Remembering George Carlin

This is not music, obviously.... but I am posting it here anyway - because George Carlin made me smile every single time I heard him.

An excerpt from one of his many, many monologues....



A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings
but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We
spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have
bigger houses and smaller families, more
conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense,
more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too
little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too
tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We
have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our
values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years
to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and
back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We
conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things,
but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the
atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan
more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We
build more computers to hold more
information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate
less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and
small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are
the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken
homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway
morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is
much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when
technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can
choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who
looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up
and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to
you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart
and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones,
but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it
comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the
moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to
love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious
thoughts in your mind.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and
height.Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts,
gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person
who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are
alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family,
pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your
refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is
unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.


9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next
county, to a foreign
country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every
opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away.
If you don't send this to at least 8 people....who cares?

--George Carlin

Rockin' for Rescue

Want this badge?

Whoever came up with this idea is brilliant!!

Rockin' for Rescue is an animal rescue group that raises funds by producing really cool concerts around Texas. Affiliated with and supported by such artists as Sarah Bettens, Girl in a Coma, and Jen Foster, among others, it is the vision and mission of Rockin' for Rescue to end animal euthanasia, and to find solutions to animal overpopulation and loving homes for animals in need.

You can read more about this incredible organization on their myspace page - (you can also make donations and check out cool merchandise there...)

http://www.myspace.com/rockinforrescue

Recently, I got a message that a venue space in Dallas has been donated to Rockin' for Rescue. It will be called Salon Nights on the Levee and, apparently, will be the Organization Headquarters. It sounds like it is going to be a really great venue for live music. In the message, they said that they were in need of some tables and chairs - so if there is anyone out there who can help out with that, I am sure they would love to hear from you!!!

It is a great thing when people figure out ways in which to use their talents to make the world a better place to be - and this is a cause that I will support as much as I possibly can...

...because anyone who knows me knows that the only thing I love more than music is my dog ;)




----------------
Now playing: Jann Arden - Unloved
via FoxyTunes

A Note About Indie Music Fans...

Honestly, I don't think there is a such thing as a "casual fan" of independent music.

We generally know exactly what we like in a band, in a song, in a lyric - and when we find it, we want everyone else to hear it - we get very passionate about it - It is almost an obsession.

Years ago, pretty much by accident, I stumbled upon a band by the name of Ciao Bella. They are a great band and will likely get their own little piece of this blog soon. This particular blog, however, is about their #1 fan, Amy (yes, Amy...realizing that I have not been the best #1 fan lately, I am handing that title over to you - though I do reserve the right to #2...and to taking back #1 whenever I feel like it, lol)

You see, Amy and I have recently reconnected after a bitter and bloody (yep, I won with a tattoo) battle for the number one spot on Ciao Bella's fan list - because that is how fans of indie music are. We will fight for our music, we will be on the front row every single night, we will sweat over speakers and go home with grime from mic cables under our fingernails...all in the name of that coveted #1 fan spot. We are just not "normal," and there is nothing remotely casual about us...and we are the Artist's greatest PR people - because we tell everybody we know, and don't charge them a thing...

Amy, who is on the front row of every Ciao Bella show, every Wednesday...every Sunday...at Sue's, and Crush, and wherever else they play, is concerned about my apparent addiction to the music of Jen Foster and thinks I need an intervention...

hey Kehoe, lets go to rehab together...here, I will start...


My name is Christy and I am an independent music junkie...


Thanks for letting me share!!!

----------------
Now playing: Ciao Bella - Searching
via FoxyTunes

Jen Foster

Jen Foster rocks!!!

Remember in my last post I talked about my favorites being kind of grouped into old, new, momentary, and forever?

Jen Foster is a pretty recent discovery for me...and has quickly made it to the top of that forever list...


She is a little bit rock, folk, pop...you can even hear a bit of country in there if you are really listening. Her music is incredibly profound and unique - if you like Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, Heart, Joplin, Joni Mitchell ... any of the greats in women's music ... then you have got to hear Jen Foster...

Check out the new video of her latest song, "Closer to Nowhere" - (video is available for purchase through iTunes...)




Find Jen Foster at:


www.jenfoster.com

www.myspace.com/jenfoster

www.youtube.com

and ReverbNation








and buy her stuff at:

iTunes, CDBaby, and Amazon.com



----------------
Now playing: Jen Foster - Closer to Nowhere
via FoxyTunes

Loving Music

My name is Christy and, among other things, I am a music lover. Music is my refuge, my obsession, possibly my deepest addiction. Sometimes, I think maybe I hear it differently than other people - only because I can't seem to find anyone else, other than musicians themselves, that actually get an endorphin rush when a harmony comes together perfectly, or when an incredibly intricate guitar part just takes over a song...sometimes I think I must be a musician on the inside - I just don't really have the appreciable talent or skill to back that up.

My deep passion for great music keeps me searching constantly for new tunes, new artists that will turn my head. I am a huge fan of independent artists - especially those who have made conscious choices to stay out of the giant, label driven, entertainment machine that seeks, on a daily basis, to take the art and heart out of the artist in the name of the almighty dollar. My favorite artists are those who love the art, and are happy making music and enough money to pay the bills...

So, in this blog, I will share some of my favorites - old, new, momentary, and forever...