Friday, December 31, 2004

KEXP TOP 90.3

How many were on your list?

27
The Black Keys
Rubber Factory
26
The Walkmen
Bows And Arrows
25
Keane
Hopes And Fears
24
Drive-By Truckers
The Dirty South
23
The Fiery Furnaces
Blueberry Boat
22
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
21
Delays
Faded Seaside Glamour
20
U2How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
19
Rilo Kiley
More Adventurous
18
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Shake The Sheets
17
Brian Wilson
Smile
16
The Streets
A Grand Don't Come For Free
15
TV On The Radio
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
14
Loretta Lynn
Van Lear Rose
13
Air
Talkie Walkie
12
Ray Lamontagne
Trouble
11
Iron & Wine
Our Endless Numbered Days
10
Tom Waits
Real Gone
9
The Killers
Hot Fuss
8
Wilco
A Ghost Is Born
7
Elliott Smith
From A Basement On The Hill
6
Citizen Cope
The Clarence Greenwood Recordings
5
Snow Patrol
Final Straw
4
Interpol
Antics
3
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
2
Modest Mouse
Good News For People Who Love Bad News
1
The Arcade Fire
Funeral


The rest will be listed in the comments section...

Netflix News

Seems like we could take advantage of this new feature. Does anyone already have it?

Thursday, December 30, 2004

From Julie's World

Two great new CD's that I am hooked on are the latest from Dido and Alanis; great to rock out to and sing along if you have two X chromosomes:) And for everyone--we just saw Sideways and it is HIGHLY recommended. Great writing, dialogue, and delivery. For those of you who prefer bigger blockbuster scary movies get ready for the latest with Natalie Compagno

http://www.abominablethemovie.com/index.htm

Sure to be a winner:)

Year in Review

(Updated)
Good morning everyone,
I thought I would take a moment to write the longest post of the year barely before the year disappears. It's hard to believe that 2004 is almost over and 2005 and the year of the Demon looms next. What a ride it has been.

First of all, this is my favorite week of the year to listen to KEXP. The whole week they basically run through the best songs of 2004 and tomorrow starting at 10 am they do their official countdown. This is a great opportunity to hear some music you missed out on because you were either creating IPOD playlists or busy trying to understand the state voting recounts. I would like to fully endorse THE ARCADE FIRE album as well as the new NEKO CASE record. The former is now in my top five of the year and the latter is an amazing display of vocal power that would make any other female singer in the country jealous. Also, The JUNIOR BOYS have a decent electronic record out (think Postal Service meets break beats) and about half of the new MUSIC record is great. I have not yet purchased the FUTUREHEADS or TV ON THE RADIO but I have liked what I have heard. Tune in tomorrow at 10:00 am at www.kexp.org or click here to see what the individual KEXP DJ's top ten albums were for 2004.

Also, for those of you who are Garden State Soundtrack fans you might be interested to know that KEXP was instrumental in getting Zero 7, The Shins, Postal Service, Coldplay, and Iron and Wine radio airplay. In fact, most of these artists songs on the sound track came out between two and three years ago. I remember discovering Zero 7 on the New Years countdown 2001-2002. Rachelle and I heard Waiting Line and we both agreed it was a "must purchase".

Also, to expand a bit on The Arcade Fire think Talking Heads meets the multi-instrumentation from the latest Modest Mouse record with some Interpol guitar and occassional INXS bits. We have not stopped playing this CD for over a week straight. KEXP has been playing them for a few months now and according to Snyder the END has jumped on the bandwagon as well. Listen for them on the countdown today.

No, KEXP is not paying me for this commercial.


Looking forward to the new HAD record in February...frow what I am told there will be a large CD release party that you will all be invited to.

So I have finally decided what my favorite two movies were for the year. The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was my favorite followed by Before Sunset. I am hoping Jim Carrey finally gets his OSCAR nod for ESOTSM. This movie is more amazing with each additional viewing because you will notice something new each and every time.
Also, Rachelle and I both loved The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. If you enjoyed Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and the Royal Tenembaums you will surely enjoy Wes Anderson's latest flick. I had a goofy grin on my goofy face for two hours.

Having fun watching the Supes? Me too. However, I really prefer to see Antonio Daniels and Luke run the point. Murray is NOT a point guard and makes terrible shot decisions too. I know he is rusty but I liked our other previous rotation assuming Daniels comes back healthy. Go Supes. (This has now been addressed here)

Congratulations to Scott and Megan and Jeremy and Carrie on their engagements. We are very excited for the weddings next year and we wish you the best of luck in married life.

God, how could I forget this. Everyone is obviously aware of the recent Tsunami in Asia and you have seen the destruction and suffering on TV. You can make a donation to the American Red Cross here. So far the Red Cross has raised 18 million to help out the victims of this unbelievable disaster.

Thanks again to everyone for making Cabin Fever 2004 a big success. Look for the Fever to continue next summer near the end of July or early August. Currently a biking portion of the relay race is already on the agenda and I am open to more suggestions as well. Perhaps we will actually make this one an event where strength or fitness training is a good idea. Or we can always drink more beer. Or both.

Finally I would like to create a goal for this website. I am hoping with your help that we can make this page a vital bookmark or home page for not only us but our immediate friends as well. I would like to double or triple the number of contributors and increase the readership ten fold. I know this seems like a lot, however, with a traditional pyramid scheme in place we can attract many more visitors.
Starting next week I would like everyone to try and post one item per day. Sports, movies, politics, urban planning, local news, music, businees, and techonology items are all wonderful. Then please forward this link to ten friends and encourage them to comment. Also, if you know anyone that can contribute every day (I am looking for 8-10 more) please let me know and I will send them a password. It would be great to see many new posts each day that will keep everyone interseted in KICKED IT IN THE SUN.
Thanks everyone for your help with this. I really appreciate it!!!!


(if you are a new reader and would like to contribute please let me know)

P.S. My sister Shelby gives amazing Christmas gifts each year and this year we were fortunate to receive a Passport Unlimited card. This card gives you unlimted 2-1 at dozens or restaraunts around the Seattle area. We have already used it twice and we are excited to visit many spots we have never been to. Find out more info here. Thanks again Shelby!

Anyone have any year-end comments or wishes? Post them below. Cheers!

Thursday, December 23, 2004

What a difference a month makes...the recount will continue...

Then:
Christine Gregoire should "do the decent thing, the honorable thing and concede, instead of dragging this into the Christmas season with the state not knowing who the governor is."
-State Republican Chairman Chris Vance, Nov. 23.

"If you count and recount and recount and keep on counting until you finally win, what do you really have in the end? An illegitimate governorship, that's what you have in the end. It's time to move forward, that's the message."
-Republican Dino Rossi, Dec. 1.

NOW:
"We're going to be going across the state demanding they make every vote count."
-Rossi spokeswoman Mary Lane, Dec. 23.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Stupid Election Moves FWD

I love how last week the Rossi camp was saying everyone should just accept the results and move on. Now that they are trailing all of a sudden "It's not over". If my vote was in question I sure as hell would want it counted.
Could we please get a national voting standards initiative passed that alleviates differences between states, districts, and counties etc. so we don't have to deal with this again? It's embarrassing number one, and number two it would be really cool to have a governor by the time spring training starts. Or at least by spring break.
Any ideas anyone?

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

NBA ALL STARS - Sonics

I just thought we should all vote for Rashard and Ray Ray as much as they will allow us. Do our part to get some representation in the NBA All-Star Game. Click on the title to go to the voting page at NBA.com. You can vote once a day.

Monday, December 20, 2004

More Anna Benson news

Remember my last post on Anna Benson?

