Nipple Pierced (first saw it on Steve Adler of GNR-1987)

I was thinking about having my nipple pierced as my bf kinda wanted it and I was like - no way! But I had mustered up some courage with my friend Francine going with me. 

I thought about it during the day and said nahhhh - "it would hurt too much and besides I would get bored of it". 

In response I decided to go to Church as and maybe an answer would come to me there. Once leaving I got the will to go, so I picked up Francine (who was treating me to some drinks and sushi - and I can't let that pass) and off to the tattoo/piercing shop for my nipple piercing.

When we arrived the shop was closed although upon my earlier visit for info the guy said the shop would close at 8:00. Anyway we arrived at about 7:30 so I guess it was a sign not to go. On our way back to the car, I saw the piercest and luckily the owner was still there. So maybe this was a sign to have it done as well.

Nice folks - they re-opened the shop for me and I had my left nipple pierced. It hurt a bit - I just closed my eyes, tried not to tense up and hoped for the best.

After the piercing I had to have some Grey Goose so I had 2 martinis to ease my discomfort.

OK peeps - hope you like!

The Stone Roses - 1st Album

1990 - finished GCE and had a summer ahead of me. I was deep into WDRE 92.7 and I heard this song earlier in the year - called "I Wanna Be Adored" by the Stone Roses.

Luckily my cousin in the UK paid for me to come up and spend the summer with them. Well - I had to babysit my godson, but that was OK - I was still a teen and I can still find some time to rock out.

At this time in summer 90 I was into Faith No More, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the Soup Dragons, Jane's Addiction, The Pixies and loads of other alternative bands. That summer I got a couple of "cassette" albums (Blue Sky Mining - Midnight Oil; The Real Thing - Faith No More and World Party whose album name I can't seem to remember).

I also got on Vinyl (yeah baby) - the Stone Roses by the Stone Roses. In 1990, the Roses were big in the U.K. and once I heard Fool's Gold and that catchy bass line I just had to get them.

Unfortunately, the Vinyl album did not have Fool's Gold or Elephant Stone on it - both of which were probably released as singles. 

This album proved to be unbeleivable - the Manchester Sound fascinated me along with bands like "The Farm" and "Happy Mondays". Other bands like EMF were also part of that Manchester sound which was psychedlic and funky dance rock (acid house is how I heard Rolling Stone described t as).

But - the Roses - wow - every single track on this album was good and for me the best song on it is the Beatleisque track - "I am the Resurrection" which at the end fades into a 5 minute jam of fuzzy guitar versus a sexy bass line versus some funky, freestyle drumming. The band was jamming to some funky rock that showed how talented they were and how dynamic they can be as musicians.

WDRE 92.7 in New York was a big part of me hearing about the Roses. I heard a catchy tune called "Shoot You Down" on a show called "Left of Center" and also I Wanna Be Adored". 

The lyrics in "Shoot You Down" were simple and catchy as Ian Brown exclaims "When the day is done and the night bears on" (I think that's how it goes) - you can't help to be infected with the sweet simple melody of this song. Isn't this really what makes a great pop song?

On "Adored" the song just builds from beginning to end - the bass line is catchy; the drum kicks in; and the voice of Ian Brown just sounds like another instrument playing amidst the guitar; drums and bass.

Please take a listen to these tracks if you can. 

Anyway peeps - chat later!

Echo and the Bunnymen

This is one of my favourite bands of all time....Classic 80's alternative/post punk/modern rock/pop or just plain good rock music - whatever you want to describe the band as or their music - go ahead - but in my opinion, they had a sound that was tapping into the surface of something bigger.

I don't really like to define the 80's in any way as I think this is really limiting the true awesomeness of the best decade in music. But the early 80's had some 70's spill over (for rock at least - disco seemed dead); mid 80's was seeing a definition of an era with pop, new wave, and the beginning of a edgy, dreamy pop sound and here's where I would like to say that Echo and the Bunnymen began defining themselves and early alternative.

