2014-05-14
Starting Up Again...
... in a new location. Find me here: http://celestialpastryexercise.wordpress.com
2012-01-17
2012-01-10
Tattoo Tuesday
I love getting mail. And I love that I have to go to the post office to get my mail. I like the anticipation and the at last feeling when an awaited something finally arrives, and I also like the surprises that sometimes come (but maybe not so much the bills that arrive all too often). Also, living so very far from any decent shopping of any sort means that I rely quite a bit on the postal service to bring me things I might otherwise purchase in person.
I currently have a couple of subscriptions that deliver monthly goodness to me, and ensure a steady stream of mail-based happiness. The newest one is a Tattly subscription of temporary tattoos.
I can't even remember now how I stumbled across Tattly and their subscriptions, but I'm glad I happened upon them when I did: I hadn't realized when I placed my order that the subscription service was a limited time offer. I have often thought of getting a real (really permanent) tattoo, but then often end up being glad that the desire passed without me actually acting on it. I worry about ruining the lines of a formal dress (not that I wear formal dresses all that often, but I do like to keep it classy when I do), or having something become utterly revolting-looking as I age and become wrinkly and saggy (why make a bad situation worse?). And too much changes all the time for me to settle on something--a design, a phrase--that would be lastingly meaningful.
But a temporary tattoo? Well, I'd be willing to temporarily tattoo myself with pretty much anything. I even think that these Ta-Ta-Toos are hilarious, although I do feel rather guilty that they amuse me. Part of it is certainly that all the tattoos are simply photoshopped onto the same chest in all the product shots; I mean, the company couldn't find anyone with a remotely okay-looking rack to actually test-drive these in real life? Anyway... my Tattly tattoos are much classier.
Last week, as soon as my shiny metal tin arrived in the mail, I slapped my favourite of the designs on my forearm.
I really like this pipe-smokin' bunny rabbit--so much so that I rather wish I had another one to wear again sometime. I feel like the little guy lasted okay. Here he is after one week on my arm:
Definitely mostly worn off. I often push my shirtsleeves up, and unfortunately I aimed a little too high on my arm and managed to place the tattoo precisely where the cuff of my favourite (and most-often-worn) hoodie gets pushed up to.
I'm sort of rationing the tattoos--as much as I want to put them all on at once and look completely silly, I also want to drag out the fun--so I'm only putting on one per week. Rather than burn through my favourites first thing, I decided this week to go for a still-acceptable-but-not-really-loved design, "You're Late."
This one was hard to put on by myself; I didn't manage to line it up on my wrist quite right, and the strap on the underside is a little smudged. I won't mind, however, if this one doesn't last the week. It'll be fun for a day or two, but then I'll be glad to go back to the most beautiful watch in the world.
I currently have a couple of subscriptions that deliver monthly goodness to me, and ensure a steady stream of mail-based happiness. The newest one is a Tattly subscription of temporary tattoos.
I can't even remember now how I stumbled across Tattly and their subscriptions, but I'm glad I happened upon them when I did: I hadn't realized when I placed my order that the subscription service was a limited time offer. I have often thought of getting a real (really permanent) tattoo, but then often end up being glad that the desire passed without me actually acting on it. I worry about ruining the lines of a formal dress (not that I wear formal dresses all that often, but I do like to keep it classy when I do), or having something become utterly revolting-looking as I age and become wrinkly and saggy (why make a bad situation worse?). And too much changes all the time for me to settle on something--a design, a phrase--that would be lastingly meaningful.
But a temporary tattoo? Well, I'd be willing to temporarily tattoo myself with pretty much anything. I even think that these Ta-Ta-Toos are hilarious, although I do feel rather guilty that they amuse me. Part of it is certainly that all the tattoos are simply photoshopped onto the same chest in all the product shots; I mean, the company couldn't find anyone with a remotely okay-looking rack to actually test-drive these in real life? Anyway... my Tattly tattoos are much classier.
Last week, as soon as my shiny metal tin arrived in the mail, I slapped my favourite of the designs on my forearm.
I really like this pipe-smokin' bunny rabbit--so much so that I rather wish I had another one to wear again sometime. I feel like the little guy lasted okay. Here he is after one week on my arm:
Definitely mostly worn off. I often push my shirtsleeves up, and unfortunately I aimed a little too high on my arm and managed to place the tattoo precisely where the cuff of my favourite (and most-often-worn) hoodie gets pushed up to.
I'm sort of rationing the tattoos--as much as I want to put them all on at once and look completely silly, I also want to drag out the fun--so I'm only putting on one per week. Rather than burn through my favourites first thing, I decided this week to go for a still-acceptable-but-not-really-loved design, "You're Late."
This one was hard to put on by myself; I didn't manage to line it up on my wrist quite right, and the strap on the underside is a little smudged. I won't mind, however, if this one doesn't last the week. It'll be fun for a day or two, but then I'll be glad to go back to the most beautiful watch in the world.
