Satan's Luau

We here at the Luau would like to indicate our appreciation for all the support of our three readers throughout this our first year

However, we have decided to take the cash and run -- as a well-known television program has acquired the rights to this website and new content will begin tomorrow

From all of us at SL, we love you all -- we hope you will continue to support this website -- after all, it didn't necessarily NOT suck when we ran it

Mahalo -- and a wiki wacky hula away we go

(Image courtesy South Park Studios- Free Downloads)

Posted by at 11:41 AM | Permalink

I found it odd tonight that after dinner I was looking at how to modify my XBOX -- I know, I know that's so 2002

Well, it's a pretty damn elaborate practice -- and at the end of the day, too much damn dickering for me -- and costs some money that could go to some of my other trivial pursuits of happy guy

Oh another thing I thought was cool for about 2 seconds was the alienware site -- this the company that builds high end multimedia PCs (OXYMORON!!!) -- intended for gaming -- Well, I built something that I would use, me being the lifelong Apple Snob -- and the price came out to ...

$10,179 -- yes, don't adjust your contrast -- oh, but I could get it for 299 a month -- well, seeing how it won't take me from here to blow hole -- I GUESS NOT!!!

HA :)

Posted by at 11:46 PM | Permalink

You know that it's getting a bit MUCH when American Idol basically takes over the Channel 2 Morning News -- making it almost a preview and recap show -- ALL WEEK

(ps: Oh yeah, and for all of those who think I'm hating--think about this--do you really believe any other "state" really gives a big rat's ass whether their citizens are in this competition--yeah, I thought so--oh backwater keep on rollin'--BUSSH!!! -- Support your local musicians, you know, the kind that actually play instruments--@#$%!!! -- Karaoke is Japanese for lacking musical ability)

I just want the news in the morning, perhaps I should wake up earlier and watch channel 8 news -- I like Stephanie Lum better anyways : P

(ps2: And while I'm at it, John Fink -- who gives a fuck what you think -- when I "Think About It", you're a pompous jerk who abuses the privilege of using our airwaves)

Posted by at 7:42 AM | Permalink

Before I touch upon what I was thinking about today -- I must admit to an odd conclusion that I came upon Saturday afternoon:

The conclusion was that if money was no object, I would travel to see sporting contests -- that was a very odd conclusion to come to -- I think cars, houses, trips, luxuries are all nice -- but I would want to travel to watch live sports, that is my true passion -- I can certainly dream, can't I? :)

The ultimate love is undeclared love

I was reading Yukio Mishima's commentary on Jocho Yamamoto's Hagakure (The Way of the Samurai) this evening, and this passage struck me as odd yet very intriguing because of its seemingly contradictory and frustrating nature -- especially in light of today's instant gratification society

Mishima once said that the ultimate love is secret love (or undeclared love) -- it was his belief that once shared, love shrinks in stature

For him, to pine away for love all your life, to die of love without uttering the name of the one you loved in secret -- seemingly never declaring or disclosing one's love to the beloved -- that this is the true meaning of love

He coined the poem:
I shall die for my love
Know the truth only in the smoke that remains --
My lover's name kept secret to the end

His poem purportedly indicated the most elegant kind of love, and he made the comment that some have taken this poem and coined the term "lovers in smoke"

This perplexes me to no end because it implies that the greatest love attainable is actually that which we Westerners would term a "crush" -- this fascinates me and eludes my comprehension -- yet the elegance of the ideal it embodies is quite beautiful and sweet, and in equal measure, sad and tragic

It seems to be feeling everything yet having nothing -- exhilaration and exasperation, indeed

Posted by at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's funny to be writing -- and or publishing this on the "Lord's Day" -- I find it entirely interesting that I do not have much to say about it -- but read on at your leisure

The Passion of the Christ REVIEW: A++
(SL's early favorite for Best Picture of the Year)

Well, SD and I finally saw TPOTC late Friday night -- and there's not too much that I didn't like about the movie

I particularly liked the docudrama style employed -- one may wonder whether it is actually drama when the plot is so widely known

The non-judgmental treatment of the subject matter in a third person observer style is very effective -- is it brutal? yes -- is it emotional? yes -- will it strike different chords with people? probably yes

It is hard to perceive the movie as anti-Semitic or derogatory of Jews -- I viewed it more as people of different times share the same characteristics as people of our time

And this comes down to perspective vs. literal thinking -- would it be reasonable for the Pharisees to view JC as a threat -- sure -- whether it was credible or not is linked to perception of the long view or the truth of the matter -- whether he was the Son of God or not

This is not exceptional for people of any time -- to feel threatened or as a simpler matter, to disbelieve the incredible

This was a human film -- some of the brutality is quite inhumane given the context that JC really had nothing to be nailed for, in a literal sense -- but it really speaks of the qualities of human character: to pass the buck, to be compassionate, to act blameless, to act indignant, etc. etc.

Perhaps at the end of the day, that is why he had to die -- we are too frail?
Well, that is up to you

TPOTC is highly recommended, and we think of it as our early front-runner for best picture of the year

Posted by at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, yesterday SD and I went walking up and down Waikiki

It was funny because we observed that -- you know, people spend years raising funds to come here -- and we can come here anytime

Not that we would ... mind you :)

It was pretty cool, actually one of the standout moments was taking a look at how much swatch watches have changed and stayed the same -- I was tempted to get a graffiti one -- maybe some other time, ha

We had actually planned on walking Diamond Head
Well, 5 bucks for parking -- sheessh

We ended up at the KCC farmers market -- that is pretty cool
Actually we ate this handmade arare, very nice -- the price was nice
too, $4 a small theater sized bag -- I guess it was made of gold or something

More later

Posted by at 7:45 PM | Permalink

It is quite upsetting -- not that I didn't know that our government practiced a great deal of misinformation and deceit -- but this administration has made a practice of lying -- just flat out LIES -- that upsets me

The Center for American Progress has compiled an excellent list of Rice's
contradicted claims.� Here are some excerpts:

* RICE CLAIM: "I don't think anybody could have predicted that they would try to
use an airplane as a missile, a hijacked airplane as a missile." National
Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 5/16/020

* FACT: On August 6, 2001, the President personally "received a one-and-a-half
page briefing advising him that Osama bin Laden was capable of a major strike
against the US, and that the plot could include the hijacking of an American
airplane." In July 2001, the Administration was also told that terrorists had
explored using airplanes as missiles. [Source: NBC, 9/10/02; LA Times, 9/27/01]

