So at lunch today, I'm surfing a little, and come across European Vacation. This got me thinking, where does the old Euro Vacation fall in the list of Vacation Movies? Here's my order:

1. Christmas Vacation

I know it was third in order, but this is hands down the best for several reasons. Solid performances from Rusty & Audrey, beings they're different actors in each movie, they're always factor into the ranking. Cousin Eddie, the Christmas Tree, Clark's boss, the 1 liners, everything is great. Probably the best Christmas movie of our generation.

2. Vacation - The Original.

It was the first, which is usually the best, but in this case was trumped by X-Mas vacation. Great road trip movie, good showing from Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey. Plus Christie Brinkley, the Debut of Cousin Eddie, Mocking Bird, and Wally's World. Great Flick.

3. Las Vegas Vacation

Well, it is Las Vegas. I know most don't care for this one too much, but I'm a fan. Might be my favorite combination of Audrey (HOT!) and Rusty. Rusty's fake I'd, Hoover Dam, Wayne Newton, and Clark playing stupid gambling games make this a solid flick.

4. (LAST) European Vacation.

This was, in my opinion, a weak attempt from National Lampoon's. It was the second showing in the franchise, but was without a doubt the worst Rusty and Audrey. They're performances alone ruin this movie for me. This combined with NO APPEARANCE FROM COUSIN EDDIE, and the whole game show winning piggie deal was just lame. Some hi-lites include: "Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament."

Where's your order stand?

...who in their right mind would think that we would create a media form that Rolling Stone would want to advertise on/in? Because that is what happened. I clicked on one of the ads on here, and it took me to photos on Rolling Stone's website of Jeff Tweedy live.

I know that this is an automated process, and Rolling Stone didn't call Google and ask them to put an ad on our site. But still...Rolling Stone is a paying customer of ours. Pretty cool.

Got home from the MIB's bornday celebration and caught the glorious return of IASIP. It was in fact a two show season premier, and the titles of the shows were:

"Charlie Gets Crippled"

-and-

"The Gang Goes Jihad"

Danny DeVito is very funny in the show--not suprising, considering the last time he was on TV, he was on a little show called "Taxi"--and the offensiveness is taken to a whole new level.

On the other hand...that is what worries me. It seemed that they were going out of their way to be incredibly offensive in "The Gang Goes Jihad." Don't get me wrong--it's hilarious--but I just hope that the show doesn't stray so far into "watch how politically incorrect we are" that you lose the innocence of their ignorant and insulated world (and probably self-absorbed) world they live in. (I would specifically go into what I am talking about, but want to give everyone a chance to catch up on their TiVoing before I give the story away.)

Long story short, I give the season premier episodes a cautious "thumbs up."

(Oh, and Pete--the other owner's name is Dennis.)

With all the Wilco Top 5's and the great tune Harry posted in this week's MP3's (great group of songs today as always!), I thought I would check out Wilco's website. Came across this fun bit of news:

In an effort to help you celebrate your independence, we will be webcasting the band's July 2 show from Duluth, MN right here from Wilcoworld. Stay tuned for details.

Pretty cool. I would also like to point out that Duluth, MN is one of the coolest towns I have ever been to. Seriously. The place is almost exactly 1/3 the size of Lincoln, but has infinitely more character and cool shit to do. Pretty impressive town. I guess being a relatively small town with three colleges will ramp up cool places and great shows to see, but still...

Download [mp3] Johnny Cash- God's Gonna Cut You Down

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIB

Download [mp3] Mos Def & Diverse- Wylin Out (Kut Masta Kurt Remix)
Download [mp3] The Strokes w/ Eddie Vedder & Josh Homme- Mercy, Mercy Me
Download [mp3] Aesop Rock- Daylight (Instramental)
Download [mp3] Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Satan Said Dance (Black Sessions)
Download [mp3] Michael Franti & Spearhead- Yell Fire!
Download [mp3] Nas- Where Y'all At
Download [mp3] Radiohead- Arpeggi (Bonnaroo)
Download [mp3] Radiohead- Videotape (Bonnaroo)
Download [mp3] Radiohead- Nude (Bonnaroo)
Download [mp3] Radiohead- Bodysnatchers (Bonnaroo)
Download [mp3] Wilco- Thirteen

Download [MPEG-4] Souls of Mischief- '93 til Infinity

A quick thanks to the millions of fans out there who helped me celebrate my bornday. One grateful supporter even gave me a sweet ass gift. A ticket to the Austin City Limits Festival. Here's the lineup (actually, here's just the ones I'm excited for):

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (last major tour...nice.)
Willie Nelson (haven't seen him since NebraskaLand Days '84)
Flaming Lips (will probably be a better performance than a show at the Stir Concert Cove)
Kings of Leon
The New Pornographers
Son Volt (I hope Jay Farrar plays old Uncle T. material)

and if you're feeling sad bastard...

