My Eyes Fastened To The Ground

Here we are on the verge of the big Red Sox – Yankee weekend and nothing could be finer.  Right?   Well, as I mentioned the other day, if the Yankees win 1 game, they are in the playoffs as AL East champions.    The best scenario would be a sweep to win the division and keep the Yankees out of the playoffs.  Otherwise keep a trained eye on the Cleveland games.    Advantage Yankees.  

Will the ChiSox or Yankees put out their “best” teams to keep the division rivals out of the playoffs?   Advantage Cleveland.  

SNL enters it’s 31st season this weekend.   The show is much funnier than all the bashers who don’t watch it claim.    Burlington, MA native Amy Poehler is the funniest woman on the planet right now.   Her overactive, full of energy Kaitlin is the best character in years and I’m looking forward to the new season.   Now if they could just do something about the lame musical guests.  

This weekend we hope to make it up to Story Land and Santa's Village in New Hampshire.   I haven’t been in 30 years and it seems to be much more than I remember.  

You have to enjoy Sen. Leader Mantalbano’s view on Voter Initiative.  “[I] feel it skews the legislative process in favor of special interest groups that have lots of money to spend to influence an issue.”    Umm.  What do you think is happening now?   Seems he doesn’t want non-union RI voters to have their own way to change the law.     All I know is that if Working (over) RI  and the Democratic Leader (brother of the Atty. Gen.) William Lynch is against the measure, it must be good for the common taxpayer.  

Lost was a huge disappointment last night.   30% recap, 50% commercials and 20% new info.   They are going to have to do more than that to keep the audience captive.  

All you 80’s fans check out this great song, Growing Up with GnR, it’s a free download on Barsuk from Aqueduct.  

Big loss by the Sox last night.   Unless they choke against the O’s tonight, the Skankees will only need 1 win in Fenway this weekend for their 28th consecutive division title.    

Released earlier today was the brand new Earth “Hex” LP from Southern Lord.   The monumental new album from Earth now available on marble grey (500 copies) and clear (500 copies) heavy-weight vinyl! Packaged in one of the most beautifully designed heavy cardboard gatefold sleeves ever seen!  

A couple of years ago a few of us went on a road trip went to Boston to catch my only GBV show and as a bonus there was an opening band that blew me away.    Slumber Party was like nothing I had ever heard before and it instantly hooked me.    They have finally updated their site (after band member changes) and have a few audio samples.   Check out “Electric Boots” and “Air”.  The latest LP can be picked up on vinyl from Detroit’s legendary Italy Records, original home of The White Stripes.

Southern Lord Record is a metal label out of Los Angeles.   I was introduced to them in the fall of 2003 and they are very popular with collectors.    Bands such as Earth, Sunn 0)), Saint Vitus and many other have been released thru this label and everything is limited and usually sells out fast.   I will be posting any new, limited releases from them on this site.    Today I noticed a new 7” from Lair of the Minotaur that is limited to 300 copies on red vinyl.  

Scat Records is getting ready to re-release Guided By Voices Propeller LP on vinyl.    One version is limited, the other a listening copy.    The original release was limited to 500 copies with handmade sleeves and is just as collectible as Nirvana’s Love Buzz.   My brother is the only one I know of with a copy.  

Too bad for Greg Maddux of the Cubs.   His 17 year run of at least 15 wins looks to be over.   He lost last night and only has one scheduled start left.   This was an amazing run that started in 1988 and he is now 318-188 for his career.  I hope someone (besides me) gives him some love.

Another great release on Tiny Showcase with a limited edition print from Aaron Burtch of Grandaddy.
    

There is a rally for Voter Initiative at the state house today. This may be the citizens last avenue to control the union dominated Assembly and House. Although it hasn’t worked out perfectly in CA, with a seemingly endless list of issues to vote on, we are losing control and need to do something.

Another hint for the penny contest (see below). The damn thing weighs close to 45 lbs. That’s more than my daughter. Just e-mail your guesses.

Buddyhead has recently updated their Gossip Column. The label isn’t good for much, but at least the information is interesting.

One of my favorite new duos is Giant Drag. They are the opposite of the White Stripes with a women singer (showing an undeniable attitude) and a male drummer. In the Motion Section check out the fantastic pop song “this isn’t it”. The download is 13MB.

It was nice to see Gov. Carcieri make a personal appearance at the PUC against the proposed 24% rate hike proposed by Narragansett Electric. The best our union-toad Atty. Gen. Patrick Lynch could do was blast the Jamestown Town Council for declining to pay 25K to a Washington law firm he is lobbying for to fight the LNG tankers. The council is against LNG tankers coming up the bay AND fighting his lobbying effort. Good for them.