* RICE CLAIM: In May 2002, Rice held a press conference to defend the
Administration from new revelations that the President had been explicitly
warned about an al Qaeda threat to airlines in August 2001. She "suggested that
Bush had requested the briefing because of his keen concern about elevated
terrorist threat levels that summer." [Source: Washington Post, 3/25/04]

* FACT: According to the CIA, the briefing "was not requested by President
Bush." As commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste disclosed, "the CIA informed the
panel that the author of the briefing does not recall such a request from Bush
and that the idea to compile the briefing came from within the CIA." [Source:
Washington Post, 3/25/04]

���
* RICE CLAIM: "In June and July when the threat spikes were so high�we were at battle stations."� National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04

* FACT: "Documents indicate that before Sept. 11, Ashcroft did not give
terrorism top billing in his strategic plans for the Justice Department, which
includes the FBI. A draft of Ashcroft's 'Strategic Plan' from Aug. 9, 2001, does
not put fighting terrorism as one of the department's seven goals, ranking it as
a sub-goal beneath gun violence and drugs. By contrast, in April 2000,
Ashcroft's predecessor, Janet Reno, called terrorism 'the most challenging
threat in the criminal justice area.'" Meanwhile, the Bush Administration
decided to terminate "a highly classified program to monitor Al Qaeda suspects
in the United States." [Source: Washington Post, 3/22/04; Newsweek, 3/21/04]

���
* RICE CLAIM: "The fact of the matter is [that] the administration focused on
this before 9/11." National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, 3/22/04

* FACT: President Bush and Vice President Cheney's counterterrorism task force,
which was created in May, never convened one single meeting. The President
himself admitted that "I didn't feel the sense of urgency" about terrorism
before 9/11. [Source: Washington Post, 1/20/02; Bob Woodward's "Bush at War"]

���
* RICE CLAIM: "Our [pre-9/11 NSPD] plan called for military options to attack al
Qaeda and Taliban leadership, ground forces and other targets -- taking the
fight to the enemy where he lived."� National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice,
3/22/04

* FACT:� 9/11 Commissioner Gorelick: "There is nothing in the NSPD that came out that we could find that had an invasion plan, a military plan." Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage: "Right." Gorelick: "Is it true, as Dr. Rice said, 'Our plan called for military options to attack Al Qaida and Taliban
leadership'?" Armitage: "No, I think that was amended after the horror of 9/11."
[Source: 9/11 Commission testimony, 3/24/04]

Posted by at 4:38 PM | Permalink

THE TOFU BRICKS!!!! -- can you stand it?!?!?!?!!

That would be (for those of you scoring from home, clockwise from back row)
Yogurt Tofu, Strawberry Tofu, Milk Tofu, Tofu New Zealand, and Tofu Dog

ok, I don't get it -- but you can for a mere $35, ha

Posted by at 9:15 AM | Permalink

SAME AS THE OLD BAND ...
We won't get fooled again?

(thanks to THE WHO for the inside joke of the morning)

Posted by at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, let it not be said that Wal-Mart does not go off past 10PM ... I have never seen so many people with so many kids buying so many things --- that's what some people can survive on BBQ chips and DVDs -- apparently -- ha

It's been kind of a cheap expensive week for me -- yesterday I finally broke down and bought a replacement DVD player -- and since my VCR died, I decided to buy a combo on sale at CC -- sheesh, I might as well wire them my money because they take most of it

I usually don't like combo anything, because combo stuff usually cannot do any function really well -- so we shall see

Anyways back to Wal-Mart -- I couldn't stand it -- I caved and bought the 9DVD Alien box set for 70 and change -- that is in comparison with 119 at TOWER -- coff coff, BS!!! -- so now I can die rather content -- well, at least I have stuff to watch should normal TV bore me -- I can watch BOTH editions of each Alien film -- damn, I'm a weirdo

Well, good night, good night -- tomorrow is Kuhio Day, so that means no work -- all in all, it's very good

Posted by at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It seems like everyone is taking a four day weekend today

Kind of slow here, actually a weird thing happened today -- I was planning on calling someone, and as I reached to dial-- it was that person -- thank you telepathy :)

Anyways, kind of enjoying the new Tesla CD -- if you like good melodic hard rock -- it's a nice album to listen to, kind of reminds of the Bon Jovi comeback a few years back

More later, I think

Posted by at 1:46 PM | Permalink

Either this is more propaganda to sell a book or stuff that should trouble us all -- some village in Texas has lost its fool, with your help we can help him find his way home in November

In his own words, here are some of Clarke's revelations:

Clarke repeatedly warned the Bush Administration about attacks from al Qaeda, starting in the first days of Bush's term.
"But on January 24th, 2001, I wrote a memo to Condoleezza Rice asking for, urgently -- underlined urgently -- a Cabinet-level meeting to deal with the impending al Qaeda attack. And that urgent memo-- wasn't acted on." According to another Bush administration security official, Clarke "was the guy pushing hardest, saying again and again that something big was going to happen, including possibly here in the U.S." The official added that Clarke was likely sidelined because he had served in the previous (Clinton) administration.

In face-to-face meetings, CIA Director George Tenet warned President Bush repeatedly in the months before 9/11 that an attack was coming.
According to Clarke, Tenet told the President that "A major al-Qaeda attack is going to happen against the United States somewhere in the world in the weeks and months ahead."

On September 12, 2001, Donald Rumsfeld pushed to bomb Iraq even though they knew that al Qaeda was in Afghanistan.
"Rumsfeld was saying that we needed to bomb Iraq," Clarke said. "And we all said ... no, no. Al-Qaeda is in Afghanistan. We need to bomb Afghanistan. And Rumsfeld said there aren't any good targets in Afghanistan. And there are lots of good targets in Iraq. I said, 'Well, there are lots of good targets in lots of places, but Iraq had nothing to do with it.'"

Also on September 12, 2001, President Bush personally pushed Clarke to find evidence that Iraq was behind the attacks.
From the New York Times: "'I want you, as soon as you can, to go back over everything, everything,' Mr. Clarke writes that Mr. Bush told him. 'See if Saddam did this. See if he's linked in any way.' When Mr. Clarke protested that the culprit was Al Qaeda, not Iraq, Mr. Bush testily ordered him, he writes, to 'look into Iraq, Saddam,' and then left the room."

The Bush Administration knew from the beginning that there was no connection between Iraq and 9/11, but created the misperception in order to push their policy goals.
"[Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush] did know better. They did know better. They did know better. We told them, the CIA told them, the FBI told them. They did know better. And the tragedy here is that Americans went to their death in Iraq thinking that they were avenging September 11th, when Iraq had nothing to do with September 11th. I think for a commander-in-chief and a vice president to allow that to happen is unconscionable."