Well she's in the news again:

Former model and stripper, Anna Benson, has gone off the deep end. Benson, who is married to current New York Mets pitcher Kris Benson, went on the Howard Stern radio show and vowed that if her husband ever cheated on her she would retaliate by sleeping with the entire Mets organization-not even the groundskeeper is off limits, according to Benson.

Benson, who was recently named by FHM magazine as baseball's hottest wife, pulled no punches while talking to Stern. She said that she told her husband if she ever catches him cheating on her, she will "have sex with all his teammates." "I told Kris because that's the biggest thing in athletics, they cheat all the time. I told him, cheat on me all you want. If you get caught, I'm going to screw everybody on your entire team-coaches, trainers, players. I would do everybody on his whole team," Benson said.

Benson even went as far as to say that she will even circle into other teams. "Whatever team he is playing, I will screw all them, too."

Atta boy Probst!

Probst Finds "Survivor" Love

Jeff Probst dating Survivor contestant

My favorite part of the article:
"Probst is 43, Berry just turned 24."

quote of the day

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. --Jay Leno

The Mirabeau Room

So last night, Jeff (who owns The Showbox and The Mirabeau Room) invited my brother to a private party at The Mirabeau Room. It was a private party for Eddie Vedder's 40th birthday. Jeff was under the impression that Dave Matthews would be there, so he invited Mark. Turns out, Dave was a no show, along with other rumored celebrities (Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin). Mark did get to hang with Mike McCready for awhile. He also said that one time he was in the bathroom with Jeff, Tim Robbins, and Eddie Vedder.

Pretty cool, huh?

Thursday, December 16, 2004

We got Beltre!!!

Great move!!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Free Annyong

Very funny if you "get it".

Monday, December 13, 2004

THANKS TO THE DAGG'S!!

Although the above link wasn't taken at the party, I felt this guy was in ALL of us at the party. Not literally of course.

Anyhow, thanks to the DAGG'S for the great time on Saturday night.

ILIKEDITALOT!!

An Arrested Development and The Wire article

I say we start a massive national campaign to have everyone give these shows as Christmas gifts this year. Arrested Development is only $30 for the first season and The Wire isn't much more.

Friday, December 10, 2004

Survivor

Lea aka Sarge---Jeremy-------Voted Out
Brook------------Trent---------Voted out
Leann------------Trent---------Voted Out
Mia-- ------------Carrie--------Voted Out
John K.----------Chris---------Voted Out
Travis aka Bubba--- Tiffany--Voted Out
Ami-------------Brian--The Bitch is Gone
John P-----------Dave---------Voted Out
Dolly-------------Rachelle-----Voted Out
Scout------------Trisha
Rory-------------Brandi--------Voted Out
Chad-------------Open----------Voted Out
Julie-------------Jolee ---------voted out
Eliza-------------Katie
Brady------------Julie------- Voted Out
Chris-------------Open
Twila-------------Jon
Lisa--------------Eric-------Voted Out

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Quote of the day...

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, red wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Cool Lost Article

Look in the comments section. Spoiler alert. Another great episode last night.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

I've stopped talking shit

Courtesy of The Stranger:

THURSDAY DEC 9 Deck the Hall Ball (MUSIC) What the hell does 107.7 The End have to do to get respect? Since the station's format change last year they've supported local and new music, stopped playing crap like Limp Bizkit, and produced some pretty stellar concerts showcasing local and national bands. Maybe this year's Deck the Hall Ball will be the clincher to convince people to stop talkin' so much shit. With Modest Mouse, the Killers, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, and the Shins, this is one of The End's best lineups ever. (KeyArena, 305 Harrison St, 684


Great Supes Article

Sunday, December 05, 2004

Arrested Development

Pause tonight's episode at the 0:08 minute mark. Make sure you have listened to the music and then look in the background. Very funny.

Top 5 of 2004

Well, it's that time of year again. I always love to get some great ideas on new bands or CD's that I missed out on during the year. So in the spirit of High Fidelity we now present our Third Annual Top Five Music Awards.

Simply hit the comments button below and your top five to the list. You can log in as a guest and just write who you are, or you can create your own user password. Either way it is very easy to do.

I'll start with my favorites from the year and we can go from there.

Trent's Top Five
1. Brian Wilson "Smile"
I've only waited 15 years (or maybe more) for this.

2.Franz Ferdinand "Franz Ferdinand"
The perfect pop record and they are great live.

3.Ambulance LTD "Ambulance LTD"
Every song sounds like you have heard it before somewhere else, but in a good way. I could not stop playing this disc.

4.Loretta Lynn "Van Lear Rose"
"Well Portland Oregon and slow gin fizz, if that aint loving tell me what is...uh huh". Jack White produces the female Johnny Cash's best record in about 25 years.

5. Wilco "A Ghost is Born"
UnlikeYankee Hotel Foxtrot, this disc does not contain one prevailing mood. It does, however, contain 12 good songs. Not their best, but that is still better than most.

The ones that almost made it:
Modest Mouse
Interpol
CHK CHIK CHICK
Scissor Sisters
Secret Machines
Old Crow Medicine Show
Preston School of Industry
Black Keys
Beta Band

Now it's your turn. Just click on "comments" below.

Friday, December 03, 2004

Survivoro Update

Lea aka Sarge---Jeremy-------Voted Out
Brook------------Trent---------Voted out
Leann------------Trent---------Voted Out
Mia-- ------------Carrie--------Voted Out
John K.----------Chris---------Voted Out
Travis aka Bubba--- Tiffany--Voted Out
Ami-------------Brian--The Bitch is Gone
John P-----------Dave---------Voted Out
Dolly-------------Rachelle-----Voted Out
Scout------------Trisha
Rory-------------Brandi--------Voted Out
Chad-------------Open----------Voted Out
Julie-------------Jolee
Eliza-------------Katie
Brady------------Julie------- Voted Out
Chris-------------Open
Twila-------------Jon
Lisa--------------Eric-------Voted Out

Tuesday, November 30, 2004


Playlist Geeks Unite!


The fun starts after Rachelle goes to bed!

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Question Answered!

I know many of you were wondering how long it would take to walk from the third deck of QWEST Field to 85th and Stone (my current residence). The answer is a smooth hour and 45 minutes. But what a great journey I had. Cruising through Seattle listening to the tunes provided to me from the IPOD club, feeling the Holiday vibe at Westlake, reminiscing about the days when the Monorail worked, getting scared shitless walking over the Aurora Bridge, having my leg cramp across from Blue Video, realizing the female bartender at the Kangaroo KIWI bar was indeed looking at me and smiling (sorry...married!), and finally getting home and realizing that I actually parked my car at the Northgate Park and Ride. Good times. Great music.


"Lita Ford"!!!


The Snyders make a good showing at the first "Rock IPOD Playlist Party". Good times had by all with tons of great tunes.

Saturday, November 27, 2004

Quote of the day..

Do I listen to pop music because I'm miserable or am I miserable because listen to pop music? --John Cusack (Rob Gordon) High Fidelity

Friday, November 26, 2004

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Scrubs Quote

That's not a unicorn! That is a horse with a sword on its head.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Funny Quote for Today (not "quote of the day")

"I'm not normally a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me, Superman."
-Homer J. Simpson

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Weekend Thoughts

U2 on SNL. Three songs. Fantastic. They made the cast cry.
Don't you wish you had TIVO during a live sporting event? Holmgren's play calling grew tiresome and dull yesterday.
Tonight's Arrested Development was maybe the hardest I have laughed at a sitcom. Gene Parmesan anyone? Buster in Mexico?
Mt. Baker is opening. Time for the fun to begin.
Trent Out

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Get your snowboards ready

It is that time of year again and snow is expected in the mountains tonight. How about a few day trips to Crystal, Baker, and Stevens etc.?
This article on Crystal is pretty cool (click above). The pullout section in the Times today is all about the resorts.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004


Posted by Hello
Finally! I got it working (I needed to reply to an email from hello.com that activates my account and allows me to post pics)

There probably won't be any audio of this - but there are some higher quality pics and maybe even some video that should be forthcoming.

