Casual Wisdom
THE MORNING BRIEF, Vol. IV, #49 (December 3, 2001) --- Thinking off the cuff.
CONTENTS
Good from the
bad
Life bath
George Harrison
---
It's his now
More sick love for my iPod
deep dish records @ Spundae/Circus
Casual Wisdom
---
Classic X-Files
It's official...
The men of "Friends"
Luckiest guy on Earth
---
Breakfast of Champions
46 years
Bad call
---
A special someone
---
SIX DISK CHANGER
---
CONTRIBUTIONS
---
UPCOMING
CONCERTS
GOOD FROM THE BAD >>> Have you noticed a difference in people since the tragedies of September 11? There's an openness I'm noticing, and a rebith of idealism. People are pursuing their dreams, standing up for themselves, not taking no for an answer. If there's a lesson to be learned from something so senseless, seems to me it's that our time here is finite, and there's no reason to sit around waiting for life to come and find you. You've got to go out and live - now - so that when the time comes all that's left to do is look back and smile.
LIFE BATH >>> When your whole life comes pouring out to you in the shower. You laugh, you cry, you wash your mind clean.
GEORGE HARRISON >>> My five most loved songs from my favorite Beatle, who left us too soon last week:
5. "Within You, Without You"
4. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
3. "Here Comes the Sun"
2. "What is Life?"
1. "This Song"
@ @ @
IT'S HIS NOW >>> Remembered to take my Gilette Mach III razor and refill cartridges out of my dop kit before flying up to SF on Sunday, but somehow managed to miss my tiny, black Swiss Army Knife. And so now I no longer have a tiny, black Swiss Army Knife. My bad.
MORE SICK LOVE FOR MY IPOD >>> Listening to my iPod on shuffle play is like having a radio station that only plays my very favorite songs round the clock for four straight days.
deep dish records @ Spundae/Circus >>> More brilliant sounds from Washington, D.C.'s Deep Dish crew, this time DJs Saeed and Palash joined Spundae's Jason Blakemore and others at spacious Circus in Hollywood. 7 hours of pumping beats and soaring grooves which blew away last month's appearance by Sasha and Digweed at the Mayan. Maybe I'm just into the Deep House, but in my opinion no DJ music fills those wide open spaces better than that smooth, Deep Dish sound.
CASUAL WISDOM >>> The only real rule of dancing is that if you stop moving you're no longer dancing.
@ @ @
CLASSIC X-FILES >>> Far from an X-Files regular, or purist, I can't help but think that Xena without the loincloth is just Lucy Lawless.
Anyway, my favorite episode is the one where the two high school cheerleaders got caught in some cosmic vortex, and they used magic powers to start offing their enemies. Whenever they decided upon a victim, the girls would exchange: "Hate him." "Wouldn't want to date him." And then would come the blood. I recall that the captain of the football team ended up impaled by a garage door spring.
In the end, they wound up locked in the same holding cel and just as the moon became full, there was this god-awful ruckus and it sounded like they were ripping one another limb from limb. When it was all over, Mulder opened the door, and they were there, whimpering like they'd just seen witnessed pure terror.
I think about that episode whenever I notice two people who should not be left alone in the same room together. A shining example of how quality television prepares us for life.
IT'S OFFICIAL >>> Those Got Milk ads are fucking disgusting. Watching the baby go suck milk from a dog was bad enough. But the milk carton with nasty mouth cheese on it is absolutely beyond the pale. That doesn't make me want milk. Or milk glasses. It makes me want to yak. Someone's agency needs to be dumped.
THE MEN OF "FRIENDS" >>> Man those guys are self-centered. Is that meant to be funny, or illuminating? Not sure it's either.
THE LUCKIEST GUY ON EARTH >>> Clearly that would be Jimmy Kimmel.
@ @ @
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS >>> Little Chocolate Donuts.
46 YEARS >>> That's how long it had been since the Pepperdine Waves defeated the UCLA Bruins in NCAA Men's basketball...before last Wednesday. The unheralded Waves outplayed, out shot, and out-hustled the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion, totally deserving the win over a team ranked 11th in the nation before the game. That's gonna change. Trying to remember the last time a UCLA sports team exceeded expectations. They sure stunk up the floor on Wednesday.
BAD CALL >>> So the New Orleans receiver is wide open five yards from the goal line and the throw is right on the money and the ball comes down and KLONKS! the referee on the head and he and the receiver go down in a heap. The pass, a sure touchdown, falls incomplete, and there's nothing anyone can do. New Orleans did win the game.
@ @ @
A SPECIAL SOMEONE >>> More than one important person passed away last week. Levora Crawford-Petty, my friend, caretaker, and teacher, died at her home after many love and laugh-filled years. The matriarch of a beautiful, enormous family, Levora was family to me. She taught me about friendship, trust, equality of race and sex, all at a very early age. Most of all, she taught me never to hate.
