The Sisters of the Tradition...?

...or, welcome to the special Sisters of Mercy edition of the Thursday Tradition, Underground Citizens. Okay okay, so the title of this week's Thursday Tradition isn't the best or most original but, I've been trying to put this blogpost together for at least a freckin' hour now. And I'll admit, it's not an easy task when I don't have a whole lot of SoM in possession. But currently I have the album First and Last and Always, and a few more of their songs, and if this doesn't delve me further into the gothic side of me then I don't know what band will! [Er, other than the Division, the Cure, the Banshees...]

To start off, a song that I gave some quaint showing-off time a couple of days ago...
"Flood II" [from Floodland, 1987]


All I can say is, this song is the ish...
"Body and Soul" [from the EP Body and Soul, 1984]


If you can handle all bloody 10 minutes of this, crank this grand goth anthem up full blast, Citizens...
"This Corrosion" [from Floodland, 1987]


Now while I'm not entirely fond of this song, hey, it's not that bad. [That's what happens when you try to share a bit of everything in this...]
"Alice" [from the EP Alice, 1983]


Another reason why I love that first album by the SoM.
"Possession" [from First and Last and Always, 1985]


Taking another '87 tune, I don't understand how this tune didn't get much playing time. It's a very good song, honest...
"Lucretia My Reflection" [from Floodland, 1987]


Another early something...
"On The Wire" [from the Walk Away 12", 1984]


Something about this song. Can't put my finger on it.
"Nine While Nine" [from First and Last and Always, 1985]


Kicking up the adrenaline... just a tiny little bit...
"Dominion/Mother Russia" [from Floodland, 1987]


I don't remember what year the original came out, but I definitely like this version better than the original. In any case, the track is class.
"Temple of Love" [1992 remake] [from the compilation Some Girls Wander By Mistake]


For me, I'm sorry, but it's NOT a Sisters of Mercy StarMix without this track. Second only to this week's Song of the Week, it's my favorite SoM tune. It was the tune that introduced me to 'em. I'd heard it so many times while at Indie Bar, but never knew who did that or what the song was. I fcuking love this song.
"More" [from Vision Thing, 1990]


Song of the Week ~ This song's been replaying in my head since Sunday. I now have the album First, Last and Always and, while much of the album if not all is quite the gothique, I haven't really stopped listening to this track...
"Marian" [from First and Last and Always, 1985]


...and there you have it! Yup, between all the hunting and typing and listening to the SoM and catching up... gosh... when did I start putting this together? It's almost 20 after 8 P.M. right now SO... 5:33 P.M.!?

So yes, I spent almost 3 hours on this week's Thursday Tradition. Hopefully it serves the Sisters proud. Or something. I think Roboter will be most humored.

Until the next round...!

OMFG. I'm actually on time!

Happy Thursday, Underground Citizens. Time for the traditional Musicholics Anonymous get-together. First things first:

The Starian Union Radio Random 20 for Thursday 23 October 2008
1] "Sub-Culture" - New Order
2] "Every Day Is Halloween" - Ministry
3] "Hip Hop Bee Bop [Don't Stop]" - Man Parrish
4] "Cuts You Up" - Peter Murphy
5] "Colony" [Peel Session] - Joy Division
6] "Harley David [Son of a B!tch]" - Bollock Brothers
7] "Cities In Dust" - Siouxsie and the Banshees
8] "New York" - Micro Chip League
9] "A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T" - The Hives
10] "Morning Bell" - Radiohead
11] "The Perfect Drug" - Nine Inch Nails
12] "It's A Sin" - Pet Shop Boys
13] "A Message To You Rudy" - The Specials
14] "Young Folks" - Peter Bjorn and John
15] "Mesh" - New Order
16] "Open In Silence" - Mira
17] "Nummern/Computerwelt 2" - Kraftwerk
18] "Procession" - New Order
19] "Mayor Of Simpleton" - XTC
20] "Baby Got Back" - Sir Mix-A-Lot

The Song of the Week is a proper classic from at least 25 years ago. And it's one of Roboter's favorite songs even as he's heard the song God knows HOW MANY TIMES playing GTA:VC [grand theft auto - vice city]. In any case, this is for him...
"Hip Hop Be Bop" [12" version] - Man Parrish


...and for myself, I chose this. After all, this is going out to the id10t's that think I'm weaker than I look. To them, two words: FCUK OFF. Everyone else, feel free to join me in cranking this up a good few notches. Yes, a first here in the Underground: TWO Songs of the Week for this week! [And yes, I absolutely love this song. Seriously.]
"A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T" - The Hives


And, as next week is Halloweek, here's a preview for next week's Random 20, which will be the 80's version of the Indie StarMix I made earlier this week. Except, in the usual tradition of the indie/alternative/gothic self that I am, you can expect Siouxsie, the Order, the Division, the Boys, Mr. Ant, and these two bands among the unique for the grand Halloween tradition:
"Jumping Someone Else's Train" - The Cure


"Bela Lugosi's Dead" - Bauhaus


And adding another proper classic from the Old-School Indie Intelligence files, this might also make the roster for Halloween this year. Sunday afternoon Erik had the Afternoon Version of my favorite radio program, Sunday Night Vinyl, and his track list for Sunday... well, let's just say it was the best SNV in practically ages. Not that every SNV was the awesomeness, but this past Sunday was truly THE Awesomeness!! He played this particular classic [as well as The Cure's "Jumping Someone Else's Train" which I just posted a moment ago], and I was pleasantly thrilled. So I think I could add this to the Halloween roster this year, no?
"Headhunter" - Front 242


The same with this track, one of the great goth classics too. I'm actually considering this as well for the Halloween mix. Because HEY! you can't have Halloween without the proper touch of goth. And out of all the songs this band's done, this is my favorite. God I love this song.
"More" - The Sisters of Mercy


And I think that will do it for this week! I had Carillon practice yesterday and, after a rather successful go at it Sunday, I'm almost ready for this Sunday upcoming. My main concern however is the whimsical concept of something properly termed Operation Doctor Scarf!!

