The Short Stories of Ernest Heminway

Ernest Hemingway is my favorite author. I think it is true that his writing is more tilted to the masculine view. In today's world it is very easy to find his writing dated and antiquated. For me a male in the 21st century with all the sensitivities that provides refuge into the world of Hemingway is a respite I welcome. We were taught in our literary classes that Hemingway changed the way writing was done. Writing in short declarative sentences his words were crisp and clear like the water he so often based his stories around.

For me the short story is an art form and I I visit this book often for an uplift. Reading The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber yesterday and enjoying the way Hemingway wrote almost in two layers at the same time. The Shakespeare quote on death brings me back again and again.

I gave my son some Hemingway short stories featuring Nick Adams for Christmas a year ago. He has enjoyed them in the rare times when he finds the time to focus on one. I trust in time he will like me return to them. They are like a boomerang they always find you again and again.

Bob Dylan - Pledging My Time

I love Bob Dylan. I think, without a doubt, the greatest songwriter of his era. The recent Dylan recordings with the raspy voice approaching 70 years old still have merit. In the late 90's his Time out of Mind CD won awards and more. That was a great album topped for me by the epic 16 minute long Highlands as Bob meanders his way through a free association riff. Uncountable songs are legendary with their stories, tales and rhymes. An underrated one of these would be " Brownsville Girl" where Bob repeatedly returns to tell the story about a movie with Gregory Peck. Only Bob could do that and have you singing along.

At an age far south of 10 my son could sing the first verse of Highway 61 much to his Mom and Sunday school teachers dismay. But for very personal reasons the song that always makes me smile is Pledging My Time from Blonde on Blonde. Why. It is simple for me, its the harmonica. i love to play but have no real talent for it, those that can play have my respect and jealousy. When Bob plays this song I riff with him between each line. Covered by Bobs talents mine blends in pretty well. I know the song and I have a better idea how to play. For a moment I am with Bob. What is any song but an escape.

Now if we could get the dog to stop howling when I hit the high notes.

I love Bob

Neil Young - Harvest and many more

As I write this I am listening to the Neil Young album Harvest for what is most likely what now numbers into the hundreds of times. The album which was considered the commercial peak of his success is a great album. A list of tracks is not necessary but certainly Lonely Boy, Heart of Gold, and Old Man are a good place to start. This past weekend we watched Neil who now is 64 appear on both the Haiti benefit and on Conan's last show on The Tonight Show. In the last 10 years Neil has put out more albums than any artist of his stature, as if he is racing against time. I have not purchased most of them and with radio now an unfriendly place to him I have not heard much of it either. I am sure all of it is music well worth hearing.

From his early albums Neil Young, Everyone Knows This is Nowhere and After the Goldrush I have come to treasure all Neil albums. Each one that I hear new is like going the excitement of a new album when we went to the store. Only this music when heard 30 years later is still timeless and to me as an 44 year old man current. The other evening an obscure early track titled I've Loved Her So Long came up on Random on the Ipod. It was like a bullet over the bow. An artist such as Neil has more great songs you have never heard than any contemporary artist.

My son tells me that he can tell if I am will like an artist, be they classic rock or contemporary, if they play a harmonica. It is a true fact. I do not think it is the harmonica, although I do love the sound, but certainly Bruce, Dylan, Petty and Neil do indeed all play the harmonica. Maybe it is the harmonica.

Today with a few minutes I looked on Amazon's MP# store to see what Neil albums I might have missed. With Neil there are some albums that are obscure because they are not as accessible, and some albums that are a little more obscure because they were not accessible to the " right people" at the time of their release. I have found a few of these from the mid seventies when Neil rejected the stardom of the Harvest era and has he said " drove into a ditch because you meet more interesting people there." Tonights the Night, On the Beach and more are albums I will be exploring soon.

