Well today is my birthday. I turn 41 years old. Since we just celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, I guess I have been in a 'thinking' mood. Plus the partner of a good friend of mine passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving morning. This has also added to some xtra 'self-time'. Its really hard to put into words when someone you know suddenly passes away. I'm still numb by the news. Today there will be a memorial service. Friends and family will gather together to celebrate the life that was taken away too soon. Today we will have to say Good-Bye to our friend. I think this Madonna song/video expresses how I feel right now. It might change later, it might not. But for now this is how I feel. This is for you Burt...you will be missed...
John
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Madonna Music Monday - 11/22/2010
So this past weekend my boyfriend and I spent an amazing weekend together. We went shopping, saw Mickey and Minnie light up Christmas lights, had a fantastic dinner, hung out with great friends and saw an amazing Jim Henson exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry. This is what relationships are all about, just taking the time to be together. And for that I am very grateful. So this is for my Joey. Here is Madonna singing her great ballad Crazy For You as featured in the film Vision Quest.
John
John
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Muppets & Christmas - Christmas Around the World 2010
A great exhibit is currently displayed at Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry. The Fantastic World of Jim Henson details the life of the Muppets creator. The exhibit shows Henson's early work, Sesame Street, The Muppets and his film work. If your a child of the early 70's and Sesame Street, you will love this display. If your in Chicago any time soon, I highly recommend you see this exhibit. In this video, the museum has its annual Christmas Around the World display of various Christmas trees from around the world. As you can see, the main tree has been decked in Muppet styled ornaments. And sitting under the Christmas Tree is Mr. Green himself, Kermit The Frog...
Mickey & Minnie Light the Lights...
Mickey, Minnie and the gang were in Chicago over the weekend to help light the Christmas lights along Michigan Ave. After an hour-long parade, there was a fireworks display. Here you can see Mickey & Minnie greeting the crowds...ENJOY!
John
John
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Best of Both Holidays: Haunted Mansion Holiday
Without question, my two favorite holidays are Halloween and Christmas. So of course I love The Nightmare Before Christmas and the world of Jack Skellington. So its no surprise that my favorite ride at any Disney park is the Haunted Mansion ride. But what really puts my emotions into OVER DRIVE is when the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland gets the Jack Skellington make-over known as Haunted Mansion Holiday. Here is video of the Haunted Mansion Holiday over-lay from Oct 7th 2010. Enjoy!
John
John
Madonna Music Monday - 11/15/2010
So today is my Mom's 65th birthday. She has done a lot for me and I am deeply grateful for all she has done for me and my sister. After my father passed away, my mother and I have formed a greater and deeper bond and connection.
So for today I thought I would pick a Madonna song that represents my relationship with my Mom and Sister. Today's song is Keep It Together form the Like A Prayer album.
The lyrics to this song are pretty simple and straight-forward:
This is one of Madonna's best songs. That's because the song comes from one of Madonna's most personal albums, Like A Prayer. The album's songs talk about failed marriages, spirituality, strained relationships with one's father and family importance. I love this song a lot, despite it was not a big radio hit. It doesn't even have an official video. The clip below is actually a live performance from Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour from 1990. The performance has a great 'Clockwork Orange' look to it and the arrangement is a great tribute to the Sly and the Family Stone song Family Affair. But more than anything, I love that Madonna performed this song live on this tour. It is the only tour where Madonna has performed this song in. So without delay here is Madonna performing Keep It Together...LIVE!!!
John
So for today I thought I would pick a Madonna song that represents my relationship with my Mom and Sister. Today's song is Keep It Together form the Like A Prayer album.
The lyrics to this song are pretty simple and straight-forward:
Keep it together in the family
They're a reminder of your history
Brothers and sisters they hold the key
To your heart and your soul
Don't forget that your family is gold...
This is one of Madonna's best songs. That's because the song comes from one of Madonna's most personal albums, Like A Prayer. The album's songs talk about failed marriages, spirituality, strained relationships with one's father and family importance. I love this song a lot, despite it was not a big radio hit. It doesn't even have an official video. The clip below is actually a live performance from Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour from 1990. The performance has a great 'Clockwork Orange' look to it and the arrangement is a great tribute to the Sly and the Family Stone song Family Affair. But more than anything, I love that Madonna performed this song live on this tour. It is the only tour where Madonna has performed this song in. So without delay here is Madonna performing Keep It Together...LIVE!!!
John
Monday, November 8, 2010
Madonna Music Monday - 11/08/2010
So the Internet is all abuzz about Madonna's appearance on the Ellen Show tomorrow? According to a press release, "she has some important things she’d like to share with everyone." Is a new album on the way? More charity work? A message about gay-bullying? News about her new line of fitness gyms? We'll just have to wait and see what she announces on Ellen. Until then, let's listen to some music!!!
