Ringing In The New Year

The last game of the regular season in the NFL.

For some teams, the last game should end on a high note, especially if their season has been complete blah or if they want to atone for being a bunch of underachievers...your call here.

But for some, this last game is do or die when it comes to playoff implications. Yes, yesterday was kind of a big deal for teams like Washington, Cleveland, Tennessee, etc. scrambling to get that last coveted postseason spot & dang if they didn't.

Well, Cleveland's sitting at home. New Orleans & Minnesota are wondering what might have been. What about the other folks who made it into the playoffs?

(1) Washington, after facing every hardship & adversity under the sun & especially the loss of one of their own, paid their dues to get in & right now they're the hottest team in the NFL...take that Green Bay & Dallas!!
(2) Tennessee...man, did they have luck on their side or what? Well, Indy decided to rest a slew of their starters last night & I wish they could have won...then again, the Browns today felt the exact same way too, glued to the screen in hopes that the Titans would lose but nope, it wasn't meant to be. If they made a resurgence of any kind, it was a rather small one & their opponent for next weekend, San Diego, will see to it in short order that Tennessee's journey into the playoffs is just as brief.

Brian Billick, after 10 years at Baltimore, was given the boot. I don't know what happened to the Ravens this season; sure, they had injuries left & right (& with that, a key defensive player's move to those hated New England Patriots - you know who!!) but Baltimore's front office felt something had to give; they must have surmised his players couldn't see him eye to eye or he wasn't on the same page as they. At any rate, he's now out as head coach & may the best candidate for this vacancy take all!!

That's all as far as my musings about Week 17 in the NFL are concerned. Next weekend is like a whole new season altogether & may the team who's most prepared to play & most determined to get their point across to the doubters win it all this year...did I just forget to say go Colts...hahah.

Until the start of the New Year, peace out!!

The Rest of the Story

The last game of the regular season in the NFL. Can things get any better than this?

Well, from the looks of things, they just can't. But for two teams vying for a chance to get into the AFC playoffs - the Cleveland Browns & the Tennessee Titans - it's do or die; the stakes are already high as it is.

With the Titans, the stakes are definitely high. After stumbling through much of the last frame of the regular season, Tennessee is making a resurgence of sorts. But did their resurgence as a playoff-bound team come at the right time? Well, they had help with the Browns losing to the Bengals last Sunday so that in itself was a plus, a boost they so desperately needed to stay in the playoff hunt. But the one way Tennessee will have to stay alive (& hope that Cleveland croaks against the 49ers) is by beating the Colts. And folks, as any opponent who has played the Colts this season has learned all too well, taking on a formidable team like Indianapolis is not an easy task by any means.

Cleveland is just as eager to get back to the playoffs as well. Losing to divisional & intrastate rival Cincinnati didn't help their cause; hopefully they can bounce back from last weekend's loss by being ready to play against San Francisco. The Browns sure can't get complacent here or else it'll be last Sunday all over again & instead of the playoffs they'll be sitting at home wondering what might have been. And at a time like this, they sense what's on the line as much as the Titans do but even more so; the Browns franchise for much of their time back in town has been a running joke both for the home fans & for the opponents' fanbase...Hopefully a win on Sunday will make believers out of skeptics who feel that Cleveland is all about baseball & Lebron James...go Browns!!

For the Browns & Titans, things can't get any better than this weekend. It's all or nothing, do or die, win or lose: there is no middle ground for that last playoff spot & may the best team be granted a victory & with it a trip to the postseason.