I still listen to this band and it seems that every song I have heard is just a good one - it's vibrant, sexy and energetic. Your classic rock song has in most cases a break which comprises a guitar solo which seems to bridge the 1st and 2nd verses to a third and final one. 

Echo (for me) seemed to move away from this standard setting - they had a driving melodic guitar sound that seemed to be the background for the song and served as the bridge as well. 

On classics like "Lips Like Sugar" the bassy fuzzy sound of the guitar makes the track both rockable and danceable - just great for a 12" remix. Of course the band started late 70's (circa 1977?) and they really boomed in the 80's on classic modern rock stations (where they were a staple).

On Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, the drums are completely awesome - I am not sure but did Peter DeFreitas play drums on this track. I knew he was killed at age 27 in 1989. 

I like this picture of Pete - he was quite a good looking and handsome guy.

I also always liked the album covers of the band - this is my fave album cover from the band.

And of course there is Ian McCulloch - lead singer of Echo who also had a great solo career - Candleland was probably his best effort.

In conclusion, these are my top 5 Echo and the Bunnymen songs:

5. The Killing Moon

4. The Back of Love

3. Bring on the Dancing Horses

2. Bedbugs and Ballyhoo

1. Lips Like Sugar (check out the "Way Out West Edit" remix on "Future Retro" in the Apple Store)

Thanks peeps!

Canadian Rock

I was at my friend Kim's (a Canadian rocker and avid country music fan) on Sunday for dinner and we got to playing with his Itunes video collection - a number of great tracks stood out (mainly country), but the one that I can't get out of my head is "Bad Girlfriend" by "Theory of A Deadman" - it was the explicit version i.e. hot naked chicks in a strip bar - showing their boobies (even though implants).

Like the song "Bad Girlfriend" I always like the hard rock edge of Canadian rockers. Starting with one of their greatest exports - Bryan Adams - there was a clean, no apologies rock sound that was simple, poppy and full of life. 

The newbies on the scene include Three Days Grace; Default; Theory of A Deadman; and of course - Nickleback.

There's something about their sound that is fast edge; fist pumping; that makes you want to give the rock sign; sing along and do crazy things - and maybe just tell whoever is pissing you off to "f*ck off". Take for instance - Bad Girlfriend - there's a story well told with this song, such that you can play the events in your mind. "Animal" by Nickleback has a similar trend - it tells a story - albeit one of lust, sex and getting caught - but hey it's great music to work out too.

I saw both Theory of A Deadman and Three Days Grace in concert and they both rocked. Need to see some more - my friend from Prince Edward Island (Canada) told me he saw Nickleback in concert and they were OK - they cussed a lot and their were kids and families there - that would have probably gotten me a bit upset too - but hey - it's rock n' roll baby.

TTYL Cuties!

Golfing with some unexpected company

Sunday was golf day....played with a bunch of young teens and they were way better than myself and my friend. These guys made some amazing shots but mines were in most cases fairly decent but really a "fluke". 

Needless to say, only here in the Caribbean can you see stuff like this on the golf course....

Not a great golf course, but it will do. That's my babycakes!

Have you ever seen palm trees on a golf course - welcome to the Caribbean man! Super IRIE!

Jesus - that's me taking forever with my shot! I suck at golf! Nice weather and palm trees in the back!

Here's one of many things wrong with this golf course - haha! Looks like a puzzle - it's getting better though.

Surrounding the golf course are some really posh houses - my friend Sherise lives nearby but she does not play golf - but has free membership - wish it can be transferred to me!

And here are some friendly iguanas who are everywhere on the golf course - on the greens - in the bunkers everywhere - you try to play a shot and they are there! That's kinda cool!

This one was a big mo-fu - one of the biggest I have seen!

Another critter.