There was a time when the release of a new Madonna video, song or album caused a sensation. The most famous of these was when Madonna was set to premiere the video for Like A Prayer.
The release of Madonna's video caused a huge drama. The official video premiered the day after Pepsi released a commercial that featured Madonna. The commercial was sweet and innocent and had no controversial imagery. It premiered during a telecast of The Cosby Show. The official video of the song is another thing: images of violence, religious symbols, race crimes, stigmata. These images, plus the outcry of people who confused Madonna's video with Pepsi's commercial, caused Pepsi to pull their commercial off the air after only the one showing. Here is Pepsi commercial:
As you can see, its clearly meant to advertise and sell Pepsi. Here is Madonna's video for Like A Prayer:
As you can see, these two videos are so different in style and content. But when the senseless crowds scream 'fire', no one has time to think correctly. This is an amazing song and an amazing video. Madonna was truly expressing personal beliefs. She was expanding her music as an art form. She was singing mature songs and she was pushing people's buttons. That's what I like about Madonna and this song. Let's see what news Madonna will make tomorrow. I'm sure it will be amazing...
John
There was a time when the release of a new Madonna video, song or album caused a sensation. The most famous of these was when Madonna was set to premiere the video for Like A Prayer.
The release of Madonna's video caused a huge drama. The official video premiered the day after Pepsi released a commercial that featured Madonna. The commercial was sweet and innocent and had no controversial imagery. It premiered during a telecast of The Cosby Show. The official video of the song is another thing: images of violence, religious symbols, race crimes, stigmata. These images, plus the outcry of people who confused Madonna's video with Pepsi's commercial, caused Pepsi to pull their commercial off the air after only the one showing. Here is Pepsi commercial:
As you can see, its clearly meant to advertise and sell Pepsi. Here is Madonna's video for Like A Prayer:
As you can see, these two videos are so different in style and content. But when the senseless crowds scream 'fire', no one has time to think correctly. This is an amazing song and an amazing video. Madonna was truly expressing personal beliefs. She was expanding her music as an art form. She was singing mature songs and she was pushing people's buttons. That's what I like about Madonna and this song. Let's see what news Madonna will make tomorrow. I'm sure it will be amazing...
John
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Madonna Music Monday - 11/01/2010
Happy Halloween! Well the season is almost over. So to end the holiday with a Madonna twist, I've picked a cool video to share. Today's Madonna video is Bad Girl, from the 1993 album EROTICA.
This video is actually a mini thriller movie. It tells the sad story of a lonely woman and her vices and the horrible consequences of her careless actions. The video is directed by film director David Fincher. It also stars Christopher Walken in a 'Guardian Angel' type role. However, when Walken's character gives Madonna a kiss in the video, he then becomes The Angel of Death. The video also features an uncredited cameo appearance from Matt Dillon, who plays a crime scene cop. Not your typical video, but then again Madonna is NOT your typical artist. I love this song on its own. The music is so haunting and the lyrics, according to Rolling Stone magazine, perfectly describes "the mind of a girl who'd rather mess herself up than end a relationship she's too neurotic to handle... the characters remain faceless. It's as if Madonna recognizes the discomfort we feel when sensing the human character of a woman whose function is purely sexual. A sex symbol herself, she coolly removes the threat of her own personality." In other words, a great music video. Enjoy!
John
This video is actually a mini thriller movie. It tells the sad story of a lonely woman and her vices and the horrible consequences of her careless actions. The video is directed by film director David Fincher. It also stars Christopher Walken in a 'Guardian Angel' type role. However, when Walken's character gives Madonna a kiss in the video, he then becomes The Angel of Death. The video also features an uncredited cameo appearance from Matt Dillon, who plays a crime scene cop. Not your typical video, but then again Madonna is NOT your typical artist. I love this song on its own. The music is so haunting and the lyrics, according to Rolling Stone magazine, perfectly describes "the mind of a girl who'd rather mess herself up than end a relationship she's too neurotic to handle... the characters remain faceless. It's as if Madonna recognizes the discomfort we feel when sensing the human character of a woman whose function is purely sexual. A sex symbol herself, she coolly removes the threat of her own personality." In other words, a great music video. Enjoy!
John
Day of the Dead - Disneyland - Oct 2010
Feliz Dia de las Muertos! Yes, the Halloween season does not officially end until after All Saint's Day (Nov 1st) and All Soul's Day (Nov 2nd). Here are some pics from the Day of the Dead display at Disneyland. These pictures were taken on Oct 5th and 7th 2010. Enjoy!!
John
John
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