August 17, 2009 at 12:00 pm · Filed under celebrity
Yesterday I got an email for a Google alert I have set for a particular actor. It took me to a blog where someone listed 10 actors that they would watch in anything. So, I thought I’d do the same thing. I don’t think I can come up with ten though.
James McAvoy. I’d heard of James because of Wanted and thought he was amazing eye candy, but it wasn’t until I watched Becoming Jane that I fell in love with him. Now I own Penelope, Atonement, Wanted (didn’t care for, but James was great), Starter For 10, Rory O’Shea Was Here, Wimbledon, Becoming Jane and The Last King Of Scotland. I need to get Narnia. He’s absolutely brilliant and seems like a great bloke.
Mark Ruffalo. You know, I don’t know how I discovered Mark; I just know I love him. Although I don’t care for all of his films (that Reece Witherspoon one), he’s always fantastic. Some of my favorties include, We Don’t Live Here Anymore, Last Castle, You Can Count On Me, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and My Life Without Me.
Cillian Murphy. My love for Cillian started with 28 Days Later and is still going strong today. Just like the previously mentioned actors, Cillian is versatile and brilliant. Some of my fave Cillian flicks include, 28 Days Later, Breakfast on Pluto, Disco Pigs, The Wind That Shakes The Barley and the insanely funny, Watcing The Detectives.
Ryan Gosling. I really believe that Ryan is one of the most, if not the most, underrated actors in the business. Even his sub-par movies, he is stellar. Like Mark Ruffalo, I am not sure where I first saw Ryan, but I’ve been hooked on him for years. Favortie films include Half Nelson, Lars and The Real Girl, The Slaughter Rule, United State of Leland, The Believer and of course, The Notebook. Is there a role Ryan can’t play?
Okay, so I came up with four. There are many actors that I love; Joaquin Phoenix, Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Sean Penn and Jude Law, but none of them are an instant draw for me. I’ll usually see most of their movies, but I would watch James, Mark, Cillian and Ryan read the phone book. I do believe they are the future of Hollywood, and if so, Hollywood is in great hands.
Not sure anyone but the spammers still visit the site, but oh well. Going to try and start it back up. No more politics here though, created a different blog for that.
Anyway, since we last chatted, I FINALLY met Emerson Hart…twice! The first time was by sheer luck. I checked my email that morning and it so happened Tonic was playing a show in town that day. Was able to get a photo pass the very last minute and when I chickened out on going up to him, I paid my son $5 to bring him over. He was absolutely fantastic. The second time was just a couple of weeks ago in Raleigh. Confessed to him about what I had been doing on this site (which he knew about) and he loved it. Adore him.
Let’s see…what else. Oh, I am now unemployed. Long story I’d rather not get into. But I’ve got to take the summer off with Eli and just hang out. Hoping to go back to work in October. Turned 32 yesterday, but didn’t do anything special. Oh, and I’m having gastric bypass on the 27th. Yep. Big changes.
Anyway, that’s all for now. I promise to check in more regularly!
Also going to be on The Rock Boat X in January! YAY! Been active with photography. Finally selling some prints and charging for fashion sessions.
So yesterday I was in the middle of a panic attack, freaking out about conducting an interview with one of my favorite writers. Well, as luck would have it, he was under the weather and I interviewed two other members of the band. I hate to say it, but “phew”! It took a lot of the stress off of me and I was able to relax and focus. At first I was disappointed in not talking to him and was even starting to think we wouldn’t meet, but as I was running back to my car, he was stepping off of his bus.
We had a nice chat and I could tell he wasn’t up to par. The past couple of days were wreaking havoc on his sinus’s and he was just not well. But despite how he was feeling, he took the time to talk to me about music, books and such and since it wasn’t part of the show, there was no pressure on me. We closed with a hug and he went inside for his sound check.
The show was amazing. Wow. I’ve seen a lot of shows by a lot of fantastic bands. None of them compare to last nights; simply incredible.
