Merry Christmas

Been a while since I've posted. Hopefully everyone out there has a very Merry Christmas. Today is my last day of work for the year. Can't wait for some time off. I'll try to post more here in the next week.

Take care all!

Work, work, work...

Thanks to No Child Left Behind, this is a really busy time in my office. All of the teachers that have waited to submit their teaching license paperwork are now faced with a huge deadline. "Get your licence, or get a new job". So, needless to say I've been having to put out fires all week, and it probably won't stop until right before Chirstmas. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.

Posting will probably be sporadic for a bit here. I'll try to get some posts in this weekend, since it has been a busy week in the world.

Flight of the Conchords

If you've never heard or seen The Flight of the Conchords, run don't walk to your nearest video store and rent their first season. New episodes begin in January.

Flight of the Conchords

This is how it's done...

Trey, take notice. In case you forgot how to play this seminal Phish song, here it is.

So sorry for offending you, Harry

This just cracks me up. Harry Reid, yesterday at the opening of the new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, said:

"This facility here is really terrific, for lack of a better way to describe it. My staff has always said, 'Don't say this,' but I'm going to say it again, because it's so descriptive because it's true. Leader Baynor mentioned that tourists lined up in summer and winter, long lines coming into the Capitol. In the summertime, because the high humidity and how hot it gets here, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. And that may be descriptive but it's true. Well, that is no longer going to be necessary."

Thanks Harry! Maybe you were just smelling your moldy Temple Garment.



Reid
by burghnews

Now, this is thinking out side the box

Seems there is a teacher near San Diego, CA that has been offering parents and some local businesses the chance to place quotes or ads on his Math quizzes and tests. He charges for these ads and uses the money to cover the cost of printing up these quizzes and tests. What an ingenious idea.
Instead of complaining about his shrinking printing budget this teacher has solved that problem with some creative thinking. Hats off to him.

Cash-strapped teacher sells ads on tests

Who's your friend?

This is just downright scary. Hopefully these people don't come knocking on my door anytime soon.

The Big Game

Tomorrow is the DAY! Ohio State vs. Michigan. The Bucks are going for 5 in a row.

Moment of Zen...

No comment needed.

We're talkin' bout practice...

Moment of Zen...

Yo Gabba Gabba

Monty Python channel on YouTube...

This is a great move. Why spend time suing the morons, when you can beat them at their own game. Hopefully more stuff like this happens in the future.

Monty Python puts all of it's content on YouTube

Monty Python channel on YouTube

Welcome to the Big 10, Rich Rod

What a whiner.

Cry Me a River

Ohio State vs. Michigan week...

It's that time of the football season...OSU vs. Michigan.

Go Bucks!!

I just heard on the news that Michigan can't make it down to Columbus for the game this Saturday.
Apparently, they are unable to get past Toledo.

Will

Just thought I'd post this great picture of my nephew, Will, in his Halloween costume. He was the Red Power Ranger, and turns out he really likes his costume.

Friday!!

It's that special day again...Friday! I've had a very long busy week this week so I'm ready to leave this office and relax at home. Going to watch some shows on the DVR tonight, football tomorrow, and more TV on Sunday. Ah...bliss.

Ohio State vs. Illinois

The Buckeyes take on the Fighting Illini tomorrow, in the second to last game of the season. Last year Illinois spoiled the Buckeyes perfect regular season. Look for the Buckeyes to exact revenge in this game.

GO BUCKS!!

Busy...

Works got me tied up this week, so blog posting has been sparse. I'll try to change that here soon if I can. Gotta pay the bills.

Moment of Zen...

Veteran's Day

Just a huge thanks to all veterans past and present for the enormous sacrifice that they have made for our country. I find it hard to find the right words to express my gratitude.

Veterans Day Events

4-Hour Shoeshine Honors Nation's Military

iPhone

What can't this thing do?

