Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Today's playlist (11/3/2008)
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Portishead - Third
I can't stand the singer's voice anymore.
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Portishead - Third
I can't stand the singer's voice anymore.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Don't talk and drive (Part 2)
Not really a story about talking while driving a schoolbus, but still another facet of our national bus driver problem.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Don't talk and drive (Part 1)
I've got Knoxville talking about cell phone usage amongst the bus driver demographic group.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
What really matters to humanity in 2008
Good to see that with everything going on in the world- war, financial calamity, environmental apocalypse- CNN is covering what is really important: public restrooms.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Today's playlist (9/9/2008)
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
The singer sounds like the Boss, and any band that wants to 'raise a toast to saint Joe Strummer' is all right with me.
The singer sounds like the Boss, and any band that wants to 'raise a toast to saint Joe Strummer' is all right with me.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Today's playlist (8/21/2008)
Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska
Relentlessly bleak, like the state...
Elvis Costello - King of America
...relentlessly upbeat compared to Nebraska.
Relentlessly bleak, like the state...
Elvis Costello - King of America
...relentlessly upbeat compared to Nebraska.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Friday, August 01, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Today's playlist (7/29/2008)
Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
Van Morrison- Moondance
Something must be wrong with me. My life is supposed to change after I listen to this album but I still haven't had my cathartic Van Moment yet. Maybe I should listen to it again.
Van Morrison- Moondance
Something must be wrong with me. My life is supposed to change after I listen to this album but I still haven't had my cathartic Van Moment yet. Maybe I should listen to it again.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
Today's playlist (7/8/2008)
Elvis Costello- Goodbye Cruel World
Various Artists- Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration
Bruce Springsteen- Darkness on the Edge of Town
Various Artists- Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration
Bruce Springsteen- Darkness on the Edge of Town
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Today's playlist (5/15/2008)
Jim Lauderdale- The Bluegrass Diaries
Black Mountain- In The Future
I think that they borrowed the flute from 'Stairway to Heaven' and ELP's Moog for the second track, 'Tyrants'.
Black Mountain- In The Future
I think that they borrowed the flute from 'Stairway to Heaven' and ELP's Moog for the second track, 'Tyrants'.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Today's playlist (5/6/2008)
Lou Reed- The Raven
If you read AMG's review you'll learn that The Raven is a double cd inspired by Edgar Alan Poe. This might not be for everyone. It might not be for me.
I'm learning a lot about Lou Reed since seeing him on 4/30/2008 at the Tennessee Theatre. In retrospect I'm starting to appreciate the show more.
If you read AMG's review you'll learn that The Raven is a double cd inspired by Edgar Alan Poe. This might not be for everyone. It might not be for me.
I'm learning a lot about Lou Reed since seeing him on 4/30/2008 at the Tennessee Theatre. In retrospect I'm starting to appreciate the show more.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Today's playlist (4/30/2008)
REM- Accelerate
Yawn... My friend Chan put it best: "This is one of those albums that you really want to like, but..."
I don't think that they've been the same since Bill Berry left. My wife and I saw them in 2004 in Nashville at the Ryman and I thought that it was not compelling at all. In contrast I saw them in 1989 in Knoxville during the Green tour and it was an event.
Yawn... My friend Chan put it best: "This is one of those albums that you really want to like, but..."
I don't think that they've been the same since Bill Berry left. My wife and I saw them in 2004 in Nashville at the Ryman and I thought that it was not compelling at all. In contrast I saw them in 1989 in Knoxville during the Green tour and it was an event.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Today's playlist (4/15/2008)
Down- NOLA
I'm really trying to like this a lot more than I really am. It's certainly not terrible, but I just don't see the point. The concept of swamp-metal intrigues me, but the reality of it isn't doing much for me.
I'm really trying to like this a lot more than I really am. It's certainly not terrible, but I just don't see the point. The concept of swamp-metal intrigues me, but the reality of it isn't doing much for me.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Today's playlist (4/9/2008)
The Rolling Stones- Five By Five
Having recently seen 'Shine A Light', I've been inspired to listen to the Rolling Stones discography. I remember in the past not being terribly taken with the really early albums, but now find myself really enjoying them.
Having recently seen 'Shine A Light', I've been inspired to listen to the Rolling Stones discography. I remember in the past not being terribly taken with the really early albums, but now find myself really enjoying them.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Today's playlist (4/2/2008)
Dropkick Murphys- Live on St. Patrick's Day
I really wanted to enjoy this a lot more than I did. As a big fan of Shane McGowan I had high hopes of listening to a Pogues clone. There were a couple of nice moments involving bagpipes and a marriage proposal, but the majority of the music left me nonplussed. I don't think I really care for any of the bands that comprise the so-called punk revival. Rancid's ..And Out Came the Wolves was the single exception.