The Shins
Ben Harper
Cat Power and The Memphis Rhythm Band
Iron & Wine
Kasey Chambers

Plus I've heard the downtown scene in Austin is quite marvelous.

Man what a great day for bloggin. I usually come on here to read the occasional comment or the 1 new post, but the amount of blogging done today is absolutely off the charts. Heavy Soul, you rule the world.

1. There was lots of talk about three weeks ago regarding Rhett Miller's new CD, "The Believer," which most on the blog agreed was above average at worst. Now, the Old 97's have released a Greatest Hits compilation that can be had for 11 bucks at Target. A few huge exclusions, but nonetheless it is worth the 11 bucks for 18 songs that hold up pretty well. I didn't buy it, because I'm a snob and I already have their entire catalog. (Picture that last sentence being said by Jack Black in High Fidelity). Actually I did buy it.

2. If you want to see a decent concert or a festival somewhere this summer, you better be ready to drive. I don't see why we could support this kind of a venue. I don't know.

3. I heard that Clapton and the Who were going to be here in the fall. If you're old, this is exciting.

4. I'm getting tired of Gnarls Barkley already.

5. Donavon Frankenreiter's 2nd disc is pretty good from what I've heard, but I don't picture it in my Ipod/CD case.

6. Tommy Lee will not go away. Apparently he's got some new band that's going to be the subject of that crappy CBS show "Rock Star". This guy is like the Cliff Robinson of rock musicians. I thought he retired like 1o years ago, yet there he is.

7. Top 5 Wilco songs of right now(after being inspired by recent talks with Gage and a viewing of "I am Trying to Break Your Heart" on the Sundance channel):
1. What's the World Got in Store
2. Pick up the Change
3. Via Chicago
4. Jesus, etc.
5. At Least that's what you Said

This kind of thing only happens in the Sooner state

I have many questions after reading this article..
-do penis pumps really work for starters???
-Could have i contained myself from just completely crying from laughter if i was sitting in that court room?
-Why did i get an image of the Deuce having to defend MIB on a similar charge in the future?

I seriously can't stop laughing from that article...i can't wait for the Deuce and the Goods to give us some good law talk on this article.

...I probably wouldn't have a job. Here are two quotes from my "Ramblings..." post from April 12, 2006:

I am excited about the Cubs so far. As long as Glendon Rusch is not pitching. Incredible speed on this team, I tell 'ya.

Speaking of the Cubs, it is no longer "M-V-Lee!" It's "M-V-Barrett!" OK, that doesn't work too well. But Barrett, along with Ronny Cedeno, are going to have breakout years. Bank on it. (I also really like the rookie Angel Pagan. Uh, Jacque Jones? Take your time healing up that leg buddy--OK?)

Umm, yeah...I guess I got the "as long as Glendon Rusch is not pitching" part correct.

The Cubs suck.

...than npgage? I'd argue: nobody.

Here is an actual e-mail exchange I had with the cha-cha:

GA: "You around today?"

np: "for about 10 more minutes, then we're taking our interns on a boat cruise in lake michigan.....which will be kind of lame and i'll be working this evening b/c of it. whoooo!!!!!!!!!!

what are you up to?1

GA: "Yuck! You get punished because you have to go on a lame boat ride?

Not up to much…following up my heavily productive day with not much of anything." (Editor's note: I am now going to be busy the rest of the day.)

np: "I wouldn't say I get punished. I just got swamped with work this morning and I have to get it done sometime, and I couldn't find a suitable replacement for the afternoon activity. The level of entertainment I provided ot the interns is quite high."

I report, you decide.

I know that most people around here have an affinity for Chuck Klosterman (I know that my subscription to Esquire would not exist without his monthly column). Our friends at The Heckler--who always inexplicably have interviews with awesome people who fly under that radar all the time--put up an interview with Klosterman. Two great bits from it:

1. Klosterman's fourth book, "Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas" comes out conveniently two days after my birthday. Here is a small preview from "Publishers Weekly:"

Fans of Klosterman's Ritalin-paced pop culture criticism (Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs) will eagerly devour this collection of previously published essays. Whether investigating Latino fans of British pop icon Morrissey, interviewing female tribute bands like Lez Zeppelin and AC/DShe or eating nothing but Chicken McNuggets for a week, Klosterman is always entertaining and often insightful.