Current playlist #5

Well, here's my last playlist before the new year rolls around. Hope everyone loves what's on my list:

The Sea and Cake, "The Fawn," The Fawn
Radiohead, "15 Step," In Rainbows
Boards of Canada, "Satellite Anthem Icarus," The Campfire Headphase
Boards of Canada, "Tears From The Compound Eye," see above
Prefuse 73, "I Knew You Were Gonna Go," Preparations
Autechre, "Acroyear2," LP5 (aka Autechre's White Album)
Neu!, "E-Musik," Neu! 75
Stereolab, "Parsec," Dots and Loops
Tortoise, "Monica," Standards
Tortoise, "It's All Around You," It's All Around You

My favorite CDs of 2007

I felt that this'd be a perfect opportunity to spill the beans on my favorite releases from the year 2007 so without further ado here goes, the occasional late entry included of course:

The Sea and Cake - Everybody
Minus The Bear - Planet of Ice
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Interpol - Our Love To Admire (sure, Interpol may have made the jump to a major label but deep down I feel they haven't lost a beat at all)
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Culture - Two Sevens Clash (3oth anniversary edition)
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures, Closer (re-issued & remastered!!)
Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
Prefuse 73 - Preparations
Andrew Hill - Compulsion (what on earth took Blue Note so long to get this CD back out? Well, now that it's re-issued as part of the Rudy Van Gelder series, I'm not complaining!!)

If anyone has their share of fave CDs from 2007, feel free to respond in kind.

Eeks!! Can things get any worse?

Before the world of Major League Baseball just recently got hit with a major bombshell that who knows how many of its marquee players used steroids or performance drugs, I was bound to think that Barry Bonds was the only big namer out there who did plenty of both. And I thought that Bonds was the only player who could MLB such a bad name, tarnish its very image as a national pasttime, & if that's not enough, break the MLB's Home Run record (which BTW should have an asterisk written all over it).

Was I ever wrong to harbor such thoughts.

This latest report has big-namers like Roger Clemens & Andy Petitte on the list. Who's next? A-Rod? Kerry Wood? Not to be funny but if anyone has had the chance to check out some of the names of the latest MLB players who have used roids/performance drugs at some point in time or other, some of those names will make folks roll their eyes. Or worse, make them wonder why they're rooting for them in the first place.

All the while, Bud Selig is MIA. I'm wondering what he's thinking about all this; I'm still amazed that he didn't take the time & effort to weed out those players who were using 'roids/enhancement drugs for the longest time, of which Bonds is one of the standouts. As the MLB Commish, you'd think he wouldn't fall asleep on such issues as steroids but he did. For far too long, he swept the issue under the rug like it was nothing to get hyped up about. That is, until Barry Bonds passed Hank Aaron as baseball's all-time HR leader...even then, a lot of folks were wondering, "Why didn't he step up to the plate & take action like he was supposed to?"

At any rate, things can get no better than hearing the latest news on the MLB grapevine. And from what we've heard, things don't look too swell/promising for some of the folks involved.

No Rest For The Weary

For the Indianapolis Colts, life seems to be looking good right now, what with the fact that they've pretty much secured the #2 seed in the AFC. Sure, they're banged up & none more so than on the defensive front; yet somehow, someway they were able to defeat the Raiders last Sunday. This should give Tony Dungy reason to rest his starters for the last two games of this regular season, right?

Hope not.

If so, rewind to 2005-06 when in doubt. Most of the starters didn't play in the last two regular-season games; of course, when they entered the playoffs, they were going to feel a bit rusty & out of sync. And Pittsburgh took advantage of the Colts' rustiness in the best way possible as they marched their way on to the Super Bowl (& if that wasn't enough, grabbed all the hardware which comes with being Super Bowl Champs). Lest this should happen a second time (& what with Jacksonville & San Diego being two of the hottest teams in the AFC as we speak), the starters who are on the up & up status-wise should keep playing & for those starters who are honestly injured there's no pressure to put them out on the field at all. That's just one of my suggestions if Indy wants to work their way back into another Super Bowl.

True, the Colts have it made & are in control of their own destiny. But by resting their key starters, they're bound to lose some of the momentum which has won some key games for them all season (& the playoffs are no exception either). Dungy knows what's at stake here; only he & he alone can see to it that history doesn't repeat.

But then again, Dungy knows what's best for the Colts at this juncture. As one of the league's most respected coaches ever, he knows the routine & so does the rest of his ballclub. Like the old saying goes, there's no rest for the weary. For the inactives, there is rest & time to heal up just right until they're good to go. But for the starters who can play, they've got to suck it up & keep forging ahead; to settle for anything less is just wrong.

