A Place to Crash

Feel Good Friday: ‘Angels’ and ‘God’, On High

I was going to not post anything today, because I am completely and utterly obsessed with tomorrow’s DW finale, and I’m trying not to put my Twitter readers through more. But the folks at Robbie Williams News reminded me that it’s the 10th anniversary of Robbie Williams doing “Angels” at Glastonbury.

For everyone who hasn’t read his quasi-autobio, “Feel”, Rob was pretty much Amy Winehouse-gone when he recorded this song, which came from a fragment Rob thought up whilst looking at a waterfall in Ireland during a major bender. Unlike Amy, Rob had great management that made him stay in rehab long enough to stick eventually. But before he appeared at Glastonbury and sang this, he was basically known for getting kicked outta his band, a la Doherty.

It’s a credit to him as a performer that he made one great performance into the career he’s achieved everywhere but the U.S. And that’s what I love about festivals, even though I don’t really go to many anymore. You get everyone who has at least a couple of monster hits and lots of the folks on their way there. Like Tori at Glastonbury in ‘98, who I’ve been listening to also. Wow, the same year. And if you’re an old-school Tori fan (Fox, Brittney, Matt…) you need to hear this. So today you get two.

Actually, watch this one too. And this. Heck, watch the whole search results.

Now I’m going to fight off the urge to learn how to make fanvids so that I won’t make a Ten/Donna fanvid for this song, who is @mikeschmid on Twitter, one of those folks I friended and admire from afar. There’s a lot of indie artists on there like that. Check out @thehighwaygirl, too.

And that’s it, unless anyone wants to hear my new theory about what’s going to happen to Donna tomorrow. No? Really?

Edit: I lied. I have to add this fanvid, because 1) it’s incredibly awesome if you’re a TW/Doc slasher (as far as I’m concerned, they should move the show to Cinemax and let them all go for it. Kidding!) 2) Who doesn’t want to watch three hot men and a TARDIS? 3) Captain Jack’s got the most prolific scorecard ever, and 4) This is secretly one of my very favorite songs ever.

It is the one and only song Pete Wentz had association with that I can listen to, and I know this is going to ruin my rock cred worse than the fact that I ADORE Miley Cyrus’ cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. Okay, that’s it. I’m not sure that anyone will ever listen to me seriously about music again, ever. *wanders off to listen to The Cribs to help self-esteem*

Tags: 1998, doctor who, glastonbury, robbie williams, tori amos

Possibly the Best British Show Americans Will Never See

I’ve rarely been a huge fan of performance reality shows, at least since the season that Carrie Underwood won American Idol. But my new exception is Britain’s Got Talent. I’m not sure why this show kicks America’s Got Talent in the ass. It’s possible that America’s got no talent, but I doubt it.

Part of it are the presenters, Ant and Dec (Ant’s always on the left, and Dec’s on the right.) I’ve found few people who agree with me (at least out loud), but I find them endlessly entertaining. Dec can just waggle his eyebrows and he’s got me. This has nothing to do with them being big buddies of Robbie Williams, I swear. They’re just funny. They’re developing a show for the U.S., and they’re destined to be huge stars with the older set here. Younger folks will love to hate them.

Speaking of loving to hate, if you love to hate Simon Cowell, Britain’s Got Talent is like crack. Bitchy, snarky crack. He’s not afraid to roll his eyes or buzz any act, no matter how cute or like your grandparents they look. He’s also a complete horndog (as are Ant and Dec) and that’s become a running side gag. I guess he’s allowed to do that in the UK. He dresses better in the UK, too.

Piers Morgan, who was supposedly as mean as Cowell on America’s Got Talent, is the Randy Jackson of the group, minus the “Hey Dawg” every couple of minutes. He’s probably a lot like Stephen Fry would be if he judged a reality show. And Amanda Holden is Botoxed but sweet and sane. She’s the one who cries every time a hard-luck story comes up. But unlike Paula Abdul, she doesn’t mix up the acts while doing it. If you’re into such things, she’s got great breasts and doesn’t seem to know where her bra is.

The one weakness of the show is that the cute kids kinda take over. No one is not going to vote for the cute blonde kids who bebopped their way through the Tuesday night show (they were, appropriately, called the Cheeky Monkeys) or the little choir boy who had been bullied who won the viewer’s vote Tuesday. And the kid who streetdanced in the fake rain. Against that, it’s impossible for the equally talented adults to complete. Such as this contortionist, who had an accident during rehearsals and still competed with a busted-up face.

