I Just Wanna Celebrate (Another Day of Living)

6ft. Under ended last night. Possibly my favorite show of the past five years (excluding Scrubs and Arrested Development) followed a group of flawed and incredibly realistic people. I am still sad and a little teary from last night's final episode. I just wanted to share a few thoughts in my ever popular bullet point style. I feel that this show will be greatly missed and that television might not ever do better to me.

Thoughts:

• So, David finally learns to love himself the way Keith has always loved him.
• I applaud the show for its attitude about adoption. It can be hard, but the process is probably the most rewarding thing you'll do.
• Anthony and Durrell ended up being the Sons of "Fisher and Sons". And they both ended up as happy as their dads.
• The new American family is gay, minority, multi-marriage, and not vanilla.
• Claire's blindness at the end was nicely forshadowed by the use of the show "Just Shoot Me" (about fashion photography) and the song "Doctor my Eyes".
• Billy finally talked Brenda to death, and the humor of her death was a nice palette cleanser.
• Keith's death was tragic, but he got his dream of his own security company and had many years to have the family he always wanted.
• The ambiguity of the ending helped so that we could create our own stories for the character and for the characters whose names were not in the lead credits.
• Claire's journey was the essence of the show and her changes were always real and always funny.
• I will probably have more later, but this ending had a roomful of adults sobbing last night. I felt like the show gave me everything I wanted, including a weird Peter Krause music video.

Go Ask Alice

So, kids are getting their required reading and several schools are requiring "Go Ask Alice" by Anonymous (aka Beatrice Sparks, RN). This book was dated when I read it. Full disclosure, the reason I hate hippies is that I used to be one. Not a dirty hippie, just a generic peace and love and classic rock hippie. So, I read "Go Ask Alice" because it was about a square girl who becomes a hippie acid freak.
So, the whole gimmick of the book was that this girl who became a drug addict and dealer and delinquent tried to get her life together and then ended up relapsing. She died and we all go to read her "found" diary. I later found out through various sources that "Go Ask Alice" was a completely fictional book written by a nurse to keep kids off drugs.
I picture kids in Harlem who are being assigned this book basically laughing and saying "crazy white girl" as they try to understand the dated slang, descriptions, and various old fashioned drugs. It seems like the dumbest book to read. But, don't get me started on the school that had "Flowers in the Attic" on their required reading list.

The Smells of Summer

I have the distinct pleasure of working in Harlem in the summer. The thing that really sets it all off nicely, not the fat Spanish guys in tank tops, is the smell. Because Harlem is a (cough,cough) under-served neighborhood, the trash usually forms into a nice living sculpture. And, with the heat languishing at the stately 170 degrees its been for the past few weeks, the garbage is fermenting on schedule.
The mix of Chinese, chicken, and fast food, mixed with diapers, old milk, and other garbage stand-bys has made this a summer my olfactory senses could not have imagined.
Whiff it, it's the smell of summer.

Recommended Reading

I just thought I would place a small list (5) of books that I've read over the past year that have been really great.

Jonathan Lethem The Fortress of Solitude
Curtis Sittenfield Prep
JK Rowling Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Charles Barkley Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?
Jonathan Leland Hip: A History

Songs I Wish Were Written About Me...

I Need Love (LL Cool J)- The ultimate couple's skate song at the roller rink. A heartfelt and touching song. To be the girl that could melt a tough guy's heart so thoroughly, is an amazing thing.

Something/Layla (George Harrison/Eric Clapton)- A 2 for 1. Who wouldn't want to be Patti Hansen getting two songs written about them? And, two amazing songs written about them? Two really great songs in totally different styles.

Lay Lady Lay (Bob Dylan)- Dylan is the ultimate "hey babe, I wrote this song just for you" guy. But what girl wouldn't melt to "his clothes are dirty but his hands are clean/ and your the best thing that he's ever seen"?

