Not Today You Ain't

More Than A Freezer

2011-10-25T10:23:00.003-04:00

What's this? A triumphant return to blogging?

Nope. Just re-posting this for work.

More Than A Feeling cover

The other 65% is delicious.

2011-01-24T23:03:00.002-05:00

Mmmmm... soft tacos.

Major Developments (Two of 'em)

2011-01-24T15:49:00.007-05:00

Forgive me blogfather, I’ve sinned. It’s been six months since my last confession…

During my half-year respite from blogging, a few things have happened. Two of these happenings can fairly be categorized as “life changing.”

On Friday, October 29th, Emily and I moved into a house. A proper home with walls, a ceiling, a tiny driveway, an attic, and a yard. Our little castle is nestled in the burgeoning metropolis of West Hartford, Connecticut. It’s almost been three months now, and I’m not at all sick of it yet.
I feel very adult. I’ve already partaken in several of those key chores/pleasures that come with homeownership (though in fairness, we don’t own anything, and we won’t for quite some time):

On our second day in the house, I had to do some amateur plumbing. I plumbed like a pro thanks to the expertise of a friendly Home Depot employee and his “How Bathtubs Work 101” crash course.
I’ve assembled approximately 100 pieces of IKEA furniture. Honestly, I think those Swedes have a bad rap; I thought the directions were pretty clear. Then again, I’m smarter than most folks.
We hosted our first holiday. Thanksgiving 2010 will forever be remembered as the day that the Schaibles rocked it Pilgrim style. Emily made dinner; it was awesome. My folks, niece, Emily’s brother and dad all came, and if you discount my niece’s clinically diagnosed anti-socialism, it was a resounding success.
I cleaned the gutters. If this doesn’t sound blog-worthy to you, then you just don’t understand. I had to buy a ladder. I had to climb it. I had to fish out a load of nasty while every time the wind blew, I feared I was going to plumet. This was no menial task. But it’s done. I am now a man.
I hung Christmas lights. Only two strands this year (due to fiduciary restraints), but mark my words neighbor across the street: Your little polar bear display was nice and all, but the Schaibles will have the most festive house on the street. You can take that to the bank.
I took the Christmas lights down. That’s right, the lights came down before Spring Training. I’m not that guy.
I’ve painted. I painted a nursery…

Which brings us to the second life-changing happening: I’m going to be a DAD. Emily is due June 26th. At last, I am going to have someone to play with. Since it’s so damn hard to make friends, I’ve decided to breed some.

If you’re interested, Emily’s personalities participated in a pregnancy Q&A session earlier this month.

Some pretty major developments, eh? I'll cut this post off there with every intention to return and blog more in the near future.

A Series of Uncomfortable Conversations

2010-08-04T19:43:00.007-04:00

Strange today as I seemed to attract all kinds of crazy. I submit to you, in summary form, three uncomfortable conversations:

1. The unbelievably boring guy at the office

Periodically, I’ve been sucked into little chats with my office’s own version of Milton (I swear to you, they even look alike). Past exchanges have yielded real info gems… did you know, for example, that the word “checkmate” comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat,” meaning “the king is dead.”

These little bits of life-altering trivia have always come completely out of left field. We’ve never discussed chess or Ancient Persia, and we never will.

[DISCLAIMER: I did not pull that fun fact from memory; I had to look it up.]

But today Milton decided to stick around, blocking my only possible escape by standing in my cubicle entryway. Not to sound dramatic, but I strongly considered climbing on my desk and jumping over the wall or stabbing myself in the neck with a pen to get out of it.

I wish he had a story as interesting as the origin of “checkmate” to share. He didn’t. He told me all about his 36-year-old son and how he’s seeing a new woman – a stewardess. And no amount of “Ah,” “Yep,” or blank stares clued him into my pain. 23 minutes of my life I’ll never get back.

2. An comfortable setting for what would be entertaining gab

In the afternoon, my neighbor from across the cubicle divide stopped by and informed me she had just quit. Well now, that’s interesting. Go on.

Problem was she went on at length about how terrible it is working here, and how much of a “raving nutcase,” (her words, not mine) our boss is. It made for extremely uncomfortable repartee since one of us still works here… I can’t exactly say “I know, she’s a maniac,” can I?

She’s saying things like, “I just can’t do it anymore. You should bolt too.”And I’m sure the other people on my side of the building were listening in, so I tried to nod a lot.

3. The raving lunatic at the supermarket

And lastly, on my way home from work I swung by Shaws to grab dinner. While picking out steak, a woman snatched some packaged rib eyes from right out of my hand. I was stunned. It wasn’t the last pack or anything. She held it up, inspected it, said “nah,” and threw it back down.

As I always shy away from confrontation, especially with potentially unstable individuals, I didn’t say anything and grabbed another pack. She put her hand on my shoulder, and here’s my best attempt at re-creating the strangest conversation I’ve ever had in my life:

“No. Not that one either.”
“Excuse me?”
“That’s no good. Like the other one.”
“What?”
“Don’t get that one. You shouldn’t even get steak.”
--stares blankly--
“Do you have any idea what red meat does to your colon?”
“Ummm… I’m getting steak. Thank you though.”
“Fine, but don’t come crying to me later.”
“I won’t. Thanks.”
“I don’t appreciate the attitude.”
“Ummm… this is weird. I’m gonna go.”
“You’re the one making it weird.”

Here’s a bad picture of the crackpot (taken from a safe distance under the cover offered by an end-of-aisle cereal display) >>

This dramatic retelling has been brought to you by Shaws, the friendly townsfolk of Northbridge, and marketfresh USDA choice beef rib eye.

Strange day.

***
A few random items:

It’s August 4th and I’m three meals into my 30-Day Challenge. All have been pretty good so far, meatball subs on Monday, pan-fried pork chops last night, and rib eye steak with maple cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes tonight. I’m cruising.
In case he’s a reader, congrats to Alex Rodriguez for hitting his 600th home run. It’s always a nice break from work to hear John Sterling launch into scripted hyperbole.
I listened to a lot of Beach Boys today… and found this: Johnny Cash’s earlier recording of “Sloop John B (I Want to Go Home).”

That’s more than enough for one day.

Mangia!

2010-08-02T19:22:00.015-04:00

My 30-Day Challenge: Cook four dinners per week.

Yeah, “learn how to play my guitar,” got the most votes but Emily, whose vote counts a bit more than most of you readers, said that that was her least favorite choice. So instead I’ll go with No. 2, the cooking one. This should be interesting…

I got started tonight. My first meal: Meatball Subs.

(Made with love.)

I used this meatball recipe, this marinara sauce recipe, slopped that onto a bun, and added copious amounts of mozzarella and romano cheese.

It was gooooood.

Emily’s review: “Well, he might have bought more fresh parsley than Mario Batali uses in a year, but I was very happy with this first attempt. I was spooning the sauce from the pan after. Not sure I’ve had a sauce this good in a while. Not sure I’ve seen a cuter cook, either.”

The plan is to cook four meals a week for August (4 and ½ weeks = 18 dinners). I told Emily she can pick whatever she wants once a week.

I won’t be posting every meal here (that would probably be obnoxious), but I may highlight any major success stories or failures. I’ll recap at the end of the month.

He didn't.

2010-08-01T23:02:00.006-04:00

Look you’ve already paid. Your money is as good as mine. I could come out for two minutes, and shit myself on stage. I’m still getting paid. You’ve taken that chance.

Emily surprised me with Louis C.K. tickets as a one-year anniversary gift. Pretty cool, right? It was unexpected since when I saw he was touring and suggested we go, she said, “nah” (she’d already bought the tickets).

Anyways, we capped off a very eventful day (see below) by driving down to Newport, barely making it after I wolfed down a chicken parm in approximately eight minutes. He was hilarious – the perfect combination of masturbation humor and stories about his two daughters (usually separate topics).

Over the last few months, Emily and I have seen several of our favorite comics live. We saw Ricky Gervais late last year, Jerry Seinfeld in May, Conan O’Brien a few weeks back, and now Louis C.K.

It’s nice to have a chuckle.

***
A couple other weekend tidbits:

On Saturday, the wife and I met with a real estate agent for the first time. It went well… I mean she didn’t take one look at us, say “not today you ain’t,” and send us away laughing.
Watched Following, Christopher Nolan’s 1998 neo-noir debut. Two word review: real good… It’s easy to see Nolan’s somewhat raw talent and his fondness for non-linear storytelling. I have seen 6 of his 7 movies, and thus far he’s got a 100 percent Schaible approval rating. I need to see Insomnia.
I started reading The Girl Who Played with Fire… Damn Steig Larsson. Dude has completely thrown off my reading list, pushing other stuff off until later.
The other big Sunday event was the Red Sox-Tigers game, with Emily, Alex (her brother), and Bruce (her dad). We had, I am not exaggerating, the greatest seats ever. Right behind home plate, six rows back, right next to a scout from the Phillies. I was pleased.

Side note: While Emily and I were chatting up the scout, the dude (who is rocking his 2008 World Series ring, mind you) peppered my wife with questions about her job. Think about how cool that is: this guy, who may have the most awesome job in the world, is interested in what she does… He didn’t ask about my job.

In other news… I like ellipses.

"Hate List"

2010-07-30T15:42:00.008-04:00

In Emily’s last (ever?) blog post, she shared her “hate list.”

Since imitation in the sincerest form of flattery, here is my list:

The collective works of Tyler Perry.
“Shirts and skins.” Dude, you’re all sweaty and you’re posting up. I have zero interest in guarding you and having my shirt sop up all your nastiness. Pop a shirt on.
Religion as driving force behind violence, bigotry, or as an obstacle to science/logic.
Skinny jeans + dudes.
That people dismiss all the good in Rocky V, just because Sly’s son wines for most of the movie. Fast forward all the scenes with the kid and I promise you, it’s the best 35-minute movie around.
The New York Jets.
Writing unique cover letters.
People who clap at movie theatres.
Captchas. You know those stupid challenge-response tests that are required on sites all over the place? I understand their purpose, but it always takes me multiple tries. I hate them.
Car mechanics.
Drivers with dogs in their laps.
The way my wife swoons whenever Tim Riggins brushes the hair from his face.

And last but definitely not least, my biggest pet peeve. It absolutely drives me nuts…

When people say that they “could care less.” Really? So you care then. Good, I’ll continue telling you my five-year plan for fantasy baseball keeper league dominance.

Oh, you don’t care? I’ll shut up then… it’s “COULDN’T care less” people! I am 100 percent certain that the world would be a better place if we all remembered this.

(Yeah... that's two blog posts in one day. So what? I'm a blogging machine).

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2010-07-30T08:25:00.005-04:00

I’ll keep this brief because I don’t have anything new to add to the discussion; the Stieg Larsson thriller is a NY Times bestseller and, as is so often the case, I was late to the party…

“How can you be sure of that?”
“Because this isn’t some damned locked-room mystery novel …”

The mystery is rather conventional: murder, isolated area, a wealthy/eccentric family with skeletons in the closet, etc. The characters were not, with Lisabeth Salander -- kick-ass rebel heroine and gothic symbol of female empowerment -- and the twisted Vanger clan leading the charge.

As advertised, it’s an addictive, "I-can’t-put-this-down-before-I-finish" novel, but it’s worth today’s morning drowsiness.

I give it 4-out-of-5 Schaibles.

30-Day Challenge: August

2010-07-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

One of the blogs I read fairly regularly has a regular feature he calls a 30-day challenge.

It’s such a good idea, that I am going to rip it off. So what do you think, which of the following should I try for August?

(These may seem tough, but they’re supposed to be challenging).

Read 10 books
Cook dinner four days per week (four more times than I currently do)
Run 90 miles over the month
Go vegetarian (except for at a wedding I am going to since I already RSVP’d for steak)
Spend as little money as possible
Actually learn to play the guitar that’s collecting dust in our second bedroom
Go left-handed instead of right

What do y’all think? I am open to other suggestions.

Sail away on the Block Island Ferry...

2010-07-28T22:15:00.000-04:00

The wife and I, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of our nuptials, spent the last four days on Block Island.

This was my third time visiting Rhode Island’s Jamaica. Emily has family there, so we had a place to stay and a chauffeur. They’re good people.

Highlights:

Four days of perfect weather
No work
Emily on a bike
My first taste of lobster
Good chat
Many beers
Meeting Macy (Emily’s second cousin), a ten-month old heart breaker with jet blue eyes
Achieving transcendent knowing/ nirvana

Lowlights:

I go back to work tomorrow

One year ago...

2010-07-25T07:27:00.001-04:00

Married. One year and counting.

Che Guevara

2010-07-23T16:00:00.000-04:00

I’ve always been a bit of a history buff, but would have had to plead ignorance on Che Guevara’s significance, and why militant hippies don his likeness on their t-shirts.

I can’t remember him even being mentioned during high school. If he was in the curriculum, it was skipped by my teachers or ignored by me.

To figure out what all the fuss is about, I read Jon Lee Anderson’s massive biography Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life.

So after 900 pages, what do I think of Che? Well, he’s a bit of a paradox. He’s both someone whose social indignation and passion, I can emphasize with and understand, while also someone whose rhetoric and cold actions were terrifying.

I won’t be rocking a Che Guevara tee anytime soon.

Well, that subject matter was a bit heavy for a blog where I usually share ill-informed movie opinions or trite observations.

We now return to our regular programming…

Jeff’s Movie Review: Inception (2010)

2010-07-18T22:41:00.002-04:00

OK… I’m going to keep this short and sweet since it’s been months since I’ve last blogged, I’m probably rusty, and I wouldn’t want to bore you.

The wife and I saw Inception yesterday, and loved it.

Quick hits:

I’m not really getting all the “you’ll have to see thins more than once” talk. I mean, there’s a lot going on sure, but I thought it was very clear. I will be seeing this again, but not because I didn’t get it… because it’s great.
I wish I could dream as lucidly as that.
When it went to black before the credits, the entire theatre groaned. If you can get that sort of reaction, you’re probably doing something right.
Christopher Nolan has done plenty right… dude has made some fantastic movies: Memento, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, and now Inception? These are some of my favorite movies… I guess I need to check out Following and Insomnia.

For the DVD cover:

“The most intellectually and viscerally engaging film in years. A masterpiece from Hollywood’s most innovative dreamer.”

Rating:

Five “Schaibles” - yeah, that's right.

Song Of The Day

2009-11-13T11:41:00.001-05:00

I don't really have a Song Of The Day feature (and I don't plan on starting one) but I came across this today and thought I'd share. It's from one of my favorite John Wayne movies, Rio Bravo.

Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson. Enjoy.

I can't tell you how many times I watched this movie with my dad when I was younger.

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My Wednesday: In Haiku

2009-10-28T23:12:00.001-04:00

Up before the sun.
Work, then home. Smooch the wife. Gym.
Yanks stink it up. Bed.

Consider this my triumphant return to blogging.