Sounds great.

2. He once interviewed Todd Rundgren, and mentioned it in the Heckler interview. Needless to say, I love Todd Rundgren:

CK: I have an interesting story about music and sports. In 1999 or 2000 I interviewed Todd Rundgren and I asked him what he does on weekends. He said he watches the St. Louis Rams. I asked him if he was a fan and he said that no, he doesn't give a shit about football. He watched the Rams games because they played that song 'Bang the Drum All Day' every time the Rams scored a touchdown, so he was getting paid like $500 each time. That was when they were the 'Greatest Show on Turf' and led the league in scoring. He'd sit back after a game knowing he'd just made a few thousand dollars. I thought that was funny and for some reason it made me like Todd Rundgren more.

Priceless.

Happy born-day to The Man In Black, who turns 20 today.

Just one more year until you can come out to the bars, buddy!

no more cleavage at Wimbledon

This seriously pisses me off...why ruin a good thing. Hotties like Anna, Sharapova, and the rest of the Russian chicks have finally got males like ourselves to watch tennis every now and again. However, if they were to put in a rule making the William's sisters wear more clothes i'd be all for it.

I'm writing you this post on a Wednesday from my desk, relaxing in jeans and tennies. Yes, as of yesterday the consulting division of my company went all casual all the time. I still can't wear flip flops or t-shirts, but I'm feeling a lot better than the white shirted army at Sandhills. I feel liberated. It doesn't seem like it should be that hard to be my manager. I just need to be thrown an occasional bone like this and I'll keep cranking out the 12+ hour days.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that you should have all bought stock in tapered jeans yesterday. Apparently, not only is it still fashionable to wear them if if you are an actuary, it might even be encouraged.

So Mike and I are having beers watching the Cubs game. A-Ram just hit a foul ball which the third base coach caught and threw up into the stands to two kids. Some dickhead twenty-some behind the kids reached in front of them, grabbed the ball, and then taunted them with it before sitting back down with the ball. Mike and I agreed (after viewing several Miller Lite commercials) that it is Man Law that you have to give a foul ball to kids if you are out of college. We also agreed that Gage would not give up a foul ball to anybody. Fuck you Gage.

Peter Gammons suffered a brain aneurysm today. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers this evening.

Despite the fact that at virtually no point does anyone on this blog agree on anything related to baseball, I believe that everyone agrees on one point: Peter Gammons is the one reason to tune into Baseball Tonight, and certainly the only sane voice on Sunday Night Baseball (how is it that a guy who never played MLB knows so much more about the sport than, say, a Hall of Famer named Joe Morgan?).

Anyways, I figured everyone on here would be interested to know this.

As many of you already know, at the CWS the Anchor Inn rented out a church near the stadium. They pulled all the pews out and turned it into a drinking parlor. True to form, I logged many hours there over the weekend and really enjoyed it. As OC's lady friend so eloquently put it, "you may be going to hell, but at least you'll be with friends." Getting drunk in a church has taken the CWS experience to a whole new level for me. Fortunately, I was drinking Bud Select so I was able to keep my calories down.

An additional topic of discussion at the church bar was our upcoming cross-country mini golf adventure that we are hoping to turn into a documentary film. Start collecting your ideas.

On the subject of two young and upcoming screenwriters, it appears some heartless bastard has already taken www.hosewater.blogspot.com. So if you have any ideas for Pete and I's blog to begin discussion of both our documentary and feature length films, please let me know.

Sorry, but I just noticed that only two teams have worse records than the Cubs: the Royals and the Pirates. When are they going to get rid of Dusty and overhaul that fucking team. The Cubs are turning into the New York Knicks of baseball. They overpay Prior and Wood who don't add anything to the team anymore, even when they're healthy. Granted Barrett and Lee were out on extended leaves, but that doesn't mean a team with that payroll shouldn't be hovering around .500 right now. They need trade Prior and Wood while they still have some trade value and concentrate on getting good new talent. Really they should just take a page out of the Marlins book and have a firesale (keeping D Lee and maybe a few other players) and concentrate on putting together some solid young talent. I'll bow out now and let GA tell me how stupid I am and how Prior and Wood will still lead the Cubs to victory in '08.

