Celebrations And Solstice

I am oftentimes the first adult that one of my high school art students comes out to. Boys, girls, non-binary or transgender, gay, lesbian or bisexual… I’ve heard and seen it all. Every person’s story, truth and timeline is different but they all know that however they identify, I’m a safe person. I’ve had friends, colleagues and social acquaintances ask me how to talk to their kids when it appears that one of them is LGBTQ. I always say that once you’ve set the table and tone, a kid will decide when they’re ready to talk. All you have to do is be present and make it clear that you accept them and their truth. This formula doesn’t apply exclusively to kids. I’ve found that it has also allowed other adults I know to confide their own private feelings, thoughts, desires or identity-related questions to me. Being a trusted sounding board who is taken into confidence isn’t something I take lightly. Apart from holding these conversations sacred, I’ve been given a greater understanding of the many hues on each of the manifold spectra we call our “identities”. At any age or however you identify, the freedom to be clear about who you are in every aspect of your life is liberating and empowering. When you offer a friend, family member or loved one the latitude to be who or what they need to be, you have opened a door that holds space for their truth… whatever that may be. Never underestimate the power of that priceless gift, which is just as beautiful to give as it is to receive. Happy Pride, everyone… and I mean EVERYONE.

When you get called "Saved By The Bell" all day long

at work... Not by students but by other faculty members. 

I celebrated Prince's birthday with the brand new 3 LP purple vinyl / 2 CD / Blu-Ray box set of Prince And The Revolution Live (1985). Formerly available only on VHS and a substandard 1 to 1 DVD transfer, this restored document of the iconic Purple Rain tour is nothing short of spectacular. For those interested, the deluxe box set contains all physical media, a download of the audio, a poster and a comprehensive tour book. The Prince Estate has done it again and given fans another beautiful archival release to enjoy.

Metropolis

...And that's a wrap on Year 22

ADIOS!

Is it pronounced "gy-ro" or "hee-ro"?

I have now read the memoirs of three Go-Go's: Belinda Carlisle, 

Kathy Valentine and Gina Schock. All we need is for Charlotte 

Caffey and Janie Wiedlin to write one (with an audio book from Jane). 

Some of my favorite 2022 graduates

Didn’t have a “Running Into Mark Harmon” square 

on my flea market bingo card but I ain’t mad at it.

My favorite record vendor let me hold this extremely rare and valuable album by The Chirping Crickets from 1957 featuring a young unknown named Buddy Holly. It goes for approximately 800 dollars however to Bobby it’s priceless. Believe me. I get that.

Father's Day fun at Mom and Dad's house...

Happy Father’s Day To My Genetic Blueprint

I’m about to sit down to work on the first of the 36 final illustrations that will compose my next book. Earlier today, as I often do, I visited the park only to be surprised once again by my sometimes elusive blue heron friend. Mindful of the undertaking I’m about to commence, I knowingly smiled upon seeing him, noting his significance. The blue heron symbolizes self-reliance, self-determination and the ability to evolve and progress. I always seem to be met with totems, messages and cosmic signs at key moments in my life without asking for them to appear and well, this was a big one. Many thanks to my majestic feathered friend, the elementals and all of my guides. Everything is available to all of us if we are open to receive. Stay illuminated. Love, CDM

Volume Number 130 of my diaries and some quick notes.

Always noting, transcribing, compiling and composing. 

So much work ahead but it will all get done. It always does. 

Wishing joyful Summer Solstice and

a beautiful season of prosperity to everyone.

March Is Where February Thaws Out

Do Not Stop On Tracks

My Name Is Rio! #duranduran

Rest In Peace

Mary Wilson (1944 - 2021)

Co-Founding Member Of The Supremes

Watched The New York Times

Documentary Framing Britney Spears On Hulu.

Well Researched. Eye Opening. Tragic.

Chancey Kisses For Valentine’s Day!

Everyone's friend Steve made another epic cake.

Excellent Read • Remain In Love by Chris Frantz

Fans of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club will enjoy this memoir in which Chris writes about his family, his relationship with his wife Tina Weymouth and their artistic partnership in Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. Fans of The Ramones, Television, Blondie, Lou Reed, John Cale, Roxy Music and Patti Smith will enjoy some great stories of cultural crossover and collaboration during the early CBGB days, tour stories and personal accounts of creative triumphs and travails. Highly recommended.

Thanks to a conversation with some of my coworkers, I revisited the epochal and truly iconic Paul’s Boutique by Beastie Boys (1989). Every time I hear this album I’m brought back to my 16th summer and my first listen to this cassette in a hammock on a Sony Walkman under a sweltering July sun. I recall a few details about this inaugural hearing: the taste of fresh lemonade and my eyes squinting with the cassette’s inlay card unfolded before me, trying to follow the lyrics as they raced through cheap, foamy headphones into my brain and past my eyes in microscopic print. There was some hydrogen peroxide in this scenario as well. At the start of “To All The Girls” my hair was dark brown and by the end of “B-Boy Bouillabaisse” it was a vibrant shade of orange. Paul’s Boutique was very polarizing. You either loved it or hated it. I was then (and still remain) in the former category. This sonic collage peppered with rapid fire lyric delivery had me from the first notes of that mellow, almost smutty 70s groove that opens the album. The same sounds close out this kaleidoscopic sound journey as well, setting the listener down gently. As for the photo... I’m toying with new ways to compose turntable shots. SHAKE YOUR RUMP!