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Snowin' in the Wind

2009-08-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

Excuse the third person: Jeff is very excited! Two of my favorite things are coming together…

Bob Dylan will release a brand new album (his 47th!) of holiday songs, Christmas In The Heart, on Tuesday, October 13. All Dylan’s royalties will be donated to various charities.

According to bobdylan.com, the track list will include “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Must Be Santa.” Other rumored songs include “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

This is particularly good news for those of us who love copious amounts of harmonica and accordion with our Christmas fare.

There are only 120 shopping days left. I am pumped.

Music Review: HUMBUG by Arctic Monkeys

2009-08-25T17:53:00.000-04:00

Way back in 2006, during my San Diego years, I feel under the spell of the Arctic Monkeys’ fast, high-energy rock. The Sheffield, UK quartet have been amongst my favorite bands ever since I got my first earful of “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.”

I’ve played their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, ragged – three of my top 10 most played tracks on iTunes are from this stellar debut. I’ve downloaded all their EPs. Their cover of “Baby I’m Yours” was prominently featured at my wedding last month.

After their follow up album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, I again tried to force it down all my friends’ throats. And when lead singer/guitarist Alex Turner put the Monkeys’ future on hold to toy with The Last Shadow Puppets last year, I supported that too – with slightly less enthusiasm.

Today, the band released their much anticipated third album, Humbug, and I’m already on my seventh listen.

Now I’ll readily admit that I get a false sense of coolness out of embracing a UK band with limited US appeal (akin to the feeling Zach probably gets when he wears one of his European soccer scarves). That said, I have another very elitist thing to say: “I like Arctic Monkeys old stuff better.”

To paraphrase Stuff Hipsters Hate: Irrespective of how good the new album is, hipsters have been listening to these guys for years, and they like their old stuff better.

With that very long-winded preface out of the way, let’s finally dive in… another installment of Jeff’s Music Review: Hipster Edition.

I got my first taste of Humbug more than a month ago with the release of the album’s first single, “Crying Lightning.” It was a start departure from Favourite Worst Nightmare’s debut single “Brianstorm.” Gone were the fast, high energy rockers. “Crying Lightning,” though I enjoyed it, lacked thunder.

It appeared Turner had embraced a new “tormented relationship” phase. Borrowing from Pitchfork: the Monkeys’ delivered “a jargon-y single about a candy-coated Veruca Salt-style ice queen and a guy looking for something a bit sweeter.”

“Crying Lighting” was a sign of things to come. Humbug is decidedly more of a whispering psychedelic trip than blitzkrieg rock. It’s melancholic. Their trademark riffs and rhythms are still front and center but are coming from a much darker (more mature?) place.

Key tracks: “Crying Lightning,” “My Propeller,” and the Morrissey-esque “Cornerstone.”

Don’t get me wrong, I still thoroughly enjoyed the album and who knows, maybe one rainy day I’m not feeling my jolly, happy self Humbug will be more resonant. But I don’t think any of these tracks are going to shoot to the top of my Play Counter and I definitely don’t think that this is the album that will break the Monkeys on this side of the pond.

Maybe I should be relieved; I can still carry that sense of superiority.

Verdict: B-

I would be remised if I didn’t mention that as a B-side to “Crying Lightning,” the Arctic Monkeys covered Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand,” which I have previously posted here. Check it out.

As far as their covers go, I prefer “Love Machine” and “Baby I’m Yours.”

The Schaible Wedding/Honeymoon - A Six-Part Narrative (Part One)

2009-08-11T14:32:00.000-04:00

Okay… I am back. After taking a fair bit of time to digest (both figuratively and literally) I believe I am now ready to blog about my first wedding (I kid, of course).

There’s a lot to discuss. So I’ll start at the beginning: all the Pre-Wedding sh-tuff.

Friday, July 24th
First thing on the official agenda was the rehearsal. Everyone met up at the venue (Newport, RI’s Easton Beach) at 1:00pm. By “everyone,” I mean: my guys (best man Steve, second-best man Zach, “Duke” LaDuke – the high school best friend and Emily’s brother, Mike), her ladies (maid-of-honor Katie, college roomie Meg and cousin Sarah), the parents and our eccentric, gap-toothed pastor.

It was a bit chaotic and very rushed. There was barely enough time for Steve to injure a bridesmaid. We were dismissed with no greater understanding of how exactly this was going to work but whatever, there were more important things to do: the ladies had to get their nails done.

That evening was our rehearsal dinner which I will say was a resounding success. We invited all of our out-of-town guests. The food was good and drinks were plentiful. A special shout out to my parents – Mr. and Mrs. Schaible of Rotterdam, NY – who picked up the check. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Anyways, it was a great time. Over-stimulated, I excitedly bounced from group to group (largely ignoring the wife-to-be) loudly reminiscing and introducing folks. There were many highlights: LaDuke showing off his new lip tattoo, a surprise “groom’s cake,” visitors from as far away as Georgia and Hawaii, a late arrival by the enigmatic Mike Grimala, and Zach quietly brooding over a plate of humus.

It was a great night… too great maybe. I lost my voice (more on that later). Emily and I parted ways and I spent my last night as a bachelor in the honeymoon suite with Grimey. I slept soundly.

Saturday, July 25th
The day had arrived at last. Exactly 14 months after I popped the question, it was time to seal the deal, tie the knot, take the plunge, grab the bull by the horns …

But first, we golfed. As my groomsman gift, I treated the dudes – the four previously mentioned groomsman, my father and Grimey (who was filling the role of Emily’s father who went on the DL with a knee) – to a round of golf.

There was a hiccup. We arrived at the golf course, I walked in and said, “seven rounds please.”

“Not today you ain’t.”

The golf course, which I had spoken to three times over the previous month, said they had a tournament today and there were no open tee times. After a little swearing, a little pouting and on patented “Schaible-face,” we found another course nearby. Crisis averted.

It was an adventure. My father was probably the only one of us that belonged on a golf course – with all due respect to Grimey, who looked like a golfer in his borrowed robes, and the Mohonasen HS golf team, which thought enough of me to add its ranks as a senior. It was pretty ugly.

My foursome lost interest in keeping score about halfway through (shortly I knocked down a 20-foot put for the day’s only birdie). Between the seven of us, I think we lost 20 or so balls. We also dropped a significant amount of water weight (it was hot).

Zach and Steve finished up last. Their epic confrontation decided by just one stroke. Zach was relieved but we wrapped up knowing we were all losers.

I went back to the hotel and prepped… it takes all of 20 minutes to shower, shave and dress. So the waiting game begun. The guys were exiled to my parents’ room so the ladies could have more space. We sat around for more than an hour and I could feel all the “why exactly did we have to get here so early?” tension.

On our way over to the venue, Steve was almost doused in bird shit. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he didn’t but had he, it would have made a classic Steve story.

And with that, I leave you now. To be continued…

1970s Mixtape – Part Five

2009-07-10T16:29:00.000-04:00

My 1970s mixtape (concluded)...

Track Listing:
41. Led Zeppelin – The Ocean

42. Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen

43. Warsaw – Living in the Ice Age

44. Gang of Four – Damaged Goods

45. The Who - Behind Blue Eyes

46. Lou Reed - Walk On the Wild Side

47. Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb

48. Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine

49. Stevie Wonder - Superstition

50. Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky

Part One -- Part Two -- Part Three -- Part Four -- Part Five

1970s Mixtape – Part Four

2009-07-10T15:20:00.000-04:00

My 1970s mixtape (continued)...

Track Listing:
31. The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Pop
32. T. Rex – Bang A Gong (Get It On)
33. George Baker Selection – Little Green Bag
34. Buzzcocks – What Do I Get?
35. David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust
36. Elvis Costello – Radio Radio
37. Bill Withers – Use Me
38. Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run
39. Billy Joel – Only The Good Die Young
40. Deep Purple – Highway Star

Part One -- Part Two -- Part Three -- Part Four -- Part Five

1970s Mixtape – Part Three

2009-07-10T13:29:00.000-04:00

My 1970s mixtape (continued)...

Track Listing:
21. The Who – Baba O’Riley
22. Queen – Fat Bottomed Girls
23. Mott the Hoople – All The Young Dudes
24. The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry
25. The Clash – London Calling
26. The Sex Pistols – Anarchy In the UK
27. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Run Through the Jungle
28. Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
29. Lou Reed – Perfect Day
30. Pink Floyd – Goodbye Blue Sky

Part One -- Part Two -- Part Three -- Part Four -- Part Five

1970s Mixtape – Part Two

2009-07-10T11:56:00.000-04:00

My 1970s mixtape (continued)...

Track Listing:
11. Elvis Costello – Welcome to the Working Week
12. Iggy Pop – Lust For Life
13. The Ramones – Sheena is a Punk Rocker
14. The Kinks – Lola
15. The Doors – Love Her Madly
16. Stealers Wheel – Stuck in the Middle
17. The Only Ones – Another Girl, Another Planet
18. James Brown – Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine
19. The Velvet Underground – Sweet Jane
20. David Bowie – Sound and Vision

Part One -- Part Two -- Part Three -- Part Four -- Part Five

1970s Mixtape – Part One

2009-07-10T09:28:00.000-04:00

After a long drought, I feel compelled to throw up a blog post. Since my mixtape posts are so easy to put together, I’m proud to unveil my first decade-themed edition… an ode to the 1970s.

Track Listing:
1. Lou Reed – Satellite of Love
2. David Bowie – Moonage Daydream
3. Led Zeppelin – Black Dog
4. The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again
5. Queen – Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To…)
6. Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love
7. Wire – Mannequin
8. The Clash – Janie Jones
9. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
10. T.Rex – Mambo Sun

Part One -- Part Two -- Part Three -- Part Four -- Part Five

I Ain't No Bookwormy Type

2009-06-19T14:01:00.002-04:00

This New Years, I resolved (among other things) to read more. The goal: 50 books during the calendar year...

Well the year is almost half over. You might ask, “Hey Jeff. How many books have you actually read?” The answer is three. Three of fifty (6 percent, for the non-math wizards).

I’m not particularly surprised by this… I lack stick-to-itiveness. I go through a lot of phases. Anyways… I’m back on board. While there’s no chance I’ll make it to fifty, let’s see if I can at least make it to double digits.

And here’s the best part: thanks to the blogosphere, you all can come along for the ride! I’ll keep you posted.

So… the three books I’ve actually read in 2009 are:
1. The Stanger by Albert Camus
A quick read but kind of a downer. Very psychological.
3 stars
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Impossible to read and not think of the movie. Excellent book.
4 stars
3. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
In spite of its length, this was a fantastic read. Highly recommend.
5 stars

Currently reading: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

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Not Much of a Blog Post But...

2009-06-18T17:42:00.000-04:00

Last night, I was playing DJ while Emily and I were playing Wii Mario Kart. I played this... she said it was the worst song she has ever heard.

I disagree. That's all.

Jeff’s Rental Reviews (x 5)

2009-06-18T13:02:00.000-04:00

Greetings moviegoers! Here it is, another Rental Review… made possible by Jeff’s Blockbuster Rewards membership. You know the drill; eerily similar to my regular movie reviews except in an abbreviated, rapid-fire style.

He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
Emily was sick. This was my best attempt at doing something thoughtful. It was as expected, a generic chick flick. What’s it got going for it? It’s cast. Sure that’s an impressive collection of actors but no one can tell me that Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly and crew are having trouble finding a dude.

Verdict:
2 Schaibles

Valkyrie (2008)
This is the perfect movie to pair with Defiance if you’re looking for mediocre WWII-themed double-feature one afternoon. The two are pretty similar… right down to the boring feature protagonists. These are not characters in a drama, they’re saintly warriors who suppress the evil doers with zero internal conflict. With that in mind, both films earn identical ratings.

Verdict:
2 Schaibles

Taken (2009)
Your run-of-the-mill action-laced, ticking-clock thriller, Taken stars Liam Neeson as a retired “preventer,” who has 96 hours to track down his teenage daughter after she’s kidnapped in Europe by sex traffickers. Taken’s bizarre mix of father-daughter sentimentality and ass-kicking violence make an odd pairing. While the action is engaging and the film was briskly paced, there were several moments of unintentional comedy (lousy dialogue) and the ending completely lost its treading.

Verdict:
2 Schaibles

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
Despite the glut of fog machines, glowing spheres and TV actors (Don Draper? Coach Taylor?!?), a good portion of this remake is unintentional comedy. I like the eco-friendly message but the last 15 minutes play out like a hurried concession to the audience’s need for a happy ending.

Verdict:

1 ½ Schaible

and a retro cut…

Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
A selection from the middle (non new-release), Boys Don’t Cry is based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena, a trans man who was raped and murdered by his male friends. Hilary Swank won the 1999 Academy Award for her performance and it’s easy to see why. She was excellent. It’s not the most depressing movie I’ve ever seen (nominees: Revolutionary Road, Requiem for a Dream, An Inconvenient Truth) but it’s up there.

Verdict:

3 ½ Schaibles

You may have noticed that I’ve added a complete list of my movie reviews on the right side. Of course, those of you who only visit my blog through Google Reader won’t. Shame on you; you’re missing part of the experience.

Anyways, I thought this would add credibility (hopefully) to my reviews. You can put them in context. Or you can make sure I don’t just hand out the Steve Sears 3 Star rating to every movie I see.

Editorial Note: While I may review old movies (like Boys Don’t Cry) I’m not going to include them in this list… a movie should be reviewed during the period of its release. It’s a contextual thing.

Take On Me: Favorite Covers (Mixtape #6)

2009-06-18T10:59:00.000-04:00

I posted my last mixtape more than a month ago… and there are massive protests in Iran. Coincidence?
Assuredly not.

So here we go… my cover songs playlist. There are some obvious standards in here and hopefully some below the radar selections that will make me seem oh so much cooler.

Track Listing:
1. Joey Ramone – “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong)
My covers playlist has had several iterations… always track #1.
2. Lou Reed – “This Magic Moment” (The Drifters)
Part of the Lost Highway soundtrack. Never saw the movie.
3. The Ramones – “California Sun” (Joe Jones)
Embodies all that is good about America’s first punk rock group.
4. Johnny Cash – “Hurt” (Nine Inch Nails)
Bold statement: the best cover version of any song, ever. Boom.
5. The Killers – “Romeo and Juliet” (Dire Straits)
Notice I did not pick The Killers’ cover “Shadowplay.”
6. Frente! – “Bizarre Love Triangle” (New Order)
Completely transformed.
7. Elbow – “Running to Stand Still” (U2)
Like it better than the original… love the way it builds.
8. Beck – “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” (Bob Dylan)
Beck replaces honky tonk with blazing distortion.
9. Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower” (Bob Dylan)
Obvious, I know… but it really has to be included.
10. Nirvana – “The Man Who Sold the World” (David Bowie)
Such a great cover, many people don’t know it’s Bowie’s.
11. Stereophonics – “Handbags and Gladrags” (Chris Farlowe)
The theme tune of the BBC hit comedy “The Office.”
12. Cake – “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor)
Far cooler (and more acceptable) than the original.
13. Laura Cortese – “Just Like Heaven” (The Cure)
A groovy cover of a classic 80s pop song.
14. Cowboy Junkies – “Sweet Jane” (The Velvet Underground)
Nearly unrecognizable seedy grunge.
15. Cat Stevens – “Another Saturday Night” (Sam Cooke)
Have I mentioned that I love key changes (done right).
16. Joe Cocker – “With a Little Help from My Friends (Beatles)
Another TV theme tune... Wonder Years.
17. Richie Havens – “Here Comes the Sun” (Beatles)
Havens has a bunch of really good covers.
18. Thom Yorke – “After the Gold Rush” (Neil Young)
Had a big Neil Young faze awhile back.
19. The Clash – “I Fought the Law” (The Crickets)
Punk-rock gods lend credibility to a clash with law enforcement.
20. The Beatles – “Twist and Shout” (Top Notes)
One of my favorite Fab Four tracks.

