The Big Ticket- I'm Sold

Haha, I hate puns.... I hate puns.... I hate puns!! So why did I use one in the title- because I just can't put it any more simply than that. Kevin Garnett (aka. The Big Ticket) has won me over. I've always known of KG from a periphery point of view- being that he played in Minnesota his whole career. I knew he was a nasty ballplayer; I just never knew he was this good!
I remember Bird, but only through the eyes of innocence- I was about 10 when Bird was in his prime. I remember Jordan, but through the lens of awe and wonder- I was 15-20 and occupied with many other things when Air Jordan was tearing up the NBA. I- along with millions of others- wish I'd gotten to experience Reggie Lewis and Len Bias; but that apparently wasn't in the cards. So Kevin Garnett is my first real glimpse into the world of an NBA star. And I say star in the sense that he's one of the very best in the league, not in the pretense/ prima donna/ celebrity/ my way or the highway/ gimme the damn ball kind of way.
Honestly- KG may operate more in the ilk of Bird than anyone I've witnessed on the hardwood. From what I remember, Bird wasn't the most gifted athlete ever to make it through natural selection. He attained his legendary (Larry Legend) status through hard work, leadership, team work, court smarts, vision, patience, and determination and will. Although Garnett is far more athletically gifted and athletic than Bird ever could have sniffed at, he comes with the same work ethic, skill set, smarts, and leadership abilities that made Bird- in my opinion- the best player to ever play the game.
I remember Bird, and the way he maximized the ability he had. I see the same aspects in KG's game. He uses each inch of his 6'-11" frame to its maximum advantage. He stretches for every rebound, constantly has his arms extended on defense, blocks shots far above the rim, hustles for loose balls just out of his grasp, and handles the ball with incredible acumen and agility. There are very few times when he looks out of control- which is difficult when you're a tall, skinny, lanky guy.
For a big guy (Power Forward) he passes like very few others can, can hit the mid to long range jump shot, bangs down on the block, and even kicks out to the guards on the perimeter.
All of these things display his true commitment to team play and unselfish basketball. I've rarely seen all of these qualities packed into a player, never mind a guy who is "supposed" to play as a big guy down under the hoop. He comes to each game with unrivaled passion and energy, and very apparently infects the rest of the team with that same approach.
See, this is the thing:
there's been many players that have brought these qualities to the fold. Guys have been great passers, great shooters, great defenders, great rebounders, great leaders, great thinkers.... but are usually only one or two of those things at once. Most players do a few things really well, other things satisfactorily, and then other things sub-par. Not the case with Kevin Garnett. He is proficient- if not great- at every facet of the game. He understands the game better it seems, than almost anyone I've ever watched.
As I've written recently, I'm not a stargazer. The afore written words may tend to suggest that I'm in awe of Kevin Garnett on some superstar level. Not so. I'm just completely sold and impressed with the way he approaches and plays the game of basketball. It's rare to be "enamored" with an athletes approach, but I'll admit I am here. Having said that, my admiration is exclusive to his basketball ability, and nothing else. It's been some time (all of my adult life) since there was any true and legitimate excitement over the Boston Celtics, and I'm taking advantage of what I perceive to be a rarity of a player. For the lack of a better phrase, "I'm stopping to smell the roses."
It's fun to be a Celtics fan again! I've never been a huge Paul Pierce fan, as I think he's a bit too selfish in the (me first) kind of way for my liking. Other than Adrian Griffin, there's been very few C's that I gravitate to like Garnett. For the record- Ray Allen has many of those same qualities that make KG great, and I don't want to slight him in any way. If not for KG, Allen (Jesus) may just take the spot designated for my admiration!
Go Celtics!!
Peace
AM Son

Holler-day!

Happy Holidays to everyone who frequents this area! I've got some ideas brewing for upcoming ramblings, rants, ?uestions, and dissertations...
Hope everyone has a safe, fun, and healthy holiday spent with close family and friends!
See you soon.

