More is More

Well friends, the year is slowly coming to a close. That's right, 2009 is almost over. And as a treat to my loyal following, and if, if I can get motivated... I plan to present to you the top ten things I've learned this year. What does that mean exactly? How about one item on the list per blog post? Yes? No? To be honest, I probably won't follow through. But, here goes numero uno...


1. Arena rock is back! Well, kind of...

I know, I know it's a helluva claim. But Carmen got us some tickets on the cheap for last week's Creed show (you can laugh if you need to), and we weren't disappointed. Top ten list of gems we were NOT without:

1. Face-melting guitar solos.
2. Fire.
3. Video wall and/or video screens.
4. Dry ice.
5. More fire.
6. Mullets.
7. Nostalgia.
8. An ego-light Scott Stapp.
9. Even more fire.
10. Arena acoustics.

Yes, I'll elaborate.

1. Tremonti alone was worth the price of admission. He's a man among men, and it's unfortunate he's so underrated. He had, count 'em... four half stack cabinets, two smaller combo amps, two full racks of preamps, amps, tuners, effects, etc., and a slew of PRS guitars. His setup required all of stage left. More is more, people... more is more.

2. During the first song, the entire stage was lit with fire. It was awesome!

3. There was a main video wall in the center and two smaller (but not too small) video screens on each side. These were essential to the experience.

4. What's metal, moreover, arena rock without loads of dry ice? From the knees down, baby.

5. During "What's This Life For," Tremonti and Stapp were standing on a ramp at the back of the stage with a shower of sparks raining down on them. It was awesome, and it sure as fire beats a miniature Stonehenge.

6. With metal... I'm not gonna lie... you do get some 'necks. And they were out in full force Friday night, but I was proud to be out there with 'em. Hell, I was proud to be one of them (if they'll have me). They get it.

7. I used to wear out my Creed compact discs driving the back roads of Clanton growing up. I hadn't really spun 'em since, but it was pleasant to relive my youth. Thanks for the memories (best Fallout Girl impression).

8. Scott Stapp has changed, ya'll. Say what you want about the dude, Friday night he was genuine. He came out and did the damn thing to a less than half empty room. He appeared to be so humbled by it all... it was actually quite heartwarming. Stapp seemed so small in an environment that was anything but. He was a different man, and that's what I took away from the show more than anything. Carmen accuses me of being a sucker for coming of age. I can't help it. I know it's cheesy. I know it's cliche'. But as a person that gets caught up in the struggles of life... I always try to take time and celebrate the times I do come out of it all alive, and it's only fitting I do the same for my brethren.

9. Fire cannons went off sporadically, yet musically throughout the extravaganza. It was awesome! Fire... it's so primitive. Man play with fire. Man cook with fire. Man need fire.

10. The sound was actually pretty good for the BJCC. One must accept arena acoustics as part of the experience.

All in all, it was a good night. And I know all of you secret Creed fans out there are silently rejoicing their return. It's okay. It's okay... come out of the Creed closet with me (motioning hand). Come on... it's not so bad out here. Check back for part dos of 10 things I've learned in Oh-Niner.

P.m.S. Check out my previous blog on arena rock if you're interested in the background of my thoughts on subject.

Benz on Dubs

I was told that my past couple music-related entries were relatively lackluster. Nothing like a wife to keep you honest, right? I haven't written a politically driven blog in quite some time. Thus, here we go...

First things first, what the hell is up with people wanting to select their baby's hair color, eye color, sex, etc.? I mean...talk about taking the vibe out life. Last I heard, Steinberg has retracted and said he's not going to offer physical trait selection for couples. But, it's only a matter of time before this becomes socially accepted. And when it is, are the masses going to be tall, blonde, and blue-eyed? Sound anything like the proposed Thousand Year Reich? Eugenics? Social Darwinism? Hellllllllllo.

Secondly, global warming. Seriously? Yes, I want to do everything I can to keep our planet healthy. That said, do we really need to be working on special fart-reducing food for cows? C'mon (best Gob Bluth impression)! When did carbon dioxide become a hazard? Maybe I'm naive, but isn't carbon dioxide the lifeblood of plants and trees? Right? It's a scam people, wake up.

On third, we have steroids in baseball. Who cares?!?! Does the federal government really need to be spending our money on this when we're in the middle of a full-blown recession? Hell no. Ridiculous. Let major league baseball clean this up...it's their mess.

