October is almost over so this one's overdue.
With U2 in town (probably more accurately described as "in region") on Tue (10/6) night and a couple of tickets in hand, 220 miles between Columbia and Atlanta seemed a small price to pay for the band that has painted the musical backdrop to my adolescent and adult life. There were a few hurdles to overcome, maybe a potential story or two as a result and a good time most likely lay ahead for me and my buddy Jim in ATL. I hadn't seen Bono and the boys play since the stupendous Elevation Tour 6 years ago. Although some negatives were lining up on the debit side of the ledger, the credits seemed to be accruing nicely.
I don't pay much attention to the whims of the American consumer but the lack of sales for Horizon really did reflect poorly on a bunch of disappointing singles. Get on Your Boots, Magnificent, Breath were weak and unfortunately, they set the tone for the concert. I was, however, looking forward to Unknown Caller with its singalong hook and killer lyrics and I thought No Line on the Horizon would turn out to be a good or great live song, maybe like Elevation turned out live. Well, no Unknown Caller and a underwhelming No Line on the Horizon. Overall, the venue, the sound, the playlist and ultimately the challenging drive home all made for a disappointing night. Let's just say that I survived.
Quick list of disappointments:
1. They did not play Pride (In the Name of Love) in MLK's home town. WTF?
2. I Will Follow, Gloria, Bad, and Two Hearts among others were avoided
3. Weak versions of Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found and Elevation.
4. I hate stadium shows, no matter how big the video screens, the space staion and speakers. I guess I knew that's where the show was being played but it still was disappointing.
5. Too much time with pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi and her plight with the Burmese government. I guess I'm a bit too shallow...
Here's to hoping the next time is a bit more intimate (like Philips Arena (?!), instead of a freaking dome) with a stronger playlist.
Despite the letdown, I really love these guys and hoping this isn't the beginning of the end for my favorite band. I really am looking forward to bringing my three little guys for a once in a lifetime experience and hoping that the show wows them like many have in the past for me.
U2 at the Rose Bowl
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
9-09-09
Heteronym...palindrome? Although the definition (a palindrome is a word or phrase which reads the same in both directions) does not exactly work in this case, I still like the date. The number "9" has always been a favorite and when my firstborn was born on 3-3-99, it felt like kharma. Although the B's Johnny Bucyk wore the number in my early hockey watching days (and I did love the Chief's frequent hip checks), there really was not a #9 I looked up to in the Boston sporting world. Basketball Jesus Larry wore #33 for the C's but maybe, just maybe, subliminally or genetically I received my mom's love for Ted Williams and his famous "9." Maybe it wasn't subliminal at all?!
It seems big numbers are popping up more frequently these days and I can't seem to avoid a 20 year anniversary of this or 25 year anniversary of that to save my life. Those dates used to happen to somebody else. Now, I reflect and just say, "25 years, really?" My 25 year high school reunion, which I missed this year due to work commitments, happened in the spring. Interestingly enough, Boston Latin School is celebrating its 375th year of existence in 2010 (it antecedes Harvard by a year) and I'm going to somehow take part in that. I'm hoping to take my little ones to Boston and introduce them to some significant, fellow alumnae (Cotton Mather, Henry Knox, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Joe Kennedy, John Honey Fitz Fitzgerald, George Santayana, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leonard Bernstein, Jack O'Callaghan to name a few). I didn't realize at the time that I was part of the 349th graduating class from BLS and I guess that goes to show you how little perspective an 18-year-old has for what is going around him in the past, present and future. I don't think there's a name yet invented for a 375 year celebration but I'm looking foward to experiencing BLS's quadricentennial celebration... With grandchildren, perhaps?