The iphone Ocarina

OSU vs. Northwestern

The Buckeyes travel to Northwestern this Saturday for another Big 10 matchup. Hopefully the team is not looking past the Wildcats to next weekends matchup with Illinois. This has trap game written all over it. All the Bucks need to do is win out and they have a really good shot to head to the Rose Bowl for a rematch with Southern Cal.

Friday...

Ah, Friday once again. So happy, can't contain myself. Going to go have some drinks for happy hour after work, and then relax all weekend. Can't wait!

Townes Van Zandt

Now that the election is over, I can get back to talking about music. Last night I watched a really good documentary on the life of Townes Van Zandt. The documentary was called, Be Here To Love Me, and gave a nice overview of this very troubled singer-songwriter. I highly suggest checking out this documentary, or better yet, head over to his website where there are a bunch of his CD's and two new vinyl reissues available for purchase.

Townes Van Zandt Central

Front page

I thought this was a cool front page. From the Chicago Sun-Times.

President-Elect Obama

A very historic night last night. The nations first African American has been elected President, and by a very wide margin. I'm hopeful that Obama will be able to change the course of this great nation. I just hope that he follows through on his campaign rhetoric.

Here's to the next four years!

Barack Obama, our next president

Grant Park Obama rally pictures

Today's the day...

Election 2008 will be coming to an end tonight(hopefully), and I for one can't wait. I won't be missing the endless robo-calls we've been receiving the past two weeks. I also won't miss all the stupid commericials on TV. Too bad Jake Jabs won't be going away anytime soon.

Let's just hope the end actually happens and we don't have a repeat of 2000.

Greensky Bluegrass 7/12/08 bit torrent

Here's a recording from this past summer that I finally got around to seeding. A great set by Greensky Bluegrass, and a great rowdy crowd that had been drinking all day long.

http://cotapers.org/torrents.php

VOTE!

Just a friendly reminder to get out to the polls tomorrow and make sure your voice is heard. Should be a historic day!

Jerry's Record Exchange

I finally found some time to stop in to Jerry's Record Exchange here in Denver. The place is a goldmine. I spent about an hour flipping through the Jazz and Folk vinyl sections. I walked away with some real gems.

Charles Mingus - Cumbia & Jazz Fusion

Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds of Fire

Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, Paco DeLucia - Friday Night in San Francisco

Deodato - Prelude

Peter, Paul, and Mary - Album 1700

All for $22.50. Can't beat it. If you're looking for some great jazz vinyl head on over to Jerry's, you won't be disappointed.

John Hartford Song of the Week 11/3

For this week's song of the week, I have chosen In Tall Buildings, from John's great album, Nobody Knows What You Do. I feel this song is fitting as we approach election day tomorrow. This song is about giving up things and growing up, not necessarily by choice.

"Someday my baby when I am man, and others have taught me the best that they can. Sell me a suit, and cut off my hair, and send me to work in tall buildings."

A theme I've found that runs through a lot of Hartford's songs, is the compromise of doing things not because you want to, but because you have to. This song is a perfect example of that theme.

In Tall Buildings

Halloween

You can call me a fuddy duddy if you wish, but I don't get the holiday of Halloween. Sure if you're 5 years old it makes perfect sense. But if you're a 50+ year old geezer, I really don't see the appeal of dressing up.

The people around my office are nuts, but that's a whole nother blog post, and probably one that would take me a week to write.

So, to all the 5 year olds out there, have fun and get some candy. To all the old people out there, grow up!

BAH!

Video Killed The Radio Star

MTV has finally done something worthwhile. Every music video ever made, available to watch for FREE. Can't beat it with a stick, and I challenge anyone to find a music video that is not on there. Be prepared to waste a good few hours on this site.

MTV Music

The first video ever aired on MTV.

Classic

My Favorite

Thank me later.

Ras Trent...

This digital short was on Saturday Night Live last week. Such a riot. I wish I didn't know nimrods like this though.

