Rinse. Wash. Repeat - Happy Halloween!

The Scariest Halloween Ever!

When your oldest child is only 4 years old there aren't many things that can come out of his/her mouth that strike fear in the heart of a parent. Perhaps repeating something rude and/or crude (but not my child!) that a parent says (I'm looking at you Wheels) in public or in church. I would dare say that my current least favorite/most feared phrase is, "Mommie, I just threw up."

About 2:28 in the AM this morning Wheels and I heard these frightening words come out of the mouth of Sweet Pea. Sadly (or fortunately) Wheels and I know exactly what to do in these situations. Wheels takes P into the bathroom and strips her out of her jammies and puts her in the tub while I remove the soiled sheets from her bed. I then stop by the bathroom, pick up the skanked up jammies and head downstairs to the tub and rinse out the vomit soaked items. Good times. 20 min later the laundry was going, the bed had clean sheets, a bathed P had on fresh jammies, a vomit bowl and a cup of 7-up and Wheels and I were back in bed and almost asleep.

Then it happened... A creaky door in the distance... The faint pitter patter of tiny feet... Could it be that in the midst of this financial crisis Wheels had found a golden arm and stolen it from a coffin and a spurned ghost was returning for vengeance??? The foot steps got closer and closer... Our bedroom door opened... I hid under the covers in fear and then heard the horrifying, whiny voice squeak out, "Mommie, I threw up... again!!!" Rinse. Wash. Repeat.

Postscript:

This is like the end of the movie when you think it's over but there is one last jump scene. So after we got P washed up and back in a clean bed she came in and wanted to sleep in our bed. Not wanting to take the chance of her losing whatever remained in her tiny stomach in our bed I volunteered to sleep in her bed with her. I defy someone to come up with a more hellish night then sleeping in a twin bed with a squirmy four year old who has recently thrown up in said bed twice in one hour's time. Not to mention when the four year old has the hiccups and so you lay in bed praying that the next hiccup won't bring more than you bargained for.

So on that note - Happy Halloween! Here are two classic videos to get you in the mood for tonight. Have a safe, fun and vomit free night!

Monday Night - The Music You Should Be Listening To Right Now: Special Concert Edition

This week those of us in the Greater Salt Lake Valley will actually have some choices for excellent concerts. Sadly thanks to the piss poor economy I had to choose only one show to attend but that won't stop me from spreading the love and offering choices to my dear readers of The Skog Blog.

First up - tomorrow night and my personal choice for the week - Mr. Ray LaMontagne. This concert was scheduled for the Murray Theater but 'due to popular demand' it was moved to Saltair. Saltair is THE worst venue in the state and I dare say the world. Oh well, I will press on. Tix are only $18 and should be an excellent show. Tix available at Smithtix.

Here are a couple of my favorite Ray selections.

Trouble



Burn



How Come (apparently this was in The Devil Wears Prada - who knew?)



Also tomorrow night at the E-Center is Jason Mraz. I know, I know. A lot of people like to hate on Mraz but I happen to like the guy. Wheels and I had the pleasure of seeing him open for Gomez before his debut album came out and he was awesome live. It was just him, a stand up bass player and his bongo playin sidekick Toca Rivera who sings and harmonizes with the voice of an angel. I have seen Mraz a few times so I opted for Ray but I do love me some Mraz. This is him way back in the day, 2002 when I saw him the first time. I'm pretty sure the E-Center show won't be as good as seeing him in a coffee shop but enjoy this anyway...

On Love, In Sadness



Wednesday night another quality show comes to town. I am very upset that I will be missing this show but something about me being gone all last week at a trade show and wanting to stay married to Wheels so I will have to miss out on Joshua Radin and Missy Higgins. Both are attractive and talented singer/songwriters. I would LOVE to see this show. Don't be foolish like me. Attend this one. Wednesday 10/29 at In The Venue. Tix are only $15 for the both of them and are available on 24tix.com.