Yet another 20-year anniversary appeared in 2009: the 20 year anniversary of the release of the Pixies' seminal work "Doolittle." I do remember my first listen and thinking, "Damn, this is probably as out there as I'm going to get, but it is good." References to aliens, nightmares, mutilation and b-movie horror heroes seemed exquisitely normal and inviting yet disturbing, and the screams interspersed with lilting tunes and captivating beach music seemed par for the course. Of course, after years of consistent play, multiple live shows (along with a few good stories) it found a special place and now is a top 3 album of all time. In honor of the Pixies, I named my fantasy football team "Wave of Mutilation" and tried to explain the title to my good buddy, a Rush-loving Canadian whose musical tastes don't often bump into lead singers that scream "Got me a movie,ha ha ha, slicing up eyeballs, ha ha ha ha, girl is so groovy, ha ha ha, I want to be, be a debaser..." Unfortunately, I'm most likely not going to take in any of the dozen or so shows where the Pixies are going to play Doolittle start to finish. Like the Decemberists with their Hazards of Love, these "concept" shows are the rage these days.
How 'bout those band leader names, like the Pixies' own Black Francis aka Frank Black? A couple of my new favorite noms de plume (or whatever you call a singer pseudonym) are Jay Reatard, Art Brut and Kurt Vile. They may be their birth names but somehow seem the musical equivalent of porn pseudonyms, like my buddy Murph's alias M. Clydesdale. How does one appropriate one of those names? Do you just go down to the local town hall with your birth certificate and say my name is now Marvelous Marvin Hagler? Are you even allowed to give yourself a pseudonym or do the rules follow the key nickname taboo: thou shall not give yourself a nickname, it must come from somebody else. Isn't that righ A-Train? Do you think, maybe, the scenario plays out something like this; "Hi my name is Paul David Hewson and I will from now on be referred to as Bono Vox or maybe just "Bono." Yeah, Bono works just fine. And my friend here, you and all others shall refer to him as The Edge and he will forever wear a skull cap." What the hell happened there? Anyway, Art Brut is quite a character and I've enjoyed a few of his interviews and a number of his songs. Very entertaining. Art Brut vs. Satan contains such gems as "Alcoholics Unanimous" and DC Comics and Milkshakes. His song "Moving to LA" has the following lines:
I'm drinking Henessey
With Morrissey
On a beach
Out of reach
Somewhere very far away"
Nice.
Well, that's it folks. Gotta get my sleep in preparation for Nation's Triathlon this weekend. TO, JG, Planman, B-Hee, Speed Wilkinson and The Crusha are battling it out for athletic supremacy. Who will gain the bragging rights to the best middle aged athlete of 2009? I'll let you know next month...
It seems big numbers are popping up more frequently these days and I can't seem to avoid a 20 year anniversary of this or 25 year anniversary of that to save my life. Those dates used to happen to somebody else. Now, I reflect and just say, "25 years, really?" My 25 year high school reunion, which I missed this year due to work commitments, happened in the spring. Interestingly enough, Boston Latin School is celebrating its 375th year of existence in 2010 (it antecedes Harvard by a year) and I'm going to somehow take part in that. I'm hoping to take my little ones to Boston and introduce them to some significant, fellow alumnae (Cotton Mather, Henry Knox, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Joe Kennedy, John Honey Fitz Fitzgerald, George Santayana, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leonard Bernstein, Jack O'Callaghan to name a few). I didn't realize at the time that I was part of the 349th graduating class from BLS and I guess that goes to show you how little perspective an 18-year-old has for what is going around him in the past, present and future. I don't think there's a name yet invented for a 375 year celebration but I'm looking foward to experiencing BLS's quadricentennial celebration... With grandchildren, perhaps?
