"Wow, I've never played in a cloud before!"

- Michael Angelakos, Passion Pit


Two things to share with you all. I was going to put them in separate posts, but to be honest that takes up far too much time, and I could be spending that time sleeping, something I don't seem to do that much of these days. You guys don't mind, right?

Good, I thought not.


My dearest darlingest friend Colleen sent me this link the other day, and it pretty much sums up what this blog is about. I warn you, DON'T start going onto this site until you have some time to spare, and a decent internet connection that puts up with YouTube.

www.youshouldhaveseenthis.com - Greg Rutter's definitive list of the 99 things you should have seen on the internet unless you're a loser or old or something.


Yesterday I went with Kat to see Passion Pit live for the second time. I had seen them last summer at a Lollapalooza afterparty that I had managed to get into (thanks to my dearest bud, Adam). I was a lot more familiar with their music this time around, and had been looking forward to seeing them for some weeks. We spent some time arsing around in the bar next to the venue, having some cocktails and not quite realising we were in the wrong place. After a free shot from the barman ("Do you like vodka?") we hauled ass over to the teeny tiny concert space with just enough time to catch the end of The Kissaway Trail's set. I'd never heard of them before, but they were awesome. They were all sufficiently hipster looking, to the point where you would just like to take them home and feed them, and warmed up the crowd for the PP, who took forever to set up and eventually come on stage.

The Kissaway Trail

It was such an amazing show. The energy that was pulsing through the crowd was insane. Everyone danced practically the entire set, and those who knew the words sang along with great enthusiasm. You could tell Passion Pit were a little peeved at first that the venue insisted on putting loads of dry ice on so they couldn't see what they were doing (hence the quote that is the title for this post) but the vibe from the crowd seemed to chill them out. The lead singer, Michael Angelakos, looked as good as he always does, and his wonderfully high-pitched voice was on top form (little note about Angelakos for those unfamiliar: the first songs he wrote for Passion Pit were actually a Valentine's gift for his college girlfriend, which they both started passing around campus, making them rather popular). Their incredibly infectious melodies have been squeezing my mind grapes ever since the show, in other words I can't get them out of my head, but I like it. If you haven't heard them already, check 'em out. They are absolutely brill-o pads.

A rather shaky picture of Michael Angelakos

Much love. x

Urban Outfitters, you've done it again.

 

  

A few items from my Urban Outfitters wishlist, should anyone be feeling generous...

I think I can safely say that UO is responsible for at least 70% of my new music over the past year. I've written previously about LSTN, their awesome playlists of 20-25 that they release every so often, for free. Now, they're going one step further. UO Music Mondays started last week, and it consists of five new songs released every Monday, for readers of the Urban Outfitters blog to listen and enjoy or even to download should they so wish. This is how I find out about the bands that get me the very small amount of indie cred I possess, so you're mighty lucky I'm sharing this little secret with you.

MUSIC MONDAYS FOR THIS WEEK, THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9TH, 2009.

Much love. x

just a little quote...

This quite aptly describes a certain soirée spent with some colleagues, and my opinion of them. Where better place to find such a quote than Pride and Prejudice (I'm taking it from the miniseries rather than the book, because of course that is easier to memorize)?

Elizabeth Bennet: I believe Mr Darcy improves on closer acquaintance.

Mr Wickham: Oh, indeed? In what respect? Has he acquired a touch of civility in his address, for I dare not hope he has improved in essentials

Elizabeth Bennet: No, I believe in essentials he is as much as he ever was.

Mr Wickham: Ah.

Elizabeth Bennet: I don't mean to imply that either his mind or his manners are changed for the better. Rather, my knowing him better improved my opinion of him.

Much love. x

"Today was supposed to be opposite day."

A day spent in bed online shopping and listening to Andrew Bird sounds like a pretty good way to spend a Sunday afternoon to me.



Much love. x

"Smooth move, metamucil"

I would really like to say that this week has been a good week. It has been full of great happenings: the now weekly ritual of cooking dinner chez Laura or chez Kat (soy sauce and honey pork went down a treat), the confirmation of weekend trip to Paris, a letter and photo from my little sister, and, as usual, some very worthwhile impulse purchases. But it is hard to focus on such things. Work has been driving me mad, and by the end of this coming week I will have worked twelve days in a row without a day off. As a result I have not been able to go out in the evenings, and have missed out on some pretty good nights out, and am beginning to feel like a bedridden invalid.

I spent a lovely evening with some great people in Lyon, some of the best, I believe. But now I am at home and in bed and it is hard to focus on anything else than the fun that they must be having, the work I have to do at 8 am tomorrow, the fact that Logan got kicked off Project Runway, and the blisters on my feet.

Look how pretty!!

So, what does one do upon finding oneself in such a funk? Impulse shopping? Done that. Excessive eating of comfort food? Done that, too. Then what else?

1. Community is the best new show out there

2.

3.

4.

5. As above.


6. My Parents Were Awesome

7. 

8.

Hope these lift your spirits, however high they may already be, as much as they lifted mine.

Much love. x