After the show, I talked to my guy again. He was so gracious and sweet. We posed for a picture and signed my CD and after chatting for a moment, he was loading back up on the bus. It was surreal. His lyrics have meant so much to me, and now with “Broken Lungs”, he has solidified himself as my favorite writer working today. I must say though, meeting him really makes me even more desperate to meet Emerson Hart. Although their writing style and lyrical content are dramatically different, they both get how to connect with the listener.
Anyway, here are a couple of pix and and “Broken Lungs”, one of my favorite songs he’s written.
I really feel like I am about to have a panic attack. I’ve already, um…gotten sick and now I’m just shaking and my head is throbbing. Even a little short of breath.
Why? In about 75 minutes I have to interview one of my favorite songwriters. Not Emerson Hart (Oh God, could you imagine how frantic I would be), but someone I absolutely adore. He’s in town with his band and I was originally going to just take photos, but now I’ve been asked to interview them as well. Can we say “freak out”?!?!
My questions are done and I know what I want to talk about, but I have the feeling I will come up blank in front of them. I have everything outlined on a note card, but I’m to embarrassed to use it during the Q & A.
I really need a pill right now. Or weed, but that stuff smells bad and I’m easily intimidated by the thought of getting caught…so yeah, I need a pill.
April 3, 2008 at 12:32 pm · Filed under Music, celebrity
So I think I confessed in a previous post that I am officially watching American Idol again…at least the main show, I refuse to watch elimination night. Anyway, my guy is Michael Johns; I think he’s fantastic…and very easy on the eyes! I looked up some of his old music with his two prior bands and I’m not sure why he’s on this damn show; he’s too good for it.
Here’s a couple of videos from YouTube. One is his performance from this weeks show singing It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right by Dolly Parton. The other is Cradle from his old band The Rising…ignore the hair, it was awful!
Non-musical Emerson video today. This is Emerson talking about sobriety and such recently in Jammin’ Java. Funny video; really shows his personality. Also came across a video of Pat McGee covering If You’re Gonna Leave. I’ve became more of a PMB fan over the past year and since Pat does a nice job with it, I thought I would share.
I’ve decided to post an Emerson Hart video everyday until I see him (and can upload my own). Since Mandy brought up Hallway in my last blog, I thought we could start with that. Beautiful song for his daughter; the song was taken by JrzyGryl on this years Rock Boat.
First, if you are going “Who’s Emerson Hart?”, I don’t want to talk to you. Wait, no…that’s not true. You can’t help it if you have not been enlightened to the greatness that is known as Emerson Hart. Stick around and I shall enlighten you. (Again, another long and rambling story to a relatively simple point.)
Like many people in this country (and around the world), I discovered Emerson Hart about 12 years ago, I just didn’t know his name. I knew his face and his words and they played to me daily over Clear Channel airwaves (one of the few times I will thank CC). Yes, I had fallen in love with the “post-grunge” rock movement and with that Tonic was one of my favorite bands. Emerson Hart was the lead vocalist and primary song writer for that band, and his songs were like anthems for my generation.
Some time has passed since Tonic’s hay-day on the radio charts and if you did happen to know his name then, you have most likely forgotten it. We, as a music society, have moved on to other bands…Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy and Good Charlotte…most of which I despise. We’ve seen front-men of popular groups try to make their own way as solo artists (Rob Thomas) or as TV hosts and dancers (Mark McGrath); neither of which came with the same acclaim as their preceding gig. Then came Emerson Hart.
I first heard of Emerson’s solo efforts as word of mouth from a Rock Boater. I had to ask that horrible question, “Emerson Hart? Never heard of them, who are they?” Yeah, it sounds like a band name. I was told about how Tonic’s lead singer was starting a solo career, to which I rolled my eyes and moaned something about taking a clue when your 15 minutes are over. I meant it as no disrespect to Tonic, but again, some people should either stick with the band that brought ya, or give it up. My friend went on to tell me that I should give him a listen and be open minded about it. Whatever….
