Music Monday - Josh Joplin, Erato and Tim Minchin (again!)

Happy President's Day Music Monday!

I heard Josh Joplin for the first time on Letterman. I don't usually listen to the musical guest at the end of the show unless I've heard of them but he had a folksy sound so I decided to give him a try. He was promoting his new album, "The Future That Was," and this is the song that made me buy his excellent album.

 Erato is a Swedish vocal group and this video is something that someone shared on Twitter. Just shows what you can do with harmony, clapping and butter tubs.

Another one from the brilliant Tim Minchin. Again, a little religiously irreverent but fun. The appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show, however, was removed before airing even after the song he was going to play was reviewed by ITV standards.

Have a rockin' Monday!

Funny Friday - Marc Maron, Andres du Bouchet and Maria Bamford

It's hereeeeeeee... Funny Friday!

Marc Maron is one of the smartest and most honest comics I know. His mix of self-observation and social criticism sits so right with me I'm often saying to myself, "Why didn't I think of that? That's exactly what I think/feel." This bit, posted by fellow comic Ari Shaffir, is one of my favorite comic stories of all time - partly because it's hilarious; mostly because it carries in it a truth about life.

Andres du Bouchet is a very funny guy. His album, "Naked Trampoline Hamlet," was one of the best comedy releases of last year. (What I'm saying here is you should check it out.) It's unpredictable, surreal and laugh-out-loud hysterical. Andres works on Conan as a staff writer and you will see him quite often playing characters for the show. This is an early version of a bit from his album but doesn't represent the great character work he does on the same CD.

Maria Bamford kills me every time I see her. Every time. She's brilliant, adorable and hilarious. I saw her at the Laughing Skull in Atlanta and it was one of the favorite shows I've ever had the privilege of seeing. Characters, voices, hard truths about life - Maria brings it all. I love this appearance on John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show because it shows the gamut of what she does as a comedian.

Thursday Feel Good Story - It's Not Always About Winning...

I always enjoy when I find a story like this. It gives me a bit of hope for the future:



Kudos to both of them.

Why There Was No Top Ten List For Valentine's Day

So I was writing a blog post yesterday. The topic: Top Ten Women I Know From Twitter Who Don't Have A Date For Valentine's Day.

I was almost done and I scrapped it - intentionally. Part of it was I realized it was a bit of an intrusion on people's lives; part of it was I couldn't actually verify that they weren't dating someone and I didn't want to present false information about someone.

So I've salvaged what I could from my first attempt at a post and changed my focus a little - why these smart, interesting, beautiful women might not have men in their lives.

I've read in past articles with supermodels that some don't date a lot. Why? Because they don't get asked out a lot. Men, they believe, are too intimidated by their beauty, stature or notoriety to think they have a chance of getting a "yes." It's a believable notion.

No matter what women might think, asking someone out can be a daunting task, even for the most confident of males. Even men who exude a boldness and brashness when approaching a potential date feel the sting of rejection. They may cover it with an dim-witted comment to their friends after returning to their group ("She must be a lesbian," "She's not as pretty when see her face-to-face") but their ego and confidence still hurt.

So funny, talented, gorgeous women like Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples, Date Night) and Rebecca Mader (Lost) - who I use as examples only because they openly said online that they didn't have plans for February 14 - might remain dateless for months because no one actually asks.

But there could also be other reasons, a major one of which I tried to sum up in a tweet the other day:

Some women keep themselves on the sideline because of past relationships that have gone sour. Not wanting to risk the pain of an unfaithful man or a reasonless break-up, they choose to keep themselves in a coccoon of solitude. I know I've done it - fairly recently in fact. It's a natural reaction to pain, in short to avoid it, and it's hard to fault anyone who takes that route.

Within the past few months, I've given myself a new directive. I included it in a blog post last week: "Go ahead, ask her." It's something I've never given myself permission to do in the past. I was always to afraid of putting myself out there. But I have always liked a quote by Basil King - "Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid" - so I'm trying to follow its advice now.

This isn't to mean I'm asking out every woman I meet. I tend to be picky about the women I date and need to get to know them some before I ask. (I think I've asked three women out in the last five months.) But I am giving myself those opportunities when I see something special in someone.

So what's the point of this? Well, first, it's not to place blame on the fairer sex. I think women can be called that not only because they are more attractive than the cretins men can be. But I also think they are, on average, "fairer" when it comes to affairs of the heart.

I think what I'm trying to say is consciously be more kind, respectful and gentle when dealing with each other in relationships - whether it's the blossoming of one or deep into the grit of one. The scars we leave on our past loves not only affect them and you - but the rest of us trying to get just that first date.

Yep, I Live In The South...

I was filling my car at the gas station today when I saw this at the pump next to mine:

No, this man was not being attacked by a rabid raccoon - it is his pet. He said he found it when it was 2 days old and raised it after its mother never returned. The raccoon is now 9 years old and, as the owner put it, "quite a handful." Several people came up to take pictures and pet it through the truck window.

Just one more thing I'd probably never see if I lived in the city.

Another Glimpse of Me in 'Wanderlust'

Here's a still of me hiding behind Alan Alda's shoulder. I think this was the first day I shot and was surprised because I didn't know he was part of the film. Needless to say, it was a good shock because he's someone I've always admired in entertainment.

The woman at my table is Jamie, who I recently found out teaches Hapkido at my YMCA. The little kid's name is Ian. He was a ton of fun, always trying to gross us out before and after takes. I didn't know it at the time but he was actually a credited actor in the film, with a few lines.

Here's the complete clip:

Really fun shoot, which is rare in extra work!

Music Monday - RUSH, Paul Simon and Sting

Going to cover some of my favorite musical performers/bands for this edition.

RUSH has been together for what seems like forever. And when I say "been together," it's just that - the same three talented musicians playing together since July 1974. They are the kind of band that are referenced as influences for other great musicians through the years. This is from what is probably my favorite album of theirs, the live "Show of Hands." The song, "Mission," is probably my favorite RUSH song of all time. It's about what it takes to be successful star and the toll it can take.

I don't think Paul Simon needs any type of introduction. Starting with Simon & Garfunkel, he has always stood out as one of the great American songwriters of the day. Love this single, "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes," from his much-lauded "Graceland" album for its smooth, soulful sound.

Another great songwriter and performer I've been a long-time fan of is Sting. From his earliest days with The Police through his jazz period to today, he continues to put out superb music. This song, "Why Should I Cry For You?" is from his under-rated "Soul Cages" album.