Lust for Life

NOT RETIRING

So someone wrote an article from an interview with Morrissey in which he stated that he would retire at age fifty-five. The Guardian and other newspapers praised his willingness to gracefully step aside at this time because they considered it a graceful bow out of the music business and compared him to "less graceful" singers who are still performing past their middle years.

But the conclusions the article came to seemed so rushed and they missed the fact that he did not state that he was quitting TODAY, just that he thought fifty-five might be a good time to go. It seems to me that people need to actually READ and not just jump to conclusions thereby missing the entire point-in my class we call it THE MAIN IDEA, and from what I can tell there are a lot of people out there who need a refresher course of sophomore English! 

So Morrissey released the following statement on True To You:

13 June 2012

Morrissey would like to stress that reports of his 'retirement', as excitably earmarked by several newspapers and websites are "wishful thinking" on behalf of the writers.

To be honest, the above statement was hardly necessary as four days later, tour dates for 2012 were posted-quite an extensive list. Including one at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with Iggy and the Stooges on November 24th.

Of course, I got tickets. I got floor seating which is incredibly lucky. Several of my friends from Twitter also got floor seating so perhaps rushing the stage will be slightly easier this time? 

I won't even get into how crazy the crowd is going to be. Iggy fans and Morrissey fans? Together? Will the Iggy fans even stay for the whole show? Its going to be interesting.

I find the Morrissey fans to be quite eclectic so it will be even more so!

Furthermore, I am currently debating about whether or not to go to the Chicago show. Naturally, I am leaning more on the side of going. But my friend Alicia lives there now (also my friend Anne) and I thought it would be nice to visit with them and see Morrissey. Its just the money. I have it, but not at this very moment and I desperately want laminate flooring in my condo.

I don't want to do anything that will hold me back from this project financially. 

You don't want me to mention the state of our pathetic carpeting. Know that its old, know that we have had pets and kids and all manner of accidents on this carpet. Know that it MUST be unsanitary and you know why I would rather get new flooring than fly to Chicago to see Morrissey. 

Its difficult to type that-it pains me-but its true. Oh, to be able to get new flooring AND see Morrissey in Chicago. But we can't have everything, can we?

Boz

A few weeks ago Roland and I went to Los Angeles to the Grand Star Jazz Ballroom in Chinatown to see Boz Boorer spin some records.

We met up with Johnny and Jasmine as well as The  C/Krystals. We somehow all expected The Polecats to play and were kind of waiting around until it dawned on us that Boz was a guest DJ-not playing guitar.

He was kind enough to take a picture with me. I waved at him and he waved back from behind the computer and he leaned over so I could talk to him-I said, "Can I please take a photo with you?" He jokingly said, "No!" But I get him because I am just like that. So he came around the set and Roland took our picture. I like that his mouth is wide open like, "We are having the time of our lives." It looks more like we are on a roller coaster ride rather than at a club.

Other than seeing Boz and hanging out with my LA Morrissey crew, the next best thing were the $3 vodka and cranberries. Oh! The dance floor was awesome. It had lights in it.

Oh. Another fun thing was dancing with Roland to The Smiths. Its been ages since we danced. We also danced to Madness. I used to dance all the time but I never thought I would miss it. I don't miss going out like when I was in my 30s. I miss dancing.

Decision

I decided to attend the Chicago show after all. I am not very good at passing up opportunities.

I was able to get floor seating at the Chicago Theater. 

There are quite a few other people from the Twit Arms who are going and I am hoping to meet up at least just to say hi at the concert.

We leave tomorrow at 6 AM for camping so I won't be around and if this entry seems rushed just know that it is!!

I Was Bored Before I Even Began

Jonathan Richman (back in the day)

This week, I have put off writing this blog because after seeing Morrissey perform and actually getting close to my hero, it seems like there is simply nothing interesting enough to put down. He's a tough act to follow!

Music-Related News

My plan for this weekend includes going to Los Angeles on Saturday to see Boz Boorer at a club. Its also my mom's birthday that day and the pressure is building. We pretty much won't be around because Oliver and Miguel are in a swim meet and we probably won't be done until around 5 or so. I don't think it will be considerate for me to ask my mom to babysit the kids if we don't even spend time with her on her birthday. 

That would be pretty rude. I just need to think of another day to spend with her.

Just so you know that I am not such an inconsiderate daughter, I am finding another babysitting alternative for that evening.

Another cool thing about Saturday is that Roland and I are hoping to meet up with Krystal, Jasmine, and Johnny (Twitter friends/fellow MorrisseyWorld peeps) at the Boz Boorer event. Hopefully, we get to meet Boz!

Now, my next bit of music news is not directly related to Morrissey. But its cool news to me.  Roland and I purchased tickets to see Jonathan Richman at a club in the OC in a few weeks. Now, if you don't know who Jonathan Richman is, you may or may not have heard of a band called Modern Lovers. Well, he used to be in that band. He is from Boston but I had never heard of him until around 1989 when I was living in London and my friend, Alicia, who was kind of my music guru, invited me to go to a club in Harlesden called The Mean Fiddler, to see this guy called Jonathan Richman.

Of course, this was many years ago and I can't recall our evening with great detail, but I will say that it was one of the best gigs I have ever been to and it was just him and his guitar and loads of stories to tell I recall he was a funny storyteller.

 I fell in love with his music then and there. 

The Velvet Underground  by Mr. Richman:

When I saw he was playing at The Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, I was thrilled and quickly bought tickets. He is also playing in LA, but I suspect it will be busier in LA just because there are probably more of the type of people who would know him and be into his music.

Do I have any other news to share besides music news? Is there anything else?

School's (Almost) Out for Summer

My life at work right now just is a dog paddle toward the finish line of summer. Much of the activities we do just get us through to the next day-of course ultimately leading toward final exams. Its not much to write about. 

The Kids

They are just counting the days, the hours, the minutes until summer vacation.

Morrissey

On Sunday (yesterday) Morrissey released a statement on his official website, True to You, numbering the San Diego show as the top third . I was thrilled to hear this. 

Some bad news is that the drummer, Matt Walker, will be leaving the band. He certainly is amazing.

Roland has mentioned that at the two gigs we have been to, he has not been able to hear any bass and he wondered if Matt's departure would have any bearing on his ability to hear the bass any better.

I wonder if it isn't just the sheer size of the venues Morrissey performs at. I mean, its not like its a small, intimate piano bar or something.

I leave you with another song by Jonathan Richman.

 I know, I know. He isn't Morrissey but he's pretty cool anyway.

Summer Feeling (my favorite):

Pablo Picasso: