Eagles Featured on 60 Minutes This Evening

Taking a break from some outdoor work on perhaps one of our last nice days of 2007 here in Cleveland before Winter strikes, and I noticed that the Eagles are featured tonight on 60 Minutes.

I'm just hoping (against the impression laid out in the preview from CBS) that they don't pretend that Glenn Frey and Don Henley are the whole damned band...

Amen to That, Brother

I haven't posted enough (any?) of one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Randy Newman. This cat really has longevity and depth to what he does. You probably know him even if you don't know it.

There's a certain wry humor to most of his stuff that really catches my fancy.

Here's a cut (haha, i just had to change a funny typo there ;-) ) from SNL which seems to be from the 80s of "It's Money that Matters" and even without seeing him on stage with him, Mark Knopfler's signature guitar sound hits you like a color TV you should move.

Sunday Shows

Hmmm....FNS just started and Chris Wallace introduced Uncle Fred as someone who's "running hard" for the Presidency.

I'll have what he's smoking.

But Meet should be fun this week. Their scheduled guest list is a carbon copy of the early September lineup that ended up in Mary Matalin throwing a pen at Bob Shrum.

Giddyup!

More Evidence of Dan's Catlike Reflexes to Catch a Good Thing While It's Happening

If there was ever any doubt that I'm perpetually apprehensive about bringing new things into my life, I proved it yet again last week when I watched, loved and lamented the 2006-passing of the charming Fox show, Arrested Development.

What a treat!

I'm not sure how I tripped upon it, but added it to my Netflix list and watched Season 1 last week and was immediately smitten.

Starring former kid-star and brother of Justine, Jason Bateman, it's about a dysfunctional family trying to maintain appearances and the family business after the patriarch, Jeffrey Tambor (AKA Hank "Hey Now" Kingsley) was thrown in jail for embezzlement in the pilot.

The perfectly-chosen backdrop for everything that goes on in the series is the outwardly-beautiful, yet shoddily-constructed, model home they live in, out in the middle of nowhere. It's the ultimate metaphor.

I won't bore you with more plot lines from the show, but I'm anxiously awaiting getting seasons 2 & 3, and recommending that you do yourself a favor if you've not seen this delightful show and rent it right away.

Maybe good TV is not dead...

John Hiatt Performs "Cry Love"

I never got totally into John Hiatt, but always dug the use of the mandolin in this song...I hope you do, too!

This is from a Sessions at W. 54th performance.

The Best Little Whorehouse in...Nashua?

There have been two interesting articles this weekend about the whore like overtures candidates make when running for office. When compared to other indecencies performed once in office these examples are rather benign, but it still kind of gets my goad not that candidates will do it, but that we continue to eat it up, cycle after cycle.

The first example comes to us from Friday's New York Times. Jodi Kantor talks about the amount of unhealthy foods the otherwise-health-conscious candidates have to take in in their bid to be seen as one of the people. The paradox, of course, is that if candidates actually ate like the early voters in Iowa and New Hampshire wanted them to, they'd likely end up losing because they'd be perceived as undisciplined, overweight sloths.

The other article that caught my eye, by the AP's Phil Elliott, comes down to Rudy and Fred whipping out their double-barrels for all to see. In an effort to convince voters of...something, Thompson proudly told voters in New Hampshire the other day that he used to have his own skeet shoot, implying that Rudy apparently didn't.

While our choice of hobbies, I guess, does technically differentiate us from others, why in the hell the gun nuts continue to equate recreational gun use (whether target shooting or hunting) with one's reading of the Constitution will always baffle the daylights out of me.

It's times like these that I really feel sorry for John Kerry. While we should all rub our index fingers in the "shame on you" motion towards him for even playing the game, I really have to ask who gives a crap if the guy liked to windsurf? When we peer into his soul, would it reveal something different about the man than if he preferred shooting rabbits between the eyes?

Some Leftovers

"I Have a Vewwy Good Fwiend in Wome Named Bigus Dickus!"

I practically peed my pants the first time I saw this scene in MP's Life of Brian.

Why I'm Rooting For Hillary

Wow, I hadn't thought of the Cigar Aficianado in some time, but after this mention on TMZ, maybe I should be lending my weighty support over to the Hillary campaign...