Peace and Love
AM Son

Robbins on "The Embattled Hoodie"

I'm not one to spend time on wasteful distractions like idolatry or star-gazing. Having said that, there are figures- both public and private- that I revere with enough respect and deference that drives me pay more attention to them. I seek knowledge and wisdom from these figures, as well as attempt to model certain traits of theirs to my own.

I'm not going to reveal the more personal figures in my life, but will let on to one public persona: Bill Belichick. He's not perfect, and by no means do I disillusion myself into thinking so. Nor do I know or even care what he's like in his personal life. He's a great coach and motivator- at least it seems so from my limited knowledge and distance.

Tony Robbins is NOT one whom I look up to! But I like this excerpt from an article written on Belichick, in which Robbins is interviewed.

“Trying to get Bill Belichick to be this sweet guy, no one would respect that because he’s not being true to himself,” Robbins said. “It has to be authentic. It isn’t a game. It isn’t a technique that’s rehearsed, because if it was, his players would blow him off. With some people the style gets in the way of the substance. And when that happens, the people you’re trying to lead won’t buy in.”

I agree with Robbins, and try and sort of parlay those "true to thine self" qualities into my own professional life- as well as my every day personal encounters and experiences.

Peace
AM Son

Just exactly who's the dictator here?

In a recent article by Z Magazine:

In contrast, President Bush, under the pretext of fiscal restraint, vetoed legislation passed by the Congress that would have provided access to medical attention for poor children, while spending billions of dollars on the illegitimate and murderous occupation of Iraq. The societal views of Chávez and Bush are mirror opposites: the well-being of the neediest on one side and the profits of multinationals on the other.

Now I can't speak for the validity of this source, and I'm not using this one example as a blanket for me feelings on Bush or Chavez, but I just can't get over the paradox and irony here- most people would jump at the chance to label Chavez with the "dictator" tag while in the same breath reserving judgment for Bush.... but this clear fact is an indication that we ought to reconsider our urges and preconceptions of some foreign leaders, while at the same time taking a moment to reevaluate our own leadership.

Peace
AM Son

Shin Splints, the "other" Gore, and Halo 3

Damn, I've just scored some new running kicks in hopes that my shin splints will subside! I've never been intimately privy to the torture discomfort and difficulty of shin splints. All the years (off and on) I've been running, and now- at 28- I go and get shin splints, haha! I should digress however- there are far more worrisome ailments for me to have acquired.

I'm going to take a moment to spread the vision of a news network I feel "gets it right". The Real News Network is a no bullshit network of journalists that treat news and human involvement with integrity and fairness. Socrates once proclaimed, "the unexamined life is not worth living", and I believe TRNN helps society become informed... Jefferson said, "Democracy cannot survive, much less thrive, without an informed citizenry.” And to that I say go read some real news, not fake manipulations of news and celebrity gossip...
... the correlation to that anecdote is this:
Gore Vidal, whom I enjoy listening to, has a great interview on TRNN. As always with Mr. Vidal it's a candid, witty, and deep take on government, media, history, and the world in general.

And still taking up much of my non-reading free time is Halo 3! The fun, excitement, and depth of the multiplayer aspects of this game are neverending- not to mention the incredible stat-tracking at bungie.net! It's fun to have friends to play with- and thusly many many great games have been played as a result. Go Halo 3, for monopolizing my gaming time for the better part of 2 months!!

Peace
AM Son

NPR's Best Albums of 2007

Go vote at NPR's "All Songs Considered" for best albums of 2007.

Will it be Ritter or Band of Horses, McCartney or Neil Young, Wilco or The National, Kanye West or Saul Williams, Radiohead of Interpol... the list is endless....

Go vote @ NPR!

Peace
AM Son

Black Friday

Before I begin, let me announce that it is National Buy Nothing Day!

