CRAFT SERVICES

#49 - Goodbye for Now!

2005-08-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Alright folks! I was so very honored to have the last post here for Blogathon 2005. It's been fun. Tiring, but fun nonetheless. Thank you much to everyone who's supported us throughout this entire thing, those of you who kept Rey, Lisa and I company in the chat room at all throughout the day and night, and of course any of you who pledged or even read or scrolled through the blog throughout the past 24 hours. We appreciate it greatly.

Here's yet another inspirational success story from FINCA just to remind those of you who haven't pledged yet just how very important it is that you do! Please read on.

The Main Bread Winner
Tatyana Panova lives in Otradniy, a town of 50,000, located two hours from the Russian regional capital of Samara. A professional chef, Mrs. Panova worked as a cook in one of the main restaurants in the town for 16 years, but health problems forced her to quit her job in the restaurant. Mrs. Panova's husband worked in the oil industry, but he rarely received his wages on time, so the family -- including the two children -- could not count on a steady income. Because they needed more income, and because Mrs. Panova wanted her children to have an education, she began her own small business. She cooked some small pies, went to the local market, and sold the pies to traders there. Her pies sold well, and she thought she could make a go of it. Then, a few years later, her husband was laid off at the oil refinery. Mrs. Panova's pie business was feeding the family of four. She was working long hours, but was always short of money. "Russian women are used to working hard because they feel a strong responsibility for taking care of their children," she says. Then, in the summer of 1999, she was given an opportunity to make her hard work more productive. She heard about FINCA, and decided to join one of FINCA Russia's first groups, "Talisman." She invested her first loan in meat, sugar, and other raw materials, and started cooking full lunches to deliver to the market. She engaged a number of permanent clients, who waited patiently every day for her lunches to arrive. With her second loan, Mrs. Panova invested in the raw materials to make pastries -- particularly kurniki -- a traditional Russian pastry with meat and potatoes inside. She found some cafes who agreed to carry her products, and now sells 200-250 pastries and 40 lunches each day. Her husband has returned to work at the oil refinery, and their son has also found work there. Thanks to her mother's earnings, Mrs. Panova's daughter can now attend the technical college. When she is not studying, she helps Mrs. Panova with her business. Mrs. Panova dreams of buying a new, modern gas stove with her next loan, and perhaps purchasing a small car in the future to help her deliver meals to her clients. Of her connection with FINCA, she says, "FINCA does the right thing helping women -- they are always the main bread-winners in the family."

Also, before heading on out, I wanted to say a quick special thanks to my partners Rey and Lisa. I know that I definitely would not have been able to do this entire event on my own, so thank you both for being reliable partners who didn't let me down a once! Mango and Pink also deserve some notable mentions here, being the two who've kept us the most company in comments and music throughout the night. Thank you guys much. And of course, those of you who PLEDGED!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your generosity.

And that's all. It's been real, everybody. And for the thousandth time, thank you so much to those of you who contributed. You don't know how much fun you've made this event for all of us!

#48 - LAST HOORAH

2005-08-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

So here we are at my last official entry. And while Joe has the last entry, I just want to thank everyone that read our page during the last 24 hours, even once in a while. To each and every one of you, I send out Natalie Merchant's "Kind and Generous". While we would have made it with no one reading, there would have been no point.

For those who pledged less than $5, please give to the charity of your choice (or up it to $5)
For those who pledged between $5 and $9.99, visit this page here.
For those who pledged $10 and over, visit this page here.

If you would still like to pledge for a future donation, here's the instructions. Please do so if you plan on donating, so we and Blogathon get credit for it. You have until August 9th to do so.

A special thank you to Mango, for being an endless source of conversation for the three of us in our AIM chat. To you I dedicate "The Rascal King" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. For the title alone, even.

EDIT: And for Pink, "Who Needs Sleep?" by Barenaked Ladies. Hahahaha. Thanks for your comments and encouragement.

Joe, thank you for doing this craziness with me, for getting up and being there from the word jump. Is it possible we bonded even more than we had in the past? And hahahaa are we on for next year? Or should I just hold off on that question for a few months. To you, good sir, I send "Stellar" by Incubus. Meet me in outer space.

And darling Lisa. I had missed you these last few weeks. What a way to get back in touch, huh? Hours and hours of talking music. Talking on the phone. Chatting until it got late, then chatting more, until it got early again. Having a good time. I can't imagine having done this without you to balance out the group. For you, babe, I have two songs to dedicate: "Epic" by Faith No More and "Yeah!" by U(r)sher. Peace up! A-Town down!

Stay classy, Internet!

#47 If I were a man of Golden Words

2005-08-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

``They don't even know what it is to be a fan. Y'know? To truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts.``

I don't think I could express with just words how much I love music. I try by picking up an instrument, like some primal call back to the musical notes, to say thank you. Thank you for being the language of the soul. Thank you for being what 80% of my blood is made up of. Music has been more a part of my life than anything. anything. Every thing good or bad that has happened to me in life has a strong connection to music. Once, when I was living in Seattle I was sitting on my rooftop having a conversation with a friend of mine. This total hippie, pagan, spiritual type I can't even summarize and he turned to me and said that when we die, our souls look like musical notes. We are each in our own a singular note in the song that is life. Beautiful in perfect pitch, key and harmony.

So I hope that this is not seen as a cop out to use lyrics on my last post of the evening. Because these lyrics mean more to me than I could ever possibly show. I think this song, this one song sums up as best as possible how I feel about music. So thank you, thank you the descendents for writing it.

I listen to you for hours, I'll listen all day
Just keep hitting me the right way
Sing your song in the shower
Cause you got a way
To say what I can never say right - right on
When I feel weak you make me feel strong
Make me feel strong
I won't say your name
But you know who you are
I'll never be the same again now - no way
I just want to say
Thank you for playing the way you play
You don't get played on the radio
That's not the game you play
Well I don't care anywayI glued your tape in the stereo
So I know every word, every note
And every chord is right - right on
When I feel weak you make me feel strong
Make me feel strong feel like nothing's wrong
I won't say your name
You know who you are
I'll never be the same again now - no way
I just want to say thank you for playing theWay you play
Did you know you're why I go
And waste my time
At a rock and roll show
You let me know I'm not alone
You make me feel strong, make me feel strong,Feel like nothing's wrong
I won't say your name, you know who you are
I'll never be the same again now - no wayI just want to say
Thank you for playing the way you play
Thank you for playing the way you play
Thank you for playing the way you play

And Elton John also said it best when he said "Saved in time, thank god my music's still alive"

Rest In Peace Dime. Thank you for playing the way you did.

#46 - More Album Recommendations!

2005-08-07T04:29:00.000-07:00

Alicia Keys' The Diary of Alicia Keys: First of all, it should be noted here, if you haven't already noticed, that hip-hop, R&B, or urban music is far from being my specialty...but there are a few of these artists that really manage to break into my personal favorites, Alicia being one of them. I've had her debut album, In the Key of A Minor, since the very first time that I heard the single she burst onto the music scene with, "Fallin'," but Miss Keys finally blew me away with several of the tracks on this album more than anything on that first record. On the album, there's three songs right in a row -- "You Don't Know My Name," "If I Ain't Got You" and "Diary" -- that I think I could listen to one right after another for the rest of my life if I was forced to.

Savage Garden's Affirmation: Even though this former Australian duo were mostly known for their infectious pop tunes, a majority of their songs also had an emotional quality to them, which were evident more so in this album than on their previous effort before this one...especially when it comes to powerful lyrics. This collection of songs includes the international hit ballad "I Knew I Loved You," but aside from that overplayed track, the CD features a cool mix of songs just as beautiful and groovy dance songs. And even though Savage Garden isn't together anymore, Darren Hayes is still doing it all on his own down there in Australia...and more power to him. As long as he continues bringing that fine sound to his music, he should be fine.

Tyler Hilton's The Tracks of...: If you've been reading all day during the Blogathon, you know that I got to meet this man along with a friend of mine in person before getting to see him perform live and he was incredible. Just listening to his major label debut album once will prove that Maverick's somehow been getting away with hiding an underrated gem from gaining this huge following. The first track (and single) "When It Comes" introduces you to Tyler and his sound, and the rest of the record just gracefully pulls you into his world, eventually ending with a handful of melodic masterpieces...something that's a rare gift for an artist his age.

Dashboard Confessional's A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar: Dashboard Confessional to some people is practically the textbook definition of the newer "emo" genre of music, and while a lot (if not all) of the band's music can be qualified as "emotional," that's far from being the only thing that they are. Frontman Chris Carrabba and the rest of Dashboard have single-handedly blazed a trail into this newer branch of the music spectrum with their unique and often times powerfully heartbreaking music. Even though Dashboard's previous efforts (The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most and The Swiss Army Romance, in particular) are also worth making note of, this was the first effort from the act that really proved that they "weren't just emo," especially with the disc's first single "Hands Down," a charming yet fast-paced tune set to a wildly colored music video. If you haven't yet experienced Dashboard for yourself, this is also a good album to start with.

Vertical Horizon's Everything You Want: This is another one of those rare albums that I can pop into my CD player and listen to all the way through without having to skip any annoying or irritating tracks, because it's just that damn good. "Finding Me" is probably one of my favorite songs on the album, aside from the obvious tracks that are the singles "Everything You Want" and "You're A God," which you probably recognize from frequent radio play. It's one of my all time favorite albums though and one that I highly recommend.

#45 - CEMETERY

2005-08-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

This review comes from a suggestion from my lovely wife Jules, who was up until... well, several hours ago. She was considering having me review a MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE song (I'M NOT OKAY [I PROMISE], I believe) because she's on a MCR kick. I think she also thinks I hate them. But I don't, really. They're just so damn popular now, and their image seems so artificial, it makes me wince. But alas, she had me review one of her personal favorite bands (that isn't Russell Crowe's THIRTY ODD FOOT OF GRUNTS)

HEADSTONES. CEMETERY.
Hahaha put simply, I love this song. Crunching guitars are a trademark of theirs, but it's good stuff. It's not senseless. Unlike me at this moment. Hugh Dillon's rough voice (think Henry Rollins, but a little more musical) is unique. The morbidity of the lyrics to this song just make me smile... I laugh every time I hear it. It's a great song, and they chose it to close their "Greatest Fits" Best Of CD. Most people haven't heard of the Headstones, which is a pity. They're a Canadian band that gets no play in the States, which is a shame. They're due. Check them out!

"I got a gal who lives on the wrong side of town. I know what I like, and man you know I sure know how. It's the other side, another place. I like it here, no accounting for taste. I can't think of nothing when I'm with her, but the wind and the rain and the cemetery dirt.

Went down to the cemetery looking for love. Got there and my baby was buried - I had to dig her up."

And with that, I only have one more post to write. Hot damn, it feels good.

#44 Cover me

2005-08-07T03:28:00.000-07:00

Okay so I just decided to make a list of cover songs that I really, really like. I didn't do them in any order other than how they came to me. My time limit is up otherwise I'm sure I could come up with more. It's listed as the band who did the cover, the song title then the original band to do the song. Though I may have been off on a few of the 'originals' I tried to look it up as best as I could. What is your favorite cover song?

Weezer "Velouria" Pixies
Breeders "happiness is a warm gun" the beatles
Nina Simone "I put a spell on you" Screamin Jay Hawkins
Cake " I will survive" Gloria Gaynor.
Nick Cave "Disco 2000" Pulp
Tori Amos "Famous Blue Raincoat" Leonard Choen
Evan Dando "Skulls" The Misfits
Faith no More "I started a joke" The Bee Gees
Foo Fighters "Darling Nikki" Prince
Letters to Cleo "The Dangerous Type" The Cars
Pantera "Planet Caravan" Black Sabbath
Tesla "Signs" Five Man Electical Band
Nirvana "Son of a Gun" The Vaselines
Sheryl Crow "The first cut is the deepest" Cat Stevens
Creedence Clearwater Revival "Heard it through the grapevine" Gladys Knight & the Pips
David Bowie "China Girl" Iggy Pop
Cheap Trick "Don't be Cruel" Elvis
Urge Overkill "Girl you'll be a woman soon" Neil Diamond
The White Stripes "I just don't know what to do with myself" Dusty Springfield
Mark Lanegan "In the Pines (Where did you sleep last night)" Leadbelly
Sinead O'Connor "Nothing Compares to you" Prince
Cyndi Lauper "When you were mine" Prince
Johnny Cash "The Mercey Seat" Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
Aretha Franklin "The Weight" The Band
The Animals "We gotta get out of this place" Barry Mann
Blixa Bargled "Somewhere over the rainbow" Judy Garland
Smashing Pumpkins "Never let me down" Depeche Mode
The Rolling Stones "As Tears go by" Mariane Faithfull
Pet Shop Boys "Always on my mind" Brenda Lee
Sonic Youth "Superstar" The Carpenters
The Flying Burrito Brothers "Wild Horses" The Rolling Stones
Garbage "Can't seem to make you mine" The Seeds
Everclear "The boys are back in town " Thin Lizzy
Blackbox Recorder "Seasons in the sun" Terry Jacks
Anthrax "Got the time" Joe Jackson
Black Label Society "No more tears" Ozzy Osbourne

#43 - Bad Music Experiences!