Current playlist #4

Four playlists down, possibly one more to go before 2007 is over & done. Anyways, here's my 4th round of tunes I'm currently listening to:

Andrew Hill, "Subterfuge," Black Fire
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, "Free For All," Free For All
Joe Henderson, "Inner Urge," Inner Urge
Wayne Shorter, "Penelope," Etcetera
Kenny Dorham, "Straight Ahead," Una Mas
McCoy Tyner, "Contemplation," The Real McCoy
Larry Young, "The Moontrane," Unity
Wayne Shorter, "Dance Cadaverous," Speak No Evil
Herbie Hancock, "Little One," Maiden Voyage
Freddie Hubbard, "Breaking Point," Breaking Point

For Now...

Several more days before Christmas; I've just about finished up my shopping in earnest & am now hoping to chill out, relax, catch my breath & focus my energies on the next bonafide post which I'm planning to write in a short while.

All of my dealings with sending out Christmas cards are now out of the way & that's been the case for a week now. So far, life is good; life is looking up...for now.

In regards to music, I'm well-stocked with plenty of great CDs to listen to; I may not buy another CD until after Christmas but I wouldn't mind, even if I deliberated over this issue for the thousandth time: So far, life is good, life is looking up...for now.

I'm still thinking about those folks I miss the most back @ Ball State or wherever they may be, keeping them in my thoughts & prayers. Life is all the better when I can take time out of my day to keep them in mind. Life is all the better when I go out of my way to do the little things which cheer them up, which brighten up their day, which are living proof that they're still appreciated, that they're still cared about. Life is all the better because of this & I wouldn't have it any other way...& that's for always.

Year-end update

I've got to admit, I've come a long way in so little time.

We're about midway through December & already I've completed post #206 (about to be #207 real soon). Four score & seven months since my humble beginnings in the world of blogging, it's been an awesome feeling to post on all those issues which I love dealing with most, whether it be music, sports, Greek life or miscellany; that's what makes blogsites like this one so fun to get into in the first place. Sure, there was a dry spell here & there but that was to be expected, what with a hectic schedule or a slight case of writer's block or even a seriously awful cold bug I caught a couple months back...lol. Digressions aside, I'm starting to hit my stride once again & I'm as focused & confident as I could possibly be right now. I'm regaining my touch & that's a good thing.

Recently, I've been in the habit of mixing things up just to keep things fresh & full of variety. My current playlists & quotes of the day & even a few poetics here & there are just three ways which I'm breaking from the routine of doing lengthy posts all the time; I feel that I'm doing a cool job in this department & will only get better in this aspect.

Look forward to another post coming your way TBA; until then, take heart that yours truly has hit a milemarker for the ages (& for the moment) by completing 200+ posts in just several months...man, is he that good or what?

The number 23

The number 23.

For Michael Vick, the number 23 isn't a very lucky one as he'll be holed up in the clink for a good 23 months (or almost 2 years). It seems that 2 years isn't a very long time for some folks but when you come to think of Vick & all the bad decisions which he made prior to his dogfighting charges, those 2 years mean a whole lot.

Sure, the man says he's going to turn his life around, that he wants to redeem himself. And we want to believe his good intentions, right? But he can't turn back the hands of time in hopes that he can make things right again, in hopes that he can somehow get off scot-free. No, that time has already passed & now the day of judgment has arrived, however suddenly it may have come.

This isn't to say that all is lost. This isn't to say that he can't play in the NFL again (although I among countless others feel that he shouldn't). This isn't to say that Michael Vick won't change his ways; I mean, in 23 months, anything can happen. People change in 2 years time; so can Vick. You can't rule out that his life could make a turn for the better.

But will he truly redeem himself, will he walk out of his cell a honestly changed man? I'm at a loss to say for sure. Only Vick can answer that question; 2 years from now & only then will we know with certainty if he's really turned a corner in his personal life.

