Do you really need to keep your bluetooth ear piece on when you are not on the phone? It does not make you look important; it's just flat out annoying and quite frankly anti-social. Give me a break and put it in your pocket when it's not in use.
For the record, this is not directed at Mitch; it's directed at every idiot out there that insists on clipping those stupid things to their ear. If you need something dangling from your ear so badly get your ears pierced and buy a "George Michaels" hoop.
COME ON.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cliff Notes and Recap
I must start with an apology. My desire for my dear friend Steph was for her to simply start a blog, not for me to get entangled in a back and forth digital dialogue. My bandwidth is a bit thin these days considering I'm now eating dinner with a naked 2.5 year boy at dinner. It's what a busy travel schedule and potty training will get you. Now, reading said blog, as I've been reprimanded, is another point all together. And one that I haven't been doing. So here you go world and Steph, I'm sorry. I find your posts interesting, well written, and doggone fun to read... for the most part.
Now for my thoughts on the aforementioned "interesting posts".
Bassists:
If you listen to a really good band, the bassist will be the last one you notice. If you listen to a bad band with a good drummer, the bassist will still be the last one you notice. He (or she) is just always there trying to hold the pocket... but let me break it down a little for you. You can't really play or listen to a bassist playing at a coffeehouse, it's just not how the instrument was set up. However, the bassists you love (Vic, Getty Lee, Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Flea [to a degree], most jazz bassist) catch your ear because they play the melodies on top of, or with the rhythm. That's what they get paid for, the rhythm - thus the rhythm section. Drummers you like do that as well. Just listening to a drummer playing beats is cool - Lord knows I can listen to that for weeks - but what makes them catch you ear is their ability to play the melodies, such as Carter, Neil Peart, Futureman, I could go on... The bassist is cool, the drummer is cool.. is one the best?? Dunno if I could say fully yes either way... Usually you like one over the other because of what they bring out of the rhythm section the other isn't, thus the perfect complementarians.
Names:
I can't say that I would fall in love with a Shaquanda at first, however had I ran into a beautiful, blond haired, tan, big smilin' blue eye havin' babe in Park City out in a bar prior to asking her name -- I may not be able to say the same. It's actually quite a selfish statement... What I hear you say is more, how does me being friends (or in love) with a Dale reflect on me... That is vain. However, it's equally as vain to have a vanity plate (thus the name)... I love DALES. He must be cool in Putnum county. A wealthy friend of mine growing up's mother always had the newest, hottest car - her plate read: CHARGEIT. I had a 1982 Buick Regal (Limited, I may add) when I turned 16 - my mom got me a tag that read THEBUGAL. I loved it! My friends quickly turned that into the BAGEL. I still loved it. Is it vain? Who cares.
Lawn Seats:
I'm of the belief that it's up to you to make the best of the situation. People watching, pot smoking, dancing, mingling, star gazing is all a part of the experience, and you can take from it what you want. As you mentioned you know what you're getting when you buy a lawn seat. Katie and I were invited to John Mayer two weeks later (on the lawn) and passed. Ok, so that said [please take your seat] I agree with Steph here -- It was Jack's fault. I've listened to Jack Johnson since he came out and really enjoy his records - however I enjoy him usually on a plane while I'm banging away on my keyboard, I enjoy him on the deck at Greg and Steph's, I really enjoyed him this summer on the deck while in Wilmington, and it's a great background for making iMovies. While we were at Lakewood, standing around, talking, laughing, drinking, it was perfect, yet still situational - Jack didn't draw me in. Now I would not have rather been in the parking lot - maybe a back porch or beach would have been better. I saw DMB from 9 miles away and loved every second - he brought me in. I saw Lenny Kravitz from the lawn, same thing -- he demanded my attention. Song one of Jack Johnson's sounded exactly like the encore, even though I sang every word in between. I will say, I wasn't unhappy, nor did I want a refund - being there in the environment, with Katie, who was on cloud nine, made my experience completely worth it... but, it's on the artist.
Opinionated:
All I have for you here is -- opinions are like assholes, we all have one. And thank God for that!
