New Year’s Resolution: I promise to be a better blogger.

I’m excited to have my first New Years Eve celebration in Chicago, even though I honestly think it’s the second most overrated holiday (behind Valentine’s Day, obviously).

The last couple years I DJed at the Taproom on New Years Eve, so it didn’t seem too bad because, hey, at least I was getting PAID. This year, I’m going to a couple of house parties, one of which I will be spinning some soul & funk records for the fun of it. House parties definitely take all of the worthless pressure off of NYE being “the best most fun night everrrrrrrr” and they are way cheaper (the bars in Chicago are seriously charging $75+ for the night. Ridic.

Here’s hoping 2010 is better, more fulfilling, and more productive than 2009 was.

I’ve wanted to dedicate a post to ‘The World’s First Supermodel’ Janice Dickinson for quite some time. While many people see her as a out-of-her-mind reality star, she is easily one of my favorite models of all time. In the 1970s, modeling was full of All American looking models with blonde hair and blues eyes, a la Cheryl Tiegs, Patti Hansen, Christie Brinkley, until Janice came around and shook the modeling world on its head. She was one of the first ethnic looking models to reach supermodel status and her hard-partying, rock-n-roll spirit set her apart from all of the other girls at the time.

I would definitely recommend reading her autobiography, No Lifeguard on Duty. In the book, she’s very candid about her abusive childhood, the not-so glamorous life of a new model, and of course many salacious stories about Studio 54 and the 70s party scene, her many famous flings (Jack Nicholson, Sly Stallone, Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, Liam Neeson), and her substance abuse issues.

But beyond that, and as these pictures hopefully demonstrate, Janice was a fantastic model with the unique ability to look multi-ethnic and totally transform herself for every photo shoot. 

Sometimes I can’t believe I really live here.

View from Lake Michigan

The Bean

Wrigley Field

Meghan and I with Top Chef Masters winner and Chicago Chef Rick Bayless at his latest restaurant, Xoco.

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Donovan. Donovan is someone who I think has been really under-appreciated in the music world. When you listen to his music (more specifically his later stuff), it just doesn’t sound like anyone else’s. Obviously he started out as the ‘Scottish Bob Dylan’ (and many saw him as a pale imitation of Dylan, in fact), but as his career progressed, he added more psychedelic and world music influences, and with his backing band of John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and the Jeff Beck Group, he added a hard-rock element that makes his songs still sound fresh today.

Some of my favorite Donovan songs are: “Barabajagal”, “Colours” (original version), “Superlungs”, “Hurdy Gurdy Man”, “Sunshine Superman”, “Happiness Runs”, “Epistle to Dippy”, and “Season of the Witch.”

My ultimate favorite Donovan song, and perhaps one of my favorite songs of all time is “Wear Your Love Like Heaven.” Pure genius.

Learn more about Donovan here

Sorry about the lack of new content. I recently moved to Chicago and have been so busy discovering this lovely city, I have been neglecting my blogging duties. I’ll give a more thorough update later on (with pictures), but let’s just say I love this city.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the things I’ve experienced & enjoyed thus far:

-Intelligentsia coffee. Amazing.
-The beach on a Thursday afternoon
-Chicago Jazz Festival
-The wonders of public transportation
-Trader Joe’s
-3 Floyds Gumballhead beer
-Movieoke at the Whistler, and their amazing mixed cocktails.
-Free trip to the Art Institute of Chicago.
-Architectural boat tour.
-Eggs benedict with a fried green tomato, mustard hollandaise and panchetta on a challah at Lula Cafe. .

and more that I can’t remember.

Switched on Rock, the 1969 album by The Moog Machine combines my love for early synthesizer records and obscure cover tunes and if I had to describe it in one word, that word would be: AMAZING.

I picked up a copy of this treasure at my favorite local record store for $1 last week and it does not disappoint.

Switched on Rock was released in 1969 by Columbia Records to capitalize off of the Switched on Bach synthesizer compilation from the previous year that ended up selling 500,000 copies. Although the late 60s brought us many synthesizer cover records, Switched on Rock is one of the most accessible and easiest to listen to.

The Moog Machine covers the most popular songs of the era, including The Band’s “The Weight”, The Zombies’ “Time of the Season” and The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin Jack Flash”. But perhaps the best known track off of this album is their cover of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” from the musical HAIR, which has been sampled by Slum Village, The Beastie Boys, and most famously, The Avalanches.

Feel free to download a copy of “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” from the album Switched on Rock by The Moog Machine. A gift from me to you.

The Moog Machine- Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In

….And by that I mean OMAHA. Yes readers, I am hanging out in Omaha until September, when I will finally be moving to Chicago.

Living in Omaha temporarily makes me realize that it’s not such a bad place, in fact, it actually is quite charming. Well, certain parts.

In an effort to write more and share some of my favorite places in Omaha, Lawrence, KC, and even Chicago…I’ve decided it finally time to start Yelping. Everyone else is doing it, so why not?

If you’re already on Yelp! feel free to add me or let me know about your review page.

I was inspired to re-watch the 1967 film Bonnie & Clyde last week after reading so much about it in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls. Although it’s an important movie in terms of ushering in the New Hollywood era of filmmaking, the movie itself doesn’t really fascinate me. What does make this movie worth watching, besides Warren Beatty’s hotness of course, is THE FASHION. Specifically Bonnie Parker’s fashion.

Since Dunaway was portraying a real life bank robber from the 1930s, the wardrobe had to reflect that time period accurately. However, many of the outfits in the film could easily be worn today and still look chic. Her scarves, trench coats, and form-fitting pencil skirts are very on trend, and I really wish more women would embrace the beret like she did. I have a beret but always feel too self-conscious to wear one because I feel like it looks too costumey, but maybe this movie will inspire me to finally rock it.

I don’t care what the fashion elite are pushing for the fall, but I will totally be using the Bonnie & Clyde style as my inspiration.