Hee hee


OK, we are all adults and I hope we can handle a little Tara Reid boob slippage.

Monday, November 15, 2004


Another old photo I found...

Sunday, November 14, 2004

If you buy the new PJ album this week...

...then be sure to buy it at Easy Street or Sonic Boom and you might win an iPod


Seattle iPod Contest:
To celebrate the release of Pearl Jam's first greatest hits record, Rearviewmirror (greatest hits 2001-2003), the band is giving away 2 iPods loaded with Pearl Jam's entire studio catalog and 5 bootlegs. Available only in the city of Seattle, fans must purchase the greatest hits record at any Sonic Boom Records or Easy Street Records location between Nov. 16th and Dec. 19th to be entered in the contest. After purchasing the record at any of the above locations, fans will be asked to fill out an information card and receive a special Pearl Jam iPod ticket as proof that they entered the contest. The drawing will happen on December 20th and two winners will each receive an iPod loaded with over 250 Pearl Jam songs. One entry is allowed for every purchase of the record.


Time to believe? Fortson was suspended. James had zero boards in 15 minutes. Vladi took part of the night off (again). Yet we still won! Go Supes.

Friday, November 12, 2004

For us cartwheelers...

Student suspended for handstands, cartwheels Thursday, November 11, 2004

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Cartwheels and handstands have gotten an 11-year-old girl temporarily bounced out of her Los Angeles-area school. Deirdre Faegre was suspended for a week after repeatedly disobeying school officials who told her not to perform gymnastic stunts during lunchtime. "Our first concern is the safety of all children," San Jose-Edison Academy Principal Denise Patton told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Patton said Deirdre could accidentally strike another student, or injure herself, and other children could get hurt trying to imitate Deirdre, who has been doing gymnastics for five years. Deirdre's father, Leland Faegre, said it was absurd to suspend his daughter for doing gymnastics when students were allowed to play basketball and other sports. "Contact sports, apparently, are fine. But this one is so dangerous it requires the cartwheel cops," Faegre said.

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

JASV

Who knew? Another two weeks like this and I am officially on the band wagon...

quote of the day...

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." - E. M. Forster

Sonics

My only concern about this rapid start is past history. The Sonics started 6-2 last season and 8-2 the season before. Last year they didn't even make 40 wins (37). In other words, don't jump on the bandwagon yet. However, if Reggie Evans continues to play the Rodman role and Fortson keeps impressing his muscle on the other big men, we might have a shot at 8th seed. If we don't make the playoffs though I would love to be the worst team in the league so we could pick first instead of picking 12th every year.

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

TiVO competition?

Did anyone see this in the paper or news? I wanted to get some feedback or see if anyone has researched this new MS/Comcast venture.

Monday, November 08, 2004

This looks fantizzle

I never would of thought I would be excited by The END's concerts again like I was ten years ago. However, another good one indeed...

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Saturday, November 06, 2004

New Movie Sideways

A fun new film out there with a style of a central coast pinot noir.

Friday, November 05, 2004

New Star Wars Trailer

Looks cool. Chewy!

Update: Not here anymore. I'll find it again.

Thursday, November 04, 2004

Cool Sub Pop/Nirvana Article


I found this old grainy black and white photo.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Joke of the Day

John Kerry rode his horse into the local bar....He and his horse sat down at the bar,,, and the barkeep asked...."so why the long faces???"

Monday, November 01, 2004

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE PRESIDENTIAL BASH 2004

It's short notice, but I'm sure a lot of you have seen the ads already. This looks good:

On the eve of the election, SNL goes primetime with a one-hour special celebrating its long history of political satire. Featured clips include Darrell Hammond as President Clinton and Vice President Dick Cheney Seth Meyers as Senator John Kerry and Will Forte as President George W. Bush.

10PM on Monday night on NBC

Remember to Vote!

They should have taught this when I was in college

Sunday, October 31, 2004


We sat right near these guys. Pretty funny.

Saturday, October 30, 2004

New Rules

I published this site for friendly discussion and earlier today someone was very rude to a couple of female posters.
First of all, whenever someone posts on the site an email with that text is sent to me automatically. This email contains specific information that lets me know what computer has posted, even if the user has done so anonymously. So basically you aren't really anonymous even when you try to hide.

Secondly, from now on any post in the comment section that is anonymous will automatically be deleted unless the person states their name in the text. There are plenty of places on the internet for rude comments and we don't need to start lowering ourselves to that level here.

Thanks and I am looking forward to the Playlist Challenge. I am glad so many of you have expressed interest.

Trent

Arrested Development

Hey all,
Rachelle and I bought the first season on DVD and extras are wonderful. Better than that though, the price at Costco was only $25 for all 22 episodes.
Click on this link and then click "View first season in three minutes". It's funny whether you have seen the series or not.

Friday, October 29, 2004

Trent's Playlist Challenge

This was inevitable, but here is the deal.
Everyone creates their best "Rock-N-Roll" mix on ITUNES (or the music program of your choice).
We burn data copies for all of our buddies participating and bring them to our meeting place in November.We all look at the playlists and vote on the best one (you can't vote for your own of course). Winner gets free drinks. We all win by receiving great playlists for our home computer or IPOD.

Rules:
Rock includes Elvis in 1956 to Interpol in 2004.

Rock does not include "ironic" choices. In other words, you have to really love the song. For example: I love T-Rex and Gary Glitter. I love, but laugh with, the Bee Gee's songs.

Rock does not include goatee-metal date-rape rap music.

Playlist must not have the "most popular" or " biggest single" song slection.
Examples: Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven" not OK. "The Rover" OK.
Black Sabbath "Paranoid" not OK. "Ferries Wear Boots" OK.
AC/DC "You Shook Me All Night Long" not OK. "Jailbreak" OK.
White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" not OK. "Jimmy the Exploder" OK.
(Use your best judgement. This rule will be difficult with the Beatles, Beach Boys, Elvis, PJ, The Boss, Nirvana etc.)

New-Wave, Punk, and metal are acceptable forms of Rock.

Playlist is no longer than 25 songs

If you have trouble making choices just ask yourself "Would I want to listen to this and would the rest of the crew?"


Update:
Top 25 according to VH1 (songs to avoid)
1. Satisfaction-Rolling Stones 2. Respect-Aretha Franklin 3. Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin 4. Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan 5. Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen 6. Hotel California-Eagles 7. Light My Fire-Doors 8. Good Vibrations-Beach Boys 9. Hey Jude-Beatles10. Imagine-John Lennon11. Louie Louie-Kingsmen12. Yesterday-Beatles13. My Generation-The Who14. What's Going On-Marvin Gaye15. Johnny B. Goode-Chuck Berry16. Layla-Derek & the Dominos17. Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who18. Jailhouse Rock-Elvis Presley19. American Pie-Don McLean20. A Day In the Life-Beatles21. I Got You (I Feel Good)-James Brown22. Superstition-Stevie Wonder23. I Want to Hold Your Hand-Beatles24. Brown Sugar-Rolling Stones25. Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Read this before voting for the Monorail Recall

The Stranger sometimes is "out-there" a bit, however, they nail this on the head. A good read for all Seattlites. Seattle Weekly is for the recall, The Stranger's version is how I how I remember all of the issues/voting in the past 3-5 years.