Must See TV

It's that time again...Thursday. This week we have the season premerie of 30 Rock. Can't wait. Hopefully Tina Fey's impressions of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live will bring a much deserved audience boost to this season. Don't forget about Survivor and The Office are also on.

Game on!

"Senator Biden Is Now My Homeboy."

Thanks to Ezra Klein for posting this.

Obama on TV tonight

Barack Obama has paid reportedly $1 million a network to broadcast a 30 minute message today. The program will appear on NBC, CBS, and Fox. Not sure why it's not being broadcast on ABC, maybe it's a Disney thing. Supposedly Obama will focus on the economy for the majority or the 30 minutes.

Obama's final TV blitz to focus on economy

Rough weekend

Well, I'm back at work after a great weekend of two Yonder shows. The brain is a bit fuzzy, so I'll make this short. Hope to get my wits about me soon and throw some thoughts on the weekend together.

Till then...

On the road again...

I-70 Eastbound!

Obama to be in Colorado on Sunday

Looks like Obama will be making a campaign stop in Denver on Sunday. The campaign hasn't released any details, but it appears he may be speaking in Civic Center Park. I'm sure there will be a huge turnout for that.

Obama to be in Denver on Sunday

Yonder...

Leaving tomorrow morning to catch two Yonder Mountain String Band shows in Lawrence, KS and Omaha, NE. The adage goes, "Never miss a tour closer". I'll be blogging from the road so stay tuned. In the meantime here's some Yonder to start your Wednesday off right.

Palin stumped by a 3rd grader

This is downright scary.

Story here

I'm sorry Gov. Palin, but the Vice President does not introduce legislature to the Senate. They are only involved with the Senate if there is ever a tie, and their vote is needed to break that tie.

McCain pulls out of Colorado, retraction

It appears that John McCain is in fact not giving up on Colorado just yet. Though he is trailing here in some polls by close to 10 points, he will be making two stops in Colorado this Friday. McCain will be in Denver on Friday morning, and down in Durango in the afternoon. There is talk that he may make a stop in Republican hotbed, Colorado Springs between the two.

13 days until election day!

McCain will campaign in Denver, Durango on Friday

Local angle

This is a really cool tidbit. "The last presidential candidate believed to have visited Durango was Ralph Nader in September 2000, and before that John F. Kennedy in 1960."

Let it snow...

Seems winter is finally upon us here in Colorado. We woke up to a good 6+ inches of snow this morning. It'll probably all melt by this weekend, but it sure was a shock this morning. Living at 8400 ft in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, you have to like snow. Good thing we and our dog Max like the snow. Bring it on!

McCain pulls out of Colorado

Thanks to Tim for pointing this article out.

McCain camp looking for way to win without Colorado

While Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado are still officially listed as McCain target states, two top strategists and advisers tell CNN that the situation in those states looks increasingly bleak. Iowa and New Mexico always have been viewed as difficult races, but the similar assessment of Colorado reflects a dramatic shift for a campaign that had long counted on the state.
"Gone," was the word one top McCain insider used to describe those three states.

Seems like the tide is quickly turning for the McCain campaign.

Garfield minus Garfield

This is pure genius.

Garfield Minus Garfield

Early Voting

There is nothing more important this election season then getting out and actually voting. I plan to vote on November 4th since our polling place is usually not that busy. Others may not be so lucky. By all accounts this election will see the highest voter turnout ever. With one of the longest ballots in state history, lines may end up being very long on the 4th.

If it fits into your schedule, you have the opportunity to vote early. The Rocky Mountain News ran a great piece about early voting in today's edition. Included is a great FAQ that you might find helpful.

Thousands of early voters cast ballots

Bottom line: GET OUT AND VOTE!

Guitar Hero: Phish in concert

This made me really laugh out loud.

BCS Week 1

Well, the first BCS college football poll was released yesterday. The Buckeyes pulled in at #9, which is a step up from the #10 rankings they received in the AP and USA Today polls. Goes to show the computers like us a bit more than the humans do. Seems the humans voters still can't get over our losses in the past two national championship game. No bias there.