Meat & Potatoes #63
Aired Sunday January 9, 2012
- Mothers of Invention--Trouble Comin' Every Day
- Dolly Parton--Jolene
- Maria McKee--Absolutely Barking Stars
- Iris Dement--Leaning on the Everlasting Arm
- Paul Simon--Papa Hobo
- Tim Buckley--Once I Was
- Stuart Murdoch--Another Saturday
- Ray Charles--You'll Never Walk Alone
- Eartha Kitt--Angelitos Negros
- Roberta Flack--I Told Jesus
- Dinah Washington & Brook Benton--Baby (You've Got What It Takes
- Stevie Wonder--Signed, Sealed, Delivered (DJ Smash Essential Funk Mix)
- Me'Shell Ndegeocello--If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)
- The Clovers--Love Potion Number 9
- The Emotions--Blind Alley
- Junior Walker & the All Stars--Shotgun
- Llyod Price--Stagger Lee
- TV on the Radio--Modern Romance
- Angus & Julia Stone--Paper Aeroplane
- Cat Power--Metal Heart
- Tune-Yards--Es-So
- Mirah & Thao--Rubies and Rocks
- Scissor Sisters--Invisible Light
- Chromeo--Don't Turn the Lights On
- Gonzales--Working Together
- Duck Sauce--Barbara Streisand
- Hall & Oates--You Make My Dreams
- Leo Sayer--You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
- Sanford & Townsend--Smoke from a Distant Fire
- Andy Kim--Rock Me Gently
- David Bowie--Magic Dance
2012-01-09
Work in Progress: Khair-ish
The "something new" mentioned briefly at the end of my last post is a modified version of Khair. For some reason--perhaps because of the way the scarf is arranged in the photographs in the pattern description--I thought that the pattern was asymmetrical, with a cable on only one side of the scarf. However, the pattern as written is symmetrical, with a large panel of a repeating stitch in the middle, and a cable flanked by another pretty stitch on each edge of the scarf.
There's nothing wrong with the pattern as written, but when I found that my first attempt at an unmodified Khair was too tight on the suggested 4.0 mm needle, I decided to rip back, size up my needle to a 4.5 and switch things up to match the asymmetric scarf I had stuck in my head.
I'm now working three cables on one side, with the centre panel of stitching from the original pattern on the other side, making for a roughly 1/3 and 2/3 split.
It's not that I didn't like the pattern--I still think it's very pretty--but I do like it better this way. Also, one of the stitches called for in the pattern involves purling three stitches together, and I wasn't a big fan working this on the back side, so I adapted the stitch to a k3tog thing to be worked from the front. It's close enough to the right look, and sooooo much easier to knit.
The biggest challenge to this pattern has definitely been the yarn itself. I love the Cascade 220 Sport--it isn't super-soft but it's appealingly springy and sturdy, and the stitch definition is good--but knitting with navy blue yarn in the darkest months of the year in a cabin that's generally ill-lit requires a little creativity.
I have been meaning to make a lampshade for this thing for ages, but mostly it just gets pulled out whenever I need extra illumination for animating or whatever. I was too lazy to figure out how to hang it from the ceiling, so I slung it over the bookshelf instead.
It's being propped away from the wall with an old Dawson City Music Fest program, and held in place with a trashy romance novel I bought at the Salvation Army in Homer, AK (which is about all that book is good for). Not exactly home decorating at its finest--and it's certainly not doing any favours to my art collection--but it is keeping me from going blind.
There's nothing wrong with the pattern as written, but when I found that my first attempt at an unmodified Khair was too tight on the suggested 4.0 mm needle, I decided to rip back, size up my needle to a 4.5 and switch things up to match the asymmetric scarf I had stuck in my head.
I'm now working three cables on one side, with the centre panel of stitching from the original pattern on the other side, making for a roughly 1/3 and 2/3 split.
It's not that I didn't like the pattern--I still think it's very pretty--but I do like it better this way. Also, one of the stitches called for in the pattern involves purling three stitches together, and I wasn't a big fan working this on the back side, so I adapted the stitch to a k3tog thing to be worked from the front. It's close enough to the right look, and sooooo much easier to knit.
 |
| Knitter in the dark? |
I have been meaning to make a lampshade for this thing for ages, but mostly it just gets pulled out whenever I need extra illumination for animating or whatever. I was too lazy to figure out how to hang it from the ceiling, so I slung it over the bookshelf instead.
It's being propped away from the wall with an old Dawson City Music Fest program, and held in place with a trashy romance novel I bought at the Salvation Army in Homer, AK (which is about all that book is good for). Not exactly home decorating at its finest--and it's certainly not doing any favours to my art collection--but it is keeping me from going blind.
2012-01-08
Finished: Autumn Leaves
I finally finished my Autumn Leaves sweater a few days ago. I am really surprised that something yellow actually looks good on me. I haven't worn anything yellow in years and years and years--entirely convinced that my complexion couldn't handle it--but I decided it give a shot because the Fug Girls seem to so often say that anyone can work a yellow with the right red lip. Of course, this meant ignoring that I myself rarely wear much on my lips beyond lip balm... Fortunately it looks alright even when all I've done is rolled out of bed and into some clothes.
I am reasonably happy with the finished product. It's hardly the most flattering sweater I own--I've started to think of it as my Butterball sweater--although I think part of the problem is wearing a Stanny underneath. A silky camisole would probably help the sweater drape more naturally, but... it's January in Dawson City, so a sweater that has 3/4 sleeves and is full of holes needs to be worn with caution. And a touch of miner-from-the-creeks fashion is always appropriate in this town.
