Monday, August 31, 2009
A quick wrap-up on the gig...
What a great time!!!
We played a solid nine-song set and the crowd loved it. It was about 3000 degrees in the garage where we played, so you'll know why I look I just went swimming in my clothes.
Here's a picture of the family. Kerri walked away with 1st prize in the 80's costume contest. Her Long Island pedigree came in very handy!
Also, big props to my wonderful wife for organizing the whole shindig and making me a pair of real 80's jeans...
Here I am taking a solo. As I mentioned before, it was hot...
Even without a bass player, we sounded pretty good. It's amazing what a decent PA system can do...
It really was good time, and I really hope we get to play again...
I should have a video or two posted by the end of the week. Stay tuned!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Religion is Not About God?
Sure, eastern religions like Hindi and Buddhism are not monotheistic religions, but in the context of US, religion is about God. The one God that Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship. In fact, many fundamentalist Jews and Muslims would have no problem with this proposed Kentucky law, of which the ruling judge said:
"The statute pronounces very plainly that current citizens of the Commonwealth cannot be safe, neither now, nor in the future, without the aid of Almighty God. Even assuming that most of this nation's citizens have historically depended upon God, by choice, for their protection, this does not give the General Assembly the right to force citizens to do so now."The Kentucky judge ruled that the kiss-your-ass-goodbye-unless-you-love-God provision of the KY state law (tells residents that only with God can they be safe in natural disasters) is unconstitutional. This nut-bag provision was inserted by a Democrat who is also a Pastor in a KY church. He says, without joking that:
"They make the argument ... that it has to do with a religion," Riner said, "and promoting a religion. God is not a religion. God is God."The non-sequitor notwithstanding, it is sad to know just how very disturbingly differently many of my fellow Americans view the world. Wow...
SC Republicans Want to Cut Off the Gift that Keeps On Giving
To Democrats. There is something extra funny about Bible-thumpin' Repubs getting caught with their pants down. (As I have heard it said...) Matters not whether it's with a stranger in an airport, an intern, or your basic mistress. It's a foul for anyone, but particularly funny when it comes from holier-than-thou moralists like the Christian Right. Maybe repubs are realizing that there is a disproportionate effect on them when they commit these transgressions because they claim to be so God-fearin'.
South Carolina Republican lawmakers are on the verge of calling a special legislative session that could impeach and remove embattled GOP Gov. Mark Sanford by the end of the year.
It's Not Just the Jags...
Who may be blacked out in their home TV market:
...at least four teams face potential local TV blackouts of their home games because they have not sold enough tickets, according to people involved in the league.Ouch. Another four may have to do some creative promotions or slightly-veiled spending to ensure sellouts.
....what was more surprising -- that the Vikings sold so many tickets after acquiring Favre, or that they had so many tickets available before signing him?Jax is a case of the combined effects of a small market and transient fans or residents who never live there long enough to become Jaguar fans. Much of the greater Jax area is military, with MacDill AFB being home to both CENTCOM and SOCOM. Many of these residents bring their favorites with them when they transfer in. The Jags are a fine back-up team for many, but they aren't going to buy season tix or the pricey sky boxes. And Jax is a small, small market.
...In addition to Minnesota, the teams having trouble selling tickets include the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars. The list of teams with ticket-selling issues also could include the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and possibly the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. Thursday night's preseason game in Cincinnati and Saturday's games in Detroit and Oakland are blacked out on local TV.
The Raiders and Lions just consistently suck. Hard to sell tix that way. Oh, and Al Davis seems intent on letting his narcissistic management destroy that franchise.
The 49ers are in danger of entering their second era of futility, like the one that preceded the glory years of the 80's and early '90's.
Is it possible that the NFL has too many teams? If there are several years of this sort of condition, we could see NFL contraction. There is likely to be an uncapped season next year and a lockout before the 2011 season. These are not the sort of conditions that point to a quick turn-around. Imagine an NFL with 4-8 less teams. The talent level would rise, there would be less games, but each game would mean more.
If the players and owners want to avoid this scenario, they will both have to give up some money. Nobody does that easily or happily. Don' t bet against a lockout in 2011. (Lee - another case bet?) The players will have to accept some sort of rookie minimum salary and less than 60% of TV revenues. The owners will have to give some, too. Like the franchise tag, adding in some of the stadium, local radio, and souvenir revenues to what players get, etc. The star players will resist the most because they have the most to lose monetarily just as the big-money/big-market owners will resist the most because they will lose the most of the all the owners, if the league keeps all 32 teams for the long-term. I think some franchises should be allowed to fail, but the NFL is a very socialistic sort of partnership that subsidizes shitty teams so that there will be enough pin cushions for the good teams to beat.
