Music Mondays: Cibo Matto "Sugar Water"

Some songs lead you to artists that then make you fall in love with every album they've ever released. And then there are songs that you love as single entities forever and ever, never finding another song that quite measures up. Today's song is an example of the latter. Cibo Matto and their unique song, "Sugar Water," were featured in an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" back in 1997 (the premiere of Season 2, to be exact), and since that day, I have played this song out on every music player I've ever had — starting with my Walkman tape player.

For years, the only version I had of this song was the one that played in the show. Being me and considering my "Buffy" obsession, I took a blank tape and recorded the song directly from the scene—dialogue and all—and listened to that on endless repeat until technology was created to download mp3s. Perhaps this wouldn't have been a song that really stuck with me had it not been playing in that specific scene, on that specific show. But as fate would have it, it was, and now, it remains one of my all time favorites tracks.

If you're a "Buffy" fan, you probably know this song well. And if you're not... well, aside from saying you should be, you may also see the lulling pleasure in this song that we all have. Happy Monday!

Artist: Cibo Matto
Song: "Sugar Water" | download
Album: Viva La Woman | stream

Joss Whedon x Gallery 1988

This past weekend, Gallery 1988 West opened their Joss Whedon-centric art show, the first exclusively "Joss"-themed event the Gallery has ever put on. All the work was inspired by Whedon's most famous movie and TV creations, including my favorite show of all time, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

After deciding to forego the opening night reception on Friday night, John and I hit the gallery up as they opened their doors Saturday morning. I knew that I would probably walk away with a print or two, and thankfully, we didn't wait until the weekend was over to go, since almost everything sold out by the end of the day Sunday (check their website for a full listing of the art showcased, and what is still for sale - it's worth a look!)

The small space had an array of pieces, many focusing on TV show "Firefly" and the 2012 film Cabin in the Woods (the Sugarplum Fairy was easily the most represented subject, with at least 6 different artist renderings.) The largest piece was a very spoiler-ific installation for Cabin, which included a mural on the actual gallery wall. John probably spent 30 minutes staring at just that.

There were also a handful of amazing "Buffy" paintings and mixed media works -- if I could have purchased all of them, I would have.

My only disappointment with the gallery show was that Joss' short-lived, but brilliant, TV show "Dollhouse" wasn't showcased at all (with the exception of one, partially related piece). How is that possible? I don't know, I just don't get it. Maybe these artist's just aren't as inspired by that show as I was. Too bad, but I can't lament for long.

Below are just a few of the pictures I took of the show. But if you're in the LA area, best go check it out for yourselves! The show is running now through September 27th.









If you're interested, you should check out the above [quick] video from Friday's opening night reception, where Joss HIMSELF showed up, as well as actor Seth Green (Oz!), and spoke with the gallery's owner.

And which ones did I end up walking away with? Two "Buffy" gems, of course. How could I resist the stunning Willow/Dark Willow piece, aptly titled "Bored Now" by Nan Lawson? (and check out her website, she's incredible.)

And don't get my started on the 'Fumigation Party' concert poster feat. Dingoes Ate My Baby, "Live at the Bronze" by Meagan Hyland. Fumigation Party for the win.

Lovely future additions to my wall, and I managed to snag both before they sold out!

  

That good ol' Netflix binge

via

For the first time in almost 5 years, I have re-activated by Netflix DVD membership.  It's not just streaming anymore, even though that's what I use 98% of the time.  I didn't realize how much I missed having a DVD in my hands;  putting the disc in the player (which has transformed into the boyfriend's Xbox One), and pressing play.  No buffering!

The reason for this change is in part because of the weekly AFI movie screenings -- not having access (through friends, my own collection, or streaming) to 50 out of 100 titles will prompt a girl to fork over that extra $7.99/month.  Alright.  $9.99/month, because I want Blu-Rays, duh.  And the nearest Los Angeles Public Library branch is like... way over there.  

Getting that red and white packaged disc in the mail the other day got me thinking.  A lot of memories, all pretty silly and linked to that nostalgic pang in the gut.  I've been a Netflix member since 2003, as a high school junior, and those little red packages quite literally got me through my college film program at Chapman.  I devoured movies and TV like it was my job, because essentially, it was!  When "binge-watching" meant plowing through three discs at a time, and then waiting patiently two whole days for the next batch of "House" Season 1 episodes (or, god forbid, driving all the way to Hollywood Video) ... a lot has changed since then.  My recent binge of "Orange Is the New Black," part of Netflix' brilliant original programming, is evidence of that.

So what do you guys remember binge-watching back in the day, or as we used to call it, "marathoning"?  Or did the advent of streaming kick-start that in you?  Or are you in a significant minority that has no idea what I'm even talking about?

For me, it was "The West Wing," "The X-Files," and of course "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (check out the re-vamped listing of my top 10 "Buffy" episodes here).  Whether on DVD, or recorded VHS tape -- I was an expert Pause-to-Remove Commercials Recorder -- I've been a pro marathoner since the '90s.  It might be my favorite past-time. 

My Top 10 Favorite "Buffy" Episodes

With the announcement of Joss Whedon's Top 10 "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episodes (and a marathon of said episodes set to air on LOGO on May 19th beginning at 10 AM), I was inspired to reflect back on all the memorable hours of TV the Slayer and her Scooby Gang brought to my young, impressionable life during the show's life-changing (at least for me) 7 year run.

Check out Joss' Top 10 list here. Beware, Buffy-virgins! The list includes spoilers. Do yourself a favor: Watch the series. Then read the list. Don't worry, it'll be there when you get back. And then, like me, make your own list!

While Joss' picks include plenty of fan favorites, with only a few head-scratchers ("The Wish"? Really, Joss?), I can't help but want to throw some love at the lesser-known greats—and maybe agree with a few of his.

Join me, and if you disagree, that's okay! List your favs and change my mind!  *SPOILER WARNING!*