Where I Stood



Steer (Kind of has an Alanis thing going on with this song)



Winter - Joshua Radin



Only You - (I realize this isn't cover song Sat Night but this is too good)



Star Mile



Enjoy the shows my friends.

Cover Song Saturday Night

To wrap up my little Elliott Smith Tribute week, here are two covers BY Elliott and then two covers OF Elliott.

Elliott singing 'Revolution'



Another Beatles' cover, 'Blackbird'



Now here is Metric singing 'Between the Bars'



And for our grand finale, I give you Sad Kermit performing, 'Needle in the Hay.'

Elliott Smith - RIP

Five years ago today the world lost a musical genius. Other than Ben Folds, no other songwriter has brought me more joy, happiness, sadness and pain than Elliott Smith. He passed away at the young age of 34 only weeks after playing his final show, strangely enough, at the University of Utah. I will forever be glad that I was in attendance that night.

I first learned of Elliott's music from the film Good Will Hunting. The director Gus Van Sant was a big fan of Elliott and the director featured Elliott's music prominently in the film. After purchasing the soundtrack to the film and nearly wearing it out in a week, I purchased his first three albums shortly thereafter.

Elliott's early music was Simon and Garfunkel type folk, very simple. As he grew more confident, his music expanded into a Beatlesesque mix of pop and rock. He ended up putting out 5 solo studio albums during his life and his estate has released 1 album that was near completion before his death and another album of rarities posthumously.

Here are a few selections from Elliott's large collection of masterpieces:



















Here is a clip from his final performance at the UofU. He looks like a mess. It's horribly sad.




Elliott, I hope you have found your peace.

KG

UPDATE - 11:52 AM

Here is a nice article I read today. Just wanted to pass it along.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/ctrl-v/2008/10/remembering-elliott-smith.html

Monday Night - The Band That You Should Be Listening To Right Now

Welcome to New Music Monday Night. I have a special announcement tonight but first let's get to the music. I recently saw the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and loved it. In the film Michael Cera's fictional band, The Jerkoffs, open for a real life band by the name of Bishop Allen. I was reminded of how much I enjoy that little band. Bishop Allen consists of two friends who lived together on Bishop Allen Drive after attending Harvard University. They put out their first album, Charm School in 2003 after recording songs in their bedroom for a few years. In 2006 they decided to create an EP every month in order to help master the art of songwriting. Finally in 2007 they were signed to a major label and released their second album, The Broken String in July.

Here is a small sampling of their songs:

Click, Click, Click, Click from the Broken String




Middle Management with footage from Nick and Norah




Things Are What You Make of Them (Sorry this video sucks so bad)




So perhaps you liked them? Perhaps you did not. IRREGARDLESS, I would like to announce that Bishop Allen is coming soon in concert to our neck of the woods. I have never seen them live. The only person I know who has seen Bishop Allen many times is Flanksteak (zing!) Because of this I would like to announce the First Annual (bi-annual, quarterly, who knows) Skog Blog Meet, Greet and Mingle. On November 14th (it's a Friday don't worry) Bishop Allen will be playing at Kilby Court. Tickets are only $8. Have you ever wondered what Vanwarmer looks like? Interested in meeting AB or KG in person? Per chance you are intrigued as to how hot Wheels really is? Or maybe you would like to spend the night engaged in conversation with Corbie or Spammon? Everyone is invited (even you Brohammas, book your flight.) More details will follow depending on interest level. Skog Bloggers already confirmed to be in attendance are KG, Wheels, AB, Vanwarmer, Flanksteak and his lovely wife. Come on readers, dinner and a night of good tunes. It's cheaper than a movie. I'll even provide the nametags...

http://www.24tix.com/event.html?show_id=KT2093521217209356012925

Who Is Belladonna?

Saturday afternoon we were graced with an anonymous comment that stated 'Jean Smart IS hot, no matter what her age!' by a phantom poster named 'Belladonna.' Truer words have never been spoken or written. So who is this 'Belladonna?' Could it be Stevie Nicks herself? Please come forward and show your true identity oh wise one.

