Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Proposed Texas bill to create Super-Ultra-Mega Marriage
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=d2404863-02aa-4931-bf80-b02a9144cb34
Your government at work.
I wonder if the same people who are so concerned with protecting the "definition of marriage" as it pertains to other marriage-related issues would be bothered at all with the government defining different types of marriage... Regular ho-hum "I love you and I plan to spend the rest of my life with you" marriage, and the improved "I love you and I plan to spend the rest of my life with you FOR REALZ" marriage.
I can imagine proposals in the future...
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes. Is it a covenant marriage?"
"Well, I don't want to get THAT married."
"Oh, great, so you want an easy way out if you change your mind?"
"No I just..."
"Oh whatever, just put that cubic zirconia ring on my finger and let's call our parents."
Your government at work.
I wonder if the same people who are so concerned with protecting the "definition of marriage" as it pertains to other marriage-related issues would be bothered at all with the government defining different types of marriage... Regular ho-hum "I love you and I plan to spend the rest of my life with you" marriage, and the improved "I love you and I plan to spend the rest of my life with you FOR REALZ" marriage.
I can imagine proposals in the future...
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes. Is it a covenant marriage?"
"Well, I don't want to get THAT married."
"Oh, great, so you want an easy way out if you change your mind?"
"No I just..."
"Oh whatever, just put that cubic zirconia ring on my finger and let's call our parents."
Monday, December 11, 2006
Man finds rare Velvet Underground record at flea market for 75 cents, sells for $155,401
http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/37881758
I wish I had more time for flea markets...
I wonder how much I could get for my vinyl copy of The Best of UFO?
Update:
...Or not.
Friday, December 8, 2006
2006: The Compilation CD
Back in high school, I started a yearly activity of compiling my favorite songs of each year onto a tape. This was before I could download songs and burn them to CD, so most of the songs started a few seconds in and had DJ chatter at the end. But as the years passed, it was fun to pop one of those tapes in and take a trip down memory lane.
Later on, once I acquired a CD burner and access to the Internet, I began burning a CD at the end of each year (or school year) of songs that would later bring back all of the wonderful College Memories I had made that year. Third Eye Blind's "Never Let You Go" would remind me of the time in my Sophomore Year when I was on the Internet chatting about the Spurs. Or Destiny's Child "Bills Bills Bills" would remind me of the time I was watching football in my room on a Monday night while eating my 4th Personal Pan Pizza of the week. Fond memories.
Back then I listened to "popular" music quite a bit more frequently, or at least new alternative. That's not really the case anymore... I quit listening to current music regularly in 2004 or so. So it became more and more difficult to compile a CD.
But I've decided to resurrect the tradition of the Annual Compilation CD all the same, and I think I may have just enough material to do so.
Notes and Rules:
A CD holds 80 minutes of music, and I like to get my money's worth, so I have set out to find 80 minutes of music from 2006 to make my compilation CD.
One important note is that the song didn't necessarily have to be released in 2006, but it had to have had the bulk of it's radio airplay in 2006. Also, I usually leave off songs that I already have on CD, so that eliminates some essential 2006 entries by Tool, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Decemberists, Beck and The Flaming Lips.
Also important to note is that these compilations are by no means a collection of the "Best" music of the year. So I don't want to hear anything from you music snobs wondering why the hell Sufjan Stevens or Ray LaMontagne (or whoever else you pretend to like so you can congratulate yourselves for keeping up with the latest indie fad) isn't on this list. This is strictly for popular, even bubble gum, songs. Unless I say otherwise.
So, if you listen to FM radio very often, you're probably sick of most of these songs, but here they are, the 2006 Compilation. No particular order, though I try to have a smooth transition from one song to another.
1. My Chemical Romance - "Welcome to the Black Parade"
Even though this song is one of the newest of the bunch, I find that most of my annual compilations started with a newer song. It's probably because that song was my favorite at the time I made the CD, and that holds true here too. Best song on the radio this year.
