Tom Smith and his Digital Acoustic LJ

And Now, Something Utterly For Fun

Thu, 31 May 2012 01:48:47 GMT

All of the 2012 Tony Awards Show promos starring Neil Patrick Harris:

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1525938.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Limbaugh On "Persecution Of Blacks In America": "What Persecution Would That Be?"

Wed, 30 May 2012 12:10:29 GMT

And on the other end of the spectrum we have Rush.

I've been joking for years that something has to be surgically removed from those wishing to advance in the Republican socio-political-economic power structure: irony, self-awareness, compassion, empathy, something.

This is one of those times I wonder if the joke is on me.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1525616.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Lawrence O'Donnell DESTROYS Mitt Romney

Wed, 30 May 2012 12:02:27 GMT

I'm a huge fan of Rachel Maddow. I'm (still) a huge fan of Keith Olbermann. But someone else of whom I am a fan hasn't got enough love on this LJ, and that's Lawrence O'Donnell. Eloquent, heartfelt, a little bit vicious. Perhaps not quite as erudite as Keith, nor as personable as Rachel (how does she remain so calm and friendly in the face of some of the bullshit she gets?), O'Donnell is every bit as competent and passionate about the news and how it affects us all.

Click here for O'Donnell's amazing takedown of Mitt Rmoney's claptrap on civil rights. It's about eight-and-a-half minutes, and very much worth your time.

ETA: For those who want a transcript -- if you mouse-over the bottom of the video, you'll see "transcript". Click that, and it'll pop up to the left of the vid.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1525448.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Farewell, Doc Watson

Wed, 30 May 2012 01:46:52 GMT

Great sadness. One of the legends of American folk music, Doc Watson, has passed away at the age of 89.

Watson changed everything by doing what no one had. His melodic flatpicking elevated the guitar from a rhythm backup to a lead and solo instrument for folk, country, blues, and bluegrass. He also helped introduce much of the country to the folk music of Appalachia, and was still performing as recently as last month (at MerleFest, the folk festival he hosted in memory of his son Merle [who was killed in an accident in 1985].)

In other words, the man basically reinvented traditional American music.

If you've never heard his wonderful, clean style and gentle, resonant voice, here's Doc doing "Deep River Blues", and here's him and Merle performing "Summertime".

Farewell, Doc, and many thanks.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1525005.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

More Bad Weather In The Northeast

Tue, 29 May 2012 19:40:17 GMT

Severe thunderstorms and tornado watches for PA, NY, and parts of New England. Stay alert, stay safe, and let us know how you're doing.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1524837.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Memorial Day

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:41:10 GMT

Today we remember those who have fallen in the service of our country.

If you have any memories of friends or relatives who have given everything for us, we'd be honored if you choose to share them.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1524623.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

A Slightly Different Version Of STAR WARS

Sat, 26 May 2012 23:22:55 GMT

Oh my.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1524241.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

The Cake Is A Zoetrope

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:45:57 GMT

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1523982.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Huzzah!

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:29:52 GMT

Geek Pride Day! And Towel Day! And the Glorious 25th!

To celebrate, some of us (including me) are going to World Steam Expo. Some are going to Media West. Some are going to BaltiCon (hi, jannyblue and gorgeousgary and the_sheryl and Jody Lynn Nye and Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps and everybody else out there). Some will even head to Toronto for Anime North. And I know there are other cons out there, and many other gatherings. Wherever you go, even if you have a staycation, be safe, beat the heat, and have fun.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1523945.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

nuWho: "Good As Gold"

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:30:35 GMT

Written by three schoolgirls. Here's the ep itself:

And here's the ep with a behind-the-scenes look at it:

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1523554.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Very Cool Avengers Cosplay

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:23:36 GMT

Right here. Note in particular #4 (the Hercules is spectacular), #9 (Wouldn't Samuel L. Jackson and Will Smith go together just great in Men In Black Of S.H.I.E.L.D.?), and #10 (Lego/Minimates/Minecraft Avengers cosplay FTW). And, if you read the descriptions, the captioner actually knows his/her comics lore, which is pretty damn rare for the Lamestream media.

Any good Avengers cosplay or fan art you'd like to share?

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1523440.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Tom Smith Performing at World Steam Expo (Dearborn, MI) This Weekend

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:33:03 GMT

Sorry for the self-aggrandizing subject line, but this has only been nailed down last-second and I wanted to make sure those who might be interested actually saw my name.

Ahem! This weekend, I have three-plus performances at the World Steam Expo, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. I have three concerts, at TEN IN THE FREAKIN' MORNING Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, as well as a convention-staff-only concert at 11:30 p.m. on Friday night.

There will be many other exciting bands, panels, and activities of interest there -- everything from panels on Victorian Flirting and an audience-participation performance of Shoggoth On The Roof to concerts by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing and the Confabulation of Gentry (the steampunk evil-twin personalities of the Consortium of Genius, who suspiciously also have a concert slot). It should be an exemplary time for all!

It happens, of course, to also be Memorial Day Weekend. Apart from remembrance for the fallen, what are your plans for the four-day?

