Figured DCV readers would want an update on the Apex sheep story. Here's my favorite part of the whole deal (from a different N & O article)
District Court Judge Jane Gray walked into her courtroom after lunch to see a gaggle of television cameras. "Oh God," she said to the media. "The sheepman?"
Watts' attorney, Josh Hansen, asked the judge to release Watts pending trial. Gray refused but reduced Watts' bail from $30,000 to $12,000. He posted the lesser bond and was released. As Watts was led from the courtroom, another inmate awaiting a turn before the judge loudly bleated like a sheep, earning Gray's ire.
Classic.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Baaaaaaa!
Hey, the Peak of Good Living has made the national news for the 2nd time in less than a year. Pretty much right in downtown Apex a guy was keeping 80 sheep in his house as pets. I guess it wasn't against any ordinances until they got loose yesterday & started grazing on the floral arrangements in the town cemetery.
Who knows what will turn up next in Apex? We've had a toxic waste recycling center and now a houseflock of sheep. My money says Michael Jackson will be involved.
Who knows what will turn up next in Apex? We've had a toxic waste recycling center and now a houseflock of sheep. My money says Michael Jackson will be involved.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
DCV Top Bands of the 80's: 25-21
#25 Blondie:
I guess Blondie was one of the first "new wave" type bands to find success in the U.S. in the late seventies / early eighties, in the dying days of disco. They started out as NYC underground punk rockers before finding success in England in the late 70's. They hit it big w/ "Heart of Glass" worldwide in 1978. I remember listening to this song (along w/ the Knack's "My Sharona") while playing Dungeons and Dragons (and Risk) w/ Topher Walther & neighborhood friends. I always thought "Heart of Glass" had a bad word in it & remembered having to be careful when singing it, but a google scan of lyrics reveals "gas" and "glass", but not the term I remember. In these scandalous days of 2007, when people post right out in the open about "butt darts", the whole thing lingers pleasantly like the sweet innocent haze of youth.
Best Songs: Heart of Glass, Call Me
Worst Song: The Tide is High
#24 Rush
I admit to being initially underwhelmed and not properly appreciative of the ultimate Canadian power trio. In high school I was familiar w/ Rush via "Tom Sawyer" and knew of people who enjoyed their 2112 album. I think the reason why I wasn't too enamored w/ 'em in high school is captured by this wikipedia description of the theme behind the "2112" album ... "in the year 2062, a galaxy-wide war results in the union of all planets under the rule of the Red Star of the Solar Federation." .... O .... K ... Let us know how that all ends up Rush. Also, it takes about 10 years to get used to Geddy Lee's high-pitched voice. But once you do, how can you not enjoy such great tunes as "Limelight", "Spirit of Radio", "Subdivisions"? Kevin Evars (an extremely cool guy) turned me on to them most. "The Big Money" was a big hit at SLU. Rush had lots of good lines "Conform or be cast out", or "Even if you don't decide, you have still made a choice." Good stuff. They're still making new music, I believe which you got to respect.
Best Songs: "Limelight", "Subdivisions", "Spirit of Radio"
Worst Song: "New World Man" (their only US top 40 hit)
23: Cheap Trick
All right, now we're getting into the good bands. Rush and now the pride of Rockford IL (typically one of the lowest rated cities whenever they rate 'em), Cheap Trick. This group took an unusual route to stardom, becoming big in Japan first then establishing a foothold on U.S. rock radio via a live album recorded in Japan, At Budokan. The Trick had a distinctive video presence as well, w/ the chain-smoking drummer, a long-haired crooner, an anonymous bass player, and the guitarist who could make goofy faces and played goofy looking guitars. Their song "She's Tight" was a big hit amongst the SLU crew. I believe Ron & Dolberry covered it at one point. I think we recorded it on someone else's cassette. We weren't always real considerate.
Best Songs: I Want You To Want Me, Surrender, Dream Police
Worst Song: The Flame (their only #1 single)
#22 Duran Duran
It's impossible to overstate the importance of cable TV and especially MTV on the lives of American teenagers in the early 80's. I don't think it's an exaggeration to state that the day we got MTV was pretty close to what it must have been like for people to get TV at all in the '50s. This despite the fact that MTV played only like 12 videos over and over when we got it. You had the "video killed the radio star" one, then you'd get that Wall of Voodoo one where the guy's face emerged from a bowl of beans, there was a cool Peter Gabriel video for "Shock the Monkey" and then you had two Duran Duran songs: "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio". And where the other videos looked like they been shot on a budget consisting of coins found under the couch, "HLTW" and "Rio" looked like major Hollywood productions. You had your Simon LeBon looking all handsome in all sorts of picturesque settings, surrounded by pretty girls, and in one famous case ... a conspiring-with-the-enemy monkey. None of it made any sense and the music was considerably iffy after the first two singles, but double D was one of the bigger bands of the 80's. Go figure.
Best Songs: Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Save a Prayer
Worst Song: The Reflex
#21 Genesis
These guys were like the bizarro world version of Rush. I really liked them in high school, then grew to loathe them in college. Matt Jung showed me the light. He viewed (views?) Phil Collins as the devil incarnate. (I'd always pegged the devil as a guitarist, not a drummer.) This band went through musical styles faster than Tennessee can lose a 20 point lead. Their playing aligned w/ my musical listening preferences for a relatively short period in the early 80's. From 1981's Abacab to 1986's Invisible Touch, Genesis churned out the most radio-friendly pop-rock around. My favorite album was the eponymous Genesis which had on its cover a baby toy which presumably evoked happy memories.
Best Songs: Taking It All to Hard, Abacab, That's All
Worst Song: anything by Phil Collins solo
I guess Blondie was one of the first "new wave" type bands to find success in the U.S. in the late seventies / early eighties, in the dying days of disco. They started out as NYC underground punk rockers before finding success in England in the late 70's. They hit it big w/ "Heart of Glass" worldwide in 1978. I remember listening to this song (along w/ the Knack's "My Sharona") while playing Dungeons and Dragons (and Risk) w/ Topher Walther & neighborhood friends. I always thought "Heart of Glass" had a bad word in it & remembered having to be careful when singing it, but a google scan of lyrics reveals "gas" and "glass", but not the term I remember. In these scandalous days of 2007, when people post right out in the open about "butt darts", the whole thing lingers pleasantly like the sweet innocent haze of youth.
