The Sarah Palin Shitshow, episode 893 + My 99 cents

I meant to add this in my last post about The Sarah Palin Shitshow [SPSS]. It's an essay by Eve Ensler on why Palin isn't such a bright idea and why she's so dangerous for women. I know that this is more or less speaking to the choir in terms of who visits Now and Later, but I thought it'd be interesting all the same if you haven't seen it.

Before I get into my 99 cents for the week, I'd like to announce that my big cousin Grambo jumped onto my blogging bandwagon [I'm the only one in my family with a blog]. He and a friend of his launched In It Not of It. It's really good news, politics, culture, etc. stuff. Have a look and tell him I sent you.

The Caffeine-free Chronicles continue: I have yet to touch a drop of coffee or Red Bull, but God, do I miss it. Yesterday, I drank a bit of The Boy's tea and really enjoyed how it fogged up my glasses and I was like man, imagine how amazing it would be if this were coffee? I'm super sluggish but pushing through. It just means I may have to skip a class after a long night to take a nap.

My 99 cents for the week is 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' (1974) by Etta James. It's a great, saucy song from the woman versatile enough to give us 'At Last', a song that's made its way into countless weddings since its release. Etta James is blues, jazz, soul, rock & roll and a whole lotta woman (don't let the cherubic face fool you). You Can Leave Your Hat On is a raunchy strip tease from the heart. Etta James isn't the only person to sing this song, but somehow Joe Cocker doesn't quite do it for me. The sexiness is lost in his version, although if someone like, say, the Pussycat Dolls did a song like this, it'd be all harlotry and no heart. The va-va-voom factor is helped by the Crybaby pedal over the guitar noodles and the brassy funky horns. And while Miss James delivers incredible come hither vocals, the lyrics tell us that at the end of the day, it's all about being with someone you care about. They don't know what love is, do they? Here's the song for your listening pleasure with my little mixtape doohickies. I added a mudflap girl to this one because it seemed so appropriate.

In related news, Beyonce is set to play Etta James in the film 'Cadillac Records'. The movie, also starring Adrien Brody [who I love for 'The Pianist', so I can forgive him for 'The Village'], Mos Def, and Cedric the Entertainer, tells the story of Etta James's label, Chess Records. Eye roll, please. Beyonce is drop-dead gorgeous, but she cannot act to save her life. It's sad, really. Sweetheart, we all love Bambi, but that deer in the headlights look is just not working. At the very least, we know Beyonce can pull off a blonde wig, though she's got a serious wig to fill. Even Miss James thinks so. In an interview with Page Six, she said, "Etta James ain't been no angel! I don't think she looks like me, but that's alright. They can fix that up." From the photos snapped in March of the actors on the set, it doesn't seem like the movie people are doing a very good job of that, either. This a doomed project, honestly. I imagine Mos Def and Adrien Brody will do the best they can with what they have, but it will most likely be terrible. Beyonce should stick to making mediocre music.