Connecting dots

Brett Favre, meet Tedy Bruschi. You stay as long as you want, maybe a year too long, even. Then you leave...for good.

Song of the Day: Hook

Always liked the concept of writing a song about writing a song. Blues Traveler is a very talented band, but one I can only listen to for short periods because Popper's voice and constant harmonica wear on me pretty fast

Goodbye to Senator Ted Kennedy

A man from a privileged family is basically given a Senate seat. He is not a perfect human being. His ideals and philosophies are not shared by 100% of the nation he serves. But serve he does; mightily, proudly and with tremendous distinction. Despite his own personal situation, he champions the middle class, the poor--the "have nots." He does not just give speeches, he works. In the Senate Chamber, the hearing rooms, the offices, the halls he finds the levers of power and pulls them to his advantage. He is committed to partisan ideals, but wins support across the aisle for every initiative. And yet his most important work is done at home; calls get answered and returned, issues find a welcome ear and encouraging word, red tape is cut and resolutions are surprisingly commonplace. He becomes a beloved champion and a legend among his peers.

Some care.
Some do.
He cared about doing.

He is lost to us now but we are better for having had him.

Song of the Day: The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The original, by the Tokens.

Goodbye Teddy.

For all the wrong reasons, I guess

Be nice if they caught Whitey Bulger. I'd like to see how close they are with these sketches of how he might look.

Song of the Day: Ride of the Valkyries

or, if you prefer



Will this song be often heard at the "lyric little bandbox" in the weeks to come?

This one's dedicated to David. I guess there is some Opera I like after all.

Kiss My Ass, Pete Rose

Nice piece by espn's Outside the Lines over the weekend about Pete Rose. Jayson Stark follows it with his own piece and thoughts about the Rose situation.

I'm generally not a huge fan of Joe Morgan, but that's because I think he's a lousy announcer and played on a team that beat the Red Sox in the 1975 World Series. As a player and representative of the game, though, I have a lot of respect for him. I generally like him in those roles. And I like the genuine feelings he has for Pete Rose as a friend and ballplayer. It is very admirable.

But I think Joe Morgan is wrong. In reference to their comments made about Rose's inclusion in the game or the Baseball Hall of Fame in the OTL piece, I think Fay Vincent is entirely correct and Joe Morgan is well-meaning, but wrong.

The tragedy is not just that Rose is a fallen hero. He did not fall, he threw himself off of a cliff. Then he refused to admit his fall, his injuries or the authority of gravity.

There was never really much doubt in anyone's mind--except maybe Mike Schmidt's--that Rose bet on baseball while a manager and even bet on his own team. Rose signed an agreement with the Commissioner of Baseball that banned him for life. But his obstinate refusal to admit his gambling publicly and his repeated attitude and behavior toward the issue was disgraceful.

Being in the Hall of Fame is not a right. It is a privilege. Rose earned that privilege, but then flushed it down the toilet. I think Stark's piece is generally right on the money.

I hope Stark and Fay Vincent are right and that Rose never will make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And while I admire Morgan more than before--he's moved to tears talking about his friend in the piece--I think his judgment is clouded by emotion.

Kiss My Ass, Pete.

Song of the Day: Afternoon Delight

Here you go, Robino!


Watch the entire video. It's indescribably good.

Song of the Day: Press Hop

Iverson is really the base of the song--and a damn good one--but there are also valuable contributions from Jim Mora. Dennis Green, Terrell Owens, Mike Gundy and Joe Namath also do their part.

Song of the Day: Wiser Time

Always been a fan of the Black Crowes.

More details on Remy

Remy checks in with the only minuscule detail I've seen about his "part-time" return.

His maybe not doing road trips might be the perfect balance if Eck would agree to do the road trips. It would be horrible, however, if we lost Eck entirely at home and retained the audio water boarding that is a broadcast involving Dave Roberts. I'd rather Viola on the road if we can't get Eck.

Beyond her blog

Kate, of Pointy Universe fame, has published outside of the blog. Looks like a cute little venture she's contributing to.

Song of the Day: Stray Cat Strut

Stealing my gig

Don Ohlmeyer. Pfffftttt! What's he ever done?

Emmys, schmemmys.

Ohlmeyer logged his first entry as the Ombudsman for ESPN yesterday.

