Song of the Week: "Ice Cream"

Download: Muscles - "Ice Cream"

Muscles' "Ice Cream" was a song I enjoyed when I first heard it a few months ago but soon after neglected. Now with summer on full blast, it's the perfect song for the season with the right message: ice cream, indeed, is going to save the day--it will save ANY day.

It's a dance anthem in the LCD Soundsystem vein but perhaps a little more simplistic. The pleasures of the song is in its inane simplicity, from its "WOOH AHH..." opening to its Casio beats. Like its namesake, it uses the simplest of ingredients to make you happy. The song is about good, clean highs ("I just want to dance with my shirt off") when mean, ugly people keep intruding ("He could have a knife/Stabe me in the gut!"). Muscles perseveres, though, and delivers one of the most brainlessly appealing songs of the year. I'm sure some folks will detest the song as somewhat moronic, but ice cream isn't for thinking. It's for licking.

New York Times Wedding Announcement of the Week

Lots of interesting jobs in this week's announcements, far from the usual lot of brokers, bankers and analysts.

Kathleen Agresta and Thomas Price

Both Ms. Agresta and Mr. Price graduated from Harvard where they met freshman year. While Ms. Agresta is in the MBA program at Stanford, Mr. Price is working at a dream job for most guys: he makes beer. He is a brewer at San Francisco Brewing Company. I've always wanted to be a bartender just so I can learn to make drinks. I hear the tips aren't bad either.

I Pledged

I renewed my KCRW membership today with a $50 pledge plus $25 for their music library. I was holding out for a good premium (like a magazine subscription) and a chance to win an Apple MacBook. Today they offered the MacBook as the daily giveaway, but no good premiums came up, so at the end of "Morning Becomes Eclectic" I said the hell with it and pledged anyway. I went for the t-shirt as a premium and was going to be happy with it. Then near the end of the phone call, my volunteer asked if I wanted a Newsweek subscription as well--the very thing I had been waiting for all morning. So, with my $75, I have a subscription to Newsweek, an American Apparel KCRW shirt, and a Fringe Benefits card. Hopefully I'll also have a new MacBook. I've been a member of KCRW for a few years now, and I think I've earned my money back just from the fringe benefit savings and concert tickets that I've won. Score!

In the Mood for "In the Mood for Love"

Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love is one of my favorite films of all time. It's swooningly romantic. Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung have never been sexier. Come see it and Days of Being Wild at the New Beverly Cinema tonight or tomorrow as they offer a Wong double feature.

The Earth Quaked

Did anyone else feel that? I'm pretty sure that was an earthquake. When I heard the story about a tornado in New York, I thought of how great it is here in California. We only have to deal with earthquakes, and it's been years since the last one. I jinxed it. At least it was a small one, but at the same time it means that a big one has yet to hit. We're overdue. I've almost forgotten what they felt like.

EDIT: The Los Angeles Times confirms it. Magnitude 4.5. I'm not delusional.

New York Times Wedding Announcement of the Week

Is it bad that I chose this week's couple because I have a mad crush on the groom?

Ann Sulzer and Ted Keizer

Yes, he's just my type. Glasses, nice smile, a runner/hiker, smart, do-gooder. If I don't have a crush on him he's at least my hero. He's an ultamountaineer, having completed 31 mile hikes in every state in less than 75 days. He earned the nickname "Cave Dog" because he once slept in caves to save money. He's dreamy.

Check out his website and let's admire him a little while longer.





Congratulations to the happy couple. Ms. Sulzer, you're one lucky gal.

So Long, Hal

KTLA's Hal Fishman has passed away. I have fond memories of watching his newscast with Tiiu Leek when my family first arrived from the Philippines. He's been a constant presence ever since, growing cantankerous with every pretty new female anchor they paired him up with. I'm kind of surprised that he's only 75. He already seemed old 22 years ago. He's probably the last of the great local newscasters. Paul Moyers would like to think he's one but he's just a blowhard. Can Paul Moyers boast of being an inspiration for "The Simpsons'" Kent Brockman?

Song of the Week: Golden Inhibition Destroyer

Download: Warm in the Wake - "Golden Inhibition Destroyer"

Warm in the Wake's Gold Dust Trail EP has been a wonderful surprise this year. With their southern rock-inspired sound, the band offers a set of solid, pleasing songs. Some might accuse them of being My Morning Jacket ripoffs, but they're far from that. The songs swirl and toss you in unexpectedly blissful directions.

"Golden Inhibition Destroyer" is the highlight of the EP. The lyrics obtusely speak of pessimism (And there's carbon and there's love/Which one will burn up/Oh, guess which one), but the sweet concoction of guitars, chimes, and piano speak of sweet tea and playful days out in the sun. When the piano and drums crash and careen in the end, just watch out!

Warm in the Wake's LP, American Prehistoric, comes out August 28.

Balls

, originally uploaded by Malingering.

Went to my first (any probably last) Dodger game of the season and it turned out to be a big to-do. Apart from the traditional rivalry, the game last night against the Giants also offered an opportunity for Barry Bonds to tie and even break Hank Aaron's home run record. Unfortunately, Bonds went 0 for 4. Fortunately the Dodgers won, scoring four runs in the eighth inning including a home run from Nomar.

Tonight Bonds will once again try for the record. If last night was any indication, there will be plenty of media at the game and even more rowdy fans. It was a fun game. What wasn't fun was the 1.5 hours it took for us to go from Sunset and Vermont to Dodger Stadium, a mere three or four miles away, and the one hour it took the get out of the stadium.

Necesito Zapatos

New Running Shoes (2), originally uploaded by lint01.

Still running here. I ran 10 miles this weekend and felt pretty good. I'm still not certain if I'm training for a marathon or not but at least I'm maintaining my fitness.

What doesn't feel good are my legs. I really need to get new shoes. My Sauconies aren't absorbing the shock any more and now I'm feeling it in my knees and hips and lower back. I wasn't planning on running tonight since I'm going to the Dodger game but even if I wasn't I really shouldn't. My legs feel beat up.

I did run with Corey yesterday and did about four miles. It was a good pace, but I could feel the shock and stress on my joints during the run. All of a sudden I feel old.

Budget-wise I'm considering holding back until after the 12th (when a new credit card cycle) starts to buy the shoes. For now, I may switch to an older but less beat up pair. If I see a sale, though, I'll jump right on it. If anyone knows where I can get Omni Grid 5's or 6's for cheap let me know.