2005-08-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight has definitely been a night in which most of us have been eager to share with one another some of the best music that we can't get enough of. It occurs to me that none of us have actually gone about sharing some of the worst and most embarrassing CD's that we own, musical experiences or memories that we've had, or anything like that. So this is me breaking the ice. Please don't make fun...I was young and impressionable and your stories are probably just as embarrassing.

Sadly, I have to admit that once upon a time, I was a fan of Britney Spears. It wasn't necessarily because I was buying into all the initial hype surrounding her either, back then I was trying to be a techno/dance music junkie. Yeah, I was a weird kid. Either way, she seemed like a promising young talent when she first started showing up on MTV with her sweet, innocent act and infectious pop tunes. Shortly after her slightly sluttier re-vamped image with the release of her second album, I not only fell away from Britney, but like a majority of most serious music fans, I grew just plain horrified at what she grew into. She's become one of those celebrities where you look back to an earlier time and just say, "What the hell happened?"

I'm not at all anti-pop music, either. I maintain very positive opinions about Britney's peers, Christina Aguilera and Mandy Moore, if for no other reason but their actual vocal ability and their desire to actually branch out and grow. If anything, I can almost at times listen to Britney's new material and wonder if her vocal range hasn't actually gotten worse than it already was. Although I guess you can say that, in a way, Britney is kind of an inspiration to many aspiring singers. If her mediocre singing abilities can hold a recording contract, thousands of others that are just as average if not actually better than her can too.

But I admit...back in the day when I was all of 14 years old, I thought Britney and her early material were the shit. That's my embarrassing music story. The comment link to this post is now aching to hear the embarrassing stories from the rest of you.

#42 - THE SUN AND THE MOON

2005-08-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

HAHA Proving once again that I am the answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything!

It was several weeks ago when I asked our good friend Lindsay to suggest some music for me to listen to. Her response was something like, "OMGLKJHALSKJDHKALJSDH MAE LKJASHD ♥ ♥ ♥" I may be making that up, but the fact remains, she was listening to Mae and she sent me a song to listen to. I wasn't in the right mental place to appreciate it then, so I listened to it once and set it aside. Joe then mentioned them a couple times, even tonight I think. So I finally IMed Lindsay when she was on earlier and asked her to name her favorite song for me to listen to and review.

MAE. THE SUN AND THE MOON. Very evocative, ethereal start. Then the piano kicks in. I'm a sucker for pianos, when they're done right. Mellow, which isn't smart at 4:30 in the morning. The singer's voice reminds me of Ben Gibbard right off the bat, but with an airier feel. The lyrics are a bit simpler than Death Cab, for example, but they're certainly full of emotion. Dave Elkins conveys that emotion wonderfully, with a voice that is almost timid, at times. Insecure. Introspective. Very nice. Joe and Lindsay both rave about them. I've got a full album now, so I have to listen more.

"Painted skies: I've seen so many that cannot compare to your ocean eyes. The pictures you took that cover your room, and it was just like the sun but more like the moon. A light that can't reach at all. So now im branded for taking the fall."

My eyes hurt. They're burning something fierce. And I bit the bullet and am currently drinking a COKE ZERO, as endorsed by G-LOVE and his questionable remake of that old "...Teach The World To Sing" song.

And holy hell, MTV is playing videos. So THIS is when they play them. Go figure.

#41 When I sing along with you

2005-08-07T01:57:00.000-07:00

The first time I ever saw Nirvana was on Headbangers Ball. I remember it, like it was yesterday. I'd heard the band before through a friend of mine. He had an older brother who would send him tapes which he would pass on to me of 'cool' bands. ``Bleach`` passed through my hands at one point and I liked it, but it didn't make me crazy. I played it a few dozen times and then put it in a box for something else that came my way. Then, my sophomore year of high school after the homecoming dance I went home for my Saturday night ritual. A phone call to my best friend while we watched Headbangers Ball. The World premiere came on for "Smells like teen spirit" and though I liked the song, I had no idea just what was about to happen to the face of music. Instead in true teen girl fashion I commented on just how cute I thought the drummer was. To which my dear friend replied "You can't even see his face." Like I cared? He rocked that drumset, even in some blurry video you could tell he pounded that set. Little was I to know, that from that night on he would be one of the biggest and most important people to me throughout my musical life. I've been a fan of Dave Grohl in some incarnation or another now, longer than I have not. Or I suppose it evens out this year. This year we come out even. I liked Nirvana, I dare say I loved them. They weren't my favorite band but I did listen to them loads. Especially "Been a Son" to drive my parents crazy.

I remember watching SNL one of the rare times that I did, with my mother when Nirvana was on. You could clearly hear Dave's backing vocals and my mother made a remark that he should be the singer for the band. Good call Mom! Of course this is the woman who talk about misheard lyrics would ask me at the end of "Smells like teen spirit"... "Is he saying ``let me die now?`` with a look of horror on her face. Mom's a little psychic?

1995 found me living in Seattle when The first Foo Fighters C.D. came out. An ex-boyfriend of mine still says he has nightmares of carrying me around piggy back style while I screamed out the lyrics to "This is a call". I immediately liked the Foo Fighters more than I ever liked Nirvana. Which isn't to dismiss Nirvana in anyway. I just liked the Foo more.

I have ten million things I could write about the Foo Fighters, and adventures I have been on to see them, with them. That the first time I ever met any "foo" said "foo" was drunk out of his mind and was taking a pee outside right in front of me and all I could think was "I can see his penis". I'm not naming names. I'm cutting it short mostly because my right arm is sore and I need some water. This photo is from the second time I ever met the band. The date on the picture is wrong, I think it was in 2001 and when Dave, the last one to come out into the cold December night, walked over to me he just put me in this huge head lock hug type thing. The end result is my favorite photograph I have of myself. Because I hate having my picture taken, but this, this is a real smile.

#40 - More Music News Snippets!

2005-08-07T01:28:00.000-07:00

Barry Manilow has decided to extend his stay in Las Vegas just a little while longer. The king of easy listening has been a guest at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel since February, and with more than fifty shows at the Hilton behind him, he's planning on adding even more with a series of Manilow: Music and Passion shows slated to continue until 2007. Like most big U.S. shows like this, Manilow's show offers fans the chance to watch the show stageside, with seating built onto the set.

Manilow: Music and Passion opened at the beginning of this year in February after his sold out 2004 One Night Live One Last Time tour.

---

The Cure is planning on releasing their fifteenth studio album, which should be hitting store shelves sometime in April of 2006, Robert Smith revealed recently while speaking to a packed press tent at the 11th Annual Benicassim Festival in Spain. The band is planning to begin writing and recording the album towards the end of this year.

The album will be the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed 2004 self-titled effort. However, other than the initial release date (which Smith is hoping will fall on his birthday on April 21st), there were no additional details available about the upcoming album.

---

The Foo Fighters will be playing upside down. At least that's the plan for their upcoming music video, as they've recently talked about with MTV News. Shooting for the video companion to the single "D.O.A.," which will be the second single from the band's latest effort In Your Honour, will see the band playing in a rotating room, which will also eventually suspend the band from the ceiling while they continue playing.

Frontman for The Foo Fighters lovingly nicknamed the "D.O.A." rotating room set "The Barf Ball." It's unclear as to an exact date as to when the video may premiere on MTV, but seeing as how the band has finished shooting, it should be relatively soon.

Source: SoundGenerator.com.

Those were kind of lame this time around, but I think it's to be expected. I'm running out of music news to cover, AHH!!

#39 - GRACE, TOO

2005-08-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Mango probably thought I forgot about his Tragically Hip review. But NO! It was certainly in queue, I just had to get another one done first.

THE TRAGICALLY HIP. GRACE, TOO.
I'm not sure what to make of this track. It's a funky song, to be sure. The bluesy sort of guitar riff happening with the groovy, complex bassline is sweet. But there's something about lead singer's voice that doesn't sit well. The vibratto when he's singing the lower parts? And it almost feels to me like there should be a third verse. Other than that, though, it's a cool song. I kinda dug it once I got used to his voice. I'd listen to more of their stuff, I think.

"The secret rules of engagement are hard to endorse when the appearance of conflict meets the appearance of force. But I can guarantee there'll be no knock on the door. I'm a total pro. That's what I'm here for. I come from downtown. Born ready for you. Armed with will and determination. And grace, too."

As a side note, I'm happy to report I haven't had a drop of caffeine during this whole event. Wow. Three AM. Five hours to go. Crazy, man, crazy.

#38 A Scarlet story

2005-08-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

For Tori Amo's CD "Scarlets Walk" she created a character "Scarlet" who through each song moved through different parts of America. Each song, representing an experience Scarlet had in a particular area. The C.D. when bought at midnight (Which of course I did being the Tori freak I am) came with a bonus C.D. called "Scarlets Stories" where Tori told the story of each song.

The most haunting, has to be a song called "I can't see New York" which was written through the eyes of Scarlet but through Tori's own experience. Tori was in the city on September 11 and "I can't see New York" is a tale that mirrors that day.

"When they watched it on TV , people had to remind themselves that it wasn't a movie. Being there and being able to smell it, you knew that it was reality."

I Can't See New York

From here no Lines are drawnFrom here no lands are owned 13,000 and Holding swallowed in the purring of her Engines tracking the Beakon here"is there a Signal there on the other side"on the other side? what do you mean side ofwhat things ?and you said and you did and you said you could find me here and you said you would find me even in Death and you said and you said You'd find me ButI can't see New York as I'm circling down through white cloud falling out andI know his lips are warm but I can't seem to find my way out my way out I can't see New York as I'm circling Down through white cloud falling out andI know his lips are warm but I can't seem to find my way out my way out of this Hunting ground From here crystal meth In metres of millions In the end all we have, soul blue print. did we get lost in it do we conduct a search for this"from the otherside" from the otherside? what do they mean side of what things... and you said and you did and you said you would find me here and you said that you would find me even in Death and you said and you said You'd find me But I can't see New York as I'm circling down through white cloud falling out andI know his lips are warm but I can't seemTo find my way out my way out I can't see New York as I'm circling down through white cloud falling out andI know your lips are warm but I can't seem to find my way my way out of your hunting ground you again It's you again I can't see I can't see New York from the other side from the other side I Hum from the other side

The Following is taken from the Scarlets Stories C.D.:
"She thinks she's got it all figured out and then she, um, she goes to Boston airport. And that is when the thread leaves her and follows another woman on a different plane. And Scarlet takes a little plane. And she gets into New York and she gets into New York City where she sees this plane that this other woman is on that the thread, mm, followed and tied itself to. She sees this plane crash above New York City. And...the thread comes back to her while she's on the ground and in the panic and the chaos that happens she's able to see and hear what this woman went through before she died. So she takes that thread with her. And she doesn't leave New York, I think it's almost like uhh feeling a friend that's wounded. Not wanting to leave their side. At a certain point though, she goes. It's time for her to go."

#37 - More Album Recommendations!

2005-08-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

Jewel's This Way: Most mainstream music fans would probably argue that Jewel's debut album Pieces of You was her best, and it's understandable. That album was a phenomenal record, especially to be her first effort...but I've always found that for that very reason, a lot of the rest of her albums get kind of overlooked, which is a shame because this one -- her third album -- is actually a personal favorite of mine. This album marked a little bit of a "grittier" Jewel than fans were accustomed to on her previous two albums and less "dance club" than her fourth release...which gave this particular Jewel disc a unique sound completely different from the others.

