Costumes -

...why when I was your age I put on some old jeans, a flannel shirt, put freckles on my face and went as a HICK. We didn't go out to some Hall-o-weener superstore and pay 39.99 for a crappy piece of black crepe with a little red color thrown in for good measure! If you want a costume you can get your butt into our closet and look for goofy clothes from years gone by. Can't find it there? Then check garage for the Halloween containers - I know that last year's costumes are still in there, and they're still good. So what if you've been a Jedi for the last 5 years...no one cares!
You want a really good costume? Strip down to your tightie-whities, put a red blanket around your neck and go as Captain Underpants. Funny and cheap. Besides, you're 17 now. That's a bit too old to go around begging for candy. Shouldn't you be snogging some senior chick at a Halloween party tomorrow night?

Tastes in Music: One

I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. Aside from modern Country and Western and hardcore gangsta rap, I'll listen to just about anything. However, after perusing my ginormous CD collection this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that I do have one musical genre that has permeated my being - tribute albums and cover bands/singers. While the original is always enjoyable to listen to and sing along with, there's something about having a new interpretation of an old favorite that makes me dash off to Itunes to see if it's available yet. I hope to bring you some of my favorites in the weeks to come. This week, a cover singer that is older than dirt, but brings something new to the table.

Album title: Paul Anka Rock Swings
A collection of classic rock, pop, and alternative music as interpreted by the one and only Paul Anka.

Sounds odd, doesn't it? It thought so, too, until I heard an excerpt from his version of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." It starts out with a big band number and segues into the opening lyrics as smooth as silk. That one song made me buy the album, and I wasn't disappointed at all. This gem of an album contains 14 tunes, from pop to classic rock, with some suave alternative thrown in for good measure.

The slower songs lend to Paul's vocal style quite nicely: "True" by Spandau Ballet, "Everybody Hurts" by REM, and "Eyes Without a Face" by Billy Idol showcase his amazing range. His campy version of "Lovecats" by The Cure is playful, yet cheesy, as is his rendition of Van Halen's "Jump."
But when he moves to the alternative side of things, it's as if he's not quite sure what to do with the lyrics. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana is a bit of a challenge to get through. And then there's "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden. Hearing Anka sing "...boiling heat, summer stench..." is just creepy.

Finally, if Bon Jovi's song is the top hit, then the number two pick would have to be "Wonderwall" by Oasis. Another big band version of a modern rock tune that will have you singing along in no time.

All in all, a fun album to sing along to, especially in the car. Might even give you some new ideas for karaoke night at the Lamplighter.

Major Geek Alert

Thank god the offspring's karate lessons were over by 8pm last night so we could be home in time for the latest episode of Star Wars: Clone Wars! Yes, damn it, I'm a Star Wars geek and proud of it!

Back in 1977, I was that idiot you saw at the front of the line every (and I do mean every!) Saturday in the summer to see the original movie. Stayed for all 3 showings, too. Met my first girlfriend in line...and eventually convinced her to dress like Leia once in awhile (I know, I know, TMI). Saw that first movie (now considered the fourth) over 100 times that year, at $1.95 a pop.

So now, the kids and I hunker down on Friday nights to watch Clone Wars together. I call it Male Bonding...the wife calls us nuts. Especially when we have light saber duels during the commercials. The show is really good. Anthony Daniels remains the only actor to play the same character - C-3PO - in every incarnation of the franchise. Plus, Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants (another Male Bonding experience in my house) voices a couple of characters.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a Friday evening with the kids. And after the young Padawans are in bed, I let the wife handle the light sabre (good grief - TMI again!)
Good times....good times.

teacher + day off = fun?

Sadly, even algebra can't make that equation correct. I'm speaking of the Tuesday just past when I had to take a day off of work to care for my little one. During our latest heatwave, he spiked a fever of 103 at 2 in the a.m. and we just couldn't get him to cool off or calm down. So, being the trooper dad I am I volunteered to make the trek to the ER for some professional help (luckily, I'd already been asleep for 1.5 hours when he woke us up, so I had that going for me...)

5 hours later...I remember a time when ER actually stood for 'emergency room.' Not the "I know I'm not here in your country legally, and I won't be able to pay for this service, but I can't find a doctor to take care of my hangnail and it really, really hurts - not that you understand a word I'm saying anyway" room.

At least the doctors are nice. With four kids we've been to the ER plenty of times. They have great bedside manner, and are always ready to help you with your problem. When it's legitimate. But you sure can tell when they've had enough of the freeloaders that invade our medical system for free services and a quick 'scrip of something to take the edge off.

Today - he's just fine. The kid-drugs worked wonders and he's up and dancing around like nothing had ever happened. We were told that it was a good thing we brought him in when we did, as the fever hit 104 while were in the waiting room...that got us a quick "head of the line" pass after being there for 3 hours. Behind the hangnail lady.

One of the best things about the hospital? The coffee bar that opens at 5am. Jesus loves me, yes he does.

How to relieve that Monday Stress!!!!

Ain't nothing in this world like singing in a choir. Me, I've been in some type of choral group since ninth grade. Jazz ensamble, professional quartet, barbershop harmony, madrigal singers...the list goes on and on. Last few years, I've been involved with a large (140 member) group at a local university. Half volunteers like me, half students working on music degrees. Every Monday, for three hours or so, we lift our voices in harmonious melodies that ring to the rafters. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Hold it. Count to 7. Now, let it out slowly and keep your eyes closed. That relaxed feeling? Multiply it by 10 and you'll know how I feel during a rehearsal. Tonight we've been working on a Bach motet, "Singet dem Herren ein neues Lied," that gives me shivers, especially when the overtones ring in the upper octaves.
(motet: n. a religious song for a choir in which several voices, usually unaccompanied, sing contrasting parts simultaneously) (German translation: Sing to the Lord a new song.)
And when we basses get down to those low Es, Ds, and Cs, you can feel the risers rattle with the sound. A good thirty minutes of this and the stress just melts away. Three hours? I'm surprised I've not melted into a pile of goo.

Investment Opportunity!

With the economy fluctuating like a sine wave on an oscilloscope, I was pleased to find this nugget of joy in my local coffee house (Intermezzo, in Hazard Center. Support your non-chain java joint!). Please to enjoy...

If you had bought 1,000 dollars worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00.
If you had bought 1,000 dollars worth of Enron stock, it would now be worth $16.50.
With Worldcom, you would have less than $5.00 left.

If you had bought 1,000 worth of Budweiser (the beer, not the stock) one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the 10-cent deposit, you would have $214.00.
The moral?
Drink heavily and recycle.

My kids are cooler than me

I'm a very old school person. Ask anyone. I'd rather listen to classic rock, watch TV Land or Nick at Nite, and prefer Kirk to Picard.
But...someone please tell me how in the heck my 10 year old kid snagged an Ipod before I did!
Me? I'm still groovin to my CD player...and even the occasional cassette tape. But my #3 son gets an Ipod? Granted, he' s probably loaded it with Spongebob and Disney songs (unless the Sainted Wife has secretly added a Green Day song or two), and can only use one ear bud at a time.
But really...a 10y-o with an Ipod! Someone hand me my AARP card quick!