Friday Fondue: Winter Appetizers

HEYYYYYYYYY!


October sucked. I had such a flu, SUCH. A. FLU. And after Hurricane Sandy my power was out for more than a week, leaving me frozen in time, literally. Of course, that's the least damage that happened to me, and I want to take a quick moment to send my well wishes to everybody that was truly affected by this storm, particularly Lower Manhattan and New Jersey.
But now comes a new month of hope.

HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!

I have actually been waiting for the nor'easter to make this post a reality, because winter always has an effect on me, especially the beginning. The snow and the tree lights and the scarves and big coats--I just love it! 
And the biggest reason why I love this month is hinted in the sentence "But now comes a new month of hope."

That's right: we had an election earlier this week, and America's voice was heard, even with the confusion Sandy left behind. Voters stood in line for hours and they voted for their next president. A grand ritual of our democracy. Congratulations, Barack Obama! Good luck with the next four years, we are behind you all the way!


But enough of all of that. It's time for the Friday Fondue.

I celebrated a friend's birthday by accompanying him to see Cloud Atlas.

Yes, you may know of this through your friends, who saw the movie already and couldn't' explain to you just WHY it should win the "best makeup award." Or through your friend the purist who read the book and was still debating whether they should ruin their memory of it by going to the theater. 
I can't really explain it either. Basically, the idea is that every person's life is connected to each other. The things that happen t us, the people we meet or the things we do, none of it is truly accidental. There is always something, maybe years later, that will come out of the one decision we make now. From the 1800's to the 1930's to the 1970's to 2012 to 2144 to a post-apocalyptic era, this movie takes us through the lives of characters that seem to intertwine with characters years afterward.
A handful of actors are recycled for each segment of the movie, so no one plays just one character from one era. This furthers the idea that we are all connected, and it also requires makeup. Lots and lots of good makeup. And I cannot explain it, but this movie really SHOULD win Best Makeup as well as best movie. Truly. 

Next up! I received this novel as a gift from a colleague early last month. It was my refuge as I rode out the flu.

Set in the 1970's, this story is about a 19 year old named Tish who is pregnant and in love the the child's father, 22 year old Fonny. Fonny has just been accused of a crime he did not commit, and is awaiting his trial in jail. Tish and her family, with all the odds stacked against them, fight tooth and nail to set the innocent man free. A we weave in between the past and the present, Baldwin brings together every precious moment between two black lovers in a country that disdains them.
JAMES BALDWIN IS A BEAST. Not his first or his last novel, or even his most popular, but it resonated with me to read such  realistic love story, equipped with a gradual love and a harsh reality check. This beats many love stories out there right now. Everything is poetic and raw, almost like Toni Morrison, but more conversational. Reading the last page was like breaking the surface of a pond I had peacefully swam in all day. Love this book.


Finally, for music, I thought i'd compile a nice 10-Song Winter Playlist to get us started. Straight from my own personal Winter playlist, take a listen and see what you think.

1. Through Time - Roisin Murphy
2. Get Together - J*DaVeY
3. Before We Begin - Broadcast
4. Nowhere (I Can) Go - Clara Hill & Atjazz
5. Please Don't Leave Me - Eric Roberson
6. Tea Leaf Dancers - Flying Lotus
7. Lo Mein - Georgia Anne Muldrow
8. Let's Chill - Guy
9. Give It Up - Isoul8 & Valerie Etienne
10. Do Not As I Do - Hanne Huckelberg

Till Next Time!

-CDM

Coffee Music

Being a blogger is fun. But it's a hobby, not a full-time job. It's not like being a college student or a business woman; it neither pays nor causes stress. So why is it that when I'm writing up my next post in a coffee shop or a cafe, and I look over the top of my laptop and catch eyes with a business woman or a college student, I feel like I'm one of them?

What is it about coffee shops and cafes that bring out the inner cool in people who work there? Is it because an expresso next to our notebook signifies your determination NOT to pass out until your report is perfect? Is it because you're surrounded by chattering pairs and it's cool to imagine they're looking at you and thinking, "Wow, who's that cool dude with the laptop? Bet he's got a great work ethic…I want to meet him!" 

At first, getting a coffee meant getting the coffee and leaving. Now, it means bringing my "office" and enough money for the next five hours (don't think all that time is devoted to blogging--I do have other tasks). Still not sure whether that has helped or hurt my work ethic. But that's not even the point.

The POINT was that I now have a playlist for when I enter a cafe or a coffee place because dammit, THAT'S WHAT I DO: tae situations and find songs to enhance the scenery. 