The Ataris' So Long, Astoria: Though many longtime fans of this band would probably say that this disc marks the band's "selling out," being their first major label release, as well as the first one of the first records of theirs to get any decent radio exposure with their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer." Call me a bad fan if you must, but even though I had been exposed to the music they had recorded prior to this release, this is the one that made me a fan. In fact, "The Boys of Summer" is one of few cover songs ever recorded that I happen to think is better than the original. The rest of the CD also lives up to their fast-paced cover.

Justincase's Justincase: I was a little late in discovering the sensation that was Justincase and I ended up getting hooked on their album after a friend had sent it to me a couple years after they had decided to go on a hiatus while the kids in said band began attending college, which is really too bad because if their live performances are anywhere near as good as their studio recordings, I'm deeply saddened by the fact that I may very well never get to see them perform together. The first track on this album, "What I Wouldn't Do," is probably my favorite alongside their duet with Michelle Branch, "Without You."

Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club: Sheryl Crow, like Jewel, is another one of those female musicians who have a lot of different albums but I ended up taking a liking more so to this one. Not only because it included several of Sheryl's better singles, but this album is probably worth purchasing if for no other reason but the very last track, "I Shall Believe," which to this day I happen to think is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Definitely worth checking out at the very least.

The Killers' Hot Fuss: I already previously mentioned in one of the news snippet posts that The Killers are probably one of the biggest breakthrough bands of the past year and after having this CD as your debut album, you can say that it's definitely well-deserved. The Killers have very easily taken your typical alternative rock sounds and put their own definitive twist on them, so much so that when you hear a song by this band for the first time, you can almost immediately tell that it's them without knowing for sure. "Mr. Brightside" is not only the best track on the album, but also arguably the most widely recognized song of theirs as well.

#36 - SPARK OF CREATION

2005-08-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

I'm continuing with my thoughts on songs suggested to me by friends and sponsors. This next one is from my best friend Hallie, who's on right now, reading and supporting us. She's another Natalie Portman fan. Go figure.

CHILDREN OF EDEN. SPARK OF CREATION
Wow, could any song scream Hallie more to me? Probably not. The first thing that came to mind was musical theatre, and aptly so. I didn't make the connection to it being a show at first, as I'd never heard of it. Children of Eden never played on Broadway, apparently, but it's libretto is in top 20 of musicals most frequently licensed by Music Theatre International. Yes, I was a theatre major many moons ago, so if you detect any geekiness on my part, that's why. It's got this bounce to it, similar to the pop that you find in... I was going to say Disney musicals, but that's not it. There's a specific song somewhere, and it's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't place it. It's an inspirational song about passion and pursuing your dreams, which is why she would be drawn to it (as she's a passionate person pursuing her dreams. Duh.)

"The spark of creation, may it burn forever. The spark creation, I am a keeper of the flame. We think all we want is a lifetime leisure; each perfect day the same; endless vacation. Well, that's alright if you're a kind crustacean, but when you're born with an imagination, sooner of later you're feeling the fire getting hotter and higher. The spark of creation."

#35 Woops! Heard that wrong.

2005-08-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

Mis-heard lyrics

"oops i did it again, got lost in the woods"- Britney Spears ="oops I did it again got lost in the game"

"He whipped me forward all through the night."- Cyndi Lauper = "Keep with me forward all through the night"

"Yeah, they come to sniff the rooster."- Alice In Chains= "Yeah, they come to snuff the rooster"

"You told me last night you were Han Solo."- Tori Amos= "You told me last night you were a sun now"

"Tuna fish jello drop dead banana fish"- Static-x= "Tune in then chill out drop dead I need a fix"

"We bought an old house on the dance floor" Barenaked ladies= "We bought an old house on the Danforth"

" Your mom threw away your best quarter bag " Beastie Boys= "Your mom threw away your best porno mag "

"If she would dance that would be gay." Beastie Boys= "If she would dance I woud DJ"

"I've got a too tight tutu and a microphone" Beck= "I've got two turntables and a microphone "

"Saw it on the bath room door, I'm a loser baby." Beck= "Soy un perderdor, I'm a loser baby"

"All I can do is pull some teeth or two" Blind Melon="All I can do is pour some tea for two"

(Okay this one? I still sing this way hush. And not all of the above are mine but this one for sure is)

" I took her out. It was a Friday night. I walked alone to get the feeling right." Blink 182= "I took her out. It was a Friday night. I wore cologne to get the feeling right."

"That sucks sir, you're leaving " Radiohead="That's it sir, you're leaving"

And this would be longer because I know a ton of lyrics over the years I have had to correct, for myself and others but, my boyfriend who has been gone for two weeks just walked through the door. He's in a band so it counts as something musical right? Right. I'll post more later for sure.

#34 - Musicals Need to Make A Comeback!

2005-08-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

There's only one thing that I love more than music. The rest of Hollywood! I'm practically a bastard child to film and television. Needless to say, when music and these other loves of mine meet to become what is commonly known as the musical? That's love, baby. One of my all time favorite musicals ever created would probably have to be the 1954 film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Once when I was younger, my mom used to watch movies like this all the time and she had me watch this one with her and I've loved it ever since.

I haven't seen it in several years, so my memory may be a little fuzzy, but I always thought that there was something very endearing about the story. Seven brothers stealing away seven brides away from their homes against their will, only to have those brides eventually fall in love with them in return, despite the fact that their families are trying to force them to come back home and leave their new lovers behind. The music written into the movie moved the story along interestingly and kept the film lighthearted.

Another great musical, and obvious favorite of many, is Grease. It's easy to see why this musical is arguably one of the most beloved of all time. It was one of the last of its kind before Hollywood started straying away from musicals all together...and it definitely made it so that the genre went out on top. The characters portrayed by John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing were some of the most interesting and endearing characters ever created and the classic rock feel of most of the music made this more than just a movie. It made it an event to remember...which is obvious by the fact that both Travolta and Channing are still two very great actors, even to this day.

Hollywood has tried on various different occasions to resurrect the demand for the musical format, some of which have even been largely successful (Chicago or Moulin Rouge ring a bell?), but most directors these days won't even attempt them, which is a pity because going back in time to watch some of these classic musicals -- The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Guys & Dolls, The Wizard of Oz and West Side Story also among the great musical titles -- you can still see how fun and entertaining they really were.

Can the demand for the movie musical ever return? It seems unlikely, but I know I've personally got my fingers crossed.

#33 - THE MAIN BREAD WINNER

2005-08-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

To commemorate the fact it's now Sunday here in Austin, Texas, I'm posting another FINCA International success story. I like reading these, because I get a real feel for what I'm doing tonight. Why I'm up all hours. Why my brain is tapioca. I hope you guys like reading them, too. It just wouldn't feel right to just blather on without remembering why we're here.

Tatyana Panova lives in Otradniy, a town of 50,000, located two hours from the Russian regional capitol of Samara. A professional chef, Mrs. Panova worked as a cook in one of the main restaurants in the town for 16 years, but health problems forced her to quit her job in the restaurant. Mrs. Panova’s husband worked in the oil industry, but he rarely received his wages on time, so the family—including the two children—could not count on a steady income. Because they needed more income, and because Mrs. Panova wanted her children to have an education, she began her own small business. She cooked some small pies, went to the local market, and sold the pies to traders there. Her pies sold well, and she thought she could make a go of it. Then, a few years later, her husband was laid off at the oil refinery. Mrs. Panova’s pie business was feeding the family of four. She was working long hours, but was always short of money. “Russian women are used to working hard because they feel a strong responsibility for taking care of their children,” she says.
Then, in the summer of 1999, she was given an opportunity to make her hard work more productive. She heard about FINCA, and decided to join one of FINCA Russia’s first groups, “Talisman.” She invested her first loan in meat, sugar, and other raw materials, and started cooking full lunches to deliver to the market. She engaged a number of permanent clients, who waited patiently every day for her lunches to arrive. With her second loan, Mrs. Panova invested in the raw materials to make pastries—particularly kurniki—a traditional Russian pastry with meat and potatoes inside. She found some cafes who agreed to carry her products, and now sells 200-250 pastries and 40 lunches each day. Her husband has returned to work at the oil refinery, and their son has also found work there. Thanks to her mother’s earnings, Mrs. Panova’s daughter can now attend the technical college. When she is not studying, she helps Mrs. Panova with her business. Mrs. Panova dreams of buying a new, modern gas stove with her next loan, and perhaps purchasing a small car in the future to help her deliver meals to her clients. Of her connection with FINCA, she says, “FINCA does the right thing helping women—they are always the main bread-winners in the family.”

Thanks again to our sponsors and readers. You're the greatest, and there'd be little reason to do all this without you guys.

# 32 Here's to the Soundtracks.

2005-08-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Soundtracks, I love them. You can put in a CD and get a variety of music that has the same feel to it. You can listen to the movie if the soundtrack is done properly. Some of my favorite movies, are also my favorite soundtracks.

The Wizard of Oz. This is my favorite childhood movie. I do listen to the soundtrack and sing and dance along with it. I wake up some mornings cranky as can be and pop this in and "If I only had a brain" suddenly will make me laugh and who cares about anything else. Not to mention my favorite song ever is on this soundtrack. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has been a part of me, my life for as long as I have been.

Purple Rain. Prince. Seriously. Take away the movie, just take this soundtrack. "When Doves Cry", "Purple Rain", "I would die 4 U". Three of the best songs ever written. The movie may have been a little self indulgent but this soundtrack is not.

The Virgin Suicides. This movie is so dreamy and eerie and everytime I hear this soundtrack (which is often I play it all the time) it brings back flashes of images from the movie. When I hear "Crazy on you" I can see her climbing into the car and kissing him, that smothering passionate kiss. "Hello it's me" and "Alone again Naturally" such sad songs alone, coupled with the scene of the phone conversations only done through music? Heartbreaking. One day I will have a phone conversation like that. Music speaks volumes.

Velvet Goldmine. When this came out I thought wow, this was made for me. The Johnathn Rhys-Myers cover of "Baby's on Fire" is so fantastic. I think I listen to that version more than the original even. It was so creative ``Venus in Furs``. And the use of modern bands who sounded very ``glam rock`` era like Shudder to Think and Pulp.

The Life Aquatic. I adore Seu Jorge's versions of David Bowie songs. Now, when I hear "Search and Destroy" I almost always crack up because of the scene in which it's used in the movie. Brilliant use of music in a movie.

#31 - More Music News Snippets!

2005-08-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Apple's iTunes music downloading company is about to make history, as they are the first legal music downloading site offering the Rolling Stones Abcko catalogue to its customers. Abcko has previously been the sole owner and distributor of music recorded by the Stones from the beginning of their career up until their Let it Bleed album, making iTunes the one and only download company in the world to feature music spanning the Rolling Stones' entire career, including three yet-to-be-released songs that will be included on their upcoming album.

iTunes also announced yesterday the launch of their Japanese iTunes store, which will finally bring the iTunes and iPod technology to Japan, with an Australian launch expected to follow soon.

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Ryan Adams and the Cardinals second album, titled September, ironically enough is slated to hit store shelves next month. In September. The singer/songwriter surprisingly revealed earlier this year that he's planning a total of three new studio albums in 2005 and has kept up with his promise thus far with May's double-album Cold Roses.

The new CD, September, will feature fifteen new original songs, including one titled "Dear John" which is a duet with Grammy Award-winning artist Norah Jones.

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Maroon 5 recently announced that they'll be releasing a new live DVD/CD set on September 20th, featuring at least one previously unreleased track. Titled Live at the Santa Barbara Bowl will feature the typical mix of live tracks and backstage footage filmed earlier this summer by director Russell Thomas, who's also worked with the likes of Coldplay and Bjork. The collection will also feature the previously unreleased track "Wasted Years" and a live performance of the band covering "Hello" by Oasis.

Later this year after the band finishes their high profile tour with the Rolling Stones, the band will also be returning to the studio to begin work on their sophomore album via October/J Records.

Sources: SoundGenerator.com & Undercover.com.au

P.S. Thanks for the Josh Kelley, Mango. And the Dashboard Confessional. And the Howie Day. And the practically everything else you've played tonight.

