Random thoughts

One post - many topics...

Hillary Rodham Clinton apologizes to Chelsea
This past weekend Senator Clinton apologized to her daughter Chelsea because she implied that she doesn't work hard. What Clinton said was "young people have a sense of entitlement after growing up in a "culture that has a premium on instant gratification." She also said that young people today "think work is a four-letter word". Chelsea called the Senator upset, saying "Mom, I do work hard and my friends work hard,'" - and then the 26-year old returned to her six-figure salary job. Seems like Ms. Clinton might have taken this a little too personal?

To be serious - what Senator Clinton needs to realize is that there isn't an aversion to work - but an aversion to what the government and specifically corporate america has to offer. I'm sort of in between at 37 years old - but I count the friends that are happy with their job on one hand, And what might appear as an aversion to work might be better characterized as apathy and disenchantment. Someone send her a copy of Office Space.

Walking the streets of Philly
Walking to work from the train station this morning, my path was blocked by a SEPTA construction vehicle that decided at the last minute that it wasn't a good idea to run a red light. The city of Philadelphia is installing traffic cameras, talking about getting countdown pedestrian signs, but when it comes to the simple pedestrian laws - there's no one enforcing them. Crosswalks are where cars wait for the light to change. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured. And in a city that is grappling with homicides, no one cares.

Gun violence in Philadelphia
In today's Inquirer columnist Nate House wondered where is the outrage with all the young people being killed by gun violence in this city. As of May 8, 127 people have been murdered in Philadelphia - and while this rate is down, I bet that people that live in North Philadelphia feel more threatened than ever. Let me tell Mr. House why there is no outrage - the people that are being killed are predominantly young black males and the majority of those in this state still believe blacks are worth a fraction their lives. The rulers in this state simply don't care. They see this as a city problem, a democrat problem which means it's a black problem - and they will get no heat from their backwater constituents to do anything to save the lives of the children who die every day on our streets. Want to know when there will be outrage - when some young, pretty blonde girl is killed. Then all of a sudden, there will be a problem with guns.

Libya is off the known terrorist list - but Cuba...
No greater example of political pandering than this. Libya has a history of terrorist attacks while Cuba not so much. Yet Cuba is still persona non-grata to the U.S. government. There is no reason for this. Our embargo keeps poor Cubans poorer. The only reason we continue to view Cuba this way is because of the political clout Cubans wield in Florida. Otherwise we deal with countries that are far greater threats than Cuba ever was.

Lighter stuff
Saturday night ESPN spent the first 10 minutes of Baseball Tonight talking about the the Giants/Dodgers game and the fact that Barry Bonds didn't hit home run 714. I am tired of this pre-occupation with Bonds. The media has spent so much time villifiying Bonds for damaging the sport, but yet is so fascinated with the story they are ignoring the rest of the league to cover.

West Wing ended last night and ended well. Loved the fact that even until last night, the show was written as if there was a tomorrow.

Hillary Clinton, Philadelphia, Libya, Cuban embargo, Barry Bonds, The West Wing

RIP - Grant W. McLennan (Freaky iPod)

Howard does a little series called Freaky iPod and this one is pretty freaky. Yesterday I found out that Go-Betweens lead singer Grant W. McLennan died in his sleep earlier this week at age 48 (too young and too reminiscent of Joe Strummer's death).

Anyway today I pick up my car from service and plug my iPod in which is shuffling through all 6,000 songs on the player and the first song it chooses? The Go-Betweens' No Reason to Cry...weird huh?

The iPod has a way of knowing.

RIP Grant....

Grant McLennan

the Go-Betweens

2006 Music

David Mead - Tangerine

With hair that rivals Conan O'brien - David Mead has been one of my favorite singer-songwriter's for years. In the Michael Penn vein with his witty lyrics and intricate arrangements. He's doing the indie release thing - you can listen to his next release by clicking the image.

Tangerine will be released May 16 on Tallulah Records.