2. A.F.I. - "Miss Murder"
Another good alternative tune that makes me wish I could listen to an alternative station on the radio without hearing Stone Sour or Nickleback.
3. Wolfmother - "Woman"
I've been meaning to pick this CD up (and by that I mean download it illegally). Australians don't fuck around with rock music. They don't try to innovate or impress anyone with their technical or lyrical chops. They just play shit hard and loud. God bless 'em.
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Dani California"
Also known as Anthony Kiedis' 174th Song About California. Not a great song by any means, but I have to include it because, even with as little modern radio as I listen to, I probably heard this song 800 times this year. Thanks 102.1 The Edge!
5. Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
Good song. Good thing, too, because it's the last time they'll ever have a hit.
6. Justin Timberlake - "SexyBack"
I liked his first album because it reminded me of old-school Michael Jackson. I like the new album because it reminds me of old-school Prince. I also find him attractive in a disturbing way. There, I said it.
7. Nelly Furtado 'Feat' Timbaland - "Promiscuous"
She's like a bird. A slutty bird. Either way, I found this song to be catchy.
8. Nas - Hip Hop is Dead
I haven't listened to hip hop regularly since the mid-nineties, but Nas is one of those artists that I still keep up with. I don't know if this song got any airplay this year, but I don't care. I can imagine it's better than most of the crap that did get airplay. I'm looking at you Nelly. Grillz? Seriously.
9. Chamillionaire 'Feat' Krayzie Bone - "Ridin'"
Brings back memories of 10 white dudes on a boat on Lake Travis. Good times. Also reminds me of when me and the parents would sit around the fire with our Bibles and listen to Bone Thugs n Harmony.
10. K.T. Tunstall - "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree"
WTF is this song about? Who cares? Best use of the expression "Woo Hoo" since Blur.
11. Christina Aguilera - "Ain't No Other Man"
For this album, it appears the focus is back on Christina's music instead of new and innovative ways to almost show her boobies in a photo shoot.
12. James Blunt - "You're Beautiful"
One for the ladies. Terrible voice, worse lyrics, and yet somehow it all comes together for a remarkably tolerable song.
13. Daniel Powter - "Bad Day"
I really wanted to leave this one off, but come on. It's the American Idol song!
14. Dixie Chicks - "The Long Way Around"
I've always liked the Dixie Chicks, and I might have been more excited about their new album if they had released this song first instead of "Not Ready to Make Nice." That song is a steaming pile of dung. "Waaah, we're so persecuted... Waaaaaaaaahh, censorship... waaaaaaah I'm mad as hell" STFU, Natalie.
15. The Fray - "Over My Head"
Not bad. Sort of reminds me of the Gin Blossoms. And I used to secretly like them, so not I'll not-so-secretly like this song.
16. The Killers - "When You Were Young"
Meh, why not? They're almost done anyway.
17. Coldplay - "Talk"
Four years ago, they were the most overrated band on the planet. It seems that people have caught on to them after their latest album. Someday they'll have a pretty good Greatest Hits collection, even if half of the songs sound like "Clocks."
Later on, once I acquired a CD burner and access to the Internet, I began burning a CD at the end of each year (or school year) of songs that would later bring back all of the wonderful College Memories I had made that year. Third Eye Blind's "Never Let You Go" would remind me of the time in my Sophomore Year when I was on the Internet chatting about the Spurs. Or Destiny's Child "Bills Bills Bills" would remind me of the time I was watching football in my room on a Monday night while eating my 4th Personal Pan Pizza of the week. Fond memories.
Back then I listened to "popular" music quite a bit more frequently, or at least new alternative. That's not really the case anymore... I quit listening to current music regularly in 2004 or so. So it became more and more difficult to compile a CD.
But I've decided to resurrect the tradition of the Annual Compilation CD all the same, and I think I may have just enough material to do so.
Notes and Rules:
A CD holds 80 minutes of music, and I like to get my money's worth, so I have set out to find 80 minutes of music from 2006 to make my compilation CD.
