...with a little girl recovering from a cold. So, yeah, spent last evening at the Arkansas Children's Hospital after-hours clinic with my daughter, who was running a fever. However, after some drugs and some good sleep, she's well on her way to recovery. She is spending the day with me because she cannot be at daycare having had a fever in the previous 24 hours. Not a big deal -- we're enjoying play time together.
Currently, she's back in her crib, doing her best to resist naptime ;) So I figured I'd take a moment to write this quick post and say hello. AND to wish everyone a happy, fall-like weekend. Gotta run, looks like naptime is over!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Operation: Lose Weight Update and a Wednesday video (Joan Armatrading)
Wow, I totally blanked on yesterday's post, didn't I? Yesterday was kind of a fragmented day (an eye appointment, another work-related appointment, friends dropping by after work, etc.) and I guess I couldn't get into my normal groove, leading to my forgetting to post last night. No big deal. I'll just double up today ;)
First, though, I'd like to note that, after a slight plateau (and some backtracking over the weekend) in my ongoing attempt at shedding some pounds, I've lost* a belt size and am back at my highest loss point so far (19 lbs). Hooray for me. Maybe I can hit TWENTY by the weekend? That would be pretty sweet. I'd like to be at thirty by the time my son comes in mid-November so I can spend part of my four-week paternity leave from work starting up a walking/running regimine. I'd resisted so far because 1) I'd like to shed as much weight before running on a hard surface to help out my knees a bit more and 2) I'm still a little bit on the lazy side**, especially after I get home from work. I'm hoping that during paternity leave, while my daughter is in daycare and my wife and newborn are napping during the day I can get out for 30-45 minutes. I believe that if I'm down thirty by that time and if I have a month's worth of running/walking sessions, I could be down forty by Christmas. In June I would have thought that was unpossible, but I think I see a path to that number. Cross your fingers!
OK, on to a video. While I don't think I'm overstating the case that I have a very wide breadth of music knowledge, especially established artists from the mid-60's through the late 90's, I'll easily admit that some slip through the cracks. I'll credit my wife with introducing me more fully with Joan Armatrading*** in recent years. How I never learned to appreciate her when I was knee deep in Blue or Tapestry, I'll never completely understand. I guess better late than never. This song is one of my favorites.
And this one is fantastic as well. Enjoy.
* Or is it gained? I'm not sure what the proper term is. In any event, I cinch the belt on additional belt loop, making the circumference of the belt circle smaller. Whatever that's referred to, that's what I'm describing ;)
** Aside from my Sunday afternoon soccer matches, in which I still fully participate for ninety minutes. Goalkeeper, sure, but I'm out there the entire game!
*** I had actually heard of her before and knew she was "like Joni Mitchell" but hadn't ever listened to her music.
First, though, I'd like to note that, after a slight plateau (and some backtracking over the weekend) in my ongoing attempt at shedding some pounds, I've lost* a belt size and am back at my highest loss point so far (19 lbs). Hooray for me. Maybe I can hit TWENTY by the weekend? That would be pretty sweet. I'd like to be at thirty by the time my son comes in mid-November so I can spend part of my four-week paternity leave from work starting up a walking/running regimine. I'd resisted so far because 1) I'd like to shed as much weight before running on a hard surface to help out my knees a bit more and 2) I'm still a little bit on the lazy side**, especially after I get home from work. I'm hoping that during paternity leave, while my daughter is in daycare and my wife and newborn are napping during the day I can get out for 30-45 minutes. I believe that if I'm down thirty by that time and if I have a month's worth of running/walking sessions, I could be down forty by Christmas. In June I would have thought that was unpossible, but I think I see a path to that number. Cross your fingers!
OK, on to a video. While I don't think I'm overstating the case that I have a very wide breadth of music knowledge, especially established artists from the mid-60's through the late 90's, I'll easily admit that some slip through the cracks. I'll credit my wife with introducing me more fully with Joan Armatrading*** in recent years. How I never learned to appreciate her when I was knee deep in Blue or Tapestry, I'll never completely understand. I guess better late than never. This song is one of my favorites.
And this one is fantastic as well. Enjoy.
* Or is it gained? I'm not sure what the proper term is. In any event, I cinch the belt on additional belt loop, making the circumference of the belt circle smaller. Whatever that's referred to, that's what I'm describing ;)
** Aside from my Sunday afternoon soccer matches, in which I still fully participate for ninety minutes. Goalkeeper, sure, but I'm out there the entire game!
