No Phat Chicks!

Top Ten Tasty Men

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:07:00 +0000

O.k. ladies, the ballots are in, and here are your choices for Large Marge's Top Ten Tasty Men List: 1. Eddie Vedder. 2. John Cusack 3. Johnny Depp 4. Benicio Del Tor 5. Anderson Cooper 6. Bradley Cooper 7. Jake Gyllenhaal 8. Clive Owen 9. Colin Farrell 10. Gael Garcia Bernal 11. George Clooney 12. Brian Williams 13. Sting 14. John Corbett 15. Jon Hamm 16. Jim Caviezel 17. Ben Harper 18. Josh Ritter 19. Bruce Springsteen 20. Zac Ephron or John Mayer 21. Michael Franti

Patty Griffin: Making Pies

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:21:00 +0000

I haven't had much time to blog the last couple of days, and probably won't for a few more days. But today, as we're making pies in the kitchen, I've got Patty Griffin's song "Making Pies" stuck in my head. Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks!

Sara Melson: Feel it coming....

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:54:00 +0000

My 'ol buddy, Eric Teel, is spinning some great tunes on JPR's Open Air session this gorgeous November afternoon. This song by Sara Nelson entitled "Feel It Coming" is getting a fair share of airtime on JPR these days. It's a great tune, with a great guitar riff and it captures my mood today. Lyrics are here. I especially like these lines: "That’s it, I’m all better now. Spit up the last of what made me hurt. I feel light as a feather now. At last I finally know my worth.... Something better's coming, soon... I feel it coming." Amen, sistas. Check out more of Sara Nelson's tunes on her MySpace page. Enjoy.

Sam Phillips: Baby, I Can't Please You...

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:59:00 +0000

As you may know by now, I am a complete World Cafe junkie. David Dye played Sam Phillips "Baby, I Can't Please You" last night on World Cafe (no, not that Sam Phillips, the other Sam Phillips!). It took me right back to Austin, circa 1994, when I first purchased this little gem of a CD called Martinis & Bikinis. Little did I know how much I would relate to this song 14 years later. And that's all I'm going to say about that. Here's Sam Phillips on YouTube. Lyrics are here. Here's her website: http://www.samphillips.com/. Enjoy! Image Source: Amazon.com.

Radiohead: Weird Fishes

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:57:00 +0000

I've had Radiohead's latest CD, In Rainbows, stuck in my car CD player for days. I can't seem to get it out, I just keep playing it, and listening in amazement.... Radiohead boggles my mind. Here's Weird Fishes. Another live version of Weird Fishes here. Lyrics are here. Here's a great description of this song: "On this track Greenwood plays the Ondes-Martenot, an electronic keyboard developed by Maurice Martenot, a colleague of Leon Theremin. The Ondes-Martenot produces elegiac tones that sound like a cross between the warm buzz of a Rhodes piano and the resonant blare of a pipe organ. Such tones are perfect for Yorke's tremulous voice and his equally tremulous words-- 'Your eyes, they turn me/ Why should I stay here?' The Orchestra joins the fray slowly, xylophones and trumpets giving way to gliding gilded strings bowed and plucked. The confluence of these swirling bits produces a bit of dissonance, with Yorke's voice rubbing awkwardly against the Orchestra near the end of the performance. Given that 'Arpeggi' ends on a questioning tone-- Yorke repeating the word 'escape' in a weak, wispy manner as a two-note pattern is repeatedly plucked-- that friction is no doubt intentional." Enjoy! Image Source: The extremely talented MalloryPhillipy, who also has a Radiohead-inspired card collection on Etsy.com. Check her out!

The Be Good Tanya's...

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:12:00 +0000

Speaking of rock stars, I've got a huge crush on The Be Good Tanya's. The Be Good Tanya's are described as "a mixture of deep country, early American folk, old-time jazz, blues, gospel and folk, the sound of The Be Good Tanyas is reminiscent of a bygone era." Here's The Littlest Birds. And here's Scattered Leaves, live. Here's Human Thing (this is a must see video!). Here's Waiting to Die. And finally, here's Ootischenia (my current favorite). I love these lyrics: "Little sad with everything around me. I hit the floor and my feet kept moving. I look forward and never backwards. I was out the door like a roman soldier. Impossible to keep a straight line. Too young to keep these bitter hearts. And all around me, somebody singing.... get back, get back! Long hair coming down her shoulders. She is tired and feeling so much older. So tear the pages from the family bible. It came down upon the women for survival. It came down upon the women for survival. You know it wasn’t me, no. And nothing at all, you stop me if I get it wrong. I think I’m hearing somebody saying I’m gonna spank you ‘till you can’t sit down. Bust apart we’ll lose each other. The constellation of my sisters and brothers. I’m spinning out into the darkness. Good bye to you in the sadness of this. Good bye to you in the sadness of this. Good bye to you in the sadness of this. Impossible to keep a straight line. Too young to keep these bitter hearts. And all around me, somebody singing... get back, get back!" Amen to that, sista's! You'll find all The Be Good Tanya albums here on Amazon.com or here on Nettwork.

