Outta My Way Old Man!!

November 30, 2009

It’s amazing the stories so-called ‘everyday people’ may have up their sleeves. Especially the old folks, who in our youth obsessed culture we so quickly and easily dismiss.
The other day I had to go to an older couple’s house for some business dealings. I had been dealing with the lady on the phone but when [...]

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Whatever Happened to Thanksgiving?

November 26, 2009

When I was a kid growing up in New England (which wasn’t that long ago), Thanksgiving was a pretty big deal. Not just because of the family get togethers, football and Macy’s parade, but because it was a celebration of what was considered the ‘First Thanksgiving Meal’ between the Pilgrims and the American Indians. I [...]

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If a Tree Falls in the Woods Can You Call It Music?

November 23, 2009

Recently I was reading some material on the controversial yet highly influential experimental composer John Cage –most widely known for his ‘piece’ 4’33” which if you are not familiar with, is 4’33” of silence. A bold statement indeed.
Now, don’t get me wrong- I respect John Cage. In fact I respect most anyone who is willing [...]

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Queen of the Tube

November 21, 2009

Oh Lord I love the interweb.  This is hilarious and awesome at the same time. Especially if you have any personal history with Queensryche. Of which I do.
You must watch this. But let me tell you my story first.
In the age of ‘Metal’ true young rockers like myself who longed for the days of our [...]

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My Brain Rejects it All, But My Brain Isn’t Worth Much.

November 18, 2009

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, life turns up a hidden gem. Hidden to me at least.
A new reader of mine remarked that one of my posts reminded him of a short New Yorker article called ‘Bach and Belief’. Curious,  I took a look and it led me into the world of  György [...]

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Free Beer and Chillin’ with President Vaclav Klaus

November 8, 2009

A couple of weeks ago my wife got an unexpected invitation to a reception at the Czech Embassy in Washington D.C. The reception was going to be a celebration of the twenty years since the Czech Republic’s ‘Velvet Revolution’ where communism was defeated. The highlight of the event would be the visit of Czech President [...]

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Next Stop? Not the Record Store

October 11, 2009

Recently my band did one of the weirdest and lamest gigs I have ever done. We attempted to play a ‘stripped down’ type set at an art show. Seemed like a cool idea until we found out it was at the City Hall. During a city council meeting.
Why this all happened at the same time [...]

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The Beatles Were Overrated, Hendrix Was a Hack and Classical Music Is Stupid.

September 28, 2009

When I first heard Jimi Hendrix at age twelve I didn’t get it. I was neck deep in Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Black Sabbath and I just couldn’t understand what the fuss was with Hendrix.
Also, as a pre-teen I didn’t get the Beatles. I just thought it was all light and fluffy and kinda goofy [...]

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Obama Throws Czechs to the Russian Bear

September 23, 2009

So…Obama’s going to pick up the pieces of America’s shattered image that Bush left scattered throughout the world and restore the respect, love and admiration everyone used to have for the good ol’ US of A, eh?
Apparently not. A Czech article entitled ‘A Total Slap in the Face’ (literally a punch in the face) recently [...]

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Faith vs. Art?

September 8, 2009

I just watched a movie called “Danielson: a Family Movie”. Here is the imdb description-
“Danielson: a Family Movie” is a documentary about unbridled creativity vs. accessibility, Christian faith vs. popular culture, underground music vs. survival, and family vs. individuality. The film follows Daniel Smith, an eccentric musician and visual artist, as he leads his four [...]

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