If you do not like Neil Young, much like if you do not appreciate Dylan nothing I can say would make you appreciate it. However, if you have enjoyed some Neil in the past, explore much more. It is some of the best music ever made. Like perhaps no other artist this side of Dylan Neil has moved all over the map in the rock/country I refuse to be classified one way musical spectrum. It has been a ride well worth riding shotgun in.


Rating: Harvest 8.5

Field of Dreams

How many times have you seen this movie. In our house it is well into double figures. Everyone knows the story, Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster made the movie star filled but it is the story, always the story. My children, boys and girls have always enjoyed the movie.

As with many men of a certain age the movie has a profound effect on me. It has for 20 years. It has the ability to choke me up. For me " the scene " , I do not have to tell you which one, makes me cry everytime. My Dad gone for over 25 years fills my heart whenever I see it.

A couple of weeks ago I got a text from my son asking me if I was watching Field of Dreams. It was on CMT. Who would have ever thought it would end up on Country Music Television. He told me to hurry it was almost over I was going to miss " it." I did not have to ask what " it " was. Men know. I watched it, my eyes watered and I remembered all that was good about childhood.

My son is 14 and we have played baseball together far more than my Dad had time to play with me. Will he think of me years and years from now when this movie comes on. I think he will. I think I am ok with that. I hope he remembers that the more things change between fathers and sons the more they stay the same. I hope he shares it with his son.

Few movies can have this generational impact. For that reason alone Iowa must be heaven.

Rating : 8.5

24 Season Debut

Jack Bauer is back. He was this close to moving to Los Angeles to live a private life and playing Grampa to his 2 year old granddaughter. But as these things happen, especially to Jack Bauer, he now is involved in another effort to prevent a terrorist attack on a Middle Eastern leader as he visits the United States.

The show is enjoyable. But I just cannot be surprised. To me the show is like the Tom Clancy spy thrillers and John Grisham courtroom books. They are done in a superior way. They are very good at what they do. In no way, however, are the surprising or for me something I want to invest my time in.

We watch the show. We will continue to watch the show. My middle son who has not seen six seasons of the show previous as we have enjoys every minute. However, for me, i am done with the show. I will be in the room when it is on but it has just one on too long. I do not read Grisham anymore either. At some point you need to do something different...it is time for Jack to go be Grampa.

The Invention of Lying

We watched this movie Saturday evening. I did not have any interest in the movie at the beginning but my wife and her sister were planning to watch it, I, however, had my magazine ready. I am still not sure what I think of the movie, I did, however, watch the movie, the magazine went unread. The story tells of an alternate reality where no one has the ability to lie and what happens when one person figures out how to and its benefits.

The movie had some very funny moments, a quirky love story between a man who can fib and a woman who cannot but lost me with its diversion into a satire of religion. I know that this has a significant appeal and the questions the satire brings about are questions we all have at some times, however for me it was a little squirmy.

Ricky Gervais was better in the movie than I remembered in other roles and Jennifer Garner continues to be a " cute" actress. A host of strong cameos in the movie adds to it as well.

I did not read the magazine that night so the movie held my attention. I am not sure I am glad I did however.

Rating: 5

Will Ferrell on The Tonight Show

Watching Will Ferrell's rendition of Lynyrd Sknyrd on The Tonight Show made me again realize that Will Ferrell might be as close as we have to a national comedian right now. His gift for impersonation from Bush to well Skynyrd, his movies that do not alway work but when they do such as Elf and Anchorman become iconic. Add a few other characters such as Ricky Bobby, his SNL history and his Funny or Die clips and Will Ferrell is to me a must see actor.

His ability to do anything for a role to make it funny, he seemingly has no limits. Here is how I rate it. When I see Will Ferrell I do not flip. What more can you say.

Tom Hanks on The Tonight Show

Watching Tom Hanks on the final episode of Conan the other night it made me again ask myself this question. With his left of center slant and universal appeal am I the only person who wonders why Tom Hanks has not gone into politics?

