Student-Teacher Fantasy

Here's a great cut I just couldn't resist posting. It's from the famed sessions with the (both) late Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

What a thrill it must have been for SRV to be able to play Stormy Monday with the one of the Three Kings.

Elect Me! I Like Killin' Shit!

While I have to stop just short of categorically calling hunting an immoral or moronic hobby, I feel no guilt in expressing disgust that participation is probably an effective campaign ploy.

I get the whole macho thing and how we want a 'daddy' in the office who will protect the homestead, but running around looking like Elmer Fudd, shooting creatures that aren't that bright to begin with, doesn't exactly inspire me.

If you want to show us what a badass you are, win an Ultimate Fighting competition or something.

Unfortunately, this left hand picture is going to win (or at least solidify existing) votes for Huck, while the right hand one cost John Kerry some because people thought he looked like an idiot in the picture.

Go figure.

Hot or Not?

Any Excuse to Post Some Grateful Dead

Frankly, I'm just looking for a loose theme or tie-in to justify posting more consecutive Grateful Dead stuff around here, but what the hell. For the next few days, I'll be putting up highlights I can find from some of the Dead's classic New Years Eve shows.

From what I can tell, only 1982 and 1985 (approximate bookeneds to probably my favorite period of the band's) are the best documented shows on Youtube, so that's what we're going with.

Some of these guys have blocked embedding, so I've had to DL the videos and post them thru Blogger's interface.

Keep Your Day Job was an oft-played song during this period then mysteriously disappeared. Rumours have gone around that Jerry got rid of it 'cause fans didn't like it, but I have a little trouble with that argument.

Enjoy this ditty to kick off New Year Week!

BTW>> Make sure you stick around to the bitter end...this is the set closer before the midnight countdown, so you're treated to more deep thoughts from Bobby.

'Twas the Night Before The Night Before Christmas

Having gotten temporarily grounded overnight in Chicago on Sunday, I settled in to my comfortable hotel bed to watch the local 10PM news (a luxury those who do not live in the central time zone, and are cursed with the 11PM standard do not enjoy).

It was a newscast like any other newscast until...a minivan crashed through the ABC7 studio window!

Below's a little montage of their coverage from the night it happened and then the Christmas Eve morning news show, as well.

Rather amusing...

Two Funny Hillary Ads

First the real, then the remake...haunting cackle and all!

Note the Democrat red meat in this article how the queen bestows these gifts on us. Very disturbing when you think about it.

God bless Youtube...

The Most Dangerous Political Ploy of the Day

I was reading an article in the Politico this morning about a little spat brewing in the Hawkeye State centering around a 527 labor group getting ready to air some Edwards-friendly advertisements.

The problem is, of course, that 527s fall under the Edwards' Screw Anything I Can Remotely Associate with Washington DC in My Effort to Pander (read:Patronize) to Joe Lunchbox campaign strategy.

Obama called him on this hypocrisy and, backed into a corner, John Edwards declared, "I would encourage all the 527s to stay out of the political process."

Now, let's sit back and think about that for a moment.

Sure, if you're stupid enough to buy the argument that the only people who are supposed to talk about politics are those who register to run for office and those who show up at carefully-organized (by the campaigns) town hall meetings...fulfilling some sort of Norman Rockwell fantasy we all have, then he's right.

But if you think that it's dangerous for someone to argue that it should be illegal (or even grounds for an explanation) for some friends or otherwise-ideologically-bound people to get together and make a statement in the pubic square about our beliefs, then you're with me.

Shame on Edwards for treating the American people like idiots...whether he's right or wrong in doing so.

Cleaning Out the Christmas Decorations

The prior week or two, during which I'd planned on posting up some appropriately-sarcastic Christmas videos kind of got away from me, so I'll be putting them up during the day today as I finish up some housework and all of that.

First up is the classic Cheech and Chong bit, Santa Clause and His Old Lady.

More Christmas Cheer

Thanks, Ryno...

This Movie Looks Cool

Of course it would have been better-made 30 years ago, but I am looking forward to seeing this!

Not to Go All Fox News on You

I don't see the whole "Happy Holidays" thing as part of a devious plot by BillO's "secular progressives."

(For reasons that are more or less obvious depending on how well you know me ;-) )

But I do find the whole aversion to wishing someone a Merry Christmas to just be an annoyance. God forbid I offend anyone who might overhear me wishing a co-worker, a guy whose daughter was just confirmed last week, a Merry Christmas.

It's fine for me to ask someone if they saw the Browns game the other day and not worry that they're not a football fan, but this god damned holiday thing has gotten so sacred.

Anyway, I couldn't let the week pass without throwing down a little Boss action. I've never really gotten into him much (sorry, MC) but I always liked his cut of Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

This is another video from the famed Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ....from September 20, 1978 (hence his reference to this being 'a little early')

I'll be traveling in a few days and any posts will come from my work PC, so no music/videos till next week.

