Monday Random Ten

My last random ten until I get settled in Oregon, So I'll do two.

1. Who's Gunna Ride Your Wild Horses - U2 from Achtung Baby
2. Time to Get Ill - The Beastie Boys from Licensed to Ill
3. Ready for the Rain - Dime Store Prophets from Love is Against the Grain
4. Extra Pale - Goo Goo Dolls from Dizzy Up the Girl
5. Happiness is Warm Gun - The Beatles from Anthology 3
6. Never on Sunday - The Chordettes from The Wonder Years Soundrack (Disc 3)
7. Do You Feel Loved - U2 from Pop
8. Alex Descends Into Hell for a Bottle of Milk/Korova 1 - U2 from The Fly Single
9. The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd from Dark Side of the Moon
10. Desire - U2 from Live at Irving Plaza, 12-05-2000

Four u2 songs and I wasn't even trying.

Now my "Road Trip" playlist. I'll take the first random song from each of the following artists, in honor of my dad and I driving up to Oregon together on Father's Day.

First, the bands/people that we have seen together in concert

1. Paul Simon - Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
2. Merle Haggard - Pennies from Heaven
3. Amos Lee - Soul Suckers
(We've also seen Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys and Chicago)

Oh and Dylan, of course(four times) -

1. Every Grain of Sand (Biograph, disc 2)
2. Not Dark Yet (Best of Volume 2)
3. Highway 61 Revisited (Best of Volume 2)
4. I Believe in You (Biograph, disc 3)
5. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Best of Volume 2)
6. Lay Lady Lay (Best of Volume 1)
7. It Ain't Me Babe (Biograph, disc 2)
8. Cold Irons Bound (Time out of Mind)
9. Jokerman (Best of Volume 1)
10. Baby, Let me Follow You Down (Bootleg Series Volume 4)

Sicky Sicky

Mel took Drew into the Doctor this morning, because he still has a fever (it got as high as 103 on Tuesday). Turns out he has a mild ear infection, AND some tonsilitis. He has a non-penicilin med for the ear infection (since Abby and Mom are both allergic) and the tonsilitis should run it's course on it's own.

Fun, fun!

Also, I got the details on my apartment in Oregon: 400 square feet, baby! It comes with a bed and built-in dresser, a closet and....that's about it. The kitchen has a fridge, a range and a sink. My boss, Corey, is giving me a recliner-type chair of his to use and I'll be bringing a card-table and chairs to eat at (and play poker at, of course). He's also trying to get ahold of a microwave for me. If we don't find one up there, I'll go to a thrift store or, worst-case, I'll rent one. Gotta have a nuker!

I am definitely not looking foward to being a bachelor again, especially with the great-unknown ahead of us: How long will it be for?!?!?!?! But I am looking forward to the road-trip to get there. I'm going with my dad, so it'll be nice to get a little time with him, since it might be one of the last chances to do that for quite a while.

List of the Week: Computer Animation

Cars comes out in a few weeks, and my kids are more excited for this than anything they've ever seen. "Look Daddy! Car race movie!!!" In anticipation of (hopefully) another gem from the good people at Pixar, here is my list of the top-ten computer animated movies.


1. Finding Nemo - This is the creme-de-la-creme of the Pixar library. Wonderful story, great characters, perfect voice cast, and it looks spectacular.
2. Toy Story 2 - The first was great and this one improved upon it in so manys.
3. Shrek - I'm in the minority, I think, of people who liked the first one better than the second one. I think it was just so unique and distinguished itself from the Pixar films, that as the original, it really set the tone that was continued in the sequel.
4. Toy Story - Another amazing film. It's crazy, though, how the animation seemed so incredible at the time, but now, compared to the latest CGI flicks, it seems so primative.
5. Monster's Inc. - I love the story so much, and the adventure of it all, that it makes up for some questionable casting (Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly). I'm not a fan of gimmick voice-casting, just to get big names. The voice actor has to fit the part. You want to remember the character, not just who did the voice. If it's a super recognizable voice, it usually doesn't work. John Goodman and Billy Crystal, however, work perfectly. I'm sure it's darn near impossible to get the perfect mix.
6. A Bugs Life - Another great pixar Flik (ha! get it?). A great case of perfectly cast voices. Kevin Spacey is the main villain, but you don't think "spacey" you think "Hopper".
7. Shrek 2 - Maybe it's over-saturation that drops it this far, because the kids watch it so darn much in the car. This is one of the best adult-inside-joke movies in the genre.
8. The Incredibles - Another fun story with perfect voice-casting. Bravo for NOT hiring Patrick Warburton for Mr. Incredible, but another deep-voiced actor: Coach! (Craig T. Nelson). Samuel L. Jackson is my favorite voice in the movie, with Jason Lee a close second.
9. Antz - Too "adult" many times, if I remember correctly, but I know that I enjoyed it.
10. Ice Age - You can tell that the quality really drops off by the end of this list. The first one was unique and fun and had a great adventure story, but it fell victim to the gimmick casting problem with Ray Romano.

Honorable Mention:
Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie. It was good, but it was so far below the Veggie Tales episodes, that I just can't rank it any higher.

Another MAJOR wt-freak from last night

Watch at your own risk


I still don't know what he won't do for love.

One Love, One Life, One HORRIBLE MOMENT

Why? Why oh why would Mary J. Blidge agree to come on and allow Elliot the Troll to butcher One? I think last night Bono died, rolled over in his grave, and then came back to life. So Elliot's mom won an award for best "family moment" or some crap like that (we have only watched bits and pieces so far). I have to say, after they gave her some much screen time, we know where Elliot gets his looks from. I think they used that family as models for some of the Lord of the Rings creatures. Watching her made me throw up in my mouth a little.

So Taylor won. Woopie! Welcome to the world of Fantasia/Reuben/Justin/Bo and Diana, where your albums don't sell crap.

Now back to take another headache pill...my brain still hurts from trying to take in everything on the Lost finale....a foot statue with four toes?!!?!? WTF?!?!?!?

And The Next Singer to be destroyed by 19-entertainment will be...

Go ahead and crown Mr. Hicks as your next American Idol. Simon hand picked him to be the winner last night and that ALWAYS leads to a victory. The fact of the matter is: Katharine didn't pull it off last night. Frankly, neither did Taylor, but he had enough momentum coming in and a big enough fanbase already in place, that he should walk away with the title tonight.

The evening came across pretty anti-climatic to me. Taylor was flat-out boring during his two redux songs. Katharine was solid in her two (I'm really starting to dig Black Horse and a Cherry Tree), but she sang both of them a lot better the first time around.

After those performances, I was still up in the air with who I would vote for. Katharine sang a hunk of pre-made pop crap called "my destiny". Your destiny? to finish second, sweetheart, sorry. It was a TERRIBLE song, and Cat was completely uninspired. I think she sounded a ton worse on TV than in person, because the judges liked HER, but she did absolutely nothing interesting with the song and in a matter of 2 minutes, turned herself directly into a cheap knock-off of Kelly Clarkson, who has emerged from the Idol shadow to be a legitimate pop star.

Taylor's song sucked equally as bad. Taylor himself, however, made it work for him. The first half of the song was miserable, and I thought that he was also being victimized by the crappy-song-that-he-shouldn't-have-ever-had-to-sing-in-the-first-place. About halfway through, however, it all of a sudden became a Taylor Hicks song and a solid Taylor Hicks performance.

My American Idol: Taylor Hicks.

One interesting note: I have always wanted the person that goes on to win. I wanted Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia and Carrie (although last year was the toughest call). I think I'm going to be right once again. According to Dial Idol, I am right, and it won't even be close.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

I realize that my reviews haven't had that unique attempt at "humor" that I usually throw out there lately, and I think it's because all of the crap-tacular performers have long gone, and they're the easiest ones to throw the poisoned darts at. Well, maybe it'll be back this week as I have new-found loathing for the troll-boy, for one simple reason: He is NOT an american idol. Simple. He doesn't look like an American Idol and as was evidenced last night, he only sounds like an American Idol about 33% of the time. And if you open your eyes and try to watch the stiff wigger, it just gets worse, again. But more on Mr. Tunnis in a minute.