The Tonight Show with Conan O'brien

I watched the last episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'brien this weekend. It was excellent television and while I realize that no host can have Tom Hanks, Neil Young and Will Ferrell on the same night very often it does make me feel like Conan losing the show is a sad event.

I feel partially responsible for Conan getting cancelled. Let me explain, my wife and I watched the last episode of Conan on Saturday morning. We did not even TIVO it, we watched it on Hulu. The power of television when you want it gets stronger and stronger. I do not think it would be a stretch or even much of a speculation to assert that Conan's audience would be much more tech savvy than would Jay Leno's audience. Frankly they are used to watching what they want in snippets.

This is not the only reason Conan's audience was not what NBC wanted. David Letterman, making his own news thru the fall, showed a renewed vigor himself and well let's just say that Conan had reason to complain about his lead in as well. As Dave said this might not not all be Jay's fault but it is funny he always shows up where the body is. The whole deal reeks of shortsightedness and the fact is in the short term it will look brilliant as Jay will get better ratings than Conan. Jay is a contrast to Dave; Coman and Dave are really selling the same show. Jay will not be the second talk show on each night as Conan was and presumably if NBC puts something on a few people want to watch at 10:00 this will help the whole schedule.

Conan is funny. He will find another home. I am not sure what the expectations will be from the network that puts him on. He is Dave's successor but until Dave goes away that will not be a high profile position. But that time will come. Jay Leno is old news and soon his viewers will be buying denture cream and hearing aids. Not exactly the prime advertising revenue they might look for. NBC made the right decision but did not stick it out. They will regret it.

See you soon Conan

Escape from Alcatraz

Flipping through the channels last last night I came across this Clint Eastwood movie on TCM.This turned out to be a pretty good movie. Too many screenshots and time spent showing the escapees digging for it to be a great movie and as with most early to mid career Clint movies not a lot of breathtaking dialogue but a very interesting story nonetheless.

Clint plays Harris a man determined soon to get off " The Rock" as Alcatraz was called. The Warden takes great pride in no one having ever escaped and plays his role as a vain, malicious man very well. Harris has to defend himself who decides he would make a good punk and watches as two of his good friends succumb to the wardens punishments before he makes his escape.

Based on a true story the movie is in its simpleness quite engrossing. On a 1 t0 10 it gets a 6.5 which means that many days you might flip through, it does not jump out at you to make you stop and watch, but if you do it you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5.5

WWII in HD

Last November The History Channel played a 10 hour miniseries entitled WWII in HD or World War Two in HD. The broadcast tells the tale of both the Pacific theatre and the European conflict. The story is told through the stories of 10 different participants in the conflict. Some of the survivors still alive at the time of filming tell some parts of their own story. Other parts of the individual stories are narrated by actors.

The real treasure of the series is that the films are all real. Who knew that during WWII so many people, soldiers included, were taking color films of the events. The pictures in some cases are stunning.

The stories by the individuals are moving. One gentleman, clearly in his late eighties, tells of his war wound, fear of death, thoughts of his young wife and his recovery. As that episode ends the gentleman is walking down a path with his cane while we see a description of his life after the war and his wife's recent death. It is moving.

This generation is ending, these men are all all in their late seventies and a large percentage are much older or already deceased. We should treasure them.

These movies are well worth watching.

The New Yorker Magazine

I love magazines. Our house often will resemble a doctor's office in that i cannot resist a subscription. One of the reasons we get so magazines is that today with advertising revenue being so competitive magazines need to be able to show a high number of subscriptions. Shopping at Amazon one can easily find a magazine such as Time for $15.00. If you only glance at it each week you can gain enough information to make the less than 30 cents a week.

For Christmas this year I received a gift subscription to The New Yorker. Clearly some of the sections about local theatre and movie productions do not apply to me sitting her in Bangor, Maine. In just three weeks, The Talk of the Town Section with small articles on a wide range of subjects, political writing ( with a left slant) and best of all and worth the price the fiction piece in each article.

