SYP Says

Best Songs of 2008: Week of 3/24-3/31: Pump by The B-52s

"Pump" by The B-52s 

It's time for a real new wave blast from the past! The B-52s are back with their first studio album in 16 years (frak, I'm getting old). Granted, there's nothing new here, but then again would I want The B-52s to sound like Ray LaMontagne? They can still rock with abandon, so just put Pretty in Pink on mute, shimmy, shake, and remember the good 'ol days.

Best Songs of 2008: Week of 3/17-3/24: Sober Driver by Dengue Fever

"Sober Driver" by Dengue Fever 

What do you get when you mix 1 part indie rock with 2 parts '60s Cambodian pop and a dash of Bollywood film score? Dengue Fever, that's what! Their newest album, Venus on Earth, does have an otherworldly quality. I have some old Sin Sisamouth--this is like a mashup between his music which combined traditional Khmer music with rock and roll and that of a West Coast indie surf band. (Sadly, Sin Sisamouth who was hugely popular and often called "The King of Khmer" is widely believed to have been killed in the Killing Fields in 1975.)

Anyway, on a happier note, these are fun, light-hearted tunes perfect for celebrating the start of Spring and warmer weather, at last.

Dengue Fever's on tour now. Get the dates on their MySpace page.

Barack Obama in Medford, OR

Obama spoke in Medford today at the Kids Unlimited Center. The tickets were free, but gone almost immediately (and auctioned on eBay for hundreds of dollars), so I watched it live on TV. He seemed tired, of course, given the week he's had, but really warmed up after a bit. He was plain-spoken, smart, funny, and most importantly, covered audience questions on topics ranging from stem cell research and the environment to China and the economy with real intelligence and common sense. Word has it that with his visit here, Hillary will be compelled to come to Medford too.

With my bum ankle, I've been resting on the couch today and while I was watching a really good bad movie (Timecop, that timeless Jean Claude Van Damme classic!), the local news actually interrupted to show us just Barack Obama's *plane* on the runway leaving Medford. There were no people in sight--the plane honestly could have been anywhere. This shows you how desperate the local news is. Top-notch coverage too: "Obama even stayed overnight in Medford at the new Marriott...oh, ok, they just finished up gassing up the plane...it's so rare that we get a 747 at the Medford airport...zzzzzzzzzz."

During a commercial I switched to CNN to see some junior reporter not doing a whole lot better. He was doing a fluff piece on what was featured on the homepages of the official sites for Clinton, Obama, and McCain. The anchor asks a totally inane question--is it possible to track how many visitors come to the sites? He flounders a bit and then says basically, "YES, you can actually measure traffic to these sites! I don't know how much exactly...a lot though." Guess he had never heard of Alexa. The anchor goes on to say something like, "Wow that Internet is really becoming a factor in the campaign, isn't it!" Yeah, right...who would have thunk it? That Information Super Highway sure is something, eh?

I'm still not registered to vote in Oregon yet--need to get on the stick. Our primary is not until May 20. The last day to register is April 29. If you're in the same boat, here's where you go to register to vote in Oregon.

BTW, here is the answer as to how Clinton, Obama, and McCain's sites compare in traffic. Obama blows the other two away.

Best Songs of 2008: Week of 3/10-3/17: Gila by Beach House

"Gila" by Beach House 

I'm digging this dreamy, lo-fi tune from Baltimore-based duo Beach House by way of Nico. Makes me feel a bit of faraway regret--exactly how I'm sure I'll really be feeling on this travel day back to Southern Oregon from the Mexican Riviera. Sigh.

No video yet for "Gila," but you can hear the tune on Beach House's MySpace page.

Here's the video of their single "You Came to Me" from the same album, Devotion (just out last month).

Best Songs of 2008: Week of 3/3-3/10: Charlyn, Angel of Kensington by Jason Collett

"Charlyn, Angel of Kensington" by Jason Collett 

This song from former Broken Social Scene member and Canadian singer/songwriter Jason Collett's latest, Here's to Being Here, could easily have been on Andrew Bird's wonderful Armchair Apocrypha with its similar quirkiness, detailed storytelling, and syncopated rhythm. Collett also tones down the Bob Dylan-ish vocals which is probably why I like it the most of the songs on the album. (Sorry...I like Bob Dyland, but he's not my favorite.)

He's got a great sense of humor, as shown in this video. Check it out. Plus, here's his MySpace page with tour info, etc etc.

Pilates in Medford/Ashland

I'm back into Pilates again after a few-year hiatus--this time using those crazy torture-like machines (what other exercise method has equipment called The Reformer and The Electric Chair?), instead of just the mat.

I really like it and love the place I'm taking classes, Verve Pilates, in downtown Medford (121 E. 6th Street, 541- 494-4051, [email protected]). It's especially convenient for me, since I work in Medford and can go to class on my way home to Ashland.

The owner, Millie O'Brien, is a recent transplant from Bellingham, WA, super nice, and a great teacher. I'm taking private lessons with a friend of mine from work and the prices are reasonable (for "duets" the cost is about $165/person for 5 lessons, $315/person for 10). I got hooked on the Beginner's Package which is 3 Privates and 10 Reformer Classes for $265. If you just want to do a 1o-pack of Reformer classes, it's $150. In NYC at The Pilates Studio, it would be $350!

Given its vibe, it makes sense that Ashland has many more places to take Pilates than Medford, including Inward Bound Wellness, but I highly recommend trying Verve. It's the first Pilates studio in Medford to have group equipment classes and I heard that Millie is only one of a few actual certified instructors in Southern Oregon. Build that core!

Best Songs of 2008: Week of 2/25-3/3: Lust by The Raveonettes

"Lust" by The Raveonettes 

Fab Danish duo, The Raveonettes, have a new album, Lust Lust Lust, that I just love love love with its jangly fuzzy guitars, loads of reverb, and two-part harmonies. Their band sounds a bit like The Jesus and Mary Chain, but their name is a reference to The Ronettes and Buddy Holly's Rave On, just in case you were wondering, and oh, according to Wikipedia, they are faithful Fender players...

The Raveonettes are on tour of the U.S.  right now. Find out more at their MySpace site. Here they are live at Norwich Arts Centre last November.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico: Before

In 9 days, this will be me!

Soon, I'll be off to an island in the Mexican Caribbean called Isla Mujeres, named in 1517 by Spanish Conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba after finding several female figures close to a small archeological site, a temple dedicated to Ixchel, goddess of love, fertility, and the moon.

Am looking forward to swimming in the ocean with whale sharks and dolphins, hiking Mayan ruins, eating fresh grilled fish, and most of all, hanging on the beautiful beach *sans Blackberry*!

The picture here is courtesy of thegrizzatlanta who posted this on TripAdvisor.com with the caption "From beach chair at Ixchel Beach Hotel's beach - not so bad?" Not so bad, indeedy, especially given that is the same hotel, I'll be enjoying! :) I'm counting the days.

UPDATE: My trip report has finally been posted! Check it out here and check out the photos from my Isla Mujeres trip too.