Three things every cool kid does:

1. They give The Miracle of You donations so they can get a new van after their old one got totaled (remarkably, my driving was not involved).
To make a fast, secure, and easy donation, use the PayPal button on www.myspace.com/themiracleofyou. Any donations of twenty bucks or more gets you a neat shirt that they designed themselves (and those boys are snazzy dressers--they often wear cool hats). These guys are good friends of mine, good huggers, and just good people who had some bad luck. And Christmas is coming. Be nice to them and Santa will be nice to you (or karma, if you don't celebrate Christmas).

2. They keep me company at Hero Pattern shows.
Tomorrow night around 9 PM, these fellas will be playing at The Saint in Asbury Park. It's 18+, so if you're legal, you should come out and dance and sing and have fun with me. And you get bonus points if you're tall enough to be able to get pictures of that dirtbag drummer of theirs (kidding... mostly) without being blocked out by a cymbal like I always am.

3. They take my final exams for me.
Hey, it was worth a shot.




*by Jess, who is a fundraising aficionado

Thoughts....

As I am sitting here in this cubicle style office my house has, I realized something pretty deep (deeper than I usually go...) Our whole lives we are striving to achieve the next step, the next goal, whatever it may be. Whether we are waiting to find out if we got the job, to find out if you got into college, or waiting for your band to gets its big break, or, just simply waiting for your food at a restaurant. We are ALL guilty of being in a rush....and not taking time to enjoy what's going on around us. I know I am. I realized today, that once you achieve the ultimate goal, whats next? Where do you go from there? We usually don't sit content with sucess for to long, we get bored so damn easily. SO, in turn, you/we being waiting for the next big mile stone. I have found that sometimes the most profound and most important things that happen to us, happen when we are waiting (and rushing) for the next big thing.... Life is happening, and you don't even know it. It's scary to think that while I was waiting for a guy to come along to sweep me of my feet (so-to-speak), I found myself with a job...and in turn, a career path. Something that I thought was always so far off in the distance.

My eyes were opened when I found out that a friend I had in high school recently died in a car accident. He wasn't a terribly close friend, just one I would always rely on for a good laugh, good advice. He used to ask me why I am always in a hurry to grow up, and I used to tell him over and over again, that I had things to do, I have a life to figure out. I've got news for y'all. Our lives are more figured out than we care to acknowledge....we are just to busy trying to change ourselves to realize it. He looked forward to the drive rather than the destination, I want to be more like that.

I hope that at some point today, all of you just simmer down, and instead of blowing off that phone call, answer it, and talk to the person. When you are waiting in line for that coffee, ask the person behind the counter how their day is going, don't rush them. In the scheme of things, 5 minutes is nothing, yet to someone, it could be everything....

SO, now everyone can go back to doing what they were doing. Just had a thought I figured I would share.

By the way, I am totally pissed that CVS sold out of my favorite lip gloss. What the heck? I am in neeeeeed!

Peace&Love
Amanda

Major Label Scout VCAST

Shiny Toy Guns VCAST

Thank you, thank you very much.

I'm taking an astronomy course this semester, and I did better than most of the class did on my midterm for it (which isn't saying much, considering the mean score was slightly over 50%, but I digress), and that is going to be my license for the proceeding entry. I'm not sure where I originally intended on going with this, but for what it's worth:

By John D. Fix's Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier textbook definition, the universe is "all the matter and space there is." Therefore, there is no real center. Can there be a center of everything everywhere?

And with that, being a rather at times self-centered girl myself, I have to say how disgusted I am with people in general thinking they are, in fact, that elusive center of all space and matter.

Here's where I get cliche: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Be thankful for everything you've got, because it's probably more than you realize. Instead of bitching about not having a boyfriend (can you tell I hear this shit all the time? Seriously, stop coming to me with this issue girls), be happy you're not a widow or in an abusive relationship. Instead of complaining about traffic, be happy you've got a car and somewhere to go with it. Instead of whining about how your mom's pumpkin pie recipe is going to go right to your hips, be happy you're not having your dinner alone in a soup kitchen like so many others.