#30 - ELEVATOR LOVE LETTER

2005-08-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

I had asked one of our sponsors, the gorgeous Maria in this case, to suggest a song for me to listen to and review. Maria is a big Natalie Portman fan, like me. It's how we both heard about FINCA International, as they're Natalie's charity of choice. So without further ado, here's what I think of her song selection.

STARS. Elevator Love Letter
The first thing I thought of when I heard this song was Belly's "Feed the Tree". This song is very reminiscent of that. The song opens with this driving guitar, which segues into a rolling, upbeat thing. The lead singer's voice is adorable, with a certain innocence to it countered by the disassociation in the lyrics. While I didn't feel an immediate connection to it, it's a wonderful little song. I'd be willing to listen to more of their stuff (since this is my first exposure to them). This bit was great:

I'll take her home after midnight if she likes. I'll tell her lies of how we'll fall in love by the morning. I don't think she'll know i'm saying goodbye.

My office glows all night long; it's a nuclear show and the stars are gone. Elevator, elevator, take me home.

And who is this Kyle cluttering up Mango's radio show? We've become possessive.

#29 An old letter to the editor

2005-08-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

This is a letter I had written to the Boston Phoenix in July of 2002. There was a review written on Jerry Cantrell's album "Degradation Trip". Though I do not have a copy of the review handy, I can say in all fairness the so called review was more about the death of Layne Staley earlier that year. I'm to say the least a huge Alice in Chains fan. The first time I ever heard them in 1990 and from the moment until, well I die they will be my favorite band. Before the night is through I'll update about Alice in more depth but until then, I share with you the second letter to the editor I've ever written. Oddly enough both were about Alice in Chains and both were published. Though I have no copy with me of the first, it was published in a now non-existent rock magazine called "Rip".

I am sickened and saddened. When i first saw the picture on the cover I almost screamed, I should have then known better than to read what I knew would be a piece of trash. How stupid could I be? How masochistic?

Where should I begin? I'm sure that Jerry Cantrell must have been thrilled to come to Boston and Portland just in time to see his friend and lead singer portrayed in such a way. Im sure that like Dave Grohl he will always be in the shadow of someone whom he loved but could do nothing to help, clearly Mr.Ashare has never loved or tried to help anyone battling an addiction as strong as heroin, It made me sick sick sick to hear him write words dripping of disdain: "Unfortunately though Stayley may have been in his heart ,he apparently wasnt in his phone book"

I would personally love to say A big (bleeped out for use of such very bad language) to him for that. When someone is in the clutches of addiction there is only so much you can do , if you are not using you get pushed away , not by choice,but because they only want to be around people who arent going to tell them to stop. Mr.Ashare clearly did not do his research because its a well known fact that the pair had not spoken for years,how is Mr.Cantrell supposed to be the one to figure out that he had been dead for two weeks before anyone found him? How was anyone?

To imply that his death was inevitable that it came as no surprise is fatuous. When you love someone you have faith that somehow some way they will pull through. Its a slap in the face for those who loved him for them to hear the words 'it was bound to happen'. It is excruciating to see a beautiful, talented, kind, gentle, honest,and funny man reduced to some, as Mr.Ashare said, "casualty" because of an addiction.

I feel that i could not find the point in this article , saying that heroin will always be a part of rock and roll is well...redundant, its not only a part of rock and roll its a part of many peoples everyday lives. Like Kurt Cobain,Layne does not deserve to be remembered by history as a casualty of rock and roll or A heroin addict,I understand that yes he did do this to himself,and its a job to cover newsworthy stories,but please do so in consideration for those who loved them that they have left behind. I dont understand the point in this being written now months after his death, perhaps publicity for Jerry Cantrell? Surely there is more to focus on than his former lead singer. He wrote and sang many of the Alice in Chains songs that he plays live now,and I feel he has every right to play them. Not as some means of capitalizing on Laynes death but because he wrote many of the songs that have influenced most popular bands today and he deserves credit for all that he has done musically.Its nice to see him out playing his heart out and smiling through it all.

#28 - More Album Recommendations!

2005-08-06T19:31:00.000-07:00

Josh Kelley's For the Ride Home: Even though Josh's first single off of this album, "Amazing," was a rather tedious and overly played summer song in 2003, the rest of the album was carefully crafted and beautifully put together. It seems as though singer/songwriters like Josh often times choose the wrong singles to release off their great albums. I'm particularly fond of the tracks "Home to Me" and "Angeles." This album is another one that's appropriately titled...as you can sufficiently listen to For the Ride Home when you are, in fact, a good riding companion on your way home from work or vacation.

Howie Day's Stop All The World Now: If you were a fan of the charming single "Collide" from this album, then you would probably be a big fan of the entire disc. This entire record is thoughtfully put together and the emotion that Howie's put into the entire effort is very evident throughout every single track. He's definitely one of the young new acts in mainstream music who's material presents a very promising and talented musician.

Incubus' Make Yourself: Incubus has been on both the mainstream and alternative music scenes for quite a while now, having a multitude of different albums throughout the years, but this is perhaps my favorite. Including radio hits "Stellar," "Drive" and "Pardon Me," this album is probably also the most popular and best-selling out of all of the band's efforts and it's easy to see why. This album has a definite mellow sound to a band that's often times come off as a hard rock or alternative rock group.

Aimee Mann's Lost in Space: After hearing a few tracks off this album in a multitude of different places in film and television, I eventually gave in and decided to give this woman -- who had previously been a completely unknown musician to me, believe it or not -- and her album a chance. I'm glad that I did because this disc has been rotated through my CD player so many times that I'm surprised a hole hasn't been burned into it yet, forcing me to go out and buy another copy. The tracks "Humpty Dumpty," "Invisible Ink" and "Pavlov's Bell" are all good samples ripped from this album.

Heather Nova's South: Much like Aimee, I had heard of Heather Nova's music from quite a few different film and television sources...most notably her contributions to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Felicity. After hearing the sad, cry-fest of a song "It's Only Love" on Buffy, I immediately wanted her album. Again, I'm glad that I did. This album is fantastic from the very beginning to the very end. How is it that musicians such as Heather and Tony Lucca aren't recognized on a wider music market? Just a few of the world's unsolved mysteries, I tell you.

#27 - BARENAKED LADIES, FINALLY

2005-08-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

I have no one favorite all-time band. My preferences bounce around and change too much. I could, if pressed, point to a favorite of the moment. That said, I'm going to break down some CDs from one band that is always in my Top 5: Barenaked Ladies.

Gordon: The disc that started it all. Still rough around the edges, pulling together their early, mostly juvenile but still wonderful, material. "If I Had A Million Dollars" and "Be My Yoko Ono" were the buzzworthy songs on this album, though "Brian Wilson" got lots of play.

Maybe You Should Drive. Sadly I don't own this album. I just never got around to picking it up. However, I know the songs "Jane", "These Apples", "Alternative Girlfriend" and "Life, In a Nutshell". I know them because they were on...

Rock Spectacle A live album, showcasing their first three albums. If you've never been to a barenaked ladies concert, you haven't lived. They're so much fun. So talented. They improvise songs. They rap. They give the rear rank guys (drummer, bassist and keyboardist) the stage for a while. Electric. Check out Barenaked in America, if you can find it at Blockbuster.

Born On A Pirate Ship Backtracking a little. My least favorite of their albums, but surprisingly, the one with my favorite BNL song (and one of my all time favorite songs ever). I just don't connect with too many of their songs on this one. "The Old Apartment" was the first song to get decent play on Alternative music stations. My favorite song, quite possibly of all time, is "Break Your Heart". So full of passion.

Stunt Their big one. Every song is great, every song is toe-tapping or thought-provoking. It sold a gazillion copies. Surely you've heard "One Week". "Call and Answer" was on the "EdTV" soundtrack. "Who Needs Sleep" and "Alcohol" are great songs, as is "Some Fantastic".

Maroon My son Tristan, age 8, knows most of "Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel", a song about a guy flipping over his car and dying on his way to see his SO. Well, he sings the last prolonged note, anyway. There were no true standouts on this album, because every song was pretty good, but nothing was a blockbuster hit. "Falling for the First Time" is great, as is the old-school R&B sounding "Conventioneers"

Everything to Everyone Their new one. Good stuff. Just about as good as Stunt, in my opinion. "Another Postcard" aka The Chimpanzee Song was played a plenty. The Blue Man Group collaborated on "Shopping". Some other neat songs off this one were the boppy "Testing 1 2 3" and the more somber "War On Drugs"

I really and truly love their whole catalog. And oh! Their Greatest Hits CD has a couple tracks not on previous albums, one of which was attached to the show "King of the Hill".

#26 - Remember this is for charity

2005-08-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's my turn now to remind you guys just how much a charity like FINCA matters. Staying up for 24 hours (okay I admit I did sleep in sorry guys) and posting is fun, it's interesting but when it's for a good cause and you're doing something that matters and can help someone make their life better there's no words for how good you feel. So please even just a dollar. If you're unsure how to plegde and donate just scroll down and check out entry #24.

A story of Success from FINCA:

Starting OverDelia Sanchez lives with her family in a village outside Otavalo, Ecuador, an area with a large population of indigenous, Quechua-speaking Indians, the descendents of the Incas. Mrs. Sanchez’s village banking group is called "Inti Warmi," Quechua for "Women of the Sun." She runs a tienda, a small convenience store. The access FINCA provides to working capital has been very helpful though she is candid that it can still be a struggle to provide her family’s basic needs. When asked if her tienda was a new venture, or whether she had been in business before joining FINCA, Mrs. Sanchez burst into tears.

Her voice growing stronger, she said, "The answer to that question is Yes. Yes, my tienda is a new business and yes, I was in business before. Before FINCA, my only source of financing was the village moneylender. It was a good business, and it would have done well, but I just couldn’t keep up with paying him so much." She explained that the inevitable happened, and she lost her business and everything for which she had worked so hard. With the financial and moral support of her FINCA village banking group, she was able to start over.

Mrs. Sanchez has dreams for her children. "I want them to know who they are. I don’t want us to lose our ways." She remarked that her mother, like many of that generation, spoke only Quechua. She herself, like most of her own generation, is bilingual in Spanish and Quechua. Since the village children are educated in Spanish, and Quechua is used only at home, she wants to ensure that her own children will not lose their language and heritage. FINCA branch manager Hirlanda Vaca explains that Mrs. Sanchez likes to visit the office every few weeks to surf the Internet. "Wanting to preserve your own culture," she reasons, "doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy learning about the rest of the world, too."

And tune in to Mango because he's going to play the Pearl Jam trilogy !

#25 - FINCA Success Story!

2005-08-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

Thought I would take the opportunity in this post to share another FINCA Success Story to let all of you know just how much the cause we're blogging for really matters.

Have you pledged yet? If not, have you even thought about pledging very briefly? You definitely should, because if you do...you could be responsible for the next FINCA Success Story! Read on to find out more, and when you're done, check out the blog's sidebar for more information on how you can sponsor FINCA International.

Selling Tomatoes
Sherida Mkama lives in Kamanga, Tanzania. Married, and the mother of 10 children, Mrs. Mkama began selling tomatoes in 1995, starting her small business with only $10 in working capital. Although her produce sold well, she could never really afford to improve or expand her business. Her profits went immediately to fulfilling her family's basic needs. "I was doing a good business, but my capital never really expanded. I have too many obligations, especially the schooling of the children," she said, referring to the tuition and uniform fees that parents must pay to have their children enrolled. Her husband's earnings went almost exclusively into purchasing food for the family. Mrs. Mkama is not afraid to work hard. Each day, she wakes up at six a.m. and prepares her loads of tomatoes to transport to Mwanza by ferry. Once she has traveled to Mwanza and sold all her tomatoes, she returns home via the ferry and bicycle to do her household chores, and to cultivate her small kitchen garden. Then, in the late afternoon, she starts looking for her next day's inventory of tomatoes to purchase. On some days, there are no good tomatoes nearby, so she must travel into the interior -- up to 7 km by bicycle -- to buy tomatoes to sell the next day. In late 1998, Mrs. Mkama heard from a friend that an organization called FINCA was offering loans to women in the area. She was eager to join a village banking group that was forming because of the chance to obtain working capital, but she was apprehensive, too. Those who have never been poor may not understand the fear involved in taking the risk -- of borrowing capital, of possibly being unable to pay it back, of entering into territory that is new and unfamiliar. For low-income women in Tanzania, the fear is very real. "Women fear that if they join FINCA, they will go to jail. There is nothing like that!" says Mrs. Mkama. "It's just a matter of working hard. If one fails to pay, the group knows what actions to take -- not to take the person to jail, but to support her." Mrs. Mkama used her first FINCA loan to purchase spare parts for her bicycle, "so that transporting the tomatoes is simple and fast," she says. She has also cultivated her own tomato garden, and she says, "I can now easily afford seeds and insecticides for my tomatoes." But perhaps most important, she has been able to set aside savings, even after paying school and uniform fees for her children. Mrs. Mkama's participation in the village banking group Tugeme has increased her self-esteem. The ability to borrow and repay her loan, to carry out the bookkeeping tasks of her group, and to engage in the weekly give and take of village banking group meetings has given her confidence in herself. "Another benefit from FINCA is the courage I have gained to talk in front of other ladies. I was scared to talk in front of people before," she explained. Clearly, for Mrs. Mkama, the risk of joining a village banking group has already paid off -- even after her very first loan.