Best Songs: Heart of Glass, Call Me
Worst Song: The Tide is High
#24 Rush
I admit to being initially underwhelmed and not properly appreciative of the ultimate Canadian power trio. In high school I was familiar w/ Rush via "Tom Sawyer" and knew of people who enjoyed their 2112 album. I think the reason why I wasn't too enamored w/ 'em in high school is captured by this wikipedia description of the theme behind the "2112" album ... "in the year 2062, a galaxy-wide war results in the union of all planets under the rule of the Red Star of the Solar Federation." .... O .... K ... Let us know how that all ends up Rush. Also, it takes about 10 years to get used to Geddy Lee's high-pitched voice. But once you do, how can you not enjoy such great tunes as "Limelight", "Spirit of Radio", "Subdivisions"? Kevin Evars (an extremely cool guy) turned me on to them most. "The Big Money" was a big hit at SLU. Rush had lots of good lines "Conform or be cast out", or "Even if you don't decide, you have still made a choice." Good stuff. They're still making new music, I believe which you got to respect.
Best Songs: "Limelight", "Subdivisions", "Spirit of Radio"
Worst Song: "New World Man" (their only US top 40 hit)
23: Cheap Trick
All right, now we're getting into the good bands. Rush and now the pride of Rockford IL (typically one of the lowest rated cities whenever they rate 'em), Cheap Trick. This group took an unusual route to stardom, becoming big in Japan first then establishing a foothold on U.S. rock radio via a live album recorded in Japan, At Budokan. The Trick had a distinctive video presence as well, w/ the chain-smoking drummer, a long-haired crooner, an anonymous bass player, and the guitarist who could make goofy faces and played goofy looking guitars. Their song "She's Tight" was a big hit amongst the SLU crew. I believe Ron & Dolberry covered it at one point. I think we recorded it on someone else's cassette. We weren't always real considerate.
Best Songs: I Want You To Want Me, Surrender, Dream Police
Worst Song: The Flame (their only #1 single)
#22 Duran Duran
It's impossible to overstate the importance of cable TV and especially MTV on the lives of American teenagers in the early 80's. I don't think it's an exaggeration to state that the day we got MTV was pretty close to what it must have been like for people to get TV at all in the '50s. This despite the fact that MTV played only like 12 videos over and over when we got it. You had the "video killed the radio star" one, then you'd get that Wall of Voodoo one where the guy's face emerged from a bowl of beans, there was a cool Peter Gabriel video for "Shock the Monkey" and then you had two Duran Duran songs: "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio". And where the other videos looked like they been shot on a budget consisting of coins found under the couch, "HLTW" and "Rio" looked like major Hollywood productions. You had your Simon LeBon looking all handsome in all sorts of picturesque settings, surrounded by pretty girls, and in one famous case ... a conspiring-with-the-enemy monkey. None of it made any sense and the music was considerably iffy after the first two singles, but double D was one of the bigger bands of the 80's. Go figure.
Best Songs: Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Save a Prayer
Worst Song: The Reflex
#21 Genesis
These guys were like the bizarro world version of Rush. I really liked them in high school, then grew to loathe them in college. Matt Jung showed me the light. He viewed (views?) Phil Collins as the devil incarnate. (I'd always pegged the devil as a guitarist, not a drummer.) This band went through musical styles faster than Tennessee can lose a 20 point lead. Their playing aligned w/ my musical listening preferences for a relatively short period in the early 80's. From 1981's Abacab to 1986's Invisible Touch, Genesis churned out the most radio-friendly pop-rock around. My favorite album was the eponymous Genesis which had on its cover a baby toy which presumably evoked happy memories.
Best Songs: Taking It All to Hard, Abacab, That's All
Worst Song: anything by Phil Collins solo
Update
Hope the end of the weekend (or whenever you're reading this) finds everyone well ...
In Dolberry Invitational news, congrats to Papa Sparky for successfully copying off of Dolberry's typically astute picks. PS is in the 97th percentile which (while seeming mathmatically impossible) is 123% higher than his picks from last year. It looks to me as if PS wins if Florida repeats, Dolberry! wins if UCLA wins, & the Hellraiser wins if the Hoyas prevail. If Ohio St wins, it's either Sparky or Dolberry depeding upon who they play. Thanks to the rest of you for participating. Maybe next year.
In remodeling news, Chuck put a tile floor down in our kitchen this weekend. It looks really sweet! It was his birthday present to the beautiful KMD. A lot of hard work, for sure. Dolberry! stayed out of the way.
In little league news, the tryouts & drafts went well. We were very happy to get our neighbor, but we just missed out on one of our old machine pitch players who we would've loved to get. First practice is Wednesday.
In work news, my paper for a conference in Portugal got accepted, but now if looks like travel funds are unavailable. I'm not that broken up. Dolberry is proud of his streak of never having left the fruited plains of America.
In blog news, despite pressures from the bean counters, I'm not going to have a "butt darts" post in a shameless attempt to increase traffic. The DCV has standards, people.
First softball game is this Friday. Rotisserie draft is this Sunday. My Diamond Mind league starts this week. Ay carumba. Between work, church, blog, baseball, & softball, I'll be lucky to survive the next 5 months.
In Dolberry Invitational news, congrats to Papa Sparky for successfully copying off of Dolberry's typically astute picks. PS is in the 97th percentile which (while seeming mathmatically impossible) is 123% higher than his picks from last year. It looks to me as if PS wins if Florida repeats, Dolberry! wins if UCLA wins, & the Hellraiser wins if the Hoyas prevail. If Ohio St wins, it's either Sparky or Dolberry depeding upon who they play. Thanks to the rest of you for participating. Maybe next year.
In remodeling news, Chuck put a tile floor down in our kitchen this weekend. It looks really sweet! It was his birthday present to the beautiful KMD. A lot of hard work, for sure. Dolberry! stayed out of the way.
In little league news, the tryouts & drafts went well. We were very happy to get our neighbor, but we just missed out on one of our old machine pitch players who we would've loved to get. First practice is Wednesday.
In work news, my paper for a conference in Portugal got accepted, but now if looks like travel funds are unavailable. I'm not that broken up. Dolberry is proud of his streak of never having left the fruited plains of America.
In blog news, despite pressures from the bean counters, I'm not going to have a "butt darts" post in a shameless attempt to increase traffic. The DCV has standards, people.
First softball game is this Friday. Rotisserie draft is this Sunday. My Diamond Mind league starts this week. Ay carumba. Between work, church, blog, baseball, & softball, I'll be lucky to survive the next 5 months.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Weekend Update
Having PC/Internet problems at home. Not fun. Think our ethernet card is fried as the wireless network is still ok. Hopefully will be resolving this evening.
Baseball tryouts / draft got rained out last Saturday & were reset to this weekend. Kind of a bummer since our first practice was supposed to be this week.
I did my first triathlon of the year on Sunday. Results are here. I did it about 3:30 faster than last year, which probably isn't too surprising given last year I wasn't really going all out (just trying to finish). I finished 18 of 33 in my age group, which was short of my top 50% goal. It was very cold. I should have worn gloves. 39 degrees at race start w/ a nice wind. Standing there in my thin tri-shorts, dripping wet, hopping on a bike, & then drying off thru ventilation via cold, dry air ... I wondered if this is what living in Alaska feels like. I imagine AK is even worse.