When I Fall in Love (it will be forever) (Stevie Wonder)- Stevie wrote a lot of really beautiful songs and My Cherie Amour is just as good, but nothing makes me swoon like this one.

Wild Horses (Jagger/Richards)- This also ties with Beast of Burden. The Stones wrote some amazingly misogynistic songs like "Brown Sugar" and "Under my Thumb" but this one is a beauty and the lyrics with Mick's fake black dude voice is stunning.

Tiny Dancer (Bernie Taupin)- A song about a groupie. But, the best groupie. The lyrics are not really romantic, but the feeling the song evokes makes you want to be this girl.

Real Sports...

I need real sports. I HATE baseball. Basketball, Soccer, Football, Tennis, The Olympics. All of these are so much better than baseball. In fact, to me baseball is a series of skills. You only have to be good at one of them. Pitchers are not expected to hit, the good hitters with bad bag skills are sent to the outfield, and base players have to be average at everything. So, yawn, I'm already tired of talking about this.

I also feel that golf is a series of skills that are needed, as is NASCAR, but neither is really a sport, I compare them to pool, darts, poker, spelling bees, World's Strongest Man Competitions, and the like. These are all skills that win prizes not actual sports.

The Most Awesome News!!!

So, I'm starting a HILARIOUS new web page for all your Amy needs.

http://www.geocities.com/amypatrick/AmyPatrick.html


Check it Out kiddies!

Best Music Videos...Ever...

So, I was thinking about this on my way to work today. Here's a list of, to me, the best music videos ever. I will put the bands name and the song and the director if I know it.

• Closer NIN Dir. Mark Romanek
• Criminal Fiona Apple Dir. Mark Romanek
• Praise You Fatboy Slim Dir. Spike Jonze
• Sabatoge Beastie Boys Dir. Spike Jonze
• Bittersweet Symphony The Verve Dir. Walter Stern
• Freedom 90 George Michael Dir. David Fincher
• High and Dry Radiohead Dir. Jamie Thaves
• You Did it to Yourself Dir. Jamie Thaves
• It's Oh So Quiet Bjork Dir. Spike Jonze
• California Love Dr. Dre/Tupac Dir. Hype Williams
• All About the Benjamins(remix) Dir. Spike Jonze
• Stan Eminem Dir. Phillip Atwell
• Fly Foo Fighters Dir. Michele Gondry
• What's My Name? Snoop Dogg Dir. Dr. Dre
• 99 Problems Jay Z Dir. Mark Romanek

Everything I Need to Know About Life...

I learned from Martin Scorsese.

• The smallest guy in the room is the one with the most issues, don't mess with him unless you want a shot to the knee or a pen to the neck.
• If you hear the strains of Eric Clapton...run away something bad is going to happen, probably to you.
• In fact, also be on the look out for "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix. Nothing good ever came of that song either.
• Heroes are tragically flawed and need a strong dose of Catholic redemption.
• Life is full of compromise and you will be forced to make those compromises.
• Everyone should have a colorful nickname.
• Whether you are the Dalai Lama, Howard Hughes, a low level thug, or coke head, the course of true love will not run smooth. In fact, most people will break your hearts.

What have you learned from Martin Scorsese?

Sandra Day O'Connor

The Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor has just retired from the Supreme Court. O'Connor is the first female jusge on the Supreme Court and is probably the most legally savvy. She was never one to write opinions or dissents, but many times her vote was 5-4 winner that was needed. O'Connor was a classic conservative and followed the rule of law. Following law creates ones beliefs to fall into line with moral relativism. Unfortunately, many Christian Consveratives do not undertsand this.
O'Connor never legislated her values from the bench. She believed in the Constitution as a valueable part of our lives, but as also a living document that did not die in 1776 and was not the sole province of the founding fathers.
All of us should remember O'Connor for her hard work on hard issues. As we slip farther away from other nations and closer to our "enemies" in theocracies, I hope all involved in the choosing of her replacement remember this.
And Gonzalez is Spanish for "Souter". Keep your fingers crossed.