Yet another 20-year anniversary appeared in 2009: the 20 year anniversary of the release of the Pixies' seminal work "Doolittle." I do remember my first listen and thinking, "Damn, this is probably as out there as I'm going to get, but it is good." References to aliens, nightmares, mutilation and b-movie horror heroes seemed exquisitely normal and inviting yet disturbing, and the screams interspersed with lilting tunes and captivating beach music seemed par for the course. Of course, after years of consistent play, multiple live shows (along with a few good stories) it found a special place and now is a top 3 album of all time. In honor of the Pixies, I named my fantasy football team "Wave of Mutilation" and tried to explain the title to my good buddy, a Rush-loving Canadian whose musical tastes don't often bump into lead singers that scream "Got me a movie,ha ha ha, slicing up eyeballs, ha ha ha ha, girl is so groovy, ha ha ha, I want to be, be a debaser..." Unfortunately, I'm most likely not going to take in any of the dozen or so shows where the Pixies are going to play Doolittle start to finish. Like the Decemberists with their Hazards of Love, these "concept" shows are the rage these days.
How 'bout those band leader names, like the Pixies' own Black Francis aka Frank Black? A couple of my new favorite noms de plume (or whatever you call a singer pseudonym) are Jay Reatard, Art Brut and Kurt Vile. They may be their birth names but somehow seem the musical equivalent of porn pseudonyms, like my buddy Murph's alias M. Clydesdale. How does one appropriate one of those names? Do you just go down to the local town hall with your birth certificate and say my name is now Marvelous Marvin Hagler? Are you even allowed to give yourself a pseudonym or do the rules follow the key nickname taboo: thou shall not give yourself a nickname, it must come from somebody else. Isn't that righ A-Train? Do you think, maybe, the scenario plays out something like this; "Hi my name is Paul David Hewson and I will from now on be referred to as Bono Vox or maybe just "Bono." Yeah, Bono works just fine. And my friend here, you and all others shall refer to him as The Edge and he will forever wear a skull cap." What the hell happened there? Anyway, Art Brut is quite a character and I've enjoyed a few of his interviews and a number of his songs. Very entertaining. Art Brut vs. Satan contains such gems as "Alcoholics Unanimous" and DC Comics and Milkshakes. His song "Moving to LA" has the following lines:
I'm drinking Henessey
With Morrissey
On a beach
Out of reach
Somewhere very far away"
Nice.
Well, that's it folks. Gotta get my sleep in preparation for Nation's Triathlon this weekend. TO, JG, Planman, B-Hee, Speed Wilkinson and The Crusha are battling it out for athletic supremacy. Who will gain the bragging rights to the best middle aged athlete of 2009? I'll let you know next month...
Monday, July 27, 2009
August - Been Caught Stealing
It's been a while since my last Lollapalooza show. 1995 was the year. Bosstones, Sonic Youth, Cypress Hill, Pavement are some of the notables amongst many others. Man, that sounds good to say and yes, despite their rather limited vocal range, the passion and intensity of these bands was/is always there.
As the 30s and adulthood surfaced and then slipped away, the 40s arrived with little fanfare, and even fewer concerts. Hey, the desire still remains but opportunities appear far less frequently. Entire weekends spent with very few worries at "music festivals" seem incredibly distant, more appealing yet highly unlikely. England had Glastonbury, the south has Bonnaroo, the west has Coachella and the northeast has All Points West but Perry Farrell, Jim Rose and his freak show of a circus called Lollapalooza was the place to be...Sonic Youth, Cypress Hill, Rage Against the Machine and Jane's Addiction (or just Perry) seemed to always be there. This year's bill looks good but..
While only claiming stake to three of the shows (and none of the recent incarnation), I dearly appreciate Perry Farrell's attempt to pull this all together. The 1995 show in Quonset, RI was especially entertaining for me. After a 5 hour, 50 mile drive, interspersed with tailgating and socializing directly on Route 95S (L7 missed their set due to "traffic"), a 6 hour sun-drenched, beer-baked, dust-infested chaos of "dancing" to the Beastie Boys, George Clinton, et al, we fought through a crowd of about 77k to desperately reach the front of the stage for the Smashing Pumpkins set. What a surprise then to discover my mate's feeling of "claustrophobia" and the need "get away from people" as we retreated to the back and nearly out of sight of the Pumpkins.