The fact is, the universe is a rather large place. Even if one of us were to be the legitimate center of it (that seems to come with a lot pressure, doesn't it?), that doesn't mean we don't need to pay attention to the rest of the space and matter around us. Open your eyes. Read the newspapers. Do something charitable. What good is being the center of the universe if you don't improve the infinite masses surrounding you?



*By Jess, who is thankful for Kingdom Come by Jay-Z, The Best of Depeche Mode Vol. 1, and for a large container of cashews on her kitchen counter that grants her the liberty to say "Dude, get off my nuts" whenever she pleases.

Attn: Converse, your day is over

While I was getting my hair dyed today, I looked over at the 40-somethingish surban mom getting her frosted hair straightened. She was wearing brand spankin' new Converse, so clean you could probably eat off them.

#1-- Converse are NOT supposed to be clean.
#2-- She was an uncool mom.

Now, in the next chair over from her was a three year-old little boy. Wearing... CONVERSE!! His mom was also totally unhip, but he looked adorable so it didn't matter.

The moral of the story? Punk's look has gone totally mainstream and either has to be taken back, or better yet, get even more creative, push fashion boundaries even further and look unique again!!! Fishnets, cut-off tights under skirts....these looks all generated from punk rock and are now available off the rack at Macys. Oh, and the best, saddest example ever? SKULLS!!!! They are so totally uncool now that designers have started using them--I even saw a skull hoodie in a HIP HOP store the other day!!! But the clueless mainstream shoppers take pride in wearing them now, so enjoy it, 'cause we cool fashionistas (i hate that word, why did i use is??!!) will find something better.

*Joelle, who went from jet black to almost platnium blonde--hey it's a work in progress to get there! lol

Let the Girl Set the Speed!

This post is about etiquette.

I know what you might be thinking: what is a post about etiquette doing in this blog? Or maybe you're thinking "Jordana... she's the girl who writes about sex, I know what this post, with a subject like 'Let the Girl Set the Speed,' is about!"

For the record, when it comes to relationships or sex, the speed should be set by whoever is at a slower speed. You've got all the time in the world; if you rush it someone is going to be uncomfortable (Person "A" at Slow Speed "X").

However, that is all completely different from what I'm getting at here. What I'm getting at here is etiquette, not advice like what I've offered above.

So lets get to it...

Guys, when you're walking next to a girl, let the girl set the speed!

On my way into work this morning I was blissfully unaware of everyone and everything until this guy I had met a few weeks earlier called out to me, ran up behind me and insisted on catching up with me by walking me to my office. (On a side note, it's crazy how I always seem to run into someone I know in this city of over 8 million, but that's for another time...)

I had been happy with my stroll down the crowded New York sidewalk, and to be honest, my new heels didn't want me to do more than a 20-minute-mile speed. But Mr. Met-You-A-Few-Weeks-Ago-At-So-And-So's-House-Warming, despite the fact that he had insisted on walking me, wanted to sprint down the sidewalk, implying by his fast steps, that I should pick up my speed as well.

Dude. You try walking on your tip-toes, being supported by a peg that has a circumference less than half of an inch while your toes are being pushed together and circulation is being cut off to your baby toe!

I know, I know, you didn't make me wear them. I bought them of my own free will and wore them just the same. I'm not asking for your sympathy, I'm just asking for some manners: if you find yourself in the presence of a sweet and lovely female in heels, let the girl set the speed! Hang back, enjoy your walk. Let her try to enjoy hers as well. If you really want to score big points with her, don't make her walk over grates either. Grates are the kiss of death to any chica in heels.


*Jordana (currently wearing slippers!)

NEW VCASTS!!!

www.youtube.com/user/planetverge

enjoy

RIP CBGB

I was recently asked what my favorite music venue is and so I would like to bring my answer here and have a moment of silence for CBGB.