Cover Me Bad – Some Truly Terrible Efforts

And the WORST COVER EVER...

Sorry ladies.

Listapalooza

2009-06-15T19:08:00.000-04:00

The Best Man recently did a two-part series of Top Five lists… dubbed “Listapalooza” (read Part One, Part Two). Since I subscribe to the notion that creativity is great, but plagiarism is faster, here we are… my own Listapalooza:

Pet Peeves
5. 99% of all Facebook applications.
4. Drivers with dogs in their laps.
3. Cubicle neighbors who are loud eaters.
2. When people say “I could care less.” It’s couldn’t!
1. People who clap at movie theatres.

Most Anticipated Season Premiers
5. Lost – If only because I’m ready for this show to end.
4. 30 Rock – See below.
3. The Office – Thursday night just isn’t the same.
2. Mad Men – Betty is pregnant. What’s become of Sterling Cooper?
1. Friday Night Lights – Coach Taylor at East Dillon?

Favorite Classic Rock Songs
5. Billy Joel – Only the Good Die Young
4. The Doors – Light My Fire
3. The Who – Baba O’Riley
2. Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
1. The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again

Favorite Bob Dylan Songs
5. Forever Young
4. The Times They Are a-Changin’
3. It Ain’t Me, Babe
2. Like a Rolling Stone
1. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Favorite Beatles Songs
5. All My Loving
4. In My Life
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
2. Twist and Shout
1. Two of Us

Embarrassing Songs on My iPod
5. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots – Disco Duck
4. Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
3. Sheryl Crow – Soak Up the Sun
2. Bette Midler – The Rose
1. The Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge

Favorite Songs You May Not Know
Or maybe you do know them… I don’t care.
5. Joshua Radin – Only You (Our Wedding Song)
4. Sugar – If I Can’t Change Your Mind
3. Colin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You
2. Yeti – Never Lose Your Sense of Wonder
1. The Jayhawks – Big Star

People with Whom I’d Love to Have Lunch
5. Lance Armstrong
4. Don Zimmer
3. Barack Obama
2. Bob Dylan
1. Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant

Best/Most Popular Movies I’ve Never Seen
5. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
4. Titanic
3. Psycho
2. Citizen Kane
1. Casablanca

Favorite Non-Sports Video Games
5. Super Mario Brothers 3
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
3. Mega Man 3
2. Punch Out!
1. Area 51 – Arcade game.

Best Trips I’ve Ever Taken
5. Christmas in South Carolina 2009
4. Myrtle Beach – Age 13
3. Block Island Weekend 2005
2. The Sears, Hosseini, Schaible European Adventure
1. My Honeymoon – 40 days until departure

And finally, in response to Emily’s recent post…

Celebrity Crushes
(bonus) Kelly Ripa
5. Alyson Hannigan
4. Christina Hendricks
3. Scarlett Johansson
2. Minka Kelly
1. January Jones

Honeymoon Planning: Brief Itinerary

2009-06-15T12:32:00.000-04:00

Brace yourself; I’m going to blog about something other than movies. Those of you who are my Facebook friends may have noticed a flurry of Honeymoon-related status messages.

For all of you scoring at home, there are only 40 days before what the press has dubbed the “Schaible-related Newport, RI social event of the season.” It’s very exciting.

The Plan (South to North):

(London to Chipping Campden to Liverpool to Edinburgh).

London, Liverpool and Edinburgh are all pretty self-explanatory. Chipping Campden is a small market town, part of the Cotswolds – an area characterized by its attractive villages, rolling hillsides and outstanding natural beauty… at least that’s what I’m told.

The Agenda:
London: All the touristy things… you know, ride the London Eye, dodge traffic at Abbey Road, visit Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, check out Shakespeare’s Old Globe, etc. Also, Emily and I have reservations at Gordon Ramsay’s place (remember: I proposed at his NYC restaurant), we have tickets to see Les Misérables and Emily’s pushing something called “high tea.”

Chipping Campden: This is supposed to be our “relaxation” portion of the honeymoon. We’ll be staying at a quaint bed and breakfast. We’ll explore the area, check out a few castles but generally, we’re going to just chill in the English countryside.

Liverpool: Rather than eating up a whole day of mooning with a drive straight to Scotland, we’re going to stop in Liverpool (home of legendary bands like The Coral, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and The Boo Radleys). We’ll be partaking in some Fab Four-inspired tourist traps, no doubt.

Edinburgh: Our final destination is Scotland’s capital city. We haven’t done too much planning for Edinburgh yet, other than booking our B&B (it’s centrally located). We’re going to be missing the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival by a week which is either really disappointing (it’s supposed to be awesome) or a great relief (apparently the population of the city more than triples), depending how you look at it.

I forgot to mention a source of much Werchadlo-anxiety… I’m going to be driving much of the journey. We pick up a rental car the last day in London and drop it off in Edinburgh. There are no guarantees but I’m hoping the vehicle looks a bit like this:

Yeah baby.

Jeff’s Movie Review: The Hangover (2009)

2009-06-15T09:17:00.000-04:00

It’s not the funniest movie of the year (see: I Love You, Man) but it’s close. This contemporary guy-friendship comedy isn’t the wholesome, cornball comedy that the Paul Rudd-Jason Segal bromance was… it’s straight up raunchy, yo.

Waking up with a hangover and little (or no) memory of what happened the night before is an experience most people can relate to. It’s also a surefire device for comedy. We piece together the crew’s drunken exploits bit by bit… think Memento meets Old School.

Zach Galifianakis, of Between Two Ferns fame, is garnering a lot of attention… and deservedly so; he was hilarious. Ed Helms was well cast as Stu and performed a nice little piano number. Bradley Cooper was the ringleader and had Emily swooning throughout. Mike Tyson’s cameo was as advertised, funny.

There were a few lowlights: With the exception of his first appearance, Mr. Chow did absolutely nothing for me and I’ve never found Rob Riggle (the cop) funny. He yells… that’s not funny.

Nonetheless, I thought it outperformed the high expectations I had for it. I laughed throughout. While I’d put it a notch below I Love You, Man, it’s an excellent dirty summer comedy.

Verdict:
3 1/2 Schaibles

Jeff’s Movie Review: Pixar’s Up (2009)

2009-05-29T23:20:00.000-04:00

Well the results are in; Up has definitely earned its lofty spot in the Pixar Canon of Great Movies.

It’s a wonderful movie. A breathtakingly stunning, flyaway fantasy fit for the whole family. Up never really aims for a higher purpose (like WALL-E did) but its imaginative storytelling, endearing characters and dreamlike visuals create what’s certainly the year’s most enchanting film.

The movie’s first 10 minutes function as a life story. It would have made a fantastic short on its own. Inundated with previews, I went into the theatre ready for a gruff, cranky old man. Instead, we’re introduced to a youthful Carl – and his gap-toothed wife, Ellie. We see them build a life together. Then Ellie passes.

If that sounds heartbreaking, it’s because it is. If it doesn’t, then I didn’t do the prologue justice.

Grumpy Carl and a stowaway, the chubby “Wilderness Explorer” Russell embark on the South American adventure, young Carl and Ellie never took. They pick up a few travelling companions on the way – Kevin, a gawky bird, and Dug, a goofy dog (“Squirrel?”).

Up is certainly sentimental – there is more than one opportunity for waterworks (just ask Emily) – but still fun. I’ve used the words “sentimental” and “heartbreaking” here… and while it’s definitely those things, I want to stress that it’s also whimsical and heartwarming.

It’s guaranteed to lift your spirits (and perhaps exercise your tear ducts).

Verdict:

4 Schaibles

To date, the best movie of 2009.

What’s the Best Pixar Movie?

2009-05-29T10:32:00.001-04:00

So Emily and I are itching to go see Up this weekend, Pixar’s latest masterpiece (or so the reviewers have claimed… I’ll let you know). It got me thinking about Pixar’s impressive track record and again, because everyone loves a list, I decided to rank them.

I’ll let you know where Up slots in later this weekend.

1. WALL-E (2008)
For my money, one of the two best animated films of all time (the other being Pinocchio). Tackles love, loneliness and humanity’s ugliest pitfalls. Not bad for a faceless robot.

****
UPDATE:
2. Up (2009)
Read my Up review.
****

3. Toy Story 2 (1999)
Better than the original. What would it be like to be a toy and find out you’ve been mass-produced? Those answers and more. Toy Story 3 comes out next year… anticipation mounting.

4. Finding Nemo (2003)
Pixar’s underwater fantasia puts The Little Mermaid to shame. I’ve got a soft spot for Father-Son stories and this is a great one. Ellen DeGeneres’s Dory is one of the Pixar canon’s most endearing characters.

5. Toy Story (1995)
Pixar’s first demonstration of what computer animation could accomplish. Features one of the scariest villains of any movie – Sid, the psychopathic next-door neighbor.

6. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Those monsters that haunt your closet are actually pretty funny. Plus, Monsters, Inc. has one of the best, most imaginative chase sequences this side of Jason Bourne.

7. A Bug’s Life (1998)
I’m guessing that this would rank at the bottom of most people’s list since it certainly boasts the least imaginative plot – misfit on a journey finds redemption – but it’s one of the first movies I watched with my niece and we both loved it.

8. The Incredibles (2004)
Undeniably entertaining, The Incredibles only ranks down here because a.) something had to; and b.) it’s one of a million super hero-themed movies to come out in the last five years.

Haven’t Seen: Ratatouille or Cars.

So I now open it up to my loyal readers, what’s your favorite Pixar movie? Participation is required.

Jeff’s Movie Review (x 6): Sorry for the Delay…

2009-05-28T13:02:00.000-04:00

Since my last post, I’ve seen six movies (only three in theatres - we're not made of money). Rather than do a separate, 300-word post on each (which I’m sure nobody would read anyways), I’ll just hit you some quick hits:

Star Trek
Emily and I saw this opening night. The only disappointment? I only saw one dorky couple dressed in their Trekki jumpsuits. The movie was great, although I wonder how long JJ Abrams can get away with the whole time travel thing.

Verdict:

3 ½ “Schaibles”

Monsters vs. Aliens
Saw this one with my niece a few weekends back. The theatre charged me $13.50 for an adult ticket! I don’t care if it’s 3D, that’s excessive. It was OK, but Bolt was definitely better. Bob – voiced by Seth Rogan – had his funny moments.

Verdict:

"2 ½ Schaibles"

Terminator Salvation
Emily and I weren’t expecting to be wowed… we just wanted to kill some time. The Terminator franchise lost me a few years back (I never bothered to see the last one). Christian Bale did his Batman growl. CGI Arnold was ridiculous. Action scenes were good though.

Verdict:

"2 Schaibles"

Synecdoche, New York
Emily and I needed two takes to watch this one. After our first attempt, I said to Emily, “I have no idea what’s going on. But it’s very artsy so it must be good.” Synecdoche, New York is the directorial debut of Charlie Kaufman, known for his screenplays – Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Adaptation. If you liked those, you’ll probably like this.

Verdict:

2 “Schaibles”

Les Misérables

We’re two months from our honeymoon. Emily’s particularly psyched to see Les Misérables in London. In preparation, we rented the non-musical feature film starring Liam Neeson. So now I know the story (and I don’t have to read, yay!). It was pretty good.

Verdict:

2 ½ “Schaibles”

Paul Blart: Mall Cop
I’m a Kevin James fan; he’s funny. I am not a fan of Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Kevin James was not funny. Obviously this was never going to be worthy of Academy Award consideration and my expectations were tempered. But it’s a one-note comedy… Newsflash: Kevin James is fat. If you think that’s funny, you won’t after 90 minutes of the same recycled punch lines.

Verdict:

1 “Schaible”

Because Everyone Likes Lists

2009-05-05T21:05:00.000-04:00

This is how the Top 25 Most Played list on iTunes looks right now. This is by no means an all-time compilation; I’ve only had my work computer for a little over a year.

If you’re so inclined, feel free to leave hate messages or question my mental state.

1. Arctic Monkeys – When The Sun Goes Down
I love the Arctic Monkeys… and they have an album coming out this year!
2. Beck – Lost Cause
Such a great song, it’s on my Top 3 most frequently played playlists.
3. The Killers – Spaceman
This Saturday, Mohegan Sun, The Killers… I’ll be there.
4. Matt Costa – Mr. Pitiful
A few weeks ago, I was playing this on a loop. Couldn’t get past it.
5. Coldplay + Jay-Z – Lost+
Actually surprised this one is so high on the list.
6. Akon – Right Now (Na Na Na)
No surprise here… it’s regular feature track during the Werschaible’s nightly dance parties.
7. Akon, Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy – I’m So Paid
Had a bit of an Akon kick a few weeks back.
8. Johnny Cash – Hurt
A Classic. Genuinely heartbreaking.
9. Vampire Weekend – Oxford Comma
Among my favorite songs of 2008.
10. The Coral – Dreaming Of You
Love the baseline. It picks me up.
11. The Killers – A Dustland Fairytale
I’m really hoping they play this on Saturday. They seem to be playing it at half their concerts.
12. Flo Rida – Right Round
Good song to listen to at the gym.
13. The Killers – When You Were Young
Would definitely be higher on the list if my listening history went back more than a year.
14. Colin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You
Great song… in the vein of Cash’s Hurt, though obviously not that good.
15. Bob Dylan – Forever Young
This song has been made into a children’s book… when the time comes, I’ll buy it.
16. Bon Iver – Skinny Love
If you’re not listening to Bon Iver/Justin Vernon, you’re an idiot.
17. The Velvet Underground – Pale Blue Eyes
Love the Velvet Underground’s soft stuff (this, Sunday Morning & Perfect Day).
18. Kanye West – Good Life
Another great song for the gym.
19. Belle & Sebastian – Another Sunny Day
Rapidly climbing… I’m probably listening to this daily.
20. Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
Again, would be much higher on the all-time list. Bill Withers is the man.
21. The Cure – Friday I’m In Love
Sing song fun! I rarely dawn my Robert Smith eye shadow and brood.
22. The Doors – Light My Fire
The Doors = another recent phase. The only person cooler than Jim Morrison? Val Kilmer.
23. Sugar – If I Can’t Change Your Mind
A single in 1992, I “discovered” it 15 years later.
24. Thom Yorke – After the Gold Rush (Live)
Fantastic cover. Neil Young’s music, minus his somewhat suspect voice.
25. Joshua Radin – Only You
Our wedding song. It squeaks into the Top 25.