I Rarely,,,

I rarely talk about myself in these posts because I'm pretty sure noone cares about me, they just love my doggy style.
But, things are starting to heat up outside and for me. By this October I will either take a leave of absence from the library or I will just leave the library to focus on my writing and my comedy. Joe is probably the most supportive man in the world and I thank him for letting me take this chance. We'll see what happens.
I'll be back with more pop culture stuff soon.

Hilarity Ensuing Soon!

So-
I'm trying to put together an actual show in Brooklyn. I want to do something that feeds off of the vibe at the Village Lantern. We'll see. If any comics in NYC read this blog and want to help me get this started, let me know.
An actual post talking about something coming soon.

Destiny's Child R.I.P.

So, Destiny's Child has officially broken up and this tour is their last. They said they wanted to end on an up note. And, I actually believe them. Unlike, The Supremes, who they are always compared to there are several differences:

• Beyonce is a stronger singer than Diana Ross and is as good of an actress. Luckily her big movie musical moment coming in 2006 is better suited to her age than The Wiz was for Dirty Diana.
• Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland have made more money independent of the band than Mary Wilson or Flo Ballard ever did. They have done films, theater, and solo albums.
• The Knowles family is not Berry Gordy and have a much better reputation for their client management and not known to steal money.

So, I wish them the best. I am a huge fan. In fact I just got my tickets for Madison Square Garden in July. I will be there wishing them luck.

Underrated Bands

So, here's the deal. I am looking just at the talent in the band. Units sold or lyrical content does not matter. Some of these bands are huge, but never got respect but others were genre or small niche markets. These are five that I think may be the most underrated.

In No Particular Order:
Duran Duran- Their new romantic look and really dumb songs (Rio anyone?) made them seem like dumb preening boys. But, they had some really tight music and John Taylor was a really good guitarist. The production of Nile Rodgers gave them a dance sheen and enhanced their sound. The drum line in "Wild Boys" is propulsive and well done. Listen to them again without the 1980's baggage and the videos.

AC/DC- Talk about lyrical content sinking a groups standing. If AC/DC had decided to talk about something other than rocking, drinking, and pussy the musicianship of the band would have mattered. Angus Young is possibly the the greatest guitarist ever, certainly from Australia. He knew when to shred and when to just play solid support. Both Bryan Johnson and Bon Scott had voices that made you forget how dumb the lyrics were.

The Staple Singers- Working in a genres that usual get no respect for their guitar, soul and gospel, Pops Staple was one of the best soul guitarists ever. Excluding Curtis Mayfield, calm down people. Their big break to the pop charts never really happened so they never got the fan base they should have. The band as a whole was amazingly tight and their uplifting lyrics and beautiful singing of Mavis Staple has made them my Sunday morning staple (ha ha) for years.

Chic- Disco sucks. Possibly the most racist and homophobic statement uttered in defense of rock. Chic had great vocals and Nile Rodgers, but most importantly it had Bernard Edwards on bass. His beats and the break on "Good Times" made this band one of the most important to the rise of hip-hop. They also knew that disco could have "real" music and not just rely on studio tricks. Their songs were easy to sing along to and I bet right now your thinking about clams on the half shell and rollerskates...rollerskates.

Motley Crue- Vince Neil's voice and Tommy Lee's penis almost kept them off the list. However, the stellar play of Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars got them on here. Like AC/DC they had a shortage of lyrics you would call "intelligent", but they had a sense of fun and real talent. If they hadn't pissed it all away they might have done something. Bob Rock honed their admittedly sloppy sound and made their records almost as good as T-Rex. Yeah, I said it.

Upcoming Amy Events

This Week....

Tuesday at 8pm Village Lantern (hopefully) 167 Bleeker Street (btwn' Sullivan and Thompson)

Wednesday at 6pm Ha! Comedy Club 369 west 46th Street (near 9th Ave.)

