HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here is my NYE 2008 Playlist featuring some songs that received a lot of playtime this year. Now you can listen, close your eyes and pretend you are here celebrating New Year's Eve like in years past. Speaking of pretending, my 2008 Song of the Year is Track #5 by MGMT "Time to Pretend"....Enjoy

Wish You Were Here...

In typical Christmas Eve fashion there were plenty of delectables on hand..



World Famous Antipasto











Assorted Cheese Platter











Gram's Struffoli perfected by Nonni













Shrimp Cocktail - Old Standby












Fresh Fruit looks good











Mozzarella Stix for the Kiddies

Cold Cut platter if you care for a sandwich












Sweets by Susie












Someone stole one of Brenda's Cupcakes!

A Look Under The Covers

I mentioned my affection for a nice dub, as well as a well crafted sample. Now on to a nice cover. I have come to appreciate covers in my old age in part due to the fact that the songs being covered are songs from my youth. There were some real nice covers this past year. Now I'm not saying these are better than the orignals, but they're damn close...

Famous Ray's

Or is it Ray's Famous? No matter, it's all good. The Famous Ray's Pizza of New York is a destination stop in Verona, NJ. What do I mean by "destination stop"? It means that if you are anywhere within a 10 miles radius of the joint you must make the trip...it's that good. Now as any pizza aficionado knows, pizza is all good. Some like it thin, some like it thick. Ray's would be filed under thick.

It Really Wasn't That Hard

My nubbie posts have been far and few between; But the past three weeks weren't totally wasted...Since my puzzle was spread out on the dining room table, I was under the gun to finish before Thanksgiving. In the words of Mr. Bush: "Mission Accomplished". And it really wasn't that hard.

Mmmm....

Made my first stop of the year at Mr. McGregor's Garden in Jobstown. I can never just ride by without stopping. They had a wide variety of pies, with the standard apple and pumpkin, some pecan. I selected the blueberry, just out of the oven and still warm. Topped off with a few dollops of vanilla bean and you're on your way to feelin' alright...

Stress Relief

The second best thing for stress relief...



1000 pieces to keep me busy for the next week or so...

Levi Stubbs' Tears

Thanx to Ant for the news in the comments from the last post. The news is timely in that I will be seeing Billy Bragg for the 8th time this Sunday nite...


Ant and I saw Billy for the first time I think in 1984 at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC for what I believe was his first US visit.



(photo by Ant)

I am sure he will be mentioning the passing of Motown legends Norman Whitfield and Levi Stubbs, as they are mentioned here in the classic "Levi Stubbs' Tears"

"Norman Whitfield and Barratt Strong
Are here to make everything right that's wrong
Holland and Holland and Lamont Dozier too
Are here to make it all okay with you"

and the chorus..

"When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs' tears run down his face"


Take it away Billy...

First Playlist

"

These four songs are in heavy rotation right now...

Leading off is "Impossible Germany" by Wilco". I was never a huge Wilco fan, but just thought them ok. However, I was lucky enough to catch this song on XPN and immediately made it my first Wilco download. Although it is from 2007, it could be my Download of the Year. I can't stop listening to this song, particularly the unbelieveable 3 minute coda.

Next we have new piece from Ben Folds, who ditched the Five and is accompanied by the lovely Regina Spektor. "You Don't Know Me". Nice catchy little duet.

This is followed by an absolutely infectious track called "Walk On The Moon" from Asobi Seksu Thanx to Ant for knowing I would fall for a young Japanese chanteuse!

Rounding it out is the song featured in the YouTube video below. Sometime Around Midnight" by The Airborne Toxic Event

ENJOY

The Airborne Toxic Event

There has been some really great music to come out this year... Here is a new one from The Airborne Toxic Event

Weekend Getaway

The family recently enjoyed one of the true Wonders of the World...



Highly recommended.

GO PIRATES!

I have previously professed my love for the Pittsburgh Pirates on this blog. I have been rooting for them ever since I had the 1971 Pirates Strat-O team. I would use them vs. the other good teams from the early 70's, the Orioles (with Al Bumbry and Don Buford), Dodgers (Davey Lopes), Reds (Bobby Tolan) and Athletics (Billy North, Joe Rudi, Sal Bando and Campy Campanaris).

Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente, Manny Sanguillen and Dock Ellis were my favorite players. Al Oliver and Richie Hebner too. I have stood by them steadfastly since then. They had many many bad years since then, including 100-loss seasons in the 80's, 90's and 2000's. The losing seasons were only interrupted by the Barry Bonds-led teams from 1990 to 1992. Bonds left in '92 and it has been downhill ever since. As they finish this horrid season, they have matched the dubious record for futility with their 16th consecutive losing season. Breaking the record next season is a virtual lock


But, recently, they have taken some aggressive action that has shown them to be a team to truly root for, a team that really has balls, as this article deftly illustrates...GO BUCCOS!!!

Dub vs. Sample

I consider the previously posted M.I.A. track "Paper Planes" a dub because the music from The Clash's "Straight to Hell" is played constantly throughout the track. The new song is dubbed over the original music (with some awesome sound effects added)..

I consider this new song from T.I. to contain a sample from M.I.A. The line "No one on the corner has swagga like us" is from "Paper Planes". Although it is a key component to the song (the best part actually), it is not played constantly throughout the whole song, only sampled here and there...But what do I know? I am a nub!

Song of the Week

I enjoy a good dub every now and then...




I first heard this song this summer on Radio New York - KEXP. It really took off after it was used for the trailer of "Pineapple Express".

I loved it the first time I heard it because it is dubbed over one of my favorite Clash songs...



Nice job M.I.A.

The Barbarian

My new best friend...

I want to walk down the halls with him and grow dreds.

Friends of P

If you're down with P, well then you're down with me...kickin' song by the Rentals that started off my New Years Eve playlist from 2001.

And check out the friends blogs to the right

Newb vs. Nub

Posts have been far and few between. Still learning the ropes. Thanx maggotx for technical support.

Slowly making my way from NEWB to NUB

Not sure what your kid just said? Check out the Urban Dictionary for interpretations.

The Dears

Great band from North of the Border..I think Obama was singing this at the DNC..

Song of the Week

Felt like strolling thru my iTunes 2007 Playlist...

Enjoy this retro-sounding tune from Bat for Lashes...Love this video

Who Likes Pizza?

Looks like this young lady has her hands full, but don't be fooled - she threw it down with ease...She is an experienced pizza-eater...must be in the genes! This gargantuan slice was courtesy of Jimbo's on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights.

Pirates Win!

My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates won their first game with their vastly revised lineup, 3-0 over the Cubbies. Impressive debut by young right-hander Jeff Karstens, obtained from NYY earlier in the week.

Maiden Post

It seems I have nothing else better to do than write interesting things that happen from time to time. Not quite sure what type of content this will include, nor am I sure of what the hell I am doing. Having said that, it is too damn hot in this room. Therefore I will end this maiden post now, but will continue to try to figure this whole thing out. pc