In Case You Didn’t Hear…

2009-05-03T01:39:00.000-04:00

The series is over, the Celtics won, Eddie House and Brian Scalabrine rained threes (6 of 7 combined), Kendrick Perkins dominated the paint (14 points, 13 rebounds), Stephon Marbury inexplicably continues to play (12 minutes, two points), Joakim Noah and Brad Miller fouled out, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce combined for 43 points… and I was there.

Thanks Grimey.

Game Seven Baby!!!

2009-05-02T10:10:00.000-04:00

Has the Chicago-Boston matchup been the best postseason series ever? I don’t know. It’s the best I’ve seen.

What I do know, is in a few hours (plus overtimes?) it will be over. This epic marathon/heavyweight bout (and hopefully Joakim Noah) will be put to rest. And the best part? I’ll be there!

A friend from my Boston Globe days, and a season ticket holder, got me a seat. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll be forever indebted to this great man.

If Rajon Rondo drops a quadruple-double, I’ll be there.

If Ray Allen nets a buzzer-beating trey in the seventh overtime, I’ll be there.

If Kendrick Perkins introduces his elbow to Brad Miller’s douchebag face, I’ll be there.

And if Paul “The Truth” Pierce guzzles a Red Bull and shakes off exhaustion for 40 points, I’ll be there.

I’m geeked out for this. After six games, seven overtimes, heroes, villains and flagrant fouls, what’s tonight got in store for us? I can’t wait.

Jeff’s Movie Review: X Men Origins: Wolverine

2009-05-01T20:58:00.000-04:00

Undoubtedly, X Men Origins: Wolverine will top the box office (until it’s obliterated by Star Trek next week) and make someone a shit load of money. It shouldn’t. It’s crap.

During the first three installments of the franchise – two of which were good – Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine shreds the bad guys with adamantium claws with no knowledge of his origin. You see, Wolverine was shot in the head with an adamantium bullet and will henceforth have no memory of X Men Origins: Wolverine.

If it’s that easy, someone please shoot me in the memory lobe.

It’s an action movie… and not a good one. There were a few cool scenes but they were all so empty. By the time Wolverine squares off against the dreaded, genetically-altered Weapon XI, the ultimate mutant killer, I had already completely lost interest.

There is no drama, no suspense. It’s the same old, tired action movie.

Emily liked it. I am flabbergasted.

And don’t get me wrong, I like comic book movies. The Dark Knight was awesome. Iron Man was very good. But this one was completely void of a brain. Wolverine is completely charismaless; he growls a lot.

On the bright side, next week: Star Trek.

Rating:
1 ½ “Schaibles”

On a related note, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people cheer/clap/boo/etc. at a movie theatre. The projectionist appreciates your support. I do not. You’re an idiot.

Years back, I went to see one of the X Men movies with some friends (I think it was the second one). During one scene, Colossus has a three-second cameo. The geeky twat in front of me swooned, yelped and applauded this defining moment of cinematic history. Had it not been for my good Christian rearing, I would have booted the moron in the back of the head.

Jeff’s Music Review: Playing For Change

2009-05-01T11:41:00.000-04:00

The brainchild of Grammy Award winning producer Mark Johnson, Playing For Change is meant to “inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.”

A few months back I spotted this YouTube video (below) for the album’s opening track, the Ben E. King classic “Stand By Me.” I loved the audio/video mix of street musicians from across the globe. And with that, I’ve patiently awaited the album’s release.

Up next, a pair of Bob Marley tracks: “One Love” and “War/No More Trouble” (the latter featuring Bono and Mr. Marley himself). “One Love” is excellent, with a fantastic vocal arrangement and simple bluesy/reggae instrumentation. “War/No More Trouble” could have done without the celebrity cameos.

Peter Gabriel’s “Biko” is a highlight, as is the choral rendition of “Love Rescue Me” (U2). The album closes on a particularly high note with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

Is this album going to bring peace to the world? Obviously not. But Playing For Change is certainly a testament to the power of music. The album is a great listen and it’s energy is undeniable.

Verdict: B+

On the Sixth Day God Made the Velociraptor

2009-04-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

While killing time at work today I saw a curious banner ad… “CREATION VACATIONS: Building a biblical worldview … one destination at a time.” I clicked and read up on the site’s top destination: Petersburg, Kentucky’s Creation Museum.

One of its featured exhibits: Dinosaurs Alive!

“Dinosaurs remain one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Where did they come from and how did they die? The key that unlocks this mystery is God’s Word. A series of displays in the two-story-high Dinosaur Den explains that dinosaurs were created on Day Six along with all the other land animals. Like so many other creatures, however, dinosaurs eventually went extinct in the radically different environments that arose after the Flood.” – answersingenesis.org (AiG)

I’m working and don’t have time to disagree with God’s Word right now. I just thought I’d share.

Jeff’s Music Review: Together Through Life

2009-04-29T10:13:00.001-04:00

Bob Dylan’s new album Together Through Life came out yesterday and while it is not yet included among my tangible possessions (all discretionary spending has been suspended until after July 25, 2009), I have nonetheless listened to the album in its entirety no less than a half dozen times. I now feel qualified to share my thoughts…

I love it. Dylan’s 33rd album doesn’t seem to be make any big statement. Rather, it’s an enjoyable bluesy romp - an outright celebration of ordinary America.

(It’s too bad Bob didn’t send me an advance copy, he could have included that paragraph on his promotional materials. Ah well, maybe next time).

“Some people, they tell me I have the blood of the land in my voice,” sings Dylan on “I Feel A Change Coming On.” Early in his career, the young Dylan strained to sound older (and wiser) than he was. Now 68, he’s acquired that hardened, gritty voice he’s been after. Coupled with the bluesy melodies and his typical sentimentality, it will easily satisfy any Dylan fan.

There is no shortage of striking moments. Stand out tracks include “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’,” “Forgetful Heart” and the aforementioned “I Feel a Change Comin’ On.” In fact, the only song among the album’s 10 ambling tracks that didn’t resonate with your humble reviewer was the Latin-flavored “This Dream of You.”

The only “complaint” I’ve heard about this album is that to some, it feels hastily constructed. And while the naysayers aren’t wrong (it was cut swiftly and rushed into stores), I’ll full-heartedly disagree. The album feels casual and intimate, distancing Together Through Life from Dylan’s other recent work.

It’s nice to hear Dylan, America’s greatest poet-songwriter / grizzled old man, relax and just jam. You can tell he’s enjoying himself; you can hear his smirk.

Verdict: A-

Jeff’s Movie Review: The Soloist

2009-04-27T09:52:00.000-04:00

A welcome interruption to Emily’s weekend-consuming NFL Draft marathon, we went to see The Soloist yesterday morning, a movie we’ve been waiting months for. Our expectations were high since Emily dubbed this preview, the “perfect trailer.”

I liked The Soloist more than most triumph-over-adversity movies. Probably because it’s based on a true story and feels more believable than most. While it skirted the clichés of underdog sentimentality, it ultimately reached a realistic conclusion... not necessarily the one everyone hopes for.

Jamie Fox and Robert Downey Jr. we’re brilliant, as you’d expect. But I thought the directing was pretty terrible (it must be since I noticed it). Joe Wright made some interesting choices, including a pigeon montage and a minute-plus technicolor light show. Both scenes irritated me.

The Soloist, to me, felt like a movie made with the express purpose of winning awards. It won’t. While it came up short, I think it succeed in its gritty reality and sensitivity to the horrors of mental illness.

Rating:
3 “Schaibles”

A Bad Movie Comes to Life

2009-04-24T14:46:00.000-04:00

A few months back, while Emily and I were visiting my folks, my father was watching one of his typically terrible movies: The Best of Times, a 1986 football (comedy?) starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell.

Williams plays Jack Dundee, a dorky thirty-something banker who’s obsessed with the moment he dropped a perfectly thrown pass in the final seconds of a 1972 football game against the school’s arch-nemesis. Thirteen years later, a bunch of old men gather and play a muddy rematch in front of a frenzied crowd. I won’t spoil the result.

So why am I bringing this up? Because minutes ago, I saw this on CNN.com: Easton, Pa., and Phillipsburg, N.J., schools to settle score from 1993 tie game.

There will be no ties this time around. They're even breaking a century-old Turkey Day tradition, all in the name of who gets the bragging rights from that night so many years ago.

The players are now grown men in their early 30s. Hair is starting to turn gray, and waistlines have expanded. Some are family men, and most have full-time jobs. They had eight weeks to get back in game shape, and most jumped at the chance…

Gatorade, the sports beverage company, announced that it was organizing a replay: the same players, same coaches and the same field. NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning will serve as honorary coaches for the rival teams. Ten thousand tickets to the game were sold in 90 minutes.

Yes, they are playing a full-contact game. Ridiculous. It’s all fun and games until some old fart cracks his hip.

Apparently, if you’re interested in watching this spectacle (at 3pm on Sunday), footage of the game will be available on http://www.missiong.com/.

An Apology to My Friends.

2009-04-19T22:12:00.000-04:00

Disclaimer: I re-read this before posting, it’s very emo. Consider yourself warned.

Spoke to Zach tonight for nearly an hour on the phone. We caught up; it was nice. But it left me feeling slightly guilty.

One of my two notable college roommates at Northeastern (several are not worthy of noting), Zach will be in my wedding party in a couple months. I consider him one of my closest friends. We’ve probably spoken five times in the last year.

Another groomsman, Mike, is my high school best friend. We were kind of inseparable from ages 6 to 17. Over the last eight years, we probably speak, on average, two to three times per year. Again, one of my best friends.

The other college roommate, Steve, is my Best Man. My communications with Steve are almost exclusively via email… which is fine… but regrettably sporadic. He’s my Best Man and I haven’t the slightest idea what’s going on in his sunny Florida world.

I’ve never been particularly great at keeping in touch with people. A quick look at my cell phone’s dialed and received call log for the last month is littered with just two entries… “Emily” and “Parents.” That’s kind of pathetic, I know.

So that guilty feeling I mentioned… I kind of feel like I’m a below-average friend.

It’s not intentional; I’m not trying to slight or disrespect them in anyway, it probably has more to do with my debilitating laziness or my aversion to socialization (inherited from my father).

In summation: I'm sorry. Gentleman, I don’t talk to you often but you’re my best and closest friends. We should talk more.

Catching Up On Lost Time

2009-04-17T11:37:00.000-04:00

It’s been awhile, I know, but this is what happens once baseball comes back.

So what’s been going on? Not much really. Emily and I spent Easter weekend with my folks. It was interesting but wouldn’t make a particularly compelling blog post. Need proof? Try to get through Emily’s recap without dozing off.

In lieu of a comprehensive play-by-play of everything that’s happened since I last posted, I thought I’d just share a few random thoughts.

Watched the beginning of yesterday’s New Yankee Stadium opener on the interweb. The Stadium looks amazing… the Yankees’ bullpen did not. Hopefully by the time I can scrap together enough sheckles to afford a nose-bleed seat, they’ll have the relief situation sorted.
I got a kick out of the part of the pre-game ceremony where they introduced some notable pinstriped alumni. There were the expected usuals (Yogi, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson) and some rather odd choices (Chili Davis and John Flaherty? Really?)
In other sports news… I saw a number of conspiracy theorists yesterday suggest that the Celtics delayed the Kevin Garnett announcement so that it wouldn’t affect ticket sales. Ridiculous… this is Boston; there is no chance a C’s playoff game wouldn’t sell out – Garnett or no.
Yesterday we hit the 100-day mark on the wedding countdown and I’m still planning on going through with it. I’m particularly excited about the honeymoon… London > Chipping Campden > Liverpool > Edinburgh.

A quick, eight-song mix of what I’ve been listening to lately…

Track Listing:

Phoeniz – Lisztomania
Jyrojets – Favourite Thing About Jane
Bon Iver – Blood Bank
Modest Mouse – You’re the Good Things
Radiohead – House of Cards
Yeti – Never Lose Your Sense of Wonder
Tokyo Police Club – Your English is Good
The Kills – What New York Used to Be

April Fools – Mixtape #4

2009-04-03T15:27:00.000-04:00

A quick, eight-song mix of what I’ve been listening to this week (anchored by two new songs from The Killers):

Track Listing:

Coldplay – Life in Technicolor ii
The Killers – Four Winds (Unreleased)
Latch Key Kid – Good Times
Matt Costa – Mr. Pitiful
Akon, Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy – I’m So Paid
The Streets – When You Wasn’t Famous
The Killers – Tidal Wave (Unreleased)
Stereophonics – Handbags and Gladrags

Mr. Schaible Goes to Washington

2009-03-31T10:30:00.001-04:00

Emily and I were in D.C. this weekend. We were attending the nuptials of her boss. It was the first time I’ve been to our nation’s capitol and needless to say, 2+ days doesn’t really cut it. Nonetheless, we had a great time… here is a recap:

(In the interest of keeping this post a reasonable length, I will refrain from posting all my pictures… I’ll post some more later).

Day One: Friday
What We Did: Made the 8+ hour trek from Northbridge, MA to Sterling, VA (my travel agent, Emily, found an affordable hotel there). Went to dinner with a Mr. Mix and the Misses… it’s been like two years since I last saw them. Friends from our Great California Adventure (circa 2006-2008), I credit Evan with the following two life developments: interest poker and collecting LPs. The two crashed at our hotel room.

Highlight: Seeing friends you haven’t seen for a long time is always nice… especially when it’s not awkward.

Tour Guides: Evan & Courtney.
Day Two: Saturday
What We Did: The four of us took the Metro into the city. Due to our overwhelming social schedule, we had approximately seven hours to see everything D.C. has to offer. We arrived at the National Mall and went to three museums: The Air and Space Museum, The National Gallery and the Museum of Natural History. Did you know they’re all free? That was awesome. The Natural History museum was definitely the coolest (and most crowded).

We then bid Evan and Courtney adieu and met some of Emily’s coworkers for a BBQ. The three ESPN editors talked shop and we wives gabbed. Joking aside, it was nice to put faces to some people who until then were only Wii avatars to me. We had a few beers and Emily and I accounted for roughly 70% of the conversation.

Highlight: Emily mistook the Capitol Building for the White House. We all had a good laugh at her expense… In her defense, it was misty and her eyes don’t function.

Through the Mist: The Washington Monument
(in all its phallic glory)

Day Three: Sunday
What We Did: The wedding was at 11:30am, so we carpooled over to the venue (which freed me up to treat the open bar and passed mimosas as a drinking competition). The ceremony featured a James Carville look-a-like as the pastor and a three-piece band… they played Pachelbel’s Cannon in D, which I enjoy and made me think of this. The reception kicked off and Emily danced.