Until then, we can only stop to think about Vick's reputation forever tarnished, a NFL career gone down the tubes & with it numerous endorsement deals...everything good we thought we knew about the man himself gone bad because of dogfighting charges.

Quotes of the day

"It's not very often that you can find someone who will go the extra mile to show he cares about his fellow Greeks & actually keep it real. But thank heavens I'm one of those folks who does just that: going above & beyond my expectations, breaking from my routine as it were, to continue supporting the Greek system. And that to me is absolutely amazing." - yours truly

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." -John Wooden

"The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it." -Carl Jung

3rd time's the charm

The best of the best.

When The Band set about making their 1970 album Stage Fright, the pressure definitely was on them to live up to their last two efforts, their debut Music From Big Pink & 1969's eponymous masterpiece (aka The Brown Album). Somehow, despite the stress & strain, the constant touring & hard partying, The Band came up with another release which, although it may not have matched the achievements of its predecessors, is still pretty awesome & if I must concede downright powerful music.

Stage Fright also marked a shift in tone especially from a lyrical aspect, which makes this effort a more challenging listen from the get-go. Whereas Big Pink & The Band offered the listener rootsy yet oh so mysterious images & figures of Americana, Stage Fright revealed Robbie Robertson & company dropping their masks & telling it like it was to their audience. If this wasn't enough, this approach was far more personal & harrowing; to say this was a downshift into darkness is way beside the point. To be honest, SF is where The Band let loose & created a portrait with every possible color they could find, a far cry from the rootsy, old-timey vibe which defined a vast majority of their best-known songs ("The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" just to name a couple).

If there were an underlying theme which connects SF so strongly, it would be self-destruction in its various obfuscations: alcohol, fear, isolation & refuge. More so than ever, this album would be Robertson's brainchild but the artistic heart & soul of the group was definitely Richard Manuel, beyond any doubt. Manuel was not only a brilliant multi-instrumentalist but also one of The Band's go-to guys in the songwriting department; he either had a hand in or was the primary writer for their more familiar compositions. He had a hand in writing "Sleeping" & "The Shape I'm In" on SF but his love for booze & lack of motivation in certain respects kept him from playing a bigger role for the group. It was on Robertson to smooth things out, to iron out the rough spots Manuel may have run across, especially if Richard had issues completing certain songs; if anything, when all else failed, Robertson wrote songs in hopes that he could reach his fellow bandmate & colleague. Unfortunately, even though Richard Manuel still had plenty of bright moments ahead of him but after Stage Fright he didn't write any more songs which is not only sad; it's a harrowing glimpse of one of this album's primary themes: being in the Band was not only the premise for his self-destruction via alcohol but The Band proved to be a refuge he could turn to, something that made him keep on keeping on.

So without further ado, the opening track, "Strawberry Wine," with drummer Levon Helm at the mic, kicks off the festivities which have come to define Stage Fright. Though it is upbeat & fun it also sounds desperate, capturing a drunk whose existence revolves around his wine, that is to say, around feeling good all the time. "Sleeping" is not just a portrait on what it's like to be out on the road as a musician but the isolation & need for hiding which comes with this lifestyle as Manuel points out so brilliantly in one of his more heartfelt performances. "Daniel and the Sacred Harp" could serve as a modern-day lesson of selling out; at the same time, this song also reveals Robertson making an unpromising assessment on the price he & his bandmates (Manuel in particular) were paying for being in a band. "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show" takes the 19th century medicine show & puts it into a modern-day interpretation, where the rock and roll touring lifestyle was seen as a cure-all - which in a sense it was. The title track points out what it's like to be out there in the spotlight, trying to cope with who knows how many screaming fans, the press & man knows who else & not feeling comfortable about any of the above. "The Rumor", SF's closer (& a moody one at that) is, depending on your outlook, a song of hope & redemption or a song chock full of uncertainty.