A few months later I am leaving a comment on Josh Hoge’s MySpace and I notice he had a blog about picking up Emerson’s CD. “He’s on the bandwagon too?” I thought. So I navigated over to Emerson’s MySpace and was going to give him a listen, but for some reason I didn’t. I don’t remember why, But I didn’t. I know I saw the album cover, but never listened.
I’m not sure how much time had passed after that day, but some time later I was browsing through Plan 9 Music looking for God only knows what that day. Anyway, I passed my a display of Emerson Hart Cd’s and thought “why not?” and picked it up. Cigarettes and Gasoline sat in my car in shrink wrap for a week or so; then it sat on my coffee table the same way for another week or so. I kept thinking “How good can it be?” “I bet he’s just trying to recreate his Tonic music”.
I finally popped in the disc and listened to it half ass. Then came Green Hills Race For California; it stopped me in my place. The lyrics, the arrangement, the emotion it created…I was transfixed. I started the CD again and really listened to it. I was instantly hooked. This wasn’t a man who was trying to recapture the sound of Tonic only to fall short; instead it was an earnest and beautifully crafted attempt to create his own identity as an artist.
I did some background research on some of the songs. I learned about the rough patch in his marriage that led to If You’re Gonna Leave; and the similar story about a friends failed marriage that inspired I Wish The Best For You. Cigarettes and Gasoline, the keystone song and title track was my favorite though, penned about the murder of his father. It was an emotional CD about relationships and I had an honest connection with it.
So, you would think I would be sold, right? Nah, that would be too easy. I then begin to think he’s probably a self absorbed asshole who’s living in the past. I figured he probably had some warped since of entitlement to fame because of his past contributions to the industry, but yet would resent anytime the name Tonic was brought up. Look, when I don’t want to like someone, I won’t! It’s a horrible trait and I’m trying to fix it.
I didn’t let my ignorance get in the way of enjoying his music., however. I booked to shoot his show at Toad’s Place in Richmond when he was to come through opening for Live. I was pretty excited to see him, was hoping to get a request in for Green Hills, but it never came to be; the show was canceled. About month ago I saw he was coming to Jamin’ Java in Vienna, but I would have had to miss work to drive up and I was already missing the next day to go shoot in Newport News. Then I see he books the Jewish Mother the day I’m in Newport News. I thought about heading there after the NN show, but I would have been late, plus the next day was Shamrock Fest and I had Eli with me. Shit!
So comes this week(end). I’d been jamming to Josh Kelley and Son’s of William in the car and then Thursday I decided to switch it over to Emerson. I hadn’t listened to it in a couple of months and I had forgotten how much I loved it. The next day at work I had it playing all day on the iDock and again in the car. Ahhh, I missed this CD.
Yesterday my husband had to work so I put him on again and as I was listening and blogging and I started to cry. As much I have always loved the songs and connected with them, yesterday a few of them really got me in the gut. Cigarettes and Gasoline and Flyin‘….two of my favorites and the two that sent me to tears. After a few times of hitting repeat, I decided that was enough of that. Then what do I do; put on Lemon Parade...not a good move, I began to cry through Soldiers Daughter. GAH!
Now, I should have turned off Emerson Hart and called it a day with his music; I didn’t though. Instead I begin to YouTube him and I’m glad I did. I found some great show videos (his voice is amazing live) and then I found interviews and clips of what I can only call “Story Time with Emerson Hart”.
Emerson, if you ever read this, I owe you an apology. You are not the person I thought you to be. I laughed, I cried, I laughed so hard I cried…I was amazed how genuine and benevolent you are…and funny! I am so completely sorry for being a judgmental asshat! I don’t even know why I am that way and why I would choose to think the things I did, but I’m sorry…and very happy to be wrong!
