Raves: Traci's Book Recommendations

Everyone knows that I am pretty nerdy and really love books and that I work at the library.  But what everybody doesn’t know is that kids’ books are for grown-ups too!  So here are five kids books that I like that you can read no matter how old you are.

The City of Ember/ The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

I’m not really into futuristic fiction (think Brave New World), but I really liked these books.  The first one, The City of Ember is about a city lit entirely by light bulbs- no sun or moon.  But, the light bulb supply is starting to run out, and nobody really knows what to do.  Two 12-year-olds discover an old map and hope that it will lead them to a place where they can find more supplies.  The sequel, The People of Sparks, tells where the map leads them and what happens to the people of Ember after they arrive in the City of Sparks.  Sounds pretty nerdy, but they are really well written, and they kept my attention.  It’s a real thinker.

Dear Mrs. LaRue- Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague 

This is a really funny picture book about a dog who writes all of these sad, sad letters to his owner, Mrs. LaRue, about how horrible obedience school is.  The thing is, as you are reading these letters, you can see that the school is actually really nice and the dogs are really living it up! At one point, the dogs are sitting in the hot tub being served drinks with little umbrellas in them.  I thought it was pretty funny.

To the Top: The Story of Everest by Stephen Venables

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not really into nature and outdoors and stuff, so a book like this also usually wouldn’t interest me.  But, I had to read it, as it is nominated for a Beehive Book Award and I really thought it was interesting.  It is the history of people who have climbed Mount Everest, written by a guy who actually climbed Mount Everest himself.  And it has really cool photos of frostbitten toes and stuff.

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison 

This isn’t really a kids’ book-more like a book for teens-but it is so funny! It’s like Bridget Jones, only in high school.  I think Bridget Jones is very funny, but if you don’t then you probably won’t think this is funny either.  There are now like four books in this series all about the main character, Georgia Nicholson, who lives in England.  England’s pretty funny, right? They talk funny, and use funny words.  If you’re counting, I think I’ve used the word funny like fived times. It’s funny. And it has the word “thongs” in the title--and “snogging.”

July Raves: Music, Sports, and TV

MUSIC

Dashboard Confessional

Chris Carabba certainly understands his audience.  Not only is he selling his new record Dusk and Summer for just $10 bucks but if you show your student ID when you buy it at lousy Best Buy, you get it for $7 (you will have to convince the cashier of this, though).  Dashboard isn’t something I would normally run out and buy from a store, but I thought it was a cool idea.  Note to the record industry: people will buy CDs if you offer them at a reasonable price. 

The Cardinal Sin

Also hailing from the Windy City, The Cardinal Sin share the same raw sound and intensity as early Alkaline Trio.  I was so immediately drawn to their music when I heard them on purevolume that I work tirelessly to track down their first full-length Hurry Up and Wait.  I couldn’t find it at any of my usual locations so I ended up buying it off of half.com.  Other than the outstanding Eye Opener, there aren’t really a lot of standout tracks, but it’s a really solid album.

SPORTS

World Cup Soccer

Though I suffered some mild depression when Holland lost to Portugal (once again), the World Cup is still exciting – and I’m not even a soccer guy.  Who says you can’t be thoroughly entertained by 120 minutes of scoreless action?  I’ve got tickets for the Real Madrid vs. Real Salt Lake exhibition in August, but it looks like the great David Beckham may not even be making the trip thanks to his injury against Portugal. 

BOOKS

An Ordinary Man

If you haven’t seen Hotel Rwanda, you should.  If you have seen it, you should read An Ordinary Man, the autobiography of Paul Rusesabagina, the man on whom the movie was based.  Rusesabagina explains how and why the Rwandan genocide went down, including sectarian violence, corrupt politicians and outsiders who were unwilling to stop it from happening.  Though it the book was based on the 1994 events it couldn’t be more applicable to current conflicts.

TELEVISION

VH1’s Supergroup

Without going into an entire dissertation, here’s why only has-been celebrities should be on reality TV shows.  Though you get the mega-exposure that you had (or always wanted to have) when you were in your prime, you also always kind of end up looking like an idiot. 