Otherwise, enjoy the tunage, and keep out of trouble until the next round...

~ me

Chapter 183 ~ Slow down...? SLOW DOWN!?

WTF DO YOU MEAN FOR ME TO SLOW DOWN!?

*sigh* So I've been trying to get stuff done, get errands run, remake my Indie Intelligence Playlist to something virtually enjoyable no matter what the song [it's my Halloween StarMix for this year, oddly enough], catch up on e-mail and Facebook and MySpace, get caught up on the 4 or 5 forums I post in, AND I had a very late lunch. Store Manager Joel's birthday is tomorrow but he's going to be having a minor operation at the hospital, so he was here today, and I helped the crew wish him the best. Got paid, walked about 45 minutes to the credit union, FINALLY had lunch at around... er... quarter-to-4? But the real tick-off is when one of the regulars who I really don't like, mostly because he stops by at breakfast rush and almost ALWAYS wants to start a conversation with me but I'm focused on getting my drive-thru line going, spots me walking homeward and waves.

Customer - "Hey Sunshine, how are you?"
Me - "As usual. Busy."
Customer - "Aww, so I can't even stop you for a moment just to have a chat?"
Me - "I'm sorry but no, I have things to do and I need to hurry home."
Customer - "But can't you just slow down for a moment?"
Me - *with a glare* - "...I'm sorry but, slowing down is a term that does not exist in my lexicon. Look, I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow."
Customer - *as I'm walking away, homebound* - "But Sunshine--"
Me - *looking back but still walking away* - "I'll see you tomorrow!!"

*sigh* I swear, there is no such thing as slowing down in my lexicon. Most of the time anyway.

The [revised] Indie Intelligence StarMix
1] "A-Punk" - Vampire Weekend
2] "I Feel It All" [Britt from Spoon Remix] - Feist
3] "Radiation Vibe" - Fountains of Wayne
4] "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" - Louis XIV
5] "Lost In The Supermarket" - The Clash
6] "Lights" - The Editors
7] "Hang Me Up To Dry" - Cold War Kids
8] "Here's Where The Story Ends" - The Sundays
9] "Blue Monday '88" - New Order
10] "Handle With Care" - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
11] "Sex On Fire" - Kings of Leon
12] "Young Folks" - Peter Bjorn and John
13] "Monster Hospital" - Metric
14] "Little Thoughts" - Bloc Party
15] "Australia" [Peter Bjorn and John Remix] - The Shins
16] "Mayor of Simpleton" - XTC
17] "NWA" - The Terrible Sea
18] "No One's Gonna Love You" - Band of Horses
19] "Simple Economics" - Pedro the Lion
20] "Finish Line" - Michael

*sigh* Okay. I think I can declare myself dead to the rest of the world with the exception of Roboter. Good night in the meantime and stay your best behavior until the next round...

~ me

P.S. ~ Before I do get my downtime I would love the world to know that yesterday was the anniversary that Roboter and I became friends on Facebook. And to think it all began with our minor obsession with Kraftwerk!! Who knew it would turn to something more? In any case it's been a madcap year, and so I say [quoting him], here's to more years of laughs and happiness!

Roboter, you are sooo the wonderful, and I love you all the more for it. Here's to the day we finally meet face to face. And God willing it be sooner than later--much sooner!!

codename ~ HELPLESS

For a long time there'd always been a part of me that, when it seems that everything has kinda gone from bad to worse and then some, cries in a corner of my mind one little sentence that just about sums it up:

I give up.

I know, it shouldn't be like me of this but, there are tears that I want to cry but can't. There are words that I have to say but can't. There are trials and tribulations that I want to overcome, but can't. All because life is sometimes just too much to bear. And while I know that God won't leave or forsake me, there are times when I just want to scream "Hey God--ARE YOU OUT THERE!?" at the top of my lungs... but I can't.

Because life and society doesn't really give a damn. And it hurts.

It hurts at the end of the day when, after trying to tell myself time and again that things are going to be alright, the day itself just crashes and burns. It hurts when the day commits suicide around me and all I can do is stand in the middle of its ruins, defenseless. Helpless. A minor yet major failure.

It hurts when I need to cry, but I can't. And then it harbors itself inside me until, finally, something to set me off. All hell breaks loose. And I explode. And to see me cry... it breaks the Store Manager's heart when I cry at work. But what all could he have done to prevent the pain from taking over? Nothing--because sometimes he adds on to the tears. So yes, it should break his heart when mine's already shattered. When all the day's hopes have died and there isn't anything I or anyone can do about it.

Throughout these past couple of weeks I was going to try to attempt 21 codename posts, one each day leading up to this Friday. And simply put, work has worn me out. And it's been horrendous. It's been pointless. My attempt on trying to find the good things about me became a failure when all I can see are the mishaps, the lost hopes, the tears. The failures. This has not been a good year being 24. And it's only going to get harder, it's only going to get worse, before anything gets better.

I am truly not looking forward to celebrating my Quarter-Century anymore. My heart's just not in it. There isn't anything worth celebrating anymore. All of a sudden I am shoved into the fear of the fact that, yes, I was an accident. [Long story about the implications but that's basically what happened between the parents. *shrug* What?] That yes, perhaps I wasn't meant to exist. That yes, maybe I was meant to be a failure in the end.

The truth to it is, in God's eyes I am no accident, I am meant to exist, I am no failure. But... it's hard to keep my eyes on the truth when they're blurred with helpless tears.

Because it's hard to face the world when you're a poor, working-class drive-thru girl trying to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck and thanking God that at least you can make the rent and the cell phone and try not to starve.

Because it's hard to face the world when you've got no mode of transport other than walking, as gas prices are pointless, and you can only make enough to survive but can't afford a transport--except for $1.25 on the Votran Route 60 to the mall in Daytona and $1.25 back to DeLand, and that's IF you can afford to go to the mall to treat yourself!

