Category: My Life

I Saw Three Movies. Did You?

Over the extended holiday period, I managed to see three new movies in the theater. That’s a lot for me, although I love going. Here’s what I saw: Sherlock Holmes, Up In The Air, and Youth In Revolt. Did you see any of these? If so, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought. Here’s what I thought:

Sherlock Holmes – Robert Downey Jr is just so charismatic. I love him. The rest of the cast was good but he is the star. This version of the venerable tale is a big budget effort and it shows. But there is still attention to the Holmes character. It’s fast-paced and very entertaining.

Up In The Air – The smartest movie of the three for sure. It’s from the director of the wonderful Juno, and like that film has great dialog and sharp, interesting characters. George Clooney is the lead and does a very good job, but both of the main female characters are very good too. It’s very funny at times and moving at other times. This one is for the brain and the heart.

Youth In Revolt – It’s an indie-feeling teen comedy but a little raunchier and more “out there”. The characters are wild stereotypes and the situations are hilariously outrageous but the main thing is that I was laughing out loud over and over during this film. It’s really funny unless you are easily offended. Even then, you will probably laugh a lot.

In short, I would recommend all three movies. If you’ve seen any of them or even if not, let me know what you think!

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The Latest 35 Music Items We Got

Here’s a list of our recently acquired music. Remember, any item with an asterisk we’ll blame on Petra B!  It’s OK, we love her! And remember, some of those might be good too! See what you think:

Prince “Superemix-3″ vinyl 12” *
Waits, Tom “Glitter And Doom Live” 2CD
Hutchinson, Eric “Sounds Like This” CD
Bazan, David “Curse Your Branches” CD
DiFranco, Ani “Sacramento 10.25.03” CD
Blur “Midlife: A Beginner’s Guide To Blur” 2CD
Davies, Ray “The Kinks Choral Collection” advance CD
Bowie, David “Space Oddity (40th Anniversary Special Edition)” 2CD
Bowie, David “Space Oddity (40th Anniversary Special Edition)” Advance CD
Joplin, Janis “The Woodstock Experience” 2CD
Jefferson Airplane “The Woodstock Experience” 2CD
Los Lobos “Goes Disney” CD
A Fine Frenzy “Bomb In A Birdcage” CD
Carlile, Brandi “Give Up The Ghost” CD
Case, Neko “Middle Cyclone” CD


The Best Albums Of 2009? Or Not?

Are these really the best of 2009? Hmmmm…

As usual, I included plenty of singer-songwriter types. But there’s also some modern rock, classic rock, art-folk, polka, whatever. Maybe not too much polka now that I look at it. I’m sure there are plenty of other good albums out there that were released this year, but maybe I just didn’t hear them. Anyway, here are eight 2009 releases that I like a lot and some other ones that are worth listening to also. Am I crazy (again) or did I get it exactly right this year?

The top eight, not necessarily in order of greatness, after the jump:


Well, The Video Store Had A Big Sale

That’s what happened. I didn’t plan it but these things happen. There we were enjoying the all-you-can-eat Indian food buffet lunch at Curry Corner. Harmless enough, and tasty too. But then we waddled out the door and [poof] there was the video store nearby with a big ole “Five DVDs For $20” sign. We were powerless. So here’s what we bought, did we do good? Did you like or not like any of these?

“Ghost Town”, “He’s Just Not That Into You”, “Rachel Getting Married”, “Revolutionary Road”, and “New In Town”.

Meanwhile, within a few days of that I won a free copy of “Bruno” and Petra bought “Free Willy”. Yes, really.

Leave me a comment below. Tell me what you think.

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Tune Postponed, Holidays Approach

Sadly, no Terrific Tune For Tuesday this week. Too much time, to little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

Instead, all of us me here at the vast stevenology empire wish you a super happy holiday season! Whatever you do or don’t celebrate, and whomever you do or don’t celebrate with, it’s all good. Stressful, sure, but hey it’s almost over!

So raise your glass of whatever you like and have one for stevenology too. I had one for you already!

See past Terrific Tunes For Tuesday

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Ingrid Michaelson And David Gray In Concert

Ingrid_Zone1This past Wednesday night, we went to a free concert called “Acoustic Christmas”. Well, it was free if you donated a toy for homeless kids. Not a problem! They deserve holidays gifts just like everyone else. It’s not their fault they are homeless.

First, thanks to local radio station 100.5 The Zone for putting this on and “giving away” tickets. Yay! One beef, though. Each artist only played about an hour, which I’m sure is shorter then either of their normal sets. Ingrid, in fact, mentioned it. She asked what time it was and someone yelled “It doesn’t matter”. Then she explained they only allowed her a set amount of time. Why is this, promoters? Both artists got a standing ovation, yet no encores and only short sets allowed?

OK, enough. It was still a very enjoyable show. Both artists were acoustic (guitar and piano) and both had a second person accompanying them. Ingrid Michaelson (learn more, web site) opened the show even though much of the crowd was waiting for David. But I’m sure she won over most of the audience with her charm and wit, not to mention her ultra-catchy songs. She performed a bunch of songs from her fine new album “Everybody”, as well a couple from her previous albums. She threw in a cover or two also. Her between song patter was funny and fetching. If you don’t own “Everybody” and “Girls And Boys” then go buy them now. I’ll wait.


Swell Sisters Second Sat With Petra B

2009_sisters_front

On Saturday December 12th, 2009, the Swell Sister Society will be hosting their second annual group art show at the Coffee Garden. My wife and partner Petra B will be showing at least one piece of her fused glass art and I have to say it’s a really nice piece too!

