Gustav, destroyer of plans

This weekend we're taking a long weekend to drive up to Oklahoma City to see Sarah's parents. We're leaving tomorrow and won't be back til Wednesday night so you most likely won't get any posts from me for a week or so. I hate to break the bad news to you but I'm sure you all could put together some fun stuff to post while I'm gone.

It's too bad a lot of people around here made plans to go to the coast one last time for the summer and now Gustav is ruining a lot of plans. We should be find going to OKC, I mean they never get storms there... oh what's that you say it's the heart of tornado alley? Just kidding no tornados or extreme weather in the forecast for us so we should have a good trip. look for pictures on Sarah's blog in the next week or so. So anyway, have a nice weekend.

Poll added

A poll is now up to vote for a new title. Vote for your favorite, and if you vote "other" use the comments to suggest the other you'd like considered.

A few notes

No funny articles/links in this post. Just wanted to make a quick update of the state of the site. Firstly, the poll about the SPs was a disaster and will not be repeated, at least not for a little while.

Also, wanted to update about the site's name/title. While Music Slobs was a title it deserved during the site's dark ages, I don't feel like it deserves it anymore. The number of posts have actually been pretty high, and I'm doing my best (and I know you all are too) to make sure they're interesting, so while I like the title in a way it's not a good fit anymore. I did like a lot of the others, but the best one I heard was from my wife, (told to me though not found in the comments) and requires a bit of explanation. You see she feels that I have a tendency to (when I'm talking about something I care about) speak like I'm writing a persuasive essay. For example I might say something like... "Phil Collins is a musical genius." After I saw something like this (that may be a bit doubtful) it no longer matters if it's true, or if I even believe it myself... half the time I'll try and convince people just because. Especially if they seem don't seem to be buying. So after the statement I'll follow it up with things like "he was in Genesis, and they had some good songs." (Don't click that link if you want me to be able to make my case... I think the website might do more damage than good in this argument) Next, I'll say "he sang and played drums, not easy." Finally, I'll say "I think 'Against all Odds' (click on this just to see the album cover... seriously do it), 'One More Night', and 'A Groovy Kind of Love' speak for themselves, and I rest my case." With that in mind Sarah suggested something along the lines of "Here's three reasons" or "Let me give you three reasons" etc... you get the idea. I thought that was pretty clever and if you've talked much with me in the past you might agree with her assessment of my speaking/logic and find it particularly amusing.

Creepy picture, right?

My only reservation in using it is that this isn't supposed to be my blog so it shouldn't necessarily be a title about me. So now is you chance to sound off about it, it's probably my favorite suggestion... or I might just leave things as is since no seems to care that much. Just didn't want you to think I didn't read the suggestions or think about it.

A few goodies for ya

First, a funny article about the Little League World Series. I agree with the article, the LLWS is boring and should not be on TV. Every year's the same... the Cuban and to a lesser extent a few other teams from South and Central America have some "12 year old" (read 17 yrs old) ace on the mound. Like Chinese gymnasts, but in reverse.

Also, an interesting article about Lindsey Hunter... the funny thing is I always thought he was an NBA "good guy." I guess it just goes no matter how much we think we know about our favorite teams and players how little we actually know about them.

Finally one other funny article. This one pretty much speaks for it self, read on and enjoy.

Monday Funny

Just a quick link to a funny write up... this time via woot.com.

What could possibly go wrong?

Apparently Intel has developed wireless electricity. What a great idea, I can't think of single down side to this one. Except, there is this one thing that came to mind...
I mean we all know he wasn't that bad of a guy.
Look at that winning smile. Anyway, according to the article it's safe so in the near future you might never need to plug in your cell phone to charge it.

RIP Leroi Moore

You might have already heard this, but in case you didn't... Leroi Moore (the sax player in the Dave Matthews Band) passed away this week. I have to say he did something not many could do... make me like a song with a saxophone in it. Sorry Kenny G. I know it's hard to believe a guy who looks like that could ever make bad music. Anyway, to hear about Dave Matthews Band (DMB) was strange... where have these guys been? Oh, that's right making terrible albums and driving away their old fans (like me). I hate to kick the band while they're down , so let's focus on the good times we had. So, in that spirit a few new tracks to the SPs from DMB. I hadn't even thought to add anything by them even though from the mid to late 90's I listened to them a lot. That's how far they've dropped (for me at least). Anybody else feel that way about DMB? Do you guys still listen, any opinions on the newer albums, and what are your favorite DMB songs/albums?

New Idea

As comments have been minimal about the SPs and because I'm stubborn I've come up with a new idea (read gimmick) to solicit input. So, starting with some tracks by Band of Horses that I just put up we're going to have a vote. Now all you lazies have to do is listen and vote... while comments would be nice I have learned that this is apparently asking too much... so just listen then vote, and the winner is in and the rest are tossed. Depending on participation this may or may not become a permanent addition to the site. As usual new songs are on the bottom of the SPs.

If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around...

