Sweetish Sid

I am not a huge fan of the Sex Pistols. In fact, I'm not a fan at all. (Yes, it's true.)

I have very eclectic taste in music, thanks to my parents (Mom grew up a classical pianist and Dad rebelled by rocking out on drums and guitar) and their opposing aesthetics. I grew up listening to music that my parents listened to (C'est Si Bon, notably- my sister I could sing duets to a few of the members' songs starting in young childhood), lots of classical music (Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, the like), random popular music from the 60's (Nana Mouskouri, anyone?), my dad's "devil music" (the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, the Beach Boys), and then the music that my sister and I grew up with (including Britney. Don't judge).

I mention all this because I stumbled across a note written by Sid Vicious about his then-girlfriend, Nancy Spungen. Here's the note before I taint it with my opinion:

What makes Nancy So Great By Sidney

1  Beautiful
2  Sexy
3  Beautiful figure
4  Great sense of humour
5  Makes extremely interesting conversation
6  Witty
7  Has beautiful eyes
8  Has fab taste in clothes
9  Has the most beautiful wet p---y in the world
10  Even has sexy feet
11  Is extremely smart
12 A great Hustler


It's rather sweet, in a very childish way. The simplest, most superficial things are written down. I think the reason I found it rather touching is because it served as a reminder that Sid Vicious, for all his infamy and legend, was just 21 when he died. He didn't know to look for companionship. He didn't want a woman who would be a good mother to his children. He wanted something beautiful, someone that kept him entertained.

That's perfectly acceptable and understandable for a 21-year-old in the throes of what was his one enormous love, the love that changed his life and eventually led to his very early death. Isn't that why he's untouchable? He never got old. He never had a chance to lament his wrinkles or his gray hair or his nagging wife.

I don't know if that's an enviable thing or not. I'm sure some people would've liked that existence, to live hard, play hard, and then die early, famous for a talent that would live on well beyond one's own life.

This little note really made me think, and it made me grateful for my life. I don't have fame and fortune, it's true. But I also don't have a drug problem, a violent relationship, or insane people pushing me into an overdose.

The note had me so thoughtful that I listened to a few Sex Pistols songs. Nope. Whatever Sid's sentiments, those songs still sound like a group of feral cats trapped in a pickle jar. Oh, well, maybe they'll unearth an epic poem he wrote that'll change my mind...

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John Lennon's 70th

I love the Beatles.

(In all honesty, my favorite Beatle is George.)

I was introduced to the Beatles by my father. The first album I ever listened to was "Please Please Me," full of frothy, early-Beatles pop songs. People can say what they will, I still know the words to every single song and love them all.

Because of the way I was introduced to the band, I have a special place in my cold, dark little heart for the mushroom-hair-cuts, sharp little 60's suits, and skinny ties that the Beatles sported in their early career. I love the bubble-gum pop, the cheesy lyrics, and even the funny little dance moves they had. The more experimental music and shaggy hair are also great, but don't remind me of being nine years old. Nostalgia usually wins, in my book.

I think a lot of people are celebrating and mourning today, because had he survived, John Lennon would have turned 70 today.

I don't know where he would have done in life, but I do know that he died too early. So wherever he is, happy birthday!

(The Lennon of my childhood.)

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Summer Soundtrack

When I listen to "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," it takes me back to 1999, my junior year of high school. That's when I had decided that I wanted to go into art, shunning math (shock!). I started putting together a portfolio, which meant that I spent endless hours in a studio, drawing, painting, generally cursing my poor decision.

There was a guy in the studio that was really talented (I wonder whatever happened to him?), that everyone admired. We pretty much let him have his way, and his favorite album at the time was Lauryn Hill's. We ended up listening to that CD on repeat for hours and hours and hours a day. Not that I don't like it- I can listen to it now (and still remember all the lyrics) and it immediately makes me think of the smell of Prismacolor colored pencils, rubber cement, and pencil shavings.