I have so many personal memories there, from having my birthday party/shows there every year to seeing awesome bands... There's a whole vibe there that is nowhere else. A whole community of people that always come out and you know them all. Even if I always had to walk ten blocks to get to a McDonald's to pee 'cause I won't dare use the toliet there, I loved it. I don't know why more people didn't protest when it closed.

This is during the Planet Verge sponsored showcase for The Pennyroyals a few years back. Dr. Dot hosted the event.

Even the homeless people were fun. A few years ago, Jordana and I had a funny experience with one. She was interviewing Jeremiah Freed, a band I do publicity for, outside CBGB for her show, Sex, Reim and Rock 'N Roll. In the middle of the interview, a homeless man came up to the band and asked them for money. Quite classic.

What's really interesting is that over the years, my FIRST and LAST show there was to see Fixer. My last CBGB show was also Fixer's last CBGB show. So it was a whole buncha moments in one. I've also gotten to see special shows like Unwritten Law play there. Even if CB's moves to Vegas, it will never be the same. Ever.

So now-- Maxwells in Hoboken. Good sound, love the back lounge and the best french onion soup ever in the restaurant (also a bonus that you can sit and eat when bad bands are on).

*By Joelle, who is no joke, listening to the Backstreet Boys debut CD right now.

Screw Sephora, seriously.

Say that five times fast.

Anyway.

I went in there a few days ago to pick out cologne for a platonic gentleman friend's birthday, and upon my entry, a woman lunged at me, flailing a miniature, shimmering, berry-scented tube in front of my face.

"Free lipgloss samples!" she said, smiling so hugely I swear her teeth made me temporarily blind. Either that or those fluorescent lights they use in there to make you look uglier than normal so you buy more makeup.

I couldn't say no to something that smelled so delicious, so I tried it.

After I put it on, the girl--Sheila, I believe--said the following.
"Yeah! It's our new lip plumper!"

This, my friends, made me want to kill myself.
I spat, I sputtered, I scrambled, and I grabbed for any and every wipe, cotton ball, tissue, and swab within a hundred yard radius. "Lady, does it look like I need this?"

I suppose in retrospect that this should have relieved me of my proverbial "trout pout" complex, because someone was insisting that they should look bigger than they actually are. But sweet Jesus, if I had left that shit on, I might have wound up swallowing my own head.


*Jess, who hates when people pout in pictures and thinks "It's Raining Men" is one of the most underrated songs ever

Come hang out with us!

Planet Verge and Washington Ave. present a really awesome night of music with our friends Roses Are Red (TRUSTKILL). You'll no doubt have a time. (Remember in My So Called Life-- "We had a time." ?)

Here's the details:

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 25

WHERE: Hamilton St. Cafe, Boundbrook, NJ

WHO: Roses are Red, Crash Romeo, Zoloft the Rock & Roll Destroyer, The Transit War

Get your butts out here Jersey!!

LISTEN TO TEDDYBEARS!

If you are into a mix of electronic, pop and rock (electropock - a word i just made up) you must listen to Teddybears and their latest album Soft Machine. I fell in love with their single Cobrastyle and then heard it again on Grey's Anatomy (my favorite TV show I must add) last week.I haven't been able to rave about an album like this for a while- every song is just great for those times you're chillin over drinks with some friends, chillin in the car home, chillin over work in the office or just chillin' in general.ps. Punkrocker featuring Iggy Pop rocks my world!

*Shira

No Regrets...

...if you go listen to this band now: SOHO DOLLS

Hailing from Soho, LONDON--not New York City--Sohodolls are an electro glam rock band ala Shiny Toy Guns but better. On the mic is Maya von Doll, a sexy frontwoman with the balls of Scott Weiland (she's known to get shirtless at shows with nothing more than masking tape across her nipples). Their music video for "Stripper" is so hot you'll have to pour water over yourself when you're done watching it. And that's all I'm gonna say because you should be listening to them instead of reading this!