Sebastian Bach was so incredibly cool when he was in Skid Row.  Now he may be the whiniest, most annoying TV personality on the planet.  Even my sister, a die-hard Bach supporter, has given up on the show because he is so annoying.  “He has officially ruined the ‘rock on’ devil horns," she says.  But it does make for great television.

If you can get over the embarrassingly awkward moments of Bach telling the PR team that he has a top 20 hit (“I Remember You” on the newest Monster Ballads CD), him crying about his dad or drunkenly telling Anthrax’s Scott Ian that he loves him and that he'll never play with another guitar player (um, they are going to be in a band together for 12 days), you'll be glued. 

Raves: Napoleon Dynamite

"Napoleon Dynamite" is one of those movies that you either really love or really hate. There isn't much action and there doesn't even really seem to be a plot until the last 20 minutes of the film. Nevertheless, I thought it was "flippin' sweet!"

There is always at least one really weird kid in every school. How did those kids get so weird? Taking a look at Napoleon Dynamite may give a few answers.

Napoleon lives in Idaho with his grandma. He has a 32-year-old brother who meets "babes" on the internet and an uncle that wants to build a time machine to go back to 1982--his high school football glory days. It's no wonder Napoleon loves to draw Pegasus-es and that his favorite animal is the liger.

The movie revolves around Napoleon befriending Pedro, the new kid and Deb, the glamour-less, Glamour Shots employee. Here are some of the ways that they solve their problems:

Pedro deciding how to ask the most popular girl in school to the dance: "[I'll] build her a cake or something."

Napoleon telling Pedro why he should run for student body president: "You've got a sweet bike, you're good at getting chicks, plus you're the only guy at school who has a moustache."

Pedro explaining why was wearing a hood: "I realized it was my hair that was making my head so hot. I went into my kitchen and shaved it all off."

It all makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Great comedy.

If you liked the movie, you should definitely check out this link [outdated]. You can relive the clips from the movie, make your own glamour shots, and even make your own iron-on t-shirts. Sweet!

A Fax from Thurl Bailey

Since Utah doesn’t really have any real celebrities, we have to settle for news reporter [see Shauna Thomas Disappears], creepy Mormon recording artists [think Kurt Bestor] or senators who think it’s a great idea to blow up music file sharers [please don’t vote for Orrin Hatch, please].  Oh, and old basketball stars.

I interviewed ex-Utah Jazz star Thurl Bailey for Utah Business Magazine a couple of weeks ago.  Big T now has his own clothing line (cleverly called the Thurl Bailey Collection) in addition to his career as a Mormon music artist, his film career which includes such roles as Goliath in a seminary movie, a Jazz commentator and the owner of a fertilizer company (whah?!). 

I must say it was very cool to check the messages on my cell phone and hear, in the deepest voice imaginable, “Hey, Spencer.  This is Thurl Bailey.”  But the funny part was that he was calling to tell me that his email response to me kept getting sent back to him.  I gave him two other addresses, but still no luck.  I started thinking that Thurl wasn't such a superstar in the email department.  He called me again and told me he’d fax it to me.  Yes, Thurl Bailey printed off the email and faxed it to me.  I couldn’t help thinking of Kip singing at the end of Napoleon Dynamite, “Yes, I love technology.  But not as much as you, you see…”

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A

Despite its incredible length, any band named after the secret code used to get unlimited lives on original Nintendo version of Contra, immediately gets my respect. Oh, but the name’s not the best part.

Up Up writes beautifully direct, powerful (and short) love songs that I haven’t been able to get enough of. The band seems to be more into the music than the money, since they have just released their second completely-free-online EP called “Girls’ Names.” Their site offers more free music than purchasable, including three full EPs. I would recommend downloading them now, before the band realizes that sometimes you can sell music for well, you know, money.

If you are overwhelmed by the vast number of mp3s to download, I would suggest beginning with their music video…Love it.

CORRRECTION: "Just to set the record straight, up up down down... doesn't get you unlimited lives, just 30 per continue. I don’t want you to sound like an idiot for all us nintendo-educated readers." --Jonathan Wicks, Cincinnati, Ohio.

