Last Saturday two regulars came into the video store. This couple is very nice and can throw a good joke back. Both are attractive and are definitely gym bunny types. While they were looking at movies, Corduroy (my newest iPod) started to play the ballad “Na Laetha Geal M’Óige” from Enya’s Watermark album. One of the two started to complain about how Bally’s used to play the song through the overhead speakers while he was trying to work out. Trying, he said, being the operative term.

His partner and I started to make a few jokes about it to lighten up his mood which weren’t working, so I finally just walked up to the end of the counter they were sitting and said, “You see, the song allows you time to mourn the deep, meaningful person you’re losing as you gain muscle mass.”

*Cricket*Cricket*

They took advantage of another customer coming up to leave without renting or saying a word. Perhaps a button had been pushed? I don’t know, but if he was offended by that then I think someone is making some money off of him for therapy. 

Listening to: “Machine Gun” - Portishead

This weekend I rediscovered the Buggles. The band that made their big splash in the world with their first and only big hit “Video Killed The Radio Star”. We all know the story of how it was the first video to ever be aired on MTV and whatnot, but some things you may not know is that the band consisted of a founding member of Asia, Geoff Downes, and one of the biggest producers of all time, Trevor Horn. Horn went on to produce Seal, Pet Shop Boys, ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Cher, Tina Turner, Charlotte Church and was one of the founding members of Art Of Noise.

The other bit of trivia I discovered this weekend was that between their two albums Horn and Downes joined Yes for one album, Drama. I finally got a chance to listen to Buggles second album, Adventures In Modern Recording, which was finished by Horn almost alone. Adventures is definitely a Buggles album, but you can certainly hear the Yes influences all over the place.

Their first album, The Age Of Plastic, is one of my favorites of the 80’s and is very much indeed worthy of a deeper look that “Video Killed The Video Star”. Songs like “Elstree” and “Clean Clean” embody the New Wave sound of the time. I even included “I Love You (Miss Robot)” in my robot mix because of the great sound. My favorite track on the album is by far the title track, “Living In The Plastic Age”. Part Logan’s Run, part Brazil, all commentary on the times, the song is driven by a heart beat rhythm and includes the great pun in the chorus, “They send the heart police to put you under cardiac arrest”. To my surprise, I found a video for the song although I shouldn’t have been surprised. I mean, it WAS the early 80’s. Here it is for your flashback pleasure.

P.S. Trevor Horn is the one doing the vocals, which also surprised me.

Listening to: “Midnight” - Yaz

I struck a blow for the fashion conscious yesterday in a preemptive strike against the mange look and can now debut my ‘evil’ look. Yesterday was H-day, the day exactly two weeks after my first chemo and the day that I was told my hair should, if it was going to, fall out. Well, since my hair tends to do everything quickly, it started to fall out on Wednesday.

What surprised me was the fact that hair below my neck is going to. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I wasn’t told about that at Chemo Training. I poured over the PowerPoint and the video conference again and confirmed that I was told that it would be only my head and face (Woo-hoo, I won’t have shave!)

I went down to Namaste Salon where I’ve been getting my hair cut since it was called Rick’s Hats Off and had Rick shave me head. I just love this little salon. Rick went to town and 15 minutes later, the shape of my skull was revealed to many that hadn’t seen it before. Thankfully, I have a decent skull shape which I discovered a few years ago when I did this before. That time I did it for no good reason other than I wanted to shave my head.

Rick didn’t even charge me. I tried to insist — well, I did once and then accepted his charity. It’s all the little things, you know?

Speaking of charity, it looks like the Monkey’s Uncle show on May 12 is now turning into a fundraising show for my medical bills. Those Monkeys are the best. I’ll have more details in a few days. Have a great weekend everyone!

Listening to: “Walcott” - Vampire Weekend

No, with delight, silly. Regular readers will know my absolute love for the animation series “The Venture Bros.” that runs on Cartoon Network’s [adult swim]. From little things like a review to watching it with Cameron on date nights to dressing up like Hank Venture for Halloween, one can postulate that I’m a big fan of the show. Actually, here’s the proof of my fandom: I’m having a party for the premiere of the third season at my place at midnight June 2.

Yes! People have said they are attending! Hmmph.

For some lucky few fans that attended New York Comic-Con, the viewing of a teaser trailer must have been geekgasmic. I know watching it at work… alone… with the lights off had me reaching for the tissues. What? I was crying because I was so happy to see proof of Season Three. Quick Stop Entertainment did fans a great service by posting the trailer yesterday. Watch it even if you aren’t familiar with the show as they chose scenes that are generic enough to appeal to many and then watch the show. It’s expertly written and is probably the best geek comedy on television right now.

Listening to: “Top Remix” - Kelly