The war on Iraq has increased the danger of terrorism.
In his book, he writes that shifting from al Qaeda to Iraq "launched an unnecessary and costly war in Iraq that strengthened the fundamentalist, radical Islamic terrorist movement worldwide."

(Courtesy Move On.org)

Posted by at 12:04 PM | Permalink

Feeling really blah this morning -- it's weird, not really for lack of sleep
oh well, maybe I need cafe, on with the show

50 First Dates- Soundtrack REVIEW: DBI

Honestly, I have no idea why this is the top seller at Towers across the country -- yes, there is the 311 workman-like cover of the Cure hit "Love Song" and that is a decent track

Ok, I realize that America has a love for all things Adam, and I like him alot as well -- noting also that he has a thing for 80s music in his movies-- and hey, I'm a 80s kid, too

The problem is that this all-star ensemble of bands picked a number of really great 80s new wave songs and just gone out and MUTILATED them

I think that part of the problem is that some of them have been "reggae-ified" --I thought this story was in Hawaii, not Jamaica -- oh yeah tell that to the local music scene here -- but that's besides the point

Oh and by the way, DBI stands for don't buy it

Tarot - Suffer Our Pleasures REVIEW: YMMV

I was waiting for this one to get American distribution for a while -- then finally our pal Brian Slagel at our favorite all-time label Metal Blade put it out on MB two weeks ago

Well, it finally got stocked here in paradiso o' pacifica -- and well, I didn't get it.
As you know it has the killer song "Pyre of Gods"

As much as I didn't get Demolition by Priest, Iced Earth post-Something Wicked, or post-Empire Queensryche -- I just don't get it

It has a lot of the qualities of the above bands and the musicianship is good, but the songs just never hooked me in -- however, this is not to say others who like well crafted power metal might not want to give this one a listen

Posted by at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ok, this sounds really uptight -- but I damn hate it when my checkbook doesn't balance

Normally, it wouldn't matter but when I find something that looks like it could be $300 too much or $200 too little -- well, dammit it's troubling

And the automatic teller line is no help -- nothing showing any 300 Up or 200 Down --- man, I hate this

Just what I needed, some bank issues -- swell

Posted by at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by at 11:52 AM | Permalink

I can't say today was the most fun day ever -- but it certainly was productive.

Basically I spent the day testing out software updates for my computer and seeing whether I liked them or not -- whee fun, huh? ha

It made me realize that in the attempt to go faster and faster, with more and more memory, etc. -- obsoleteness is not only obvious and inevitable -- well, dammit, it's highly annoying

It's annoying when I cannot access certain features because my processor speed is not up to current snuff -- which brings us back to the eternal question -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it -- but in computerland, if it ain't broke, so what (you need a new computer)

Piss me off

Posted by at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Click on image above for a commercial of the movie concept)

I have a feeling this movie may become the most irrelevant movie of the year -- well, that is until Oscar time -- I have a sinking suspicion that this one will be swept out of the theatres faster than you can say JUMP because I fear terribly that very few will want to go where it wants to take you -- it is the epitome of "oh so you wanna go there" in film

The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind REVIEW: YMMV

It's a concept that reminds of the late night revisioning of the Outer Limits -- what if science could erase memories that cause you present day pain -- in particular, what if it could remove the memories of a past lover so that you had no breakup pain -- sounds almost humanistic, doesn't it?

If this film is viewed as a morality play, it really is a wonderful film -- I think that it is very much TOO COOL for the room (in other words, it won't have mass appeal), and your viewing mileage versus my viewing mileage versus person X's viewing mileage will vary greatly -- this film is in many respects brilliant, in many respects frustratingly unwatchable at times, and yet will suck you in to the emotional performances by Jim Carrey, Kate Winslett, and Kirsten Dunst

The power of the movie is if it makes you self-question the role of memories in your own life, and openly question whether pain and happiness are the juice of life OR do they strip life of value to the point where you want it all to end

In the middle of this complexity is a quite simply played out love story that we get in sequences, chopped up like memories -- actually interestingly played out like SELECTIVE MEMORY -- that is very interesting to me, now that I think about it

When are our memories real, when are they unreal -- when is our mind justifying, when are our memories true to what happened -- ok, so it's sounding like it would be interesting only to the behavioral health professional crowd -- it's not really there yet it's hard to put in words

I have heard this movie compared to Lost in Translation -- but it's not boring, to me at least -- I think it takes a different tack than LIT -- it focuses in on the emotional realities of a love relationship (and even a sex relationship) -- it also focuses in on the vibrance of life, the deadening of life, and the power of memory to put things in appropriate context

For example, if you forgot how your car was damaged, and found it damaged the next morning, what would you think caused it? (Yeah, and what if a tree fell in the woods with no one there, would it make a sound? HAHAHAHA) -- yeah, this movie can play with your mind if you let it

If you stay on the surface of the movie, there is a charming quality of its portrayal of how awkward our lives are, and in particular how awkward our feelings are when we are in a love relationship -- or even when we first start getting feelings about someone

My warning to all is this: If you are expecting a goofy Jim Carrey, there are many of his movies at BB -- this one he plays very very straight -- almost like Adam Sandler in PDL -- Kate Winslett is really really great in this movie -- and Kirsten Dunst plays a very awkward role (in a subplot) and carries if off really well -- oh yeah and boy Frodo (E. Wood) is in this one, but I didn't find his performance to be anything to really go wow over

This is a really odd film -- I don't think many will like it, but at the end of the day, I think all who see it will respect it -- that's so weird (what I just said) -- you'll catch on if you see it -- you may hate it if you see it too, or feel terribly terribly LOST -- and it employs the non-linear time context that we has been very popular (eg. Memento, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill) -- time flows all over the place, not necessary forward or backward

I can tell you the core premise -- you may wonder after seeing it if it truly is the core premise -- Winslett's character has decided to erase her memories of her relationship to Carrey's character. Carrey meets up with her later and finds that she doesn't remember him. Oops, someone lets slip that Winslett's character has gotten the eraser procedure. Carrey then goes himself to get his memories of her erased. Carrey is halfway through his erasure of all memories with Winslett and realizes he goofed -- he still wants to remember the good times. Then it becomes a complex stand to hold onto the love, or last flickers of memories of love, he had with her even if it means pain -- Even after telling you this, you are probably no better off, because the movie has many many layers and aspects to it, you just got the Luau Notes version

So what I am saying is, you may hold this movie at a distance from you -- or embrace it instantly as if you can totally relate -- whatever it is, I really believe YMMV on this movie, and I can't really put a grade to it -- but it is truly a human film -- and one that I would encourage you to watch, though I fear you may all hate me for it afterwards

PS the soundtrack is FANTASTIC!

