<< Previous epigram
>> next epigram
"A little bit of this. A little bit of that. A pot, a pan, a broom, a hat. . ."—Anatevka, "Fiddler on the Roof." This is a blog about everything and nothing. A little parenting, a little humor, some poetry, news, essays, a lot of music. I don't want to waste your time, just send positive vibes into the blogosphere. Oh, yeah, my name is Sarah Torribio. Enough about me, how are you?
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Friday, December 23, 2016
The continued adventures of an unabashed bookworm. . .
My reading agenda for the holidays includes a new collection of columns by Inland Valley Bulletin writer David Allen, a compendium of the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen given to me by my boss and friend Kathryn, and a gripping book about the breathless struggle to harness electricity, chuck that nasty gaslight, illuminate the cities and get rich in the progress.
Jealous, any?
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Song of the Day: "Never Never" by the Tontons
<<last song
>> next song
"Never Never" by The Tontons is a sweet and wistful dollop of indie frosting. And i'ts retro in all the right places.
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Sweet Fascination" by Ladyhawke
<<last song
>>next song
"Sweet Fascination" by Ladyhawke is both sweet and fascinating. There's so much fine indie-rock electro-pop music out there nowadays.
My internet peregrinations tell me that along with being a 1985 fantasy film starring Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeifer, it is the stage name of New Zealand songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Philipa Margaret "Pip" Brown.
And who doesn't like a lyric video? It makes it so much easier to sing along.
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Cascade" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
<< last song
>>next song
My, I feel cool for being able to spell her mouthful of a name. And I love the drama of the lyrics, and her gift for metaphor: "Oh the air, was shining/Shining like a wedding ring/Barbed like sex, I felt ten thousand volts. . ."Oh love, like liquid falling. Falling in cascades."
—Sarah Torribio
Monday, December 19, 2016
Song of the Day: "Pink Frost" by The Chills
<<last song
>>next song
"Pink Frost" by indie rockers The Chills is wonderfully atmospheric.
—Sarah Torribio
Friday, December 16, 2016
Etsy Shopping Find of the Day. . .
I do believe that my soon-to-be three-year-old daughter needs this charming yellow chicken family from the GoOnDesign shop on etsy.com. It costs $20 for this delightful brood.
<<Previous etsy find
<<Previous etsy find
Song of the Day: "Alex Chilton" by The Replacments
They say all roads lead to the Replacements. Actually, no one says that, but I am liking this band more and more as time goes on. Here's their "Alex Chilton."
< < previous song
Song of the Day: "End of the Party" by The English Beat
<< last song
>>next song
"End of the Party" by the English Beat, featuring Dave Wakeling's glorious vibrato and some saxophone glamour, is making me so happy right now.
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Horchata" by Vampire Weekend
<< last song >>next song
I'm not an early adopter of the band Vampire Weekend, but I'm starting to really appreciate the rich melange that is their sound. One of my virtual friends on the music-sharing site Letsloop suggested I give their joint "Horchata" a listen.
It gives me a really good feeling—so upbeat and, well, being from So-Cal, I of course always celebrate the sweet rice drink that is horchata.
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "The Veldt" by Deadmau5
Do you ever have a carry-over resolution from the previous year? Last year I resolved I'd read Ray Bradbury's entire catalogue in the year 2016. Alas, I only got to about 10 short stories. But I'm back, Ray. I'm coming for you in 2017.
One more thing, Bradbury fans. Did you know Deadmau5 has a song based on Ray Bradbury's short story "The Veldt," an eerie tale about two neglected children whose interactive nursery walls—you think it, it appears—turn into a savage savannah?
—Sarah Torribio
—Sarah Torribio
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Song of the Day: "Sea Legs" by The Shins
<< last song
In Garden State, the Natalie Portman character urges the protagonist to listen to "New Slang" by The Shins, saying, "You gotta hear this one song—it'll change your life; I swear."
That's true. In fact, I think it applies to almost every song in The Shins' catalogue. Here is their "Sea Legs."
