It's Been Quite A Year...

It really has. Lots of memorable moments, highs and lows, failures and triumphs. Such is life. Wouldn't take a second of it back if I had the chance to! As I wrap up this year, I'm thinking a lot about those of you who've been supportive. Loved me through it all. You know who you are! I hope 2012 is especially kind to you!

Really looking forward to the new year. 2012 just feels right. Now, maybe this is because of all the business with the Mayan calendar and the world ending. Maybe it's because I do better with even numbers. Who knows. Anyway you slice it though, I am optimistic about the future and what it hold and can't wait to get out there and live it all! Bring it on!

It's been almost a year since Gabrielle Giffords was shot. Come this January. See how much can happen in the course of a year? She's on such a great road to recovery. Her story, an inspiration, of how you CAN triumph over the worst of circumstances.

This year we also saw Regis Philbin leave the "Live" franchise that he has helmed for 30 years and through several notable hostesses. He has logged more time in front of the camera than any other man on earth at this point. Can you believe there was a time when it was doubtful he'd 'make it'? The "Live" franchise actually started locally, it was never expected to be picked up nationwide. Proof that you never know when your greatest successes will happen!

Just a few examples of the optimistic outlook I am enjoying moving into the New Year. Call me Pollyanna Positive! That's me! You just gotta forge ahead in life 'cause girlfriend, you never know what's in store!

This will likely be my last blog post until after the first of the year 'cause a girl has to move. A girl also has Spinderella in town for New Years Eve and must tend to that business. Speaking of...if you are interested in coming to that, click here for more info!

The bottom line is, I'm busy and some things just have to back burner, and one of those things will be my blog. Just til after the first of the year though, I'll be back, and you know there'll be PLENTY to talk about! Like the fact that I got ENGAGED over Christmas! Oh yeah, great story! But you'll have to wait!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU! BE SAFE DURING YOUR CELEBRATIONS!

....AND IF YOU ARE DRINKING, DON'T DRIVE! TRUST ME, THE TAXI YOU TAKE NOW IS CHEAPER THAN THE DUI LATER!

XXX


L.A.K.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Happy Holidays everybody! I am signing out for the rest of the week to enjoy my time with friends and family over the next few days! I hope that Santa brings you whatever it is you want, need AND desire.

Hopefully you've had a chance to catch a holiday show, get your shopping (Local! Sustainable!) done - and can just relax and enjoy the time for yourself too! We'll all need the rest because 2012 is going to be epic!

Much Respect,

XXX


L.A.K.

Moving Is Exhausting, But I Am Not Complaining!

Seriously. Moving is exhausting. Since we signed our lease for our new place, moving has been my middle name. I am a workhorse. Half the house is packed up. I am the annoying organizer, constantly nagging the gingerboy and my lovely lady to "pack, pack, pack"!

Now don't get me wrong. This move is looooong overdue. 3 years ago when the economy went south, that kind of coincided with the beginning of a new relationship and we chose to cohabitate to save money. Only catch? Cohabitating meant me moving 45 minutes north of the city. Let me tell you something. You know I must have been in love. This girl, who admittedly comes from a small town myself, but who escaped to the city in my early 20's and found community there unlike any I have ever had in my life, never thought I would be living this far from the city, EVER. But it's been almost 3 years now, I did it, we all lived through it, and bless the baby jesus, it's almost over.

January 1st we receive the keys to our new home. It's an 8 minute drive to downtown. Which is very exciting to me because, well, for my own selfish reasons (events that will be easier to attend, friends that will be easier to visit, MORE WORK, etc). It's also exciting because my stepson, who I lovingly refer to as the gingerboy, will be more exposed to diversity. He will also have the opportunity to hang out and get to know my urban family more. I have some amazing urban family. People who have changed my life forever. I am excited to share that with him. Another amazing aspect of our move is that the other ginger, my lady love, will have a 3-5 minute commute. What's so great about that? It gives her back almost 2 shifts worth of hours back into her weekly schedule. Which means we will see her more. Total bonus.

Now that all the packing is done, it's time to do the planning, how to get all this crap from one place to another. Do we hire movers? Do we just resource all the sweet people who have offered to help? I'm not sure how it'll turn out, because today is my day to start nailing those plans down, but I am hoping it looks something like this:



You'll notice I'm nowhere in the picture....