Let's talk about one of the shining moments in Idol HISTORY: Catherine McPhee rockin the Rainbow. Cat freaking nailed one of (if not THE) biggest moments ever on this show when she blew the roof off of Somewhere Over the Rainbow last night. I still have to consider Fantasia's "summertime" to be the biggest moment for me, because A - It propelled her to victory the next week and, B - I was a fantasia-hater for most of the competition and that completely turned it around and made her my favorite.

Last week I said that Cat phoned it in and wasn't taking it seriously enough. Maybe she was just feeling defeated, knowing that she couldn't do justice to Elvis week, because this week she was on top of her game. Granted, if I knew she was going to do R-Kelly, I would have hoped it was Trapped in the Closet, but I digress... I also thought that her Billie Holiday-ish third song was PERFECT and absolutely what I would love for her to do. Queen Latifah put out a Jazzy type of album last year. I wish we could go back in time and have Cat record that exact album and have Queeny stick to Chicago songs (which she nailed). That jazzy/bluesy stuff is RIGHT where Cat needs to be.

And what about the Ass-soul Patrol? He was good. No, he was GREAT. Taylor is awesome. His moment long passed when he did George Harrison's Something, but he is still a great soul singer.

I have to pick a new number one, since Chris is gone, so who's it going to be? Isn't it obvious from my rant above??!?!

1. Catherine
2. Taylor
3. The Toad-Faced/Buck-Toothed/Less-personality-than-David-Blaine - Elliot

Yeah. Um, what the heck is that guy still doing in this competition?!!?!?!! Nikki McKibben made the top three of season one, so strangers things have happened. I called him a wigger earlier. The dude has ONE move that isn't stiff - He moves his right arm up and down like he's Eminem, or something. This isn't a battle, RABBIT! You freaking sing SOUL music. News Flash - YOU'RE NOT A GANSTA.

Anyway: I have avoided Dial-Idol until after I type my prediction, but I doubt it will change: Elliot will be going home, they will first tell Taylor he is safe.

Now what does Dial-Idol say? ..... Closer than I thought it would be....

Site News: Back in Black

I think I read somewhere that Black is the new Orange, so out with the old, in with the new. I revamped the linkage, now on the right. Now Odelay is color-blind-friendly! And, I don't have to change the text size everytime I post, which is good.

Basically, I just got sick of the look of the old site.

If you regularly read my blog, post a comment somewheres so I know! I'd love to add to my friends and family sections, so if you blogsterbate, let me know that, too!

Better Late Than Never

I'm home sick, so my review and predictions are a little late. Sorry about that. Last night was good. I liked seven of the eight performances. Cat was unimpressive in her first song and forgot a word or two in her second. Not good at this stage of the competition. My ranking of the four will probably shock you.

1. Chris - Flawless again. I loved the songs he chose
2. Taylor - He has such a great voice and he was able to show off both sides of himself last night, which was good.
3. Elliot- I've officially changed my tune on the troll. Dude was amazing last night. period. He picked the perfect songs and i was even able to watch him with my eyes open and still enjoy it!
4. Cat- I don't know what it is. I still love her, but she just didn't seem to take it seriously enough last night.

Predictions: Cat and Elliot will probably be in the bottom two and Cat will probably be going home. I think Elliott did enough to move on. I don't think Cat has Paris' votes locked in, they could scatter to all three, so that won't help her.

NOTE: There have been many shockers with the final three, and I won't be surprised if Chris goes home. Taylor is 100% safe and would be the only one to completely shock me. Elliot was AMAZING last night, and enough people might assume Chris is safe and spend more time voting for Elliott. It's happened before. It would SUCK SWEATY DONKEY GNADS, but it could happen.

Cherry Trees, Styx and...the BEATLES?!?!!?

A strange night on Idol. Paris was great, Elliot was....Elliot, Chris rocked Styx, Taylor CHEATED and Catharine had her "moment". It's actually a bummer that one of these five has to go home, especially since it'll be Paris and she's a good enough singer to make the top-three.

1. Chris (Renegade, I Dare You) - I wish I has put it in print last week, when I heard they were doing songs from the year they were born. I was hoping he might get crazy and do a Styx song. I was actually thinking "Babe" would have been a great choice, even though I don't like that song. Instead, you goes the Billy-Madison route with my #2 favorite styx song, and IT ROCKED. The judges didn't like the second song, moreover, they didn't like him singing it, because his voice is TRASHED. So what? He's a hard rocker. With his style of voice, it'll go out on him occasionally. I still liked the song, even though I had never heard of it and still have no idea who sings it. It was a perfect choice for him.

2. Catharine (Against All Odds, Black Horse and the Cherry Tree) Apparently, America stayed focused on her rough first performance because she was second-to-last in voting on Dial Idol. Against All Odds was bad. She was off from the first note and never fully recovered. However, she MORE than make up for it with her second song. I strongly dislike the original version by KT Tunstall, I don't know why. Catharine put enough of her own spin on it, had fun with it and it was FREAKING AMAZING. I don't know what happened with her voice on that first song, because we all know she can sing. Hopefully this won't kill her.

3. Paris (Kiss, Be Without You) If you add in the degree of difficulty that she gave herself tonight, it is all the more remarkable how well she did. I REALLY liked her take on the Prince classic. Then, she goes after, perhaps, the biggest song out there right now (other than "Bad Day") and she did a good job with it. I like Mary J. Blige and Paris didn't quite live up to the original, and she went with a carbon-copy, but it was still pretty damn good.

4. Taylor (Play that Funky Music, Something) - Was it a good move? Probably. Does anyone else even CARE that he didn't choose an actually current song? Probably not. Taylor cheated and took the Beatles "Something" with his second song, since it is currently on the Billboard Catalog Album chart (probably on "1"). At first I was thinking it was weak, but then he sang the song. Holy Crap. Best version of Something since the original.

5. Elliot (On Broadway, Home) - I really wish Simon didn't steal my line: Why on earth would he pick a song where the lines are "I want to go Home"?!?!?! That's just bad kharma. And it's stupid. The good thing is, He sang it VERY well. I love Michael Buble and it wasn't as good as the original, but it was still his best song of the night. I did my whole eyes-closed thing during On Broadway (actually it was eyes-on-the-laundry). I think he sang it very well. There is no doubt that he's a good technical singer. The problem was, I HATE THAT SONG, and just like Simon, it's really easy to be biased against a performance if you can't get turned on by the song.

Bottom two prediction: Paris, Cat

Going Home: Paris.

I think at this point, we are headed for a Taylor/Chris finale, which I think would be the best finale yet. Both of them are out of the American Idol traditional mold and since (other then Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" album) I don't normal like the pop-centric music that this show has spit out, That is a very good thing.

Day Without an Immigrant

I, for one, had an AWESOME commute to work this morning!

FRT

1. Only Fools - Crystal Lewis from Greatest Hits
2. With a Little Help From My Friends - The Beatles from Sgt. Peppers
3. Marquis in Spades - Smashing Pumpkins from Judas O
4. Powdered Milk Man - The Aquabats from The Fury of the Aquabats
5. Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar from King Biscuit: 25 Years of Rock
6. Tommorow - U2 from October
7. Geek U.S.A - Smashing Pumpkins from Earphoria
8. Fuel - Sonicflood from Resonate
9. Coming into Los Angeles - Arlo Guthrie from Woodstock
10. Lurgee - Radiohead from Pablo Honey

A Christian Random Ten

1. A Million Miles Away - Mercy Me from Undone
2. Love is Against the Grain - Dime Store Prophets from Love is Against the Grain
3. The Walls - Israelites from Washaway
4. Blessed Assurance - The O.C. Supertones from Faith of a Child: The Supertones Worship Project
5. Lay Your Hands on Me, God - Steve Mills from Don't Forget
6. Boy on a String - Jars of Clay from Self-titled debut
7. Mr. Moresby - Mars Hill from Self-titled debut
8. Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? - Delirious from Cutting Edge
9. Dichotomy - Plank Eye from The Spark
10. But Now My Eyes are Open - Tree63 from The Answer to the Question

Andrea Blind-chelli and the love songs

Another miserable week overall on Idol. Song selection was pretty bad, especially for Taylor and Paris. Cat was pretty darn good, but the judges slammed her. I thought that was odd. Chris was the only one to pick a great song and nail it. Elliott....well, just read below.

