Cue:Music

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6
Jul 10

Hello, It’s Me…

I know.  I’ve been gone, again.  Popping in to quickly CanJam, then poof.  Only the randomness of my tweetstorm as evidence that I’m around, but only in 140 mode.

I have been writing.  Writing lots of different things.  Just not finishing.  I haven’t been able to put my head around the sentences and paragraphs that confound me.

I’ve been getting stuck on purpose.  Why am I writing what I’m writing?  Is outcome more important than getting it out?  I’m trying not to worry about what comes after.  Ehhh, I’m not there yet.

I’ve been big on the 4 Agreements this year.  I write them down everyday.  I’m working on keeping my word.  Being impeccable with it.  I just can’t seem to do it  with myself.  I’m the easiest and the first person to let down in a pinch, or hell, on the regular.

But this, R&C, is the place I can do whatever my heart and head desires.  They both need more attention paid.

So, I’m back.  If only to remind myself that I get joy from so many things and that Mommy taught me to share.

Nikki♥

I’m going to burn some incense now… Here’s Todd Rundgren & The Isley Brothers doing “Hello, It’s Me”

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18
May 10

Seen+Heard | Flying Lotus

Have you ever wanted to just give a musician some money?  Not just, here’s money for your record money, but here’s money for dinner money.  Can I buy you some sneakers money? Do you need a haircut money? How can I help you make some more of this money?  I’m feeling that way about Flying Lotus and Cosmogramma.

Don’t ask me where I’ve been on Flying Lotus.  I could say that I blame the dj friends  who used to hip me to EVERYTHINg, but it’s not their fault I’m so out of it.  My heads been in the no-no place on a lot of good music. (♥: chile…)

Won’t explain it.  Can’t describe it.  Just experience it.

Who says you can’t rock the fuck out of it live?  And at some point I’m going to have to write about my weeks long obsession about Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.  Don’t take that the wrong way.  I didn’t know that this amazingly talented man walked the earth with notes dancing on his soul until I watched Mochilla’s Timeless DVDs.  Seriously, give that man a bow, or hell, just watch him feel music.

Right now, the neighbors and I are dancing to Do The Astral Plane off Cosmogramma.   Okay, I’m dancing and they’re nodding heads behind thin walls.  I think.  (♥:They better…)

Nikki♥

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7
Apr 10

Awww, Thx Wednesday! | I♥Shebeen, Hardcore Edition

back down memory lane…

Bars close as quickly as they open in New York.  For some reason, I always thought Shebeen would just be there.

The last couple of years I was in the city, it was like a second home.  Really, the bench outside was the coolest place to watch the city go by.  202 Mott, btw Spring and Kenmare.  A random Nolita street where folks just lived.  It wasn’t hip central.  It just was.

Instead of whining about what used to be (♥: You really have been doing that for a while), I want to celebrate having found something special.

Rob posted his last live set at raeo.net.  I’ve got more pictures in my Shebeen flickr set.  These are all from 2005.  I’d just stated shooting on a little dig point and shoot.  I’m really glad the camera was always out.

backgammon with rob

I adored Taryn and Dalia. Thank you for bringing a bit of S.Africa to the city.

I think I see glasses. Was that a Feltron night?

anna and ummm, me?

while trying to decide what to order in, we hung out in the smoking room.

Pete

On one of the nights Rob was spinning, I heard Prefuse 73 for the first time.  It was one of those musical detours that opened up a whole new world of sound and space.

I always figured there would be that spot where we could pick up where we left off when I got back to the city.  Alas, the bar is gone.  The memories aren’t.

I’ve do believe I’ve figured out my Ode to Shebeen Summers.  Instead of the drinking Strawberry Balsamic Martinis, I’ll be making lots of Strawberry Balsamic Jam.

Thx, Wednesday!

Nikki♥

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17
Mar 10

Awww, Thx Wednesday! | The Mall Edition

taking the time to make note of a few things that make the days extra sweet.

All I could think about on the way home was a little cod, couscous, onions and tomatoes.  Mmmmm.  So good.

Ventured out to The Mall today.  Seriously, I’ve been planning to go for ages and always let it go awry.  I’m so glad I let today just happen.  It filled my Wednesday with surprises!

I saw the sign and just had to have a Cinnabon.  Umm, I guess? *shoulder shrug central*  So not the big deal I used to think they were.  It’s crazy that so many things are kinda blah now.  Maybe because I can actually make and bake things that really tickle my taste buds.

Popped over to Target.  I couldn’t believe they still had a few pieces from the Liberty of London for Target collection.  I stood and stared at the rain boots that were 3 sizes too small for a few minutes.  Mmmm, pretty.

Instead of pining, I decide to run through my Hunter wellie color choices.  I’m thinking multiple pairs.  Thx, Jan + Feb.  Tony! Toni! Tone! lied. It never stopped raining in Southern California.

I was doing my best ANTM poses in the dressing room feeling Trés BadAss when this song came on.  Things got all movie montage inspired.  I went from catalog to couture faster than you can say André Leon Talley.

I’m still on a bit of a pop culture fast cleanse, so I didn’t know what the song was or who was singing it.  Oddly,  I waited until I got home to try to find out. (♥: It never crossed your mind to use your phone?) Apparently, no.

I think the best part of today’s shopping was what I realized about me.  I liked it.  A lot.  Even when I walked out of a store empty handed or things didn’t fit.  It wasn’t that big of a deal.

I bought things I never would have.  Hello, striped shirt from H&M.  Or broke the “I live in LA.  No more black clothes” rule.  It didn’t matter.  I bought the black dress and black tunic because I fell in LOVE and they look killah on me.  Oh, Mojo.  I’ve missed you.