Bloomberg Prez Rumors Persist

HuffPo has had an article up since last night detailing some foreign policy cramming sessions that Nurse Bloomberg had been going through in New York.

To date, whenever whisperings of a Presidential run come up, his lack of foreign relations experience has been the noted weak spot. He's publicly denied having any intention of running for President in '08, but folks still seem to be hung up on a Bloomberg/Hagel ticket. Hagel's retiring from the Senate and has also denied a desire for the world's most desirable office, but what's the cost of saying no until you're ready to jump in.

To me, these guys running would be the cherry on top of an already sinful sundae we're enjoying in this year's contest.

MILFy Rachel Hunter and an Homage to Fast Times at Ridgemont High

This was Fountains of Wayne's breakout hit ... it's admittedly quite a catchy tune with an equally interesting video. It's probably what brought them onto my radar, but they have much better stuff.

I'd be remiss in not posting it, however.

This Looks Very Cool

Was looking for some tunage from The Format and came across a DVD they just released...Live at the Mayan Theatre. I'm going to have to check it out and also to post up more Format in the future!

Bringing Down the House

As has been documented here, I've been somewhat ambivalent about the Plame affair to date. I think it's downright rotten what the White House did to her, but for whatever reason, I've had a hard time getting fired up over it...and less so about the actions of Bob Novak himself.

Continuing down my well-paved path of irrationality, some of this changed today when news came out that Scott McClellan's new book will indict Boy Genius, Scooter, Big Time and even Shrub himself in quite the web of deceit around Valerie's outing.

While I find something comical about McClellan being involved in a story about "outing," that's kind of where the humor ends for me. When someone this close to the Oval Office starts talking like this, nothing good can come of it and innocent slips of the tongue no longer suffice to explain what happened here.

More disgust is sure to follow on this page...

Evening Cup of Joe

Joe Walsh, who brought us such high-minded titles as Life's Been Good, Ordinary Average Guy, The Smoker You Get the Player You Drink and, of course, I Like Big Tits, is also a holder of an Extra Class Amateur Radio License and a sober alcoholic. He and the band have grown up over time and as much admiration as I have for them, I can't deny that they've softened up a little bit.

That said, here's some recent live stuff...

How Ya Doin!?!

Hey, today is one of my favorite guitar players' birthday...Joe Walsh of Eagles and James Gang fame! A native of Wichita, Joe lived up in the Cleveland area in the 60s when he attended Kent State.

I'll post up a new-ish Joe song when I get home tonight.

Down in Joe's Garage, We Didn't Have No Dope or LSD

As happens on occasion, I found myself in a Zappa mood this evening...particularly craving the title cut from Joe's Garage. There's a 1980 bootleg from Paris, but the sound was a little too distant for my liking and I came across these cool cats covering Uncle Frank.

Doesn't Dan know any nice songs?

Something That Drives Me Nuts

I was reading a characterization of something that happened at my workplace last week and my toes just curled as the writer used one of the most annoying rhetorical shortcuts I can think of.

Paraphrasing, the person wrote that, 'it was so tense in the office, people were literally turning to stone as...'

Oh really? Now I wasn't on the same floor as this person, but you can't blame me. I was dealing with the Cuyahoga River turning to blood!

One of the most notable recent practitioners of this verbal bukakke was John Kerry, by the way. The New York Times, as well as other outlets, were all over it at the time. One zinger I remember was when he accused President George W. Bush of 'literally throwing out the baby with the bathwater.'

You Better Get Tough, MoFo!

**The audio below contains a number of F-bombs**

Once Howard went to Sirius Satellite, a common criticism of him has been that he's gotten soft. He's making a boatload of money, takes Fridays off and the FCC is no longer crawling up his back. Life couldn't get better, but at times it leads to the perception that he's lost the edge that drew some of us to him in the first place.

The clip below, from earlier this year, shows that he has not completely lost it...since he completely loses it here.

His news department somehow came up with a tape of Riley Martin's contract negotiations with Sirius management before his staff was able to get the tape ready for air during the regular show.

Profanity ensues and Howard goes off on Jason, Scott the Engineer and Baba Booey.

