Huge news on the music front this week!

One of the best bands of all time, Thievery Corporation, has permitted us the use of 3 of their songs for our production! Their show in Seattle supporting “The Richest Man in Babylon” was one of the hottest shows I’ve ever witnessed. I danced myself silly that night. I’ve been jazzed in a big way ever since getting the signed release. These guys are 2 of the most talented Americans alive and the best thing to come out of Washington, DC since the Civil Rights Act.Learn more on their website and look forward to hearing the following awesome tracks in “The Laughing Planet”: “Warning Shots”, “A Gentle Dissolve”, & “Indra”.They join the likes of Nada Surf, The Long Winters, Kiss Her For the Kid & Startlight Mints who have also offered us their artistry for the sake of helping promote the message that “The best way to save the planet is to keep laughing!” Are The Dandy Warhols, The Valley & Blackalicious far behind? Stay tuned!

Earth Day was yesterday. Of course, for green cheerleaders like me every day is earth day. I did nothing special like planting trees or impeaching Bushes this year, but I did ride my bike instead of driving. The Cannondale is 16 years old this month & still has some life left in her. I did buy her a new big chain ring as a (B)Earth Day gift.

But I realized that April-May marks another anniversary of sorts for me. It was this time of year in 2002 that I last paid rent. This means it was the last time there were things like “my heating bill” or “my refrigerator”. Sure, some of you might say I’ve done it merely to save money. I’d like to think there was a greater purpose. By surfing couches, backpacking, and living in a Karhaus (more…)

It was a lovely day in early May 2007 when I got a haircut from these fine young men in Medan, Sumatra. I just stumbled upon them right before retiring to my room at the end of my 1st night in Indonesia. Things always work out best when you go with the flow. It turns out they were such a fine spectacle that they made their way into the movie in the first 4 minutes. That scene was actually referenced as a favorite of our 11-year old movie critic!

And this whole time I’ve been editing the video they enliven, laying down voice over, and so on, this was my most recent haircut. Growing one’s hair out for Locks of Love takes time, you realize. Finally, I grew tired of all the Cousin It jokes, broke down, and paid some local girl $20 to trim my mop top – not nearly the bargain I got in Sumatra (5000 Rupiah = around $0.70!). But at least it was less dangerous. When these boyz were attending to me, there was a real risk of getting burned by the flames.

Great news for the TLP team today! One of my favorite bands ever has agreed to let us use their songs for film festivals. All hail The Long Winters! You guys rock! And I honestly don’t think I laugh at any other show as often as I do when John Roderick is on the mic.

I hope this is an augury of things to come when other bands like The Dandy Warhols, Blackalicious, The Valley, Nada Surf and Thievery Corporation sign on the dotted line as well. Several weeks of patient negotiating seems to be paying off.

There are lots of good ones. Virtually spotless. Military intelligence. Jumbo shrimp. Friendly fire. Reagan memoirs. (Add your fave below). And my new favorite- “Free, with purchase.”

The one that has my panties in a bunch these days is of course “completed movie”. The best & most honest answer I like to use to the question, “Aren’t you done yet?” is, “Any day now…” Then I learn that our Exec Producer just got his own Mac to go with the 2 we use here in Sacto. Good news for me. Right as spring is springing I can hand off our baby and say, “Here ya go, Herb. Good luck with that!” Maybe I can even get to work on the other question that you all love to pester me with- “So where the hell are you going next?” That way I’m not a walking oxymoron – Sedentary traveler.