Those Clever Little Bastards at Google

Dickin' the Primary Season

Dick Morris has an article in the New York Post this morning looking ahead to the Michigan primary as the make or break moment for the GOP.

By their January 15 primary, the dust will have settled from the first three idiosyncratic states and the time go get some real Joe-mentum will have arrived.

He doesn't make a hard prediction but only shows that Michigan is like much of the rest of the country now on the GOP side...Huck, Rudy and Mitt are engaged in a three way with McCain still within striking distance.

While I'm anxiously awaiting the IA/NH/SC contests, it all does seem to be a high-drama prelude to when the 'real' states start voting.

Bonzo Goes to Bitburg

God bless The Ramones.

Despite the fact that the song is nothing less than a sword fight conducted on the grave of Ronald Wilson Reagan, My Brain is Hanging Upside Down is a song that always gets my toes tapping...

Enjoy!

Democratic Baby Mama Drama!

Haha, well, the rumours about John Edwards' liking his pie and a piece on the side as well may have started to come up again.

BigheadDC is messing around with the story again...and saying that little Ms. Friendly may be pregnant with Mr. Charming's baby.

As much as I dislike his finely-packaged campaign and big-mouthed wife, it does kind of bring down the debate from the civic mountaintop on which we'd been sitting discussing how Barack paid his for his schoolbooks and just how many cops Giuliani had protecting him at his Long Island stabbin'-cabin.

There is Nothing Like a Grateful Dead Show

I came across a live cut of the forever-beautiful China Doll from the Grateful Dead's legendary Europe '72 tour.

Specifically, this is the first set closer from 9-21-72 in Paris.

While the video quality reflects the times and conditions it was recorded in, it does make one long to have been there in some way.

This cut did not make the live album...which incidentally was the first GD recording I ever purchased.

It's all been downhill from there...

Check it out if you have the means and inclination. The Morning Dew will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Jesus Christ Died So You Could Vote for Huck

This is great...check out the subliminal cross in the background...

Rachel Ray

I love PerezHilton.com...and he's right on with this item on the intolerable Rachel Ray.

Barf!

Dumb and Dumber

The Politico leads this hour with an item about how Senate Dems are starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Robert "Grand Wiz" Byrd is a little bit too senile to be the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

They think he may have gone downhill from the days when he was apparently operating with a full deck...like about 7 years ago when, on Fox News Sunday, he repeated the N-word a handful of times.

Getting the old Byrd out of there seems reasonable to me, but given the seniority tradition, the order of succession is not very kind to one seeking competence.

Brainiac Patty Murray would head the Committee if Byrd were to be relegated to some sort of Emeritus status.

How About a Kiss for Your Cousin Dupree?

If you don't already know what this Steely Dan ditty is about and lack a good sense of humor, don't read the lyrics.

Here they are from a few years ago on the Late Show...which rumour has it is coming back soon as a result of some deal the Dave cut with the union.

The Courtship of Hadassah's Husband

Joe Lieberman is set to endorse McCain for prez.

This was not entirely unpredictable. They're both war and spending hawks, but backing someone cut from Hillary's idealogical cloth wouldn't have been a completely-outlandish move on the CT Junior Senator's part.

Why didn't he, you ask?

In 2006 and he was up for re-election, the establishment Democrats, like Hillary, were anything but helpful in keeping him in office. They backed Ned Lamont, the Moveon candidate.

It's payback time, Beeeeeeyatch!

What is Dan Cooking Today?

In between bouts with Mother Nature, I've been making a little Christmas cheer for friends/co-workers this afternoon. Aunt Frances' Caramels are to die for, and they probably help accomplish that once you get them, too.

They're quite simple to make, but do require an hour of baby-sitting to be sure you don't burn anything or boil the pot over. Read: because the mixture bubbles up considerably, don't be confused by the small amount of materials. Your pot should be able to accommodate the volume tripling.

Aunt Frances' Caramels

2C sugar
3/4c light Karo syrup
1 stick butter
1 pt whipping cream
1 t vanilla

You'll also need: a candy thermometer and wax paper for wrapping

In pot, melt butter over low heat. Add syrup and half the cream, stirring constantly. Gradually add sugar, stirring well. Cook over medium heat. When mixture reaches rapid boil, add remaining cream. Lower heat so that it remains at a consistent simmer and put in the candy thermometer. Cook at this gentle boil for about 45-60 minutes until you have a nice, deep caramel color and the mixture is just shy of 250 degrees. Take off heat, whisk in vanilla and pour into a 9 or 7 by 13 pan (with sides!) that's been greased and let it cool for at least two hours. When it's somewhat solid, cut into little pieces and wrap in wax paper.

Enjoy!

Nice Google Functionality

There's no surprise here, and nothing really all that new, but Google has extended its news search service over to searching specifically for news photos.