Pre-order Tangerine Now!

david mead

2006 music

You can take the Chloe out of 24...

That familiar scowl.

Replace that guitar with a taser.

Could it be?

It could only be - yes it is - Mary Lynn Rajskub from 24 was slumming it up on Gilmore Girls last night. (I didn't actually watch so I can't tell you what she did other than sing and strum a guitar).

Maybe Kristen might?

24

Norelco Bodygroom Website

The Norelco Shave Everywhere website wins the award for balls/ass marketing (pun intended).

Click around.

As a marketer there is a ton of envy as I would have LOVED to have pitched this one.

norelco bodygroom

One more West Wing for the road

This coming Sunday NBC will show the final episode of West Wing and while it has received it's share of criticism recently, I will miss it. Very rarely do shows get to the end of their run telling strong stories and leaving viewers wanting more. West Wing has done that this year. Don't let the sad Nielsen numbers tell the story, those have more to do with a series losing it's way in a couple of seasons (and therefore losing fans) than how the show has finished this year.

The Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) and Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) campaign gave the writers fresh story lines and new characters and just a little shot of adrenalin; all desperately needed. Recent episodes have been excellent, wrapping up the show without making the proceedings seem like a final roll call. This past Sunday's episode did a great job bringing Toby and CJ back to the front without a rush to end. I know it's the end, but the writers are doing a great job of writing as if there will be a next season.

As I said - very rarely is a show's end unwarranted or untimely. The X-Files was a shell of itself, stumbling through it's final seasons. When people compare the current version of ER to Grey's Anatomy it makes me cringe because I remember how great ER once was. Hell, shows like Desperate Housewives and The O.C. are already having creative struggles. ABC's Commander in Chief sunk by mid-season.

So with all this, I want to thank The West Wing for not providing me with a season's worth of bad taste and "what ifs" to close things out.

west wing

Favorite Music of 2006

I've been lax in my music comments so here are the things I've been listening to the last few months. (Again - not all of it's from 2006). I'll try and jazz this up with some images at some point but I've been writing it for two weeks waiting to get to that.

(I've recommended my favorite songs on each)

The Emusic Section

Film School - Film School (emusic) - One of my favorite cds of this year (too bad their instruments were stolen here in Philly). (4 out 5 stars)

• On and On
• Pitfalls
• He's a Deep Deep Lake

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Streetcore (2003) - How could I miss this one? Actually I didn't, but had it and never listened to it. It's sad to listen to because it's so good and Strummer passed away with too much music left in him. (4 stars)

• Arms Aloft
  
• All in a Day
• Coma Girl

The National - Alligator ( 2005) (3 Stars)

• Secret Meeting
• All the Wine
  

The Wedding Present - Take Fountain (2005) (3 stars)

• Interstate 5

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear is on our side (3 stars)

• Long Walk
• We Choose Faces
• According to the Plan
  

The others...

Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah (2005) - (4 stars)

• Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away
  
• The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth
• Is This Home On Ice
  

Morrissey - Ringleaders of the Tormentors (4 stars)

• The Youngest Was the Most Loved
• In the Future When All's Well
• I Just Want to See the Boy Happy
  

Loose Fur - Born Again in the USA - (3.5 stars)

• Hey Chicken
• Pretty Sparks
  

Josh Ritter - The Animal Years (3.5 stars)

• Girl in War
  

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl (2005) (3 stars)

• Weight of the World
• Steal a Ride
  

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat (3 stars)

• Rise Up With Fists!!
• Handle With Care
  

My Morning Jacket - Z (2005) (3 stars)

• Gideon
  

2006 music

A friend becomes an published author

A good friend and former co-worker of mine just published a book called "Sick With Love". Michael Abdul-Qawi is a recent graduate of Temple University's School of Communication and Theater.

It is so cool to see someone do what they love without being convinced or believing that they can't.

I'm learning a lesson from someone 16 years my junior.