*** I had actually heard of her before and knew she was "like Joni Mitchell" but hadn't ever listened to her music.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Hog game recap (ouch...still smarting)
Well, that was some weekend, wasn't it? Fantastic weather and a solidly unfantastic Hogs/Tide game. I haven't watched such a complete domination between two opponents that were allegedly in the same vicinity, skill-wise, in quite some time. It is clear that the Razorback offensive line needs some serious work. And it is doubly clear that, four years into Willy Robinson's tenure, the Hogs still cannot tackle a person carrying the football. That being said, the Hogs were on the road, in a formidable and hostile environment. Three of Alabama's touchdowns were scored unconventionally* and were not the result of a sustained, end zone-to-end zone drive. And the Hogs were missing some very key players (Bequette and Knile Davis to pre-game injury, and Tenarious Wright to an injury during the game) whose presence surely would have helped the Hogs' cause. But even if those things were in different and instead in the Razorbacks' favor, there still was no answer to the Tide's defensive front, both against the run and the pass. We just got eaten alive. No running game meant no play-action pass options and at least six defensive backs on every down. Unless we tame that defensive front five, we never stood a chance.
If this game had been played on October 24 instead of September 24, I think the Hogs play much better. We just weren't ready for Alabama. On a brighter note, however, is that I do believe we will continue to improve. This is why I still like the Hogs to win out, even against LSU on the last game. A&M presents a challenge next week, although their pass defense was exposed by OSU pretty badly and I think the Hogs passing attack, while not quite as good as OSU's, is good enough to do the same. And, let's face it, we're not going to face a better D-line than 'Bama's for the rest of the year. But then it is Auburn at home, a terrible Ole Miss team in Oxford, a slightly better but still not good Vandy team in Nashville, and then South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi State all at home. I believe those will all be wins. And then LSU to determine who goes BCS bowling.
* A fake field goal, a punt return, and an interception-and-score.
If this game had been played on October 24 instead of September 24, I think the Hogs play much better. We just weren't ready for Alabama. On a brighter note, however, is that I do believe we will continue to improve. This is why I still like the Hogs to win out, even against LSU on the last game. A&M presents a challenge next week, although their pass defense was exposed by OSU pretty badly and I think the Hogs passing attack, while not quite as good as OSU's, is good enough to do the same. And, let's face it, we're not going to face a better D-line than 'Bama's for the rest of the year. But then it is Auburn at home, a terrible Ole Miss team in Oxford, a slightly better but still not good Vandy team in Nashville, and then South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi State all at home. I believe those will all be wins. And then LSU to determine who goes BCS bowling.
* A fake field goal, a punt return, and an interception-and-score.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday video - The Hold Steady
This Friday I've decided to post a video of a much more obscure band than yesterday's generation-defining Nirvana, but rest assured that the musicians The Hold Steady great in their own right. The band writes and sings songs that are more stories than anthems*. This particular one is pretty great. If you've ever been to a big outdoor rock show or festival, you're probably familiar with the "chillout tent," which is where you go if you've taken more recreational pharmaceuticals that you probably should have ;) In any event, this song sings to the virtues of the "chillout tent" in The Hold Steady's best bar-band way:
* More than one rock critic has compared them to Bruce Springsteen in that regard and the comparison is not unjust.
* More than one rock critic has compared them to Bruce Springsteen in that regard and the comparison is not unjust.
My favorite Razorback memory
In anticipation of the BIG SHOWDOWN tomorrow against Alabama's Crimson Tide, I thought I'd share my favorite in-person Hog memory*. At least the one I witnessed in person is without a doubt the 1999 Tennessee game in Fayetteville. My parents, who normally attended the home games, were unable to make it for some reason and handed their tickets off to me. I gave my spare to my good friend Rob and the two of us, along with fellow hungover friends Ian and Carrie**, marched the 11:00 a.m. kickoff. I remember Tennessee was ranked #2 at the time, defending national champions, riding a multi-season winning streak. And then this happened.
WARNING: The first 45 seconds are painful for Razorback fans of any age. I would highly recommend not having eaten for the hour prior to watching it.
