Now This is A True Band - The Universal Sigh!

Now this is what I am talking about - Radiohead has issued "Universal Sigh"  -  a free newspaper they've issued to their fans in over 29 countries to coincide with the release of their latest effort "The King of Limbs".

This band is really pushing the limits of the media and how they reach out to their fans - few bands have really used such tactics in recent times and again Radiohead have proven that they are way ahead of the rest - they are innovative and they use the technology around them to connect with their fans in a way that most other artists don't!

This is a great marketing strategy - they've used the internet to release their new album before the official release of their latest album on March 28th/29th. In fact I had downloaded for $9 box the new CD a few weeks ago....

This band never stops to surprise me....they announced an official release on their web site for their album, and what do they do - they release it one day earlier to the surprise of their fans who showed total elation.

Here are some pics of the "Universal Sigh".

Here's Thom Yorke in London giving away the newspapers!

And here's another pic of the fiasco in LA:

This is the link to the website of "The Universal Sigh" if you're interested (click here)!

Anyways peeps - TTYL!

Another One Bites the Dust

Well - I had a hot yoga class and my usual mates are there - Jon and Ricardo - we usually place our mats side by side and get ready for the trauma head - ah yes - that pure heat at 95 degrees Fareinheit - sweat around our mats and moaning with the comfort that ours bodies and will are being pushed to the max.

Usually after class we cool off, have a chat - usually about women - yes my friends are all heterosexual men so I do indulge sometimes for the sake of it all.

Ric said : "Wow - Christina is so hot, do you see how flexible she is?"

Steve says: "Dude - ur married!"

Rick says: "I've been separate from my wife for 9 months!"

Steve says: "Dude - I did not know - and you now tell me?"

Anywho's - I got to thinking that so many of friends are in the same boat - "Another One Bites the Dust" (just right click to download here). Another marriage on the rocks, and kids are involved. For the sake of love - Ric just had a baby?

Man - I tell ya - I don't know what to make of it all - why do some people get married? How is the passion lost? Do they fancy becoming another statistic or do they just pass the point of no return?

My peeps - complaceancy is a bitch - never let that passion die....pick a flower for your loved one everyday - say something sexy everyday - sweat - make love and never let the sun set on your disagreements!


Anyways peeps - TTYL!

My Friends Are All Hetero-Family Men!

Today I was at my friend Russ for a celebration of his birthday - nothing too fancy - just pizza and drinks at around 5:00 p.m. - a bit early but I figured that all in attendance would be there with kids.

As I am writing this post "Ode to My Family" by "The Cranberries" comes to mind (just right click to download- link here)!

I was like the only one there without a kid and possibly the only gay one amongst a sea of heterosexuals. Don't get me wrong, I hang with these guys all the time, but at family time it's nice to see that side of them! I fully love them for that, and I do appreciate and value their friendship!

My good friend Jon with some kids - not all are his :)

But it did get me thinking - do I want kids? What kind of father would I be? How would the entire family lifestyle fit into my gay life, and also to a narrow minded society at large?

As an answer to the above - I'm thinking I want kids, and I'd like the family lifestyle - it's nice to be able to take care of kids and feel wanted. But with all my relationships - I eventually become introvert and in search of space for my sanity - so I enjoy my alone time! Which is the greater evil here?

Anyways peeps - just some random ramblings - TTYL!

My Biggest Crush

This is one of my biggest crushes ever.....ever since I saw Alec Baldwin on Knots Landing in the mid-80's I've had a major crush on him.....his sweet blue eyes, that handsome, rugged Irish face, that gorgeous hairy torso and oh yeah - that raspy, sexy voice just makes me melt.....

Lawdy - what a handsome man!

I'm melting!

Even in his older days - he's still the handsome devil!

Anyways peeps - TTYL!

New Female Post Punk Anthem? - Gwen Steffani

The 90's were a time for me when I lost a bit of interest in music....I am an 80's fan, and I do think there's no decade like it....I mean rock, metal, new wave, dance, easy listening, post-punk, punk, R&B, rap and rock/rap were all part of pop music - it seemed that everyone listened to everything!