[Thanks 2 ½ Pounds of Bacon for the heads up.]

Soundtrack to Someone Else's Life: Concerts I DIDN'T see

In my fanatical world of music obsession, seeing a band live is a crucial element to fandom. As I look back over all the bands I've seen in the past 10 years, I can't help but think about another impressive list - all the bands I didn't see. I swear, when it comes to concerts, I've got incredibly bad luck. Here are some of the concerts I've missed:

Nirvana 1993

"You're not old enough," my mother said. I wanted to see my idol, Kurt Cobain, more than anything. "Don't worry," she ensured me, "you can see them when you're older." Mom was wrong.

EPILOGUE: There was no next time. 

Rage Against the Machine 1996

In '96 Rage Against the Machine was the second scariest band on the planet - right behind Marilyn Manson. When they came to Utah, for whatever reason, they were booked to play the Fair Grounds in Spanish Fork. The residents of the small Utah County town were so frightened that along with Rage would come gangs that would overrun Spanish Fork, that they were practically installing bars on their windows.

The tickets sold out right away. However, I received an inside tip that X96 was going to release a handful of extra tickets on a Saturday morning. Chris Wilson and I hitched a ride downtown with his sister (we were both too young to drive) and we were able to get our hands on the LAST FOUR TICKETS!

Getting tickets was always a cinch compared to getting my mother to allow me to go. I always bought the tickets first and then tried to use the fact that I already had the tickets as part of my defense argument with my mother. She held strong. It was in Spanish Fork on a school night. No go. I sold the ticket (which I think only cost me $10 - incredible) to some lucky sucker.

EPILOGUE: The police report for the show only mentioned one problem - a bunch of kids jumping on top of a car.  The car, however, was their own. 

I never got another chance to see the band. I have no desire to see Audioslave, but I would like to see Zach de la Rocha if that miracle ever happens.

Stretsch Armstronng 1997

Stretsch Armstronng is undisputedly the best Utah band of all time. I can't remember how many times I saw them play. When the band announced that they were breaking up and playing one last show, there is nothing in the world that could have stopped me from going to the show - short of an Act of God, or my mother. It turns out there was a combination of the two. The show was on an incredibly blizzery night in Provo. All of my friends were going, but my mom refused to "let me die in the storm."

Well, my friends didn't die and they loved the show. Stretsch played every song they had ever written from start to finish. Unbelievable.

EPILOGUE: In 2002, Stretsch came back from the dead to play a one-off Skalloween show in Lindon. The guys were older, their little costumes a bit tighter, but they could still skank, and, believe it or not, so could I.

Cake 2002

For whatever reason, Cake has eluded me throughout their career. When they finally came around, it was during the 2002 Olympics. My Cake friends Ty and Ne-ALL picked were all set to go.

The show was on my birthday and sure would have been a nice gift to myself. Unfortunately, the Dutch had other plans for me. I was forced to go to a mandatory evening at the Holland Heineken House to eat bitterballen (translation: "bitter balls") with the crew of the Dutch TV station that I was working for.

The boys not only loved the show, but also managed to sneak in for free through a back fence or something. There's nothing I hate more than missing something that's free.

EPILOGUE: I had the chance to see Cake in Park City in early 2005. S'all good.

Local H 2003

"Hello? Hello?" It was 9 p.m. on a weeknight, and I was quietly walking through the empty and dark Urban Lounge. I found an employee in the back room. "What's up with the Local H show tonight?" I asked. 

"Uh, I think their bus broke down or something, but they'll be here. They should start about midnight." I wasn't willing to stick around by myself in an empty bar for three hours.

EPILOGUE: I saw the band the next year in a small bar. It was the first time that I've ever actually felt frightened by a band. I thought Scott Lucas might come out into the crowd at any moment and beat the crap out of me.

Warped Tour 2004

Traci's parents asked us if we wanted to accompany them on a family vacation to San Diego. We agreed. They didn't have any time preference and I told them I could go anytime during the summer, with the exception of one weekend, when I wanted to attend the Warped Tour. Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, Alkaline Trio, the Vandals (whom I have yet to see), Taking Back Sunday and Motion City Soundtrack were all on the bill. Traci's dad booked the flights. Yep, right over Warped Tour weekend. Ty said it was outstanding.