Moussaoui verdict - my thoughts

I've avoided saying anything about this trial for the length and now that we have a verdict, no time better than now.

There are many people that hate the U.S. and in their own way have supported terrorism against the U.S. Zacarias Moussaoui hated us, our government, our way of life, everything American. He may have participated in the 9/11 plot, but it seems the evidence to support that was thin.

Alexander Santora's position shifted the other way. His son Christopher was a firefighter who died in New York on Sept. 11. Santora said he originally wanted Moussaoui sentenced to life imprisonment, but changed his mind when he heard the al-Qaida conspirator testify, showing no remorse.

Santora called Moussaoui "guilty as sin. A bullet in his brain would have been a just reward."

Moussaoui was convicted because we hate what he represents and that he showed no remorse. In that sense, he was always guilty and therefore this trial was simply a formality.

I for one have little respect for our legal system because it puts a premium on retribution at the cost of true justice. I hate this man as much as the next - but my hate doesn't mean guilt. The rules of evidence decide that. And in our country those rules are ignored to fit the desire of the people.

What good are principles so easily abandoned?

Michael Penn Group - Last.FM

To explain the Michael Penn group I just created on Last.fm - I need to explain Last.fm. Last.fm is an online music community that provides streaming music based on what you listen. You download a piece of software that works with your music player (iTunes, Windows Media, even Linux players) that will then recommend music to you based on your listening habits, compile listening stats, and best of all create your own personal radio station. You can also listen to stations that are based on artists, fans of those artists, genres, etc.

You can also join groups, one of which I created for Michael Penn fans. There currently is a Michael Penn radio station there - but it's only based on 4 members. Join up, it's really addicting and it's radio that doesn't suck.

Michael Penn Group on Last.fm

michael penn

Things change

Last night Kristen and I were at Applebees and the topic we were discussing were things that are no more; things that have changed and don't exist the way they were before. This started when I noticed the West Coast Video where I waited in the freezing cold for Sting tickets didn't exist anymore (replaced by said Applebees.) The last time I even called into Ticketmaster was 5 years ago to buy U2 tickets and even then I had a web browser opened at the same time hedging my bet. I digress. I started thinking about all the things that have changed. So here's my list:

• Flipping the LP over. Remember listening to 5 or 6 songs and then walking over to the turntable and then flipping over the album to hear the other 5 or 6 songs?
• Being at the television at the exact moment when the TV show you wanted to see was starting? In these days of VCRs, DVRs and television shows on the iTunes Music store, who watches shows when the network wants you to?
• Speaking of TV - how about having only 7 or 8 options? The networks, a few locals, PBS and that's it.
• Physically reading a newspaper. This one I lament. There is something about reading a newspaper physically that is better than reading it online. It's a shame that the newspaper business is being changed because of the content being available online. The same is being attempted with books - but come on, who can replace a book with some sort of video screen? How do you break the spine?
• Calling a phone number to get the time or the weather.
• Apple was called crazy for getting rid of the floppy disk with the first iMac. I can't remember the last time I saw a floppy. And with USB drives and email, I barely need to burn cds anymore.
• Here's another one I miss: not being in contact with the world 100% of the time by 5 different ways. I have at least 5 different email addresses, 2 mobile #'s (one for work), a home #, two IM addresses. Don't get me wrong, I love the new technology, but sometimes it's nice to have a break.
  

There are others. Popping popcorn in a microwave is just the way it's done today. There are things that are going away - renting a video at a video store is one.

Tell me what I missed?

A million little vomits

If you didn't see last week's South Park - A Million Little Fibers - it's a riff on the whole A Million Little Pieces scandal. Funny as hell but one thing:

TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME FOR OPRAH'S CROTCH.






















Pass the bucket please

Six Degrees featuring Jenna Bush and Michael Penn

I have no idea why this article is appearing now because this concert happened last fall. Oh well, it's still a funny story.

