Pepperoni & Jalapeno Please!

Chew Like Drew
Drew Barrymore

OK, today is the day I've been waiting for, my cheat day, yay! Which happens to fall on National Deep Dish Pizza Day, coincidence? I think not!

Drew Barrymore has decided to join me as you can see. While I don't believe hers is Deep Dish she's got the spirit none the less.

Become one of us and join in the celebration of carbs and all things naughty for you with Drew and me, right here, right now!!!

NDDPD on the WWW -

https://nationaltoday.com/national-deep-dish-pizza-day/

Entertaining Mr. Kravitz

Are You Gonna Go My Way
Lenny Kravitz

So The Grammys were last night for those who care. I confess I merely watched part of them, but the part I saw was refreshingly well done and slap free. 

The highlight for me however was Lenny Kravitz making his read carpet appearance in the ensemble pictured above. Can you say hormonal reaction? I'm sure you can, yours are most likely reacting right here, right now...

At 57 years young Lenny proves the old adage: You aren't getting older, you're getting better.

"Yes" I must concur Mr. Kravitz really is Benjamin Button, he looks better and better every year, Better than when he was younger IMO.

Thus we are starting our collective week off with a bang so to speak.

In Lenny we trust! 

Lenny on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/lennykravitz/?hl=en  

Sunday Funday

Winning!
Ariana DeBose & Jessica Chastain

With people still reeling from the slap heard round the world at last week's Oscar telecast, I thought we should reflect on some of the good times from the to do.

Here are the Oscar winners for Best Actress & Supporting Actress Jessica Chastain & Ariana DeBose with their respective trophies.

See Virginia there was some fun to be had during the event. 

Not to mention Ariana is the first openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar, so there!

Thus I say we soak up the Good Vibes emanating from this grand image and then pack them up and carry them with us all day.

Sunday Funday indeed!!! 

Sunday Funday via the Urban Dictionary -

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sunday%20Funday   

"Seasons"

Graeme James

NEW ZEALAND NATIVE GRAEME JAMES CONTEMPLATES LIFE’S CYCLES

ON APRIL 1 ALBUM RELEASE SEASONS VIA NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP AND ISSUES GORGEOUS VIDEO FOR TRACK “ALL THE LIVES WE EVER LIVED” 

For Folks Sake premiered the new video here 

When it comes to crafting albums, singer-songwriter Graeme James seems to follow two philosophies: Do it yourself, and think big.   

And no, those are not conflicting notions. James, a talented multi-instrumentalist, plays a dizzying array of instruments on his new Nettwerk Records release, Seasons (out April 1) — just as he did on his Nettwerk debut, 2019’s The Long Way Home, and his earlier independent efforts. He’s been a one-man band since he started his career as a busker in his native New Zealand, and still uses his trusty loop pedal to create his own mini-orchestra when he performs live. 
 

James also produces his recordings, which allows him to sandwich together as many layers of violin, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, double bass, banjo, baritone ukulele, viola, cello, harmonica, accordion, and percussion as he wants. For Seasons, he did request piano, horn, percussion and vocal contributions from friends.

He even creates his own cover art, drawn in a distinctive pen-and-ink style partly inspired by vintage children’s books and linocut printing. 
 

As for the “go big” part, that’s more about his approach to subject matter. On The Long Way Home, James did with words and music what Einstein did with math: explore the nature of time and space.  With Seasons, James contemplates the cycles of life and the human condition, as measured by nature’s own time clock.  These are not idle musings about mundane situations. Though he might use tiny brushstrokes to define minute details, James paints panoramas, not postcards.

The Long Way Home wasn’t a concept album; its theme emerged organically whereas

Seasons definitely is. Starting with spring, it cycles through to winter via 12 songs of such intimacy and delicate beauty, they invoke another Einstein comparison — to the fictional literary gem, Einstein’s Dreams. The album’s first single in particular, “Everlasting Love” (releasing Feb. 18), would fit perfectly within that petite book’s pages.
 

In a Rolling Stone “Songs You Need to Know” feature about the Seasons track, “The Voyage of the James Caird,” writer David Browne observed, “[James’] records tend to be calm and ruminative, recalling the work of fellow modern balladeers like Nathaniel Rateliff (during his unplugged moments) and Phoebe Bridgers.”

These are not bad comparisons. James’ musical style also reflects his love for Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver and Iron And Wine — though it’s doubtful any of them belong to the unique musical club James has just joined; it’s open only to composers of Celtic-veined doomed-ship songs inspired by actual disasters.

James mentions fellow violinist Andrew Bird as another favorite; both began studying as children. James was heading toward a career as a classical violinist when repetitive strain injuries caused him to make other plans.
 

Like those artists and many others, James has often turned to the natural world for inspiration. His first album of original work, 2016’s News from Nowhere, was shaped by the landscapes of his native country. Seasons came to life after James and his partner, Zoe, moved to the Netherlands in 2018.  “In New Zealand, most of the trees are evergreen,” he notes. “You don't get as much seasonal distinction as you do in Europe or North America. The Netherlands is northern Europe, so you're getting a lot of range. The weather here really caused me to appreciate seasonality, and come to appreciate all of the seasons for the richness they bring to life.”

