Final Post of 2008

Hello all, this is my final post of 2008.  I will have another rousing list of things that I enjoyed this year, but I must start by writing about my cat.  I am now the proud owner of a cat which may be a surprise to many of you that know my usual stance on animals.  And to be honest, this stance has not really changed that much.  There is one exception and his name is Dave the cat.  I would guess that some back story is required here.

When I was home from Maine over Thanksgiving my parents had taken in a kitten from outside our house.  One day in November they had noticed a mother cat with her three kittens.  As the weather turned really cold and rainy they noticed that the mama cat had taken two of the kittens away, but left one (Dave).  They waited over a day while this kitten sat in the cold and rain by himself with the mama cat nowhere to be found.  They decided to take him in and protect him from the elements.  Over the few days I wsa home for Thanksgiving I began bonding with this cat.  He’s a character and to be honest, my Dad had someone lined up for work to take him in right after Turkey Day, so getting attached was not a good idea. So we cut to a few weeks ago and I am talking with the family, under the assumption that they gave the cat away.  It’s not so! When I get home for winter break, there he is…I love the little dude.  He’s got a lot of spirit, but he also relaxes enough to show the love.  What can I say?  We are a fine pair of misfits.  Here are the debut pics of Dave the cat.

As we wrap up 2008 I would like to say thank you for all of you who read the samplings that from my brain.  This blog is a really great outlet for me and I am honored to have some loyal readers.  I pray that all of you have fruitful, blessed, and amazing experiences in 2009.  Please be careful tonight as you celebrate.  Now, onto a few ending comments on 2008.

Most Enjoyed Movies This Year

-“Big Fish” if you have not seen this film go rent it today…seriously, you will be better for it.
-“Numb” this Matthew Perry and Lynn Collins film is a great indie about dealing with depression, love, life, and work.  The best scene in the entire flick is around the 34 minute mark.  Collins’s statement about she wants in a relationship changed my life.
-“The Dark Knight” if you have not seen this movie then I should look away from you in shame, but quickly return to say, “come on man, see this movie.”
-“Milk” people should see this movie.  Gus Van Sant does an amazing job and he gets an Oscar worthy performance out of Sean Penn.
-“We Are Marshall” not sure if this came out in 2008 or not, but either way it is a moving story.
-“W” I was surprised at this film, it is something people should watch
-“Dances with Wolves” saved the Western in the early-1990s…this film always gives me a new perspective on things.

Most Enjoyed Television Shows This Year

-“Pushing Daises” I do not understand (well, I have an idea) why smart and well-produced shows get canceled when their strength is so obvious.  People should have been watching this show…If you have not seen it, rent it.
-“The Office” I tune in each week to get a dose of awkward and hilarity all-in-one sitting.  This show is extremely well-written, has consistently strong performances, and is highly quotable.
-“Band of Brothers” if you are interested in World War II, then you need to watch this series. Honestly, for me it is the catalyst of what all others wanting to write about WWII should use before starting.
-“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” this gem written by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing) focused on a fictional Saturday Night Live style show.  Brilliantly written and expertly cast, this show was the second of two shows (“30 Rock”) that NBC wisely decided to put into the fall lineup at the same time in the fall of 2006.  Why they decided to have two programs about late-night sketch comedy shows on at the same time is beyond me.  With that said, these two shows are quite different and “30 Rock” continues to amaze and impress.   However, “Studio 60″ never got a fair shake and about every 5 months or so I rewatch all 21 episodes.

Moments of Hilarity from 2008

-My little brother Sam, in a fluke act that could not be repeated, bounced an entire deodorant stick into the toilet.  Now, not just in the water, this thing went down the into the toilet to where it was lodged and clogged.
-Anything Tina Fey did.  Her Sarah Palin was simply brillant.  Also, her writing and acting on “30 Rock” is heartfelt, honest, and hilarious.
-Speaking of “30 Rock.” Alec Baldwin is in a comedic league of his own.  He’s a ball-buster on this show.  This is best comedic acting since the film “Outside Providence.”
-The many, many laughs had by my friends and family throughout the year.  I was able to spend many valuable hours and days with my family, for which I will be eternally grateful.  From a road trip to Minnesota to island parties with my crew in Maine, to watching many movies to sharing a meal with lots of laughs and another road trip to Pittsburgh to cross-country nationals with my sister, I am blessed with an abundance of friends that I am honored and thankful to have everyday.