Anyway, Stanny or not, I probably could have knit the 38 1/4 size rather than the 43 1/4. The Cascade 220 sport seemed to bloom more than I anticipated, and I think the style of sweater would generally be more flattering with negative ease. Also, it ended up quite long from underarm to neck, which adds bulk to the lines. I did add an extra pattern repeat to the body of the sweater as well as on the sleeves (below the join), and I do like the extra length.
I'm not 100% certain what to say about working with this pattern... I actually found it quite hard to follow, and I'm a little surprised that everyone else on Ravelry seems to give the pattern such good reviews. Part of me thinks that if I can't say anything nice then I shouldn't say anything at all, but then again--wouldn't some constructive criticism help other people interested in this pattern? This post from Hungry Knitter is a good read!
I certainly don't want to dissuade anyone from purchasing this pattern and making this sweater. I think the concept and design are beautiful and unique, and I am very glad to add this piece to my closet. But... I do have some comments.
The Sleeves
I think the sleeve instructions for the 43 1/4 size tell you to do too many increases. You don't need to do ten paired increases to get from 5 repeats of the pattern with 3 purl stitches in between each leaf to the arrangement of stitches called for in the pattern (5 repeats of the leaves with 4 purl stitches in between, with 1 extra stitch on each side of the stitch marker at the beginning of the row). I chose to do just enough increases to end up with the called for arrangement of stitches rather than doing all those 10 increase rounds. The sleeves are plenty roomy without the extra increases.
The Yoke Decreases
Everything went to hell after I attached the sleeves to the body. Well, not so much straight to hell, but... I think the instructions weren't as clear as they could be, and there may even be an error in the pattern at this point (remember, I worked the 43 1/4 size; with other sizes it may be different). Unfortunately I didn't keep notes as I was going along, but if I remember correctly the first two (maybe three?) decrease rounds worked out okay, but then after that what I had on my needles didn't match up with the pattern and if I had made a mistake somewhere, it was so far down the sweater that ripping back was not an option.
I ended up choosing to ignore the exact instructions in the pattern and proceed with what I understood. Basically, to work the yoke decreases, you 'finish' a leaf and then on the next row, you purl together the one remaining leaf stitch with the purled stitches on either side to eliminate that "vine" of leaves. I think it's a cool method, but would probably be easier to understand if the instructions described these decreases in a different manner, and perhaps included a photograph or two (there are plenty of included photographs but they are all show the whole sweater--no close-ups). I knit the correct number of decreases on the correct rows, but maybe didn't finish off the right leaves?
The Neckline
One reason I chose to this pattern is because of the cool v-neck look on the sample sweater. However, I don't think that the larger sizes have this neck line. Mine is definitely round, and I notice that other examples on Ravelry have quite a round neckline as well. Also, my neckline is quite wide compared to what I was expecting.
Oh wow... this ended up long. I thought a lot about this pattern after I reached joining the sleeves. I guess the short story would be proceed with caution, although like I said before I don't want to dissuade anyone from purchasing this pattern. I do realize that I could fix the underarm bulk with some frogging and re-knitting, but it doesn't bother me so much to make all the extra work worth it. I would rather move on to something new (I mean, I have already moved on to something new).
 |
| (Hideous curtain courtesy of Ben's apartment.) |
I am reasonably happy with the finished product. It's hardly the most flattering sweater I own--I've started to think of it as my Butterball sweater--although I think part of the problem is wearing a Stanny underneath. A silky camisole would probably help the sweater drape more naturally, but... it's January in Dawson City, so a sweater that has 3/4 sleeves and is full of holes needs to be worn with caution. And a touch of miner-from-the-creeks fashion is always appropriate in this town.
Anyway, Stanny or not, I probably could have knit the 38 1/4 size rather than the 43 1/4. The Cascade 220 sport seemed to bloom more than I anticipated, and I think the style of sweater would generally be more flattering with negative ease. Also, it ended up quite long from underarm to neck, which adds bulk to the lines. I did add an extra pattern repeat to the body of the sweater as well as on the sleeves (below the join), and I do like the extra length.
I'm not 100% certain what to say about working with this pattern... I actually found it quite hard to follow, and I'm a little surprised that everyone else on Ravelry seems to give the pattern such good reviews. Part of me thinks that if I can't say anything nice then I shouldn't say anything at all, but then again--wouldn't some constructive criticism help other people interested in this pattern? This post from Hungry Knitter is a good read!
I certainly don't want to dissuade anyone from purchasing this pattern and making this sweater. I think the concept and design are beautiful and unique, and I am very glad to add this piece to my closet. But... I do have some comments.
The Sleeves
I think the sleeve instructions for the 43 1/4 size tell you to do too many increases. You don't need to do ten paired increases to get from 5 repeats of the pattern with 3 purl stitches in between each leaf to the arrangement of stitches called for in the pattern (5 repeats of the leaves with 4 purl stitches in between, with 1 extra stitch on each side of the stitch marker at the beginning of the row). I chose to do just enough increases to end up with the called for arrangement of stitches rather than doing all those 10 increase rounds. The sleeves are plenty roomy without the extra increases.
The Yoke Decreases
Everything went to hell after I attached the sleeves to the body. Well, not so much straight to hell, but... I think the instructions weren't as clear as they could be, and there may even be an error in the pattern at this point (remember, I worked the 43 1/4 size; with other sizes it may be different). Unfortunately I didn't keep notes as I was going along, but if I remember correctly the first two (maybe three?) decrease rounds worked out okay, but then after that what I had on my needles didn't match up with the pattern and if I had made a mistake somewhere, it was so far down the sweater that ripping back was not an option.