Posted by at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

NO SPACE SALE

It seems like every year around this time I clean out my room or more specifically my storage space-- and find that I have way too much crap

So it's off to the eBay we go and hopefully I can clear out space AGAYNE -- sheesh, when will I learn

Posted by at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It is interesting how companies try to get their users to sign off on agreements that say NO SURFING during work time -- yet such is acknowledged as the case in the vast majority of the literature as necessary to productivity -- HUH?

Well more from los listening booth---

Fefe Dobson - Self-Titled REVIEW: B+/A-

Oh Canada, wow you guys have one heck of a young budding star going there-- Fefe Dobson! So continuing on with the young stars in the making theme

From the first notes of retro-guitar old school hardcore in "Stupid little love song" to the soft emotional ballad closers "Julia", "8x10", and "Rainbow" -- Fefe shows a performance range from all-out rock to power pop to clean and clear

"Take me away" is a ready made power pop single -- really cool track --"Everything" has that RHCP Under the Bridge feel, but has a built in singalong catchy chorus

She seems to do better with the material that goes away from the mainstream sensibilities, and gets down to just plain good song composition -- "Revolution song", "Kiss me you fool"-- a style ala 80s Quarterflash/Pat B., and "We went for a ride"

We happen to like 11/13 of the songs -- the reason why it isn't perfect is the bows to the cliched femme scream teen genre, and the overall solid (but not too spectacular) backing band -- there is a cool cut with a Tone Loc sighting, cool stuff

Very good album -- another high recommendation

The Postal Service - Give Up REVIEW: C+/B-

The collaboration between two modern synth gods -- of whom admittedly we have never heard of prior-- yields mostly mixed results to our ears

Yes, it has its New Order/Pet Shop Boys moments -- it also has it's meandery arty synth atmospheric moments too -- so to us, it comes out fairly mixed in that we don't really get the meandering atmmy music too well -- our fault not theirs

Standout moments are more poppy and focused -- "Nothing Better" and "Brand new colony" stands up to classic Pet Shop and New Order, respectively; "We will become silhouettes" is just synth goodness with a Devo vibe; "This place is a prison" is great melancholy synth; "sleeping in" has neat, smart lyrics and a PSBs vibe

Well, in short, our evaluation is that this CD is a bit too cool for the room -- it is perfect for those who REALLY REALLY like synth pop -- if you just like synth pop like us, you may want to test drive or pass -- if it means anything to you, RS loved it --WHO? yeah we thought so, ha

a Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step REVIEW:

Elefant - Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid REVIEW:

more to come ...

Posted by at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

More reviews, some old and stale, on with the show--

Alien Ant Farm - truANT REVIEW: B+

No sophomore jinx-- heck, almost no band after a near tragic bus accident in Spain -- Alien Ant Farm, best known for the remake of MJ's Smooth Criminal -- are back with a very solid diverse set of compelling, well-written alt pop, rock (and even catchy Latin-flavored pop "Tia Lupe" -- these guys were on the Vans noo-punk tour? HUH?!?!?!)

A taste of Stone Temps (actually this album is done by STP producers, the DeLeo Bros.) in the opener,"1000 days" -- "Drifting Apart" has a straightforward heavy riff-pop tasty funk crunch -- what the hell am I writing, anyways?!?! good song, there I said it -- and give me some cowbell, with jazzy stomp rocker "Rubber Mallet"

"Quiet" is a solid power pop number, with 80s influences -- "Glow" is a really fun
pop "clap-clap" cut that vies for best on the disc with the stompy radio hit, "These days" -- the album gets a bit soft in the middle but finishes out strong

Overall, a nice breath of fresh air in the alt pop/rock genre that steers clear of post-hardcore or nickelcreed cliches

The All-American Rejects - Self Titled REVIEW: A+

The pop hook is very elusive -- or more precisely the alt pop hook -- but when a band nails it, you know -- this one was one of the best CDs from the last year -- still very fresh to listen to a year later

This band has drawn comparisons to the Cars, Weezer, and other bands that blend melody with vocal harmonies -- they are often mistaken for Jimmy Eat World, overall we beleive that the AAR is superior to Jimmy Eat

The CD is unique in that it takes a simple and straightforward approach-- without overdoing it with emo or on the other hand, goofiness.

It's hard to nitpick on songs that I do not like on this one-- the obvious standouts are "Swing Swing", "Why Worry", "Your Star", "My Paper Heart"-- but top to bottom it is perfectly able to be played through without skipping -- a truly rare thing nowadays in the age of filler

Simply guilty, pop infectiousness -- very highly recommended

Posted by at 3:49 PM | Permalink

War without end?

(Courtesy 2003 Ted Rall)

The casualty count is still rising daily.

Over 650 Coalition troops (including over 550 American servicepeople)
have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and over 3,200 have been
injured. Thousands of Iraqis have also been killed and injured.

The price for all military families is high. Reservists, National Guard members and their families are being hit especially hard.

Soon, 40% of all troops serving in Iraq will be either reservists or
National Guard members[LA Times, 2/22/04]. Many of these soldiers
thought they would be serving overseas for six months. Now, they're
being told they'll be spending a year or more in Iraq. Thousands of
families had less than a week's notice to prepare for this separation
[Washington Post, 1/21/04].

Families of reservists and Guard members don't have the established
support resources that families of full-time soldiers have at
military bases. Many of these families will have to get by on less
money since reservists and Guard members often receive less money for
their service than their regular jobs pay.

The Bush administration has not been up-front with the American people about the reasons for going to war, or about the costs of the war.

In the run-up to the war, President Bush said that the United States
"must not ignore the treat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence
of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof - the smoking gun - that
could come in the form of a mushroom cloud... We have every reason to
assume the worst, and we have an urgent duty to prevent the worst from
occurring." [Washington Post, 1/28/2002]

That was not the message that he was getting from the intelligence
community. Here's what CIA Director George Tenet said about the
National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, which summarized the pre-war
views of the intelligence community: "Let me be clear: analysts
differed on several important aspects of these programs, and those
debates were spelled out in the Estimate. They never said there was an
'imminent' threat." [Transcript of 2/5/04 speech at Georgetown
University]

The Pentagon's year 2005 budget doesn't contain any money for military
operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. The White House won't ask Congress
for that money until January 2005 - after the November presidential
election. [Knight Ridder Newspapers, 2/11/04]

The Bush administration needs to face accountability for its actions, rather
than looking for congratulations from Congress.