Apple debuts iPod Ashlee Simpson Karaoke Edition

This is hilarious:

First, go to the real Apple web site for the new U2 iPod for comparison purposes(http://www.apple.com/ipod/u2/)

Then go click on this link: iPod Ashlee Simpson Karaoke Edition


HAWKS TAILGATE: Everyone is welcome. We have a grill, and a weather protected area. We will be located just South of: S Massachusetts ST on the east side of 4th Ave. S. You will know it is the spot, because it is a skinny lot, and at the end of it there is a view of a huge mural showing all the old school Seahawks (awesome). Plan on getting there at around 10 – 10:30 if you want to park there. Walk-ups welcome. We always park on the left side at the back of the lot. My cell number is 206-550-8872, and you can call me if you have any questions on Sunday morning.
 Posted by Hello

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

WHAT THE FU$% !?!? Creed singing God Bless America????

It looks like St. Louis has its curse now...

It has already started

Monday, October 25, 2004

More Stewart

Seahawk Ticket

One Seahawk ticket for sale. Face Value of $44. Sit with Skoog, Chris, and Hot Shaft in the south end zone with all the crazy people. Enjoy a great football team dominate a bad football team.
This offer won't last long!
Contact me if interested.

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Ashlee Simpson

Please tell me some of you TIVO'd the Ashlee Simpson lip syncing disaster that occured last night on SNL. Absolutely hilarious!
She stormed of the stage embarressed after her song started before she started singing.

Good Eye Test

Try this. It seems to work.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Wow, this keeps turning into a bigger story...

The Office Special

So if you haven't seen the series now is the time to check it out. Do you like Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm? How about Spinal Tap or Best in Show? If so, you will LOVE this. I have the DVD's but you can rent the series via Netflix.
I'll tape the special and then you can ask me for it later after you understand what the fuss is about.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Interesting

Records to consider as charges of "lack of patriotism" and "soft on defense" fly
around this campaign season...

Democrats
* Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
* Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
* Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an armyjournalist in
20th Engineer Brigade.
* Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam. * Daniel Inouye:
Army 1943-47;
Medal of Honor, WWII.
* John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat
V, Purple Hearts. * Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze
Star, Korea.
* Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star &Bronze
Star, Vietnam.
* Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
* Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
* Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign
ribbons.
* Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars, and
Soldier's Medal.
* Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and Legion of
Merit.
* Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart. * Bill McBride:
Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze Star with Combat V.
*Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
* Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
* Chuck Robb: Vietnam
* Howell Heflin: Silver Star
* George McGovern: Silver Star &DFC during WWII.
* Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but received
#311.
* Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
* Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
* John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and Air Medal with 18 Clusters.
* Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul
Wallenberg.


Republicans

* Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.
* Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
* Tom Delay: did not serve.
* Roy Blunt: did not serve.
* Bill Frist: did not serve.
* Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
* Rick Santorum: did not serve.
* Trent Lott: did not serve.
* John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
* Jeb Bush: did not serve.
* Karl Rove: did not serve.
* Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." The man who attacked Max Cleland's
patriotism.
* Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
* Vin Weber: did not serve.
* Richard Perle: did not serve.
* Douglas Feith: did not serve.
* Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
* Richard Shelby: did not serve.
* Jon Kyl: did not serve.
* Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
* Christopher Cox: did not serve.
* Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
* Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
* George W. Bush: failed to complete six-year National Guard assignment;
re-assigned from Texas to Alabama National Guard so he could campaign for family
friend running for U.S. Senate; failing to show up for required medical exam and
duties, was stripped of pilot status.
* Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non-combat role making
movies.
* B-1 Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
* Phil Gramm: did not serve.
* John McCain: US Navy 1958-81; Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit,
Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
* John M. McHugh: did not serve.
* JC Watts: did not serve.
* Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem," although continued in NFL
for 8 years.
* Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
* Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
* George Pataki: did not serve.
* Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
* John Engler: did not serve.
* Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
* Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.


Jon Stewart on Crossfire

Click on the transcripts section if you have time. Very funny stuff.

Lost Info (if you are behind at all)

Enjoy the reading...

Monday, October 18, 2004

Jerry Rice a Seahawk??

Holmgren is looking at Rice, Rice, baby. And check out the author of the article at the bottom of the page. Nice work.

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Monday, October 11, 2004

Vote For Change setlists

**I'm not sure how accurate this is, but it looks reliable**

John Mellencamp
(missed first part of set)
Authority Song
Pink Houses

Babyface Edmonds
Change the World

Jackson Browne, Bonnie Rait, & Keb Mo
World in Motion
For What It's Worth
I Am A Patriot
Stand Up (and Be Strong)

Jurassic 5 ("mad props" given by J. Browne)
Improvise
Jayou
What's Golden
Freedom

R.E.M. ("We're REM and we approve of this concert.")
The One I Love
Begin the Begin*
Leaving New York
Losing My Religion
Man On the Moon^

*w/Eddie Vedder
^w/Bruce Springsteen

Pearl Jam
Grievance
Save You
The New World#
Bu$hleaguer
Maters of War

#w/Tim Robbins

James Taylor
Secret O' Life
Never Die Young
Sweet Baby James~
Shower the People~
Some Days You Gotta Dance~

~w/the Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks
Truth No. 2
Mississippi

Dave Matthews Band
(extended intro)->
Don't Drink the Water
One Sweet World
Joy Ride->
Ants Marching
So Much to Say->
Anyone Seen The Bridge->
Too Much

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
(Star Spangled Banner acoustic intro)
Born in the USA
Badlands
No Surrender
Deja Vu+
Fortunate Son+
Because the Night@
Mary's Place
Born to Run^

Encore:
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, & Understanding%
People Have the Power$

+w/John Fogerty
@w/Michael Stipe
^Peter Buck and Mike Mills (from R.E.M.)
%Almost every major member of each band
$Almost every major member of each band, plus everyone else

TIVO Sundance Channel Now or at 11:45

Pearl Jam, Dave, Bruce, John Cougar , Jurassic Five etc. tonight in Washington D.C.

Vote for change TV, Radio, and Internet happenings!
The Vote for Change grand finale set for Monday, October 11th in Washington will be broadcast live in the U.S. through a special airing of the documentary "National Anthem" on the Sundance Channel, via a live Web cast on RealNetworks and through XM Satellite Radio, Music Choice, Sirius Satellite Radio and a host of other partners including more than 35 radio stations nationwide and satellite providers. Check local listings for stations and affiliates taking part in this.

You might even see the Bush maske tonight...

Seattle Storm - Championship Game

We have two extra tix to the Seattle Storm game tomorrow night. I bought 8 tickets, so you would be sitting with Jeremy, Carrie, Eric, Brandi, Tiff and Dave (I hope this is a selling point). The tix are just under $20 each after all fees and taxes. I know that Pete and Shelby and maybe others will be attending as well. Send an email to dverms@gmail.com if you want to go.

Apple iPod dominates with 82 percent market share in U.S. retail stores in August

"After clothes, money and a car, an iPod is what U.S. teenagers want most this holiday season. A survey of 600 high school students by Piper Jaffray & Co. analyst Gene Munster found Apple Computer Inc.'s digital player No. 4 on their wish list. And the iPod wasn't even among the items Munster suggested -- the kids wrote it in,' Bloomberg reports."

'It was really surprising,' said Munster in an interview from his office in Minneapolis. 'They didn't say music player. They said iPod. Teens want to be cool, they want their music, and the iPod is a cool way for them to get their music.' Demand for the iPod, unveiled by Chief Executive Steve Jobs in October 2001, has helped make Apple the third-best performing stock in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index this year," Bloomberg reports. "'Style matters, simplicity matters, experience matters,' Munster said. 'That's what Apple sells, and that's what they're doing different from everyone else.'"