A secondary (some might say primary) memory of that day is seeing the goalpost from the south end zone torn down and carried to Dickson Street, where it was propped up at the front of what was then the Ozark Brewery. People were signing it. I know I signed it. I also hoisted my fair share of celebratory hefeweizens while joining the throngs of Hog revelers mockingly singing "Rocky Top" and cheering whenever highlights were periodically played on the TeeVees in the pub.*** Dickson Street ended up being blocked off by the city for the entire day and evening as the party lasted well into the night.
Bonus footnote **** :)
* I have a feeling it among the favored memories of the other 60,000 people in the stands that day as well.
** Well, I just assume the other three were hungover. I was :) Friday night on Dickson Street the day before the game...you know how it goes.
*** I also knew one of the bartenders, my buddy Bryan, who continually allowed me to cut in line and served me first despite the packed house. Big ups to you, Bryan!
**** Rewatching the highlights, I'm struck by two things. First, remembering how good of a freshman tailback Cedric Cobbs was. Just so talented. Second, how freaking good and aggressive our defensive front was that game and that year. There were some monsters on that line.
WARNING: The first 45 seconds are painful for Razorback fans of any age. I would highly recommend not having eaten for the hour prior to watching it.
A secondary (some might say primary) memory of that day is seeing the goalpost from the south end zone torn down and carried to Dickson Street, where it was propped up at the front of what was then the Ozark Brewery. People were signing it. I know I signed it. I also hoisted my fair share of celebratory hefeweizens while joining the throngs of Hog revelers mockingly singing "Rocky Top" and cheering whenever highlights were periodically played on the TeeVees in the pub.*** Dickson Street ended up being blocked off by the city for the entire day and evening as the party lasted well into the night.
Bonus footnote **** :)
* I have a feeling it among the favored memories of the other 60,000 people in the stands that day as well.
** Well, I just assume the other three were hungover. I was :) Friday night on Dickson Street the day before the game...you know how it goes.
*** I also knew one of the bartenders, my buddy Bryan, who continually allowed me to cut in line and served me first despite the packed house. Big ups to you, Bryan!
**** Rewatching the highlights, I'm struck by two things. First, remembering how good of a freshman tailback Cedric Cobbs was. Just so talented. Second, how freaking good and aggressive our defensive front was that game and that year. There were some monsters on that line.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday video - Nirvana
Heard this on NPR this morning, so it was obvious to me whose video(s) I'd feature on HillcrestBlog today.
Normally, I prefer to put live clips on my video posts, but for Nirvana it would be sacrilege to show anything other than the Video That Destroyed Hair Metal and Saved Rock:
Really, that video is still so f*cking awesome, twenty years in. I remember exactly where I was when I first saw it. In my dorm room, a first-semester freshman at the UA, watching it on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. It was like nothing I'd ever heard before*. It was a beautiful shock to the senses. And it reshaped modern music, leading to what I think was the Second Golden Age of Rock n Roll** (the first Golden Age obviously being 1964 through 1969).
One confession, however. However great Nevermind was, my favorite Nirvana album is their follow-up, In Utero. I'm not really sure why, as it doesn't have a song with the sheer power and beauty of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Its a bit looser, a bit more ragged***. Kurt Cobain seems maybe like he's about to lose a little bit of himself (which, sadly, turned out to be the case). Maybe a combination of all those things. Regardless, its one of my favorites, and this song is a highlight:
Watching that clip and noting that he is now an major figure in rock in his own right with his band Foo Fighters, I had forgotten how freaking good Dave Grohl is behind the drums. He's a monster. And, one more for good measure (warning: there's an extended sonic freak-out "solo" in this clip that's going to leave you saying WTF? Still, pretty awesome :)):
* I had not yet learned about Pixies, Hüsker Dü, Black Flag, or any of the 80's hardcore bands. All of which are great.
** Specifically, the fall of 1991 through late 1996. Ten. Exile in Guyville. Siamese Dream. Slanted and Enchanted. Badmotorfinger. Odelay. (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. Achtung Baby. Out of Time. Dirt. Metallica. Use Your Illusion I and II. Ill Communication. Dookie. Hollywood Town Hall. Anodyne. Bee Thousand. The Downward Spiral. Weezer. ...And Out Come the Wolves. Under the Table and Dreaming. And those are just a couple of the more notable examples. There are many more. Here endeth the lesson.
