Tie Tuesday - Utah FTMFW!

Woke up, showered, applied more aloe vera, threw on comfy gear, grabbed my espresso con pana (thanks Kim!)and headed to work. Chatting with Adame when Utah strolls over with a very disspointed look on his face. Oh snap, it's Tie Tuesday. Here he is rocking a 100% polyester number from York Lancashire - and it's not white! Well done Utah, well done.

Belated Music Monday: Coco Steel & Lovebomb

Back from the Virgin Islands and feeling chill, thought a good bossanova would be appropriate on this belated Music Monday. Here is Coco Steel & Lovebomb with their awesomesauce hit, Yachts.
Bon Appétit!

Tie Tuesday - Good news, bad news

I think we all look a little bloated, (sorry dudes) too many shenanigans on Monday to roll in on Tie Tuesday without appearing a slightly puffy. (Except for Utah, of course.) Fortunately, I see Amazon Amy for a training session tonight and tomorrow. Though a weird coincidence delivered my Tudal Winery shipment today. Odd.

Downstairs Bruce is rocking the Urban Outfitters BDG black skinny tie, we learned why Utah only has white ties, and Adame in a kickass Claiborne that this picture doesn't do justice.

Yup, another Brioni on the Gfunk - had NO idea that it's blue (not black) until Matty took a hi-def snap. But really, I'll I'm thinking about is where I'll be in 48 hours. Boo ya!



GOOD NEWS
We are thiiiiiiiiis much closer to launching Flip Flop Fridays. (Stick your thumb and forefinger a millimiter apart and scream OH YEAH!) Just waiting on the go-ahead from the man.

BAD NEWS
And now, sadly, I have to report that Downstairs Bruce informed me that they're taking a summer hiatus from Tie Tuesdays. *gasp* WHAT? Apparently our collective tie mojo is just too much for those dudes on three. C'est la vie Brucey-boy, but I ain't a quitter.

Double Dose of Music Monday - The Vaccines & Anberlin

"Post Break-Up Sex" by The Vaccines.
A British band, currently touring North America with the Artic Monkeys, are pretty good stuff. Kudos to Adame who also heard this for the first time coming into work today. You can learn more about them right heeeeeere: http://www.thevaccines.co.uk/us/home/

And here's your double dose of awesomeness, a little ditty by a band called Anberlin called "Impossible". This will be a good one at the gym, I can just tell.

Tie Tuesday

Wacky little Brioni number that looks like a Jackson Pollock, paired with a polka dot top and jeans. I even have a small pompadour and chunky earrings. Mixed feedback on the awesomesauce of the ensemble, but I heart it. I mean, check out this tie!




Adame is rocking a Tommy Hilfiger, very niiiiiiiice. Utah has a lovely pearlescent Croft & Barrow, classic. Waiting on the rest of the dudes to roll in. Happy Tie Tuesday.

Music Monday - Triple Threat!

HAPPY MONDAY!
Someone fed me rum balls in my sleep, I'm almost positive. That's the story I'm going with anyway. I'm indecisive, so I'm going to pick three songs for today's MM. "You can't do that G!" Oh yes, I can. It's my bloggy blog.

1) "Eyes Be Closed" by Washed Out. If you're feeling beachy, ready for a vacation to - oh, I don't know... ST THOMAS! (11 days!) - then this song is for you. Moby-esque. Could easily be a substitute for any of the chilltastic tunes you'll hear this summer by the pool.


2) "Whirring" by The Joy Formidable. For my artsy reader, take a look at the video. Someone put A LOT of effort into this. The song is cool, gets stuck in your head though, so be careful. (Not stuck in your head like a "Come Sail Away" or "I'm blue da ba dee" but still catchy.

3) "Echoes" by Klaxons. Here's one for a fast drive into the sunset. And yes, I heard this first on XMU, not from Need For Speed. Drummer is pretty radical.

Music Monday - Lykke Li, "Little Bit"

She very well might be from the moon, Lykke Li has been dominating the XMU waves for quite some time. While I was planning to post Fleet Foxes "Lorelai" (which I reserve the right to do so at a later date,) this is a little bit weird and catchy, great way to start the week, not to mention the dude in what looks like lederhosen rocking out in the living room.

I feel pretty and witty and bright

FINALS! Ham Sandwich vs. Trampled By Turtles

STOP! I know my three readers and you look at this blog in passing on the weekend. Have you read the previous posts? If not, you're missing out, there's some good stuff in there. Well, not really. But don't want you to be spoiled (even though the finalists are in the blog post title, c'est la vie.)

It's almost one am. Hubster is fighting the good fight against a horde of fast-moving zombies. Boopins at my feet being all cute and fuzzy. Tummeh is feeling better. I'm counting down the days to St Thomas and those clear, blue waters. Almost out of liquor (damn you Texas and your Blue Laws.) *drink* Aaaaand, I'm officially out. Might have a few Coronitas in the fridge... hold please.

One and a half Coronitas later (I'm a klutz, the boops got some beer on the floor) and I'm ready for the final decision.

What started as a silly idea morphed into a musical exploration. One that, I am proud to say, has introduced me to some really great tracks from bands that I would not have likely found on my own. And I do like me some XMU.