Stage Fright, despite all of its upbeat glory, is one of The Band's more intimate, more personal albums ever committed to tape. Some critics were taken aback that it didn't follow the same beaten path of the first two efforts but then again who can argue? In retrospect, The Band was being honest & being downright real with us; that was not only a good call on their part but a great way to make SF such a powerful album, period: A-plus all the way!!

Musical musings, part two

Just my luck.

Venturing through my pops' record collection as a little tike of a dude might have been the worst thing in the world - that is, from the parents' standpoint. For me, however, it was a feeling of liberation which forever changed how I not only listen to music, but also what types of music strike the most resounding chords with me & to which I can return from time to time.

Let's face it: a lot of bonafide music lovers came to be more open-minded about music in general along the same lines as me, though perhaps at different times (& with it, ages). And where, pray tell, were they most often going to find that newfound vibration of joy & happiness which couldn't be found elsewhere? Naturally enough, they'd find it in their parents' collection of albums, a smorgasbord of different genres & sounds which they either a) dug with all their hearts or b) couldn't quite get upon the first listen. But somehow if they made the effort, if they persevered with the credo "to listen & keep on listening", each album, each artist soon left a mark, an impress of some kind in their lives, consciously or no. Over time, the genres which they couldn't quite relate to at first would be the genres which they loved most & still do to this very day...I mean, if you were raised on classic rock, or on prog-rock, that's what you grew up on & came to have the utmost appreciation for. And with those first loves (as I prefer to call them), the way was open for them to embrace other genres like reggae or Afro-Beat or even Krautrock. Without a doubt, that's how any genuine music lover is born & made: 9 times out of 10, it's the vast assortment of vinyl that does them in.

Another observation of note before closing things out:

My playlist changes from time to time, not because I feel like doing this on a whim but because I'm keeping things fresh as well as opening myself up to genres which I may not ordinarily listen to in my car, at home, etc. That's another true sign of a sincere music lover when you see one: he's always deviating from his listening routine & doing a pretty awesome job in this aspect.

Until next time, throw some vinyl/CDs on & turn that stereo up!!

Current playlist #3

Here's my current playlist for the moment, done in the fashion of the last two but with a twist - I'm doing things in two-fer mode:

Pavement, "Gold Sounds," Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Pavement, "Rattled By The Rush," Wowee Zowee
The Band, "Stage Fright," Stage Fright
The Band, "Across The Great Divide," The Band
Bob Dylan, "Something There Is About You," Planet Waves
Bob Dylan, "You're A Big Girl Now," Blood On The Tracks
Grateful Dead, "Sugar Magnolia," American Beauty
Grateful Dead, "Uncle John's Band," Workingmans Dead
Wilco, "Kamera," Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco, "Handshake Drugs," A Ghost Is Born

Crooked Tribute

It seems that some groups in the world of alternative music never get the credit or attention which they deserve in their lifetime. Maybe the lack of acclaim is a good thing; maybe no. But one of indie-rock's best known groups (or depending on how you look at it, one of its best-kept secrets), Pavement, is (& has been) one of the most underrated bands known to man; perhaps they didn't sell records left & right but they made a statement of their own nonetheless as they forged a permanent name for themselves in the Indie Rock Hall of Fame & not for the reasons which you might expect.

Some call Pavement's music "slacker indie" or "alternative music for the slacker generation" (which the mid-90s were, in a sense, what with the Generation X deal). But I refute such observations outright: Pavement's music was the indie-rock equivalent of CCR/The Band, or a looser, more jammier version of its fellow alternative/post-punk counterparts (of which three come to mind: Sonic Youth, Wire & R.E.M.) -which BTW are apt but no-BS comparisons. What I just wrote might come across as an understatement of sorts but the above influences are definitely there; however, Pavement took those same wellsprings of musical inspiration & made them into something distinct & unique - a total antithesis of everything associated with alternative music in general.