XXX


L.A.K.

You Wanna Be A Hooker?

You know, I love me a Hooker. Oooh. That could easily be taken out of context. Let me rephrase. I love me some JT Hooker. I met this dude back when we were doing Hard Times as a weekly party at The War Room. I walked outside to smoke one night (isn't it funny how many of my stories include that I walked outside to smoke?), and there he was. Projecting visuals on the side of the building. Spinning some jams. From a shopping cart. NBD. Since then I have seen him grow and blossom (blossom?) and perfect his skillset and expand his reach, and he's still the same dude. Awesome. Crazy. Cool. Creative. Awesome.

Recently, he blessed us at Hard Times with "Hookers Top 11 of '11" for the latest issue of Hard Times Press. Here's a snapshot of the portion of the issue that includes his piece. It's great. Funny and serious and full of sh** you might wanna get up on yourself kids!

(more on Hard Times Press at www.hardtimesrevolution.com)

Wanna little Hooker all for yourself? He has two, count 'em, TWO upcoming dates that he's real excited about (and you should be too - great lineups!). Here are the details on those:

Thursday 12/22/2011
Everything Electric is a //FREE// NO COVER// night of electronic music every Thursday @ The Electric Tea Garden. Hosted by some of Seattle's hottest DJ's and Producers. Covering genres from House to Drum & Bass, Techno to Dubstep and most things in between (including PUNK).

December 22nd's EVERYTHING ELECTRIC features tag-teaming duo DJ HOOKER (12hr notice/ Uniting Souls) + RIFF-RAFF (Leschi Lounge / AntiGravity Music) - laying down some ridiculously dirty new tech house and other forms of audio perversion!! Your feet will have NO CHANCE against tapping, if not full-out dance-out marathon pentathlon.

JUST ADDED: MC ANTON BOMB //Otherworld Recs//NAHA ARMY// YES PRESENTS, rockin the mic whilst pouring the best bevies

and… // KURLY SOMTHING // it's this new band Hooker is sorta in… KURLY SOMTHING is REALLY FUCKING COOL!!!
††SEE IT †† BELIEVE IT ††

More on this event, click here.

Friday 12/23/2011
Tribal is the relatively new regular night happening at Rebar. Brought to you by Starborne Productions, Tribal is bringing back an underground feel to Seattle's nightlife scene.

This month, Starborne is happy to welcome
ROB NOBLE,
SKOI and JT HOOKER!!

Happy Holiday cover of $7
21+ 11pm - 3am

More information on this event, click here!

I asked Hooker about his new band, and this is what he had to say....

"I'm super excited to be performing for only the 2ND TIME with KURLY SOMTHING- it's this new, amazing Seattle ""PUNK"" band (drums, guitar and//or bass, + SOMelectroBEATZ)... previews can't do this LIVE performance any justice, so all I can say is BEtharrRRRbeeeZQZUIARe! (grammar much?)"

He's excited, can you tell?

I also asked him about his exciting debut at Tribal and here's his response:

"Friday, I'm honored to be playing for Manahan's TRIBAL @Re-bar... cover is only 7 bones,, pretty dope, considering TRIBAL has been garnering a packed/ stacked Fourth Fridays as one of Seattle's hottest, most talked about nights in town... and previous months' covers were respectfully higher. TRIBAL has recently been showcasing such talent as Random Rab and Tipper, with visuals by Brandy Gray."

Support your local Hooker, will ya? At least you know he won't give you the clap! Unless your on the dancefloor, and that's a totally different kind of clap!

XXX


L.A.K.

The Body Politic: Does The Fidelity Pledge Make Gingrich Whole?

It's uber irksome to me that Newt Gingrich is doing well in the polls for the Republican field of candidates right now. I mean, I just don't understand how people can look past his witch-hunting President Clinton on his infidelities during his stint as Speaker Of The House. Even more, the bastard was himself, cheating on his wife, even served her divorce papers in her hospital bed as she was being treated for cancer. I mean, forget about the "who's fucking who" portion of the argument. I really don't give a rat's patoot. That's between him and his conscious. For me, the bigger matter is the handling of the infidelity, the cold, heartless, handling. It's also glaringly obvious that he is capable of vilifying a person, burning them at the stake, for behaviors he himself is guilty of. Is this who the right wing really wants to represent them? I just don't get how you can have an ounce of common sense and get behind this guy. Did you hear the bit about the so called "fidelity pledge" he has signed on to as of late? Or has he? Read on!

