Queueing

I'm not sure there's a season (for me) to stay in and watch movie and documentaries. It seems only appropriate when the leaves are falling and there's a slight breeze from the old windows creeping in. Honestly, I could stay in on any warm summer night if the movie was right. BUT, this is our human hibernation period so let's embrace it.

Netflix has encouraged my documentary fascination...A homeless man who befriends a flock of parrots in San Francisco? Yes, they have that story. The man who gave up the jelly belly empire right before it became said empire?  Yes, the candyman exists.Not THAT candyman (no link, he scares me!)

Here's a few recommendations:

I watched this when I was 12 and still have nightmares about Bob. I'm curious to see my adult reaction to this. So far, I'm 12 again.

Herb and Dorothy. They're just the sweetest.

Francesca Woodman was an artist beyond anyone's comprehension at the time she was alive. The family relationships were distant, artistically supportive, somewhat admirable, unemotional, cold..possibly misunderstood?

This was a critically praised documentary when it came out, and I just discovered it's on Netflix Instant. I don't remember the church's response to this coverup. I'm excited to see this one.

And you? What are your recommendations?

Double dippin'

My post title just made me think of dipping dots. I miss them. I only got them at cedar point and I haven't been there in years. Dipping dots is reason enough to go.

So It's winter in my house already.  Actually, it's fall and winter in my heart. I made a warm and healthy soup on my day off this afternoon and It got me excited for it all. Dee Dee assisted in the floor cleaning and was a peaceful companion all day.

 Since I contribute to a cooking blog with friends, I thought I'd share at both places.

Things you'll need:

Spinach(I used fresh)
one onion
3-4 cloves of garlic
2 carrots-chopped
3 large russett potatoes(or any of your choosing)-cubed
2 stalks celery
1/4 cup fresh parsley
salt and pepper
tablespoon turmeric
4 cups veggie stock
one bay leaf
touch of fresh lemon juice

I loved the coloring from the spinach and turmeric. It was a great way to use up all my market veggies from last week and the turmeric gave it a nice kick.

Cook garlic, onions and bay leaf for a few minutes. Add the remaining veggies(except spinach) and salt, pepper and turmeric and cook for about 5-6 min. Add veggie stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30-35 minutes and add spinach towards the end(last 15 minutes). After you remove the soup from the burner add the parsley and a touch of lemon.

Hazy Lazy

I'm in a sudafed cloud. It's a small miracle I'm typing actual words right now. You know twenty minutes after you take some medicine there's a window of opportunity to do things? I'm healed! I'll go vote, read, make some food. This is a mistake. It set me back what is hopefully just an extra day (fingers crossed). Do not seize that moment. Rest, friends. Rest.

Have I shared some Wendy Rene with you all before? Her sweet voice put me to bed earlier.

Down on the corner

Sometimes, as I'm sure many of you do(or maybe don't), I wander down several streets in my Detroit neighborhood. Sometimes it's to make myself aware of my somewhat sketchy neighborhood, a desire to see something new or maybe it's just...to wander. Regardless, I tend to do this often and it brings me a small amount of enjoyment and satisfaction. Driving around the mostly gentrified section of South Corktown I saw a man exchange money for "goods" with two young teenage kids. Sun beaming down. 10:25 a.m.  It wasn't mind boggling but it made me think how often that happens in a day around Detroit. I got home and found today's article from Detroitblogger John. A day in detroit crime. Broken down by JUST murders, violent shootings and carjackings. Just one day. I thought I would pass this along.

Informative and heavy but here's something I enjoyed following that piece.

One of my favorite local music writers, Brian Smith, has a fantastic cover story on local musician Kenny Tudrick. His romantic imagery and style have always kept me reading. Check it out.

Hey, I have a blog.

I'd love to claim that i'm so busy that i don't have time to blog. This is not true. However, I SHOULD be busy because I'm trying to nail down a job, pack, move, find an apartment, say goodbye to this weird and great city, etc. But, I'm currently staring at 6 boxes of dvds and vhs (a few of which were just bought: An Education, The Devil and Daniel Johnston and a live MC5 DVD). We like to add to our pile. And on and on and on....No hoarders, just collectors of all good things.

These are my kind of music stories. Singing about the road, alien life,the ambiguity of a possible disappearance and then..you disappear. Do you know Jim Sullivan? He's new to my world. I found him in a half asleep daze last night. Coincidentally, I saw he was admired by a musician I admire so the search was on. His disappearance is not just intriguing, his voice is the kind you want to hear stories from.

This short NPR piece coupled with a visit to Lightatticrecords.net made for a good night of music.

Oh to be home again..

You've left behind endless songs and stories for all of us. A beautiful ode to the land we call home. More importantly, you ended your life as you wanted: ramblin' on with a smile on your face. Thanks for making me love music more than I thought I ever could.

 Love to you, Levon.

Three years ago I watched this video. It's been a happy obsession ever since.

Droid brain

I'm back! Internet was down for a bit..

I forgot I had a blog for a quick second. I'm under the Instagram spell and I can't seem to to tear myself away enough to post videos and songs I've been loving. It is pretty awesome though, right? It's Facebook without the ranting and bitching and baby "success stories" of the day(oh look, little billy learned how to shit IN his diaper!). Social networking through personal photos seems to be the happier avenue these days(not that I don't like a good bitch/debate session on Facebook).

I'm moving back home in June and I feel rushed to see more of Maryland, specifically the shoreline. Sometimes you need to be pushed. There's more to this state than what I've seen. I'll share my daytrippin' with you soon!

I found an LP of rare tracks from Yemen(45s) compiled by Chris Menist. Qat, Coffee and Qambus("plant stimulant", coffee and a lute) has a more traditional sound than I had expected, but I love it nonetheless. Thank you to that thoughtful soul.

I was gonna share a track from that album but youtube failed me today :(
Instead, I'll share my favorite Jay/Kanye parody. It's been floating around for a long time so you've probably come across it at some point, but I love these girls and I can't get enough!

"She said Shea can we get married at the Straaaaand.."