I'd like to be an ombudsman someday. I've been training for it most of my adult life. Not at an accredited institution or anything. Just unofficially.

Barney Frank is tremendous

Like many of the congressional town hall meetings that have been held around the country by Democrats, Barney Frank's effort was interrupted by anti-reform folks who seemed to have no interest other than interrupting the event. Congressman Frank didn't silence them, rather he rebutted them with the same interest in honest debate they offered him.

"On what planet do you spent most of your time?"

"As you stand there with a picture of the President defaced to look like Hitler and compare the efforts to increase health care to the Nazis, my answer to you is, it is a tribute to the First Amendment that this vile contemptible nonsense is so freely propagated."

"Ma'am, trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to a argue with a dining room table, I have no interest in doing it."

"When you all yell at once it's hard to understand...Shhh, shhh, let him yell, please."

On the "revelation" that Frank supports Single Payer: "Sir, it's been 21 years since I had a secret."

"I am struck by those who think laughter substitutes for logic, but I guess if that's all you got, that's what you go with."

The event was held in Dartmouth. Video courtesy of NECN.

Goodbye Don Hewitt

One of the biggest names in television news that wasn't on camera has died.

Check out the article to see the impact he had, not only on the television news or journalism, but the entire world. Tremendously significant accomplishments.

Better toys, still boys

Thanks to the technology of today's cameras and the blog publishing ease provided to us via the internet, I give you...


Yeah, those are dragonflys, um, well...enjoying each other's company. Isn't that great? Brought to you by Shooting My Universe. Interesting to note that the wine blog is the brainchild of his wife.

Thanks again to Universal Hub for the post, which I shamelessly repeat for your enjoyment.

Hey, I never said this was going to be a high-brow enterprise all the time!

If you lie down with dogs...

you get fleas, so the saying goes.

But if you hang around with weird people, it seems you get weird. In the cae of Micheal Jackson and his doctor, it's hard to determine which is the dog.

This video is humorous on a number of levels. I'll let you determine which tickle you. Feel free to watch and rewatch numerous times.

This stuff is fascinating

Check this out. The concepts themselves are almost too much to comprehend. The distances and time involved are mind-bottling.

Did you know we can already see 13 million years into the past? 13 million years?!?!

Seriously?

Go away already, Brett

One of the most quoted men in history

No, it's not Quriltai. It's H.L. Mencken, who is quoted on Quriltai's blog.

"Well, I tell you, if I have been wrong in my agnosticism, when I die I'll walk up to God in a manly way and say, Sir, I made an honest mistake."

H. L. Mencken

Here's another good one, from the Wiki page. It's the epitaph from his tombstone:

"If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost, forgive some sinner, and wink your eye at some homely girl."

Excellent tomfoolery

From the Boston Globe crossword puzzle.

Song of the Day: Handsome Johnny/Freedom

Big Woodstock anniversary this week, which I'm sure you've all heard about. I'm a fan of that era, especially musically. I remember the first time I saw the movie the one performer I didn't know about previously that just blew me away was Richie Havens. The voice, the constant, frenetic acoustic guitar and the appearance all made and impression. I bought the soundtrack for the movie and still listen to it occasionally. Havens never gets skipped. In fact, sometimes I rewind and listen to it twice. What a voice, what tone and intensity.

Watch, listen and dig this.


Bonus: Havens playing the Beatles Strawberry Fields at Woodstock.

Frank Viola is fine

Heard the start of the Big Show on WEEI today and listened to Ordway saying exactly what I had told mrs. noternie over the weekend: Frank Viola is pretty good as a color commentator.

He knows the game, he gives thoughts you probably didn't have and answers questions you probably had. He's a bit more entertaining than Dave Roberts, but not nearly as much as Eck. The interaction between he and Orsillo was fine. The humor was a bit awkward, but that's to be expected given they had probably never had more than a 10-minute conversation prior to their first game.

Yes, the New York accent is very distracting. But it's not like he played for the Yankees.

Is he the best in the world? Hardly. But it's much better than the worst.