1. Chris - (#1 this week) - Have You Really Ever Loved a Woman - It wasn't his best performance, but he nailed it once again and was far and away the best of the night. I'm starting to think he's got a legitimate chance of making the final-two against Taylor, but Catharine can still get there too, if she quits over-singing.

2. Catharine - (#3) - I Have Nothing - It's a close race again for second between her and Paris, and I think she did just enough with a tough song to keep her here for another week. The judges bashed her up and down for not coming anywhere near Whitney. They may be right, but I think she can get there, eventually. I liked the performance better than they did.

3. Paris - (#4) - The Way We Were - I'm not a Barbara-Big-Nose fan, so I wasn't excited about Paris doing this song. She sang it REALLY slow and boring, even for an already slow and boring song. I LOVE PARIS, but for some reason, she isn't clicking with the voters, and I'm afraid that she's going home tonight. Brutal. She has a great voice and a great personality, what's not to like?!!?!

4. Taylor (#5) - Just Once - Taylor did a terrible job tonight, with a really terrible song. Not much else to say. He's going to stay on top of the voting and out of the bottom three anyway, but he was simply brutal last night.

5. Elliott (#2) - A Song For You - I made a committment to watch his performance with my eyes closed this week, so I could focus on his voice. I'm glad I did, because I'm now starting to come over to the parrallel universe. This was a pretty bad song and a very scatter-brained arrangement, but he sang REALLY well through the whole song. I still don't think I'd rush out to buy his album, but he is a good singer.

6. Kelli (#6) - Unchained Melody - REALLY risky choice, seeing as how it is Simon's favorite song. Hopefully the honeymoon is over between her and her fans, who have to be realizing that she doesn't have anywhere near good enough pipes to keep going. Tragically, She's got enough of a fan base and will get just enough kick from vote-for-the-worst to stick around another week and unjustly go further than Paris. That is just insane.

Bottom Three Prediction: Kelli, Paris, Catharine

Going Home: Paris. It's wrong. Just plain WRONG I tell ya!!!!!

Life, etc.

The start of another long week in the life of the Askews! Another weekend has passed and two agents came through the open house and that was it. It's wierd. We thought this thing would sell really easy and really quick, but instead, we're becoming the poster children for the whole "housing-market-is-slowing-down" rumors. We reduced the price of the house this week, so hopefully that will do something soon. It's really hard to keep from going completely in the tank on this. I pray every night asking for God to continue to work and I truly believe that everything is in his control. Everything that has happened to this point with the job, the move, etc. has been completely from him. We KNOW that this is all going to work out the way it is supposed to. But the further we get from what WE think is best (selling NOW, moving TOGETHER), the harder it becomes to trust in the path that lies before us. My life verse has always been Jeremiah 29:11. I sure need to remember it now more than ever. It's just hard to imagine that I might not be with my family if I have to go up for my June 1 start date and we haven't sold yet.

Jamie, Jack & Stench

So, apparently Jamie, Jack & Stench are off the air on Star 98.7. The stupid station, which has changed course twice in the last 12 months (first to the whole "LA's Best Variety" crap) is now going to LA's Best Alternative, or something like that, and they have canned all the DJ's. According to Jack's Blog, The latest news is that they have just been put on hold and haven't been fired YET. There is a ton of uproar and public support, but it seems that Star is going the way of the current radio trend that Jack FM is capitalizing on. I think it's lame, because a TON of people WANT to listen to a talk show on their morning commute and I'm one of them. I never really got into Mark & Brian or Kevin & Bean, I won't go anywhere near Adam Carrolla, so that leaves me with ESPN Radio or AM Talk. Colin Cowherd is the worst sports radio guy on earth. So I'm stuck listening to Bill Handel on the news. This is fine and all, but not as entertaining as Jamie & Co.

Then there is the whole idea of Star calling themselves "Alternative" radio. What exactly is the definition of "alternative" music this week? Alt used to be the grunge movement of music, then in the mid-90's all of KROQ's playlist (Beck, No Doubt, Blink) got grouped there. Then it morphed into the new KROQ standards of the Killers/Keane/White Stripes/etc. Now Star is trying to call their generic/mostly Adult Contemporary mix "alternative"? I give up.

I am a Poker god!

Ok, maybe not, but I did finally win my first tournament in a long time on Saturday night, beating some formidible on-line players in a five-handed sit-and-go tournament. The most seasoned on-line player and frequent casino cash-game player was Brad Hutchins and he was the first one out. Paul Hutchins followed suit, playing the role of gracious host by taking third.

Then we were three-handed when Mark Ford went all in with pocket dueces. I made the call with A-8 of hearts, assuming Mark had a small pair. Any large pair would have enduced a slow play, because he would want to ensure action. Surpisingly, Shawn Bleid called behind me and we gave Mark a chance to double-double. Shan and I made an agreement to check the hand down to the river, since at least 50% of the total chips were already in the pot. We all flipped and Shan had an A-5? (some low card) - off-suit. Surprising call with an all-in and a call already in place. An Ace came on the flop and I held on to win, taking a commanding lead and knocking T-Boy out.

I'm a terrible heads-up player, or at least I have been in the past. I lost the first few pots because Shan was playing perfect agressive poker. I was still around a 3-2 chip-leader when he went all in. I read that he had a modest hand and was trying to steal the blinds, so I called with 10-9 of Hearts, suited connectors. It wasn't a great call, but I figured, I was happy to get in the money and get my 10 bucks back, if he has an Ace with another card, then I'm only down about 70%-30%. I sucked out a 9 on the river to win it, so I was pretty happy.

We played a cash game after that ($4 buy-in, nickel/quarter limits), and I won two bucks more, so that was cool.

It's Friday

1. Walking After You - The Foo Fighters from The Colour and The Shape
2. Bugs - Skypark from One More Night With The Frogs
3. The Candyman - From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack
4. Why Can't This Be Love - Van Hagar from The Best of Both Worlds
5. Alimony - Weird Al Yankovic from Even Worse
6. Things Have Changed - Bob Dylan from Best of Vol. 2
7. Piano Sonata 15, Op.28, 4th Movement - Beethoven from Baby Einstein Traveling Melodies
8. If You Wear That Velvet Dress - U2 from Pop
9. Rocketown - George Michael W. Smith from The First Decade
10. All Falls Down - Kanye West from The College Dropout

Leaving the Beard Behind

Brian and Ron, sitting in a tree....k.i.s.s.i.n.g.

Crooning and Bewildering

How is it that someone can get this far in the competition and then have a performance SO bad, that it wouldn't even have made it past the first round? And I'm not even talking about Gary, er...Ace... whatever. Kelli's performance of Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered was so bad, I have propelled Elliot above her, against my better judgement. Paris and "Cat" rocked the house and Chris put in another solid performance, taking a bold move on one of my all-time favorite songs.

The following are my up-to-date rankings. I think that my ever-fluctuating 2-4 reflect the fact that for the first time, I think, ever, we don't have a clear-cut Final TWO, like we usually do: Kelly/Justin , Clay/Ruben, Fantasia/that other chick, Carrie/Bo. This year I can realistically see any of five people in the top-two (and I would have said six before Kelli's choke-job last night).

1. Chris - Dropped it down a notch with What a Wonderful World. Looked lame, sang great. Proved to any doubters that he can ACTUALLY SING, when he isn't belting at the top of his lungs.