I post this each year on Black Friday... with some variation in my anecdotal thoughts and ramblings. The haiku is the same, the "afterword" may have changed slightly:


An Haiku
(November 2004)

Gluttony part two
Our table tops are clean now
Shopping can commense

It seems that gift giving in the "season of giving" has become a compulsory orthodoxy. No? Explain to me the mad dash to outlet stores and strip malls at wee hours of the AM each Friday after Turducken day.
See, it’s just that I loathe with a passion the whole “it’s Christmas season, go spend money” thing. I hate it, it’s so superficial and backwards… but this society is stuck in this “thing” up to our botox inflated eyebrows and foreheads. To be honest, I’m not in disagreement with showering those you love with favors, gifts, and niceties, but why can’t we do it all year, every month, rather than buying each person 12-15 boxes of stuff all for one semi-agreed-upon-day. This notion only perpetuates unhappiness and ungratefulness with those gifts we receive. If we were to spend the same effort, attention, and money on one special gift or offering maybe once a month or so, the effort would be much more appreciated and recognized. Theres something to be said for the spontaneity of a random gift, or the invigoration of a spurr of the moment idea. Maybe I’m wrong… but I just believe the whole “gift giving on a certain day” is out of control. Everything we see in this society, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, is in some way fashioned or tethered to this “capitalistic, superficial, materialistic” notion of gift splurge. We could better use our time and finances (as a nation) to come closer together and more tolerant of ourselves as a “national unit”- for we are still a divided, rifted nation.
I love the holiday spirit as much as the next guy/ girl- but I lean more towards the holiday we just tossed in the trash- Thanksgiving. Now that’s a time of sharing and togetherness! We eat together, we sleep together, we watch football together, we decorate and cook together, but most of all… we don’t feel the need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on “stuff”.
So the above Haiku attempts to explain what I feel is the paradox of Black Friday- the irony with which we disembark on a great family tradition like Thanksgiving, and turn our focus to the "art" and science of spending money....

Open Source is back!

Great news- my favorite radio show/ podcast- Open Source- is back from a summer hiatus! In an attempt to gain funding and start anew under different parameters, Open Source Radio is back "online"!

Christopher Lydon, the host of this great show, is an engaging and brilliant man. He, along with Bill Moyers of PBS are unparalleled in the world of public education outreach and commentating (journalistic) vision.

If you've never experienced Radio Open Source, go check it out either on public radio or as a podcast. If you hunger for knowledge and thirst for a good conversation, you can't go wrong here.
Finally, my podcast playlist can be complete again!

Peace
AM Son

A Solar Solution for the Masses?

Don't know if you all are into alternative energy and whatnot, but check this out.
Think about it, solar energy is the intended goal and byproduct- whereas daytime shade is an unintended but welcomed byproduct of the solar structures!! Seems like a totally harmonious symbiosis to me... come on UMass and others (shopping centers maybe...) to jump on this bandwagon! I mean, if you could park your vehicle in the shade while dropping into EB, Home Depot, Wally World (well, who goes there anyway lol), Stop & Shop, etc and at the same time be benefitting from clean/ renewable energy then what more can you want.... other than plugging in your E- car into those solar carport things!!!
Alright, rant/ ramble over...
Peace

The Crickets Lept Up and Met the Moon With a Standing Ovation

Album Review:

Josh Ritter- "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter"
Not song by song, but certain songs are analyzed.

Ritter's '06 effort "Animal Years" was one of my favorites of last year. It crept up and snagged my soul out of nowhere, and is a classic to me now. He's the real deal!

On to the tracks...

"To the Dogs or Whatever" is a great folk story song in the vain of Dylan or Springsteen. The tempo is that of a rail car clicking along the tracks in the middle of the night. Yep, it's a foot tapper!! It's got imagery to compete with any artist/ storyteller/ poet or liar... it's pure songwriting and lyrical goodness here. The spit-fire delivery of his vocals couples well with the songs pace, making for an enjoyable and melodic jaunt through a cacophony of noise- good noise!

"Minds Eye" is an eerie proclamation of a guy who has his mind set on something- or maybe even someone. This track moves at its own deliberate pace- it's got its fits and starts, and has a low key and plodding approach, which is memorable if for nothing else than its stark contrast to the album opener. A great atmospheric track, which shows the melancholy way a soul can display its intentions.