Cake: Rock-n-Roll Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:57:00 +0000

The song "Rock-n-Roll Lifestyle," by CAKE, was stuck in my head most of yesterday as I attempted to recuperate from Thursday nights' Open Mic night at the North Star Craft Brewery. If you haven't experienced Open Mic night yet, it's a blast. And the house band, Free Beer Tomorrow, is gaining some serious traction. Unfortunately, most of that traction occurs after midnight... Which leads me to conclude that I am probably not meant for the rock-n-roll lifestyle. But at least I can listen to some CAKE, and eat it too! Enjoy!

80's Flashback Friday: O.M.D. Enola Gay

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:29:00 +0000

Speaking of the Enola Gay, here's Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD) with a great 80's Flashback video here, or here (live version). Remix here. [On a side note, I've been to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima and will remain anti-nuke for the remainder of my life on this planet. But I have accepted the reasons why the United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. But may it never happen again. Amen.]

Happy Birthday, No Phat Chicks!

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Happy Birthday, No Phat Chicks! A year ago today I launched this rude and boorish blog. I was driving back from San Francisco on a Sunday afternoon, and I received a phone call from a friend asking me if I had received a letter from the Record Searchlight attempting to ban me from commenting on Redding.com because the comments were "upsetting" one of their "journalists." I explained to my friend that I had not received such a letter. In turn, I learned that another friend had. I was pissed. After being stabbed in the back by a particular Record Searchlight journalist myself, then watching her stab Doni Greenberg in the back, and now, another friend; I decided to move off the sidelines and jump into the fray. Thus, I launched No Phat Chicks! Three weeks later there was a bit of a verbal altercation in an In & Out Burger between said journalist and myself. Shortly thereafter, I was served a "Restraining Order" against this blog at my place of work. Not cool. I honestly believed there was no way in hell someone could restrain a blog or my 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech. My attorney agreed. We went to court in January and February, and the 1st Amendment prevailed. I was scolded by Judge Gibson in the process for my "rude, boorish and 6th grade level" blog. But he agreed that my right to blog was thoroughly protected under the "Big Fat First Amendment." Right on! Read more about this lawsuit on The Citizen Media Law Project, the First Amendment Center, Editor and Publisher, and the Society of Professional Journalists, Greater Los Angeles Chapter. Needless to say, more than 8,000 hits later, No Phat Chicks! is still going strong! Here's to another successful year on No Phat Chicks! Blog free or die! And remember, "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History." ;-) Amen, sista's!

Happy Veteran's Day: Bombs away, baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:33:00 +0000

Happy Veteran's Day! Also known as Bad-Ass Doolittle's Veteran's Day in my family... There's a very good reason I'm a warrior princess on occasion, and being a descendant of Jimmy Doolittle is just one of them. We Doolittle's are a little too fearless by nature. Read all about Jimmy Doolittle here. Read more about the Doolittle Raid, America's daring strike against Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack. [And no, I'm not talking about the Enola Gay here, folks!] More about the Doolittle Raiders here. Order a copy of "The Doolittle Raid" or "The First Heroes" on Amazon.com. Bombs away, baby! Happy Veteran's Day!

Sad news: A tribute to Miriam Makeba

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:10:00 +0000

According to the BBC, "South African singing legend Miriam Makeba has died aged 76, after being taken ill in Italy. She had just taken part in a concert near the southern town of Caserta." Listen to the full story here on BBC.com. You may recognize one of her most famous songs "Pata Pata." This song was recorded during her exile from South Africa. More great music here. Read more about Miriam Makeba here. Please say a prayer for Miriam Makeba and her family and loved ones.

Bruce Cockburn: If I had a rocket launcher....