Jenna Bush and Michael Penn: Joined In the Curse of the More-Famous-Relative - Wonkette

Oh yeah - what's up with that picture of Michael?

Just in case you didn't know

Gas Prices Climb Sharply, Survey Finds

This is the kind of survey only people who don't pay for their own gas or don't watch the news would pay for. Reminds me of when Bush had to look into the price of a gallon of milk.

Review: The Henry Rollins Show

Kristen is having a girl's night out so I'm catching up on my DVR watching. When I first heard about the Henry Rollins Show it sounded like a winner - first show: Oliver Stone and Sleater-Kinney - that's enough for me. This show is for liberals what Rush Limbaugh is for conservatives. Rollins needs a little smoothing out - but I think that's the style. It's rough around the edges - but he doesn't care. Tell you what - his rants sound a lot like mine - I guess that means he's pretty good. It will be interesting to see if he includes some guests that don't share his viewpoint - Rollins puts those guns to use.

Rollins has always been an odd one for me. He looks like he would kick your ass, but when he talks, he turns out to be a sensitive, green tree-hugger. Nice trick.

IFC is perfect for this show - it wouldn't play anywhere else - master of the obvious I am - where else on TV are you going to hear "motherfuck George Bush". I love the idea of giving people like Chuck-D an avenue to speak and musicians such as Jurassic 5 and Sleater-Kinney TV time.

24 thoughts

I've been meaning to write about 24 since last week. This is a show where you're looking to be shocked and it amazes me that they're able to continue surprising us. As recently as January I called President Logan the biggest pussy in Presidential TV history - witness my shock when the big bad is none other than Logan himself. Entertainment Weekly said that Gregory Itzin deserved an Emmy for his portrayal of Logan and this was before we realized he was the bad guy. Of course he's been quoted as saying he didn't even know he was the bad guy until 2 episodes prior to the reveal. This has to be the whoa shit moment of the year he and the writers had me totally fooled - I never thought Logan had the cajones to pull all of this off. It's a master stroke because the fact that Cumming is now dead makes it plausible that the President would even be talking to Christopher Henderson - he has no choice.

BTW - while I'm congratulating the writers one thing has me bothered - with all the crap that Jack is carrying around in his purse and a Treo that can bring down terrorist plots (while mine can barely make a phone call) - why didn't Jack make a copy of that phone call? Don't tell me he didn't have time - it was a 30 second conversation. It would only make sense that there would be a copy someplace. Also couldn't Jack have given a number to the little girl to call instead of just leaving her by herself with her wounded mother? I am so glad that they didn't show them getting killed.

Anyway - this show gets better year to year - you can't say that about most shows - but this year they've thankfully avoided the side stories that made us groan (President Palmer's girlfriend, Kim and her battle of wits with the cougar - how she won I'll never know).

Hmmm - I think I owe you 20 more thoughts but I'm full out.

Coming to a market near you

I seriously laugh at the latest addition to the supermarket parking lot - the child parking spots. Since when did having children become the equivalent of being handicapped? I bet some quadriplegic driver sees this and shakes their head.

I'm sure it's a pain in the ass sometimes to gather all the kids and such, but wasn't this a choice?

This past weekend my family and I were talking about all the things that are different these days for kids. We had none of this shit - my mom had to drag our asses on the bus at times to get to the market - but now we have to have special parking spaces for parents.

Killer pancakes

This story is pretty scary.  Pancake mix can cause severe allergic reactions if kept too long?  Jesus.

On my way to the kitchen.

Spaz off

I am so tired of political correctness - today Tiger Woods had to apologize for using the term spaz because in certain countries that term is derogatory. So apparently Woods is to keep track of every word that may have a different meaning than here in the U.S. and eliminate it from his vocabulary?

Seriously I'm upset. Here in the states we all know what a spaz is - hey I've spazzed out on more than a few occasions. I refuse to have one of my top 2,000 words removed from my vocabulary. Hell no.