After that we went back to the hotel for a breather and went out to dinner with Brett and his wife, Kim. In true Jeff-fashion it took roughly two minutes to inhale a chicken parm. And again, Emily and I kept our new friends from getting a word in edgewise.

Highlight(s): #1 Mimosas = liquid candy; #2 A tragic shoe accident. I won’t go into details in but to summarize: where once there was a shoe, now there is dust.

Cast: Jon, Steve, Emily, Brett & the Groom (Matt).
Not Pictured: Me
Day Four: Monday
What We Did: Slept in some. Drove home.

Highlight: No traffic issues.

--fin--

Gone Commercial – Mixtape #3

2009-03-26T11:53:00.000-04:00

“Advertising is legalized lying.” – H.G. Wells

Beatnik: “You’re in advertising… How do you sleep at night?”
Don Draper: “On a bed made of money.”

Good songs used to mislead people into buying shit they don’t need… (a long playlist)

Track Listing:

Bob Dylan – Forever Young (Pepsi featuring Will.i.am)
Joe Purdy – Just Can’t Get It Right Today (Kia Spectra)
Tim Myers – A Beautiful World (Target)
Rare Earth – I Just Want To Celebrate (AT&T)
David Bowie – Suffragette City (Rock Band)
The Kinks – Starstruck (Converse)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Can’t My Eyes Off You (Planters)
The Who – Sparks (Gatorade)
The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger (Amstel Light)
Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak (Miller Light)
Lou Reed – Walk On The Wild Side (Gatorade)
Kings Of Leon – Red Morning Light (Ford)
Band Of Horses – The Funeral (Ford)
The Spencer David Group – Gimme Some Lovin’ (Ameriprise Financial)
Marvin Gaye – A Funky Space Reincarnation (Dior)
Herbie Hancock – Rockit (Visa)
1990’s – See You At The Lights (Payless Shoes)
Bob Marley & The Wailers – One Love / People Get Ready (Converse)
John Lennon – Real Love (JCPenny)
The Shins – Sleeping Lessons (Zune)
The Flaming Lips – The W.A.N.D. (Dell)
Joey Ramone – What a Wonderful World (Ratchet & Clank)
Europe – The Final Countdown (FedEx)
Buddy Holly – Take Your Time (Visa)
Oasis – All Around The World (AT&T Wireless)
Shiny Toy Guns – Le Disko (Motorola)
Chairlift – Bruises (iPod Nano)
Coldplay – Viva La Vida (iTunes)
The Submarines – You, Me & The Bourgeoisie (iPhone 3G)
Of Montreal – Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games (Outback Steakhouse)

Pick 5: Television Shows

2009-03-24T13:05:00.000-04:00

So the latest Facebook thing seems to be these "Pick Your Five" posts. Again, I'm not going to spam people there... so here are my Top 5 TV Shows:

1. Seinfeld
Bold statement: Easily the comedy ever. There are plenty of great comedies but none have the re-watchability as Seinfeld. Perfectly casted, Seinfeld is probably the only show in the world that can still make you laugh after seeing each episode 20+ times.

2. The Office (UK)
With all due respect to the American version (which I love), the original, Ricky Gervais version is head and shoulders better. The biggest difference? It was only 12 episodes plus a special feature length finale. If you haven’t seen it, rent it! The finale is one of the two or three best I’ve seen; from David Brent’s music video to the moment everyone was waiting for (no spoilers), it’s impossible to not enjoy it.

3. Extras (UK)
Gervais again. In the follow up to The Office, Gervais and Stephen Merchant again tackle issues like frustration and desperation for fame. Both geniuses play twisted versions of themselves. Big celebrities have cameos in each episode and are good sports, making fun of themselves.

4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
From the co-creator of Seinfeld, comes a similarly-themed, foul-mouthed HBO comedy. Larry David plays a fictional version of himself. With Law and Order-esque, cookie-cutter regularity, each episode goes something like this: Larry’s self-centered and impatient neuroses create awkward situations… everything falls apart in the end.

5. 30 Rock
The best comedy on TV right now, 30 Rock is legitimately the only show I will not miss. Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan are all hilarious. A true story: a couple weeks ago Emily and I watched 30 Rock at the gym… it was the scene where Jack was naming the pocket microwave. When the scrabble tiles spelled “Hitler,” Emily burst. Everyone stopped to stare at the schmuck on the exercise bike. 30 Rock = Laugh out loud funny.

Also considered: The Office (US), The Simpsons, Arrested Development, Six Feet Under and Lost.

Little Mac is Back!

2009-03-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

(and so is that pink sweatsuit)

I'm not going to lie, I got a little excited watching this...

What the F&*% is Andy Rooney Talking About?

2009-03-23T12:29:00.000-04:00

This was from a while ago but like so many things, I've discovered it late:

Courtesy of MedlinePlus:

Dementia (Also called: Senility)
Dementia is a word for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there.

Key Changes – Mixtape #2

2009-03-23T06:51:00.000-04:00

I’ll again remind my readers, I’m no musical savant. I took one music class at Northeastern and that was “Introduction to Jewish Music” (it filled a diversity requirement).

Anyways, key changes, as I understand them, are those oft-used, power-balladesque devices used to prop up a boring song. Intended to provide extra oomph, often they come off as cheesy (I’m looking at you Lionel Richie).

Emily’s take: “a key change makes any song 22 percent better.”

Track Listing:
Here are some of my favorite songs boasting key changes (some cheesy, some just awesome):

Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run
Radiohead – Paranoid Android
The Beatles – And I Love Her
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Oliver’s Army
The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize??
The Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup
The Beatles – Penny Lane
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Accidents Will Happen
The Guess Who – These Eyes
Chicago – You’re The Inspiration

Jeff’s Movie Review: I Love You Man

2009-03-22T19:46:00.000-04:00

At long last, I give you the return of my regular segment, “Jeff’s Movie Review.” The subject?

I Love You Man

Quick Synopsis:
Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is a successful real estate agent (Really? Still have those?) who needs a Best Man. After a series of awkward “man-dates,” Klaven connects with Sydney Fife (Jason Segal). Fife is fun-loving and self-assured. As the two get closer, Klaven’s relationship with his fiancée, Zooey (Rashida Jones) suffers.

My Thoughts:
I should disclose (in the interest of unbiased “journalism”) that I’m an unabashed admirer of Mr. Paul Rudd.

That said, Rudd was fantastic. He was funny and original as a guy who is awkwardly out-of-place everywhere and anywhere. I’m a sucker for “awkward funny”, see The Office (UK) & Curb Your Enthusiasm and Rudd's character certainly fit in that mold.

Jason Segal, who was real good in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, was great. I wish I had a friend like him.

I Love You Man also had some funny performances by people I didn’t even know were in the movie: J.K. Simmons, Andy Sandberg and Jamie Pressly.

The end was a little corny and left something to be desired but on the whole, it was definitely worth the matinee price.

The Verdict:

3 1/2 Schaibles

A very good rating for a comedy. Emily thought it was the best comedy since 40-Year Old Virgin. I’m racking my brain here and I think I agree.

Bold Predictions: MLB 2009

2009-03-21T08:41:00.000-04:00

AL EAST

Boston Red Sox (96 wins)
New York Yankees (94 wins – Wild Card*)
Tampa Bay Rays (93 wins)
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays

AL CENTRAL

Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Chicago White Sox (first in 2008, last in 2009)

AL WEST

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Oakland Athletics
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners

NL EAST

New York Mets
Florida Marlins (Wild Card*)
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals

NL CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
Houston Astros (worst record in baseball)

NL WEST

Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
San Diego Padres

AL Champion: Boston Red Sox
NL Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers

World Series Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2

AL MVP: 1B Justin Morneau, Minnesota
NL MVP: OF Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles (N)

AL Cy Young: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston
NL Cy Young: LHP Johan Santana, New York (N)

AL Rookie of the Year: C Matt Wieters, Baltimore
NL Rookie of the Year: RHP Jordan Zimmerman, Washington

Other Random Predictions:

The Angels will elminate the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs (again).
The Red Sox will have the best Team ERA in the AL.
Carl Pavano, now with the Cleveland Indians, will win 10 games (or one more than he did during his tenure in NY).
Bud Black (San Diego) will be the first manager fired.
The Cubs will lose in the first round of the playoffs.
No player will hit 50 home runs this season (but Pujols will come close).
In spite of all the injury talk, A.J. Burnett will make 30+ starts.
Jake Peavy will not be traded... but Roy Halladay will.
Kevin Youkilis will finally punch Joba Chamberlain.
Jeff will win his ultracompetitive fantasy baseball league.

About My (Future) Wife – Facebook Note-thing

2009-03-20T12:17:00.000-04:00

I’m going a little crazy with the blog posts, I know.

Like a week ago, Emily did one of those Facebook chain letter things: “About My Husband” … I’ll reciprocate (but I will not spam a bunch of friends by tagging them on Facebook. I hate that).

So… about my (future) wife:

1. She’s sitting in front of the TV; what is on the screen?
Chances are Seinfeld… but depending on the night/time, she might be watching Lost, The Office, 30 Rock, various HGTV programs (My First Place or Income Properties are popular selections) or some sort of wedding-related show involving bitchy brides and crazy families.

2. You’re out to eat; what kind of dressing does she get on her salad?
Italian or Blue Cheese.

3. What’s the one food she doesn’t like?
Instant mashed potatoes.

4. At a bar, what does she order?
Riesling or a Cape Cod… never beer.

5. Where did she go to high school?
Cranston East (R.I.)… the second best high school in town.

6. What size shoe does she wear?
I don’t even remember what size shoe I wear… I have no idea.

7. If she was to collect anything, what would it be?
Movie ticket stubs from the 1990s, notebooks full of interviews with various Massachusetts’ high school athletes conducted while working at The Boston Globe (those could be valuable one day), and dusty cook books. =) kidding!

8. What is her favorite type of sandwich?
Buffalo chicken… is bagel & lox a sandwich?

9. What would she eat everyday if she could?
Brownie sundae? She does have a small Dunkin Donuts’ toasted almond iced coffee with cream and no sugar everyday.

10. What is her favorite cereal?
Not really a cereal eater… but she’ll snack on my Honey Nut Cheerios if we don’t have any suitable snacks.

11. What would she never wear?
Uncomfortable clothing.

12. What is her favorite sports’ team?
She’s a New England girl… Red Sox, Patriots & Celtics.

13. Who did she vote for?
She would have voted for Obama, had she gotten her butt to R.I. (but she would have voted for Hillary in the primary).

14. Who is her best friend?
Me. But Katie O. is her maid of honor.

15. What is something you do that she wishes you wouldn’t do?
Yell… like Will Farrell before me, I often have difficulty controlling the volume of my voice.

16. What is her heritage?
Polish Jew and German protestant.

17. What is her favorite color?
She’s fond of black and white dresses.

18. You bake a cake for her on her birthday; what kind of cake?
Definitely chocolate… maybe ice cream.

19. Did she play sports in high school? What did she play?
She was a band geek (flute). She was a cheerleader but that’s not much of a sport.

20. What could she spend hours doing?
Sleep, sift through the celebrity gossip in her Google Reader or play Mario Kart for our new Wii.

21. What is the one unique talent she has?
That’s a tough one… she’s not much of a dancer, that’s for sure. She can read a Jeopardy clue, have a snack and answer it before Alex Trebek finishes reading it.

Not sure how interesting all this was… but honey, how’d I do?

Late to the Party: Girl Talk

2009-03-20T10:32:00.000-04:00

While browsing YouTube yesterday at work (my boss wasn’t in), I found this:

Now I’m not the biggest fan of mashups (I’ll blame that Jay-Z / Linkin’ Park fad a while back), but I love this. For those of you scoring at home, “Play Your Part (Pt. 1)” featured samples from: Roy Orbison, UGK (featuring OutKast), The Spencer Davis Group, TTC, DJ Funk, Cupid, Pete Townshend, Unk, Twisted Sister, Huey Lewis & the News, Lil Mama, Ludacris, Jurassic 5, Temple of the Dog, Birdman, Rage Against the Machine, Aaliyah (featuring Timbaland), Birdman and Lil Wayne, T.I., Edwin Starr, Sinead O’Connor, Shawnna, Jay-Z (featuring UGK), Keleis (featuring Too $hort) and Young Jeezy (featuring Bone Crusher) – thank you Wikipedia.

Wow.

I had never heard of Girl Talk. Maybe I should have… the album Feed the Animals (2008) was widely recognized as one of the best albums of 2008:

Rolling Stone - #24
Time - #4
Blender - #2
Evan Mix -#2

So obviously I’m late to the party… but since some of you are probably sleeping on Girl Talk too, I’ll consider this post a public service announcement.

Want to know the best part? In similar fashion to Radiohead’s In Rainbows the whole album is available via the fantastic “pay-what-you-like” system. You can download the album here.

I’ll leave you with this… who is Girl Talk? This dude:

Not what I expected.

Spring Fever: Mixtape #1

2009-03-20T08:52:00.000-04:00

Spring has sprung! Yesterday I actually played a little basketball… it was a strange experience, being outside; playing sports without a Playstation/Wii controller in my hand.

In honor of the season, for the first time in a few months, I’ve published a new mixtape at 8tracks. You can listen in below.

Track Listing:

The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun
Oasis – Morning Glory
Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky
Wild Light – California On My Mind
Belle & Sebastian – Another Sunny Day
Ida Maria – I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked
Slightly Stoopid – 2AM
Katrina & The Waves – Walking on Sunshine
Nena – 99 Red Balloons
Tom Petty – Wildflowers
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Road Trippin’
The Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow
The Velvet Underground – Who Loves The Sun
Weezer – Island In The Sun
The Cure – Friday I’m In Love
The Lonely Island – I’m On A Boat
Sugar – If I Can’t Change Your Mind
Brandston – Earthquakes & Sharks

I wanted to add two more tracks, but 8tracks wouldn’t let me. So here are some YouTube links.

Bold Predictions: NCAA Tournament

2009-03-19T13:08:00.000-04:00

I better post this now because it will likely be irrelevant in a couple of hours.

My Bracket:

(click to enlarge)

Highlights:

Final Four: UConn, Kansas, UNC & Pitt
National Champion: UConn (and I'll go out on a limb and predict the women win too)
Round One: Siena (go Saints! the pride of Albany, NY) over Ohio St, USC over BC, Utah St over Marquette, Maryland over Cal, Butler over LSU
Texas over Duke in Round Two.

Where is Jeff?!?!?

2009-03-19T13:00:00.001-04:00

I would apologize the hiatus but hey, I warned you. You knew what this was. Don’t be so clingy. Get off my back.