 
With the Seasons release, James continues plumbing subjects he began exploring in a four-EP series released from fall of 2020 through summer of 2021. On the opening track, “The Fool,” he marvels at “the splendor of a world being made anew.”

The second song, “A Sea of Infinite Possibilities,” literally represents new life; it opens with the sound of his daughter’s beating heart. Recorded in utero, it’s the first sound Eva’s parents ever heard her make. “It was so rhythmic and beautiful that I thought, ‘I'm just gonna tape this as a keepsake,’” James recalls. But that incubating life quickly inspired the song. “It's all about her,” he adds, “about the potential of this person that you've never met, but you know will change your life.”
 

In “All the Lives We’ve Ever Lived,” James gently layers percussion to evoke the natural rhythm of changing seasons. The pretty melody also builds in layers: mandolin, then piano, then cello, each one adding more texture. As if carried on a soft breeze, James’ vocals eventually slip in; he sings, “And summer sighed/Through dappled light/And carried us away/Like falling leaves in flight.”

His nuanced way with a metaphor becomes evident as he reaches the first chorus: “Isn’t it just beautiful/The fire in the autumn trees/Don’t weep for summer lying still/Slain amongst the fallen leaves.”    “It describes the change from summer to autumn, and there's a sense of loss, because summer is wonderful,” he elaborates. “The ‘don't weep for summer’ line is really an instruction to self to celebrate whatever is coming, not to mourn what’s gone. Summer isn't coming back around, but there's a wonderful thing happening still. If you try to hold on to the thing that's been, you'll lose out on what's happening in the moment. For me, at least, there is a real poignancy to it — but also a leaning into what is coming.”
 

James says he wrote “Everlasting Love” as a celebration of committed love.  “Most love songs are written about the desire to be in a relationship with someone, or about the feelings you have in the first six months of a relationship when you are barely sane and hardly know the person,” he says, adding, “I wanted to write about the less heady, but much deeper love and appreciation you have for someone when you actually know them, and have walked a long journey with them through all of life's trials and tribulations.”
 

It’s a sweet sentiment, delivered on a cantering tempo with swells of mandolin and organ, mariachi horn embellishments and piano counterpoints — a spirited arrangement that’s all about motion. And there’s only one direction for it to go: forward and straight into the next season, whatever it may bring. 

Links
Website: graemejamesmusic.com
Facebook: @graemejamesmusic
Instagram: @graeme_james

Film Buff Friday: April Fool's Day

Being as today is April Fool's Day I thought I would bring to your attention a fun little slasher movie from 1986 called: April Fool's Day, duh!

AFD is considered one of the better entries into the horror genre of it's time.

Oh, and another thing don't get fooled and watch the 2008 remake, then you will have really been punked!

Here is a review of the original...fools! 

Have a great weekend, and watch your collective backs today...

http://www.themovieboy.com/reviews/a/86_aprilfoolsday.htm  

Michael's Musings

We Can Be Us
Michael Shinafelt

"We can be heroes, just for one day" - David Bowie, Heroes 

So this lyric popped into mind this past week with all the ridiculousness going on in the world. Wouldn't it be nice if more people ascended to this instead of descending to the downward spiral. 

"Yes" actually it would. OK, time to Muse Minions!!!

Remember when the Academy Awards weren't like The Jerry Springer Show???

Muff Thumper, discuss...

I'm a vessel of love, peace and harmony

Been reading some banned books, I'm curious what certain states are afraid of (I actually know, but...)

PS my dog who is lawyer knows what a burner phone is

'RHONY' star Leah McSweeney recalls being Julia Fox's AA sponsor. Way to keep it classy McSweeney, isn't the word anonymous in there somewhere?!

One day I'm gonna write about lizard people, you'll see

BTW you will never convince me that seagulls do not crap without malice

Woman Crush of the Week - Jessica Chastain, not for her Oscar win (I was team Stewart) but for her Oscar speech. You go Jessica!

Reminder: Take a moment to breathe

So be it, indeed

Gay! Oops I said it again!

That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight, smoking with my chicken (don't ask)

FYI I've officially done every variation possible

You know you want to know of what I speak, find out here -

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

Hump Day & Chill

Puttin' On The Ritz
Jacob Elordi

While many of you, including myself, are still processing the Oscar telecast, today we choose to accentuate the positive.

That's correct Minions we are going to Hump Day & Chill to that tall drink of water Jacob Elordi. Oh Lordy, it's Elordi! 

Jacob best known for his role as Nate Jacobs on Euphoria  was serving up old school Hollywood glamour at the Oscars, looking dashing in a tuxedo at the to do.

Currently Elordi stars alongside Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas in Adrian Lyne's Deep Water on Hulu, which has copious amounts a skin baring. "Yes" we all need Hulu to spy Jacob in various stages of undress right here, right now.

In the meantime we have him in a looking dapper and sexy in this tux.

So Minions you know what time it is don't you? It's time to Hump Day & Chill!!!

Jacob on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/jacobelordi/?hl=en