And not a minute too soon! 2008 was a rather sucky year, overall. It wasn't so bad for me personally, but I know it was a rotten year for a lot of people, given the mass unemployment caused by the recession and economy and all, as well as for a few friends of mine. I don't believe in New Year's resolutions per se, but I have begun chanting the mantra from the Edgar Winter Group classic "Free Ride": "We (I) gotta do better...'cause nobody's winning at this kind of game." My gut feeling is things are going to gradually turn around for lots of folks, and 2009 will be a much better year.
"I DUNNO IF I WAS REALLY DRUNK AT THE TIME..."
Here would be yours truly ringing in the new year the other night at the gig played by my good friend Phil Alvarez and his band, Headz Up, on NYE. Either that, or I was doing my Oliver Hardy impression! I've added the band's website link to the right here for those of you in the K.C. area who might be looking to get out and enjoy some loud, rhythmic music. If you like variety, you'll find it with Headz Up—any band that can go from playing Prince, the Commodores and "Play That Funky Music" (white boyz!) in one set, to playing Johnny Cash, Black Sabbath and Z.Z. Top in another set can't be all bad! I just wish they'd lay off the "Mustang Sally" thing already...Anyway, on NYE the music was good and the music was loud, and a good time was had by all. I also made one little observation about the folks I saw on the dance floor: Eddie Murphy was absolutely right when he discussed white people and said, "Y'all can't dance!" Me included...
GOTTA STAY ON TOP OF THESE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME...
Thanks to yours truly, the Kansas City Star had to print a correction Thursday for an error that I brought to their attention. In their annual listing of famous people who passed away in 2008, they included musician Dave Clark dead at age 64, which of course is untrue. The Star made the common mistake lots of folks do in assuming that DC was the lead singer of the Dave Clark Five, when in fact it was singer/keyboardist Mike Smith who died in February, just prior to the DC5's induction into the Crock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. Just to clarify, Dave Clark is the band's drummer, and he is indeed still among the living as far as I know...
WHAT ARE WORDS FOR, WHEN NO ONE LISTENS ANYMORE...
The good folks at Lake Superior State U. released their 34th annual list this week of Words To Be Banished From the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness (or the WTBBFTQEFMOAGU, for short). Among this year's dishonorees are 'green', 'maverick', 'first dude', 'bailout', 'Wall Street/Main Street', 'game changer', 'staycation' and 'desperate search'. And if it's not already on their list, I hereby nominate 'breaking news'. I was especially proud of the submission made by one Ed Hardiman of Bristow, VA, who said, "If I see one more corporation declare itself 'green', I'm going to start burning tires in my backyard." I'll gladly join you, Brother Ed—Amen!
SEVEN MORE YEARS, AND IT'S ALL MINE!
Today marks the 13th anniversary of the day I took possession of my humble abode. It will be officially paid-for on January 3, 2016, by which time I might actually be finished remodeling it...
NFL SEASON POST-MORTEM
How 'bout dem Cowboys! I wasn't sure if I was watching NFL football or a new sitcom on Fox last weekend, as Dallas bungled and fumbled away their game against the Philadelphia Iggles. All I know is I have never laughed so hard during a sporting event. I was also pleased to see the Patriots shut out of the playoffs (although their 11-5 record certainly warranted them being in) and Detroit completing their pursuit of perfection by going 0-16. Speaking of pursuits of perfection, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ruined mine by losing to the Raiders on Sunday in the only game I incorrectly predicted last weekend. I've been doing the picks every week for over 30 years now, and going 16-0 is the prediction equivalent to pitching a no-hitter. Thanks for nothing, Suck-a-neers...
And then there were the Chefs looking just as pitiful in going 2-14 and securing the #3 pick in the '09 draft. Someone please explain to me why the Chefs were still running TV ads after the Cincinnati game on Sunday encouraging people to call TicketBastard to order game tickets—there are no more games this year!!
CLASSIC OVERUSED MOVIE/TV CLICHÉ #2
Is it just me, or is it (without fail) that in nearly every movie or TV show since the '70s that's set in San Francisco, the main character either lives in an apartment or has an office with a great view of either the TransAmerica Building, Bay Bridge or Golden Gate Bridge?
DEEP THOUGHT
Are the people who hail from Maine known as "Mainiacs"?
TEARIN' DOWN THE HOUSE—UPDATE
Shea Stadium is rapidly wasting away...
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