Beatles July Record Show Mania!

Blog post via popnylon.blogspot.com-Here we are in mid-June and I'm preparing to attend a London Beatles Record Show in a couple weeks time. I had been so excited to find out about the event that I failed to recognise the difference between the words "June" and "July." Thanks to my husband for handing me the leaflet as I've spent some time trying to figure out what I would like to see and possibly buy.
Along with rock memorabilia, I have been collector of Vinyl for about seventeen years. When I tell people about my hobby, a common question involves not owning my own turntable-"Don't you play the records?" All of a sudden, I answer like John MacEnroe would-"YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!"
Many people collect things for different reasons; an interest in keeping nostalga for oneself or selling to the highest bidder are a couple. I started collecting Vinyl for the interest in album art designs, and then later the rare pressings with hopes it could be worth a goldmine. Unfortunately, I've probably bought more copies of Goldmine magazine(a record sellers trade magazine) than made money, but their have been some financial gains through the years.
As a Beatles collector, I don't have a huge interest in finding the LPs from their 1960s reign. It seems that I would be quite disappointed to be looking forward to attend a "Beatles Only" record show. Do not feel sorry for me, because when those gates open to enter the show, my eyes will light up and I'll be thinking "paulpaulpaulpaul...paul!" I'm there to look at all the Paul McCartney and Wings items and watch the Beatle fans fight over prices for the limited edition "Butcher Cover" LPs. (Hopefully, this will be enough of a distraction to find some great McCartney solo releases).
Paul McCartney is probably one of the world's wealthiest musicians who at least, has had the creativity and promotion sence to release album related materials that just go above and beyond. In the 70s, the vinyl albums would highlight Linda McCartney's photography(most significantly on the celebrity gathering on the "Band on The Run" LP cover). Also, an album sleeve might be stuffed with double-sided posters, several stickers, lyric sheets etc.. for the unsuspecting fan just trying to find "Venus and Mars" somewhere inside. Over the years, I think it is safe to assume that when other artists were releasing "special edition" versions of their same albums, Paul McCartney fans were expecting a safe with a combination lock.
The same effort that was put into full lenght albums also rang true for 12" remixes and 7"
singles. If you also concider international releases with alternating covers for the same songs, there is a huge problem or delight for the consumer. Prices can vary, sellers sometimes have no clue what they've got unless they take out the magnifying glasses. Can you say this about Beatles recordings? Of course, you can. Its not really up for debate which musician pushed for heavy art work. So much so, everyone thinks he's still dead if you have the time to look at all the different issued copies of their catalog. For all the fanfare, McCartney albums are all classics.
Choosing a favorite is difficult, but it has to be the year I spent finding a picture cover of Wings' "Goodnight Tonight" 12" Lp. The band is dressed in 1930s formal wear. Paul's hair is slicked back and he's yawning with the band looking on. The background is blank, plain white. I first saw the picture in a book and then could not find it anywhere. It was located in NYC and I paid way too much for it, but its my favorite.(see above)
I'd actually like to see this LP again and I also wanted to look for other 12" singles. It's always a fun to attend record shows as you never know what will turn up. Maybe even a jumbo jet plane containing a Wings CD in the cockpit...

The List of Insanity(or Duran Duran live events I've attended...)

Blog via popnylon.blogspot.com and dynamicduodurans.blogspot.com: While hesitating to go to the dentist, I started to think about going to see Duran Duran this summer in London. Then, I started trying to approximate how many shows I've gone to and then had to start a list. Finally, a blog that is totally fun and crazy at the same time without much self-reflection....hopefully.
The list will be broken down into two sections- a)Concerts, and b)Live Appearances.

Concerts

1. Summer 1999- PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ-Let It Flow Tour


2. Summer 1999- Jones Beach, Long Island-Let It Flow Tour


3. Summer 2000- Downtown Disney, Florida-1st night of Pop Trash Tour


4. Summer 2000- Downtown Disney, Florida-2nd night of Pop Trash Tour


5. Summer 2000- Jones Beach, Long Island- Pop Trash Tour


6. Summer 2000- PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ- Pop Trash Tour


7. Summer 2000- Boston, Mass- Pop Trash Tour


8. Summer 2000- Conneticut-Pop Trash Tour


9. Summer 2003- Webster Hall, NYC- Reunion Show


10. December 8th, 2003- Borgata Hotel show


11. April 2005- Madison Square Garden, NYC- Astronaut Tour


12. Summer 2005- PNC Bank Arts Center- Astronaut Tour


13. Summer 2005- Jones Beach, Long Island- Astronaut Tour


14. June 2007- Hammerstein Show-Fan Club Concert


15. November 2007-Barrymore theatre, Red Carpet Massacre on broadway


16. November 2007-Barrymore theatre, Red Carpet Massacre on broadway


17. Novemer 2007-Roseland Ballroom, Red Carpet Massacre on broadway


18. May 2008- Philly, PA- RCM tour


19. June 2008- Central Park, RCM tour(whichever night it didn't rain)


20. July 18th, 2009- Lovebox festival, Victoria Park, UK-tba

Live Appearances(various)