Interview with Soho Dolls: http://www.planetverge.com/PlanetVerge06/Innerview/SohoDolls.asp

Their SPACE: www.myspace.com/sohodolls

Watch the videos: www.sohodolls.co.uk

*By Joelle, who despises dance music but LOOOOVEs Sohodolls and digs Shiny Toy Guns, too.

Oh boy, do I love a good sociopolitical debate.

Darryl, I respect your ability to voice your opinions on abortion and a woman's right to choose (despite your belief that we shouldn't be entitled to that). However, I must respectfully voice my own disagreement. Allow me to begin by stating that when you say things like the following, it's extremely difficult to take you seriously:

"I find it interesting you call me closed minded yet you go off on a tyrade
about my beliefs. You insult me and call me names because I believe that
brutally murdering innocent children is wrong. I guess it's true what they say
about liberals...you become so open minded your brains fall out.I find it
interesting liberals are only open minded to people who share their own
beliefs..."

In your having the audacity to tell me that as a liberal my mind is so open that it's empty, you're also leading me to question your own literacy (see italicizations). But that, my friend and fellow child of God, is a digression. In regards to the actual point you were attempting to make regarding liberal openmindedness (which, my friend, I should point out, is one word): I cannot speak for every liberal in the world, but my brand of liberalism values everyone's right to choose and to believe in whatever they want--and, as stated previously, this includes my support of your ability to voice your views, despite my own being very different.

While I am not necessarily an advocate of abortion in itself, but of the woman's choice whether or not to have one. From a purely constitutional and legal standpoint: if you revoke a woman's right to choose what happens with her own uterus, you're setting extremely dangerous precedents for relinquishment of other rights of choice--women's suffrage, for example. It's not that big of a stretch to say that if at some point in time women no longer have the freedom to control their own bodies that we soon won't have the right to elect officials to represent us. Way to set the fairer (in every sense of the word) sex back nearly one hundred years.

And as for this lovely vignette:

I used to be a fan of your magazine. I am a huge Jeremiah Freed fan. We
probably have even seen each other at JF shows in Portland. I know other
supporters of your magazine who are against abortion and I am going to have
them pull support from your magazine.

Feel free, pal. I like to think we appeal to a more intelligent, tolerant, and openminded demographic. Your closemindedness is proving a mind that's closed can't possibly let anything into it.

In fact, God forgive me for saying this--people like you that make me pro-choice.
Preventive defense, if you will.

*Jess, who thinks the word "fetus" is really funny.

The BIG debate

This morning, I logged into the Planet Verge Girls MySpace page and like always, added all our friend requests. This one guy had a picture that looked like he was with Ashlee Simpson, and since I like her style (not music or fake boobs, please...) I actually clicked on his page to see it. So it turns out Ashlee wasn't in that picture, but she WAS his background. So then I read his ABOUT ME and became INFURIATED. This is what it said:

I am a devout Catholic. I go to Mass as often as I can. There is nothing that is better in this world than to be close to Jesus at the Holy sacarafice of Mass. Along with being a Catholic I am an advocate for the defense of the unborn children. It's tragic that we have a real holocaust in this country and across the world where thousands of innocent children are being murdered every year and it's called a "choice." With all due respect, if you want your choice, then choose not to have sex. Once you choose to make love to your partner, you might get pregnent. Condoms are not effective, the pill isn't effective, abstinence is the only way. Once you are pregnant your choice is over and the unborn child has a right to LIFE, liberty, and the pursuite of happiness.

Seriously, who does this 'effer think he is? This is friggin MYSPACE. And he's well past his youth, on here with his love of female pop stars (are you sure you're not gay, Mr man of God?) from a small hick town trying to spread his CLOSE MINDED VIEWS!!!!