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Otubone Rock" by Charisma.com
<< last song
>>next song
I've discovered a Japanese electro-rap group called Charisma.com and I dig their energy big-time. Here is their "Otubone Rock."
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Kiss Them for Me"
My song of the Day is "Kiss Them For Me" by Siouxsie and the Banshees, a song coated in gold dust and flower petals. It's from the 1991 album Superstition and Wikipeda tells me it was the band's most successful song in the US.
I didn't love it at first, despite being a die-hard Siouxsie fan with all of their releases and releases by the Siouxsie/Budgie side project The Creatures on album, CD or both. It has grown on my, however, over the years.
—Sarah Torribio
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Song of the Day: "Blow Out the Light" by Gems
<< last song
>>next song
"Blow Out the Light" by Gems is a chill but melancholy duet on the death of love. As a happily re-coupled but still slightly battle-scarred divorcee, the lyrics work for me: "If you ever have another glass heart to break, it won't be mine. . .I can't promise that I'll ever be cool with you, but I'll try to be kind."
—Sarah Torribio
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Song of the Day: "Just for Now" by Imogen Heap.
<< last song
>> next song
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Savante Garde" by Chick Quest
<< last song
>>next song
—Sarah Torribio
Monday, December 12, 2016
Song of the Day: "Take Her Back" by The Pigeon Detectives
<< last song
>>next song
The Pigeon Detectives are a fun band and so British. My Song of the Day is "Take Her Back."
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Shadows" by Au Revoir Simone
<< last song
>>next song
My Song of the Day is "Shadows" by Au Revoir Simone. This indie electro pop group has musical sophistication—with keyboard virtuosity‚and, to a member, fabulous hair. Bring on the brunettes!
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Come Back to Me" by X
There's a wonderful throwback sound to "Come Back to Me" by X and a touch of keening honkey-tonk. Way back in 1982, John Doe and Exene Cervenka were emerging from punk a bit and creating music that was, and remains timeless.
There are so many groups aiming for just this sound right now.
There are so many groups aiming for just this sound right now.
Song of the Day: "Giant" by Vampire Weekend
<< last song
>>next song
Who knew a song by a band called Vampire Weekend would be so upbeat?! This indie rock/electro-pop outfit's "Giant" reminds me a bit, strangely enough, of Paul Simon's wonderful "Graceland" album. But not in a dated way.
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Sprinkles" by We Are Scientists
'Sprinkles" by We Are Scientists is some lovely, layered and soothing indie alt rock/power pop (I never know what to call music nowadays.). It's my first nice musical discovery of the day.
The band's website tells me they are from California, which I like. As a Golden State native, I keep it local whenever I can.
The band's website tells me they are from California, which I like. As a Golden State native, I keep it local whenever I can.
<< next song
A conversation overheard in my mind. . .
(To be delivered in an accent that seems European but is impossible to place.)
"To understand my work, you must forget everything you have ever heard about fashion. In my world, hot pink is a neutral. Every woman needs a BIG black dress. And spandex is flattering on any shape."
<< Previous conversation
"To understand my work, you must forget everything you have ever heard about fashion. In my world, hot pink is a neutral. Every woman needs a BIG black dress. And spandex is flattering on any shape."
<< Previous conversation
On Wolf Medicine. . .
I have always been afraid of dogs. Once I get to know someone's dog, it's usually fine—we become good friends. I understand that dogs often have wonderful and loving, if pain-in-the-ass souls.
Sometimes, when my anxiety is acting up and I feel rabbit-hearted, it's been hard for me to walk through a neighborhood—particularly ones with ramshackle fences—because I'm afraid a dog will come out and attack me. I have shuddered at each menacing bark that came even from behind fences.
It's a real phobia.
But this year, my dog phobia is improving because the universe has sent me some Wolf Medicine. We got a Siberian husky at our house who was just a pup of 12 weedks when he arrived.
Koda or Cody, if you will, is highly sociable. He's a pack animal and he also has a lot of energy to expend. It is clear to me that to neglect him by not allowing him to be part of the family pack would be cruel. To not take a moment to play tug o' war with him or to toss a ball back and forth with him would be inhumane.
