Time Flies

I have nothing much to offer here, as my thoughts about attending a 20 year high school reunion have been written countless times by others. Has it really been over two decades since I last saw these guys?

Send a Note to a Soldier

No big preamble, just the facts and the hope that you'll take a few seconds out of your day to say hello to a soldier.

The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.

The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed on the Xerox iGen3® Digital Production Press and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2TheTroops®.

Xerox is committed to helping people across the nation express their gratitude to our troops overseas. The launch of this program is aimed at reminding them how much Americans appreciate their service.

That's not a tumor .... it's a worm in your brain

And the worms ate into his brain.
-- "Hey You" by Pink Floyd

If you're squeamish, do not read this article.

Doctors in Arizona thought a Phoenix-area woman had a possible brain tumor, but it turned out there was something else penetrating her brain – a worm.

It's the Little Things

Somebody who cares for me did a very nice thing today. While it might not be a big deal to the person who does it, that's precisely why it's so special. It's the little things that makes the world go 'round. Here's hoping that there are people in your life that make your world go 'round too.

Cool Fundraiser for a Good Cause

Today kicks off the 16th annual "Walk & Rock for Change," a multi-day fundraiser by 107.3 FM WAAF. Proceeds are donated to Boston area food banks. Millions and millions of dollars have been donated over the years.

During the Walk & Rock for Change, two members of the station's morning show walk from a distant point toward Boston. Along the way they collect donations -- ranging from kids emptying their piggy banks of nickels and pennies, to large offices which combine employee donations and hand over thousands of dollars.

Meanwhile, back at the studio, the DJs take calls from listeners and challenge them to request a song in exchange for a donation. You can have any song played on the airwaves ... but the farther away from the hard-edge rock and roll format the song request is, the more you have to give. It's a riot when a wealthy person calls and donates an impressive amount of money, then has WAAF play something such as the song on the radio right now, a country song called "Lucky Man" by Montgomery Gentry.

Good lord. Somebody just pledged $1,000 to hear any Barbara Streisand tune. Ha! That's great! The DJs are rolling on the floor with laughter.

It's fun and inspiring to hear the governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, local and national sports celebrities, actors, comedians, and various other famous people calling into the station and making hilarious song requests. As an example, NBC sports commentator and former NY Giants running back Tiki Barber gave $1,000 this morning if WAAF agreed to play Digital Underground's "Humpty Hump."

Call 866-517-WAAF to make a request and a donation. More people than ever are depending on everybody to help.

** Update **
I'm going to list some of the funnier tunes I hear over the next few days.
The "Menomena" Song by the Muppets. $300!
Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr. $200!
It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls. LMAO! $250! A bargain indeed.

Congratulations, Pedey!

I thought that the prevailing anti-Boston bias would get Josh Hamilton enough votes, but our very own Dustin Pedroia has been named the American League MVP!

Get Your Geek On

If you're like me, then you're running around in little happy circles in anticipation of the new Star Trek movie. Too bad that Shatner isn't involved, but I'm still wishing time would fast forward at maximum warp 'til May 2009. Until then, live long and prosper.

You can see the trailers here.

Lost and Found Kitties

The Associated Press is reporting that a cat which had been lost for 13 years has been reunited with it's owners. My first thought was "how can they be sure it's the same cat?" At the conclusion of the article it was revealed that the cat had a subdermal microchip, so there can be no doubt about the identity.

My father lived in a nice town along the Hudson River in New York. One day his cat (whom he named the wildly uncreative "Galleria" after the mall at which he purchased her) didn't come home. After a few weeks with no sightings nor news of her recovery, he threw away all the kitty supplies -- litter box, cat food, toys, and so forth.

Almost exactly one year later he was having supper with his wife on their back porch. He noticed a ragged, nervous, and borderline feral cat watching them intently from the edge of the woods. After they were finished eating he left some scraps of meat on the porch, went inside, and watched to see what would happen next. Yep. You guessed it. Galleria had found her way back home, having somehow survived through the winter and avoiding coyotes.

These stories give me hope that one day Sonny will find his way back home.

Oh! Hey! This is bizarre!

So I was hanging out with friends the other night who happen to be addicted to concert DVDs. Trust me, it's a shock to the system to see '80s era Journey (Steve "hangs to the left" Perry in his tight pants), followed my the Allman Brothers (Warren's hair was so long!), followed by ... wait for it ... wait for it ... Michael McDonald. Yes, go ahead and quote the 40 Year Old Version. I did.

Okay, so here's the really bizarre thing. While for the first time in my life ever losing a game of cribbage (my ex-wife will surely rip me a new one in the comments for saying that), I happened to glance up at the TV and who did I see pounding out a kick-ass drum solo? Steve Gadd! Holy crap! Steve frickin' Gadd producing sweat on stage for Michael McDonald! It's like catching Neil Peart playing with Paul Anka. I've already embarrassed myself on this blog by gushing over his skills.

If I believed in God, he'd be Him. I wish that I had 1/100th of his talent. That man is ... *head explodes*

I've Failed as a Father

I've had an especially crappy day, but as regular readers of my blog know, I'm not one of the brave ones whom discuss such things publicly. However, I feel the need to tell you that I've been proven to be a failure as a father.

How could this have happened? What circuit in my parental mind didn't carry the current? Will I ever be forgiven for the transgression, the lapse in my duty as a dad?

I prepared a yummy dinner for me and my son, put it in the oven, and then went back to my home office while the main course cooked before it was time to start the side dishes. Me being me, I clicked open the iTunes library and cranked up the music. Inspired by a recently created eclectic mix CD which I'd made for a friend, I felt the need for R.L. Burnside.

With "Rollin' Tumblin' (remix)" playing loudly, I sauntered back into the kitchen and asked my son rhetorically, "Ain't Burnside awesome?" He might as well have unexpectedly slapped me across the face with all his might, as my reaction was the same when he asked "who's Burnside?"

*sigh*

Oh, the shame. The weighty, horrible, guilty shame. I've always prided myself on being a good father. How could this kid, who truly appreciates everything from Bach to Booker T & the MGs to Beck to Bush to Billie Holiday to Branford to Blind Melons to Bad Religion to Blues Traveller to Bo Diddley to Bobby Bland to Bela Fleck to Bebel to Billy Idol to Boston to B.B. King not know Burnside?

I begged his forgiveness, and we listened to Burnside loudly -- really loudly -- as we ate.

Perhaps one day he will absolve me from my sin.

Swelled Chest Patriotic

Tonight we will elect a new President of the United States. Regardless if you're a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist, Communist, Anarchist ... whatever ... I sincerely hope that you voted. It's one of our three most important rights as Americans.

I can't predict who will be in the White House at this time next year. But I can predict with certainty that I will support whomever it is. He will be my President, as elected by the populace, and I will proudly respect our collective decision.

All that being said, I'm feeling especially patriotic at the moment. Please continue to keep all of our soldiers serving around the world and domestically in mind. They willingly choose to wear the uniform, and put their lives on the line for you and me.

The video clip is one which I've posted previously when I discussed the Patriot Guard Riders, but can never be posted too often.

Ha! You Arrogant Prick!

Serves him right. I don't care whether or not you agree because, well, this is my blog. I frickin' can't stand Anthony Kiedis. He's a horrible singer, an arrogant strutting peacock, and is said to be a real prick. But I grudgingly admit he's a hell of a lyricist. And the musicians in the Red Hot Chili Peppers are outstanding.