EPILOGUE: I'm still a little sad about it. 

The Strokes 2004

On their first tour, the Strokes were charging $20+ for a ticket. A bit ridiculous, don't you think? Luckily, my friend Wicks won some free tickets on the radio. He doesn't like the band, so he gave them to me.

I was all set to go the show and was just finishing up a 10-page research paper for my Communication Law class, like a good boy. I was just about to save one more time before I turned off the computer, when the laptop went haywire. The paper was lost. I don't mean kind-of lost. It was lost-lost. I spent three hours trying to get it back and the rest of the night rewriting the stupid thing. No Strokes for me.

EPILOGUE: I still haven't seen the Strokes. I'm not too worried about it, it's just always a drag to throw away free tickets.

Death Cab for Cutie 2005

This was a first. My buddy Nilay bought the tickets to the sold out show. I was all set to go, but when I called him to discuss our meeting plans he said, "Uh, you're going to hate me. I can't find the tickets." Sure-handed Nilay unsuccessfully searched his apartment up and down.

EPILOGUE: I saw them last year and they were great. If I don't ever see them again, I'll still remember that one.

Raves: Kurt Cobain

All in All is All We All Are:
Looking Back on Kurt Cobain
by Pat Barnum

Of all the things that can be said of Kurt Cobain, above all, he articulated the despair and anguish of his generation.  While everyone shies away from "generational spokesman" labels, there is no getting around that the essence of Nirvana's music was despair and that it struck a universal chord with America's youth.  Whether Kurt knew it or not (and he likely didn't), his band's 1991 arrival into the mainstream was huge because, as with the 1964 Beatles, it happened to be perfectly in tune with the national mood.   

Perhaps the greatest musical tribute that can be made to Kurt Cobain is that, like 9-11 and the Civil War, contemporary rock is now viewed in terms of before-Nirvana and after-Nirvana.  Their early-90's arrival was rock 'n' roll's watershed moment of today's generation.  Before Nirvana, alternative rock truly was the alternative; since Nirvana, "alternative" has become mainstream, and mainstream rock as we knew it ceased to exist. 

Kurt Cobain turned not only music, but pop culture itself, on its head.  Who can erase the image of the exasperated, blond-haired punk rocker ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" video) invading the high school basketball game; the band whose subversive, ominous drone had the effect of exposing Mr. Popular as the pretentious fraud he was.  Kurt Cobain held no secrets, and to listen to Nirvana was to hear a soul unveiled: rage, apology, tenderness, hopelessness, and no messing around.  Fans did not listen to Nirvana to "rock out." They listened to look into a mirror, to self-medicate.  Kurt was also the pioneer of self-deprecation with Radiohead's "Creep," Beck's "I'm a Loser Baby," and other pop icons following the lead. 

Cobain obliterated the rock scene as we knew it and enabled a whole new (and better, I might add) world to develop.  In this way, he did not simply change music, he changed the music market.  Virtually all important acts since then, from Weezer to Tool;  Smashing Pumpkinsto Linkin Park; and even The Dave Matthews Band to the "pop punk" movement, owe their success to the change Nirvana wrought on the musical landscape. 

Amazingly, Kurt Cobain brought about a rock 'n' roll philosophy which was the complete opposite of the one that preceded him.  As we all know, the 80's was the golden era of the macho-hedonistic-glutton rock championed by Motley Crue, Guns 'n' Roses and Bon Jovi.  Then comes this introspective, politically conscious, highly aggressive sound from Seattle, rendering the hair bands - quite literally overnight - as obsolete as the tape cassettes they made their millions with.   Nirvana, in the tradition of the Beatles, Led Zepplin, and Pink Floyd, made rock 'n' roll a thinking affair again.  They rescued us from the hair bands.

It seems to me we should regard Kurt Cobain as we would a favorite drink.  That drink is delectably good, full-spunk with flavor, and makes us feel so good inside.  But we know that if we get too close, too familiar with its magic, there is danger.  The problem with Kurt Cobain was that he meant what he said when he wrote the song "I Hate Myself and I Want to Die."  You can't listen to his music without hearing your own dangerous songs.  Unfortunately he got too close to his songs, and we are left to lament his loss. 