Because it's hard to face the world when you've grown up most of your life being teased, called names, emotionally abused to the point where you think that no one really loves you, that no one really believes in you. When you're called names and made the punchline of jokes in school. When you're the outcast most of your life in a town that has no tolerance for outcasts. When the damage is done that, two years in a new town you still don't feel like you belong, and almost commit suicide if not for your best friend who'll always be there somehow.

Because it's hard to face the world when the world, and society, stereotypes you just because of how you look, what you believe. When the world is trying to convince you that you need to be a certain way of this person or that person, that you need to look or act a certain way in order to belong. When the world thinks you need to fit the stereotype they cast you in, and hates you when you step out of line. When the world discriminates you because of who you are, how you act, whether your hair is dark brown or deep blue, what you wear. When you're defenseless as the world accuses you of what they think is wrong that you've done.

This past quarter-century I'd seen and heard enough to feel the pain, to numb the nerves, to break the heart, to cry the tears. I've had the honor of being in the aftermath of many a death among my family and friends, I've had the pain of saying good-bye to too many friends. I looked suicide in the eyes at the age of 21 and survived when I didn't think I'd make the Quarter-Century. But now I've near-reached that unlikely threshold, and this one question remains, after all this time--

dear God, what have I become?

I never wanted to be in this state of despair just days before my birthday. But it's the end of September, October starts tomorrow, and with that begins the next three days that promise to be miserable the way things have been these last handful of days. Part of me feels like I'm still struggling, still trying to stay strong, still holding on. Most of me feels like it's all been a failure. And I wish I didn't feel like that most of me. But it's hard to when all I feel is hopeless about these next few days, and when I'm entirely helpless in trying to do something, anything about it.

Originally I was going to post a few songs but, today I'm in a very numb state. Not really in the best of moods. And I still need to cry some tears before anything runs from bad to worse. Something's got to give. So for this post I'm only going to post one song--perhaps the only proper song to sum up how I've been feeling lately.
"Hurt" - Johnny Cash


I don't have much else to say other than, in the immortal words of Ira Girshwin,
Life's a bore--the world is my oyster no more!


~ me, codename HELPLESS

codename ~ CHAOTIC

This week was alright... up until yesterday afternoon, when basically all hell kinda broke loose, so your music post will be up... NOW.

The Starian Union Radio Random 20 for yesterday, Thursday 25 September 2008
Theme ~ Indie Intelligence [Through the Years]
1] "Finish Line" - Michael [2002]
2] "Lost In The Supermarket" - The Clash [1979]
3] "Hang Me Up To Dry" - Cold War Kids [2007]
4] "Radiation Vibe" - Fountains of Wayne [1996]
5] "Fans" - Kings of Leon [2007]
6] "Shut Up And Let Me Go" - The Ting Tings [2008]
7] "Mayor Of Simpleton" - XTC [1989]
8] "Down The Line" - Jose Gonzalez [2007]
9] "Handle With Care" - Jenny Lewis + Watson Twins [2006]
10] "Your Woman" - White Town [1997]
11] "Young Folks" - Peter Bjorn + John [2006]
12] "Don't You Evah" - Spoon [2007]
13] "I Feel It All" [Britt from Spoon Remix] - Feist [2007]
14] "Monster Hospital" - Metric [2005]
15] "Like Eating Glass" - Bloc Party [2005]
16] "A-Punk" - Vampire Weekend [2008]
17] "Australia" [Peter Bjorn + John Remix] - The Shins [2007]
18] "No One's Gonna Love You" - Band of Horses [2007]
19] "Procession" - New Order [1981]
20] "Simple Economics" - Pedro The Lion [2000]

Song of the Day ~ I'd been searching like mad for literally MONTHS for this song. I'd only heard it, er, twice? All I remembered was the "When you're nothing but a boyfriend" line from the chorus. Found it today and I'm so freckin' thrilled! So much so that, it's become my Song of the Day!
"Simple Economics" - Pedro the Lion


Song of the Week ~ From the compilation The Emo Diaries - Chapter Nine: Sad Songs Remind Me [which I'd found earlier this week and am listening to like mad all over again], the one song I'd heard on the radio a couple of years ago. Literally. It stuck in my head since. And I just rediscovered this gem--not only is it on the Indie Intelligence StarMix for the Random 20, it's also my Song of the Week.
"Finish Line" - Michael


Album of the Week ~ Another gem from the great indie compilation is the 8th track, which I'm utilising as the spotlight on the Album of the Week, which is the aforementioned Emo Diaries 9. A great tune to bop my head along to.
"When The Light Becomes Green" - Settlefish


Remix of the Week ~ Another rediscovery is this tune I heard this morning, which I actually hadn't heard in a while. The original, found on the album The Reminder, has been a favorite of mine for a while. Feist does an amazing job with the brilliant acoustic guitar of hers, and the album has her playing the piano too, I think! But there's something about a remix that makes me drift along and hum along and, this does that for me. Britt from Spoon did some proper remixing, and considering I haven't heard it in weeks it sounds pretty new to me. And I love it! It's the Remix of the Week.
"I Feel It All" [Britt from Spoon Remix] - Feist


I know I've mentioned Jose Gonzalez before but I am in love with the album In Our Nature which features the song I'd first heard of him by.
"Down The Line" - Jose Gonzalez


I remember I first saw the video for this song. I got the nerves scared stupid out of me. I prefer the song!!
"Monster Hospital" - Metric


And finally, for some old-school--NO I'm not posting the Clash this time!!--the song I chose is a long-time favorite of mine. This was when the band was still trying to figure out just what the heck they were doing with their music. The year at the time was 1981, a year after their former lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. This track is, in my opinion, one of their finest moments in their musical career.
"Procession" - New Order


Meanwhile, this week was nothing short of chaotic. National People Week at work. Dubbed McDonald's Crew Appreciation Week, which is basically what it is. Many pictures were taken, which, when I get more energy and time, I will gladly post on here. But yesterday was just too damn trying, and today wasn't really any better. Store Manager Joel knows I'm worse for wear right now, and probably thankful I'm off for the weekend. Except, all I know is that, next week's schedule isn't posted yet, and I'm basically in on Monday A.M. according to Joel. Which means that chances are I'll be off next Saturday, for my Quarter-Century. Which that itself means, I'll be absofreckin'lutely BORED.