Of course this Saturday's game is a big one. #3 Penn St. comes to The Horseshoe for what will hopefully be a better game that the USC game. I have a feeling with Pryor running the offense, it'll be a very interesting game. Now hopefully our defense will be able to make the all important open field tackles that have been lacking.

Good article here.

Complete BCS standings Week 1.

Complete Poll listings.

John Hartford Song of the Week 10/20

This week's song of the week comes from Hartford's second album, Earthwords & Music. The song is called, Naked In Spite Of Myself. The song kicks off with a driving banjo line and is followed by a full on bluegrass rock band intro. The drums and bass really kick this tune up a notch as Hartford launches into his lyrics about love lost and scorn.

"This tongue of yours so razor sharp, has cut deep within..."

Not sure what it is, but this song still sounds fresh and new, but was written over 40 years ago. That's something I've found with a lot of Hartford's music. Such timeless lyrics and fresh driving music.

Naked In Spite Of Myself

How about that...

I feel like Mel Allen,or some guy that just won the lottery. I was able to pull 2 tickets for the Sunday Hampton Phish show. Not sure how that happened, but it did. Giggety!

Twelve Years Ago

Twelve years ago I was able to see two killer Phish shows. We drove from Ohio to Penn St and then on to Pittsburgh where we had 7th row seats for an amazing second set. Ah, memories. If this band ever comes back to playing at this level, I'll travel all over the country to see them again.

10-17-96 Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA
1: Also Sprach Zarathustra-> Funky Bitch, Sparkle-> Tweezer-> Theme From the Bottom, Talk, Punch You in the Eye, Character Zero, A Day in the Life, Tweezer Reprise
2: Ya Mar, Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Scent of a Mule, Free, Lizards, The Star Spangled Banner*, David Bowie
E: Golgi Apparatus
*A capella and first time played. Sung in prepartion for the L.A. Lakers game.

10-18-96 Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
1: Runaway Jim, Guelah Papyrus, The Old Home Place, Cars Trucks Buses, Stash, Strange Design, The Divided Sky, Billy Breathes, Taste, Sample in a Jar
2: Suzy Greenberg, Maze, You Enjoy Myself, Reba, Waste, Harry Hood
E: Julius

O-H

The Buckeyes travel to East Lansing to battle the Spartans tomorrow. Go Bucks!

Bourbon

I'm going to come right out and say that I LOVE Bourbon. I love it almost as much as I love television. Love the brown water, it's my Achilles heel for sure. There's nothing like kicking back and having a nice cocktail of bourbon and some 7-Up. Or if I have the good stuff, just on the rocks. Heavenly.

My go to Bourbon is Bulliet. Very easily found, with a nice woody smooth taste to it. And it comes in a really cool bottle. The mark of good Bourbon is obviously the bottle it comes in. Which is evidence of the really good Bourbon made by Blanton's. This stuff is the real deal, and really good. Check it out if you can.

Biden's Four Letter Word...

Seems Joe needs to start using his fingers when he counts.

Friday!!

Let's get this Friday started right with a little Marvin. Funky!!
This man was the definition of smooth.

Must See TV

I love Thursday nights. Sitting on the couch, getting ready for the weekend, and watching some great television. You've got Survivor on CBS, The Office on NBC, and that is followed by Saturday Night Live's Election Update. Personally, I can't wait for the election to be over so 30 Rock will come back. Enjoy the evening and have a beer on me.

Stop...Hammer Time

This is just too funny. Guy looks like he's having a heart attack. It's even more funny that Reuters is running this.

Yahoo Caption

Colorado Tapers

I am a member of Colorado Tapers. We are a group of tapers in the Colorado area that post shows for bit torrent download at: http://cotapers.org/torrents.php. There are a bunch of really great recordings up there right now, including my Mark Knopfler recording from this past June. Knopfler played at Red Rocks, and Andrea and I were lucky enough to get seats in the 2nd row. It was probably the best show I've seen so far in 2008.

