The true test of an album (in this series anyway) is the shuffle test, in which you see how long you can go on shuffle-repeat. If you can lose notice of where things end and where they began, you’ll have heard the whole album several times in what seems to be no time at all.

Welcome to MDNA. A name suggested by MIA which is living up to its namer and namesake’s firecracker nature. Days after its release, as is par for Madonna, the album is only getting more fun to listen to. It is smattered with just the right amount of Easter eggs. The appearances of MIA and Nicki Minaj are perfectly timed and are neither to short, nor to long. Every now and then the album makes your eyes go like this… oO

As Minaj says in “I Don’t Give A”, “I ain’t a businesswoman. I’m a business, woman. And I’m known for givin’ bitches the business, woman.”. This album does exactly that. “There’s only one Queen, and it’s Madonna…biiiiitch.”

I’m still alive.

I’m still making playlists.

I’m making some headway on a new party idea.

I’ve made some new buddies I think will actually stick around.

I think I’m finally starting to feel like a real, live New Yorker type person.

Now if I can only figure out what the hell is wrong with my neck/shouldler/spine.

Just like the title says. I’m not really sure why but if pumping myself full of vitamins has anything to do with it then I’ll be doing that for awhile. I neglected to remember I am of the billions who have a major deficiency…especially with Vitamin D. And nothing is (literally) worse than that when it comes to your mental well-being.

I have also started making playlists again. So…this is good.

So let’s go back to my proximities issues, which I have decided are not the cause of one thing. Rather, one thing brought it out a lot. And that can only tell me that two proximities of the same issues collided, bringing a little bit of light to the fact that there are issues there. I think I know the root causes now. This is what some would call a breakthrough, but I call bullshit there.

I just have #normalpeopleproblems. Thank the blooday stars I’m not part of the gay shame generation of self-hating emotasticists.

It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything personal on this site. This doesn’t mean, however, that there isn’t a lot of it going on. Nothing scary, mind you. But then again that really depends on what you consider scary, I suppose. Regardless. It’s nothing insurmountable, I like to say. In fact it’s all so very simple and clear. Funny how even the clearest of waters can hold the most impact potential. Metaphors….

I’m on my way to work in new (fr$$) clothes from a designer buddy. I also didn’t have time for my entire morning routine so, of course, I feel out of my own skin. I feel like the clothes are too big, or that they are too big-boy for me. I can’t decide which. The only thing properly off-setting the outfit is a black turtleneck. True Archer style.

I’m also a sweaty anxious mess (who is therefore covered in Jean Paul). (Ooh I just saw a hairstyle I like on the train. Too bad it’s a bloody bad hair day for me at that. I think I’ll be going to a mirror a lot to check my hair today. Insecurity or bad hair. Who knows?) I guess the clonazepam finally stopped working as it can…. I might have to take some more today than usual. At least I have a doctor appointment soon. We can talk about that then. It will be a physical where I tell him all the awesome non-House stuff going on with my body and probably ask him to switch my med. With that, hopefully I won’t be adding to the number of meds for any reason. Tests are always daunting even when you are pretty sure there’s nothing to worry about. But that’s not what has me a mess.

I’m a little bit of an emotional wreck again. (And this happens to everyone I think.) I call it sensitivity and empathy. But there is also to consider the way I handle affection and such. In all three cases there are large amounts of these emotions bubbling inside me right now and it’s becoming a little difficult to focus around them. (But are we supposed to focus around them or confront them head-on? And then what happens when some of them can’t be confronted in (anything resembling) a head-on fashion?)

I must…be losing my…. No, wait. I’ve already lost my mind. Listen to me, prattling on like this. (At least the train I am on is stuck. Legitimacy for being late!). Music is the only thing saving me right now but it’s also driving me mad. Every song I hear pulls out an emotion (which I do understand is the point to most songs) but some days I wish I could put down this ‘me’ on a table for a few hours so I can get a break.

My ‘problems’ are a mix of proximities that are difficult to explain. And I don’t believe that all things need to be explained to all people. Not here anyway. At the bottom of it all, people know (or are pretty close to knowing) how you feel without you having to tell them. At least I hope so. As I was telling someone yesterday, I sometimes have trouble properly vocalizing how I feel, so I am always watching myself as not to be misunderstood.

I wish I lived in a world where I hadn’t become so scared of change and failure. I wish I didn’t feel this requirement to hold certain thoughts from being spoken. I wish that some of what I had to say wasn’t so potentially incendiary. I also wish that when someone tells me that I know I look great that I always believed it. The way you feel inside doesn’t always reflect what’s going on inside. That’s for sure. Now if we could only figure out what’s going on upstairs.

But yes. I would do it all again. My life. No regrets. Life happens, right? It isn’t broken is it? We can’t fix it…can we?

I feel like crying because that’s what I do when I’m this frustrated with myself. In fact…writing this is sorta brining it on so I’ll just re-read, edit, and stop the post here. Another album review is on the way. Maybe that will help me feel better.

Now playing – The Cranberries – Roses (new album)

This has been one of my favorite calm-down discs since … 2002? I found it by accident and I’ve played it at least a million times by now. To quote another source, the music on this album consists of multiple tracks of processed piano and electronic textures. The layers of the composition are phased so that their relationships to each other are constantly changing in a way similar to his previous Discreet Music piece. The album was also one of the first to take advantage of the (then new) extended running time of the compact disc format, containing only one 60-min track. Produced in 1984 and released in 1985 I am actually surprised it took me so long to find it. If you’re looking to relax, consider this the next album in my series of front-to-back greatness.