I enjoy this magazine greatly and will continue to enjoy it. For those that enjoy the short story form this is a great pickup.

The Middle

Last fall when ABC launched their new fall lineup this Wednesday night show did not get the pre press that Modern Family did. We enjoy Modern Family in our house but in terms of being relatable The Middle is the tops. A week does not go by that in watching this show my wife and I do not have one of those " We have been here before looks" in watching a scenario that is depicted on the show. My oldest son who at 14 will parade into the kitchen barely speaking above a grunt and advise that we have nothing good to eat the minute we run out of unhealthy cereals and pizza rolls could easily be the young man on this show.

Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond fan fits this role very well and the rest of the cast fits as well. The youngest son Brick ( the oldest is named Axl, so much for Wally and the Beav) is a very strange child that serves to make us feel bad for laughing at him but laugh we do. How many children across America after watching him now repeat things to themselves under their breath.

If they are what they should be whispering is " Funny" as in this show is " Funny"

American Idol

My wife and daughter love American Idol. They look forward to it like I look forward to Major League Baseball Spring Training. So with anticipation we watched the season premier last evening. Perhaps the format is getting old. Perhaps I am. Maybe it is a combination of both. My response to tonights show was nothing more than a yawn. Simon insulted, Randy kept it real, Kara was Kara, and guest judge Posh Spice looked, well scary. Those who were auditioning were in Simon's words "forgettable."

Perhaps the tryouts, which used to be our favorite, have gotten old and we will enjoy it more when the actual contestants are picked.However, yawn or not to me, I know that spring training is coming and I need to build up viewing credits for baseball season. With that in mind rest assured we will be watching American Idol whenever it is on from here to the end of the season.

I just hope it gets better.

The Big Bang Theory

This show has turned into one of the shows that we try not to miss. This year Leonard and Penny, the hottie next door, have developed a relationship and one might have wondered if that would hurt the chemistry between the four nerdy amigos. Not to worry, if anything the show is better now and the recent addition of Howard ( the geekiest of the geeks) finding a girlfriend has provided even more laughs.

This does not even comment on the engine that makes the show go which is, of course, the character of of Sheldon played by Jim Parsons. Sheldon for his astronomical IQ has very little ability in the social graces, and no ability to make small talk. In last nights episode he and Raj ( a co worker from India) end up at a party in which Raj hopes to meet a woman to spend the evening with. Sheldon upon being introduced to a candidate Raj has been making small talk with ask Raj " If this is the woman he hopes to copulate with this evening.?"

It does not sound as funny as it when played out in deadpan style by Parsons. Last evening's episode even brought a guest starring role to Danica Mckellar, she of Winnie Cooper on the Wonder Years fame. Winnie has grown up and last night she even propositioned Sheldon asking if she could stay in his room as the living room was full of people " getting busy." Sheldon, ever the gentleman, said of course and invited her in. He then proceeded to advise he would go sleep in Leonard's room. Sorry Winnie.

This show is not for families, too many jokes about things you don't want to discuss with your preteens and the 9:30 hour fits it better than its previous time slot. That said, we tivo and we watch it, and we laugh. Not many shows do that week in and week out. This one does.

NBC's Late Night Mess

Jay Leno's ten o'clock gig did not last long. NBC announced Sunday that Jay will be moving back to late night. Low ratings and network affiliates furious about the poor lead in for their late night newscasts had predicated this move. The writing had been on the wall for weeks and Leno had been joking about it in his monologue.

NBC is in a pickle. They have three late night hosts to try to keep happy. The most valuable one, Jay Leno can be let go but he would, in a short time, then be the competition. Fox or even ABC would certainly be interested in having him anchor their late night broadcast. Conan O'brien is said to be unhappy with the prospect of losing the 11:30 gig and correctly so. He is in a very tough spot. He has proven that his show is the remedy for David Letterman's declining ratings. Well that and a certain tabloid news story Dave got himself involved in. Conan's potential suitors would seem to have been diminished were he to end up the odd man out as he has demonstrated that he cannot carry the 11:30 slot.