Got a few dollars to spare? Take just a few minutes out of your day and pledge those spare dollars towards our goal of raising money for FINCA. You could end up helping people just like Mrs. Mkama get what they need to survive.

#24 - A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO PLEDGING

2005-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Some of you don't "get" how exactly one goes about making a pledge, versus making the donation. I hope this little primer will help out.

First, you do NOT have to have your credit card today to make your PLEDGE. The card is only needed to make your DONATION. The PLEDGE is just a "promise" to donate if we make it to the end of this.

I will post links to donation websites when the event is over, especially if you pledged under $10 (the FINCA Network for Good site doesn't take anything smaller than $10, but I found another network that did). If you pledged less than $5, please bump your donation up to $5 (via a second donation) or give the money to the charity of your choice instead.

Right. Here we go. Visit http://www.blogathon.org/ and click on the Register/Log In link on the left bar. This will take you to a registration page. (Alternately, you can just go straight to http://www.blogathon.org/blogathon.php?register ).
Fill out the requested info. The information is for tracking purposes only, and to notify you when the event is done. You've registered. Yay!
Now, log in by entering the User Name and Passoword you just created. Once you've logged in, visit our campaign page at http://www.blogathon.org/blogathon.php?campaign&id=235
Fill out how much you'd like to donate when the event is over. Remember the sites won't take anything less than $5 (sorry). YOU DO NOT NEED YOUR CREDIT CARD NOW. Need to wait for payday? That's cool, just get your pledge in now. Come on folks, let's get to Blogathon's goal of $50,000. You will get a reminder email when the event is done, and I will post a link here when the event is over for those who pledged between $5 and $10.

As I've said, we're blogging for FINCA International. Joe and Lisa will be following with some more inspirational success stories from this fantastic organization.

PS. I am starting a campaign to get us and Mango on the Blogathon main page. Write your congressman. Write your monitor. Write the Pope. Let's get it done, people.

PPS. My pictures killed the sidebar, so I took them down. Boo!

#23 The Pearl Jam "Trilogy"

2005-08-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

This was inspired by Mango . Though I have no sound on my laptop the guys in my group have been keeping a running tab for me on the great music I am missing out on and when Pearl Jam was mentioned it got my brian cranking.

I wish I could remember where I heard this story. I could be wrong in saying that it was told on "Rockline" by one of the Pearl Jam members, so I don't want to say that is where I heard it but that's where I seem to recall it coming from. But the story is as follows.

Members of Mother Love Bone (Stone and Jeff) joined together with Members of Soundgarden (Matt and Chris) to record a tribute album for Andrew Wood (the singer of Mother Love Bone) after he died. This band would be Temple of the Dog who had a huge hit with their song "Hunger Strike". It was never meant to be a band, just some friends getting together to record music in honor of their dear friend. Stone and Jeff had written some songs, but were looking for a singer and hearing about this guy down in San Diego sent off a demo of some music. The songs that Eddie got, he turned into a "trilogy". The songs if listened to in order tell a story.

Alive-The story of a young man finding out the truth of his real father, and how devastating it was for him. There was talk that this closely related to Eddie's own story about his father.

Once- The young man at this point has snapped. Eddie has said many times that he dosen't like to interpret lyrics for people and he'd rather them do it for themselves. There are many things in this song, in the imagery you can gather from it. My personal interpretation is the old sex as salvation theme.

Footsteps- This was never released, only as a b-side. They preformed it on Rockline and I can't remember but I think it was the b-side for the cd single for "Jeremy". This is the final song to the trilogy which to this day is my favorite Pearl Jam song. It's haunting and beautiful. It's a lament in some ways and mind you again this is personal interpretation. "I got scratches all over my arms, one for each day since I fell apart" . It's chilling his voice.

Another interesting fact is that the music for "Footsteps" is also the music for the song "Times of Trouble" on the Temple of The Dog C.D.

#22 - More Music News Snippets!

2005-08-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

The original Woodstock music festivals were defining moments in rock music history, Jimi Hendrix's closing performance at the 1969 concerts in particular. His entire performance at Woodstock has never been available in its entirety for fans either...that is until September 13th. Universal Music and Experience Hendrix are slated to release Jimi Hendrix -- Live at Woodstock on DVD that day. The DVD will also be released in the U.K. on September 14th.

The DVD will also include two bonus features: "The Road to Woodstock" documentary and "A Second Look," which blends black-and-white footage of the performances with color clips from a bunch of different angles.

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The band Incubus wrote three new songs specifically for the soundtrack of the Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel and Josh Lucas film Stealth, all of which were included on the film's soundtrack on Epic Records. "Make a Move" was the first radio single from the soundtrack and is also the song movie fans will hear in the trailer for the film, which was released in theaters nation-wide on July 29th. The soundtrack also features the tracks "Admiration" and "Neither of Us Can See," which is the first duet Incubus has been a part of , featuring Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders. Each of the three tracks were specifically written for different scenes in Stealth.

Incubus can currently be seen live for those of you reading from across the pond, their next tour date being Leeds, England on August 26th.

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Nickel Creek, the bluegrass-tinted music group has announced a plethora of tour dates that will keep them on the road until at least the end of the year. The new tour dates will begin on September 30th with the first of two shows in South Burlington, Vermont, and will close on December 17th in Los Angeles, California. They also have the honor of being among the first act to perform in New York's new Nokia Theatre Times Square.

The trio will be touring in support of their latest album Why Should the Fire Die?, which is due out on store shelves this coming Tuesday on Sugar Hill Records. The disc will include a cover of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow is a Long Time," as well as thirteen original tracks.

Source: Billboard.com

P.S. Have we mentioned how great Mango is? 'Cause he is.

#21 - TOP FIVE SONGS THAT MAKE ME CRY

2005-08-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hello, allergy-induced sinus headache. Throbbing. Pressure. Hurting. But I soldier forth. I am not afraid. I will not fear. Fear is the mind killer. I will face my fear, I will let it pass through me.

Anyway, Dune flashback out of the way, allow me to present this humble list of five songs, all of which strike a chord within me for one reason or another.

5. ALANIS MORRISETTE. HEAD OVER FEET. Tears of joy, as this is my wife Jules' and my wedding song. It's "our song", as it were. It fit us well back then; still does, I think.

4. R.E.M.. EVERYBODY HURTS. This song is an odd one, because once upon a time, I would listen to it to feed my depression. Somewhere along the way, though, I grew up. The clouds parted some, and depression faded to a quiet hum that ocassionally comes around like microphone feedback. This song gives me hope now. It's uplifting because, "Hey, Everbody Hurts. It's gonna be okay."

3. NINE INCH NAILS / JOHNNY CASH. HURT. Both versions of this song get me weepy, for different reasons. The NIN version because it connects me to feelings of isolation. The Johnny Cash one because it taps into a sense of loss. The video for Cash's version is particularly sad for me.

2. ELTON JOHN. YOUR SONG. This song touches me because of the purity of love Elton conveys in this song. The narrator stumbles with his words. He's just so stupid in love, it gets me teary. "If I was a sculptor... but then again, no... Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show? I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do. My gift is my song and this one's for you."

1. TRACY CHAPMAN. FAST CAR. It's such a tragic story, and Tracy's voice just captures the emotion behind it perfectly. I seriously can't hear this song without crying. Some times it's a tear or two. Some times it's like the bottom of my stomach falling out.

Honorable Mention: The Entire "LES MISERABLES" Score. This musical is so beautiful and endering and tragically sad. I've seen the show (via travelling companies) four times. Whenever that white spotlight shines down on stage, a torrent of tears follows. Without fail.

#20 - A first concert and a reality check.

2005-08-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

I grew up on a variety of music. My mother listening to mostly country music with a dash of the beatles and CCR. My father listening to Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, and such. For whatever reason, at twelve I had the idea in my head that none of these bands were cool. A lesson I would very quickly learn was not so. Forever grateful to have "Born in the USA" on vinyl now. During the pre-teen years I think a lot of what a kid listens to has to do with 'fitting in'. Sadly, for me fitting in in 8th grade involved listening to ...yes the New Kids On The Block. Not to mention every copy of my Cinderella "Nightsongs" tape or Poison "Look what the cat dragged in" cassette would vanish into thin air. Hmm. Yet somehow the band who one member set fire to a hotel room was acceptable enough to have on my bedsheets. So, that summer between 8th and 9th grade I was at long last able to attend my first concert. Something to look fondly (insert laughter here) back on in later years. I had the ticket a month before hand. Images in my head of what a first concert would be like. I'd sleep with that ticket under my pillow. Go ahead laugh, I was 12 okay.

On to the show. We got there, excited as a group of girls with budding breasts can be to have our seats so close oh only seven rows away from our favorite new kid. Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine? And they took to the stage. That's when disappointment set in. No, I do not say this now as a grown woman out of shame or anything that I was disappointed by the show. It's the truth and in fact I'm not ashamed at all I still find myself from time to time humming "The right stuff". The disappointment was that as soon as they hit the stage everyone jumped up onto their seats and even when I was standing on mine I could barely see over others heads. Strike One. All the flashy dance moves, the lights, the smoke, none of it really thrilled me. The worst part, was that I couldn't even hear the band over the sing along of the audience. I just stood there, numb watching everyone around me screaming, singing, smiling and thinking there was something wrong with me. There was. I wasn't at a rock n roll show. I was in teenage wasteland.

I remember my mom asking me how the show was later and my reply was "Terrible I couldn't even hear the band". My dad replied "That's because they aren't a band" and gave me a bootleg cassette tape of a live Doors show. THAT was a band. Over the next few weeks all my posters came off the wall and the sheets turned from Joe, Donnie, Jon, Jordan and Danny to a nice pale blue. I learned where to hide my Poison and Cinderella tapes where they wouldn't be found and my dad I think was even so grateful to snag a copy of Appetite for Destruction that for Christmas that year he talked my mom out of getting me a Mariah Carey CD and into getting me Ozzy. Thanks Dad.

#19 - Pop Goes Acting!

2005-08-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

What is it about the entertainment industry that makes one feel as though they can do it all? Maybe it's the similarities between the different aspects of entertainment. Maybe it's the fact that sometimes the different worlds actually take advantage of one another. And maybe sometimes...it's just a ploy for interesting cross-promotion. Either way...there have been tons of pop singers who have tried their hands are acting as well. Here's a look at just a few of the most recent ones:

Britney Spears in Crossroads: This movie was a flop and a clear sign to Ms. Spears that she should never try her hand at acting ever again. Not to be overly critical, but if you're getting paid millions to sing when you can't even do that very well, it's not a very good idea for you to branch out into other areas where you'll also do really terrible. The general public must have shared this sentiment, seeing as how the movie didn't really do all that great in the box office, either. The movie also had actresses Taryn Manning and Zoe Saldana in supporting roles, and thank God that their film careers are still going rather than having depended on this vehicle to get going.

Justin Timberlake in Edison and Alpha Dog: Neither of these two films have been released yet, but assuming that Timberlake is signed on to star in both of these flicks shortly after announcing that he has no desire to return to *NSYNC, the boy band that made him famous, it's easy to see that he may just be banking on the success of his acting skills in the near future. Will he ever return to music, solo or with his group? Who can really tell until it's seen how well these two movies do in the box office?