2. Paris - Back in shot-gun for me after a perfect week with Foolish Things. I do this silly point-system thing most weeks that I get from Slimtainment. She got the first perfect 25/25 that I have ever scored. Simply amazing.

3. Catharine - And she gets a 24/25. She sang Someone to Watch Over Me and absolutely rocked it. If I had to have any critisizm, it was just a little vampy, a little broadway, and a LOT of makeup. But does any of that really matter? Paula made the best comment for her: She seemed like a previous Idol, already a professional, coming back to perform.

4. Taylor - I love the guy. I love his voice and he belted on You Send Me, but I was just a little bored. I guess I'm sort of getting tired of the "act" a little. I don't think he SHOULD win the show, but I definitely think he COULD.

5. Elliot - I still have this whole parrallel universe theory. EVERYBODY seems to like the way this guy sings and I simply DO NOT. He was fine last night, but I just don't like his voice. And why was everyone shocked last night when Simon pointed out that the dude has NO personality? I should also mention that a certain friend of mine likes him and my wife and I figured out why: He kinda looks like your hubby. Close your eyes for his next performance. Maybe you'll come around to the "dark side" with me, too.

6. Pickler - Wow. So bad that I am out of words. She did the best thing she possibly could by saying "I butchered it, y'all" (why could I picture Amy Poehler playing her the entire time, too?). Admitting it was a bad week makes her look good, in a wierd way, as opposed to last week when Ace was torn a new one by all three judges and then he has the balls to say "Well I think I rocked." She will stick around, but can she keep performing up to the level she has truly only shown once or twice during the finals?

7. Gary..er...Ace - Actually did a pretty good job last night, singing That's All. He looked obnoxiously boy-bandish with the hair pulled back into a gay cinna-bun, though, and that is a BIG mistake to mess with your looks when your bread-and-butter is your faggy pretty-boy looks and not your voice.

I think it's ironic that for the first time Ace-hole sings REALLY WELL, and he'll probably be going home this week. That's my hunch, anyway. At least he gets to go out on a good note with a good song. Although, It would be pretty funny if Pickler had to sing the Bewildering thing-a-ma-bob again.

Bottom Three prediction: Gary, Elliot, Pickler

Going home: Gary.

Slogan of the Day

"Johnny Damon - Looks Like Jesus, Acts Like Judas, Throws Like Mary"

Friday...er...Monday Random Ten

1. Subterranean Homesick Alien - Radiohead from OK Computer
2. All the Way Home - Spinal Tap from Break like the Wind
3. She Belongs to Me - Grateful Dead from Postcards of the Hanging: Grateful Dead Sing Dylan
4. Sing for the Moment - Eminem from The Eminem Show
5. You Make Me - Wierd Al Yankovic from Even Worse
6. Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff& The Fresh Prince from MTV Party to Go Platinum Mix
7. Summer Rain - U2 from 7
8. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry from Billboard Top Hits: 1976
9. Radar Love - Golden Earring from 1970's Classic Rock Compilation
10. It's Easy Mmmkay - Mr. Mackey, Stan Marsh & Eric Cartman from South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut Soundtrack

I'm in Love

I've experienced heaven in an 8-ounce glass bottle. Coca-cola Blak is the new coke/coffee hybrid and it is incredible. When I saw ads for it last week I was very curious: Is it a coffee drink that tastes like Coke? Or a soda that tastes like coffee?

Well, I'm here to tell you, friends, that it is the latter. First there was cherry coke. Then vanilla coke. Then coke with lime. And now, topping them all. Coffee Coke.

The revolution has begun people! Go out and buy a four-pack. Target has 'em for sure.

I haven't done a list in a while. Here's my new top-ten morning caffeine pick-me-ups.

1. Coca-Cola Blak. Once the honeymoon is over (I'm drinking my very first one as we speak), I'm sure it'll drop a little.

2. Starbucks store-bought carmel frappucino

3. Venti Triple White Chocolate Mocha (starbucks, of course)

4. Monster-Khaos

5. Store-bought vanilla frappucino

6. store-bought double-shot espresso&cream

7. Venti Black Iced Tea, with sweetener (eight pumps) - this is my #1 afternoon/evening caffeine drink.

8. Dr. Pepper

9. Grande Caramel Macchiato

10. (R.I.P.) - 8-oz. Chantico

Honorable Mention: Toffee Almond Bar, my favorite breakfast snack

Queen Week: Better Than Expected

I wasn't very exited about the kiddies doing Queen this week, but for the most part, it was a very solid week. Remember, these are my overall rankings, not based solely on last night. Last night's rank in parentheses after the name.

1. Chris Daughtry (5)- He sang Innuendo, an extremely choppy and sloppy song. There is a reason why the band never perform it live, it is a MESS. Just a terrible song and a terrible choice. I agree 100% with Simon that this was a perfect week for him to have his "moment" and it just didn't happen. He still sang great, but picked a bad, bad, bad, bad song.

2. Katharine McPhee (2)- Sang Who Wants to Live Forever, a slow ballad. On first listen, I was mezmorized and captivated and thought she absolutely hit a grand slam. She has amazing stage presence and has the best, most consistent voice in the competition. On second listen, I could hear the missed note or two, but she still had the 2nd best performance of the night.

3. Taylor Hicks (3)- Taylor reminded the judges, the audience and me why we loved him in the first place. He sang Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Great job.

4. Paris - (4) She's slipping a little, and it's not because of her voice. She still has a great personality and an awesome voice. I actually loved her performance, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with my wife and Simon: It was just a little "off".

5. Kelli Pickler (1)- By far the best performance of the night. She kicked total butt performing Bohemian Rhapsody. Stage presence, vocals, outfit: everything was amazing. Far and away above what I expected from her. I'm starting to come around, I guess.

6. Cletus Jones (6)- Bucky was boring, singing Fat Bottom Girls. It just didn't work for me. I think he's got a great country voice, and I want to see him stick around, at least for another few weeks, to show off the voice.

7. Elliot (7)- I swear, I feel like I'm in a parallel universe. I thought he was absolutely TERRIBLE last night, singing Somebody to Love, but the judges continue to heap praise onto his heaping pile of Rhinoceros Dung.

8. Ace-hole (8) - How the freak is he still here? Dial-Idol says he's going home, and they BETTER be right. His We Will Rock You will make a hilariously ironic closing song tonight after he get booted.

Bottom-Three Prediction: Ace, Bucky, Chris

Back to the Couch: Chris

Going Home: Ace

Friday Random Ten

1. Switch - Will Smith from Itunes
2. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star - Veggie Tales from Bob and Larry's Toddler Songs
3. Losing my Touch - The Rolling Stones from Forty Licks
4. Heaven is a Place on Earth - Belinda Carlisle from Billboard: 1987
5. Hot Hot Hot!!! - The Cure from Galore
6. Summertime - The Sundays from "Double Take" (a cheesy Targhetto comp)
7. Rock the Casbah - One Bad Pig from Live: Blow the House Down
8. In My Time of Dying - Led Zepplin from Physical Graffiti
9. Girl Dreams - Beck from One Foot in the Grave
10. Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll - Bob Dylan from Biograph

Gotta get a U2 song, let's see how long it takes:

36. (not bad) Party Girl - U2 from Under a Blood Red Sky

Rank Idol

For such a stellar top of the class, this was only bad week for Idol. Some good performances on country night but some disappointing ones too.

1. Chris - He was awesome.
2. Catherine - She was amazing last night. Jumped over the next two, who were rather underwhelming
T3. Paris/Mandisa - They were both a little dissappointing last night, especially Paris. I still love them both, they just struggled with a genre that they had no business singing.
5. Taylor - I nearly fell asleep during his performance. Just not good for him, at all.
6. Kelli Pickler - She's growing on me, I hate to admit it. She's got a great voice and, obviously, kicked arse last night.
7. Cletus - I was actually disappointed last night. I didn't expect a ballad from him on the one night he could have shined brightest with a strong fast/fun country song. I think he played it safe (which might have been the smart thing), showing off a little of his actual singing voice (which wasn't bad) on the night that he got to be in his comfort zone.