I ended up choosing to ignore the exact instructions in the pattern and proceed with what I understood. Basically, to work the yoke decreases, you 'finish' a leaf and then on the next row, you purl together the one remaining leaf stitch with the purled stitches on either side to eliminate that "vine" of leaves. I think it's a cool method, but would probably be easier to understand if the instructions described these decreases in a different manner, and perhaps included a photograph or two (there are plenty of included photographs but they are all show the whole sweater--no close-ups). I knit the correct number of decreases on the correct rows, but maybe didn't finish off the right leaves?
The Neckline
One reason I chose to this pattern is because of the cool v-neck look on the sample sweater. However, I don't think that the larger sizes have this neck line. Mine is definitely round, and I notice that other examples on Ravelry have quite a round neckline as well. Also, my neckline is quite wide compared to what I was expecting.
Oh wow... this ended up long. I thought a lot about this pattern after I reached joining the sleeves. I guess the short story would be proceed with caution, although like I said before I don't want to dissuade anyone from purchasing this pattern. I do realize that I could fix the underarm bulk with some frogging and re-knitting, but it doesn't bother me so much to make all the extra work worth it. I would rather move on to something new (I mean, I have already moved on to something new).
Meat & Potatoes #56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62
Okay... time to get caught up on all those radio show playlists in the laziest manner possible: with pictures of my radio notebook. Apologies for the poor handwriting; click to make bigger.
2011-11-04
Yet Another Work-in-Progress
I wish "more knitting" could be the answer to all my problems. Life would be so much simpler.
A few weeks ago, I decided to make Spring Leaves (Ravelry link). Except that it was October, so calling my project Autumn Leaves seemed appropriate. Also it's yellow, although paler and more buttery than the brash gold of a Yukon fall.
(Not a perfect example of the fall colours I am thinking of, but I love the visual of the little yellow airplane with the yellow leaves. I took this photograph on September 4th, in Eagle, Alaska.)
Now that the yarn has arrived, and I have begun my so-called Autumn Leaves sweater, the name seems a little ridiculous, what with all that snow on the ground. But it's very pretty:
I am using Cascade 220 Sport in Lemon Yellow; it's a little washed out in this picture, but not by much. It's the first time I have used the 220 Sport, and so far I'm pleased with it. I hope it has the longevity of the 220 Wool in worsted weigh. I put on my Corona the other day--knit all the way back in 2009--and noticed that it is holding up beautifully.
The only impediment to all this knitting I am trying to do is the bandaid on my thumb. Earlier this week I was slicing mushrooms for dinner and managed to also slice open my thumb--badly enough that Ben brought me to the nursing station. I was glad we went: it was good for my peace of mind. The cut didn't require stitches, but I did require a tetanus shot (which also included diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines--a real multi-tasker). The band-aid is kind of driving me nuts, though.
That being said, it is an excuse to avoid doing dishes...
Also: whooping cough? I as a little surprised at that suggestion, but I guess I'm enough of a hypochondriac/all-around-worrier to agree to any vaccine.
A few weeks ago, I decided to make Spring Leaves (Ravelry link). Except that it was October, so calling my project Autumn Leaves seemed appropriate. Also it's yellow, although paler and more buttery than the brash gold of a Yukon fall.
(Not a perfect example of the fall colours I am thinking of, but I love the visual of the little yellow airplane with the yellow leaves. I took this photograph on September 4th, in Eagle, Alaska.)
Now that the yarn has arrived, and I have begun my so-called Autumn Leaves sweater, the name seems a little ridiculous, what with all that snow on the ground. But it's very pretty:
I am using Cascade 220 Sport in Lemon Yellow; it's a little washed out in this picture, but not by much. It's the first time I have used the 220 Sport, and so far I'm pleased with it. I hope it has the longevity of the 220 Wool in worsted weigh. I put on my Corona the other day--knit all the way back in 2009--and noticed that it is holding up beautifully.
The only impediment to all this knitting I am trying to do is the bandaid on my thumb. Earlier this week I was slicing mushrooms for dinner and managed to also slice open my thumb--badly enough that Ben brought me to the nursing station. I was glad we went: it was good for my peace of mind. The cut didn't require stitches, but I did require a tetanus shot (which also included diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines--a real multi-tasker). The band-aid is kind of driving me nuts, though.
That being said, it is an excuse to avoid doing dishes...
Also: whooping cough? I as a little surprised at that suggestion, but I guess I'm enough of a hypochondriac/all-around-worrier to agree to any vaccine.
2011-11-03
Winterizing
It snowed for the first time on October 16th this year. And today--only November 3rd!--it is -26°C out!
I have been slowly getting ready for winter over the past few weeks: got the car checked out, shrink-wrapped the windows, put away my summer-only clothes, brought the parka out of storage, and so on. I also knit a new hat:
The stitch pattern is from some ancient knitting booklet that lost its cover before the internet was invented, and I just free-styled the rest of it. It didn't turn out quite the way I had envisioned it, but nevertheless it looks lovely and is very comfortable and warm. The yarn is Purple Label Cashmere Sock Yarn from Tanis Fiber Arts in the Royal Flush colourway. I love Tanis Fiber Arts yarns; I have ordered from her a few times (see the previously completed Swimming Pool) and have yet to be disappointed.
