The escape

SOS!

Not much time left here... an alien force is loose on the planet. Virtually undetectable until it's too late, it invades the bloodstream, shutting down the central nervous system before migrating to the mind where senses are dulled, neurons are neutralized and synapses cease firing. Gradually victims are vaporized into a vast field of empty space.

I must move quickly or I could suffer the same fate as the others...

-end of transmission

Snakes and Arrows Live!

New DVD

I just sat down to begin watching the new Rush DVD! Snakes and Arrows Live from Holland has only just begun and it's already an explosive all out assault on my senses. Nice opening comedic bit by Alex and company, sophisticated artwork and graphic images, a crystal clear sound mix and wonderful camera perpectives capturing the band as they deliver a tasty Limelight to open the show. I am truly thankful this band has endured, and now utilizing the incredible technology of the day, we have an opportunity as fans to see these shows captured and presented to us in such a moving way.

RED ALERT, RED ALERT!

Folded like K-Mart deck chairs...

2008 Tampa Bay Bucs

"...of our elaborate plans, the end."

We wish you the best Caddy.

BBQ Buc O-U-T!

-A

War Made Easy

Documentary narrated by Sean Penn

In my imaginary world where mandatory High School curriculum includes the course Critical Thinking 101, this would be among the 1st films shown.

Grade: A+

-A

Open letter from BBQ Buc...

Since their Super Bowl, the Bucs are a dismal 9-16 in the month of December...

Gut check or gas pipe?

As a season ticket holder and loyal Buc fan, I could not be more appreciative of the Vince Lombardi trophy the team earned under coach Jon Gruden. This being the holiday season it doesn't exactly seem appropriate to publicly call for some one's professional head. Not that it would matter if "I" did it, it's only me after all.. and the Glazers will continue to run their team as they see fit. That having been said, I will have no choice but to not renew our tickets if this team completes this ghastly tank job by missing the playoffs and the present regime remains in tact.

Will the Raiders do Chucky in once and for all?

My 2 cents worth: We have a track record of mediocrity here over the past several years. It has been a roller coaster of with a few nice highs but some sickening lows, on and off the field. Although the defense has looked like a shell of its former self in recent weeks Monte Kiffin has been simply amazing throughout his tenure and to me his departure makes it even more imperative the Bucs examine long and hard the ability of their head man to galvanize an entire football team. Whether or not they decide to hand the defensive reigns to Raheem Morris remains to be seen. The defensive tradition that has long been a hallmark of this football club clearly needs to be reestablished and perhaps redefined to a certain extent. Play makers are needed on both sides of the ball and this is an especially critical time for this franchise. If we draft well over the next couple of years, I believe the transition of our team can go fairly well. We can not afford to swing and miss badly (*see 2nd round choice from '08 draft) or we will bottom out big time and it's going to be a rocky road back to the top. At first glance there may not be a plethora of splash, big name "offensive geniuses" that will grab headlines and turn the world on its side but, we've been there and done that. I'm no expert but I would hedge my bets that 2 dozen or so competent candidates would welcome the opportunity to ATTACK opposing defenses with the likes of Joey Galloway, and a motivated Antonio Bryant should either or both remain in the fold.

We need to get back to the days of continuity and credibility, somehow some way. And now, I have to go route for the freaking Eagles. Unacceptable!

BBQ Buc, out...

-A

It's Shoe Time!!

How about George freaking Junior, eh? During his final presss conference to the citizens of Iraq, he has a pair of Buster Browns whipped at his head. Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, halted the proceedings when he hurled two shoes at the outgoing Commander and Thief. Incidently, he missed with both attempts from point blank range. Bush's ineptitude even rubs off on would be assailants!