It was a random alarm. No injuries or damage. 

The Morristown Green In White

Wild Briars Through A Windshield

Serving Up That Capricorn Energy

The Herd Is Awake At Dawn

Until a few days ago I had no idea that

Frankie Valli

And The Four Seasons released a satirical psychedelic pop concept album in 1969. Upon learning about it from my friend

Billy Jacobs

, I found a vinyl copy on eBay complete with a souvenir newspaper filled with custom articles, comics, graphics, ads and a crossword puzzle. The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette is sonically influenced by

The Beatles

’ Sgt. Pepper and

The Beach Boys

’ Pet Sounds. It’s a delight to listen to because it uses The Four Seasons’ traditional vocal stylings in a collection of songs rendered in the complex, highly orchestrated psych pop style of the late 1960s. Thanks for the heads up, Billy! Friends, seek this one out. Give it a listen. You won’t be disappointed!

Ladybug = Good Luck + Signs Of Spring

Saturday Sounds •

Sheila E.

• Romance 1600 (1985) • I’ve just begun reading Sheila’s insightful and revealing memoir The Beat Of My Drum, which was a birthday gift from my friend

Steve Sizer

. Thanks Steve! For those of you who haven’t heard Romance 1600 in a while (or ever) you should give it a listen, especially if you’re a

Prince

fan. His Royal Highness is featured in songwriting, vocals and instrumentation throughout this collection of great songs and stylistic surprises which sound just as fresh, puzzling and engaging as they did when I first gave it obsessive listens and re-listens on cassette at age 12. “Dear Michelangelo” and “Toy Box” are deep cut classics and the relentlessly funky groove on the full 12 minute version of “A Love Bizarre” is EVERYTHING.

This tweet is Sheila E. approved!

New eBay Score: Korean vinyl import of a largely underrated album: Liberty by

Duran Duran

(1990). I remember listening to this quite often after its initial release 31 years ago and could never understand why the singles “Violence Of Summer” and “Serious” didn’t catch fire the way some of their previous offerings did. To this day I still think the songs “Read My Lips” and “First Impression” should have been singles. Not only because these tracks deserved airplay, but also because the resulting clutch of remixes for each would have been stellar. As for deeper cuts, one remote sleeper track that I’ve always liked was the album closing “Downtown” with its siren-like synths and hypnotic blast of slow-grind beats. Regardless of however this collection of songs performed in 1990, Liberty stands as a vibrant transitional bridge between the band’s gatecrashing 1980s success and their triumphant 1993 comeback with “The Wedding Album”. Fans of any era of DD’s music should seek this album out and give it few listens. For those who dismissed it in 1990, Liberty reveals some layers, edges and far-reaching textures that may have been missed the first time around. Those who have never heard it may find that it is indeed a surprising lost gem of an album deserving of greater consideration.

At one of the markets in PA, I ran across the Donny Osmond doll I had as a child in 1976. I was OBSESSED with The Donny And Marie Show at age 3 and wanted to be Donny when I grew up, so much so that I dressed up as Donny for Halloween that year. PS: I would 500 PERCENT rock Donny’s outfit today with no shame in my game.

Score! Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Soundtrack

Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe 7” EP Single (1953)

I just watched The

Go Go's

documentary by Alison Ellwood. Many thanks to my friend

Steve

for the Blu-Ray of the film and also for this colored vinyl reissue of Beauty And The Beat from 2011. For pop fans, punk fans and those with an interest in the history of women in music, this film is a must see. All of the Go-Go’s (former members included) tell the band’s story in present day interviews woven into a chronology of archival footage and photos, much of it previously unseen. It’s always intriguing to hear artists speak of the good, the bad and the ugly from the perspective of maturity, sobriety and an acceptance of the past... especially when that past is as checkered, debauched and historically significant as that of these strong, talented women. If you’ve only heard their hit singles you haven’t even heard half of the story. Well done, ladies. ROCK ON!

This post is Go-Go's approved!

King Of The Dirty Snow Mound

A vital and colorful spring is growing inside of every branch and underneath the melting snow. Every leaf, bud and flower is awakening itself in every second until the correct moment for each new growth to take its most perfect form. It’s only a matter of minutes, moments and days before we look left, right, above and below and find ourselves surrounded by the colors, shapes and fragrances of a new season. A complex but reliable arrangement of elements and conditions is ushering in a new phase of rebirth as each of us continues to move about our days and nights creating ourselves in the same way that the quiet, multilayered genius of nature creates itself. In terms of our own evolution as individuals, however, we don’t need to rely upon external conditions, forces or the movements of others to grow, evolve and create. Much like the spirit and forces that push leaves and flowers outward, our creative mechanics are always within. Your dreams, wants, desires and creations are already present inside of you. All of these are ready to be claimed, lived and enjoyed. Once you name them, they are yours. Move forward knowing this and just like the rapidly blooming evidence of that forthcoming spring, you will see all that you have asked for, worked for and focused your energy on appearing around you. A new season within and a new life (on every level) begins as soon as you decide it has begun for you. Declare this (quietly if you must) and make it so with your actions. Other people around you will notice and catch up to you (or not). Name your game. Mark your territory. Claim your prize. Stay illuminated. Love, CDM