The Second Saturday reception for the show will be from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The show features 15 talented female artists, a raffle, refreshments, and music by Jasmein. Along with the show pieces, Little Treasures (affordable art for everyone) will also be featured and any sales from those pieces will benefit the Women’s Wisdom Project at the Sacramento Food Bank, a very worthy cause.

Come on out and see Petra B’s art, along with a bunch of other great art too.

2009_sisters_backThe Coffee Garden is located at 2904 Franklin Blvd in Sacramento.

Leave me a comment below. Art for art’s sake.

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Pictures! Now! 2009 Seattle And Bumbershoot

It’s true! After only a couple months, I finally posted some pictures from our 2009 Seattle trip! We attended the Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival, of course, and did some other fun stuff around our second-favorite city too. Larry and Robin (friends) were with us most of the trip and Mama O and her friends we there part of the time too. A great time was had by all!

We didn’t get pictures of every music act we watched at the festival, but you can read about it here (part one) and here (part two) if you want the play-by-play. It’s a gripping read, and one you might not soon forget. Or I could be wrong. In any event the pictures from the trip (three pages worth) are here on the photo page. Click on the first small photo to see the larger image and then you can either click through them or watch the slide show. Have fun and leave me a comment afterwards!!

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Leave me a comment below. I’m waiting and waiting and waiting!


It’s A Gift From W.C. Fields

wcfieldsAs I mentioned earlier today, I had a tooth pulled yesterday, so today is a “sit around and relax to feel better” day. And what better way to feel better than with some classic comedy. This one streches w-a-y back to 1934, long before I was born. But a classic is a classic.

W.C.Fields made a series of comedies in the 30s and 40s. He frequently frustrated the movie censors of the day, who questioned his sarcastic grumpy mean-spririted funny banter and smartass asides and also found his drinking, dislike for children, and comic meanness as, well, less than appropriate material for a leading man in a comedy. But Fields was Fields and trying to make him more likable would have just dimished his character. Luckily, he still kept his crankiness and is remembered so many years later for his classics “The Bank Dick”, You Can’t Cheat An Honest Man:, My Little Chickadee (the censor-pushing comedy with Mae West, and others, including this film.


Go, The Movie. Have You Seen It?

goI had a tooth pulled yesterday. This has nothing to do with the movie “Go”. Well, a little maybe. After the oral surgery yesterday I thought I might be a little under the weather for a while, so I took today off. Oh, I’m doing ok, thanks.

A friend had given us a copy of the DVD for “Go” quite a while back but we had never found the free time to watch it. Well, I finally watched it today and I wish I had watched it sooner. I really enjoyed it! “Go” is a fast-paced, wild ride of a comedy, edgy and fun and full of surprises. It’s from 1999 and features a great cast, with Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Taye Diggs, Jay Mohr, Scott Wolf, and many more. Everyone does a good job, the script is tight and funny in a darkishly wild way. And I mean that in the best sense.


Necessities Bags – A Great Cause

bagphotoMy wife Petra B and I did some volunteer work Wednesday evening. We helped to assemble “necessities bags”. We were slated to work three hours but so many people showed up to help that it only took about half that time, including having a snack. 😉 It was great to see women and men too, smiling and helping with such a sense of purpose. Most (if not all) of the people there had been touched in some way by the subjects of breast cancer and mastectomies, and of course want to help others going through this difficult time and process.

So what are necessities bags, you ask? Well, the short answer is that they are tote bags given to mastectomy patients and that they are full of supplies that will or may be useful during and after treatment. According to the National Necessities Bag web site, the bags are “reusable totes filled with wound care, comfort and practical items, which are given to women facing mastectomies, through their breast cancer nurses and surgeons and some breast cancer organizations. The bags are especially useful if given to the patient about a week before surgery.”

OK, so what’s in the bag? And why??


Have You Read This Book? – Take 6

warrenzevonThe book is “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life And Times Of Warren Zevon”. Written by his wife Crystal with quotes and insight from a wide variety of friends, family, colleagues, and more. For those who already know that Warren was a master songwriter and artist, this book provides insight into his tormented life and his struggles with alcoholism and other self-destructive behaviors. And it’s also a great guide to the songs and the albums that are still too often overlooked. (learn more)

If you don’t know Warren’s work, or only know “Werewolves Of London”, then you will see there was a lot more to this man.


Capitalism: A Love Story

capitalismLast night Petra had a meeting to go to, so I contacted a few friends. Karl (friends) and I went to see a movie. Well, first we had some mexican food. Then we went to see Michael Moore‘s new film “Capitalism: A Love Story” (official site).

Long-time stevenology readers will know that I love his films. He makes documentaries but they are entertaining, funny, insightful, and well-done. His last film “Sicko” took on the health care issue, his film before that Farenheit 911 took on the Bush administration and their misleading propaganda lies that got us into the unwinable and disasterous Iraq war invasion. And even before that was his study of guns and violence in America, Bowling For Columbine. Great stuff.


Some Kinda Fairytale Town

fairytaleIt’s  been two years and three months since we were able to take the granddaughters on an outing, just the four of us. But it happened today so I wanted to post about it, real quicklike, before I hit the bed for a few hours sleep before work tomorrow. We were finally able to take them, so we went for a gourmet lunch (Taco Bell!) and then we went to Fairytale Town and spent the afternoon there.

It was just totally a nice visit with the grandkids. They love Fairytale Town and we went there with them lots of times, a few years ago. But today, after a long time waiting, was special. Of course, they are kids and they are sisters, so they sometimes have a little rivaly or a bit of bickering, but they are great and lovable and, of course, so are we 😉  so we had a great time. Love those kids…

Doh! Almost forgot, after we dropped the kids off we went to 524 Mexican Food. Mmmmm. That was pretty good too.

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Leave me a comment below. Tell me the kids are cute!


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