Parents will be busy with kid siblings' games.
Friends and coworkers busy with work and/or out of town.
Boyfriend at a convention.
Best friend still in DC.
Hometown best friends at work.

And basically, that means I'll be celebrating both before AND after, but not on the day of. And that's really, REALLY going to suck.

I think I shall make myself a copy of this StarMix for the day for myself, an early Birthday present if you will, which I'll gladly listen to on my Birthday. All by my Goddarn lonesome.

*sigh* What a way to celebrate the great 2-5.

~ me, codename CHAOTIC

codename ~ BELOVED

To be honest, I was going to wait another week or so before this particular post, but as of lately, let's be honest here:

my heart hasn't felt this sound in nearly ages.

I'm slowly approaching the quarter-century [less than two weeks to go!] and, for all I care, I can't get the words out right. Not when I realize that, there's been someone there for me all this time--11 months and 3 days since he and I met to be exact!! And that, all the while that I'd faced the likes of Cupid being rather stupid... that chances are that we never really stopped thinking about each other...

...isn't that right, Roboter?

So yes, I've had my share of tears--I'd been a girlfriend and all the while been dumped. Time and time again. In the end of things I ended up the friend. And of all my ex-boyfriends, only two are among my best friends in the entire universe--
~ Pouncer [yes, my best buddy, we dated, got serious, broke up... and realised that we were better as the best of friends after all, and still are to this day!]
~ Hikari [who every once in a while takes me out to lunch so we can catch up on life's drama in our respective corners of the world].

And in the midst of my tears I kept thinking, hoping that there was someone out in this world for me. And I realised some weeks ago that, there really is someone out there for me.

1,200 miles out there for me, to be exact!

For those of you who cheered, It's Roboter, Captain!!, give yourself a cookie and tell 'em I said it was okay. Hell, have two! Or gosh! why not just share the whole damn cookie jar!? I'm in love! I'M IN LOVE FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!!

Because, no one else I know of could ever make me feel like life's worth holding on when the worst of it brings me to tears, when death crosses my path again and again. When work is unbearable on either end and all we can do is lift each other up somehow. When life's dilemmas cause headaches enough for the both of us.

Sunday 19 October will be the 1-year anniversary since--thank you Facebook!!--Roboter and I became friends. Over, of course, this group right here...
"Nummern/Computerwelt 2" - Kraftwerk


And between talking Ralf und Florian, Trans-Europa and the recent touring drama [*sigh* STILL no Florian...], after 11 months it's safe to say that, with constant communication a long-distance relationship CAN flourish!! And between the both of us, it's blossoming quite nicely.

Because after Siren broke up with me, mainly over the pointlessness of putting up with long distance [he was in Iowa when that happened... in June... uh-huh], I once thought we could've worked things out when he returned; that never happened because of the implications [full-time student + full-time worker + long-distance between deland and merritt island *WHICH ISN'T EVEN MUCH!!* = next-to-no time for me = siren ~ that's my equation and i'm sticking to it!]. And yet now he's with someone new. But you know... he doesn't matter to me anymore. Not when I realise that, I've proven him wrong over long-distance relationships. And I'm even happier NOW than when I was dating him!! When Siren broke up with me, Roboter was the first to know, and all the while as things were going from bad to worse, he [Roboter] was there for me through the better and not-so-great of times. And we're still holding each other's hand somehow through all of this.

Siren, if you only knew just how much I learned from you so much--that I probably didn't mean as much to you as I thought I meant. That you'd unexpectedly, unnecessarily disregard me as your internship progressed. That you'd break up with me when I didn't need to go through that untimely mess. That you'd ultimately break my heart, over a stupid triviality. Well... yes, you moved on. And thank the Lord above, so have I. And happily, because you made me not give up over someone who, I've realised, has been on my side all along, more than you'll ever be for me. He and I have made the effort--more than you'd expect. Just thought I'd send you a little anti-love song your way...
"Forget I Ever Knew You" - Clay Aiken


*WHEW!!* Alright, that done, trying to type and talk with my sweetheart is no easy matter right now but, considering it was crazy enough we were on the phone for, er, 8 hours and 15 minutes NONSTOP yesterday... yeah. We had quite a conversation over an assortment of topics, as usual. But it lasted from the time I got home from Church to the time I went to bed at around 10. And it was all the more fun; there seems to be more to talk about now than back in December, though back then we had developed some sort of crush on each other. But now we've intergrated each other into each other's little respective corners of the world, between taking pics of our workstations to texting in the middle of work out of the blue to--my favorite--sharing pictures of our neighborhoods.

I kinda told him last night that, the day we finally meet [and we're praying that God willing it's SOON!!] things are going to be off the wall!! And the way we go about our lives, the way we are with each other, to me it's as if almost anything is possible. 1,200 miles may separate us but, love is the shortest distance between both our hearts. And between us our hearts are as close as it's gonna get!

So yes, I think it is time to say with honest conviction that, I love Roboter and I cannot lie!! Yes, I know, I'm crazy, but so is he and it takes one crazy soul to know one. If only you heard what craziness of the humorous sort occurs in any conversation we have...!

I think this calls for a StarMix for the two of us, which the rest of you Underground Citizens can sing along to and join in the cheer. What say y'all, fancy a sing-along? Or even better, fancy a jelly baby?