"Right Moves" is one of the best songs on the disc. it has a 70's pop/ 80's country feel to it, (which if thought to much about may even ruin the songs impression) and just feels good and right. It's a sing-along tune for sure, one that will get stuck in your head. Lyrics such as Am I making all the right moves/ Am I singing you the right blues/ Is there a chance that I could call you/ Just to see how you are doing? let you into the train of thought here... it's a love song seemingly told from a hopeful love, a lost lover, a lover's memory, or even a heartbroken fool. Either way, it's a great sounding folk/ pop song that will surely make your mood lighten.

"Rumors" makes you immediately want to think back to 70's era Fleetwood Mac, but once the music starts you'll throw that idea directly out the nearest window. There's some nice Billy Joel piano and moody horns that set this creepy mood- the songs strong point for certain. Lyrically, there's a lot to like here.... Mr. Ritter takes you from questions to statements and back again; all the while painting a bleak picture with images and lyrcis like
And the string section's screaming/ Like horses in a barn burning up and
He's impaling the front row/ Fighting fires with arrows /And he'll act like he forgot you /But the music's never loud enough
Seems like the message here is about pumping ones own chest, not giving way to a contender, and eschewing all notions of a humble creator... a complete deviation from what Ritter has shown himself to be. Here's where Josh gets down to business and just plain rocks- complete with allegory, hyperbole, and "made up stuff"!

A beautiful little instrumental follows called "Edge of the World". This is set perfectly at the mid point of this disc, setting apart all the intended imagery, emotion, and mood... letting the listener carefully create his own allusions to a far away place. It's light, it's got legs if need be, and it's sweet to the ears.

.........

I'll save the rest of the individual tracks for you to figure out and explore/ enjoy/ review/ decide! This album really brings it musically. There's a sonic experience here for everyone- from hard hitting and poignant Dylan-esque jibber-jabber; to 70's era glam-pop; all the way to soft whispering sensitive folk music. This characterization may lend itself to a chaotic and scattered pace and thought, but Ritter proves otherwise. His talent and knack for crafting a song shines through- it's all refined here, there's no area left un-perfected. This aspect has been called Ritter's Achilles in the past, with detractors pointing to his perfectionist mentality and "all too smooth and refined" quality of craftsmanship that leaves the songs sounding hallow and cold. I disagree with these retorts on premise alone- I'm not about to chastise an artist for being too good!

Give it a listen, you're sure to be delighted. I've found myself lost in the sentimentality of some of the tracks, while also banging my fists on the steering wheel in exhilaration of others. It's these swift changes in pace and style that really appeal to me, and I believe it'll be those same qualities that will appeal to others as well.


So there ya have it, my review of- at this point- my favorite album of 2007. There's been a few challengers, and there's sure to be more. There's been some sleepers as well, such as Saul Williams'
"The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust." A few more sleepers include:
Aesop Rock- "None Shall Pass"
El-P- "I'll Sleep When You're Dead"
Shane Nicholson- "Faith and Science"
The National- "Boxer"
Arcade Fire- "Neon Bible"
....and a few others....

Ok, I'm out....
Peace
AM Son

Once Again in '07

Well, they (we) did it again- the Sox won the World Series last night!! A sweep of the Colorado Rockies left Red Sox Nation with their 2nd Championship in 4 seasons!
Can you believe it still?!
If 2004 was for all the misery and heartache and vicarious living for all those who never got to see a Sox Championship, then 2007 is for us to simply enjoy for what it is now- for what this team means in the here and now! And what a great time it is to be a Sox fan, as this team is set up to win for a long time to come.

So, congratulations to the 2007 Sox!! It just doesn't get much better in Boston...

Peace
AM Son

Sloth-like in my updating...

Lets just say I've given new meaning to the term "actively blogging"- one would assume that active pertains to regular appearance, effort, and thought- all of which I have lacked over the past few months.

So what have I been up to.... or more appropriately, what is going on now?
As I always like to interject this time of year.... work has slowed down a bit, which mean more time to play around here. Maybe that's a good thing... but I presume that may be an embellishment!

Me and the guys climbed Mt. Washington a few weeks ago! Let me just put it this way- it's one of the coolest and most satisfying accomplishments I've experienced in a long while! We had a great time, a good bonding trip- all looked out for each other and had each others backs. Round trip to the summit and back was in the neighborhood of 9.5 hours, which is pretty good for a first effort.
Here's a few pics of the adventure. (click the text links, I couldn't get the pics to show up here)


Tuckerman Ravine
Half way up.... and here's where we're headed next....