There are also the novelty acts. Some are quite good, like this really shy girl and her awesome dog, named Gin (he drank his owner’s gin once as a puppy.)

Some are very, very bad, like this couple’s weird magic act (notable because they’re clearly kinky and the woman wears awesome boots.) But half of the fun is figuring out how quickly they’ll be buzzed.

And this hoola-hoop trio, which might be my favorite act ever.

Finally, there are the kids who clearly honed their talents making YouTube videos. For some female eye candy, here’s Strike.

And because fair’s fair, here’s a belly dancer for the guys.

The semifinals are airing live every night across the pond. Thanks to the absolute IDIOTS who shut down LiveUKTV.com this week, I’m a day behind on watching this (note to UK networks — try getting American syndication before shutting down our access to your shows. We generate good buzz for y’all over here.) I will try to highlight more acts before the finals this weekend. In the meantime, follow them on Twitter.

Tags: ant and dec, britain's got talent, british television, simon cowell

Twitter Updates for 2008-05-25

• Just saw an extended trailer for the 2nd half of the season of Doctor Who. Hooyesssssss…. #
• Had food poisoning this morning, so I’m just now feeling like living again. #
• @thicke I d/led it from UKNova. DM me your email and I’ll try to do a Megaupload and send it. #
• I will say that Rose is not the only thing returning… #
• Retweeting @MackCollier: Now it’s literally He Said/She Said with Ariel/Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/5zbkhh #
• If Jodie doesn’t win I’d Do Anything on BBC1, I’m going to be really, really sad. She’s brilliant. #
• @thicke Yep. I haven’t found the trailer on YouTube yet, but there are spoiler photos there. #
• @thicke I’m uploading it, but it stopped at 85% and I’ve started over again. #
• Dear British presenters: Please retire the phrase, “Unleash the talent.” That includes you, Ant and Dec. #
• @Prokofy I hear the French are upset that their act sang in English too. Haven’t seen it yet. #
• A dog playing snooker on Britain’s Got Talent. Oooookay. #
• Doctor Who trailer for @thicke and anyone else who wants it: http://twurl.nl/66ya8d #
• @dougdockery LMAO. #
• @mbuckbee Heh, yes. He didn’t make it to the semifinals, tho. #
• @mightywombat He can also retrieve darts. Unfortunately, he didn’t get through. #
• @aubiematt Don’t do that! At least go outside. Hehehe. #
• Mama after seeing story @ Sen. Inoyae marrying… #
• “See Dana, there’s hope for anyone.” #
• Mama has no tact and the worst timing in the world. #
• @paxguy Gee, thanks. #