On a lighter note, who is everyone pulling for in American Idol? I think Carmen and me are campaigning for the moderately effeminate, Adam Lambert. R.I.P. Norman Gentle. Oh, I'm sorry...is it uncool to mention A.I.? For what it's worth, I watch the show because the house drummer is a bad ass. Mad chops. The rest is just daft. That's my story...

Confessions of a Sorority Boy

Me: It's been three days since my last confession, father.
Priest: Go on...
Me: I've been listening to sorority rock, and LOVING IT!
No, I've never participated in a Catholic confession. Why? Because I'm not effin' Catholic. Thanks Luther. But if I was, I'm ashamed to say that (my love of pop anthems) would be a confession. I was on my way to work this morning with the Liz Phair blaring, and my best falsetto was belting out:

I am extraordinary, if you'd ever get to know me
I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary
Average every day sane psycho
Supergoddess
Average every day sane psycho

I wasn't in a Porsche Boxster, but I did feel like a Delta Nu member, à la Elle Woods. In my defense, the Matrix is bad ass. Not the movie, the pop god production team that helped Phair on her 2003 self-titled album. It's one of the most sterile pop records I've heard...at least from a production standpoint. For those studio nerds out there, I'm almost certain it was mixed on an SSL. Squeaky clean.

I love pop. It's a guilty pleasure of mine. The sound is usually top notch. The hooks are as infectious as a cold. The budgets are huge. And the studio musicians are some of the best in the biz (guns-for-hire speaking). I would throw myself at the idea of producing such an album. I get it. All that to say...here's my top 5 list of modern-day (1990 to present) pop songs:

1. "Semi-Charmed Life" -Third Eye Blind
Lisp or not...catchiest pop tune of all time.

2. "Extraordinary" - Liz Phair
I think I covered this one.

3. "Give Me More" - Britney Spears
It's Special K, bitch. Hot, just white hot!

4. "Rock Your Body" - Justin Timberlake
This one's super tight...love the phrasing.

5. "It's Not Over" - Daughtry
Dude has serious pipes, and he sings the hooks powerfully suave.

I am now going to pull out the trump card in case you guys are questioning my downright girly musical taste. My former band opened for Judas Priest. Boo-yah!!! What'd I leave out? I know you folks have some thoughts on the subject.

Cat Scratch Spring Fever

You make me feel so young, you make me feel like spring sprung. Sinatra anyone? No? I don't necessarily feel so young, but spring is definitely about to be sprung. I know we just had the Alabama blizzard of Oh-9, but it's supposed to be seventy-something this weekend. Crazy, right? Maybe we'll have another cold spell, maybe we won't. Nonetheless, spring is imminent. It is upon us. It is here, I think. (read next sentence quickly for full effect) Top ten list of what Special K loves about spring, GO!

1. The musty smell my car air conditioner spits out after months of being dormant. Love it, don't ask me why.

2. The Dave Matthews Band. Yeah, I know...they were on the summer and fall lists as well. Some music is just appropriate year round.

3. March Madness. Hopefully the Terps can win their last couple of games and get to the big dance.

4. Blooming dogwoods.

5. The days start to get a little longer.

6. Easter.

7. Spring break. I'm back in school...it means something again.

8. Major league baseball begins. Go Cubs go.

9. The ability to smoke a fine cigar outside without your fingers going numb.

10. T-shirts.

What do you guys think? What do you love about spring? Hell, what do you hate? Leave some love.

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'"
-Robin Williams




Capricious Observations Part Dos:

1. "Osbourne Cox?" Carmen and I can't watch anything with John Malkovich without thinking about this repeated line from Burn After Reading. HI-larious.
2. Stimulus bill...or new and not improved New Deal?
3. I'm convinced all of the LOST writers are Calvinists.
4. Do your chain hang low? Buy gold and buy it now...it will always be worth something.

Waxing Poetic

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but there are reasons. I recently started back at school, I'm writing a monthly column for a cigar magazine, and I'm still working full time. Something's gotta give, right? Wrong. That's okay though, I'm embracing this new phase in my life where I have little to no free time. In fact, I love it.