Most say this was a bad idea for NBC to even try. This might well be true. But in our house the thought of Jay being on at 10 was one that intrigued us. The alphabet soup of NCIS, CSI. and the perpetual Law and Order was one we had no interest of. We watched Jay for the first couple of weeks. The problem for us was not the time slot or the competition. The issue was that the show is not very good. It was dull and bland to the extreme. Realizing that Leno's appeal has always been more to the conservative side of the country and the coasts, both east and west, have been where Dave has found most of his viewership the sharpest thing on Jay Leno's show is his chin. We hear that the opposing networks would not let their stars appear on his shows and this is not Johnny Carson's world. This may all be true but what I think is this; most of the time you get the ratings you deserve.

People stopped looking at Leno through the blurry eyes of bedtime and really saw the show. They did not like what they saw. NBC has its own quarterback controversy now. Do they go with the aging star who has put up great numbers but whose best days are behind him or do they stick with the apprentice who finally having been given his shot needs a confidence boost and a longer chance to prove himself.

Jay Leno has done nothing wrong, From everything I have read about him he is a stand up guy who does everything right.But if I am an NBC decision maker I would ask myself one question. Do you know anybody who Tivo's Jay Leno? I for one do not.

Under the Dome by Stephen King

I finished this behemoth of a book by Stephen King recently. Published in November I was able to purchase it from Target for a remarkably low price when Amazon, Walmart and Target were having their price war. The book itself was King at his best. Multitudes of characters who you instantly cared about and wished to see come to a good end. Of course, being a Stephen King book, many of them do not.

While there are quite a few villains in the story the major one is Big Jim Rennie, a caricature of every self important, small town blowhard selectmen you might have come across in your lifetime. The character is that person you have met to the tenth degree and then some and when he reaches his end it is not one you feel bad about.

However, like many of Stephen King's largest books, at least for me, the conclusion does not measure up to the very long lead up. Perhaps this is an unfair assessment of what is still a wonderful read. King sucks you so far into the story in this book, as well as other very long books of his such as Insomnia and It, that perhaps the ending in a book like this cannot measure up to the expectation. On the other hand King's book The Stand is still the best thing he has ever written and to me at least had no weaknesses in the beginning, middle or end.

The Stand's place in popular culture was reaffirmed this fall as the Swine Flu epidemic heated up and I heard a few radio personalities talking about Captain Trips and dreaming about Mother Abigail. No other book of King's has so permeated our popular culture.

Under the Dome is a good book. It also represents a significant investment in time. However, I subscribe to the too many books too little time philosophy so urge an informed decision. If you have not read The Stand pick that one up instead, you will not be disappointed.

My Son, Led Zeppelin and I

Led Zeppelin may be the most influential band in my life. I love the Beatles. They are, to me, while not the beginning of all things rock and roll, the group that changed everything. Nothing was ever the same again. Nothing ever would be.

Today listening to the Beatles music it is like going to an art gallery and seeing a Van Gogh or a Picasso. You feel like you should be quiet and feel how rapturous the music is. And it is perhaps the greatest music made in the rock and roll era.

Led Zeppelin on the other han is art of a different kind. it is music that you hear, feel, and live in. When I was starting high school Led Zeppelin was nearing the end, Bonham had died. But the music was everywhere. Of course all school dances consisted of the requisite " Stairway to Heaven." To hormonal teenagers the opportunity to latch on to the girl of their dreams for seven minutes was a dream come true. I remember as a freshman in high school being on the dance floor, with a girl who shall remain nameless to protect her reputation, watching our new History teacher dancing with his wife. But as the music picked up for the second part of the song they were fast dancing. Clearly being married must have changed your perspective on things and we freshman boys hoped our girlfriends did not think that was a good idea.