Despite the slow progression of preparation for winter, the fact that the ground is covered in snow, and that it is so cold out, is somehow shocking. This is my third winter up here, so you'd think I would know what I am getting into. Perhaps there is a difference between being physically prepared, and being mentally prepared. Although wouldn't accomplishing one simply lead to the other?
Clearly the answer is that I need to be knitting more.
Post-Scipt:
I have to add: it is now 1:23 pm, and only just now has the sun risen above the hillside to cast direct sunlight on my cabin. Daylight hours are so short already!
I have been slowly getting ready for winter over the past few weeks: got the car checked out, shrink-wrapped the windows, put away my summer-only clothes, brought the parka out of storage, and so on. I also knit a new hat:
The stitch pattern is from some ancient knitting booklet that lost its cover before the internet was invented, and I just free-styled the rest of it. It didn't turn out quite the way I had envisioned it, but nevertheless it looks lovely and is very comfortable and warm. The yarn is Purple Label Cashmere Sock Yarn from Tanis Fiber Arts in the Royal Flush colourway. I love Tanis Fiber Arts yarns; I have ordered from her a few times (see the previously completed Swimming Pool) and have yet to be disappointed.
Despite the slow progression of preparation for winter, the fact that the ground is covered in snow, and that it is so cold out, is somehow shocking. This is my third winter up here, so you'd think I would know what I am getting into. Perhaps there is a difference between being physically prepared, and being mentally prepared. Although wouldn't accomplishing one simply lead to the other?
Clearly the answer is that I need to be knitting more.
Post-Scipt:
I have to add: it is now 1:23 pm, and only just now has the sun risen above the hillside to cast direct sunlight on my cabin. Daylight hours are so short already!
2011-10-31
Meat & Potatoes #54
Aired Sunday October 30th. A short show because I slipped away early for a film screening, and let the capable Mr. iTunes DJ take over.
- Mothers of Invention--Trouble Comin' Everyday
- Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings--Inspiration Information
- Duffy--Live and Let Die
- The Emotions--Blind Alley
- Albinia Jones--Give It Up Daddy Blues
- Etta James--Teach Me Tonight
- BB King & Bobby Bland--I Like to Live the Love
- Freddie Scott--(You) Got What I Need
- Leo Sayer--You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
- Andy Kim--Rock Me Gently
- Hall & Oates--You Make My Dreams
- The Juan Maclean--Love Is In the Air
- Hot Chip--One Life Stand
- Jem & the Holograms--Truly Outrageous
Meat & Potatoes #53
Aired Sunday October 23.
- Mothers of Invention--Trouble Comin' Everyday
- Jefferson Airplane--Plastic Fantastic Lover
- The Rolling Stones--Beast of Burden
- Eric Clapton--Motherless Child
- Faces--Stay With Me
- The Beatles--Come Together
- The Doors--Strange Days
- Bob Dylan--Like a Rolling Stone
- Glen Campbell--Rhinestone Cowboy
- Hank Williams III--You're the Reason
- Honky Tonk Hustlas--Hallways of the Always
- Rae Spoon--Living a Country Song
- Kitty Wells--It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
- k.d. lang & the Reclines--Rose Garden
- Heather Myles--Playin' Every Honky Tonk in Town
- Lindi Ortega--Little Lie
- Hamilton Camp--Pride of Man
- Judy Henske--Baltimore Oriole
- Tim Buckley--No Man Can Find the War
- Roberta Flack--Ballad of the Sad Young Men
- Regina Spektor--Summer in the City
- Be Good Tanyas--What Are They Doing in Heaven Today
- Great Lake Swimmers--Pulling on a Line
- Willie Tee-Walkin' Up a One-Way Street
- The Drifters--Under the Boardwalk
- General Johnson & the Chairmen of the Board--On the Beach
- Junior Walker & the All Stars--Shotgun
- Marion Black--Who Knows
- Joe Simon--Drowning in the Sea of Love
- Gloria Jones--Get It On pt. 2
- Edwin Starr--War
- Bob Dylan--Lay Lady Lay
- Tennessee Ernie Ford--Sixteen Tons
- Andy Kim--Rock Me Gently
Meat & Potatoes #52
Aired Sunday October 16th.
- Chromeo feat. Ezra Koenig--I Could Be Wrong
- Edward Sharpe & the Magnificent Zeros--Home
- Arcade Fire--Modern Man
- Modest Mouse--Missed the Boat
- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers--Learning to Fly
- Eric Clapton--Motherless Child
- T. Rex--Bang a Gong (Get It On)
- Grizzly Bear--Southern Point
- Fleet Foxes--Sun It Rises
- Iron & Wine--Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car
- Neko Case--This Tornado Loves You
- Joe Cocker--Bird on the Wire
- Paul McCartney--Maybe I'm Amazed
- Pablo Cruise--Love Will Find a Way
- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!--Gimme Some Salt
- TV on the Radio--Shout Me Out
- Destroyer--Kaputt
- Neko Case--Deep Red Bells
- Billy Bragg & Wilco--One by One
- Cat Power--Love and Communication
- Velvet Underground--Sweet Jane
- Jefferson Airplane--Embryonic Journey
- The Beatles--Hello Goodbye
- Antony & the Johnsons--Fistful of Love
- Belle and Sebastian--The Boy With the Arab Strap
- Devendra Banhart--Now that I Know
- Nick Drake--Cello Song
- Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons--December 1963
- Sandford & Townsend--Smoke From a Distant Fire
- Los Bravos--Black is Black
- Barry White--Oooo...Ahhh
2011-10-11
Watch and Learn
Recently I treated myself and ordered one of Mr. Jones' beautiful watches. I think his watches are not just beautiful but also thought provoking and unusual. I chose the Cyclops, and really do think of it more as a piece of jewelry rather than a timepiece. Whenever I look at it to try to figure out what time it is, I just get distracted by how pretty it is and forget why I need to know what the time is. It is very relaxing in this way.