Friday Night - Missed Naked Hottie

OK - I saw a guy got naked on Friday at a local bar; had a few drinks and went to bed too late. Here are a few pics from Friday (unfortunately - no shots of the naked hottie but we did have a Jaegaer shot).

The scene at local bar - the guy in the black tee was the one who got naked - Sorry I was not quick on the draw with the camera!

Me, Kim, Luella and Jon - (I hate how I look in this pic)!

Get into the groove

Just a few pics to share. 

District 9

I just saw District 9....before going into the movie I had no real idea about what the story line was - I only saw the trailer and did not really have a clue about who was acting in the movie and also the storyline.

The story is set in Johannesburg S.A. - and on first thought it already contradicts what most sci-fi  movies depict about aliens landing on earth - usually we see alien ships moving into and aiming for Manhattan, Washington, London or Paris - or some big city easily recognisable by some familiar landmark e.g. The White House; Eiffel Tower; or the London Eye (which become a posible target for destruction by lasers from the mother ship).

This movie depicts the "alien mother ship" hovering above JoBurgh and doing so for 30 or so years without even moving. 

The main character is Wikus (played by Sharlto Copley) - during the movie I though (but was not sure) that the main actor was Ralph Fiennes, but I guess I was wrong. With the lead being an unknown actor (well - to me at least) and there being no Hollywood big wigs - it seems to make the movie even more interesting and real (and less Hollywood big budget).

I like the way the story is revealed- it is done in a documentary style and the narrations seems to tell parts of the story - that is building to something big (which leaves you in anticipation for a climatic ending - which this movie does have by the way). Whilst the various people narrate (e.g. Wikus's wife and colleagues) I still had no idea where the storyline was heading - which left me in guessing what the end would be.

Also with most alien/sci-fi flicks you usually see the "humans" trying to acquire some kind of advanced alien technology or information that would make any government (or big corporation) more powerful. There is also no alien plot to "take over the world" (or to destroy us).

That's what makes this movie so interesting and different - the movie shows the humans as the"bad guys" (for surpressing the aliens and maltreating them for 30 years). The movie has a bigger meaning behind it, showing that the deceitfulness of human nature is destructive in itself - the extent we can go to obtain power (as the saying goes "power corrupts and corrupts absolutely). 

I won't say anymore on the movie - but after having seen it - I am undecided. Bottom line - good movie which is against the grain of the normal sci-fi flick - the humans are the one in power here and it shows how human abuse and suppression can lead any group of people (or aliens) to fight for redemption - kinda like apartheid (am wondering if the setting in South Africa is deliberate). 

Also has history has shown us - when walls are built up to surpress - they will be torn down (as a literal example - the Berlin Wall; and as mentioned before - Apartheid)! 

Judge for yourself. 

Dentist - Yikes (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth - Metallica

What a day! Right now I have an organic pizza in the oven and in transit from having happy hour with friends to get ready for the night life with my friends Kim (divorced, and out on the prowl) and Jon (got the greenlight from his wife) for a night of some "straight" chick watching. A bit of torture for me but I love my friends. 

I had a root canal done today and it went remarkably well. Partially because the dentist was my good friend so I got the works while they played "Name that tune" with the songs playing on the radio. Needless to say I knew most of the tracks; the artists and the songs and despite me being "anesthetize" I was still somehow able to play charades with them to indicate that I knew the music - it was fun and it helped me passed the time during my root drill and canal.

Whilst this procedure lasted about 1.25 hours I was thinking about songs that remind me of a dentist.....the only song I came up with was :

(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth

by Metallica on the 1983 release "Kill 'Em All".

Wow - what a song - well really it's a musical played by Cliff Burton on bass guitar. It's an amazing piece of music - really a masterpiece. 

This is Metallica's first album and it has some great tracks on them....my favourite Metallica song is on this album - "The Four Horsemen".