This post came to me last night whilst I was out with some friends at Fidel's for karioke. One of the many drunken stooges did "Just A Girl" by No Doubt and whilst sipping on my grey goose and tonic I was relaying the story that there were few bands in the 90's which sparked my interest!



The 90's seemed to be dominated by males - they all seemed to be part of that chaotic, teen angst syndrome which at some point in the late 90's wore me thin - I just got tired of that whole grunge scene which ruled rock radio.

Ta Ta to 90's grunge?

But then a breath of fresh air came in the likes of a cute, sexy fashionista female from Orange County - "Just A Girl" launched a new anthem for post punk feminism. Amidst all that male dominated alternative radio, No Doubt emerged and provided a song that was - yes - part post punk and ska but was also a new fashion identity to the personal stylings of Gwen Stefani!

Gwen - also of note is that Gwen is married to Gavin Rossdale from Bush (see link here) and whom I think is one of the sexiest men in rock (see link here)!

I was glad to see the behind of grunge fashion...... with guys who seemed to look like they just rolled out of bed and put on last week's boxers with a pair of jeans that seemed two inches bigger than their waist size!

Gwen and No Doubt were really a breath of fresh air in the 90's for me - maybe it was their laid back alternative sound that reminded me of the 80's new wave sound to the likes of Blondie? or maybe it was the cool stylings of Gwen which reminded me of Madonna?....or maybe it was their fun lyrics, and the energy they put on stage to the likes of "The B-52's"?....whatever it was it brought back the great feel of music that is reminiscent of a time which was fun and fun-loving!


Anyways peeps - TTYL!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Well March 17th is St. Patrick's Day - a day when the whole world turns Irish! This day is a day of obligation of the Church (in Ireland) but underlying this all - it's a day of celebration - the celebration of Christianity being brought to Ireland by this infamous Saint in the 4th Century!

To honor this special day - here's 3 of my favourite Irish performers in no particular order:

Thin Lizzy

"The Boys are Back in Town" was their biggest hit, and "Whiskey In A Jar" is a classic covered by even Metallica. It's hard to believe but Phil Lynot (God Bless his soul) was a huge country n' western fan - he'd often perform country music amid his Irish accent!

But this is my favorite Thin Lizzy song - "Bad Reputation" - there's some awesome drumming in this song:



Van Morrison

This is one of my favorite singers of all time - Irish folk and rock blended in with some great lyrics and melodies from American rock, soul and pop. Van is an icon and he colloborated with the likes of legendary blues artist "John Lee Hooker".

There are so many good songs from Van, from "Wild Night"; "Domino; "Gloria" and the timeless "Brown Eyed Girl"....enjoy!



U2

Oh yeah - what more can I say here. This band spans the 80's to present and are probably the most popular band to come out of Ireland. U2 are true musicans, artists and humanitarians. I'm not saying much more here, but here's a tribute to "Bloody Sunday" - a day in 1972 when over 20 protestors and by-standers were shot by the British Army.

This song is definitely one of the greatest political tributes!


Anyways peeps - I kept it simple. There's loads of other Irish artists out there - but this is just the tip!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Dave Grohl's Coffee Hype!

Check this out - Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters's Fresh Pots - for us coffee lovers!


Hope you cuties enjoy!

30 Song Challenge

I came across this challenge on Daventry Blue blogspot and I thought it was cool! Let me know if you post anything. Here's mine!


1 - Your Favorite Song: Of all time? More Than A Feeling - Boston

2 - Makes you feel sexy: No Ordinary Love - Sade

3 - A song that makes you happy: Ticket to Ride - The Beatles

4 - a song that makes you sad: The Weakness In Me - Joan Armatrading

5 - reminds you of someone: Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley (reminds me of my Mom!)

6 - reminds you of somewhere: Calabria by Enur (reminds me of being in Peru with my partner)

7 - reminds you of a certain event: How Soon Is Now - The Smiths (reminds me of scalping tix to see one of my faves - Morrissey)

8 - you know all the words to: Sweet Child O Mine - Guns N Roses!

