Car ghosts, bad sitters, beach zebras, sad goodbyes, and some video.

I know I have been slacking a lot on posts but I have been busy with things. So lets get into it.

Four days ago, on a bright sunny mid morning, I was up and about getting things done and I decided to take a trip down to the library to return some items. I get ready to go and walk down the stairs happily, jump into the car, throw the key in the ignition and wouldn't you know it the damn thing won't start. Not a good way to end that story, huh? I didn't think so either. I notice that the clock and odometer funky looking. Sort of like a dying calculator display. Pissed off, I make a few calls. I eventually get a place that knows about Volkswagen's enough to give me a non dumbfounded answer. They tell me to take a cable off the battery, let it sit for an hour and re-attach it. Sort of do a reboot of the cars computer systems. So I did and when I hooked it back up it started no problem. I was pretty happy, I spent nothing other than an hour and a few phone calls. I decide to take it to a near by auto parts store do do a quick diagnostic check and everything turns out good. As I drive it back to my house, the airbag light comes on and the door/lights alarm starts going off. Grrrreat! The next day I take it to a VW auto shop (not the dealer! You think I am nuts!) The hook it up run a full diagnostic scan on everything and get the problem fixed, no charge. Sweeeet! I drive away happy. The next day I drive all the about 60 miles round trip to an interview, including various stops along the way. No problems at all. I get home and decide to take that trip to the library again. On the way there I get the alarm sound again, no lights this time though. The alarm is on and slowing down and speeding back up randomly. I do the library thing (of course I got overdue fees on a few things), and I drive it to the shop again. They take a look can't pinpoint what is going on. It didn't help I got there 15 minuets before closing. they tell me what I need to check for to help them pinpoint the problem. Again no charge, which is nice. I drive back home, very annoyed because; A. My car is going crazy with issues B. That alarm sound is so annoying. You think a few seconds of it is bad try a good 10 minutes of it. I go home, and decided to deal with ti tomorrow. I go to take a ride this morning to see if I can pinpoint it better so I can take it in. The damn thing doesn't do it. Everything is fine, no dinging, no lights, it's running fine. To be continued...
Royal Bangs - My Car Is Haunted

For the past few weeks I have been helping out my sister by taking care of my nephews. I absolutely love them to death, and don't mind helping out my sister at all, but man kids are a crazy world that I am not accustomed to. They are exhausting! I have a new found respect for any mother or father with little kids. Not only that but all the gross things they do. I have dealt more with puke, pee, snot and poop in the last few weeks than I care to. I am a pretty sensitive stomach sort of guy too. With all that being said, I wouldn't trade my nephews for the world, and I still want kids someday. I just think they are a little more gross than before. This was the only babysitter song I could think of. I'm not like this when I babysit, I just think this Princess Superstar song is hilarious. Just thought I should put that out there.
Princess Superstar - Bad Babysitter

Since my interview went so well I decided to treat myself to a new CD. I haven't spent much on myself other than food so I thought it would be something nice for once. I was at Best Buy and I couldn't find anything I wanted so I just went random. I have heard two songs by the band Beach House before. One live on Jimmy Fallon, and one on a music blog. I liked them, but didn't really look into them much. they didn't strike me as anything special. Well they have a semi-new CD out titled Teen Dream, and it was on sale for $7.99 at Best Buy with a DVD of music videos for all the songs. I figured it's cheap if I don't really like it and there is double entertainment in it if I do. Well I am happy to say that I made a good solid purchase. The album is really good. Beach House have a very laid back dreamy electro pop sound. As I was listening to it I could see the album working on a warm breezy day or a drab rainy day. Victoria Legrand has a voice that can range from a low wispy hush to a soaring soulful tone. With a deeper range it makes the vocals almost sultry sounding. The music is kept very simple, subtle and somewhat repetitious but it also varies enough through out any given song that it doesn't seem boring. It almost makes you listen more to catch the tiny changes. The drums and keys are the biggest driving factor for this band. If you are looking to rock out and jump around doing ninja kicks and air guitar solos you might want to look elsewhere. However if you are interested in kicking back with a nice drink in hand, a good book or a sunny Sunday drive I would definitely pop this album in.
Beach House - Zebra

"NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Mark Linkous, the singer-songwriter who released his music under the band name Sparklehorse, has died after shooting himself in the chest in Tennessee. He was 47. Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk said Linkous shot himself outside a friend's house around 1:20 p.m. Saturday with his own rifle. DeBusk said Linkous was staying with friends and became upset after receiving a text message." Read full obituary here. RIP Mark.

Sparklehorse - Sick Of Goodbyes

I am going to throw some videos I came across into the mix to end this post. the first one is a cover of Life On Mars By David Bowie sung by Brazilian musician, singer/songwriter Seu Jorge. You may recognize him from the movie The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou which is where this unique on set recording session takes place. He has an album out of all Bowie Covers sung in his native language, and also has been a many movies including one of my favorites City Of God.


This next video is just some kid screen named Funtwo playing Johann Pachelbel's Cannon. This is a great musical piece by itself, but then you add in some AMAZING guitar playing and you got a killer track. I can only dream of ever playing this well. Check out Funtwos other videos as well. This kid rocks!