R.I.P., Adam Yauch. To say you'll be missed is an understatement.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Fuck cancer! R.I.P. MCA
This is gonna sound so sappy, but being a Brooklynite, MCA's passing really sucks for me. And I usually don't get torn up over celebrity deaths... But I remember wearing out my Licensed to Ill cassette tape when I was 16, and Yauch skateboarding past me one afternoon many years later on Houston Street. Much, much later, I interviewed him, along with Ad-Rock and Mike D while I was at MTV... They were complete goofballs, and refused to answer any of my questions seriously. It was an audio-only interview, and at one point, while Horovitz and D were horsing around, Yauch made eye contact with me and mouthed the words "I'm sorry." I smiled at him, laughed my ass off and had a ball, even though I couldn't use one bit of the audio I recorded.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
;o) for the old man
There was a time when you couldn't talk my father into using the Internet. My extremely tech-savvy dad -- who builds his own computers -- really resisted, saying there was nothing the Internet could offer him.
Fast-forward years later, and my 65-year-old Pop not only surfs the Web happily daily and nightly, occasionally sending me links to things he likes, but also downloads TV shows he likes to watch from Amazon.
So we were discussing the British TV show "Sherlock" via e-mail (something else he resisted initially, BTW), and he tells me I should also be watching the crime drama "Luther." When I ask him whether he has these episodes on DVD or electronically, he responded:
"My copy is an Amazon download. DVD's are so yesterday. :-P
Pops"
HE USED AN "EMOTICON!" LOL
How far he's come. ;o)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Happy 65th David Bowie, and memories
David Bowie's 65th birthday has me watching a lot of his videos and also reminiscing about two occasions when I was in the same room with him and in rather close proximity.
For both occasions I was working at MTV, and lucky enough to go to a press conference to announce the lineup for his 50th birthday party concert at Madison Square Garden January 9, 1997. Bowie was also about to release a new album in February called Earthling, and he wore the long, Union Jack printed coat on the cover of the album to the press conference.
Not sure how I managed to score a seat in the front for the press conference, but I did, and gazed upward at him, in complete awe. His hair was short, blonde and in a pushed-back style. He wasn't particularly tall (famous people rarely are), but he appeared long and lean, and looked incredibly happy. The glow that radiated from his body is not something I'm likely to forget. He grinned from ear to ear, and had a true sparkle in his one blue and one brown eye, which are so much more startling in person. When I'm 50, I want to radiate the energy he did then.
I was just sitting there, killing time, when I could just sense a presence behind me. I turned to find him standing directly behind me, and it was only later when the shock wore off that I realized I cowered in reaction to his greatness, much like a servant bows to his king. I think my heart literally leapt out of my chest. His hair was longer, dark, straight, with some layers in his face. Those eyes.
I got lucky… twice. But I've also been blessed to have seen Bowie 3 times in concert, each performance dramatically different from the other. My first boyfriend Steve - a huge fan - got us tickets to see him in New Jersey during his Sound & Vision Tour in 1990. It was a life-changing moment for me, seeing Bowie put on a show. He had recently announced his new band, Tin Machine, and that's part of what made this tour so special: Bowie was not only performing many of his most-loved music, but also threatening to never play his older stuff again. This show was a literal blend of sound and vision. I was mesmerized.
Start this one 1:07 in.
This is just a great performance of "Fame" with Adrian Belew on guitar.
I went to his 50th Birthday MSG show, after that press conference in '97, which included performances with Robert Smith of The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, and my favorite, Foo Fighters. But in another life-changing event, in October of '97, I was able to score a ticket to his intimate set at the Supper Club in NYC, thanks to his publicist. Seeing Bowie perform effortlessly in a small venue ruined me. Ha! It really was amazing.
But then again, anything he does is special.
The second time I found myself close to Bowie in a room was purely coincidental in September 1999 when I went to cover a press conference to announce the lineup for the three NetAid concerts at the Millennium Hotel, across the street from MTV. I got there ridiculously early to set up, but I was really so early that I had nothing to do, so I just sat in one of the seats towards the back. If my memory serves me, Bowie had been announced as a performer at Wembley in London for the NetAid concerts that October, but I don't remember whether I knew anything about him being in New York for this press conference.
I was just sitting there, killing time, when I could just sense a presence behind me. I turned to find him standing directly behind me, and it was only later when the shock wore off that I realized I cowered in reaction to his greatness, much like a servant bows to his king. I think my heart literally leapt out of my chest. His hair was longer, dark, straight, with some layers in his face. Those eyes.
I got lucky… twice. But I've also been blessed to have seen Bowie 3 times in concert, each performance dramatically different from the other. My first boyfriend Steve - a huge fan - got us tickets to see him in New Jersey during his Sound & Vision Tour in 1990. It was a life-changing moment for me, seeing Bowie put on a show. He had recently announced his new band, Tin Machine, and that's part of what made this tour so special: Bowie was not only performing many of his most-loved music, but also threatening to never play his older stuff again. This show was a literal blend of sound and vision. I was mesmerized.