Jessica Simpson in The Dukes of Hazzard: This film also just came out, so it's hard telling whether or not she could make a full-time transition to actress, but from the looks of the movie, it doesn't look like she'll be winning any Oscars anytime soon. This may very well turn into another Britney/Crossroads situation.

Natalie Imbruglia in Johnny English: Okay, so Australian readers are probably gasping and yelling at the computer screen that Natalie was actually an actress on the Aussie soap Neighbours before she was a singer, but to the folks over on this side of the world who don't get and have never seen said television series, we're at a loss to have ever seen her on screen in anything until this little-known flick that didn't do so well in the box office, either. Which is too bad, because it's my personal opinion that she could have been great if the movie itself had a better subject matter. Oh well.

Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember, How to Deal, Chasing Liberty, etc.: What's ironic in this instance is that Britney, whom Mandy was compared to early on in her music career, ended up with a box office bomb whereas this little starlet that could wound up a full-fledged part-time actress. And the most surprising part of this success story is that Mandy can actually sing and act well. Who knew? Mandy is definitely one major talent that her management should be lucky to have found.

Gwen Stefani in The Aviator: Gwen and her band No Doubt were no strangers to regularly contributing music to movie soundtracks, but this was the first role in which she played a major part in. Gwen played movie actress Jean Harlow in the Oscar-nominated film about the life and career of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes. She even had the honor of co-starring alongside the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, and Jude Law, among others. She played only a supporting role in this film, but it went on to be a moderate box office success and plenty of Oscar buzz to boot. But will we see Gwen in another film anytime soon or is she still all about her music? We'll have to wait and see.

#18 - FRANCES THE MUTE

2005-08-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

First off, I'd like to thank Mango, Pink, all of our friends on GJ, and everyone else reading for commenting and supporting us. I hope you're enjoying it so far. We sure are. We're three people with really diverse musical interests, I think, and I've enjoyed reading it. I hope, then, that you all are too.

As you probably noticed, our last entry was by none other than third team-mate, the beautiful Lisa. She dragged herself out of her bed, braving illness to give us the grunge and metal perspective. Just keeping it real.

Do me a favor. Leave a comment, just to let us know you're reading. Better yet, leave me a comment with a song you'd like me to listen to and write about. Whether you think I've heard it or not, have at it. I'll try my best to track it down and talk about them.

THE MARS VOLTA. FRANCES THE MUTE.
I defy you to categorize this album. To call it 70's Revivalist rock is oversimplification to the Nth degree. Metal? Funk? Punk? Latin? Progessive? Experimental? The short answer: yes, and then some. There's a wide array of apparent influences to this album, from Led Zeppelin to Rush to Pink Floyd. Cedric Bixler-Zavala's tenor voice takes turns crooning and raging in this epic tale of an orphan's journey to locate his estranged mother. There's haunting bits of creepiness and ambiance. There's speed guitar, blending with more melodic and almost jazzy things.

Similar to OK COMPUTER, FRANCES THE MUTE is one to take your time with. Listen to the whole thing. Just catching songs like "The Widow" and it's hints of Robert Plant and Freddy Mercury, along with "L'Via L'Viaquez" and it's melodic and sometimes stilted melodies alternating with it's lating groove and Cedric's smooth journeyman lyrics (most of them in Spanish), is a disservice.

Trust me. It's worth a listen.

#17 - Five Grunge albums that you might not be familiar with.

2005-08-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Mother Love Bone Stardog Champion. This is probably one of my favorite albums of all time. It had Stone Gossard and Jeff Amnet (who would after Andrew Wood the singer of MLB later form Pearl Jam) and members from Green River (seminal Seattle Band). This C.D. sounds like nothing else to come out of the 90's and gives us a hint at what/where music could have gone had Andrew Wood not died. It's melodies are out of this world more like T-Rex than Black Sabbath (which I think most of the 'grunge' bands emulated). You may be familiar with the song "Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns" which was on the "Singles" soundtrack.

Babes in Toyland fontanelle. The great war between Kat and Courtney. Who came first with the babydoll dresses and little girl barrettes? Who cares? This album is brutal and terrific from start to finish. Beavis and Butthead remarked once "Woah that chick is hot, woah that chick is pissed" which was the theme for girl bands in the 90's. They were hot and pissed. They could play music just as rough as the boys. Take a gander over to amazon.com and just listen to "Bruise Violet".

Mudhoney Superfuzz Bigmuff Plus Early Singles . Oh Mudhoney. The epitome of grunge that muff guitar pedal creating that sound. No one else could do it quite so well. "Touch me I'm sick" was the grunge anthem that "Smells like teen spirit" only dreamed of being. Fathers would lock up their daughters if they heard them playing "Sweet young thing 'aint sweet no more". Trust me I wasn't let out of the house until my 18th birthday. Thank you Mudhoney. Thank you.

The Screaming Trees Sweet Oblivion. So aptly titled. Start to finish one of those albums that there is no song on it you don't want to listen to. Mark Lanegan (Who has kept on with many solo projects and a stint in Queens of the stone age) is a little like Jim Morrison come back to us. He has this deep haunting voice that I can never get enough of only adding to the brooding feeling of the music. Everyone I know that had never heard this album, I would make them listen to it and not one person didn't buy themselves a copy. It's the one C.D. that will actually make me miss the 90's and my teenage years. "Nearly Lost You" and "Dollar Bill" are highlights here.

The Afghan Whigs Gentlemen Not from Seattle, but somehow got lumped in with all the Seattle rock bands. I think it all had to do with 'mood' and this album is so dark, and delicious. From heroin to sex addiction it unfolds like a seedy tale you'd hear from the guy all in black at the bar next to you. Which could in fact be Greg Duli. "Gentlemen" and "When we two parted" are must hears.

#16 - More Music News Snippets!

2005-08-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

Benji Madden of Good Charlotte has said that on their upcoming fourth album, fans can look forward to a little more of a retro vibe, having stated to MTV News that the band's been really into Cyndi Lauper and Tiffany lately. The band goes back to the studio in December to record the new album, with twins Benji and Joel Madden running their own writing and producing team titled the Dead Executives. The Madden Brothers have also recently expressed interest in collaborating with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson.

In addition to the new album and their list of people they wish to work with, the Madden Twins also recently produced three new tracks for Joel's sweetheart Hilary Duff on her next album, titled Most Wanted, which is due in stores on August 16th.

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Even though Kayne West hasn't released his second album yet, he's already got a release date set for his third album and a title placed on the fourth. During a Wednesday night listening party for West's next album, Late Registration, he revealed that his third album, titled Graduation, will come out in October of next year and his fourth studio album will be called A Good Ass Job. In the meantime, however, Late Registration will hit store shelves on August 30th, the next single being "Gold Digger" featuring Jamie Foxx.

Foxx isn't the only big name to make an appearance on Late Registration, either. Surprisingly, Kanye's track "Heard 'Em Say" features Adam Levine, the frontman for the band Maroon 5...a band who arguably belongs to a genre very different from that of Kanye. Should be interesting to say the least.

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Bo Bice, one of the top contestants in the last season of American Idol, broke his foot last weekend during the first song in his set during the American Idols Live Tour in Manchester, New Hampshire. Reportedly, there was a part during the song where he goes running across the stage and jumps and flips around in circles, but while doing this during the last show, he landed on his foot wrong and the bone snapped. Yowch! Regardless of the severity of his injury, Bo ended up finishing his solo set and the rest of the concert which feature a duet with Carrie Underwood and two group numbers.

After the concert, Bo finally went to a hospital in Manchester where he was X-rayed and diagnosed with the broken foot as well as a twisted ankle and a pulled muscle. Despite all things, he was quoted with saying that the injury will not hurt the tour at all and he will instead perform his tunes sitting down or doing a piano number.

Source: MTV News.

#15 - OK COMPUTER

2005-08-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

So, if you didn't know, the lyrics from an hour ago were Radiohead's Fitter Happier, from OK COMPUTER, one of the greatest modern rock albums ever recorded. I realize that's a strong statement, but few rival the depth and complexity of emotion, nor the richness and variety of sound. It's absolutely masterful.

If I review an album here, you can be sure that my intention is to get you to listen. And if you haven't listened to this album straight through, beginning to end, you owe it to yourself to do so. It just may change your view on music as a whole. It's something Radiohead has the power of doing.

Funny thing is, I didn't particularly care for Radiohead when I first heard Kid A. I knew their radio play songs (Creep, Karma Police) but didn't really know them. I didn't "get" Kid A at first. It was just kinda out there for me. It wasn't until I wrapped my mind around this album, OK Computer, that I finally got it. And holy heck, I love them.

#14 - More Album Recommendations!

2005-08-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

Dido's No Angel: After discovering the song "Here With Me" by Dido as the theme song to the now-defunct television series Roswell, I went out and picked up this album only to be even more pleased by the rest of the record itself. Dido is still perhaps one of the most underrated singer/songwriters from across the pond, and this debut album of hers is proof positive of that fact. "Hunter," "Isobel" and "ThankYou" are just a few more examples of some brilliant tracks on this album.

Jason Mraz's Waiting For My Rocket to Come: In this neat little debut album package of Jason's (as well as in some of his newer material), he ingeniously managed to mesh his endearing sense of humor with his singing and guitar playing ability...which has managed to create a unique musical style all on his own that you can hear all the way through this album. With a charming sensibility about himself and his music, it's easy to see why he's one of the most promising artists to emerge in recent years.

No Doubt's The Singles 1992-2003: If you managed to read my post about my memorable concert experiences, you'll remember that I stated that No Doubt was and still is one of my favorite musical acts. For more than a decade, they created some of the most moving yet energetic rock music and even had the honor to be the very first band to perform live on MTV in the new millennium. All of this after having gone through hell and back with internal member struggles (Gwen Stefani's brother leaving the band, Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal's huge break-up, etc.) and a plethora of other obstacles. Although each of the band's albums throughout the years have been brilliant in their own right, this collection of each of their singles really showcases their talent and is a true testament to their greatness. Here's also hoping for another No Doubt album in the near future.

Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle: Even though she didn't stay on mainstream music's radar for too very long, Natalie seemingly burst out of Australia like it was nothing in the late '90s with the single "Torn." And even though that track, along with a couple of others, were upbeat and seemingly made for radio, a lot of this album was toned down and very emotional or soft and bitter...making it one of my personal favorites, though I do believe it was sharply critisized by music reviewers or killed by frequent radio play. I recommend it nonetheless.

Tony Lucca's Shotgun: Tony Lucca is one of my favorite little-known musicians who's acoustic rock music is absolutely incredible. What's unbelievable about this man though is that he was a part of the Mickey Mouse Club with the likes of popsters Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake, and even dated Felicity herself, Keri Russell. His sound is a more grown-up and less "teen pop" one than that of his former comrades. Why this guy isn't a huge rock star yet is a complete mystery to me.

#13 - FITTER. HAPPIER

2005-08-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Fitter, happier, more productive,
comfortable,
not drinking too much,
regular exercise at the gym
(3 days a week),
getting on better with your associate employee contemporaries,
at ease,
eating well
(no more microwave dinners and saturated fats),
a patient better driver,
a safer car
(baby smiling in back seat),
sleeping well
(no bad dreams),
no paranoia,
careful to all animals
(never washing spiders down the plughole),
keep in contact with old friends
(enjoy a drink now and then),
will frequently check credit at
(moral) bank (hole in the wall),
favors for favors,
fond but not in love,
charity standing orders,
on Sundays ring road supermarket
(no killing moths or putting boiling water on the ants),
car wash
(also on Sundays),
no longer afraid of the dark or midday shadows
nothing so ridiculously teenage and desperate,
nothing so childish - at a better pace,
slower and more calculated,
no chance of escape,
now self-employed,
concerned (but powerless),
an empowered and informed member of society
(pragmatism not idealism),
will not cry in public,
less chance of illness,
tires that grip in the wet
(shot of baby strapped in back seat),
a good memory,
still cries at a good film,
still kisses with saliva,
no longer empty and frantic
like a cat
tied to a stick,
that's driven into
frozen winter shit
(the ability to laugh at weakness),
calm,
fitter,
healthier and more productive
a pig
in a cage
on antibiotics.

#12 - More Music News Snippets!