*** It was produced by Steve Albini, after all.
Normally, I prefer to put live clips on my video posts, but for Nirvana it would be sacrilege to show anything other than the Video That Destroyed Hair Metal and Saved Rock:
Really, that video is still so f*cking awesome, twenty years in. I remember exactly where I was when I first saw it. In my dorm room, a first-semester freshman at the UA, watching it on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. It was like nothing I'd ever heard before*. It was a beautiful shock to the senses. And it reshaped modern music, leading to what I think was the Second Golden Age of Rock n Roll** (the first Golden Age obviously being 1964 through 1969).
One confession, however. However great Nevermind was, my favorite Nirvana album is their follow-up, In Utero. I'm not really sure why, as it doesn't have a song with the sheer power and beauty of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Its a bit looser, a bit more ragged***. Kurt Cobain seems maybe like he's about to lose a little bit of himself (which, sadly, turned out to be the case). Maybe a combination of all those things. Regardless, its one of my favorites, and this song is a highlight:
Watching that clip and noting that he is now an major figure in rock in his own right with his band Foo Fighters, I had forgotten how freaking good Dave Grohl is behind the drums. He's a monster. And, one more for good measure (warning: there's an extended sonic freak-out "solo" in this clip that's going to leave you saying WTF? Still, pretty awesome :)):
* I had not yet learned about Pixies, Hüsker Dü, Black Flag, or any of the 80's hardcore bands. All of which are great.
** Specifically, the fall of 1991 through late 1996. Ten. Exile in Guyville. Siamese Dream. Slanted and Enchanted. Badmotorfinger. Odelay. (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. Achtung Baby. Out of Time. Dirt. Metallica. Use Your Illusion I and II. Ill Communication. Dookie. Hollywood Town Hall. Anodyne. Bee Thousand. The Downward Spiral. Weezer. ...And Out Come the Wolves. Under the Table and Dreaming. And those are just a couple of the more notable examples. There are many more. Here endeth the lesson.
*** It was produced by Steve Albini, after all.
Irrational exuberance
Or maybe it is rational. Whatever. The point is, I have not been this excited to see a movie in a long time. I can't even remember when. The Return of the King...maybe? Anyway, I posted before about my excitement over Moneyball and now, here it is, hitting the theaters this weekend. And because this is my blog, I'm going to fully utilize the embed video function available to me:
First, the trailer, so you can remember what it is about -- baseball and numbers dorks!
A bonus scene? Well, of course!
How about a "making of" featurette? Why not?
Anyway, there you go. Oh, one more thing
...(looking at the movie itself, like it was a sentient being)...
PLEASE BE GOOD AND DON'T SUCK! PLEASE! That is all.
First, the trailer, so you can remember what it is about -- baseball and numbers dorks!
A bonus scene? Well, of course!
How about a "making of" featurette? Why not?
Anyway, there you go. Oh, one more thing
...(looking at the movie itself, like it was a sentient being)...
PLEASE BE GOOD AND DON'T SUCK! PLEASE! That is all.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
My Concert Series - Wilco in Little Rock, 9-18-2007
The second time I saw Wilco was five years after the first time*, and five years after the band released their best album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot**. I think this was the first time Wilco had played in Little Rock, and I don't think they've been back***. And that's a shame, because the show was fantastic. After my wife and I had some pre-concert beers at our local neighborhood pub with our friends Brett & Jackie, we drove the three or so miles from our neighborhood**** to the concert venue and enjoyed every moment. Luckily, YouTube has come through with several concert clips, three of which I've embedded below for your viewing pleasure (sorry for the video and sound quality, though):
* Boston, 2002
** The making of the album, an unquestionable triumph, was caught in all its ugly glory in the documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. Highly recommended.
*** NOTE TO WILCO: We'd welcome you back with open arms!
**** One of the many Best Things about our neighborhood, Hillcrest, is how close it is to the downtown area for events such as this.
* Boston, 2002
** The making of the album, an unquestionable triumph, was caught in all its ugly glory in the documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. Highly recommended.
*** NOTE TO WILCO: We'd welcome you back with open arms!
**** One of the many Best Things about our neighborhood, Hillcrest, is how close it is to the downtown area for events such as this.
Wednesday video - R.E.M.