Now I am not into politics AT ALL. But as a woman, I follow the abortion issue. No man has the right to judge women who have abortions. It's their choice, their bodies, their lives. They have no idea what circumstances they made the decision to do so or how they will have that with them for the rest of their lives. Maybe men should not be the ones having sex either! Why is he trying to place the blame on women? Most abortions happen during the first few weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is simply CELLS. There is no baby with little hands and fingers and toes. It's cells. Get over it. He should be happy someone perhaps decided to not live on welfare, ruin HER LIFE from having a baby when she was 15 or whatever, or maybe raped.

Ok, I'm ending this. I actually wrote that man a comment and said I thought he was cool until I saw how close-minded he is and that's sad. But then I deleted it and decided to write this.


*Joelle

Spitalove

Spitalfield are longtime fans of Planet Verge, and I am a longtime fan of Spitalfield. Mark loves us so much, I caught him playing with our latest print issue.




I want to commend New Jersey for showing them a more than satisfactory amount of love last night after the extremely lackluster Vintage Vinyl attendance last week.

They are nice boys. Talented boys. And cute to boot.
A common Spitalfield fan progression is as follows:
1. Buy their records.
2. See their shows.
3. Fall in love.

Oh, and if you don't believe me about the third step--you will. Oh, you will.


*By Jess, who rather enjoys the company of men from Chicago

Peacekeeper protocol

Dear Starland Ballroom Security Personnel,

I appreciate what you do. Honestly.

However, while I am in the photo pit about to exit at the conclusion of the third song of a set, I could really do without the shady, crew-cut-blonde, slightly paunched one of you continually putting his hands on my hips to move me.

When I say, "Watch it buddy, above the waist," that isn't supposed to be an invitation for you to ogle my rack. It's supposed to be an implied "I won't tolerate your hands on me anywhere, except maybe my shoulders, and that's even a bit unnecessary," only a lot less verbose because it's hard enough to hear with all the shit going on around us.

You're lucky you guys don't wear name badges, because I'd have you, the aforementioned offender, reported in an instant. In fact, I might just make a request that you guys have to do that from now on, if for no other reason than they check my bags at the door and would inevitably find the crowbar I'd try hiding in my purse to bludgeon you with the next time you cross my path, so I have to find another way to teach you not to degrade ladies.

I'm not sure what women from your planet put up with, but over here on Earth, things don't work that way.

Take heed, for you've been warned,
Hell hath no fury like Jess Sager scorned.

Yours truly,
Jessica Sager


*Jess, who finds inspiration in both Shakespeare and Twisted Sister

Why I ADORE Asbury Park

I love any place where Hero Pattern plays, but as of last night, I am specifically a pretty big fan of The Saint.

I was allowed inside because I'm press and I win at life, and I still can't get these two giant red Xs off my hands. Seriously, at first glance it looks like I was playing a bizarre game of tic-tac-toe on my limbs with a knife.

Knives... I should carry one of those with me at all times.

Walking across the street from my car toward the Saint door, two strange Asbury natives yelled that I "have a sexy ass body" and am "built like a rickshaw," respectively. I didn't know what a rickshaw was, so I googled it when I got home, and apparently I look like this:



I chose this photo in particular because it has a Communist symbol in the upper right hand corner, and we all know I loves me some Communism. In any case, I'm happy to know that I look like a bizarre backwards wheelbarrow-buggy hybrid (wheelbuggy?) commonly used in the Third World. I think.

Then, on my way back to my car, a man claiming to be hideously ugly (he wasn't exactly Lenny Kravitz, I'll admit, but I've seen worse mugs in my life) asked everyone in our party for money and gave us weird things like a flashlight and a t-shirt and empty jewelry boxes ("Wait for him to put something in it," the man said, not making things awkward at all for anyone). He also somehow knew I was Italian and warned everyone in sight not to mess with me because I'm probably related to Joe Pesci and that Italians kill everyone. He was pretty smart for a homeless dude, not gonna lie.

