Monday is just another day...

Awakened this morning by my son crying about have to go to school. That was at about 6:30 A.M. I have been up ever since. He didn't want to debut his new glasses in front of his classmates today so that will happen Tuesday, I hope. Garbage night so that had to be gathered and taken out. Since then I have done little to nothing. Wish I had some money so I cold go somewhere, ANYWHERE.

Sunday will never be the same...

It's been a long weekend. My son had a friend over all weekend. Nothing like dealing with 2 preteen boys wandering the house for 48 hours plus. Video games being played along with arguments about said games. I saw my wife in passing as she slept while I was downstairs and visa-versa. It's was laundry day so that all had to be done. Watched the race while folding. I actually considered watching the Oscars tonight but gave up when I realized that I wasn't really interested. The award shows hold my attention long enough to enetertain for, maybe, an hour. I am so tired still...and I just wish I could get proper rest.

Saturday in the house...

A simply day today. Woke up around 10 A.M. and did nothing. I am feeling as though I may be suffering from Africa sleeping sickness or maybe I have become a teenager again. I could sleep all day and stay up all night. I feel like most of the time is spent thinking of things I don't really want to do and the rest of the time is not doing those things.

While he was alive my Dad and I hardly spoke and when we did it was short and to the point and lacked the depth that I see and hear as others speak to parents. I feel lost and adrift since he is gone. I am confused about the simplest of things and could really use some direction but cannot find anyone to help me with that. My wife suggested consoling but I really see no sense since I really cannot describe what is bothering me.

Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day.

The new beginning...

I started this what seems like ages ago to write about and share music. Times have changed. I no longer have any desire to share any of that and am now starting all over here. I recently, well in November, lost my father and have been having difficulty dealing with the loss. Starting tomorrow I will be using this as an online diary in hope that it will help me deal with my grieving and get myself back on track.

I am a stay at home father living in the Midwestern United States. The main thing I do is make sure that my youngest son, who is autistic but HIGHLY functional, has all the support he needs to get through a day. I am happily married to my best friend who supports our family in her career as an RN at a local nursing home. There are others of my family, both blood and by marriage, that I am sure will appear on these pages intermittently. Well that's about all I feel needs to be included in the start. By all means, if you want please comment.

It all begins on the morrow...

It's time for.....

The Top 5 of 2009!!!

I was really thinking about posting this a few weeks ago when I realized I would have to supply a list....and there are far more disappoinments for me this year than in the recent past.....

A perfect example for me is Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue....

I have been looking forward to the surviving members to reform for 4 years now....when they do it turns into a poor Jerry Cantrell solo set.....oh well, such is life in the cornfields of Iowa....

The sets that make my list are mostly old favorites and safe picks.....

[In No Particular Order]

5. Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

Put together Jim James [My Morning Jacket], Conor Oberst [Bright Eyes, et al], M. Ward [She & Him] and Mike Mogis [Bright Eyes, et al] and have them record a series of harmonious and occasionally electrified tunes blending folk-rock, country and white soul and that would be Monsters of Folk. They have been compared stylistically to Traveling Wilburys [in every article I have seen one of the 4 members here have complained about that]....and I can really hear that. The whole CD is catchy. Stand-out Tracks: Man Named Truth & The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me

4. Simple Minds - Graffiti Soul [Deluxe Edition]

Wow, I was reading an article the other day that amazed and surprised me....this is Simple Minds' 15th album....for me it seems like yesterday that Jim Kerr was disliking "Don't You Forget About Me" and was reaping it's benefits at the same time...very good new material and some excellant covers to boot too! Stand-out Tracks: Light Travels & Shadows and Light

3. Collective Soul - Collective Soul [or "Rabbit"]

I like it when a band can be consistant...Collective Soul is one of those bands....love em or hate em they are what they are....I love em! Stand-out Tracks: She Does & Welcome All Again

2. a-Ha - Foot of the Mountain

Sadly this is supposed to be the last CD of new material by a-Ha...calling it quits after 25+ years as a band...they go out on a very high note. Stand-out tracks: Mother Nature Goes To Heaven & The Bandstand

1. Ryan Star - Last Train Home EP


Nice collection from the artist who once was a contestant on Rock Star: Supernova and is the writer/singer of the theme song for Fox-TV's Lie To Me....look for his full CD 11:59 in the new year. Stand-out tracks: Breathe & Brand New Day

Honorable Mentions - KISS - Sonic Boom / Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown / Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs - Under The Covers Volume 2 / Cheap Trick - The Latest

Happy 2009...

...may you and yours have a safe and prosperous year to come!!



New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.

5 best CDs of 2008 - New material

The finale.....



1) Al Stewart ~ Sparks of Ancient Light - A great collection of classic music from Mr. Stewart and the ONLY CD I have been able to listen to from beginning to end repeatedly since it's release.



2) Mudcrutch ~ Mudcrutch & Mudcrutch Extended Play Live - Tom Petty and the band that led to the formation of The Heartbreakers. And then a live set added to boot. Great stuff.



3) Juliana Hatfield ~ How To Walk Away - I would put this up against any of her work with Blake Babies and previous solo efforts. It is just that good an overall CD.



4) B-52's ~ Funplex - The most fun CD of the year. It is great to hear this band return with such strong material.



5) The Dandy Warhols ~ ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols... - A well put together and performed set that doesn't seem to have gotten any interest from anyone since it's release. And what little interest has been drawn to it has been quite negative. What the h*ll, I like it!

Honorable Mentions - Old 97s ~ Blame It On Gravity, Oasis ~ Dig Out Your Soul, Joe Jackson ~ Rain, Matthew Sweet ~ Sunshine Lies, Rick Springfield ~ Venus In Overdrive & Lindsey Buckingham ~ Gift Of Screws

Have a safe New Year's Eve all!!!