OK, let’s have some fun. I have thrown my pennies in this plastic bin for a few years and now it’s time to cash it in. Let’s have a contest to guess how much $$ is actually there. E-mail your guesses and the closest to the actual total wins a huge prize. TBD.

Finally, my wife has been able to get a tadpole to grow into a frog and stay at our Hakuma Matada. It remains to be seen if any fish will survive another winter. Usually we end up with only one surviving the freezing weather.

The baseball season is coming down to the wire and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Anyone else notice that Nomar has become a team player and has been playing 3rd base? Hasn’t really helped his .280 average, but it’s a start.

Deal with ebay? From Sept. 18th to the 28th get 10% off a single purchase. Great idea and costs you nothing.

We’ll I guess my favorite E6 band, Of Montreal, is a little more popular than before.   Check out the prices for their older vinyl.   Satanic Panic LP, Coquelicot LP and out of site the Gay Parade LP.   Just incredible.   Thankfully I got my copies years ago.  

DO NOT MISS OUT:   Original Sketches by Jeff Magnum of Neutral Milk Hotel for only $10 each.   This is a steal.

Other notables include the new Oranger LP from Eenie Meenie records.   Color vinyl and limited to 500 copies.  

Nice to see Pedro “shut it down” once the Mets were eliminated from postseason contention.   Gee, that’s a surprise.    He had no shot at the Cy Young either and I’m sure that figured into his decision.  

100 mile backup on the highway?   You got to be kidding me.   That’s like being stuck in traffic in Bristol while trying to get to New Hampsire.  

I have been enjoying The Twilight Singers or Greg Dulli’s Amber Headlights.   If you love big hooks and the sometimes nasty sexual overtone of the former Afghan Whigs lead singer check it out.    Highlights include “So Tight”, “Early Today” and “Black Swan” also available individually from Itunes.  

If you want quick, intelligent reviews of new music check out 75orLess but if you insist on longwinded, excessively selfish reviews use Pitchfork.

Although not a huge conspiracy nut, I have caught a one-hour show on Full Channel TV at 11pm on Tuesdays and definitely question the “official” 9/11 story.   Try to catch the special and check out this web page:  In Plane Site.

Red Sox Nation seems to be in serious trouble with practically no pitching or closer.   And on top of that the Skankees are winning the season series 9-7 with three games left.   Head-to-head is the first tie-breaker for the division.    

Article about our softball games from the Barrington Times.

The other night The White Stripes came thru Providence at the PPAC. They are one of my favorite “collectible” bands because their fans are so possessive. So, when I noticed a couple of limited, tour boxes showing up on ebay , I had to get a few for investment purposes. After driving to the show, I talked my way into the merch table and grabbed three tour record boxes at $30 each. I’m so glad I made the trip and didn’t spend $40 on a 1-hour show.

If you haven’t tried Google Earth get it because it’s the coolest program ever and it’s free.  When used with this Keyhole Community you can find almost anything in the world.  

One of the most collectible items in vinyl is Nirvana’s first release, Love Buzz.   This 45 was issued in 1989 and limited to 1000 numbered copies. Extremely rare and expensive. Read about how much owners have spent to obtain their single and what it means to them on the Love Buzz Owner's List.  
I am the proud owner of # 757.    

This thin thread of social order was evoked by the Reverend Samuel Lloyd, the new dean of the Washington National Cathedral, in a July 10 sermon after the terrorist bombings in London. "I remember hearing years ago that wise commentator Eric Sevareid on the evening news declare that civilization is only about seven meals away from anarchy," Lloyd said. "What I took him to mean was that the harmony of our common life is a tenuous thing, and we human beings can quickly turn on each other when we panic."

Here's a link to photos from our over-30 softball league championship the other night. We won in the last inning of our 3rd game on Sunday for our 2nd consecutive playoff title. Lots of fun in Barrington.

Lost tonight. YES.!! Official Site with seating chart for plane. Lots of hidden gems. Click "the numbers." Seating Chart Here's a great "unofficial" Message Board but watch out for spoilers.

Another overnight sellout on Tiny Showcase. Incredibly successful idea and shows if you do something right people will support you.

This site was born of frustration. It's is going to be my collection of goodies to all of you. I have no idea what direction it will take but I promise it will stay local and informative. If you like music, sports, america and the 80's we are probably going to have a splendid relationship. And away we go...