Something Special for the Ladies

This is for all the ladies: 

Another rendition:

As you probably could have guessed, I am a fan of Flight of the Conchords (it took me 4 tries to type their name just now). However, my ability to type does not diminish my admiration for their cause. They just want do something special for all the ladies in the world. All it takes is a music video here, a blog post there, and we all can make a difference. I'm doing my part. And you can too. To help show your support for doing something special for all the ladies in the world post a comment below, or send a donation to:

435 Happy Lane

Kudzu, Wisconsin

A Tony Robbins' Day After Christmas

Happy day after Christmas. I am now being forced to listen to Tony Robbins' 'Personal Power II,' my Christmas present from my Aunt. My brother put the first tape into the stereo. It's pretty amazing so far. I am learning how to be a successful person. All these years have been a waste. He just said, "You would not have invested in this series unless you wanted to change." Well, let's just say Tony, you read my mind. By the way, the synthesizer sound track is great.

On another note, my other brother is listening to a bunch of random 80s songs. "Our House" (in the middle of our street) by Madness, Van Halen, many Billy Idol songs. Basically I am having the time of my life. Nothing could be better than Billy Idol and Tony Robbins while typing a blog post on a fold out couch.

Another interesting note about today: Not only is it the day after Christmas, but it is my father's birthday. Imagine how great that must be. More than half a century of Birthmas Days. He does, however, get the advantage of after Christmas sales. 

Happy birthday Dad.

King Obama's Coronation Festivities

"The inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama will be an event of historic proportion. It is appropriate that the program will include some of the world's most gifted artists from a wide range of backgrounds and genres."

-Dianne Feinstein

(Really? Who'd have thought an inauguration would be historic? That just boggles my mind.)

For those of you included in the 5 million spectator projection for President Obama's Inauguration on January 20th, here is the full lineup, as released today by the JCCIC:

The order of the program will be as follows:

Musical Selections

The United States Marine Band

Musical Selections

The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Invocation

Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

Musical Selection

Aretha Franklin

Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger

Itzak Perlman, Violin

Yo-Yo Ma, Cello

Gabriela Montero, Piano

Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama

By the Chief Justice of the United States

The Honorable Jogn G. Roberts, Jr.

Inaugural Address

The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

Poem

Elizabeth Alexander

Benediction

The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The National Anthem

The United State Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

And, if that weren't enough, there will also be a merry-go-round, balloon animals, and patriotic clowns on unicycles. 

How about all of those honorable people too? Who knew.

Oh and Shakira is going to perform too. According to sources, the U.S. President-elect Barack Obama invited the star singer Shakira. Peruvian newspaper El Comercio reported "U.S. President-elect Barack Obama invited Colombian singer Shakira to perform in the White House on the day of his inauguration in January 2009." Obama said about Shakira: "It's an honor to receive so much support from someone that talented and a person that generous." Shakira endorsed Obama's candidacy before the election.

Inebriate Life

Sobriety is overrated. 

Some of the best art, music, and literature all came about while the author was semi-conscious, inebriate, high, doped up, or otherwise encumbered. That is not to say I condone making oneself delirious with illicit substances, but what it does mean is that I do not fear it, and recognize that it even happens with those who consider themselves "sober." Just think about it. If you're really tired, you're body starts to act as if it were drunk. Your speech becomes slurred; everything is funny; you're more relaxed; your social inhibitions start to fade. And, it's not a bad thing.

How many times have you woken up in the middle of the night with a fabulous idea, only to discover the next day that it was nonsensical or only half-conceived? 

But, on the other hand, sometimes those ideas are brilliant. There is a small path and gateway in between the conscious and subconscious mind. One side makes the other relevant, and both can act in a limited but ingenious concert. 

I write my best poems at night after just going to sleep. I solve logistical life problems often after being konked out a little while. So, in my less than sober insomniac state, I solve the seemingly insolvable problems of the conscious "real world." 

And, sometimes its just fun to ride a magic rocket ship with your dragon friends.

Shaun Barrowes

Hey, for all you music lovers out there, I have a free download for you. It comes from a very talented jazz/pop/rock musician named Shaun Barrowes. He has a very unique sound and is an exciting performer. He is a great pianist, composer, and singer. I've had the privilege of attending several of his concerts, interviewing him on three occasions for my podcast show, and know him to be a great human being. Here is the song:

Download. When I Take Your Hand