I wanted to share some of them with you all, and find out what your personal playlists are, if you have any. Do you feel like playing more uptempo songs to go with the high of your americano? Maybe more melodic ballads as you sip your chai tea lattes? How about a soothing romantic mid-tempo jam as you relax with your salted caramel mocha?

(i go to cafes too much.)
But here are a few songs that are included in my cappuccino world. There's an autumn-y feel due to the changing weather, and as you can see, I couldn't' narrow it down to a single-digit numbered list. Forgive. :)

Homework- Big Deal

Eyes Without A Face-Billy Idol

Past Paradise-Eric Roberson

Trust Me-The Fray

Storm (Pocketknife's TuBa 303 Remix)-Jose Gonzalez

Beautifully Undone-Lindy

Be The One-Melanie C

Too Easy-ONe Republic

Ghost STory-Sting

Caramel-Suzanna Vega

From the Morning-Nick Drake

Remember The Love-Adriana Evans

You Don't Know My Name-Alicia Keys

Lovely Day-Bill Withers

Where You Wanna Be-Brandy

Where I Wanna Be-Donell Jones

Truth Is-Fantasia

Lo Mein-Georgia Anne Muldrow

Now you tell me: what's your coffee playlist?

-CDM

A Piece Of Picoult

One of my favorite authors of the modern world is Jodi Picoult.

If this face, which you'd find in the jacket of her books or the back of her paper covers, doesn't ring a bell, I'll let you in on a personal journey to finding Jodi.

I first knew of her when I was twelve years old, when I found, "My Sister's Keeper."

For those of you who saw the movie, you'll know the basic idea; A family of five faces turmoil when the youngest child, Anna, who was created solely to save her leukemic sister's life, sues for medical emancipation from both her parents, who fight back. What the sole-moviegoers won't know is how much more emotionally riveting the book is.

Since then, I've fallen in love with more and more of her novels. My recent favorite is "Sing You Home."

It's about a musical therapist who falls in love with another woman and wants to use the embryo's from her failed marriage to start a new family. But he ex-husband, who signed over his rights to the embryos but fell into a deep religious faith post-divorce, fights to gain custody of children he doesn't want to keep them from growing in a family he doesn't believe in. What follows is an enticing dramatic case punctuated by original songs (you'll have to look that up) to add to the element of music.

Jodi's style of writing gives us an insight into everyone's perspective; the protagonist's, the antagonist's, the sidekick's, the skeptic's, and everyone in the between. Whether we agree with the perspective or not, we are given a chance to understand the motives of each character. Her writing is a cross between prose and poetry, which has always been my favorite form of writing. It's why I love Toni Morrison so much.

A Picoult novel is the toast to my afternoon tea, the companion in bed on a Lazy Sunday, and the flame under my arms as the weather starts to cool down. You won't regret picking up any of her books:

Yes, I posted close to all of the books she has out. You should see them all! Lol.

And here is the link to the author's website: http://jodipicoult.com

Now go check it out, dang it!

-CDM

The Last Sip of Summer

Ah, the end of another summer. 

Yes, I know, it's been  a long time, but Art Batter is off its summer hiatus, and what better way to get back to business than a recap of my personal favorite discoveries over the last season? Most of these are new and recent shows or artists for all of us, but some of these have been around long before summer. Either way, I hope you enjoy. :)

            Top 5 Artists Of The Summer

1. Frank Ocean: I had first come to know about him through the song "She" by Tyler the Creator, and hadn't thought much of him since. Even with " ," I didn't see much of the talent he would soon come to show us. We all know his sparse but meaningful single, "Thinking About You," but listen to his entire new album and you'll appreciate his skill. His songwriting techniques, In my opinion, are brilliant, as is his within-range croons throughout each song. Here are the three songs that I have been bumping the most of his.
2. J*DaVeY: They are no novice to the game; this duo from LA has been around since 2008, taking over the "Black Hipster" culture with their blend of Electronic, RnB, Hip Hop, and Punk Rock. I can't get over how infectiously catchy and groovy their music is. The lead singer, Jack Davey's voice, is a sultry cooing that compliments the production of Brook D'Leau, and the result is demonstrated below.
3. Rapsody: There is nothing like a good MC, and for those who want more females at the forefront of the genre, there is nothing like a good female MC. And I have found  a female MC that has made it to my Top 5 MC's overall. She is simple 20 years old, and has already been putting out music since 2008. An NC native under 9th Wonder's wing, this lady's flow is so fly I nearly had a heart attack. Don't believe me? Check below.