I am going to wrap this thing up knowing that I most likely forgot many important moments, shows, movies, experiences, etc.  All I can say is this.  I would not be where I am at today without the grace of God and the support of many, many wonderful people.  Thank you for your love.  Have a great start to 2009!!!

Top 30 Artists/Bands/Records Listened to in 2008

Hello all…I hope this finds all of you having strong end to 2008.  I for one, am finishing up the year completely humbled, excited, and blessed for 2009.  Some other news before I begin the first in a short series of ‘top of 2008 lists’ before the 31st.  A new creature has joined my ranks (well, at least he will when I have a place that accepts him).  Many of you will be flabbergasted to know that I am now the proud owner of a cat.  He is a little-rockstar named Dave.  I will have some pictures and the backstory soon…he’s got a mix of spunk and moxy, or as I like to call it, spamoxy.

From an academic place I received straight A’s this semester.  Well, let me clarify.  I was in two courses and I did receive an A- in each, so that may not officially be straight A’s.  However, having not been in classes for four years and taking two courses at the highest level my department offers, I will not complain.  I will be striving for full-A’s in the three courses I take this spring.

The lists you will see here are going to be a bit unconventional to other lists you see at the end of a year.  Most (and there is nothing wrong with this approach) list the top items released during that calendar year.  You know what?  This approach is suitable for most, but I feel that many artists/movies/people/moments made my year, so I will not limit myself to music made or released solely in 2008. These artists/bands/songs/records helped me to survive this year.  Finally, and contrary to other lists I have done on this site, #1 is in fact, #1.  With that settled, let us begin.  This first list is my Top 30 Artists/Bands/Records/Songs Listened to in 2008:

30) Helmet Two of their records from the early 90s, “Meantime” and “Betty” contain some tracks that help me get amped for a workout at the gym and/or a run.  Their chord progressions, aggressive and sometimes raw sound pierce me and I love it.  Excellent tracks: Wilma’s Rainbow and You Borrowed

29) R.E.M. this Athens, GA band resurfaced in 2008 with a new record called “Accelerate.” This record is an aggressive assault on the many people who thought this band was past its prime.  Michael Stipe and crew silence the doubters with a record that is lyrically and musically thorough .  Excellent tracks: Accelerate and Living Well is the Best Revenge

28) Cake I love this band.  For one reason (and there are many), their music makes me smile.  Lyrically, they are a trip.  From the song Short Skirt/Long Jacket, “I want a girl with a smooth liquidation/I want a girl with good dividends/And at Citibank we will meet accidentally/We’ll start to talk when she borrows my pen.”  I love it, enough said.  Excellent tracks: Short Skirt/Long Jacket, The Distance, and Never There

27)The Blue Jackets This band from NYC is just a good old rock band.  They are just poppy enough to be radio friendly, but have an experimental and varied approach that makes them legit and not a band like Nickelback. They are often featured in movies made by Ed Burns.  Excellent tracks:Four Cheers, Shadows of the City, and I Hear You Knocking

26) Death Cab for Cutie I will be honest, I did not know much about this band before 2008.  I had heard of them, but did not know much.  I assumed they wrote tunes that fit into the repertoire of a college ‘that guy’ who sits and plays acoustic guitar to impress females.  I was wrong, these dudes put out some solid tracks.  I was extremely hooked on I Will Possess Your Heart. This is an thought-provoking and lyrically pulsating song that I have listened to countless times in 2008.  Excellent tracks: I Will Possess Your Heart,  Your New Twin Sized Bed, and You Can Do Better Than Me

25) Elisa This Italian singer-songwriter had a song entitled Dancing used a few years ago on the show “So You Think You Can Dance.”  As you can see from the embedded video, the dancers use this song to weave a heartfelt story. The dancing to this tune is, well, just WOW.  The entire song is great and I highly recommend you pick it up…

24) Morphine I love this band.  With only bass guitar and a cadre of saxophones, these guys put out some hypnotic tunes in the 1990s.  I used a few of their songs as my iPod alarm clock for a few months.  Excellent tracks: Buena, I’m Free Now, and Honey White

23) Sponge In a weird Pavllionian way, I often have to listen to Sponge when I am typing a paper.  At some point, I pull up their record “Rotting Pinata” and I rock out.  Any band that can combine a rock sound while at the same time quoting from Robert Frost is a favorite of mine.  Excellent tracks: Miles, Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina), Fields, and Rainin’