I spent the day watching interviews and live clips and falling more and more in love with his as a performer. His love of being on stage and his engagement of the audience were so impressive to me. And what I found even more fascinating was his comfort to talk about his previous endeavors. I thought he may run away from playing Tonic songs or shy away from questions, as if to say he’s “over” that, but he doesn’t. He embraces his time with them and the music he wrote. I don’t know, all I can say is that having watched everything I did not only makes me appreciate his music more, but connect to it on a deeper level as well. Cheesy, I know, but oh well.
With all this being said, I have a goal. I want to see Emerson before my birthday (Aug 16) this year. I must! Not only see him live, but have the courage to talk to him and thank him for writing some of the most candid, authentic and poignant music I’ve ever heard . (I haven’t even been able to say that to Barry of Carbon Leaf and I talk to him a lot!) I know he’s playing in Raleigh next month and it’s impossible for me to go to. Don’t ask why this is such a big deal to me, I won’t be able to explain it (at least not in a way that will take less than 3 hours and 27 paragraphs), but trust that this is something that is very important to me.
So, I am going to end this with a plea. (I hate begging, but I think I can make an exception here.) It’s my desperate attempt to get Emerson back in the area soon…and please feel free to tell him when you see him at a show (you lucky bastards!) that you know about this insane girl in Richmond and her goal to see him before her birthday! I need your help people!
Emerson,
Please come to the area. Please! Richmond, Virginia is not anti-Emerson…we’ll show you love! We have two amazing venues in Toad’s Place and The National…hell, we even have Canal Club and Ashland Tea and Coffee. I’ll take pictures of your set…you’ll sing beautiful music…I may cry…it will be magical!
You’re loyal and overly emotional fan,
Angel
It’s more like reasons…I’m a bad drunk…A) I’m that girl that has to call or text everyone to let them know I’m drunk. Not only that, but I have random conversations with people I barely know and I look like a tool. B) I really don’t know my limit. I think “Oh, 5 beers isn’t much.” Not realizing I’m a light weight and 5 beers in 30 minutes and an empty stomach is bad. C) Hangovers…I always get them. D) I forget names…and that’s embarrassing!
Why am I listing these things…to help explain last weekend. Why am I blogging about it? I dunno. I’ve been 2 weeks without a blog and I need something! And for Laura…who should have been there…you asshat! But there are some interesting bits to the story…so read it dammit! Or don’t…I don’t care either way
On the 14th, I took my friend Laura and my son Eli to Newport News to see Carbon Leaf. It had been forever since Eli had seen them and all Laura knew of them was what she saw hung on my office wall. I’d told her a million and one stories and had some pix to back it up, but I was surprised when she wanted to come along. Anyway, I was thrilled to have her.
As we showed up we ran into the band leaving for dinner. Said my hellos to Tom and Jason and chatted a bit more with Terry. Made our way into the concert grounds found a few friends to say hi to and decided to have a drink. I’m not sure how many I had, but it was in a short time frame. I don’t remember much pre-show, except I was an idiot. Sara from Chesapeake showed up and when I went to introduce her, I almost forgot her name. I had a conversation about cigg’s with Cliff, but I don’t know why (and I never talk to Cliff) and then somewhere in the middle of that I called a friend to tell her I didn’t know where I was. Yeah, I suck. That was soon followed by a call to the hubby who was concerned because my slurred “I’m fine!”’s were not reassuring him.
Anyway, shortly the show started and I was beginning to sober up. Took a ton of pix and sang the night away with my son. After the set I took Laura to meet all the guys who signed her CD for her. She even managed to get a light from Tom. Carter and I talked about the next days Shamrock Fest and how I was supposed to go, but wasn’t sure that was happening. Tom butted in to let me know I needed to be there. Said it depended on the hangover.