4. Kendrick Lamar: I'm anticipating his next album like my birthday; "good kid, m.A.A.d city" is set for release on October 22nd, 2012, and after hearing his earlier works, from OD to Section.80, October 22nd can't come fast enough. This is a Compton-based MC whose slight accent and quick witty verses over various forms of hip-hop beat-gold draw you in like lint to a vacuum cleaner. At this moment, I'm bumping three of his older jams until the heavenly day when his album comes out.
5. Azealia Banks: Her music errs on the side of pop-dance, which is actually great for me because I need more upbeat exercise songs to lift weights to! She's a 21 year old chick hailing from New York Cit-ay, and refers to herself and the Young Rapunzel. I have to warn you, she's not for kids under a certain age, so if you have kids who like her, make them buy the clean version. The bottom songs are my personal favorites of hers, and before I forget, focus on the cool tone of her voice over the hard beats. That's some real stuff. :)

        Top 5 Show/Movies Of The Summer

1. Beasts Of The Southern Wild: This is not your normal feel-good summer flick. This is an indie, authentic, emotionally-charged, realistic portrayal of a group of people living in what is called the Bathtub, and risky swamp area to live; recently a storm warning has gone out and the authorities are begging for them to leave. Some of them do, but most of them stay steadfast where they are, including a man and his daughter, Hushpuppy. what follows after the storm is something I'm not capable of putting into words. True story--I nearly cried.
2. The Newsroom: Another masterpiece from the writer of "The Social Network." This is a series about a news anchor, Republican Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) who recently changed the way he broadcasts the news. With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Mackenzie (Emily Mortimer) and the dedicated staff of journalists for News Night (his show), Will McAvoy transforms himself from the neutral good guy who doesn't say anything wrong to the hard-hitting fact-digger who denounces what he believes is wrong and reports what he wants the audience to know if they want to be informed. Using real life events from the recent years, Aaron Sorkin (creator) orchestrates an HBO series unlike anything I've ever seen. Why, oh why did this first Season have to be only 10 episodes?
3. The Dark Knight Rises: The release of this movie was overshadowed by the horrific shootings at Aurora, and when I think of the circumstances surrounding the shooting, it reminds me why certain people should be evaluated before being able to buy a gun, but that's a noter topic for another time. THis movie was the perfect ending to the morbidly brilliant trilogy of Batman. The billionaire behind the mask (Christian Bale) has retired that mask with flourish--being blamed for the death of Harvey Dent. And yet the warnings of the sly robber Elena (Anne Hathaway) leads him to discover the return of that dark league he had once been a part of in the first movie, and a threat to permanently destroy Gotham using a dangerous weapon--Gotham's inhabitants. Overall, if you did not see this movie, you are really missing out. Buy the DVD or get it on Demand/Netflix, turn off the lights, turn UP the volume, and eat popcorn. It's worth it.
4. Melissa Harris Perry: I have always loved Rachel Maddow. She's a witty, intelligent woman who cracks down on and demolishes her opponents arguments, all with a smile. I love her more now because she helped give a weekend show on MSNBC to Melissa Harris-Perry, an equally beautiful and intelligent woman who is a Professor, a mother, a wife, and an African-American willing to talk about the African American community and how race still affects our country politically. Everytime she appears on TV, with her brown twists and high-pitched giggles, my morning is made just a little bit brighter. She is an ideal role model to all young girls, including girls of color, and for that she makes the Top 5.
5. Unsung: TVONE, in my opinion, is a haven for some great TV shows that once were, but are no longer. I've seen so many hilarious reruns of some classic shows, from Good Times to Living Single, that I'm almost sure these aren't really reruns, but actual new episodes. This series, which is not a rerun or new, has been the highlight for me of the entire channel. It is an hour long special chronicling the lives of stars from the past whose careers took a mysterious turn for the worst; the episode as an in-depth look at why. I've seen so many of them; Tammi Terrell, The Sylvers, Heatwave, Kool Moe Dee, Angela Winbush; the list goes on and on. And I think if you're a 20th Centuy Music buff, these episode are ESPECIALLY for you.