Twitter Updates for 2008-05-24

• Kevin Bondelli’s Twitter 404 page via FF: [http://twurl.nl/gv7dlv]. LMAO. #
• I’m so happy to be using Amelie again that I feel like crying and hugging the keyboard. #
• I think the thing I’m saddest about losing from the HD is my Firefox bookmarks. The list was a work of art. #
• I was going to go see Indiana Jones at Bridge Street, but they don’t sell tickets on Fandango. Bah. #
• @tyrsalvia Have del.icio.us and had the Firefox plugin but had never put my bookmarks on there. Big mistake on my part. #
• @mikedoe I wear knickers. The best way to be a sexy geek girl is to wear totally naughty knickers under the geek uniform. Adds attitude. #
• Retweet @politicsjunkie: Expect fireworks over at MSNBC tonight. Clinton invoking RFK’s assassination will result in an KO ‘Special Comment’ #
• KO is so totally not going to get an invite to the Clinton Christmas party this year. #
• Actually, the Special Comment is on now. #
• @GingerSnaps It was for awhile, but it’s back up. #
• @brittneyg Is that an actual song you have or did you make up the lyrics? My sister just got a Prius. #
• “FDA warns of harmful nipple cream”. I just love CNN.com. #
• @Karoli *hugs* I’m sorry and I’ll be thinking of you this weekend/ #
• @brittneyg I’ll have to find it and send it to Dawn. Thanks! #
• @mikedoe Of course! #
• Dear enforcers of UK license fees: F**k you, too. #
• *sings Happy Birthday to @oustcat* #
• Why is Icelandic pop so awesomely cheesy? #
• @Karoli You’re absolutely right. And it’s impossible to deny down here, because people are very blatent about it. #
• @Karoli I think we’d like to maintain the illusion that we’ve evolved behind the prejudices of our parents’ and granparents’. #
• Iceland’s Eurovision entry: http://twurl.nl/p7l6v5 #
• If you like eyecandy *coughs @paxguy and @mikedoe coughs* here’s the Ukraine’s entry: http://twurl.nl/05755h #
• @Karoli LMAO. That’s completely awesome. And true! #
• @Karoli Hopefully you’ll get a kick outta these guys: http://www.youtube.com/user/travisandjonathan #
• @Karoli I particularly like the gay marriage one. #
• @anthony5uah That’s what I tried to tell myself when it took 2 hrs to get anywhere in LA. #
• @Weaktwos It’s too bad you don’t live here. We could go to the DW convention this weekend in ATL. #
• @GeekMommy I think you’re 100 right on that. I suspect none of the folks talking to the public now have ever done that professionally before #
• @Weaktwos It would. I hope you’re planning to help me stalk Ianto at D*C. #
• @Weaktwos I wonder if girls will be flashing their boobs like they did when the Firefly cast was there. #
• @GeekMommy Very true. Every growing organization needs someone who can spin a crisis, because there always is one at some point. #
• @GeekMommy I also hope that they find someone who is strong enough to tell them when they’re barking up the wrong tree. #
• @GeekMommy Employing fans of your service is good, but sometimes you need a critical eye to show the flaws in logic before the public does. #
• @GeekMommy They’ve clearly got a great talent pool to work with. But the thing that stood out in the last few days is an aversion to critics #
• @GeekMommy I have no doubt theyll find someone or a group of someones who can advocate from both sides. They’d have to understand developmen #
• @dearsarah Been in your shoes, and it sucks. Hope you get it fixed quickly. #
• @Weaktwos Hehehehehe. #
• @GeekMommy Hope I wasn’t too harsh re: Twitter’s response. Part of me feels like I jumped on a bandwagon with the Ariel situation. #
• Pirates performing on Eurovision. Yeah, really: http://twurl.nl/xks6gg #
• I’m feeling the urge to pull back on my online presence, stop trying to email folks and just be a bit a hermit for awhile. #
• Sometimes I say too much, and sometimes I say WAAY too much and really mess things up, so saying nothing except in person or by voice… #
• …would eliminate me prodding people into convos they could care less about and saying the wrong thing during them and promote in-person. #
• Maybe it’s just time for me to go. Period. #