22) Incubus This southern Californian band is one of my all-time favorites.  Their creative hooks, meaningful lyrics, and simultaneous ability to adapt and still rock make them a mainstay in my music rotation.  I am greatly anticipating a new release…whenever that may be. Excellent tracks: Megalomaniac, Wish You Were Here, Mexico, and I Miss You

21) M.I.A. I have written numerous times about this true artists.  She’s an activist, graphic designer, creator of rhymes (including, “I have more records than the KGB-I love this), and an overall hip lady.  Check her out.  Excellent tracks: Bamboo Banga, Come Around (feat. Timbaland), and Paper Planes

20) Johnny Cash He’s an institution and I am truly honored to have his music in my life.   Besides being a purveyor of life-changing music, Cash’s own life provides many valuable lessons.  These lessons include you are never too old to change and adapt, you should be with the person God and your heart want to be with, and finally, forgiveness is a necessity.  Excellent tracks: Long Black Veil, Cocaine Blues, and Hurt

19) James Taylor’s music is something that everyone should have in their collections.  I do not care if you lean towards metal or classical, he’s the real deal.  I will be forever indebted to my Mom for introducing JT into my life.  Excellent tracks: Fire and Rain, Line Em Up, and Something in the Way She Moves

18) Alice in Chains To me, AIC is the truest representation of the ‘Seattle sound.’  Washington state in the late-80s was a raw place to live.  Unemployment was high, hair-metal was huge and the consumerism and ‘me-first’ attitude was not attainable for most people.  This band desired to create edgy and unapologetic rock-n-roll that flew in the face of corporate created candy like Warrant, Winger, and Extreme.   These guys provide many wonderful opportunities to rock, especially when working out. NEW RECORD IN 2009!!! Excellent tracks: Would?, We Die Young, and Them Bones

17) Flickerstick This Ft. Worth, TX based-band is just a solid rock band.  Winners of VH1’s “Bands on the Run” in 2000, Flickerstick quickly established themselves as a live-act that you must see.  I have been a fan of these guys for years and their major studio debut, “Welcoming Home the Astronauts” is something I can listen to all the way through without fail.  Excellent tracks: Lift (With Love We Will Survive), Beautiful, and Direct Line to the Telepathic

16) Deftones This California based band has been in heavy rotation on my various hi-fi systems for years.  I love their hard rock, yet melodic and experimental focus.  I was saddened to learn that recently their guitarist Chi was in accident and remains in a coma.  My prayers go out to he and his family, as well as the band during this trying time.  If you have the means, check out these excellent tracks: Change (In the House of Flies), Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away), and Pins and Needles

15) David Gray I would imagine that many people have forgotten about this singer-songwriter.  I for one have not.  His music is applicable to numerous moods.  You can listen when you are feeling melancoly or if you begin experiences the buzz of love.  Side note with him.  For fans of the movie, “Serendipity,” his instrumental song, January Rain is used in the scene on the ice-rink at the end.   Excellent tracks: My Oh My, This Years Love, and Sail Away

14) Hum I am privileged to have this band in my life.  While they are no longer together, these Illinois based rockers put a stamp on the music industry with clever lyrics, diverse and exploratory song construction, and a ‘make their own way’ attitude that I love.  Check them out…do it… Excellent tracks: Isle of the Cheetah, Sundress, and The Pod

13) Sun Kil Moon This band is the product of the creative genius of Mark Kozelek.  Their sound is unique and can always be counted on to put you in a relaxed mood.  I like having some of their songs on the ready when I am cooking some food. They have some other releases on iTunes that plan to purchase soon via a gift card from my parents (thank you thank you)  Excellent tracks: Glenn Tipton, Last Tide, and Gentle Moon.

12) Pete Yorn I first heard of Pete Yorn when the movie “Me, Myself, and Irene” came out.  He did some classic Steely Dan songs on the soundtrack.  I like his approach, his lyrics, and his sound.  Excellent tracks: Strange Condition, For Us, and Undercover

11) The White Stripes The music industry is better off because this group exists.  Jack and Meg White (former couple-not related) create such a diverse sound with just a guitar and drum-kit.  With that said, their diverse sounds form a numerous musical tributaries that flow into a a sea of basic rock-n-roll.  Excellent tracks: Icky Thump, I Want to be the Boy Who Warms Your Mother’s Heart, and Seven Nation Army
——————————————————————————————————————————————-
The Top Ten are artists/bands/records/songs that were in heavy rotation in my life during 2008.  Often my situation was considerably aided by these artists or bands.  I will also include a video of a special song from that artist or band.