Having seen the Pumpkins a few times live and never feeling anything but slight disappointment, I guess I didn't miss that much. Hey, two of the best shows I've ever attended came out of the blue with little or no expectations. Vasco Da Gama and Concussion Ensemble, both side projects for other better known Boston bands in the 80s/90s (Zulus, Laurie Geltman Project) took me away from Landsdowne Street and Mass Ave respectively and brought me to another place. Unfortunately, I think VDG played maybe one other show and it's difficult to find any audio or video history of them. Concussion Ensemble, formerly reunited on a yearly basis and played shows at the Middle East and similar smaller clubs in Boston is out of service, or at minimum, out of my sphere of life. I managed to find a youtube video and posted on the sidebar for your enjoyment.
Hey, a little Birdie informed me that the Pixies have reformed and again are touring both the east and west coast with original band members Frank Black (aka Black Francis), Kim Deal and Joey Santiago. Ever since the first time I heard Kim Deal strum the first base chord and whisper on Gigantic, "And this I know, His teeth as white as snow," I was hooked. Doolitlle, clearly one of the most influential indie albums of all time, still is probably my favorite album of all time. My 2008 yearbook quote would definitely be from their classic Wave of Mutilation:
"cease to resist, giving my goodbye
drive my car into the ocean
you'll think i'm dead, but i sail away
on a wave of mutilation
a wave
wave
i've kissed mermaids, rode the el nino
walked the sand with the crustaceans
could find my way to mariana
on a wave of mutilation,"
Out, BC
As the 30s and adulthood surfaced and then slipped away, the 40s arrived with little fanfare, and even fewer concerts. Hey, the desire still remains but opportunities appear far less frequently. Entire weekends spent with very few worries at "music festivals" seem incredibly distant, more appealing yet highly unlikely. England had Glastonbury, the south has Bonnaroo, the west has Coachella and the northeast has All Points West but Perry Farrell, Jim Rose and his freak show of a circus called Lollapalooza was the place to be...Sonic Youth, Cypress Hill, Rage Against the Machine and Jane's Addiction (or just Perry) seemed to always be there. This year's bill looks good but..
While only claiming stake to three of the shows (and none of the recent incarnation), I dearly appreciate Perry Farrell's attempt to pull this all together. The 1995 show in Quonset, RI was especially entertaining for me. After a 5 hour, 50 mile drive, interspersed with tailgating and socializing directly on Route 95S (L7 missed their set due to "traffic"), a 6 hour sun-drenched, beer-baked, dust-infested chaos of "dancing" to the Beastie Boys, George Clinton, et al, we fought through a crowd of about 77k to desperately reach the front of the stage for the Smashing Pumpkins set. What a surprise then to discover my mate's feeling of "claustrophobia" and the need "get away from people" as we retreated to the back and nearly out of sight of the Pumpkins.
Having seen the Pumpkins a few times live and never feeling anything but slight disappointment, I guess I didn't miss that much. Hey, two of the best shows I've ever attended came out of the blue with little or no expectations. Vasco Da Gama and Concussion Ensemble, both side projects for other better known Boston bands in the 80s/90s (Zulus, Laurie Geltman Project) took me away from Landsdowne Street and Mass Ave respectively and brought me to another place. Unfortunately, I think VDG played maybe one other show and it's difficult to find any audio or video history of them. Concussion Ensemble, formerly reunited on a yearly basis and played shows at the Middle East and similar smaller clubs in Boston is out of service, or at minimum, out of my sphere of life. I managed to find a youtube video and posted on the sidebar for your enjoyment.
Hey, a little Birdie informed me that the Pixies have reformed and again are touring both the east and west coast with original band members Frank Black (aka Black Francis), Kim Deal and Joey Santiago. Ever since the first time I heard Kim Deal strum the first base chord and whisper on Gigantic, "And this I know, His teeth as white as snow," I was hooked. Doolitlle, clearly one of the most influential indie albums of all time, still is probably my favorite album of all time. My 2008 yearbook quote would definitely be from their classic Wave of Mutilation:
"cease to resist, giving my goodbye
drive my car into the ocean
you'll think i'm dead, but i sail away
on a wave of mutilation
a wave
wave
i've kissed mermaids, rode the el nino
walked the sand with the crustaceans
could find my way to mariana
on a wave of mutilation,"
Out, BC
Friday, May 29, 2009
New Music Monday II - A Summer Fiesta Scottish Style
So much time, so little to say...