Everyone can get off my ass now. After two years I finally updated my website. Check it out. You might even recognize a few faces.

www.jw-photography.com (sorry, I can't seem to make this link active, you'll have to copy and paste it)

So, yeah...we've been stuck at around making $80 since February. Click on the links! It does more than just gets us money; it actually helps increase our searchability--meaning the more money we make advertising, the more Google flags Heavy Soul for keywords, meaning Heavy Soul comes up higher and more frequently in Google searches. Long story short: More ad revenue = more readers. So get 'ta clickin'!

I also plan on--if it ever happens--putting $90 of the first $100 towards the Heavy Soul Open fund, and the other $10 towards getting stickers, like those that TNE and SSS used to throw all over the place. Figure there are some lonely bathroom stalls and light poles that could use some advertising on them.

sounds like fun, but this could get ugly!

Marshall University

I hope you are enjoying my first post from my new window office.

I think I'm going to get a ficus tree.

Download [MP3]: Band Of Horses- The Great Salt Lake
Download [MP3]: Bright Eyes- Lover I Don't Have To Love (Bonnaroo 2006)
Download [MP3]: The Coup- My Favorite Mutiny (Featuring Black Thought and Talib Kweli)
Download [MP3]: Damon McMahon- Somewhere In France
Download [MP3]: Happy Bullets- The Vice and Virtue Ministry
Download [MP3]: Inouk- No Danger
Download [MP3]: My Morning Jacket and Eddie Vedder- It Makes No Difference (Bonnaroo 2006)
Download [MP3]: Slick Rick- Childrens Story
Download [MP3]: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Oregon Girl
Download [MP3]: Elliot Smith- Don't Fear The Reaper

Bonus
Download [MPEG-4]: A Tribe Called Quest- Scenario (Video)

as a quick update, I thought I would let you all know that I chased the big drunken weekend in Omaha by getting cranked and shutting down a bar at about 130 last night. we were celebrating locking up the regular season championship in slow pitch softball.

i might be too old for a run like this.

I thought I would update everyone on how people get to Heavy Soul (I did this when people were searching for ESPN Insider passwords and naked pictures of the US Women's Curling Team--as The Sports Guy would say, "yep, these are our readers."). Found a few interesting Google searches that somehow popped up Heavy Soul. They're pretty interesting and self-explainitory, but there is one that simply cannot go without comment:

"A.J. Pierzynski without a shirt (Google)"

What. The. Fuck.

The coolest search?

"Nebraskaland Parade Update (Google)"

Thought Pete would be pretty proud of that one.

Click on the picture so you can actually read it.

Lastly, we are also becoming an international blog--we have had visitors from Canada, Germany, Portugal, Japan, India, Columbia, France, England, and Belgium.

Derrek Lee is going to Des Moines for a rehab stint as the Iowa Cubs play host to YOUR! Omaha Royals Saturday and Sunday.

So the question remains...who wants to go?

Friday: 7:05pm
Saturday: 7:05pm
Sunday: 1:05

Taken from The Drudge Report this evening:

"Nebraska Heat Bursts: Nighttime temperatures soar in the mid 90s"

Matt Drudge, everybody--Captain Obvious.

What other breaking news stories does Cpt. Obvious have for America regarding Nebraska? Maybe he should use these headlines:

"Nebraska: It's totally humid!"

"Nebraska: Lots of farms are there"

"Nebraska: College football fever encapsulates Lincoln"

"Nebraska: Most people live in Omaha!"

"North Platte: Best town in America!"

Any other good headlines?

...is coming soon.

THERE IS A RAISING CANES JOINT COMING TO NEBRASKA!!!! This is news you can't even get on their website, friends.

It is opening in Lincoln, which sucks for us a little bit. But the fact that we don't have to go to Louisiana anymore to dine at the best fast food place in the world is terribly exciting.

For those who do not know, Raising Canes is a fast food place that serves chicken strips. That's it. Chicken strips. And awesome frieds, and some secret sauce that is addictive as heroin. There's just not enough words in the English language that can possibly do this place justice.

If this place is open at some point during the college football season, 2006 will go down as my favorite Nebraska season ever.

Speaking of which, has anyone read the new Athlon pre-season magazine yet? I don't know why I donate my $12 a year on their football and basketball previews, because they are both misinformed and frustrating. They've got Nebraska at #25, and have Zac Taylor as the third best quarterback in the Big XII. I find this laughable. They don't even have out linebackers as the best in the Big XII (I think they were third). This is ridiculous. We've got probably three or four linebackers that could start for ANY team in the Big XII. I think the only thing they got right was that our defensive line is the best. I think this is clear. But I don't know how they have us ranked #25, yet they only predict that we'll lose two games (USC and Texas). Wouldn't that have us in the 10-15 range at the end of the season?