Welcome back, Fall Season! Let's party!!1

-CDM

RIP This Past Week

I know I'm late, but I had to just say, Rest In Peace to three recently lost stars.
There's really no words for the loss. It seems like a lot of the greats of the 20th Century have been taken from us in the past few years and in a frighteningly steady pace. These are people even the 90's babies grew up on; they represent certain generations, certain moments in history, certain communities, etc., and I'm sorry to see every single one of them go.
And now, Not only Donna Summer and Chuck  Brown, but Robin Gibb as well, from the BeeGees, has died within the same week. Summer lost her battle with lung cancer, Brown died from complications with sepsis, and Gibb died from cancer coupled with problems with intestinal surgery.
It's hard to name just one song from each artist that made them a legend, but the right song can speak a thousand words. So here Is my mini tribute to the lovely Donna Summer, the grooving Chuck Brown, and the funky Robin Gibb.

Rest In Peace, Dear Ones.

-CDM

May Shake (The Sixties Swirl...)

May, May, May, the water's by the bay,

A needle in the hay, my May, May, May.

That may make no sense at all, but on the first day of May, I felt a burst of excitement that turned into this little ditty. One month from the start of summer, guys! I mean, if the weather cares to level itself out by then.
But back to the Batter.

 I'm in a sixties kind of mood today. I don't know how this happened.
Maybe because I saw one of those long-as-heck commercials for a 20th Century Compilation Album. Maybe it's because I recently watched "Adventures Of A Babysitter"and couldn't get the Crystals' song out of my head.
Maybe it's because I watched an episode of "Unsung" about David Ruffin.
Either way, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite 60's jams with y'all before I combust with the Wall Of Sound.

• And Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals
• Yes, this is the song that the Babysitting movie starts off with. So this is the first one on my list. It really caters to my inner romantic because the lyrics are so wonderfully and innocently romantic. Everyone's secret fantasy. 
• My Boyfriend's Back by The Angels
• Oh, the teasing verses and the perfect-pitched three part harmonies. Everytime I hear this, I think of summer. In fact, every song on this list reminds me of summer. That's the thing with a lot of 60's songs, for me. They carry an atmosphere of warm weather. But yeah, if I was in the singer's situation, I'd be acting the same way. "You're gonna get in trouble! Ha ha!"
• Be My Baby by The Ronettes
• It's funny, this song was in many commercials before I finally looked up who it was. They're like the early Supremes, albeit with a very different style. While they never got to the same level or stardom, their songs were just as lovely to me as the Supremes' are. And there's nothing like this song on a sunny day!
• Ain't Too Proud To Beg by The Temptations
• David Ruffin. Oh, what can you say with David Ruffin on the lead? Such a raw and emotive voice with such desperate lyrics. "If I have to beg, plead for the you sympathy, I don't mind, cause you mean that much to me..." Sing it, sing it, sing it!!! Long Live Motown!
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
• Ah, eternal musical love. I get why so many people loved Marvin and Tammi singing together, and saw them as a royal musical couple. Really. On Unsung, fellow Motown artists said they were vocal soul mates, or something along those lines. Now I agree with them. And with Marvin friggin' Gaye on the track, I bet loads of female singers were fighting to be his "soulmate."
• (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
• On the days when I'm feeling even a little rebellious, for some reason I gravitate towards this song.Not because I can't get any satisfaction from anything in life, but because the music and the vocals and lyrics altogether seem to be sympathetic to whatever crappy mood I may be in. And I don't have much of the Rolling Stones in my Batter Vault, but I recognize their impact on music in their time.
• Baby You Can Drive My Car by The Beatles
• Man, I heard this when I was a child, on the road to a relative's house over the summer. Something about the chorus and the piano chords stuck that song in my head for years until by some miracle, I heard the song again at a restaurant and freaked my friend out by squealing, "Oh My God, WHAT IS THAT SONG?" Since then, I rock out to it every. day. Even though I rarely drive.
• Respect by Aretha Franklin
• Ah, respect. Women and Men have been singing about it for years in many different ways, but none so iconically as Aretha Franklin's way. She's not trying to be bossy or mean about it. She's just saying, "Hey, I love you and you love me, but you need to treat me like you care about me." Sweet and firm at the same time.
• Bring It On Home by Sam Cooke
• I get a little melancholy thinking about Sam Cooke and his wonderful voice. What he could do with that voice when he wanted to was legendary. If only he had been alive just a little longer, what more could he have done for the music world? Anyway, this song has been covered and replayed in Valentine's Day commercials and what not, but when I hear it, I think not of chocolate and roses, just of a tall figure in a black suit with his jacket over his shoulders and a tipped fedora.....No, not Michael Jackson. But you get the point.

Enjoy the Sixties Swirl!

-CDM