Apparently the Flu bug has struck early this year. Struck me down 1 sick day already. I am supposed to save those for Winter...or for during a certain week in March when illnesses tend to spread quickly and keep you out at least 2 days...
Anyway, I watched the messiah on TV tonight and I have to give him some credit. He used the word terrorist. Might have been the first time. And he mentioned Bush in a good light, yet failed to note that it was the W surge that allowed him to reach his deadline tonight, not just him saying he was having the deadline. I did like his fighting words about Afghanistan, but whether those hold water or not remains to be seen. Everything after the Iraq topic was sleepy BS....or just pointless babbling. BTW nice photo set up behind the desk. Was this a speech or a Kodak Ad?
RIP 2010 Cardinals. When do the Rams kick off? At least they have a promising young leader.
The cardinals have expired. They are leftovers of a bygone era. I am working on a comprehensive post on this for another day.
gbye all.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Switchfoot, Goo Goo Dolls, Rush, and Random Thoughts.
Sorry for the delay in a post update. That was for 2 reasons. School starting kind of set me back, and secondly, I have been a bit upset with the lack of readership here. Hopefully that will increase.
I had the pleasure (or displeasure) or working the Switchfoot and Goo Goo Dolls show. Along the way I met some interesting audience members (which I will not elaborate on). Switchfoot, the former Christian Band that decided to go "Mainstream" essentially because there was more money there, was predictable and awful. I guess if the standard fare punk/alternative/grunge spin off rock is for you they are cool, but it surely isn't for me. The Dolls played a predictable set fused mostly with acoustic guitar licks. I am not a fan of theirs, but at least there were signs of musical talent with them, unlike with Switchfoot. Oh and some awful band called GRO that belonged in a high school gym opened up.
Sunday night was the annual Rush stop in St. Louis. I had never bothered to stop in before, so I decided to this time. Rush, known as the "Holy Trinity" by their diehards, is not so holy anymore. Geddy Lee's voice is so blown that I could go up there and falsetto better than his wails. Spirit of Radio, Closer to the Heart and "Priests" were all embarrassments. The music, as expected, was good, but Rush's refusal to add touring members (thus causing more and more necessity for piped in sound) has gone too far I think. Alex Lifeson was kicking sampling pedals all night long, triggering all sorts of sounds that were not being played by anyone on stage. They either need to go barebones on the songs during tours or get some touring musicians. The samplers make it seem to fake. The best songs of the night were easily Red Barchetta and The Camera Eye. These 2 had excellent bass solos from Lee (still the best at playing the 4 string) and marvelous keyboard work from him as well. And best of all they had very little singing!
I heard today that the Mosque in New York is now like the most discussed thing in the media. Why I wonder? This is a very simple issue. Legally there is no reason they can't put it there. Morally and ethically there is no reason they can put it there... So these 2 things cancel each other out. That leaves public opinion, and we all know where that sits. The muslims should just be a little sensitive for once and not put it there. I mean if we offend them its like going all Jihad! That Danish cartoonist who dared poke fun at the prophet was killed! So its not ok for their religion to be offended but it is ok to be insensitive to all the lives that were lost?
Again, legally its all good....but seriously Islam...is this what you want?
I had the pleasure (or displeasure) or working the Switchfoot and Goo Goo Dolls show. Along the way I met some interesting audience members (which I will not elaborate on). Switchfoot, the former Christian Band that decided to go "Mainstream" essentially because there was more money there, was predictable and awful. I guess if the standard fare punk/alternative/grunge spin off rock is for you they are cool, but it surely isn't for me. The Dolls played a predictable set fused mostly with acoustic guitar licks. I am not a fan of theirs, but at least there were signs of musical talent with them, unlike with Switchfoot. Oh and some awful band called GRO that belonged in a high school gym opened up.
Sunday night was the annual Rush stop in St. Louis. I had never bothered to stop in before, so I decided to this time. Rush, known as the "Holy Trinity" by their diehards, is not so holy anymore. Geddy Lee's voice is so blown that I could go up there and falsetto better than his wails. Spirit of Radio, Closer to the Heart and "Priests" were all embarrassments. The music, as expected, was good, but Rush's refusal to add touring members (thus causing more and more necessity for piped in sound) has gone too far I think. Alex Lifeson was kicking sampling pedals all night long, triggering all sorts of sounds that were not being played by anyone on stage. They either need to go barebones on the songs during tours or get some touring musicians. The samplers make it seem to fake. The best songs of the night were easily Red Barchetta and The Camera Eye. These 2 had excellent bass solos from Lee (still the best at playing the 4 string) and marvelous keyboard work from him as well. And best of all they had very little singing!