My kids like Cody and Savannah even likes to ride him. The dogs and the kids need supervision. So from the whole puppy thing to becoming a busy dog owner (my cats are blissfully low-maintenance, purring pillows who only ask for enough "wet cat food" to help them maintain moderate obesity), I didn't have a chance to be afraid of Cody.
And the other day, when I saw a scrawny young pit-bull on the loose—perhaps half pit-bull, half lab?—I wasn't as scared as usual. I see pit-bulls on the loose more than most people because I live in Pomona, which is the capital of pit-bull ownership, particularly as you mosey closer to Holt.
Granted, I was in my car but I suddenly had this feeling that if I were face-to-face with this dog, he might not attack and if he did, that's what shoes are for.
In similar news, Alex, now 8, became a Cub Scout and in his age group, he's called a Wolf. Coincidence? Albert Einstein comes to mind, and he once said, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous."
So yeah, this year I got Wolf Medicine. I wonder what 2017 will bring.
Sometimes, when my anxiety is acting up and I feel rabbit-hearted, it's been hard for me to walk through a neighborhood—particularly ones with ramshackle fences—because I'm afraid a dog will come out and attack me. I have shuddered at each menacing bark that came even from behind fences.
It's a real phobia.
But this year, my dog phobia is improving because the universe has sent me some Wolf Medicine. We got a Siberian husky at our house who was just a pup of 12 weedks when he arrived.
My kids like Cody and Savannah even likes to ride him. The dogs and the kids need supervision. So from the whole puppy thing to becoming a busy dog owner (my cats are blissfully low-maintenance, purring pillows who only ask for enough "wet cat food" to help them maintain moderate obesity), I didn't have a chance to be afraid of Cody.
And the other day, when I saw a scrawny young pit-bull on the loose—perhaps half pit-bull, half lab?—I wasn't as scared as usual. I see pit-bulls on the loose more than most people because I live in Pomona, which is the capital of pit-bull ownership, particularly as you mosey closer to Holt.
Granted, I was in my car but I suddenly had this feeling that if I were face-to-face with this dog, he might not attack and if he did, that's what shoes are for.
In similar news, Alex, now 8, became a Cub Scout and in his age group, he's called a Wolf. Coincidence? Albert Einstein comes to mind, and he once said, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous."
So yeah, this year I got Wolf Medicine. I wonder what 2017 will bring.
Etsy Shopping find of the Day. . .
This 24" X 16" Photograph of Mexican Toy Guitars, which appears to have been taken at that iconic Los Angeles landmark Olvera Street, gives me a good feeling. It would be great in a kitchen or funky living room.
It's $105.00 from the MayanSoffia shop on etsy.com.
< < Previous etsy find
It's $105.00 from the MayanSoffia shop on etsy.com.
< < Previous etsy find
Etsy Shopping Find of the Day. . .
There is something very sweet and charming about this Firefly Girl Switchplate Cover from the SSKDesigns site on Etsy.com. It's $16.50 and would be lovely in a little girl's room.
< < Previous etsy find
< < Previous etsy find
Bad pick-up line of the day. . .
(To be delivered in a country accent.)
"You look like a cousin I had once."
"You look like a cousin I had once."
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Bad pick-up line of the day. . .
(To be delivered in a deep, throaty, tobacco-cured voice, betraying more than a little stage training.)
"Let's plunge together to Plutonian depths of pleasure and dissolution."
"Let's plunge together to Plutonian depths of pleasure and dissolution."
Friday, December 9, 2016
Etsy Shopping Find of the Day. . .
I am generally a woman of sophistication but I have a confession to make. There is a side of me that is super-kawaii. Hai!
I love the Little Twin Stars, Mimi and Lala, and have since I was very young. There is something so starry and sweet and safe about this Sanrio duo and their pastel-hued world.
I kind of don't want my soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter Savannah to stop baby-talking. She says Ws instead of Ls and it is so adorable. A couple months back I called her a little lady and she said, no joke, "I'm not a wady. I'm a girl." I nearly died.