Thursdays Roboter goes about his post-work time taking on grocery shopping. I usually listen to this tune on his behalf. I think he likes the song...?
"Lost In The Supermarket" - The Clash


And because he absofreckin'lutely LOVES THIS SONG!!
"Satisfaction" - Benny Benassi


From our good friend Louise, whom I need to find a proper codename for, by the way; I'm sure we'll probably listen to this on our first date. *sigh*
"Neon Lights/Neonlicht" - Kraftwerk


We've had our share of mishaps and ill-temperament at work, we had our minor quarter-life crises, and we're still hangin' on in there for dear life. I'm sending this one out to him 'cause, even though this may be an alt-country cover of a really good song, the lyrics still mean enough.
"Handle With Care" - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins


...oh and, hey Roboter! Everyone! how 'bout a sing-along??
"I'm Gonna Be [500 Miles]" - The Proclaimers


Besides this being my Song of the Week, this is by far my favorite love song. No, seriously. And we all thought being weird was enough on my end. But hell, I've got my own standards for love songs!!
"Mayor Of Simpleton" - XTC


And speaking of, to close out this playlist, more Kraftwerk! Hey, it was what we had in common in the first place, so why not?
"Computer Love" - Kraftwerk


I can say without thinking twice that, long distance be damned, I'm in love, and I'm loved, and I know it...

AND I FRECKIN' LOVE IT!!

~ me, codename BELOVED

codename ~ TIMEPUNK

One of my favorite shows is Doctor Who. Duh. Everyone kinda knows that bit. Especially Roboter, and those who know who my two favorite Companions are.

Those who don't know, they're Sarah-Jane and Romana II.

For a nutty Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, he's so the brill. The Doctor is just... well... the awesomeness. He travels in a time machine of sorts, aptly disguised as a 1950's blue police call box, codenamed the TARDIS--Time and Relative Dimensions in Space.

He rights wrongs, battles enemies, gains good friends here and there. When mortally wounded he regenerates--he can regenerate up to 12 times, for a total of 13 lives... which is also a proper reason why there've been many actors portraying the Doctor since it first aired on the BBC in 1963. His most formidable foes include the Master, the Cybermen, and the Daleks...

So far the Doctor's regenerated 9 times, a total of 10 Doctors so far, and hence 10 actors portraying him ~
The First Doctor - William Hartnell
The Second Doctor - Patrick Troughton
The Third Doctor - Jon Pertwee
The Fourth Doctor - Tom Baker
The Firth Doctor - Peter Davidson
The Sixth Doctor - Colin Baker
The Seventh Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
The Eighth Doctor - Paul McGann
The Ninth Doctor - Christopher Eccleston
The Tenth Doctor - David Tennant

To celebrate this madcap British series--45 years strong and growing!--here's a StarMix of the classic theme song to the series. In many of its [semi-]unique forms.

The classic, much-loved theme--thank you Delia Derbyshire! ~


The slightly-reamp'd opening... Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker's theme ~


Tom Baker's second--and Peter Davidson's--theme [which I'm starting to love even more the more I listen to it] ~


Colin Baker's theme [which is enough for me to go, wtf!? --no, seriously] ~


1996... yes, the tv movie version... Paul McGann's theme [which, I'll be honest--I didn't really like it much] ~


From 2004, "One day, I shall come back" ~


From 2006, David Tennant's theme ~


And for the grand finale to this Time Punk's StarMix du jour just before the great Music Post [it's Thursday, and the rule for Thursday still applies in the codename series], my song of the day--this one's for Roboter, who--if I'm not mistaken--is a fan of electro. Well, sweetie, crank this tune up a good handful of notches. This goes for those of us who <3 Orbital too! Because... yes... you guessed it...
Theme - Doctor Who ~ Orbital


And on THAT note, I think it's time for the Thursday Tradition!!

~ me

codename ~ QUIRKSTER

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Underground, is it wrong to be oh-so-freckin'-wierd?

I prefer to be the wacky, cute and quirky individual that God made me to be, instead of so-called normal that everyone and their socialist cousin too asks of me. These days I've been asking myself, What do I love about this inconstant person called me? Well, it's the quirky things about me, so let me admit to myself [and you Underground Citizens] that...

~ I love--LOVE--listening to the soundtracks from the anime Sailor Moon. I never get tired of it. Seriously. Fan for 12 years, and for ever!
~ What's wrong with being the madcap StarKnight Captain and giving my friends odd nicknames/codenames?
~ I think the nickname Sunshine kinda suits me proper, don't you?
~ I do NOT tolerate arrogance, and I try myself not to show arrogance. Practicing what I preach, preaching by practicing, is the way it should be done. And many a guy has no chance with me because of their arrogance. 'Nuff said.
~ I wear black. Long-sleeves. In summertime. What!?
~ I like my punk with some Bach. Ah, the pride of being a Chorister!
~ Doctor WHO: Coolest. Show. Ever.
~ Tom Baker: Best. Doctor. Ever.
~ I'm all gush-silly over someone who lives in New York. And I love him!
~ My favorite colors are, in the order I started liking them [you read proper!]: blue, black, silver, purple, red and yellow. I just recently started liking pink. YES! Pink!!
~ I had a crush on Billy the Blue Ranger as a kid. And then Adam the Black Ranger. Never really understood why the other girls went after Tommy the White Ranger--HANDS OFF!! he belongs to Kimberly the Pink Ranger, don't you know? And I still think Jason the Red Ranger and Trini the Yellow Ranger made a cute couple. Yeah, I know. I'm a dork. But the old-school Power Rangers are just fcuking awesome!!
~ I like eating cinnamon bread and chocolate syrup sandwiches. YUM!
~ Favorite comfort food: grilled cheese and soup. Especially if Mom's making the grilled-cheese and the soup is chicken noodle or tomato.
~ My music range is [old-school] punk and alternative, new wave, indie, and electronic. Oh, and some classical stuff, especailly if it's choral work with the help of an organ. Or if it's on an organ or harpsichord altogether. Or if Dr. Rickman's on the piano.
~ Anyone remember The Adventures of Pete and Pete on Nickelodeon when we oldies were kiddies? I had a crush on Big Pete. He's better off with Ellen though. And Little Pete and Nona made a cute couple too!
~ I'm terrified of dragonflies but LOVE butterflies! [what?]
~ I have a short temper. Do NOT mess with me. We Hispanic folk have eeeeeeeevil tempers, no?
~ I'm scared of death. Seriously. I'm afraid of it. And when it happens to someone I know the fear goes 10X worse.
~ And did I mention, I'm a self-proclaimed butterball punk of my choir, and damn proud of!?

