Throwback!!

While searching for Phish photos my friend Lisa came up with this old gem. Outside the mothership at the Hampton Coliseum in 2004. This is the start of the infamous Coventry run.

 

I'm at the top all the way to the left.

 

We all look so young!! 



Are You A Loyal Phish Fan?

I just spent my entire morning filling out a questionnaire/story submission for PBS who is getting ready to do an interview with Phish's front man Trey. Trey told them how important the fans are to their success and wanted some fan stories submitted to go along with his interview. A friend sent me the link knowing that I would be interested and well PBS just got the full story.

 

I have thousands of Phish pictures to send them but I picked the one above because it perfectly sums up the excitement that I had and the obsession I have with their poster art (have you seen my apt lately?). This picture was taken before NYE 2010 and Beth and I had waited almost 4 hours in the freezing cold to get our hands on these posters.

 

I told them all about the story of me parking my car 15 miles outside Coventry VT and walking into they venue in 2004. I told them about the bond this band created between me and my friends in college. I told them all about the 5 o'clock crew (the random friends I made at a NYC bar who remain friends of mine to this day all because a Phish song came on the radio). I told them about the Halloween trip where I dressed as a glowbot and walked the Atlantic City boardwalk. I told them how it took me 15 years to see my favorite song live (yay Lizards). I told them about how my friends and I are planning a trip on Labor Day to fly to Colorado to reunite and see our favorite band. Most of all I told them all about how Phish has given me something that nobody else has in the last 30 years. A sense of belonging, a sense of community.a sense that there would be nowhere else in the entire would that I would rather be than a Phish show.

 

Now lets see if they pick my story. Either way it was a lot of fun to reminisce about old times and remember exactly what it was that made me fall in love with this band in the first place.

 

Happy Friday.



6 Year Old Death Metal Singer

Just watch and enjoy this little girl.

 



Yay Phish

Phish has just announced that it will webcast the SPAC shows on July 5th, 6th and 7th. This makes me extremely happy...

 

Now the only question left is who is going to buy these webcasts for me?

 

Hello? Anyone? Where did you go?



Delayed Motivation Today

I would like to start off with a small apology for my late start today. I was unusually busy this morning and then left for an early lunch at Richmonds new 'Pork Chop and Grits Cafe'. You know you have officially turned in your NJ card when you are eating at places like this. It was amazing. I literally could have sat there and ate all day long. Instead I left, rolled myself back to work to where I am at now... dying for a food nap.

 

Yet I will push through the day because you know why... tomorrow is FRIDAY. That is right FRIDAY. I can't wait for FRIDAY. Can't come soon enough.

 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and if you need a laugh look at the picture below.

 



Did That Just Happen?

I listen to a lot of music at work. A LOT. Its never mainstream radio so I usually miss the big hit songs but um... I just heard this song and fell in love with it. To the point that I stopped what I was doing to shazam it and figure out what/who it was. It was my surprise that it was Mariah Carey's new one "Beautiful". Featuring Miguel its nice to see Mariah back on top. She does have a flawless voice and no one can take that from her...

 



New Music: Chvrches

No idea who this person/group is but I just heard it and kind of fell in love. Its like a super indie Ellie Goulding. Take a chance on this new song called 'Recover'.

 



Tiny Desk Concert: Patty Griffin

Watch. Listen. Enjoy. This is Patty Griffin at her finest. Thank you NPR.

Also check out her new song "Ohio" ft. Robert Plant. A gem.

 



Summer of Dance is Back!

 

Its been no secret for the past few summers I've been obsessed with a show called "So You Think You Can Dance". Forget all those other talent shows that come out over the summer this is easily the best one you will see. Who doesn't like talented dancers being forced out of their own comfort zone to dance routines in different genres by the worlds best choreographers.

 

The live show opener from last night was amazing. I only got about half way through the performances last night (I'll finish the rest tonight). But don't be surprised if I start a weekly update on the music and routines from this show.

 

Lets all remember where Christina Perri got her start people! :)

Have I Mentioned?

Have I mentioned how much I'm in love with this song right now? Its literally been on repeat in my office/home and car for the last 4 days.

 

Oh I have?

 

Too bad... here it is again.

 



Back To Reality

Today has been a wonderful day. An amazing day. A patriotic day. Yet like all good things keeping perspective on reality is a must and well I just got hit with it like a ton of bricks.

