iPod Essentials #80: "Love Comes Quickly"--Pet Shop Boys

Ahhh, my favorite song of this band, a dark, moody ballad dedicated to the surprise of finding love and to do so while being yourself. Every time I listen to XM/Sirius's First Wave as of late, this song pops up. Will I find love without trying? Maybe.

This song has it all: hypnotic beat, positive message, unique delivery.

Starbucked Vegas

Yesterday my hairdresser's assistant told me that children and their families were ruining Sin City. Based on my recent visit a few days ago, I'd have to agree with her.

Corporations own Vegas now--Mirage MGM, Harrahs. Most everything on the Strip is neon, chain store. Even slots machines have gone high tech. It's terrible not to feel coins falling into your hands when you hit 777 on a slot. Don't get me wrong, The Strip is still fun but I don't want to be reminded of home. (Bally's, this means you, with that ridiculous news ticker underneath your hotel sign.)

Vegas should retain some of its old history, like the Flamingo and the Tropicana. Imagine the scene: you could see Sinatra and his Rat Pack walking through the now-deceased Aladdin to get a steak. Cigarette smoke billowing through casinos. Elvis, alive and well, in the lounge. Men wear suits, and women wear cocktail dresses and heels. Vegas equaled heat and class.

If there is a Starbucks in every hotel, I might as well stay home.

Gumbo Fun

A big shout out to Bill Fitzhugh (author of THE ORGAN GRINDERS, PEST CONTROL, and other mysteries and Sirius Deep Tracks DJ) along with his lovely wife for the fabulous gumbo party they hosted at their wonderful Woodland Hills home last Saturday night for members of the So Cal chapter of Mystery Writers of America. There were about 50 people feasting on tasty seafood or chicken and sausage gumbo in the backyard. A great time was had by all! I will be returning next year!

Here's to cajun cuisine and its spicy tales...

iPod Essentials #79: "Suspicious Minds"--Elvis Presley

I'm heading to Vegas for a few days tomorrow, so it's only fitting that I honor THE KING. Although I like most Elvis tunes, this one, by far, is my favorite. It's rock, intense, and shows Elvis as a true performer (Watch the Elvis concert footage from 1970, and you'll see what I mean.).

BTW, Kurt Russell was robbed for an Emmy for his portrayal of Elvis in the miniseries back in the early 80's (not sure about the exact year). His reenactment of "Suspicious Minds" still sends goosebumps down my arms.

Remembering John Hughes

Who hasn't watched a John Hughes film? I've seen most of them (FERRIS BUEHLER, my fave). Hughes's films epitomize teenage angst in dramatic and entertaining ways. You feel for Molly Ringwald's character in SIXTEEN CANDLES when her parents forget her Sweet Sixteen because they are too busy controlling their older daughter's wedding plans. You get a lump in your throat when you hear the characters of Anthony Michael Hall and Emilio Estevez discussing their troubled family lives and self-doubt in THE BREAKFAST CLUB. You want to ride on a float and twist with Ferris Buehler.

Never patronizing, John Hughes's films respect teenagers. This explains the popularity of his films during the mid 80's.

He left us far too soon. Thankfully, his films are still with us and future generations.

iPod Essentials #78: "The Ghost in You"--Psychedelic Furs

Since I'm not a "Pretty in Pink" fan (the song, not the movie), I'm going to chose this selection for this week's Essential. This song is Synthopop New Romantic to the max: "Ain't it just like rain/And love is only heaven away." It's inspiring and hopeful, something we all could use during these troubled times, as I mentioned during last week's blog.

Ipod Essentials #76: "Wouldn't It Be Nice"--The Beach Boys

It wouldn't be a summer without this quintessential band, would it? The Beach Boys, in their prime, created simple tunes with complex melodies. Lyrics were about cars, summer, surfing, and of course, love.

This song about longing makes me long for happier times, when I wasn't worried about job security or finances (Yesterday's routine trip to the mechanic turned into an expensive day.) The lazy days of summer are now rare events.

Will we ever get these days back again? Or will our technologically busy-busy-worry times keep us feeling this void?