And to add to being the quirky oddity that I'm proud to be, thank you, Delia Derbyshire, for this classic Doctor WHO treat, which is my Song of the Day:
"Chromophone Band" - Delia Derbyshire


Adding to the oddness some more--a song that, mind you, the lead singer of this group is a GUY. Y'all been sorta warned. No, it's safe for work, really. Just... well... yeah. *shrug*
"Your Woman" - White Town


Alrighty, I think that takes care of the codename for now, I owe two tomorrow [one for yesterday]. Sunday doesn't count, as I was off one day on my countdown. *lol*

Until the next round...

~ me, codename quirkster

codename ~ STORMFIGHTER

For those who don't know, I'm scared stupid of storms. And it's all because of a time that, when I was 8, I looked outside the windows of my grandparents' house to witness my very first hurricane. His name was Andrew. Thanks to him, I've been afraid of storms since. Especially if, yep--they were hurricanes.

I don't really do well with nasty weather. The only time I'll actually tolerate storms is if I'm at work [then it's not so hot in drive-thru] or if I'm at home [then I could sleep 'em away or something]. And technically I should be used to handling storms by now--I'M A FLORIDIAN FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!!

All in all, I've really not a lot of patience for storms. Maybe a minor rainstorm. But thunderstorms... Tropical Storms... Hurricanes... no. I'm just a minor bit scared of 'em all. I hear about a Hurricane and--*roboter has heard it for himself!*--in short I just panic. I have to beat that PANIC button until it breaks.

The codename~STORMFIGHTER StarMix [albeit a minor short one--just two songs this time]

Yeah, I know. What a first song to start off with but hey. Thank you Shirley Manson for a song about being happy when it's pouring outside!
[/sarcasm]
"Only Happy When It Rains" - Garbage


The first time I heard this song was when I was at work, and Tropical Storm Fay was making her way through. That was last month too! When I heard this one of the regulars and I agreed that hey! Jack got it right, that fellow. Since then it's became my go-to song for when I get stuck at home, rained in. I'm not a big Jack Johnson fan, but I definitely love this song.
"Banana Pancakes" - Jack Johnson


A minor note--I'll be 25 in three weeks from today. Oh. bloody. joy.

~ me

codename ~ TECHNO

So, the countdown to my birthday is, T minus three weeks from...

tomorrow!? Oh man... where's my PANIC button?

And so, with that in mind, the Chapterness will be on a minor, three-week hiatus so I can really start to reflect on a quarter-century that's developed within me. In this case, I'm recalling to my memory and your know-how 21 minor tidbits about me; they're classified as codenames. And the first in the codename series, TECHNO, blinks towards the side of me that indulges in electronic music. Big time. And that love is rightly--and mutually--shared with one particular person, to whom this post is especially for.

What better way to celebrate the weekend than a post-'em-up-on-the-blog StarMix? It's been a long week--it's time to freckin' CELEBRATE!!

Kicking off the codename series, and this crazy StarMix of my fave techno from both past and recent, is a song that, I swear, Roboter fcuking loves. In fact, not only did he drive me halfway up the wall to where I decided to play the song for him on my darn 'Pod, but this song's been stuck in my head ALL BLOODY DAY LONG!! Thanks a bunches, hunny... :-P Hey, it's all good.
"Satisfaction" - Benny Benassi


And while I'm thinking ahead on the industrial tidbit, how 'bout some Combichrist? Now mind you, a couple of years ago before the car died, I would go to Indie Bar twice a week--Saturdays for 80's night, Wednesdays [now Thursdays apparently] for Goth/Industrial night. And this was one of the staples.
"This Shit Will Fcuk You Up" - Combichrist


Note--this will NOT be an all-male music post. Welcome aboard, Client!!
"Drive" - Client


And now, from Germany with love... And One!! Saw 'em last year April when they opened for VNV Nation. Fcukin' awesome set. This track was one of 'em.
"Military Fashion Show" - And One


How 'bout us some old-school industrial? Thank you, Front 242!!
"Headhunter" - Front 242


Currently I've got this song on repeat. This is actually my favorite of Benny Benassi's stuff. Roboter's probably gonna be like, OMGWTF...!?
"Who's Your Daddy?" - Benny Benassi


Anybody remember this track? --hey, I had a crush on Richard Patrick from Filter at the time this song came out. What!? The tune itself is ace; Richard's just proper eye-candy on the video!!
"Trip Like I Do" - The Crystal Method [feat. Richard Patrick]


And... well, since I'm nice and I'm just as big a fan of this song, why the heck not?
"Busy Child" - The Crystal Method


Some more Combichrist. Roboter's probably rolling his eyes. Or not. But anywho, this is my favorite Combichrist track. I just... I just bloody love this song.
"This Is My Rifle" - Combichrist


Back to some girl-power. More Client!! "I've got my red dress on..." ...yeah, needless to say I have two red dresses, thanks to this song. What?
"Lights Go Out" - Client


And while I'm still in a femme-fatales-of-techno, I think the lovely Goldfrapp deserves to be in this StarMix as well. Though my fave track from her is "Ohh La La", I do like this song very much as well...
"Slide In" - Goldfrapp


Jumping back a couple of years... okay, maybe about a decade or so... some Chemical Brothers, anyone? Yeah, I know, you remember this one...
"Block Rockin' Beats" - The Chemical Brothers


And, going further back, some more Front 242; it's an alright tune but I still consider "Headhunter" as my fave from the Front...
"Welcome To Paradise" - Front 242


How about a remix of a good New Order track? I'll have to defo remember to post the original on another codename post in the near future.
"Everything's Gone Green" [Martin Buttrich Remix] - New Order


This *ALMOST* trips into some sense of electro. Hell, I'll post it anyway. She's got some good stuff anyway, in my opinion. So hey, why not? Now while she leans more towards the pop/hip hop/r+b genre, this track doesn't really fit in that. And, like I said, it's almost electro. My opinion, but you can judge for yourself.
"Kremlin Dusk" - Utada


