concert, the concert was better than the aformentioned audience who attended. Either I was too psyched and angry that I wasn't doing the wave as I did the last time Genesis played at Giants Stadium(June 1992), but I felt I saw the best Genesis concert I was ever going to see and the people who paid top dollar for the highly commericalised tour were among the few who shared my excitement. (Plus, these people got shown on the high television tech screens for the sole purpose of jumping for joy when they figured out the whole stadium could see them...).
Admittedly, honest to G-D above, my favorite band is not Duran Duran. Its not even the Beatles, Its Genesis. Every other british band I worship have been tops with me for different reasons yet do not mirror the personal reasons I'm declaring Genesis as the #1 favorite. I've been a fan since 1991, six months before the 1992 NYC tour, I was 15 and had trouble getting through high school. Though all the crap of disfunctional family version 3.0(or 4.0, lost count, sorry) and hating school mates, for some reason British music was becoming my escape. I credit Phil Collins with this, but I looked up to him as a musician who introduced me to his own work while sparking my interest in music appreciation. After I saw the 1992 show, I decided that the music business might interest me...for life.
Thursdays show opened with "Behind The Lines,"(from Duke, 1980) yet I was disapointed when I could sing along to the words as the song was strickly an instrumental version. Collins left the drum kit to approach the mic, wearing an all black track jacket and immediately the song shifted into "Turn it on again." Was the concert over? Nope, but the associated closing number song simply introduced the theme of this "Turn it on again" Tour. Early into the show, my friend looked pleased and commented that the sound contained no "feedback" which was a positive sound experience. I was in awe that the vocals were vastly improved from earlier 2007 television appearances and the show was polished, to the point of of 1992 time warp. I was happy as a clam because I knew exactly when Tony Banks would be coming in with a keyboard section and that I would have the opportunity to enjoy it("Firth of Fifth" was beautiful due to both Banks and Daryl Sturmer).
As much as I thought I knew what I was instore for, some of the classic "Audience Participation" cheestasic moments had changed(Home By The Sea, 1983, got updated a la a halloween appropriate intro tale), and certain songs like "In The Cage," "Mama" and "I Know What I like" I had not personally seen and fully enjoyed. "Mama" finally made Collins actually resemble the Devil instead of "Devilish" as previous incarnations of the songs performance over the years. His blue eyes looked stone gray and his face paler than an undertaker as mood lighting was used to highlight the evil laughs of the song. Thank Goodness my friend and I were a safe distance away. Freddy Kruger Lives!
But, it wasn't supposed to be a dig at the band's ages. They were already over-the-hill in 1992, so this wasn't the main focus. If anything Mike Rutherford looked propped up and Tony Banks remained true to form(keenly focused but hard edged), yet unexpectedly cracked an adorable smile. The entire group played like they knew that people had counted on a flawless performance. It ended in fireworks(literally, a fireworks ending) and I even cracked a bigger smile than I had in a long time. My money was well spend and I bought the t-shirt. ...and "That's All" but they didn't have to play it they upheld the
theme that this would be the last tour. It was certainly my favorite gig of the year.

Oh, Mr. Pegg....Over Here!