Even Bush's own top weapons inspector, David Kay, called on the
administration to admit that there are no weapons of mass
destruction, "I think in this case, the evidence is out there to
the extent that the president really needs to say to the American
people, ‘We made a mistake.’" [NBC News 3/15/04]

Congress has the responsibility to hold the President Bush accountable
for his actions, and should censure him for misleading the American
people.

(Talking points courtesy Moveon.org)

Posted by at 10:14 AM | Permalink

Here's some capsules of reviews I have done over the past two weeks, some of these CDs were really surprising -- and I note the increasing difficulty of tapping into new music here in Paradise given the current state of radio -- grumble, grumble, grouse-grouse -- on with the show ...

Katy Rose: Because I Can REVIEW: B/B+

Here we go again, we sure grow em young now-a-days

The debut CD from sixteen (16!!!) year old, Katy Rose has drawn comparisons to Liz Phair, PJ Harvey, and Fiona Apple -- and also her nearer to age counterpart, Avril LaVigne

The music has a mature swagger and jaded quality that is a bit precocious and sometimes puzzling -- the voice however is fine burnt angst at times, and angelically clean -- but at all times, emotional

The lyrics are honest, but at the same time old for her age -- however this set of power pop rock is very strong and compelling -- and in our estimation, a cut above Avril

There have been barbs directed at this CD due to the collaboration with her father ex-of POCO -- however, there is a channelling that occurs from the collaboration that makes the effort mostly stronger -- though it does bow at times to the cliched scream teen genre ("Overdrive", "Vacation"), noting that these tracks are pretty good

Two big highlights are the moody ballad "Snowflakes" and the well-crafted alt rockers "I Like" and "Glow" -- "Teaching myself to dream" is well crafted power pop -- and "Because I Can" and "Original Skin" are really great ballads

We must remember that she is only a teen (and all those trappings) -- so there is an honesty about being at that point in life -- and there is a great potential here for her to evolve into something spectacular

the START - Death by Satellite EP REVIEW: B+/A-

Out from the rubble of two of LA's cult fave bands, Human Waste Project (now out of print-- classic, if you can get it) and Snot comes a force to be reckoned with -- theSTART

The influence of late 80s new wave Siouxsie, Missing Persons, and Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday-- combined with heavy metal guitar and power poppy punk -- it rocks and is fun to listen to -- some have grumbled that it sounds too much like Gwen or really doesn't take the female vox alt rock band genre in any new direction -- all those concerns seem fairly academic to us, we like this disc a lot because of the great music

Aimee Echo -- that's next voice that one can put up in the distinctive indy femme vocalist pantheon

All this for $5.99, you certainly can't go wrong with this one -- a nice splash into the mainstream for this indy band from LA

Kanye West - College Dropout REVIEW: A

The Luau does HIP-HOP, surely you must be kidding?!?!?!?!

With very little to recommend lately in the genre, as it caters more to poorly put together crappy ass dance music for MTV -- things have changed with the game changing efforts of Outkast this past year

Now, don't get me wrong, hip hop is seriously beat driven, and with no groove--why bother, right? -- Well, you've seen him on the Dave Chappelle Show with Common performing the hard-to-find track FOOD

Kanye West is bringing it back for the old school hip hop fans (like the owner here) -- excellent beats, intelligent lyrics, and social commentary -- yes there is the nods to the pursuit of skeet skeet, but it's the exception rather than norm -- and well put together grooves-- this CD is truly MUSICAL-- good stuff

So if you don't mind some language, this one has me optimistic about the future of hip-hop -- back to the basics and then two steps forward

Posted by at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Deep sympathy and condolences to SD's family as her grandfather passed away late this evening

Posted by at 11:51 PM | Permalink

Tonight we went to see the newest suspense thriller on the block

And surprisingly, it was very entertaining -- not too many cheap pop scares -- this one was a true psychological thriller that was very well done

Johnny Depp plays the main character with such delicious weirdness and oddity -- Turturro is solid as hell -- and there are a few more recognizable faces in this ensemble cast

The show is entirely Johnny's -- and it was well done and very entertaining -- I say, entertaining partly because of the fiasco that was Friday's viewing menu -- but this one is a good popcorn popping suspense/thriller -- it's not Oscar material or classic by any means -- but well on its way to cult fave status

PS. a happy b-day to my mom

Posted by at 11:14 AM | Permalink

Lost in Translation ... wow, what a borefest this was

I know the hype, I just may be the only dude on the planet Earth that totally didn't get this movie -- oh btw, SD didn't get it too and received the same unsolicited praise from friends et al. about it

There's not much I can really say about it -- it's not funny -- it has no perceptible story arc -- it's just people kinda mulling around in their boring lives in Japan

Funny, but my life is boring enough to waste spending time watching very DULL dvds -- YMMV with this one, caveat emptor

Posted by at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Or why MLMs still exist -- much to my disbelief and counter to my most rational expectations

Well, it happened -- someone asked SD to go to a MLM meeting
There's no need to say the name, suffice it to say, there are MANY, MANY here in Paradise -- I guess the price of paradise really does hit people hard in terms of the work they have to do to get by here -- people really feel the burden of costs and money here -- BIG TIME!

I feel odd, because I remember when I was looking for jobs after college I was galled into showing up for quite a few of these "meetings" -- ultimately with the promise of money

All it made me think was that money must mean something to everyone -- it's probably a little different for everyone -- but certainly and most commonly it drives our lives to a larger degree

Without money, well it seems that a lot of things we tie our notion of "pleasure" to -- are primarily or indirectly affiliated with money -- no money, no toys -- no money, no free time -- make your own list -- it will get very long

Well, she asked me about the group -- I gave her the dope about it -- and she went anyway -- but she really did not want to go, but went to support her friend

I suppose the thing that kills me about these things is that they ask you to bring your friend, your family member, your S.O., your co-worker

Why? Oh, obviously because you care about them and their future -- so what's in it for them -- well you can be added to their upline -- if you don't know what an upline is, imagine how the pyramid looks like in Egypt

Then visualize or think for yourself, how many blocks does it take to support the top most block -- ergo, the lower you are, the less you get -- yet the more people ahead of you benefit from your own hard work

