I'm liking The Sheepdogs more and more. There is a cool track called "The First Year" from their 2008 album, The Big Stand and you can download the album for free from their web site: www.thesheepdogs.com.
Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story was on CBC again and it was still just as good as the first time I saw it. Keeso does a kick-ass job in the sequel as well. Hopefully this series gives him a good opportunity in the biz.
The 4 most annoying words in February: Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Get off my TV.
A cool and funny performance of "Where It's At" by Beck...
A conversation came up recently that included Rafael Araujo. The thought of that useless plug still makes me angry to this day. I'm more upset with then Raps GM Rob Babcock, who passed on Andre Iguodala, Al Jefferson and JR Smith among others, than I am at Araujo... but I don't like him either. Hot tip: Hey NBA GM's: if a guy looks retarded and can't jump off the ground then he probably won't pan out real well. See Bryan "Big Country" Reeves for further proof. Babcock is the same genius that traded Vince Carter for a dirty diaper and a flat basketball.
In one of my posts I wrote about one of my favourite comedians, Greg Giraldo, and I just found that he has two albums: "Midlife Vices" and "Good Day to Cross a River". Both are available on iTunes if you can't find anywhere to download them for free. Either way they are worth getting - I was laughing out loud by myself listening to them. Here is a track off of his Good Day to Cross a River album: "Getting Old"
Why do so many bands play heavier and jam out more when they play live than they do on their album? If that's the way they like to play and if that's what they think people want to hear at their shows, then why wouldn't they record their album that way?
The weather this past winter was nuts. Doing stuff in the garage with the door open, spending the day in the yard and BBQing on the deck doesn't usually happen in February, but it was just fine with me.
You may know the band Three Dog Night from songs like "Joy to the World" and "Mama Told Me Not to Come", but most people probably don't know the interesting story of singer Chuck Negron. He was attending California State University on a basketball scholarship when he joined a band which very quickly became successful. As he tells it, he went from being a clean cut university athlete to sitting at a party with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and other rock stars where they were passing around heroin. Negron became a serious drug addict and was living in a box in an alley before finally getting cleaned up. My source on this: The Oprah Winfrey Show of course.
Watched Moneyball recently and really liked it. Beane maybe shoulda taken that offer from the Red Sox. Wonder how they decided on Brad Pitt for that role since he looks nothing like Beane.
Anyone who likes Metallica or heavy music should check out the band The Sword and specifically their Age of Winters album. The song "Freya" is fantastic. Have a listen...
So it's official, the next Winter Classic is going to be at The Big House in Michigan. I guess that wasn't enough to convince Lidstrom to stick around for another year.
There was a lot of different opinions on where Lidstrom ranks all time as a D man now that he has hung up the skates . Having never seen the older guys (Orr, Harvey, etc) play, I think it's only fair to say Orr was the best of his generation and Lidstrom was the best during his era. Clearly Orr was at a completely different level than anyone else for about 7 years, but he only played 9 seasons (I don't count his last 3 since he barely played during those seasons). Lidstrom played at a Norris Trophy caliber for almost his entire 20 year career - and was still considered one of the top defenseman in the league as he retired. I think something should be said for being able to be that good for that long. Gretzky wasn't just incredible for 7 years.
Speaking of Gretzky, it was really cool to listen to him do interviews during the Cup Finals. Such a well spoken, classy dude. Seems like a cool guy to have a few pints with.
Stick it in your ear: Mature Fantasy by Drummer. Drummer is/was actually made up of a bunch of drummers from different bands that happen to play other instruments as well. The band was formed by Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, who plays bass on the album. I guess the old joke, "What do you call a guy who hangs out with musicians? A drummer." doesn't apply to these guys.
I bought a BlackBerry Playbook a while ago and have already sent it back. Twice.
Don't like wearing a mouthguard or a visor during hockey so I tried a cage and it sucks as well. But losing some teeth or an eye sucks a lot more so I guess I will just have to get used to it.
Never ever fly with Spirit Airlines. Both flights on a roundtrip ticket were cancelled at the last minute leaving us to scramble to find another way. No explanations, no assistance, just an angry mob in the airport. On the plus side, I finally got to see the Houston Airport (note: extreme sarcasm intended)!
I'm finding it hard to gauge the Jays so far. They seem very inconsistent and short on enough talent to take the next step. Having said that, if the new bullpen had saved even 50% of the saves they have blown, the Jays would be in terrific shape in the standings.
Speaking of the Jays, I haven't made it down to a game yet this year. Hopefully soon.
With all due respect to people who disagree, I absolutely do not want a traditional funeral and visitation when I die. It is so hard on the family and the people who want to show their support to do it that way. Get together (somewhere fun and comfortable), have a beer (or several!), listen to some Led Zeppelin and tell some stories.
Godsmack's latest release is called "Live and Inspired" and the second disc is 4 cover songs (Rocky Mountain Way, Come Together, Nothing Else Matters and Time), which are all really good. I also recently found a cover of Born on the Bayou by the Foo Fighters, which is excellent. I wish more bands would do this.
There are a bunch of TV series that seem like they would be good but I just can't find the time to get into more TV.
How do you top a beautiful, water-front cottage? How about a beautiful, water-front cottage with a full fridge hooked up - outside!
Cheers,
Bonesminded