So why has it been so long? Let the excuses begin:

In addition to the nine hours I put in each day (in front of a computer screen, mind you) for Thermo Fisher Scientific, The World Leader in Serving Science, I have been doing plenty of extra work… law websites, high school gymnastics stories, etc. So my reluctance to get back in front of the laptop and flex my already depressed creative muscles is hopefully justifiable.
Emily and I have seen only one new movie, The Watchmen. I know some of you have been anxiously awaiting my review but I’ve been unable to muster the strength. So here’s my take: It’s shit. How many Schaibles? One – for the soundtrack.
I got a BONU$ a couple weeks ago (even in a down economy, everything comes up Schaible)… so with Emily’s permission I made two purchases: 1. MLB 2009: The Show and 2. Baseball America’s 2009 Prospect Handbook. Between the two, pretty much all my free time has been spoken for. Again, sorry.

I could go on but I’ll spare you.

Be comforted, I’m back (until I lose interest again). We’ll speak again soon.

Fun With Google Analytics

2009-02-27T17:41:00.001-05:00

I know all you Search Engine Optimization savants out there can appreciate this…

I just logged into my Google Analytics account and took at my traffic sources report. My blog has been found for the following keywords:

“schaible” died friday “january 30, 2009”
“stop requesting strawberry fields”
b.o.b. lyrics “only i can get away with something like this”
jeff retro – it ain’t me
johnny damon
meryl streep
lex luger slammed yokozuna
pflugerville tickles me

And someone who searched “high pitched strawberry bruise song” spent almost ten minutes on the site, visiting four pages.

It just so happens I did in fact optimize for each of these terms.

Anyone interested in how I became an SEO genie should brush up on my former employer, Einstein Industries. I love that disgruntled employees SEO’d the shit out of this. My favorite comment:

“work environment - The video department was chill, dark and gloomy just like your heart after you work there for a couple months.”

And for the record, none of these comments are from me. I got out before it went to hell.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my loyal reader in Bangalore, India who has visited the blog four times this month. Apparently I have international appeal.

Speaking of SEO... if happen to be looking for Fiberlite Carbon Fiber Rotors, there you go.

Jeff's Music Review: War Child – Heroes, Vol. 1

2009-02-27T15:29:00.000-05:00

To get me through my Friday, I treated myself to an iTunes purchase this morning (and I feel like since I didn’t eat out once this week, I earned it – Emily take notice). My choice was War Child – Heroes, Vol. 1, a new album of covers, with proceeds benefiting war-affected children worldwide.

It’s a great concept. 15 “music icons” were asked to select a favorite song from their own catalogue and pick a new act to re-create the track.

Track Listing:
1. Beck - “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” (Bob Dylan)
2. The Kooks - “Victoria” (The Kinks)
3. The Hold Steady - “Atlantic City” (Bruce Springsteen)
4. Hot Chip - “Transmission” (Joy Division)
5. Lily Allen feat. Mick Jones - “Straight To Hell” (The Clash)
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” (The Ramones)
7. Franz Ferdinand - “Call Me” (Blondie)
8. Duffy - “Live And Let Die” (Paul McCartney)
9. Estelle - “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder)
10. Rufus Wainwright - “Wonderful & Song For Children” (Brian Wilson)
11. Scissor Sisters - “Do The Strand” (Roxy Music)
12. Peaches - “Search And Destroy” (Iggy Pop)
13. Adam Cohen - “Take This Waltz” (Leonard Cohen)
14. Elbow - “Running To Stand Still (U2)
15. The Like - “You Belong To Me” (Elvis Costello)
16. TV On The Radio - Heroes (David Bowie)

Which covers work?
Elbow’s loyal interpretation of U2’s “Running To Stand Still” is probably my favorite track on the album. Craig Potter remains true to the soft, slow, piano-base of the original and his vocals are haunting.

Beck covering an under-appreciated Dylan track? That’s right up my alley. Beck bounces through Dylan’s “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” replacing honky tonk with blazing distortion. Love it.

Lily Allen singing The Clash’s “Straight To Hell” was jarring upon first listen. Her sweet vocals make Joe Strummer’s biting lyrics somehow harsher.

Also worth a listen: The Hold Steady - “Atlantic City,” Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker,” and Franz Ferdinand - “Call Me.”

Which ones don’t?
By far the biggest bust was Duffy’s atrocious version of Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die.” Her de-juiced, painfully slow interpretation isn’t likely to get revisited by me anytime soon. The definitive cover version of this song has already been done, thank you very much… by Guns N’ Roses.

A lot of people like TV On The Radio. I have yet to see the appeal. They sucked on Saturday Night Live a few weeks back and their cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” doesn’t work. It starts with a bad, karaoke-like Bowie impression and its hard electro-beats add nothing to the original.

Verdict: B-
Predictably, this cover album has its hits and misses. The highlights certainly make it worth the listen but I can’t help but agree with a BBC review I read before I clicked purchase:

“But given the breadth of talent assembled here, you do wonder whether letting them turn in their own homework might have been even more satisfying.”

Stop the Presses: I’m Glad I’m Not a Journalist

2009-02-26T21:34:00.000-05:00

It’s no secret that the newspaper industry is slowly dying. In the four + years since I left The Boston Globe, where I had one of the best college jobs available – sports correspondent – friends have kept me updated with round after round of voluntary “buyouts” and cutbacks.

Meanwhile I just spotted this: the Rocky Mountain News, the #2 paper serving Denver, will publish its final edition tomorrow. The paper has been around for 150 years. Since 2000, it’s won four Pulitzer Prizes (most recently in 2006).

How sad is that?

I didn’t grow up with any Woodward and Bernstein pipe dreams. In fact, I originally went to Northeastern to study International Affairs (to do what, I’m still not sure). But my fiancé and many of my friends are “journalists.” It’s depressing.

These people have had varied levels of success but none of them actually work for “real” newspapers; a couple work for online sports news sites (congrats), some work for miserable specialized publications (like say, Lawyers USA), some are out of work and some – present company included have simply given up.

If it’s not easy, it’s not worth doing.

I know that in light of our current recession, a lot of industries are in decline but the demise of newspapers is no recent phenomenon. I also know that the villainous blood-sucking reporters don’t get much sympathy. I just think it’s sad.

If you’re ever in the mood to read some real uplifting stuff, check out http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/.

EDIT: I should point out that I was in no way belittling the accomplishments of my friends. My fiancée seems to have taken particular offense and let me say this...

She works for ESPN and reads/edits football stories all day. I work for Thermo Fisher Scientific and build page after page on centrifuges and biological safety cabinets.

She wins.

It All Starts Tomorrow...

2009-02-24T21:05:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow the New York Yankees will take to the field at Dunedin Stadium in Florida for the first exhibition game of the 2009 season.

I… am… giddy.

Forget the fact that I’m a Yankees fan – I know there are literally thousands of reasons to hate us (26 of them jump to mind). I am just generally a happier person when baseball is being played.

A brief digression: I know Emily just read that and thought, “bull shit!” She has a point… In college, during one particularly terrible Yankees-Red Sox game, the boys from Boston were putting a ridiculous hurtin’ on my Yankees; I don’t remember the score but it was ugly. I worked at the Boston Globe and listened to idiot callers (uh… this is not a radio station) and co-workers give it to me. I took a miserable T-ride home and walked into see Steve and Zach’s shit-eating smiles in the living room. I walked into my bedroom and Emily greeted me with a similar smile and the score. I greeted her with expletives and stormed out. Very mature… sorry, babe.

Anyways, back to the happiness… the first game I ever went to was September 4, 1993. Jim Abbott – a one-handed pitcher – tossed a no-hitter as the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians, 4-0. I was hooked.

A few things I remember about the game:

The stadium was more than half empty.
Three of the Yankees’ runs came on a play that did not look like major league baseball. There were two men on and Dion James singled up the middle. Two throwing errors later, all three men had scored.
Wade Boggs made at least two great defensive plays late in the game to preserve the no-no.
Kenny Lofton tried to bunt his way on in the top of the ninth inning. It went foul and he was booed mercilessly.

Ahhh memories.

Jumping back to 2009… I can’t wait to get to a game this year to see the new Yankee Stadium (which looks like a palace in all the pictures I’ve seen). I’m also planning to go see the Mets’ new stadium at some point this summer and Emily got Red Sox tickets for us, her father and her two brothers as Christmas presents.

I’ll wait until closer to the start of the season to make any predictions but I have to say, I do like this lineup (vs. LHP in parenthesis):

1. LF Johnny Damon
2. SS Derek Jeter
3. 1B Mark Teixeira
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez =(
5. DH Hideki Matsui (Xavier Nady RF)
6. RF Nick Swisher (DH)
7. 2B Robinson Cano
8. C Jorge Posada
9. CF Melky Cabrerra / Brett Gardner

That will not be the lineup tomorrow; nor will CC Sabathia start. Instead, taking the bump for the New York Yankees… Brett Tomko. Nonetheless, baseball is back and I’m all smiles.

To my Northeastern University comrades:

Speaking of baseball, how many of you caught this today? Check the byline.

Smarmy.

One more note:

I’ve had this blog for about a month and made 15 posts. This is my first one about sports. Who would have thunk it?

Jeff’s Bold Predictions: The Oscars

2009-02-22T18:49:00.000-05:00

I’m back baby… and so is Not Today You Ain’t.

With Emily forcing me to watch The Oscars’ red carpet (yawn), I thought I’d make my triumphant return to blogging. My picks for tonight:

BEST PICTURE

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost / Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Milk. I should note, that these are my picks, not who I think will win (Slumdog Millionaire). I really enjoyed this movie… Sean Penn was fantastic. He’s up for best actor for his performance. Milk was also very timely since it coincided so well with California’s prop 8. I saw all five of the nominated films and I would rank them as such: 1. Milk, 2. Slumdog Millionaire, 3. Frost / Nixon, 4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and 5. The Reader.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

Wall-E. Hands down, this was the easiest of all the categories to pick. With all do respect to Bolt which I enjoyed (particularly Rhino the hamster), Wall-E runs away with the win. I liked this movie enough to see it twice actually: once with my niece, Angel, for her birthday and once with Emily. Wall-E has something for everyone; it’s a visually stunning movie with humor, romance and an important, eco-friendly message. That it works for all ages and largely without spoken dialogue is all the more astonishing.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – Changeling
Melissa Leo – Frozen River
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Kate Winslet – The Reader

Meryl Streep, Doubt. This is the category I’m least qualified to make a prediction… I only saw two (Doubt and The Reader) of the five movies. With all due respect to Kate Winslet (who I thought was even better in Revolutionary Road), Streep was fantastic in Doubt. When she and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were going toe-to-toe, it made for great drama.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams – Doubt
Penelope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler

Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. First let me say something kind of controversial… I was completely unimpressed with Viola Davis in Doubt. Never mind that she was only on screen for like 6 minutes, I just wasn’t impressed. There was a lot of superb acting in that movie and she wasn’t a part of it. There, controversy. My nod goes to Taraji P. Henson who I thought grounded a completely ridiculous movie (one that I didn’t anticipate enjoying) but Marisa Tomei is a close second.

ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE

Richard Jenkins – The Visitor
Frank Langella – Frost / Nixon
Sean Penn – Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler. This was a tough one. I could have easily gone with Sean Penn who was fantastic in Milk. At the end of the day, I went with Rourke. I already reviewed The Wrestler for this blog. At the time I wrote:

When wrestling, Randy “The Ram” Robinson had me on the edge of my seat – particularly during cringe-worthy, ECW-style match. Out of the ring, he was emotionally devastating in the intimate scenes with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and his stripper romantic interest (Marisa Tomei).

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Josh Brolin – Milk
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight. I’m definitely going with the popular choice here. And I’d like to think it’s not because of the hype. I thought Ledger was sensational in Chris Nolan’s latest take on the Batman series. When I first heard that Ledger was going to be playing the Joker (who’d previously been played by the brilliant Jack Nicholson), I thought it was ridiculous. I stand corrected. How would I have known the long-haired goon from 10 Things I Hate About You would be so dark, so convincing – an anarchist villain stripped of all emotion except a yearning for chaos.

My apologies to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who would otherwise receive the nod for his excellent performance in Doubt.

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost / Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I can’t help but be impressed that a short story from 1921 can be made into an Oscar-worthy 2009 movie. Side note: there is no way Slumdog Millionaire doesn’t win this.

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
Wall-E

Wall-E. I’ve already spouted some love for the world’s cutest trash-compactor (sorry Emily, it was a close vote). So I’ll just use this spot to ask how that piece of trash movie In Bruges got nominated for anything.

Jeff’s Movie Review: The Reader

2009-02-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

Emily and I are spending the weekend in Rotterdam, NY with my folks. So naturally we found reason to escape this afternoon… we went to see The Reader. We’ve now seen all of the Academy Award nominees for Best Picture.

The Reader

The Reader explores the nature of guilt. What if the person you love was a monster?

The movie centers on the relationship between Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), a woman in her mid-30s, and Michael Berg (David Kross / Ralph Fiennes), who is 15 years old when they meet. The relationship abruptly ends and years later Michael is in law school.

Their paths cross again as Michael attends Hanna’s trial for war crimes; she served as an SS guard at Auschwitz. The college-aged Michael and adult Michael wrestle with conscience and his complicit guilt.

Forgive me if I sound like a broken record here but once again, the acting in this was fantastic. Winslet, Kross and Fiennes are all great (I never even heard of this Kross kid before but he more than held his own). Winslet is nominated for an Oscar and it’s easy to see why.

Rating:
(4)

Jeff's Music Review: Bon Iver's Blood Bank EP

2009-01-30T13:13:00.000-05:00

In the follow-up to his 2008 indie/folk hit, For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver (aka: singer-songwriter Justin Vernon) recently released a four-song EP… Blood Bank.

Since Emma was one of my favorite albums of 2008 (“Skinny Love” ranked #4 on my top 40 songs post), let’s look at the new EP through Emma-colored goggles…

What’s changed:

Whereas Emma has a depressed overtone, Blood Bank is decidedly more hopeful. If you’ve listened to Emma, you know that Vernon’s breakup of a band, relationship and a bout of mononucleosis resulted in a heart-wrenching album. You may be surprised then to hear the title track, literally a narrative of two people finding love at a blood bank.

This is the first Bon Iver release to feature a full band.

What’s the same:

Despite the addition of accompaniment, it’s still a simple, nuts-and-bolts sound.

Blood Bank is still a wintry record: both in tone and appearance (there’s snow on the cover).

Track Listing:
1. Blood Bank
2. Beach Baby
3. Babys
4. Woods

Highlight: “Blood Bank”
From the opening acoustic strums and hushed “oohs” to a slightly distorted finale, I really enjoyed this track. It’s my favorite song of the month.

Worth a Listen: “Babys”
“Babys” features a joyful chorus and Vernon musing on the promise of summer over a delicately tinkling piano.

Lowlight: “Woods”
The layered, a capella harmonies on “Woods” don’t do it for me. Though I can see samples of this meditative track being used in a movie soundtrack someday, I don’t anticipate racking up high play counts in iTunes.

Verdict: B+
I encourage all my loyal readers to check it out.