This man, who has, by the way, been married three (count 'em, 3) times, has now promised personal fidelity going forward and provided a verbose written response to a social conservative group’s so-called “Marriage Vow.” He did not, however, sign the pledge. “I also pledge to uphold the institution of marriage through personal fidelity to my spouse and respect for the marital bonds of others,” Gingrich wrote in response to The Family Leader’s request for him to sign the 14-point pledge. He also promised to “enforce the Defense of Marriage Act,” and to support a “federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman” and to “oppose any judicial, bureaucratic, or legislative effort to define marriage in any manner other than as between one man and one woman,” among other things. Yay! How lucky for us Gays if he becomes THE GUY. I'm so sick of this argument. It's getting seriously old and it's embarrassing that it has lasted as a trigger for the conservative base. This “Marriage Vow — A Declaration of Dependence upon Marriage and Family,” equates same-sex marriage with bigamy and polygamy and calls on candidates to promise to be faithful to their spouses. Yes, because them not cheating on their spouses will somehow keep the gay away.

While Gingrich affirmed the principles in the Family Leader’s pledge, he declined to sign it. “Speaker Gingrich did not sign the pledge, but provided his written response affirming the principles laid out in the Marriage Vow,” according to a statement from the group. If he's signing on, why not just actually sign it, right? I mean, for reals. Here's another glaring red flag of what kind of person, and more importantly, what kind of president her would be.

The two-page document includes a “Declaration of Dependence on Marriage and Family”, which blames several factors for the deterioration of traditional marriage. A few among these factors include “quickie divorce” and unmarried couples living together. The pledge also describes homosexuality as a choice and not genetic. Yay for turning back the clock.

Among the presidential hopefuls who have signed the pledge: Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum. At this point, the other GOP candidates have declined.

WHO CARES ABOUT A FUCKIN' FIDELITY PLEDGE?!?! This is just an attempt to make excuses for and end the argument about Newt Gingrich's pat infidelities.

OMG. Let's keep occupying. Liberals and progressives, hold Obama's feet to the fire and support him. We can't go back the Republicans. We just can't...

VOTE!


XXX


L.A.K.

Today & Tonite's A'ight!

The good times just keep rolling here in LALA land. LALA, get it? Laura Ann, LA, LALA. Anyway, it's early. Deepbreath.

So I am all ready to head out the door to my instore gig at T-Mobile from noon to 4 today. I'm gonna be spinning all kinds of sick beats for the staff and customers. Hopefully it brings in a little more foot traffic, or prolongs the stay (and thus the purchases), of those stopping in. Either way, I'm looking forward to it as my lovely Gingerlady, and one of my best DJ friends ever (DJ MISS FUNK), both work there. So it'll be like a party where people just happen to be buying cell phones. No big whup! All the deets are below!



Then, after I finish up there, it's off to the heart of the city to pick up my business partner and bestie, David "D$" Richey and head to Oddfellow's on Capitol Hill to volunteer Hard Times style for Homo For the Holidays. That amazing show starring BenDeLaCreme, Fuschia Foxxx, Jinx Monsoon, Cherdonna & Lou and so much more!



It also serves as the launch for the 10th issue of our beloved Hard Times Press! 10 issues, SO LIKE WOW DUDE! Here's a little teaser....



It's a limited edition issue and will be a total collectors item! All the presale for the show tonite have been snapped up, but we hear there are a few walk ups available! Get there early, grab a copy of Hard Times, and catch this AWE-mazing show!

Happy Saturday Babies!


XXX


L.A.K.

What's In My Box? Audio AND Video!

It's been a minute since I have done an episode of "What's In My Box?", and it's about damn time. Just in time for the holidays! To share a little cheer in the form of ART. Because I am too damn broke to actually buy you anything. I promise pony's for everyone next year. Music AND Video this time around. So, without further ado, (drumroll please)...



First off, let's go with the video. For those of you who read my blog on the reg, you know that I love me some Princess Superstar. She is one of my favorite artists, not only in working with her, but in enjoying her music. She came out with this little jam that I just can't get out of my head. Check out the video and then run straight to the I Tunes and download that sh** for your very own!