Professor Chan at Vote for the Worst summed it up: "I was expecting a Garth Brooks-ian fireworks show and flying through the audience on wires theatrics as Bucky makes a last ditch stand to stay on the show. But instead Bucky takes it down a notch and sings a bittersweet, soulful hymn. And he sings it great. For one song he made me like country music. Bravo, Bucky!"

8. Elliot - I still think I'm the only one who doesn't care for his voice. He absolutely BUTCHERED a Garth Brooks song, and that's a no-no in my book. He must sound totally different in the studio.
9. Ace must die. Seriously, dude. Go home. Please.

Bottom three prediction: This is tough, but: Paris, Elliot, Mandisa. I'm trusting Dial Idol for this one
Going Home: Elliot.

Music Survey

1. Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most of?
Well this one is easy: U2. Behind them would be Dylan, Pink Floyd, Garth Brooks and the Smashing Pumpkins
2. What was the last song you listened to?
Enter Sandman by Metallica on some sports talk show.
3. What's in your record/CD player right now?
James Blunt
4. What song pretty much sums you up?
I hate questions like this.
5. What's your favorite local band?
Still existing? Mike Barnet. No Longer? Mars Hill
6. What was the last concert you attended?
U2 & Keane (and Mary J. Blige) at Madison Square Garden
7. What was the greatest show you've ever been to?
#1 - U2 -Madison Square Garden
#2 - U2 - PopMart in San Diego (first U2 concert)
#3 - U2 - Elevation post-9/11 at the Pond
#4 - KROQ's Acoustic Christmas with Billy Corgan, Depeche Mode, Garbage, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Fiona Apple...
#5 - Dylan at the Sun Theatre in Anaheim.
(This list changes ALOT)
8. What's the worst band you've ever seen in concert?
Only One? Thanks to a few Acoustic Christmases, I've seen Chumbawumba AND the Sneaker Pimps.
9. What band do you like musically but dislike the members of?
Good Question, but hard to answer. Oasis.
10. What is the most musically involved you have ever been?
(I'm copying Pauls answer) I had a radio show at Biola and helped put togther some concerts and in studio performances. (We had Mars Hill in studio!!!) I also MC'd a Blue Christmas.
11. What shows are you looking forward to?
There are a few performers that I've never seen that I would like to: Paul McCartney, the Stones, Elton John and especially Garth Brooks.
12. What is your favorite band shirt?
Gotta be the bright Orange O.C. Supertones Shirt with the Orange on it.
13. What music posters do you have up in your room?
None right now. I have a bunch of U2 stuff to put up in the new garage when we move. I have a Beck poster and some Pumpkins stuff, too.
14. What musician would you like to be in love with for a day?
Only One? just kidding. It'd have to be Shirley Manson. An old school shout out to Stephanie Kelly of Hume Lake fame, too.
15. Pat Benatar or Cyndi Lauper?
My sister would probably want me to say Cyndi Lauper.
16. Sabbath or solo Ozzy?
Ozzy. Crazy Train and Mama I'm Coming Home (and War Pigs) outweigh Paranoid.
17. Commodores or solo Lionel Ritchie?
Uh...
18. Punk rock, hip hop or heavy metal?
Depends on my mood. I don't have an overridding preference.
19. Doesn't Primus suck?
I'm not qualified to give that an answer.
20. Did you know that filling out this survey makes you a music geek?
Of course.
21. What was the greatest decade for music?
As a U2 fan, I would probably say the 00's. But definitely the 60s.
22. How many music-related videos/dvds do you own?
Nine -
U2 (Rattle & Hum, Joshua Tree documentary, U2 Go Home, Elevation in Boston, Vertigo in Chicago)
Pink Floyd (The Wall, Pulse - live concert)
OC Supertones at the Movies
Green Day - Bullet in a Bible
23. Do you like Journey?
Not really.
24. Don't try to pretend you don't!!
Well....
25. What is your favourite movie soundtrack?
Rattle & Hum, of course!
As for a score, it would be Instinct or Edward Scissorhands (both Elfman, of course) or Braveheart.
Musically, it would be Dazed & Confused, Wayne's World, Moulin Rouge and Chicago.
26. What was your last musical phase?
I listen to everything, but I had a pretty bad ska phase. In high school I had a disco phase, too.
27. What's the crappiest CD/record/etc. you own?
Only One? Velour 100
28. Do you prefer vinyl or CDs?
Cd's, unless it's my dads collection of 60's rock (especially Tommy or Blonde on Blonde).
29. All totalled, how much do you spend on music a month?
Nothing. Usually presents these days. Plus the occasional dollar or two from Itunes (next up will, sadly, probably be "Bad Day" by whoever sings it. I just bought Johnny Cash's "Hurt", too.

A Year Ago This Week...

My beautiful wife and I were touring SoCal on a mini-U2 Vacation. In a span of six days, we saw the Vertigo//2005 Tour four times, catching four of the first five shows of the tour. We saw the first three nights of the tour, including Two shows in San Diego and one in Anaheim. Then it was off to Staples early that next week.

Now THAT was a good week.

Friday Random Ten

I'm up to 4479 songs.

1. You Really Got a Hold on Me - The Beatles from Anthology 1
2. To Be a Man - Saved from Now and Forevermore
3. One Day I'll Fly Away - Nicole Kidman from Moulin Rouge
4. Sad But True - Metallica from S&M
5. Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung from Rock of the 80's Volume 4
6. Casey Jones - The Grateful Dead from SNL:25 Years
7. Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles from Billboard-1986
8. Victim of the Game - Garth Brooks from No Fences
9. Whoomp There it Is - Tag Team from the Targhetto Hip-Hop Comp
10. What Would You Say - Dave Matthews Band from SNL:25 Years

Dr. Demento does a funny-five, I'll do a funny-ten

1. Life As a Father - Jeff Foxworthy from You Might be...
2. Medical Love Song - Monty Python from Monty Python Sings
3. Fat - Weird Al from Even Worse
4. It's All About the Pentiums - Weird Al from Running With Scissors
5. Oh Mom - Adam Sandler from They're All Gunna Laugh at You
6. Lunchlady Land - Adam Sandler from They're All Gunna Laugh at You
7. This is the Life - Weird Al from Greatest Hits Volume II
8. Bitch School - Spinal Tap from Break like the Wind
9. Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song) - Monty Python from Monty Python Sings
10. Ti Kwan Leep/Boot to the Head - The Frantics from Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary

WHAT IF This week sucked?

Overall, a pretty poor night on Idol. Mandisa gets props for preachin' it and staying true to herself, even if it was an un-even performance. Paris was great, because she had fun and still sang great. Taylor rocked. Cletus actually had one of the best performances of the night.

My top ten:

1. Chris
2. Paris
3. Mandisa
4. Catharine
5. Taylor
6. Lisa
7. Cletus
8. Elliot
9. Pickler
10. Ace

My bottom three prediction: Ace, Lisa, Elliot

Going Home: Lisa

una selección hecha al azar de diez por viernes

1. Try - Janis Joplin live at woodstock
2. Polly - Nirvana from MTV Unplugged in New York
3. Bones - Radiohead from The Bends
4. The Rain Song - Led Zepplin from Houses of the Holy
5. Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around the World - U2 from Achtung Baby
6. No Money No Honey - Beck from Stereopathetic Soul Manure
7. See Emily Play - Pink Floyd from Relics
8. Eat It - Weird Al from Dr. Demento's 20th Anniversary Collection
9. Sweet Sweet - Smashing Pumpkins from Siamese Dream
10. Malted Milk - Eric Clapton from Unplugged.

I swear my Ipod is more diverse than that. I have 3,780 songs!