I heard today that the Mosque in New York is now like the most discussed thing in the media. Why I wonder? This is a very simple issue. Legally there is no reason they can't put it there. Morally and ethically there is no reason they can put it there... So these 2 things cancel each other out. That leaves public opinion, and we all know where that sits. The muslims should just be a little sensitive for once and not put it there. I mean if we offend them its like going all Jihad! That Danish cartoonist who dared poke fun at the prophet was killed! So its not ok for their religion to be offended but it is ok to be insensitive to all the lives that were lost?
Again, legally its all good....but seriously Islam...is this what you want?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Random Ideas For The Day
Superstar Baseball is the greatest board game of all time. See here I have probably played over 500 games with it and last night I finally saw a no hitter. I had never had one pitched against me nor had I pitched one. Steve Rogers of 1980s Montreal Expos tossed one late last night in the clincher of the NLCS, for my team the Expos. Superstar Baseball again proves that it is very accurate to real baseball, with no hitters being few and far between. The closest I got before last night was with Juan Marichal back in 2006. He carried a perfect game into the 9th inning and got the first man before allowing a 1 out single. Although it was not perfection (Rogers walked 3) it was nice to finally get the no hitter.
Those individuals on television lined up in Atlanta to get government handouts describe exactly what is wrong with this country. The very misguided man currently sitting in the White House even misled his own flock of followers. All the promises about the government giving people a nipple to suckle from are not even coming through anymore, other than the gorilla in the room health care bill. What I don't get is, why do African Americans so badly want to support the democrats, who of course claim to give them all the welfare state resources they need like food stamps and HUD housing. First of all, half the time the libs break their promises. And secondly, and more importantly, isn't depending on the government for all that instead of doing it yourself kind of making you a SLAVE to the government? I thought that battle was already fought and won. Call me racist if you want but you can't tell me that I am not somewhat accurate by saying that the ghetto poverty line African American is essentially asking for the shackles to be put back on with every vote for a democrat.... Vote republican (that was Lincoln's party anyway) and earn your own living. That is the real American dream. Sure it is hard right now, I can personally attest to that. I barely make ends meet. But I do...without any government help, even for school tuition. That makes me feel like I earn my own keep, and I don't serve any government taskmaster...
Closing Thoughts
NYPD Blue was one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Twilight Zone, the original Star Trek and Incredible Hulk are not far behind it. TV is crap these days. Only thing worth watching is House. I don't need to see you swapping your wife or a bunch of whores being chased by guys in dark room..
Cards win again tonight. Cincy is officially on notice. If only someone could beat them besides us...
The Yogi Bear movie looks AWFUL. Another classic character ruined by crap CGI.
God Bless and Peace..gnight
Mr. JoeLabs
Those individuals on television lined up in Atlanta to get government handouts describe exactly what is wrong with this country. The very misguided man currently sitting in the White House even misled his own flock of followers. All the promises about the government giving people a nipple to suckle from are not even coming through anymore, other than the gorilla in the room health care bill. What I don't get is, why do African Americans so badly want to support the democrats, who of course claim to give them all the welfare state resources they need like food stamps and HUD housing. First of all, half the time the libs break their promises. And secondly, and more importantly, isn't depending on the government for all that instead of doing it yourself kind of making you a SLAVE to the government? I thought that battle was already fought and won. Call me racist if you want but you can't tell me that I am not somewhat accurate by saying that the ghetto poverty line African American is essentially asking for the shackles to be put back on with every vote for a democrat.... Vote republican (that was Lincoln's party anyway) and earn your own living. That is the real American dream. Sure it is hard right now, I can personally attest to that. I barely make ends meet. But I do...without any government help, even for school tuition. That makes me feel like I earn my own keep, and I don't serve any government taskmaster...