...and yes - SEC is the best conference in the land!
Peace - mitch
Now for my thoughts on the aforementioned "interesting posts".
Bassists:
If you listen to a really good band, the bassist will be the last one you notice. If you listen to a bad band with a good drummer, the bassist will still be the last one you notice. He (or she) is just always there trying to hold the pocket... but let me break it down a little for you. You can't really play or listen to a bassist playing at a coffeehouse, it's just not how the instrument was set up. However, the bassists you love (Vic, Getty Lee, Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Flea [to a degree], most jazz bassist) catch your ear because they play the melodies on top of, or with the rhythm. That's what they get paid for, the rhythm - thus the rhythm section. Drummers you like do that as well. Just listening to a drummer playing beats is cool - Lord knows I can listen to that for weeks - but what makes them catch you ear is their ability to play the melodies, such as Carter, Neil Peart, Futureman, I could go on... The bassist is cool, the drummer is cool.. is one the best?? Dunno if I could say fully yes either way... Usually you like one over the other because of what they bring out of the rhythm section the other isn't, thus the perfect complementarians.
Names:
I can't say that I would fall in love with a Shaquanda at first, however had I ran into a beautiful, blond haired, tan, big smilin' blue eye havin' babe in Park City out in a bar prior to asking her name -- I may not be able to say the same. It's actually quite a selfish statement... What I hear you say is more, how does me being friends (or in love) with a Dale reflect on me... That is vain. However, it's equally as vain to have a vanity plate (thus the name)... I love DALES. He must be cool in Putnum county. A wealthy friend of mine growing up's mother always had the newest, hottest car - her plate read: CHARGEIT. I had a 1982 Buick Regal (Limited, I may add) when I turned 16 - my mom got me a tag that read THEBUGAL. I loved it! My friends quickly turned that into the BAGEL. I still loved it. Is it vain? Who cares.
Lawn Seats:
I'm of the belief that it's up to you to make the best of the situation. People watching, pot smoking, dancing, mingling, star gazing is all a part of the experience, and you can take from it what you want. As you mentioned you know what you're getting when you buy a lawn seat. Katie and I were invited to John Mayer two weeks later (on the lawn) and passed. Ok, so that said [please take your seat] I agree with Steph here -- It was Jack's fault. I've listened to Jack Johnson since he came out and really enjoy his records - however I enjoy him usually on a plane while I'm banging away on my keyboard, I enjoy him on the deck at Greg and Steph's, I really enjoyed him this summer on the deck while in Wilmington, and it's a great background for making iMovies. While we were at Lakewood, standing around, talking, laughing, drinking, it was perfect, yet still situational - Jack didn't draw me in. Now I would not have rather been in the parking lot - maybe a back porch or beach would have been better. I saw DMB from 9 miles away and loved every second - he brought me in. I saw Lenny Kravitz from the lawn, same thing -- he demanded my attention. Song one of Jack Johnson's sounded exactly like the encore, even though I sang every word in between. I will say, I wasn't unhappy, nor did I want a refund - being there in the environment, with Katie, who was on cloud nine, made my experience completely worth it... but, it's on the artist.
Opinionated:
All I have for you here is -- opinions are like assholes, we all have one. And thank God for that!
...and yes - SEC is the best conference in the land!
Peace - mitch
Opinionated
I was thinking about the word "opinionated" recently since on occasion I have been described by this word. Calling someone opinionated is like calling someone fat; it just seems like such an insult, but is it really? Maybe it's just my jaded view on the word. Yes, i do have opinions; I believe everyone should. If you don't have an opinion how do you know what you believe in? Is it that people who are called opinionated are actually just outspoken? The Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa have very strong opinions, but I haven't heard anyone refer to either of them as opinionated, they are just deemed passionate.
What makes someone opinionated versus having a strong point of view? Is it being outspoken? If I had a charity, or if I was running for city council, or if this blog was a .org would I be considered passionate instead of opinionated?
Why does the word have a negative connotation? It's kind of like the word "large". No one wants to hear it, unless it is associated with a sum of money or diamond or Kim Kardashian's ass.