Bloomberg reports., "The iPod had an 82 percent share of the market in U.S. retail stores in the 12 months ended in August, up from 64 percent in the same period a year earlier, and 33 percent two years ago, according to Port Washington, New York-based NPD Group Inc. Sales of players that use computer hard disks as storage, like the iPod, will increase almost fivefold to 10.4 million units this year from 2.1 million in 2003, according to In- Stat/MDR, a market researcher based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Devices that play MP3 digital music files will surge to 52.4 million units by 2007, up from about 18 million this year, In- Stat/MDR said."

"Investors are betting that customers who bought an iPod, which range in price from $249 for the mini to $399 for a 40- gigabyte version, might also be more willing to spend $1,299 or more on the company's latest iMac," Bloomberg reports. "The iPod's 'halo effect' will drive holiday sales of the iMac, Milunovich said. He estimates the company will ship 270,000 iMacs in the fiscal first quarter, a 19 percent jump from last year. 'You get evangelists for Apple and the Macintosh growing,' said Munster, whose enthusiasm for his own iPod led him to buy his first Apple PC two years ago. 'All their core products get a tailwind for the next two years because the iPod is the avenue for customers to go to Apple stores and see other Apple products.'"

Sunday, October 10, 2004

LESBIANS UNITE

My wife (in 6 months and 6 days) and I are heading to see Jewel, Sara M., the Indigo Girls, Suzanne Vega, and Heart...They are playing at the Key Arena TuesdayNight....I was told that Lesbians are coming together for a huge show...why did no one else inform me that the Lilith Fair was Back....No seriously....any of you jumping on the storm wagon....????

Saturday, October 09, 2004

Very Funny

Click on "Some look at a glass and see it as half full while others look at a glass and say... it's a dragon." You will laugh (I think). It gets really good at the 3:30 mark. Right click and select "full screen".

Friday, October 08, 2004

Random Thoughts

First of all, I must admit I am not a big fan of the WNBA. However, I am a huge lesbian fan. That's why on Tuesday night after the Storm win the title I am going to be perched on Broadway on Capital Hill where all the celebrating lesbians will go buck wild and start tipping over cars and lighting shit on fire. Is there anything a man fears more than an angry pack of lesbians? Nope. And I wanna see them all go crazy up close. It will be like WTO Revisited!

So today at hoops I played with Shawn Kemp's wife. When I was told she was his wife I asked "which one" since Kemp has fathered many kids all over the nation. In fact, I believe the starting five in the NBA All-Star game in 2012 will all have the last name of Kemp. Perhaps he is a polygamist. (Doesn't that sound like a soft-drink...Hmm, I would love a nice, cold polyga-mist).
Anyway, she completely dominated this short guy she was playing and knocked me on my ass too. See, her ass is like six Trent's Asses and when she moves...you move! In fact, her ass was so big that after she knocked me down she told me to hop on board because she would carry me up the court a few times. Show em what your working with!
Also, her nails are real. I asked her after she poked me in the eye and scratched my face and shoulder. When it happened I smiled and thanked her. I don't wanna piss off papa you know.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the coolest movie ever. This is the best use of non-linear story telling I have seen since Pulp Fiction. I am teaching it to my classes in two weeks. Loved it. Thumbs up. Way up. Like Fonzi.

Duran Duran is back with a new album. Can't wait to see em in Seattle soon. My favorite is John Taylor, but I always have loved Nick Rhodes's hair and eye shadow. Keyboards rule! If you like early Duran Duran circa 'Planet Earth' and 'Girls on Film' you might like the Killers. Rachelle loves em and so does Verms. I think both of them are "killer" too. :)

Franz Ferdinand was on Letterman last week and when Dave came out afterword he kept saying. "Nice job, welcome to our country" over and over while he was shaking hands with the band. I thought that was funny. They have been touring here for like six months.

Arrested Development comes back Nov. 7. Set your TIVOS.

Lost is still good stuff on ABC Wednesdays.

Anyone watching Desperate Housewives? I have not seen it, but I have heard it's good.

The new Interpol album is awesome. So is Falling Into Fall Five. You will receive your copy soon.

Comments? Let's see some writing people. Your laziness with the written language frustrates me. (Jeremy is exempt due to his iliteracy. Everyone else has no excuse.)

Update: Just read Entertainment Weekly and there are good articles on Duran Duran and Arrested Development. Go figure.

This is not a joke!

Thanks Scott.
We are officially old. (By the way, the documentary film released earlier this year about this same subject is supposed to be very good).

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

How many different people have to confirm this...

before we understand it is the truth?

Classic Rodney Dangerfield

R.I.P. Rodney

Great lines:

I was so poor growing up. If I wasn't a boy, I'd have had nothing to play with.
  A girl phoned me the other day and said, "Come on over; nobody's home."  I went over. Nobody was home.
  During sex, my wife always wants to talk to me.  Just the other night she called me from a hotel. One day as I came home early from work ..... I saw a guy jogging naked. I said to the guy .... "Hey buddy, why are you doing that?" He said, "Because you came home early."
  It's been a rough day. I got up this morning put a shirt on and a button fell off. I picked up my briefcase, and the handle came off. I'm afraid to go to the bathroom.
  I was such an ugly kid.  When I played in the sandbox; the cat kept covering me up.
  I'm so ugly.  My father carries around a picture of the kid who came with his wallet.
  I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.
I was such an ugly baby...My mother never breast fed me. She told me that she only liked me as a friend.
When I was born, the doctor came into the waiting room and said to my father, "I'm sorry. We did everything we could, but he pulled through."  
Once when I was lost, I saw a policeman, and asked him to help me find my parents.  I said to him, "Do you think we'll ever find them?" He said, "I don't know kid.  There's so many places they can hide."  
I'm so ugly.  I worked in a pet shop, and people kept asking how big I'd get.  
I went to see my doctor. "Doctor, every morning when I get up and I look in the mirror.  I feel like throwing up; what's wrong with me?" He said "I don't know but your eyesight is perfect."  
With my old man I got no respect. I asked him, "How can I get my kite in the air?"   He told me to run off a cliff.  
My uncle's dying wish was to have me sitting in his lap; he was in the electric chair.
I'm so ugly...My mother had morning sickness....... AFTER I was born.
I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof.
My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday.
I went to the doctor because I'd swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills. My doctor told me to have a few drinks and get some rest.
If it weren't for pick-pocketers I'd have no sex life at all.
On Halloween .... the parents send their kids out looking like me. Last year... one kid tried to rip my face off! Now it's different...when I answer the door the kids hand me candy.
My psychiatrist told me I'm going crazy. I told him .... If you don't mind I'd like a second opinion. He said .... Alright.... you're ugly too!
When I was born the doctor took one look at my face ... turned me over and said. Look ... twins!
Some dog I got. We call him Egypt because in every room he leaves a pyramid. His favorite bone is in my arm. Last night he went on the paper four times - three of those times I was reading it.
One year they wanted to make me poster boy for birth control.
I'm so ugly, when I was born the doctor slapped my mother!

Seattle Storm

Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm have made it to the WNBA Finals. Their first home game is on Sunday at 4PM. In my mind this is not more important than the Hawks...but...if they split the first two games, the deciding game 3 will be on Tuesday, and I for one think we should take that oportunity to witness our first championship in Seattle in 25 years!!!

Game 3*: Connecticut at Seattle, Tuesday, Oct. 12. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2)* If necessary

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Sheffield, Bonds, and Steroids

Interesting read.

Sunday, October 03, 2004

Neil Young joined DMB onstage tonight

They did the same songs with him that he did with PJ last night.
-All Along the Watchtower
-Cortez the Killer
-Rockin in the Free World

That is cool shit. I would love it if PJ and DMB did something together during the finale in Wash DC next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Saturday, October 02, 2004


# 258 Posted by Hello

Neil Young Will be joining PJ later tonight

FYI

Great Ichiro Article

All of you that were at the game last night:
Please post your thoughts and reactions in the comments section.

