God

I can tell you this. He works in mysterious ways and I couldn't be more grateful for that fact than I am at this moment.
Sometimes... its a good thing that there is someone or something out there that is looking over me.
My judgement sucks.
I will be the first to admit that about the life and times of Madamme Quaze.
I dont pretend to have good judgement in people. That would be the most naive thing I could ever say about myself.
The proof is there.
I am horrible at reading people.
I am an etrnal optimist and like to believe the best in people.
I have to get used to it.
some people are just bad.
some people are just blind.
some people are just all wrong about life in general.
and when I go against my beter judgement, something out there steps in and takes care of me.
And for whomever or whatever that is... be it a friend or as a last resort, destiny, timing, fate, karma, what-have-you... they step in and take care of me.
And at this most thankful time of year, I will thank that other-worldy entity... for taking care of me in the end.
I like to take care of myself, and i like to surround people that I can be confident that if need be, they will take care of me.
Everyone should.
So for whatever it was that bitch-slapped me back into a place of peace tonight, I would like to say thank you.
I see now.

360 Deals

Just read the big New York Times article about record labels and their 360-degree deals with bands. It is interesting to see where the music industry as a whole is heading.

The first time I heard about deals of this sort was with Korn and their asinine deal a few years ago. That one made sense as I asked myself, "Why would a band do that?" Give up a piece of something they have no idea what may one day be... But for Korn? That made sense. They were on their way out... they were most likely not about to be bangin' out another big hit record or two that would have made them the kind of money they signed for... and who knows how long the baggy, strap-laden pants-wearing, fake-dreaded suburban hot-topic shoppers were going to keep dropping $20-$50 to see their smelly asses.... so sure... yes that made sense. It also makes sense for a band like Paramore who are building their identities on the road; much like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance did for years before they finally "Made it." And good for Fueled By Ramen for helping and nurturing them and giving them tour support no matter what. I can definitely name a few labels that can’t offer that for bands with no proven track record. And it even makes sense for Madonna to do it too... Because as we all know, she may not be selling as many CDs as she used to... but she still tours and BANKS off of those tours... ok, so maybe it doesn’t make TOTAL sense for her to do it... she does make the majority of her music bucks off of touring... so she should have kept that in house and to herself.... if she was dealing on the scale of what Paramore got, but she got $120 million. The interesting thing about her deal, though, is that it wasn’t a label that signed her. It was Live Nation, which for Madonna makes some sense as she gains the most over her revenue these days off of touring. That deal will take the guesswork out of much of those plans as well as ensure, no matter what, she will walk away with pockets lined. It is an exciting time, as people are finally beginning to figure out GOOD ways to keep the music industry alive as well as help their artists. It is thrilling to see Artist Development become a priority once again, as labels seemed to have figured out that they need those artists to keep them going... not just over-priced, alcohol-fueled dinners with other managers, third party investors and radio programmers. I can’t wait for the day when artists are no longer as disposable as they seem to have been for so long. With plans like these 360 degree deals as well as new sources of revenue like the expansion and exploitation of the mobile content biz.... I just hope that it will be enough to make a solid impact…
The RIAA going after people may seem like a logical way to make an example of individuals in hopes to scare illegal downloaders straight, but everyone I know that heard about that first case going to court laughed it off with a "That would never happen to me" nonchalance. Hopefully the new extras and goodies that come with the sale of a CD breeds new physical property fans because those of us that love the smell of vinyl and holding the album artwork in our hands as we first pop in a new album and read along with the lyrics as we check production notes are few and far between and becoming less so every day.

Random Thoughts and Selctions from the Life of Curious Jessy

I would like to start this one off with: Does anyone else realize that there is a HUM song in a CADILLAC commercial??
I just think that is pretty rad. I love Cadillacs.

Someone a long time ago, as I was asking them to leave my life, said something that I HATE but has stuck with me. He said, "No one will ever appreciate you like I do." At first I thoght he was being pompus, but he was never pompus before, and it wasn't in his character to behave that way. The point to this is, I am really starting to believe his words.

I am begining to go to more comedy shows. I suggested my friends and I go to one on Friday night- we did and it was really fun. what better place to go when you are out with friends? You are guaranteed to laugh together! And I even got a few heclkes in that got the crowd to laugh- so we were all winners!

In relation to that last random thought- I would like to say that on Friday night, I had one of those amazin nights I would like to have more often, but I dont think my body could weather. Sushi, then a listening party, then a bar, then comedy show, then another bar, then a diner and then ALMOST to Central Park but it was 5 Am and I was pretty tired and fairly drunk... Home and bed. It was great-at every point in the night, No one wanted to go home. It was just- where to next??

Cooked an amazing Veg Lasagna yesterday. It was about all I was up for... Even made my own Marinara sauce! Mmmmmmm! Been eating that for 2 days now!

Lastly, I am updating my iTunes. It is actualy kind of catarctic. So much different musi from so many different parts of my life. I swear, if anyone cruised my iPod they may feel the need to have me checked for psychological damage. It is just too extra.

been listening to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel lately. And Modest Mouse (OLD Modest Mouse) ... and Pinback.
Its fall what can I say?

Really?

Is it just me, or do you think that people who ride their bikes on the sidwalks are pussies too?

I'M GOING TO CALL NASA TO TELL THEM I JUST SAW TWO QUSSARS IN ONE NIGHT!!!!