I've found my new favorite band name...We Were Promised Jetpacks. Love it. Not sure if they're going to last in my little world or in the slightly bigger indie world or the much wider expanse of the pop music world. I have no idea what's in this new Scottish band's best interest but the name rocks. I might be caught up in the newness of the relationship with WWPJ(p) as could have been the case with the Scottish band the Futureheads. They seemed to scream The Jam (high praise indeed) but I've cooled off a bit on them. Not sure if it was them or me. Maybe we didn't communicate enough...???
It really is hard to figure what's in the listener's best interest regarding commercial success for their favorite bands. I guess, the best case scenario is U2, a great band out of the gate that consistently (and I mean real-life not Hollywood consistency) makes great music, stays together, and then manages to reinvent itself and then puts on a tour that kicks ass. Damn, it's the soundtrack to my life. From Unknown Caller (a new U2 top 5 for me):
"I was right there at the top of the bottom / On the edge of the known universe where I wanted to be / I had driven to the scene of the accident / And I sat there waiting for me /Restart and re-boot yourself / You’re free to go / Oh, oh / Shout for joy if you get the chance / Password, you, enter here, right now / Oh, oh / You know your name so punch it in / Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak / Shush now / Oh, oh / Then don’t move or say a thing"
Enough U2 and Ireland, let's get back to Scotland. When I hear that burr I can't help but reflect on my favorite Scottish band and song of all time: In a Big Country by Big Country on the album...Big Country (of course!). What a guilty pleasure! When that song hits the radio, it is cranked!
Another Scottish name to store for future reference is Natasha Khan from Bat for Lashes. She has a sweet voice and will probably find her way to a modicum of success in America. I listened to an interview with her and was sucked into her world (or more likely my fantasy world) of castles, fog shrouded forests and that Scottish super-meat haggis. What a meal...ahhh.
I've found my new favorite band name...We Were Promised Jetpacks. Love it. Not sure if they're going to last in my little world or in the slightly bigger indie world or the much wider expanse of the pop music world. I have no idea what's in this new Scottish band's best interest but the name rocks. I might be caught up in the newness of the relationship with WWPJ(p) as could have been the case with the Scottish band the Futureheads. They seemed to scream The Jam (high praise indeed) but I've cooled off a bit on them. Not sure if it was them or me. Maybe we didn't communicate enough...???
It really is hard to figure what's in the listener's best interest regarding commercial success for their favorite bands. I guess, the best case scenario is U2, a great band out of the gate that consistently (and I mean real-life not Hollywood consistency) makes great music, stays together, and then manages to reinvent itself and then puts on a tour that kicks ass. Damn, it's the soundtrack to my life. From Unknown Caller (a new U2 top 5 for me):
"I was right there at the top of the bottom / On the edge of the known universe where I wanted to be / I had driven to the scene of the accident / And I sat there waiting for me /Restart and re-boot yourself / You’re free to go / Oh, oh / Shout for joy if you get the chance / Password, you, enter here, right now / Oh, oh / You know your name so punch it in / Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak / Shush now / Oh, oh / Then don’t move or say a thing"
Enough U2 and Ireland, let's get back to Scotland. When I hear that burr I can't help but reflect on my favorite Scottish band and song of all time: In a Big Country by Big Country on the album...Big Country (of course!). What a guilty pleasure! When that song hits the radio, it is cranked!
Another Scottish name to store for future reference is Natasha Khan from Bat for Lashes. She has a sweet voice and will probably find her way to a modicum of success in America. I listened to an interview with her and was sucked into her world (or more likely my fantasy world) of castles, fog shrouded forests and that Scottish super-meat haggis. What a meal...ahhh.