I slipped two bucks into his bag when he wasn't looking (for karma's sake--I'm a nice girl, really) and was quickly escorted back inside, then to Belinda (my car, for the ignorant) by drummer Mike Kundrath and guitarist Pierre Marceau, who happen to have a nifty new record coming out in Japan that I got to look at yesterday. If you're in Japan and you're reading this, you should buy it. And if you're not in Japan, you should buy it and import it. If other people can do it with drugs (I'm talking to you, Casino-fascinated Asbury native), you can do it with rock n' roll.


*Jess, who almost always gives money to panhandlers unless they're too greedy about it

why i "love" nyc

While I was waiting in line to catch a cab at Port Authority, the ten times overweight man in front of me turns around and starts asking me questions:

"Are you from around here?"
"Where are you from?"
"Are you married?" --I then tell him I am taken and he then asks "Are you loyal?" !!! And I, being half deaf from going to way too many shows in my past without wearing earplugs, say "No." I thought he asked if he was a LAWYER. So typical Joelle. So I then correct myself and he says "Is that what you tell all the guys or just me?" Luckily, a cab came for him.

I then went about my trip to J Records for a meeting, and walked like a half hour back to Port Authority to go home in rush hour. That is why New Yorkers are so skinny. Well, the skinny ones. All the walking. Yes, I may have saved seven bucks and got to pass eye candy (aka the Chanel doorman, single ladies go peep him!)along the way, but I'd rather be in dirty Jersey behind the wheel of my car blasting music and with the heat on.

<3 Joelle, who ate some Key Lime pie tonight.

AND!

since we are on the topic of la maquillage au naturale (pardon my french, seriously) ... i just recently got sucked into the gorgeous vaccuum that is sephora and dropped some dimes on some great stuff to liven up the ol' pallor: bare escentuals. i know everyone and their mom has seen the swirl-tap-buff sensation on every home shopping network in existence, but seriously.. the stuff works. sephora is selling kits for around $60 and they come with EVERYTHING.


check it out here: http://www.bareescentuals.com/

-or-

here: www.sephora.com

either way, find it. it's a boxfull of sexy.

and since we're on this topic... i am addicted to getting dolled up to portuguese powerpop powerhouse Cansei De Ser Sexy.

(note: cansei de ser sexy - portuguese = tired of being sexy... inspired by beyonce's pompous tush once muttering 'ugh... i'm so tired of being sexy.')

the band is dominated by femme fatales with names like lovefoxxx and they recommend making love whilst listening to death from above. rawr.

seriously, if this shit doesn't make you want to do spin kicks in stilettos, you have something wrong with you.

music is their hot, hot sex and, trust me, they will make it yours, too. (www.myspace.com/canseidesersexy)


*Brittany, whose roommate recommends using animal placenta-infused La Bella protein spray on teased, distraught hair.

For the ladies...

I found the best foundation EVER. And believe me, I have tried them all!

www.arbonne.com

The mineral foundation is all natural, crease free, gives you a healthy GLOW, eliminates the need for another powder after application, covers blemishes, doesn't wipe off on your clothes, lasts forever AND has an SPF.

Enough said.

*joelle, who wants a refund on MAC

Two things wrong with music:

The first one being that Spitalfield essentially played a private show for me last weekend because everyone around Woodbridge was scared of some stupid afternoon rain. You guys pansies all missed a helluva show--acoustic and lovely. Mark played with their new guitarist, Jeff Meilander, who looks like a much more attractive Kurt Cobain: and they were absolutely splendid, as per the usual. They performed a lot of songs from their new album, Better Than Knowing Where You Are, along with old favorites like "I Loved the Way She Said 'L.A.'" And they also treated me to a late lunch/early dinner afterward. Such class acts, those boys. Spitalfield deserve a lot more recognition and kudos than they're getting, but I think they're well on their way--and I'm looking forward to seeing them with Valencia this weekend. Kick ass.

Oh, and the other thing wrong with music?
Meatloaf. Covering a song originally performed by Celine Dion.
If I weren't so excited for the weekend, I think I'd have killed myself by now.


*Jess, who should stop eating Halloween candy before she has to be burned out of the house