 

All I want to do is celebrate, jump up and down and tell everyone I know about how proud I am of the way government has worked in this country.... yet you know what would take that. Breathing. You know what we take for granted... our breaths. And here is why.

 

I found out that my friend Alyssa or Little A as my amazing friend Amy calls her has been admitted back to the ICU with complications from Cystic Fibrosis. Alyssa is 13 years old and has struggled with this disease her entire life. She has been in and out of the hospitals, receives treatments daily yet the one thing if you ever met this little one is the inspiration she gives off with just her smile.

 

You may wonder why I have a ridiculous picture of me in skydiving glasses above. That is for Alyssa. My friend Amy (who used to work at CF) had this idea after seeing my own skydiving video about how wonderful it would be for Alyssa to be able to see the world the way that I did. Of course due to her condition this is not possible but she thought "we could buy goggles and pretend". This turned into "how many people can we get to wear the glasses in honor of Little A?" This is me at our local Cystic Fibrosis walk just a few weeks ago where I volunteered for the event to help raise money for a cure.

 

If you do not know about Cystic Fibrosis and how heartbreaking/horrible of a disease it is I suggest you educate yourself today.

 

So among all my happiness about what happened in our country today, my heart is still right down the road at VCU Medical Center with Alyssa wishing her a speedy recovery.

 

So go along your day, breathing in and out, in and out. But remember don't take it for granted. I know one day there will be a cure. I just hope it soon enough so that it can get to Little A and we all can take a skydiving trip together.

 

xoxo



USA USA USA USA

Seriously today I've never been happier to be an American citizen. What a day for our government.

 



What If?

This is a hilarious video. What if John Lennon auditioned for The Voice? What would happen? Watch below.

 



Texas Senator Wendy Davis. Hero.

This is a picture of Senator Wendy Davis leaving the building after standing for over 11 hours to filibuster an anti-abortion bill in the Texas state legislator. Read the NY Times article HERE.

 

I don't know about you but to me she is a patriot, a hero, and had more balls then most of the senators in that building. Do yourself a favor and for a moment stop reading about Kim Kardashian and take a look at the way our government is supposed to work. She stood for 11 hours in pink sneakers for a cause that was near and dear to her heart. This doesn't happen everyday.

 

Thank you Sen. Davis for doing what was needed to be done and standing up for women not only in Texas but across this great country.

 

Here is a small video of the chaos that happened there last night.

 



Meryl For President

It is Meryl Streeps 64th birthday and to celebrate Buzzfeed has gathered her most inspiring quotes.

 

I love her. I love her. I love her.

 

"I think that to find your own way. You have your own rules. You have your own understanding of yourself, and that's what you're going to count on. In the end, it's what feels right to you. Not what your mother told you. Not what some actress told you. Not what anybody else told you but the still, small voice."

 

"It's good to push yourself and do what you don't necessarily want to do, that if you're not automatically good at it, you should try it. Trying is so important."

 

"Integrate what you believe in every single area of your life. Take your heart to work and ask the most and best of everybody else too."

 

"As I lose friends, you can't help but mark the passage of time and understand that things are changing. You have a deeper appreciation of the finite number of years you have. You want to say something important in that. You want to make it count. You want help. You want to make people happy. You want to be there for all of it so I'm very grateful."

 

"If you have a brain, you are obliged to use it"

 

"My advice: Don't waste so much time worrying about your skin or your weight. Develop what you do, what you put your hands on in the world."

 

"I want to feel my life while I'm in it"

 

"Power, influence, strength-- all those things can overpower what's important in life. But as long as you have food and shelter over your head, if the necessities are taken care of, what makes us happy on top of that is very simple."

 

"Just relax and enjoy it all"

Kim Deal Leaves The Pixies

Well this is sad news for Pixies fans out there. The band announced last week on their facebook page that "We are sad to say that (bassist) Kim Deal has decided to leave the Pixies. We are very proud to have worked with her on and off over the last 25 years. Despite her decision to move on, we will always consider her a member of the Pixies and her place will always be here for her. We wish her all the best".

 

So sad.

 

Here is a fantastic interview with her.



Rihanna 777 Documentary

Last week I tuned in to watch Rihanna's 777 documentary where she loaded a bunch of press, her crew and fans who where contest winners on a plane and traveled around the world to do 7 concerts in 7 days. Seems like it was insane for all involved and well why wouldn't it be? To do all that she did in 7 days is a feat that most artists wouldn't even attempt, not to mention in 7 different countries. The documentary is interesting and worth the watch if you get a chance. I found the entire thing and am posting it below. BAM.