I also love how it reminds me of the Chromatic Diet from Sophie Calle's Double Game, in which she responds to the use Paul Auster made of her in his novel Leviathan. I read Double Game in the library a week or two ago (although I have not yet read Leviathan), and really enjoyed Calle's work. She seems like the best kind of crazy (and so very lucky that her father was willing to fill her bank account with francs until she made it as an artist).
Often when I look at the watch, I try to relate the mood and feel of the colours to the activities I commonly undertake at that particular time of day. What makes 4 am or 4 pm green, anyway? Considering that I have clocks almost constantly in sight--on my laptop, my work computers, my iPod, my cell phone--a watch that makes me think of something besides time is a very pleasant thing indeed.
I also love how it reminds me of the Chromatic Diet from Sophie Calle's Double Game, in which she responds to the use Paul Auster made of her in his novel Leviathan. I read Double Game in the library a week or two ago (although I have not yet read Leviathan), and really enjoyed Calle's work. She seems like the best kind of crazy (and so very lucky that her father was willing to fill her bank account with francs until she made it as an artist).
Often when I look at the watch, I try to relate the mood and feel of the colours to the activities I commonly undertake at that particular time of day. What makes 4 am or 4 pm green, anyway? Considering that I have clocks almost constantly in sight--on my laptop, my work computers, my iPod, my cell phone--a watch that makes me think of something besides time is a very pleasant thing indeed.
Have I mentioned how pretty it is? I would like to collect twelve nail polishes that exactly match the watch so that I can alternate but always co-ordinate.
2011-10-10
Meat & Potatoes #51
Aired Sunday October 9th.
This week's show was a (somewhat) logical progression from last week's show. The music was a combination of bands and songs referenced by Michael Herr in his Vietnam War memoir, Dispatches, as well as some other Vietnam War related songs--so I went from the early sixties one week to the late sixties in the next.
I also read from Dispatches, which is a really incredible book. I hope I was able to convey that on the radio (although it's possible no one was listening, what with it being Thanksgiving this weekend).
This week's show was a (somewhat) logical progression from last week's show. The music was a combination of bands and songs referenced by Michael Herr in his Vietnam War memoir, Dispatches, as well as some other Vietnam War related songs--so I went from the early sixties one week to the late sixties in the next.
I also read from Dispatches, which is a really incredible book. I hope I was able to convey that on the radio (although it's possible no one was listening, what with it being Thanksgiving this weekend).
- Wingy Manone--Stop the War (These Cats Are Killing Themselves)
- Anita Carter--(Love's) Ring of Fire
- Kenny Rogers--Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town
- Tom Paxton--Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation
- Johnny Cash--Ring of Fire
- Los Bravos--Black is Black
- Mothers of Invention--Trouble Comin' Every Day
- The Clash--Sean Flynn
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience--Purple Haze
- Cream--Sunshine of Your Love
- The Doors--Strange Days
- The Beatles--Day Tripper
- Tim Buckley--No Man Can Find the War
- Bob Dylan--Visions of Johanna
- Buffalo Springfield--For What It's Worth
- Edwin Starr--War
- Aretha Franklin--Satisfaction
- Junior Walker & the All Stars--Shotgun
- Archie Bell & the Drells--Tighten Up, part I
- Otis Redding--(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay
- Bobbie Gentry--Ode to Billie Joe
- Glen Campbell--Galveston
- Scott McKenzie--San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)
- The Beatles--Magical Mystery Tour
- The Animals--We Gotta Get Out of This Place
- The Rolling Stones--Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In the Shadow?
- Paul Revere & the Raiders--Hungry
- Hair soundtrack--Aquarius
- Hair soundtrack--Hair
- Sam Roberts--An American Draft Dodger in Vietnam
2011-10-09
Meat & Potatoes #50
Aired Sunday October 2nd.
This week's show was inspired by the 1980s dance movie, Shag. Set in 1963, four girls head off for a weekend of fun in Myrtle Beach and get into all sorts of trouble with boys. I hadn't seen this movie until recently; I saw Vogue's Dress the Part slideshow this past summer and was instantly enamoured (although in retrospect I disagree with their assessment of Pudge as a tomboy. She's really not). It's actually a pretty awful movie in a lot of ways, but the Pudge and Chip storyline makes it worth watching for me. They're the dancers.