In fact - this track has so many variations and changes within the music that it is sometimes "unsuspecting" and "dynamic". It never gets boring and it's intricate changes are just "unprecedented" (for me at least). The song switches from some blistering speed guitars to a calmer "Mozart" sounding masterpiece to hard rock at it's core (Kirk Hammett did an amazing job on this song).

Also the lyrics are amazing - the Four Horsemen as described in biblical terms are intellectually described in this song as they bring about the apocalypse. I know - not the sort of thing you really want to consider if you have this song on your IPOD at the gym and rocking out big time on the treadmill or the spin class - but has anyone ever written the apocalypse so poetically?

Despite my root canal and the thoughts of (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth by Metallica - I still managed to go to work after that and get some reviews and client work in. 

I had also (some weeks ago) volunteered to help paint a local pre-school play ground. I thought that after my root canal that I would be "out of it" and not be able to do such physical work. But after I had some lunch with friends, I had the energy. So I quickly drove home (yes - Kelly - it's only a 5 minute drive); got dressed; and was on my way to meet some of my work colleagues for an evening of hard work on the play ground while we laugh, paint and have some fun.

I was surprised I had the energy to do so after my dental work - but after the dentists played "name that tune"; having Metallica stuck on my head; an unexpected great lunch with friends; and helping kids with painting the playground - it was a good day.

To top it off - I met my friend Kim to help him do a video recording for his brother's 50th - it was on the Hyatt roof top and it overlooked the beach and sunset - WOW!

Now I await the rest of the night - fun shall be mine. I hope they play Metallica at the pub! Yeee Hahh!

The Scots Rock - Jesus and Mary Chain

I have never seen anyone more proud of their heritage as the Scots. Ask any Scotsman about their contribution to the world, and they would all have the same answer - The Scots invented the modern world - from the telephone, TV, penicillin and loads of other modern inventions. And also who can resist the awe and sexiness of the kilt.....and the mystery of what the Scots wear beneath it. Also the beautiful, enchanting sound of the bagpipe. 

I have alot of good friends who are Scots and they are so full of the love for life and have such big hearts. They are also loyal friends. A friend once told me that despite their big hearts if they are  peeved, they can turn a cheek.

Some great musicians have also stemmed from Scotland - from classic rock-band Nazareth, to some timeless singers like Rod Stewart and Annie Lennox to some modern acts like Franz Ferdinand, the Beta Band and Biffy Clyro. One band that seemed to epitomise 80's classic rock was "Big Country'" who cleverly made the guitar sound like the traditional bag pipes - their classic rock track "In A Big Country" is still a favorite on rock radio and any 80's retro-party.

Some of my favourite bands are Scottish - Simple Minds; Aztec Camera; Travis - just to name a few (Belle and Sebastian were voted as the best Scottish rock band - to much debate). 

But I want to focus on one of my favourite Scottish bands - "The Jesus and Mary Chain". I can't really describe their music - but I heard one music fan describe them as the new "Velvet Underground".

Their music has been described as "pop fuzz"; rock; alternative - even psychedelia. Whatever their description, in my words I would describe their music as a "blistering sonic rock". Their early sounds remind me of a wall of distortion - guitars that seem to provide a rock solid front with dreamy; lazy lyrics that seems to somehow blend with the chaos. 

In the mid 80's they were definitely part of a modern rock movement that would creep into early alternative stations such as WDRE 92.7 and other up and coming radio stations which seemed to play and cater for "left of center" music, in the U.S (a.k.a. "alternative").

Their later sound somehow seemed to become more cohesive, edgy and refined. For me "Honey's Dead" (1992) seemed to be epitomise this - tracks like "Sugar Ray" and "Far Gone and Out" were classic "alternative rock tracks". The latter had some amazing drum and guitar works that seems to build into the energy levels in the song that makes you want to dance and rock out.

The album also had "Resurrection" which has a line in it that is still stuck in my head - "I wanna die like Jesus Christ; I want to die on a bed of spice" - timeless.