 

PS Have I mentioned how much fun it would probably be to go out with this girl for one night? Its about all I could take and would probably be in the corner crying by the end of it, but shit she can party.

 



Wow I Feel Old

Today Rolling Stone made us all flash back to 1993 to remind us really how old we have all become. Just think... these songs came out 20 years ago! Ahhhh.

 

Nirvana "All Apologies"

 

Ice Cube "It Was A Good Day"

Soul Asylum (With one of my favorites) "Runaway Train"


Blind Mellon "No Rain"


Radiohead "Creep"


4 Non Blondes "Whats Up"


And many many more. Check out the full article HERE.


Perspective

I know I complain sometimes about my job but really today was one of those days I feel lucky to work in a place like this. We have an 8th floor pediatric unit that brings patients here from all over the world with the World Pediatric Project. Today we were able to reunite two sisters that had not seen each other in 41 years due to them living so far away. 41 years!!!

 

What an amazing reunion I just witnessed. 

Not Necessary

I am all about living your dreams and reaching as far as possible to get those dreams but what Nik Wallenda did last night was both unnecessary and stupid. No need to walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope with no harness. That it just crazy!!

 

I watched about 30 seconds of it before I literally got sick and couldn't watch anymore. Glad the man made it but you have three kids and a wife. When do you draw the line?

 

**My opinion**



Grayson Hears for the First Time

My boyfriend and my mother alerted me to this video over the weekend and its is just too great not to share. Get some tissues.

 



The Best 'North West' Jokes

As many of you have heard Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have named their baby "North West". And no I am no lying. I know I said long ago that I would never talk about her pregnancy or her child on this blog but the jokes I'm reading about this poor kids name are just too good not to post.

 

"This kid is headed straight to the top... and slightly to the left"

 

"Naming their daughter North West is like Alicia Keys naming her child Car... Car Keys."

 

"Kanye West's daughter North West' 1st year of school... Gets report card...Says North West has trouble following directions"

 

"Kanye and Kim naming their daughter North West is equivalent to Frank Ocean naming his child Pacific."

 

"So Blue Ivy got the stripper name, and North West got the direction to the strip club? Great, team work."

 

Seriously these go on for days....

RIP James Gandolfini

Last week the world was stunned when one of its great actors James Gandolfini passed at the age of 51 while on vacation in Italy. As soon as I heard the news I flashed back to Sunday nights in college when we used to all get together to watch The Sopranos. (Still to this day one of the best shows I think I will ever see with my own eyes)

 

You will be missed James, you will be missed.

 

Here is a great tribute video that I found. And if you have some spare time go to youtube and watch his entire "Inside the Actors Studio" its stunning. Just stunning the way he talks about his craft.

 



The Great Gatsby Soundtrack

Like I mentioned in the last post, I went to see The Great Gatsby over the weekend and completely fell in love with the entire thing. Not only did they do a fabulous job turning one of my favorite books into a great movie but the soundtrack was amazing. How they were able to take modern songs and give them a 20s feel was stunning. Here is the story about how this idea came about.

 

"The idea to fuse traditional jazz with modern-day hip-hop, sometimes in the middle of a song came from Luhurmann (director) after DiCaprio introduced him to Jay-Z who was recording "No Church in the Wild" at the Mercer Hotel for his album with Kanye West. Immediately the song was commandeered for the film as was Jay-Z himself who agreed to contribute music-- though his participation eventually earned him an executive producer credit for the soundtrack. He identified with the aspirations of the movie's title character, who mirrored the hip-hop fascination with money, power, violence and sex."

Great article over at the Hollywood Reporter - Click Here.

 

These are some of my favorites from the soundtrack:

 

-First is Fergie with "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody"

 

-Next is Florence + The Machine with "Over the Love" which is used brilliantly in the film.

 

-Emeli Sande recreated Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" with a 20s feel. This was not the only cover in the movie. Beyoncé and Andre 3000 also covered Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black'. I thought it was brilliant on how they were able to bring these songs back with such a different feel. A move like this takes some guts.

 

-And finally a soundtrack like this would not be complete without some Jack White? Am I right people? He does an amazing version of U2's "Love Is Blindness", just stunning. Take a listen. Download the entire soundtrack. Trust me on this one.