Anyway, be sure to check out cotapers for some great recordings from Colorado.

Denver Record Collector's Fall Expo 2008

If you're in or around Denver this Sunday October 19th, be sure to check out the Record Collector's Expo up in Northglenn. It's only $2 to get in and I hear they will have over 40 dealers there this year. I may try to make it if I get the cord of wood I bought stacked. We shall see.

More information may be found here: http://www.bigk.com/expo.html

Sawyer Hollow

Sawyer Hollow is a great band of young pickers, from Virginia that I got a chance to see when I was in Bristol, VA/TN a few weeks ago for the Rhythm and Roots Reunion music festival. These three guys flat out rip. I'm hoping I can get them out to Colorado at some point in the future. Check out their myspace page and this video of their version of Cluck Old Hen from one of their sets in Bristol. I'll try to have the set that I recorded up soon.

http://www.myspace.com/sawyerhollow

Danny Barnes radio interview

Here's a nice little radio interview (about 10 mins) with Danny Barnes. This was on KDUR out of Durango, CO and conducted by the program director, and acquaintance of mine, Bryant Liggett. Danny talks about life on the road, and the recent Bad Livers reunion shows. Check it out.

http://www.dannybarnes.com/interviews.html

Danny Barnes Bio: http://www.dannybarnes.com/bio.html

Danny's Folktronics blog: http://www.folktronics.com/web/

Worst Week

I am a TV junkie, no two ways around that. I end up watching a lot of crap to find that one or two decent show each season that is truly good. Well, this season that one show so far is Worst Week. Worst Week airs Monday nights on CBS, following the great shows The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. I still can't get into Two and a Half Men.

Anyway, Worst Week follows the trials of Sam and his girlfriend Mel as they visit Mel's parents for the first time to celebrate Mel's Dad's (played by the great Kurtwood Smith) birthday. As more and more of the family arrives, the hilarity ensues as Sam makes an ass of himself over and over. I highly suggest you check it out if you'd like a good chuckle.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/worst_week/

John Hartford song of the week 10/13 MP3

Here is the MP3 of Morning Bugle I promised yesterday. Let me know what you think of the song. It's one of my favorites.

Morning Bugle

The Glory Days

Denied...

Not that I care a whole lot, I placed an order for a friend, but I got denied for Phish tickets for their return to the stage this coming March, in Hampton, VA.

I'm waiting until I actually hear how they sound before I start throwing more money at them. Yes, I'm still a little bitter over the Coventry fiasco, but it's more about practice. Yes, practice. If the four guys throw themselves back into the music like it matters to them again, I'm ready to travel. If not, I'm content to stay home and listen to my Fall 1997 tour tapes.

We regret to inform you that you did not get the tickets that you requested through Phish Tickets.

Please note that your card was not charged and all billing info will be deleted from our system.

You will have another chance to purchase tickets on the public on-sale date for each
show. For specific on-sale information please see below or refer to the tour
dates section at www.Phish.com/tourdates

Tickets will be available Saturday, October 18 at 10:00AM Eastern here:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Phish-tickets/artist/748766

3.06.09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
3.07.09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
3.08.09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA

Live at Folsom Prison

Another new release today is an expanded Legacy Edition of Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. In this expanded release there is included a new 90 minute documentary DVD. Unfortunately, no movie cameras were actually there in 1968, unlike Cash's San Quentin show in 1969. Nonetheless, it appears this new documentary focuses on two of the inmates who were present for this show and how the event effected them. Looks very interesting.

Rocky Mountain News Entertainment writer, Mark Brown had a piece about it in today's paper. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/13/johnny-cashs-folsom-prison-days-revisited/

Here's an NPR blog from 2005 about the concert, with a few clips.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5018930


Here's Folsom Prison Blues from San Quentin.