Then, as if I wasn't already feeling fortuitous, DJ Transport sent me over this little jem of a winter mix which I can proudly say I have been rockin' while I've been banging out some much delayed blog posts and it's been doin' the trick. Just enough commercial appeal to be indulgent, plenty of sick beats to tap those feets too. Yeah, you'll wanna download this right quick and rock it as your prefunk on NYE! Get at it!

Winter Beats 2011 by dj transport

See how much I care?

XXX


L.A.K.

Moving Plans + Christmas Cheer + Dead Cats + Gothic Birthdays + Rube Goldberg = A Week In My Life.

So it's Wednesday, or wait, is it Tuesday? No, it's definitely Wednesday and I finally have a moment to catch my breath and get up to date on my blogging. The last week has been a whirlwind of activity. This tends to be the norm for this time of year. A flurry of activity leading up to the holidays, followed by several weeks of figurative silence. I love the activity, but I love my silence too these days!

The past week has kept my calendar full and my obligations many. It all started last tuesday when I played the holiday party for Built For Man. It was a wonderful little soiree full of sexy, fashionable peeps. There was lovely art on the walls and the pieces that Built For Man offers were artfully displayed around the studio.
This picture that I took from my perch in the DJ booth that we fashioned in the front window doesn't do it justice. Don't you love the jesus art in the background? Anyway, I can't wait to get the scarve that I agreed to as part of my payment! Imma be rockin' it all around town! You should check out Built For Man too at www.builtforman.com.

Thursday I had a bunch of errands to run all day long, then a few hours window before I had to be at Pony to play my good friend Dustin Curtis' annual birthday EXTRAVAGANZA! So, I took my few hour window and went to chill at my sister's place. It was just me and her cat (who has never particularly liked me). I snuck into her room (where he hides when I visit), and gave him a few pets. Then I hunkered down on the couch in the living room to watch a few episodes of Fringe before heading out to pick up my lovely gingerlady from work. After scooping my beloved from work we decided to cop a squat and get something to eat before heading over to Pony for me to get set up. Right after we finished eating, my phone rang and it was my sister. She was hysterical like only a Kendall sister can be. From what I could understand of the conversation, she thought her cat, Itters, was dead. Well, sister duty called and we payed the check, hopped in the car and headed for my sisters pad in North Seattle. Upon arriving, the ginger girl confirmed that indeed, Itters was dead. All curled up like he was sleeping on the floor at the corner of the bed. What the hell do you do with a dead cat in the city? My sister suggested that we put it in this bustub she had fashioned as a "casket" and put it in our car. Yes. Because this would be awesome. I had a gig to get to. A dead cat in the back of the car while I was DJing...well, the thought was bothersome to me. As I was pondering all of this, and also trying to figure out how to convince the ginger girl to handle it, an amazing thing happened. Like a gift from god, my sisters boss and her boyfriend blew in, took total control of the situation and were in and out within 10 minutes. I was relieved. My sister was so beside herself (naturally), that I knew I was gonna have to step up, and to be honest, I found myself feelin' like a big old girly puss. Thank god that was handled. This is proof that god, or whatever higher power you believe in, always takes care of you when you need it! RIP Itters. I always had hope you would come around one day and realize that I was a good aunty...

After the kitty trauma, we headed to Pony to set up for Mr. Chanels Birthday Extravaganza! I was pretty stoked to play as I was playing an all request set per the birthday boys wishes. A departure from my norm, which I am always grateful for. That party ended up amazing. With Performances by Ade (who was working some fierceness that I was feeling!), Vivivi (my precious friends who impressed the S H I T out of me), Vinsantos (who I missed because I am an old lady and turn to a pumpkin at midnight sometimes on weekdays) and more. Pony was the most festive I have ever seen it! Here are some pics from my perch in the booth (below). If you look closely in the crowd shot, you can see my boy Tony Burns in an incredibly festive hat! Yessir!









Friday I was double dippin'. A girl has to double dip sometimes. When the opportunity arises to stack a few chips, you just gotta do it. Even if it stretches your patience and spreads you thin. You do it, and you are grateful for the opportunity to put money in your pocket and pay your damn bills! This is where I was Friday. Early on I played a private corporate event at the Lake Union Cafe (which is a lovely venue and if you ever have use for it, you should ask for Dann Richey, he will hook you up). It was mostly background music that they wanted during dinner and some gift drawings, but it was a fun crowd nonetheless. Then, immediately after, I packed up my gear, called a taxi and headed to The Wildrose! It was, afterall, Lezbro!



