2 posts tagged “mashups”

WARNING.... this is an all music posting with double Media Tidbits.  If you are looking for my usual jaundiced views the Economy, Real Estate or Politics.... MOVE ON (dot org?)

Firstly, I added two new DIVA CD's to the library:  The latest by Chaka Khan and Annie Lennox.

Cha... Chaka Khan... Chaka Khan!  Awesome CD and real return to pop after a decade in jazz.  Here collaboration with Mary J. Blige is destined to be a hit ("Disrespected") and is already charting in the UK (as well as having shown up on a mash up).

Annie also returned to a more pop format after a couple very down beat collections.  The new CD has some of her best work since DIVA and I hope it charts for her.  Ever since I saw the video for "Sweet Dreams" in the 80's - - I've been and Annie Fan.

This brings us to our first of two Media Tidbits!  From her new CD, my favorite cut: Coloured Bedspread... a cut that harks back to some of the best work she's done as a solo artist (ie: the DIVA Album).

MEDIA TIDBIT #1 of 2:

OK... now for my final media tidbit... this is from the site popbytes that skewers the celebrity culture and features an awesome mash-up-of-the-week... Gimme More Shoes (Kelly vs Britney).  Everybody's favorite celebrity train wreck has a cut single out: Gimme More.  The cut is a perfectly fine pop confection that is getting airplay and actually seems pretty well received.  Her public performances?  Not so much.  Apparently she needs to be edited.  Anyway, Gimme More has been skewered by the Mash Community... crossed with everything from The Knack to that annoying kid on myspace (Leave Britney Alone!).  This one is my favorite because it takes the inane, dance-pop of Britney and crosses it with the inane Dance-Comedy of KELLY (Oh. My. Gawd.... SHOES!).  Download it for free here!

In a total BETCH SLAP, The real talent (Kelly) is getting ROBBED.... I hope you enjoy it, BETCH!

MEDIA TIDBIT #2 of 2

Well, it's been too long since I posted.

As you may recall, my friend Burton Orwig passed away.  I've been kind of blue about that and haven't felt like doing much.  I seem to be getting over it and now I'm hoping to be back on track.

When I last posted, I bragged how I had I traded my 2004 Mazda RX-8 (worth about $16K but with $14.5K debt) for a 2005 Chrysler Convertible (new debt $11K).  I'm hoping this will jump start my debt reduction by reducing the amount of debt on my balance sheet (3.5K) and freeing up some operating cash to accelerate my debt repayment.

It's only been a couple weeks, so I can't report much progress (yet).  However, I am thoroughly enjoying the PT Convertible!  It's not that exciting as a driver's car... in fact it sort of wallows on it's overly soft, floaty suspension... but it IS a convertible and I've found that I love, love, love to drive with the top down (and tunes playing!).  I'm feeling very positive about this purchase.

I continue to be obsessed with the financial news, which has been all horrifying!  The Sub-Prime Debt fiasco is causing major market volatility and it is very unclear how this will effect the US Economy.  In the past, I've been thinking we are headed to a debt crisis in America.  If anything, I think I may have underestimated how bad the situation could be.

The past 7 years have seen an unprecedented (debt-fueled) real estate binge.  I've been railing for several years that the fundamentals are out of whack, especially here in Southern California.  Prudent financial guidance has been been drowned out by the Real Estate and Mortgage marketing machine touting a house as a "sure bet" and "safe investment." 

Reality Check:
Amount $1 invested in stocks in 1963 would have compounded to today: $12.36
Amount $1 invested in real estate in 1963 would have compounded to today: $1.79

(That data is sourced from www.stopthesqueeze.com <= a wonderful anti-debt site!)

Now that the housing market is tanking, I'm hopeful.  May cooler heads prevail!

Enough of the "dismal science" of Economics... How about some Music!? 

Today's Media Tidbit
I love DJ Paul V's podcast, The Smash Mix.  It is sponsored by some radio station, but I bypass the station site and get the mix directly from DJ Paul's site (http://www.thesmashmix.com).  Here's his latest SmashMix: