Sometimes you see something so cool that you just have to stop and thank the universe that you’re even freaking alive.
And then you hide behind a lamp post on Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo just so you can video-stalk the most adorable kid in the universe without getting dirty looks from her dad. Or the police. But I just had to share this with you! Not the best quality video but it zooms in after a minute or so. Check it out.
I really admire her. I hope she stays like that forever. 
8 Comments | 
Buffalo, home, music | Tagged: Buffalo, Elmwood Avenue, Elmwood Village | 
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Posted by Sarah Ockler
I got this from R.J. Anderson, author of FAERY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER, which I just had the pleasure of reading!
What Does Your Music Say About You?
IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Ask Me Anything by The Strokes. Which is interesting when you consider the chorus… I’ve got nothing to say. I got nothing to say. I got nothing to say. I got nothing to say. Maybe that’s a polite way of saying “Piss off?”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Fire Door by Ani DiFranco. Well, read into that as you will, but my favorite line in this song is, And my mind is disconnected but my heart is wired. In the live version, which is what’s playing, she also rocks out into this funky little version of Amazing Grace, which is pretty cool.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Designs on You by Old 97s. Hmmm. I guess this means I’m into tattoos, or giving my mate a makeover. I won’t tell you which one Alex has had, other than to say he is tattoo-free.
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Away in a Manger, by some opera-esque holiday singer. Well, I am feeling somewhat Christmas-y, what with all the snow and all. That, and I keep waking up with hay in my bed. WTF?
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Girl Like That by Matchbox 20. I’m same old trailer trash in new shoes? It’s important to have goals, I guess.
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Cause a Rockslide by Badly Drawn Boy. Your sweetness would cause a rockslide. LOL now that’s just comedic, as my parents will attest, I’m fresh outta sweetness. I think I ran out around 1991.
WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
Farewell, Angelina by Bob Dylan. It’s funny, because I actually do think about this song all the time. It’s one of my favorite Dylan tunes, and it reminds me of 9/11 for various reasons, which frequently creeps into my thoughts. Farewell, Angelina is one of Dylan’s most beautiful works. Check out the version on the 1991 Bootleg Series, disc 2 and really listen to the words.
But farewell, Angelina
The night is on fire
And I must go
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
In My Own Eyes by Brandi Carlile. Maybe it means I like him just exactly as he is, well, in my own eyes.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Today’s the Day by Aimee Mann. Yep. It’s the last two lines that make this song:
Isn’t it enough to prove today’s the day?
Isn’t it enough to prove today’s the day?
So… what are you waiting for? Today’s the day, man!
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Setup by NaS. Now, I generally don’t think Alex is settin’ me up when I see him. Okay, so maybe he inspires a spontaneous outburst from the rap phenomenon otherwise known as me, but I can’t compete with NaS. Check out the It Was Written album if you have a little pent-up aggression that needs somewhere to go.
WHAT SONG DID/WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Falling in Love is Hard on the Knees by Aerosmith. Can this answer be topped? I think not!
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
God Bless the Child by Ruthie Foster. This one’s off the Stages album. Perfect, right? I actually fell in love with this song when Billie Holiday sang it, but Alex and I got to see Ruthie live at the Swallow Hill Music in Denver, and it was pretty damn soulful. I think Billie would be proud. Plus, this song reminds me of my office BFF Loren, with whom I used to kick back on Fridays for a little cubical jazz and wine in Styrofoam cups while the boss wasn’t looking. Shhhh!
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues by Bob Dylan. Yep. Paranoia definitely creeps me out, especially when it’s propagated by the fear culture. This song is all about irrational fear — check it out, also on the Bootleg Series.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
You Belong to Me by Jason Wade.
And I’ll be so alone without you
Maybe you’ll be lonesome too
Not sure what that has to do with secrets, but it’s a beautiful song. Dad and I danced to it at my wedding.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Come Undone by Wise Crack. Definitely something to think about.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?
Ants Marching by Dave Matthews.
Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die
BONUS ROUND: SARAH’S ATTEMPT TO END ON A HAPPIER NOTE
Tiny’s Tempo (Short Take 1) by Charlie Parker. Yes! Charlie always makes me happy. For an intro, check out The Immortal Charlie Parker, Vol. 1. Now I feel like dancing. Or at least like pretending to dance while really just jumping and bouncing around until I knock something over and/or injure myself.
How about you? What does your music say about you? If you’re reading this, I tag YOU to give this fun meme a try on your own blog.
1 Comment | 
music | Tagged: iTunes meme, music | 
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Posted by Sarah Ockler
Here’s the thing, people. As cute and sweet as David Archuleta is, that doesn’t fly with us girls anymore (ahem… when I say us, I mean, um, me). I like a man who’s a little rough and ragged with the potential to, like, freak the hell out. One who’s hiding a lot of pain and has like this whole secret brooding-prince-of-darkness thing that could just blow up outta nowhere.