Well, this is a bit of sad news. R.E.M. is over. Thirty years in, the band apparently thinks that it has run its course. Admittedly, R.E.M. hasn't been a significant cultural force in over a decade and, really, probably fifteen years. But when they were, they were.
And, thirty years. Wow. It puts all the hoopla about Pearl Jam's 20 year reunion in perspective. They're only 2/3 of the way to R.E.M.'s mark*.
I'll admit that when R.E.M. was at its highest point**, I was not a fan. Indeed, part of that time was during my younger, metal/classic rock years and I was actively not a fan. But, like any good college-going music lover in the early 90's, R.E.M. was hard to ignore and it grew on me as I scoured their back catalog of Murmur and Document et al. To this day, this song is one of my favorites:
And, one more for good measure:
* And, good God, compare that to the Stones' FIFTY years as a band. Sheesh.
** I think there's a pretty solid consensus that 1987-1993 is your basic timeline here.
And, thirty years. Wow. It puts all the hoopla about Pearl Jam's 20 year reunion in perspective. They're only 2/3 of the way to R.E.M.'s mark*.
I'll admit that when R.E.M. was at its highest point**, I was not a fan. Indeed, part of that time was during my younger, metal/classic rock years and I was actively not a fan. But, like any good college-going music lover in the early 90's, R.E.M. was hard to ignore and it grew on me as I scoured their back catalog of Murmur and Document et al. To this day, this song is one of my favorites:
And, one more for good measure:
* And, good God, compare that to the Stones' FIFTY years as a band. Sheesh.
** I think there's a pretty solid consensus that 1987-1993 is your basic timeline here.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday video - The Shins
Speaking of phantom limbs...
Or, if you are in more of a Natalie Portman mood:
Or, if you are in more of a Natalie Portman mood:
Quick hits
1. My long nightmare is over -- my previously belly-up iPhone 3G has been repaired! Thank you Little Rock iPhone Repair. Very quick turnaround and very reasonable price. Being without my iPhone was like having a phantom limb -- I kept reaching for it and looking for it, but it just wasn't there. No texts for ten days, no internet and e-mail access at my fingertips. How did I ever survive?! I love you, iPhone -- I will never go that long without you again!*
2. Its one week out until Major League Baseball concludes its regular season and, more importantly, I conclude my fantasy baseball season. Currently, I'm in second place (with a bullet!) in one of my leagues, making a strong move to win this sucker. I'll admit -- its hard to pay attention to baseball now that the NFL is in full swing. Its not like the Cubs are doing much this year. But the payout disparity between finishing 1st and 2nd in this league is too much to ignore, so I'll soldier on for another week.
3. Don't Ask Don't Tell. Good f*cking riddance.
4. Tonight is Rhea Lana preparation night at the HillcrestBloggerFamily household. We topped two hundy at Duck Duck Goose. Looking for a similar performance this week.
* Until Friday. That's when I'm going to self-upgrade to a used 3GS (thx KLL!)
2. Its one week out until Major League Baseball concludes its regular season and, more importantly, I conclude my fantasy baseball season. Currently, I'm in second place (with a bullet!) in one of my leagues, making a strong move to win this sucker. I'll admit -- its hard to pay attention to baseball now that the NFL is in full swing. Its not like the Cubs are doing much this year. But the payout disparity between finishing 1st and 2nd in this league is too much to ignore, so I'll soldier on for another week.
3. Don't Ask Don't Tell. Good f*cking riddance.
4. Tonight is Rhea Lana preparation night at the HillcrestBloggerFamily household. We topped two hundy at Duck Duck Goose. Looking for a similar performance this week.
* Until Friday. That's when I'm going to self-upgrade to a used 3GS (thx KLL!)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday video - Son Volt
Been playing catch-up today, so here's a quick one. To those who know me well, I've said just about everything there is to say about Son Volt and the band's first album Trace. So I won't belabor the point. Simply put, if there is one song I want to be played at my funeral, however old I might be, I want it to be this one.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
My Concert Series - KISS in Little Rock, August 24, 1990
Although my very first rock concert was seeing The Romantics in the parking lot of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the summer of 1990*, my very first real concert was KISS at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock later that August. I went with my friends Ira and Sean and I have to admit, I was a little intimidated at 17 years old being surrounded by metalheads and old 70's rockers**.