Monday, May 4, 2009
New Music Monday I - Quattro de Mayo
As the Caps and Pens battle away in the background, I bring you the first of a (potentially) weekly ensemble of music, pop culture, sports, philosophy, health, fitness and yeah...music musings. Each Monday, after a pair of 2 hour drives between Charleston and Columbia, SC, I thank my lucky stars that our government has put our vast array of satellites to good commercial use and created the underpinnings for SiriusXM Radio. Please stay solvent my little satellite entertainment provider. It is the best 12 bucks a month I spend.
Let me start with Larry the Duck and his dj gig (6 years now) on SiriusXM's 1st Wave radio station. As many of you know, Larry the Duck goes back to mid-80s new wave days on Long Island at the Garden City studios of WLIR/DRE. Great stuff like the Ramones, The Cure, Smiths and lots of other not so great bands like Shreikback, Scritti Politti, Howard Jones and ABC spewed forth from Jones Beach to Jones Hall on LI. Although my mind often fails me in important situations, it never ceases to amaze me that I can recall the exact falsetto scream in a Gene Loves Jezebel song (Motion of Love) or some other half-assed, cliched lyric uttered by an utterly forgettable (yet unforgettable) English lead singer from the new wave band du jour. Like a good Depeche Mode or Peter Bjorn and John song, I find these songs, bands, personalities and memories all guilty pleasures. Anyway, Larry the Duck (and Malibu Sue?) are alive and well and greatly appreciated.
Even with my penchant for "the classic new wave" of the 80s, my favorite station on XM is XMU, the new "college music" station. Zach would love it and probably does. Lots of new stuff out of left field, classic great bands like Sonic Youth and hot new bands like The National, Arcade Fire and this week's Quattro de Mayo special: the Henry Clay People. Check em out on the cool music blog aquarium drunkard. Kind of an Uncle Tupelo meets Replacements band. Hmm...that sounds good.
As you know, as we get older, it gets harder and harder to see live bands and I have a "just missed, a "nice catch" and "can't wait" show for you. On the "just missed" side of things, Dinosaur Jr. came through Charleston a few weeks back along with Mike Watt from the Minutemen and fireHose. Dino Jr, a classic 80s/90s garage band from Amherst, Ma has a number of great albums and songs. Feel the Pain is one of my faves. Also, my friend Jen knows J. Mascis, the lead singer and Lou Barlow from Sebadoh is also great. As a "nice catch," I caught American Aquarium at the Pour House in CHS. Interestingly enough, we had a very impressive breast exposure incident. There was a fairly attractive, over-served and exuberant young lass that insisted on obtaining the bass player's hat. In good rock n roll form, he traded the hat for a boob shot and we were all amply rewarded. Long live rock n roll! Of course, U2 (in ATL) is my "can't wait" show in October. In my own version of High Fidelity, this band would be the soundtrack to my life. I do remember a party in Boston in 1984 when a bunch of girls in black introduced me to u2. My best buddy Sean was already into the Clash, the Jam, Elvis Costello but I was not on board yet and thanks to Sean, I found Elvis, Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, Paul Weller and Bono. Nice.
That's all I have tonight. I hope you're all well and enjoying the view from the bridgewing.
BC
Let me start with Larry the Duck and his dj gig (6 years now) on SiriusXM's 1st Wave radio station. As many of you know, Larry the Duck goes back to mid-80s new wave days on Long Island at the Garden City studios of WLIR/DRE. Great stuff like the Ramones, The Cure, Smiths and lots of other not so great bands like Shreikback, Scritti Politti, Howard Jones and ABC spewed forth from Jones Beach to Jones Hall on LI. Although my mind often fails me in important situations, it never ceases to amaze me that I can recall the exact falsetto scream in a Gene Loves Jezebel song (Motion of Love) or some other half-assed, cliched lyric uttered by an utterly forgettable (yet unforgettable) English lead singer from the new wave band du jour. Like a good Depeche Mode or Peter Bjorn and John song, I find these songs, bands, personalities and memories all guilty pleasures. Anyway, Larry the Duck (and Malibu Sue?) are alive and well and greatly appreciated.
