Friday's Favorite: OK Go

Ah, Friday’s Favorite… I remember back in January when I thought that I could write about something that I really enjoy (be it a book, movie, tv, etc.) each Friday.  Oh, sweet, naïve, hopeful Elizabeth…

But what’s that saying? Better every 8 months than never?  Something like that…

Tonight, I will be seeing OK Go for the fifth time in concert, making them the band I have seen the most live.  Hmmm, I wonder how they’ll celebrate…

I LOVE OK Go, and I’ve loved them since their eponymous debut album, long before the infamous “treadmill” video.  Their music is rockin’ good fun, they are amazing live and yes, they do create the most unbelievable videos.

If you’re thinking, “Huh, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them…” you probably have.  Just click here: http://www.youtube.com/user/OkGo#p/u/54/pv5zWaTEVkI  Look familiar?  That’s because the video for “Here It Goes Again” is still one of the most viewed videos ever on the internet, for good reason. Genius.

For those new to OK Go, I present to you my OK Go favorites:

Favorite song to play on the guitar: “Do What You Want” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRHwoIvAUI0&ob=av2n Favorite song to work out to (especially if you’re in a bad mood): “Get Over It” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioBKXvWk_iY&ob=av2e

Favorite video (and favorite song off the new album): “This Too Shall Pass” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

Second favorite song off the new album (and current single): “White Knuckles” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs

Favorite non-music video: “Danimal vs. Animal” (OK Go AND the Muppets?  LOVE IT!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHK0JVAqQgE

See what I mean about the videos?  (Plus, most of them are one take, which makes it even more extraordinary).  And they are truly a fun band to see live.  I have never left an OK Go show in a bad mood, or with much of a voice.  They’ve got a few dates left on their tour, so if they are coming to a city near you, check them out (http://www.okgo.net/shows/) – you will not be disappointed!

Hugs ‘n kisses!  Elizabeth

Blog, Blog, Blog...

Hi everyone! While I've not been blogging on my site, I wanted to share with you some blogs I've done recently for the fabulous website Eve's Fan Garden.

The Power of a Penny (Lane): http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/08/12/the-power-of-a-penny-lane-by-elizabeth-eulberg/

For any aspiring writers out there: It's Just Me (the Publicist) against Me (the Author): http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/08/10/guest-blog-by-elizabeth-eulberg-its-just-me-the-publicist-against-me-the-author/

And  in honor of Banned Book Week: My Mother, the Banned-Book-Loving-Librarian: http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/09/22/my-mother-the-banned-book-loving-librarian-by-elizabeth-eulberg/

I'm happy to report that I finished the first draft of my next novel (this would be novel #3) this weekend.  Now I just need to do about twelve rounds of revisions before sending to my editor, but I believe in celebrating every step!

And after a concert-free September, I've already seen Belle and Sebastian and Tired Pony last week (both AMAZING).  Upcoming conerts this month: Broken Bells, Phoenix, OK Go and Frightened Rabbit.  I'm so excited to go out and enjoy some live music again!

I have a feeling October is going to be an awesome month.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll even be able to post a blog or two here (there's an idea!). ;)

Sending you all a big hug!

The Lonely Hearts Club - outtake

Once again, I must apologize for being MIA on my blog.  I'd like to be able to say with confidence that I'll be able to blog more, but alas, between working on my next novel (yep, that would be novel #3!!!) and well...working, I don't really have a lot of time or mental capacity to blog.  HOWEVER, I did want to give you all a little treat: an outtake from The Lonely Hearts Club.

In editing the book, a few scenes were trimmed and the one scene that made me a little sad to cut involves Penny's parents.  The below scene would have taken place on page 118 of the book as the girls leave the Bloom house for Homecoming.  As you'll see, the below doesn't really advance the plot any, but it still makes me giggle.  Oh, those crazy Blooms!

You may also notice that the below is in present tense, while the novel is in past tense.  We changed the tense in the editing process and this scene was cut before that.  Also, this scene was never copyedited.

Enjoy! XOXO, Elizabeth

“Perfect, perfect…” Dad takes the millionth photo of us in the living room.  “Now we just need you kids to take one more shot before you go.”

“Dad, you promised,” I protest.  I can’t believe they’re going to humiliate me.

“Now Penny Lane, it’s a family tradition.”

Yes, one that I’d prefer to keep a secret.

