Radio Show Friday, September 21 8-10AM

The Real Tuesday Weld - Kix
Hank Snow - I've Been Everywhere
Great Northern - Home
Carolyn Mark - The One That Got Away (With It)
The Cure - In Between Days
Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It
Danny Kaye - Inchworm
Bright Eyes - If the Brakeman Turns My Way
Kishore Kumar - Doob Doob Jata Hoon
Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Sol Hoopii - Weave a Lei
Okkervil River - Savannah Smiles

When it comes to new records, this is my favorite time of year. It's like Christmas. It seems like everyone's got a new record out and is touring right now. It's a fun time, albeit an expensive time. I played a ton of new stuff on Friday from the Real Tuesday Weld, Bright Eyes, the Great Northern, Carolyn Mark (half of the Corn Sisters with Neko Case). I wish I had an extra few bucks to get some of these fabulous new releases, but instead I've been spending my cash on cocktail dresses, cashmere wraps and wedding gifts.

But I am thinking about taking on a new accounting client.... one of my FAVORITE restaurants in Durham. I could use the extra cash. But I cannot decide if I should take a new client or not, as I am already working six days a week. The food is fabulous... what should I do?!?!? If I work more, then I can buy more records. But if I work more, I won't have time to listen to these new records. Oh well, I'll decide after I return from Italy.

A friend gave me the new Shout Out Louds record a few months ago and I just fell in love with it. I played it for a friend who said that that they sounded like a derivative of the Cure. But I don't care. I love their new wavey pop sound. They're coming to the Cradle in October (all the way from Sweden), but I am going to be out of town, which I am a little sad about. Our Ill Wills, is probably gonna be on my top ten list for the year. It is extremely catchy and fun.

Okkervill River. Who are they? Where did they come from? Why haven't I heard of them until now? How come they didn't invite me to go canoeing?! I've played them a couple of times on the radio and I liked what I heard off their new record, The Stage Names. But today as I am typing this, I can't remember what they sounded like! I might just get their new record and listen. They're coming to the Cradle soon as well.

And if you missed my show on Friday, you missed this great song by Danny Kaye. He's got some really wacky songs, but this one is very pretty. For some reason "Inchworm" reminds me of my grandparents. But I don't know why. Probably because I was just in Danville (where my grandparents lived) this weekend. I do remember him singing this on the Muppet Show.



My entire playlist can be found here.

Ankle Freedom

I went to the physical therapist today. It was a great visit! I have graduated!!! I still have a way to go in my recovery, but it's just exercises that I need to do on my own. I have to remember to do them! But I have removed the ankle splint! Right now, I have on shorts for the first time this summer. It feels great! I even tried on some non-sneaker shoes to wear with my shorts, but I am not ready for that yet. My calf without a splint is such a wonderful site.




And the most exciting thing is that I can go biking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to stick to flat, paved surfaces (like the American Tobacco Trail) and I have to keep it short and easy, but hot damn! I can ride a bike! And I can start a little bit of light walking, too. I am so excited to get out of this damn green polka-dotted chair!

Radio Show, Tuesday May 22 6-9PM

Holy Moly! I AM BACK ON THE AIR!!! And I am so happy! It made me feel a little more normal and less gimpy... I feel like I am finally on the mend.

And it marked 10 years since I've been djing at WXYC. I'm old. The dj on before me even called me "Ma'am." Holy crap! I AM SO OLD!

Here are some of the songs that I played:
Cocteau Twins - Iceblink Luck
Bill Davis Trio - Catch 'Em Young, Treat 'Em Rough, Tell 'Em Nothin'
Kermit the Frog - Rainbow Connection
Lambchop - Hey, Where's Your Girl?
Looking Glass - Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)
Mighty Lemon Drops - Inside Out
Small Faces - Just Passing
Beach Boys - I'm Waiting for the Day
Tennessee Ernie Ford and Kay Starr - You're My Sugar
Traveling Wilburys - Handle With Care
Fred Astaire - Cheek to Cheek
Light Crust Doughboys - Pussy Pussy Pussy
Wilco - I Must Be High
Elliott Smith - Pretty Mary K

The show was so much fun. I even danced a little on one foot!

However, I was a bit concerned that the Muppet Movie Soundtrack record was kinda warped. I wanted to play "Movin' Right Along" featuring Fozzie and Kermit, but "Rainbow Connection" looked a little safer considering the wear on the record.

I only received one phone call the entire night, which is one more than I usually receive. It was from someone who wanted to hear the Traveling Wilburys. I haven't thought of them since I was in high school. There are a few cassettes that I can remember from back then... Edie Brickell, REM, U2, INXS, the Fine Young Cannibals, and the Traveling Wilburys. I liked that Traveling Wilburys request so much that I want to investigate the album again... it has Tom Petty *and* Roy Orbison.