And rainbows and unicorns are just my jam, and they always will be. They feed my inner 10-year-old, which was my happiest childhood age.
So my Etsy Shopping Find of the Day is this Unicorn Magic Mug from the LoveMugsUK shop on etsy.com. I'm ready to fill it with tea or coffee and get cozy. It's $12.91.
I love the Little Twin Stars, Mimi and Lala, and have since I was very young. There is something so starry and sweet and safe about this Sanrio duo and their pastel-hued world.
I kind of don't want my soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter Savannah to stop baby-talking. She says Ws instead of Ls and it is so adorable. A couple months back I called her a little lady and she said, no joke, "I'm not a wady. I'm a girl." I nearly died.
And rainbows and unicorns are just my jam, and they always will be. They feed my inner 10-year-old, which was my happiest childhood age.
So my Etsy Shopping Find of the Day is this Unicorn Magic Mug from the LoveMugsUK shop on etsy.com. I'm ready to fill it with tea or coffee and get cozy. It's $12.91.
Song of the Day: "Love That's Gone" by La Sera
"Love That's Gone" by La Sera, featuring Katy Goodman (formerly of Vivian Girls) is atmospheric in a wonderfully low-key way. Beachy with a touch of Sun Records, with sounds like a description of the '70s Laurel Canyon music scene but is kind of better, at least for 2016 listening.
Can you just imagine drinking a beer by a campfire somewhere with this joint playing? My fave music site Letsloop describe's La Sera's genre with the tags rock, indie pop and dream pop, all of which I can get behind.
Can you just imagine drinking a beer by a campfire somewhere with this joint playing? My fave music site Letsloop describe's La Sera's genre with the tags rock, indie pop and dream pop, all of which I can get behind.
< < last song
>> next song
Song of the Day: "Coming Down" by Dum Dum Girls
What a sweet Mazzy Star/Best Coast moment on the part of this outfit called Dum Dum Girls
featuring singer/songwriter Dee Dee, neé Kristin Gundred and aka Kristin Kontrol. My Song of the Day is called "Coming Down."
featuring singer/songwriter Dee Dee, neé Kristin Gundred and aka Kristin Kontrol. My Song of the Day is called "Coming Down."
< < last song
< < next song
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Song of the Day: "Your Hand in MIne" by Peace
I've got one more Song of the Day, also by Peace. If you like Interpol and Joy Division, you will like the song "Your Hand in Mine." It's simple mathematics—the transitive property.
< < last song
> > next song
Song of the Day: "Bloodshake" by Peace
Monday, December 5, 2016
Song of the Day: "Cocoon" by Milky Chance
Honestly, I have no idea how to keep up with all the good, enjoyable music that's coming out. And that's just in the realm of alt/indie rock/pop. Here's "Cocoon" by Milky Chance.
< < last song
> > next song
Song of the Day: "Elevate" by St. Lucia
My song of the day—and there are myriad songs of the day today—is "Elevate" by St. Lucia.
< < Previous song
> >Next song
Song of the Day: "Dancing Song" by Little Comets
<< last song
> > next song
"Dancing Song" by Little Comets is pure fun. I found out about this band while looking for artists similar to Bombay Bicycle Club on letsloop.com.
—Sarah Torribio
Friday, December 2, 2016
Song of the Day by The Futureheads (Kate Bush cover)
How in the world did I miss this cover? Here's indie rockers The Futureheads with their rendition of the Kate Bush song "Hounds of Love."
< < Previous song
Song of the Day: "After Hours" by We Are Scientists
Another really cute song by indie alt-rockers We Are Scientists. It's called "After Hours."
< < previous song
> > next song
Song of the Day: "It's a Hit" by We Are Scientists
<< last song
>> next song
If you like The Killers, Bloc Party and The Strokes, you will be drawn inevitably and inextricably to We are Scientists. Here's their "It's a Hit."
—Sarah Torribio
Song of the Day: "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" by The Specials
Here's a feel-good song by ska superstars the Specials. It's called "Friday Night, Saturday Morning."
> > Next song
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)