Apples, Pumpkins and a very large Duck.

I went apple picking a few weeks ago out in Water Mill, on the south fork of Long Island at Seven Ponds Orchard. Who knew there were so many kinds of apples? It was a cute place with lots of 'pick your own' things, a corn maze, hayrides and a little playground for the tots.

On they drive out east, in the town of Flanders you pass the duck pictured above.

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine

An extremely quick trip up to Acadia National Park yielded these pics. I could/would live on this Island in a heartbeat, and even seriously entertained the idea for a hot second. I mean could the commute really be that difficult?

The day was spent driving around the island and stopping at various areas to explore. The weather was sunny but chilly and the wind pushed around the turning leaves with force. A perfect Autumn day. I am not sure if it was the geographic proximity to Nova Scotia, but I was having a ridiculous love affair with Sarah Mclachlan's 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'. At one point, I stopped to hike (climb) a trail (terror path) called 'Precipice'. If their is a performer alive who should have a song called 'Precipice', it is Sarah, no?

 

EQUALITY

So I went to DC for the March yesterday. I wish that everyone could have gone. I disagree with Barney Frank and his grumpy ass, because there is no way that it was a waste of time for me. The empowerment and inclusion I felt will serve me well, as I hope it serves the other people who came. That empowerment can have ripple effect and change things. Hope is never a waste of time, Mr. Frank. To everyone who came, to all the speakers, organizers, marchers, to the supporters who couldn't attend and to the volunteers who made it happen... THANK YOU! So here are some pics. I hope you like them. This meant a lot to me and I am so proud of all of the people who marched and spoke out about the civil rights of all human beings. I hope you watch the video clip at the bottom of Staceyann Chin reading 'Equality' with such passion and force it is hard to not be moved.

Madame de Gaga

Another La Gaga leak has surfaced.



First it was 'Second Time Around' which was leaked at the beginning of summer (and is my personal favorite of the leaked tracks, so far). Then it was 'Bad Romance', which was leaked last week and was sorta kinda performed in a strange Gagasphere medley on SNL, and now it seems there is 'No Way'. November will see the rerelease of Lady Gaga's debut album, The Fame. Will any of these show up on it?

ELLIE GOULDING

*UPDATE* 10/25/09

*UPDATE* 10/22/09

Get the 'Under the Sheets' mp3 here

Get the 'Wish I'd Stayed' mp3 here

Get the 'Starry Eyed' mp3 here

London based singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding has so far given me 2 of my favorite tracks this year (Starry Eyed and Wish I Stayed) and has just dropped what I think will be another one. The new track is called 'Under the Sheets' and it is delicious. Its her fist actual single and will be released in the UK on November 9th. Starsmith did the production, and rumor has it that remixes will be forthcoming from Jakwob and Baby Monster. No word yet when/if the single will be released in the US but for now you can go to Ellie's Myspace page and see what she's up to.

THE RETURN

Okay, so I have taken a few months off from blogging. I am not sure why, but I did. So to make up for it, this will be a multi-part post.

First, and this is hugely important, The National Equality March is this weekend October 10th and 11th. If you can go then you should. Be the change in the world that you want to see. Who said that, Zora Neale Hurston? Alice Walker? Regardless, go and and be part of making the lives of ALL Americans equal. Generations of people behind you will be thankful that you went and let your voice be heard against discrimination.

Music. There has been some ridiculously good stuff released recently, and I will start with the most recent, Blake Lewis. His CD was released yesterday and it is fantastic. It is full of electro dance goodness, and the most original effort by a former AI contestant to date. Check it out. You can sample/buy the CD from iTunes.

3 by Britney Spears. I wont judge you if you like it. You can find some remixes of the original track here.

The super fantastic La Roux released their debut album here in the US some weeks back. Front woman Elly Jackson, is a fire headed triumph on vocals and along with band mate Ben Langmaid, they have made some of the best electropop of 2009. Sample and buy at iTunes.

Photos. Here are some of pics I have taken while traveling the last few month. I hope you like them.

Beach, Sitges, Spain

Hat, NYC


Tango, Buenos Aires, Argentina


Love, Paris, France


Building, Paris, France

Liberty, NYC

?, Tokyo, Japan

Drinks, Tokyo, Japan

Rope Swing, Vermont

Rowing, Zurich, Switzerland

Oh, and if you like Swedish Pop, check out Erik Hassle. He is sort of the red headed nordic version of Jason Mraz. Watch the video for his latest single 'Don't Bring Me Flowers' on youtube by clicking here. He hasn't released anything yet here in the US, but trust that I will let you know when he does. Actually, now that I think of it the video for 'Hurtful' is better, so click here to watch it.