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:38:00 +0000

This song by Bruce Cockburn, entitled "If I Had a Rocket Launcher," came up during yet another late night political rant/debate with some friends this weekend. Great 6 minute YouTube video of this song here. Lyrics are here. [Please note that this song was written circa 1984, way before 9/11, and has nothing to do with Taliban rocket launchers, or terrorists, etc. As explained on LastFm: "The song was inspired by Cockburn’s visit, sponsored by OXFAM, to Guatemalan refugee camps in Mexico following the military torture campaign of dictator Efraín Ríos Montt. Although Cockburn had occasionally touched on political themes in his earlier songs, “If I Had a Rocket Launcher” was his first explicitly political song to be released as a single, and earned him a new reputation as an outspoken musical activist.] Image Source: Google, read the full story about this home-made rocket launcher here.

Sunday Sermon: "We're All Chained"

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:22:00 +0000

I went to see Zack and Miri Make a Porno last night with my buddy, the Max Factor. We gave it a two thumbs up. Go see it, you will laugh your way through the whole movie. Yeah, I know, it might be a little on the rude, boorish and 6th grade level. But that's just the kind of sense of humor I have ;-) One of my favorite scenes in the movie has the Pixies song "Hey" playing in the background, with the haunting lyric of 'we're all chained' coming through loud and clear. It reminded me how much I love this song from my namesake album, Doolittle, circa 1988/89. Lyrics are here. Get the entire Zack and Miri soundtrack on Amazon.com. Image Source: Google.

It's here: Zack and Miri Make a Porno

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:43:00 +0000

I can't believe this new film, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" is actually showing in Redding, but it is. It stars Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen. You'll find it at Movies 10 and Prime 11 Cinemas in Anderson. Should be hilarious. Here's a trailer. Perhaps you'll remember this little diddy as well. ;-) Image Source: IMDb.com.

I woke up singing Wilco....

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:35:00 +0000

I went for a long walk with my dog, Harley, this beautiful Saturday morning. And I was humming this Wilco tune the whole time... I can't seem to get this song out of my head, so I'll pass it along to you. Here's Wilco's "Either Way." Another live version here. Original recording from Sky Blue Sky here on LastFM. Lyrics are here. Enjoy! Image Source: Google.

Ignorance is not Bliss in a Heart of Darkness...

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:31:00 +0000

I'm not in a good mood today... I've heard a life-time quota of darkly racist banter from acquaintances in the last 2-3 months. I'm disgusted with the hearts of darkness I've seen and heard. And I tend to not be able to breathe, or talk, when I hear it... I just sort of stop breathing and my mind goes blank with disbelief. Like last night, when I was in the presence of the "watermelon and fried chicken" comments about the new White House menu. What is in the hearts of these people and why do they hate someone because of the color of their skin?? Did I mention I'm disgusted? Can't breathe... Can't talk..... So I give you Black Rain and Both Sides of the Gun by Ben Harper. Chew on those words, my friend. And read Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness while you're at it! Here's a link to the entire book. [Sorry, I'm on a bit of a rampage today.] Image Source: Google.

The Revolution Was Televised...

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:22:00 +0000

I've always loved this song by Gil Scott Heron called "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." And I never thought I would be able to witness a televised, peaceful revolution in the United States, but we just did on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008. "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" lyrics are here. Read the book of the same title by Joe Trippi here on Amazon.com.

You say you want a Revolution?

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:24:00 +0000

You say you want a Revolution? Well you know...We all want to change the world. You tell me that it's evolution. Well you know....We all want to change the world. But when you talk about destruction. Don't you know you can count me out. Don't you know it's gonna be alright. Alright. Alright. You say you got a real solution. Well you know. We'd all love to see the plan. You ask me for a contribution. Well you know. We're doing what we can. But when you want money for people with minds that hate. All I can tell you is brother, you have to wait. Don't you know it's gonna be alright. Alright. Alright. You say you'll change the constitution. Well you know. We all want to change your head. You tell me it's the institution. Well you know. You better free your mind instead. But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow. Don't you know know it's gonna be alright. Alright. Alright. -- ["Revolution" by The Beatles, circa 1963, 45 years ago!!! Lyricsdownload.com.] Get your Beatles Fans for Obama buttons on CafePress.com.