Anyways, off to Barret's to meet The Deuce and npgage for some CHICKEN Phillies. Enjoy your Tuesday.

Well, I am about a year behind the times ("times" meaning "Napa"), but...this show is phenominal. I have not been remotely close to this excited about a television show since the premier of the American "The Office."

For whatever reason, it was on Fox tonight, and I believe it was a rerun--it involved these guys' bar being robbed, and them buying a gun because of this. Needless to say, chaos and hilarity ensues. It is just fantastic--it is such a off-the-wall humor (read: our kind of humor), lots of bleeped out cussing (which for whatever reason makes it funnier), shooting a friend in the head who works at their bar who was robbing their place because he hoped to score insurance money because similar robberies happened to other bars...*pant, pant*...and then joke around about it at the end. And some other stuff.

This show is brilliant--Napa, you have any stock tips or anything? You're like the Warren Buffet of kick ass TV shows. Or something.

3.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 4 HR

Now that's the type of outing the Cubs can ride right back into the penant race.

While drinking at a Benson Bar I overhead these two quotes....

He was a transient right?

"No, he was a black guy."

and

Is she pregnant?

"Nothing a hanger can't fix."

And that's Benson everybody.

Here is how I see it, it is Thursday at 3:30, I have a meeting with a exsisting customer at 4 over cocktails, and after that my next work duty will be golfing Deer Creek and catching some CWS baseball on Tuesday. As a added bonus I just took a look out the windows and there is a very strong wind that will be pushing to left center. . .I will be looking for HR #2

Download [MP3]: Arms- Tiger Tamer
Download [MP3]: Arms- Whirring
Download [MP3]: Arms- Jon The Escalator
Download [MP3]: Russian Spy Camera- Svengali What's The Caper (Athfest)
Download [MP3]: Caetano Veloso- Alfômega
Download [MP3]: Canasta- Slow Down Chicago
Download [MP3]: The Coup- My Favorite Mutiny (feat. Black Thought and Talib Kweli)Download [MP3]: Cut Chemist- The Garden
Download [MP3]: Dios Malos- Starting Five

I'm addicted to sports radio, which is unfortunate, because generally it makes me lose countless braincells/drive my car off the road. It's the most intellectually devoid schtick of any mass medium I can think of, including The Flavor of Love.
However, I feel like I'm qualified to voice my two cents on it.
The Dan Patrick Show is only good when Olbermann is on with him. I contend that he cannot carry the show without a sidekick. Apparently the ESPN brass think this as well, hence Olbermann.
It should be pointed out that the Tony Kornheiser show was the best sports radio show broadcast in Omaha ever. Here are my sports radio show rankings:
1. Dan Patrick (w/ Olbermann)

2. Rome -Pretty funny, good gimmicks abound, talks about awesome sports like boxing, gets better guests then Patrick, SOME of his rants are actually thought-provoking. (Although Shearer makes a point about his callers, very annoying)

3. The Big Show with Matt Perrault on 590: Really made strides recently after a mediocre beginning. Also, his Husker postgame show is far superior to the Pinnacle broadcast.

4. Dan Patrick sans Olbermann

5. Mike and Mike (doesn't make me want to shoot myself on the way to work, but that's about it for compliments here)

1,062. The Herd-Basically the Sean Hannity of Sports Talk, makes inane arguments and tries to support them with lowbrow emotional appeals. It is cool when any national show comes to Omaha though, I have to agree. Too bad it's this one.

1,063. Unsportsmanlike Conduct-If you like the idea of Mike Greenberg and Alfonso Ribiero (Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince) getting into fake arguments, this is your show. Sometimes there are some cheap laughs off dumb Husker fans, but the laughs really turn to tears once I realize that we're essentially on the same side.

Some random thoughts this evening...

--Dwane Wade and the Heat pull through. The scary thing is that, not including some stretches of crappiness, Miami played probably as well as they can. This is very bad for the Heat. Wade scores 42 (I believe this is correct), at home, and they muster up a 2-point game? Yeah...this series is over in 5. (Actually, I take that back--if the NBA did not operate in that ridiculous 2-3-2 format, it would be over in 5. There is probably a very real chance it is over in 6.)

--It is hard to believe that The Roots' "Things Fall Apart" was released in 1999. I have written about albums like "Late Registration," "BE," "Dangerdoom," etc. and how great they are--and they are great--but listening to the genius of "Things Fall Apart" reminds me that this is definitively one of the greatetst albums released since I started seriously listening to music. This album sounds like if it were released today, it would fit in just fine with the musical (specifically hip-hop) landscape.