Hopefully more to come!

Websites I Love

Here are a few of the websites I love to look at or have entertained me.

http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com

http://www.theonion.com

http://www.sportsguy.net

http://www.viceland.com

http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com

Enjoy them all. Any suggestions? Add a comment.

I Haven't Forgotten About You...

My little chicklets, I have not forgotten about you. But, I have been super busy. I am currently doing the work thing and stand-up twice a week. Soon to be more. When I have information about it, I'll let you know.

But....upcoming

June 2nd at 6-8pm
NY Comedy Club
(24th Street and 2nd Avenue)
Be there!!!!!

Another Five Movies to Add to Your Netflix List

You know the drill...

1. Poolhall Junkies (dir. Mars Callahan) A really great character piece and one of the few movies that gets how characters on the fringes of society get down. Lots of great scenes and two great monologues for Rod Steiger and Chris Walken. About 4 people saw it. Let's try to get that number up to ten.
2. Get Over It (dir. Tommy O'Haver) A funny and exceptionally campy film about teen love. The teen love part is predictable. But, the background stories, Marc Shaiman's score, and Martin Short's amazing performance as Dr. Desmond Forrest Oates. Hilarious!
3. Wild Things (dir. John McNaughton) Forget about the threesome which is what the guys remember. The noir is nice and twisty and the acting is good. It's one of the few films to feature Florida well and play up the "Redneck Riviera" vibe. There is some great self-aware performances from Theresa Russell, Robert Wagner, and the immortal Robert Wagner.
4. Playing By Heart (dir. Willard Carroll) A romantic and funny Altmanesque look at three sisters and their romances. There are other characters involved and much of the story rings true. Angelina Jolie and Ryan Phillipe steal the movie with a tender story with Gena Rowlands and Sean Connery. Every Valentine's Day my husband and I watch it.
5. Blow (dir. Ted Demme) The true story of drug dealer George Jung that will bring a tear to your eye. The acting is first rate and the soundtrack rocks. The movie soft peddles Jung, but makes the point that like Rick James said, "cocaine is a hell of a drug."

Five More Movies to Add to Your Netflix

Here they come again...

Go (dir. Doug Liman)- Great cast, funny script, and some really memorable scenes. The whole rave thing is going to seem dated now, but the characters and their situations make the movie still entertaining.

Starship Troopers (dir. Paul Veerhoven)- An unfairly maligned movie that people thought praised facism, not denouncing facism. The use of Anglo actors with Latino surnames is part of the satire. Look for great ideas about media and how all of us could become part of a proto-Nazi movement. "Service equals citizenship."

The Limey (dir. Steven Sodebergh)- Funny, sad, and clever. Terrence Stamp gives an amazing performance. Luis Guzman, Peter Fonda, and Nicky Katt all deliver good support. The story is a traditional revenge tale, but told boldly.

Undercover Brother (dir. Malcolm Lee)- Hilarious! One of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Clever and dumb, that is hard to pull off. Dave Chappelle steals the show as "Conspiracy Brother" and there are scenes skewing racism that are still laugh out loud funny to me.

Wonder Boys (dir. Curtis Hanson)- What a great movie. My husband enjoys movies where there are characters we grow to love and live with. This is a very smart movie that accurately captures English and creative arts departments with their unprofessional mingling of students and teachers. Well shot and well acted.

Middlebrow: A Definition

So, here are my conditions on being middlebrow. Feel free to send your own.

• vegetarianism
• public television/history channel/discovery/etc.
• bumble and bumble haircuts
• whole foods
• woody allen movies
• the new york times
• belittling mtv/reality tv/popular shows
• life of pi
• golf
• herbal essences shampoo
• new york/new yorker magazines
• for the oldsters, M*A*S*H (the originator of middlebrow)
• Other Music