2005-08-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

Melissa Etheridge, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of last year, has come out a survivor. She announced this past Wednesday night on entertainment news show Extra that she had made a full recovery since having gone through several different cancer treatments and that she would be heading back to the studio and begin publicity appearances to support her upcoming greatest hits collection titled The Road Less Traveled, which will feature a brand new cover of the Tom Petty song "Refugee."

Etheridge and her girlfriend -- actress Tammy Lynn Michaels -- also have announced that they are hoping to have a baby soon via artificial insemination. She's also lending her singing talents to Walt Disney's straight-to-DVD release Brother Bear 2 and is also developing a sitcom based on her own life.

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Both singer Nick Lachey and syndicated talk-show host Kelly Ripa put an end to a few rumors this past week on Live with Regis and Kelly, with Lachey denying reports that his marriage to fellow singer/actress Jessica Simpson is not going well and Ripa denying any truth in the rumor of Regis Philbin getting booted from the popular daytime talk-show.

Lachey reportedly told Ripa that his relationship with Simpson at the moment is "absolutely wonderful," despite previous rumors that she had been unfaithful with The Dukes of Hazzard co-star Johnny Knoxville. He also said that he wasn't at all jealous that Simpson's music career has exploded and become much bigger than his own.

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John Mayer apparently is having a bit of trouble writing a new song. Therefore, he's looking to the best group of people to help him out: his fans. The singer/songwriter/guitar player is hailing all fans and aspiring songwriters to help him make a song out of a few lyrics that he wrote that never made it onto his upcoming album. He wrote in his monthly column for Esquire magazine recently that he wants fans to send in a CD of their own version of the song -- written around his lyrics -- to the magazine's music department by September 30th. The best submissions to the contest will be features on the magazine's official website, where Mayer will pick the winner and gift them with a Fender John Mayer Signature Stratocaster guitar.

Mayer explained that the few lyrics he had written for the song were left over from a track that was meant to go on Continuum, his upcoming third studio album. He never could figure out what to do with the lyrics, so the track will wind up as an instrumental piece on the finalized version of the album itself.

Source: Yahoo! Music

#11 - THE LORDS OF LETHARGIC ROCK

2005-08-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

And by Lords of Lethargic Rock, I'm talking about Cake. Well, they share the title with Radiohead, who will likely be the topic of my next post. With Cake you're sure to get a few things with every album: smooth and often complex bass rifts, a mixture of jaunty and mellow tunes, wonderful remakes of classic tunes, neat little horn riffs and solos, the occasional song about a tragic figure (The Distance, Guitar Man), and John McCrea's beautifully lethargic voice.

I first discovered them after hearing "The Distance" on the radio many moons ago. I immediately went out and bought Fashion Nugget that week.

A love affair was born.

Guitar Man, from Pressure Chief, is the song currently on the local radio station these days. It's the remake of an old BREAD song, and Cake just gives it this funky vibe that I absolutely love. Pick it up on iTunes and give a listen.

Who draws the crowd? Who plays so loud? Baby it's the guitar man. Who's gonna steal the show? You know baby it's the guitar man. He can make you love, he can make you cry. He will bring you down, he will get you high. Something keeps him going, miles and miles away, to find another place to play.

And night after night who treats you right? Baby it's the guitar man. Who's on the radio? You know baby it's the guitar man. When he comes to town and you see his face, and you think you might like to take his place: something keeps him drifting miles and miles away, searching for the songs to play.

Then you listen to the music and you'd like to sing along. And you want to get the meaning out of each and every song. And you find yourself a message and some words to call your own and take 'em home.

He can make you love, he can get you high. He will bring you down he will make you cry. Something keeps him moving. but no one seems to know what it is that makes him go.

Then the lights begin to flicker and the sound is getting dim, the voice begins to falter and the crowds are getting thin. But he never seems to notice he's just got to find another place to play.

Can't get enough of that song.

PS. Italian Leather Sofa. Excellent choice, Mango. I love Stickshifts & Safetybelts from that album too.

#10 - Joe's Album Recommendations!

2005-08-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Having said that I was going to put together some album recommendations earlier, I decided to go ahead and list some of the albums that I own that I think are really amazing. Keep in mind that this is all my opinion and not at all a definitive guide to "the best music ever" or anything like that.

These are also in no particular order...just the ones I came across when flipping through my CD's.

Plumb's candycoatedwaterdrops: With the exception of Sixpence None The Richer, Plumb was really one of the first artists that I was exposed to that had a "Christian music" feel. I'm not a very religious person, so typically when something has a tie towards faith or religion, I tend to stray away from it a little bit. After I heard the songs "Damaged," "Here With Me," and "Stranded" off of this album in a variety of different films, I decided to give it a shot and I'm really glad that I did, because it's a very well written and recorded album. Highly recommended if you can deal with God-tinted music.

John Mayer's Room for Squares: I had been a fan of John's well in advance of his getting international superstardom credentials and being a big Grammy-winning artist and all of that good stuff and by the time that he was winning Grammy's, I was wondering why people hadn't listened to me recommend this album to them before. "Love Song For No One" and "Back to You" are my two personal favorites on this disc, though many traditional radio listeners will probably favor his two huge singles "No Such Thing" and "Your Body is a Wonderland." His sophomore effort, Heavier Things, is also a pretty amazing album, though I don't think it necessarily lived up to this record.

Maroon 5's Songs About Jane: Once again, I had run out and bought this album after I had first heard their single "Harder to Breathe" on the radio the summer it was released. This band didn't explode and become a huge thing until almost a year later when "This Love" and "She Will Be Loved" made their way to radio airwaves, so my experience with this album was very similar to the one I had with Room for Squares. While this entire album is definitely amazing (one of the few that I don't feel the need to skip at least one track while listening to it), it seems rather short and it feels like it's over not long after you start it up. Nonetheless, it may be short, but the quality definitely outweighs quantity in their case.

Madonna's Ray of Light: I had always kind of liked Madonna up until this album, but this is the album that actually made me a fan. Of course the Grammy people loved on her with this effort as well, and who can blame them? Still to this day, I think it's one of her best records ever.

eastmountainsouth's eastmountainsouth: This was another album I normally would have looked right over at a record store or something if I hadn't heard several of their songs before purchasing it. I had recalled hearing a handful of different songs from this album on a variety of different TV shows including Alias, One Tree Hill, and Dawson's Creek. This is another record, like Songs About Jane, in which I can endure the entire length of the disc without having to skip any particular tracks. It's very soft and calming, and the name of both this music duo and their album is highly appropriate. Their music is something you would probably expect to hear in the southeast segment of the United States.

#9 - RHODA NAKIBUUKA KABOGOOZA

2005-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to share one of the FINCA International success stories this entry, as well as plug a couple radio stations that are broadcasting during the event.

Blogathon Radio
Mango Radio

And now, the story of Rhoda Nakibuuka Kabogooza.

How $42 Changed a Ugandan Family’s Future

Mrs. Rhoda Nakibuuka Kabogooza and her family literally lost everything – including one son – during Uganda’s Luwero District war in 1986. Her family struggled for years, and things only got more difficult when her husband lost his civil service job. Mrs. Kabogooza knew she needed to find a way to help support her family so she started a small business in her home. With resources she could gather from friends and relatives, she began selling sodas, bread buns and pancakes to neighbors and travelers, since her home was close to a road. Even though she worked hard, she found it difficult to support her family and impossible to pay her children’s school fees.

Then, in 1999, Mrs. Kabogooza heard about FINCA from a friend. She joined the Kutesa Women’s Village Banking group and took out her first loan of US$42. She built a kiosk outside of her home, expanded her inventory and found she was able to repay her loan and begin a savings program. With her second loan of US$57, she purchased a cow, expanded her kiosk, bought a few chickens, and was able to start paying her children’s school fees, all the while continuing to repay her loan and build her savings.

Sixteen loan cycles later, Mrs. Kabogooza owns several head of dairy cattle from which she sells more than 10 litres of milk each day, and has expanded her poultry project to more than 300 birds which yield nine trays of eggs each week. She has constructed a small building that houses her poultry business, and has purchased a refrigerator to cool the drinks she sells from her kiosk.

Mrs. Kabogooza believes that her involvement in FINCA’s village banking program has allowed her to accomplish things she would not have thought possible. She credits much of her success to her village banking experience and the support she receives from her fellow group members. Her dedication to her village banking group has helped her to be viewed as a woman of integrity in her community -- she currently holds the position of treasurer for her local village council.

Mrs. Kabogooza says she is proud that she has improved her family’s home, raised her family’s living standard and is also able to help care for her grandchildren. But the one accomplishment of which she is most proud, she says, is that all of her children are educated. That would not have happened, she says, without her village bank membership.

If you can manage it, please pledge to make a $5 donation. I will be posting a link at the end of the event.

PS. Hey Pink, can we have guests author the ocassional posts?

#8 - More News Snippets!

2005-08-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

According to a spokesperson for Dashboard Confessional, the band is currently in Canada recording its next album with legendary producer Daniel Lanois, who's previously produced efforts by the likes of Bob Dylan and U2. The currently untitled album, a follow-up to Dashboard's 2003 album A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar, is slated to be released on October 12th on Vagrant Records.

In addition to recording the album, Dashboard frontman Chris Carrabba has been a little busy performing live, having recently played a few shows on the East Coast, including a small reunion set with his former band, Further Seems Forever in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The latest Dashboard show was at Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park.

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Dashboard Confessional aren't the only ones eyeing an upcoming album release. OutKast is preparing for the follow-up to their 2003 double-album Speakerboxx/The Love Below -- which sold more than 5.5 million copies in the U.S. alone -- to be released in this fall. OutKast will also be doing My Life in Idlewild, a film set in the 1930's, which is slated to be released in January of 2006.

On top of both a new album and a feature film in the works, OutKast member Big Boi is also finishing up a DVD that will take fans behind the scenes of OutKast on the road from 1993 all the way to the present. It's unclear as to when this DVD will be released.

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After only having been released for a month, Coldplay's latest album X&Y has already been certified double-platinum as of last month by the RIAA. The news comes as little surprise, considering Coldplay's first album, Parachutes, also reached double-platinum and their 2002 effort A Rush of Blood to the Head has surpassed the triple-platinum mark.

X&Y joins Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway and Velvet Revolver's Contraband -- among others -- having reached multi-platinum certification as of last month. Audioslave's Out of Exile, the Backstreet Boys' Never Gone, the Black Eyed Peas' Monkey Business, the Foo Fighters' In Your Honor, II Divo's II Divo, Jay-Z and Linkin Park's Collision Course and Sugarland's Twice the Speed of Light also reached platinum status last month.

Source: Billboard.com.

#7 - LITTLE MILTON

2005-08-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

From RollingStone.Com

Little Milton Dies at 70

Influential bluesman recorded for Sun, Chess and Stax Blues Hall of Famer Little Milton, who combined the tough electric blues sound of the early 1950s with the punchy, showtime arrangements of R&B, soul and funk, died in Memphis yesterday (August 4) of complications from two recent strokes. He was seventy.

James Milton Campbell Jr. was born September 7, 1934, in Inverness, Mississippi. As a child he was enthralled with the local guitarists who played at his stepfather's house parties. "I'd be tucked in bed," he once recalled, "but the minute that the guy would hit the guitar, they'd look around and I'd be standing there, little long drawers on." By the age of fifteen, he was performing in a juke joint said to have been owned by B.B. King's mother-in-law.

Still in his teens, "Little" Milton signed with Sam Phillips' Sun Records in 1953, on the advice of Ike Turner. One of the last blues musicians to record for Sun before the arrival of Elvis, young Milton dabbled in several styles, emulating Fats Domino, T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, among others. "Back then I didn't know who Little Milton was," Milton said. "I was just doing whoever came out with a hit record."

Moving from Sun through a succession of iconic labels, including Chess and Stax, Milton grew into a formidable figure in his own right. He scored his first hit, "I'm a Lonely Man," for St. Louis-based Bobbin Records in 1958. His biggest success, the brassy, soulful "We're Gonna Make It" -- a song that became associated with the civil rights movement -- was a Number One hit on the R&B chart in 1965, reaching Number Twenty-five on the pop chart. Milton's emotive take on Willie Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" is said to have inspired Led Zeppelin's own version. His other notable songs of that period, when he was a fixture of the R&B charts, include "If Walls Could Talk," "Who's Cheating Who?" and "Grits Ain't Groceries."