The last time I did a radio show a month or so ago (when I was in denial about my ankle), Tim played a song off a Pet Sounds [stereo and mono] double album that is new in the station's library. I just about flipped my wig. The records were made of translucent pastel vinyl. I remembered it last night, so, I played one of my favorite songs from that record: "I'm Waiting for the Day." The timpani and the flutes give me chills. I just love the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds so much. It's definitely an obsession. I am trying to get into their album Smile again, but it just isn't doing it for me.

I played Tennessee Ernie Ford/Kay Star and the Light Crust Doughboys last night to get me geared up for WXYC's Orange County Special program which I will be hosting this Sunday from 10am to 1pm. I used to host this show regularly in the late 90s until I was told that someone at WXYC didn't like my music choices for this show... too much western swing. Well, it's been a few years and I think that the rules are less rigid these days. I am going to play ALOT of western swing and MANY silly country songs. Tune in!

Keepin' It Elevated

Friday afternoon I kinda freaked out a little. I just couldn't figure out why my foot was still just as swollen and just as painful as it was the day I sprained it. So, I called the orthopaedic clinic. The receptionist put me through to the orthopaedic surgeon on call at the ER. I told him that it's been almost two weeks and I cannot put any weight on my foot and it's purple, painful, and swollen. Blah. Blah. Blah. He asked me where I was. I said that I was at work. He said that if I was not keeping it elevated *ALL* the time that I was prolonging my recovery. Sitting at my desk and hobbling around work was not helping. He told me that I must keep my foot elevated if I expected to get better quickly.

All week, I have spent every evening in this chair with my foot elevated in pain caused by working all day. Each morning, I feel better and go back into work where I stay until the pain forces me to go home, at which time I return to this chair. And then the cycle starts again. So, I thought I'd better keep my butt planted in this chair for the weekend. (I'm sad because I didn't get to go meet Charleen tonight, but I just couldn't drive to Carrboro with my ankle like this.)

Today, I spent the day in my chair except for laundry. The only way to get my dirty clothes from my bedroom to the laundry room was by crawling. I crawled the other day, so why not again today. So, I filled up the laundry basket in the bedroom and then got down on all fours and pushed the basket while dragging my crutches behind me. Once I got to the laundry room, I was fine. I managed to do three loads: the last of which is still in the dryer. I had to crawl the laundry back to my bedroom to fold it and put it away. But I did it. Woo hoo!!! (I betcha my Saturday adventure was more exciting than yours!) One thing I discovered while crawling around the house is that the floor in here is absolutely disgusting. As soon as my foot gets better and I get off these crutches, I am going to start cleaning my floors frequently.

Today, I also realized that people can see me sitting in here. Folks walking by are now waving to me. I guess that is nice & neighborly. I kinda feel like a window mannequin. There is a little preschool down the street and the kids seem to love and stop and scream gleefully at the stuff on my porch.... or maybe they are screaming at the weird crazy lady teetering on crutches in the window.

Last night, Denise came over and brought me food from the kitchen. We watched The Muppet Movie together. I haven't seen that movie since I was 8 years old. I just about fell out of my chair when I saw Kermit in the opening sequence playing the banjo!!!! I love Kermit. "Rainbow Connection" sounds like it might be difficult to play on uke. I also watched Louisiana Story this afternoon. I am convinced that Jim Henson and Ricky Leacock are geniuses.

I Do Not Hate Fozzie Bear

All day, I've had "Hi-diddle-dee-dee! An actor's life for me!" as sung by Fozzie Bear stuck in my head. ALL DAY NON-STOP! Somebody, help. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!!

I have never liked Fozzie Bear, but only because when I was a kid, my little brother loved Fozzie. Therefore, I had to hate him.

And now, I am cursed with having this song stuck in my head. But, I have to admit that I am coming around to appreciating Fozzie Bear as an adult. Kinda like I came around to liking coconut.

Hey, this song is from Pinocchio, too. Just like Cliff Edwards.

Is That Pearl Bailey In That Cubicle?

Last Sunday, I was over at Christa's house and I was watching an episode of the Muppet Show featuring Pearl Bailey. It was great! She did this amazing duet with Floyd of "In the Good Old Summertime." I swooned.

Pearl Bailey is played fairly regularly on my radio show. Her voice has this sultry slur that is sometimes comical but always sexy. My favorite song of hers is one called "Tired" in which she says she "needs to go to one of them fancy doctors" for some "psychiatricks." That just makes me laugh. I even played that song last Friday.

Anyway, there is a woman in my office who sounds JUST LIKE PEARL BAILEY. Every time I hear her say something from across the office, I find myself waiting to see if she is going to break out into song. With muppets.

Maybe I need some pychiatricks.