Their big dance at the end of the movie--with Pudge looking so happy and so in love it just kills me--is set to a Lloyd Price song by the name of "Stagger Lee", and when I was getting music together for a Shag-themed show, I discovered that there is a whole lot of history and folklore surrounding this song, and many other songs about Stagger Lee. To begin with, there are two versions of the Lloyd Price song. One version has Stagger Lee killing Billy over a gambling dispute; in the other version, Stagger Lee and Billy argue over a girl, then sort out their differences and become friends. This non-murder version was recorded at the request of American Bandstand, who thought the murder version was not appropriate for their audience. This is the version that plays in Shag, although it's the murder version that hit #1 on the Billboard Chart.
Lloyd Price's Stagger Lees are just two versions of the story out of about 400 different interpretations; the real-life murder of Billy Lyons at the hands of "Stag" Lee Shelton has inspired many artists in the 115 years since it occurred. The Wikipedia page and associated links are pretty interesting--but certainly need to be taken with the usual grain of salt.
Having somewhat obsesssed over Shag and Stagger Lee for a week, I devoted this radio show to music either on the Shag soundtrack or from the same era (with maybe a dash of Dirty Dancing and a pinch of Joe Versus the Volcano), as well as to some of the different versions of the Stagger Lee legend (tracks #2, and #28 through #35 below).
This week's show was inspired by the 1980s dance movie, Shag. Set in 1963, four girls head off for a weekend of fun in Myrtle Beach and get into all sorts of trouble with boys. I hadn't seen this movie until recently; I saw Vogue's Dress the Part slideshow this past summer and was instantly enamoured (although in retrospect I disagree with their assessment of Pudge as a tomboy. She's really not). It's actually a pretty awful movie in a lot of ways, but the Pudge and Chip storyline makes it worth watching for me. They're the dancers.
Their big dance at the end of the movie--with Pudge looking so happy and so in love it just kills me--is set to a Lloyd Price song by the name of "Stagger Lee", and when I was getting music together for a Shag-themed show, I discovered that there is a whole lot of history and folklore surrounding this song, and many other songs about Stagger Lee. To begin with, there are two versions of the Lloyd Price song. One version has Stagger Lee killing Billy over a gambling dispute; in the other version, Stagger Lee and Billy argue over a girl, then sort out their differences and become friends. This non-murder version was recorded at the request of American Bandstand, who thought the murder version was not appropriate for their audience. This is the version that plays in Shag, although it's the murder version that hit #1 on the Billboard Chart.
Lloyd Price's Stagger Lees are just two versions of the story out of about 400 different interpretations; the real-life murder of Billy Lyons at the hands of "Stag" Lee Shelton has inspired many artists in the 115 years since it occurred. The Wikipedia page and associated links are pretty interesting--but certainly need to be taken with the usual grain of salt.
Having somewhat obsesssed over Shag and Stagger Lee for a week, I devoted this radio show to music either on the Shag soundtrack or from the same era (with maybe a dash of Dirty Dancing and a pinch of Joe Versus the Volcano), as well as to some of the different versions of the Stagger Lee legend (tracks #2, and #28 through #35 below).
- Jakki O--Ooo-Aah
- Lloyd Price--Stagger Lee (American Bandstand Version)
- Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs--Stay
- The Contours--Do You Love Me
- Archie Bell & the Drells--Monkey Time
- Del Vikings--Come Go With Me
- Dionne Warwick--Walk On By
- The Four Tops--It's the Same Old Song
- Martha & the Vandellas--Dancing in the Streets
- The Coasters--Young Blood
- Tennessee Ernie Ford--Sixteen Tons
- Herman's Hermits--(What a) Wonderful World
- The Dominoes--Sixty Minute Man
- Lloyd Price--Personality
- Bob & Earl--Harlem Shuffle
- The Freshmen--Go Granny Go
- The Hollywood Argyles--Alley-Oop
- The Heptones--Our Day Will Come
- Elvis Presley--Blue Hawaii
- The Animals--I'm in Love Again
- General Johnson & the Chairmen of the Board--On the Beach
- The Tams--What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)
- The Sensations--Let Me In
- Aretha Franklin--Baby I Love You
- Brook Benton & Dinah Washington--Baby (You've Got What It Takes0
- Jackie Wilson--Baby Workout
- The Ronnettes--Be My Baby
- Lloyd Price--Stagger Lee (murder version)
- Mississippi John Hurt--Stackolee
- Ma Rainey--Stack o' Lee Blues
- Josh Ritter--Folk Bloodbath
- The Clash--Wrong 'em Boyo
- The Black Keys--Stack Shot Billy
- The Grateful Dead--Stagger Lee
- Beck--Devils Haircut
- Barry White--Oooo-Aaah
2011-09-26
Meat & Potatoes #49
Aired Sunday September 25, 2011.
No reading this week, and actually, I think every time I opened my mouth I sounded like an idiot. But I think the music was pretty good; the whole night was largely inspired by track three.
No reading this week, and actually, I think every time I opened my mouth I sounded like an idiot. But I think the music was pretty good; the whole night was largely inspired by track three.
- The Lovin' Spoonful--Do You Believe in Magic?