Regardless, I think I have a point of view on things and if that makes me opinionated so be it. It's not like I have an opinion on everything. I could care less what color shirt Mitch wears to work, or if the SEC is the best football conference in the land...
I would rather have an opinion than to be a chameleon.
What makes someone opinionated versus having a strong point of view? Is it being outspoken? If I had a charity, or if I was running for city council, or if this blog was a .org would I be considered passionate instead of opinionated?
Why does the word have a negative connotation? It's kind of like the word "large". No one wants to hear it, unless it is associated with a sum of money or diamond or Kim Kardashian's ass.
Regardless, I think I have a point of view on things and if that makes me opinionated so be it. It's not like I have an opinion on everything. I could care less what color shirt Mitch wears to work, or if the SEC is the best football conference in the land...
I would rather have an opinion than to be a chameleon.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Concert on the Lawn
I am a big live music fan and attend a lot of shows. Recently I attending the Jack Johnson show with a few of my friends and we had lawn seats. I bet you the concert was really stinkin' good, but much to my surprise I don't think I actually saw any of it. I was so wrapped up in the "lawn" experience I totally forgot about the stage? I left the concert a little disappointed and felt that I didn't get my money's worth. Was this my fault or the lawn's fault? Of course, most will say it's my fault, i could have hunkered down on my blanket and soaked up the lyrics and jammed to the tunes; but I am blaming the lawn. It's a totally different experience and I believe is more about the people watching, the drinking and chatting than it is about the band on stage. Should we have justed stayed in the parking lot? It would have been more cost effective.
Maybe I should blame Jack. I mean, why couldn't he hold my attention? When we attending Dave Matthews Band last year, I was standing on my tippy toes trying to get a better glimpse from my small patch of grass.
Long story short, I'm out $45 and I can't tell you exactly what Jackiepoo sang to us. Damn it.
Mitch, you were there. What do you think?
Maybe I should blame Jack. I mean, why couldn't he hold my attention? When we attending Dave Matthews Band last year, I was standing on my tippy toes trying to get a better glimpse from my small patch of grass.
Long story short, I'm out $45 and I can't tell you exactly what Jackiepoo sang to us. Damn it.
Mitch, you were there. What do you think?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
What's in a name?
I was in the car on Thursday and the person in front of me had a vanity license plate that said, DALES (and of course it was a Camaro). I thought to myself, would I have married my husband if his name was Dale (or drove a Camaro - but that's a different blog)? Actually, I need to go back further; would I have given him the time of day and dated him if his name was Dale??? I know it sounds shallow and petty, but there are just some names that conjure up certain images and no matter how different that person is from the image in your head, you can't shake it. Dale, Randy, Dwight, Dwayne, Cletus, they all fall in that category. I think this goes for girl's names too. I can't image that Mitch would have ever dated a Crystal, Chastity, or Destiny.
Have you ever noticed that 90% of the time a boy has a girl's name they end up being one of the coolest people you know and good looking to boot? It takes parent's some balls to name their boy Courtney, Shannon, or Whitney. I think God kicks it up a notch for these guys in the aesthetics department just to help them out on the school yard. Also, I think they guys themselves go about life knowing they have to be a little cooler, funnier, and hotter to pull off the name.
Normal names can cause problems too. If you were beat up on the playground by an Angela, there is no chance to that you will instantly like an Angela in the future. Good news for me, my arch rival in elementary school's name was Jaibate. I didn't meet another one after that...
Have you ever noticed that 90% of the time a boy has a girl's name they end up being one of the coolest people you know and good looking to boot? It takes parent's some balls to name their boy Courtney, Shannon, or Whitney. I think God kicks it up a notch for these guys in the aesthetics department just to help them out on the school yard. Also, I think they guys themselves go about life knowing they have to be a little cooler, funnier, and hotter to pull off the name.
Normal names can cause problems too. If you were beat up on the playground by an Angela, there is no chance to that you will instantly like an Angela in the future. Good news for me, my arch rival in elementary school's name was Jaibate. I didn't meet another one after that...
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