I really wanted to enjoy this a lot more than I did. As a big fan of Shane McGowan I had high hopes of listening to a Pogues clone. There were a couple of nice moments involving bagpipes and a marriage proposal, but the majority of the music left me nonplussed. I don't think I really care for any of the bands that comprise the so-called punk revival. Rancid's ..And Out Came the Wolves was the single exception.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Today's playlist (3/31/2008)
Uncle Earl- Waterloo, Tennessee
I think that Apple Lake is the location of Waterloo, TN. I seem to remember a sign on Cloverland Drive next to Apple Lake that welcomed the viewer to Waterloo, TN. I think that a house next to the lake belonged to Little Jimmy Dickens.
I think that Apple Lake is the location of Waterloo, TN. I seem to remember a sign on Cloverland Drive next to Apple Lake that welcomed the viewer to Waterloo, TN. I think that a house next to the lake belonged to Little Jimmy Dickens.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Today's playlist (3/14/2008)
The Steeldrivers- The Steeldrivers
Much better than Rhonda Vincent.
The Faces- Five Guys Walk Into A Bar...
Waylon Jennings- Ol' Waylon Jennings Sings Ol' Hank Williams
Much better than Rhonda Vincent.
The Faces- Five Guys Walk Into A Bar...
Waylon Jennings- Ol' Waylon Jennings Sings Ol' Hank Williams
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Today's playlist (3/11/2008)
M.I.A.- Lost Boys
There are too many M.I.A.'s these days. You've got punk M.I.A. and you've got electronic M.I.A. These are just two of the many. They are legion. How many does the world need? When will this madness stop?
There are too many M.I.A.'s these days. You've got punk M.I.A. and you've got electronic M.I.A. These are just two of the many. They are legion. How many does the world need? When will this madness stop?
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Monday, March 03, 2008
Today's playlist (3/3/2008)
Down - NOLA
Public Enemy- It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Curve- Blindfold ep
Curve- Cherry ep
Curve- Fait Accompli ep
Public Enemy- It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Curve- Blindfold ep
Curve- Cherry ep
Curve- Fait Accompli ep
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Today's playlist (2/27/2008)
Pink Floyd- The Piper At The Gates of Dawn
Blimey! Shades of Spinal Tap! I can't believe that 'The Gnome' wasn't a hit single in 1967.
Down- Over The Under
Blimey! Shades of Spinal Tap! I can't believe that 'The Gnome' wasn't a hit single in 1967.
Down- Over The Under
Monday, February 25, 2008
Today's playlist (2/25/2008)
INXS- Stay Young 1979-1982
Judas Priest- Unleashed In The East
Ah, the definitive Priest album for me as well as most other folks.
Still celebrating Bryant History Month with these two albums from my teenage years.
Judas Priest- Unleashed In The East
Ah, the definitive Priest album for me as well as most other folks.
Still celebrating Bryant History Month with these two albums from my teenage years.
Friday, February 22, 2008
No Depression No More!
Not that it's a big news flash but No Depression magazine will cease publishing after the May-June 2008 issue. I subscribed for a couple of years and loved this magazine. The only reason I didn't renew my subscription is that I didn't have time for reading at all after the birth of my son. NPR had a segment on All Things Considered that covers this sad end to a great magazine.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
With The Old Breed by E.B. Sledge
My recreational reading consisted solely of fiction until my mid-twenties. Until that time I had been forced to read so much for school that non-fiction just didn't interest me. I had some extra time during my underemployed years and started reading about Watergate and Julius Caesar. And from there, of course, I started to read too much about war. I thought that I had read most of the acclaimed books about World War II, but I was greatly mistaken. My father-in-law loaned me With The Old Breed At Peleliu and Okinawa by E.B. Sledge over the Christmas holiday of 2008.
With The Old Breed is considered not only the best first-person narrative of World War II but also of war in general. I can see why. It's a tremendous book, and you'll learn more about war than you want to know.
Some things from the book that stuck with me.
With The Old Breed is considered not only the best first-person narrative of World War II but also of war in general. I can see why. It's a tremendous book, and you'll learn more about war than you want to know.
Some things from the book that stuck with me.