Admittedly, there was sensational value and some what of a comedic element to the big "shoe hurl". But not surprisingly, the bulk of the "coverage" was on the what and not on the why of what transpired. Though mainstream media was all too happy to broadcast images of the bizarre incident and the melee that ensued, little attention was given to what moved this person to risk life and limb in an outward act of aggression against the President of these here U-nited States in a room FULL of secret service suits! Al- Zaidi's outburst made it far too easy for State run television to depict him as just another one of those freakish, crazed, radical, A- rab sons-a-bitches!

For your consideration...

Al-Zaidi's words:
"this is a goodbye kiss, you dog.. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

Although the shoes may have missed their mark, the words hit home, regardless of whether or not they were reported on in the US. Hit home that is except for the intended target, George W B who quipped afterwards, "all I can report is, it is a size 10". Not only does he not get it, he comes off as an arrogant, horse's ass right to the end and it will take this nation a long time to live down the policies carried out under #43.

Christmas is coming... 1/20/09!


-A

Just in time for the holidays!

Admittedly, I'm having one of those ,"let me tell you about my grand children" moments but, I simply can't resist sharing a family photo!!

A photo of Lou Lou and his adorable little sister, the Tiny Terror...

Goodbye tree ornaments!!

-A

Clapton: The Autobiography

Years ago I remember walking into the music store to purchase my first electric guitar knowing EXACTLY what I wanted; the guitar that looked like Clapton's!! For decades EC has thrilled millions with his guitar wizardry and for my money he's among the top 2 or 3 guitarists of all time. So I was excited about the release of his autobiography and to be able to get his first hand perspective on the events that made up his fascinating life.

In addition to providing detailed accounts of his musical development, Clapton spends a fair amount of the time describing his emotional journey that occurred off stage, beginning with his earliest memories as a young boy. The pain he felt as a child after his mother's abandonment and rejection profoundly affected him, and would remain at the center of the substance abuse problems that would take him many years to shake.

EC candidly recalls his indulgence in hard drugs, alcohol addiction, the tragic loss of his son Conor and difficult relationships with many women before ultimately cleaning up and finding peace and love in functional family life. Clapton seems to try his level best not to glorify his drug use and the over indulgent rock n' roll lifestyle that he led. At times, some of the thoughts he conveys even seem to border on "preachy" but the author makes no apologies. "Staying sober and helping others to achieve sobriety will always be the single most important proposition in my life.

Throughout the uncertainty and confusion in his personal life, Clapton continued to deliver the musical goods. From the Yardbirds, to his most recent disc with JJ Cale (an outstanding LP by the way), it's all chronicled within these 328 pages. Even for those who have read previous books on EC like yours truly, there are new interesting and enlightening pieces of information. I had no idea for instance how much of a musical bond Eric had formed with the late great, Duane Allman during their short collaboration. "He was like the musical brother I'd never had but wished I did." Oddly enough, many years later EC toured with another of the Allman's guitar players, Derek Trucks and heaped heavy praise upon him ."Trucks' playing was stunning, like nothing I had ever heard before.. he seems to have no limit". Clapton pays homage and expresses his respect throughout the book to many other musicians that he has played with and to many of the greats that inspired him along the way.

Clapton appears to have finally found solace in his family life. And with a revamped band ready to hit the road in '09, including an 11 night Royal Albert Hall run slated for May, "Slowhand", is still going strong. Clapton: The Autobiography is a must for any holiday shopper looking for the perfect gift for the rock aficionado in their family.

-A

A Sad Day for Community Radio

From the WMNF web site:
Vicki Santa, our beloved former station manager, passed away this morning at St Joseph’s Hospital. We will provide further details as they become available.

Vicki Santa

A monumental loss for the WMNF family...

-A

December 8, 1980

You, you and you...

-For your roles in REFUSING to produce more energy efficient vehicles for US consumers, even though you sell them in other countries!!
-For spending 50 million plus dollars lobbying Congress
-For arriving in Washington DC. and emerging from private airplanes with tin cups in hand
-Then (and possibly even more egregious) for having the audacity to show up in hybrid automobiles the 2nd time your punk asses showed up with your hands out! We're supposed to believe that you actually CARE about energy, America or anything OTHER than your annual bonuses?