--Drinking on your porch by yourself may *sound* depressing, but it really is quite relaxing. And awesome. Especially when it is 65-70 degrees. And even more so when you have 15 Blue Goodies at your disposal (not saying I have drank 15 of them--just six so far).

--Isn't hard to believe that a team with two All-Americans on it--along with several All-Big XII selections--cannot muster more than 2 runs in their regional? Especially when the regional is hosted in, oh, I don't know, you're home park? I mean, congrats to Luke Gorsettt and Tony Watson and all, but sweet Christ, this seasons should have ended a hell of a lot better than that.

--I am missing yet another Opening Weekend of the College World Series. Now, this is not intentional--Grandpa is taking Denephew and I on a fishing trip to South Dakota as our wedding present (because we're such huge fishermen...anyways...)--but shouldn't there be some sort of punishment coming my way? I somehow deserve it.

--Colin Cowherd is coming to Omaha to broadcast his radio show Thursday and Friday (I believe). I find myself with mixed emotions on this. One, it is awesome that a national radio show in "The Herd" is broadcasting live from Omaha (especially since "The Herd" basically does not have any kind of competition from 9-11, until Rush Limbaugh comes on). I am very excited for Omaha, The CWS, and Nebraska in general. All that said--Colin Cowherd is a d-bag. I suppose he is, appropriately, in between the worst ("Mike and Mike") and the best ("The Dan Patrick Show"--and I know that he has fallen out of favor with a lot of people, but he sure as hell is better than Jim Rome and his fucking "clones"), but still...look, Colin, I know you're opinionated. I know that you make points by taking sports stories and relating to normal-people everyday events. This does *NOT* mean you have to repeat this example for 10 minutes. We get it. I know that it can be hard to fill up time on the radio. It is not that hard. Go ahead and feel free to talk about the latest UCS--*ahem*--college football story. Talk about the latest Yankees--*ahem*--baseball story. Feel free to tell your listeners that it is, in fact, your show--and because of this, you are somehow magically smarter than everyone listening. No matter what. Oops, strike that--no matter what, unless some caller jumps on and says exactly what you said in trying to make a point. Then this person becomes somewhat, kind-of-close to an intellectual equal. But only then.

--I hate soccer. I think it is stupid. So why do I feel so badly about the Americans' loss the other day? I guess because I would--in typical "cocky" American fashion--be completely thrilled with the United States being the best in the world at a sport that we have completely not given a shit about until the past 10 years, and still do not (as a majority) give a shit about. This would be fun. Oh well. There's always 2010.

--I heard incredibly interesting thing during a speech that was given by Newt Gingrich the other day. Scientists believe that over the next 20 years, our scientific knowledge will increase times seven. This is the equivalent of a knowledge/technology gap from the late 1800's/early 1900's to now. Think about that. Light bulbs were hardly around. Records--let alone DVD's--had just been invented. People still used quill pens. Fucking Hawaii and Alaska were not only not states, but they may as well have been part of Russia or something. This is incredible. Random? Yes. I don't know where or how I thought of this. But incredible all the same.

That's it bitches--OUT!

All those days that I limped through work on a hangover by drinking coffee, I was actually helping myself.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19465454-23289,00.html

This is your warning that I will be in vegas for the next 5 days and that random late night calls and texts could come into your phones at any time. Let's also just make this the apology note as well for when it happens.

1. I'm sure everyone watched the premiere of the 3rd season of Entourage last night. I thought it was a bit disappointing. A few laughs, yes, but not enough of the goods. I feel like Season 1 was good but not memorable, and season 2 was exceptional. I'm worried that the show may have peaked last season. I'm not going to quit watching though.

2. Caught a random episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. My first one. Wambold is right, this show is fantastic. It's so ridiculous. Last night's episode involved fear of old people, funeral hijinks, competing for chicks, Nazis, and hilarity was the result. Plus hot chicks galore. I immediately DVR'd it. This show looks like a jewel.

3. The barbershop quartet singing the Vasectomy Song in the Family Guy rerun last night is incredible. Top 3 best Family Guy moments, in my opinion.

4. Didn't catch much of any of the other HBO programming last night, including Dane Cook's Tourgasm, which I'm looking forward to. Any input?

5. Harold Reynolds and Mike Patrick need to call every CWS game, and it's not happening this year. I doubt it's because Patrick was upset with getting Joe Theismann out of his NFL booth.

