Monday, September 29, 2008

Super Bowl


Finally, the rumors are true! Suddenly, I care about a football game or at least half-time! How many days are there until February 1st? Tampa is gonna be rockin'!

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Five Sentence Tribute: Paul Newman


A truly good human and first rate American citizen who gave millions to charity and helped countless children through both his Newman's Own Foundation and his Hole In The Wall Camps. His Newman's Own products are fabulous, especially the Salt and Pepper Pretzels, Lemonade, and chocolate bars! He was married to his second wife, Joanne Woodward for 50 years, an anniversary I'd like to achieve. I could go on and on about his great acting and the dozens of fantastic movies, but I'll just say that NOBODY'S FOOL from 1994 is one of the best movies I have seen and, despite the many classics this man starred in, his character Sully Sullivan in that film remains my personal favorite. Paul Newman was always just the coolest, I mean just look at that photo above and you'll understand why, as a boy, I can remember seeing him and thinking "Now, there's a man I'd like to be like."

Previous Five Sentence Tributes:

Jerry Reed
George Carlin
Tim Russert
Sydney Pollack
Charlton Heston
Paul Scofield
Roy Scheider
Heath Ledger
Dan Fogelberg
Brad Delp
Peter Boyle
Robert Altman
Jack Palance

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Street Poet


Okay, sorry I've been absent. What have I got for you? Well, just another Bruce post. I cannot help it. A friend of mine recently pointed this out to me, and I quote:
"I swear, Bruce has got to be the king of 'street poetry,' he is AMAZING, his lyrics create an instant video in your head, once which the LISTENER casts and directs-it's that simple!"
Okay, read that quote again, because my buddy is dead on! Funny, but for decades he wasn't into Bruce. Even though he gave me an example from a different song, I want to share lyrics that have been doing that EXACT thing for me. If you own THE RISING album then play the song "The Fuse" right now and listen to it, see what video runs in your head as you listen to the poetry. If you don't own it, check out these lyrics below. What do they do for you? I know that I have a whole scenario in my mind when I hear them. I don't really want to give my interpretation just yet because I will influence you, but here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

"The Fuse"
by Bruce Springsteen
from the album THE RISING (2002)

Down at the court house they're ringin' the flag down
Long black line of cars snakin' slow through town
Red sheets snappin' on the line
With this ring will you be mine
The fuse is burning
Shut out the lights
The fuse is burning
Come on let me do you right

Trees on fire with the first fall's frost
Long black line in front of Holy Cross
Blood moon risin' in a sky of black dust
Tell me Baby who do you trust?
The fuse is burning
Shut out the lights
The fuse is burning
Come on let me do you right

Tires on the highway hissin' that something's coming
You can feel the wires in the tree tops hummin'
Devil's on the horizon line
Your skin and I'm alive

Quiet afternoon in the empty house
On the edge of the bed you slip off your blouse
The room is burning with the noon sun
Your bittersweet taste on my tongue
The fuse is burning
Shut out the lights
The fuse is burning
Come on let me do you right

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

My City of Ruins, my 9/11 post

There is no better way for me to remember the events of seven years ago than to post the above clip from Bruce Springsteen. I remember the day this aired. I remember weeping. This particular performance still gives me goosebumps. It would be about a year later that Springsteen released his masterpiece album called THE RISING on which this song appears. THE RISING came out on July 30, 2002, and I have commemorated every September 11th by listening to the album. I honestly could write a ten-thousand word essay on the album and what it means to me, how it helped me process the single most horrific event of my generation. It always makes me feel more connected to the human race every time I meet somebody who actually gets, I mean really gets, that album, how beautifully crafted it is, how the themes of love, loss, hope, and still loving, run all through it, how the image of ascension is so masterfully woven through it. Honestly, there is no way to articulate what I feel in my soul listening to it.

This morning, over breakfast, Max asked me where I was that morning seven years ago. Much to my surprise I couldn't get through the story without crying again. I feel so sorry when I think of all the sons, daughters, friends, moms, dads, heroes, children of God who lost their lives that day. Thinking of the rescue workers who risked or lost their lives that day makes me want to live better. As I write this I am filled with gratitude. I am thankful for the freedoms and privileges that I have in this greatest country ever to grace planet Earth. As I hung my American flag today I thought of the brave men and women in our military and I am so thankful for them and all those who came before them.

"Come on rise up!" indeed.

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Bob Barr on FOX

This moment with Bob Barr on Neil Cavuto's FOX News show aired on 09/08/2008. Barr may not be popular, but he sure is sensible.

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Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Jerry Reed: Five Sentence Tribute

Cledus "Snowman" Snow rules! I mean who doesn't like SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT? If you've not seen THE SURVIVORS (1983) rent it now. "Guitar Man" is one of the great songs ever! If "East Bound and Down" is all he left it would be enough for me!

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Monday, September 01, 2008

The Jayhawks - Waiting for the Sun

This is one of my favorite bands of all-time. This video is from 1992. It was shot in Minnesota. If you've not heard of The Jayhawks I say you check them out. So why post this now? My son e-mailed me the link and I just got way into the groove! Such a great record. Enjoy!

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