Later in college I had a friend who had the loudest, most sophisticated stereo on our floor. His standard rule was nothing but Zeppelin could grace his sound system. He did make allowances for solo efforts of the band members. I remember that during Finals week quiet hours were extended to 22 hours of the day rather than the standard starting at 10 pm. For those two hours he would have his stereo so loud the windows would shake. Standing out on the quad hearing Robert Plant's " In the Mood" with its slow intro building is something I still remember.

As my son neared his teenage years and a Zeppelin song would come on the radio and I would instinctively turn it up I let him know that I felt sure he would have a Zeppelin era in his own musical progression. My son has been indoctrinated well, he loves all things Beatles, appreciates Springsteen and sings about " The Spirit in the Sky. " As he says his friends do not get all the music he does but they know it is who he is.

Christmas 2008 I gave him the recently released digital remasters collection Mothership. It took him awhile to start listening to it. Now, however, after a basketball game or taking a break from the homework, I can hear the unmistakeable Zeppelin coming from upstairs. When its been a really good game I will even hear him singing along with Robert Plant behind the door. I never kid him about it. Sometimes when listening to Led Zeppelin you just have to let out the joy it can bring.

When I have to turn up the TV to hear it over the music from upstairs I have to smile. The Led Zeppelin era has begun again. All is right with the teenage world

Blind Faith/ Presence of the Lord

Last evening on XM Radio I had the pleasure of hearing this great song by the short lived supergroup Blind Faith. I had not heard this song for years. Stevie Winwood never sounded as good as he did on these recordings and Eric Clapton was at the height of his talents. With 12000 songs on the Ipod it can be rare to find a moment of listening to music that brings surprise and a " Wow, what a great song" to your thoughts. This was one of them.

Nip Tuck

This series returned from a short hiatus last Wednesday night on FX. I have watched this show for the last few years and as it makes its way to the TIVO must admit it is a show we have enjoyed over the years. At one point this fall we had four episodes waiting for us. Finally we caught up and I felt relieved. I thought the series would return in the summer for these the final episodes of the series. I was disappointed to find out that it was returning so soon.

The show has always been weird. Nothing has changed. Now it is just weird and dark. Perhaps it always was but now when I watch the show I feel like I need to take a shower. No character in the show is likable.

This weeks episode was a very good one. We learned about the development of Christian and Sean's friendship/partnership in college and how Christian has changed Sean's life from the beginning. This was very interesting to know and it appears that Sean's personality might well be going to change over these last few episodes.

We are invested in these characters, right or wrong, and we will I am sure watch these final episodes. But when the show ends I will not miss it.

Big Love returns tonight

Big Love returns tonight. I called the cable company and had to get HBO again this week so we were ready. Yesterday we watched the final episode from last season. It took me quite a bit to remember what all the plotlines were. By the end of each season usually so many things are going on your need a map to keep up. The show itself however captures your attention. My wife loves it.

When I called the cable company I let the representative know that I was getting HBO so my wife could watch Big Love. She doing her job very well let me know that even though I may not care for Big Love that much in the spring HBO would be airing a new Tom Hanks/Stephen Spielberg mini-series called Pacific. This will be a WWII story of the Pacific theatre of war much like the Band of Brothers series produced years ago.

I AM in fact looking forward to that series very much. I am sure it will be well produced and very well received.

Tonight at 9 however I will be watching Big Love with the Mrs. It won't be against my will however, it is a great show.

Lets not tell the lady at the cable company though.

The Blind Side

It does not seem like too long ago that I read the Michael Lewis book The Blind Side. I enjoyed the book, the story was good, and the history of the development and importance of the left side of the offensive line in football was interesting. When reading the book it did not stand out as a book that could easily be made into a movie. So when the movie version was released this fall i did not initially think it would be successful.

Today we went to see the movie and it was very enjoyable. Sandra Bullock is excellent and carries the movie. The interplay in the family is genuine. The children are maybe a little too well behaved and adjusted for the rich children they are. However the introduction of Michael to the family and to their school proves welcome to all.