Of course - there's the classic "Psychocandy" released in 1985, which had the singles "Never Understand" and "Just Like Honey".

Another classic album from the band was "Automatic" - released in 1989 and which included the singles "Blues from a Gun" and "Head On" - the latter was also covered by the one and only "Pixies" (Bostonian pioneers of modern hard rock alternative).

My favorite song from the band remains as "Blues from a Gun". One reason was that I saw the band and video on MTV and immediately fell in love with the title and the sound from the band.

Needless to say - I haven't seen this band live and I hope to do so!

With this I leave you with my favourite top 5 songs by a Scottish artist:

5. Morning Train - Sheena Easton (yes - I loved this pop gem from 1981 - simply because I remember trying to tape this on cassette and hoping that the D.J. would not speak so that I can get the entire song - Pause and Record and Play);

4. Maggie May - Rod Stewart (I love to sing this song while I drive - yes - it's a guilty fetish) 

3. Love Hurts - Nazareth (ummmmm.....beautiful and dark!)

2. To Sir With Love - Lu Lu (I just love the innocence in LuLu's voice when she sings this)

1. Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds - (John Hughes's the Breakfast Club, made Simple Minds a classic 80's band and this song one of the best of the 80's and also one of the leaders in "alternative rock" - you can also read my blog entitled "John Hughes helped shaped the 80's").

You might realise that most of the tracks I have selected are more dated - but the reason for this is that at one time or the other they are a part of my life and the times and joys I experience - isn't that the essence of a great song?

TTYL babies!

Bob Mould

I was in New York in summer 2007, and it was a much needed trip. I was there with some of my friends and it was just to have fun and hang with each other. It was sort of wierd.....well let me start from the beginning...

I was kinda interested in this guy (a fellow name sake from Scotland) and at some point I thought things were going good, but for some reason he just stopped communicating at all levels - just out of the blue. Anyway I could not be bothered with such strange behaviour, but whatever!

One day he called from out of the blue and asked to meet up and explained that he had alot of pressure at work and his way of dealing with things was to just avoid people to sort his issues through. I guess people have different ways of dealing with things - so whatever strikes your fancy.

Anyways - Before this happened I was kinda thinking I did something wrong and this unresolved issue was on my mind....I just couldn't make sense of it all. This was how I felt on the eve before my day of travel to NYC. 

I was depressed about it, and decided to have dinner with one of my old friends and just play catch up and also to get my mind off things. We walked into the sushi bar, and seated at the bar was that guy (yes that guy). We had a brief chat but no answers were obtained (eventually he explained his strange behaviour but this was some time after).

I was bothered but I was hoping NYC would be a cure for the blues. I ended up going to another bar and was having a chat with a lady at the bar who was also on my flight to NYC the next day. Turned out that we became friends and still are today. 

Whilst in NYC, I met one of her friends totally unplanned at a club and we started to chat and she told me that she was an entertainment lawyer and that one of her clients was "Bob Mould".

Now Bob Mould is one of my favourite singers - he is now openly gay and he was with one of the more influential pioneering bands in alternative music - Husker Du. I hope you know them - their music is well - different and they are really a major influence on bands today.

I was hoping I can see Bob in concert - that would be great. I caught this pic of Bob and I think he looks great! Kinda sexy I think! 

The NYC trip was good :) 

Disclaimer: If these pictures are requested to be removed by the owner I would gladly do so. 

Payment for my night of Debauchery

Friday night....typical. Started off at Bamboo and then a rounds to some of the local bars before calling it quits. Me and my friend Kimmer were off to a good start at Bamboo, where we hooked up with some of our friends, had a chat and a few laughs. The eye candy was okay but nothing really peaking my interest, so I decided to text one of the hotties who ended up showing up anyway within a couple of minutes.....wow! major hottie, and a bod to die for....makes my imagination go wild (too bad I don't have a pic to show....wowie cazowie!).