One of the greatest rock tunes ever...
Joe Elliott may have lost his voice a while ago, but these guys still put on a great show, and this tune still holds up...
"Photograph" by Def Leppard
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Trying to Help Obama in the News Cycle?
The first one is local, so I lead with it; it's your basic cut-a-deal political corruption. At least Hamilton was courteous enough to make his impropriety obvious to everyone. His transparency/sheer stupidity probably saved the NN taxpayers around a half million bucks.
Then there are the reliable Repub self-destructors:
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford rebuffed his lieutenant governor's call to resign Wednesday, two months after he admitted an affair, saying he will not be "railroaded" out of office and plans to finish his term.The longer this guy stays in office, the happier Dems should be. His closest ally, Ballentine, told him to resign. He is a nightmare for the GOP and the more rambling press conferences he calls, the better.
Ted Kennedy 1932-2009
If only all Democrats had his spine, his passion and his courage...
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.I'm sure the people who held him up as the embodiment of "evil liberalism" will have a field day today. Fine by me. Sen. Kennedy's accomplishments for the American people will forever dwarf those of any conservative loudmouth who chose to demonize him for their own betterment...
For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.
And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.
--President Obama
UPDATE: Here are Vice President Biden's comments on the passing of Teddy Kennedy...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sweet Home...
Hatfield's and McCoy's, 21st-century style!
Feuding Families Set off Riot in Alabama
The linked article does not say anything about the race(s) of the (shallow-gene-pool) families involved, but I am betting they are rednecks. Alabama has a substantial Afr-Am population, but I am willing to bet a case of beer that this is redneck-on-redneck violence.
Who gives a crap what Tony Dungy thinks about ANYTHING???
Seriously, why is Tony Dungy the expert on all things Michael Vick???
Tony Dungy, the former NFL coach who has served as a mentor to Michael Vick of late, addressed a photo this weekend that shows the Eagles' quarterback drinking in a Philadelphia airport bar.If you're such a great mentor, why didn't you tell Vick not to drink, instead of talking to SI.com about it.
"Michael, you can't do that," Dungy said to SI.com.
Vick was seen in the recent New York Post photo drinking vodka and pineapple juice.
Just go away. You're not a coach anymore. Please stop...
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The 2009 NFL Season...
…will be the last "normal" one for a year or two. The 2010 season looks like it will be uncapped.
A lockout looms less than two years from now, and owners no longer view the loss of games as unthinkable.
The players are not just going to give up their 60% of total revenues without something(s) in return. As for the owners:
...their argument is this: The increase in the cost of running a franchise is outpacing the rise in revenue, squeezing profits, and a new deal must include some accounting for the debt and risks owners incur, instead of being based solely on gross revenue.If we have an uncapped 2010 season, I wonder how many owners will break from their fellow owners and go on a spending spree. Owners like Jones and Snyder come to mind. Especially they believer their team is a Super Bowl contender in 2010. At the other end of the spectrum, which owners might just have a fire sale? I think there will be a lockout after 2010. The question in my mind is whether there will be a full season in 2012. I hope football does not pull an NHL, but the two sides are not headed for any easy resolution.
Sad: Jacksonville Jags may sell so few tix for games in 2010 that every home game is blacked out in the local area. That's the sort of thing that gets an owner thinking about moving, but the days of huge giveaways from towns desperate for a team are over. Voters don't like footing the bill for billion dollar businesses that don't bring many jobs to the area…
Friday, August 21, 2009
Random stuff for a Friday...
Has anyone ever seen Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry in the same room?
Did anyone else watch "The Happening", and if so, is there some sort of support group we can join to make up for the 90 lost minutes of our lives?
Why are bass players so hard to come by?
What is your favorite Quentin Tarantino character?
Now THAT's a mullet!!!
No Surprise Here
NORFOLK — Marcus Vick was sentenced to 20 days in jail on Thursday after a judge in Norfolk ruled that he had fulfilled none of the requirements of his probation from an arrest last fall.Everyone from Virginia Tech is, or should be, really glad that Mama Vick didn't have another son...