The highlight of the weekend was then going to a practice softball game on Sunday afternoon where I went 4 for 4. It's always good to get all your hits out of the way before the season starts.
Baseball tryouts / draft got rained out last Saturday & were reset to this weekend. Kind of a bummer since our first practice was supposed to be this week.
I did my first triathlon of the year on Sunday. Results are here. I did it about 3:30 faster than last year, which probably isn't too surprising given last year I wasn't really going all out (just trying to finish). I finished 18 of 33 in my age group, which was short of my top 50% goal. It was very cold. I should have worn gloves. 39 degrees at race start w/ a nice wind. Standing there in my thin tri-shorts, dripping wet, hopping on a bike, & then drying off thru ventilation via cold, dry air ... I wondered if this is what living in Alaska feels like. I imagine AK is even worse.
The highlight of the weekend was then going to a practice softball game on Sunday afternoon where I went 4 for 4. It's always good to get all your hits out of the way before the season starts.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Dolberry Invitational
Join the DCV brackets challenge. Borders gift card to the winner. Go to this web page to sign up.
Password: billikens
Password: billikens
Spring Training Trip
Great trip as always ... some highlights.
Wed 3/7: Traffic was rough getting down to our Orlando stopover. Two separate stretches where we either came to a complete stop or crawled for 45 minutes. We listened to three of the four MAC tournament games on radio. Living the high life! We got to Orlando too late to do both Giordano's and putt putt, so we opted for hotel pizza (ugh) & putt putt. After 11 hours in the car, worrying about whether we'd get to putt putt in time, Alex drained his very first putt. Mental preparation will get you everywhere. He ended up beating me on the first 18, which was quite surprising. Great day.
Thurs 3/8: Met Mom & Dad in Tampa, then drove down to Sarasota to see the Reds v. Tigers. Adam Dunn hit an HR which was cool. Josh Hamilton got a few hits & made a diving catch pretty much right in front of us (we were in the first row). However, the Reds suffered their first loss of the Grapefruit League season 9-7. Got to see Angela & the cousins for dinner & watch Louisville's OT win vs. WVU. Stephen called w/ Billikens updates on their surprising quarterfinal A10 win. Great day!
Fri 3/9: Played golf in the morning. Dolberry shot an amazing (for him) 99. First time breaking 100 at Oakford. The key, apparently, is to not care too much. I shot a 45 on the front, then started paying attention to my score, at which point I reverted to usual play. Closed w/ a par 4 on a tough hole, draining a 12 footer to save my double-digit round. Saw the Reds lose again, versus the Indians. We got to see the best Reds prospect since Eric Davis, Homer Bailey pitch (ahem) one-third of an inning, giving up (ahem) 5 runs, (ahem) all earned. After that we swam in the glacial waters of the Sleep Inn pool & then had dinner w/ Keith, Angela, & the cousins at a restaurant on a bay. Was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Another great day.
Sat 3/10: Got some breakfast & spent some time at the beach w/ the Baker-Fitzgeralds. Beautiful morning. Temps ranged from 60-83 our whole time there w/ seldom a cloud. Then got in the car for a very long ride to Winter Haven FL to see the Reds play the Indians. Chain O' Lakes Park (winter home of the Tribe) is nice enough once you're in your seat w/ your drink and dog, but everything else about it is problematic (traffic, location, parking, generally claustrophobia inducing nature). This is their 2nd to last year before moving to AZ. I imagine the Indians cannot wait. Heading back to Tampa for the evening, we got run off the road going 60 mph by a Floridian driver (an entirely unpredictable breed) which was fun as far as that goes. Listened to the Louisiana Derby w/ Carrie (via cell phone). I like Circular Quay in the Derby. Swam in a heated pool w/ APD while Mom & Dad held down the fort at the Bahama Breeze where there was a 60 minute wait. APD practically fell asleep at the restaurant. Great day, though too much time in the car for a vacation day.
Sun 3/11: More swimming w/ Gpa & APD. Headed over to Clearwater for a Phillies-Tigers tilt. Gpa and Gma tried unsuccessfully to rob a CVS, but we escaped & arrived at the stadium in time for several savory cheesesteaks and other baseball-related fun. Tigers won 5-3. Dropped Mom & Dad off at the airport & headed home. Trip home was much easier. Listened to 7 hours of debate about why Syracuse did not get in the NCAA, which isn't as exciting as it sounds. In order to not make it seem so late, we just stayed on standard time. We got home at 1:45a EST. Great day.
Hard to put into words how super this vacation is. The baseball, weather, & other activities were awesome, but of course it's the people who make this week so special. Thanks Mom, Dad, K, A, & KACB. Only 360 days until next year's trip.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Top Bands of the 2000's
Um, it's not finished but Relient K has clinched the top spot. Their new album (Five Score and Seven Years Ago) came out today and it is awesome. I recommend you all buy it. If you buy it & don't like it, I'll buy it off you.
My favorites: 1) Devastation and Reform, 2) I Need You, 3) Up and Up, 4) Forgiven, 5) Deathbed.
They were on Conan O'Brien last Friday. I realize that doesn't help you much at this point.
My favorites: 1) Devastation and Reform, 2) I Need You, 3) Up and Up, 4) Forgiven, 5) Deathbed.
They were on Conan O'Brien last Friday. I realize that doesn't help you much at this point.
Report from Chicago Trip
Let's see ... way behind on my blogging. My trip to Chicago was great. Really uplifting conference & a lot of good ideas re: leading a youth group. The Willow Creek church in S. Barrington is pretty impressive. It has a 3-story waterfall & seats about 8,000, I'd guess. For their midweek service, I sat in the 200 level figuring they were the equivalent of the skybox seats. For free, thank you.
After the conference ended, I had about an hour to kill before heading back to O'Hare, so I drove by the hospital APD was born in, plus the apartment Kristy & I lived in in Hoffman Estates. Doing so, was flooded w/ so many happy memories, it may me cry realizing how blessed I've been. Thanks to all you guys for being so great. Did you know ... they renamed the hospital Alex was born in after him now. It's true .... see here.
Chicago's weather also made me cry, for different reasons. I think it was glad to see me again & has held a grudge for my long-distance mocking. I got the wind-whipped snow pellets and the ground blizzard. Silly me, I wore my "footies" (socks) which are fine for an NC winter, but don't work so well in places where there is snow on the ground.
The highlight of the trip was getting to see C-Lo and the lovely Annette. Opus was glad to see me and expressed it in a entirely inappropriate way. They live in a cool condo w/ some fancy painting. It was very cool to hear that C-Lo recently earned a promotion and is now Management. Also nice to catch up on the status of all the Lowrys. C-Lo treated Dolberry to the deep dish pizza which was very nice & very delicious. Things I miss about Chicago: C-Lo, baseball, pizza. Things I don't miss: weather, road conditions/traffic, lack of trees, O'Hare.