Song of the Day: I'm on a boat

Perhaps ready to take the mantle from Weird Al? Let them put out a second full album and I'll consider it. But this is a tremendous effort. Parental advisory is attached, as these are the guys who brought you "D!c& in a box" on SNL featuring Justin Timberlake and the Pet Shop Boys-ish "J!$$ in my pants." This one isn't really sexual--mermaid aside--but there is adult language. Funny, funny, funny video. Check it out.

Yes

I agree with most of this article. We've already rightly seen the same piece about Ortiz, right?

Thanks to Universal Hub for the tip-off to the article.

Dave Matthews monkey tales

Some insight into Dave's fascination with monkeys. You'd learn more if the interviewer would let him talk. Or if when he did, Dave could make a concise point. But I think you'll be entertained.

Song of the Day: Proudest Monkey

One of my all-time favorite Dave Matthews Band tunes, from the Crash album.

Song of the Day: Why I Am

"Its why I am
unlikely to agree
Why I am
climbin out of my monkey tree
Why I am
still here dancin with the GrooGrux King
we'll be drinkin Big Whiskey while we dance and sing
and when my story ends its gonna end with him
Heaven or Hell I'm goin there with the GrooGrux King"

Song of the Day: Big Eyed Fish

Monkey week continues, as does Dave Matthews lyric shout outs to the tree dwelling creatures. They don't land a title or leading role, but the monkey once again plays a role. Wait for it, it's there.

Song of the Day: Monkey Man

Dave Matthews Band, from the "Lillywhite sessions."

I like Monkeys. And so does Dave.

Song of the Day: Shake Me Like Monkey

From Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. Great horns blasting on this one, but it's the drumming of Carter Beauford that really does it for me here. Big fan of his playing. Great beats, grate fills.

I, I, I
Can't stop thinking about you*
Yeah yeah yeah
Why would I want to

I like my coffee with toast and jelly
But I'd rather be licking
From your back to your belly
I, I, I
Think I'm going to

Do you know what it is
To feel the light of love inside you?
And all the darkness falls away
If you feel the way I feel
Then believe we have the answer
I've been searching for tonight
Love me baby love me baby
Shake me like a monkey baby
Forever I'm yours yours yours
Yeah forever I'm

Full lyrics here.

*the role of narrator is being played by noternie. the role of you is being played by mrs. noternie.

Song of the Day: Vehicle

A friend in high school turned me on to this song. He used to make fun of it a bit, but I think he liked it as much as I came to. Great horns, great lead voice. The band is the Ides of March. The shoehorning in of the space program is probably thanks to the fact that the song came out in 1970.

Here's something you might not have know about the Ides of March lead singer (thanks wiki).

Between 1973 and 1990, The Ides went on an extended hiatus, during which Jim Peterik founded the band Survivor and co-wrote all of their platinum hits including "Eye of the Tiger," "The Search Is Over," "High on You" and "I Can’t Hold Back".

He also began a career of writing collaborations which resulted in many platinum hits for other artists, most notably "Hold On Loosely," "Rockin’ Into The Night," "Fantasy Girl" and "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" for .38 Special and "Heavy Metal" for Sammy Hagar.

For those of you who didn't know...

I'm dumb
I'm not a professional
I'm not "grown up"
I don't understand the concept of working for what I have
I'm stubborn
I'm immature
I have a bad blog
I cut other people's lawns for money

These revelations courtesy of "JohnD" over at Blue Mass Group. My apologies to anyone who thought I was better than this.

Men's fashion question

How does a man easily in his mid-fifties, walking through the business end of the Back Bay and looking in every other way like a proper businessman come to have pants, the cuffs of which sit at least 2-3 inches above his shoes?

'Cuz I didn't get a chance to stop and ask him.

No, he didn't have a short-sleeved dress shirt on with a tie and no jacket. Nice long-sleeved dress shirt. No jacket, no tie. The pants were the only odd thing, and extremely odd at that.

Song of the Day: It only takes a minute

Local favorites Tavares, from "New Beige." Besides the origins in the state of Massachusetts, do you know the connection between Tavares and Aerosmith?

Genius, continued

Weird Al's latest video was done by the clever folks at Jib Jab. Like all of his work, the visual is half the genius, but so are the songs. Great subject, well executed. Good groove, too.