Great Ichiro article in the title section above.

Friday, October 01, 2004

Help is on the Way

So this morning I asked the students how many watched the debates. Surprisingly about seven or eight had tuned in. I asked them their impressions (without them doing an impression of course) and they all said Kerry won convincingly. They, or perhaps their parents, noticed the same things I did. Bush spent an hour and a half on the defensive and squirming around behind the podium. The kids also thought it was funny that Bush implied we were attacked by Iraq and Saddam as opposed to Osama Bin Laden. I reminded them that this administration has been implying that for the last two years (almost). However, I also reminded them to LISTEN to what Bush has to say even if they don't like him. It's important to be as objective as possible, and even though I know who I am voting for, I should still consider other alternative ways to improve our country and improve our standing in the world. They laughed and they think all teachers are silly.
Anyway, this story above about agrees with the kids. Undecided voters give Kerry an edge in the debate. This could change by tomorrow's polls so who knows. It's just interesting.

Drive On
It don't mean nothing
My children love me but they don't understand
And I got a woman who knows her man
Drive On

J.C.

Thursday, September 30, 2004

The witch is dead! (Survivor)

To quote Eddie Murphy "I'm so glad the bitch is gone!". How annoying can one person be in one episode?
Twila is a great character and I am glad she's still around. Same with Scout. I loved her line about Mia. "Good luck finding a husband that will put up with that". Well said Scout.
Go old people! (Except Amy, who looks like Tea Leoni and fantasizes about brading Twila's man hair).
Ladies: not much eye candy for you this time. Lucky for you John knows how to operate a mechanical bull. That could come in handy in the next challenge.



A couple of my video kids made the paper today

I worked with them on this last year. It is a very good documentary.

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Great Selists

Wow. I've Got A Feeling and Alone have returned. One of my favorite B-Sides and one of my favorite covers. Very cool.

Click on the setlist section.

Saturday, September 25, 2004

Random Thoughts

Hi Everyone,
Work has kept me from posting, however, now that the weekend is here I can do my best Larry King impression and give you my random thoughts for the week.

Have you seen Lost? Best new show of the year by far. It's sort of like if Gilligan and Co. had a plane crash and instead of an island where the coconuts were used to make radios, it's like the island from Jurassic Park. Did I mention they are stranded and the search party is searching a thousand miles off course? The first 15 minutes had me hooked big time. I will happily copy this to VHS for anyone interested.

Survivor. Or should we know just call this the "White People Lie To Each Other Show"? Not too impressed so far. I am more enthralled watching white people B.S. each other on C-Span.I don't really like anyone except Amy. This show needs more diversity and more brains. At least they have lesbians. I still love Probst though. In my fantasies he arrives at my door via a Harley holding flowers, comdoms, the P-Funk All-Stars Greatest Hits, and specific instructions for a brutal physical challenge.

So rumor has it the Showbox show with PJ last night was insane. Everyone who waited an hour in line got in for $40. Great
pics from the PI. Click on music if you don't see Eddie's face holding a grunge pose circa '93.

Did anyone think the Dawgs would be this bad this year? Where do we even start? We won't because...

The Seahawks will go 3-0 tomorrow. Look for Holmgren to actually coach this game instead of letting the defense dictate the tempo for 3 1/2 quarters. Shawn Alexander will get 100 yards too.

Fahrenheit 911 comes out on DVD Tuesday. Tell your friends to watch it. Then tell them to vote John Kerry. By the way, should people who don't follow the issues everyday be allowed to vote? Should there be some sort of political and social awareness test issued at the polls? I mean , are we watching the same reports from Iraq? How can anyone think we are doing OK over there? Do we get points everytime someone is killed? Do we score higher with every other country we alienate? Are suicide bombers really just pissed because their high school sweetheart just broke up with them and they can't take it? When an Iraqi points a gun at an American soldier does that really mean "Thanks for destroying our country. We are happy to have you here. You liberate me and you had me at hello." Deep breath Trent...

Some great new music is out right now. The new Interpol record comes out Tuesday along with Brian Wilson's sMiLe. The new Thrills, Black Keys, and Presidents records are great too.

Looking for Falling Into Fall Five to arrive in your mailbox in the next two weeks or so. It may even include a bonus dance mix of some great bands like the Scissor Sisters, Radio 4, !!! Chk Chik Chick, and Metric.

Daily Show. Best show ever. Set your Tivos for 11:00 Mon-Thurs. Jon passes Dave finally as Late Night's funniest.

Ichiro is close. Very close. It could be Oct 1st so get your gloves and sushi ready for a night at the ballpark. When Ichiro gets his magic hit we will all throw rice balls onto the unnecesary and annoying bleachers that are covering up the public-funded bricks and taking away people minglinge space in the Beer Garden.

Feedback: Who still reads the site? Do we need to send the link out again?
Let me get some action in the comment section...






Proud Papa!


The Snyders!! Emma was 34 hours old when this photo was taken.
You can click on the pics for a larger view.

Survivor

What does the competition look like now that you know who is gone???

Quote of the Satur--Day

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Quote of the day...

"Some day, in years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now, in these quiet weeks. Now it is being decided whether, in the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process."- -- Phillips Brooks

Grandaddy and Son Volt News

Mainly for Skoog and Rachelle I guess.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Books You Can't Put Down

Spurred by Jon's email here are some of my favorites....haven't updated it in a awhile but these are definitely still incredible:

*The Books You Can?t Put Down Book List*

In Random Order?.(close your eyes and pick)

1. Midwives
* Absolutely will change the way you think about the birthing process incredibly and written from a woman?s perspective by a man (very rare).
2. The Good Rain by Timothy Egan
*Again, must read for the Seattleite?nonfiction about the history and power of the Pacific Northwest, especially for the elite club of the climbing world.
3. Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
*As all her woven tales, you can?t put it down. This is the book I am currently reading and am enthralled by the Congo based story about a missionary, his wife, and 4 daughters in 1960.
6. Snow Falling On Cedars
*So much better than the movie you will forget Ethan Hawke was even a part of it.
7. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
*Every woman should read this, and be lucky we didn?t live in the real 1920?s??The first shocking novel that told it how it was and awoke women everywhere.
8. The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
*Although difficult, this is a masterpiece of American history through the plight of African Americans and the sickening truth behind one man?s life of struggle.
9. Before Night Falls
*Changed my life. True story of a Cuban writer?s battle with his Communist country as an artist and homosexual.
10. Gone With the Wind
*Must read. Twice.
11. Body and Soul by Frank Conroy
*Took me by surprise and I couldn?t out it down. Extremely well written about a child piano prodigy in the late ?40s of New York City.
12. Like Water for Chocolate
*Like poetry??.incredible.
13. Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker
*My absolute number one most influential book. Uncovers the dreadful reality of female circumcision. Must read.
14. Prayer for Owen Meany or Cider House Rules by John Irving
*Pick one and settle in for the ride.
15. Brothers K by David James Duncan
*Family of boys whose dad is a minor league baseball player living through the Vietnam War in the Pacific Northwest. I know I have said it, but truly one of my favorite books (have begged Jon to read it for years).
16. Corelli?s Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres
· ?Brims with all the grand topics of literature- love and death, heroism and skullduggery, humor and pathos, not to mention art and religion?A good old fashioned novel.? And that doesn?t even BEGIN to say how great it is. Quick- read it before the movie comes out??
17. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
*Written by a 17year old, I read this in 2 nights?.literally could not put it down it was so?..real. You are immediately transported to Haiti.
18. The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos
*You can see I love Cuban novels?this one is so rich---it is about ?passion and loss and memory and desire?. Just beautiful.
19. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
· Absolute genius. It is the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Period. Her entire fictitious story. You will gasp and laugh out loudJ
20. The House of the Spirits by Isabelle Allende
run don't walk--read now.
21. The Red Tent by Anita Diamont--
unless you are reading this
22. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay by Michael Chabon:
perfect for ANYONE who loves a good story--if you haven't heard of Michael Chabon or read anything by him you are committing a crime:)
23. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris:
Only read in a place where you can laugh out loud. Literally.
24. The DaVinci Code--who hasn't read it? And why haven't you?
25. And finally EAST OF EDEN by John Steinbeck --was my favorite (yes THE favorite) before Oprah brought it back to life....Mixes Monterey, with trashy romance novel material written by a master...