Attention. If you haven’t heard this album or met the man, you’re one unlucky bastard. But have hope. You can buy this album and still see him spin at the event Blowoff. The party has been quite the series for many years. I remember a specific night where we talked via notepad on my iPhone about a request because it was so loud. He would play some amazing music that night. And my DJ progenitor John Tab was even there hanging out with me.

But truly, I am unsure whether this album has anything to do with the behind-the-scenes Blowoff or whether it’s a take on his or someone else’s personal life. It screams and evokes a shit-ton of competing emotions and speaks in metaphors you can only understand if you’ve been there.

Were you there? Find out. The Death of the Paper Boy is (and he might not like this word, whoooo knows) … Rich Morel’s ‘magnum opus’. This is the latest album deemed great from start to finish for this series. I still feel like it just came out. I hope you enjoy it as constantly as I do.

But wait! There’s more! The second CD, dubbed the DISC-O version, is the remix album. Expertly as produced as the first disc and even more insightful. It made great background one summer in Fire Island. *sigh*

You’re going to be surprised by the next album, for sure. But it is another in this series of 30 I cannot put down. Enjoy Morel! And find him on Facebook and like his ass.

Wait for it!

This is our 8th Valentine’s day together!! Our first was at a Burger King – on accident. Tonight it will be the Waverly Inn!! Looking forward to it!

Happy Boo Day!

I promise. 2012 has been very busy so far and we’re already in mid Q1!!

For those keeping track, these are the albums I’ve written about so far which are great start to finish.

Day 1 – Poe, “Haunted”
Day 2 – “Little Dragon”
Day 3 – “Simple Things”, Zero 7
Day 4 – “SBTRKT”
Day 5 – “Beautiful Someday”, Aural Float
Day 6 – “There’s More to Life Than This”, Ben Westbeech
Day 7 – “Older”, George Michael
Day 8 – “Dark Days Exit”, Felix Laband

FACEBOOK USERS: Click here to share on Facebook!!!.

Hello fans!!!!!

I have been contacted by the Creative Communications Department of the Cherry Fund to assist in promoting this year’s 2012 Cherry Weekend. As a cross-promotional partner, I will be providing you with promotional and logistical information about this year’s Cherry Weekend! So stay tuned! The more I find out about the upcoming Cherry Weekend, the more you will know too!

You may or may not know that The Cherry Fund is an independent, all-volunteer 501(c)3 foundation whose purpose is to raise funds for the HIV/AIDS youth service community. Since 1997 it has raised close to $1 million for HIV/AIDS services to the community via the annual charity dance event, featuring some of the best internationally known DJ’s playing in DC’s own venues. It also generates funds needed to continue providing important financial resources to locally associated youth-focused HIV/AIDS organizations.

By aligning “A-Ron The DJ” and “Subway State” to partner with the Cherry Fund, we hope that outreach will affect even more people than before, achieving a most successful Cherry Weekend we will all remember!

The yearly Cherry event returns to the Nation’s Capital in full bloom with “Cherry 2012″! This premier dance-music event in Washington, DC will reawaken in the spring with all of the pulse and energy you’ve been waiting for. And it all goes down from March 29 to April 1, 2012.

This epic weekend of great DJs and parties not to be missed. Past DJs have included Peter Rauhofer, Oscar G, Abel and Superchumbo. This year promises to be no exception, with DJs Paul Goodyear (San Francisco), Paulo (Los Angeles), Mark Anthony (Montréal), Alyson Calagna (New Orleans) and Eddie Elias (New York). This year’s Cherry also includes a very special birthday bash thrown by prominent gay physician and noted nightlife photographer, Moody Mustafa, featuring DJ Joe Gauthreaux (New York). This infamous Saturday afternoon tea dance is known for its creativity and will feature a spoof on The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Come to Washington to see the our city at its most magical time – Spring!! The cherry trees are at their peak and boys come from across the country to dance under the dazzle of disco balls. Remember to BOOK YOUR HOTEL EARLY!! This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival

A Deluxe Host Pass includes express entry to six events and many extras. An EARLY BIRD SPECIAL puts that price to only $110! For more information, visit our website at www.cherryfund.org for tickets and event info.

We’ll see you on those dance floors!!!!
::: A-Ron the DJ of Subway State
::: via The Cherry Fund

http://www.cherryfund.org
http://www.subwystate.com
http://www.facebook.com/A.Ron.The.DJ

DJ SCHEDULE – MORE TO COME!!!

Thursday, March 29
:::::::: Ignition – DJ Paul Goodyear (SF), 9pm-3am
:::::::: www.paulgoodyear.com

Friday, March 30
:::::::: Boys on Fire – DJ Paulo (LA), 9pm-3am
:::::::: www.djpaulo.com

Saturday, March 31
:::::::: Moody Horror Picture Show -DJ Joe Gauthreaux (NYC), 2-6pm
:::::::: www.djjoeg.com
:::::::: Blossom – DJ Mark Anthony (MTL), 10pm-4am
:::::::: www.markanthonymusic.com

Sunday, April 1Momentum
:::::::: DJ Alyson Calagna (NO), 4-9am
:::::::: www.djalysoncalagna.com
:::::::: Ovation – DJ Eddie Elias (NYC), 10pm-2am
:::::::: www.djeddieelias.com