Welcome to the "Wet List" gentlemen...

-A

Move over Captain Jack

Just when you've think you've seen about the all the weirdness the world has to offer, here comes some more fun and excitement. There seems to be a bit of a PIRATE PROBLEM off the coast of Somalia! These so called "pirates" have been terrorizing these waters for weeks now and they have actually succeeded in capturing a commercial vessel and are holding it for ransom. Just like the good old days, eh? Jesus, I know the economy is tough but, I never thought about heading out in the Gulf with a freaking shotgun in hopes of bagging me an oil freighter. That is until now!

The latest vessel to be apprehended was a Ukrainian freighter loaded with tanks, artillery, grenade launchers and ammunition. Apparently $30 million dollars in weaponry ON BOARD, was no match for Smee and company, who took the freighter by storm with a rag tag rig and a couple of shotguns.

Oh, and these modern day pirates do interviews now. Can you imagine the mighty Captain James Hook on Oprah? Not on your life! But, spokesman Sugule Ali indicated that they had just "seen a big ship", so they stopped it not realizing the bounty they had scored. (OMG, LMAO) He went on to explain the plight of the misunderstood pirates saying, “we don’t consider ourselves sea bandits. We consider sea bandits those who illegally fish in our seas and dump waste in our seas and carry weapons in our seas. We are simply patrolling our seas. Think of us like a coast guard." Hey at first glance that looks like something I could get behind. The Coast Guard, yeah! I think I kind of like these guys!!

That is until the they chased a cruise liner who had strayed a little to far into the danger zone and proceeded to fire upon the ship. Now, now, boys lets leave the Love Boat alone. As long as noone gets hurt I suppose this will be mildly entertaining for awhile.

Remember, "who is the real Barack Obama"? Pleeease; yesterday's news. Who are the real Somalia pirates? True freedom fighters??!! Or...

Are they only posers playing a game of dress up?

Just a bunch of cut ups with fake English accents?

or

Are they merely a gang of ordinary thieves, misfits and thugs minus the cool get up and breathtaking clipper ships? According to Mr. Sugule, “Somalia has suffered from many years of destruction because of all these weapons,” he said. “We don’t want that suffering and chaos to continue. We are not going to offload the weapons. We just want the money."

What was that last part? I think we may our answer me hearties, drink up!

-A

Lyrics from Ozone...

Man alive, "Team Pewter" is 9 and 3 at the three quarter pole and this fan is psyched!

And I must say yesterday's deep fried chicken wings kicked ass! As is evidenced by my annual football season weight gain, BBQ Buc is right in step with the team and is flat out getting it done on Sunday baby!! I'm ready for the stretch run beginning with an NFC South showdown next Monday night against the dreaded "Powder Blue".

I was going through the old email box and came across this gem from Ozone. An email he entitled "Rush's Bravado rewritten! Now called, Barbeque." If you know the song, you'll get a chuckle out of these lyrics. If you don't- where in the hell have you been??!!(http://secure.showtech.com/rushbackstage/compact-discs/cd-roll-the-bones/index.html)

With apologies to Neil and the boys, here it is:

Barbeque

If we burn our wings
Trying to cook 'em well-done
From the heat of the charcoal
Forgotten in all of the fun

If the dinner's done --
Though everything is lost
We will order out
But we will not count the cost

When the smoke has cleared
And edible food denied
A burger too blackened
Chicken a little too fried
If we keep our pride
Though all the food is lost
We will order out,
But we will not count the cost

And if the fire stops
There's only the smell of the flame
All the steaks and drumsticks,
All the barbeque in vain
And if the guests remain
Though everything is lost
We will order out,
But we will not count the cost

-- Duke

(Signature line of email)
"I often wonder if religion is the enemy of God. It's almost like religion is what happens when the Spirit has left the building." -- Bono


I suspect there may be more where this came from.

-A