It's said that the sense of smell has the longest memory, but hearing must also be up there. Anytime I hear any song from the old 2d-animated Disney movies, I think of how much my sister and I watched those videos (remember VHS tapes??) and how we knew all the songs by heart.

My summer soundtrack this year has been Lily Allen's first album, "Alright, Still." Yes, her current singles are also great, but for some reason, I've been stuck on "Alright, Still." Maybe because I'm just trying to get to the alright phase? More likely, it's because the songs are light, infectious, funny, and even when dealing with something serious, bubblegum-pop at its best.

I just listened to "Littlest Things" and really listened to the lyrics for the first time, and have even more appreciation for the song. Youtube video at the end of the post.


Littlest Things

Sometimes I find myself sittin’ back and reminiscin’
Especially when I have to watch other people kissin’
And I remember when you started calling me your missus
All the play fighting, all the flirtatious disses
I’d tell you sad stories about my childhood
I don’t know I trusted you, but I knew that I could
We’d spend the whole weekend lying in our own dirt
I was just so happy in your boxers and your t-shirt

Dreams, dreams
Of when we had just started things
Dreams of you and me
It seems, it seems
That I can’t shake those memories
I wonder if you have the same dreams, too?

The littlest things that take me there
I know it sounds lame but it’s so true
I know it’s not right, but it seems unfair
That things are reminding me of you
Sometimes I wish we could just pretend
Even if only for one weekend
So come on, tell me
Is this the end?

Drinkin’ tea in bed
Watching DVD’s
When I discovered all your dirty, grotty magazines
You take me out shopping and all we’d buy is trainers
As if we ever needed anything to entertain us
The first time that you introduced me to your friends
And you could tell that I was nervous so you held my hand
When I was feeling down, you’d make that face you do
There’s no one in the world who could replace you

Dreams, dreams
Of when we had just started things
Dreams … of me and you
And it seems, it seems
That I can’t shake those memories
I wonder if you feel the same way, too?

The littlest things that take me there
I know it sounds lame but it’s so true
I know it’s not right, but it seems unfair
That things are reminding me of you
Sometimes I wish we could just pretend
Even if only for one weekend
So come on, tell me
Is this the end?

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Bravo Beethoven!

Went to the Hollywood Bowl last night (Bastille Day) for a lovely evening with my sister and one of my closest friends.

I have loved Beethoven ever since I was a child being raised by one classically trained pianist and one ardent Elvis lover. I have fond memories of the Hollywood Bowl from my childhood, when we used to go for one night of Tchaikovsky, when beautifully synchronized fireworks would explode during the 1812 Overture.

Having not been to the Bowl since sometime last year, it seemed like a nice little Tuesday evening activity.

I made Spam musubis (one and a half cans of Spam for three people? Why not?) and brought some sweet pickled radish, and my sister brought snacks- cherries (a Hollywood Bowl tradition for us), Milano cookies, limeade.

We got there early, giant cooler and all (we had four tickets, one of which was for the cooler!) and settled in. In front of the main gate is a gorgeous, enormous tree, which my friend and I were both fascinated by. It was huge!























We ate while people-watching. Staying during a sunset at the Bowl is a unique experience. Because the actual setting is between mountains (hills?), the actual sun is not visible while it is setting. The only true indication of sunset comes from the amount of light showing on the far mountain, which remains bright much longer than the seats do.


















We were joking that the members of the L.A. Philharmonic and the guest piano soloist looked like cruise ship waiters in their white jackets. I think perhaps white jackets are indicative that it's summer?


















There is a large (and by large I mean GIANT) cross that is only really visible at nighttime, when it's lit up. It's also traditional for me to seek out the cross and marvel that anyone would want to spend untold dollars paying that kind of electrical bill.