Anyways, we actually had a seat at the bar which is something we never do or had a chance to do as usually the seats are all taken. 

I thought the bartender was cute - older but a nice hottie - the pic does not do any justice.

We ended up at a local cuban bar where they had a live band - was good. Usually after a night of fair drinks with the lads and lasses I am so famished - I think I overdid it last night though - I had a frozen pizza (well not frozen but baked); then I had a pack of tortillas with salsa and cheese - I just don't know what got into me -was really hungry.

Feeling guilty the morning after - I had some punishment in mind spending about 2.5 hours at the gym (is that enough) - I did 15 minutes running, 1 hour of body pump and 1 hour of cycling. Needless to say after my errands for the day, I just totally "conched" out on the couch, watched 30 Rock and then fell asleep for a while. So tired but so worth it.

Despite only my few hours sleep, I had so much energy for the gym - not sure why - I am guessing it's part willpower and also maybe it had to do something with the Blueberry smoothie I made before gym....well my plan for Sunday might just be the same.

TTYL Folks.

Nine Inch Nails

If your a big Nine Inch Nails fan like me, you might want to get the limited edition "Wave Goodbye" poster.

The poster is being released for the final set of tour dates - 10 in all, which ends with the final show in LA. There are four shows in NYC.

I recently had the honor of seeing NIN live (with Jane's Addiction) in North Carolina, and they rocked. Trent still looks great and is still so fit. The only thing I can say is that they did not perform "Closer" (their biggest commercial hit single). But needless to say their sound live is unequivocally "awesome" and true to the original sound. 

I want me some of that poster - thinking about LA now....ummmmm!

Anyways - here's some pics from my North Carolina concert. Enjoy.

Trent in awesomeness!

The lighting show was hot!

Can you feel that energy

Jesus - it was a good show!

Rob Halford.....Metal God (Out)

My brother's favourite band was Judas Priest and a big fan he was from the 70's onwards. For me....the music seemed too "hard" and I was a bit scared of the album covers, but they were quite artistic (I particularly like "Sad Wings of Destiny").

Rob is quite a butch guy - the leather, chains and whip and he had a sexual presence that was intimidating (to me anyway). In 1998, in an MTV interview, Rob came out in and admitted what his fans has known/suspected for some time.  

I dare say, this was a brave move - I am wondering why - did the risk of possibly losing his fan base matter? Did he just reached the point of no return that he had to admit it? Or maybe he was at peace with himself and just needed to be honest with his fans.

Whatever the reason, Rob is bigger than ever now. I always admire someone like Rob for being honest even if it is late in life.

Here's some pics of Rob...

What is Judas Priest's most popular songs - if my brother was here he would probably rattle out the top 10. By no means am I a big JP fan, but I quite like "Breaking the Law", "You Got Another Thing Coming" and "Living After Midnight". 

Metal fans - please don't slam me for this.

Cheers folks!

(If the images above are in breach of any copyright law, I would gladly remove them).

I Have Seen the Face of Sexiness and It Has A Great Ass Too!

To my Sexy Juicy Baby - hurry back!

The Age of Consent - 1984

Growing up in the 80's was many things for me - innocence and being naive are just two of those many things. 

In 1984, my sister and I got got wound of a song called "Small Town Boy" by "Bronski Beat" from our cousin in New York. At the time when I heard this song I though - wow - this is really cool - what is it - new wave; dance - well whatever it was nothing could beat the sultry voice of the band's lead singer Jimmy Sommerville. To me it was just a great song - nothing more; nothing less.

We bought the album "Age of Consent" (released in 1984) and it was not until some time after that I really got to know the meaning behind it.

You see back in 1984, we did not have a CD player just yet, but a turntable (for those of you who are too young to remember this "device" was the predecessor to a CD player - yah baby). Anyways we got the album which had a double fold, with the lyrics and a list of countries and ages listed next to it. 