Monday Here Again

(walking to Jamestown Settlement yesterday)

 

Well well well what do we have here? Another Monday morning you say? Well I guess I'll take it if it means we are inching slowly towards another weekend.

 

I hope that all four people who read this had a great weekend. I definitely did. My mom came down from New Jersey, we toured all around Richmond and then made our way to Jamestown/Williamsburg yesterday. It was great to see her, we laughed so hard for most of the weekend that the days just flew by. How lucky am I to have such a special person like her in my life?

 

Yet she left this morning and now I'm back to the grind of work. Ugh. I guess I shouldn't complain too much right? I have a lot of things to look forward to in the next couple of months not to mention the birthday coming up in September. Hard to believe I will be 31. I feel no more than 19 on most days. Honestly. I am going to be doing my best to live these last few months of my 30s as positive and grateful as possible. I would suggest you do the same with this summer.

 

Go out. Enjoy yourselves. Enjoy the weather (when its not 100 degrees). And be grateful for everyone and everything that is in your life.

 

Oh and on another completely random note. I saw the movie 'The Great Gatsby' on Saturday and I highly recommend it to everyone reading this. They do an absolutely amazing job incorporating today's music into an old story. Fabulous in every sense of the word.

 

Here is my favorite from the soundtrack that I'm currently downloading:

 

-Never been a huge fan of Lana Del Rey and to be honest I really never got the attraction to her voice. Until now. OMG this song "Young and Beautiful" may be my new soundtrack to life.

 

"Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?"

 

 

Stay tuned to this blog today for more songs from the soundtrack. Amazing.



Dear Miley:

Please stop trying so hard. You are a pretty girl who doesn't have to revert to this to get attention.

Thank you

-Signed the World.

 

 

 

The Civil Wars - The One That Got Away

I haven't heard much from this band lately, but I'm glad that they are back with some new music. Which is a good sign since the last I heard they were breaking up. Either way this new song is heartbreaking one about love gone wrong and its so good its almost tough to listen to.

 

 



New Music: Counting Stars

"Everything that kills me makes me feel alive"

 

Here is my new favorite song at the moment. I've never been a huge OneRepublic fan but I heard this song recently and it has yet to get out of my head. Worth a listen I promise.

 



Girl Code

There is a new show on MTV that is killing it right now. Its called 'Girl Code' and well if you are a woman and not watching this show you are missing out. I'm doing you a favor and posting an entire episode below. Watch. Laugh. Enjoy.

 



Vacation Yet?

I am overdue for a vacation. That is all I will say.

 

Labor Day can't come soon enough. Looking forward to getting on a plane and getting out of the state for a little while. Colorado here I come.

 



Anchorman 2 Trailer

Here is the new full trailer for the Anchorman sequel. I know this movie is super dumb but I'm super excited to see it.

 

 

 



Best. Picture. Ever.

This is a picture of some lovely ladies at Bonnaroo over the weekend.

 

Why do I have a feeling that this will be my friends and I one day?

 

I can only hope right?



I'm So Sorry

I can not believe its been over a week since my last entry. I can't apologize enough. Do to some unforeseen circumstances at work (my computer literally stopped working), I have been unable to come on here and let you know all the fun and exciting things going on in the world.

 

For that I remain extremely sorry.

 

Hopefully you will hang in there with me until everything is back up and running and I can go back to my normal every day posts.

 



Newsroom Season 2

July 14th can't come soon enough. Why you ask? It's the premiere of season 2 of The Newsroom, HBO's hit series. I don't know about you but watching this trailer makes me super excited for whats in store for the crew this summer. 

Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait.

Rolling Stones & Taylor Swift

The Rolling Stones added to their long list of guest singers last week when they invited Taylor Swift on stage to perform "As Tears Go By". I don't care who you are or how big of a star you have become there is almost nothing cooler than being asked to do this. 

NPH For President

Hello everyone and welcome to yet another Monday. The weekend wasn't nearly as long as I hoped it would be... but I'm back here at work for another insanely busy week. Lets hope that I have some real time to get on here and catch you up on all you need to know.

Last night was the Tony Awards and they did an amazing job. It was fun to see some of the new shows, the performances and the people who won. Yet the best part of the evening was that Neil Patrick Harris was tapped to host. Now I don't know about you but I'm still wondering why Broadway hasn't done a one man show staring him yet. It is sure to be a hit. 

