05.08.09 – Friday

Word: nomenclature [noh-muhn-kley-cher, noh-men-kluh-cher, -choor] n. 1. a set or system of names or terms, as those used in a particular science or art, by an individual or community, etc. 2. the names or terms comprising a set or system

Birthday: Oscar Hammerstein (1847), Harry S. Truman (1884), Roberto Rossellini (1906), Don Rickles (1926), Gary Snyder (1930), Sonny Liston (1932), Ricky Nelson (1940), Gary Glitter (1944), Alex Van Halen (1953), Stephen Furst (1954), David Keith (1954), Bill Cowher (1957), Melissa Gilbert (1964), Enrique Iglesias (1975)

Standpoint: It’s been a soaking-wet, rainy week here in Philadelphia and I’m really looking forward to a little sunshine this weekend. Just to help things along, I thought I do my version of a rain-dance and share some upbeat music to help you through these, and any future, rainy days. I give you 7 Sunny Rainy Day Songs:

• “Dry the Rain” – The Beta Band – Not just great for a rainy day, suitable for any kind of weather. One of my top ten songs ever.
•  “Go Ahead in the Rain” – A Tribe Called Quest – Q-Tip doesn’t let the rain get him down. And neither should you.
• “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Spin Doctors – Sorry. I grew up in the 90s. I like this version better than CCR’s. I think mainly because of Chris Barron’s voice.
• “Thunderstorm” – Matthew Sweet – Over nine minutes long with several different bridges and breakdowns. Think of Green Day’s “Jesus of Suburbia.” Only about rain.
• “When It’s Raining” – The Samples – Do as Sean Kelly suggests: “Leave shelter when it’s raining.”
• “Everybody Thinks I’m a Raincloud (When I’m Not Looking)” – Guided By Voices – Less about actual rain, but a kickass song.
• “November Rain” – Guns N’ Roses – Not a huge fan of Axl Rose but this classic can’t be ignored.

Got better sunny rainy day songs? Tell us about it.

Weekend: Each Friday, I’ll provide you with 3 Things To Do In Philly When You’re Dead – my list of activities for spending this weekend in Philadelphia as if it’s your last.

• Today – (05.08) – Cubed + Meg & Rob – The Shubin Theatre – Two shows brought to you by Philly Improv Theater (PHIT). “First: Weary of your soul-crushing office job? CUBED understands. Watch this hilarious duo improvise a full 30 minutes of comedy from inside the box – the cubicle box, that is! Then: Meg & Rob perform a half hour of hilarious, smart, and witty sketch.”  Meg & Rob will be premiering their new sketch show “We Stole This Baby!” Time: 8pm
• Saturday – (05.09) – Wonder Mom and Party Girl – American Swedish Historical Museum – Philadelphia Stories magazine is throwing a fundraiser centering around the release of Marc Schuster’s The Singular Exploits of Wonder Mom and Party Girl. The event promises “food, readings and music.” Marc’s a buddy of mine so you’ll earn a spot in my good graces if you join me to support his new novel and Philadelphia Stories. Time: 4-8pm
• Sunday – (05.10) – Kevin Costner & Modern West – Downstairs at World Café Live – Let’s hope that Costner’s songs are shorter than his movies. Otherwise, call work and tell them you won’t be in on Monday morning. Time: 7:30pm

Have some fun out there this weekend and make sure to do something nice for your mom on Sunday – it’s Mother’s Day.

Quotation: The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it. - Patrick Young

Tune: They’ve been called “the new Smashing Pumpkins.” Personally, in some ways, I think Silversun Pickups might be better. Listen to “Well Thought Out Twinkles” – one of the best driving-fast songs in the history of music and cars. “Come join in the last hurrah!”

Gallimaufry: Manny Ramirez of MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers has been suspended 50 games for violating the league’s drug policy. The star outfielder claims he was given medication that, unbeknownst to him, was on the list of banned substances. He’ll lose over $8 million over the course of his suspension. This reminded me of a piece that Chuck Klosterman wrote for ESPN.com’s Page 2 concerning  Barry Bonds that I’ve been meaning to share. ∞ My friend Donika sent me a link to a cool new blog that seems to be more and more relevant as we trudge through this economic mess. Working for the Government describes itself as “a depot for funny, outlandish, touching (though NOT depressing) stories unique to the current unemployment and economic environment.” My favorite post so far is “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” but they’re all great. ∞ It’s getting pretty dicey out there in the world of music. Now that the Wayne Coyne-Win Butler Feud is history, it seems that Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor wants in on the action. While answering some fan questions online, he took shots at Prince and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo. Here’s a sample of what he had to offer: “I’m not Prince or Rivers Cuomo, who brags about having hundreds of great songs,” Reznor replied. “And to that I would say, ‘Prince, if you have a hundred great songs or a thousand, how about picking a few and putting them on your record that you’ve put out, because your last several have sucked.’ Same for you, Rivers. I say that constructively, you know.” I’m siding with Reznor on this one.

Incoming: Next week will have lots of twists (and just possibly a few turns) as I’ll be attempting some new tricks, including my first-ever interview. Thanks for reading this week. Come back Monday for some more.