12:31 EST: Okay, no longer live now. Roger Waters was outstanding. Singing 'No Education' with a choir of smiling school kids behind him. And then there was that huge floating pig with the BIG BLACK SOS written on its side. The pig is perfect. The pig is everything. The pig is what this is all about. The symbol of the Flying Pig is what this is all about. Somehow you just know its true. So now so inspired: here are a few Youtube Pink Floyd Flying Pig Videos for your consideration. I suggest you take some mushrooms and watch all of them at the same time, over and over, with the sound turned way up, all the while pondering your own consumption habits, patterns and environmental footprint:
#1:
#2:
#3:
#4:
#5:
And then I must add that I'm finding it amazing the other films that come up in the Youtube search engine just from the words 'Flying Pig'. For instance:
Here is 'Just Another Night on the Job for a Flying Pig':
'Zen and the Art of Flying Pigs':
'Flying Pig: A Tribute':
'Drawing a Flying PIg':
'The flying pig of my mother':
'The Flying Pig':
And finally, 'Flying Pig shakin its ass':
And then there is another one with these two absolutely adorable kids running around and playing with these flying pig hats on their heads; the wings are attached to strings that the kids can pull to make them flap and the whole thing is set to the music of 'you send me right round baby right round like a record baby right round right round', but its embedding is turned off. And then there is another completely disturbing one with some guy throwing his little pig around, that was very stupid and cruel. For a moment I thought maybe I SHOULD show that one. Maybe I should be disturbing, because, ultimately, ITS ALL SO DISTRUBING. But then I chose not to. I don't want to. I don't want to see it again. And maybe THATS the problem. Vegetarians I'm sure would tell me that the fact that I don't want to ever again see THAT particular Youtube Flying Pig Video - THAT THAT is in fact - THE PROBLEM. The Flying Pig as the disturbing, cruel reality.
So there it is - a Youtube Flying Pig Film Festival. And they say that everything has already been done on the Internet.
Save the Earth. I can certainly understand the plastic bag thing. For you Madonna: I must do better with the plastic bags, as well as other things I'm sure. Gotta love myself I guess. One of their commercials: we use a million plastic bags a day. 2.2 million barrels of oil. Or was it Billion? Something like that.
So yes there it is:
With that, we have come to the end of our broadcast day here for Live Earth Live Blogging. Closing with a Youtube Flying Pig film festival. Dear people I can tell you: I certainly would not have thought that, when I began this ridiculous exercise, earlier this afternoon.
Cheers. Happy 7.07.07. And good luck.
1:03 am EST.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
on planting trees
8:49: EST: I wonder if anyone has inquired as to whether or not Dirk Brinkman has signed his Live Earth Pledge? (see #6) Or does he get a pass?
Kanye West censors himself
7:58 EST: In keeping with our earlier arisen theme of perfroming certain rap songs at these big SOCIALLY CONCIOUS CONCERTS - Make of this what you will: Kanye West is on stage in New York/New Jersey singing 'Gold Digger' - which N word or not is still an absolutlely great hip hop song, impeccably produced - but when it comes to the contentious part: "Now I ain't saying shes a Gold Digger - but she ain't messing with no broke - ". In this part he is just singing 'Broke ... broke" - saying broke twice, instead of the n-word. Not Earth friendly, I guess. The spectre of Tipper Gore.
UPDATE: I am wrong. Kanye West is not, technically, censoring himself. I have subsequently learned that this version of Gold Digger, is in fact the MTV version. Kanye West is performing the MTV version of his hit song Gold Digger. On this occasion, of the Live Earth. So its not the spectre of Tipper Gore at all. Its the spectre of MTV. Unless the spectre of Tipper Gore is actually, lurking somewhere behind the spectre of MTV.
Madonna (!?)
4:59: EST:
The anticipation is killing everyone. You know its killing Tanya. It is, Like a Prayer. This whole thing is like a prayer. Oh our Lady or Perpetual Sorrows - where are you:
They run a commerical that says that downloading digital music is better for the environment (?) This is new, no, for the music business ?