Despite bad weather, my flight was only about a half-hour delayed which isn't that bad. All in all, a really nice trip.
After the conference ended, I had about an hour to kill before heading back to O'Hare, so I drove by the hospital APD was born in, plus the apartment Kristy & I lived in in Hoffman Estates. Doing so, was flooded w/ so many happy memories, it may me cry realizing how blessed I've been. Thanks to all you guys for being so great. Did you know ... they renamed the hospital Alex was born in after him now. It's true .... see here.
Chicago's weather also made me cry, for different reasons. I think it was glad to see me again & has held a grudge for my long-distance mocking. I got the wind-whipped snow pellets and the ground blizzard. Silly me, I wore my "footies" (socks) which are fine for an NC winter, but don't work so well in places where there is snow on the ground.
The highlight of the trip was getting to see C-Lo and the lovely Annette. Opus was glad to see me and expressed it in a entirely inappropriate way. They live in a cool condo w/ some fancy painting. It was very cool to hear that C-Lo recently earned a promotion and is now Management. Also nice to catch up on the status of all the Lowrys. C-Lo treated Dolberry to the deep dish pizza which was very nice & very delicious. Things I miss about Chicago: C-Lo, baseball, pizza. Things I don't miss: weather, road conditions/traffic, lack of trees, O'Hare.
Despite bad weather, my flight was only about a half-hour delayed which isn't that bad. All in all, a really nice trip.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
DCV Top Bands of the 80's: 30-26
#30: The Connells
It's kind of funny as the Connells are from Raleigh, but I started liking them prior to moving to the Triangle. I vividly remember cranking one of their best tunes 'Stone Cold Yesterday' on a bus trip ("riding the dog" may be a Life Episode some time) back to Chicago from visiting SLU friends ... musical help in a time of displacement. It's sort of odd that a band as popular as R.E.M. wouldn't have any direct imitators, and I don't think the Connells were either, but their first album Boylan Heights certainly has the feel of R.E.M's glory days. Most of the time they were straight ahead rock, especially the 1993 release Ring. Like another American band that we'll see in the Top 5, they were far more popular in Europe than here. Check 'em out.
Best Songs: Slackjawed, Stone Cold Yesterday, Disappointed, Scotty's Lament
Worst Songs: 74-75
#29: Simple Minds
For whatever reason, Dolberry liked all things Scottish in his formative years. Let's see ... I had a crush on Sheena Easton, I liked bagpipe music, I liked wearing plaid, I entered road races under the pseudonym Stuart Adamson (late leader of Big Country), my favorite cross country race was always the Highland Fling at Joe Creason Park ... shoot I even have a brother-in-law named Scott. All that said, I never really liked Simple Minds' music as much as I felt like I should have given their Scottish intangibles, height-challenged nature of their lead singer (Jim Kerr), & their tendency to shoot their videos on picturesque looking cliffs. It probably stemmed from the uber-success of "Don't You Forget About Me" from the Breakfast Club movie. I didn't really like Breakfast Club all that much. It seems like the writers went out of their way to present several high school student stereotypes: the rich girl, the oddball, the jock, the brainy nerd, and the delinquent ... but none of them really spoke to the young Dolberry (i.e., charismatically-charged superhero and friend to all ... who dabbled in countdowns sure ... yes & hung out w/ some brainy nerds ... and ran track ... but still ... hey Molly Ringwald was hot back then.)
Best Songs: Sanctify Yourself, Alive and Kicking
Worst Songs: Don't You Forget About Me (for how often it gets played to this day)
#28 Billy Joel:
This is kind of ironic, because Billy Joel was just in Raleigh last night & our good friends the Jensens went & had a good time. Eyewitness accounts (Seriously, do any other of my rival blogs offer this? Of course, not.) indicate that he now introduces himself at shows as "Billy Joel's father". That's a pretty good line. Kristy & I saw him in the 80's w/ our SLU friends. He put on a good show. I do remember when I quit liking Billy Joel though ... it was when he released that song "Storm Front". If I have anything resembling a pet peeve, it's when people refer to weather in terms of a "storm front". There's simply no such thing.
Best Songs: You May Be Right, Allentown, A Matter of Trust
Worst Songs: Uptown Girl, Storm Front
#27 Hooters:
I've seen 8 of these Top 40 bands in concert. This is the 2nd in a row. Stephen & I saw them open up for Bryan Adams sometime in the 80s. We were there to see the Hooters, not Bryan Adams. I remember it was the day their One Way Home album was released. The Hooters were famous among our SLU crew from a radio station interview with Loverboy in which the interviewer kept questioning Loverboy about the Hooters (who were opening for them at the time). The Loverboy dude kept saying they were a "good band" w/ little emotion other than exasperation about the third time they were brought up.
Best Songs: Day by Day, All You Zombies, And We Danced, South Ferry Road
Worst Songs: Probably something from their Zig Zag album.
#26 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers:
Tom Petty has been an amazingly consistent artist for a long time. I think my favorite period of his was during the Southern Accents album, but TP and the HBs were solid from Damn the Torpedoes through the solo-effort Full Moon Fever. One of the earliest complements, the lovely Mrs. Dolberry ever gave me was that I did a good Tom Petty impersonation. At least I think it was a compliment.
Best Songs: The Waiting, Running Down a Dream, Southern Accents, Rebels
Worst Songs: Jammin Me
It's kind of funny as the Connells are from Raleigh, but I started liking them prior to moving to the Triangle. I vividly remember cranking one of their best tunes 'Stone Cold Yesterday' on a bus trip ("riding the dog" may be a Life Episode some time) back to Chicago from visiting SLU friends ... musical help in a time of displacement. It's sort of odd that a band as popular as R.E.M. wouldn't have any direct imitators, and I don't think the Connells were either, but their first album Boylan Heights certainly has the feel of R.E.M's glory days. Most of the time they were straight ahead rock, especially the 1993 release Ring. Like another American band that we'll see in the Top 5, they were far more popular in Europe than here. Check 'em out.
Best Songs: Slackjawed, Stone Cold Yesterday, Disappointed, Scotty's Lament
Worst Songs: 74-75
#29: Simple Minds
For whatever reason, Dolberry liked all things Scottish in his formative years. Let's see ... I had a crush on Sheena Easton, I liked bagpipe music, I liked wearing plaid, I entered road races under the pseudonym Stuart Adamson (late leader of Big Country), my favorite cross country race was always the Highland Fling at Joe Creason Park ... shoot I even have a brother-in-law named Scott. All that said, I never really liked Simple Minds' music as much as I felt like I should have given their Scottish intangibles, height-challenged nature of their lead singer (Jim Kerr), & their tendency to shoot their videos on picturesque looking cliffs. It probably stemmed from the uber-success of "Don't You Forget About Me" from the Breakfast Club movie. I didn't really like Breakfast Club all that much. It seems like the writers went out of their way to present several high school student stereotypes: the rich girl, the oddball, the jock, the brainy nerd, and the delinquent ... but none of them really spoke to the young Dolberry (i.e., charismatically-charged superhero and friend to all ... who dabbled in countdowns sure ... yes & hung out w/ some brainy nerds ... and ran track ... but still ... hey Molly Ringwald was hot back then.)
