Here’s the YouTube video that has over four and a half million views on YouTube:

Visit Michael Zampelli’s photo gallery from the Summer and Music Festival, including photos of Paul Dateh, inka one, the Greenmeme art installation, “Urban Lab: Chantilly Clad” and the Kogi catering truck.

Here’s the video of Hip Hop Violin – Paul Dateh and inka one Live in Long Beach:

On Tuesday morning my husband came into the bedroom, where I was comfortably sleeping and proclaimed “road trip”. We got in the car and drove to a destination that was a surprise to me. We ended up at the California Poppy Reserve in Antelope Valley.

Along the way, we listened to music non-stop and documented the day with photos and video. In a sense, this is a mix-tape of our trip. All the car shots have music in the background.

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See Michael Zampelli’s photo gallery on Flickr.
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We listened to Q-tip, Gary Numan, drum and bass and The Fall. We traveled from the 710 in Long Beach to the 5 freeway at Castaic Lake. Then, we took mountain roads all the way to the poppy fields. I hope this video inspires you to get out on the road or out in nature. I think we all truly need this type of rejuvenation for our sanity.

Get your Spring garden checks

I’m pretty impressed by the close up he got right in our backyard. (Click on photo to see it full-size).

It made me think of Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. This is a classic rock album that spans generations and crosses over to several music-loving genres.

Here’s a photo of the moon and a YouTube video. Go ahead and howl if you feel the urge.

To see more photos from Michael Zampelli, visit http://www.michaelzampelli.com/

On Saturday, I attended the Ragga Muffins Festival in Long Beach. Michael Zampelli took some photos for The District Weekly and I snagged a few for this blog.

My favorite musical act of the day was Big Youth (pictured above). This man exudes more verve and childlike enthusiasm than most people a fraction of his age. He’s got a groovin’ rap style and smooth moves to go with it. Go to Big Youth’s MySpace page if you want to get in the groove.

I also felt childlike and care-free wearing my Gal Vanized get-up and eating funnel cake. I decided that I was going to surrender myself to the IRIE vibes and absorb as much of the experience as possible.

The crowd was very diverse and fun. Everyone was relaxed and having a good time. It was like sitting in a big huge living room. No problems whatsoever. I wasn’t the only one there with pink hair, click on the photo below to see a larger version of the audience.

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Songs to Galvanize Your Mind
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Here is Michael Zampelli’s photo gallery of the event:

During the show we talked about Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It and how it sends a positive message for women and girls. Zampelli talked about how he enjoys the fast action and intense energy of a roller derby bout. Listen here or find out more about the show at Blog Talk Radio.

According to the article, “More often than not, images have been altered — historically with painstaking tricks of lighting and exposure and, more recently, with retouching software that can make celebrities and models look thinner, taller, unblemished, with brighter eyes and whiter teeth. Seemingly perfect. Advances in digital photography have made it so easy to manipulate photographs that cover models often resemble weirdly synthesized creatures or, as the photographer Peter Lindbergh described them this week, “objects from Mars.”” >>>Read more at New York Times.com

While you’re there, be sure to check out the video opinion piece, Sex, Lies and Photoshop, why magazines should let readers know if images have been retouched by Jesse Epstein, the director of Wet Dreams and False Images. Here is the trailer for her movie:

Who knew you could have a sense of humor about Satan? Well, Rosemary’s Billygoat doesn’t seem to take the devil too seriously at all. Watch the video and read the lyrics and just see if 665 1/2 won’t make you laugh. I dare you.

Here’s a little sample of the lyrics:

Well ever since I was born,
I’ve been growing horns
I eat Christians for breakfast
Pentacostals for lunch
and then you come along
and I got me a hunch

you think you’re evil
don’t make me laugh
At best, you’re a 665 1/2

You can listen to the studio version of the song here:

This band was the halftime entertainment at the Saturday Roller Derby bout at the Doll Factory in Los Angeles. Michael Zampelli was there to document the evening on behalf of LAist.com.

To see the entire photo gallery, go to michaelzampelli.com.

The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music.

Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.

In fact, just today I was walking to the pharmacy and I got touched by an angel. Literally.

Technically I got hugged by an angel and I have photos to prove. This angel was in the window as part of a promotion for stores on Broadway Avenue, such as Phoenix and Crow.

Other special treats on the Avenue included an extremely authentic pirate couple complete with dirty faces and leather gear. Across the street at Merry’s Fashion with Passion, a small troupe of belly dancers performed. Free food and beverages were available. Hospitality was in unlimited supply.

I was so excited about the angel I walked fast. My husband trailed me with the camera.

Okay, there’s the angel in the window. Isn’t she beautiful?

And there you have it, me wrapped in angel’s wings while listening to The Renaissance by Q-tip on my iPod. How much more soul do you want?
Phoenix and Crow sells celtic jewelry, fine art and scented candles. They are located at 2754 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach CA 90803. You can reach them at (562) 621-0785. The Renassaince by Q-Tip is available on iTunes.

Here’s my playlist for this ride. All links go to iTunes or MySpace as noted.

Intelligent Guy by the Butthole Surfers (didn’t see it on iTunes but you can check out their MySpace page)

Intro by Big Boi off Speakerboxxx

City of Fun by Come off Volume 08

Rap is Really Changing by Mucho Macho off The Limehouse Link

Harmony in My Head by the Buzzcocks off Singles Going Steady

Purity by Monkey Fist off Between The Lines. I have chatted back and forth across the Pond with these fellows on MySpace for a couple of years. I love their song Take It (you can hear it on the Monkey Fist MySpace profile). They keep telling me they’ve got something new coming out but I haven’t heard it yet. They are not on iTunes. Imagine, probably thousands, perhaps millions of bands are not.

She’s a Woman by the Beatles off Past Masters – Volume 1 (couldn’t find it on iTunes)

Breakaway by Basement Jaxx of Rooty (I love this entire CD)

She’s Lost Control by Joy Division off Substance 1977-1980

Kneel Before Your God by Lemon Jelly off of the Swordfish soundtrack

Belfast/Wasted (Wasted Vocal Mix) by Orbital off of Volume 3

For more workout playlist ideas, visit the Donate Your Weight On-Line Forums.

I spent the day listening to sweet little ditty’s like “Abolish Government” by T.S.O.L., “I Don’t Care About You” by Fear and “Johnny’s Got a Problem” by D.I. while downing free Monster drinks and pretty much loving every minute of it.

Rinkrat submitted his photos to the LAist and I wrote a little piece about my day at the concert. Well, it ends up it was one of the Week’s Most Recommended posts out of literally hundreds of posts. Check it out.

All links in post go to iTunes