New old music

I subscribe to emusic.  It’s a great collection of music that you won’t necessarily find in the more traditional online music libraries.  Another great plus is that it’s 10 bucks a month for 40 downloads and that the downloads aren’t restricted like Itunes. 

So went there the other night and found a new album from Asia.  For the baby boomers, Asia was a must album from the early 1980s and the band was the forerunner of the “supergroups”.  After a hugely successful first album, the second album couldn’t live up to hype but on it by the record label , their third album had a new (and incredibly less talented) guitarist.  After that point, it was downhill for the group as original members came and went.

Now, after 25 years, the original members are back for a tour and are supposedly even working on a new album of original music.  With all the crap that’s sold as music now, a disc from four incredibly talented musicians would truly be music to my ears.  So with high hopes, I downloaded the double disc.

More of a backstory: I’m a big fan of music recorded live.  You find out quickly who in the music business isn’t dependent on the ovedubs and massive production tricks on studio albums.  After listening to the original Asia album, it was clear that if the group did come out with a live album, it could never match the massive keyboards and vocal choirs used in the studio.

Having listened to the the album Fantasia Live in Tokyo, my humble review is that the guys who played on the record have done nothing but get better.  Sure, John Wetton’s voice isn’t what it used to be, and some of the timing is off on the instruments, but I’d say this is a pretty darned good album.  Steve Howe continues to show great restraint in playing guitar in the Asia material…but I still can’t help the feeling that he’s eager to rip into a long solo.  Carl Palmer is still amazing on drums, and Geoffrey Downes, the backbone behind Asia all these years, still amazes the listener with his ability to remember all the keyboard settings for each song. 

Yes, it was a trip down memory lane for me.  The music is played a lot slower, the keys are dropped so the notes aren’t sung as high, but it’s nice to hear songs played by true musicians who can still teach today’s “stars” a thing or two about making music.

Here’s Elliot

As promised, I told you about picking up Tobey’s brother Elliot.  Wife and I took some pictures, and here is Elliot

He’s from the same litter as Tobey, so they are indeed brothers.  Since Tobey had a full week’s head start on being a dog, Elliot has been playing catch-up.  However, after four days of being with us, Elliot has fit right in to roughhousing with Tobey, laying in the grass, getting the hang of walking, and having his tummy rubbed.

So, now you know our “kids.”  You know it’s an exciting life when we look forward to the evenings when both dogs poop in the back yard.

The end of the universe is Madison

My favorite comedian, Lewis Black, has a bit on his album The End of Universe, where he describes how the universe ends in Houston, Texas. Why? You can hear a piece of it here.

I think Mr. Black needs to visit Madison and update his act.  On the corner of Hoy and Highway 51, there is a Walgreens.  Directly across the street, yes, a new Walgreens. 

I can’t help but laugh everytime I pass this intersection.

One’s cute but two…

is better!  Now that you all know Lord Tobey, get ready to meet his brother Elliot.  Over the weekend, my wife and I decided that Tobey needed a playmate his own age.  So, we got one of his brothers from the same litter. 

It’s scary how two dogs from the same litter can have such different personalities.  Tobey is the playful, nonstop one.  Elliot is much more reserved.  Tobey wants to jump on Elliot and wrestle him to the ground.  Elliot puts up with it.  The good news for me and my wife is that now someone else can tire Tobey out enough for him to go to sleep.  We’ll see if Elliot becomes more playful after he’s been with us a little longer.

Of course, I’ll post a picture of Elliot soon.  I might even post a shot of them together.  See if y’all can figure out which one is which.

You might be asking, where did the name Elliot come from?  We just like the way it sounded as another English name.  OK, it may have something to do with the fact that wife’s favorite show is Law and Order SVU and the main character’s name is Elliot.

Uh oh I-Phone

Yes, the I-Phone is cool looking.  A guy at my work has one, and he loves it.  My wife wants one…but our bank account doesn’t love the price.  What’s a technogeek to do?