Start this one 1:07 in.
This is just a great performance of "Fame" with Adrian Belew on guitar.
I went to his 50th Birthday MSG show, after that press conference in '97, which included performances with Robert Smith of The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, and my favorite, Foo Fighters. But in another life-changing event, in October of '97, I was able to score a ticket to his intimate set at the Supper Club in NYC, thanks to his publicist. Seeing Bowie perform effortlessly in a small venue ruined me. Ha! It really was amazing.
But then again, anything he does is special.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
How am I? I'm shitacular...
Things are pretty bad.
I have been consistently 2 weeks late with the rent (no way to catch up), and I'm two months behind on the high-speed internet bill and PSE&G (gas and electric). Again, no way to catch up. I've felt like I was drowning for some time (for the last four years), and it looks like I really am now. Time Warner Cable turned off the Internet, until I called and scraped together $52.90 to turn it back on.
Went to Chase last week and liquidated my IRA. The $3,700 was the pension I had with MTV. Lost about $1,200 of it in penalties and taxes. The whole thing broke my heart, because it won't even pay Capital One off. Those fuckers said they were working with me during the last three months. The deal was, I'd pay them $37 February, March & April and they'd "re-age" the account; they'd remove the late fees and the 24.9% interest rate and bring it back to where it was before I got in trouble. But I get a paper bill from them this month, and there's a fucking late charge on it! I'M NOT LATE. These fuckers are ridiculous. And of course I'm trying to get a hold of them on the phone and I can't. And the interest rate is 17.9% AND the minimum payment is still $456. Sigh. What the fucking fuck.
I was so sad after liquidating my IRA. I'm gonna be 41 and I am penniless. This is not even a joke nor an exaggeration. It's devastating to me. There's no more money squirreled away anywhere. I don't even have a savings account. I had to close that too because I hardly had anything in it and it would have cost me to keep it open.
This all threw me into a downward spiral again. I thought about calling out of work because I felt like I just couldn't cope with a bunch of rich, self-involved, demanding tourists. But of course I can't fuck up my job. Even though I have sick time/pay, it felt like it might be worse to stay home alone with my thoughts. It's not good when I am alone with my thoughts. Quite honestly, when given the opportunity to think, all I can do is plot how I can fix it so I don't wake up anymore. But then I chicken out.
So when you ask me how I am, there's the stock answer and the real answer.
I have been consistently 2 weeks late with the rent (no way to catch up), and I'm two months behind on the high-speed internet bill and PSE&G (gas and electric). Again, no way to catch up. I've felt like I was drowning for some time (for the last four years), and it looks like I really am now. Time Warner Cable turned off the Internet, until I called and scraped together $52.90 to turn it back on.
Went to Chase last week and liquidated my IRA. The $3,700 was the pension I had with MTV. Lost about $1,200 of it in penalties and taxes. The whole thing broke my heart, because it won't even pay Capital One off. Those fuckers said they were working with me during the last three months. The deal was, I'd pay them $37 February, March & April and they'd "re-age" the account; they'd remove the late fees and the 24.9% interest rate and bring it back to where it was before I got in trouble. But I get a paper bill from them this month, and there's a fucking late charge on it! I'M NOT LATE. These fuckers are ridiculous. And of course I'm trying to get a hold of them on the phone and I can't. And the interest rate is 17.9% AND the minimum payment is still $456. Sigh. What the fucking fuck.
I was so sad after liquidating my IRA. I'm gonna be 41 and I am penniless. This is not even a joke nor an exaggeration. It's devastating to me. There's no more money squirreled away anywhere. I don't even have a savings account. I had to close that too because I hardly had anything in it and it would have cost me to keep it open.
This all threw me into a downward spiral again. I thought about calling out of work because I felt like I just couldn't cope with a bunch of rich, self-involved, demanding tourists. But of course I can't fuck up my job. Even though I have sick time/pay, it felt like it might be worse to stay home alone with my thoughts. It's not good when I am alone with my thoughts. Quite honestly, when given the opportunity to think, all I can do is plot how I can fix it so I don't wake up anymore. But then I chicken out.
So when you ask me how I am, there's the stock answer and the real answer.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Interview Notes
I uncovered a box today with some old stuff in it -- documents, letters and even some old photos. I came across the following, written for me by my supervisor when I worked at the radio syndication company MJI Broadcasting, and about to conduct my very first interview with a rock band. I am still amused by it:
Interview Notes:
1. Don't be nervous. These folks are humans just like you. You cut them and they'll bleed just like you.
2. Try to make your questions short and right to the point.
3. Allow the artist to answer the question. Don't answer it for them. This can be done if you allow your question to go on too long, or if they hesitate at first, don't jump in and volunteer the answer for them.
4. Even though they may have answered or responded to some of your questions before, they haven't done so for your tape. They know the game, and know that they'll be faced with a lot of the same questions.
5. Look for opportunities. If they mention something that you weren't aware of, capitalize on it. Don't be afraid to go off onto other subjects. A lot of times your best answers will come about this way.
