Observation Or Skepticism??

With all of my heart, I really try to be an observer of things. Sometimes, however; the evil head of skepticism will rear it's ugly head. I find that the older I get, the more this seems to happen. So, with that said, I should get started. It has been some time since I posted anything and apparently I am a Sonofabitch for it - thank you, Bevan!
I have been a lover of music my entire life. I love all types of music - admittedly, I do have my favorites - and there are some things that make me want to puke violently. For instance, to me, there was almost no better singer in the world than Otis Redding. The first four words of this Otis classic: "These...arms...of...mmmiiiiiiinnnnee..." nearly make me weep every time I hear them. BUT - to hear Michael Bolton sing them makes want to pick up an Uzi and wipe out an entire city block of babies and puppies!!
This leads me to last week's CMAs or The Country Music Awards. I am a big fan of country music. Don't laugh - so was Ray Charles! I like "Country Music". George Jones is "country music". Waylon Jennings is "country music". Brad Paisley is "country music". This new age, poser-hillbilly swill that's being fed to us today is insulting. This year's awards were held in that country music Mecca that is...New York City. I can only assume that the country music business, which is basically based in Nashville, Tennessee, was trying to expand it's market in a city that doesn't even have a country music radio station - or maybe this is yet another attempt to further push the envelope of crossover music that seems to be eating up the entire music industry these days. This movement, sadly, is literally producing a flood of artistic mediocrity throughout the business. I specifically remember a performance by Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and Norah Jones - all of them very respectable artists - masters in their fields - but they literally have nothing to do with each other at all. Willie sang a Paul tune and Paul sang a Willie tune - all I can say is that this should never, ever happen again! It was a total trainwreck. Someone was paid a shitload of money to come up with this stroke of genius too - I'm sure the intention was to meld the genres, but why?? The individual genres are golden on their own, why push the crossover idea? I like the idea of different music genres. To me, each one represents a different color on an artistic palette. Individually, they can produce a beautiful painting, but when they are all mixed together they form a huge, mushy, mess of grey-brown bunk!! I do not need some cornbread, white cracker belting out some cheesy country song to a rap beat - if want rap, I'll listen to rap...by someone who is much better at it!!! Then, there are the country groups...I know that they are "cute and all", but someone please stop them from producing any more of that screechy, trailer-love music! Plus, it's way too confusing!! This one particular group I'm speaking of dresses like Green Day, but sounds like Air Supply!! In fact, these guys make Air Supply sound like fucking Motorhead!! You know, I think I actually saw one of these guys on stage with a Black Flag shirt?? This dick couldn't name a Black Flag song if his life depended on it!!!

See where this could all get confusing??

So as an open plea to the music industry...PLEASE stop trying to force feed us your imitation music. There are so many people out there that are much more talented that we, as fans of music, WANT to hear. We are aching for it!! Money in our pockets ready to burn for some good music - NOT pre-packaged junk!!

........and enough with the award shows!

Joe's Delirium Tremens

Joe's Delirium Tremens

OK... So here is the next sniblet into my fascinating blog. I guess I should explain "Delirium Tremens". Delirium Tremens, by definition, is a condition associated with complete Alcohol withdrawal in an individual with a reported history of long-term alcohol consumption - better known as the "DTs". Being that I have lately become one to imbibe in small amounts, I've learned appreciate the finer adult beverages that are available to us. In this case, I refer to a Belgian Beer known as Delirium Tremens. Some call it the best in the world - I would have to agree. Look for the pink elephants on the label. If you like beer, you'll never want anything else. But use caution - it does pack a wallop!

On a warmer than ever Fall Monday evening I sit and watch the New England Patriots play the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. Rumor has it that Monday Night Football will be moved from ABC to ESPN next season. Apparently ABC is losing money on the program and can't seem to figure out why. I have a few ideas. As a lifelong football fan of both NCAA and the NFL, I have seen many changes in the Monday Night program over the last few years. For starters...JOHN MADDEN - for the love of pete, can't we get rid of this guy? Blah-blah-blah-talk-talk-talk through the entire game. I know a bunch of people love this guy, but I have yet to meet one. If this guy was a family member you wouldn't let him eat at the dinner table for the fear of him drooling in the gravy! It's over, John - You were a hell of a coach for a hell of a team, but you've fallen for the bells and whistles of the game rather than the game itself. What a shame. Another thing - when did we have to start doing little skits with the players before the start of the game? Or ten minutes of music videos from Hank Jr and buddies?? Just a tip ABC most people who like football HATE THIS SHIT !! - sidebar - Madden just explained pass rush five times in about forty seconds!! --- And what about the "reporter on the sideline" bit?? I can only remember this when Lynn Swann started doing it. But now, they have some little hottie reporter taking the biz - also the little hottie is sitting in for another female reporter whose voice is deeper that Vin Diesel's. Do we really care about how a particular player feels about his mom and dad being at the game tonight? NO! Especially when there is a play going on the field - get back to the game!!

Another thing hurting the NFL...Millionaire babies like Terrell Owens - sorry, Man - the average working Joe just can't relate to your "problems".

First Posting...Howdy!

Well, finally got around to trying this whole blog thing out. I have seen many very interesting things out here and sort of got the bug. I must take this moment to blame my friend Bevan for this. His blog is so good, he is the one responsible for this undertaking. I must also apologize to him too for using his template... didn't mean to steal it, but the pink and green options just did not work for me. I promise I will work on it to make it more "mine" so to speak. As of now, this is all I will post. I want to play around with this thing to see what all I can do.