"This week I'm a gypsy. Maybe next week it'll be glitter rock."

Blogs j'adore: Dooder City

For (technically) the second installment of Blogs j'adore, I've decided to spotlight my favorite blogger from the Big Apple: Deana of Dooder City. Often gracing us with tales of her life in the big city, each day Deana basically sums up my taste with a simple handful of photos. She's obsessed with Jimmy Page, loves Pink Floyd, and digs the Allman Brothers... Need I say more? I'll let her divine answers do the talking. P.S. She emailed me a few days after I received her finished questionnaire, and asked if it was too late to add Levon Helm as a crush. (Me being the lazy, albeit busy, person that I am received this email about a week ago -- despite promising her it'd be up within a day or two. Sorry!) Of course not, it's never too late to add Levon Helm as a crush. Loving Levon Helm is great, and loving Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson at the same time is even greater. Anyway, here's your peek into Dooder City!

Name: Deana

Blog: Dooder City

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Occupation: Dreamer

What to expect upon viewing your blog: Nostalgia

Three favorite artists that started their recording career before 1980: Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin

Three favorite artists that are actively recording: Radiohead, Phonograph, Yo La Tengo

Five favorite songs of the moment, any era (Title, artist, album, and year of release): Daylight – Aesop Rock, Labor Days, 2001; Teen Age Riot – Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation, 1988; That’s Us/ Wild Combination – Arthur Russell; Freedom of '76 - Ween, Chocolate and Cheese, 1994; 49 Bye-Byes - Crosby Stills & Nash, Crosby Stills & Nash, 1969.

Five favorite albums of all time, off the cuff (Album, artist, year of release): Meddle - Pink Floyd, 1971; Déjà Vu - Crosby Stills Nash & Young, 1970; Amnesiac - Radiohead, 2001; Chocolate and Cheese - Ween, 1994; Old and in the Way - Old and in the Way, 1975.

Five favorite films of all time (Title, director, year of release): Singles, Cameron Crowe, 1992; The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese, 1978; The Muppets Take Manhattan, Frank Oz, 1984; Scrooged, Richard Donner, 1988; Dazed and Confused, Richard Linklater, 1993.

Three favorite books of all time (Title, author, year of release): Living with The Dead - Rock Scully, 1995; The Iceman Cometh - Eugene O’Neill; God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater - Kurt Vonnegut, 1965; The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton, 1967; Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein, 1974.

Top two female style icons: Michelle Phillips & Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan (I want the jacket she wears in it with the pyramid on it)

Number one male style icon: Pigpen of The Grateful Dead

Top five crushes of all time, off the cuff: Jimmy Page, Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet, David Gilmour, Jeff Buckley, Levon Helm

One deceased person you'd love to have a drink with: Jerry Garcia or Allen Ginsberg (can Allen just happen to be there with Jerry when I arrive?)

That person in three words: Rest in Peace

Last album you listened to in it's entirety (Title, artist, year of release): Blue Train – John Coltrane, 1957.

Favorite quote: “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap” – Dolly Parton

Favorite blog you'd like to share with the world: Freewilliamsburg.com

If you could offer a piece of advice to everyone in the world, what would you say? Just love even though it sometimes hurts and is hard, it’s the bravest thing in the world you can do.

Beards

are  amazing.

The other day, my mother and I drove past this homeless man on this street.
I adored him for the following reasons:
a) His sign was not asking for money, or any sort of assistance. He simply stated "Jesus saves."
b) He had a phenomenal beard.
My mother said, "He's sweet, but he needs a razor."
To which I replied, "No! His beard is gorgeous."
And she said, "You're into shit like that." I am!

A few famous beards:

We're the Band and we have the coolest collection of beards.

Up close and personal with the beard.

Robbie Robertson looking like a Beatle, and of course rocking a beard.

Forever rocking the beard.

I must admit, David Gilmour does not even come close to the Band's beards. He just makes a bit of scruff look sexy, and that in itself is a nice feat. (Also, an amazing assortment of tee shirts, which of course you cannot see here.)

George Harrison definitely wins for man with the most interesting beard. My favorite homeless-looking definitely-not-homeless man to ever exist. Though, his best solo work came from his pseudo-homeless era. Maybe its a creative thing?

In the early 70's, Jimmy Page rocked a mean beard. I just about find this beard sexy. All of Zeppelin went through a beard phase, but most ended up looking ridiculous. Except John Bonham.

Dennis Wilson. Dennis went from being the babyfaced drummer of the Beach Boys, to underrated genius of a solo artist. During that time, he also grew himself a mighty beard.

Graham Nash doesn't look too bad with a beard either. The 70's were a fabulous time for beards.

Jeff Lynne! Damn, what a beard. (Pictured above with Del Shannon, who coincidentally took his own life not too far from where I grew up.) Not only does Jeff Lynne have a swell beard, he has stayed oh so faithful to it. Like Garth Hudson, he has hardly been without a beard. That is a man.


I'm sure I forgot some real fine beards, but I certainly covered a lot of ground.
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way encouraging any man (or boy) to grow a beard. You'll probably look ridiculous. Do not think for a second you even compare to the above mentioned.

P.S. Googling "George Harrison beard" or "Jimmy Page beard" is really fun. Try it. Add beard to the end of a name. Preferably someone with a divine beard.

Walkin' on Gucci, wearin' Yves Saint Laurent.

Barely stay on, 'cause I'm so goddamn gaunt.