Not so random/no "favorites" ten:

1. Let Your Day Begin - Tree63 from The Answer to the Question
2. It's Over - Squirrel Nut Zippers from Perennial Favorites
3. Can't Truss It - Public Enemy from Power to the People
4. Babe - Styx from Extended Versions
5. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - Paul Simon from SNL Live: 25 Years of Music
6. Eric the Half a Bee - Monty Python from Monty Python Sings
7. De Here to Love Me - Norah Jones from Feels Like Home
8. It's a Small World - from Classic Disney
9. Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield from Pure 80's
10. You've Got Another Thing Coming - Pat Boone from In a Metal Mood

90's Music Ten

1. Cradle of Love - Billy Idol
2. Have YOu Seen Me Lately - Counting Crows
3. Cycle Me Through - Skypark
4. Letters - Vinegar Joe
5. Sad Songs and Waltzes - Cake
6. Lady With the Spinning Head - U2
7. Dumb - Nirvana
8. Unskinny Bob - Poison
9. Immortality - Pearl Jam
10. There Was 2 - Sonichrome

That 90's Music playlist is all screwed up. It took me 27 songs to get ten from the 90s. I have a lot of compilations that were RELEASED in the 90's, so they all show up in that playlist. Lame.

Bottom Half Shake Up

50's Night truly separated the top of the heap even further. This has to be the strongest top five in Idol history. Most seasons you easily forget everyone but the top two, with a handful of exceptions. This year, five of the contestants are going to have strong careers. Here's my top-eleven. Small change in the top-five (which will probably happen every week, since 3-5 are all VERY close to each other). Big changes in the bottom.

1. Chris Daughtery - Two weeks in a row he has done a performance that could easily be at the top of the charts next week. He is smart, rearranging I Walk The Line to sound like a Chris Daughtery song. Brilliant, as always. Simon complemented him by saying that he is the first "rocker-type" that refuses to compromise himself. VERY True. Simon Cowell - Voice of Reason.

2. Paris Bennett - Other than a small hiccup vocally in the first part of her song, Fever, she was brilliant.

3. Mandisa - She had her "Kelly-Clarkson-on-Big-Band-Night" moment last night. She rocks!

4. Katharine McPhee - Solid as always. I love her voice. To me, and I'm probably crazy, the performance came off as a little to broadway/cabaret/cheese to me.



5. Taylor Hicks - Taylor didn't pick the best song last night, in that, it didn't show off his voice well enough. It was fun, but bland.

6. Lisa Tucker - The perfect example of "Good is not Good Enough." She sang well, but is once again being completely overshadowed by Paris and Mandiva. She is my prediction for who will go home tonight.

7. Kelli Pickler - I have to put her at the top of the crap pile this week, because she had a VERY strong performance, doing Patsy Cline's Walking After Midnight.

8. Elliot Yamin - This guy just bothers me. He has the personality of a rock. The judges said he sang great last night, so the must have had a different performance in the theater than we saw on T.V. I thought it was terrible the first time. After the judges praised him, I watched it a second time (with my eyes closed, so I could focus on the voice) and, while it was better, it still wasn't great.

9. Cletus - He's now 1-for-2 on attempts to put his voice into the selected genre. Why he didn't do a country song from the fifties, I'll never know. HE could have kicked butt with Walking After Midnight, ala Garth. He HAS to try and make it a country song every week, no matter what the genre is. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the musical smarts that Chris has shown, so it's probably going to get worse before it gets better.

10. Ace Young - He sang well last night, but I still want to kick his Ass. Melissa asked me last night if I only hate him because he's a pretty boy. The answer is no. I hate him because he's a pretty boy and his "name" is Ace. C'mon.

11. Chicken Little - Kevin won't be going away anytime soon, which is too bad. He's got the Vote-for-the-worst seal of (dis)approval, and unfortunately, he has a strong legitimate fan base as well. He doesn't appeal to the 8-to-80 crowd, he appeals to the 8 AND 80 crowd. He'll be the only performer to have granny-panties and disney-princess underroos thrown at him on stage. He was so beyond terrible, it's not funny anymore.

FridayRandomTen

1. Float On - Modest Mouse from Good News for People
2. Cry - Vinegar Joe from Live at the Mixing Lab
3. Roxie's Suite - Danny Elfman from Chicago
4. Seen It All Before - Amos Lee from Amos Lee
5. Under My Thumb - Rolling Stones from Forty Licks
6. Youth Culture Killed My Dog - They Might Be Giants from Best of the Early Years
7. Cry!Cry!Cry! - Johnny Cash from The Legend of Johnny Cash
8. Within You Without You - The Beatles from Sgt. Peppers...
9. Found - The O.C. Supertones from Adventures of the O.C. Supertones
10. War Pigs (1970 Basement Tapes) - Black Sabbath from The Ozzman Cometh

Rolands gotta laugh at the Supertones followed by Sabbath....


FridayRandomRapTen

1. Jump - KrisKross
2. Soldier - Eminem
3. Boyz-N-The-Hood - Easy-E
4. Touch the Sky - Kanye West
5. You Can't Touch This - M.C. Hammer
6. Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man -Public Enemy
7. Stan - Eminem
8. Diamonds from Sierra Leone - Kanye West
9. Bombs over Bahgdad - Outcast
10. I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy & The Family

Spring Fever

James is ready for his first season of Angels Baseball!

His first words are going to be "Jeff Weaver Sucks!"

AI: Week One

Here's my rankings of the contestants after the first week of performances. A very hot/cold season. I have a strong top-five, all of whom I would be ok with seeing them win, at this point. There are two stuck on neutral, who I don't really love or hate, and then a dismal bottom five, who ALL need to dissapear. Quickly.

1. Chris Daughtery - I love this guys voice and so far he has been 100% flawless. He has a strong rock voice and truly shouldn't be in this competition. He need to be fronting a rock band. He's miles ahead of Bo Bice, in that: he's real. Bo Bice, who I still like, played the southern rock role well and should just go on tour singing with Skynyrd. His album was pretty tame southern rock, not what I had expected from him. CHRIS, can be a legit lead singer of a "Live" style band. He reminds Melissa of Ed Kowalczyk. He might have a problem with some of the theme weeks that this show has, but so far he's 1-for-1, sailing through Stevie Wonder week with a rock version of Higher Ground, ala the Chili Peppers. Hopefully he'll get so lucky every week.

2. Paris Bennett - Another seasoned performer, who hasn't taken a misstep. I REALLY like her, Chris is higher because he's much more in my prefered genres musically. Paris is fun to watch. She's young and cute and can sang. She has the best stage presence, and is probably the one who "should" win this show. Chris is awesome, but he's not the best "american idol" type of winner.


3. Taylor Hicks - I was saying to some friends last night: If I were, for some reason, going to see the top-12 on tour this summer (which, of course, I won't), THIS is the one guy I would be most looking forward to seeing. He is so fun to watch. He's a total kook, but he's got a great voice, a unique style and he stands out as a VERY original performer. I can't wait to see what he does post-idol, when he gets to work the harmonica on stage. He mentioned that the show stylists want to change his grey hair. That would be a huge mistake. I think if he dyed his hair, he would lose some of the unique appeal he has accross America.

4. Katharine McPhee - After last night's performance, I, too, have the McPheever. My hesitation with her has always been that she comes across as a cocky, seasoned performer, and just sort of fake. But the chick can SING. She got her first comparision to Kelly Clarkson, how they both truly emerged as front runners at this part of the contest.


5. Mandisa - Being a big-boned guy myself, I've got a connection to this next-aretha, and I want to see her to REALLY well. She stumbled a little last night, but that doesn't detract too much from the fact that she has THE best voice in the competition. As Randy says, "The girl can BLOW."


6. Lisa Tucker - Lisa has a great singing voice, but her youth is going to come into play pretty soon. No matter how great a voice she has, she just can't stack up against Paris and Mandisa, and, unfortunately, That is where she's going to be compared first, and where she's going to lose the votes. It's also fun to root for a local girl, since she goes to high school in Anaheim.