 Wait for the next generation of i-Phone!

According to one report written by a Bear-Stearns Wall Street analyst, the new phone could come by the end of the year.  Yes, it will have less features than the brand new model (that is apparently soon to be outdated), but it will cost less.  He’s basing his guess on patents filed by Apple.  The newer Apple phone will be based on the user experience of an Ipod Nano.  I don’t have a Nano…I’m already close to 50gigs on my 80gig regular Ipod. 

And just when I thought I’d got the best Ipod out there, I’m reading that there may be a next generation video Ipod player that incoporates the features of the I-Phone, but without the phone. 

I might be going into I-overload. 

Tobey’s Home

As promised, here’s a look at Lord Tobey. 

 

The family has survived the first full week with Tobey.  He’s actually very well mannered for a puppy.  He sleeps through the night and is dutifully going to the bathroom outside.  The old labrador in the house isn’t too thrilled with him. Phoebe, the alpha Yorkie of the house, is finally warming up to him.  BTW, that is a cat collar on him, since we couldn’t find any dog collars large enough.

 Tobey is expected to grow to a full size of between 2 to 5 pounds. 

Yes, I’ll be in a bookstore tonight

Oh, and you’re not?

I’m escorting my daughter and a friend to local bookstores for the new HP book.  We’ve got plenty of Potter events…so I don’t know where we’ll end up.  Yellow Dog Books seems ready with a quiddich tournament, lightning bolt decorations, and a 9 3/4 sign over the entrance.  Lemuria has New Stage actors doing HP scenes.  The girls will be in heaven.  Me, I’ll be reading about blogging or using a Wi-Fi hotspot.

New family member

I’m pretty pumped. 

This Friday, we’re getting a new addition to the family…a Yorkie puppy.  We’ve named him Tobey (for the English heritage, not for the Spiderman actor) and he is too freakin’ cute!  He’ll be under 5 pounds when he’s fully grown. The wife has already bought out Petsmart so Tobey will have everything…including a spot in our bed.  Between Tobey and the Yorkie we already have in the bed, I may end up sleeping on the couch for a while. Yes, I know my place. But the odds are getting better in the house for me: it will now be 4 girls against 2 guys.

I’ll post a picture once we get him home.  You’re going to be jealous and want one of your own.

Back home

A few weeks after the NY trip, and I’m back in the same routine in Mississippi. The car knows how to get to work, once I merge onto the I-55 one lane opportunity heading into Jackson, and it knows how to get back while sitting in traffic trying to get back to Madison.

I miss the fireworks over the Reservoir that used to be hosted by ”The Dock” nightclub.  Many years ago, my family would park on the side of the road and watch the display.   Since the place is gone, so are the fireworks. Sure, other places offer fireworks around here, but I gotta tell, they aren’t the same.  And if you’re a fan of balloon glows, not like the one at the local mall, go to Natchez in October.  Now they know how to do a balloon event!

I saw in the paper this morning that Madison was named as one of the 10 Best Towns for Families by Family Circle magazine.  Yiippee. I’m sure city leaders will use that for all it can in recruiting more people to come live in Madison. Of course that increases traffic, puts more kids in overcrowded schools,  strains the police department, and brings more strip mall shopping.  Then before you know it, the very things you moved to Madison for aren’t there anymore! Since I know they’re asking for my opinion, I suggest they stop building houses that are $400,000 if they want to get more people here. I know I can’t afford a house note like that. I’ve driven through some pricey neighborhoods and I’m seeing an awful lot of “for sale” signs in the yards of big houses. Maybe the market for million dollar mansions in MS is drying up?

And now for something completely different:  Why is it that thunderstorms always seem to come through the area right around the time I’m trying to watch Letterman? The storms block out the satellite picture, and my dog freaks out at the sound of thunder. If the dog can’t sleep, nobody sleeps. Why can’t we have the storms in the middle of the day when I’m at work? Mother Nature should consider what I want, dammit.