10) Jeff Buckley

9) John Mayer

#8 Cary Brothers

7) Smashing Pumpkins

6) Chris Whitley

5) Chevelle

4) Schuyler Fisk

3) Third Day

2) Sanctus Real

DRUM ROLL PLEASE……………………………

1) Jars of Clay

There you have it my friends.  This Top-30 list helped me tremendously in 2008 and I hope some of these tunes help you in 2009.  Thank you for reading.

End of the Year Thoughts-In No Particular Order

The year is winding down and I have some thoughts to throw-out.  More specific and official list-oriented items will be housed on this site soon, but for now, here is what is on my mind as the year draws to a close.  To start, I am extremely blessed to be where I am.  God has brought me through some fires over the last two years and I have emerged.  I am appreciative, humbled, and excited for the future.

Things That I Enjoyed in 2008 (this is not exhaustive at all and in no particular order.  This is very stream-of-consciousness style…)
-Schuyler Fisk.  She is the cat’s pajamas

-M.I.A I have written about this artist numerous times on this site and in my previous blog on MySpace.  She’s the jam…check her out.

-Army of Anyone.  This band made-up of STPs nucleus (minus Scott Weiland) and the lead singer from Filter is a solid, solid rock band.

-Being in graduate school.  I am blessed with a wonderful opportunity that I do not take for granted at all. Also, I enjoy archival research…it’s like a treasure hunt for nerds and I want to be the charter member.

-Klean Kanteen water bottles.  You should switch from Nalgene or whatever you are using to these bottles.

-Amy Adams on The Office.  She was an excellent addition by the producers of this show.  In fact, they have scored a casting coup of sorts with the announcement of Jack Black and Jessica Alba appearing in the post-Super Bowl episode.

-hulu.com I give a much-deserved thank you to my friend Vern for letting me know about this site.  In fact, he let me know about this site a long time ago…he is my ‘what will be cool on the web in a year’ go to guy.  Without a television in Maine, this site is CLUTCH.

-My friends.  I am blessed with a gaggle of amazing and supportive friends.  Many of us live in different states, but manage to forge strong bonds.  I thank you for your friendship and look forward to the future.

-This blog site.  WordPress.com is excellent and I am thankful for a depository for my thoughts.

-Genius application on iTunes.  I have made numerous play lists (generated by selecting one song and then the app makes an appropriate list) and only one time was it a bit wacky.

-My family.  We are a strong-unit of six and they are my rock.  I am blessed.

Things That I am Pretty Much Over in 2008 (this is not exhaustive at all and in no particular order.  This is very stream-of-consciousness style…)

-The Jonas Brothers.  To be completely honest, I do not know much about them, but I am over them.

-Kathy Griffin.  Her career is like an extended version of the cameo she made on an episode of Seinfeld. I want to reiterate what Kramer said, “Lady, you, you have to shut-up!”

-Perez Hilton. So thankful there is someone around to let me know that Reese Witherspoon bought khaki pants without wearing makeup.  I am over this dude.

-Terrell Owens.  Listen dude, you are an amazing athlete.  Take your bucks, make your catches, and shut your pie-hole.  You are the common-denominator in all of the team dramas.

-Starbucks.  I do hit this place up, so there is a bit of hypocrisy on my end.  Sometimes a dude just wants to get a coffee without being force-fed whatever music darling is being heralded by the corporate machine or see the display for socially conscious water that I doubt really goes to the African kid in the poster.

-People that complain at the airport.  Listen, a delayed flight affects everyone.  Quit your loud complaining, pull up your socks, and roll with it.  We are a team and we have to get through it together.

-The people that cancelled Pushing Daisies. This is a ground-breaking show and should be on the air.

This is it for now.  As I said,  a more targeted set of lists regarding movies, music, and a few other things will emerge over the next few days.  As I leave, please let me wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season.  Thank you for reading.

Straight No Chaser

I wrote recently about Straight No Chaser and their new holiday record.  They are getting some good publicity and today is no exception with a nice article over at www.cnn.com.  Here is the link: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/22/straight.no.chaser/index.html

If you have a few minutes check this article.  I love to see cool, IU related things in the news.

Have a great day.

Breaking Away

As I type, Breaking Away is on the television.  It does my heart good to see this flick on the ye ole television.