9 - you can dance to: When Love Takes Over - David Guetta

10 - makes you fall asleep: Concerto #9 - Mozart

11 - from your favorite band: Ramble On by Led Zeppelin

12 - from a band that is overrated: I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones

13 - guilty pleasure: Stop Playing Games With My Heart - Backstreet Boys

14 - no one would expect you to love: White Liar by Miranda Lambert (Country Music is my new fetish)

15 - describes you: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvanna (b/c I don't understand myself and this song)

16 - you used to love but now hate: Emotions by Mariah Carey

17 - hear often on the radio: Everything Zen by Bush (it's always on rock radio)

18 - a song you wish you heard on the radio: Four Horsemen - Metallica

19 - a song from your favorite album: Red Hill Mining Town - U2 (from Joshua Tree)

20 - a song you listen to when angry: One by Creed

21 - when happy: We Are What We Are by The Other Ones

22 - when sad: Baby Can I Hold You - Tracy Chapman

23 - a song to be played at your wedding: I Love You by Climaxx Blues Band

24 - at your funeral: I'm passing on this one - too morbid!

25 - makes you laugh: If I Had A Million Dollars by Bare Naked Ladies

26 - a favorite holiday song: Oh Holy Night (Traditional)

27 - a song you wish you could play: Phantom of the Opera - Iron Maiden

28 - makes you feel guilty: I Need A Man by The Eurythmics

29 - from childhood: Love Gun by Kiss

30 - favorite cover: Mad World covered by Sara Hickman (original by Tears for Fears)!

Nucking Futs

Wow - what a day! Between people driving me Nucking Futs and a dire need for Friday at 6:00 for a drink with friends - this is what I'm doing now - I so need it!

Anyways peeps - have a great Friday!

Pics on Sunday

Today was a pretty good day....my friend told me that he and a mutual friend of ours are now an item - I'm happy for them...now I feel like a third wheel...hate it!

Apart from that, I had a great day with friends - we visited the Botanical Park which was absolutely serene, peaceful and just a great hot day. Here's some pics:

Me, Darquis and Kris - I love my iPhone!

Me and Kris - Kris looks like a complete badass rock star here - so cool!

Darquis and Kris sin a stretch competition - not sure how that shopping bag got in the way!

We had an unexpected visitor - the near-extinct Blue Iguana was getting a bit too friendly!

A serene pond where we had our picnic with our Blue Iguana friend!

Anyways folks - TTYL!

Bahamas - Yoga Visit

I was in Bahamas over the last couple of days (Wend to Friday) and managed to make it to a yoga retreat on Paradise Island (I do need my daily fix of yoga to get by with life) at Sivananda. I had the day open, and on the website there were a couple of retreats on, but I just popped in for the day to practise.

To get there you need to take a boat - it's about a 15 minute sail to Paradise Island, and the view on approach is calming and settling - the bright colours on the deck brings some zen almost immediately:

The approach to Sivananda

The cost of a day visit was $10 - pretty cheap - they had a two hour class on the yoga deck facing the beach side - man - the view of the blue waters was spectacular. 

We did a two hour yoga class but as it was for advanced people, I totally sucked - some of these guys were moving from "shoulder stand" to "bridge" to "shoulder stand" and then "scorpion" - in yoga lingo in translates to super difficult for Stevo!

To the right of the retreat is the amazing "Atlantis" - ummmm - this place is too big for it's own good!!!

Here a some other pics from my Nassau trip:

Some weird gizmo lighting at the Casino at Coral Towers - Atlantis

The village at Atlantis (Coral Towers) has a number of cool restaurants serving local fare and of course there's a Starbucks everywhere. Vintage calypso, and Caribbean colours graces the Caribbean-style designed shops and gives it a true island feel!

 Sivananda - view from the dock!

Me - lounging with my iPod - waiting for my seminar on yogic diet (I was thinking at this point I need some pizza!). Followed by a 2-hour practise on the yoga beach deck!

Anyways peeps - TTYL!