The concert was amazing. Selected (less famous) works from Beethoven:

- Egmont Overture
- Piano Concerto No. 2
- Symphony No. 2

The conductor, Bramwell Tovey, was really funny. Dry, self-deprecating, but also full of knowledge about the pieces to be performed. He apologized for 1776, he poked gentle fun at Beethoven's initial admiration of Napoleon that soon gave way to hostility, he teased the Brits (the soloist and he were both English!)- he was just the perfect person for making Beethoven approachable and light.

What's a piano concerto without a piano?? The soloist was a young Englishman, Paul Lewis, who looked like a younger and slightly more disheveled version of Rufus Sewell, was dramatic and theatrical (in a good way).

Overall, a great night and a judicious use of Spam.

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Björk

I love Björk.

Her album "Post" is awesome, one of my favorites.

Just an excuse to show off these lovely photos from her Interview magazine shoot.



Can you believe the woman is 43 years old?? That Icelandic water is good to her (albeit full of crazies, because WOW she can't style herself).

I admire her outspokenness, her unwillingness to compromise, and the firm decisions she makes, whether or not I agree with them. I also admire how much she's willing to go out on a limb with her music, even though I don't like all of it.

This was supposed to be a quick post about the Interview photos, but I got sucked in. Thom Yorke once said that "Unravel" is his favorite song, and Radiohead ended up doing a (great) cover of it:


And one of my favorite music videos, Björk being directed by Spike Jonze for "It's Oh So Quiet," one of the best songs off "Post":

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Rosen Music Studio, Koreatown

Rosen Music Studio
3488 W. 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90005

Telephone: 213.387.0469



















(Photo from Yelp.)

I love that this place is called Rosen Music Studio, like it's some sort of professional place to record music. Yeah, not so much.

It's a good ol' karaoke place. Not a karaoke bar, mind you, for those are a disaster. Strangers singing? I don't need to hear that. My friends singing? I need to hear that and record video of that with which to blackmail them at a later date!

Korean (and Japanese) karaoke is for small groups. American karaoke bars are literally bars with a single karaoke machine, which is not so much fun unless you like to wait for four hours to sing one song.

In Koreatown, there are a few karaoke places that do the job well. Rosen is one of them. They have 33 rooms, I think (give or take a few), and the rooms vary in size depending on how many people have come along with the ride.

After the meat-athon on Saturday night, we decided to go sing a little. Spur of the moment decisions can be bad in Koreatown, especially on a Saturday night, because every place you could possibly want to go is booked. Restaurants, bars, karaoke...

We called and hooray! A room was available. The bad economy's good for something, after all.

We were only a party of six, so we got shown into one of the smaller rooms. Smaller doesn't mean that it's not as good; I actually prefer the smaller rooms because it seems like the sound is better. (The photo above is of one of the largest rooms- note the tambourines, a Korean karaoke necessity.)

Two bottles of lemon soju, one bottle of peach soju, one bottle of melon soju, and four hours later, we emerged happy and flushed and hoarse.

There are fancier karaoke places in Koreatown (Orchid, for example), but Rosen is a solid choice for good times and good soju. (They didn't have yogurt soju on Saturday, which made me sad. Yogurt soju sounds disgusting but is really, really good!)

Price isn't too bad. We stayed between 3 and 4 hours and had four bottles of soju and the bill came out to just under $200 for 6 people (not including tip).

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HTML, XML, and Big Bang (빅뱅)

The HTML and XML needed to get my blog looking somewhat the way I want it to has exhausted me. Now I remember why I hated C++ class and why I hate scripting, programming, all programming languages, and Linux. (That's a lie, I usually love Linux.)

I like GUIs and easy-to-use hacks.

I've had this Big Bang (빅뱅) song stuck in my head for what feels like DAYS, so I'm posting it. To torment other people who have never heard it before. It's called 붉은 노을, which they apparently translated into 'Sunset Glow.' I think it really should be called 'Red Sunset' or 'Burnt Sunset' or something, but that's just me. They can glow if they want to.