Raves: Whole Wheat Bread

Believe it or not, shut your eyes and these crunked-out homies from Florida magically turn into Blink 182.  Nothing if not sincere, Whole Wheat Bread churn out So Cal punk with the best of 'em.  I saw them open up for Streetlight Manifesto in the summer and now I can't get enough of their debut album, Minority Rules. 

Do yourself a favor and check out their Old Man Sampson video. 

Brit (Chic) Lit Recommendations

They may have bad teeth and tried to tax us without representation, but they sure write great stories! Here are some great reads from the Motherland.

Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

There are now four books about everyone's favorite Shopaholic, Becky Bloomwood Brandon. She is like all of your inner-shopping tendencies rolled into one person-- just ignoring credit card payments and justifying purchases through some crazy logic that only makes sense in the realms of the mall.

In the first book, Confessions of a Shopaholic, we meet Becky in all of her debt-laden glory--working at a financial magazine, no less.

In the second book, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Becky moves to the shopping Mecca of New York City with her handsome, dashing, wealthy PR advisor boyfriend, Luke. She enters the world of actually doing something she likes as a job-- shopping, of course. Or rather helping others shop.

In the third book, Shopaholic Ties the Knot, you can pretty much guess what happens. But, by now you know that nothing in Becky's life can happen without lots of complications due to her shopping and shopping-related issues, and her wedding is no exception.

In the most recent book of the series, Shopaholic and Sister, Becky finds out she has a long lost sister. She thinks this means that they will be instant best friends and shopping buddies- wrong!

I think the first two books in the series are the best, and the rest get progressively more silly, (all I have to say is, hiking a mountain in the rain in heels to save your sister, who doesn't need to be saved equals silly) but you have to keep reading them once you've started because it's a series!!

Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella also has another non-Shopaholic book as well, which I loved!! It's called Can You Keep a Secret? It is yet another look at life as a twenty-something career girl in London, and all of the witty humor that goes along with it. If you are crazy (like me) you will probably laugh out loud as you read about Emma Corrigan's life, embarrassing moments and relationships. Unfortunately, I even laughed out loud as I was reading it at the gym, so now I think people at the Murray Rec Center say "There's that crazy girl who laughs out loud on the stationary bike." Oh well. I think this book is worth it.

Girl's Night In by Various Authors

Not everyone who contributed to this short story series is British, but I think the majority of them are, and even the ones who aren't write like they are. You can just skip their stories if you think they are boring, like I did.

Usually, I don't really like short stories, but these are good because they have all of the elements of British Lit in lots of different forms. This book includes short stories by Sophie Kinsella, Anna Maxted, and fsecrSarah Mlynowski (who I had previously tried to read, but I didn't like her stuff, but now because of her short story I will give it another try.)

If you don't like chic lit about relationships and other sappy stuff, stay far away from this book. Every single short story is about some relationship ending, or beginning and everything funny and pathetic that goes along with it! If you are just venturing into this genre of writing, read this first, because it will give you a good idea of what authors to check out next.

And of course, we can't forget the goddess of British Chic lit, Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. I have like nothing in common with Bridget, but reading this book made me laugh so hard- all three times I read it (or listened to it.) This was my first exposure to British Chic lit and is still the best. Although the Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison ( which I previously reviewed) also makes me laugh. It's more for younger chics, though, since the main character is like 14 in the first book, but is still really funny. A warning though- I think the first books in the series are better than the most recent- after a little while, some things are just too annoying.

CHEERIO and Happy Reading!

Raves: Mike Doughty

I was surprised and saddened when somehow the news of Soul Coughing breaking up reached me all the way in the Netherlands in 2000. Surprised because I didn't think anyone in Holland had even heard of Soul Coughing, and saddened because they were one of the most interesting acts of the second half of the 90s.

In retrospect, if a breakup had to happen, 2000 was the perfect time. Napster was reigning supreme and "Skittish," Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty's solo, mostly-acoustic, unreleased album found its why into cyberspace.

