You Gonna Cry??!!

Sunny - Hi 49 Lo 30 for Baghdad, Iraq
Light Rain - Hi 54 Lo 37 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Rain - Hi 39 Lo 27 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Stop Your Sobbing, The Pretenders

I think I was 16 when I heard the Pretenders for the first time. The song was Tatooed Love Boys and I thought it was the coolest song I had heard... it was edgy... and just under the punk movement radar... the best part.... the front man of the group was a chick... not just any chick... but a chick from Akron, Ohio... just up the highway-- a mere 3 hours away. See, when I was 16 you had 3 --- OK 4 camps for female artists--- Pat Benatar , Debbie Harry, Patty Smith and Chrissie Hynde. All were talented.... Vocally, Pat Benatar had the most talent and pop appeal. Patty Smith was one of the "founding fathers" of punk rock- but she was too raw... too self absorbed... too angry for my taste. Deborah Harry from Blondie was great... always gave the impression that she didn't care about anything... Blondie played at CBGB's.... a place I always wanted to go to but never made it there... Chrissie Hynde on the other hand was simply cool. She played guitar... she wrote.... she sang... she was the decision maker in the band. I admired her. I wanted to be her... and in my bedroom in front of the mirror, singing into my hairbrush... I WAS her.... When James Honeyman Scott and Pete Farndon both died from drug overdoses... I was pissed. The band had put out 2 albums and both were fantastic... Both are burned in my memory... I know them both cover to cover... Scott was wonderful and created some gorgeous music... idiots-- what a waste... Chrissie and Martin Chambers persevered and came out with Learning to Crawl my senior year in high school.... Back on the Chain Gang and My City was Gone (Rush Limbaugh's theme song). Too me though... there first two albums were the most resonant... Mystery Achievement, Kid, Private Life and this cover from The Kinks.... good stuff...

Ramble:

I was going to do a long rant on crying... but... it is getting late in the morning and I have a couple of projects I need to get moving on, so this will be short... Have you noticed how much more everyone is crying? While vegging in front of the television, flipping through the channels and stopping on any reality show, you will find yourself watching some poor sap burst into tears.... male- female- kid- doesn't matter... sooner or later... someone is going to be crying... Michael and I thought this would make a great drinking game... anytime someone cries... drink... the rules have been modified for Biggest Loser... you drink every time someone cries or you see a man boob....one drink per pair.... ew.

I'm the first to admit... I'm a baby... a sentimental sap.... I get teary eyed over a sweet commercial... I get all weepy when I think about my nieces and nephews and how quickly they are growing up... I cry at the playing of our National Anthem.... I weep when I think about the brave young men and women defending us against evil.... When did it become okay to cry in public? When did it become so easy for men to cry? I have seen my grandfather get teary eyed twice in my life.... once at the grave site of his little girl and once on my wedding day just as he was getting ready to walk me down the aisle... Maybe I am just "old school" and believe crying to be a private thing only to be exhibited in public on the rare occasion... I don't care who you are.... but if you are a parent... don't cry in front of your kid... You wanna freak a kid out? Be an adult and cry.... A kid needs the adult in the relationship to be the rock.... I remember seeing my mother cry once... she was so sad and I remember, I started crying too.... I was scared out of my mind... Stop crying...

You never saw Steve McQueen, or John Wayne or my beloved Yul Brynner cry... even when he had a lung removed and he knew he was dying....

I guess the icing on the cake was when I saw the footage of Hillary Clinton getting "emotional" about how concerned she is... Flashes of Susan Smith and her crocodile tears went racing through my mind... PLEASE NOTE: the comparison is CROCODILE TEARS nothing else...

I don't know... I just have to wonder how we are perceived as a nation.... a bunch of self absorbed cry babies consumed with self indulgent behavior and crying every time we don't get our way....

Have a great week everyone!

Coffee and Sunday Morning Suggestions For Fun, Relaxation, and Enjoyment

Sunny - Hi 115 Lo 88 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 102 Lo 73 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Partly Cloudy - Hi 88 Lo 64 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Science Is Golden, The Grates

The song I wanted to play is Inside Outside... but this is a PG rated blog and I want to keep it that way even though Science is Golden also has a word that needs to be bleeped. I think it is difficult to hear "the word" and it is only said once, so I'll stick with this song. Just dance.

If you like young Indie Rock, you'll like this trio from Australia-- Fun, irreverent and unique.

Ramble:

No ramble... just some wake up music. While sipping your java you may want to contemplate AlGore's global warming or better yet, Gore running in 2008.................

Or... how about visiting some of the blogs listed on my sidebar? Read thru my
archives, you know... back when I was actually writing?