7. Cletus - As my wife mentioned last night, I just don't know how anyone can say "Bucky" and not start laughing at him. He is a TRUE redneck. He is a hick-from-the-sticks in a way that Bo could have only dreamt about. Where Bo was sort of a manufactured NECK, Bucky is a true-blue southern-fried white trash trailer jockey. With all that said, He's got a GREAT country voice. He, too, will struggle fitting his style into the themed weeks. Where Chris seems to have more musical "know-how" and can work with the band to tailor a song to fit his needs, Cletus will probably just try to fit his voice INTO the other genres, and that will be his down fall. He's still about 42 miles ahead of the bottom five...

8. Elliott Yamin - Congratulations! You're at the top of the dung heap!! This kid can sing well, about one out of every three weeks. But he's got the personality of a rotting tomato.

9. Melissa McGee - She probably has the worst voice of anyone in the top 12, and shouldn't have made the top-12 over the basketball player, but she's got a good personality and I don't exactly hate her. She can stay a while, as far as I'm concerned, just to get the next three gone as QUICK as possible.

10. Kelli Pickler - Read This. She makes me want to vomit.

11. Kevin Covais - He's cute, he's cuddly, and he's annoying as hell. He just simply isn't an american idol, no matter how great his personality is. Since he's the Vote-for-the-Worst pony this year, he might make it as far as Scott Savol did last season. And that would just be sad. But funny.

12. Ace Young - I just want to kick this guys ass. I know he'll be around for a long time, and he's got the chick vote, He's the biggest poser ever in this competition. And DUDE needs a flipping haircut!!!!!!

I Can Hear Myself Getting Fatter...

Thank God I don't live in Illinois. The Gateway Grizzlies minor-league ball club has created the "world's best hamburger". Copy-cats coming to a county fair near you, I'm sure...


Read The Story Here

i-pod 8-Ball

Instead of the Friday Random ten, I'll do the musical eight-ball.

1. What is missing from my life? Shadows and Tall Trees - U2 (But not for long!)
2. Will I find love? Pipe Dreams - Travis (well, that's just not true...)
2. Will I find Love? I Alone - Live (nope, still not true...)
2. Will I find love? The Chemicals Between Us - Bush (that's better)
3. Will I become rich? Shepherd is the Lamb - Supertones (riches don't really matter)
4. Does someone have a crush on me? Something in the Way - Nirvana (that's not good)
5. What is my favorite sexual position? 40 - U2 (yeah, baby)
6. Am I good looking? - Dead Melodies - Beck (yup)
7) When am I most happy? Backyard Boogie - Mack 10 (I like the night life, I like to boogie)
8. What is my biggest regret? You Had to Be There - Stillwater (and I'll never tell)
9. How will I die? Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin (Is there a better way to go?)
10. Do I act my age? Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - Bela Fleck (I guess that's a no?)
11. What type of tattoo should I get? Luna - Smashing Pumpkins (a moon tattoo? Lets try again....)
11. What type of tatoo should I get? Sunrise - Norah Jones (still gay, oh well).
12. What is my spirit animal? Wolves - Garth Brooks
13. Do I like pain? One Piece at a Time - Johnny Cash
14. Is there anyone else like me out there? California Dreamin' - The Mamas and the Papas.
15. Do I love to party? Daylight Fading - Counting Crows
16. Where should I move to? On Top - The Killers (Oregon IS on top of Cali!)
17. Am I secretly gay? Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins (That just about sums it up, doesn't it?)
18. Will I ever be president? The Longest Time - Billy Joel
19. What is fun for me? The Long Way Home - Norah Jones (heh)
20. Will I ever learn to fly? Bike - Pink Floyd (So I'll pull an E.T.?)
21. What is my super power? Grace Like Rain - Todd Agnew (sweet!)

Springfield Rocks!

U2 Ramblings

First things first, some pretty big news. This is from Willie, the set designer for all of the U2 shows:

"Spent the afternoon in another meeting discussing the forthcoming TV and film shoots, before finally escaping from the hotel and managing a stroll to the local park."

I'm sorry, did he just say FILM shoot!?!?!?!?!?! Holy crap! That's awesome. It could be as simple as another Vertigo DVD, which I assumed we would get, but it could be more. Who knows?!? They put out two concert films with the Elevation Tour (live in Boston and U2-Go-Home at Slane Castle), So an international sibling to go along with the Chicago DVD would be awesome.

Second - Why they heck can't we get the best set lists of the tour in the US!?!?!?!? Over the first five or so dates on the tour, rarities have snuck into the set such as The First Time, Mothers of the Disappeared ( a Joshua Tree gem), All I want is You and Love Rescue Me. I'll be really bummed if they randomly play The Sweetest Thing or Staring at the Sun and I'm not there for it...

Third - I'm starting a petition to get the stadium shows back into the US. They have to do it. They just have to. They'd only have to hit major markets. Just do shows in L.A. (probably the Rose Bowl, but Anaheim would be cool), NY (at the Meadowlands), Chicago, Boston, Houston and, of course, Autzen Stadium in Eugene!!!!

So what have YOU been up to lately?

Me....I got a new job. After months of prayer and thought and consideration, I have been offered and have accepted a job at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon. We will be leaving the friendly confines of Rivertucky in the last week of April and I begin my new job on May 1st.

It's amazing the way that the Lord works. He is so faithful to our family. When our financial situation took a turn for the worse a little while back, and we realized that we just can't afford to raise our family the way we want to in Southern California, every little piece of the puzzle just kinda fit together.

You know how you pray when you REALLY need the Lord to provide, and you pray to God, telling him that your life is in his hands, that you sacrifice all of your needs and wants up to him to provide for you? Well we were doing that for the longest time. Only I had a small problem. I absolutely didn't want our family to have to move. I wanted God to provide for us, so long it meant a way for us to keep our house. After some big, earth-shattering things came to light, and we realized that our financial situation wasn't going to be getting better by the means we had anticipated, I started to pray the same pray, laying everything in the hands of God, only this time I meant it. I truly trusted God to take care of us, no matter what and no matter WHERE that meant.

In a matter of three days after we had the "wake-up call", I found out about this opening for a Sports Information Director, sent in my resume, had a 45-minute phone interview and was asked to come to Oregon for a day of interviews as one of the finalists.

I went to Oregon one week ago today and was called on Wednesday to let me know that I was being offered the job. It's pretty insane to see how quickly the process has moved along. And despite all of the heartache that we have ahead of us with leaving our families behind and trying to sell our house and buy a house, we are COMPLETELY at peace about our decision. God has truly provided this life-altering opportunity for us.

Now it's time for us to find a house and we're heading up there this weekend to start to look. Are we stressed about all of this? Of course. But I am completely confident that the Lord has the perfect home for us up there. His grace has been shown so abundantly to me lately, that although I may have many short comings as a father, husband and man of God, the Lord still cares enough to help us provide for our family.

It'll be a new adventure. We're very excited to be able to raise our kids outside of Southern California!