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1523126.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Yay Seanan!

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:49:19 GMT

Yesterday Blackout was released, the third in Mira Grant's zombie trilogy that began with Feed and continued with Deadline. Get it. Get it now, so it affects the first-week sales.

And... Seanan reports that the film rights have been optioned.

WAHOOOOOOO!

Oh, my dear, so many congratulations. You kick ass on every level.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1522754.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Here, Have Another BRAVE TV Spot

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:42:33 GMT

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1522525.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

JAMES BOND 007: SKYFALL Trailer

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:59:26 GMT

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1522326.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

GAME OF THRONES/LEGEND OF KORRA Spoiler Thread

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:01:34 GMT

Have at it.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1522117.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Farewell, Robin Gibb

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:44:06 GMT

We knew it was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier. Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees has passed away at the age of 62. People make fun of the Bee Gees, including me on occasion, but they were stellar musicians with amazing harmonies, and if there are two better angsty songs than "I Started A Joke" and "I've Got To Get A Message To You" I don't know 'em.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1521909.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

My tweets

Sun, 20 May 2012 12:00:45 GMT

Sat, 12:47: Daily Kos: Obama campaign “goes there” again, calls Karl Rove out on his “BS” – VIDEO http://t.co/HrikMOhC via @dailykos
Sat, 12:58: Daily Kos: Barack Obama: Human Capitalist http://t.co/HFBhblGA via @dailykos
Sat, 17:14: AUROR'S TALE Teaser Trailer http://t.co/ICvZ0jQX
Sun, 00:41: 2012 Dancing With The Star Wars Stars http://t.co/DLvTjZlm

2012 Dancing With The Star Wars Stars

Sun, 20 May 2012 00:41:06 GMT

Note that they have it at night now, with a much more elaborate stage -- video screen, a second level with stairs, and pyro. This is getting pretty darn popular.

(And the Slave Leia and Amidala are gorgeous, but I simply cannot believe how hot the tall bone-white woman is. Every year, her Jedi mind tricks work on me juuuuuust fine.)

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1521478.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

AUROR'S TALE Teaser Trailer

Sat, 19 May 2012 17:14:01 GMT

Much more info at their Facebook page.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1521192.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

A Huge Dose Of Cute To Start Your Weekend

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:11:51 GMT

D'awwwwwwwwww.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1520974.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Yet Another Installment of WUT I DON'T EVEN

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:44:29 GMT

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1520700.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Farewell, Donna Summer

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:23:32 GMT

Sadness. Singer Donna Summer has passed away at the age of 63. She had a great voice, and she was a gorgeous and gracious lady, and she will be missed.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1520415.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Two Of Several Avengers/Friends Videos (I Think The Best)

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:05:08 GMT

ETA: Removed the second one, which vanished. Sigh.

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1520215.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.

Preview and Pre-Order Leslie Fish's NEW Album, AVALON IS RISEN, With 3 Tracks Free

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:49:05 GMT

From egoldberg:

Hi everyone --

For the past 4 years, producer Kristoph Klover has been dedicating sweat, passion and countless hundreds of hours of late-night studio time on a quest to deliver Leslie Fish's most evocative and crafted recording yet, capturing Leslie's personality and her guitar wizardry at its best.

Titled Avalon is Risen, this project features newly crafted recordings of Leslie's best-known and most powerful Pagan and bardic songs. Songs that are thoroughly enjoyable by Pagans and non-Pagans alike.

And I'm thrilled to announce that it's finally at the duplicators, and ready for your pre-order!

By pre-ordering, you'll be first in line to receive the first CDs on June 15th. And thanks to the Internet, you'll also receive a full MP3 album download instantaneously.

Honoring the bardic tradition of these songs, we commissioned Celtic illustrator Bradley Schenck to create a 32-page, fully-illustrated color lyric booklet that's as beautifully crafted as the CD, designed in the tradition of finely ornamented Celtic books. (And did we mention an introduction by author Diana Paxson herself?! ;-)

As an extra bonus, your pre-order entitles you a 25% limited-time discount off any of CDs or digital downloads of our other albums (featuring Julia Ecklar and friends) -- and our gratitude for your support in making this independent music possible.

-- HOW TO LISTEN & PRE-ORDER --

If you'd like to receive the the special 25% discount pricing on our other CDs, please make pre-order from this page:
http://www.prometheus-music.com/avalonpreorder.html

You can preview the entire Avalon is Risen album (and download 3 full MP3s at no charge):
http://www.prometheus-music.com/avalon.html

(If you prefer to pay check, please mail $18.75 (including domestic U.S. shipping) with your mailing address to: Eli Goldberg, 4337 15th Ave NE #412, Seattle WA. Add $11.97 for any additional CDs.)

Enjoy,
Eli

P.S. Please feel free to share this announcement with your local filk lists, friends, and anyone else who you think may be interested in this album!

This entry was originally posted at http://filkertom.dreamwidth.org/1519973.html. You may comment there or here, although LJ tends to have a livelier conversation at this time.