Stephen Malkmus not only as Pavement's frontman/most popular figure but also as a lyricist, had a penchant (& still does) for the oblique, cryptic & puzzling. This isn't to say that he didn't know how to sing to save his life or write a satisfactory song; he absolutely did both of the above to good effect with Pavement. Only catch is, he was reacting against convention, against the status quo which has sadly dominated much of today's popular music, but in an off-key, quirky way...with an intact sense of humor & irony in tow. And he didn't need to offer the themes of his songs with any straightforward flair to make things impressive.

Beginning with 1992's seminal Slanted & Enchanted, Pavement gradually found their footing & made a name for themselves in the pantheon of indie-rock greats. In 1994, their follow-up, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain built & improved on the strengths of its predecessor: not just great songcraft but also more jammier tendencies. Could it be that Pavement's star was on the rise? With this release, the group really hit their stride (& that, as a bonafide band).

Then in 1995, Wowee Zowee (my favorite Pavement album) served as a logical extension of the first two full-length efforts; to some, it's a bit uneven, rough around the edges. Others will concede that it's indie-rock's answer to the Rolling Stones' 1972 masterpiece Exile On Main St. & which it is, to a point. But in my own personal opinion, Wowee Zowee is an ultimate showcase for Pavement to branch out, further their confidence in their musicianship & other whatnot & have a blast recording, letting things hang loose as always, warts & all.

Brighten The Corners revealed Pavement maturing as a band but lyrically Malkmus could still make the listener fall into a state of puzzlement & surprise (as was always his forte). Their last effort ever, Terror Twilight, set the bar further & higher: more accessible songs, a more mature route which set the stage for each of Malkmus' solo efforts (& when's Steve going to come out with his next release? It's been 2 years & counting...lol...hoping that it hits the shelves soon if not another year from now-shades of Axl Rose already? please).

Pavement may not have gotten gold or platinum record sales on their group resume, but let's not forget that their popularity was the result of thinking outside the box, bringing the jam back into indie-rock & a good ol' DIY approach to their music. For all that, Pavement deserves credit & acclaim where it's rightfully due. Too much to ask? you say. Well, blare CRCR or WZ full-blast & jam along to one of indie-rock's most beloved darlings ever when in doubt; you'll be glad that you did.

No Guarantee

"Guarantee!! Guarantee!!"

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Anthony Smith felt that New England was due for an upset after playing like oh-so-much-crap against Philadelphia & Baltimore. And of course, like plenty of folks, we felt the Patriots were beatable, that they were bound to lose one game sooner or later.
Smith himself guaranteed that the Steelers would beat the Pats, right?

Wrong. His guarantee turned out to be a false hope in the making & his cheap talk really served as fuel for the Patriots' fire, an impetus to get them ready to play. As if this weren't enough, Smith was victimized by two long pass plays, one by Randy Moss & the other by Jabar Gaffney, & each of those TDs sent the floodgates wide open for New England & if I must say so they set the tone for the entire game.

If there is a lesson which Smith could learn from the comments he made earlier on, it would be that talk of that magnitude is cheap & is only going to get the opponents more pumped up, more ready to go & do damage. Also, if you're going to live up to your talk, be ready to play & ready to prove that your opponent is beatable through your overall performance on the field, something that Smith couldn't do to save his life against either of the two aforementioned dudes I brought up.

New England coach Bill Belichick himself remarked that the Pats have played better safeties than - guess who? - Anthony Smith. And from what we saw on Sunday, he's right. If the Steelers stood a ghost of a chance of beating Tom Brady & company, they'd have to play pretty much error-free football all four quarters. But Smith's "guarantee" proved to be a bad omen & the undoing of all our wishes that Pittsburgh would unseat the Patriots from the ranks of the undefeated for good.

Guarantee, huh? Aping Jean Girard from Talladega Nights, imagine him saying that "I have come to defeat you." Unfortunately, the Patriots did just that & left Smith eating his words.

Turns out that his guarantee was no guarantee after all.

Memory

This writing was based on some awesome Bid Day experiences, listening to all these sorority cheers going on & all. At the same time, it is an affirmation of how strong my love & support for Greek life is. (Seriously, "Memory" is heartfelt stuff.)