Left the show and drove Laura home (who seems to be a new CL fan now!) and went to bed. Got up at 7 and was on the road to DC by 8. Picked up Maeghan who drove my car to RFK and waited in line while she got to get in to work for Scythian. Met a couple of party guys in line who went to Keggs and Eggs the day before. Got in and found Maeghan and Wendy was soon there as well. Went up to the main stage and snapped a few shots of Scythian and then went back to the merch tent. After their set the guys came over and Wendy was wonderful enough to get my pic with all of them. YAY! Pretty drunk foreign boys! I also need to add that I am beyond hung over. I want to lie down and sleep.
Maegan was leaving early to follow Scythian to Philly so I was able to get a backstage pass. Hung out up front while the Celtic dancers performed. Found Elmo and Big Don and chatted a bit with Tom when he came out. Saw Cliff who said hello, so maybe my drunk conversation wasn’t as bad as what I don’t remember.
Finally it was time for the Street Dogs! Punk at it’s best. Everyone (but Wendy and Maeg’han) thought I was joking when I said I loved them; I think I proved I wasn’t. Snapped some pix out front and then got daring and went back stage. Said hello to Tom again (who looked baffled as to how I got back there) and ran to the opposite side to watch the set. The stage manager said I could go side stage and get some shots, so I did….yeah, that was intense having Marcus look directly into the lens as you are taking the shot!
As I came down the stage stairs I ran into Barry from Carbon Leaf who was saying something about them giving me the pass and he was glad he remembered or something. I told him they didn’t I was there with another band. The look on his face when I said the Street Dogs was priceless! Anyway, I finished the set and was hoping to talk to SD, but only Marcus came down my side and looked a bit rushed.
Wendy came back stage (she was with Scythian) and we hung out while watching CL load in. We made our way into what we thought was the general food tent, only to learn it was CL’s. Carter came walking in as we’re grabbing water and M&M’s. He didn’t mind and as he ordered up some beer. Chatted with him and then went to find the Street Dogs.
We found Marcus as he was coming out of his side of the tent. I introduce myself and said I was shooting their Anti-Flag show in Richmond. Very nice guy…even kind of shy. Chatted with him for a while, then he pointed out where Mike was to us as he had to excuse himself to do an interview. Told him I’d see him next month and he said they’d be around all night, just come hang out anytime. Looked back towards Mike, but he was a bit away from us and he wondered off before I had a chance to approach him, but no worries, a moment later Johnny Rioux came walking up.
I could feel my heart racing as Wendy was telling me to talk to him. I couldn’t; I completely froze. I love Johnny in a 16 year old school girl sort of way…it’s bad!. Anyway, Wendy tells him to sit and she introduces herself. I follow her lead and chat with him about the set and their upcoming show in Richmond. I’m doing the best I can not to drool on the poor man. We talk to him some more as Tobe walks up. I say hello to him, but they have to go into the interview Marcus mentioned. I start running through the backstage telling everyone who will listen that I met Johnny. Go out front to tell tell Elmo, Don and Tali. By this time I have had a couple of beers and I’m feeling good and I just met Johnny Rioux!
Go back stage and say hello to Jason as I am trying to drunk call Amy (and look important as well). I get in line for the restroom behind Tom and Johnny walks up to say hello to him. I’m done…my world has came full circle. Johnny and Tom chatting…awesome! When Tom comes out, I make some big deal about Johnny and loving him to Tom…I know he thinks I’ve lost my mind! Oh well. I look around and see Wendy talking to friends and then just to her left is Mike, lead singer of the Street Dogs. I go over and say hi and talk to him about the show I’m shooting. He’s amazing! He whips out his phone and gives me his managers number and says if there is anything I need to call him and they’ll get it taken care of. We chat some more and then I see Tobe calling for him so he says he’ll catch up later.
I turn around to Wendy who is trying to calm me down. I see there are members of CL looking at me completely confused…I’ve only been shooting them for how long?!?! Anyway, Wendy and I head back to the chairs we’ve commandeered by the SD tent and wait for Carbon Leaf. It hits me that I never went to the rest room so I get up to go. I’m waiting in line and Jason and Carter come and get in line. I let them ahead of me (they’re about to go on) and get sidetracked again…I must have either been following beer or Johnny. Get back in line and I can see Barry prepping for their set. Told him he’d done enough primping, he was already pretty. He gave me a smile and wink as headed to the stage.