Jeff’s Movie Review: Defiance

2009-01-29T22:57:00.000-05:00

Periodically, Emily and I meet up with her father and brothers in Lincoln, RI for a dinner and a movie. Since we’ve already seen so many movies, it was pretty slim pickings. We saw Defiance, starring Daniel Craig.

Defiance
Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber star as the two main Bielski brothers, Jews who escaped from Nazi-occupied Poland and formed a famous partisan army in the forest of Belarus. Whereas Zus (Schreiber) wants to take the fight to the Nazis, Moses… er… Tuvia believes “Our revenge is to live” and keeps hundreds of women and elderly intellectuals safe and sound in the woods.

My problems with Defiance are numerous:

Daniel Craig represents that blonde-haired, blue-eyed faction the Jewish people. (Emily: “Seriously? They couldn’t pop in some contacts?”)
As this rag tag group carves out new life in the forests, they inevitably run out of food and medicine. They do not, however, run out of vodka.
The movie is set in Eastern Europe. Characters should speak Russian. They do not; they speak English in mangled Russian accents. But not always… sometimes, like when they’re saying something really communisty (like “Comrade”), it’s in Russian.
Our hero rides a white horse (seriously).
Coughing guy dies… but not before he speaks of his renewed faith.
Estranged brother shows up just in time to save the day. Whoa… that was close.

The whole thing ends with a battle … in 1942, with three solid years of the Holocaust still left to survive. We’re told in wrap-up end titles what becomes of everyone (the Bielskis moved to New York, opened a business). It left me a little flat.

Rating:

(2: Just entertaining… no re-watchability).

Paul McCartney on Stephen Colbert

2009-01-29T12:52:00.001-05:00

In case you haven't seen this yet...

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Better Know a Beatle - Paul McCartney

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Colbert Report Tickets

Paul McCartney Appearance
More Funny Videos

Colbert: “As a teenager, he joined the band the Quarrymen, which was composed of George Harrison, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Brian Wilson, David Bowie, Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Phil Spector, George Gershwin, Led Zeppelin and the Vienna Boys’ Choir.”

“After the Beatles broke up, McCartney formed Wings, who were known for their smash hit ‘Stop Requesting “Strawberry Fields,” That Was John.’”

Double-Feature Sunday (The Wrestler & Milk)

2009-01-25T19:53:00.000-05:00

A couple things I should get out of the way, right out of the gate:

Emily and I are simple people… we like simple things. We are the prototypical dinner-and-a-movie couple.
None of these Oscar-buzz movies are playing near us. Northbridge, MA is apparently no friend to Hollywood. We have to drive a half-hour to see a lot of these.

With that in mind, when we made the haul to Worcester this afternoon to see The Wrestler, a movie I’ve been trying to see for weeks now, and discovered that any movie before 6:00pm was $6, we decided to see Milk too. My thoughts? Here we go…

The Wrestler

With all the buzz around Mickey Rourke’s performance (including his Golden Globe win and his Academy Award nomination), I had to see this movie. I wasn’t disappointed.

Rourke was brilliant, as advertised. When wrestling, Randy “The Ram” Robinson had me on the edge of my seat – particularly during cringe-worthy, ECW-style match. Out of the ring, he was emotionally devastating in the intimate scenes with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and his stripper romantic interest (Marisa Tomei).

During the final match of the movie, when The Ram matched up with The Ayatollah 20 years after their first match, it brought me back. It made me think of when Lex Luger slammed the Japanese beast that was Yokozuna. I have never been as proud to be an American.

Rating:
(4)

MilkI didn’t know one thing about gay activist Harvey Milk before seeing this movie (other than: 1. he was gay and 2. he was assassinated). That’s why I think this is such an important movie. I should have known who Harvey Milk is. Thanks to this movie a whole new generation can be introduced to him.

The film was excellent and Sean Penn was great. Director Gus Van Sant probably deserves the Oscar – if for nothing else making a movie with so much going on feel so easy.

It’s impossible to watch this movie and not think of Proposition 8 – the California ballot proposition that changed the definition of marriage and eliminated same-sex couples’ right to marry. Wake up people.

Rating:
(4.5)

My Top Songs of 2008 (The Top 10)

2009-01-25T10:42:00.000-05:00

10. Akon – “Right Now (Na Na Na)” (Video)
I’m not a “club kid” but if I was, I’d definitely break out some glow sticks for this one. Lyrically weak, “Right Now” is a song you can sing along to when you’ve got a cold, due to its nasally vocals. A nagging chorus, cheesy synth sounds and the bonus of having two choruses keep you interested.

9. Chairlift – “Bruises” (Listen)
I was introduced to this tenaciously catchy song by way of another iTunes commercial and it has really really grown on me. It’s the perfect song to sing in the shower – complete with “ooohs” and “doos.”

“Bruises” starts out very Feist-like and develops into a lovely duet. The lyrics are slightly silly yet endearing, “I tried to do headstands for you but every time I fell for you” and “I grabbed some frozen strawberries so I could ice your bruising knees.”

8. Coldplay – “Viva La Vida” (Video)
Whether or not Chris Martin ripped of guitarist Joe Satriani remains to be proven (I can see it). But “Viva La Vida” is buoyant and triumphant. There are strings, flashes of electronics, a driving beat and all sorts of Biblical references.

The question though is if “Viva La Vida” strike Grammy gold, does Coldplay share the award with The Satch?

7. MGMT – “Kids” (Youtube)
More synthy disco-pop. The first time I listened to MGMT’s debut album, Oracular Spectacular, “Kids” immediately stood out. The riff is reminiscent of old Nintendo games. It was only a matter of time before it was selected as a single (their third on the album). I love the sound: synthesizers, ’80-ish vocals and its anthem feel.

6. Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” (Video)
I may be wrong but I think that this was an iTunes Free Download of the Week. If it was, it’s by far the best track featured there. It’s impossible to hear this song and not immediately surmise that these indie rockers are from the Pacific Northwest (Portland, Oregon to be exact).

With obvious Neil Young/Bob Dylan influences, “Furr” is quirky, tuneful and fun. It’s perfect for any Fall soundtrack. The song tells the story of a man who matures into a beast and loses “the taste for judging right from wrong.”

“Furr” interested me so much that I went back and sampled some of Blitzen Trapper’s previous albums. Wild Mountain Nation is great. It’s so diverse it is ridiculous.

5. The Flobots – “Handlebars” (Video)
This is definitely cheating. “Handlebars” is actually a few years old but only recently got radio play. It’s my list; I’m adding it. It’s a meaningful hip-hop track, embraced by alternative fans. This isn’t just any old hip-hop track. We got horns and violas. The way it crescendos from innocence to a thundering apocalyptic holocaust gives me chills.

4. Bon Iver – “Skinny Love” (Listen)
Tip of the cap to Evan for introducing me to the genius of Bon Iver. His album, For Emma, Forever Ago is mellow and brilliant. “Skinny Love” stands out. If you like acoustic, high-pitched, Neil Young-esque folk, you’ll love this. If it doesn’t bring out the weepy folkster inside you, I don’t know what will.

“Come on skinny love just last the yearPour a little salt we were never hereMy, my, my, my, my, my, my, myStaring at the sink of blood and crushed veneerI tell my love to wreck it allCut out all the ropes and let me fallMy, my, my, my, my, my, my, myRight in the moment this order’s tall”

We’re never told who Emma is but she must have been quite a treat to inspire such agony.

3. Vampire Weekend – “Oxford Comma” (Video)
Vampire Weekend’s follow-up to “A-Punk,” “Oxford Comma” is a fantastically fun little ditty. With tinkering keyboards, light-hearted drum beats and metaphor-laced lyrics, “Oxford Comma” might not be the catchiest single on the album but it’s the best. This is pop music at its chirpy best.

Is there a stranger hook than “Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?” But what is an Oxford comma?

The Oxford comma is the comma used immediately before a grammatical conjunction (nearly always and or or; sometimes nor) that precedes the last item in a list of three or more items. The phrase "Portugal, Spain, and France," for example, is written with the Oxford comma, while "Portugal, Spain and France," identical in meaning, is written without it. -- Wikipedia

2. Beck – “Gamma Ray” (Video)
“Gamma Ray” is the second single off Modern Guilt. The first time I heard this I thought it sounded a bit like Gnarls Barkley then I heard that Danger Mouse produced the track… I have such a refined ear.

The blazing guitars and cymbal rhythm drives the track and gives it a very go-go-dancing feel. All this excitement is tempered by Beck’s trademark laid-back vocal delivery.

1. The Killers – “Spaceman” (Video)
I’ve already professed my love for The Killers. “Spaceman” is ridiculously, addictingly catchy and demands that you drop what you’re doing and bust a move (even if you’re driving). It’s a throw back to Hot Fuss, only pepped up caffeine and Mormon fervor. Brandon Flower’s vocals, a great drum solo and David Bowie-esque subject matter, all make for my favorite song of the year.

Emily found the video for this song today. Regrettably, it’s atrocious. Her take:
“What’s with the Brandon Flowers meets Mad Max meets a peacock costume choice? What the hell happened here?”

In related news… this morning I bought tickets for The Killers show at the Mohegan Sun in May. I had missed out on their Boston and New York City shows and that really pissed me off. When I heard they were adding more shows, I did my “Spaceman” dance. This will be my third time seeing them and I can’t wait.

***

So this concludes my Top 40 Songs of 2008 list. Hope you enjoyed it.

My Top Songs of 2008 (20 to 11)

2009-01-23T18:06:00.000-05:00

20. Estelle (w/ Kanye West) – “American Boy” (Video)
I’ll plead ignorance, I never heard of Estelle before she paired with Kanye West. Maybe I should have, I’m partial to artists from the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean and I dig her jazzy voice. “American Boy” is a bright, upbeat and funky pop track with a disco beat.

I am somewhat confused as to why Kanye West seems to adopt a British accent here. But at least he commits to it, even rhyming “love it” with “rubbish.”

19. AC/DC – “Big Jack” (Listen)
AC/DC isn’t for everyone. I know that. But if you like AC/DC, “Big Jack” is a can’t miss (and “Rock N Roll Train” isn’t that far behind). Both songs are of the same ilk as their best stuff from yesteryear. Maybe the Brothers Young forgot what year it was.

Black Ice is AC/DC’s first studio album since 2000 (the disappointing Stiff Upper Lip) and while it’s hit and miss, Malcolm and Angus certainly upstaged Axel Rose for the Remember Me? Artist/Band of the Year.

18. Coldplay – “Lost!” (Video … But Seriously, Video)
Sure to be a fixture in Coldplay concerts for years “Lost!” features driving percussion, church organ sounds and hand-claps. The organ and claps build to a nice little guitar solo.

We interrupt this countdown for a related story… Have you seen Coldplay’s newest video (check it out)? “Life in Technicolor ii” from Prospekt’s March EP is great. The clip features a puppet version of Coldplay playing for nursery schoolers. This live show includes pyrotechnics, crowd-surfing and a helicopter. I love it.

17. MGMT – “Time to Pretend” (Video)
I’ve already handed out the Schaible for Best New Artist to Vampire Weekend. MGMT would have been nominated. “Time to Pretend” was the first single released off their debut full-length album Oracular Spectacular. It has a distinct Polyphonic Spree welcome to 2008 feel. The synth-pop masterpiece chronicles the life of a rock star. From it’s opening verse:

"Let’s make some music,
make some money,
find some models for wives,
I'll move to Paris,
shoot some heroin,
and fuck with the stars"

To the final lines, “We’ll choke on our vomit and that will be the end… we were fated to pretend,” it takes all of four minutes to rise to the top and bite the bullet.

16. Gnarls Barkley – “Run” (Video)
Who didn’t get swept into St. Elsewhere funk fest? “Run” follows suit, another hip-hop/soul fusion romp. Like “Crazy,” it’s frenetic and fun. It may not be as immediate as “Crazy” but after a few listens, it sticks.

Plus the video features an appearance by Justin Timberlake. It’s funny; he’s begun to grow on me. Not his music, his personality. It’s probably because of all his spots on SNL.

15. Bruce Springsteen – “The Wrestler” (Listen)
Not really sure how “The Wrestler,” despite being good enough to win a Golden Globe but didn’t even get nominated for an Academy Award (and they only with three nominees).

I’m not the biggest Springsteen fan, I mean I wear tattered jeans but they’re baggy, not Jerry Seinfeld-tight but “The Wrestler” is a great song. It’s a wonderful, emotional acoustic piece and I suspect, I’m only going to like the song more after I finally see the movie – this weekend.

14. Santogold – “L.E.S. Artistes” (Video)
This list has taken a decidedly electro-synth feel. Santogold whips up such a blend of electronics and stimulating new-wave, that despite the retro influences, it still sounds convincingly modern and exciting. Boasting a unique, piercing nasal delivery and paranoid lyrics (“Build me up, bring me down” and “Change, change, change, I want to get up out of my skin”), has immediate singalong potential.

13. The Raconteurs – “Salute Your Solution” (Video)
Jack White and The Raconteurs came out of left field with their release of their second album Consolers of the Lonely. There was no pre-promotion, no drawn out marketing campaigns – just a good old fashioned record release. It was announced only a week before its release date.

Although White and Brendan Benson share lead vocals on the track, let’s not kid ourselves; It is White’s scathing vocals (all at once rock, punk, metal and blues) that make “Salute Your Solution” a garage rock fan’s dream.

12. Noah and the Whale – “5 Years Time (Video)
Last summer, I couldn’t get enough of this song. I found it on ListenInMusic’s summer playlist and it served me well. Whistling, lightly strummed ukuleles, violins and handclaps make the song easily the most upbeat track on my playlist. Meanwhile there’s also a strong undercurrent that at any moment everything could go terribly wrong:

“Five years time
I might not know you
Five years time
We might not speak

In five years time
We might not get along
In five years time
You might just prove me wrong”

11. Charlie Winston – “Like a Hobo” (Youtube)
I can’t say is any better than “Super Posh” Rufus Wright of BBC’s Steve Show:

“The thing about this song, and I hope listeners like it… it’s got that feeling that it’s best heard live. I think that’s a really good mark of a really good track actually. There’s a real skiffly feel to it, there’s a real kinda rusty feel to it that I really like. And… um… I think it’s great. I think it’s a really good track.”

It is skiffly, right?

Come Fly With Me

2009-01-23T01:27:00.000-05:00

A couple random thoughts while I’m sitting in the Austin Airport for my first of two flights that will bring me back to Massachusetts (although since there is no way I’m paying $7.95 for unlimited wireless internet access, I won’t be posting this until later)…

What kind of person buys dirty magazines at an airport? I don’t know what I’d do if the dude next to me on a flight cracked open the latest issue of Shaved. Seriously, I mean people must buy them or they wouldn’t be there. I want to know who.
At a gift shop I browsed for a souvenir for Emily. It’s come down to the pink plastic cowboy hat, a “Don’t mess with Texas” flask or a crude t-shirt of a guy, pants tented saying “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” What kind of airport is this?
I wonder if I’ll ever fly first class.
It’s a true crime that because you’re at the airport, a McDonald’s customer isn’t afforded the luxury of ordering off the dollar menu. These bastards should be investigated. (This is the kind of complaint I think all first class customers have).
Whenever I’m at an airport I think, “Man, George Costanza was really onto something. These moving walkways should be everywhere.”
I had Chinese for lunch today. My fortune cookie said, “A romantic evening awaits you tonight.” --Achem-- I don’t doubt Emily will be happy to see me, I just think that a more appropriate fortune would read, “A sleepy-eyed, pajama-clad woman awaits you but you have to work tomorrow. Go to bed.”
And lastly, I really feel like watching the movie Airplane! right now.