Best Songs: Sanctify Yourself, Alive and Kicking
Worst Songs: Don't You Forget About Me (for how often it gets played to this day)
#28 Billy Joel:
This is kind of ironic, because Billy Joel was just in Raleigh last night & our good friends the Jensens went & had a good time. Eyewitness accounts (Seriously, do any other of my rival blogs offer this? Of course, not.) indicate that he now introduces himself at shows as "Billy Joel's father". That's a pretty good line. Kristy & I saw him in the 80's w/ our SLU friends. He put on a good show. I do remember when I quit liking Billy Joel though ... it was when he released that song "Storm Front". If I have anything resembling a pet peeve, it's when people refer to weather in terms of a "storm front". There's simply no such thing.
Best Songs: You May Be Right, Allentown, A Matter of Trust
Worst Songs: Uptown Girl, Storm Front
#27 Hooters:
I've seen 8 of these Top 40 bands in concert. This is the 2nd in a row. Stephen & I saw them open up for Bryan Adams sometime in the 80s. We were there to see the Hooters, not Bryan Adams. I remember it was the day their One Way Home album was released. The Hooters were famous among our SLU crew from a radio station interview with Loverboy in which the interviewer kept questioning Loverboy about the Hooters (who were opening for them at the time). The Loverboy dude kept saying they were a "good band" w/ little emotion other than exasperation about the third time they were brought up.
Best Songs: Day by Day, All You Zombies, And We Danced, South Ferry Road
Worst Songs: Probably something from their Zig Zag album.
#26 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers:
Tom Petty has been an amazingly consistent artist for a long time. I think my favorite period of his was during the Southern Accents album, but TP and the HBs were solid from Damn the Torpedoes through the solo-effort Full Moon Fever. One of the earliest complements, the lovely Mrs. Dolberry ever gave me was that I did a good Tom Petty impersonation. At least I think it was a compliment.
Best Songs: The Waiting, Running Down a Dream, Southern Accents, Rebels
Worst Songs: Jammin Me
Thursday, March 01, 2007
C-Lo Visit
Hey ... a regular feature of the DCV will be what we call "Blogger Visits". It'll be a venue in which Dolberry reaches out to his readership community by visiting their home. The purpose of these visits is to suggest improvements in the readers lives that will make them more like Dolberry (i.e., on the path to greatness).
I'm doing my hardest one first, C-Lo. T-minus 4 hours. Wish me well. A full recounting of any grievances will be aired on Friday (or Saturday)
On other note, am enjoying my conference. I wish I could go to conferences every week, but that K & A would come w/ me.
I'm doing my hardest one first, C-Lo. T-minus 4 hours. Wish me well. A full recounting of any grievances will be aired on Friday (or Saturday)
On other note, am enjoying my conference. I wish I could go to conferences every week, but that K & A would come w/ me.
Monday, February 26, 2007
DCV Top Bands of the 80's: 35-31
The countdown rolls on ... with the regularity of Billiken basketball victories.
35: INXS
Enjoyed them more in their early 80's days than in there bigger late 80's / early 90's days. The brilliantly titled "Shabooh Shoobah" probably contained their two best songs. I vaguely remember being at some SLU function and being the only one in the room who could identify the song title, album title, and country of origin of some song from this time period. Times like these ... it's good to be the countdown geek. I believe the female Dolberries saw them in concert one time. Anyway, INXS has a very interesting post-success period. The lead singer (Michael Hutchance) killed himself, though there's some debate as to whether he intended to. (U2's "Stuck in a Moment That You Can't Get Out Of" is about the foolishness of that episode.) Then, they rebounded in the reality show where they auditioned a new singer. The drama associated w/ their post 15 minutes seems out of proportion with their 15 minutes themselves.
Best songs: Don't Change, The One Thing, What You Need
Worst song: Never Tear Us Apart
34: The Cars
Another band that peaked early. Their best stuff was definitely in the late 70's but they rolled into the 80's w/ just enough momentum to manage some hummable tunes on the "Shake It Up" album (their fourth) which came out in 1981. I bought their 1984 "Heartbeat City" tape on the basis that I liked the video w/ that funny fly w/ the Ric Ocasek face that buzzed around the girl. Mistake. They had a left-handed guitarist. That's about all I have to say about them. When I made the countdown list, I thought that first album was released in the 80's. Tell you what ... replace them w/ whomever you like that's not already in the countdown.
Best Songs: Shake It Up, Since You're Gone, actually all the 70's songs
Worst song: Why Can't I Have You, Drive, pretty much that whole Heartbeat City album
33: Journey
Did I like Journey in the 80s? No. I pretty much loathed 'em in the 80's. The radio station in Louisville had a three artist loop of Heart, Journey, & Zeppelin. I assume you could turn on WQMF right now and have a 33% chance of guessing what artist is playing. Plus, one always heard scary stories about how so & so went to a Journey concert & now they're in a home for delinquent youth. And I like little people, but that Steve Perry seemed like an insufferable little twerp even to diminuitive Dolberry. In my opinion all the aforementioned shortcomings can be forgiven due to their songs amazing ability to be karaoke-d, badly, by Dolberry. Who can forget such favorites as "SO NOW I COME TO YOUUUU WITH OOOOOOPEN ARMS. FEELING YOU SAY. WANTING TO SE-HEAR" or "JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRRRL. LIVING IN A LONELY WORLD. SHE TOOK THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN GOING ANYWHEEERRRRREE."
Best Songs: Don't Stop Believin', Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin, Open Arms (Dolberry versions)
Worst Songs: Same as above (non-Dolberry version)
32: Styx
Wow. This stretch of the countdown is a slog. Anyway, some good memories about Styx. I remember listening to "Pieces of Eight" down in Roger Idstrom's basement while recounting recent beer can finds. Um, I think "Come Sail Away" was the closing song at a CCD retreat I went to (likely against my will) at that Abbey in Southern Indiana (St. Vimonts?). My memory is very hazy then, but that song was my favorite part of the whole retreat. Because the retreat was over & the song was decent. Styx's song "Mr. Roboto" perfectly captured the spirit of the 80's with lyrics such as "I'm Kilroy!" and "Domo arrigato, Mr. Roboto. Domo. Domo." I think someone once told me it's Japanese for something, but I enjoy Barenaked Ladies mocking of it far more. Anyway, according to Wikipedia, Styx is the 127th best selling act of all time, so there you have it.