I am safely back in Indiana.  In fact, when my journey began on Friday I was thinking it was going to be a long and challenging day.  Originally, I was supposed to fly from Portland, ME (leaving at 3:55pm) to NYC (LaGuardia) with a three-hour lay-over, arrive in Indy at 11pm.  Thursday night’s preview of the weather in NYC looked terrible.  The Weather Channel on line was predicting a.m. snow transitioning to p.m. sleet and freezing rain.  Arriving in Portland Friday afternoon I found my 3:55pm flight cancelled.  However, given that I was there at 1:45pm, I was able to jump on a 2:18pm flight to D.C.  Quite relieved to be flying and not sitting my feelings of joy were internally and externally obvious.  Once in D.C., we were actually delayed for an hour-and-a-half waiting for of all things, a pilot.  Once we left D.C. I was with luggage and in my dad’s rig two-hours earlier than my original flight plan.  I have never had weather-issue help my situation in such a positive way.

Back at base-camp chilling with the family.  Sam had his tonsils out on Friday, so he is recuperating.  We’ve been doing some projects and yesterday I was helping move things and also manned a large fire.  I was pleased to help on two fronts.  Being able to assist the family is always nice, but doing manual-labor rather than reading was a nice change of pace.

Just started a new book for next semester.  I am reading Walter Johnson’s Soul By Soul.  This book will be examining the slave trade during the antebellum period.  Johnson’s has a unique historiographical approach because his story is woven through three distinct narratives: slave traders, abolitionists, and the slaves themselves.  I am looking forward to read this book.  I also have two others to read.  One is on Reconstruction and the other is on the division of Germany following World War II. The latter book pertains to my thesis research.  I have already read today and plan to continue to read over break in order to not lose the academic steam I have built during this semester.

Tunes…are there some to mention here?  Of course, there are always tunes to check-out.

As mentioned before on this page, one artist that should be in your collection is Chris Whitley.  The way he crafts songs, lyrically and musically are second-to-none.

Video One: Big Sky Country (special note: this vid is a live clip from the Arsenio Hall Show)

Video Two: Living with the Law. This song, as well as the first one are from his major-label debut, Living with the Law.  This record is phenomenal, but my album is Hotel Vast Horizon.

Yes, the Beard Continues…

So, the beard is continuing and will be for the time being.  Honestly, with these cold temps (w/wind chill we hit -8 the other day) I am enjoying the facial warmth.

In other news, my semester is winding down.  The last two weeks have been challenging on many levels.  Only through the grace of God and familial/friend support I was able to make it.  Last week I finished my big paper on the Fulbright Program.  I was stoked with how it turned out.  I was seeking to answer how the beginning of the Cold War helped create a situation that warranted the Fulbright Program.  In addition, I wanted to find out how the Cold War affected the experiences two program participants.  All in all I feel as though I answered these questions.  I had done a ton of research and through editing help I came to some strong conclusions.  I also wrote a big paper seeking to answer whether or not a a book of pictures (from a road trip in 1973) was a work of history.  I argued that indeed the book was a work of history.  If you have the means, check out Stephen Shore’s A Road Trip Journal.

I took two classes this semester and I just received a grade in one of them.  In my Research Seminar on Foreign Relations I received an A-.  From all accounts, this is pretty good.  I am feeling happy with that grade.  I have not been in classes for four years and I started with two courses that are at the highest level my department offers.  I am awaiting my score from my Methodology and Historiography class.  This course truly challenged me each and every week.  I am happy that this course was in my first semester because it allowed me to get quickly orientated.

In other news, I recently received my first paid writing gig!  I am contributing to a encyclopedia of film and culture.  This project will be a combined effort of many scholars/writers attempting to show how certain films, people, and subject matter relate to the social, economic, and political history of the United States.  I have been fortunate to be selected for ten entries in this project.  I am writing on the following: Boyz N’ the Hood, Hoop Dreams, Dances With Wolves, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Roger Ebert, Al Pacino, Chris Columbus, The Actor’s Studio, the Independent Film, and the Teen Film.  I am excited for this project and I have entries with staggered due-dates including February, June, and September of 2009.  Building up the ole’ CV is pretty cool.

Some tunes before I go.  I have to go with Straight No Chaser’s new Christmas record.  The original ten from Indiana University are back with a major-label debut.  There is something magical about they way these guys sing a cappella.  I was quite fortunate to see the original group back-in-the-day at IU…they are awesome.  I have attached one of their more fun songs, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Artist You Should Be Listening To

Music as many of you know, is crucial to my life as well as a primary subject for many of blog postings.  It is not very often that I find a new musician or band that can instantly make me feel a whole host of feelings including inspiration, awe, and excitement.  I have recently found someone who does all of things and more.