- Faces--Stay With Me
- T. Rex--Bang a Gong (Get it On)
- David Bowie--Young Americans
- The Traveling Wilburys--Handle with Care
- The Rolling Stones--Beast of Burden
- Meatloaf--You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth
- Thin Lizzy--Dancing in the Moonlight
- Eric Clapton--Motherless Child
- Mott the Hoople--All the Young Dudes
- Jefferson Airplane--White Rabbit
- Bruce Springsteen--I'm on Fire
- Cat Power--The Greatest
- Creedence Clearwater Revival--Up Around the Bend
- Lynrd Skynrd--Saturday Night Special
- The Band--The Weight
- Bachman Turner Overdrive--You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet
- Sanford & Townsend--Smoke from a Distant Fire
- KC & the Sunshine Band--That's the Way
- The Beach Boys--Good Vibrations
- The Ronnettes--Be My Baby
- The Monkees--I'm a Believer
- The Velvet Underground--Sweet Jane
- Donovan--Mellow Yellow
- Paul Simon--Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard
- Melanie--Brand New Key
- The Beatles--The Ballad of John and Yoko
- Queen--Crazy Little Thing Called Love
- Miles Fisher--New Romance
- Janelle Monae--Cold War (Wondamix)
- TV on the Radio--Modern Romance
- Bryan Adams--Can't Stop This Thing We Started
2011-09-21
Desk versus Desk
Today when I left my helicopter job, my desk looked like this:
And when I arrived at the library half an hour later, my desk looked like this:
And when I arrived at the library half an hour later, my desk looked like this:
Meat & Potatoes #48
Aired Sunday September 18.
I nearly fell over one day in the library last week when my wandering eyes happened upon this book:
I have wanted to read Invisible Cities for years and years and years, but have never come across it so conveniently before. Despite the long wait and the anticipation, it did not disappoint. I shared the love on the radio last Sunday, and read several of the short chapters, interspersed with (totally unrelated) music.
I nearly fell over one day in the library last week when my wandering eyes happened upon this book:
I have wanted to read Invisible Cities for years and years and years, but have never come across it so conveniently before. Despite the long wait and the anticipation, it did not disappoint. I shared the love on the radio last Sunday, and read several of the short chapters, interspersed with (totally unrelated) music.
- Elvis Presley--Suspicious Minds
- Chad VanGaalen--Sara
- Orillia Opry--Lucky Wind
- Jane Vain & the Dark Matter--C'mon Baby Say Bang Bang
- Final Fantasy--The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead
- Bell Orchestre--Quintet
- Beirut--Brandenburg
- Chic Gamine--Say It
- Melissa McClelland--A Girl Can Dream
- Luke Doucet & the White Falcon--Cleveland
- Fleet Foxes--The Sun It Rises
- Iron & Wine--Wolves (Song of the Shepherd's Dog)
- Bon Iver--Bracket, WI
- Slow Club--Giving Up on Love
- Wintersleep--Weight Ghost
- Patrick Watson--Giver
- Jefferson Airplane--Plastic Fantastic Lover
- Velvet Underground--Sweet Jane
- Led Zeppelin--You Shook Me
- Queen--Fat Bottomed Girls
- David Bowie--Young Americans
- Daryl Hall & John Oates--Maneater
- Robbie Williams--Millenium
2011-09-18
Mind.Blown #2
Domus is a gorgeous design and architecture magazine. English and Italian text live side-by-side; this adds a certain level of sex appeal. Today in the library I read the special report on hotels (August 2011, I believe), and now feel the need to travel, solely for the purpose of staying in hotels. The Domus-inspired grand tour would have to include:
- Dar HI in Nefta, Tunisia. My preference would be for one of the Pill Houses.
- Michelberger Hotel, Berlin, Germany. Almost unbearably hip, but if I'm fantasy-travelling, then I'm also cool enough to get in the door.
- Lloyd Hotel, Amsterdam. Because it's time I associate Amsterdam with something other than John Irving novels.
2011-09-14
Meat & Potatoes #47
Aired Sunday September 11, 2011
This show was sort of an anniversary of sorts: I have been hosting my radio show for one whole year now. I definitely revisited some old favourites this week, but at the end I did include a few tracks I haven't played on the air before.
This show was sort of an anniversary of sorts: I have been hosting my radio show for one whole year now. I definitely revisited some old favourites this week, but at the end I did include a few tracks I haven't played on the air before.
- Sufjan Stevens--All Delighted People
- Neko Case--Runnin' Out of Fools
- Iron & Wine and Calexico--History of Lovers
- Conor Oberst--Sausalito
- Justin Rutledge--I'm Your Man, You're My Radio
- Bell Orchestre--Stripes
- Basia Bulat--In the Night
- Hank Williams III--You're the Reason
- Hank Williams Jr.--A Country Boy Can Survive
- Hank Williams--Move It On Over
- Jay Malinowski--There's A Light
- Justin Nozuka--Swan in the Water
- The Arcade Fire--We Used to Wait
- Patrick Watson--Big Bird in a Small Cage
- Michael J Sheehy--Twisted Little Man
- Jenn Grant--Dreamer
- Antony & the Johnsons--Knockin' on Heaven's Door
- Joshua James--To Be Alone With You
- Jeff Buckley--Hallelujah
- Junior Walker & the All Stars--Shotgun
- Sly & the Family Stone--Hot Fun in the Summertime
- The Emotions--Blind Alley
- Leo Sayer--You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
- Starland Vocal Band--Afternoon Delight
- Andy Kim--Rock Me Gently
- Pablo Cruise--Love Will Find a Way
- Miles Fisher--New Romance
- Cults--Go Outside
- Gossip--Listen Up!
Thanks for listening this past year. I love being on the radio and am looking forward to many more shows.
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