At that time a list of countries and ages - I thought blahhh! - and paid no heed to it. But upon prompt from my cousin, the ages referred to the "Age of Consent" of homosexual sex in these countries. 

If you know this song you probably know what it refers to - literally a "small town boy" who is gay and who is trying to come to terms with it and "come out" by telling his parents. The video is awesome and I suggest that you look at it - it has the pain of a young Jimmy Sommerville trying to tell his folks in a small town that he is not-well "straight". It also has gay bashing in the video and other real issues.

This video was ahead of it's time. I don't think the video is offensive but shows an issue that was very close to the band's heart and something that was taboo at the time, and no one really spoke about (it was also the time when AIDS was being hailed as a "homosexual" virus). 

Of course I think that homosexuality acceptance had achieved greater and wider acceptance in the UK compared to the US in the early 80's which gave bands like Bronski Beat the courage to be what they are and not be ashamed of it. There was also another British band - "Frankie Goes to Hollywood" whose video for Relax (which was banned in the US and UK) features Holly Johnson walking into a all-man leather bar (definitely unprecedented and unheard of at the time).

Also coming out of the U.K. were a whole bunch of cross-dressers and trans-genders bands that made certain taboos become pop and mainstream and really pushed the borders of sexuality and acceptance e.g Culture Club (featuring Boy George as a cross-dresser); The Eurythmics (Annie Lennox's trans-gender as a man) - wow ! - Hats off to these guys (and gals) for pushing the borders.    

This is the link to the Bronski Beat video - I would love to have your thoughts and feedback on the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJzwlkTchZo

Here's also the link to the Relax video by FGTH  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPLrXFw76Qg

Anyway - don't get me wrong on this post - all I am saying is that a Band or an Artist who can push what theybelieve and not be apologetic about it are truly in tune with themselves and more importantly the need for society to be aware of these issues. Bringing it to the forefront in music and art means that it is representative of a sign of the times.

Beach Day

I grew up around beaches so really for me going to the beach or laying in the sun for a tan is not something that really intices me to go to the beach. After all, do I really need a tan (haha!)?

OK - so the first pic is of me earlier today showing off my Depeche Mode concert tee from my DM concert last week.

Well - taking a self-pic is sometimes hard so you really can't see the name of the tour, but the logo is there. You can see that it is a sunny day, so going to the beach was a good plan.

I met my friend Kim (yes, it's a guy and no - he's not Asian - pure 100% Canadian) and his daughter Korts at the beach (that's Korts in the pic with an awesome cowboy hat from Kim's recent trip to Nashville Tennessee).

I couldn't seem to get a good shot of me. This one is really lame, but the sand looks great. Overall, the beach was not really busy today and I did see a few friends and caught with them on my recent trip to Boston (thank goodness for Facebook - everyone knows my business). And also I bought a vodka cran in my shaker to the beach (and yes - the cranberry was organic - YAH BABY!)

TTYL

John Hughes helped shaped the 1980's

Wow - yesterday I was at the gym on the treadmill and looking at CNN and saw that John Hughes had died - OMG! His movies were a big part of my life and on anyone who were into 80's music - I know for me - the music in his movies were iconic and helped define a generation of music lovers in the 1980's. His stories in movies like the Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and Some Kind of Wonderful were simple tales of youth, teen angst, pop culture, love and sadness. And of course who could forget "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" which made "Oh Yeah" by "Yello" an international cult classic.

JH biggest box office draw was Home Alone (which grossed over $280 million) and is ranked as the 37 biggest movie (at this time) in U.S. box office history. 

Breakfast Club is a cult classic. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds was the theme in this movie and it pushed the Scottish band into the forefront of pop and rock music and introduced many to the beginning of "alternative" music. I remember when this movie came out, it was initially banned where I lived and then eventually it was released in cinema - I have no idea why it would be censored or banned - there was no sex or anything offensive in it, but whatever.

