We're Moving!

And be 'we,' I mean I. And by 'I', I mean this blog and its sister site for my book. Yes, I'm finally taking the plunge and pushing on to Wordpress for a myriad of reasons. 

CAPSLOCKED AND LOADED

capslockedandloaded.wordpress.com is the new site for the blog. You'll find my film and comic writing, musings, and general ramblings -- all neatly organized into easy to read categories. So as not to bore everyone, I'll be interspersing old posts with new content. You're welcome. 

Because my schedule is dramatically changing I will hopefully -- hopefully -- be updating regularly. Or at all. Then again I've made this promise before, only to see things explode into insanity and madness and no writing, which annoys me. So we'll see.

Charlie Black

charlieblackbook.wordpress.com is where the book will be. Or possibly. I'm actually looking into self-publishing it as a serial, in a sort of 'pay as you go' format. But again, I haven't decided as of this writing.

This is far less informative than I originally planned.

Accidental Interim

So, you may have noticed the posting on this blog abruptly ceased. Or maybe you didn't notice. Maybe you're just now going, 'Oh, she stopped posting? I had no idea.' I don't know your life. But I digress.

Basically I haven't been writing here because I am almost hilariously busy. And by 'hilariously' I mean pretty much the opposite. I actually tried to write an amusing metaphor there, but it fell apart. Because I am tired and don't have time.

But I don't want to fall out of the habit, for my own edification if nothing else, so I'm going to try to write something here as often as I can. Sporadically, until things calm down or someone tears my laptop from my nail-bitten fingers as I cackle nonsensically. Although to be fair I tend to do that whenever something upsetting happens on one of my TV shows, so it might be hard to tell.

Anyway. I am still here, still working, and going to put a few posts into the backlog so that this blog doesn't languish entirely.

There will be some languishing, but hopefully not full-on malaise.

Or something.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 132-160

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 132-160

132. Say What You Say - Eminem

Dear Past Me: 

I don't get it. You thought you were punk. You thought you were a Riot Grrl, Patti Smith, Courtney Love, Debbie Harry. You lived at Hot Topic and were unaware of the irony of this. So how did you justify your love for Eminem? Really, I need an explanation. 

Love, Present Me. 

PS Remember when you kept naming all your essays after Eminem songs because you thought you were clever? What the hell?

133. Silvio - Bob Dylan

Someone once told me they loved Dylan's songs but hated his voice. I was enormously disappointed with them and the choices in their life. 

135. Pressed Rat And Warthog - Cream [CORRUPTED]

I have to be honest: even if it hadn't been corrupted I would have probably deleted this song. Because it's weird. And not fun weird -- bad acid trip weird. 

136. New York State Of Mind - Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner can sing and this fact is just unfair.

137. Such A Perfect Day - Lou Reed

This song only comes on when I'm having a truly terrible day. Like the rain is pouring, my car is stuck in traffic, I'm late for work, my coffee has exploded all over me, and my phone battery has given up the ghost even though I charged it before I left home. Then BOOM this song comes on. I think Lou Reed would be pleased by this.

138. Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters is tops.

139. Stink-Foot - Frank Zappa

I met Dweezil Zappa once, when he was on his 'Zappa Does Zappa' tour, and it was not my finest hour. Usually when I meet someone famous I can be polite and appear like a functioning human (for a certain amount of time, anyway). And it wasn't even Dweezil himself (although he is wonderfully talented and charming and was very nice and his eyes are almost TOO blue); it was that I grew up listening to his dad. I was SHAPED by that music, for good or ill. Frank Zappa is one of the songs I associate with growing up. And for some reason that made my brain stall hideously when I got the chance to speak with his son.

Here's a rundown of my Conversation With Dweezil Zappa. It's not entirely accurate due to the fact that I was having some sort of existential crisis when it went down, but you get the gist. 

Me: Hi! Boy that song is great and you were great and isn't this venue great? Your band is great. Great. Anyway I loved that solo it was just great, this whole tour is great, OK BYE.' 

140. The Flower Of Carnage - 梶芽衣子 (Kill Bill)

Essential listening before embarking on an epic quest. Also pretty fun to listen to when on the subway, although I'm not sure why.

143. Threshold - Sex Bob-Omb

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World will always have a special place in my heart, in large part because I was pretty much Knives in high school. Only way, WAY lamer. 