Your songs have found their way
to the heart of me
Once again I can say
my life is truly complete
Your songs send me back
to a special place & time
I've come to know & love,
to memories I can't leave behind

This much is true
from the very start
all this time spent with you
holds a special place
within my heart

How could it be
that you were the one for me
all along?
My heart is now
bursting into song
constantly
from memory.

Once again I can say
my life's truly complete
Your songs have found their way
to the heart of me
& they won't let go
No
they're here for good (to stay)
I carry your love with me
every step of the way

No other could ever do
or replace a love this true
& I found it here with you

How could it be...

My heart is still
singing your songs
& melodies
from memory.

It's meant to be -
I knew it all along
when you burst into song
so gracefully
from memory.

Lucky #13

Playing 13.

For who knows how many collegiate football teams, getting to play in a bowl game is not only sweet, but one of the best things in the world that could happen should they accept a bid to play in one. Of course, it's easy for these very teams to bask in all the hype & excitement which are part of the bowl experience; that's to be expected. But in the state of Indiana, two ballclubs are a very lucky group to be playing 13 games this season.

First off, the Indiana Hoosiers, playing in honor of Hep, paid their dues to get this far & what better way to state their case that they belonged in a bowl by beating in-state & conference nemesis Purdue.

Secondly, the Ball State Cardinals are back in the bowl spotlight for the first time in over a decade. I, among many Cards football fans, was just wading it out in hopes that they'd actually get into a bowl (& like IU, their road to play 13 games wasn't exactly an easy one, what with the MAC Championship sorting things out at the 11th hour). But they've come a long way to reach this plateau & the Cards could once more be one of the MAC's most feared ballclubs once the 2008 season arrives.

As for Purdue, more of the same old, same old. And what better way to make their day than to play a rematch against the Central Michigan Chippewas. Go Boilermakers!! I believe they can find redemption after playing completely blah in their last bowl game against Maryland.

Notre Dame...don't even start...hahah. Their season was one of the most atrocious on record & the thought that they'd be playing 13 games is positively out of the question. Maybe next year, Irish, maybe next year. Not this year.

For Purdue, IU & Ball State, life is good now that their season is extended by one game. The next question is, will they be up for the challenges which their opponents (CMU, Oklahoma State & Rutgers) will bring on in short order? We shall see. But at any rate, they're one of the teams playing 13 & hopefully this number is a lucky one for sure.

Musical musings

When it comes to what types of music I enjoy listening to, I've always been a bit eclectic. And being eclectic is a good thing since to truly appreciate music in general, one has to have open ears, an open mind & most of all an open heart to match.


Ever since I was a youngster, that's been the case & always will be for the most part...lol. But seriously, I've been listening to practically anything I can get my hands on & loving almost every minute of time spent in rapture with headphones on or having my ears propped up against the speakers to capture every nuance, every little splash of sound that I couldn't get on the first listen (or second or third).

Whether it's reggae, post-rock, R & B, IDM (for those who don't know, short for Intelligent Dance Music), or jazz, I've always felt, as it were, rootless, always checking new genres out as I go along. To be a really genuine music lover, one has to be not only unbiased but also adventurous as well, even if you have a favorite style of music which you wouldn't pass up for anything else, a favorite genre which you basically grew up on. And that's how I came to be such a music fiend from the get-go: that sense of adventure, risk-taking, really wrenching myself free of every biased outlook which might come my way or far worse, into my own mindset.

Today, one is fortunate if they can rake out dough for a CD with who knows how many songs on it & end up enjoying their latest buy in its entirety. Ever since the good ol' days of vinyl, I've come to believe that an album with a pretty simplified amount of songs (8-12) really says a lot more than say, a release with 4 or 5 good tunes & the rest are all oh so much crap. And I'm an adamant believer that an album with coherent, connected songs really works wonders & is music I can return to time & time again without having to find myself bypassing certain tracks. (Classic examples of dudes who knew/know how to make albums which are not only coherent & connected but also are chock full of outstanding songcraft/musicianship/group interaction are Steely Dan, The Sea and Cake, The Band (their 1st 3 efforts are the best of the best here), & I know I'm gonna hear from a lot of folks about this...lol...Led Zeppelin.)