Since 2000, Doughty has been touring the country alone - just him and a guitar. Despite that "Skittish" has only been sold at shows in plain white paper jackets, everyone in the audience already knows all the words. Despite the simplicity of his solo material, Doughty's performances are captivating.

Though recorded in 1996, "Skittish" just recently received a proper release. It is now packaged along with "Rockity Roll," an EP Doughty released in 2003 and also contains some live material and "Skittish" b-sides.

After about 300 listens, I still enjoy "Skittish" as much as I did when I first heard it in 2001. "Rockity Roll" follows the same pattern - guitar and vocals - with the addition of some drum machine and a little bit of electric piano. Oh, so good.

Doughty is promising fans the release of "a fully-realized solo record," May 3.

Raves: De Afdeing

Dutch People Really Work? A New Dramedy Series Says Yes

I love watching Dutch TV. Unfortunately, it’s a bit hard to find here in the Promised Land. However, if you feel like watching Dutch public TV, you can find it online here.

While I am often stuck watching really lame group-of-people-talking-about-stupid-issues programs, every once in a while I will find a decent sitcom or drama. Enter: De Afdeling.

It’s okay that it’s a blatant rip-off of the BBC series, The Office –“afdeling” is even the Dutch word for office—because even British humor is a step up from incredibly unfunny Dutch humor.

In the office you’ve got the geeky IT guy, the guy who thinks he’s a chick magnet, the possibly gay guy, the hard-nose woman boss, a few other men and of course the hot chick that everyone wants to go out with.

The highlights for me are always the inevitable Dutchisms, like the office workers all riding home from work on their granny bikes. Like all TV shows you have to be able to handle a little bit of make believe. The most overwhelming is believing that Dutch people really ever go to work and they’re not all living off of social security.

The episodes air Sunday nights (Dutch time) and can be seen online up until the next Sunday night. 

Arrested Development

In case you were curious, Arrested Development is the funniest show on television. It is regularly shown Sunday nights at 8:30, but has been on at different times lately.

It is the story of the Bluth family. The father, George Bluth, is in jail after committing corporate fraud. His son Michael has taken over the company. This is the world's most dysfunctional family. A few examples:

Dr. Tobias Funke is married into the Bluth family. He quit his job as a psychiatrist to become an actor. He thought he was taking an acting job and ended up on a boat full of gay pirates.

Buster Bluth still lives with his mother, Lucille. To make her jealous he has fallen in love with their neighbor, who is also named Lucille, played by Liza Minnelli.

George-Michael is the family's straight-shooter. He loves the family and loves his cousin, Maeby, a bit too much.

Make sure to the check out the show. For more background go to http://www.fox.com/arresteddev/

Raves: The Killers - Hot Fuss

Killers
Hot Fuss

It’s embarrassing enough to get introduced to a new band by MTV and it’s even harder to admit it. I’m swallowing my pride. I first saw “Somebody Told Me” by the Killers while I was in San Diego (we don’t have cable at our house). I thought it was a pretty good little tune and I am a sucker for the Moog (click here for more info on the Moog) sounds.

The Killers bring the 80’s electronic beats and sounds of Depeche Mode or Duran Duran and mix it with a bit more updated alternative rock. Their album Hot Fuss is not a masterpiece, but there are some really solid tracks. I list it here as a rave for the following reasons:

1. When I hear the repeated line “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” I find myself marching/dancing while I’m mowing my front lawn (the neighbors love it).
2. Most of the tunes cause me to play air keyboard (anyone can cause you to play air guitar, you have to be really hip to make people rock out to your keyboard).
3. The song title “Mr. Brightside” is pretty close to “Mr. Blue Skies,” and that’s a great song.

I am a sucker for bands that kind of sound like the Cure. So if you like the Cure, you may as well give the Killers a try.

*The Moog is an analog keyboard that makes wacky sounds. Check out "Return of the Rentals for a good example.

Raves: The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free

The Streets (aka Mike Skinner)=skinny, white, British rapper who can't sing...at all. Why is it, then, that I can't stop listening to the new album A Grand Don't Come for Free?