I don't have really any solid memories of the show except that, up until that point, I had no idea how freaking LOUD rock n' roll could get. Plus, the Sphinx-head backdrop. Oh, and chicks with big hair wearing either 1) not much, or 2) less than that. Still, not a bad way to break into the rock concert scene.
Remarkably, I found this clip:
And this:
Sure, I wish one of these were "Detroit Rock City" or "Love Gun" instead of the kinda late 80's lame KISS songs, but how freaking awesome that, after twenty-one years, I can find even a couple of bits of this show on YouTube. Remarkable.
* I assume as part of a student activity series because it was free?
** Remember, this was before the big KISS revival of the late 1990's when they decided to go back to full Kabuki makeup and pyrotechnics and all that. This show didn't have the nostalgic fans you saw at those shows. These were the fans that had been with KISS through the long haul.
I don't have really any solid memories of the show except that, up until that point, I had no idea how freaking LOUD rock n' roll could get. Plus, the Sphinx-head backdrop. Oh, and chicks with big hair wearing either 1) not much, or 2) less than that. Still, not a bad way to break into the rock concert scene.
Remarkably, I found this clip:
And this:
Sure, I wish one of these were "Detroit Rock City" or "Love Gun" instead of the kinda late 80's lame KISS songs, but how freaking awesome that, after twenty-one years, I can find even a couple of bits of this show on YouTube. Remarkable.
* I assume as part of a student activity series because it was free?
** Remember, this was before the big KISS revival of the late 1990's when they decided to go back to full Kabuki makeup and pyrotechnics and all that. This show didn't have the nostalgic fans you saw at those shows. These were the fans that had been with KISS through the long haul.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday video - Radiohead
Friday afternoons/early evenings don't engender the desire to post blog entries much, do they, fellow bloggers? As such, I'm not going to feel a bit guilty about posting just this video for you today. I mean, its Radiohead. "Let Down" from OK Computer. Please tell me what's wrong with that? ;)
Have a good weekend, everybody. If I can find time to post tomorrow or Sunday, I will.
Have a good weekend, everybody. If I can find time to post tomorrow or Sunday, I will.
I had to repost this video
From Gawker:
"A Phoenix man became trapped inside his SUV on Thursday after he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll over and strike a utility pole. In the process, the driver rear-ended another vehicle driven by a man named George Lindell, who later described the events to local Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV in this amazing interview that you must watch immediately." (Interview starts at 1:25 mark)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Two articles worth a read
Two very interesting posts I read today. One is pretty short and is an encapsulation of one of my favorite topics du jour -- the eventual death of suburban America (as we know it). I'll post something regarding my own thoughts on this topic in the near future. The other is pretty long and it involves the NCAA and the myth of the "student-athlete." It is a great piece of journalism. I've long thought our colleges should pay athletes that play for their sports teams. This article only bolsters that opinion.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
My Concert Series - Phish in Kansas City, October of 1995
OK, so this is a cop-out post. I don't care. If there is one thing that YouTube is 100% on the awesome side of the ball with it is going back and seeing if any video exists of shows I attended when I was younger, poorer, dumber, and with enough free time to be able to travel to see concerts :)
Today's inaugural My Concert Series post is the Phish show in Kansas City in October of 1995. On a whim, I blew off some of my 1L law school classes and traveled up the road from Fayetteville to the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium with a mixed bag of some law school friends (Dana, Russell, Stewart) and other friends to catch the live act of one of the most dynamic bands around. And I was not disappointed.
I'm not going to excerpt the entire concert below, but you can click here to go to a YouTube channel that has the entire show in 12 different clips.. It was so, so, so good.
Today's inaugural My Concert Series post is the Phish show in Kansas City in October of 1995. On a whim, I blew off some of my 1L law school classes and traveled up the road from Fayetteville to the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium with a mixed bag of some law school friends (Dana, Russell, Stewart) and other friends to catch the live act of one of the most dynamic bands around. And I was not disappointed.
I'm not going to excerpt the entire concert below, but you can click here to go to a YouTube channel that has the entire show in 12 different clips.. It was so, so, so good.