One important note is that the song didn't necessarily have to be released in 2006, but it had to have had the bulk of it's radio airplay in 2006. Also, I usually leave off songs that I already have on CD, so that eliminates some essential 2006 entries by Tool, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Decemberists, Beck and The Flaming Lips.
Also important to note is that these compilations are by no means a collection of the "Best" music of the year. So I don't want to hear anything from you music snobs wondering why the hell Sufjan Stevens or Ray LaMontagne (or whoever else you pretend to like so you can congratulate yourselves for keeping up with the latest indie fad) isn't on this list. This is strictly for popular, even bubble gum, songs. Unless I say otherwise.
So, if you listen to FM radio very often, you're probably sick of most of these songs, but here they are, the 2006 Compilation. No particular order, though I try to have a smooth transition from one song to another.
1. My Chemical Romance - "Welcome to the Black Parade"
Even though this song is one of the newest of the bunch, I find that most of my annual compilations started with a newer song. It's probably because that song was my favorite at the time I made the CD, and that holds true here too. Best song on the radio this year.
2. A.F.I. - "Miss Murder"
Another good alternative tune that makes me wish I could listen to an alternative station on the radio without hearing Stone Sour or Nickleback.
3. Wolfmother - "Woman"
I've been meaning to pick this CD up (and by that I mean download it illegally). Australians don't fuck around with rock music. They don't try to innovate or impress anyone with their technical or lyrical chops. They just play shit hard and loud. God bless 'em.
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Dani California"
Also known as Anthony Kiedis' 174th Song About California. Not a great song by any means, but I have to include it because, even with as little modern radio as I listen to, I probably heard this song 800 times this year. Thanks 102.1 The Edge!
5. Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
Good song. Good thing, too, because it's the last time they'll ever have a hit.
6. Justin Timberlake - "SexyBack"
I liked his first album because it reminded me of old-school Michael Jackson. I like the new album because it reminds me of old-school Prince. I also find him attractive in a disturbing way. There, I said it.
7. Nelly Furtado 'Feat' Timbaland - "Promiscuous"
She's like a bird. A slutty bird. Either way, I found this song to be catchy.
8. Nas - Hip Hop is Dead
I haven't listened to hip hop regularly since the mid-nineties, but Nas is one of those artists that I still keep up with. I don't know if this song got any airplay this year, but I don't care. I can imagine it's better than most of the crap that did get airplay. I'm looking at you Nelly. Grillz? Seriously.
9. Chamillionaire 'Feat' Krayzie Bone - "Ridin'"
Brings back memories of 10 white dudes on a boat on Lake Travis. Good times. Also reminds me of when me and the parents would sit around the fire with our Bibles and listen to Bone Thugs n Harmony.
10. K.T. Tunstall - "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree"
WTF is this song about? Who cares? Best use of the expression "Woo Hoo" since Blur.
11. Christina Aguilera - "Ain't No Other Man"
For this album, it appears the focus is back on Christina's music instead of new and innovative ways to almost show her boobies in a photo shoot.
12. James Blunt - "You're Beautiful"
One for the ladies. Terrible voice, worse lyrics, and yet somehow it all comes together for a remarkably tolerable song.
13. Daniel Powter - "Bad Day"
I really wanted to leave this one off, but come on. It's the American Idol song!
14. Dixie Chicks - "The Long Way Around"
I've always liked the Dixie Chicks, and I might have been more excited about their new album if they had released this song first instead of "Not Ready to Make Nice." That song is a steaming pile of dung. "Waaah, we're so persecuted... Waaaaaaaaahh, censorship... waaaaaaah I'm mad as hell" STFU, Natalie.
15. The Fray - "Over My Head"
Not bad. Sort of reminds me of the Gin Blossoms. And I used to secretly like them, so not I'll not-so-secretly like this song.
16. The Killers - "When You Were Young"
Meh, why not? They're almost done anyway.