4:59: EST: Everytime they cut to Rio or South Africa, and its some Brazilian or African act that I don't know, the music just gets that much more interesing.
5:01: Yousef Islam (formerly Cat Stevens, as everyone points out) is playing Hamburg, Germany!
5:02: EST: Akon in New Jersey: "How many Africans do I have in the house tonight?" The crowd is initially confused, and so he starts to explain, that "in the beginning there was Adam and Eve and they were born in Africa ... " but he is soon cut away from, because, of the controversial nature of his message? Because he starts to grind it out with a 14 year old girl? No, wait, its, yes, I think ... wait, yes ... can it be?
MADONNA IS NOW ON STAGE IN LONDON!
And she is singing her new song for the Earth:
""First you must love yourself, then you can love someone else, then if you can change someone else, then you have saved someone else, but if you can't love yourself, then love someone else.". Something like that. But I think the point is to first to love someone else. No, yourself. Loving yourself - means reducing your environmental footprint. And maybe shes right. I'm open.
No sit-ups or crunches yet.
"A lot of talk about conserving energy tonight. But I don't want you to conserve anything right now. I want to see you give it up. Come on Motherfuckers!" As Madonna exorts the crowd to jump. Somebody cut to Tanya. Please. Does she in fact feel like she just got born? Is she jumping?
5:11 EST: Madonna is playing guitar during Ray of Light. And as always, and as to be expected, her dancers are absolutley outstanding.
5:14 EST: She thanks Al Gore for "starting an avalanche of awareness, because we are running out of time.". She then demands a - "Revolution. Amen.". Before breaking into some Gypsy number. Its Spanish Lullaby. Sings in Spanish. Correction: singing the chorus in Spanish. If she doesn't sing 'Like a prayer', I am going to be thoroughly disappointed.
521:EST: Flawless transition into that 'time goes by, so slowly, so slowly' song. "I'm tired of waiting on you". "I'm hanging up on you.". "I can't keep on waiting on you. I know you're still hesitating. You're gonna wake up one day, but it will be too late.". This is it! This the song, this is the fucking song! "I don't know what to do?" "Every little thing that you say and do".
Every little thing - thats it!
"Great Britain! This is your last chance to show that you care about the planet! Let me hear you people in the back - So Slowly!' And I am reminded of that oft-use metaphor of global warming about putting a frog in a pot of boiling water it will jump out. Put in the pot and THEN boil it, and the frog will just stay there die. This is the message. While time ticks by so slowly the water is boiling - frog. Jump! No wait, you're just a frog, its up to us.
5:28:EST: And then she is gone. Four songs and the world is changed.
That was incredible! says Tanya. Tracy Belshor (?) asks - how much do we love Madonna?! "That is what you call leaving a performance on the floor.". They talk about her clothes. They talk about how long ago she was born. They talk about how female empowerment. How fit she is, how great she looks. Sheamus O'Riordan (?) comes out and admits that he has 'never danced in heels'. They interview a man outside the Queen Street studios who says that Madonna 'transcends time'. Another guys says that she was 'alright'.
"Stay fabulous and stay Green!", says Tracy.
5:37:EST: And cut to Rio to Pharrell who demands that 'all the girls come to the fucking front". And on it goes. And I need a break. This live blogging shit is hard work. And during all this time - what have my carbon emissions been? How much carbon have I emitted to bring you this? People? Are you out there?
The anticipation is killing everyone. You know its killing Tanya. It is, Like a Prayer. This whole thing is like a prayer. Oh our Lady or Perpetual Sorrows - where are you:
They run a commerical that says that downloading digital music is better for the environment (?) This is new, no, for the music business ?
4:59: EST: Everytime they cut to Rio or South Africa, and its some Brazilian or African act that I don't know, the music just gets that much more interesing.
5:01: Yousef Islam (formerly Cat Stevens, as everyone points out) is playing Hamburg, Germany!