JH movie soundtracks always had some cool new wave music in it - remember "I Go Crazy" by Flesh for LuLu. Wow - I remember seeing the music video on WTBS "Night Tracks" which aired every Friday and Saturday night from about midnight for a few hours. Me and my sister would wake up till 4:00 a.m. every Friday and Saturday to see all of the new music videos (it's where I first saw Sam Fox video and fell in love with her boobs! - YAH!).

Also "Pretty in Pink" had "If You Leave" by O.M.D. which gave the band their biggest hit in the U.S. and also had the title track from the Psych Furs, one of my fave new wave 80's bands.

His soundtracks had some of my fave bands and also bands who are still considered "very critically acclaimed" and "influential" on today's modern music - bands like "Echo and the Bunnymen" ; "JESUS and MARY Chain", "XTC"; "Gene Loves Jezebel" - just to name a few.

Here's my fave top 5 songs from John Hughes movies:

5.  Love Missle F1 - 11 - Sigue Sigue Sputnik

4. If You Leave - O.M.D.

3. Pretty In Pink - Psych Furs

2 I Go Crazy - Flesh for Lu Lu

1. Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds 

Well RIP JH! and thanks for the great movies and music.

See link below for some pics of JH and his movies:

www.cbsnews.com/elements/2009/08/06/entertainment/photoessay5221307

Big Airport

Whilst in Miami airport, it's amazing how many people you can "bounce" up. I was thinking about my friend Mo as in "Hey I have not seen Mo in such a long time" - and what do you know - I met her at one of the gates on my way to the gents. We had a good chat and to boot, her flight was delayed - so the catch up was good!

Also, was waking back to my gate when I saw four friends I had not seen in about 3-4 years. Wow - wierd day. 

Then finally I was at Starbucks and I saw Miss Cayman on her way to the Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas. Here's my lucky shot with a beautiful lady.

Random in Boston

Here are some random shots from my trip to Boston.

Christmas in July? I came across this Christmas store in Fanueil Hall that has all the cool Christmas trees, and decorations. Yep - Jesus is alive in Boston. Happy Christmas in July!

Some folks walking and enjoying this fabu summer day.....this was taken whilst I was having breakfast and looking out - it inspired me to be out! As you can see - the day is just beginning - LET THE DAY BEGIN; THE DAY BEGIN; THE DAY START (From "The Call's Classic Song!).

A Church on Newbury Street - the same one with the Pride Flag (see my previous post)!

You can tell that it was a bright sunny day here!

Like this - my namesake restaurant - Greek food - love it Baby!

This is the largest Apple store in the US - yes - it is bigger than the one in New York. It's on Bolston Street - three levels of pure unadulterated fun - kinda like Club Cafe (and just as ostentatious).

A kinda artsy fartsy shot - which was kind of a fluke. It's the bar at a sushi restaurant called Haku (I think that is the name).

OK - and a fun shot of me in the shower! Hope you likey!

TTYL Bambinos

Boston- Day 3 (Gay Friendly??)

Saturday - a hot day in Boston, following my DM concert (which I must say again - was my best ever). 

Well, my plan for today was simple - get up early, do a workout, have breakfast and head down to Newbury Street to check out the cafes and shops (I was longing to go to Condom World to replace a certain type of ring I had lost - if you know what I mean). So far so good - not really looking for anything in particular - just chillax and have fun.

Newbury and Arlington - the top of Fashion Mode

Well, on my way there I saw this interesting board in an old Presbyterian Church I am guessing which had the Pride flag. I had not seen this before in a Church and I thought it was well - unique that they opened up to everyone.

Along my walk I also saw this......isn't that sweet?

I like this pic - it says alot - Freedom of Choice. And it also reminds me of some words from the song "Free" by Powerman 5000 - "Living so free is a tragedy, when you can't be who you wanna be". Wise and profound thoughts from some rockers - Yeah baby!

TTYL Folks!