Mom comes from the basement with a full size Beatles standee and maneuvers it to the center of the room.  That standee has been present in all important Bloom family photos.  Lucy’s adamant it stays home for her wedding, but I have a feeling she's going to lose that argument.

“All right, gather around the boys.”

I close my eyes and pray that this won’t get around school.  Luckily everybody seems to be taking this in stride, Morgan has her leg wrapped around George and Amy’s pretending to be kissing Paul.  I reluctantly go over and get in the photo.

“So Dr. Bloom," says Tracy, "are we supposed to say ‘Shoo Shoo Shamu’ or something about a whale?”

Dad laughs, “No, it’s ‘goo goo g’joob’ and it’s from the song ‘I Am the Walrus.’”

“Oh right.” Like Tracy hasn’t heard that a million times before.

“Okay, here we go,” Dad points the camera to us.  “You all look beautiful, now one two, ‘goo goo g’joob’” as he presses the button.

“Are we done now?” I ask impatiently.

Dad walks over and plants a kiss on my cheek.  “Oh, try to humor your old pops.”  He looks a little concerned for a second and then leans in, “So kiddo, do you think you might want to wear a shawl or something?”

I shake my head, it’s not that cold outside.

“Oh Dave” mom starts to open the door for us.  “She has breasts, get over it.”

I think I’m going to die.

Come Together: BeatExpo

As you are all painfully aware, I am dreadfully behind on my blogs. So it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that I’m now writing about a very cool convention I attended in NOVEMBER: BeatExpo, my first Beatles convention! Scholastic armed me with some Lonely Hearts Club postcards and my friend Natalie and I decided to take a journey down Abbey Road (or more accurately, to Stamford, CT).

Highlights from the weekend include:

SID BERNSTEN - Mr. Bernstein is the promoter credited for starting the British invasion of the 60s by bringing the Beatles to the United States.  He booked the Beatles at Carnegie Hall for their infamous 1964 concert and brought them back to perform at Shea Stadium – the first band to ever perform at the baseball stadium.  Mr. Bernstein has also worked with the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, among others. Needless to say, this guy is a legend.

Mr. Bernstein was signing copies of his autobiography, “It’s Sid Bernstein Calling…” so I bought a book and waited in line to get his autograph.  I gushed when I met him and told him that as a publicist, he is a constant source of inspiration.  He looked at me and said, “Are you married?”  To which I replied, “No, sir.”  He then gestured at the seat next to him and said, “Well, come here and sit next to me.”  He didn’t have to tell me twice!!  He was such a sweet and kind man.  To sit next to the person who had worked so closely with The Beatles was very humbling.  Oh, the stories he could tell (which he does in his excellent book).

GREG HAWKES – There was a concert to kick-off the festival and featured some fabulous Beatles cover bands (Penny’s parents would not have approved of my behavior!). Greg Hawkes, keyboardist of The Cars, did an amazing solo set with the ukulele.  I was waiting for him to perform “Something” because George Harrison (who wrote “Something”) was a big ukulele player, and generally people (including Sir Paul) play “Something” on the uke. Of course, I REALLY had to use the restroom, so I stepped out for two minutes and missed the beginning.  Mr. Hawkes was my favorite performer of the evening.  He gave a very heartfelt performance and hung out with people afterwards. Very classy person. When I returned home the next day, I immediately went on iTunes and downloaded The Cars Essentials.

PETER TORK – Peter Tork, from The Monkees, also performed at the concert. This was a huge kick for me because Nickelodeon started airing reruns of The Monkees when I was in middle school and I became a ridiculously huge Monkees fan.  It was very fun to see Peter these many, many years later performing both Monkees and Beatles songs. [Fun fact: I saw Micky Dolenz perform at an Art and Music Festival in my town a few years ago, so that leaves Davy Jones (who was my favorite) and Michael Nesmith. Guys, consider yourselves warned.]

THE FANS – I loved meeting fellow Beatles fans. After the concert on opening night, a bunch of fans gathered in the hotel lobby with guitars for an impromptu Beatles sing-along.

THE CONVENTION – Yes, I was there for a convention after all! So much merchandise. Seriously, so much merchandise. I’m not really into crowds so we didn’t stay on the convention floor very long. And surprisingly, I didn’t leave with that much stuff. But I did leave with some new friends, memories and fabulous songs in my head.

‘Til next time, Elizabeth