1. October 1997- Virgin Megastore Times Square signing- Medazzland Album


2. October 1999-Vh1 hard rock live taping(studio, nyc)


3. December 1999- WPLJ NY concert, times square ny


4. early 2000- The View standby line(didn't get in, but we saw someone in carpark)


5. early 2000- Vh1 studios, Nyc- photos & autographs with Simon and Nick


6. early 2000- Virgin Megastore Union Square- Signing and mini show for Pop Trash


7. early 2000- live on NBC Today Show, NYC- 3/4 songs


8. early 2000- CBS Saturday Early Show, NYC


9. summer 2000- Virgin Megastore Orlando signing


10. December 2003- Met Simon, Nick, Roger, Giovanna, Andy,& Dave(saw Meredith, John)


11. Fall 2004- Z100 Ny radio(I won a contest prize and was on radio-long story)


12. Fall 2004- Met Andy Taylor in NYC


13. October 2004- Friday Night w/ Jonathan Ross, BBC taping


14. winter 2004- Carson Daly NYE outdoor taping


15. February 2005- Good Morning America ABC taping


16. April 2005- Conan O'Brian NBC taping


17. either 2005 or 06?- watched arrivals for Fashion Rocks outside, met Billy Idol


18. November 2007- during RCM on broadway shows at venue outside-Met Simon, Nick, Roger and 4 signed program(got friend to get John's sig, did not meet)

I think that's roughly it so shall we round it off to 40 things? It's amazing I still have money left, but have you seen what they look like?

How do you spell A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G?

This week has been quite dull and disappointing. It could have been worse but it also could have been a lot better. It was memorial day but in England it was "Bank Holiday Monday." I still have no idea what a bank holidays actually is, but a day off is always apprieciated. This however, did not help with my job search. I seemed to lose a day with business and by tuesday, I was receiving rejection letters. There wasn't much progress during my third week of unemployment and it made me feel horrible. Wednesday was my scrabble night and I was looking for a break from all the rejection.

On scrabble night, I was finally ment to continue in a competive match for a shot at a trophy. After three weeks of waiting for an opponent to show up, it was set for that evening. It was the only match still stuck in the second round to play before the third round would include my name or someone elses. The faciliator announced our match and our handicaps to start the game. Every player was given a handicap based on what the club felt was necessary. It was announced that my handicap was +133 and my opponent was +47.

Apparently, this was the joke of the century because many people started laughing. I turned to my friend and asked rhetorically what was so funny. I didn't understand why grown people were acting like immature snobs as I felt it was insensitive. The handicap scores were based on what the club thought was fair based on our track records. I had always struggled with scores but recently had actually been winning games, at least one out of three and still received the highest advantage to help even out my chances with more experienced players.

I was so annoyed prior to the game starting that I thought I would use this to win this game. I finished with 337 and lost horribly. I wanted to walk out when the woman I was play APPOLOGISED for doing so well. Sure, she got all the high value letters(Q, X, B, J, Z) and blocked a chance for a 50 point score advance(I had F-L-A-T-T-E-R or something similar) but it is unneccessary to rub it in. I lost and can't believe I stayed for the other non-trophy games. I won a different game but it was just a catty night.

I had tickets to Morrissey on tuesday night, that show got cancelled and so did my planned night out. I did get a nice friend manicure yesterday but I've just not been in the mood to enjoy the little things. If anything, I'm looking for some massive improvements to nail repair and tooth cleaning in my life at the moment...

Life In The Slow Lane

entry via Popnylon.blogspot.com-I've heard that in the UK that there are two million people unemployed. This statistic is very wrong, its actually two million plus one-Me. As I haven't been out of work for only one week, five days and 7 1/2 hours maybe I can't sympatize with the mass who have been struggle for months due to a poor job market. All I know is, that it was a cinch to find companies looking for applicants months ago. It was the holiday season and it was right before the retail industry decided that the internet had pounded nails in their coffins. How could it be that no one wants to shop in stores anymore? It doesn't look to me like shopping malls have shut down but the aesthics cannot hide the statistics- Everybody would rather press their noses up against the crystal glass. Products just sit on shelfs and get put back if they aren't cheap, necessary, or if there are alternatives. $15.99 for a CD? Not on WE7.com(shamless plug- I love that website)-listen for free.

My experience is with Customer Service and Retail. Eleven years of it, so I think by now even though I would like to learn some new jobs skills, I do have an overqualified resume in sales and I'm very good at it. Natural business sence, I would also say. Do I love it? not always but something I can point at and say I've got a gift of being able to succeed with. Presently, The jobs are just not there. Either the sectors are gone or the opportunites are out in East bumblef**k. There is no way that I can travel to far away lands when I'm close to a major city and shopping areas.