6. Don't let them know you're nervous or that this is one of your first interviews.
7. Ignore the clock, but make sure you get at least 30 minutes from them. If you feel you're falling short, you can always find out about their influences, what they're listening to, their tour, the success factor, etc.
8. Make sure your equipment, the interview room and everything else is in order.
9. Concentrate on everything they say.
10. See if they want a soda or a water. Have Lee send out if you need to.
11. If there's a technical problem, don't be afraid to interrupt the interview and address it. Shit happens.
Really good advice. Number one stuck with me forever. Oh, and I'm sure you want to know who was the first... My very first interview was with Our Lady Peace. The song "Starseed" was blowing up for them on radio. They were nice guys. Second interview? Blur. I was nervous as hell. They were promoting their album "Parklife," which I really didn't get at the time. And Damon Albarn kept adjusting his junk while sitting in the chair talking to me. Imagine 24-year-old me, nervous as hell (trying not to fuck up or look stupid) and trying not to look at Damon Albarn's package... eyes darting to the floor...
Interview Notes:
1. Don't be nervous. These folks are humans just like you. You cut them and they'll bleed just like you.
2. Try to make your questions short and right to the point.
3. Allow the artist to answer the question. Don't answer it for them. This can be done if you allow your question to go on too long, or if they hesitate at first, don't jump in and volunteer the answer for them.
4. Even though they may have answered or responded to some of your questions before, they haven't done so for your tape. They know the game, and know that they'll be faced with a lot of the same questions.
5. Look for opportunities. If they mention something that you weren't aware of, capitalize on it. Don't be afraid to go off onto other subjects. A lot of times your best answers will come about this way.
6. Don't let them know you're nervous or that this is one of your first interviews.
7. Ignore the clock, but make sure you get at least 30 minutes from them. If you feel you're falling short, you can always find out about their influences, what they're listening to, their tour, the success factor, etc.
8. Make sure your equipment, the interview room and everything else is in order.
9. Concentrate on everything they say.
10. See if they want a soda or a water. Have Lee send out if you need to.
11. If there's a technical problem, don't be afraid to interrupt the interview and address it. Shit happens.
Really good advice. Number one stuck with me forever. Oh, and I'm sure you want to know who was the first... My very first interview was with Our Lady Peace. The song "Starseed" was blowing up for them on radio. They were nice guys. Second interview? Blur. I was nervous as hell. They were promoting their album "Parklife," which I really didn't get at the time. And Damon Albarn kept adjusting his junk while sitting in the chair talking to me. Imagine 24-year-old me, nervous as hell (trying not to fuck up or look stupid) and trying not to look at Damon Albarn's package... eyes darting to the floor...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tarot reading, 3/9/10
For those who read cards... this was pretty accurate. Although the readings always depict a bright future... this has been happening for years... where's my nice future?! LOL
Celtic Cross Spread
1. Basis of the matter, or that which brought you to now: 4 of Swords
2. Where you are now: The Lovers
3. Hopes or fears: 3 of Swords
4. Present and passing: 3 of Cups
5. Forces for or against you: 8 of Cups
6. The near future: Death
7. How the near future will evolve: 10 of Cups
8. New Turn of Events and/or the effects of others on you: Ace of Pentacles
9. You in the environment of the future: Temperance
10. Outcome or summation: Wheel of Fortune
Celtic Cross Spread
1. Basis of the matter, or that which brought you to now: 4 of Swords
2. Where you are now: The Lovers
3. Hopes or fears: 3 of Swords
4. Present and passing: 3 of Cups
5. Forces for or against you: 8 of Cups
6. The near future: Death
7. How the near future will evolve: 10 of Cups
8. New Turn of Events and/or the effects of others on you: Ace of Pentacles
9. You in the environment of the future: Temperance
10. Outcome or summation: Wheel of Fortune
Thursday, March 4, 2010
I'll let the late (great) Freddie Mercury speak for me...
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what you're doing to me
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just can't get no relief, Lord!
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
I work hard every day of my life
I work till I ache my bones
At the end I take home my hard earned pay all on my own -
I get down on my knees
And I start to pray
Till the tears run down from my eyes
Lord - somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me - somebody to love?
(He works hard)
Everyday - I try and I try and I try -
But everybody wants to put me down
They say I'm goin' crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
Got no common sense
I got nobody left to believe
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah
Oh Lord
Somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm ok, I'm alright
Ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Someday I'm gonna be free, Lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what you're doing to me
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just can't get no relief, Lord!
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
I work hard every day of my life
I work till I ache my bones
At the end I take home my hard earned pay all on my own -
I get down on my knees
And I start to pray
Till the tears run down from my eyes
Lord - somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me - somebody to love?
(He works hard)
Everyday - I try and I try and I try -
But everybody wants to put me down
They say I'm goin' crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
Got no common sense
I got nobody left to believe
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah
Oh Lord
Somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm ok, I'm alright
Ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Someday I'm gonna be free, Lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
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