Not just any Lezbro! A Lezbro CHRISTMAS. Fannie Mae Darling, my genderfuk obsession was our special guest this month. ArtStar was back, and in FINE form, might I say! Tony Burns was holding it down in his Santa gear (SO CUTE!). ...and my gingerlady decided to celebrate her birthday. So there was a lot goin' on. Here's a pictoral review of the evening (special thanks to Nate Gowdy for snappin' some of these)!!









You gotta love that Fannie Mae! Another Lezbro down! Get at us in 2012 for more Lezbroriffic antics!

Whew. Then came Saturday night and ArtStar & Still Drunk Paul's Bad Diva Christmas Party at Rebar. Once again, I was holding down the decks. Miss Adraboo was hosting, Kook was in the house taking pictures, and there were so many performances including Amber Marie, Ade, Jackie Hell, Mitzy Sixx, Kitty Baby...and a little surprise in the form of some bouncin' titties! Check the photo action from the Bad Diva Christmas at Rebar below!









Whew! With the weekend over, it was time to help the gingerboy finish his Rube Goldberg project. Don't know what a Rube Goldberg is? Well, take a look at this video for an idea:



Here's what the ginger boy's ended up looking like. He did it all himself, met all the guidelines, and with all found items....


I think he did a whizbang job if I do say so myself!

Alright kids, it's time to pack. Oh yes, PACK! As in pack up all our belongings and move them to another location! Yes, at long last, we are moving closer to the city. For me, BACK to the city. For the ginger peoples, it's the closest they have ever lived to the city. I think it's going to be GREAT for all of us! Very excited and in my typical, anal retentive, Cancer form, I have a plan. So here I am, signing off, so I can put that plan in action!

XXX


L.A.K.

The Body Politic: Political Theater

Wow, the Rebublican race for the presidency is offering up some fine political theater these days! It would be hilarious if it wasn't so frightening. Truly. But it is frightening. Because the more audacious and ridiculous they are, the more successful they seem to be.

Take Herman Cain for instance. This weekend, he held quite the press conference. Rolling out his wife for only the 2nd time during his campaign, he announced that he was suspending his campaign amid allegations of a 13 year affair and countless sexual harrassment claims. His press conference was completely ridiculous. Rolling in on a wrapped bus, climbing off the bus with his wife as the crowd yelled her name repeatedly (GLOW-REE-YA! GLOW-REE-YA!). Of course now it looks like he is going to be launching his own political action group. Anything to sell more books, build the brand, make more money. I'm sure that was his intention all along. I mean, if Sarah Palin can do it, why can't he, right? RIGHT! It's all about things being "spinned" in the media. If you saw the press conference, you'll get that last reference.

Anyway, then it's come to light that Herman Cain is now endorsing Newt Gingrich. Which will of course swing all those bat shit crazy Tea Partiers towards Newt Gingrich.

Newt Gingrich met with that doucebag Donald Trump today. They are evidently forging some partnership to put kids in the innercity to work. I hope that what they have planned doesn't turn out to be as child-slave-labor-ish as it sounds. But I digress. Newt Gingrich is also the only candidate who has agreed to participate in the debate that Donald Trump is planning to host. First of all, it's kind of sick how these folks are turning the run for the presidency into a reality TV show. Secondly, does everyone have amnesia about Newt Gingrich?!?! Mitt Romney must be pissed that he, who by basic "moral" standards (high up in his church, never been divorced), should be blowing Newt away among the social conservatives. Instead, Newt Gingrich with his questionable morals (has had several marriages that were ended because of affairs he was having, while he at the same railing against adultary), is leading the pack. Irony.

We still have almost a year before the elections. We have the conventions and the determination of the actual Republi-CON who will be running against Obama. So many debates, so many caucauses, so many campaign commercials. Lots of "theater" still to come. ...and I have to be honest, I'm gonna eat it all up. I can't help myself. I like the drama. But when it's all said and done, it really feels like the race for the presidency has become little more than, well, theater.

Here's hoping that Obama wins again and proves me wrong...(please god. please?)


XXX


L.A.K.