Thx so much, Wednesday!  I hope she’s been as good to you!

Nikki♥

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10
Mar 10

Awww. Thx, Wednesday!

taking the time to make note of a few things that make the days extra sweet.

Do you ever smile at the clouds?  I can’t help but be amazed by the beauty of the sky.

Apparently, I’m in hyper-adoration mode for tangelos and Sandra Juto… The comments on her wrist worm giveaway remind me how small the world is and how great the internet is at connecting people.  It’s just everyone listing their favorite movies.  It warms my heart a little when someone else talks about how much they love Me and You and Everyone We Know, Before Sunset, Strictly Ballroom and all things Almodovar.

Esthero… One of my favorite singers, ever ever, posted a song that leaves me with a tear stained face.  There’s such beauty in its simplicity.  Black Mermaid stirred something.  It not only made me happy,  but it moved me to use those moments, so easily wasted, doing what I’m here to do.

Nikole Herriot, of Forty-sixth at Grace, makes and photographs such beautiful cakes.  I want to make more cakes.  I want to make lots of pretty cakes.  I want to forage for antique bundt tins.  (♥: Okay, breathe.) Innnnnn.  Ouuuuuuuttttt. Thx. I needed that.

Still working on booking a trip to visit relatives while the William Eggleston exhibition is at the Art Institute of Chicago.  I don’t really own a coat.  So, I just need it to be, you know, warmer.

Uh-oh!  I can get a bit of stellar photog right here in Beverly Hills.  Gursky at the Gagosian opened last week.  Sweet!

Counting the days… The Art of the Steal opens this weekend here in LA.  It looks like I’m about to get on an emotional roller coaster.  Dr. Barnes and his collection changed the way I see and appreciate art.

Ahhh, the art of making me happy.  It’s a challenging craft that I’m learning to practice every single day.

Nikki♥

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6
Mar 10

Giggly & Screechy | Wang Chung

(♥:You’re serious?) sure am. i have no cool points.  therefore, none to lose.

Let’s go, baby.  Let’s go, baby.  Come on!

I don’t know how my brain works.  I was watching an Ella Fitzgerald doc.  That led to listening to a bit of Sarah Vaughn.  Here’s what doesn’t make sense.  From there, I put on Chrissie Hynde.

In some 80s-ish leap, I get here.  Giggly & Screechy.  Listening to Wang Chung.  On repeat.

I’m bopping around my apt like I was in my old bedroom doing a full-on dance routine with a bunk bed backdrop.  I, totally, expect AllHailQueenMom to coming knocking on my door.  Telling me to turn the radio down.

Have a little fun.  Press play.

Nikki♥

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2
Feb 10

brings it all back | gil scott-heron’s i’m new here

there’s a gsh story. it’s from the 70s. it only really matters to me, though.

The sound of Gil’s voice is like a window opening on my childhood that makes me want to scream from the rafters that MyMomRocks.  She exposed me to art in its many forms.  It wasn’t what I might’ve liked at the time, but it has stayed with me for life.

I saw her enjoying herself.  I watched her in dance class.  It may have been an African dance class, but they got down to the original Lady Marmalade, too.  She took me to plays I couldn’t quite understand about apartheid.  I sat in her lap at poetry readings.  Paintings, framed prints and maps lined the walls at home.  We read to each other, too.

The sound of his voice reminds me of how fortunate I was, am and will always be.  Thank you, Gil.

And, I’ll Take Care Of You is on repeat.

Nikki♥

(♥:You are thanking her, too, right?) But, of course!

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12
Jan 10

thinking got me distracted | michael jackson

i really do it quite often.

I still don't know how, where or when I would have gotten this as a promo.

So, I’m working on a post about collections inspired by artist Lisa Congdon’s A Collection A Day, 2010 project.  I’ve been thinking about the things I brought with me from back east.  I kinda have stuff, but I don’t actively collect.  I just seem to keep some of the same kinds of things.  I’m documenting the few that have interesting stories or that tend to send me off thought wandering.

I was looking through my LPs to see if there was anything I wanted to shoot, when I realized that I hadn’t touched the 45s in ages.  I didn’t even know what was there.

I couldn’t believe what I found.  Just after Antidisestablishmentarianism, was Micheal Jackson’s Thriller leaning against the Purple Cat below.  It was this moment where I saw Junior High Me & Record Store Clerk Me giving each other the head nod of recognition as they passed each other in my memory.

Nikki♥

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11
Dec 09

thank you, canada | chromeo

oh canada, you sure give me some goodness.

Can’t. Stop! Dancing. To. This.

Nikki♥

(♥:Still Rocking Needy Girl after all these years!)

Cue:Music / I like you. I really do. / The Politics of Being Me — 2 Comments
10
Nov 09

mmmm the 70s | music

I don’t know if I needed a little aural palate cleansing or if it’s just nostalgia running away with me but, I LOVE digging through the iTunes Essentials 70s crate.  I know it’s a little NOW cdish.  Whatever.  When’s the last time you heard Eddie Money’s “Baby Hold On To Me?”  Hi, Kinda Badass.  Good to see ya.  Of the 72 songs in 1978, I think I draw a complete blank on 5 or 6.

For a few seconds, I tried to figure out why I knew such disparate songs and genres when we used to be fed the idea that certain people liked certain music and not other types of music.  Some people do stay in their corners of the world, I guess I was raised by folks who just listened and let me be curious.

Listening to the O’Jays, burning some incense.  Mmmm, the 70s.

itunes1978

Nikki♥

(I think I need the Best of Eddie Money. For REAL)

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