Twitter Updates for 2008-05-23

• I wonder if I’m brave enough to partition my new HD and install Win on it (after the Leopard install)? #
• It would be very helpful to be able to use IE and Win Media Player, but I’ve already killed one HD this week. #
• @mightywombat So it works well for you? That’s good to know. I was contemplating that also. #
• @mightywombat What processor speed do you have? I have the oldest MB 1.83, and I just wanna make sure it’ll be enough. #
• I didn’t realize @confession is the account with the TOS issue. Ohhhhh. *lightbulb above head flickers and finally lights up* #
• @mbuckbee http://snurl.com/2a759 #
• @misc2 Apparently so, according to a response on the GetSatisfaction post: http://twurl.nl/l0b5wn #
• @misc2 Apparently someone’s using @confession to make the harassing comments. Who is doing it is up for debate. #
• @mightywombat Looks like the processor will be fine, but it’s a good thing my new HD will be 200G, because it’ll need it. #
• @misc2 Yeah, that’s a pretty big thing to leave out. Although that account is spammy enough that you have to wonder why it’s stayed alive #
• @mbuckbee Yeah. Still not satisfied with the response, especially if the harassment continued past March. This is more than “a dispute”. #
• @mightywombat That’s good. The system requirements recommend quite a bit. I used every bit of my old HD (40G.) #
• Anyone in H’ville wanna go see Indiana Jones with me tonight? Bueller? #
• My HD just arrived! @aubiematt, lemme know when you want me to come by and pick up Amelie. #
• Will anyone be in town July 4 or 5 and wants to do a Tweetup? I can get free Stars tix if I know now. #
• @Tydna Yeah, but we might have to purchase some extra tickets if we get a bunch. However, there’s a deal w/ 4 for $10. #
• Our pet of the week is the most adorable bulldog/lab mix puppy. If I had a proper house, I would adopt her. She’s very calm and sweet. #
• @badbadivy I’ll put up video of her on the newscast later and let you know. #
• @chumworth Believe me, I’ve tried saying that over and over and all it does is make my coworkers think I’ve finally gone insane. #
• Picked up Amelie at from @aubiematt and have now decided that I want to just move into @digium. It was hard to come back to work. #
• I am about to replace the HD. *does sign of the cross, lights candles, puts my Patron Saint of the Internet statue next to MacBook* #
• @nitweet I know! One of my coworkers was remarking earlier this week that all the folks on the soaps that day were either shirtless or i … #
• Reinstalling the OS. So far so good. #
• Our IT guy (yes, we have only one here) ended up doing all the hardware work. I owe him a cake or something. #
• @Weaktwos I feel guilty, like I cheated at this or somethng. I just asked him if he had a screwdriver and he kinda took over. #
• @Weaktwos I think he was bored. And I probably would’ve broken it somehow, so he was probably sparing the bldg from my nervous breakdown. #
• It’s nice to see the calming blue peaceful Mac OS again after a week of PC hell. #
• @mikedoe If you lived here, people would assume you’re a general and would give you free crap (live next to Redstone Arsenal.) #
• @phinnia I think that was my own fault. I think when I installed Leopard, the HD saw all the new files and said, “You’ve GOT to be kidding.” #
• @phinnia Besides, my old Dell ate two HDs. So I can’t blame the OS, just the owner. #
• I should have done a custom reinstall. I don’t use iWeb and I doubt I’ll ever learn Finnish. #
• One nice thing about having to reinstall everything — I can finally install Twhirl on my Mac! #

Twitter Updates for 2008-05-23

• I wonder if I’m brave enough to partition my new HD and install Win on it (after the Leopard install)? #
• It would be very helpful to be able to use IE and Win Media Player, but I’ve already killed one HD this week. #
• @mightywombat So it works well for you? That’s good to know. I was contemplating that also. #
• @mightywombat What processor speed do you have? I have the oldest MB 1.83, and I just wanna make sure it’ll be enough. #
• I didn’t realize @confession is the account with the TOS issue. Ohhhhh. *lightbulb above head flickers and finally lights up* #
• @mbuckbee http://snurl.com/2a759 #
• @misc2 Apparently so, according to a response on the GetSatisfaction post: http://twurl.nl/l0b5wn #
• @misc2 Apparently someone’s using @confession to make the harassing comments. Who is doing it is up for debate. #
• @mightywombat Looks like the processor will be fine, but it’s a good thing my new HD will be 200G, because it’ll need it. #
• @misc2 Yeah, that’s a pretty big thing to leave out. Although that account is spammy enough that you have to wonder why it’s stayed alive #
• @mbuckbee Yeah. Still not satisfied with the response, especially if the harassment continued past March. This is more than “a dispute”. #
• @mightywombat That’s good. The system requirements recommend quite a bit. I used every bit of my old HD (40G.) #
• Anyone in H’ville wanna go see Indiana Jones with me tonight? Bueller? #
• My HD just arrived! @aubiematt, lemme know when you want me to come by and pick up Amelie. #
• Will anyone be in town July 4 or 5 and wants to do a Tweetup? I can get free Stars tix if I know now. #
• @Tydna Yeah, but we might have to purchase some extra tickets if we get a bunch. However, there’s a deal w/ 4 for $10. #
• Our pet of the week is the most adorable bulldog/lab mix puppy. If I had a proper house, I would adopt her. She’s very calm and sweet. #
• @badbadivy I’ll put up video of her on the newscast later and let you know. #
• @chumworth Believe me, I’ve tried saying that over and over and all it does is make my coworkers think I’ve finally gone insane. #
• Picked up Amelie at from @aubiematt and have now decided that I want to just move into @digium. It was hard to come back to work. #
• I am about to replace the HD. *does sign of the cross, lights candles, puts my Patron Saint of the Internet statue next to MacBook* #
• @nitweet I know! One of my coworkers was remarking earlier this week that all the folks on the soaps that day were either shirtless or i … #
• Reinstalling the OS. So far so good. #
• Our IT guy (yes, we have only one here) ended up doing all the hardware work. I owe him a cake or something. #
• @Weaktwos I feel guilty, like I cheated at this or somethng. I just asked him if he had a screwdriver and he kinda took over. #
• @Weaktwos I think he was bored. And I probably would’ve broken it somehow, so he was probably sparing the bldg from my nervous breakdown. #
• It’s nice to see the calming blue peaceful Mac OS again after a week of PC hell. #
• @mikedoe If you lived here, people would assume you’re a general and would give you free crap (live next to Redstone Arsenal.) #
• @phinnia I think that was my own fault. I think when I installed Leopard, the HD saw all the new files and said, “You’ve GOT to be kidding.” #
• @phinnia Besides, my old Dell ate two HDs. So I can’t blame the OS, just the owner. #
• I should have done a custom reinstall. I don’t use iWeb and I doubt I’ll ever learn Finnish. #
• One nice thing about having to reinstall everything — I can finally install Twhirl on my Mac! #