What a treat it was to not actually attend the special screening and Q&A for "Run, Fatboy, Run" at Lincoln Center in NYC(tickets were sold out and $40 a pop). Not only did I manage to take a few decent shots of the arrivals of the celebrities, but my friend and I got close enough to get autographs/photos with lead actor, Simon Pegg. Some other guy, named "David Schwimmer" was present as well, though I can't say he hung around for too long and I didn't want to approach him. Clearly, our "friend"ly encounter was with Pegg.
Simon Pegg, is best known in the states for his cult comedy films with Nick Frost like "Shaun of The Dead" and the recently out on DVD, "Hot Fuzz." He did make another movie, acting with David Schwimmer that was panned earlier this year (no offense, "Ross"...), but this time, the hopefully-coming-out-stateside-soon, "Run,Fatboy,Run" throws Schwimmer into 1st time director, and Pegg attempting to animate Michael Ian Black's (a 'VH1' staple) script about an fitness-challenged bloke trying to prepare for a huge marathon to win back an old love(Thandie Newton). Can he do it? How the hell should I know-it cost $40 to see it early, remember?
As exclusive as the actual screening was, the pre-press arrivals were open to the public because they were done outside the event. There was a portion of time for the press to shutter bug the stars behind the backdrop. Blocked by a small but clustered group, I got a few pics but decided to move closer and away from the press barracades. A short time later, when Pegg was recording an audio interview, I waited until he finished speaking and got his attention by asking for an autograph on a Doctor Who playing card with his character, "The Editor" from an episode in 2005 called "The Long Game." He recognised it and offered some related banner about "The Editor" which raised a smile from both us girls, who are familar with is connection to the new series as a guest star. Eventually, my friend reminded me to take more photos and I took a couple more, one of which another fan asked me to snap and unfortunately blurred.
Back to reality for a moment, an assistant came over to take him back to the photo backdrop as I was asking to take my own picture with him. Kindly, he told me that he would return after to pose for our picture. Mr. Pegg is a class act, the assistants wanted to wisk him away following his press op, but he told them "One moment, I promised a girl I would take a photo!"
I sheepishly apologised for holding him up after declaring quietly "I'm the girl!" and he was completely easygoing, which was a relief.
As far as I've heard, the movie opened in the UK at #1, but I suspect that it will be in limited release here. I was happy to get this fluke opportunity after seeing the event postcard while at seeing "King of Kong-A Fistful of Quarters." From King Kong yesterday to a Comedy King today, its been a winning week.

Aggie and Kim need to clean my house..stat!

"How clean is your house?" is basically a DIY tips television show where these two English ladies try to help people with filthy living conditions. The popularity of their original C4 program had launched a second USA version with the same hosts, but instead of London flats, for example, they could come to my apartment. I've seen both versions of the program before and it is most memorable for the "cat feces found on the bed sheets" type shock of discovery, than actually being entertaining for restoring home order and cleanliness. I started skimming the pages of one of their book, recently, in hopes that I can learn quick tips to keep my half of my house tidy. I learned its best to air out your bedding every day because people shed skin cells each day and bedbugs love it. I doubt I have bedbugs but I memorized a few other of the book suggestions for prevention. Now, i'd like to have my rooms immaculate so I can promptly slide a copy of this book under my roomates door with the chapters highlighted about bugs. The book might bounce back because the roomate has a mounting garbage problem and a visit from Aggie and Kim might be an emergency. For what its worth, these cleaning gurus are sencible despite their shock-tatic methods to get people to clean. On BBC america, the show has got 5 listed seasons so its certainly not going anywhere. I'd better start my letter today, I see some trash leaking out of the roomates door already as I type....

File Sharing-are we all going to hell?

I love BBCAmerica, I used to watch it a lot and took it for granted, until I got a bum deal with my new cable company. This other company doesn't carry the network. I am at a loss. Anything I wanted to watch recently has been a problem. I want to watch about four different dramas and I surely don't have $500 to spend in the BBCAmerica shop or amazon UK. Firstly, i'm not spending money on Torchwood(ever) and Life on Mars is easier to aquire living on pluto...I digress...
For an entire week, I had been watching the six-part "Jekyll" online. I made it as far as episode five and two web sources were zapped by the time I made it to episode 6. THE FINALE. Needless to say, I'm hooked and frusterated.
File Sharing is a touchy subject, even if you are for or against, you know that it isn't Kosher. I don't want to pull food out of the hand of rich television executives who don't want unauthorised viewers, but I continue to do. These people are losing weight and I am gaining free entertainment. It should be a win/win situation but I cannot act as Robin Hood's Merry Men, at least when the Sheriffs are in town....
The main argument that supports file sharing and monetary rights to the owners, is that fans will still buy retail material. This doesn't apply to me, because as I mentioned before, I don't have money to burn on telly dramas. Jekyll, for instance, import, I think is $60. That's $10 for each 45 min episode. Nope, sorry, can't help you. In fact, I have to be selective in my purchases. Say, I finally get watch the Finale and get angry at the ending, I'll be thrilled I didn't waste $60 trying to watch the bloody(literally) thing the first time. If I'm head-over-heels and the price was reduced, I would consider the better viewing and pretty packaging.
Are we facing decisions that will somehow justify seedy behaviour? Probably, but I don't *wink wink* know any Nylon sources that have music or videos. Really, I don't...

Blockbuster Video-Wow! What a difference!