Just take a look at the opening and closing from last night. Both absolutely spectacular. I mean he even got Mike Tyson to get up to sing and dance. Yes that Mike Tyson. NPH you are my hero.

Opening:

Closing (When Audra drops the mic at the end I about lost it):

102 Yr Old Base Jump

Well this is one way to ring in your 102nd birthday. She had originally intended to have a calm birthday.

Ha.

Would You?

Would you pay $150 to see this man?

Oh you don't even recognize him? Its a bloated, washed out Axl Rose. He has the audacity to charge his fans $150 to see him tomorrow night at the Brooklyn Bowl. Where he will probably show up 2 hours late and play for 40 minutes. 

I'm sorry I'm a huge fan of Guns N' Rose but I'm just over this guy.

Way to treat your 'fans'.

Phish New Album

Yay!

According to Rolling Stone Phish is working on a new studio album. While I know that Phish's studio albums are not to die for it still means that the boys are together and putting the work into making new music. That makes me happy. The other thing that makes me happy is hearing this quote from Trey.

"A lot of the people that come see us have been coming for 20, 30 years... and I know them. A lot I don't know by name, but there are people that I look out and see that I really genuinely feel a connection to.. people who stand like 10 rows back and dance that I recognize."

The following is a very rare live performance from right here in Richmond. The date March 24th, 1992. At the Flood Zone.

It's A New Day

Most Adorable Music Video Ever?

Sophia Grace and Rosie (from Ellen) have finally released their first music video and its everything you expected. Young. Pink. Adorable. And Fantastic.

Maybe the cutest thing I've seen in a while. 

Short Term 12

You have heard it here this next movie is going to be the independent hit of the year. It stars my girl Brie Larson and I can tell by the trailer its going to be fantastic.

Great Natalie Maines Interview

Click the link below and go to Rolling Stone.com for a great interview with Natalie Maines. It is really worth the read. Fantastic.

LINK.

Greatest Wedding Photo Ever

I have always told myself when/if I get married I would not pose for those cheesy photos that everyone does. 

This picture has made me change my mind completely. Let me show you the best wedding photo I've ever seen..

Yes that is a T-Rex. And yes it is amazing.

Team Sasha

Well last night I reluctantly turned into 'The Voice'. I say that because after last weeks elimination of my two favorite people I didn't want to... but I did. I find it very funny that every single one of the coaches had their talents turn to country music to try and win America's vote. Not a bad strategy with Team Blake still almost fully intact, but come on people, show some variety!

The clear front runner in my opinion should be Sasha Allen but it isn't. No matter what song she slays she seems to always get cut off at the knees by a 15 year old country crooner or a girl with think rimmed glasses even though she can sing them under the table with ease.

For example last night she took on two amazing songs, first one of my all time favorites 'Ain't No Way' by Aretha Franklin and then her try at country with Carrie Underwood's 'Before He Cheats'. 

If she goes home tonight I'm officially done. (And I mean it!)

Father and 2 Year Old Son Sing Beatles

To even out the sadness of the last post watch the most adorable video my mom just sent me, that features a Dad and his 2 year old Son singing "Don't Let Me Down" by the Beatles.

Love.

The Beauty in the Big C

This weekend I bid farewell to one of my favorite shows and characters to ever be on TV. I have talked about 'The Big C' on Showtime many times before on this blog and I finally got around to watching the last four episodes. I can barely eek out the words to explain to everyone how good this actual series is. Laura Linney deserves a lifetime of awards for her portrayal of Cathy Jamison. 

I got into a very poignant conversation with my mom while in NJ about the series and how I felt that its been the only one of its kind to tackle such a heavy subject not only with fantastic acting and humor but reality. I think that people, real people appreciate that about this character. 

Anyone who actually watched this show knew what the final scene would be. There would be no happy ending for Kathy, no ride off into the sunset with a cure for this awful disease. She died, eating one last piece of pie, after finally making it to her sons high school graduation. Her checklist was finally complete. She died finally knowing that she had lived her life to the fullest and most of all was loved.

For me I would have chose no better way. This show never sugar coated the illness she was battling. Every time you thought she was getting better she would get awful news, but it was the grace and dignity that Laura Linney played Cathy that will stay with me forever.

Its all about the love. The love you are able to not only give to others but to yourself.

That is life. 

Remember that.

I'm going to miss this show.