Twitter Updates for 2008-05-22

• I like Campbell Brown. She’s snarky. #
• Please, AI, no more strobelights. *shields eyes* #
• Please, AI, no more strobelights. Your epileptic and migraneur viewers will thank you. #
• No offense, AI fans, but do I really have to sit through 15 more minutes to find out who wins this season? This show is dancing on the shark #
• FYI, Robbie Williams was supposedly asked to be on tonight’s show and he refused. The George Michael thing is his fill-in. #
• Admittedly, George is better known in the U.S. And he was my first Brit crush. Him and Neil Tennant. My dad threw away my copy of “Faith”. #
• @newscoma DW’s on? *thinks about changing channels* You really need to come visit me and my awesome DW collection. #
• George Michael’s going on tour? Who’s going to see him with me? He’s gotta be making a Nashville stop. @gingersnaps? #
• Twitter AI lovers: There is a British show you should be watching called Britain’s Got Talent. Cowell judges it too. MUCH better than AI. #
• @GingerSnaps That would be awesome! I need a concert-going buddy. I haven’t seen anyone since Sting at Starwood. #
• I’m genuinely shocked. In a good way. #
• @mikedoe I’m so shocked. Who knew they’d bring Sangia back and name him the surprise winner? #
• @idreamahwy Unless you’re obsessed with Britpop, you’ll probably be incompatible with me. #
• One of Steven Curtis Chapman’s kids was killed this afternoon: http://snurl.com/2a0ui . Very sad. #
• @GingerSnaps The really sad thing is this is the 2nd time I’ve seen that exact thing happen. SUVs have a really big blind spot. #
• We did a story about a father who accidentally ran over his daughter near Raleigh the same way. Horrible problem people don’t know about. #
• @ColleenCoplick I misread the name in your Tweet and thought my clone was with you. #
• Retweeting @waynesutton: The NBA is live streaming the playoffs with 4 camera angles http://tinyurl.com/3hnpe6 #
• @mightywombat I generally agree about AI. Always watch the finals tho. #
• @waynesutton If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you some professional phone advice before the new iPhone comes out. Making a decision. #
• @mojodenbow Is it worth the price? Trying to decide between an iPhone and a Wii+Wii Fit. #
• @mojodenbow Is it worth the price? Trying to decide between a new iPhone and a Wii+Wii Fit. #
• Nah, wanted 2 get u something 4 ur bday anyway. #
• My laptop Amelie is officially dead. Well, the HD is. If anyone has suggestions on a repl. drive, lemme know. Doubt I can find one in town. #
• Just ordered the replacement HD for Amelie. It should arrive tomorrow. It’s five times bigger than the original, which is pretty nice. #
• @nitweet Has anyone put up an online condolence page yet? I’d love to link to something like that. We did one for Rick Burgess’ son. #
• @GingerSnaps Thanks! #
• @brittneyg From experience, it’s very easy for a headphone cord to get shredded in a vacuum cleaner. #
• Through looking for SCC stuff to add to our story, I started looking at his adoption site. Is there such a thing as an adoption bio clock? #
• This is something I don’t talk about publicly much, but I had a son who was born stillborn 14 years ago. Chances are I won’t give birth agai