So far, I've been calling or visiting employment agencies, uploading my CV, filling out applications and seaching every classified section availible. I've emailed and waited, mailed back applications and waited. My next move is to hit the pavement early next week and hand out my resume. I'd like to wear a sign that stays "It's Ok to Laugh" but that would just make it even worse. And then, there are those standards(don't worry, I've had to lower them) of things I won't do.

Simply, I don't work in the food industry(no table waiting, supermarkets, ice cream, etc) and I try to pick brand name businesses for piece of mind. Strangly, this reminds me of the reason my father wanted to buy a Hummer car- if another car hits it, probably nothing to worry about. I guess we both have a worse case senerio mentality-If you must choose working for a large company or a simple small company, make sure you work at the one to recover from the Hummer that swerves and hits the store window.

Unfortunately, my last big job never survived the window crash and the little stores pointed and laughed. I was wearing a sign that day....

Blog Updates

1. Please Note: All future posts will conclude as follows "-post via http://popnylon.blogspot.com as the blog feeds to my Facebook page Notes section without a link to the source.
2. Myspace blogs may be cancelled to make room for a new one. Stories may be archieved, but all blogs are to be based from Blogspot, a Google-owned site.
3. The three blogs will be as follows- PGMNW(This one), GTBJ-Pretentious Redux, and Brooklyn Cueless(name to be confirmed).
4. Topics of each blog-British/American Culture submersion(PGMNW), Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes(GTBJ), Brooklyn Cueless(Snooker experiences).
5. Finally- no PR is planned, as these are low-key blogs designed to keep up with my freelance writing interests.

The Big Dipper

Fridays should be a day of fun and relief that the weekend starts after work. For myself, this could have been true, but now my weekend won't end on monday to face the morning rush hour. No more people squashing my hip as they plop down to secure a seat next to me. Certainly, I won't have to rush anywhere now that it was my last day today at my temp position. I brought chocolates, thank you notes, and no expectations to the office. What I got in return were a few good references and kind complements. I also felt better about my doom and gloom situation. Sure, I've got my schedual wide open with some deserved rest ahead but I also have no idea what to do next. Even if I do nothing to get another job, in two weeks time insanity will push the evelope and I should be just fine.

This afternoon, a co-worker took me out for Starbucks. Well, let me tell you, I quickly perked up literally. Not only did the employment pep talk in the coffee shop improve my mood, but the dark-cherry-mocha-frapa-whatjamacallit gave me the jolt to go back and work harder to finish out the day. I was surprise that my bugged-out eyes didn't get a reaction while speeding through the rest of the day(this is why I only drink coffee once a week).

Later on, I got a small gift of a teady bear from a main supervisor which said "You're A Star," it was very nice to receive but I wasn't so sure I was enjoying the explaination that went with it "We'd like to keep you, but..." How 'bout keeping me and taking the bear back? At least, I'm this "star" so I'd better act the part and stop being a sour grape.

Speaking of grapes, I felt like hurling some at another co-worker. We got to chatting and I asked if he was happy with some of the work I completed. "Oh, well, at least it wasn't backwards like when the other Polish woman had done the work" he said. "Yes, well this polish girl decided to stick with what was given to her..." I replied. Awkward could not being to describe the situation. He left, I just mumble to myself about it being my last day and having to defend my Eastern European background. Could the day be anymore slow and drawn out?

Thankfully, end of the day finally arrived and after all the goodbyes, I couldn't wait to leave. To where? I don't know. Monday may be strange...

Not The Face!!!!

This sunday, it was time to throw away some trash. I kept leaving the house to recycle newspapers, dump the garbage, and yank out the cardboard to the bins that I had broken down. What I didn't expect was to be confronted with a walnut-sized bumble bee who wanted my attention. It went down something like this-
Fat Bumble Bee: YO BIATCH LOOK AT MEEEEEEE
ME(thinking): That's the biggest bee I've ever seen looks like it ate a few...I'll just wait a minute
(Bee gets bored with me looking at him and leaves)
Then, I return to reach over one dumpster to leave heavy box of trash but Bee has other plans
Fat Bumble Bee: MAYBEEEE YOU DIDN'T HEAR MEEEE

Long story short. I don't like insects and british insects are no exception. I wound up pulling my arms up to hide my face and ears. It got right up to my left ear and I waited until it flew away. I got all girly and ran back into the house to report my near collision. Bee impressions are going to be flying left and right for a while because the Fat Bumble Bee hit the road. There was no evidence and no witnesses. Maybe I should have kept mum.

Honestly, I've seen new bugs and animals that I would never see in a million years. I've also been followed by a Fox while walking to the bus stop but that was about two years ago. Positively, the british wildlife has yet to actually touch me. In the US, I've been stung in the stomach by a wasp, and who hasn't faced city bugs and vermin more times then welcomed. I've been told that a workmans hole in the shower wall will not result in an invasion but then again bumble bees EAT other bumble bees. This can only explain their size and ties to the underworld.

I may not like bees, but Sting still rocks and he picked fierce name....