I got it! How about some sophmoric humor? If you are a Godzilla fan, or hate cats, or love cats for that matter... This is terrific. Laugh out loud.



This next clip is brilliant. It is 500 years of art and includes some of my favorite pieces. I've seen it on various blogs and websites and have not tired of it. For a list of all the artwork you can go here. This is simply lovely. Enjoy.



Have a great week everyone!

That's What She Said

Sunny - Hi 99 Lo 76 for Baghdad, Iraq
Isolated Thunderstorms - Hi 79 Lo 58 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Let's Live for Today, The Grass Roots

I had no idea how many songs I knew and enjoyed that were written and performed by The Grass Roots--- Midnight Confessions, Temptation Eyes, Sooner or Later, I'd Wait A Million Years. Why Grass Roots now? A deleted scene from the episode Booze Cruise in season 2 of the Office--- Creed Bratton (character name and real name in real life) does a talking head segment where he mentioned he was a member of The Grass Roots... This same scene shows him playing the blues... I understand why the scene was deleted... the line became a little blurry between fiction and reality. Then this season during the Benihana Christmas, Creed sang karaoke to his own song... Spinnin' N Reelin'... Too funny... By the way... on the album cover, Creed is on the bottom right and in the video he is paying lead guitar and standing on the left.

Ramble:

I have posted here before that I love The Office. This television show (along with Heroes) is my escape from reality during the work week. I adore the the characters--- I would be so lucky to work with folks like this...

First and foremost, of course I adore Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer)--- I want them to get together, but fear this will kill the show... you know... In watching the British version, we know they get together, but British television can be so much smarter... The Brits only keep a series for a couple of seasons... it always stays crisp and you keep yearning for more... better to do that than to have a Joanie Loves Chachi spinoff.... I was surprised that I also liked Jim's new love interest, Karen... she is a cutie patootie too. Rashida Jones plays Karen... Here is a fun little fact which I didn't know until this morning... she is the the daughter of Peggy Lipton (Mod Squad-- one of my favorite shows from the 60's--- I only saw this in reruns...never first run) and Quincy Jones. She apparently is getting her own show on Fox... so she'll be gone... John Krasinski is a cutie pie and I do have a crush on him... but that is a tad on the creepy side since he is not even 30....

Second, I love Dwight (Rainn Wilson)... I wanted a Dwight bobble head for Christmas... did I get one? No. My birthday has come and gone... Did I receive a Dwight bobble head? No. I love his talking head interviews:

How would I describe myself? Three words: hard working, alpha male, jackhammer…merciless…insatiable…

I did not become a Lackawanna County volunteer sheriff's deputy to make friends. And by the way, I haven't.

The Japanese camp guards of World War Two always chose one man to kill whenever a batch of new prisoners arrived. I always wondered how they chose the man who was to die. I think I would have been good at choosing the person.

I am greatly concerned about having a convict in the office. And I do not care if that convict is white, black, Asian, German, or some kind of halfsy. I do not like criminals.

Through concentration, I can raise and lower my cholesterol at will.

When my mother was pregnant with me, they did an ultrasound and found she was having twins. When they did another ultrasound a few weeks later, they discovered, that I had resorbed the other fetus. Do I regret this? No, I believe his tissue has made me stronger. I now have the strength of a grown man and a little baby.

Third, I love the entire ensemble---Steve Carell is magnificent as the bumbling idiot of a manager... They are all wonderful... However, my favorite character has got to be Creed... He is a nightmare... likes to steal, had to have been a hippy in the 60's, can apparently catch fish with his bare hands, he has a side business where he makes fake id's... Truly funny character...

The season finale was simply wonderful... Jan's boob job... and Jim asking Pam out... The fourth season can't get here soon enough... Ryan as Jan's replacement.... oh let the games begin... how will the date with Jim and Pam go? How will the relationship between Michael and Jan become even more dysfunctional? Will Dwight and Angela reveal their love for each other to the rest of the Office? Will Phyllis and Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration get pregnant? Will Kevin's band Scrantonicity ever get a real gig? Will Oscar go straight? Will Toby divulge his crush on Pam? What about poor Kelly-- will she ever shut up? Will Stanley ever get that crossword puzzle finished and will he ever receive a raise? I guess I'll be watching season 1 & 2 for now and patiently waiting for Season 3 to come out on DVD. By the way... did I loan any of you Season 1? I can't find it.

Monday is Heroes season finale... I'll probably post about that next Sunday.... I love that show too, but I'm getting a little weary of the liberal lean and hint of conspiracy theory to the plot line....

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

The Office - @ NBC

Creed Bratton - A great little website... He also has photos of all his beloved guitars

Creed Bratton Interview - on You Tube

Midnight Confessions by The Grass Roots

Have a great week everyone!