I Thought This was Cheap Trick...But I Was Wrong

I'd seen this Honda commercial a few times and the backing vocals, to me, immediately sounded like Robin Zander and the pride of Rockford, IL, but upon looking around, I found I was wrong.

It's Electric Light Orchestra. Still a pretty cool song...

The Prince of Darkness Comes Through

Bob Novak, the so-called Prince of Darkness, comes through with a winner of a column this morning.

First, he cites several Clintonistas who are running around saying that their campaign has some scandalous stories about her top competitor, Barack Obama, but has graciously decided not to use it. In the interest of avoiding the politics of personal destruction, let's all just bow our heads and offer blessings on their little hearts for not using these stories (yet taking the time to tell us that they have them and could use them should they so desire).

He also gives more mention to the occasionally-rumoured Presidential aspirations of race-baiting Lou Dobbs. Next to BillO, there are few news network commentators that I find more disingenuous or annoying.

The Ragin' Cajun

It's a truism that intra-party (family, country, neighborhood, department.....intra-anything, really) are much more fun to watch than inter-party ones.

Checking in today, I find that it remains true and DailyKos et al are a little hyped up about it.

When I was listening to the debate wrap up the other night from Sin City, I didn't think they were quite up-front enough about James Carville's relationship with the Clintons when he gushed over them (and expressed an albeit justifiably negative assessment of Barack's performance).

It's become the standard on the financial networks to disclose holdings before making recommendations and shame on CNN for not being diligent enough in making Mr. Mary Matalin's position more clear.

Oh, You British Think You're So Superior, Don't You?

Drudge has a Financial Times story linked up this morning that previews tonight's Shakedown in Sin Town.

I love those damned British. Here are a few snippets from the article that you would never find in a Yankee rag...

• Neither question was shockingly sycophantic.
• Taken in isolation, few of Mrs Clinton’s recent mis-steps stand out as egregious.
• ...in a tactic redolent of the scripted and micro-managed “town hall meetings”...

What's Up, Beeyatch?

Over the last two years, I've really started to dig Miles Davis (thanks, Richie). On his suggestion, I picked up the Bitches Brew Sessions...recorded around the same time, but not exclusively in the BB sessions themselves.

I remember the first time I put it in, I just kind of sat on the couch and hardly moved for an hour or two. It was undoubtedly unlike anything I've ever heard before or since. I understand that it will not be everyone's cup of tea, but hey, go get your own blog if you don't like it. ;-)

The notes in the linked Wiki entry confirm that others have had the same experience I had.

Kidding aside, this is the kind of thing that just wraps around your mind and I'm betting it takes everyone to a different place. I don't get medicated myself these days, but I can see how the music can attract that crowd, too.

Take a dive into Miles

The Race Card

Two video shorts I've posted here recently have prominent mentions in a Times article this morning on the increased frequency of race-based humor in network and cable sitcoms.

I concur and applaud this development.

Curb Your Enthusiasm, which had the Black family move in with Larry and Cheryl, as well as 30 Rock, have both crossed lines unthinkable a few years back this year when it comes to making racial stereotypes the butt of jokes.

The paper correctly notes that the theme running through the gags almost invariably has to do with white uncomfortability with racial stereotypes, but you have to start somewhere.

Kudos to these shows, though, for pushing the envelope. The taboo around including all ethnic groups in the humour pool is, in my opinion, more demeaning than respectful and this is a sign of progress.

Kenneth, What is the Frequency?

I thought I'd throw down a little more REM before retiring for the evening.

It's one of my favorite tunes by them because it really shows off some nice rhythm guitar licks by Buck and it has a very clever name, although I bet Dan Rather doesn't have very fond memories of it!

Rock on.

The Season Finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm

I had no clue when I was watching the episode last night that it was the season finale.

What a bummer because it was so damned funny!

Well, the scene with Larry feigning retardation in this episode honestly had me covering my eyes and laughing at the same time, but I am glad that LD hooked up with Ms. Black.

We can only hope that they brings the ruckus back back next season.

I'm stuck show-less now and might get a chance to catch up on some reading.

For now, don't me a Mopey Dick. Enjoy this little compilation from the finale that I came across.

Pervy Bush

This can't be the most original set of thoughts that I've ever come up with, but my lack of citations here is only because I haven't done enough reading lately to find more credible folks making the same point.