And I thought this was all about your independence, your financial future -- seems like what people refer to as a scheme or scam -- why are these places not concerned about whether you have direct sales experience -- not concerned at all that you don't have a CFP or Series 6,7,63, et al. for selling insurance or security instruments

Well, recently my family friend asked me to join on to a MLM, and I did -- but I did it just to buy the products -- I like their products, they are very good in the skin care area -- although she said I'd probably do really well in it -- I'm just not into treating my family and friends as $ signs -- and you probably don't think of your loved ones that way too

That's why I really hate MLMs, they take your own greed and threaten to upset your personal relationships -- then people above you will make you feel guilty and pressured to squeeze your loved ones, so they can make money -- pretty dark stuff

Posted by at 8:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today at the capitol, a person nominated to be a judge basically had his name both run through the mud and was praised to the Nth degree to excess

It made me wonder why people would subject themselves to the humiliation of such a public airing of your laundry -- especially in the name of public service

Certainly, many of these people DO NOT need to make less than they would in the private sector -- to be gleefully dragged down by some politicians who have no idea of what it means to be a member of a profession

To be subject to the fancy and whims of someone playing politics -- ultimately with your own career fate -- See, the place here is very very small

Whether you are as "bad" or as "good" a person as people say you are is really big shits here -- and it doesn't matter whether the allegations are true or not

It's really unfortunate ... this year I have seen three people, two politicians and one accomplished lawyer become the subject of so-called muckraking "investigated" reports that do very little investigation or substantiation of claims of impropriety or unfitness

A lot of people call this era the information age -- and it really comes down to which sources can you trust -- I have close friends who have a very different factual take on a recent occurence than other people -- and it meant a large shift in the quality of their lives

Why are we so quick to accuse and to drag people down -- or trump up charges -- or think the worst of people -- it never is on the merits anymore these days, it's all about perception

To have many things in our lives reduced to SPIN -- yikes -- it's no longer natural to be your body type, it's unattractive -- it's no longer okay for politicians to raise money in campaigns, it's dirty -- it's no longer okay to be a strong advocate of positions, you are overzealous and lack proper temperament -- and the list goes on and on and on with examples

It's all about spin -- marketing -- illusion -- and ultimately delusion

Posted by at 8:53 PM | Permalink

Repeat Chorus... boring

Actually, I was thinking today that I am a bit too fascinated by natural disaster movies -- I think I must have watched the trailer for Day After Tomorrow about 10x -- I actually liked Deep Impact and Volcano, I need help -- ha

Late night update:
Well, I tried out the livemet site and have been very impressed by the quality of the recordings -- and the pretty not bad inserts -- so far I'm a satisfied customer

Well, back to listening to NEM -- and nothing else to say tonight

Posted by at 1:15 PM | Permalink

(ed.note 3/9/04 - because we have enjoyed the informational content of the comments over the past year, we republish it for our edification and education)

(ednote: or Formative Years: Appendix A)

For all of you who read through the lengthy blog epic Formative Years, a couple weeks ago ... I bring you this question ... who is Farrokh Bulsara ... and no, he's not another evil guy played by Kevin Spacey

Yes, you do know him ... and actually today since it is a dark ugly mess outside I decided to catch up with my DVD viewing

Let me tell you, yes, I do feel foolish piling up DVD acquisitions that just SIT ... and SIT ... and SIT ... still wrapped in the plastic ... I wonder if Circuit City still sells DVDs for 14.99 ... YES, it has been THAT long ...ha

So, I've actually found a music DVD company that I like a lot ... Pioneer ... they have really NICE sounding DVDs

And what better way to start the DVD fest ....

QUEEN: We Will Rock You (1982): A

What can I say ... well. this period in Queen's history is pretty interesting, it's well before the revitalization that came after the stunning performance at 1985's LIVE AID ... its the latter portion of the tour in support of the massively popular THE GAME ... and the show contains so much of the early Queen material, it's like the swan song for the first part of their career --- only to reemerge strong again with Works: Radio GaGa, the Highlander music, the Iron Eagle (yeah Lou Gossett, that one) era return to the hard rock sound of QUEEN ...

of course, as you all know by now, QUEEN has always had a special place in my lexicon of musical taste ... so many hits, so many just great great songs:
"Bohemian Rhapsody", the 80s cheesefest "Another One Bites The Dust", the uplifting "Somebody To Love" ... if someone were filming a documentary of my formative years, they could make the soundtrack all QUEEN -- it would just match so well

I have heard that in the UK that QUEEN is only second to the hearts of the many, second only to those oldfarts The Beatles ... ha ... just kidding, maybe

Their reputation is built on being a spectacular live band ... I have never had the opportunity to see them live (actually I think they are planning on touring and recording again, but to me, it just isn't the same without the main man --- that energy bomb of flamboyance power and mystique ... yeah Mr. Mustachio)

So this DVD is filmed live from Montreal in 1981 ... the audience is bland .. perhaps if they performed in Japanese (see the DVD, inside joke) .. but they put on quite the show

ok, so its a QUEEN concert film ... guess what you get? ... that's right, Fred Fred and more Fred ... never was there a more powerful voice in rock/hard rock genre... maybe never was there a more powerful presence on stage (though one may argue that a few match the sheer CHARISMA and FORCE of his personality)

So what about the other members of the band ... no one wants to look at old gaptooth mustachio for 90 mins do they??? ... ha ... actually Brian May gives a really solid performance, and shows why he may be the most UNDERrated of the great guitar players of the golden era of hard rock

I think what's pretty interesting about this show is the feel of newness to those tracks we all know and love from THE GAME ... Pressure (yeah, during this wonderful performance you look back and think sheesh, what if that BMX GOOF from Miami did not record over it and nearly RUIN it), Dust, Dragon, Crazy Little Thing, etc. ... and then seeing some of the classics live, many of which I had only listened to before or seen music vids for: "Let Me Entertain You", "Somebody To Love", "Killer Queen", "Now I'm Here", "Keep Yourself Alive", "Sheer Heart Attack", "We Will Rock You (a really hot PUNK raw take to open the show"), "We Are The Champions", and "Bohemian Rhapsody"... and an unplugged (innovators before their time) version of "Love of my life" that is a true showstopper

What you see is one of the most influential rock bands of all time giving another fantastic performance ... and maybe the second best concert film I've seen next to the numero uno of the genre: Talking Heads-Stop making sense and Led Zeppelin's Song Remains the Same (now remastered and FANTASTIC)

It's just fun watching for days like today - under a pale grey sky ... it's even fun to watch with subs on to have your own Queen karaoke party ... ha

The DVD has some interesting features, a director commentary which I haven't listened to yet ... a Queen trivia game ... oh yeah, did I say it is mastered in THX ... too bad I'm not rich enough to enjoy it like that ... but its an option

(ed.note: oh yeah, Farrokh Bulsara is the given name of the Tanzania-born greatest pop star that never was ...but British gift to the world of rock, FREDDIE MERCURY)

Once again, the Luau salutes one of the BEST performers in Rock History ... RIP, eleven and a half years after AIDS took your body, your legacy and spirit lives on in the music and performances

(ed.note:next for the Luau: a review of BILLY IDOL:Storytellers ... you won't want to miss that one.... HAAAAA, RIGHT!)