Here's why I love the bloke (I don't know what bloke means exactly, but it's fun to use British talk):

1. He makes all the music. He puts down all of the beats, writes and and records it all himself at his mom's house. We're not talking Neptunes-style catchy beats, but somehow the off-tune singing is oddly appealing.

2. It doesn't sound like anything else. It is not a British guy trying to be a tough, American rapper. It's a British rapper talking about drinking tea with his mum and text messaging his friends. Nothing tough about that.

3. When Skinner attempts singing he kind of sounds like a robot. I love robots.

A Grand is a concept album. The entire LP tells the story of Mike losing a thousand pounds and his girlfriend, and suspecting that his friends are responsible for both. It is refreshing to hear a rapper talking about being extremely worried about losing money, and not just about rollin' in it.

The album's got humor, some slow stuff and some rough stuff. It's probably an acquired taste, but I would recommend checking it out.

Raves: I Love the '90s

I Love the 90s

I never really understood nostalgia until I found myself thinking that music hit its pinnacle in 1998--strangely the same year that I graduated high school.  I am beginning to understand why my oldest sister was replacing old old Warrant and Poison cassettes with Warrant and Poison CDs in 1997.  No matter how hard you try to fight it, we all have our wonder years.

VH1 knows that people are suckers for nostalgia.  When we saw a commercial for "I Love the 90s" Traci exclaimed, "We have to get cable!  The 90s--that's us!" We didn't get cable, but during our trip to California we had the chance to see every year of I Love the 90s at least once, with the exception of 1993. (We recognize that this means we spent of lot of time watching TV on our vacation, but cable TV is a vacation in and of itself for us)

The show pokes fun at all the fads that we all got caught up in during the 90s, and are now embarrassed to admit--slap bracelets, the Macarena, Spice Girls, Teletubbies, Beanie babies, and those evil Furbies.  The best part of the show is that a lot of artists that were fads in the '90s are willing to laugh at themselves and give commentary.  MC Hammer introduces the "slammin' jammin' dance hits" of each year, Michael Bolton gives a list of the years' "hotties" and Sir Mix-a-Lot talks about why he never wants to hear "Baby Got Back" again.

As we watched the show, The memories came rushing back.  In my mind I saw myself in fluorescent orange and green Hammer pants. I actually remember wondering in 1992 why someone hadn't thought of fluorescent colors earlier. 

The 90s were great, but I'm sure 80s were great and the 70s were too.   As a magnet on my in-laws' refrigerator says "The older I get, the better I was." The 90s were great because they're over now and we only remember the good stuff.   Thanks, VH1 for helping us to remember that Vanilla Ice truly was the good stuff.

Raves: My 'Dam Life

My 'Dam Life by Sean Condon

An amusing story of an outsider's view of Amsterdam

Tulips.  Wooden shoes.  Beer.  Prostitutes.  Welcome to the Netherlands.  

In My 'Dam Life, Sean Condon documents his experiences in the Lowlands after his wife Sally is relocated for her job as a magazine editor. Unemployed, Sean goes along for sake of adventure but things get a bit complicated when, shortly after they arrive in Holland, Sally's employer goes bankrupt and she is out of a job.

My 'Dam Life is incredibly funny for anyone who has ever lived in the Netherlands. Condon experiences the general lack of any form of customer service, learns how to eat an open-faced sandwich with a fork and knife, gets his bike stolen, is nearly blown up during the fire work exhibitions of New Year's Eve, and has friends named Jaap the bus driver and Joop! (exclamation point added to show how you say Joop!). 

I laughed out loud during comments about a Dutch doctor asking Sally "Now, which leg was it again?" before he operated on and when the Condon's bought their first door nameplate.  

You don't have to be familiar with the quirks Dutch culture to appreciate this book. Condon tells a great story of struggling to figure out what he wants to do with his life. 

Just as in Australia, he goes through a number of different short-term jobs in Amsterdam. Despite the uncertain circumstances, he is able to have some very interesting experiences including a dinner with Holland's famous "Happy Hooker" and 60 seconds with film director Francis Ford Coppola.

This is a must-read for anyone who has ever lived in Holland and a pretty amusing read for anyone who has tried to chase their dreams and failed miserably.