2008-08-26

White

The other day Maryanne and I watched the finale of "The Singing Office" on TLC -- the show hosted by Joey Fatone and eye candy Mel B.

This video made me think of awkward white people, probably because it features them dancing awkwardly. (I know, I know... I would too.)

Anyhow, in the finale of "The Singing Office" one of the office staffs (staves?) was singing some R&B tune (I forget which one) and the audience was clapping along to the beat.

But, like the bunch of white people they were, they were all clapping on the downbeats instead of the off-beats.

Now I wish I could remember what song it was.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Van Halen: "Best of Both Worlds"

2008-08-21

Photograph

Here's an interesting collection of pictures you may not believe aren't Photoshopped.

Mood: Amused
Music: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Fire"

2008-08-18

Moving

Maryanne, Sarah, and I went up north this past weekend. The original motive was that an old friend of Caly's, Marcel, found us and wanted to see us and the family in Door County. Caly flew out just for the occasion, since she hadn't seen him in over a decade. He was amazed at the changes in the people and places he'd last seen almost 15 years ago, but glad to get away from the city and enjoy some quiet time in Door County. He was warmly welcomed, of course, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one glad to see that he remained the intelligent, sensible person we first met, even if a little older and a little wiser.

It turned out to be a worthwhile trip not only for that, but also because Adam is moving out of the state. He finally had enough at Cherry Hills, and decided a move was in order. He's going to go work for his cousin at a restaurant in Helena, Montana.

It was an enjoyable weekend. The weather was beautiful, Sarah was good, and it was nice to see Marcel again. It was a tad bittersweet, though, since Adam's moving and it will likely be a long time before we see him again.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: REO Speedwagon: "Roll with the Changes"

2008-08-13

Oil

Got your hippy clothes in a bundle over the prospect off offshore drilling? Read this first.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Rush: "Working Man"

Blues

I don't know of may 8-year-old kids that have a legitimate reason to play the blues, but this kid might.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Cream: "Crossroads"

2008-08-07

Resolution

The Brett Favre saga is over. The Brett Favre era in Green Bay is over (again).

I'm glad that the situation finally reached some form of resolution. I'm disappointed, though, that Favre couldn't be mature and put his hurt feelings aside and stay with Green Bay. I'll be disappointed if it turns out to be true that the Packers management forced him out.

It's unfortunate that someone's reputation and legacy will be tarnished by this. Favre's is most certainly tarnished by the immature and disrespectful way he's treated the Packers organization in his push to get what he wanted. Ted Thompson's reputation will be tarnished if it comes out that he's responsible, somehow, for Favre's departure.

The proof will be in the season, though. With Favre in a Jets uniform and competing against the Patriots, he'll be in the shadow of Tom Brady. In Green Bay, Thompson and Aaron Rodgers will be under the microscope. Only a winning season in Green Bay and a lackluster season from Favre will quiet some of the dissent among the Packers faithful. Anything else and Thompson will be forever questioned over his actions. Should the opposite actually happen, Thompson's career may be over.

I feel sympathetic toward Mike McCarthy. He's been caught in the middle, to some extent, trying to move the team forward with the players he has on the roster, while trying to figure out what to do with Favre, a legendary quarterback who can't make up his mind, can't commit, and apparently can't be mature and put past events behind him. I have a great deal of respect for McCarthy, especially now, after deciding that Favre's current state isn't good for the team, and since Favre won't change, move on without him.

Perhaps Favre's tenure in New York will be brief, a last hurrah to get professional football out of his system and show him that retirement is the best thing for him. I don't wish him any ill will, really, despite my disappointment in the way he's acted, though part of me selfishly hopes that something shows him it's time to call it quits and hang up the cleats. Hopefully he'll come to realize that it's time to put the bad feelings behind him and return to Green Bay for the honors that are sure to be heaped upon him.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Styx: "The Grand Illusion