146. A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall - Bob Dylan

File Under: Songs that make me want to cry for no clear reason.

148. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello

We all think of Steve Rogers when we hear this song, right? Well, know you totally will. You're welcome.

149. I'm Not Here - Meat Puppets

The Meat Puppets are still around and this brings me a sense of comfort in a chaotic world.

150. 23 - Jimmy Eat World

Of all the bands that were popular when I was younger, I didn't think Jimmy Eat World would be one whose music endured. But it's held up remarkably well, and actually seems far more relevant now than it did when I was younger. The more I think about it, the more this worries me.

151. A Little Death - The Neighborhood [DELETED]

I'm not really sure what to say about this one. I didn't hate it, I just didn't really like it. 

152. You Keep Me Hangin' On - Diana Ross & The Supremes

Diana Ross is a queen. 

153. Jewel Of The Summertime - Audioslave

Oh, Audioslave. What happened? You were going to be the biggest thing ever. You were a super-band. Like Jefferson Starship. Only you made some songs I like. So nothing like Jefferson Starship. Anyway, it's too bad the hype was so great around the band because there are some solid songs. 

156. Everlong - Foo Fighters

I will freely admit that this song makes me ugly cry because it is beautiful and heartbreaking. Why have I never seen the Foo Fighters in concert? What are these terrible choices I'm making?

157. Daddy - Julie London

My grandfather instilled in me a great many things: a love of driving fast, a taste for YooHoo, a passion for Rat Pack movies, and a love of Julie London. My grandfather is the best. 

158. Turn It Off - Phantogram

No, YOU turn it off. I'm not even sorry because I made myself laugh.

160. All Or Nothing - X

Let's talk about X. I was obsessed with Exene Cervenka and John Doe and their weird, wonderful world. I would troll the local record stores looking for original releases of their CDs. I studied their careers. I even supported their other projects, so great was my devotion. And in retrospect I can honestly say these were fantastic and smart life choices. X is one of the greatest LA punk bands. Plus the phrase 'cowpunk' continues to delight me.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 101-130

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Notes: After a brief break due to real life/my horrifically bad time management skills, we are back on track. Or would be if this had a track. Or an end date. I'm really starting to miss choosing what music I listen to. 

Tracks 101-130

101. I'm Not Okay [I Promise] - My Chemical Romance 

This is a great angry song that gets your heart racing and makes you feel righteous fury with the world. Then you dance.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 83-100

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 83-100

Note: Holy shit, how did we hit 100 songs already? Actually, that's not true. Since I drive a LOT, and listen to my iPod in the car during all that driving time, my real-life listening count is nearing 200.

I could either increase the number of songs I include in each post (I'm trying to average between 10-20) or I could continue on this vein. You can offer your opinions on the matter. Or not. Do whatever the hell you like; I'm not your boss.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 61-82

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 61-82

 61. Flowers On The Wall - The Statler Brothers (Pulp Fiction)

I have an unabashed weakness for falsely happy songs with surprisingly depressing lyrics. Have you ever listened to what this song is actually saying? Someone needs a hug.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 37-60

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 37-60

40. Handel: Water Music - Presto - Richard Edlinger: Capella Istropolitana

It's really, really hard to be sad when listening to this. Believe me, I've tried.

A Few Questions For 'Jurassic World'

Dear Jurassic World:

I hope this letter finds you well. OK, let's not be coy -- I know it finds you well. You're the biggest movie in the world. You've smashed all the records and have the box office eating out of your CGI-d hands. A sequel is already in the works, and lots of people adore you and what you've done. Good on you. I wish you nothing but the best. And while you're enjoying all this success and good fortune, I have a few questions I'd like to pose to you.

Understand, I was excited when I heard about this movie. I love Jurassic Park. I even liked the sequels a great deal. And then you got Chris Pratt on board, and I was even more pumped. The trailers only helped matters. I mean, Chris Pratt as King of the Raptors? This is like all my dreams coming to cinematic life.