Even with my penchant for "the classic new wave" of the 80s, my favorite station on XM is XMU, the new "college music" station. Zach would love it and probably does. Lots of new stuff out of left field, classic great bands like Sonic Youth and hot new bands like The National, Arcade Fire and this week's Quattro de Mayo special: the Henry Clay People. Check em out on the cool music blog aquarium drunkard. Kind of an Uncle Tupelo meets Replacements band. Hmm...that sounds good.
As you know, as we get older, it gets harder and harder to see live bands and I have a "just missed, a "nice catch" and "can't wait" show for you. On the "just missed" side of things, Dinosaur Jr. came through Charleston a few weeks back along with Mike Watt from the Minutemen and fireHose. Dino Jr, a classic 80s/90s garage band from Amherst, Ma has a number of great albums and songs. Feel the Pain is one of my faves. Also, my friend Jen knows J. Mascis, the lead singer and Lou Barlow from Sebadoh is also great. As a "nice catch," I caught American Aquarium at the Pour House in CHS. Interestingly enough, we had a very impressive breast exposure incident. There was a fairly attractive, over-served and exuberant young lass that insisted on obtaining the bass player's hat. In good rock n roll form, he traded the hat for a boob shot and we were all amply rewarded. Long live rock n roll! Of course, U2 (in ATL) is my "can't wait" show in October. In my own version of High Fidelity, this band would be the soundtrack to my life. I do remember a party in Boston in 1984 when a bunch of girls in black introduced me to u2. My best buddy Sean was already into the Clash, the Jam, Elvis Costello but I was not on board yet and thanks to Sean, I found Elvis, Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, Paul Weller and Bono. Nice.
That's all I have tonight. I hope you're all well and enjoying the view from the bridgewing.
BC
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Happy Patriot's Day
All I could think of during that hostage situation on the lifeboat was "Damn, I hope the deck cadet did a good job counting the waters and checking for expired rations."
Given that I'm in the heart of Dixie (there is a Confederate Day state holiday here!), I had to reflect on my home state holiday of Patriot's Day (aka Marathon Monday) and say that I miss Boston. Patriot's Day, a celebration of the Lexington and Concord battles, is a great day in Boston with the Sox playing in the morning followed by the finish of the Marathon. By the way, it's usually 43 degrees like today was and everybody is wrecked. Back in 1982, I was a vendor at Fenway and after working the game, made my way over to Boylston Street to see the finish of the race. Hearing the motorcycle engines and the roar of the crowd and seeing Salazar leading Beardsley by a few paces and flying down the street was a sight I will never forget. After Game 7 of the Celts-Lakers in 1984 Finals, it is the best sporting event I have ever seen. You've got to check out the youtube video. Amazing. It was chaos with the crowds and motorcycles. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmzljrUrwKE ) The motorcycle actually bumped Beardsley and almost knocked him down and threw him off his pace and dropped him back. Amazingly, he fought back and closed the gap.
Later dubbed the Duel in the Sun, it is also the best sports book (along with The Greatest Game Ever Played) I've ever read and worth the purchase. Both of them didn't know it but that race physically took it's toll and although they were just reaching their racing peaks, they never ran close to that speed again. It was learned years after that Salazar burned 30+% of his lungs in the mid 70s heat and sun as he did not drink a drop of water through the whole race. Beardsley later was injured in a farm accident and became addicted to pain killers. Both have bounced back and are amazing. Also, both of their times, race records at their time and just off Salazar's world record, are still in the top 6 finishes all time in Boston. The video probably looks like 1932 video of Jesse Owens in the Berlin Olympics but gives me goosebumps.