An appearance in the 1973 concert film Wattstax -- his song "Walking the Back Streets and Crying" was included on the soundtrack album -- helped introduce Milton to a new generation of listeners. Less productive was a subsequent signing with Miami's TK/Glades, home of K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Beginning in the 1980s, Milton began a long relationship with Malaco Records, a collaboration which restored his reputation as a blues torchbearer. In 1988 he was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame and named W.C. Handy Blues Entertainer of the Year. A dozen years later, he earned his sole Grammy nomination for Welcome to Little Milton, an album that featured duets with Lucinda Williams, Susan Tedeschi, Keb' Mo' and Peter Wolf. Little Milton's last record, his first for the Telarc label, was warmly received when it came out in May 2005. It is called Think of Me.

I was immediately saddened before I realized I didn't even know his music. So I went online and gave "The Cradle Is Robbin' Me" a listen. And now I've justified those sad feelings. I'm sad we lost him. He had an incredible sense of humor, which came across in his music.

The song has this wonderful horn section, almost reminiscent of James Brown. His thick voice bemoaning how his little 19 year old lady done him wrong. Fantastic. Pick it up and give it a listen if you can manage.

#6 - More Music News Snippets!

2005-08-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Though she's preparing to go to jail for about a year, the female rapper Lil' Kim is already preparing for the release of her next album -- The Naked Truth -- on September 13th, which features her in full effect and just as angry and fiery as ever...having slammed 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Star Jones among others. In fact, a large amount of the album's tracks feature some kind of calling out of someone else Kim's obviously not cool with anymore.

Lil' Kim's rep is said that is slated to finish recording the new project within the next week.

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Kim's not the only one making fun on her next album, though. Ashlee Simpson, little sister of Jessica, is currently working on her sophomore album which is said to go a little deeper according to manager and father Joe Simpson. Not only will the first single, titled "L.O.V.E." be about ditching the boys and opting instead for going out dancing with the girls, but it'll also feature two tracks which have to do with facing your mistakes...presumably inspired by Ashlee's screw-up on Saturday Night Live where she was caught lip-syncing instead of actually performing live.

In Another Life is the follow-up to Ashlee's debut album, Autobiography, and will feature a majority of the same producing team. Reportedly the album is almost finished, but it's unclear if there is a definite scheduled release date set.

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Brandon Flowers, frontman for one of the biggest breakthrough bands of the year, The Killers, got married this past week to longtime girlfriend Tana Munblowsky in a "small, intimate wedding" according to a spokesperson from the band's label. The rest of the band was also present for the ceremony, since they had ran away to Hawaii to take a long overdue break after having spent a majority of the past year or so on the road promoting their debut album Hot Fuss, which has been certified double-platinum. After the wedding though, the band will be hitting the road again...starting in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 9th.

The Killers were also recently added to the roster of acts performing at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards along with Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Green Day. Their video for single "Mr. Brightside," is also nominated for Best Group Video, Best Rock Video, Best New Artist in a Video and Best Art Direction in a Video in the same ceremony.

Source: MTV News.

Have I mentioned yet how great FINCA International is and how you should consider pledging to help us support the cause? Because you should.

#5 - FIRST CONCERT: SLAYER. MOTORHEAD. OVERKILL.

2005-08-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

I don't know if my first concert experience ever was the most memorable or not. I don't think it was. Anyway, I was really into the whole Heavy/Death metal thing back when I was fifteen, so I managed to score a ticket to go see Slayer, Motorhead and Overkill. My pansy ass, "Barenaked Ladies" and "The Shins" ass has come a long way. Hahahaha.

I don't remember the whole show or anything. I just remember snippets. I remember nothing about Overkill. Lemmy has a really odd stance for singing, his guitar slung low, his neck craned up so he's almost singing up to the sky. I remember the song "Ace of Spades", moreso than any other song I heard that night. At one point of the Slayer portion of the show, these two naked blonde women came out on stage, and the testerone rush of the mostly-teenage-male crowd was absolutely overwhelming.

The strongest memory from that concert, though, wasn't the music, but rather an injury someone got there. There was a mosh pit, as with any show like that. Some kid, probably 18 or so, had six or seven earrings in one ear. He also had a chain connecting them to his nose. Well, he was an idiot and didn't take the chain off to go moshing. Everything got ripped out. I remember him whimpering and slinking out, clutching his face and ear. Not too much blood, as I remember. But damn. Ow.

#4 - Memorable Concert Experiences!

2005-08-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Some may say that your most memorable concert experience is the very first major concert that you get to go to. My first concert, while memorable all on its own, was Blink 182 during the tour that they went on while promoting their album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket the summer after my sophomore year of high school. Alkaline Trio and New Found Glory opened for the band and it was a great show. My best friend and I had went together and it was her first concert experience too, so we devirginized ourselves to the concert experience at the same exact moment.

My second concert experience was the year after I had graduated high school when I got to see Blink 182 for a second time, though they weren't the major draw to that concert for me. The reason I was so amped for that show was that they were touring with No Doubt, which is still to this day one of my favorite bands of all time. I ended up leaving that concert after No Doubt's set was finished because a lot of what Blink had decided to do was what I remember them doing the first time around. It was also a great show nonetheless.

My third and most recent concert experience was probably the most memorable for me though, despite the fact that it wasn't my very first. I had the opportunity to head out to Columbus, Ohio with a close friend of mine of several years to stay the night and not only get to see Tyler Hilton play live at a club in the area, but we also got the chance to meet Tyler himself before the actual show. We had bought additional CD's of his for him to autograph for us and we told him about how we had driven all the way out from Indiana just to come meet him. I think he was surprised that someone drove so far to see him and then he invited us to come see the show later that night, which we did and it was pretty amazing. I think this is what made this particular concert experience of mine one of the best. Not only did we get to see a live show, we also got to meet the person that was performing and we found out that he was a pretty nifty person. I'm sure there's plenty of people who've had a similar experience, but not too very many.

I'm interested in hearing about any interesting concert experiences some of the rest of you reading may have. Just hit up this comment link and tell me all about 'em.

PS: Anonymous and non-registered commenting has been enabled. Blame Rey! (He told me to add this note here haha.)

#3 - THROWING COPPER

2005-08-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mango Radio played Lightning Crashes and I Alone from Live's classic Throwing Copper CD. The CD is wonderfully melodic, with incredibly insightful lyrics. The songs inspire introspection, and there's just so much teeming under the surface of it.

The CD came out in 1994, and I immediately flashback to being a DJ at my college radio station. It was a community college, though, so the broadcast range was... well, about two buildings away. But we had a blast. I did a little bit called "Mystery Track Theatre" where I would pull a random CD and play a random track from it. All these years later, one of the DJs on the alternative station I listen to does something similar called "CD Roulette" or something similar.

And hahaha he's playing Radiohead and Blur and Barenaked Ladies. YOU'RE AWESOME, MANGO!

#2 - Music News Snippets!

2005-08-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, MTV News was reporting that Kelly Clarkson's next single off of her sophomore album Breakaway will be "Because of You," a song that Clarkson has reportedly written and sang into a tape recorder way before her American Idol days. The track was also co-written and produced by Ben Moody, formerly the guitarist for the band Evanescence. This will make "Because of You" the fourth single from Clarkson's second album, which has gone on to be the fifth best-selling album of 2005 according to SoundScan, having stayed in the Billboard Top 20 albums chart since its release in November of last year. The Recording Industry Association of America also recently certified the album as triple platinum.

Clarkson is currently reading treatments for the music video to go along with "Because of You," which she will start shooting in the coming weeks. She'll also perform August 28th at the MTV Video Music Awards, where a previous single off Breakaway -- "Since U Been Gone" -- is nominated for both Best Pop Video and Best Female Video. She'll also continue making her away across the country on her Hazel Eyes Tour, the last date of which will be on September 10th in Las Vegas.

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The next Ozzfest 2005 concert this Sunday in Somerset, Wisconsin has been rescheduled for September 10th, in an effort to give the Ozzfest master himself, Ozzy Osbourne, some time to rest his voice. Doctors have been treating the 56-year-old heavy metal vocalist's throat problems and have ordered him to take a long overdue break this week. The delay comes as no surprise. The summer music celebration ended up getting canceled in Holmdel, New Jersey on July 27th, in Noblesville, Indiana on July 31st, and Columbus, Ohio on August 2nd...all due to Ozzy's strained vocal chords.

A diagnosis and extremity of Ozzy's throat problems are unknown as of this moment, and it's also unclear if any Ozzfest dates will continue without Black Sabbath, the band he fronts for. The tour is originally slated to end on September 4th in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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Following the release of Jessica Simpson and Willie Nelson's collaboration on the cover of "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" on The Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack, Simpson has been inspired and decided that her next album will have a country-fried flavor to it. The album, already titled And the Band Played On, is set to hit store shelves in November and will also mark her first appearance as executive producer on the disc. Simpson explains that the album will sound similar to Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline and Stevie Nicks, but that there will still be plenty of club songs on the disc as well.

One of the tracks Simpson has already recorded for And the Band Played On is titled "Dirtty" (not to be confused with Christina Aguilera's "Dirrty") was produced by Scott Storch and is said to be in the running as the album's first single.

Source: MTV News

In addition to monitoring music news sources like MTV.com to bring all of you the latest, I'll also be sharing concert memories, album recommendations, etc. throughout the day so check back soon!

#1 - MY FIRST MUSICAL MEMORY

2005-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just to get the ball rolling, I thought I'd offer an introduction.

My name is Rey. I'm a 31 year old husband and father living in Austin, Texas. I'm a little over a month away from my 32nd birthday, so there's that to look forward to. My hobbies include watching a ridiculous number of movies, making my wife say "Where the hell do you hear about all these bands?", and online journal role-playing. I'm funny. Seriously. I am. Just catch me when it isn't a quarter to eight and I'm frazzled because I thought Blogathon was NEXT WEEKEND and it'll really shine through. Or maybe not. Maybe I'm just delusional. Maybe it's all a facade. A Grand Illusion, to quote a Styx album title.

For my earliest entry, I thought I'd post my earliest musical memory. I remember growing up in Orlando, Florida, music wasn't a huge part of my life. It wasn't until later in my life... junior high, to be precise, before music really entered the picture. But I had a couple 45s back then. Those are the little records with the big holes, for the kids. Records are CDs made of black vinyl, that used a needle instead of the laser for the real kids.

I had a few of them. One was this medly of songs called "The Stars of 45," and it had all these classic songs on it, but just a verse of it, in addition to the main part of the song. "The Stars on 45, keep on burning in your mind..." It was a disco thing, then the other songs were pitched up and down to make a mix. I remember the Beatles, "No Reply" being on it, but it was faster than normal I came to learn. I learned this verse very well:

"This happened once before, when I came to your door, no reply. They said it wasn't you, but I saw you peep through your window."

So yeah, that's my first musical memory. And good morning, Blogathon.

WE ARE THE MUSIC MAKERS.

2005-07-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome! You've just wandered onto Craft Services, a team blog for Blogathon 2005. The Blogathon is... why don't we swipe the FAQ's answer to define it?

First some terminology: “blog” is a shortened version of “weblog” which is a frequently updated personal website. Most blogs have date stamps on the entries, and consist of links and commentary.

Now, remember when you were in school and you would bowl for charity? And for every pin you knocked down you got, say, ten cents? Or run for a dollar a mile? During the Blogathon, people update their websites every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight. For this, they collect sponsorships. Pledges can be a flat donation, or a certain amount for every hour the blogger manages to stay awake.

Starting at 9AM EST on Saturday, August 6th, the Craft Services team (Gina, Joe, Lisa and Rey) will be posting once every half-hour, discussing a subject that is near and dear to us all: music. For 24 hours, we'll reminisce about our favorite concert experiences, wax philosophic about amazing artists and albums, review new and old discs, and lots of fun stuff like that.

We will be blogging for FINCA, an organization which "provides financial services to the world’s poorest families so they can create their own jobs, raise household incomes, and improve their standard of living. They deliver these services through a global network of locally managed, self-supporting institutions." They're all about helping people help themselves, providing LOANS to people that just need opportunity and a little help to be self-sufficient and ultimately successful.

So please, create an account and pledge to make a donation. One dollar is the minimum donation. Please help us make a difference, no matter how small. Thank you, in advance, from all of us.

The Craft Services Team