Friday.Random.Ten

1. Crown of Love - The Arcade Fire from Funeral
2. The Way You Move -Outcast from Speakerboxxx
3. Trying to Get to Heavan - Bob Dylan from Time Out of Mind
4. I'm Looking Through You - The Wallflowers from the I Am Sam Soundtrack
5. Jesus Christ - U2 from the Rattle & Hum Sun Studio Sessions
6. Gerry is Strong - The Bruce Lee Band from Hey Brotha Can You Spare Some Ska
7. Acoustic #3 - The Goo Goo Dolls from Dizzy Up the Girl
8. Satellite - Anna Nalick from Wreck of the Day
9. Crossroads - Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from The Collection, Vol. 1
10. Joybirds - Doris Henson from Give Me All Your Money

For the Kiddies - The Best of Disney Ten

1. Belle (Beauty & The Beast, 1991)
2. Song of the South (Song of the South, 1946)
3. A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins)
4. Love is a Song
5. A Whole New World (Aladdin)
6. Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
7. When You Wish Upon a Star
8. Main Street Electrical Parade
9. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (Lion King, 1994)
10. Oogie Boogie's Song (Nightmare Before Christmas)

The Return of the Friday Random Ten

1. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue - Bob Dylan from Bob Dylan Live, 1966: The Royal Albert Hall Concert.
2. Me and Paul - Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash from Storytellers
3. Little Budda - Toad the Wet Sprocket from Coil
4. The Heat is On - Glenn Fry from Billboard Top Hits 1985
5. Glass and the Ghost Children - Smashing Pumpkins from Storytellers 8/24/00
6. Night Prowler - AC/DC from Highway to Hell
7. Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones from Forty Licks
8. Fight for Your Right - The Beastie Boys from Licensed to Ill
9. Get Gone - Fiona Apple from When the Pawn...
10. Monkey - Counting Crows from Recovering the Satellites

And this weeks special: John, Paul, George and Ringo

1. Maxwell's Silver Hammer - Abbey Road
2. Day Tripper - 1
3. Come Together - Abbey Road
4. The End - Anthology 3
5. Rip it Up/Shake, Rattle and Roll/Blue Suede Shoes - Anthology 3
6. Lady Madonna - 1
7. The Ballad of John and Yoko - 1
8. Hey Jude - 1
9. And I Love Her - Anthology 1
10. Honey Pie - Anthology 3

Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2331737

Brutal. I now have competition for Garret Anderson in the Angel-I-Hate-The-Most race.

U2-INTL

Vertigo//2006 started tonight in Mexico. No word yet as to whether he started the show with "One, Two, Three....FOURTEEN!" or not. My biggest question mark is the fact that they aren't regularly playing All Because of You anymore. What the heck? It's one of the biggest songs off of the album! At least Original of the Species is back in, even if it's at the cost of Miracle Drug, which I fully thought would be back for the international shows. View the Set List Here.

Oh, by the way...

I got my I-pod back. They caught the guy who stole it because he was caught stealing a laptop from someone else's office on Tuesday. Woohoo!!!!

Six-For-Six

Hey Roland - Stick that in your giant vortex....

After a night of explosively emotional performances of "Vertigo" and "One" with Mary J. Blige, U2 picked up awards in each category it was nominated in. To recap, the wins for "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" are as follows:
*Album of the Year
*Best Rock Album
*Song of the Year for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"
*Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"
*Best Rock Song for "City Of Blinding Lights"

*And of course, our other man, Steve Lillywhite, was victorious in the Production, Non-Classical category for his work with U2 and pop singer Jason Mraz.

Friday Random Ten

1. Pictures of Lily - The Who from The Ultimate Collection
2. Higher - Creed from Human Clay
3. Gloria - U2 from October
4. The Kids are Alright - The Who from The Ultimate Collection
5. Hey, Johnny Park! - Foo Fighters from The Colour and the Shape
6. Jumper - Stephan Jenkins and Brian Vander Ark from the Star Lounge
7. I Feel Fine - The Beatles from 1
8. The Way Things Are - Fiona Apple from When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King/What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight/And He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring/There's No Body To Batter When Your Mind is Your Might/So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand/And Remember That Depth is the Greatest of Heights/And If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land/And If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right.
9. 300 Dollars (worth) - Mars Hill from The Scenic Route
10. Caribbean Wind - Bob Dylan from Biograph

The Random U2-10

1. All Because of You - Atomic Bomb
2. Are You Gunna Wait Forever - (B-Side) Vertigo Single
3. Another Time, Another Place - Live from Boston
4. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock - Under a Blood Red Sky
5. If You Wear that Velvet Dress - Pop
6. Pride - Unforgettable Fire
7. Walk On - All That you Can't Leave Behind
8. Twilight - Boy
9. New Year's Day - U2 - Live in Mexico City (from Hasta La Vista, Baby!)
10. Holy Joe (Guilty Mix) - (B-side) Discotheque Single

Where were you?

I can't believe it was 20 years ago today that the Challenger exploded. I was seven years old and in the 2nd Grade at College Park Elementary school. I remember our teacher taking us out to see the flag pole, which was at half-mast, she explained to us that there had been a big accident with the space shuttle and we were all going into the multi-purpose room to watch the news.

It's funny, because I don't remember too many specific things from that age, but I remember that day very well.

Friday Random Ten

1. Memphis Exorcism - Squirrel Nut Zippers (from Hot)
2. She Loves You - The Beatles (from 1)
3. Ramshackle - Beck (from Odelay!)
4. Slide - Asight Unseen (from Hollywood Proverbs)
5. Beautiful Day - U2 (from All That You Can't Leave Behind)
6. Rebel Without a Pause - Public Enemy (from Power to the People)
7. Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay (from Jars of Clay)
8. Things Have Changed - Bob Dylan (from The Essential Bob Dylan)
9. Wrong Number - The Cure (from Galore)
10. Fiddle About - The Who (from Tommy)

And my random U2 Ten. Apparently, it's "pop" day:

1. Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out of (acoustic) - from 7
2. Please - from Pop
3. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Live from Point Depot
4. Mofo - from Pop
5. Wild Honey - from All That You Can't Leave Behind
6. Staring at the Sun (live from Rotterdam) - from the Please single
7. If God Will Send His Angels - from Pop
8. Shadows & Tall Trees (1st demo version) - from the digital boxed set
9. A Man and a Woman - from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
10. Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own - from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

Sweet!

I just found out that Moe got us two tickets to see the Ellen Degeneres Show on February 1st! I got it cleared with work, Now here's hoping we can find people to watch the kids!

Four jobs you've had in your life: Guest Service Specialist (aka Targhetto cashier), Special Project Technician (aka Toilet Inspector), Usher - Angels Stadium, Sports Information Director/Coordinator
Four movies you could watch over and over: Billy Madison, School of Rock, American Beauty, Back to the Future
Four places you've lived: Irvine, La Mirada, Orange, Rivertucky
Four TV shows you love(d) to watch: Lost, 24, Close to Home, Numbers
Four places you've been on vacation: Idylwild, Hawaii, Colorado, New York
Four websites you visit daily: Espn.com, my work website, wikipedia, an are-they-dead-yet old people site that I can't link to, because other people in my death pool might steal my secret stash.
Four of your favorite foods: Chili, Enchiladas, Pizza, Cookies
Four places you'd rather be: At home in bed with my arms around my wife, laying on my living room floor with my kids climbing all over me, at a U2 Concert in Ireland, at Disneyland.

Friday Random Ten (A little late)

1. Holiday - Green Day - (from American Idiot)
2. Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins (from Rotten Apples: Greatest Hits)
3. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun - Pink Floyd (from Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd)
4. Cold As Ice - Matt Dusk (from Two Shots)
5. A Dark Time for the Light Side of Earth - Doris Henson (from Give Me All Your Money)
6. Foxy Lady - Jimi Hendrix (from Live at Woodstock)
7. The River - Garth Brooks (from The Hits)
8. Always - U2 (from 7)
9. The Times They Are a Changin' - Bob Dylan (from The Best of Bob Dylan)
10. I'll Fly Away - Kanye West (from The College Dropout)

I'm at 1,346 songs right now, including 220 U2 songs.

Akida Update

I just got this from the CE department chair at Biola, Richard Leyda.

I just talked to Jeff Sanchez and he had tried to get into see Akida, butthey are only letting family in (and a few pastors).Evidently, he is conscious but does not have feeling in parts of his bodyand they are afraid it was a stroke. Jeff said he was goingto try to get in Sunday/Monday and would let us know. I told him to tellAkida that we were all praying for him.

Go Dutch!

I talked to former Biola Baseball player Ben Orr today at a retirement party for the old Biola SID Ken Carlson and apparently, Jon Rouwenhorst has made the 40-man roster with the Angels. This means he'll be on the roster for major league spring training and has an outside shot at making the big league club. Most likely he'll be back at Triple-A Salt Lake, but he's getting closer. One more good year in the minors and he should be a September call-up this season!