...Attorney Lawrence Woodward says Vick admitted in court that he would likely test positive for marijuana use again if tested.
Do you remember how liberals accused the Bush administration of raising the terror threat level for political purposes before the 2004 election?
Tom Ridge, Bush's Secretary of Homeland Security at the time, is now admitting that we were right.
Fuck you, Bush apologists...
Anti-choice Congressdummy says one of the funniest things I've ever heard...
Get ready for it...Are you ready?...It's a doozie...Here we go...
Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Less attractive version of Sarah Palin):
"That's why people need to continue to go to the town halls, continue to melt the phone lines of their liberal members of Congress," said Bachmann, "and let them know, under no certain circumstances will I give the government control over my body and my health care decisions."Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Cliff Lee is a friggin' animal!!!
How's this for a pitching line?
Innings 9
Hits 2
Runs 1
Earned Runs 0
Walks 0
Strikeouts 11
Pitches 106
Strikes 81
He even got two hits on his own, just as many as the whole Diamondbacks team!
Plus, he's 4-0 since he escaped Cleveland, with a microscopic 0.82 ERA. That's just plain studly.
P.S. How's Roy Halladay doing?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Can any of you guys in the Raleigh area play bass?
And if so, do you have interest in playing an unpaid gig in about 10 days?
If you do, please email me at phillybri@gmail.com!
Barney Frank deals with a right-wing dummy the way we all should...
By exposing her as the uniformed dope that she is.
I love it...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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So Favre won't have to go through training camp?
Way to set that example, Mr. Favre!
A source close to Brett Favre said the quarterback, pending a physical, will sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings for between $10 million to $12 million, according to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.Oh well, at least we're not talking about Michael Vick today!!!
Favre, 39, arrived in Minnesota on Tuesday to meet with the Vikings, getting off a team plane at a small St. Paul airport and getting into an SUV after shaking hands with the ground crew.
You can only eat one ethnic food for the rest of your life, what is it?
I'd happily eat Italian food for every meal. I'd be happy as a clam.
Sure, I'd miss hamburgers, sushi and burritos, but life is never easy...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Why Democrats will probably get nothing done on health care reform...
Because too many of their members are so afraid of their own shadows, they'll happily embrace right-wing talking points, if only to distance themselves from them.
Case in point: Blue Dog Democrat, Mike Ross of Arkansas on CNN this weekend...
"I will never vote for a bill to kill old people. Period."Boom! In that one asinine statement, Ross has left people with the impression that there is, in fact, a bill being debated in Congress that would "kill old people".
Why wouldn't he just step up and tell the truth that there is NO BILL IN CONGRESS THAT SUPPORTS KILLING OLD PEOPLE!!! Instead, he embraces a right-wing LIE, and legitimizes it by responding to it.
My God, Democrats are infuriating...
Friday, August 14, 2009
Have a good weekend, everybody...
Take care of yourselves, and enjoy the vocal stylings of Mr. Jackson Browne as you go...
"Lawyers In Love"
Even with the Vick signing, I'd still love this T-shirt to show up on my doorstep...
I don't have nearly enough articles of clothing with shoulder stripes. That needs to change...
So, which one is it?
Is President Obama hell-bent on spending trillions and trillions of dollars on health care, or is he so concerned with costs that he wants to kill old people to save money?
Republicans are fucking idiots...and if you believe any of this "death panel" garbage, you're a fucking idiot, too...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Didn't See That Coming...
Michael "the dog-slayer" Vick is now an Iggle. Go Philly, go. Fitting. We (Hampton-Roads) gave you Iverson, now you have Vick. Should be interesting.
Paganini's Moto Perpetuo (Perpeptual Motion)
Is hard enough to play on violin. It never stops. Imagine having to play it on flute. Then you need circular breathing.
Now on flute. You need air to make every sound. No electronic help or strings to vibrate. The same piece on flute:
Keeping with Tradition...
The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The elected party that is in power - in the areas it controls militarily - Hamas, is willing to go along with the US peace plan for Israel and "Palestine" as long as Israel recognizes Jerusalem as the capitol of the new Palestine. Talk about a poison pill. These people do not want peace, and these are the elected representatives of the "Palestinians". I think Israel is wrong to pursue more West Bank settlements, but how can it be expected to "negotiate" with this sort of group, elected or not?
Les Paul, 1915-2009
He's one of the innovators who made the electric guitar the signature instrument of rock and roll.