The Baby Bang members are adorable, I have to admit, which is why I'm posting this rather than the official music video.

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Razzle Dazzle

Last Sunday, January 25, the family took my uncle to watch "Chicago" at the Cerritos Center for Performing Arts (the musical, not the movie or anything).

My uncle, being the head of the music department at Jeonju University, is somewhat generally in charge of the musicals and shows put on by his department. They've toured China and Korea and done all kinds of stuff, which I'm very vague about because I've never seen any of the shows. We thought that "Chicago" would be an educational experience for him, since everyone knows the broads in that musical need to be amazing dancers and solid singers.

I've watched the movie, I know the soundtrack by heart, but I've never watched the actual stage musical. I was really sick that night and inhaling cough drops, slightly woozy from all the medication, but I didn't want to miss it.

Blown. Away.

It's absolutely astounding, one of the best experiences of my life. I thought Catherine Zeta-Jones was good (Renee Zellweger, so-so, Richard Gere- terrible), but the entire cast that I saw on Sunday blew her right out of the water.

Velma was a revelation. Played by Terra C. MacLeod, she was brash and sassy and perfect. My mother leaned over to me during the first song (All That Jazz) to ask if they were lip-synching. My mother was a piano major and has seen plenty of shows in her life, so it's not her judgment. They were THAT GOOD.

Roxie was also amazing (so much better than Renee). Played by Michelle DeJean, she was giddy and silly and could dance like nobody's business. Her red hair might have been just a touch too brassy, but her ability to milk hilarity from every single possible moment more than made up for the bad coloring.

I really loved Mama Morton, who was played by Roz Ryan. Even when she came out for her bow, she didn't run out, she sauntered. She swayed, she strutted, but never rushed, either in her songs or her actions. I loved Queen Latifah in the movie, but Roz Ryan really embodied the character.

The only character I was not completely enamored with was Billy Flynn. He seems to be some sort of ... thorn. In the movie, Richard Gere's nasal, pinched voice made me cringe. Why didn't they just dub him?? In the musical, Jeff McCarthy was better than Richard Gere but still didn't quite have the chops or suave dancing to enthrall me. He actually took me out of the show for a bit, when I wondered to myself why he was cast.






















Still, a great, great time. I actually wished it was longer!

Mary Sunshine ... oh, Mary Sunshine, why are you so fantastic?? One of the best audience reactions ever, worth watching the show for Mary's great moment at the end.

The band was amazing, the absolutely pristine set with only chairs as props was asterely impeccable, and I loved loved loved it.

I wish I had the opportunity to go to more Broadway shows! Maybe I need to take a Broadway trip and go to the real Broadway in New York. I've never been to New York ... but perhaps I could work at Blue Sky and work on Ice Age 8??

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Music Video: 가려진 시간 사이로

There's a lovely music video I saw on T.V. a few days ago that I was immediately drawn to.

First of all, one of my favorite Korean actors, Lee Seon-Gyun (이선균, sometimes also spelled Lee Sun-Gyun or Lee Sun-Kyun):

He might not be the best looking man ever, but he has the best (THE BEST) voice. It's perfection. Even if you can't understand Korean, you must watch the first few seconds of the YouTube clip below.

He was in "White Tower (하얀 거탑)" as a caring, sweet doctor, then in "Coffee Prince (커피프린스 1호점)" as a sweet, caring music producer. Those are the two dramas I've seen him act in, and he was stellar in both.

So when this music video suddenly came on, of course I was intrigued! It's a song originally by Yoon Sang (윤상, pronounced "sahng"), who generally creates very pretty ballads. This particular version of the song was recorded by Yoon Gun (윤건).

It's called 가려진 시간 사이로. When translated literally, the words mean Between Hidden Time:

가려진 = hidden, covered, protected
시간 = time
사이로 = between

The music video really illustrates, I think, what happens between those times when we guard ourselves:

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