Almost there!
About 800' from the top... so still a ways to go, but we're getting there.

The Guys
Here's a great pic of us- peering out over our accomplishment!

The Sox are in the World series- and currently are up 1-0 in the series over the Colorado Rockies. Ya gotta love being to two world series' in 4 years.... now hopefully they/ we can pull it out again!!
I mean, winning it is cool and all... but seeing some more Papelbon dancing (clogging) is what I'm really lookin' for!! (yes, sarcasm...)

I'm still working on some cd reviews... but I just can't pull myself away from them long enough to actually compose some thoughts and translate them to this site. Don't worry, they're coming... I know you're livelihood depends on those viewpoints.


My heart and thoughts go out to the families affected by the Southern California wildfires.

Take care, peace, and Barak the vote!
AM Son

Quickupdate!

Been a while since my last update- sorry for that. I'll offer the customary "been busy, been tired, been absent, been offline, been livin' life...." excuses and reasons....

So what's new here- bullet style!

-Babies, Engagements, Jobs, and travel- between baby announcements (congrats James & Jen!), Engagements (congrats Jeff & Vanessa!), births (congrats Bob & Trisha; and Pat & Sarah), Jobs (congrats Jeff & Vanessa), and travel (yay friends) it's been eventful and fun!

-Madden 08 was released last week (great game finally- the game we've been waiting for since the '06 version)

-Work's been nice, the weather has cooperated lately. It's nice to have September weather in August!

-Josh Ritter's new album is coming this Tuesday- his last one was an instant classic, so expectations and excitement for this one are ever up there!

-Autumn's almost here- which means football, less work, more reading, better weather, fantasy football, more friends, videogames, rest... yay yay yay!!


Things should start slowing down in the next month or so- in terms of work and overall schedule of things. Maybe I'll get to post more, maybe I won't, but regardless I have not forgotten about this blog- you can be sure of that!
Take care y'all, enjoy the rest of summer.... and I'll hopefully be seeing you more often over the next few months or so!

Peace
AM Son

Socrates & his infinite wisdom and influence

“I shall never stop practicing philosophy and exhorting you and elucidating the truth for everyone that I meet. I shall go on saying...Are you not ashamed that you give your attention to acquiring as much money as possible, and similarly with reputation and honor and give no attention to truth and understanding and the perfection of your soul?...I shall do this to everyone I meet, young or old, foreigner or fellow citizen, but especially to you, my fellow citizens.”
Plato, Apology

Socrates once stated, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

How true to his words was this cat? Those words are so poignant, and in fact, I can't think of any better collection of words to live by. Question everything, including oneself and ones past. Go on, questioning questions and answers. Examine the media, politicians, idols, co-workers, family, religions, likes, dislikes, character, life, good, evil, etc...
It all adds up to a life worth living.

Peace
AM Son

7.7.07 Live Earth!

Regretfully, I'm a little late with this post... but nonetheless this info is of importance.
Today, July 7th, is the Live Earth concert around the world.

Check the websites for more info:

http://www.liveearth.org/
http://liveearth.msn.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Earth
http://www.algore.com/
http://climatecrisis.org/

Or check some of these great artists who are involved:
http://liveearth.msn.com/artists


Yeah I know it's sort of a PSA but it's for all of our good....
We've all got to get involved; from political awareness to environmental activism, buying local to acting in a "greener" manner, stepping lightly on Mother Earth to encouraging others to be proactive... there's so much we can do. I'm not preaching, just doing my part to spread the word...

Peace
AM Son

Get Past It

Challenger Deep
(November 2004)

A microcosm of life
For if you think we’re skin deep
The treasures you’ll miss
’Cause even the unknown
Can flicker with a shimmering light
--------------------------------------------

Challenger Deep is the deepest section of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, which is home to the Marianas Islands. A Royal British Navy ship- the The HMS Challenger- was the first vessel to explore the area, henceforth the location was named for that vessel. This poem signifies how much in each of us is unknown. We as a society act on superficial urges and premonitions, and all too often fail to seek out true depth and breadth of character and soul within another individual.
There is life at the bottom of this trench, and although microscopic and simple in life-form; it exemplifies the fact that you never know what you'll find when you dare to look beyond the surface.

