Amy MacDonald

I have a music recommendation that I'd like to recommend: Amy MacDonald.

She's sort of an acoustic Cranberries meet Johnny Cash with, oddly enough, a little Coldplay thrown in to boot. It's very infectious, to me, with a tune or two playing in my head even when I'm not listening to it. Sort of like the first time you heard Twisted Sister's "Stay Hungry" album... (a few of you will know what I mean) You just love it the first time you hear it. Sadly, I fear, she may have a slight Pet Shop Boys theory of songsmithing where every song is just sort of the same song. But I love this song.

State Quarters

About 10 years ago, I was at a local video store renting the video tape de jour. The place was called Moovies. "Moovies" was a cute place. They had a cow as a mascot... and well, that was about it, I guess, but I digress. Anyway, the guy behind the counter gave me my change and I noticed a strange thing. A goofy looking quarter with Delaware on it.

I said, "Hey, pal, what are trying to pull? You're messing with the wrong amigo, amigo!" And then I punched him in the neck. He asked me to relax and said it was a new quarter. They were doing a new one for each state over the next ten years. I said that I was going to check into that and if I found otherwise, I'd be back for him and his little dog too. Turns out he was right. I've saved each new state quarter that I got and as of this afternoon, thanks to Hawaii, I've completed the set. I wish now that I kept at least two so I'd have two sets but then I'd want three... and on and on and on.

True story, except for the neck punching part, I dressed that up. At the very least, I've managed to save $12.50 over the last ten years. Not too shabby.

#2 Birthday

Happy 2nd Birthday, Samuel. Two years... tick, tock... it goes pretty fast. Here a couple pics from Grandma's get together last Saturday.

Christmastime is Here

I thought I'd jump in on the post your tree thread. I also submitted our tree to the "Is Your Tree Hot or Not" site and currently have a 8.5 rating! (I'm kidding)

Tom Joad

I'd like to make a quick post about Bruce Springsteen's album "The Ghost of Tom Joad". I remember when it came out in 1995 and I wanted to hear it but knew it was an all acoustic album and I guess I was just never in the mood. Having been a fan of his acoustic "Nebraska" album, I figured I would get around to it sooner or later. Well, 13 years later, I got around to it. I can't seem to stop listening to it. It is a fantastic album and tells some wonderful, if not very sad, stories of the hardships of life. Funny how he has a way of moving you to caring about a guy who blows himself up cooking Meth.

The title, Tom Joad, comes from the novel "The Grapes of Wrath". Woodie Guthrie sang "The Ballad of Tom Joad" and here the Boss talks about issues of modern times with the same desperation of the dust bowl era. "Hunger is a powerful thing."

Anywho, I wonder if I had gotten it 13 years ago would it have impressed me as much. Probably not. Times change and people change. Then I would have let it go as another CD that was just OK. I wonder if some other CDs that I don't care much for would have greater impact on me at other times in my life. You know how they say if you didn't read "The Catcher in the Rye" when you were in High School, you just won't get it.? I guess I know what they mean.

I don't think of it as 13 years of not knowing this album. I'm glad I waited. I'm glad I have it now and will always have it as one of my favorites for years to come.

Meatheads Good Times

A blog is born... I'd like to introduce you and send props out to a new blog: Meatheads Good Times

Meathead, aka Petie, Beatie and sometimes Justin, has been a good friend in good standing for sometime now. We used to work together until he flew off to his greener pastures. I can guarantee you will never "meat" and more genuine, honest and Shawshank Redemption lovin' guy. Let's all welcome Captain Meathead!

Finally something great on YouTube!

I found this on Chuck's blog today and just had to steal it...

John Williams is the Man!

Check it, Rock Cat

This guy gives good guitar players a bad name.... The 1:45 mark really gets my goat.