Cover Song Saturday Night

The weather has been so strange. Last weekend we got 4 inches of snow and today felt like summer. Well in memory of what could possibly be our last day of summer for the year here are some Beach Boys cover songs. Enjoy

If Lovin' "X" is Wrong Then I Don't Wanna Be Right...

There has been quite a bit of talk around the blogosphere regarding celebrity crushes or people that we all find attractive. I would like to think that I normally only find people attractive that have some kind of substance to go along with their outer beauty (like Wheels - yes I am kissing some butt.) Since it is Friday night and time to discuss things of which we are ashamed and in honor of Mr. Patrick 'Ronald/Donald Miller' Dempsey, I would like to present - My Top 5 People That I Find Attractive Yet of Which I Am Horribly Ashamed...


#5 - Jean Smart

This lady could be my mother. She played the president's wife on 24 a few seasons back and at one point I said to Wheels, "This is gross but I find her strangely attractive."

#4 - Christina Aguilera

The girl is a talented singer but I am not a fan of her voice. I think she oversings and tries way too hard in both her style and her performance. However, when she pulls her skanky self onstage, sadly I can't stop watching.

#3 - Kim Kardashian

This girl's only discernible 'talent' is that she is rich, skanky, and has a large behind. Truly a person that sucks at life. And still I find her wildly attractive. I am so very ashamed.

#2 - Jessica Simpson

Not only is she one of the dimmest bulbs on the planet, she is also dating Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. Mr. Romo is the QB on my fantasy football team and as a 49er fan that would be like choosing Lucifer to be the captain of your scripture chase team in Seminary. Because of this I hate myself even more for being attracted to Mrs. Romo.

#1 - The Skanktastic Mariah Carey

Remember back when Vision of Love came out and she was an innocent little gal with an amazing voice? The girl who was so talented that she singlehandedly forced Whitney Houston into a depression and dependency on crack? Well what the crap ever happened to that girl? These days Ms. Carey is as crazy as a country day is long and possibly the skankiest singer currently working today. If anyone hasn't seen her legendary performance on MTV Cribs than I implore you to search it out.

What are my conclusions? Apparently I am a real fan of skanks, but if lovin skanks is wrong then I don't wanna be right. Please share your shameful crushes. Your secrets are safe here.

My Girls Want To Party All the Time (Technical Difficulties)

Toots turned 1 on Monday and Sweet Pea turned 4. I have spent the last 3 hours trying to upload some video and have experienced nothing but problems. I have stories to tell but I'm saving them until I can fix this post. Here are a few pics to tide everyone over...

The Pepsi Challenge

I didn't want it to have to come to this but let's take the Pepsi Challenge. Please post your vote in the comments.

Ben Folds Five Reunion - The Update

Quick update on the reunion show. Myspace still has not posted the concert footage, however, today I noticed that there is some fan footage from the concert.

Go to http://www.nowwhat.com/ and click on Ben Folds Five concert event. Then click on the notecard that says "Watch Fan Interviews Now." On the right hand side there are thumbnail pictures, click on the one that looks suspiciously like the shirt that Vanwarmer is wearing above entitled, "Who is Reinhold Messner." Watch and enjoy. Keep an eye out for the two handsome gents at the end of the clip.

Monday Night - The Music You Should Be Listening To Right Now

Although my last foray into music from Scandivia was not exactly received with enthusiasm I will press on and present to you, from Norway, the one and only Sondre Lerche.

Sondre began playing the guitar at the age of eight and wrote his first song at fourteen. Soon after he started performing acoustic gigs at a club where his sister worked. Slowly he began to create a following until he released his first album Faces Down in Norway in 2000. Success in Europe and critical acclaim in the United States occurred in 2002 when his debut album finally arrived in the US.