Yeah, the school thing...I know, I know. I'm sure quite a few people heard me say I would never return. What do you want me to say? I'm sorry, I'm back (Sammy Sosa lip-to-chest motion for Jay-Z). The decision was made back in the fall once I realized life was passing me by. That, and the fact the whole god-of-rock thing probably wasn't going to pan out. So here I am...heading to Samford two late nights a week to get some knowledge dropped on my ass. It's going to take me a couple of years to finish up my undergrad, but I'm okay with that. I even hope I can go on to get my master's and possibly my doctorate. One degree at a time though. So that's what's been going on with me, and thus the reason there's been no bloggage.

Anywho, recently I've been paying attention to lyrics in songs instead of the music itself. And I've been blown away. Here's a top 5 list of lyrics that have owned me:

1. "And don't it make you sad to know that life is more than who we are?"
-GooGoo Dolls, "Name"

2. "We're only humans girl, we make mistakes. To make it up I do whatever it take. I love you like a fat kid loves cake."
-Fitty Cent, "21 Questions"

3. "I send a heart to all my dearies. When your life is so, so dreary. Dream."
-Smashing Pumpkins, "Mayonnaise"

4. "This is the floor, it's not the ceiling. Don't confuse the feeling from the meaning. Don't fall."
-Beneath, "Boy on a Wire"

5. "On broken wings I'm falling, and it won't be long. The skin on me is burning by the fires of the sun. On skinned knees I'm bleeding, and it won't be long. I've got to find that meaning, that I've searched for so long.
-Alter Bridge, "Broken Wings"

I know I'm kind of a d-bag for mentioning my own band, but Eric's a hell of a writer. I feel as if my blog has become an arm of List-H1. Is that okay? Hit me back with a lyric that's dominated your life. Stay classy San Diego.

5 Gold Chains

Christmas is upon us. Can you believe it? In fact, I bet most of the crumb snatchers in the U.S. have opened all their gifts by now. I love Christmas! Thanksgiving is still tops as far as my favorite holiday, but Christmas is a quasi-close second. What do you guys love about the season? Actually...what do you hate about it? We'll start with hate and end in love.

Hatin':
1. Christmas traffic (the Summit has been hell).
2. Eggnog (what is this stuff?!?!).
3. The day after, because that week post Christmas until New Year's is just damn weird.
4. People who feel the need to say, "Happy Holidays."
5. Takin' down the tree.
6. Christmas traffic (280 has been hell).
7. Carolers.
8. Shopping.
9. The Nobody State vs. Who Cares Tech bowl games.
10. Christmas traffic (merging onto 65 has been hell).

Lovin':
1. Christmas music (hymns, cantatas, Bing Crosby...I love it all).
2. Watching Elf, Christmas Vacation, Family Man, Christmas Story, etc.
3. Spending time with family.
4. Giving gifts.
5. Settin' up the tree.
6. Fresh Christmas tree scent (no cheap candle imitations here).
7. Nativity scenes.
8. Shopping.
9. Done up Griswold lights (amazingly awesome).
10. Hot cocoa.

What do yous guys think? Are you hatin' this year? Lovin' this year? Whateva (best Liam Lynch impression), Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Barack Obama? Barack Hussein Obama? Are you people serious? Well...okay, I guess you are. I have to admit, I'm extremely disappointed with the outcome of the election. It's not that I was thrilled with the McCain/Palin ticket, because I absolutely was not. But Barack Obama? That said, I don't plan to act like those liberal loons who consistently bashed Bush the past eight years. No no no, I'm going to support Obama. He's going to be my president soon, and I will respect that office. I'm not going to like it, but I will respect it. I expect you folks to do the same.



***Someone needs to contact all the spell check/dictionary people and add his first and last name to the list. Just a thought.***

Harvest

Fall is here people, fall is here. I know the first official day was Septemba 22nd...but it's just now hit me. And it's finally starting to cool off. Typical fall day in Alabama goes something like this: Chilly in the morning, downright damn fantastic in the afternoon, and chilly again at night. You just can't beat it. Autumn is most definitely my favorite time of year.

I wake up Saturday mornings...turn on College GameDay...watch football all day long...smoke a cigar in the afternoon. Dammit I love it. It's also a perfect time of year to get in touch with America's past and crack open a cold apple cider. That's right, it only takes a few sips of some Woodchuck and I'm channeling George Washington. Our founding fathers used to partake of this tasty beverage at every meal (water was unsafe for consumption back then). God bless America. I could go on...but I won't. How 'bout a list instead?