He will be missed...
But Philly fans are the assholes...
A dickface Cubs fan throws a beer on Shane Victorino, who still makes the catch.
Wonderful...
Take heart Cubs fans. Maybe this will be the century when your team returns to baseball's promised land...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Did anyone else ever dream of doing this?
Picture this: A cross country journey to see games in all 30 Major League baseball parks over one glorious summer.
This kid is doing it, and I am so damn jealous!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
I'm thinking of calling it "Two Legends and a Douchebag"...
Here's a very cool pic of me standing with two absolute giants in the world of guitars.
On the left is David Grissom, legendary session guitarist who has toured with John Mellencamp, the Dixie Chicks and many others.
On the right is Paul Reed Smith, guitar maker extraordinaire.
In the middle is me and my Custom 24...
Phenomenal tone!
Just watch it...
The Man is Playing Guitar with His Mouth - Click here for more blooper videos
Sarah Palin accuses Obama of wanting to kill her kid...then urges restraint...
Lady GaGa is at it again.
First, she said this...
"The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil."Then, she said this...
"There are many disturbing details in the current bill that Washington is trying to rush through Congress, but we must stick to a discussion of the issues and not get sidetracked by tactics that can be accused of leading to intimidation or harassment,"Good call. I'm sure suggesting that the federal government wants to kill kids like yours won't lead some right-wing shitbag with an arsenal to turn his anger on the general populace.
And while the idea of a "death panel" has been advanced by NO ONE, what difference should that make to a brain-dead fucknut from Wasilla who just loves throwing her kid into the spotlight a la Kathie Lee Gifford?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Early Footage of Itzak Perleman
That's almost 60 years ago and he was only thirteen. Still, compare to the world's current best violinist:
Ah, Bach.
ChickenHawks
Happy to accept tens if not hundreds of millions per year in Defense spending, Kansans are to skittish to have terrorists locked up in the military facilities that prop up their state economy.
- Roberts and Brownback said they want assurances from the administration that it has no plans to use Leavenworth, or at least they want answers to several questions.
Windows Open in the Winter
I always like it cool when I am sleeping. Now I know why.
Studies have found that in general, the optimal temperature for sleep is quite cool, around 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. For some, temperatures that fall too far below or above this range can lead to restlessness. Temperatures in this range, it seems, help facilitate the decrease in core body temperature that in turn initiates sleepiness.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tricky Dick is Dead, but GOP Dirty Tricks Live On
- A woman attending a town hall event for Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI), and--while loudly raising objections to the Democrats' health care reform proposal--insisting she's just a regular concerned citizen. Except, she's actually a GOP official.
I'm Always for More Football
Even if I don't watch it. Nobody will ever threaten the NFL and any league that starts up is like a free minor league. XFL helped speed the use of shots from the roving cameras on the cables above the field, if nothing else. USFL and the scab games helped weed out some marginal players and brought some talent into the game that would not have been there at the time. Other football leagues are blips on the NFL's radar screen, and are likely better for the NFL than the owners of the start up leagues.
So...is the UFL the most likely place Michael Vick will play this year? Supposedly, only 9 teams have not publicly stated that they will not bring him into camp. Doesn't mean some of those 23 teams might not sign him mid-season.
- Donnybrook Sports Poll:
1) Will Vick be signed during training camp?
2) Signed during regular season?
2) Signed during regular season?
3)No NFL contract this year?
4) If not, would he play UFL?
Now, Jesse Jackson and friends are saying that teams are "coluding" to leave Vick unsigned. You see, he is a victim not of his own decisions and how the public might react to executing dogs (this is a dog-loving nation that supports the NFL), but of those evil colluding NFL owners. Right.
Who was the best John Hughes character?
It's sad he died so young, but what a mark he made on pop culture in his 59 short years.
Since it's way too trite to ask about your favorite John Hughes movie, let's talk about your favorite character that he helped create.
I'm going with Chet from Weird Science. Funny, scary, stupid and just downright weird.
He's the consummate asshole from an 80's movie...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Best Meal of the Year, so far...
Thanks G, for directing me to Boston's North End for great Italian food. There were too many to look at all the menus so I went into Village Francesca for lunch. A simple dish of chicken very lightly breaded with lemon-white-wine-garlic-butter sauce. A small side of pasta thinner than spaghetti but not angel-hair-thin had garlic and herbs on it. Memorable meal. Great city.
