Amy Amy Amy

In case you didn't watch the VMA's last night, Russell Brand, Tony Bennett, and Bruno Mars did a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.  It was okay...but I don't know that it did Amy justice.

The clip of Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse in the studio in March really made me break down into tears.  Seeing that Amy was back up on top of her game, seemingly clean enough to crank out the gritty jazz she is known for, mere months before her death is heartbreaking.  It would be one thing for her to have passed away from drugs and alcohol during her sharp descent promptly following the success of Back to Black.  It's another thing for her to have rebounded and passed away from...well we don't know yet.

I don't know that Amy Winehouse's true musical genius has ever fully been recognized by the masses.  I have always been vocal that she is the best artist to have come out in my lifetime.  Most people harped on her lifestyle and ignored her immense talent, focusing on her coked up performances where she sounded like hell. I knew soon after she fell into her hole that we would not be graced with another album that would be up to par with Back to Black and Frank.

Seeing that clip of her with Tony Bennett, though, changed my mind.  She could have proved me wrong but unfortunately did not have the chance with her untimely death.

I hope Amy doesn't fade into history and her music burns just as brightly as it always has.  Amy Winehouse is a true legend and should be revered as such.  A tragic genius.

Things I Endorse: Tazo Orange Blossom Tea

If you love tea, and if you don't you aren't hip, you should check out Tazo Orange Blossom Tea.  It's by far the most lovely tea in the world.  What makes it so awesome besides the taste?  When you're done drinking the tea you can look in the tea bag and see what kind of loveliness you just drank.  For instance, as I look into my London Soldier Harrods coffee mug with a tea bag of Tazo Orange Blossom Tea, I see not only tea leaves, but also goji berries, some sort of odd flowers, and all sorts of other weird oddities you wouldn't think to drink.

And now a word from Ron Swanson:

I won't publicly endorse a product unless I use it exclusively and I really believe in it. My only official recommendations are US Army issued mustache trimmers, Morton's Salt, and the C.R. Lawrence fine two inch style oscillating knife blade.

Blog Relaunch

Okay kiddos.  It's time to reinvent this blog.  Obviously I did not go far with my concept because I couldn't keep up with it.  It's kind of annoying to come up with things that make you happy (not saying that there aren't tons of things that make me happy, but many of them are not blog-worthy).  I have butt loads (slightly larger than 3 metric tons) of time, so I'm going to try to blog more.

For starters, I've made my blog fun looking.  I enjoy it.  It took about 5 minutes, but it suits me.

So here we go.

I'm going to try to make this a more general blog.  A little less formulaic and a lot more awesome.  Though no one really reads it, it's still fun to jot some stuff down from time to time.

#7: Birds as Decoration

I hate birds.  Real ones.  So scary.  I think I don't like beaks.  And Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" has created a deep fear of them.  But I do love birds as decorations.  I think this video says it all.

#6: Frankie Wood Roberts

Look at this beautiful boy.  I just love him to bits.  My darling friend Megan who is my comedic soulmate had Frankie back in November and I think he is the most handsome little man in the world.  You can say it...awwwwwwwwwwwwww.