Paunchy Like a Panda

That's the amusingly snarky comment that Ricky Gervais roasted Duran Duran with on an interview show. "Hungry like the wolf? You're all middle aged! Shouldn't it be more like paunchy likea panda?" And a recent YouTube cellphone video of them would not predispose me to disagree, sadly. Check out this live version of Skin Divers recorded in Vegas this month.

However, that's not to say I don't still like their music (surprisingly) or that they aren't hardworking pros: I mean, they're still touring and putting out music almost 25 years after I first saw them (eeek! has it been that long since high school?!) and they still pick the hot producers du jour (Timbaland and Mr. Timberlake [ ! ] worked on their newest CD, Red Carpet Massacre.) By the way, Mr. Le Bon, Mr. Rhodes, and the 2 surviving Taylors look exactly like you'd think -- hee! Click on the CD link to their homepage and you'll see what I mean.

I am reminded of this since tonight I will be going to see them in concert with Jane & Jen @ Central Park's Rumsey Playfield. Um....did I mention it was pouring this morning? And that the concert is rain or shine? Eeek! Oh, and that seating is general admission. Sigh. On the bright side, synthetics last forever: I still have the tour jersey I bought in 1984 (and it fits!) and hey, it's Duran Duran (i.e., big, fluffy fun).

Yes, the weather is currently THIS sunny:

Somehow, I think that my 5 year ARM will adjust before they finish this hot mess of a traffic circle. Bear in mind that they broke ground the week BEFORE I moved in to the condo. Oy. That statue of Frederick Douglass had damn well better be fantastic, since both foundries selected for the statue went bankrupt, resulting in 2 series of delays (i.e., search process, selection, RFP, bid, decision -- rinse, lather, repeat).

On to more cheerful topics: my niece finally had her second child yesterday! Nicholas Charles Crik*****(a/k/a Nickie Crik, as he has already been nicknamed by his parents) joined the world yesterday @ "8:31am, 8 lbs 11 oz, 21 1/2 inches long, full head of hair and a very chill disposition." (My older niece is sometimes hilarious.)

Terry (a/k/a Daddy-o) already sent me a photo on my cellphone which I will spare everyone since, let's face it, all newborn babies look wrinkly and related to space aliens, even if they are relatives whom you (will) love. (Nick does have quite the mop of very dark hair though.) Andrea (a/k/a my older niece, the mom) has also been e-mailing me with her CrackBerry -- ah, the wonders of modern technology.

Speaking of which, this is the picture I attempted to send some of my friends yesterday announcing the happy event. The Gund Company (or whatever they're called) does make really adorable plushies, no? Sometimes old school ishas a lot going for it.

So I'd better get cracking on finishing Nicky's cardie. So far I've done the back and both front panels (knit in the round) and have started one sleeve. So I have 1.8 sleeves left to go, and the collar. (I wonder how Thomas is dealing with the advent of his new baby brother...)

And now, some knitting while watching Shaun of the Dead for the umpteenth time on Comedy Central before I set off for dinner & Duran. Zombies can be fun(ny)! (I'm saving the rest of The Andromeda Strain on Tivo for later. Maybe tomorrow. When it might be sunny...Signed, Chicken Little.