Disclaimer out of the way, the Bush Administration's indignation at the recent declaration of emergency in the perennially dysfunctional nation would be comical were the region not such a tinderbox.

While I guess there are a lot of things that clearly reside on opposite sides of the morality line but can still be reduced to a matter of degree, the President is really stretching any remaining benefit of the doubt they might have in complaining about Pakistan.

Really, what has the guy done that's so different from what happens over here. He begins with the real fact that there are some bad people around who want to cause havoc in the country and abroad. From there, he spins a bullshit story that existing legal standards need to be temporarily suspended so that he can protect the populous from them. He gets all sweaty on television telling us that this is the only way to avoid the dangers that lurk next door and he doesn't give a clear date to end this nonsense.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think that Bhutto is the Asian Virgin Mary, but the whole thing just has me scratching a nasty rash into my veil-covered head.

CNN...The First Name in Cable News

I think next spring, CNN will be asking if the Easter Bunny really exists....thanks for the note, GB....

Let's Leave Mothers Out of This and I'll Leave This Out Of...

Team McCain caused a little stir over the weekend when the canidate was being interviewed with mom on MSNBC. She had some rather interesting (and perhaps not all that statistically-uncommon) opinions on how the Mormons in SLC ran the Olympic bidding process.

I just found the whole thing kind of amusing and was reminded of the interview Connie Chung did of Newt Gingrich's mom in the 90s when she was coaxed into whispering into Maury's wife's ear what she really thought of Hilary Clinton.

Rhymes with witch...

Mexican Americans...They Like White Girls Named Debbie, Too

It's too bad Cheech decided to go straight and turn his back on his part in one of the great comedy duos of all time.

Well, we can still look back at his "protest tune" from Cheech and Chong's Next Movie.

Man Tan Williams Coming to Cleveland

Brian Williams and the NBC Nightly News is coming to Cleveland today to produce a segment, to be broadcast tomorrow, on the Cleveland Clinic, which is a medium-distance walk or a short drive from where I live.

They're highlighting its status as one of the world's premier medical research facilities and what a huge chunk of our local population the CCF employs. According to the Plain Dealer, he should be staying in town and broadcasting from the Flats tomorrow night.

I might just have to tune in!

Snap Shots Installed on Site

Came across a cool functionality to add to the site. You should now see, when you hover over external links, a little preview of the site/page pop up for you. While the advertisements are something I could do without, they are relatively unobtrusive, so I can live with it. LMK if you find it annoying or not working properly. You can opt out of it on the top corner of a pop-up if you so choose.

Go Brownies.

The Only Funny Thing About the Pakistani Situation

Maybe I am the only one goofy enough to find phonetic funniness in the fact that the biggest three players in the current power struggle in Pakistan are named:

Pervez
Bhutto
and Ashfaq

Hillary Appleseed

The claims behind the stories starting to pick up steam this week, that the Clinton campaign has actively been planting questions in the crowds, are not surprising to anyone with a lick of sense.

And I possess not a shred of doubt that hers is the only one who pulls these kinds of monkeyshines.

I guess I just find it funny first because it's her.

I'm one of those people who just takes so much glee in seeing the Clintonistas get slipping on the floor in their own feces. The secondary reason it's funny to me is that "listening tour" and "a conversation" were how she characterized both her original Senate campaign and then her foray into the Presidential waters last winter.

Other candidates go out with the express goal of speaking to the people about their vision, but Hillary went through pains to make us believe that she's presumably being molded by what folks are telling her.

Oh well....Barack is on MTP for the full hour today.

A Bittersweet Song

I saw Wes Anderson's Darjeeling Limited a few weeks back and it easily met my high aspirations.

As usual, the cinematography reflected both an intense focus on details and a desire to feed his audience the visual equivalent of pop rocks. The other standard you can count on is a kickass soundtrack and that, too, was delivered.

I'll grab another track or so at some other time from the movie, but I did want to post up Peter Sarstedt's beautiful "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)"

This was featured in the short, shown before the movie (and available for free on iTunes), Hotel Chevalier as well as in the feature presentation.

To bring the testosterone level back up from subzero levels, I may have to post some hardcore pornography or Motorhead music, so be warned.