--oh shoot, I almost forgot Trent. Reznor, that is.
"The Perfect Drug" - Nine Inch Nails


Back to Germany for some more And One. And... hey Roboter!! this tune's in German!!
"Panzermensch" - And One


Speaking of Germany, how about the band that started it all for electronica? Showing love from the Underground to our beloved Mensch-Maschinen--I would use "Metropolis" but as I'm in a damn good mood...!
"Nummern/Computerwelt 2" - Kraftwerk


One last tune and... unfortunately... I do NOT remember the name of the song nor who does it sooo... yeah. It'll be in the unknown territory, but I still love this song. As it was the third track on an industrial mix I had that I still listen to, I'm codenaming this as Track 3. I can't believe I forgot this... damn the fact that I lost the stupid tracklist for that StarMix...
Track 3


*whew!!* Alright!! The weekend has officially begun, and so has the codename series too! It'll be an interesting self-analysis upon my quarter-century; I can only hope I don't judge myself all too harshly...

Oh for the love of... it's the weekend. Why am I moping? Time to crank the tunage up!! Happy Weekend in the Underground!!

Until the next round...

~ me

Chapter 76: Loony, loopy, and... and... yeah, that. [Finally, an update, and some music.]

Alright, may I be the first to admit, I am one madcap semi-out-of-it goofball and a half. No joke.

Thursday [which was the last y'all heard from me on here] I got up at noon, ran some errands, posted here, went to dinner, got back to the apartment.

And I didn't sleep a damn bit.

So needless to say I was wound up and insane for a good 24 hours. Though, oddly enough, I didn't take a nap until after I got home, around 2 P.M. or so. Got back up at 7 P.M., only to get called back in to work half an hour later!! So pretty much I ended up with another 10-hour workday to boot--worked 8-10:30, then had dinner and finally called it a night. Was in bed by 11:30, only to have to be up at 4 yesterday morning!!

At this point my body clock is all messed up a bit. Last night I went to bed at 7, woke up at 1 this morning, went back to sleep an hour later, got back up two and a half hours later to go to work!!

Plus, add to the fact of the matter that Daylight Savings Time is going to end soon... and basically, before we know it, my body clock's gonna be screwed. Again.

Oh and, the Managers are planning to turn me into a Service Manager. w00t!! More on that as the week progresses--I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon. Meh.

In other news, one of my hopeless crushes [his name's Joshua--and no, he's not my Manager, thank God!!] actually asked me out this week, but we haven't made plans to hang out as of yet, mostly because of my odd schedule. I mean, yeah. Yay me. Just that I'm not getting my hopes up--especially after all I'd been through. And I'm sure my ex is bound to say something. Well, maybe. If he's not too darn busy between studying his nerves shot and/or getting his sportsaholic fix to read this. *sarcasm* What!? It's true [yes, for once, I am bashing the ex, and that's as close to hating someone that I now have hardly any feelings for as it's gonna get]...

With that in mind, a new music playlist for a Semi-Pathetic Being...


Starts off a bit cheerful, with the extended dance remix of "So Many People" by Hubert Kah, going darker and more somber with some music that's pulled me through these past few months. Well, besides Kraftwerk of course. Except, this playlist has NO Kraftwerk. Yeah, it's that glum.

There are certain songs on there that I nowadays don't listen to much anymore, mostly because of certain memories of certain people. However, it's not that I have any regrets--I don't have any regrets. I just... I just hate the circumstances I almost always fall in.

So, I might as well add another soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend to the list... *sigh*

Until the next round...

~ 'Sunshine'

Chapter 64: If you love Kraftwerk, you're really gonna love the newest StarMix...

...yep, y'all guessed it. It's got Kraftwerk. And plenty of!!

Behold, the new Trans-Underground soundtrack: Trans-Unterirdisch Express



Note: this playlist above is only the StarMix [plug-this-sucka-mix-in-da-boombox!] version. The full soundtrack is at the bottom of the blog. For best effect, put the mix on random, and crank it up full blast. Sing along if you know the words no matter what the language.

Until the next round, enjoy the noise...

~ 'Sunshine'

Chapter 38: Odds, ends, and... a blackout!? [Must be a Wednesday...!]

[Currently playing: 'Fade to Grey' by Visage.]

First of all, not sure how the hell this haze came about, but it must be the cause of this very interesting sunset from last night--



[6:52 P.M. last night, just as I was turning the corner to get around to my job.]

This odd haze has been around for quite some time, actually. I should've done my homework about this, but I haven't. Oops. But anyway, I'll be honest here. It just makes the sky look so... so... weird. I mean, it's kinda hard to describe it but, basically it makes the sky look rather pale... close to white, really. I don't know, maybe it's just me. But in any case, I hope it's gone soon... or at least I hope it rains. We could sure use it. Big time.

In other happy-strange-oddity news, Monday night I got a special treat in the mailbox: my friend Margaret in Canada [the resident Hooky's Angel of the Excelsios Underground] sent me a third envelope full of Joy Division/New Order pics!! Yay!!

A good majority of them were Steve and Barney pictures, as well as some of them together. I was in happy post-punk girl heaven. So much so that I took a picture of my favorite picture sent to me, and now this is my cell phone wallpaper:



Coworker Tabby thought he looked younger than 49 by a good shot--she even thinks he's cute!! Hee-hee!! *all giggles and stuff now*

[I mean, hell, if he looked at me like that then, how the heck could I not say no!?]

And finally, for a laugh-out-loud shock of the day, at around 1:30 this afternoon a nice surprise happened--considering I had a crappy day [again...!], this proved to be that, now it was the hurting's turn to laugh its ass off...



With some light reflected from the outside [or was that the emergency light?]. No joke. The power around our block went OUT!!

We were closed for about an hour or so until the power came back on and we got things going again. Fun times because I wasn't on the clock when it happened, so I got to stick around and watch all the fun unfold!!