Wednesday video - Pearl Jam
It is hard, and sometimes difficult, to believe that Pearl Jam's debut album Ten is twenty years old. That also means that Nevermind is twenty years old, that I moved into my freshman dorm* at the University of Arkansas twenty years ago this fall, and that I've essentially been "grown-up"** for twenty years. Being thirty-eight years old, married for five years, and being a father already once over (and soon to be for the second time), it is becoming increasingly more unsettling to realize that I'm approaching the fulcrum where I have more life behind me than I have in front of me. This is not meant to be morbid in any sense -- I mean "unsettling" in the sense that there's that weird sensation, a realization, that you've lived in this world for a long while now and seen, heard, and experienced so much. And that memories you have, such as listening to Ten (or Nevermind or Siamese Dream) for the first time happened a long time ago. That there are "grown-up" kids that moved into their freshman dorm at the University of Arkansas this fall that were not yet born when I was air-guitaring to "Black," "Alive," or "Even Flow" -- which in 1991 and 1992 were fantastic new songs by this new band Pearl Jam!
Well, enough of all that. As a live band, PJ have few peers. Here's a 1992 performance of "Alive" from SNL.
And here's a bonus live clip of my favorite track from 1993's album Vs.
* My dorm was Gladson-Ripley, which at the time was one of the co-ed Honor's Dorms. I lived in Room 113 my freshman year with my friend Mark and in 114 my sophomore year by myself. Glad to see that they finally got air-conditioning, which was not an option way back in 1991.
** If the definition of "grown-up" is limited to someone else cooking or preparing your everyday meals for you that is not your mom.
Well, enough of all that. As a live band, PJ have few peers. Here's a 1992 performance of "Alive" from SNL.
And here's a bonus live clip of my favorite track from 1993's album Vs.
* My dorm was Gladson-Ripley, which at the time was one of the co-ed Honor's Dorms. I lived in Room 113 my freshman year with my friend Mark and in 114 my sophomore year by myself. Glad to see that they finally got air-conditioning, which was not an option way back in 1991.
** If the definition of "grown-up" is limited to someone else cooking or preparing your everyday meals for you that is not your mom.
Two very exciting things (dork edition)
Well, that may be overstating things a bit, but I cannot seem to contain my joy regarding the following:
1. The weather forecast for Central Arkansas shows highs in the mid-70's for the next handful of days. And rain. Oh, the rain. Perhaps we can now put the Summer of Hot fully behind us; and
2. Our minor/major kitchen renovation is complete. Minor, because it was only the installation of a new countertop, new sink/faucet/disposal, and a new diswasher. Major, because my wife and I have been without a fully-functioning kitchen since August 8th*. Literally, our stove resided on a piece of cardboard in our dining room during this time, waiting to be reinstalled. It basically crapped up the entire house, which we are not used to, even with a 21-month old running things. But now it is completed and it looks terrific.
Oh, and I almost forgot -- new TeeVee shows begin this week. No more reading pesky books for..."entertainment" ;)
* Due first to unreliable countertop contractors who either would not get back to us regarding an appointment or would delay in getting us the estimates themselves. We ultimately went with a DIYish granite-tile installation by our general contractor. But then the tile took 10 days to ship from Home Depot. Ugh. It was a frustrating mess.
1. The weather forecast for Central Arkansas shows highs in the mid-70's for the next handful of days. And rain. Oh, the rain. Perhaps we can now put the Summer of Hot fully behind us; and
2. Our minor/major kitchen renovation is complete. Minor, because it was only the installation of a new countertop, new sink/faucet/disposal, and a new diswasher. Major, because my wife and I have been without a fully-functioning kitchen since August 8th*. Literally, our stove resided on a piece of cardboard in our dining room during this time, waiting to be reinstalled. It basically crapped up the entire house, which we are not used to, even with a 21-month old running things. But now it is completed and it looks terrific.
Oh, and I almost forgot -- new TeeVee shows begin this week. No more reading pesky books for..."entertainment" ;)
* Due first to unreliable countertop contractors who either would not get back to us regarding an appointment or would delay in getting us the estimates themselves. We ultimately went with a DIYish granite-tile installation by our general contractor. But then the tile took 10 days to ship from Home Depot. Ugh. It was a frustrating mess.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday video - The Replacements
Actually am a little busy today so this video post will be very short. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Replacements!
Run, don't walk, to your local record store* and pick up the album Tim, from whence this song came. It is fantastic!
* By that, I mean, order it off of Amazon or iTunes.
Run, don't walk, to your local record store* and pick up the album Tim, from whence this song came. It is fantastic!
* By that, I mean, order it off of Amazon or iTunes.
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