Smoke + Mirrors?

So there we were.

In the "O.C".

Orange County California.

land of:

_ glam + gods

_ sun + sin

_ disney + legoland (which rocked)

We used to live there, and Mister M most certainly tired of hearing B and I recite that fact at every landmark or friend we encountered. He, in his 5 year old-ness, frankly didn't give a rat's ass that, "this was were you were born; here was our old house; here's where we'd have pancakes every Sunday (make note: when in Laguna Beach, Madison Square + Garden Café is a morning must. Especially if you have dogs.)

All in all, a fantastic trip. I love it there. Will post more about the trip's specifics. But right now am reflecting on how thankful for my midwest upbringing. 

Despite that vacation being over, I have Lollapalooza to look forward to. The two bands below will be there and are very much on my hit parade. These two tunes sum up Orange County for a lot of folks. For me? My jury is still out as it's just too easy to buy into stereotypes (although that typed: There was luncheon @ our hotel one day in which Obama was the guest of honor. It cost folks $55k to attend... that cost is not a type-o. ouch.)

MGMT:   Time to Pretend

The National:  Fake Empire

Sum, Sum, Summertime!

One month. Two great birthdays: Our Country's + Mine.

As such, being a child of July, I love this month beyond reason. It's always been chock-full of pageantry and excitement for me.

Best of all, it's about being outside. The sting of a sunburn on your shoulders. About boating, water skiing and trampolines. Firework and fireflies. Convertibles and corn fields. Being waterlogged from pools, lake and sprinklers. And amazing thunderstorms you never want to end. All good.

Enjoy these. Enjoy your holiday. Enjoy your summer.

Galaxie 500:   Fourth of July

That Dean Wareham, what a great buttery voice. Sigh...

Broken Social Scene:  7/4 Shoreline

Just love these guys. Love the ensemble approach. I may be an 'n' of one, but I love Feist w/them more than her being a solo artist. More grit.

Electrelane:   On Parade

A good friend of mine shined me onto this band, and I am ever thankful. They have since disbanded, but that won't stop me from ranting about my love for them. 

Kid Rock:   All Summer Long

YES-Kid Rock. I like this bad boy. I am not ashamed to admit and I LOVE this song due to the video. Sure, I could do w/out all the blonde babes, but all the same, the video aligns w/my concept of summer: 100% pure fun spent outdoors. 

The Shaky Hands:  Summer's Life

Simple tune. And I am total sucker for tunes that have hand-clapping. Strange, agreed. In my mind, I 'see' this song taking place around 4pm... my favorite time of the day. 4pm to sundown. Just a fantastic lazy time of day, especially in the summer.

Rilo Kiley:   With Arms Outstretched

The song is a dusk song, without question. The first 13 seconds sound like fireflies fluttering about. The way it crescendos with the group singing reminds me of being called home when you don't want the night to end...thinking you could never possibly have a day/night as wonderful as the one you just were blessed with. And if you listen closely, you will notice, yup: hand clapping. ;)

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Now some days, they last longer than others

But this day by the lake went too fast

And if you want me

You better speak up, I won't wait

So you better move fast

- with arms outstretched

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Lovely Libations

good grief... my last post was june 8th? OY. Wow, how time flies... ;)

Anyone who follows design, surely has seen this on TheDieLine.com. But for those of you who aren't as design-inclined, yet lovers of the 'vod-ker', will delight in this fantastic specimen, LoveJoy Vodka, designed by ID Branding.

I love the fact that the spirits industry has embraced design w/playfulness (ala Effen vodka, Screw Kappa Napa and Used Automotive Parts wine(s), to cite a few). This whimsical approach completely influences my purchase decision. I have had many a night w/B where we will sample a wine and not like it. Yet I am quick to state,"...but isn't the label design amazing?" And I'll proceed to point out every nuance in the graphics and/or wording. Somehow the coin dropped for these short-lived purchases doesn't seem like such a loss.  

Don't you feel the love for LoveJoy? Yeah, Baby, I sure do.

For your non-drinkers, here's another form of intoxication....

Howlin' Maggie (video):  Alcohol

Back in the day, B + I would go see this band and man,for a skinny front man, Happy Chinchester could command the audience. He projected pure, unadulterated, raw energy. He paraded around on stage in white angel wings far before those Victoria's Secret gals did. Kudos, Happy. I don't have the mp3 of this tune. iTunes has a 'new' video, which barely captures the energy of which I speak. So, the best I can say, is close your eyes and just listen... and feel.

The Why Store: Lack of Water

Columbus has been blessed w/some great local/regional talent. The Why Store hails from Indianapolis and geez louise, the sound and energy they create is simply a whole body experience. What can I say, I am a sucker for a great lead who commands an acoustic guitar (and it doesn't hurt that this lead dude, Chris (I think) looks somewhat like, um, er, oh, ... Jesus. Helps create a following. lol) I will def. post more tunes from them. Mister M loves them..."Mommy put on that water song..." Cute x a ton. 

Kings of Leon:  Arizona

I saw these guys @ Lollapolooza last year and they did not disappoint. This song just makes my skin crawl (in a good way) when he hits those drawn out screechy notes. Nice.

Avett Brothers:  Talk of Indolence

This song is emblematic of how my internal tickings go. On most days, this is the beat in which I operate:getting Mister M ready for the day, designing, working out... just an internal tempo I have been blessed with. When I heard this song and it's ridiculously fun lyrics I thought, "Do these guys know me?" Good times.

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"And I go

Stand up to a giant

Say that I'm a fighter

Too drunk to remember

Too drunk to..."

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Cheers! A votre santé! Salut!

Lost In Space

My virgin voyage into blogging. Guess it's 'bout time: I activated this account in '06.

Early adopter of all things geeky + techno = me. Guilty as charged.
Voyeur of all things web related? Hell yes.

Yet previously reluctant to let the world wide web have a window into MY world.
After seeing so many friends + peers take this plunge successfully, I am now ready.
I mean, fair is fair, right?

Although, who am I kidding? At last inventory, the "Hey Joy" franchise encompassed
:: .mac mail
:: LinkedIn
:: Facebook
:: design:related
:: AIM/Twitter
:: MySpace
:: hype machine / muxtape / iTunes affiliate
:: heyjoy.com

Whether by design or fluke, "Hey Joy" worldwide (web) domination has begun.
If you bother to check out any of the above domains, you will see I have not done
jack w/most of 'em. Baby steps, ya know? ;)

So yes, I AM ready to take the plunge in shape of this blog and share the
madness that is me to the world wide web. God love ya if you read this drivel.
The only guarantee I can make is it will be me: 100%. Unfiltered. Joy.

Good Luck + good reading.
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"lost in space above all drifting..." Aimee Mann
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