One of the kindest, truest, sweetest people I've ever known, Levora has inspired so much good in all of the lives she's touched. It's amazing that people who are so unlike us in all of the obvious, external ways, can be so much a part of who we are inside, where it counts. I'll carry Levora's words, laughter, and lovingkindness with me always. It won't make me miss her any less, but it will definitely remind me how lucky I am that she is a part of my life.
@ @ @
SIX-DISK CHANGER >>> Augmented by another pilgrimmage to music mecca, Amoeba Music Hollywood.
1. Zero 7, "Simple Things" -- My album of the year; beautiful, thoughtful, soaring. Simply perfect.
2. Original Soundtrack, "Amelie" -- Streets of Paris come alive in my car.
3. The Strokes, "Is This It" -- Every once in a while a new voice breaks through, taking what we've always loved about rock and roll and making it seem brand new. The Strokes have arrived.
4. Starlight Mints, "The Dream That Stuff Was Made Of" -- Forebearer of Pixies and Minutemen prove indie rock is alive and well.
5. Sparklehorse, "Distorted Ghost EP" -- Pretty much gobbling up everything this thoughtful band, just slightly more off-centre than Radiohead, have to offer.
6. King Sunny Ade, "Synchro-System" -- Darker shades of generally bright African juju music color this classic release from 1981. What it might sound like if crickets played percussion.
7. Rickie Lee Jones, "Pirates" -- Beautiful production value, a bigger, brighter sound, and more intimate storytelling highlight these orchestrated confections by one of pop's great voices.
@ @ @
Have a great week.
Your pal,
David.
_______________________________________
This song could well be
a reason to see that
without you
there's no point
to this song.
- George Harrison.
_______________________________________
The Morning Brief can be read every wwweek @ www.smmirror.com -- in the Web Stuff section.
You can also find prior Briefs at www.morningbrief.net if you've got the time. Or load it up from www.avantgo.com and get your Briefs to go.
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DISCLAIMAGE >>> Please feel free to forward The Morning Brief to whomever you like. If you do, in part or in segments, or if you'd like to re-publish, please copy me or just let me know. Thanks for reading!
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Notable shows in and around Southern
California.
Highly
recommended shows this color.
Red
alert; must see!
12.03.01 -
Mercury Rev @ The Troubadour
12.03.01
- DJ Food / Four Tet @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
12.04.01 - Robert Earl
Keen @ The Roxy Theatre
12.05.01
- Wilco @ El Rey Theatre
12.05.01
- Starsailor @ The Troubadour
12.06.01
- Wilco @ El Rey Theatre
12.07.01 - Vinyl @ Temple Bar
12.07.01 - Money Mark
@ Amoeba Music
12.07.01 - Man or Astroman? @ El Rey Theatre
12.08.01
- Charlie Hunter Quartet @ McCabe's Guitar Shop
12.08.01 - Jane
Siberry @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
12.08.01 - Warren Miller's Cold Fusion @ Wadsworth Theatre
12.09.01
- Etta James @ House of Blues
---
12.10.01
- Aimee Mann @ House of Blues
12.12.01 - Elton John @ Universal Amphitheatre
12.12.01
- The Incredible Moses Leroy @ Amoeba Music
12.13.01
- Garbage / Alanis Morissette / Nelly Furtado @ Shrine Auditorium
12.14.01
- Zero 7 @ El Rey Theatre
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12.18.01
- Pete Yorn @ House of Blues
12.21.01 - Sensefield @ El Rey Theatre
12.22.01 - Nikka Costa @ House of Blues
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12.28.01
- Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
12.29.01 - Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
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12.31.01
- Macy Gray @ House of Blues
12.31.01 - Paul Oakenfold / Deep Dish / BT @ Hollywood Blvd
12.31.01 - Sasha /
Paul Van Dyk / Jimmy Van M @ Giant/Coliseum Gardens
---
1.11.02
- Calexico @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
1.12.02
- Blind Boys of Alabama @ Royce Hall
1.13.02 - Aerosmith @ The Forum
1.18.02
- Stars @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
1.18.02
- Buena Vista Social Club (Gonzales/Ferrer) @ Royce Hall
1.19.02 - Buena Vista Social Club (Gonzales/Ferrer) @ Royce Hall
2.07.02
- Baaba Maal @ Royce Hall
2.09.02
- Laurie Anderson @ Royce Hall
2.17.02 - The Coen Brothers and Down from the Mountain @ Universal
Amphitheatre
4.16.02 - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Wiltern Theatre
4.17.02 - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Wiltern
Theatre
__________________________
HAVE YOU seen something amazing? HAVE YOU figured something out? HAVE YOU found a new haven? HAVE YOU changed your mind recently? HAVE YOU got a bug in your butt? HAVE YOU been remembering to breathe?