The movie is one that will make you feel good. You will choke up a few times during the movie when Sandra Bullock discovers just how horrible Michael's life was before by the grace of God he was rescued by Mrs Tuohy. if you enjoy precocious young children you will enjoy the young man playing S J. The myriad of college coaches who appear in the movie as anxious recruiters are a nice touch for college football fans as well. The knowledgeable fan will notice that many of the coaches in the movie are now coaching other teams. When you consider the loyalty these coaches promise the recruits when attempting to get them to attend their schools the turnover rate is quite the contrast.

In the end an enjoyable movie, not one you will remember for a long time but certainly a nice story on a Saturday afternoon. My wife would give it a higher rating than me but she does is not writing this. Sorry dear.

Rating: 6.5

The Price is STILL Right

It is amazing what you find on your TIivo when you come home some nights. A few days ago I looked and we had a couple of days episodes of The Price is Right. Talking to the family members it became apparent that it was my oldest son who is 14 who had recorded it. So when I sat down to watch it with him I asked him why on earth he was watching and recording The Price is Right. His answer was quite simple. He said Dad I like it because everyone's happy on The Price is Right.

He is right, on the Price is Right everyone is happy. Drew Carey, though he is not and never will be Bob Barker, seems to be getting more comfortable in his role. The models do their job like all game show models do and they are happy. The contestants, they certainly are happy, although as we watched we debated do they know beforehand that they are about to " Come on Down?" We had a split decision in our living room with my son and myself thinking they do while my wife and daughter held firm that it was a genuine surprise. Our middle child was at a friends house, the tie was never broken.

So the next time you are home with a cold or the flu stay away from those ladies at The View and their interesting and sometimes loud debates. Watch the show where " Everyone is Happy. " The Price is Still Right.

ESPN Sportsnation

This program which can be seen on ESPN2 at a variety of times but often around 4 PM eastern is quite a hit in our house. Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle cohost an hour of surveys, polls and running commentary on the days sports headlines. It is not earth shattering but it works. It seems to have a little less yelling back and forth as the Around the Horn and other shows of that ilk. Beadle is a good match for Colin Cowherd who like many of the folks you see and listen to everyday has grown on me. The show is just fun.

When I see that my 14 year old son has taken the time to TIVO this show I know that it must have an appeal to the younger sports crazed set as well. Or maybe he just likes Michelle Beadle. My guess is that it is a little of both.

A few years ago Colin Cowherd took over the radio slot previously held by Tony Kornheiser. Tony was not for everyone. The fellows at my office though, we loved the Tony show, so consequently we were not enamored of Colin. Over time he has become more familiar but I for one believe he works better on television than radio.

Or maybe it's his sidekick.

Fallen Founder by Nancy Isenberg

This book which tells the story of Thomas Jefferson's first Vice President Aaron Burr is a very interesting read. The author clearly feels that Burr has been given a raw deal by history. Many of us know of the duel then Vice President Burr and Alexander Hamilton in 1804 in which Hamilton was killed. What we do not know is the story of the years of insults and intrigue by Hamilton which led up to it.

We also have learned of Burr and Jefferson gaining the same amount of votes in the Electoral College and the beginning the fears of Jefferson that Burr might eventually attempt to usurp the throne. This led to Jefferson's attempt to convict Burr in the court of public opinion of what Isenberg feels were trumped up treason charges during Jefferson's second term. It should be noted that the courts in at least three states eventually agreed that no treason had taken place.

It has been said that the victors usually write the history. In his lifetime Burr was not the victor and the history often told is not flattering to him. Isenberg attempts to offer another side of the story. It is a very interesting read and one that might take the halo off our memory of Thomas Jefferson, if only for a moment of two.

