A Blog of His Own

Tambourines and Elephants

2008-04-11T22:58:00.004-05:00

I'm sitting here tonight playing poker, and listening to CCR Chronicle Vol.1 on headphones. Man, them's some nicely produced/engineered records.

A Photo Blog of Her Own

2008-03-31T11:43:00.000-05:00

For her birthday, we gave Elsa a cheap (like, really cheap) digital camera. Krista has started a blog to share some of the results. I present to you Elsa's View.

Catching Up

2008-03-31T11:42:00.000-05:00

I'm getting there...

Something that Doesn't Get on My Nerves

2008-03-20T23:40:00.003-05:00

The other day on The Current's Morning Show (OK, that does get on my nerves), they played this:

I may have posted this before, but if I did, it's good enough to do again.

Meanwhile, Back at the Bat Cave

2008-03-20T23:38:00.001-05:00

I really have been taking a photo every day. Really. Sometimes several. I'll get them posted soon. Really. Like Monday. Really.

Are you effin' serious?

2008-03-20T23:28:00.002-05:00

I hate WikiHow's "How to of the Day."

Here is the "How To" that was on my Google home page today.

How To Visit a Microbrewery.

Step 1. Locate a microbrewery
Step 2. Find out when it is open
Step 3. Enter
Step 4. Find an employee
Step 5. Take a tour if they give them
Step 6. STFU.

Do people seriously sit around and think "Oh, I should write an article on how not to wear-out flip-flops, I bet there are thousands of people agonizing over that. It is my duty to help."

Maybe I'm even more of a misanthrope than I thought; maybe people really do find this crap useful.

Missing Time...

2008-02-12T19:44:00.001-06:00

Somehow I forgot to post the photo for February 4. It is now up, as well as a photo for January 4.

Updated

2008-02-03T11:57:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally got around to posting almost two weeks worth the photos on 366. I'll try to stay more on top of the posting.

Dancin' Fool

2008-01-19T18:36:00.000-06:00

I Need XM Radio in My Car

2008-01-14T08:22:00.000-06:00

I can't handle radio morning shows. The Current plays some pretty good music, but the hosts of that show make me want to stick sharp objects in my eyes.

'cause I ain't got enough going on already...

2008-01-05T23:15:00.000-06:00

So, I started another blog. I am such an idiot.

Tasty Goodness in the Mail

2007-12-31T16:13:00.000-06:00

Just before Christmas I received a package that contained this.

I think I'll wait 'til spring to open it. I'm thinking some boneless country style ribs, maybe some chicken... Thanks Mark.

Christmas Questionnaire

2007-12-24T21:31:00.000-06:00

Sean tagged me with this one, and since I'm in a giving mood, you know Christmas and all, here you go:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."

1. Wrapping or gift bags?

Both

2. Real or artificial tree?

Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree?

Krista puts it up, usually on Thanksgiving, or the day after, while I am working. Likely will change next year...

4. When do you take the tree down?

Shortly after New Years

5. Do you like egg nog?

Meh.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Not sure, but I think it was Christmas, how can you top the Millennium Falcon? Oh, or maybe it was my bike...

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yup.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

A muffin splitter, but my grandmother was already dealing with Alzheimer's. At least I hope she was.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Krista always takes care of that, and sometimes it is a letter, sometimes it is an e-mail. Usually a letter.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?

A Christmas Story

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

We usually try and have it done before Thanksgiving, but that hasn't happened since Elsa arrived.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Krista makes these great chocolate rum balls. But, again, not since Elsa arrived.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

I like the white, but right now we have all red, which I like better than the multi-colored.

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?

Tough to say.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Usually the weekend before is with Krista's 'rents, and the weekend after is with my family.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes, but I won't.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

No. See 15.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Trying to get anything at the mall or Target. But that is only if I absolutely must.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?

No.

21. What do you leave for Santa?

Nothing yet.

22. Least favorite holiday song?

Tough to say.

23. Favorite ornament?

I don't think I have one.

24. Family tradition?

Not really.

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?

Yes.

Now, I am to tag seven people. I hereby tag the first seven people that read this. After you have read this post, say so in comments and do your duty. We're working on the honor system here people, so no cheating, it's Christmas after all.

I'm Free!

2007-12-24T08:20:00.000-06:00

By the end of this week I will no longer work in broadcast television. I am going to work for Thomson Find Law, and will be creating video content for their websites. I know, it sounds exciting, making web videos for lawyers, whooooo. But, I'll have better hours, better pay, and I will be picking up skill that will be useful in the direction I want to continue. We'll see how this goes.

Answers

2007-12-18T22:02:00.000-06:00

You may have noticed that I have left some questions unanswered here. Well, time to rectify that. Dave, the Wovel is, well, here. And here. And here. It is a wondrous thing. After the fist big snow, it took me less time than it ever has to clear the drive and walks. And it didn't take any longer than it did for my neighbor to do his with his snow blower. Actually less time if you count the time he took to get it running. And it was quieter. And I didn't have to buy gas.

OK, It May be a Crappy Song...