Posted by at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Well, not much going on so far today

Just found out Michael Kuebler made All-WAC, that's really cool
Really not cool was that Phil Martin, mainstay on the Defensive Team did not make it there this year -- or BIG TIME MISCARRIAGE, Julian Sensley did not make it to the Newcomers Team

In another note, AC Carter made it to 2nd Team All-Time WAC, that's pretty good considering the names on the teams include Hardaway, Ainge, Van Horn, et al. -- Hopefully, some NBA team will pick him up

Maybe I will set up a futility meter to count off the days since Van Halen last released an album -- ok, I'm not that BORED ... ha

*****
Late afternoon:

Well today was a very dead day at work ... so dead that I decided to goof around with the blog you have in front of you

Tomorrow on paper looks equally as dull -- so hmm, I don't know what I plan to do -- I guess I'll bring a book and the iBook to work

This is not to say that we are lazy in our office ... sometimes it gets really deathly slow

Posted by at 9:08 PM | Permalink

Yep, I have resolved not to go near Aloha Stadium until my beloved Trojans step foot in the Halawa rust palace -- two seasons from now

Today, SD and I went to the flea market -- she was in the market for army surplus belts -- actually I would like to say that if a divided nation is missing many of its populace -- well you can find them here at the flea market

So she found a couple of belts that she liked -- the supreme irony of it all was that the merchant was lecturing her not to drag it on the ground -- SO AS TO DAMAGE IT?!?!?!?! ... man, you gotta be killing me

Well, I have a nice rip-off, knock-off West Coast Choppers shirt -- NOTT

****
Afternoon update:

After a delicious grilled sub/cheesesteak, if you will -- we went to go see Starsky & Hutch -- my impressions are that it is not remotely like the series -- yet very entertaining in a silly, simple, you could do worse for entertainment on Sunday afternoon way -- but the Cookie Corner brownies suck, perhaps I should be smart and stick to buying cookies from them -- imagine that, ha

Posted by at 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, tonight we were foiled repeatedly --

Our initial plan was to watch the in-house copy of Lost in Translation -- well, after much searching, we came to find out the copy was lost as in -- not in the house after all

So we went over the local BB, and guess what -- yep, much like a Jet Li movie, it was out there as well

And every movie that we tried to find was out, okay so BB's if it's not there policy was fully and completely in effect

So we gave up and went back home, this time to watch BEND IT .. well guess, what?

We went to sleep early ... hoo fun ...ha

Posted by at 9:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yippee, Gary is grumbling ...
Hurray, Kobe got hurt again ...
Yay, the Mailman is scheduled to come back this week ...

Sheesh, this is beginning to look like a lost season for the Lakers --
*sigh*
Lakers won ... there's nothing like slow death ... ha

(ed.note 3/9) now Shaq is getting ejected from games for being 350, a big man -- learn how to ref guys

Posted by at 6:08 PM | Permalink

Bush told us he wouldn't use 9/11 for political purposes. As reported by the Associated Press on 1/23/03, President Bush said "I have no ambition whatsoever to use this as a political issue." Now he's doing precisely that.

Our tragedy is being exploited. By using 9/11 imagery, President Bush's re-election ads cheapen a profoundly significant event that killed thousands and hurt all of us.

Just two weeks ago, the Bush/Cheney campaign attacked the notion of "playing politics with national security." As reported in Newsday on 2/20/04, Bush-Cheney spokesman Kevin Madden responded to charges that the White House has overtly politicized 9/11 by saying "I can't believe [they] said that. They are playing politics with national security."

Bush still won't testify in front of the 9/11 commission. As the Daily News reported, many family members are especially upset because President Bush still refuses to meet with the whole 9/11 commission, which was set up to determine what went wrong in the lead-up to the attacks.

The political use of 9/11 is a major part of the Bush re-election strategy. The 2004 Republican Convention is scheduled for the first week of September, timing which, according to the New York Times (4/22/03), "will allow Bush to begin his formal campaign near the third anniversary of Sept. 11."

(Courtesy Moveon.org)

Editors Note:
Despite this, President Bush has used 9/11 images as a part of a re-election commercial -- Make your voice heard this November

Posted by at 3:20 PM | Permalink

Well, today was a pretty noteworthy and LONG commute --actually it permitted me to get a few more listens in of a few CDs that I like quite a bit -- so here's a few under the radar that were a pleasure to review -- and we're noting some highlights for you download test drivers -- we provide it as a public service to get you all over your American Karaoke, err Idol midweek blues

Rooney - Rooney REVIEW: A/A+
(SL March Music Pick)

Well, in a lucky turn of events, TOWER (the soon to be bankrupt) has a whole bunch of new artists on sale for 8.99/9.99 -- I had heard nothing but good about this band -- and after the first few spins, I now know why

This is a surprisingly tasty set of alt-pop whose elements recall classic 80s college rock -- lots of fun vocal harmonies, some people have noticed the "beach boys" influence -- but don't let that scare you off -- closely related to the church of Weezer, but a little less guitar driven -- but really, really great songwriting and lyrical sense in a very catchy format

There really isn't a bad track on this one -- it actually makes me think it could be good road trip music -- I never thought I would say this, but I am really appreciating bands that can put something good together in 3 mins or so-- the retro "radio single" formula -- heck even their look is retro shag meet A&F

Well, get in on the ground floor of this one, because it's very good music (and fairly cheap if you can find it) -- Highlights include: "Blueside", "If it were up to me", "I'm shakin'", and "That Girl Has Love" -- we particularly like "Stay Away","Popstars", "Daisy Duke", and "Simply Because" -- you know, the CD is actually only 11 tracks deep, so that's the vast chunk of it (impressive quality here)

Still amazed at the little diamonds you can find out in that great big rough.

Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance REVIEW: C+/B-

I don't know what day that it happened-- when it became fashionable to clean sing or harmonize over hardcore or crunchy riffs -- well, at some point many bands started employing what Kerry King terms the "Hot Topic" genre -- and as I grow increasingly tired of this direction of music, I do find Thrice to be at the front of this class

Thrice is one of the better acts to emerge from the genre -- "Under a Killing Moon" is classic power driven core with metal influences -- it oddly reminds me of how much Metallica has influenced today's bands -- well, if you touch up some Hoobaharmony with Met, it's an interesting mix -- great track

Another great track is "All that's left" -- this one is just a great rock song, no matter the genre -- found out about it from this year's MADDEN football game -- really tight track -- well sung, well played -- there are quite a few other tracks on the CD that try to take the same direction but lack the quality of this track

"Silhouette" is great, it changes up the whole 200mph formula of scream, harmonize, play fast, and bash -- it's just good slowed down heavy stomp

The title track "the artist in the ambulance" is also great-- again only because it doesn't force the formula and relies on its confident rocking goodness

At the end of the day, I am a bit disappointed because there is great potential here -- maybe I want them to be a different band than they truly are -- a few really outstanding tracks, but the overall album is mixed in terms of my taste for it (largely because of the scream, harmonize, play fast, and bash formula) -- I'm gonna be a great target for Hot Topic angst again, why do I get myself into these situations, where's my asbestos suit !?!?!

The Darkness - Permission to Land REVIEW: A++
(SL Early Front-Runner for Album of the Year)

Well, here's a band with a look like Steven Tyler/Joe Perrys' garage sale -- retro is in, so noted-- anyways, getting beyond the look -- ok, it also has a 70s styled wacky cover concept that is over the top

When was rock, ROCK!?!?!?!

It's been awhile, hasn't it? Ok, this band has moments of the Cure, Queen, AC/DC, the pomp of glam, and arena rock sensibilities -- this is not to say that it is a mess, but to say that at least one band in the world has decided to rock this year-- and for this, we salute them

"Black Shunk" is good ol' fashioned powerchord rock like our favorite house band AC/DC -- "Get your hands off my woman" is a goofy 70s rock title applied to the most confident rock song we've heard so far this year

"Growing on me" is a catchy retro power-pop effort; "I believe in a thing called love" is the masterwork, so stop reading now and go download it from iTunes, and find out why this is such a hot song -- "Holding my own" is the last track on the album and makes you remember why Purple Rain, yes that PR, was such a powerful rock ballad anthem -- well in 2004, there is another

"Love is a feeling" has cool retro power ballad elements with guitar doodle harmonies -- it has that comfortable classic rock feel like you've been listening to it since 1979 with no wear and tear to your TOO-MUCH-AIRPLAY sensor

"Givin' up" has a late 70s Stonesy fun bluesy rock feel -- we certainly aren't complaining -- "Friday Night" is somewhat in the same vein, but with a pop-stomp feel that steals a Cure-ish vibe, again no one is complaining here

"love on the rocks with no ice" -- the guitars are back out again, arena rock!! -- if you even remotely like arena rock, this one will get you to find 11 on the volume knob

Ok, about the vocals -- yes they sound like the Cure's Robert Smith mixed with Tiny Tim and Freddie Mercury-- so if you're afraid of weird sounding singers, I believe the Clay Aiken is at the head of the bin -- Justin Hawkins has amazing range and interesting delivery, and is by all accounts the next great front man

Anyways, we talked about all but one track on this album (even that one is listenable) -- this may be the breakout band for this year in rock --they are definitely worthy of the emerging buzz and praise -- and is our early favorite for album of the year

Posted by at 10:25 AM | Permalink

Well, first off, I want to thank John Edwards for making a run at the presidential nomination and giving people more choices and more issues to look at

The second thing that I was thinking about today was concerts direct to you -- yes, I know that Pearl Jam tried that in 2000 with its city CDs -- well, livedownloads.com has a few -- and notoriously Phish is providing shows online for a charge

Now this year's Madly in Anger North American tour will be available for download -- the possibility of going to a show, then getting it as a FLAC or mp3 a few days later is pretty cool -- I believe its 9.95/12.95 per show -- so obviously it can be pricey if one is hardcore about collecting -- but very cool idea, now only if they will join forces with iTunes -- cmon Lars, you said you had an iPod

I found out today that a person whom I worked with fairly recently has been committed -- yes in that 1950s sense -- and I wonder what is it about our lives nowadays that stresses us out, works us so hard, and gives us so very little pleasure -- sad, I hope that the person I am thinking about feels better real soon -- but yeah, what is it about working harder, enjoying life less, and catastrophizing everything from terror alerts to breakups -- life has become so complicated and fearful-- but why??

Lastly, I must admit that I have become utterly hooked on Winning Eleven 7 -- yes, EEGAD a soccer game for PS2 -- it's really fun, very addictive -- highly recommended, and takes up my potential sleep time

Over and out, have a good and peaceful one

Posted by at 6:23 PM | Permalink

Well, it looks like the Edwards campaign is over, and Kerry will be the nominee -- the thing that bothers me about Kerry is that he is fairly doofish

In a speech, he said that Bush should BRING IT ON -- now call me oversensitive, but I don't find such corny pro wrestling-ish trash talk to be very appropo in this era where we have American soldiers abroad actually "fighting" so that sillyheads like Kerry can make such asinine, childish, and corny comments

Stick to the issues, John, so America can move on

Posted by at 6:26 PM | Permalink

You know, I don't know when I realized it -- or perhaps I chose to be in denial for quite a while now -- but when was the last time that I was truly interested in who was our President -- aka leader of the free world guy

I think it was at a time when I was more naive and idealistic about what America was about, what values the US espoused, and overall a lot less information overloaded about what is going on in American politics

I look at this year's set of candidates shaping up -- Bush, Kerry, Nader, et al. -- and I say to myself, sheesh, I'm not even remotely interested in any of them -- none of them really strikes my imagination or fancy in terms of policies, solutions, charisma, or whatever other applied criteria

So is the bland candidate the reason why Americans no longer vote or care -- maybe -- but when more people are far more concerned with American Idol and watching commercials during the Super Bowl -- it really comes down to what you can catch my fancy for a moment with -- the soundbite, the blurb, because I have video games to play, traffic to sit in, and things to stress about -- is this the freedom that we have lost 500+ and counting lives over? There's no answer to that, is there?

Posted by at 6:34 PM | Permalink