Have my reviews been helpful? Likely the answer is "nein", but I'll take that in stride. Did you enjoy yourself? (I'm talking to you, Adame.) I think you have. Was a portion of this exercise in direct correlation to the Great Eckert Fisticuffs of 2011? Yes. During the duration of this process, was my necklace with the 1947 meteorite stolen from my house? Yes, although I have hope of it turning up somewhere. So there you go.

So who is the winner? (BTW - I'm swaying and a rocking to "Baby's Got Sauce" by G.Love, as it reminds me of the dive bars in San Diego with Cookie and Nellie. I'm eyeballing the 5 fluid ounces of Corona left and thinking that one more can't hurt the old liver.) Aw shucks, it is now time to crown one band the official winner, Best Band Name at 2011 SXSW.

AND THE WINNER IS...

I don't think it will come as much of a surprise, but let the drums roll... The winner of the egotraipsing blog 2011 competition for Best Band Name at 2011 SXSW is... Ham Sandwich. Great and unexpected tunes.

And to sum up (too late) I'm going to post a video by something else unexpected. He's probably a douche. He makes ridiculous faces. But a very high contender for best performances I've seen live (with the caveat that Coldplay at the Mayan in LA doesn't count.) I challenge you to listen to this song in its entirety. Waffles to anyone who can prove that they have.

ROUND FOURTEEN - Sex With Strangers vs Ham Sandwich

Keeping with the previous theme (if you haven't read that post, then skip this and read Round Thirteen first. It's okay, we will be here waiting for you.)

Sex With Strangers - Um, no facebook presence? Only myspace? Wow, it's 1996. Where is the swag? No t-shirts? There's no official website? I know you're Canadian, but this is kinda ridic. I still heart you, I still rock out to your tuneage, but kinda sad that there's no awesomeness to back it up. Though you have made awesome videos...

Ham Sandwich - 1,344 FB fans (hmm, let's make it 1,345.) Though, 7,654 on myspace. No t-shirt, unless you count the ones that aren't about the band - in which case, those are awesome, google ham sandwich t-shirt. Website, again... nada.

I'm disappointed in both showings... so going with my gut.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Hard decision. Leaving it to the hubster to decide. "I like Ham Sandwich personally." And there you have it. Leave it to a Boston Irish Catholic to pick the band from Ireland. So now the ultimate face off! Trampled By Turtles versus Ham Sandwich!

ROUND THIRTEEN - Friendly Fires versus Trampled By Turtles

I find myself in a unique position.

One, because I am back in my jammy jams after an evening about town with Ringo & Devo - great time, too bad that Abacus' lobster shooters gave us shooting from the other end (TMI, sorry Clayton, but it's true) - and therefore not in a fantastical need to write tonight, but prevail I must!

Two, I have my new pretty pretties MacBook Pro and transferring ten years worth of music from the craptastic PC tower, therefore, I want to write in this here bloggy blog during the lull. I know my three readers are dying to know who wins the competition for Best Band name at SXSW; cannot let ya'll down.

And finally, last but not least, I have listened to pretty much all of the songs I am going to by each band. How the honey badger am I going to pick a winner?

Well, you're still reading, so I'll tell you. A combination of facebook fans, best t-shirt, coolest website and sheer random Gfunky gut selection. As Ford Dent would say, Don't Panic! Let's get this show on the road.

FRIENDLY FIRES - 137, 594 fans, martinis on the t-shirt, good website - very colorful and informative. (Hey Bueno, tell your bro they'll be in DC on May 26th, Memorial Day weekend - he might like them.)

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES - 37,900 devoted fans, a more awesome website where you can instantly listen to tracks, and a check out the pretty rad t-shirt below. (Hogi, they'll be in Sacto on May 19th - $12! at Harlow's - sadly, no shows in my neighborhood planned.)

AND THE WINNER IS...

Going to go with Trample By Turtles. Just a great band name, really. They're jam-erific and seem to have an innate quality that makes me want them to win. And since I'm the sole judge, that is the verdict.

What I learned today - Month of April

Sorry for the delay (to my three readers), but with any luck I will be a new Mac laptop owner this evening! Weeeeeeeee!

• Be nice to American Airlines crew and they'll upgrade you to first class
• I don't know how to spend $10,000,000
• G g g g g g g glynie and her jets!
• Bernie might be related to Gary Coleman
• Don't argue with Kelvin at lunchtime
• Tils is a word. Lits is not.
• They don't take out bad kidneys when you get a new one.
• Delete your sent email.
• Rugen can roll down windows.
• American Airlines doesn't give points to companions. Booooo.
• Adame has a duuuuuuuuumb bordation.
• Name of the blonde singer in the Muppets… Janis!
• Barbara and her hubby are uber mystery shoppers.
• Things about net cumulative stuff.
• The right of prima nocta

Belated Music Monday - The Knife

I know, I know... you are still waiting on the results from the corner finals.

My home PC officially died, I'm in the process of purchasing a Mac, been travelling a lot and still don't have my iPad2 yet (surprisingly, Glo went down and bought one yesterday, so there's that. Mom FTMFW!) So, haven't had a moment to really review the music and blog back.

I DID however have some fantastic truffle Mac n Cheese at the Four Seasons in Miami last night. So, we're making progress on the ultimate fancy pants foodie search.

In the interim, enjoy this song by The Knife called "You Make Me Like Charity".
"It's super cute and fun to drive!"