So my sister was here all weekend- She arrived on Thursday night- I surprised her at the airport and we headed home, too tired to go out, we layed around and watched 200 Ciggarettes and fell asleep... Let's see.... what did we do... Walked, ate at my favorite Indian spot with Paige, went to the bar, met some weirdo who tried to convince me he was in the Babyshambles and tried to kiss me when I revealed to him that I have a Pavement ringtone on my phone, hit Soho, Midtown, Museam of Natural History with Metal, Pumkin Festival at Central Park, Walked from my place to the South Street Seaport to see Teetur along East River Park, Missed but apparently witnessed Teetur getting into a bar Brawl, hit more bars, ate magic pizza, went to my sister's favorite restaurant in Little Italy where the Maitre Dee came running at me as we walked in to welcome me back and shower me with lots of hugs, love and kisses, saw ice skaters at rockefeller Plaza, shopped 5th ave, ate some falafel, some sushi, some thai and gave her her FIRST bubble tea experience. And when she left, I hit the gym with my trainer and he WOKED my ass. I kept asking him if he was mad at me or something because yesterday's workout was especially grueling.
So today was back to business as usual. Work is picking up and I am busier than I have ever been which is a good thing- I was just told today that I will be attempting to build a 90 foot tall monster in times square... possibly.... we'll see about all that-
Would the fact that I like empty bars as opposed to packed bars classify me as anti-social? I mean... at least Im GOING to them right?
I mean, to me, it seems that everyone would like empty bars better... right? But no no, there they all are. At packed bars having a good time.
Mybe I just need to drink more.
Back to the Babyshambles guy. What the heck man, I mean, Seriously. Dude is standing outside Angels and Kings all antsy to leave because, "Someone Recognized him."
well- I had no idea how he was and told him I didn't care.
Then he begins dropping names that are falling from the sky like the rain did all day Friday and Saturday. Ryan Adams this, Julia Styles, that, Ultragirl whatever, Jack White blah blah blah.
I re-explained that I didnt care, and promtply left he and his friend's company and headed for much brighter prospects. PIZZA. and a Quik Run In with MIGUEL who just moved here fresh of graduating from Culinary School in SF and I heard him say the funniest thing I've heard in a long time (See Title.)
I cant wait for the basketball season to pick up and get exciting. I have high hopes for the Pistons this year, despite the shame Mr. Isiah Thomas has brought to the former "Bad Boys" with his recent Sexual Harrassment charges and all... It will also be excitng to watch what happens with LeBron.... Yes, Yes, lots to look forward to.
ADD much? Maybe....
I need a change soon.

Even Sleep is not Safe!

Last night I had an amazing night!
Metal met me after work looking for something to do for a little while before the Poison the Well show so we had a nice walk in the rain from Fashion District to West Village- I do love that kid and I'm so happy he is here.
We met up with Christina and her beautiful Palestinian/Colombian Friend and after introducing metal to Mamoons, and parting ways with him, the ladies and I went to a comedy show-
Christina met one of the comedians the night before on the train and he invited her to come and see him compete in the Semi-Finals for the Best Comic In NY competition that would lead to a spot at the NY Comedy Festival- we all got in for free and took our seats in the back and proceeded to laugh for the next hour and a half-
The night was great- some of those comics were hysterical! Christina's friend Rocco was really really funny. And a total loon- but in a good way- after the show he invited us to go to another comedy club (I guess that's what comics do- I wouldn't know I've never hung out near one before) but we had to go- Christina was heading home and I wanted to catch the end of the Sox Game-
So get home, Paige cleaned house and it looked Lovely, I watched a few seconds of the game, realised I didn't need to stay up to watch the end, and resided to my room to pop in Apres Vous (been watching a lot of French movies lately to bush up on my speaking skills... actually had a chance to practice with a lovely cab driver after the Shins show the other night :)) and I drift off to sleep and that's when it happens....
I fell into having a terribly disturbing dream. The type of dream that really messed me up this morning. It seemed so real and feasible... yet so unwanted and uncomfortable. I even went back to sleep after waking up to my alarm to try to go back and re-work the ending so I would wake up feeling better about it. Ugh- it has left me with an icky feeling I can not shake today-

Dreams like that make me wonder if what happens in the dream are an extension of my subconsious. Maybe I am bottling up something that came raging out of me in my dream last night. Maybe the dream was cast onto me as an extension of someone else's subconsious- whatever it was, I am quite unhappy about what went down.

Maybe there is something coming my way that this dream was warning me about.

Either way, whatever is going to happen, will happen. I guess we'll just see.

My sister is coming tonight to see/save me.
I am so excited!
xoxo
Jes

I'm SORRY

Indian government official dies after being attacked by monkeys
NEW DELHI, India (AP) —

Wild monkeys attacked a senior government official who then fell from a balcony at his home and died Sunday, media reported. New Delhi Deputy Mayor S.S. Bajwa was rushed to a hospital after the attack by a gang of Rhesus macaques, but succumbed to head injuries sustained in his fall, the Press Trust of India news agency and The Times of India reported.

Many government buildings, temples and residential neighborhoods in New Delhi are overrun by Rhesus macaques, which scare passers-by and occasionally bite or snatch food from unsuspecting visitors.

Last year, the Delhi High Court reprimanded city authorities for failing to stop the animals from terrifying residents and asked them to find a permanent solution to the monkey menace.

Part of the problem is that devout Hindus believe monkeys are manifestations of the monkey god Hanuman and feed them bananas and peanuts -- encouraging them to frequent public places.

Over the years, city authorities have employed monkey catchers who use langurs -- a larger and fiercer kind of monkey -- to scare or catch the macaques, but the problem persists.