How much of that money goes to David Tyree?
Because let's face it, if Tyree drops that pass in Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning is still just a slightly above average quarterback who doesn't have the juice to perform in the clutch.
You know, the quarterback he was last year!
This seems like a reasonable way to get a point across...
Conservative "activists" crack me up. They're so vehemently opposed to fixing the health care crisis in this country, they've taken to issuing death threats to Democratic congressmen.
Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) will not be hosting any town hall events this August -- instead, he's making himself available to constituents for one-on-one meetings about health care reform -- and at least part of the reason is this: His offices have received threatening phone calls, including at least one direct threat against his life.Wonderful. Just doing the bidding of their corporate masters, you know!
"We had no town hall events scheduled for the August recess anyway, but in light of everything that's happened -- we have received a threatening phone call in the D.C. office, there have been calls to the Raleigh office," said Miller communications director LuAnn Canipe, in an interview with TPM. The threatening call in question happened earlier this week.
"The call to the D.C. office was, 'Miller could lose his life over this,'" said Canipe. "Our staffer took it so seriously, he confirmed what the guy was saying. He said, 'Sir is that a threat?' and at that time our staffer was getting the phone number off caller ID and turning it over to the Capitol Police."
UPDATE: In an oh-so-classy move, Rep. Todd Akin (R-KS) jokes about some of his Democratic colleagues "almost getting lynched". The crowd of knuckledraggers he was speaking to were just giddy at the prospect...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Hey, look who's back in a band!!!
Yours truly and Mr. Drumsalad will be rocking the suburbs later this month at a block party in our neighborhood. It's an 80's-themed party, so we're putting together a proper set list. Take a look at what we have so far...
Definitely on the list
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Wanted Dead or Alive
I Love Rock n’ Roll
Rock n’ Roll All Night
American Girl
You Shook Me All Night Long
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Possibly included in the set list
Panama
We’re Not Gonna Take It
The Warrior
Brass in Pocket
Any other good ideas? Keep in mind that our singer(s) are women.
Oh, and if you happen to be in the area on August 29th (time to be determined), stop by the neighborhood!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Is there something to be said for brand consistency?
Not in this case. Pepsi is waaaaaaaaay better than Coke.
Still, you have to respect Coca-Cola for sticking with such an iconic logo, even with that whole "New Coke" thing safely in their rear view mirror...
Giving Monday that proper kick in the @ss
Since the last video was depressing, I decided to give you something that will make you want to forcefully relocate furniture around the room. It's not the greatest video, but I can't think of a better song to DDT your boss to...
Skindred - Nobody
Nobody (Video) Radio Dred-it audio - Skindred
Just for a moment...
Forget the politics. Tune out the non-stop babbling by nearly every media outlet on a health care plan that I literally have no way of forming my own opinion on because a) I’ve never read it or seen any facsimile thereof and b) everyone seems ready to form my own opinion for me. But that’s another post for another day.
My problem is our problem. It has zilch to do with whether we support a jack-ass or an elephant. It has zilch to do with any self-imposed labels at all. The root cause of these problems is a lot more simple than the powers that be want to acknowledge.
I have insurance – which is not a luxury if I want -in 2009- to prevent something as complicated as a family member getting strep throat from turning us destitute in the richest country on the face of the Earth. Because a flashlight, cotton swab and amoxicillin will run you about $350 these days. There is zero justification for that. I don’t give a damn who voted for what.
Big pharma makes a soft target because they are a faceless entity whose earnings unfortunately come from sick people. Most people can appreciate that drugs are not cheap to develop, test, manufacture or distribute safely. But they can also appreciate that making drugs is complicated and problems are going to happen. There is always an inherent risk associated with the entire process.
But when problems occur, there are expediencies to address them built into the systems which will always require resources. And suing a company for $8 billion (that is not a typo) is going to help who? The people who are getting laid off right now as I write this who can fix this (or the people who now will now not get hired and remain unemployed)? The patients and countries that were getting drugs for free or at a greatly reduced cost because they couldn’t afford the treatments? Or the guy who isn’t willing to accept taking a risk in his investment and must recoup his cost (which of course isn’t going to be shouldered by the company…)
There’s not enough lipstick for this pig. It’s the same unadulterated greed that’s wrecking everything else. Remember that next time you’re holding a screaming infant in the line at the CVS forking over a car payment for a 6 oz. bottle.