CL comes on and the stage manager tells me I can get some pix. She had overheard me talking to Barry earlier…despite the fact I had tuned him out to listen to SD, she got the impression he wanted me doing photography. So as I am taking some pix side stage, she is asking me how long I’ve known the guys and how well I know Barry. Do what?!?! I tell her not well at all, I’d be shocked if he remembered my name (kinda a lie, I know he does) and she starts asking about his romantic life. I said she’d have to talk to him and then went to the photo pit. Took a ton of what I now know to be shitty pictures and came back to talk to Wendy and Billy (Scythian’s “sleazy” tour manager).
Wendy says she’s going over to see Ceann play and I said I was going to hang there for a bit and then I would go find her. I call Amy with yet another drunk call…poor Aims! I see Johnny who stops to say hello and gives me a hug. Then I run into Billy again watching the side stage band. Share his beer with him and have a talk about how he and Danny (Scythian) are roommates and watch CL load out. I say goodbye to Billy and run into Mike again. Tell him it was a pleasure talking to him and look forward to the show at The National. He hands me a beer and we chat for a moment as I formally get introduced to Tobe (this memory came back the next day, most are still a blur). Tobe points to a shadow coming in our general direction and Mike goes “yeah”. Later I will see that same figure again…all the while not knowing or caring it’s Russell Crowe. Anyway, say goodbye to SD and make my way to find Wendy.
Ceann is great; look them up. Didn’t know who they were, but I loved them. Quite funny. We ended the night watching them and hanging with some of Wendy’s friends. Drove back to her place and texted Laura until I finally just called her with what I could remember. All I knew was I was hurting and I told Barry he sucked…and he was an ass hat. I wouldn’t have done that if I hadn’t been drinking..okay, that’s a lie…I would. But he knows I’m sorta joking! I also met Johnny Rioux and now I am complete. Did a lot of great networking and worked my ass off as well. You know, I swore last year I would never go to another Shamrock Fest and now I can’t wait for 2009…my third in what should be an annual event for me!
Oh, I guess it wasn’t all about being *that* drunk girl, but oh well….
I refuse to say Brett Favre should have hung it up years ago and I refuse to say he should go now. I am in complete denial; I cannot imagine the NFL without #4. No one was better, and no one ever will be. Brett Favre was football and football will never be the same. So, without boring you with the thousands of reasons that I love Brett and why he is the greatest, I will only say this:
I'm Angel, a 32 year old wanna-be photographer from Richmond, VA. Here you can read my thoughts on anything from politics to sports, motherhood to partying with the girls. Welcome to my world; hope you enjoy your stay.
James McAvoy. I’d heard of James because of Wanted and thought he was amazing eye candy, but it wasn’t until I watched Becoming Jane that I fell in love with him. Now I own Penelope, Atonement, Wanted (didn’t care for, but James was great), Starter For 10, Rory O’Shea Was Here, Wimbledon, Becoming Jane and The Last King Of Scotland. I need to get Narnia. He’s absolutely brilliant and seems like a great bloke.
Mark Ruffalo. You know, I don’t know how I discovered Mark; I just know I love him. Although I don’t care for all of his films (that Reece Witherspoon one), he’s always fantastic. Some of my favorties include, We Don’t Live Here Anymore, Last Castle, You Can Count On Me, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and My Life Without Me.
Cillian Murphy. My love for Cillian started with 28 Days Later and is still going strong today. Just like the previously mentioned actors, Cillian is versatile and brilliant. Some of my fave Cillian flicks include, 28 Days Later, Breakfast on Pluto, Disco Pigs, The Wind That Shakes The Barley and the insanely funny, Watcing The Detectives.