What is the sound of one hand clapping? Which came first the chicken or the egg? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? Today, I have my own question that might not really have an answer, but I'll put it to you guys anyway. Before I pose the question I'll just say Claire's taste in TV shows has evolved from Sesame Street to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. So I was watching an episode with her the other day and it reminded me of something... something I've wondered before, but never understood/had explained. Let me see if I understand this right. Goofy and Pluto are both dogs, right? So why does one of them dress up in clothes while the other one only wears a collar, and why can only one of them speak/walk on two legs/eat from the table/not have to drink from the toilet? Any theories about this? I guess it leads to questions about why a duck, a mouse, and a dog might be friends in the first place.









Also, why do the artists feel like Donald needs clothes, but only a shirt and not pants? Well, may that's a good place to stop... all the deep pondering from this post might help you reach enlightenment, or might just make you question reality and give you a headache. Not a good way to start Monday morning.

Olympic Photos

This is a link to an ESPN page where the guys has funny titles for photos from the olympics. Not all funny, but several are. For instance the Sexy Back one.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=gallo/080815&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos2

Enjoy

Couldn't resist...

This is the state that I currently reside in. I got the news story from Dave Barry's blog. Here's one of his posts from Beijing I liked. I recommend clicking on some other posts too, especially if you're not familiar with his writing.

Harry Potter and other stuff

For all you illiterate Harry Potter fans, I hate to be the barer of bad new, but... looks as if those associated with the film want to take a serious haul to Gringotts so you're going to have to wait. If you still haven't read book 6 (The Half Blood Prince)you'll have a little longer, but let's be honest if you haven't read it by now you're probably not going to. In the mean time you can always just watch this. I tried to find just a clip to post of it but could only find the whole episode... it's a pretty good one so worth watching, specific Harry Potter allusions begin around the 8:45 mark. I love right before the 17:00 mark, Homer: "Time for me to do what I do best, lie to children." And then, "Mustache power, Activate!"

Time for a new title?

Use comments to make your suggestions for a new blog title. Seeing as how only a fraction of the post are about music, and the blog hasn't turned out exactly like I thought it might be time to update the title. Everybody brainstorm, make some comments and then I'll print out the suggestions, hang them up, and throw a dart to decide. Remember, it has to be clever and funny, but less funny every time you hear it... something like the B-sharps.

Family Home Evening

If you've been watching the Olympics at all then the cat is already out of the bag for you. Hell may or may not be freezing over as I type this, and all of Germany is planning a boycott of all NBC shows because Knight Rider is back and with a new leading man (as seen below).I'm not sure how to take this. First off, I never really watched the original show when I was a kid. I'd seen the occasional episode, but by no means was a regular viewer so it's not like I'm worried about the integrity (supposed integrity, notice italics='s cynicism) but isn't this kind of lame? You take a mediocre show from the 80's and just can't let it die. Granted it did give us this beauty
but that hardly justifies a comeback of the show. Remind me again why the writers thought going on strike was such a good idea? Oh that's right. Because they are so creative they could never be replaced... I get it. That's right people, this is the world we live in. Writers want better pay and will strike to get it while they put out Knight Rider, again. Disney movies are put out straight to DVD (I think I say Cinderella: First Blood part 2 the other day). Even a show I actually like (The Office) is a rip off a show already made in the UK. Does anyone have an agent in Hollywood I could call. I think me and a writing team of lobotomized monkeys could come up with something better than all this. Well, believe it or not the point of this post isn't just to rant and rip on Hollywood writers, because good ones are still out there. And here's the proof. Enjoy this clip and re-enjoy it when you think about it next Monday night when you're hanging out with your family.

Statue of Voldamort

I saw this in the Castel Sant'Angelo, which was the tomb of one of the emperors.

Blame it on the rain... or Mao?

Well this is just depressing. Not surprising, but depressing. I would say I haven't been this depressed since...well, you guys get the picture (although Milli Vanilli really is a bit depressing, read here and here specifically) . I mean the little girl who actually sang didn't look that bad, she's only seven so she's at least a little cute just because of her age. Here's my favorite part (taken from Yahoo's version of the story):

He said the final decision to stage the event with Lin lip-synching to another girl's voice was taken after a senior member of China's ruling Communist Party politburo attended a rehearsal.

"He told us there was a problem that we needed to fix it, so we did," he said, without disclosing further details of the order.

Hopefully the girls won't need too much therapy when all is said and done. The opening ceremonies were cool, but on a serious note I couldn't help but think about this (read the last line under design) and now Milli Vanilli (less serious note) all over again.