5:02: EST: Akon in New Jersey: "How many Africans do I have in the house tonight?" The crowd is initially confused, and so he starts to explain, that "in the beginning there was Adam and Eve and they were born in Africa ... " but he is soon cut away from, because, of the controversial nature of his message? Because he starts to grind it out with a 14 year old girl? No, wait, its, yes, I think ... wait, yes ... can it be?
MADONNA IS NOW ON STAGE IN LONDON!
And she is singing her new song for the Earth:
""First you must love yourself, then you can love someone else, then if you can change someone else, then you have saved someone else, but if you can't love yourself, then love someone else.". Something like that. But I think the point is to first to love someone else. No, yourself. Loving yourself - means reducing your environmental footprint. And maybe shes right. I'm open.
No sit-ups or crunches yet.
"A lot of talk about conserving energy tonight. But I don't want you to conserve anything right now. I want to see you give it up. Come on Motherfuckers!" As Madonna exorts the crowd to jump. Somebody cut to Tanya. Please. Does she in fact feel like she just got born? Is she jumping?
5:11 EST: Madonna is playing guitar during Ray of Light. And as always, and as to be expected, her dancers are absolutley outstanding.
5:14 EST: She thanks Al Gore for "starting an avalanche of awareness, because we are running out of time.". She then demands a - "Revolution. Amen.". Before breaking into some Gypsy number. Its Spanish Lullaby. Sings in Spanish. Correction: singing the chorus in Spanish. If she doesn't sing 'Like a prayer', I am going to be thoroughly disappointed.
521:EST: Flawless transition into that 'time goes by, so slowly, so slowly' song. "I'm tired of waiting on you". "I'm hanging up on you.". "I can't keep on waiting on you. I know you're still hesitating. You're gonna wake up one day, but it will be too late.". This is it! This the song, this is the fucking song! "I don't know what to do?" "Every little thing that you say and do".
Every little thing - thats it!
"Great Britain! This is your last chance to show that you care about the planet! Let me hear you people in the back - So Slowly!' And I am reminded of that oft-use metaphor of global warming about putting a frog in a pot of boiling water it will jump out. Put in the pot and THEN boil it, and the frog will just stay there die. This is the message. While time ticks by so slowly the water is boiling - frog. Jump! No wait, you're just a frog, its up to us.
5:28:EST: And then she is gone. Four songs and the world is changed.
That was incredible! says Tanya. Tracy Belshor (?) asks - how much do we love Madonna?! "That is what you call leaving a performance on the floor.". They talk about her clothes. They talk about how long ago she was born. They talk about how female empowerment. How fit she is, how great she looks. Sheamus O'Riordan (?) comes out and admits that he has 'never danced in heels'. They interview a man outside the Queen Street studios who says that Madonna 'transcends time'. Another guys says that she was 'alright'.
"Stay fabulous and stay Green!", says Tracy.
5:37:EST: And cut to Rio to Pharrell who demands that 'all the girls come to the fucking front". And on it goes. And I need a break. This live blogging shit is hard work. And during all this time - what have my carbon emissions been? How much carbon have I emitted to bring you this? People? Are you out there?
More Live Blogging Live Earth.
4:29 EST:
In case you just tuned in, though I know you haven't:
Dave Grohl just told the crowd that 'Its times like these that you learn to live again, love again" etc. which I guess is one of his songs, which he sings in turn, and dedicates to Al Gore.
4:35 EST: I think its the singer from Fall Out Boy (?) who says that 'environmentalism is a lot like working out, you are only going to do it if its convenient for you.'.
4:37: EST: Foo Fighters: Is "someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?" A song that makes me sad; makes me think about lost love.
4:44 EST: "The only thing I'll ever ask of you/gotta promise not to stop when I say when"
And how ironic is that? I think Dave Grohl actually gets it. This irony thing with regards to all of this, that we are trying to get at here . I actually like the Foo Fighters and I think that Dave Grohl is an interesting lyricist. So why do I never buy their albums or listen to their music?
