Essays, Interviews, Observations, Pop Culture, Stories, and other Dodginess

I’ll bring the beer and check out your fashion

Posted on December 12, 2011

I’m not a beer expert. They are out there though, those who dissect every ingredient, smell, taste, aftertaste and whatnot about everything beer. I do usually scan through their blogs and websites about the best beers and I do so this time of year especially to check out what’s up with the Christmas beers.

Some of those I’ve read about/drunk are Sam Smith’s Winter Ale Welcome, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Avery Old Jubilation Ale, Anchor Christmas Ale and something I think called Samichlaus. The list goes on.

But what I brought the other day is New Orleans’ Abita Christmas Ale. I’ve long had an affinity for New Orleans and I enjoy it’s locally brewed beer (and Hand Grenades, but that’s another story).

Gettin' drinky with New Orleans' Abita Christmas Ale

I brought some to a Christmas party at a friend’s place in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood the other night. And here’s where the fashion part of this post comes through. You could tell you’re at a party in Chicago, as opposed to Indiana, by the way guests dress. There were a wide variety of people types at this thing (the host is a college professor). Academic types, hipster dudes and gals, older men, Indian men, a black guy, some white-haired women, a really cool pro-peace Vietnam Veteran, barflys, a guy named Norm who bowls (and had a KILLER shirt from Farm and Fleet) and so on.

I should have took pics. Next time. I read a lot of fashion blogs and they always have pics from these parties and soirees.

Anyway, I was admiring everyone’s shoes, shirts, pants, ponytails, boots, ties, wrist-wear, vests, skirts (oo-la!) and this cat that had a really cool collar.

I’d like to say I blended in quite well. I love, love my trusted Doc Martens. And my hat (one of many). Pics soon.

I’ll be going to a few more Christmas parties and will have a wrap up of them before the 25th. My goal to is to share one of my Christmas Ales with a beautiful lass. There’s something sexy about a pretty gal holding and drinking a pint or bottle of beer.

Bye the way, ‘xrt just played “Come On Santa” by the Raveonettes. Well done.

 

 

 

Christmas Music 2

Posted on December 11, 2011

The non-stop Christmas music continues on 93.9 “The Holiday Lite” and Z107. (EDIT 12/12 – WXRT has begun it’s “Holiday Nights” where now through Christmas they play an eclectic mix of Christmas tunes from 8-midnight).

As expected, and already written, The Lite continues to play what seems like the same 15-20 songs over and over. Guess what Lite? There are a lot more versions of Josh Groban’s “O Holy Night.”

Does anyone remember Groban when he was on Ally McBeal? I think Ally’s character went to his prom as his date.

Anyway…Z107 continues to play a strong variety, although they do tend to repeat some of the same songs a lot. But I have to give them credit – whatever stream they’re getting the music from includes “Carol of the Bells” by The Bird and the Bee. It’s about the only time you’ll hear The Bird and the Bee on any station in Chicagoland.

Z107 has been playing cuts from The Holiday Cafe CD, including one of my favorites, “Maybe Next Year” by Meiko.

I also don’t get tired of Everything But The Girl’s “25th December” and (new!) Jack Johson’s “In The Morning.”

I’m a sucker for Enya (Irish!) so I love hearing her haunting (aren’t they all?) “Ghosts of Christmas Past.”

Z also plays cuts from the She & Him Christmas album. Well done.

And who can ever get enough of Low’s “Just Like Christmas” ??

Songs Madonna should sing at Super Bowl

Posted on December 7, 2011

Madonna’s song repertoire stretches a lot farther than last year’s Super Bowl group, The Black-Eyed Peas. So we shouldn’t have to worry about her singing a sample of the same song more than once during a lame medley (not that it’s any excuse for the Peas to play the dreadful “Tonight’s Gonna Be A Good  Night” TWICE during halftime!).

I’m not a fan of the medley. Yuk. No.

Here are some choices as to what Louise Ciccone should belt out come Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. And no, there is none of that “Into The Groove” shit.

“The Power of Goodbye”

My favorite song by her. It was used a few times during the amazing college-themed TV series “Felicity.”

I first heard "The Power of Goodbye" while watching "Felicity"

“Frozen”

Hauntingly danceable in a slow-shush sorta way. Spooky in a good form.

“I’ll Remember”

I remember this cool song being used in the film about Harvard students starring Brendan Frasier, Patrick Dempsey, Moira Kelly, Josh Hamilton and ! Joe Pesci.

Ok, that’s it. Not a big Madonna fan. No way she’ll play either of those but how cool (for me anyway) to just do full versions of at least two?