Everyone should be listening to Schuyler (pronounced Sky-ler) Fisk.  An actress (famous pedigree-her mom is Sissy Spacek) who has been in numerous films, notably Orange County and I’m Reed Fish (good little flick by the way), she is a singer-songwriter as well.  She does not have a full-length record yet, but one is in the works.  Her voice is beautiful and her lyrics are honest and make you think about the people you love.  Check out this videos and get her record as soon as its released.

This first song, Paperweight, performed with Joshua Radin, is from the soundtrack of the film, The Last Kiss.  Arguably one of the most honest movies about the love, relationships, and turning 30, this film and its accompanying soundtrack are both worth owning.

The next two songs are from live performances as well.  The first, From Where I’m Standing is from the movie I’m Reed Fish.  The second song is called Be Still.  There is not much more I can say except, wow, what a voice.

James Taylor

Sometimes you just need a little James Taylor in your life.  This song never fails to move me…and is helping this week.

Also, kept Isaiah 40:31 as my verse for this week…actually my favorite Bible verse.

Beard Continues and Some Tunes

Hello Hello, here we are again.  Pardon the odd intro.  I have been typing papers for hours, leaving me rather punchy.  I am finishing one paper (Fulbright Program) and getting ready to write another.  The second paper is going to be comparable to those who journey through the desert in search of respite.  You see them start the journey with whatever they are wearing and in the next sequence their jacket sleeves are some sort of head cover.  Following the rearrangement of clothing, they start to walk funny and see things.  When I start the second paper tomorrow the aforementioned things may occur, but in some more academically nerdy way.  Someone may catch me with a book on my head or staring at a wall saying, “what is history? what is history?”  I am not sure, so stay tuned.

In other news, the beard continues and I am rather enjoying the warmth it provides when the temperature dips below zero, as it did all day today.  I have attached another picture. Just in case you are scoring at home, yes, that is a Dwight Schrute stress ball in my hand.  A special shout-out must be given to my one and only sister for this funny and lovely gift.

Dwight Schrute and LPC

Some tunes before I roll-out.  I have been listening to Sun Kil Moon and Mark Kozelek some.  Mark Kozelek is a solo artist and also member of Sun Kil Moon.  The sounds are a combination of a morose, yet heartfelt delivery with strong instrumentation.  Kozelek puts out unique records of cover tunes, but to the untrained ear (including me the first time), you would not know.  One of his records, courtesy of my friend John, is all ACDC songs and  they have a folksy almost tragic sound to them.  Oh, bonus points if you can tell me what movie(s) you have seen him in? You even have a video clip of him (not in the flick of course) to help.

Thank you for reading.

A Post Script…

Miles Davis

Back in the day (circa-mid 90s), my main knowledge of Miles Davis was two things.  The first was that he was some jazz guy.  I would imagine this line of thinking was directly tied into my love for the movie Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where Casear was the salad dressing guy.  The second association was in reference to the movie, Billy Madison.  The quote from the old lady at the frontier-day outing, as I am sure many of you remember is, “If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.”

Fast-forward to a couple of years ago and you will find me branching out towards jazz.  I did the requisite beginner thing and downloaded some Coltrane and Miles Davis and did listen to them both.  It was not until recently that I realized that you can listen to jazz and be fine.  You will enjoy the tunes and be in a good place.  However, you can also feel jazz, down to your core where the different instruments speak to your heart and soul.  For a few years I was just a listener.  I am now someone who feels the music.  I am sitting here wishing that I could listen to some Davis, Monk, Ellington, or Coltrane on vinyl.

The video below features the song Round Midnight, from the record, Round About Midnight, released in 1957. This song is beautiful and moves me.

I am out for now.  Thank you for reading.

Isaiah 40:31 is still helping me get through these next 2 and 1/2 weeks.

The Beard Continues

Still rocking the beard and I am not going to lie, not shaving is actually quite nice.  I dig the beard and it keeps my face warm.

Beard Still Going

Let’s see, instead of music today, I am going to mention a television show.  I am enjoying Chuck.  If you have not seen this show it is worth checking out.  The main character, Chuck Bartowski is a guy working in a job similar to those at Best Buy’s Geek Squad.  Somehow he gets a super-computer chip type device in his brain.  He is now quite important and is flanked by two agents in the federal government.  Anyway, the show is funny. I watch this on my television, i.e. my laptop.  Check out www.hulu.com.

Thanks for reading.

Oh, I am getting a lot out of the verse Isaiah 40:31 this week…just wanted to lay that out there.