RE: BUSH'S FAUSTIAN DEAL >>> I have listened to a lot of news (via NPR) in the past couple of months, but have not heard anything about medical treatment being withheld from women (which RS pointed out). I have heard things like laughter by woman being banned, but not the withholding of medical treatment. It is possible that this is uncorroborated? Or is it just that the American people are more moved by laughter being banned than by the withholding of medical services. Sadly I think it may be the latter.
I hear more in the media about what Hollywood does than I do about the 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured and what the heck we (the taxpayers, the voters, the citizens) are going to do about it. Or maybe, just maybe, the reason we have not heard anything about it, is because the Bush White House does not want to use an issue in its publicity campaign against the Taliban (denial of healthcare) that pundits at home might point out is an American issue too.
-- Bonnie Wolfe.
RE: BUSH'S FAUSTIAN DEAL >>> It is hard for me to believe any information I receive from reporters. It seems that most don't report the facts but have an agenda they want to accomplish. We must to find the other side of the story before making a decision. After reading the article in the Associated Press date May 17 (below), I wonder how Robert Scheer twisted the information regarding the donation. If you note the following:
1. The total amount was slightly higher than the amount given under the prior president in the prior year.
2. The amount bypassed the Taliban government. "The assistance is donated through international agencies of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations."
3. "The new aid commitment was welcomed by the Feminist Majority Foundation, which has been urging an increase of humanitarian assistance to Afghanis, especially to women and children"
We now know the agenda of the reporter so we must questions his articles in the future. If anyone knows additional information that would justify the article as written by Scheer, then please let me know. I would prefer to be as informed as possible.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- May 17, 2001-- Calling Afghanistan a crisis area, Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Thursday a $43 million program of emergency assistance for that drought- and war-plagued country.
Powell told reporters that the lives of nearly 4 million Afghanis are at risk, and he warned that a widespread famine could be in prospect.
"If the international community does not take immediate action, countless deaths and terrible tragedy are certain to follow," he said.
Powell noted that the crisis stems from three years of drought coupled with a devastating civil war that has lasted more than 20 years.
The new commitment raised the U.S. assistance total for the year to $124 million, compared with $114 million for all of last year.
The donation includes 65,000 tons of wheat, as well as vegetable oil and blended foods like corn-soy blend, which are particularly useful in feeding the sick and undernourished. Funds also are being earmarked for health and shelter programs.
U.S. aid to Afghanistan bypasses the ruling Taliban militia, which controls the bulk of the country but has no official relationship with the United States because of its alleged role as a sponsor of terrorism.
There are no U.S. officials in Afghanistan managing the aid program. The assistance is donated through international agencies of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.
According to U.N. officials, more than 200,000 Afghanis have fled to neighboring Iran and Pakistan, joining more than 2 million who had fled there earlier because of the war. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is expected to issue an appeal to donors for additional aid to Afghani refugees in Pakistan.
About a half million Afghanis are internally displaced, with refugee camps in Herat in western Afghanistan growing by an estimated 1,200 a day.
Leonard Rogers, a top official of the Agency for International Development, citing estimates by U.N. agencies, said the crop shortfall for Afghanistan is estimated at 2 million tons this year, about twice the figure for last year.
Rogers said precise information about the depth of the problem is hard to obtain because war-related security problems inhibit in-depth assessments. "We have imperfect understanding of what's going on there," he said.
The new aid commitment was welcomed by the Feminist Majority Foundation, which has been urging an increase of humanitarian assistance to Afghanis, especially to women and children.
The Foundation said in a statement that the "Taliban's barbaric rule" was partially responsible for the uprooting of many Afghanis from their homes.
The group, working through its Campaign to Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan, has been especially critical of the Taliban because of its policy of denying rights to women and girls.
-- forwarded by Shirley Dion.
RE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT >>> Water or Coke?
We all know that water is important but I've never seen it written down like this before.
Water
1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half world population)
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a U-Washington study.
5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?
COKE
1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days.
3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the Coke sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals! to bubble away the corrosion.
6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield. This is very interesting. Check it out.
For Your Info
1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis.
2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials.
3. The distributors of coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years!
Now the question is, would you like a glass of water or Coke?
-- forwarded by Gwen Mathews.
RE: KIT KAT BALLS >>> I curse the inventor of Kit Kat Balls in bags. Kit Kat bars are simply divine. To have made them even better and available in a form that can be gobbled easily is just wrong. At least with the breakable bakeable cookies, you have to wait 11-17 min for the pleasure.
-- Bonnie Wolfe.