Music Monday

Today is the anniversary of the Great Fire of Rome (clearly not named by the people who lost their homes), which destroyed half the city in 64.  Let's get to it:

"I'm on Fire" - Bat for Lashes (Springsteen cover)

"Set Fire to the Rain" - Adele Something

 "Light My Fire" - Doors

"Fire and Rain" - James Taylor

"The Flame" - Cheap Trick

Note:  Nero be like - I was out of town when that shiz went down.   

Where was Monica though? 

Thursday Thoughts

Happy National Ice Cream Month  

(even if you live outside the U.S.)

Bloggish News

I had been experimenting with the comment notification feature, for when I comment on other people's blogs.  It didn't go so well though, so I'm not doing that very much anymore.  Still occasionally checking back on my own.

In my unofficial contests, Ericka currently has one point and Jenn currently has one point.  Everybody else has some catching up to do.  (Including you, Mila.  I know you lurk.)

I experimented with posting book reviews, but it didn't go so well.  I'll probably post more, but not as frequently as I was.  I wish I could review books like A.J. Sterkel does.   

http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com/

Other News

I tried to donate blood and got rejected again.  Might have to retire. 

I was pleasantly surprised by Final Girl, a poetry collection from Daphne Gottlieb.

Reading Endless Night, by Agatha Christie.  I read it at night, as one does. 

Film Friday

Kevin Bacon was born on July 8, 1958.  So you know what that means.  It's time to play...

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

I'll describe a movie.  You name the movie, the actor / actress connected to Kevin Bacon, and the movie they were in together.
 

Degree 1:  Rich guy picks up a blonde hooker.  Turns out she's more like a redhead.  Yada yada.

Degree 2:  Rich guy picks up a blonde with cross-dressing tendencies.  One of them is a slave to love.  But which one? 

Degree 3:  High school guy picks up a hooker.  Enjoys public transportation with her.  Drives car into lake.

Degree 4:  Weird guy picks up a blonde.  She's not into porno flicks though.  Times like these call for a mohawk, and maybe a hooker.

Degree 5:  Office guy picks up a waitress.  Smashes a printer.  Embezzling scheme goes awry; saved by fire.

Degree 6:  Snickers in the pool.  Gophers on the golf course.          

        

Third Floor Reading Challenge: Round One

Enough subtle hints, dear reader.  It is time to sponsor my first reading challenge. 

The rules they be simple:  Read a book in each category. Score one point for each.

1.  HORROR

If you need a recommendation:

 

2.  ESPIONAGE

If you need a recommendation:



3.  GBT

If you need a recommendation: (adults only)




4.  MUSIC

If you need a recommendation:

 

5.  PLAY

If you need a recommendation:



6.  Starts on page 1.

7.  Has an Introduction by somebody other than the author.

8.  Set in Asia.

9.  Was made into a movie.

10.  By a famous author, but not the book for which the author is famous.


You may complete this challenge at your leisure.  But don't complain if you haven't finished this round when the second round starts - probably in what I consider to be autumn.

Tuesday Ten

Ten concerts I have attended.  Plus a couple more, because I'm a generous guy. 

U2:  Arco Arena - Sacramento.  This was early in their Achtung Baby tour.  So they played that entire album pus several of their older hits.

Eric Clapton:  Shoreline Amphitheater - Mountain View, California.  He played some guitar at this one.  

Bob Dylan:  San Diego State University.  Past his prime a bit, but still a good show.

Elvis Costello:  4th and B - San Diego.  Apparently he signed autographs and posed for pictures in the parking lot afterwards.  I would've waited for Diana, but not for him.      

Blondie:  4th and B.

Go-Go's:  4th and B.

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks:  4th and B.  He seduced her with his big
guitar. 


Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo:  4th and B.  A stripped-down acoustic version of "Love Is a Battlefield" was the highlight here.   

Pretenders:  House of Blues - San Diego.

Bangles:  House of Blues - San Diego.

New Pornographers:  House of Blues - San Diego.  Probably my favorite concert from a lesser known act.  Very laid-back and easy-going.   

Berlin:  House of Blues - San Diego.  I think she looked at me.  It was awkward.    

July 4

9 / 12 / 2001:  London

                                                         2011 Daytona 500