2007-12-05T05:49:00.000-06:00

but Johnny Paycheck summed it up. Details to come.

Your Life, the Soundtrack

2007-11-12T17:38:00.000-06:00

Shawn tagged me with this a while back, and it's been sitting on Blogger as a draft. Well, finally here it is. I think I've strayed a bit from the original idea though. Too Bad.

You are making a feature film about your life. What songs do you select for the soundtrack? You'll want at least one song for each major stage of your life, the highs and lows, significant relationships, educational and career milestones, etc.

If Shawn starts with Mickey Mouse Disco I suppose I ought to mention Alvin and the Chipmunks. I don't remember if the records were mine or belonged to my brother or sister, but they were played quite a bit. At this same time I would have to include 70's (and early 80's) AM country radio. It seems this is what the 'rents were listening to, and most of those songs weren't too bad. Like Shawn you can toss in some TV themes: Dukes of Hazzard, Knight Rider, Simon & Simon, Magnum P.I. etc. Unlike Shawn, you can omit Thriller.

In Junior High there was Men at Work, which I still dig. This time also brought to my full attention The Beatles. You can assume for the rest of this post that they remain the basso continuo for my musical experience. At some point, most likely in high school, Revolver became my favorite album, and it has held that spot since, though later it has to make room to share that spot.

High School was more Beatles, and some other "Classic Rock" abundant on the radio. I also started picking up some jazz listening, but that was very limited; mostly big band and other HS jazz band fare. I also started to pick up an appreciation for Mozart and some other classical music.

Up to this point this soundtrack is maybe a double LP. College is a friggin box-set. Like Shawn it had a grungy tinge to it. Pearl Jam's Ten, and then VS, Stone Temple Pilots etc. College also expanded my classical listening, and the World Famous Wartburg College Concert Band, with soloist Jaquandor, helped cement Mahler's Symphony No. 5 one of my favorite pieces of music. One performance was so sublime it brought many of us to tears. Dr. Vinny introduced me to Berg, Bartok and other 20th century composers, and took me deeper into the The Beatles. My awareness of the jazz world was also blown wide open, thanks in part to Knightliters Jazz Band director Alan Jacobson, and fellow members like Mark, but one man had a deep impact on what is currently sitting on my CD shelf. I don't know what ever happened to him, but thank you Scott Olson. Enter the Holy Trinity of Miles, Trane, and Monk, along with the minor deities. Miles Davis Kind of Blue joined Revolver perched atop the heap.

The late nineties were filled with the music of 44. Dan, Pat, Krista and I made a go of it, and had loads of fun, took too many votes and made too many lists. We made some decent music too. You can buy it on iTunes, or if you want the physical item you can buy it (and read more) here. During this time I also started listening more to artists I discovered in College. Bjork, Beck and Lyle Lovett would rise to the top, and remain three of a very few from whom I will purchase a new album unheard. I also started listening to some Ska, thanks to my brother and Shawn.

New century. Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Flaming Lips and some others have made their way onto my CD shelves. Lately though, I have been listening to more and more Jazz. Lots of Hard Bop. Art Blakey and his minions are at the center of it. Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter, Hank Mobley. YourMusic.Com has quite a few jazz albums, and they are all $6.99. Sorry to end on a commercial, but it is a great deal.

Now, who to tag? We know Jaq has a great love for film scores, but what was his journey to get there? Has her love of poetry had an effect on Amanda's listening? Mark has the same guitar as me. And Dan and Pat need to explain how they got to all those songs we played in the late nineties.

Funny Stuff

2007-11-11T20:37:00.000-06:00

In the Spirit of the Season...

2007-10-27T22:33:00.000-05:00

Some spooky shit right here.

...but, we knew that

2007-10-12T08:47:00.000-05:00

Bat-shit crazy...

Making a Difference

2007-09-27T05:58:00.000-05:00

If I can change just one life, it is all worth it.

Travel Through the Lens

2007-09-26T23:02:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for something to do this Saturday, swing by the Steven's Square Center for the Arts. My friend Kathy is opening her first solo exhibition. If you've been to our house, or gotten a family photo from us, you've seen her work. Details here.

Walks Reclaimed

2007-09-15T16:54:00.000-05:00

Had to edge before winter so the Wovel would fit. The pile was bigger than it looks in the photo. It was about six inches deep and took up a full section of sidewalk.

Elvis

2007-09-15T16:48:00.000-05:00

Last night I was lucky enough to catch Elvis Costello perform with the Minnesota Orchestra. It was a great show despite his obvious cold. Singing with a cold is bad enough, but singing at the top of your range, like Elvis does so often, has to be tough. But he nailed it all night.

The show started with the orchestra playing selections from Il Sogno. Then EC came on stage and performed several songs from throughout his career, with great orchestral arrangements. Included were a few from The Juliet Letters, and Painted from Memory.

After the show we headed to The Dakota for the after party, where it was rumored that EC would play, but he didn't show. As an added bonus my man Murphy scored the tickets for free. Thanks Murph.

Fucking Awesome

2007-09-14T05:46:00.000-05:00