6. Can I handle another season of Deadwood without wanting to slit my wrists? That show needs a comedic pick-me-up. I'm rooting for Carrot Top or Pauly Shore to show up in neon green chaps and a ridiculously large cowboy hat by Episode 3.

So I have gone on a music-buying spree not seen in the past couple of years in the past two or three weeks. A few findings:

1. "Life Wasted" by Pearl Jam is one of the best "Track One, Side One" songs ever. In fact, if you were to ask me right now, it is one of my favorite songs ever. But that made me think (along with passing out to watching "High Fidelity" last Thursday)...what are some other great "Track Ones, Side Ones?" Some nominees:

--"Sick Of Myself," Matthew Sweet--100% Fun
--"Come Together," The Beatles--Abbey Road
--"Be," Common--Be
--"Sympathy For The Devil," The Rolling Stones--Beggars' Banquet
--"Brown Sugar," D'Angelo--Brown Sugar
--"Jimmy James," Beastie Boys--Check Your Head
--"New York, New York," Ryan Adams--Gold

Alright, those are just a few--my battery on the iPod is about to go dead, so cannot go much further.

2. Rhett Miller, "The Believer," certainly trumps his debut effort "The Instigator." It is not insanely different or anything, but there is certainly a maturity to it that separates it. Certainly worth the money.

3. Dave Chappelle's Block Party Soundtrack. Pretty mixed on this one, actually. I mean, I love the songs and all, but it is straight from the movie (not to mention that apparently Kanye West did not get label clearance to be included on the soundtrack). This would have been much better served being some sort of boxed set (at least a double-disk!). Highlights: "The Blast," by Talib Kweli (ft. E. Badu) and "Hip Hop" by Dead Prez.

4. Golden Smog. I do not know how in the hell I have never heard of this band--made up of members of Wilco, The Jayhawks, and Soul Asylum (yeah, I know), this band was formed in Minneapolis as a response to the obnoxious punk scene, these guys came together to put out some of the finest alt-country and pop music that you've never heard. In fact, doesn't this actually make them pretty "punk?" I would like to think so. I purchased an album from 1998 called "Weird Tales," and it is fucking great. The reason I even heard of them is because Esquire mentioned them in this month's issue, as they are releasing a new album (their new single can be purchased on iTunes).

5. The Visionaries. Some backpack rap group that I, sadly, heard in American Eagle (I was just looking for sandals!), but their 2004 track "If You Can't Say Love" sounds like Kanye stepped behind the producer's glass and threw down this beat that exudes positivism.

That's about it...hope everyone is enjoying their Friday night. I'm just going to continue to be a music dork.

Who's drinking with me tonight? And, where are we going?

Holy shit...although it cannot be too suprising, one of the blacked out names in the Grimsley affidavit is--according to Deadspin, whose editor is one of the biggest Cardinal fans in the world--wait for it...here it comes...

Albert Pujols' personal trainer since he was a JUCO in Kansas City. The same personal trainer that Pujols still uses, who Pujols financed his gym in KC (thanks, Sports Illustrated!), etc.

So the question is, why am I (and most of the rest of the baseball-watching country) so suprised? The guy was a 14th-Round draft pick who, in some scouting reports, had a "pear-shaped body." Doesn't look too pear-shaped now, does he? Not too many 14th round JUCO's in less than two years after getting drafted hits .320 (or whatever it was) and has a +1.000 OPS in the Major Leagues.

Pete--care to shed any light on this?

Oh, and here is the link to Deadspin's story:

http://www.deadspin.com/sports/baseball/so-weve-got-some-affidavit-names-179400.php

It looks like it must be an election year b/c the Republicans seem to be dusting off the three G's.

Honestly, I find the whole debate over gay marriage to be offensive on two fronts. One, I think that defining marriage as an institution between a man and a woman is an archaic definition and I honestly have yet to hear a single compelling reason that it should be banned. Seriously, who gives a shit if two dudes want to get married.

Second, is this really the way our lawmakers should be spending their time. It is total crap that the Republicans are tying up the Senate this week with a PR stunt that has basically no chance of passing.

On a side note, reading the coverage has affirmed that Russ Feingold (D-WI)is in fact my favorite senator.

Donavon Frankenreiter's new album, "Move By Yourself," came out today. I've got to say, I'm pretty suprised by it (although not suprised by that ground-out by the Cubs with 1st and 3rd...anyways). He apparently jumped off Jack Johnson's label imprint Brushfire Records for Lost Highway, easily one of the best record labels in the world today.