This is particularly nice for people who like to blog on current events. I was using it to look for a photo of the snow bowl going on at Browns Stadium now.

Too bad we're playing the Bills, a team against which we have no serious snow advantage.

So-So Sunday

I guess this is John Edwards' week to make the rounds on the Sunday shows; He's slated for three of them.

The Stormin' Mormon stops in to MTP today. I am betting that Russert's hand is still a little sore from the spanking he administered last week, so we'll see how that goes.

This morning, the Des Moines Register endorsed both Hillary and McCain in the caucuses. They were interesting and well-explained choices. I've shaved my list down to two ideologically-different candidates at the moment...

Well, unless it gets really cold here in Cleveland, all we're getting from this storm the news networks won't shut up about is just a bunch of rain. I got our first few inches shoveled away last night in an effort to stay ahead of the storm, but I woke up to the pitter patter of rain that's slowly melting everything away.

Go Browns.

Hanging Me By a Fire Would Change My Life, Too

It's clear what they were trying to get at in this advertisement I got on Hotmail this AM, but for some reason, hanging a little girl like that by the fireplace struck me as odd...

A Little Elmore James

I was looking for his original of the widely-covered, It Hurts Me Too, but I could not find anything good. The only one was with some transvestite or otherwise-shouldn't-be-stripteasing person that kind of creeped me out.

So I guess you'll just watch the wheel go 'round, should you chose to hit play on Mean Mistreatin' Mama...

Barack Obama...Uncredited Extra in Caddyshack?

Are they talking about him at the 20-second mark? Ooohkay, Pookie!

In Praise of Mr. Horvath

Well, as much as I like the opening of Paul Simon's Kodachrome, I'm getting more confirmation this weekend that my high school Government teacher was right.

The opening of the caucus/primary season is all about expectations.

If the Union Leader says you're supposed to get your ass kicked and you come in third, you came in first.

If David Yepsen thinks you're supposed to sleep your way to victory and you only beat #2 by 8 percentage points, you came in third.

So it should be no surprise that Bill Clinton, no slouch when it comes to politics himself, is setting the stage for another 'comeback kid' speech for the second time and in a different state.

Appearing last night with Charlie Rose, old Bubba said that it would be a 'miracle' if his forgiving wife were to win Iowa.

The plausibility of his argument aside, he shows us again how he's just such a friggin' wizard and that he should be the one in charge of her campaign instead of the henchmen.

This race is hotter than a Laredo parking lot.

In Lieu of the Two Front Teeth

...an Alien would be nice...courtesy of the ever-charming Fountains of Wayne

Ugly Obama Rumours are Starting

BigheadDC has it, but a quick Google search yields more chatter.

I See Boston, I See France...

I see Romney's underpants! The Baltimore Sun packs in a nice story.

Of Curveballs and Screwballs

I've not yet had time to watch the GOP or Dem debates hosted by the Des Moines Register this week, but hope to kick into them this evening.

Now I might not be the smartest knife in the drawer, and others know more than me about the race this year, but I'd gather I at least follow the horse race among the upper 4% or so of the country.

That's not exactly a medal of honor, but I'd bet it's so.

That said, I had no idea whatsoever that Alan Keyes was running! He was allowed in the debate and is up to his old shenanigans. While I used to think he was a much more serious mover, ever since his fabled IL Senate race a few years back, he seems to continue slipping further and further into lunacy.

Sorry for Turning the Blog into My Personal MTV

Hoping it doesn't become too much of a bore...but I just get caught up in some other things and don't post as often as I otherwise might. Then again, it's my space (heh) so I'll do what makes me happy.

That said, I am getting close to making my Prez endorsement. I'm not sure if I should hedge a little bit and do one from each party or just an overall fave.

Hmmm...the decisions a media baron must make. Now I feel Rupert's pain.

Anyway, today's selection is another cut from that Jerry Band show out at Shoreline in 1990. On the side, I found an audio compilation called, "Jerry Does Motown."

No, it's not some kind of pervy, Michigan-based, fat fetish porno but just old Garcia covering Motown classics. It's 4 disks and should provide me some fun when I head back to the grindstone in a few hours.

With that on my mind, I grabbed the tune Marvin Gaye, and later James Taylor, made famous, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).

Jerry's smiling playing the song and I'm smiling listening...hopefully you can say the same about yourself.

Hey Nineteen!

I thought I'd throw up a little more Steely Dan this morning...This one, Hey Nineteen, found itself in the middle of a playful squabble a little while back.

After Steely Dan jokingly accused the producers of You, Me and Dupree, of too much artistic license in borrowing the name of their song, Cousin Dupree, Owen Wilson had a snarky little comeback in his press release.

I have never heard the song `Cousin Dupree' and I don't even know who this
gentleman, Mr. Steely Dan, is. I hope this helps to clear things up and I can
get back to concentrating on my new movie, `HEY 19.'

Enjoy the song!