I think about that when I watch David Cook sing. Sure, he looks kind of like a nice guy, and he probably is, but on the inside, he’s definitely pissed off about something. Remember when Ryan went all smarmy when he brought up the bartender thing? I could swear David pulled him aside right before the cut and said, “You pull that shit again, Seacrest, and I’m gonna lay your spray-tan-wearin’ ass out.”
Fireworks!
Archuleta is talented and true and has a whole career ahead of him, I’m sure. But for my money? Cook takes the cake. And eats it, too.
I have no idea what that means, but whatever.
Let’s look at an example from another recent cultural phenomenon: Stephenie Meyer’s TWILIGHT. Edward Cullen vs. Jacob Black. Jacob is sweet and endearing and loyal and all that, like a best buddy. Or a dog. Or a werewolf, more accurately. But Edward? Anger management issues. Protective. Borderline possessive. Hella-intense. And he has that whole pissed off, misunderstood vampire thing going for him. See? Brooding. Prince. Of darkness.
That’s not all, people. Let’s dig deep into the archives. For those of us who grew up in the 80s, there was Michael Carrington of Grease II fame. Did super-hottie Stephanie Zinone want the sweet, shy type? No. In her own words, set to music, and tight leather pants, she wanted a “C-O-O-L *pause* R-I-D-E-R.” Ya, I learned that song before I learned my ABCs.
“Stephanie, have you ever… read… the Superman comic?”
“Not in the last few hours.”
See? And certainly none of us over the age of 25 (okay 30. Ish.) can forget this:
“Remember how you said your parents use you to get back at each other? Wouldn’t I be outstanding in that capacity?”
*Shiver*
Anyway, congrats to both Davids. And for the record, I’m not sure I could sit through a performance of someone singing the phone book, but, like Paula, I do get a little choked up when they cry. Dreams coming true and all that.
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grab bag, music | Tagged: American Idol, Breakfast Club, Cool Rider, David Archuleta, David Cook, Edward Cullen, Grease, Jacob Black, Twilight | 
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Posted by Sarah Ockler
The Killers returned to Red Rocks September 4th to “make it up to us tenfold,” just as they promised after lead singer Brandon Flowers broke his vocal cord after 2 songs when he tried to entertain us back in May. The boys from Vegas delivered on their promise, singing every song from their two albums (all while wearing sequins).
3 weeks later, we ventured again to Red Rocks for the Smashing Pumpkins, which until the concert held creepy associations of “that loud music my college roommate used to blast from her room in a failed attempt to cover up the other sounds coming from her room.”
So how did Billy and his freaky pals stand up to Brandon’s sequined harem?
The Smashing Pumpkins v. The Killers II
Okay enough, let me just stop right here. I can’t go on. As much as I love the Killers, Smashing Pumpkins tore it up, hands down. The show was so intense that even I was dancing. You longtime readers know that I only dance in my car, so you can imagine how inspired I must have been to perform my little jig in public on the side of a bench surrounded by a bunch of drunk and aging stoners. Yeah, that’s what I’m saying! Every time I thought they were winding down for the big kiss-off, they’d play another whole set. They rocked on for over two and a half hours. Amazing.
The sad part, but also really cool part, is that as the show began, Alex and I realized that the Smashing Pumpkins would likely be our last concert at Red Rocks. The season ends later this month, and we’ll be off on our next adventure before the opening season next spring. Thanks for the memories, Billy (but dude, seriously, what’s with the tights?)!
1 Comment | music | Tagged: concerts, Red Rocks, Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Ockler
You’ve all read about our tragic experience at the Killers show at Red Rocks last month. I swear, Alex still wakes up in a cold sweat just thinking about it. So when we piled in to the Pepsi Center Sunday night for the Police concert, and they were piping in Killers music, we got a bit concerned – you know, foreshadowing and all. Alex started shaking, but I got him some popcorn and iced tea and promised everything would be all right.
And it was. Unlike the Killers. Which we’ve already covered ad nauseam, but still.
So, Brandon Flowers, while you’re home icing your delicate vocal chords, take a look at this!
The Police v. The Killers
Looks like this one goes to the good guys, 5 to 4. We’ll see what happens in September, Brandon. But sometimes you just can’t beat a classic, even if they are gettin’ on in years. Thanks, Alex, for re-introducing me to The Police, a.k.a. the Po Po, which I dissed long ago when I couldn’t have the same musical taste as Dad on principle alone. And thanks, Sting, with yo’ bad ass sparkly skinny jeans!
6 Comments | music | Tagged: concerts, Fictionplane, Pepsi Center, Sting, The Killers, The Police | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Ockler
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