Heroes and Eagles

Sunny - Hi 68 Lo 45 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 46 Lo 31 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Resolve, Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters My Space

Listen to their music, not their politics.

Ramble:

I am riveted by NBC's television series, Heroes. For those of you that believe this show to be a rip off of X-Men... I would say that some of the powers the characters in Heroes have been given are from X-Men, but that is where the similarities end. The characters in Heroes come from all walks of life and they are faced with the daily struggles all us mere mortals must face... from money issues to marital woes to to teenage angst to parenting issues- they are flawed...

Stan Lee, the man behind X-Men, Fantastic 4, Spider-man, The Incredible Hulk and others has stated that super-heroes have the ability to do great things with super human powers, but like all humans, super-heroes are flawed in some way. These characters must overcome their flaws and decide what to do... use their power for good or for evil. And that is what makes this show so enjoyable to watch. This is a group of individuals (with a list that continues to grow) that find themselves with super powers. As each character learns about their ability, they struggle with themselves and what to do with that power- With power comes great responsibility.

If you are not a sci-fi fan, I doubt this post will convince you, but I find the show to be exhilarating and yes... an escape... a place where I can go and get lost in their universe. I hope you give it a shot. Heroes will resume with new episodes on Monday, April 23. You can catch previous episodes on the Sci Fi Channel on Fridays at 7 o'clock in the evening. Or you can catch all the episodes on line.

Heroes are part of our American fabric. Heroes make us believe we are capable of doing anything we set our minds to accomplish. A man doesn't wake up in the morning and decide... "I'm going to be a hero." No, the guy wakes up in the morning and lives his life... making decisions and trying to do the right thing. And when in the sight of danger, despite what can be lost... he still does the right thing... that is what makes him a hero. We have monuments all over this great nation recognizing our heroes- from our neighborhood police and firemen to war heroes like Audie Murphy. Most recently, the man that comes to mind is Wesley Autry--- the guy that jumped down in the subway to save another man while onlookers and his two little girls stood there and watched. I can't imagine what was going through his mind... Mr. Autry did the right thing. Despite danger to himself, he would not allow someone to get hurt while he was "on watch". That message will be one that his daughters will always remember... and they will be better for it- always do the right thing.

Heroes can't do it by themselves... they need our support. They need to know that we stand behind them when they do the right thing. This weekend there were protesters in our nations capital.... they were there to do the usual talking points... "Bush lied, people died... Haliburton Haliburton... 9/11 was an inside job... blah blah blah... !" A.N.S.W.E.R. and the others continue to try and divide this nation and demoralize our military.

In response to this protest... Americans on the other side came together to meet and protect our memorials in a Gathering of Eagles--- To stand silent guard over our nation's memorials, in honor of our fallen, and in solidarity with our armed forces in harm's way today.

Go visit Gunn Nutt, Michelle Malkin, and Mark Levin Fan to see some inspiring photos. Patriot Guard Riders were there. It is estimated that 30,000 folks showed up to show support compared to the 10,000 that fell on the other side...

Everyone that went to stand and protect --Thank You! More importantly, thank you for showing our troops in harms way that we do care about them... that we support them and their mission...

One of my favorite places to visit when I need to be inspired is GCS Distributing. If you only click on one of my links from today's post, I ask that it be this one. Please take 4 minutes to be inspired and to remember that we have men and women in harms way protecting us. The folks there have put together some of the most heartfelt passionate tributes I have ever seen. So, please visit GCS Distributing's Tribute - Honor, Sacrifice, Duty. Please bookmark GCS... and visit them and become a patron if you can.

The most dangerous time for our service men and women is when their minds are distracted from the task at hand by concerns at home or a lack of support from those of us whom they protect.

We can help them keep their focus through our show of support and by assisting the families they leave behind.

Housekeeping:

The reason that my post is late is because I did not click "save"... and then naturally as I was finishing up this post.... I had a server "issue". The resurrection of this post isn't the best, but I'm ticked and this is the best I have to offer on this spectacularly beautiful morning.

Resolve by Foo Fighters

Something that I felt today, something that I heard
Swingin' from the chandeliers, hanging on your word
I remember watchin' you, once upon a time
Dancing from across the room, in another life

A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how
A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how

Lookin' back to find my way, never seemed so hard
Yesterday's been laid to rest, change another guard
I would never change a thing, even if I could
All the songs we used to sing, everything was good

A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how
A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how

One more year that you're not here has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?
One more tear that you won't hear has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?

A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how
A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how

A little bit of resolve
One more year that you're not here
Has gone and passed you by (A little bit of resolve)
A little bit of resolve
One more year that you're not here
Has gone and passed you by (A little bit of resolve)

Have a great week everyone!