Well, enough of memory lane. I hope everybody's making their own memories and enjoying life. Let's all get together soon. Tim, Bob, Jay, Bee and I are running an Olympic distance triathlon (.9mi mile swim, 24 mi bike, 6 mi run) in September in DC. I suggest we make a little wager on best finisher. Of course, Tim-O did finish an ironman so we will need to handicap his participation. Tim, we won't physically make you handicapped but you'll have to spot us a leg of the race (maybe the swim). We'll have to think about the stakes at a later date.
All the Best,
BC
Given that I'm in the heart of Dixie (there is a Confederate Day state holiday here!), I had to reflect on my home state holiday of Patriot's Day (aka Marathon Monday) and say that I miss Boston. Patriot's Day, a celebration of the Lexington and Concord battles, is a great day in Boston with the Sox playing in the morning followed by the finish of the Marathon. By the way, it's usually 43 degrees like today was and everybody is wrecked. Back in 1982, I was a vendor at Fenway and after working the game, made my way over to Boylston Street to see the finish of the race. Hearing the motorcycle engines and the roar of the crowd and seeing Salazar leading Beardsley by a few paces and flying down the street was a sight I will never forget. After Game 7 of the Celts-Lakers in 1984 Finals, it is the best sporting event I have ever seen. You've got to check out the youtube video. Amazing. It was chaos with the crowds and motorcycles. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Later dubbed the Duel in the Sun, it is also the best sports book (along with The Greatest Game Ever Played) I've ever read and worth the purchase. Both of them didn't know it but that race physically took it's toll and although they were just reaching their racing peaks, they never ran close to that speed again. It was learned years after that Salazar burned 30+% of his lungs in the mid 70s heat and sun as he did not drink a drop of water through the whole race. Beardsley later was injured in a farm accident and became addicted to pain killers. Both have bounced back and are amazing. Also, both of their times, race records at their time and just off Salazar's world record, are still in the top 6 finishes all time in Boston. The video probably looks like 1932 video of Jesse Owens in the Berlin Olympics but gives me goosebumps.
Well, enough of memory lane. I hope everybody's making their own memories and enjoying life. Let's all get together soon. Tim, Bob, Jay, Bee and I are running an Olympic distance triathlon (.9mi mile swim, 24 mi bike, 6 mi run) in September in DC. I suggest we make a little wager on best finisher. Of course, Tim-O did finish an ironman so we will need to handicap his participation. Tim, we won't physically make you handicapped but you'll have to spot us a leg of the race (maybe the swim). We'll have to think about the stakes at a later date.
All the Best,
BC
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Observations:
For the first year, I really haven't followed March Madness closely and feel I have lost nothing and gained quite a few hours
That doesn't mean I'm not interested but I am in the beginning stages of sports detoxification. First to go, NBA, second to go NFL. I'm hanging on to my Sox.
I said it at the time but I want to repeat. BC made a horrendous decision by moving from the Big East to ACC. Will they realize their mistake and go back with hat in hand. I think not.
Luke Harangoddy will be a better pro than Eric Montross...I mean Tyler Hansborough. I also predicted JJ Reddick would be a good pro. Also, Luke and Fitz hairdos are eerily similar. Did Luke get a too short haircut his freshman year?
Gerald Henderson looks just like his dad. I like them both.
More to follow...
For the first year, I really haven't followed March Madness closely and feel I have lost nothing and gained quite a few hours
That doesn't mean I'm not interested but I am in the beginning stages of sports detoxification. First to go, NBA, second to go NFL. I'm hanging on to my Sox.
I said it at the time but I want to repeat. BC made a horrendous decision by moving from the Big East to ACC. Will they realize their mistake and go back with hat in hand. I think not.
Luke Harangoddy will be a better pro than Eric Montross...I mean Tyler Hansborough. I also predicted JJ Reddick would be a good pro. Also, Luke and Fitz hairdos are eerily similar. Did Luke get a too short haircut his freshman year?
Gerald Henderson looks just like his dad. I like them both.
More to follow...
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