Bolt of Blue

Random music thoughts.

In a week, I’m seeing Sondre at the Troubadour. I haven’t had a chance to get his new album yet. I suck.

Coachella is 4 weeks away.

Getting more and more excited.

Details are coming out about Madonna’s summer tour. She’s kicking it off at the Forum again.

21 May 2006
Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA
Prices: $55 to $350
On sale 9 April 2006 at 10:00 a.m. PST

I’m probably going to wait… see how Coachella goes. And if I can’t resist, I’ll just get tickets the day of.

I love Susanna Hoffs. I’ve adored and admired her ever since I was a pre-teen obsessed with the Bangles. She’s still gorgeous and her singing voice has only gotten better with age.

She’s got an new album coming out. Under the Covers. A collaboration with Matthew Sweet where they cover their favorite pop songs from the 60′s. They already played Hotel Cafe early this month and I didn’t even know. Argh. That place is TINY. They are now going to play the Roxy on April 22. And I’m super tempted even if I have to go alone.

I grew up in Los Angeles. I love this city with it’s many flaws and myriad of cultures and languages. It’s a really beautiful place to live. I’m sure you’ve seen the news reports about the massive protests here. And well, I can’t stay quiet about it. I shared my views with a bunch of friends on a message board I frequent. I was getting really disheartened by reading a lot of the reactionary statements being thrown out there. It’s deflating when you see people being so heartless and misinformed about such a serious issue. I usually keep my political feelings private because I don’t think my personal viewpoints really make any difference to what someone else chooses to think and believe. And well, because politics, like religion can be such a volatile subject to debate.
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Sat, June 24 at the Greek Theatre
Fiona Apple plus special guest Damien Rice

Wow.

Dream concert.

I have to be there for this.

Wow. Man, oh man.

I’m doing better. A day of rest definitely helped and I kicked the fever. Glad the weekend is almost here. More rest in store for me.

Last night was great fun. We managed to get right in the front for the performance. The Sounds were in fine form. Even being on TV did not make Maja shy about showing off her underwear. They performed 3 songs from the new album. After, we made it over for the signing. Barely. By the time it was our turn, I was starting to have problems standing up and keeping my eyes open. I know I’m getting old, but it was ridiculous. Then I knew… I was totally getting sick.

I tried.

But it was a losing battle.

Woke up many times in the night with a throat growing more sore and chills. Oh well. No Flogging Molly tonight. We did manage to sell our tickets today. The beauty of Craigslist. Now I want to curl up in bed. Few more hours. Just a few more hours.

Remi is sick. He’s been sick since last week… after he went to 3 Flogging Molly shows in 4 days. The last time he saw them in Vancouver, he spit up blood. I’m thankful this time, he’s just super sick with a nasty cold and has no major bruises. He now has antibiotics to take to kill those mean bugs inside of him and hopefully get rid of the cough that is keeping both of us up at night.

I’ve been taking care of him, hoping I don’t get sick, and in general, we’ve been relaxing and catching up on our Netflix.

Until today, that is. Tonight I’m going to see the Sounds at Jimmy Kimmel. Their new album is out today (and only $8.99 at Best Buy).

The new Sondre Lerche is out today too. Need to get both.

After Kimmel, the Sounds are going to hop across the street for a signing at the new Virgin Megastore at Hollywood & Highland. Not sure if we’re going to try and get into that too. I’ve only been to the new Virgin once… more like through it… while trying to get over to where they tape Kimmel when OK Go were performing, the week of the Oscars. All of Hollywood Blvd. was a madhouse as a result and it made the trip more crazed then normal. And since I was rushing, I pretty much didn’t glance at anything in the store. Just tried to make my way to the exit so I could cross the street.

Tomorrow, we’re going to attempt to see Flogging Molly at the Key Club, a venue I’ve never actually been to. If Remi is up for it, I plan to stay far away from any potential mosh pits. And not get sick.

Aw. Even his mugshot is cute.

Full story can be found on their website.

Bill Gates was named one of Time Magazine’s People of the Year.

It was so offensive to see that. I had to laugh. Shake my head. Throw up.

For someone who is working to help the world’s disadvantaged and poor, he sure is a selfish prick. For all the good his money does, this man’s company does far more harm.

As I sit here disgusted, typing this on a computer running Windows.

Le sigh.

In other sad news… this tragedy happened near my work yesterday afternoon. Helicopters buzzed over us for hours. The sound soon crawled under my skin. I can’t imagine what those parents went through when they came to pick up their kids and heard the news. Or what that poor teacher’s family is going through right now… or those poor kids who had to experience such a senseless accident.

Right now, I really hate that Canada and the US are seperate countries. Ok, I don’t really.

But the fact that they have seperate currencies and banking systems makes things extremely difficult for Canadian ex-patriates.

Ugh.

The total headache to transfer money from one country to the other without holding periods or excessive amounts of fees tacked on is seriously sapping our souls at the moment.

In my futile research attempts to find better solutions, I did learn that Los Angeles is sometimes referred to as Canada’s 5th largest city with an estimated 600,000 Canadians living in this area. That comes close to Edmonton’s numbers. This, however, does not help any.

Sigh.