Top 10 list of what I love about fall (in no particular order):

1. College football...ridiculously fun in the South.
2. Fall foliage. I'm predicting to rake and bag over a million leaves in my back yard. Totally worth it.
3. Apple cider.
4. Marching bands...fresh beats.
5. Thanksgiving. Favorite holiday. Period.
6. The weather.
7. Long-sleeved shirts...comfy.
8. The Dave Matthews Band.
9. Pumpkins.
10. Chili, we make ours especially caliente.

It's no post-it note, but it was concise. What do you guys love about fall?

Holy Cow!

Today I didn't even have to use my A.K., I got to say it was a good day. That's the flow I was spittin' when I got home Monday night. Why? Because my beloved leather chair had finally arrived. That's right, leatha (Project Runway fans represent). The smell. The feel. The look.

I began the quest over a year ago. It all started in a Restoration Hardware store. I saw this gorgeous chair in the corner. I sat. I fell in love. Looked at the price tag. Came to the conclusion is wasn't going to happen for a while. And by "a while," I mean never. Then I thought to myself...there's got to be a company out there that offers the same quality at a lesser price. To my delight, I found that company. Club Furniture. They're located in North Carolina and most of the furniture is made here in the good ole U.S. of A. Factory direct. Fully customizable. Awesome. I found the company, now I had to find the chair.

I wanted a piece that would stand the test of time. A piece that would only grow more beautiful as it aged and characterized. It also needed to hold up to our Jack Russell and one day...kids. I selected the Rockefeller chair in Brompton Cocoa, and I also had to treat myself to the down seat upgrade, right? Giddy up. Found the company and the chair, now I needed to find the money.

After lusting after this chair for far too long, the cash money was in hand. Commission check from work...nothing too exciting. It was about a six week process, but oh-so-worth the wait. Back to Monday. Saw the chair. Got a cigar. Lit it up. Sat down. Bliss.


Capricious Observations:

1. I'm ready for this election to be over with...for better or for worse.
2. I love fall, everything about it...the football, the weather, the...the...blog to follow.
3. Gas is going down, whoop whoop. Not for long, enjoy it whilst you can.
4. Heidi turned 5 and I forgot her birthday. I feel terrible.

Cause I Don't Remember

Why do rock stars write about going home so much? Think about it. Let's start with a classic...Ozzy Osbourne - "Mama, I'm Coming Home." Some may argue that the Prince of Darkness was writing about seeing his mum in heaven...doesn't matter. More recently you have crooner Michael Buble' - "Home." Great, great song (Carmen loathes the country version). And we can't forget Daughtry's infectious anthem about going back to the place where he belongs, "Home."

Point is, we all long for a home. My family moved around a pretty good bit growing up because we were in the ministry. Just the other day my sister and me were sharing memories of our grandparent's (mom's parents) house in Cumberland, Maryland. Our reminiscent conversation brought back instant feelings of warmth and comfort. We normally didn't go on yearly vacations, we went home. Cumberland was home for us. Our extended family was there and it provided a constant in a life that usually thrived on change.

A few years ago, my grandparents were no longer healthy enough to maintain that house. They moved to an apartment in Charleston where my uncle could look after them. Our home was gone. Shortly after that, my parents left Alabama for a church in Florida. We had lived in Alabama longer than any other place (almost 10 years), and it was starting to feel like home. Gone. I was in college at the time in Birmingham, so I decided to stay here. Florida never really felt like home, but it was the closest thing I had. Last year, I lost that when my parent's separated and moved back to Alabama. They're both currently living in their apartments, belongings split up...it's not only not home (as hard as I've tried to make it so), it's also sad.

Why all this talk of home? This weekend we're helping Carmen's mom move into a new house. And as excited as I am for my favorite mother-in-law to move into her dream house, I'm also a little blue. You see, this house had become a home of sorts, probably my last in the sense I'm talking about. I started dating my wife while she lived in that house back when we were still in high school. And in all of my loss of "home" in the past few years, my wife's childhood house had in fact become my home. It has been the invariable in my life that's been full of variables. And after this weekend, I'm going to lose that too.

I know we've all heard the phrase, "Home is where you make it." That's bullshit, and you know it. Maybe instead, home is what you make it. Maybe I needed to lose my many homes, so I can create one with my wife for our children...for our grandchildren. I don't know. Alls I do know is my life is not getting any easier, and I'm afraid loss is going to be a significant part of my life...I better learn to deal with it.



Quote of the day: "You wanna see homos naked? That's cool man." - Joe Dirte'