17. Coldplay - "Talk"
Four years ago, they were the most overrated band on the planet. It seems that people have caught on to them after their latest album. Someday they'll have a pretty good Greatest Hits collection, even if half of the songs sound like "Clocks."
18. Taylor Hicks - "Do I Make You Proud?"
The song sucks, but I've decided that since American Idol is such an important part of mainstream music right now, I should include a song by each year's winner on that year's compilation.
Final running time: 71 min. (Close enough... what a craptacular year for pop music)
Notably absent:
Snow Patrol - I only heard "Chasing Cars" a couple of times this year, and I can't say it really stuck. Reminds me a little too much like Hoobastank's "The Reason."
Incubus - The album is brand new, I haven't heard it, but I'll probably get it. No sense in wasting a song spot for them.
Prince - I downloaded the album and listened to it a couple times, but nothing really wowed me.
Evanescense - Call Me When You're Sober? Call me when you don't suck ass. Next.
Fergie - She deserves a separate blog of her own. Her popularity is inexplicable. I haven't talked to a single person who enjoys her music. Yet she sells and sells and sells. Look for her as an entry in a future blog, titled "The Worst Songs in the History of Popular Music." She may very well have three entries at that point. People are stupid.
Paris Hilton - If you bought this CD, or if you know anyone who bought this CD and you have not purged them from your social circle, you should be ashamed of yourself. A successful Paris Hilton CD helps popularize another unfortunate development in Corporate Music where "celebs" are commissioned to sing cookie-cutter pop songs that someone else wrote... instead of talented young singers, whose lifelong dreams have been to sing cookie-cutter pop songs that someone else wrote. Think of the children.
Corinne Bailey Raye - Apparently an up-and-comer, I saw her on Studio 60 and let me just say that I'm a believer. Girl has a toxic voice. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear a song of hers from start to finish. So she gets left off this year. But I haven't been this excited about a female singer since Alicia Keys (speaking of whom, where the hell has she been?)
The Who and Tom Petty - Too old. Also wouldn't want to cheapen them by including their music with the likes of Daniel Powter.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
If a tree creates a blog in a forest and no one ever reads it, should that tree find something more productive to do with his spare time?
I've received an abundance of requests from friends, coworkers and advertisers to start writing a blog, so here it is. Frankly, I'm disturbed by the direction the Internet is heading, and I feel compelled to make a difference with a positive contribution to Cyberspace. It may take a while, but I am confident that in time I will forever change the face of Internet discourse as we know it today.
But I cannot do this alone. I am relying on you, my reader(s), to assist in this important task. Spread the word, buy my T-Shirts... but more importantly, give me positive feedback to stroke my ego so that I may sustain the motivation to keep updating this blog. As a byproduct of my social insecurity, I crave affection and acceptance from my peers. Without it, I may give up on this blog altogether like I did with this pathetic attempt at a Political opinion blog. LOL, Sheehan AND Schaivo in one post! Hilarious!
And that about wraps up my maiden Entry in this Blog. I'd like to thank everyone who made this possible. It's been a promising start, and I expect that it will only get better from here.
Until next time, as a preview of the kind of inspiring material you can expect to find here in the future, here's an animated gif of Rush lead singer/bass player Geddy Lee. His skills are as timeless as his nose.
But I cannot do this alone. I am relying on you, my reader(s), to assist in this important task. Spread the word, buy my T-Shirts... but more importantly, give me positive feedback to stroke my ego so that I may sustain the motivation to keep updating this blog. As a byproduct of my social insecurity, I crave affection and acceptance from my peers. Without it, I may give up on this blog altogether like I did with this pathetic attempt at a Political opinion blog. LOL, Sheehan AND Schaivo in one post! Hilarious!
And that about wraps up my maiden Entry in this Blog. I'd like to thank everyone who made this possible. It's been a promising start, and I expect that it will only get better from here.
Until next time, as a preview of the kind of inspiring material you can expect to find here in the future, here's an animated gif of Rush lead singer/bass player Geddy Lee. His skills are as timeless as his nose.
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