Best songs: Too Much Time on My Hands, some of the 70's stuff - Come Sail Away & Renegade
Worst song: Babe
31: Midnight Oil:
Like their Austrailian counterparts (INXS), these guys were frequent listens at SLU. Nothing speaks to pre-med students and their odd meteorological student friend than a concept album about the Aborigines people. I think "Beds are Burning" has one of the best endings to any song, any where. And their 1990 release "Blue Sky Mining" is a classic. Dolberry is partial to the anthems & very few wrote 'em as well as the Oil. I think they have some of the best lyrics in two songs in particular: 1990's "Forgotten Years" and 1993's "In the Valley" (reprinted here)
My grandfather went down with the montevideo
The rising sun sent him floating to his rest
And his wife fled south to sydney seeking out safe harbour
A north shore matron she became with some paying guests
My father went down with the curse of big cities
Traffic tolls and deadlines took him to his peace
Now bob dyer glued us to our seats
And lawns were always victa neat
Whilst menzies fawned at royal fleet do you remember?
In the valley I walk, I took some comfort there
In the valley I walk, cold comfort I can hear you talk
In the valley I walk, who will take me there?
When my mother went down it was a stiff arm from hades
Life surprises and tears you like the southerly
She always welcomed the spring always welcomed the stranger
I dont see too many around like this
Oh no, thats what Im looking for, yeah, what were looking for
In the valley I walk - who will take me there
In the valley I walk - cold comfort I can hear you talk
In the valley I walk - I took some comfort there
In the valley I walk - oh rough justice I hear you talk
In the valley I walk - to meet my watershed
I hope virtue brings its own reward
And I hope the pen is mightier than any sword
I hope the kids will take it slow
I hope my country claims its own
In the valley I walk - I cried yes I cried I was down then I crawled
Mercys arms all around me when I was down there
In the valley I walk - do you read me they can hear me in the valley
35: INXS
Enjoyed them more in their early 80's days than in there bigger late 80's / early 90's days. The brilliantly titled "Shabooh Shoobah" probably contained their two best songs. I vaguely remember being at some SLU function and being the only one in the room who could identify the song title, album title, and country of origin of some song from this time period. Times like these ... it's good to be the countdown geek. I believe the female Dolberries saw them in concert one time. Anyway, INXS has a very interesting post-success period. The lead singer (Michael Hutchance) killed himself, though there's some debate as to whether he intended to. (U2's "Stuck in a Moment That You Can't Get Out Of" is about the foolishness of that episode.) Then, they rebounded in the reality show where they auditioned a new singer. The drama associated w/ their post 15 minutes seems out of proportion with their 15 minutes themselves.
Best songs: Don't Change, The One Thing, What You Need
Worst song: Never Tear Us Apart
34: The Cars
Another band that peaked early. Their best stuff was definitely in the late 70's but they rolled into the 80's w/ just enough momentum to manage some hummable tunes on the "Shake It Up" album (their fourth) which came out in 1981. I bought their 1984 "Heartbeat City" tape on the basis that I liked the video w/ that funny fly w/ the Ric Ocasek face that buzzed around the girl. Mistake. They had a left-handed guitarist. That's about all I have to say about them. When I made the countdown list, I thought that first album was released in the 80's. Tell you what ... replace them w/ whomever you like that's not already in the countdown.
Best Songs: Shake It Up, Since You're Gone, actually all the 70's songs
Worst song: Why Can't I Have You, Drive, pretty much that whole Heartbeat City album
33: Journey
Did I like Journey in the 80s? No. I pretty much loathed 'em in the 80's. The radio station in Louisville had a three artist loop of Heart, Journey, & Zeppelin. I assume you could turn on WQMF right now and have a 33% chance of guessing what artist is playing. Plus, one always heard scary stories about how so & so went to a Journey concert & now they're in a home for delinquent youth. And I like little people, but that Steve Perry seemed like an insufferable little twerp even to diminuitive Dolberry. In my opinion all the aforementioned shortcomings can be forgiven due to their songs amazing ability to be karaoke-d, badly, by Dolberry. Who can forget such favorites as "SO NOW I COME TO YOUUUU WITH OOOOOOPEN ARMS. FEELING YOU SAY. WANTING TO SE-HEAR" or "JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRRRL. LIVING IN A LONELY WORLD. SHE TOOK THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN GOING ANYWHEEERRRRREE."
Best Songs: Don't Stop Believin', Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin, Open Arms (Dolberry versions)
Worst Songs: Same as above (non-Dolberry version)
32: Styx
Wow. This stretch of the countdown is a slog. Anyway, some good memories about Styx. I remember listening to "Pieces of Eight" down in Roger Idstrom's basement while recounting recent beer can finds. Um, I think "Come Sail Away" was the closing song at a CCD retreat I went to (likely against my will) at that Abbey in Southern Indiana (St. Vimonts?). My memory is very hazy then, but that song was my favorite part of the whole retreat. Because the retreat was over & the song was decent. Styx's song "Mr. Roboto" perfectly captured the spirit of the 80's with lyrics such as "I'm Kilroy!" and "Domo arrigato, Mr. Roboto. Domo. Domo." I think someone once told me it's Japanese for something, but I enjoy Barenaked Ladies mocking of it far more. Anyway, according to Wikipedia, Styx is the 127th best selling act of all time, so there you have it.
Best songs: Too Much Time on My Hands, some of the 70's stuff - Come Sail Away & Renegade
Worst song: Babe
31: Midnight Oil:
Like their Austrailian counterparts (INXS), these guys were frequent listens at SLU. Nothing speaks to pre-med students and their odd meteorological student friend than a concept album about the Aborigines people. I think "Beds are Burning" has one of the best endings to any song, any where. And their 1990 release "Blue Sky Mining" is a classic. Dolberry is partial to the anthems & very few wrote 'em as well as the Oil. I think they have some of the best lyrics in two songs in particular: 1990's "Forgotten Years" and 1993's "In the Valley" (reprinted here)
My grandfather went down with the montevideo
The rising sun sent him floating to his rest
And his wife fled south to sydney seeking out safe harbour
A north shore matron she became with some paying guests
My father went down with the curse of big cities
Traffic tolls and deadlines took him to his peace
Now bob dyer glued us to our seats
And lawns were always victa neat
Whilst menzies fawned at royal fleet do you remember?
In the valley I walk, I took some comfort there
In the valley I walk, cold comfort I can hear you talk
In the valley I walk, who will take me there?