Sledge's description of the impact that the initial 1944 Peleliu assault had on him. I was struck by the fact that he says that nothing since that time has been as momentous in his life. From reading his book as well as the introduction to the book, I think that Sledge is a normal, well-adjusted human being. He's not a cold-hearted, emotionally-stunted killing machine. If that's a true assessment, then you get a small sense of the impact of this horrific, extraordinary event.
Everything my life has been before and has been after pales in the light of that awesome moment when my amtrac started in amid a thunderous bombardment toward the flaming, smoke-shrouded beach for the assault on Peleliu. (pg 52)
When my grandfather returned from the Pacific theatre he had taken up cigar smoking. He smoked cigars at least through the 1970's. He'd been in demolitions. I learned in this book that cigars were used to light satchel charge explosives. My grandmother had always assumed that it was just a bad habit that he had picked up overseas but apparently it was a job requirement.
There are several gruesome accounts of battlegrounds where the lightly buried Japanese dead continue to be a disgusting nuisance. Whether digging foxholes for cover or walking down slippery slopes, soldiers frequently ended up covered in maggots from the decomposing enemy that lie about.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Today's playlist (2/12/2008)
Cowboy Junkies- At the End of Paths Taken
I'm really conflicted about this cd. While I was listening to it I was really bored. Then I read AMG's review and suddenly I like it. Or maybe AMG guilted me into liking it by suggesting that I wasn't intellectual enough to appreciate its sophistication.
I'm really conflicted about this cd. While I was listening to it I was really bored. Then I read AMG's review and suddenly I like it. Or maybe AMG guilted me into liking it by suggesting that I wasn't intellectual enough to appreciate its sophistication.
The Ace of Spades
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Today's playlist (2/9/2008)
The Rolling Stones- Beggars Banquet
It's a great day in February to be shopping for birthday gifts. Sunny and 55 degrees. And it gets even better when I stumble across Ron Wood's biography in the bargain bin at Barnes & Noble.
It's a great day in February to be shopping for birthday gifts. Sunny and 55 degrees. And it gets even better when I stumble across Ron Wood's biography in the bargain bin at Barnes & Noble.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Today's playlist (1/28/2008)
Matthew Ryan- From A Late Night High Rise
The Fountain OST Clint Mansell (performed by Kronos Quartet & Mogwai)
Dreary music for a dreary day. Ugh.
The Fountain OST Clint Mansell (performed by Kronos Quartet & Mogwai)
Dreary music for a dreary day. Ugh.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Radiohead Radiohead Radiohead
I can't seem to get away from them. Here are 15 years worth of pictures of them courtesy of Rolling Stone.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Today's playlist (1/18/2008)
Drive-By Truckers- Brighter Than Creation's Dark
How do they continue to create great albums?
How do they continue to create great albums?
Monday, January 07, 2008
Media Center
Components
Problems
I'm really happy that I built this and wish that I had done months ago.
- Antec New Solution Series NSK2400 Mini Tower Case (Silver) Retail (380W power supply)
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe Processor 1.86GHz, 1066FSB, LGA775, 2MB Cache Retail
- Corsair TWIN2X2048-5400C4 2GB DDR2-675 XMS2-5400 Xtreme Performance Memory w/Black Heat Spreader Retail
- MSI 945GCM5-F Intel Core 2 Duo (Desktop) Socket 775 1066 MHz PC2-5400 (DDR2-667) mATX Motherboard Retail
- EVGA e-GeForce 7600 GS (256-P2-N549-TX)
- Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE
- Western Digital Caviar SE16 (750GB OEM)
- SAMSUNG SH-S203N 20X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk
- Vista Ultimate
- Assembled with no problem. Well, I was frightened during the attachment of the Intel heatsink / fan. I thought that I was going to snap the mobo into two pieces. Started up with zero problems at all, which I assume is a credit to modern mobo architecture.
- Divx and Xvid codecs seem to get installed somewhere between BeyondTV 4.4 and 4.7
Problems
- I initially installed Vista Home Premium. This was a big mistake because it doesn't have Remote Desktop.
- Live TV is not at the quality that I would prefer. Channels 2-5 come in great, but the other channels seem to experience signal interference. I'm sure that I'll be able to resolve this problem in the future.
- Haven't experienced any heat-related problems yet, but it is a concern for the summer months. The media center sits in my entertainment center behind a glass door. The only ventilation is through a 1.5" by 6" slit in the back through which wires are run.
I'm really happy that I built this and wish that I had done months ago.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Thursday, January 03, 2008
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