Closing Thoughts
NYPD Blue was one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Twilight Zone, the original Star Trek and Incredible Hulk are not far behind it. TV is crap these days. Only thing worth watching is House. I don't need to see you swapping your wife or a bunch of whores being chased by guys in dark room..
Cards win again tonight. Cincy is officially on notice. If only someone could beat them besides us...
The Yogi Bear movie looks AWFUL. Another classic character ruined by crap CGI.
God Bless and Peace..gnight
Mr. JoeLabs
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Jackson Browne 8/10- Fox Theater St. Louis
I had wanted to see Jackson Browne for a long time, so it was nice to finally get the chance. The big letdown was that he did not play the epic closer "The Load Out/Stay". When I noticed it was absent from set lists of previous shows. I decided to take evasive maneuvers and write a not to Jackson asking him to play the song. I passed it to his security right in front of the stage and he said he would pass it along. If he did, Jackson didn't play it. However the rest of the show was enjoyable.
The concert started with an opening set that was all acoustic, mostly featuring the talented David Lindley. The dude can play string instruments you have never heard of or seen before. Jackson accompanied on accoustic guitar. The highlight of the opening set was a haunting rendition of Springsteen's "Brothers Under The Bridge" with Lindley on Vocal and steel guitar. After 2 Browne staples Jackson left the stage and let Lindley play a few on his own. As far as I could see looking back this was the first time on the tour this was done. When David finished the lights came on.
After intermission the band came on with Lindley seated in the back, next to 2 full racks of string instruments. Jackson Browne must be ageless because his look and his voice have not changed a bit. He played a mix of older and newer songs, with the highlights being The Pretender, Doctor My Eyes, Fountain Of Sorrow and I'm Alive. As he closed out it was rather humorous to see a group of 45+ women dancing in the aisles to Runnin' On Empty at the end of the show. The poor Fox security people, obviously used to tamer crowds, were unable to handle the onslaught. I turned to my guest and mentioned that I would have handled it better. You've gotta jump in there and pull em out! Anyway, Jackson came back out for a 2 song encore, closing out with Little Steven's "I Am Patriot".
Overall, it was a treat to see Jackson live, finally. His voice was pure and the songs sounded good. It broke my heart that I didn't get to hear those all familiar first few notes of "The Load Out" but I guess I will forgive him for that. However, Lindley really stole the show with his crazy multi-instrumental ability. I could have listened to him all night. Of course the only downside of the whole night were Jackson Browne's liberal cronies in the lobby trying to drum up support for all number of socialist and democratic party causes. I love the music Jackson, but keep the politics at home!
Here is a link to the complete set list: Set List
Peace for now.
Mr. JoeLabs
The concert started with an opening set that was all acoustic, mostly featuring the talented David Lindley. The dude can play string instruments you have never heard of or seen before. Jackson accompanied on accoustic guitar. The highlight of the opening set was a haunting rendition of Springsteen's "Brothers Under The Bridge" with Lindley on Vocal and steel guitar. After 2 Browne staples Jackson left the stage and let Lindley play a few on his own. As far as I could see looking back this was the first time on the tour this was done. When David finished the lights came on.
After intermission the band came on with Lindley seated in the back, next to 2 full racks of string instruments. Jackson Browne must be ageless because his look and his voice have not changed a bit. He played a mix of older and newer songs, with the highlights being The Pretender, Doctor My Eyes, Fountain Of Sorrow and I'm Alive. As he closed out it was rather humorous to see a group of 45+ women dancing in the aisles to Runnin' On Empty at the end of the show. The poor Fox security people, obviously used to tamer crowds, were unable to handle the onslaught. I turned to my guest and mentioned that I would have handled it better. You've gotta jump in there and pull em out! Anyway, Jackson came back out for a 2 song encore, closing out with Little Steven's "I Am Patriot".
Overall, it was a treat to see Jackson live, finally. His voice was pure and the songs sounded good. It broke my heart that I didn't get to hear those all familiar first few notes of "The Load Out" but I guess I will forgive him for that. However, Lindley really stole the show with his crazy multi-instrumental ability. I could have listened to him all night. Of course the only downside of the whole night were Jackson Browne's liberal cronies in the lobby trying to drum up support for all number of socialist and democratic party causes. I love the music Jackson, but keep the politics at home!
Here is a link to the complete set list: Set List
Peace for now.
Mr. JoeLabs
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