When my mother went down it was a stiff arm from hades
Life surprises and tears you like the southerly
She always welcomed the spring always welcomed the stranger
I dont see too many around like this
Oh no, thats what Im looking for, yeah, what were looking for
In the valley I walk - who will take me there
In the valley I walk - cold comfort I can hear you talk
In the valley I walk - I took some comfort there
In the valley I walk - oh rough justice I hear you talk
In the valley I walk - to meet my watershed
I hope virtue brings its own reward
And I hope the pen is mightier than any sword
I hope the kids will take it slow
I hope my country claims its own
In the valley I walk - I cried yes I cried I was down then I crawled
Mercys arms all around me when I was down there
In the valley I walk - do you read me they can hear me in the valley
Saturday, February 24, 2007
2006 MLB: day games vs. night games
Here's another one. There were nearly twice as many night games as day games last year. The visiting team was more likely to win day games, outscoring the home team by 0.18 runs. The home team was more likely to win road games, winning on average by 0.16 runs. This breakout almost wholly due to the ineptitude of this team, who played a lot of home day games last year. The Cubbies were outscored by an entire run during their 54 home day games in 2006. If you take them out of the record the day vs. night, home vs. away, run differential stats are almost equal. Stupid Cubs.
Baseball as a function of day of week
I was bored this evening & decided to play around w/ 2006 MLB data from Retrosheet. One can download boxscore information for every game played last year (& other years). I decided to look at how baseball games differed by day of the week.
For instance, did you know that last year the best days for visitors to beat the home team was on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The hardest day for visitors to win was Fridays. See plot.
My theory would be that weeknight home games are less attended & maybe there's a little less excitement & maybe a letdown for the home team. Fridays are often the first game of a homestand & maybe the good feelings about returning home are enough to lead the home team to more than a half a run winning margin (on average). The attendance part of this is true. See plot.
Fascinating, fascinating stuff. Some additional factoids. Monday games are the shortest and are on average 6 minutes shorter than Saturday games which are the longest. Sunday games have the most runs scored and most HRs. The lowest scoring games are on Fridays (maybe because they're almost always night games). Monday is the day w/ the fewest SB attempts. Errors are pretty consistent from day to day.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Good news everybody!
I found my Top 40 of the 80s list. It wasn't on a sheet of paper at all ... paper for which I've been looking for over the past month. I did it in Excel. So, that will resume shortly, but I have something else for tonight.
DCV Presents: "Life Episodes" - The Oratorical Contest
Every once in a great while, Dolberry wishes he had access to a time machine so that he could journey back in time & do youthful things better. Not sure if this identifies my area of greatest regret, but inevitably it involves my senior year of cross country & getting some of those races over again. The daydreaming follows a predictable path. Armed w/ the maturity of an adult & the legs of a 17 year old, I'm able to break through barriers that existed back in 1983 and consistently turn in 5K times in the 16 minute zone. Trinity beats St. X for the State title and the hero's role is mine. As I revel in the spoils of X-C triumph (surprisingly substantial in a vibrant daydream), the flaw in the time machine plan slowly emerges from the background. And it is this. To go back in time, would mean reinterment into the tyranny that marked Dolberry's youth. The tyrant in question ... the terrible El Cuarta.
Probably I could do a whole year's worth of "Life Episode's" on El Cuarta's parental malfeasance, but one episode stands foremost in my mind, surpassing even the time he said turned off U2's Unforgettable Fire w/ the criticism "who can listen to that ... it's awful ... worst music I've ever heard". (To be fair it was Side B which after 'A Sort of Homecoming' is a little sparse in terms of melodiousness.) No. Worse than that. The Oratorical Contest. (shudder)
Now El Cuarta was always trying to get us to do stuff. Crazy stuff in most cases. Imagine days as boxes. Try out for drama. Try out for wrestling. Put sticky labels on forms. Roll your wrists when swinging a bat. Go to the prom. Engage the clutch when shifting gears. Listen to more Van Halen. About the only time he wasn't trying to get you to do crazy stuff was when he was trying to get you to stop doing sensible stuff; e.g., enjoying a good roast beef to its completion, strengthening your arm by tossing a ball against the side of the house, cleaning up after yourself before Midnight Mass, etc.. Seriously, from the time I was about 11 to when I left for Saint Louis, it was one insane idea after the next.
Looking back (as it the purpose of the DCV), it seems to me that the first & maybe most ludicrous notion of them all was El Cuerta's decision that Dolberry should enter an oratorical contest being sponsored by the Hikes Point Optimist Club. El Cuetra did a lot of good work for the Optimists and most of the time it involved pro-community activities such as selling Christmas trees while inebriated, or assembling out-of-control Little League coaches to curse at each other from opposing dugouts. But one year, for some evil reason which I cannot to this day devine the motive, they decided to sponsor an oratorical contest.
The downside of being 11 years old, I remember distinctly, is that there is no good way to talk a parent out of a bad idea. You can't reason with them. Plus, you're in a leveraged position of relying on them for food, lodging, attending to educational expenses, etc. However, any person of sound mind would have been able to see that placing young Dolberry into a contest against his will was as smart an idea as hiring a blogger to be on your campaign staff. You see, Dolberry was a late bloomer when it comes to the gift of gab in a public setting. Nowadays, I love public speaking, because it's the one place where I can get up and speak w/o anyone interrupting me. Come to think of it, I like blogging for similar reasons. You know I don't even read the comments section, so don't bother. Heh heh.
Our hero, Dolberry, though came up w/ an astoundingly, beyond-his-years, wise solution to extricate himself from this no win situation. On the day of the contest, which I remember was held in a building on Breckenridge Lane near Taylorsville Rd., I resolved a way in which I could avoid future El Cuarte - generated debacles.
I tanked it. Yep, I tanked it big time.
I gave a rambling presentation on something or another that certainly was an embarassment to me, but so much more so had to reflect even worse on anyone associated w/ me, in particular any Optimist members who were associated w/ me. And I did it up big time. Stammering, profuse sweating, 73 "ummms", & I even poured a little water on my pants under the podium in an misleadingly unfortunate place ... just for effect. It was a first-rate flop. Dolberry had prevailed.
On my way home, my 4th place (out of 4) green "honorable mention" ribbon draped over my still wet lap (incidentally, La Cuarta graciously hung up that ribbon along side all my "honorable mention" / last place swimming green ribbons), I remember El Cuarte looking back in the rearview mirror and saying ... "you know with a little more practice at public speaking I think you'll really have it." It was his attempt to salvage a tie, but I know this much, there never was a second oratorical contest mandated for Dolberry.