Then I saw the movie. And now I have some questions.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers. Literally all the spoilers, ever. I go through pretty much every single thing that happened in Jurassic World. I spoil it. I spoil all the things. If you do not want to see SPOILERS FOR JURASSIC PARK, PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY MORE.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 24-36

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 24-36

24. Antrozous - Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard 

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy has a soundtrack that ranks as one of my all-time favorites. It's great to work out to, great to drive to, and great to save Gotham to. Also great to attempt to destroy Gotham to. What? I'm just saying. You know the Joker was blasting this as he went around causing mayhem. 

It also eternally delights me that the track names are the Latin names for different species of bats. It further delights me that tracks 4 through 9 form an acrostic that actually spells 'Batman.' That is an attention to detail you can't overlook.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 11-23

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 11-23

11. The Click - Good Charlotte

When I was a wee lass (or at least a teenager with Manic Panic-colored hair and bondge pants direct from Hot Topic), I met the brothers Joel and Benji Madden at a local all-ages show. And they were lovely. Just incredibly nice and kind to all the emotionally stressed-out teens demanding their attention, and remarkably patient with the histrionics that ensued. They were polite and friendly and seemed genuinely flattered that people were so enthralled by their music. It was remarkable that these people we had seen on TV were so human.

Me Against The Music: Tracks 1-10

For reasons of her own, Elle has decided to listen to every single song in her music library and record the experience. These are her notes. 

Tracks 1-10

Now, as this is the first entry, let's make a few things clear: 

• I'm only discussing the songs about which I have something to say. That is why there are jumps in the numbers.
• This isn't a way for me to hide my shameful musical inclinations; the complete list will be posted on the sidebar for your mockery and derision. So enough stalling. Let's get to it, shall we? 

1. Halloweenhead - Ryan Adams

Oh thank God the first song is a good one. At least I'm starting out on the right foot, and didn't embarrass myself immediately. That will come later I'm sure, but for now I at least have the illusion of dignity and musical taste. For the record, Ryan Adams has uttered two of my favorite insults of all time: 'Fuck off into a black hole and die,' and 'Fuck off to a Nickelback concert.' He also loves cats. Ryan Adams is the best.

Me Against The Music: An Audio Retrospective

I love collecting things. I have a knack for it: comics, t-shirts, books and yarn just seem to accumulate around me. It's a gift (or a curse, depending on your perspective). And that's not even counting the seemingly endless digital copies of things I've acquired due to the wonders of technology. 

While some of my collections have come and gone (I still don't quite understand what the point of Pogs was, and precious few Beanie Babies have survived subsequent purges), a few have been steadfast companions. One of the oldest (and by far least organized) is my music collection.

Over the years I've collected music from countless sources: recommended lists, television soundtracks, random mixes, suggestions from friends, and free downloads were all my domain. I collected indiscriminately, first in cassettes, then CDs, and now in the form of MP3s. Over the years my collection has evolved to be mostly digital -- and it's still a mess. 

Whoever said that digital copies would cut down on clutter should have a chat with me. My music collection is baffling and somewhat frightening. I have no idea where a large chunk of my music came from, or what possessed me to add it to my listening rotation. Some are dubiously titled. A lot are damaged from the time I tried to save my collection from a dying laptop, and was only semi-successful.

And because of streaming music, I've neglected it for some time. It's easy, it's fun, and it's exposed me to tons of music I otherwise would never had heard. I've discovered new artists I love and can finally understand a lot of pop culture references that were baffling me (there are downsides to not listening to the radio for years on end). The only downside to this brave new musical world? My own music collection has been cruelly neglected.

My iTunes has grown dusty and decrepit from lack of use. If digital music could grow moldy, my collection would a science experiment. But no more; I'm going to tackle it head-on. I will listen to every track in my collection, and record the experience for your edification. 

The good, the bad, the one-hit wonders I still adore and the 'classic hits' I can't help but loathe -- all will be confessed to. I'll keep the ones I genuinely like, and let the rest go.  No matter how bad, shameful, or straight-up weird the songs may be. 

So gird your loins, kids: this could get ugly.

Dusting Off The Blog

Metaphorical dust, naturally. This is the future and the future has no dust. Unless it's space dust.

Just some general housekeeping. I'll be moving all the Charlie Black posts over to a new blog, creatively titled CharlieBlackBook.blogspot.com. Oh, and I'll try to post more. I can't guarantee that will happen on any sort of schedule, but it will.

Additionally, I'm going to try writing on this blog more regularly as well.

I said TRY.

Don't look at me like that.