The album kind of sounds like what would happen if Ryan Adams started listening to a bunch of Billy Preston (who actually died today--RIP to "The Fifth Beatle," by the way), Bill Withers, and other assorted 70's soul music, blended in with some funk and a tinge of folk. Some of it even borders on really soulful Southern Rock from back in the day.

There are a lot of ways to describe this album--"blue eyed soul" comes to mind, although I generally don't like that term--but it definately sounds like he has not been hanging out with Jack Johnson too often over the past year or two since his debut, self-titled album came out.

All in all, a very impressive effort, and a very pleasant suprise. I am very pleased with this purchase--with the amount of hip-hop and indie stuff I have been hearing lately, I did not think I could possibly be in the mood for an album like this, but it is great (with two remaining tracks left on the album). Go pick it up.

what was 6 weeks you ask? the lifespan of my last ATM card. I drunkenly left it in an ATM machine over the weekend, giving it the same fate many of my other ATM cards have experienced.

It just doesn't make sense to me in this day and age that all ATM machines don't just have a swipe thing.

Heavy Soul would like to wish The Goods a happy 35th birthday.

Requiem for a Heavy Souler

It is with a heavy hear that I announce to you the GAHill has once again been blocked from the website by work internet filters....a sad day for us all.

I just watched the shocking piece that Jeremy Schapp did for SportsCenter about racial abuse in Europe at soccer matches. Stadium-wide chants of "monkey" to one of the best goalkeepers in the world...and the guy is on their team! It is completely gut-wrenching to see this type of bigotry out in the open.

So why, again, that Europe is supposed to be this bastion of intellect, progressive, land of everything that is perfect? Europe is on a path that points to many parts to tearing itself apart. Unemployment in Germany, for example, is almost 14%! Rioting, intolerance, and--most importantly--their inability to look themselves in the mirror and change because of their endless arrogance.

I just find it comical that Americans are considered everything that is wrong with the world to many outside this country...yet we took steps to fix shit like they are going through 40 years ago. Is America perfect? Of course not. But after seeing that piece, it reminded me yet again that I am proud to be an American.

NU with a tough loss to open the regional. I personally blame EZ-T for not attending the game. I've said it before and I'll say it again.....marriage is making him soft.

Take advantage of me. I'm on ruffies.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=96938

Rockstar Games has released a game that, frankly, I would never expect from them. That said, it has to completely rock the house:

Table Tennis.

I found this really interesting: I am reading The Tipping Point, the excellent first book by Malcom Gladwell. It is about social "epidemics," and how the smallest events or groups can make a huge impact--from the popularity of a brand of shoes to STD outbreaks. Anyways, one of the first things he goes over is the concept of a "Connector," or a person who knows a very large amount of people and is often the connecting point of more people than they know (for example, I met Person A through Person B, who I met in class with Person C, who met Person B from Person D, etc. So I could not have met Person A without Person D.).

He came up with this because of a sociologist (I do not have the book in front of me, so I cannot site his name) had a theory that people are connected in far closer circles than they believed. In order to prove his theory, he sent out around 150 packets to completely random people in Omaha. They were instructed to get the packets to a stockbroker in NYC. However, they could not simply mail the package to him, they had to pass it on to someone closer to NYC, and they had to continue it on. Shockingly, almost every single package made it to the stockbroker in six steps or less--and in something like 60 instances, the same person in NYC was the final person to hand over the packet to this stockbroker. From this experiment came the theory of "Six Degrees of Separation." The man who got the package those 60 times is the classic example of a Connector.

Anyways, this is pretty nerdy, I suppose, but I thought it was pretty cool that if it were not for a bunch of people in Omaha willing to participate in this experiment (even though all were skeptical, and many believed that it would take "hundreds" of degrees to get the package to this man in NYC), "Six Degrees of Separation" would not exist.

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know I will be having my debut exhibition here in Chicago (the suburbs actually) this July. I will have 24 prints hanging in the visitors center at Ryerson Woods forest preserve. On Sunday July 9th there is an opening which coincides with an outdoor concert. The performer is Oteil and the Peacemakers, Oteil apparently plays with the Allman Bros. Band so it should be pretty good. I will give a brief explaination of my work then everyone goes outside for the concert. The show will be up all of July, so if any of you are in town during that month and would like to see it let me know I can take you out there. If you would want to see more info on the show you can visit this link:

http://www.ryersonwoods.org/p/SightsSounds06.html