My Top Songs of 2008 (30 to 21)

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30. Of Montreal – “Id Engager” (Video)
If you’ve never heard of Of Montreal but their screeching vocals and Ziggy Stardust-esque sexuality sound familiar, perhaps you’ve hummed along to an Outback Steakhouse commercial. I really enjoyed their 2007 album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer (thanks for introducing me, Mr. Park) and what could make a road trip more enjoyable than attempting Kevin Barnes’ ever-escalating ladder of high notes?

Get past the song’s intro (which I’m sure my father and other squares would call “pure noise”), and you’re sure to enjoy this skittering, hyper-melodic track. Then again, just when you settle in and start tapping your toes to the groove, the track crashes and disintegrates. In the words of Karl Pilkington, “It’s… er… just a bit of weird art.”

29. The Virgins – “Rich Girls” (Video)
I first heard “Rich Girls” a couple years ago. Released on a five-song EP in 2007, I couldn’t get enough of the funky baseline, Studio 54/disco feel and falsetto vocals. So why is it included on the list? Because in 2008, a re-vamped version of the track was included on their full-length, self-titled album. It’s different … and I don’t think for the better. It’s slower and choppier.

Listen yourself: (2007 version / 2008 version). Thoughts?

28. Kanye West – “Love Lockdown” (Live)
As I previously mentioned, Kanye West cannot sing. Even with a digitally-enhanced voice, he can’t carry the tune. Nonetheless, “Love Lockdown” is made by thundering, relentless tribal drums.

It’s definitely one of West’s darkest singles (“I ain’t loving you / The way I wanted to”). It slowly builds to a fever pitch but in the end I am left wanting more.

27. The Submarines – “You, Me, & The Bourgeoisie” (Video)
“Here I am with all the pleasures of the first world …
Clothes we buy it's sweatshop labor
Drugs from corporate enablers
We're not living the Good life
Unless we're fighting the Good fight
You and Me just trying to get it right”

If you’re going to lead an assault on the Western world’s commercialization why would you choose to deliver your message to the masses by way of an iPod commercial? The answer is beyond me. The point gets lost and it becomes little more than a gratuitously enjoyable indie pop hit.

26. The Killers – “A Dustland Fairytale" (Listen)
I feel like, so far, “A Dustland Fairytale” has been largely overlooked but I dig it. I love the chorus and the way the song progresses from a somber keyboard to a boisterous orchestral finale. I think it would be the perfect choice to cap a live set… followed up by “All These Things That I’ve Done.”

“Saw Cinderella in a party dress
But she was looking for a nightgown
I saw the devil wrapping up his hands
He’s getting ready for the showdown
I saw the minute that I turned away
I got my money on a pawn tonight”

25. T.I. – “Whatever You Like” (Video)
“Whatever You Like” is a prototype, radio-friendly party anthem. T.I. (who has had his share of legal troubles) is full of gangsta bravado. I enjoy rollin’ in my 2000 Hyundai Accent, windows down, top button of my work shirt undone, tie loosened, while bobbing my head to the electronic beat. The Northbridge, MA locals all think I’m straight out of the hood.

24. Guns N’ Roses – “Better” (Listen)
Finally. I first heard the leaked version of “Better” (and the rest of the much anticipated Chinese Democracy) at least two years ago. And while upon comparison it doesn’t seem like two years worth of improvements were made, it’s my favorite track on the album.

Opening with a siren-like guitar riff and Axel doing both falsetto (“No one ever told me when/I was alone/They just thought I’d know better”) and hip-hop cadence, “Better” blows up into a vintage GNR orgy of power chords and (Slash-less) guitar solos. How long will we have to wait for a follow up?

23. Bob Dylan – “Someday Baby” (Listen)
Featured on Bob Dylan’s most recent edition of his Bootleg Series (Volume 8), “Someday Baby” is a new take on my favorite track from Modern Times. Decidedly less bluesy, this alternate version still racked up nearly 20 plays on my iTunes library since it’s release in October.

While I still prefer the Modern Times take, I love Dylan’s vocals on the Tell Tale Signs album. There’s a strong undercurrent of hope that I think gets lost underneath the boogie woogie vibe on the original.

22. Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk” (Video)
If this were an award show, The Schaible for Best New Artist would go to these New York City indie rockers. From its opening rift to the final “eh eh eh,” “A-Punk” is both joyful and triumphant. It’s an immediate, hook-filled pleasure and only a shade over two minutes to boot. Vampire Weekend is too consistently likable to drop into obscurity. I expect more good things.

21. Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal” (Video)
They are only one week removed from their great performance on SNL. This Seattle-based quintent thrills on the pastoral “White Winter Hymnal” using evocative harmonies, wordless vocals and lyrics are littered with imagery. The video is epic and its meaning is frustratingly elusive.

Complete lyrics (short and sweet):
“I was following the pack
all swallowed in their coats
with scarves of red tied ’round their throats
to keep their little heads
from fallin’ in the snow
And I turned ’round and there you go
And, Michael, you would fall
and turn the white snow red as strawberries
in the summertime.”

My Top Songs of 2008 (40 to 31)

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40. Charles Hamilton – “Brooklyn Girls” (Video)
“Only I can get away with something like this. Ya’ll know my name.” I had never once heard of Charles Hamilton before I listened to this song for the first time. That said I enjoy his tribute to the ladies of New York City’s most populous borough. Though I can’t say I can relate to it:

"I keep it real and my ladies do the same
High class chicks that be crazy in the brain
Style so mean swag is vicious
Smile O.D. as delicious
Stay gettin money no need for ebay
My heart is all world but I'm lovin BK"

39. The Killers – “Human” (Video)
Let’s get this out of the way, I’m an unabashed supporter of The Killers. In fact, I credit Hot Fuss (along with Green Day’s American Idiot and U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb) for waking me up, pulling me out of my aptly named “Disturbed days.”

After a public love affair with Sam’s Town, I was slightly disappointed when I heard first single from their new album. While “Human” was destined to conquer the hearts of clubbers everywhere with its dancy beat, it wasn’t the direction I was hoping. Nonetheless, it’s still a fun song and I can’t wait to see it live (fingers crossed).

Note: I could have easily slotted “Losing Touch” into this spot (or another spot) but I didn’t want the list to be too overloaded with the genius of Brandon Flowers).

38. Randy Newman – “A Few Words in Defense of Our Country” (Youtube)
Thank goodness the George Bush-era is over. Newman’s state-of-the-union ballad, in my humblest of opinions, really set a tone for the end of this unfortunate period. Technically, “A Few Words in Defense of Our Country” was released in 2007 but it didn’t appear on an album (Harps and Angels) last year. The New York Times actually published the lyrics as an op-ed piece (without the verse referring to our “tight-ass” Italian Supreme Court justices.”

“A Few Words…” probably stands out among its neighbors on my list (a hodgepodge collection of indie, pop, hip-hop and rock tracks) but I enjoy it. Let’s just hope our time at the top isn’t coming to an end.

37. Kanye West – “Heartless” (Video)
I have always enjoyed Kanye West but let me just say, 808s & Heartbreak is his worst album (sorry Kanye). His digitally-altered “singing” leaves something to be desired. It’s also chock-full of dreariness.

“The coldest story ever told/Somewhere far along this road he lost his soul … How could you be so heartless?”

Oof. What is this, a single from The Cure? Whatever happened to the “Good Life?” Bring back happy Kanye!

36. Hercules and Love Affair – “Blind” (Video)
For whatever the reason, in 2008 I listened to disproportionately high volume of dance music (I think I’ll blame Emily). “Blind” boasts quirky vocals, a sturdy rhythm and a rumbly baseline. The highlight though is the infections horn section. Who doesn’t love a bit of brass?

Bit of trivia: Apparently the lead singer is a cross-dresser. Zach, take notice (in reference to your Halloween costume).

35. Hot Chip – “Ready for the Floor” (Video)
Do you like multi-layered synthesizers? Have an affinity for British electro-pop? If you have an affinity for British electro-pop, Hot Chip is for you. What I happen to like about it is the way the quintet weaves several distinct hooks into one another. Yet all the while it remains very mellow. Want a quote for the CD jacket?

“Relaxed pop music at its frantic best”

– Jeff Schaible, Who Cares Digest.

34. The Ting Tings – “Shut Up and Let Me Go” (Video)
I know it’s probably not cool to include songs that were featured in iPod commercials (too commercial? too poppy?). Whatever. I’ve never claimed to be cool, only cooler than some. Consider yourself forewarned; there will be more from Steve Job’s playlist.

Did you know that “Shut Up and Let Me Go” is not about boy-girl breakup? Rather it was written for their former record label. File that little nugget away somewhere; it may win you 20 million rupees on Who Wants to be a Millionaire or something.

33. The All-American Rejects – “Gives You Hell” (Video)
I’m sure some of my friends would argue that this is on par with the junk I was listening to during my aforementioned Simple Plan phase. Well shut up jerks. I like it. The chorus gets stuck in my brain and I walk around annoying those around me. And what’s more, I like the video.

32. Bob Dylan – “Most Of The Time” (Listen)
I have had soft spot for this song since it was featured in High Fidelity (one of my top five or so favorite movies). The lamentation of a broken, lovesick man, “Most Of The Time” is simply a beautiful track. Dylan’s voice, the acoustic guitar and the harmonica are all perfectly orchestrated to deliver an emotional blow to the listener.

The Rolling Stone review of The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Bob Dylan, referred to the song as a “living soliloquy that cuts to the quick.” The only reason I didn’t put it higher is I thought since it was recorded in 1989 (for Oh Mercy), it’s deserves some sort of penalty.

31. Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring It)” (Video)
Again, I’m not out to win any cool points. Again, I’m going to borrow from Rolling Stone for this one: “The beat, courtesy of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, is irresistible and exuberant, the vocal hook is stormy and virtuosic, and her lesson is blunt: Seal the deal. With a shiny ring. Or else.” Plus it made for a funny Paul Rudd/Justin Timberlake SNL skit.

And let the record show, in 2008 I did in fact put a ring on it.

Underinformed: The Top 40 Songs of 2008

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Look, I’m no music expert; far from it. Those of you that know me have witnessed me struggle through some truly terrible phases. So in the interest of full disclosure, before I tell you what are the definitive Top 40 songs of 2008, here are some of my notable crimes perpetrated against my ears (and the ears of those around me).

The first CD I ever owned was the Lion King soundtrack. Yep. Someday Rolling Stone is going to interview a Rock God. Asked about his or her influences, they’ll respond “well Hakuta Matata had a profound influence on my development… as a person and an artist.” Until that day, I’ll hang my head in shame.
My first concert: Remember Kriss Kross? It was a surprise. When we pulled into the parking lot, my friend and I quickly turned our hats, shirts and pants around. We were totally krossed out!
In high school, I listened to a lot of oldies music… particularly Frank Sinatra. Now I still listen to Frank but as Emily (my fiancée) has since pointed out, it has taken me ten years to work my way up to the present day.
During my sophomore year in college, my HS girlfriend and I split. This spawned two regrettable music phases:

Simple Plan – Zach & Steve, I still want to know how that CD got snapped in half. Fess up!
Disturbed / System of a Down – I got down with the sickness. This was a short-lived, ill-contrived “Jeff is a bad ass phase.”

Once Emily and I moved to San Diego things changed. Listening to music was the only thing that made writing page after page about personal injury lawyers tolerable. My co-workers were an eclectic group and introduced me to all sorts of new tunes.

So that brings us to the purpose of this post. I know everyone wants to know what I thought of the music scene last year. So here we go… my top 40 (in countdown style).

A Few Quick Observations (On Texas)

2009-01-21T13:09:00.000-05:00

I’m in Austin, Texas for work. So I thought it would be apropos to mention a couple things I’ve noticed thus far.

At the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport, there is a big Dallas Cowboys pro shop. Out front there was a cardboard cutout of Adam “Pacman” Jones. That struck me as amusing.
In between Austin and Round Rock, Texas (where my hotel is), there is a city called Pflugerville. This tickles me; perhaps I’m simple.
I’ve never seen so many pickup trucks in my life.
This is my third day in Texas… I’ve yet to find a decent indie or alternative rock station on the radio. One station was playing GNR’s “Better.” That’s the closest I got.
Speaking of the radio, I’ve happened upon a lot of unfunny comedy.

Exhibit A: Yesterday, one station I was tuned in to did a prank phone call. The host was telling a woman that her car was low on blinker fluid. HA! It’s funny because stereotypically, women don’t know cars. Hilarious, right?
Exhibit B: This morning there was snippet from a local comic’s set last night (I didn’t catch his name). He did a couple side-splitting minutes on brunches. “Ya. That’s just what I want. Get up early on a Sunday and have an asparagus omelet… Give me some ham and eggs. Right?” Not really why he’s called a comic.

Gas prices here are the same they were in Central Massachusetts. About $1.70 a gallon.
Obama Fever has not swept Texas. The class watched yesterday’s inauguration during an extended break. It’s a small class (six including the instructor). The instructor (from Oregon), a girl from Toronto and I stayed and watched. Two locals left immediately. The only other guy in the class stayed and proceeded to scoff throughout Obama’s speech. I restrained myself.
And this one is for Steve… the following letter appeared in today’s Austin American-Statesman:

The liberals did it
The liberal left in Washington screamed about how bad the economy is for so long that they managed to convince enough of the unlearned and uneducated to vote for its people. We now have a very left-leaning administration and congress, and the only thing I hear them saying about the economy is more stimulus, which means higher taxes, and reforming Social Security, which means the old, sick and disabled will pay for the left’s stupid judgment. The left can claim to be for the little man all it wants, but its actions speak much louder.

Daniel Younger
danny_1947_1999@yahoo.com
Itasca

My Latest (Probably Short-Lived) Phase

2009-01-21T09:43:00.000-05:00

Those of you that know me probably assume that my latest blog will in all likelihood last two weeks. Undoubtedly, I'll loose interest and move on to something new (for two weeks before again, boredom strikes).

This isn't my first foray into blogging. I have an inactive New York Yankees blog, which I reserve the right to renew once the season starts. I had a New England Patriots blog for a couple weeks.

So why am I starting a new one?

Well... 1.) I'm bored and this seems like something to do. And 2.) I read my fiancée’s blog and a friend's blog whenever they post. They both use more of a freeform whenever-I-feel like, whatever-I-want style that I want to try.

Without further ado... here we go. Enjoy it while it lasts.