Quote of the Day

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Monday, September 20, 2004

Beastie Boys Review

Pretty right on the money.

Kerry on Bush

I told myself I would try to stay away from politics on this site, but I changed my mind. Rachelle was asking me last night specifically why I hate Bush so much. I replied "because he lied to me, repeatedly." I wanted to believe Irag had WMD'S, ties to Osama Bin Laden etc. because I wanted to have faith in our government. If swe went to war I wanted it to be just. But he lied. Cheney lied, Rumsfeld lied, and even Colin Powell lied. I really thought I could trust him. It's so disappointing and every day it gets worse. Kerry speaks to many of my frustrations today.


John Kerry:

The president has said that he "miscalculated" in Iraq and that it was a "catastrophic success." In fact, the president has made a series of catastrophic decisions from the beginning in Iraq. At every fork in the road, he has taken the wrong turn and led us in the wrong direction.

The first and most fundamental mistake was the president's failure to tell the truth to the American people.

He failed to tell the truth about the rationale for going to war. And he failed to tell the truth about the burden this war would impose on our soldiers and our citizens.

By one count, the president offered 23 different rationales for this war. If his purpose was to confuse and mislead the American people, he succeeded.

His two main rationales -- weapons of mass destruction and the Al Qaeda/September 11 connection -- have been proved false by the president's own weapons inspectors and by the 9/11 Commission. Just last week, Secretary of State Powell acknowledged the facts. Only Vice President Cheney still insists that the earth is flat.

The president also failed to level with the American people about what it would take to prevail in Iraq.

He didn't tell us that well over 100,000 troops would be needed, for years, not months. He didn't tell us that he wouldn't take the time to assemble a broad and strong coalition of allies. He didn't tell us that the cost would exceed $200 billion. He didn't tell us that even after paying such a heavy price, success was far from assured.

And America will pay an even heavier price for the president's lack of candor.

At home, the American people are less likely to trust this administration if it needs to summon their support to meet real and pressing threats to our security.

Abroad, other countries will be reluctant to follow America when we seek to rally them against a common menace -- as they are today. Our credibility in the world has plummeted.

It's a Girl!

More details soon!

Emma Snyder was born at 7:52 a.m. at Swedish Hospital weighing in at 7 lbs 13 ounces. Both Trish and the baby are doing excellent.

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Beesie Beesie Boyzzz

When all you concert goers get a chance - please post your reviews of the show here for those of us too lame or indisposed to go


Saturday, September 18, 2004

Quote of the Day

Samir:
No, not again. I... why does it say paper jam when there is no paper jam? I swear to God, one of these days, I just kick this piece of shit out the window. - Office Space (1999)

Thursday, September 16, 2004

Dante's Inferno Dogs

There is a Uuge (like Donald Trump says) article in today's print edition of the Seattle Times about my favorite hot dog stand and my boy Dante.

Here is a link to the online edition:
Ballard hot-dog vendor capitalizes on nightlife, need for a late-night bite


Wednesday, September 15, 2004

More Star Wars

More info on the Star Wars DVD. I guess they do put Hayden Christiansen in Jedi. Oh well. Can't wait. Empire is my 3rd favorite movie of all time.

Here are top nine comments made by NBC Sports commentators during theSummer Olympics that they would like to take back:

  1. Weightlifting commentator; 'This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.
  2. "Dressage commentator; 'This is really a lovely horse and I speak frompersonal experience since I once mounted her mother."
  3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: 'I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother andfather.
  4. Boxing Analyst; 'Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths inboxing, but none of them really that serious."
  5. Softball announcer; 'If history repeats itself, I think we can expectthe same! thing again."
  6. Basketball Analyst; 'He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't likeit. In fact you can see it all over their faces.
  7. At the rowing medal ceremony; 'Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOCpresident is hugging the Cox of the British Crew."
  8. Soccer commentator; 'Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they'vegot eleven Dicks on the field.
  9. Tennis commentator; 'One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that,before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kissesthem....Oh my God, what have I just said?"

Monday, September 13, 2004

Trent's Foul Ball Story

Hey gang!
So tonight Rachelle and I received free tickets to the M's game. The place was deserted. Although our seats were in row 9 down the left field line, we decided to move to the third row. Great seats.

In the first inning when Vladimir Guerrero came up I leaned over to Rachelle and said "be careful, this guys hits the ball harder than anyone in the American League." He doubled hard down the line on the next pitch. Killed it. Foreshadowing...

In the top of the fifth inning Vladimir came up again and hit a line drive at about 150 miles per hour straight towards Rachelle and I. Rachelle said I threw off our blanket (it was very chilly) and jumped up to catch it. I got my hands on the ball and I could feel the sting as my left ring finger was directly hit. The ball fell out of my hand directly in front of me and I picked it up. Honestly I was dazed and in a little pain. Everyone started cheering so I held the ball up like a dork and took in the crowd's appreciation of a very bonehead move. With my knack of getting injured anytime I get up in the morning I really don't need to be jumping in front of foul balls. We looked down at my hand and it already had started to swell up so I took my ring off and declared myself single for the evening.

We left a bit early and when I arrived home Chris Downing had left a message saying they replayed my almost catch on TV and could swear it was me. He also added that Rick Rizz and whomever he was ass kissing tonight said that "[I] really paid the price for that one". Pretty cool. 150 mph. No joke.
Anyone TIVO the game? I would love a copy.

And that concludes Trent's Foul Ball Story


P.S. No, I had never caught a foul ball during the game before tonight and we have had season tickets for almost 20 years. I am a pro at catching batting practice Home Runs, but a foul ball has always alluded me. Time to ice my finger.

Follow up to Trent's Star Wars post

Here is an interesting article about the process of converting the films to DVD:


'Star Wars' emerges from darkness
By Mike Snider, USA TODAY

BURBANK, Calif. ? He whipped Indiana Jones into shape and cleaned up Sunset Boulevard.
Now John Lowry is the unseen force behind the sparkling new DVD versions of George Lucas' Star Wars films, which arrive Sept. 21 in a four-disc $70 box set.
Over the past four years, Lowry Digital Images has emerged as the pre-eminent destination for studios looking to prepare their classics for DVD. Having cleaned up the Indiana Jones films for last year's DVD package to the satisfaction of Lucas, director Steven Spielberg and studio Paramount, the Burbank-based firm earned the chance this year to do the same for the Star Wars trilogy.
Even though the original film elements of the three movies have spent most of their time resting in vaults, they had gathered wear and tear that would have been noticeable had they been transferred, as is, straight to DVD.
"The most popular movies are often, by far and away, in the worst shape," Lowry says. "They have been printed more often and been duplicated more often, and each of those passes adds scuffs, dirt, scratches and the like."
The high-definition video transfers of the first three Star Wars films (Episodes IV-VI: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi) that Lucasfilm delivered to Lowry, he says, "were a little rougher than we expected coming in the door. I thought, 'Oh, man.' "
Especially prevalent were scratches and dirt on the Tatooine sand dune scenes in Episode IV: A New Hope and on the snowy slopes of the ice planet Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. Lightsaber scenes in all the films, Lowry says, "were softer and grainier and had all kinds of dirt."
But Lowry mobilized the forces: 80 employees and 600 networked Power Mac G5 computers with the equivalent of 378 terabytes (378 million megabytes) of hard-disk storage.
The process: First, he analyzes the film and notes its biggest problems, be it dust or softness. Then he sets parameters for the restoration software. The computer system divides the film into segments and applies fixes, identifying flaws by comparing neighboring film frames. Lowry and his team check the processed scenes daily, frame by frame.
Restoration took about a month per film. As footage became ready, segments were downloaded onto a portable hard drive and shipped to Lucas for approval.
The result is as if a veil has been lifted: The annoying hail of visible noise is gone, and colors are richer. The footage seems to shine, as if brand-new. "We have given it the kind of sharpness which doesn't create ugly edges," Lowry says.
Beyond a stellar DVD, Lucasfilm now has a high-definition master stored in its vaults that won't degrade as celluloid does. The master can be used to make new film prints and high-definition DVDs.
Lowry's involvement in restoring the Star Wars films began with another space adventure.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracted with him to process the live broadcast feeds from the Apollo 16 and 17 missions to the moon in 1972. "We cleaned up the images and sent it back over microwave to Houston again, and it went out to the world," says Lowry, now 72, whose career in TV production began as a stagehand for the Canadian Broadcasting Co. in 1952.
Years later, his background in TV production and multimedia led him to develop the proprietary software that would digitally remove blemishes in films.
His techniques are not without controversy. Preservationists have voiced concern that digitization of films will create homogenization.
Movies get their own character through varying degrees of light-sensitive grain used in film stocks. (The concentrations differ much like thread count in sheets.) During digital film restoration and compression, grain can be lessened.
One of Lowry's earlier restorations, Citizen Kane, was criticized by some, including film historian Leonard Maltin, who said the result looked more like a TV video production than a film. Having done about 100 restorations since then, Lowry says, "If we had the chance to restore Citizen Kane again today, the quality would be vastly improved."
In the case of films such as Sunset Boulevard, in which the original print has been degraded or lost, Lowry's digital restoration is the only safeguard to losing the film entirely, says Ron Smith, head of DVD mastering for Paramount.
"You're giving new life to the film on DVD and also preserving and saving its life in archival terms."

Sunday, September 12, 2004

Cool Live Concert Site

JustConcerts.com has tons of bands to listen to on Real Player. This link will take you to a Badly Drawn Boy show from 2000 (Hour of the Bewilderbeast tour that we saw), but you can search for some other great bands as well. Enjoy!

Franz Ferdinand too. Great quality.

For Star Wars Geeks... DVD's Tuesday

An extensive review here.

Great story

Click on title.


Eddie and members of a South African choir.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Quote of the Day

Frank: Jane, since I've met you I've noticed things that I never knew were there before; birds singing, dew glistening on a newlyformed leaf, stoplights. - Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!(1988)

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Reminder: PJ tickets on sale tomorrow

Sept 25th - Show(yur)box

On sale at http://www.ticketswest.com at 10AM (Friday, Sept 10th)

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

Quote Of the Day

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. -Theodore M. Hesburgh, educator (1917- )

This is B.S.

Fear mongering continues! Vote for Bush or die!!!
So gross.

Quote Of The Day

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their
mother. -Theodore M. Hesburgh, educator (1917- )

Netflix, TiVo to join forces for movie downloads

"Newsweek reports that Netflix and TiVo are set to announce a partnership that will allow subscribers to both services to download their Netflix DVDs directly into their TiVo boxes, instead of receiving them in the mail. The two companies refused to comment, but Newsweek sources said it is a done deal, pending the approval of the TiVo board this week. "In a fast-moving industry, look for the cable companies and Netflix rivals like Blockbuster to quickly strike their own deals and copy the service," the pubilcation notes. "It's proof that TiVo and Netflix are getting back to what they do best: staying one step ahead of the big guys and keeping the world safe for couch potatoes."

Full article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5915470/site/newsweek/

Monday, September 06, 2004

Welcome to the IPOD world

Please welcome Trish, Juan, and Carrie into the IPOD club. Since there are a few new members, I thought I would post some links to help you in discovering the ins and outs of IPOD functionality.

The IPOD Lounge is a great source of info. Many product and accessory reviews.
Another good place is the IPOD garage. This site has other random computer info as well. Good message boards at both places.

If you are having any software or hardware problems be sure to check http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/ first. Chances are you aren't the first one to have the problem.
Also, make sure to keep updating (downloading) the software updater which upgrades every few months or so.

Have fun! I can't wait to bring our IPOD over to steal a few playlists from each of you. Also, let me know if I can be any help as well.

Trent

Friday, September 03, 2004

WILCO in Seattle Nov 10

Wilco tour.
It's amazing I have not seen Wilco live yet. I know Skoog probably wants in on this.

Anyone doing Bumbershoot? Rachelle and I will be there tonight and Monday. Death Cab and the Presidents tonight and The Killers, Built To Spill, and the Pixies Monday.
Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Interpol and Secret Machines

On tour. Hitting Seattle. This show will rock. Rachelle will make me go.
:)
Secret Machines is like Dark Side of the Moon meets OK Computer with some RUSH. Not kidding.


Even Hotter chicks!!!


Hot Chicks!!!

Monday, August 30, 2004

Quote Of The Day

"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we?re looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn?t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power." P.J. O'Rourke


Her own road...how cute!


Courtesy of Jeremy: "No money in Vegas...No problem"

Secret Robin Williams shows at The Showbox

This coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday there will be some secret shows at The Showbox with Robin Williams. He's previewing new material for a new record and tour to take place next year. Tickets are $25 per for charity, no lists at all. 500 capacity per night, cabaret seating. Doors at 7pm. Show at 8pm. Seating is first come, first serve.

Do not forward this to the press, as per RW's request.


Eric's note: I think the Tuesday performance is sold out, but the Wednesday and Thursday shows go onsale tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10AM at www.ticketswest.com.

Brandi and I already have tickets for the Wednesday show - so if you try and get tickets, go on Wednesday. Good luck!

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Quote Of The Day

"When making a decision of minor importance, I have always found it advantageous to consider all the pros and cons. In vitalmatters, however, such as the choice of a mate or a profession, the decision should come from the unconscious, from somewhere within ourselves. In the important decisions of personal life, we should be governed, I think, by the deep inner needs of our nature." - Sigmund Freud


Tough Guys

Forster Wins Again!

Grant is on fire.


A cup cake eating contest is what results after you get really wasted at thirtieth B-Day parties. The frosting was delicious all by itself!

Thursday, August 26, 2004

Quote Of The Day

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."- Agatha Christie


Eddie and Spiezio

Vedder and McCready take BP with Ms

Here's a little story from today's Times about Ed and Mike taking battting practice with the Mariners:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002015743_marinotes26.html

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Quote Of The Day

"The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it, put your whole soul into it -- every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have."- John D. Rockefeller III

And so it begins...

Good evening bloggers,

Tomorrow will be my first full day back at work and although I am excited, it is sad to see summer come to an end.

I am guessing that I will not be posting as frequently until things settle down in October. However, I will try to do my best to keep posting any and all items I think you will find interesting.

My challenge to all of you that read the site everyday is for you to try to post one thing daily. I don't care if it is a joke, a picture, a movie trailer, or a news story. Just keep posting and commenting away. The more the merrier.

Also, please forward the site to all the people you think might be interested. If we work a pyramid scheme we can triple the amount of people posting and get some great cleaning products at the same time. Let me know if I need to send an invite.

Anyway, nice to have you on board. I hope you have been enjoying this forum and that you will continue to do so.
Trent

P.S. Can we please get some female perspective around here?