Sondre continued releasing albums until finally breaking into the mainstream in the United States when he was chosen to score the soundtrack to the film Dan In Real Life. Sadly he was snubbed by the Oscars, I mean Enchanted needed to have 5 songs nominated for Best Song, but his songs were heard by many and he finally obtained some commercial success.

There's not much more to say about this kid. I say kid, he's actually 26 but still looks like he's maybe 17. And he's a dead ringer for Wheels' brother Marc.

Here is a large sampling of his music. It is a mix of 60's pop, psychedelia and a little bit of jazz. Listen to it. Love it. Share it with others. This kid deserves more fans.

First song is titled Modern Nature. This was the first song of Sondre's that I ever heard while listening to XM Radio with Wheels. I thought it was from some strange musical and searched out Sondre and the rest is history. I have no idea what this video is:



Ok now comes a rapid fire group of songs. Enjoy.















And finally here's Sondre performing at last year's Sundance Film Festival. If only I knew someone who could hook me up with passes to the Sundance Music Cafe. That would be awesome...

Cover Song Saturday Night

Wheels has been out of town all weekend. As I write this Sweet Pea and myself are enjoying the Jungle Book so here is a little Louis Armstrong performing "Bare Necessities."



I still haven't come down from my Ben Folds Five high so here's them doing a cover of the Flaming Lips classic, "She Don't Use Jelly." This was recorded about 10 years ago and gives you a good idea of what they looked like and why Flanksteak commented that they haven't aged well...



My friend over at Random Musings has waged an epic battle the past few weeks coming up with an all time top ten list of favorite songs. In honor of her struggle here are a few covers:

Robert Plant singing "If I Were A Carpenter"



Smashing Pumpkins' version of "Landslide" - I have no idea what the crap is going on in this video just enjoy the tune.



And finally to bring our mellow Saturday Night to a close here is Toad the Wet Sprocket doing a slowed down rendition of the Kiss anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite."

If Lovin' "X" is Wrong Than I Don't Wanna Be Right...

Most people love the television show The Office, myself included. Wheels and I were fans of the original British series and have loved the American version as much or more than the BBC version. I don't feel like I'm going out on a limb though by saying that towards the end of the last season it had started to lose its fastball and had been surpassed by 30 Rock as the best comedy on network TV but it was still better than 98% of anything else on TV.

Wheels and I watched the Season Premiere last week with great anticipation. Because of the writers' strike there had not been anything good on TV for several months. We were excited enough that we nearly watched it live rather than TIVO delayed, commercials be damned. We chuckled a few times at Creed (as always) and Kelly's "Mike Skousen" flush detox diet. We laughed as Phyllis talked about her juggs and generally enjoyed the episode. However, it just wasn't quite up to its normal standards. Something was a bit off. As it ended I turned to Wheels and said, "I'm not gonna lie, I enjoyed the Chuck premiere more than that."

That's right. Chuck. I am here to say tonight (a day late, I apologize) that I love Chuck. For those of you who aren't familiar with the premise: Chuck is a smart guy who was kicked out of Stanford for supposedly cheating and now works at a fictional Best Buy store as an IT guy (think the Geek Squad.) His old college roommate, who just happens to be a super spy, sends Chuck an email that upon reading downloads years of government secrets into Chuck's brain making him a government secret weapon/spy as well. Sounds ridiculous? It is. But it is very tongue in cheek and gosh Wheels and I love Chuck. When I say 'Wheels and I love Chuck' I'm not just talking about the show. We both have a crush on Zachary Levi who plays the title character. I defy you to find a more charming leading man currently on television. I'm also quite fond of his partner the little blonde number in the above picture. Some well respected Skog Blog commenters such as AB and Kim like to mock Wheels and I and frequently ask us if we finish up Chuck and then fire up According to Jim and Two and A Half Men. Well all I'm saying is there are worse ways to kill an hour than Chuck and if loving it is wrong than I don't wanna be right.

Note: Chuck can be seen Monday Nights on NBC at 7 pm. The Skog Blog is not employed by NBC and has never received compensation for endorsing Chuck.