Amazon Music Store- Radiohead today

Have you checked out the Amazon Mp3 store. I do not know if they are making significant inroads on the Itunes monopoly but they should be. Each day they have a Deal of the Day and often times these are albums well worth having. Today for example they are selling the complete album of Kid A by Radiohead for $1.99.


At that price even if someone just wants to know what all the fuss about this album was they can easily find out. I do not pretend to be a Radiohead expert of even really a fan. Before the purchase of this album my Radiohead collection consisted of the song Creep from very early in their career. They have certainly ventured down different roads since then.


This album Kid A was all over the Decade's best albums stories you saw in the last couple of months. Rolling Stone had it listed as number one. Clearly in this case I think best does not equal most popular but when does most popular ever mean best. Not in music that is for certain. I have heard Radiohead compared to Pink Floyd which is probably unfair to both parties but I look forward to listening to this album.

Check out the Amazon MP3 store.

The Art of Pink Floyd

I have been listening to a great deal of Pink Floyd lately. When were kids of course we all listened to The Wall but at least as a teenager I did not really appreciate the music. Here in middle age Animals. Wish You Were Here and of course Dark Side of the Moon all have gotten better with age. The music is not easy but it is essential. My itunes collection bulges with so much music that at times hitting Shuffle All Songs is the only way to decide what to hear. However hitting Pink Floyd and shuffle never fails to bring about great music.

And yes I have done the Wizard of Oz/ Dark Side of the Moon trick. At times certain events certainly do match up. My son watched it with me and wanted to believe it was " on purpose." I cannot imagine that it was as with an album it would be much harder to match up.

Certainly a band releasing albums with just five songs such as Wish You Were Here was a band willing to trust their audience would follow them. On that album two of those songs were the two part Shine on You Crazy Diamond their tribute to Syd Barrett.

For those who have followed them for a long time and for those still today discovering their music it is a journey well spent.

Springsteen on XM Radio

I have been listening to this channel for quite sometime on the XM/Sirius radio and for a Springsteen fan it can offer the occasional tidbit that you have not heard, or not heard in so long it is like a new experience. Late last night as the insomnia kicked in we heard The Promise and then a version of Johnny Bye Bye from a long ago concert. Bruce gave an into where he talked about Elvis and how he had seen him six months before he died in Philly and in Bruce's words the death of the King was not a surprise to him. It was quite a statement and an incredibly personal version of Johnny Bye-Bye followed.

We saw Bruce at Great Woods last August. It was an incredible night, an incredible show. With Bruce at least for me it never gets old. We took our oldest son who is 14 to the show. It was a night to remember. Not the first time I have said this and it will not be the last. Thanks Bruce.

Who Shot Liberty Valance

Watched this movie yesterday. It was on the TIVO from a recent Turner Classic Movies and it was a great movie. Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne with Lee Marvin as the the gunslinger Liberty Valance. This was a John Ford western shot in black and white. In 1962 they certainly had color available but the director felt that color would add nothing to the story.

Jimmy Stewart was an incredible actor in this movie. The rivalry over the girl between Stewart and Wayne's character was very good but yet Wayne still did the right thing in the end. Of course we always expect John Wayne to do the right thing.

At the end of the movie Rance ( played by Stewart) and his wife are leaving on the train and it Rance asks his wife who left the cactus rose on Tom Donovan's ( played by Wayne) coffin. She tells him she did and he looks at her and is about to say something else and is interrupted by the train conductor and we never know what he was going to ask.

Jimmy Stewart made some incredible movies and is one of my favorite actors. This movie was another of his best.

Rating: 8.5

Modern Family

We watched Modern Family last evening. You know nothing outrageous happens on the show but there is something comforting in seeing the kids on the show act like the kids in your house. Last evening the eldest son wanted a car so he was acting more responsible and the Dad and the Mom had a disagreement on who gave in to the children more. Nothing outlandish just funny.

Set the Tivo to watch the returning Nip Tuck. This is the end of the show after this run. How much more stuff can those boys go through. I guess we will find out