Peace
AM Son

Slouches Towards Bethlehem

The Second Coming
by W. B. Yeats


Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.



Surely some revelation is at hand;

Surely the Second Coming is at hand.

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi

Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert

A shape with lion body and the head of a man,

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.

The darkness drops again; but now I know

That twenty centuries of stony sleep

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

------------------------------------------------------------


Has there ever been a juncture in modern times where this poem proved to be more pertinent and aligned with current events and discourse?
Maybe Mr. Yeats would argue the contrary, and I would submit to his thoughts for sure, but I think the current state of world, political, social, and economic affairs can only stand to strengthen the case for this poem being apropos.

Bush, Ahmadinejad, Abbas, Jong-il, and Bin Laden (as well as a myriad others) all play their own special and deviant parts in the spiraling of our society to the hands of anarchy, exclusionary and isolationist politics, capitalistic global domination, and militarisitc fear mongering.
Mr. Yeats, you are prescient sir.

Peace
AM Son

Football Resurrected!

Yes, it's here- 2K Sports has answered us [hardcore] gamers' prayers and created a "generic" football game for us to enjoy. No more relying on Madden for our football fix- as Madden is a perennial incomplete, shallow, and lacking simulation of football. Now 2K's game- although fictional in nature in terms of it's non-association with any real life league- seems to bring a depth and breadth of simulation football, atmosphere, character, detail, and emotion to this years proverbial table.
Oh and not to neglect to mention the big "mass market" draw to 2K's new game:
over 240 Legend players from the old days of the NFL were individually signed to allow their likeness' in the game!! Yes, that's right, you can have a team made up of Jerry Rice, John Elway, and Barry Sanders if you so wish! Your star players will be surrounded by generic/ made-up players.... and football gaming will never be the same from here on out!!!
So, here's the first official trailer of [2K Sports] All Pro Football 2K8! Enjoy!




Peace
AM Son

It's still early... but

As of now, with Barack Obama's severe ineptitude for attacking his opponents (when they misstep or become nebulous) or laying out comprehensive strategy and detailed plans for his Iraq, health care, environmental, and immigration policies, I've been blindsided by another Presidential hopeful.
Ron Paul, a Republican Congressman from Texas... yes, you read that correctly, a REPUBLICAN Congressman from TEXAS, has taken my muse of late!! Interestingly enough, Mr. Paul- an unassuming and low key politician- could masquerade as a fine Woody Allen impersonator if the need arose.
Check this:

He seems affable, intelligent, comfortable behind a microphone, and able to think creatively and with foresight when asked the tough questions. He stands out amongst the rest of the other R candidates in the sense that unless it was stated he was a R you would likely think otherwise. He seemingly carries Liberal and Progressive viewpoints and sentiment, which to me is refreshing. He's not afraid to attack fellow candidate Giuliani on issues about the current Iraq policy, or fight against (in his opinion) the myopic, imperialistic, and exclusionary political agenda of the Bush administration as a whole.
I can't say too much right yet, for its still considerably early in the whole process. Having said that, I'm liking what I see from Mr. Paul. Unless Mr. Obama or another (unlikely) candidate from either side steps up to the plate with solid, democratic, for-the-people viewpoints and strategies, then I'm sorry to say (and proud of the objectivity of) vote for a R.

A lot still has to go down however....
I'm staying tuned!
Peace
AM Son

Nihilism

Greedy-Go-Round
(July 2006)

Fat bastard bandits, all over the globe;
Stealing from us all, the profits to be made.
But alas; they've left us the tip jar.
Now we eat from the shaker salt and pepper.


**Did ya ever wonder why there's such a gap between the haves and the have-nots?
And why it always seems there's fissures and cracks in our "democratic way"?
Our imperial minded "leaders" are running away with our foundations...


Peace
AM Son