Probably I could do a whole year's worth of "Life Episode's" on El Cuarta's parental malfeasance, but one episode stands foremost in my mind, surpassing even the time he said turned off U2's Unforgettable Fire w/ the criticism "who can listen to that ... it's awful ... worst music I've ever heard". (To be fair it was Side B which after 'A Sort of Homecoming' is a little sparse in terms of melodiousness.) No. Worse than that. The Oratorical Contest. (shudder)
Now El Cuarta was always trying to get us to do stuff. Crazy stuff in most cases. Imagine days as boxes. Try out for drama. Try out for wrestling. Put sticky labels on forms. Roll your wrists when swinging a bat. Go to the prom. Engage the clutch when shifting gears. Listen to more Van Halen. About the only time he wasn't trying to get you to do crazy stuff was when he was trying to get you to stop doing sensible stuff; e.g., enjoying a good roast beef to its completion, strengthening your arm by tossing a ball against the side of the house, cleaning up after yourself before Midnight Mass, etc.. Seriously, from the time I was about 11 to when I left for Saint Louis, it was one insane idea after the next.
Looking back (as it the purpose of the DCV), it seems to me that the first & maybe most ludicrous notion of them all was El Cuerta's decision that Dolberry should enter an oratorical contest being sponsored by the Hikes Point Optimist Club. El Cuetra did a lot of good work for the Optimists and most of the time it involved pro-community activities such as selling Christmas trees while inebriated, or assembling out-of-control Little League coaches to curse at each other from opposing dugouts. But one year, for some evil reason which I cannot to this day devine the motive, they decided to sponsor an oratorical contest.
The downside of being 11 years old, I remember distinctly, is that there is no good way to talk a parent out of a bad idea. You can't reason with them. Plus, you're in a leveraged position of relying on them for food, lodging, attending to educational expenses, etc. However, any person of sound mind would have been able to see that placing young Dolberry into a contest against his will was as smart an idea as hiring a blogger to be on your campaign staff. You see, Dolberry was a late bloomer when it comes to the gift of gab in a public setting. Nowadays, I love public speaking, because it's the one place where I can get up and speak w/o anyone interrupting me. Come to think of it, I like blogging for similar reasons. You know I don't even read the comments section, so don't bother. Heh heh.
Our hero, Dolberry, though came up w/ an astoundingly, beyond-his-years, wise solution to extricate himself from this no win situation. On the day of the contest, which I remember was held in a building on Breckenridge Lane near Taylorsville Rd., I resolved a way in which I could avoid future El Cuarte - generated debacles.
I tanked it. Yep, I tanked it big time.
I gave a rambling presentation on something or another that certainly was an embarassment to me, but so much more so had to reflect even worse on anyone associated w/ me, in particular any Optimist members who were associated w/ me. And I did it up big time. Stammering, profuse sweating, 73 "ummms", & I even poured a little water on my pants under the podium in an misleadingly unfortunate place ... just for effect. It was a first-rate flop. Dolberry had prevailed.
On my way home, my 4th place (out of 4) green "honorable mention" ribbon draped over my still wet lap (incidentally, La Cuarta graciously hung up that ribbon along side all my "honorable mention" / last place swimming green ribbons), I remember El Cuarte looking back in the rearview mirror and saying ... "you know with a little more practice at public speaking I think you'll really have it." It was his attempt to salvage a tie, but I know this much, there never was a second oratorical contest mandated for Dolberry.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Update
Hey, sorry I haven't been posting much. It feels like you skip a couple days & then all of a sudden it's over a week later.
Spring training trip is less than 3 weeks away, so we're pumped about that.
Softball is probably about 6 weeks away & we're pumped about that too.
Kristy & I are helping w/ our church's youth group & they want to send me to a conference in Chicago. That'll be 2/28 - 3/2. Should be interesting & a little intimidating. Hoping to see C-Lo and company. So that's two weeks away & am pumped about that.
I'm planning to do this on this on 3/18. Am getting in decent shape & lost a few pounds but still a ways to go. But am pumped about that too.
Signed up to coach APD's baseball team again this year. Should also be fun. Tryouts/draft is 3/17.
Work has been going well lately, so that's good too.
Basically, that's it. I got no complaints.
Hope all is well w/ all you guys!
Spring training trip is less than 3 weeks away, so we're pumped about that.
Softball is probably about 6 weeks away & we're pumped about that too.
Kristy & I are helping w/ our church's youth group & they want to send me to a conference in Chicago. That'll be 2/28 - 3/2. Should be interesting & a little intimidating. Hoping to see C-Lo and company. So that's two weeks away & am pumped about that.
I'm planning to do this on this on 3/18. Am getting in decent shape & lost a few pounds but still a ways to go. But am pumped about that too.
Signed up to coach APD's baseball team again this year. Should also be fun. Tryouts/draft is 3/17.
Work has been going well lately, so that's good too.
Basically, that's it. I got no complaints.
Hope all is well w/ all you guys!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Jinx
All right. Talking assuredly of global warming earns you two weeks of cold crappy weather. Filing under lesson learned.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Christmas 2006 Pictures
Hey, I put some pictures from our Christmas trip online. Click here. I've seen more exciting pictures, & it was over a month ago, but what the hey.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Super Bowl Observations
It's kind of neat to watch your son go through experiences that you remember going through & seeing how he reacts. In the case of searing sporting disappointment, I'd say he's way ahead of Dolberry. Between school & church, he'd been touting & defending the Bears the better part of two months. He was so excited after Hester's runback. But when things went south, he didn't yell, didn't cry, only a few grumbles like: "the NFL should have a rule against squib kicks", "I hate holding penalties ... in Madden and in real life, & (after the game was decided) "Didn't the Bears used to have a better quarterback?" Good kid.
Good weather Super Bowl.
Prince rocked out at halftime. Well done, diminutive Purple one. You could've gotten 8500-1 that Prince would cover Foo Fighters in a 15 min concert, but he did it. Very cool. Is anyone else jazzed like me about the Police reunion at the Grammys? Didn't think so. It's about 20 years too late. Hey, speaking of Prince & the Police ... when is the DCV 80's countdown going to resume? Well, I lost my list ... so it may be a while longer.
The only Super Bowl commercial that stuck w/ me was the first Doritos one & only because it was filmed outside the place where APD buys his HeroClix.
Peyton Manning getting the MVP falls into the Lifetime Achievement category.
Here's a picture of APD in the Great Blizzard of 2007 (0.75" last Thursday).
Have a great week everyone.
Good weather Super Bowl.
Prince rocked out at halftime. Well done, diminutive Purple one. You could've gotten 8500-1 that Prince would cover Foo Fighters in a 15 min concert, but he did it. Very cool. Is anyone else jazzed like me about the Police reunion at the Grammys? Didn't think so. It's about 20 years too late. Hey, speaking of Prince & the Police ... when is the DCV 80's countdown going to resume? Well, I lost my list ... so it may be a while longer.
The only Super Bowl commercial that stuck w/ me was the first Doritos one & only because it was filmed outside the place where APD buys his HeroClix.
Peyton Manning getting the MVP falls into the Lifetime Achievement category.
Here's a picture of APD in the Great Blizzard of 2007 (0.75" last Thursday).
Have a great week everyone.
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