New Ryan Adams album

Ryan Adams is another great singer/songwriter who approaches his music with a country-ish bent. Adams was a member of famed Alt-Country band Whiskeytown in the late 90's. He has had a stellar solo career releasing 10 albums since 2000. His latest album, Cardinology, featuring his touring band The Cardinals is set to hit the street on 10/28/08. From all accounts I've read this is going to be another scorcher from Adams and The Cardinals.

You can preorder the CD and limited edition Collectors Vinyl featuring a bonus 7" and digital download code at http://www.cardinology.com/. For $20 shipped the vinyl is a steal. Can't wait to spin the translucent red vinyl.

Check out tour dates including a tour with British band Oasis here: http://www.cardinology.com/home.html

GOOG-411

The people at google do it again.

John Hartford song of the week 10/13

I'm going to start this weekly feature where I profile a song from my favorite musician, John Hartford. Hartford was an Americana musician who is best known for the song Gentle On My Mind that was made famous by Glen Campbell, and has been covered by over 300 different musicians.

More information about the life and times of John Hartford may be found at these sites.
http://johnhartford.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hartford


The first song I will be profiling is the namesake of this blog, Morning Bugle, from the 1972 album of the same name. This album was released one year after Aereo-Plain, which is probably Hartford's best known album. Morning Bugle finds Hartford teaming up again with Norman Blake on guitar and mandolin, and Dave Holland on bass. This album was recorded live in the studio with no over-dubbing, so you get the loose feel that the players are really enjoying themselves.

The song Morning Bugle comes in about halfway through the set and at only 2:22 in length it's done before you know it. Like a lot of Hartford's tunes the lyrics conger up a great sense of lounging around in a whimisical fashion just taking in all life has to offer. Below find the lyrics and I will post an mp3 of the song when I get home tonight.

Here I am, too wasted for the evening ride down to mother Mary’s other place.

Can I hang out here beside your fireside? Listen to the rain fall, fallin on the earth ball.

You know I tried, my dear, to be like everybody else, but my body and my mind had other plans

So here I am, laid out by your fireside, listenin to the rainfall, fallin on the earth ball

Oh say, please don’t go away. I haven’t got much I can call to

If you’re not here, then somewhere on the south south side

Some scene I’ll make myself fun to keep on laughing

I’ll get by with a little bit o luck again.

Gonna get me a place down here for Thanksgiving dinner, don’t you know?

Gonna get me a lid and keep back out of sight.

It keeps me mellow, gets me way down low,

Playin in the morning sun, singin with a silver tongue.

Gonna dig me a hole, right here in all of them patchwork quilts

Keep my banjo by my side, right there in bed.

Pretend I’m in a rowboat down by the railroad pond,

Playin in the morning sun, playin with a silver tongue

Oh me, what do I see, not much left in the cupboard

Half past three and time to make the survey again

The street’s up, the street’s gone up, the town below got flooded

We’ll get by with a little bit o luck again

Free Todd Snider download

Todd Snider is one amazing singer/songwriter, and if you've never had the chance to check him out, now is a great time. Todd's new studio album, Peace Queer, is up for a free digital download. There is also a preorder for the CD, and vinyl version. So, if you enjoy what you hear be sure to purchase a hard copy. I'll try to write up a review once I get some time to listen to it.

http://www.toddsnider.net/store/product/1/Peace-Queer

Dow sets another record

Man do I wish I had some money to throw into the market right now. After last weeks tumble, it's nice to see a 936 single day gain. And with gas prices falling, this is more good news.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=6019460

On my way...

Well, I have fallen prey to the blog bug. We'll see how this goes. I hope to write about some of the shows I'm seeing. Hopefully I can even blog and post some photos directly from the shows using my phone...we'll see how that goes.

I'll also be posting about other things I find interesting. Maybe you'll find them interesting too, maybe not. Hopefully we can discuss some current events also.

And away I go...