Of course, Barb was pissed because apparently this happened five minutes after she left to attend a meeting somewhere in town. It all became he-said-she-said-and-she-said when she said we were open, but Swing Manager Melissa informed her that Supervisor Chris said to close the place down until power came back up. And I, of course, just played messenger and laughed at it all. It was perfect!



...then again I'm sure there'll be hell to pay tomorrow! Crap!

So, in closing, here are a handful of songs for you Excelsians to jam to. This is my newly o-fish-ul [erm, official!] old-school gothique StarMix. Trust me, this is just part of what the 80's were all about...

Yazoo [or Yaz] - 'Don't Go' ~ Got me from the first synth notes. Alison 'Alf' Moyet is right below Gillian Gilbert in my list of the most influential women in music. Alf provided the vocals to the synths of Vince Clarke [ex-Depeche Mode]. She. Is. Amazing!

The Teardrop Explodes - 'Brave Boys Keep Their Promises' ~ I never heard of them until it was noted once that they played at a festival with Joy Division. This song got my interest and attention. Very unique in its own way, really. Gotta find more TTE for the Underground, yes, I should. Indeed.

Stockholm Monsters - 'Winter' ~ Never heard of them until a fellow NOOLer [can't remember who--dangit!] mentioned them. I now have four or five songs from them, and they are absofreckin'lutely cool. An Excelsios favorite already. So much so that two of their songs, this being one of them, are on the Hacienda Homecoming music player here [the other track on it is 'Fairy Tales'].

Public Image Ltd - 'Rise' ~ Possibly the best thing Johnny Lydon, that redheaded cutie, ever did after the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols, was starting PiL [as this band is commonly known]. This is perhaps their biggest hit, and it's a surpriser too, as Johnny sounds wonderful in this song. Bravo, Johnny, sir!! *sigh*

The Smiths - 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' ~ Come. The. Bleep. On. How the Helen of Troy could anyone have a goth mix without Morrissey's beloved band the Smiths!? Every goth-ish mix I've done has this song on it. It's just the perfect sad love song. [Just watch out for that 10-ton truck.]

The Pet Shop Boys - 'It's a Sin' ~ Yes, I do consider this a goth song. If you've seen the video you'd probably understand. And anyway, the lyrics are quite a testimony to it. But overall, it's a good dance tune. No shame in this song whatsoeffin'ever.

Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark - 'Electricity' ~ OMD [as this band is commonly known] actually played with Joy Division in the same festival as with The Teardrop Explodes. Forgot the name of the festival, but I'm sure of it. Anywho, this track's on the Hacienda Homecoming music player.

New Order - 'Mesh' ~ Hands down my favorite pre-'Temptation' song by the Order [with 'Procession' in a VERY close second!]. The beats, the bass, the guitars, vox and synths--I love it all. Just something so cool and so sexy about it. Can't put my finger on it, really. But it's still a good song!

Joy Division - 'Heart and Soul' ~ I opted for something very haunting from the 'Closer' album by the Division, and this track is exactly it. Very gothique and very beautiful. And Ian's vocals!? Hel-lo chill factor! Need I say more? I think not.

The Durutti Column - 'Otis' ~ Somehow, this could just fit. I don't have a clue how the DC could be goth, but this could serve as good chill music. And anyway, it lightens up the mix a bit. This song's on the Hacienda Homecoming music player, as well on a few more upcoming Mixes.

Visage - 'Fade to Grey' ~ One of the great classic neo-romantic gothique songs. It just grips you like it's nobody's business, from the opening synths to the final 'We fade to grey'. Although I will admit that I do find the video a bit strange if not slightly disturbing, a good song all around.

Peter Murphy - 'Cuts You Up' ~ Quite possibly one of the best things to come out of Peter Murphy since Bauhaus. This is pretty different from his Bauhaus material, but it also has its own sense of pure whim. The DJ back at Indie-Bar always paired this song with the one following it--

Siouxsie and the Banshees - 'Cities in Dust' ~ My very first Siouxsie song. Heard it as a kid, never heard it again until almost a year ago. And now it's become one of my all-time favorite songs. I once dedicated this to an ex-boyfriend who did me wrong. Of course, he wasn't too thrilled on how I moved on!!

New Order - 'Angel Dust' ~ I'm sorry but, I just canNOT resist putting this classic track on there. From 1986's classic album 'Brotherhood', this was one of the three favorite tracks on there. Its remix is 'Evil Dust', which I'll have to post on here one of these days. Yeah, it's that good.

The Cure - 'Lovesong' ~ The quintessential gothic love song, courtesy of the Cure. The lyrics, the keyboards, the entire song is just one hell of a classic. Sure it could be a bit cheesy and possibly one of their most overrated songs but, come the hello on! it could be one of the best love songs ever.

Tunnelvision - 'Glenn Miller' ~ I swear, I never heard of them until Saturday night when I went music-hunting. This song's got a sound similar to the Division, but not quite. It's a very interesting song though, and the chorus is, albeit a small bit hard-to-understand, very neat-o. Ace song.

Ministry - 'Every Day Is Halloween' ~ Ahh, the classic anthem for the whole gothic nation. Al Jourgensen did us goths justice when he and Ministry put this song together. It's got common airplay now, and not just on Halloweens anymore. Put it on and remind yourself, this is what it is to be a goth!!

The Durutti Column - 'Sketch for Summer' ~ What more unique way to end a goth mix than with more of the DC? This song is a bit more unique than 'Otis', and it's already become my favorite DC track. Possibly one of the best chill-out songs never really discovered. A great masterpiece all in all.

...and there you have it! Some of the best 80's goth tracks I can think of at the moment. Yet it all just works! I can't wait to hear this back at the Apartment.

A final note--I finally have the first official soundtrack to the 'Angelos' arc, so stay tuned for the mix of eclecticity, as I debut the first round of StarMixes devoted to the 'Angelos' arc.

Until the next round, enjoy the noise, and Cheers!! XOXOXO Mike, Crush!!

~ 'Sunshine'

ETA 8:42 P.M. ~ I am an idiot--I FORGOT THE MP3 LINKS!! STUPID SUNSHINE!!