Song Saturday: Missy Elliott Block

How's it going lurkers? Today's Song Saturday block has been long overdue. 

Last Sunday, Missy Elliott was a featured performer at the Super Bowl with Katy Perry. Because I am NOT  a Sports fan (unless it's Boxing, Martial Arts, and Mixed Martial Arts) and was shoveling snow, I didn't watch the Super Bowl.

Recently, I discovered that Missy Elliott released more new music. I didn't know that she released anything new within the last several years. Because MTV no longer airs music videos, throughout the day and night and because I no longer listen to traditional radio stations, I was unaware of Missy releasing a more recent album. 

Surely, you're asking yourselves:

"What does Anna mean that she doesn't listen to radio stations anymore? I thought she was a DJ. If Anna doesn't listen to radio anymore, how does she know about the latest music?"

I quit hosting my radio show in 2003 and began limiting myself to traditional radio stations in 2004. 

Besides having to endure 2 creeps stalking me and having racist apartment housemates, the overall entertainment industry started to become political. I was already coping with post 9/11 racism on/off campus, during The Bush Administration. 

Being forced to listen to and watch entertainers, our Baby Boomer professors, and some college friends act self-righteous and patronize everyone with their political views was sickening. 

2004 was when entertainment really became political. Because of those pseudo-intellectual political "activists," I stopped going to movie theaters, watching most cable networks, and I quit hosting my radio show.

During The Bush Administration, most people wouldn't shut the fuck up about their political views. 

I never Majored or Minored in Political Science. I especially didn't become a Radio DJ/Hostess to listen to mostly hardcore drug addicts try to brainwash and oppress everyone about their political views. 

It wouldn't have been so terrible, if those of said ilk were actually politicians. However, it suddenly felt like everyone became a "political activist." 

While battling a severe bleeding disorder, I was relieved to be graduating from Carthage College in 2006. 

In fact, after graduating, I grew more interested in international entertainment. That's another story for another time.

As I was saying earlier, I didn't know that Missy Elliott released any new music within these last several years. The last time I heard about Missy, she was battling Graves' Disease. 

It's fantastic knowing that she released more music, during these more recent years. Missy debuted as a rapper, during my high school freshman year in '97 and I loved listening to her. 

I always enjoyed watching Missy Elliott's music videos and listening to her songs because it felt like the old days, when rappers had fun and danced. 

My college friends ONLY  liked listening to The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back." Otherwise, they hate Rap and Hip-Hop. Meanwhile, I have always been more cultured and open-minded about music, since I am a music lover. 

Even though EBM, EDM, and Metal, including Industrial Metal are my favorite music genres and sub-genres, I still enjoy other music genres and sub-genres. Anyway, here's Missy Elliott for today's Song Saturday.

1) Missy Elliott [Featuring Da Brat] "Sock It 2 Me" Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

2) Missy Elliott [Featuring Nas, Lil' Mo, & Eve] "Hot Boyz" Da Real World (1999)

3) Missy Elliott [Featuring Director Dave Meyers, Master P, Lil' Romeo, Eve, Ja Rule, Timbalind, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, & Nicole Wray] "Get Ur Freak On" Miss E... So Addictive (2001) 

4) Missy Elliott [Featuring Ludacris, Tweet, Trina, Ms. Jade, Eve, DMC, & Director Dave Meyers] "Gossip Folks"/"Funky Fresh Dressed" Under Construction (2002) 

5) Missy Elliott [Featuring Director Dave Meyers, 106 & Park's Free, & Lil' Brianna] "Pass That Dutch"/"Wake Up" This Is Not A Test! (2003)

6) Missy Elliott [Featuring Ciara, Fatman Scoop, & Motley Crue's Tommy Lee] "Lose Control"/"On & On" The Cookbook (2005) 

Cartoon Sunday: Brandon Lee's 50th Birthday Tribute

How's it going lurkers? Today would've been Brandon Lee's 50th birthday. Had the creators of Robot Chicken not mocked The Crow in such a distasteful manner, I would've shared their short for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Over the last 2 decades, I have noticed The Crow fans being taunted much like Anime fans and other fandoms. I'm a fan of Robot Chicken, The Crow, and Anime. However, I only turn into a fangirl, when it comes to The Crow and Brandon Lee in general. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.

Rather than sharing a cartoon, I'm sharing another blog from Blogster. It was originally an Art Sunday blog on Blogster. 

When I published it 2 Julys ago, a certain nitpicky, Baby Boomer/drag queen used "her" so-called "short attention span" as a scapegoat for her personal disinterest.

Since I no longer participate in her Song Saturday and Art Sunday Tours, I'm re-sharing this blog I published about James O'Barr's The Crow on here.

In addition to this Art Sunday blog, I have 2 other blogs dedicated to Brandon Lee.

Happy 48th Birthday To The Late Brandon Lee!

Song Saturday Special: Happy 49th To The Late Brandon Lee

Anyway, here's my Brandon Lee (and I suppose you can still say James O'Barr's) tribute.

This blog was originally published on Blogster July 27, 2013.

How's it going Xangans and Blogsterians? I hope you're all enjoying your hot and sunny weather this weekend. Ours disappeared in WI. Yesterday and today, we only reached 65 degrees. It feels like it is early spring because it is cold for late July.

Aside from that, I've been meaning to do an Art Sunday blog, but I usually forget about it. I believe my last Art Sunday blog was my Short Horror Story, Across The Street. Most people don't view writing as an art form because it is written rather than drawn. I have not done any physical art work, since my high school senior year. Ceramics was the last physical art class I took.

Now, that I have come up with something for another Art Sunday, I decided to share this James O'Barr interview. I YouTubed it last year. Apparently, this video is on the re-release of The Crow. 

I have The Crow on the original VHS. I really should buy an updated version because James O'Barr's documentary is NOT  on the VHS for The Crow.

When I originally watched this interview last year, I couldn't help empathizing with O'Barr. He mentioned, that his work was a form of catharsis for him. 

Not only is James O'Barr's work cathartic for him, but also listening to the author explain in detail about his previous fiancee being killed by a drunk driver made me sympathize and empathize with him.

Luckily, none of my immediate family, friends, or exes were killed by drunk drivers. Although, some college peers of mine were killed by drunk drivers.

As far as love goes, being unable to be with that 1 person, who I loved the most really hit close to home for me, after watching and listening to James O'Barr's documentary. 

The man I really wanted to be with the most is not dead. He became a drug addict, who refuses to acknowledge me anymore. This is especially after he recently learned that his so-called "friend" was behind my abuse, years ago.

Sometimes, I emotionally torture myself and regret ever telling him about what happened to me. He probably wouldn't have turned so cold and rebuked me had I stayed quiet.

Anyway, here is James O'Barr's documented interview about his comic book, The Crow.

1) Comic Book Author James O'Barr Shares His Life & Inspiration For The Crow (1994)

2) James O'Barr Shares His Personal Catharsis (1994)

3) James O'Barr Explains His Art Techniques & Work History (1994)

4) James O'Barr Shares Alex Proyas & Brandon Lee's Admiration (1994)