4:48: EST: They cut to London for 'a moment of silence' - for what? They don't say. And the crowd is screaming anyway.
4:49: EST: Madonna is coming! The real Madonna! Not the religious one, but then again ... And they say that there will be a 'moment of darkess' during her set. Tanya looks like she is going to piss herself relaying this information. She says this is the 'most anticipated act of the night'.
In case you just tuned in, though I know you haven't:
Dave Grohl just told the crowd that 'Its times like these that you learn to live again, love again" etc. which I guess is one of his songs, which he sings in turn, and dedicates to Al Gore.
4:35 EST: I think its the singer from Fall Out Boy (?) who says that 'environmentalism is a lot like working out, you are only going to do it if its convenient for you.'.
4:37: EST: Foo Fighters: Is "someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?" A song that makes me sad; makes me think about lost love.
4:44 EST: "The only thing I'll ever ask of you/gotta promise not to stop when I say when"
And how ironic is that? I think Dave Grohl actually gets it. This irony thing with regards to all of this, that we are trying to get at here . I actually like the Foo Fighters and I think that Dave Grohl is an interesting lyricist. So why do I never buy their albums or listen to their music?
4:48: EST: They cut to London for 'a moment of silence' - for what? They don't say. And the crowd is screaming anyway.
4:49: EST: Madonna is coming! The real Madonna! Not the religious one, but then again ... And they say that there will be a 'moment of darkess' during her set. Tanya looks like she is going to piss herself relaying this information. She says this is the 'most anticipated act of the night'.
Tanya Kim - Pussy Cat Doll.
4:04: EST:
Tanya Kim says that she was considering trying out for the Pussy Call Dolls when they had that show where they were looking for the New Doll. 'That set was pretty hot!', she pants. Considering this, I honestly think she's telling the truth here. I really believe that Tanya Kim would much rather be a Pussy Cat doll.
(Note to readers: Yes. I have subsequently noticed that in the above paragraph I did in fact refer to the Pussy Cat Dolls, as the Pussy CALL Dolls. I have noticed the error and was going to change it, but then decided to leave it in because it is just too hilarious. Calling Dr. Freud. And its actually a better name - no? THE PUSSY CALL DOLLS?)
Apparently Madonna had a midnight rehearsal last night and was doing the sit-ups and crunches in between takes. The hosts giggle to each other like they really nailed her with this bit of gossip.
Ludacris is on:
"you know if you want it that you have to come get it, get next to the money like - hey, hey, ho" (something like that) I don't how well these gangsta rap songs (if that is in fact what Ludacris is) translate to THIS BIG SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS concert setting. One can't help but try and divine messages from the lyrics. In this case, obviously, messages about consumption, and the earth etc. I have thought this before, when I saw Jay-Z perform 'Big Pimpin' at Live Aid:
"Keep her in the hood, keep her looking good, but I don't fucking feed her.".
Great beats, but truly, come on, those lyrics like this video are truly disgraceful, but granted - totally irreverant, and completely poltically incorrect, and I guess that is part of their charge. A fuck you to the so-called Liberal Establishment? What would Tipper Gore say:
"I'm a Pimp in every sense of the word bitch" - now, granted that lyric could nicely translate into a comment about the often dubious business that is foreign aid, but I don't think that is the message that the organizers intended. And you know he's not talking about Beyonce. Not like in this song:
This Live blogging shit sure is time consuming and not only am I not getting any other work done, but I am having a hard time keeping up. They are jumping all over the place. They just showed somebody else (missed the name) doing Gimme Shelter in Johannesburg, definitely better than Keith Urban, but what is it with this song? Isn't it like, Gimme Shlter - its too fucking late? The urgency - as the implicit message of this song? Look out- here it comes!
"There goes my Hero" The Foo Fighters are on stage somehwere and they just bleeped something Dave Grohl said so you know that this thing is on time delay, despite the disclaimers.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)