Election Day Song: Ben Harper, Better Way

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:02:00 +0000

I tried to post this yesterday, but I was having some computer problems [insert blog suppression conspiracy theory here].... So here goes: Yesterday, I found myself digging out my double-cd set of Ben Harper's Both Sides of the Gun and re-reading all the lyrics. Here's Better Way. Better Way lyrics are here. This song makes me want to steal some kisses from Ben Harper... Yum! [I once dated one of Ben Harper's friends, an architect who lived in Atlanta, so I got close to stealing a kiss from Ben Harper!] Now get out and Barack the Vote! Image Source: BenHarper.net.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins: I put a Spell on You

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:25:00 +0000

I'm still on my Spooky Song kick. Here's the all-time classic from Screamin' Jay Hawkins "I put a Spell on You" based on the original Nina Simone track. Another, more recent Nina Simone track here. One more version from Nick Cave here. Needless to say, Screamin' Jay Hawkins puts on an incredible performance. Enjoy! Image Source: Google.

Monday madness: Elvis Costello, Spooky Girlfriend

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:08:00 +0000

My 'ol buddy, Eric Teel, was playing some haunting Halloween tunes last Friday on Jefferson Public Radio's Open Air session. Elvis Costello's "Spooky Girlfriend" was one of them. I could not find a YouTube video of Elvis's rendition of this particular song [please help me find one, thanks!] Alas, here are some Elvis-inspired renditions of Spooky Girlfriend on YouTube: check out DIG, and this German version. Not too bad! Lyrics are here. They're worth the read, I promise. And if you like what you hear, you too can buy your "When I Was Cruel" CD here on Amazon.com.

Final Halloween Costume Tip: Don't let someone else dress you up!

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:51:00 +0000

Someone from the blogosphere was complaining that my "What Not To Wear For Halloween" costume series was getting a little dull. So, I had this whole list of costumes that I was going to talk about today to liven things up, so to speak. Alas, I'm almost out of time, and need to go hunting for some remaining pieces of my Sarah Palin/Caribou Barbie costume. So, instead I'm going to leave you with this final Halloween Costume Tip #5: Whatever happens tomorrow, don't let other people dress you up!!!

Just say "no" to that witch costume in the closet....

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:42:00 +0000

Halloween Costume Tip #3: Please don't be a Witch! O.k., I'll admit it. I dressed as a witch last year for Halloween. I'm not sure what came over me, other than I fell in love with this gigantic rubber witch mask I found somewhere. So here I am, pictured above, in all my witch glory. My zombie side-kick will remain unnamed. Needless to say, I thought we made quite an attractive, hideous couple... Now, please, don't be lame like me and dress like a witch for Halloween this year. But if you insist on being a witch, here are some great ideas for witch costumes on 3 Wishes.com. Zombies are still cool in my book, however.

I'm tired of pirate costumes...

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Halloween Costume Tip #2: Please don't be a Pirate! I was reading an article in the New York Times Sunday Styles late last night over a bowl of cereal. The article is entitled "Can I get an Arrgh?" and discusses the pros and cons of the new "pirate festivals" popping up all over the United States thanks to the billion dollar success of Pirates of the Caribbean, and a global pirate costume resurgence. The article states that a survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation "predicted that more than 1.7 million American adults would dress as pirates for Halloween this year, beating out zombies, cowboys, devils and French maids combined. Among children, being a pirate ranked fifth. Not bad, considering that more than 1.5 million little Hannah Montana's plan to troll for sugar across this weary land...." Yikes! 1.7 million pirates!!?? Please, spare us all and do not dress like a pirate this Halloween! Wait, o.k., I'll make one exception for this brilliant Davey Jones costume. This Davey Jones costume is just too bad ass not to wear!

What not to wear for Halloween....

noreply@blogger.com (Large Marge) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:50:00 +0000

Halloween Costume Tip #1: Don't be a cat, girlz. As you may know, we've entered the critical window of the "5 day countdown" until my favorite National Pagan Holiday: All Hallow's Eve. During this critical path window, I'm going to do a series on "What not to be for Halloween," which is inspired by my new favorite blogger/YouTube star, Brigitte Dale's video called "What you're going to be." Here she is with her tips on What Not to Be For Halloween. Halloween Costume Tip #1: Don't be a cat, girlz. If you're still not sure what you're going to be for Halloween, make sure you swing by The Humor Shop on Bechelli Lane this week. The store is packed with costume ideas, and open until 8:00 p.m. every night this week. Another great store for Halloween is "Retro Rampage - Vintage Boutique" located on Athens Drive (2840 Athens Ave. Open Tues - Sat, 12 - 6, 221-6982). More costume ideas here on 3Wishes.com. And if you must, get your Friska the Kat kostume here.