Tracks and blah blahs

More tracks to the SP's... I know to you guys still not taking advantage of the SP's that is the same as typing blah blah, hence today's title. So the latest track is put on with Tim in mind. The band is called Biffy Clyro... not the best name but I think this track will be right up your alley. The band is like a Scottish Blink 182/Jimmy Eat World that sometimes goes a bit heavier. They also do some funny stuff like covers of Rihanna, and Buddy Holly (the Weezer song, not actual Buddy Holly). So anyway, I'm not always into that type of music so this band for me is very hit and miss. So obviously I chose one of the tracks I like called "Folding Stars." Lyrics here are actually pretty serious and just so you know Elanor in the song is the singers mom (not ex or anything like that) and the song is his way of dealing with her passing. As usual I put tracks out for your listening pleasure, enjoy them if you like (or not) and who knows you might like a band you hear and want to hear more of their stuff. Comments on this and all SP's songs are welcome (as usual).

Plato, Gollum, and Napoleon (Dynamite that is)

Lately, I'm really liking the Monday posts so while I'm not making any promises I might make Monday a regular posting day. Of course, if nothing is going on or I get too busy well this is a tradition that might not be long for this world.

I am always looking for something funny to throw at you guys. Even though I do like to reflect or make a serious post from time to time I love the funny stuff. Like pictures like this one.Maybe it's not that funny, but I think it is... but I'm easily amused. But I'm not posting it just for its own sake. I actually found a somewhat related story to justify this picture. Read it here.

On a more serious note, the first thing I thought of when I read the story is this. Or more specifically this. A little bit of a scary thought, right? Plus we all remember this and don't want to turn out like this...
If you know me well, you know I love technology (but not as much as you, you see... always and forever, etc...)(click that one only with caution, potential time waster) and not wanting to sound like a Luddite here, but maybe somethings are best left undiscovered. That is, unless of course they get that to work... in which case sign me up for an invisibility cloak baby. What do you guys think about the idea of an actual working invisibility cloak?

Have you ever been bitten by a fruit bat?

Here's a little video clip you might all enjoy. It's from a website called funny or die. If you haven't been to it, there are some pretty funny clips there. I first went to the site to see this clip, but as you look around there's some pretty funny stuff. Enjoy.

Need some wood?

John Kerry: And you know why he gets that count? [that 800,000 "small businesses" would pay more taxes under Kerry's tax plan] The president got $84 from a timber company that [he] owns, and he's counted as a small business. Dick Cheney's counted as a small business. That's how they do things. That's just not right.

George Bush: I own a timber company? That's news to me ... Need some wood?

Not sure if you guys watched the debates from the last presidential go around ('04) but the above was probably my favorite exchange of the whole campaign. But, in all seriousness I don't really use this blog to talk about politics, and I'm not one to tell others what to believe or vote for. I did want to take the occasion of the announced federal budget to say on thing though. The budget is at a new record (though not the highest percent of GDP ever spent, a topic for another time). I know sometimes my post use a lot of links in them, but I hope this is one you'll click on, and read (it's really short). The main point on want to make is that the government is taking your money whether you want them to or not, so why not tell them how you'd like it to be spent, and how much of it they should take? One interesting item from the link is this tidbit. If that much money is being spent on my family, I'd like to know what on and have some input... turns out I'm not really a Buick kinda guy. Without wanting to preach politics, I do wish people would be more involved (get an RSS feed reader like google reader and have some news and political blogs sent to it... this isn't rocket science people) and take some responsibility... our current congress with its 9% approval rating didn't get into office by itself.

Ok, I'm stepping down off the soapbox. In other Music Snob news, put another Built to Spill track on the SPs, as an autobiographical piece. I'm the kind of person who hates to see animals suffer, to the point I even hate squishing (some) bugs. Well, at least ladybugs and certain other types if possible I'll toss out the front door without squishing. I don't have the heart to smash fireflies and dragonflies for instance. Houseflies are another bug entirely. Oh man do I hate flies. I'm not typically violent and can usually keep my cool, but they get my blood boiling and our apartment was full of them this weekend. We had our carpets cleaned Friday afternoon, which was nice as they look and feel much nicer, but that meant the front door had to remain propped open for half an hour plus. I was going into a frenzy on those things all weekend. When I start swatting them, I guess I vent on them... so maybe flies in the apartments not so bad. Never mind, it can't be good for my blood pressure.

Also put another Interpol track on the SPs that I like, love the part in the middle (The "I know you tried" part). A really "pop"track from Pascal. Don't listen too often as music that sugary can cause cavities. And finally, a very catchy track from Sigur Ros. They might not be the easiest to get into, but this is a song I would consider to be a single, that is a song that could be played with success on mainstream radio. I like Sigur Ros, but have to say I bet hanging out with them is probably goes one of two ways, they're either very cool (and you find yourself smiling and nodding a lot when they talk), or it's more like hanging out with certain kids we've all know. You know... the type were you actually cringe when they say certain things, and you think to yourself "people just don't think that way/say stuff like that out loud do they? Huh, apparently they do." Then other people stick up for them and say stuff like "Oh, they're just really artistic/creative" and you think to yourself "now I remember why I don't like being described as artsy, and since when does creativity equal dorkness/social inadequacy?" Good times with the artsy nerds.

P.S. All the artsy people I know are of the cool variety, so this wasn't a veiled jab at any of them... just so you know.