Video stores, remember those? The place where we used to rent VHS and BetaMax cassettes? NetFlicks has seemed to faze out the local shops. I have a memembership to Hollywood Video. I've used it to rent DVDs probably once a month or once every few months.
My strange roomate started acting stranger when she returned home with a stack of rented videos from the same video store branch. She asked, out-of-the-blue, if I wanted to see this Brit-com film about strippers. I played real stupid "oh, is it the 'Full Monty' ?" I asked(one of my all time fave films). I didn't understand why the roomate was trying to push the film on me.
A few days later, I went past the store and saw the "going out of business, everything 30% off" sign. I went inside and saw the walls nearly bare. Even soda was 30% off, sure enough, I saw the roomate roaming the ailes. Before I could turn and run, she ran over to me to apologise for not telling me sooner. I prepared myself to break the news to my mother, who had recently returned from a vacation(she normally frequents the store more than myself).
The video store suggests we take our memberships to other branches in areas of Brooklyn that would cost more money to travel to than to rent a movie title. Well, I figured I'd survive, but what would my poor mother do when she wanted to rent "out of africa" for the 3 millionth time?
Blockbuster Video is a ten minute walk from my house and I remember this when I took a different route home this afternoon.
Sure enough, the place was cleaner and packed with titles, but I just wanted a video card. It took about 3 mins to sign up, get a spare card for my mom, and quickly spend $10 total for 2 rentals. The lady who signed me up was awake for a change and did her job. She even knew I was a misplaced Hollywood customer and we chatted. It's nice to make friends!
Despite the fact I need to get a life, at least my mom will be pleased that I rent titles like "Oceans 12." Yet, this doesn't mean she gets to watch them...

Duraned Out-A new corner

I've been a Duran Duran fan for many years, ten years, in fact. The next album comes out very soon and I'm looking forward to writing a review about it. However, I don't think I can be taking on the effort it takes to keep up with the fans. I will not take the time to insult the fans of this band. It is just time for myself to have a variety of interests, which I have expressed doing for sometime now.
I've personally had enough of the machine of being a public "Duranie." I have maxed out the excitement even when it comes to personal enjoyment of the bands work. No, they aren't The Beatles, but they were My Beatles(though 10 years too late, technically). I think I've been withdrawing at a poor pace. I did end my six year website tribute about 10 months ago, but then I spent at least $150 to see the band this past June in the city. I would be a very bad substance abuser, so it great that I don't have a vice for illegal drugs or alcohol. I'd probably give up daily drug needles but sniff coke on holidays, weekends, and on whims. Here lies the problem with Duran Duran, I'll have to be weened off and lord knows what else, but if anyone tries to ruin my signed copy of "Pop Trash"(the one with the "To Meredith...With Love, Nick Rhodes" I will drop kick them...I weigh under 150 lbs, I could do it...maybe...if the person also said 'Simon Le Bum").
The fact that Andy Taylor departed is not the reason for my interests to wander, I just have other priorities and I seek balence. I'm older and have different wishes. I wish that Justin Timberlake will not cause the band to sink on a creative level and I also hope Andy Taylor's tell all book will not make the music industry more of a joke to me than it already is...I honestly don't care if the album sells or not, I just hope the production hasn't been overworked, for I am currently "Duraned Out." We'll see this fall if the "Le Bon" doesn't "Le Bum" me out when Red Carpet Masacre gets released.

Celebrity Meltdowns

Celebrity Meltdowns are the "in" thing at the moment. The press seems to love it and there seems to be no escape from personalities going bonkers. It seems like an endless daily report of kooky celebrities not only demonstrating strange behaviour but getting the notice of law enforcement. The Police are getting smart to the fact that maybe its time to lock up these people. "The drugs weren't mine" wails Lindsay Lohan, caught with cocaine in her pockets; "I was trying to land a movie role.." pleads Britney Spears, who went ballistic on a car window with an umbrella. Famous people seem to think just because they try to explain things, as they see it, it should be noted as truth even when it is clearly a lame attempt to escape reality. The excuses would be taken seriously if they made sence, but none of them do. Hollywood is setting a bad example lately and need to learn to take responsiblity. And more importantly, hire chauffers to avoid further embarrassment, you've got the money. Take note, Mel Gibson