I'm not sure anyone under 35 or so will appreciate it. And many over 50 may not get the Chuck Norris connection. But for those in the middle, you should get a good laugh.

noternie tries to keep pace

After last night's delicious meal by mrs. noternie, I felt a certain obligation to hold up my end tonight. The feature was broiled sea bass I caught a few weeks ago. Also had some broiled pinapple, cucumbers cut small with mayo,dill and a dash of vinegar, white rice and some tomato with mozzarella.

It was a bit of a mish-moss. I'm not sure the tomatoes and mozzarella really fit. But I needed to use some stuff up and it was all very good. Nothing but clean plates!

mrs. noternie scores big

Last night she took a cream sauce over ziti and pumped it up with chicken chunks, cut tomatoes, capers and melted in some mozrella.

Excellent stuff!

Men's fashion tip

I'm not saying you CAN'T wear a short-sleeved dress shirt and a tie at the same time without a jacket, but if you DO, you will look like a middle-aged salesman at Sears.

Mommy noternie checks in

From my gadget-loving mother, some comments and a link to a picture (both of which she copied from a website and emailed me):

I'm a digital-camera fanatic. I can't get enough. But as much as I love taking pictures with them, I dislike the task of showing friends the pictures I've taken--not exactly a simple endeavor. So when Nikon this week announced that it's bringing the Coolpix S1000pj to store shelves later this year, I became extremely excited.

The digital camera for which I've been waiting.

The camera is nothing more than a standard point-and-shoot. Its overall quality won't compare with my Nikon digital SLR. But the Coolpix S1000pj has the single feature that I've been craving: a built-in projector capable of showing pictures and video in a 40-inch display.

If I decide to show friends my snapshots on the camera's small LCD display, they won't be able to get the full effect. In fact, many pictures look much different when they're finally ported to the computer.

If I opt instead to let them see the pictures on my computer, it takes time. I need to bring my camera to my computer, plug it in, and transfer the photos to the hard drive. Only then can I show them the images. By then, none of us is all that interested.

Another option is popping the SD card out of my camera, inserting it into my HDTV, and viewing its contents on the 50-inch display. It tends to be quicker. Plus, it allows anyone in the room to see them. But there's a major limitation: I need to be home to do that.

That's precisely why I think that Nikon's projector camera is such a major step forward. I believe that projectors will be the next big thing in the digital camera space.

My reply:
Interesting. But I think the big thing will be getting wi-fi on them, maybe a simple connection to a smart phone. The Flip video camera is named for the usb connection that flips right out from the side so you can plug it in. I can't imagine it'll be long before phones have usb ports. That way you can just point, click, connect and upload from anywhere.

I think people like to look at pictures when they want. They want to scroll through them at their leisure.

The projector thing will be good, though. And could be the "big thing" Interesting development.

****I had originally thought Mom had written the above quoted comments and I asked her permission to publish them here. She was confused, then laughed and corrected me, saying she hadn't written them, she had only copied and pasted them. I mentioned the work plagiarism and she said no, because "it was only an email to my son." She then sent me the proper cite for the quotes.

Here's the original, but I copied it from Crave: The Gadget Blog.

I haven't checked with Dan Kennedy for a ruling, but I think we're ethically in the clear. Maybe the quote was too long for modern blogging standards. That's on me.

Song of the Day: Stronger

Excellent piece by Kanye West.

Highly recommended Twitter

If you use Twitter and you're so inclined, I highly recommend you follow Stephen Colbert. His handle, for no reason I can give, is "StephenAtHome."

He's good for a handful of tweets a day, most of them very, very funny. That guy (and or his writers) has real talent.

Song of the Day: I'm Yours

Put a little summery happiness in your life.

If I could live a life of leisure, I'd sit on the beach or roll around in a Jeep listening to songs like this. Listen and imagine the sun on your shoulders with a warm breeze blowing through your hair. Can you hear the ocean waves breaking gently in the background? I can.



Jason Mraz will be playing in town tonight and tomorrow night.

You can check out the lyrics here.

Song of the Day: It's all about the Roosevelts

Brilliant recording and one of the best videos since Micheal Jackson's prime.

Is that Ice Cube at 1:57?

Song of the Day: Josie

The seventh and final tune from the brilliant Steely Dan album Aja.

Song of the Day: I got the news

Song 6 from Steely Dan's Aja.