Well, that's all for my musings about music. Hopefully, I'll pick up where I left off next time with a passion that can't be rivaled elsewhere. Until next time, hang loose & throw some music on!!

Those conquering Colts

Once again, when the going got tough, the Indianapolis Colts proved why they're in control of the AFC South. As it stood before Sunday afternoon, they led the Jacksonville Jaguars by a game in the division & if anything this game would determine one of two scenarios: A) a first place tie in the South division, or B) a chance for the Colts to get a little distance on the Jags & in the process a chance to gain control of their destiny for the remainder of the regular season.

When all was said & done, the final result was B, as Peyton Manning & company time & time again responded to any & every challenge Jacksonville dared to throw at them & Indy came away with a 28-25 victory. Go Horse for sure!! And Reggie Wayne showed the Jags secondary that though Marvin Harrison couldn't play, he & the rest of his receiving comrades were more than happy to pick up the slack.

But of course the Colts set the tone early in the game on defense when Jags QB David Garrard coughed up a free gift for defensive lineman Raheem Brock to have...if there was one play which helped maintain momentum in the Colts' favor for good, Brock's fumble recovery was that play. Kinda hard to beat Indy when you shoot yourself in the foot with too many turnovers as Jacksonville wound up doing. And no amount of challenges from Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio can take away the fact that Indianapolis was by far the better team; sure, the Jags battled back but too little too late to have a chance to make this matchup remotely close.

Not only does this win prove to be key for the Colts as they kick tail in the AFC South; it could also be the perfect boost which they need when it counts the most. And on Sunday, this win over Jacksonville was indeed much-needed, with the division on the line & all.

Go Colts!!

Current playlist #2

Here's my latest playlist (album titles are again in italics):

Keane, "Sunshine," Hopes and Fears
The Sea and Cake, "Four Corners," One Bedroom
Joni Mitchell, "Sweet Bird," The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Steely Dan, "Deacon Blues," Aja
Keane, "Is It Any Wonder?" Under The Iron Sea
Stevie Wonder, "You and I," Talking Book
Stevie Wonder, "Golden Lady," Innervisions
Sam Prekop, "So Shy," Sam Prekop
Shuggie Otis, "Inspiration Information," Inspiration Information
Sly & The Family Stone, "Family Affair," There's A Riot Goin' On

Finally!!

For the first time in over a decade, Ball State football fans really have something to be excited about: their beloved Cards are heading to a bowl game!!

It's one of the sweetest things that could happen to a football program which has had to endure numerous ups & downs just to make it this far. I sensed that that BSU would do some awesome things this year yet I never envisioned them reaching the point where they could play in a bowl game.

Now that they're finally going to be playing in a bowl game, though, I'm all the prouder & happier for the Cardinals & anyone who loves Ball State football should feel the same way too. Yeah, it may have taken 11 years to make it up to this plateau but some things in life are worth the wait. Who knows, Ball State could be a force to be reckoned with in the MAC again if folks like Central Michigan don't watch out next season.

Go Cards!!

Laying it on the line

When Indianapolis takes on Jacksonville at home on Sunday, not only will the Colts be playing a pretty important game which decides who the kings of the AFC South are, but it will also be a chance for Indy to prove they're a very formidable team even with players like Ryan Diem or Marvin Harrison unable to play due to injuries.

Then again, that'd be an understatement. Indianapolis could once again be hitting their stride as a fire-breathing monster & Jacksonville, currently in 2nd place in the AFC South, is determined to make a statement of their own to stop the Colts' multifaceted offensive juggernaut, owing to the fact that their own offense couldn't get untracked at all in the first meeting (on the Jaguars' home turf, no less!!). Indeed, the Jags are looking for redemption in the worst way possible & what better way to find it than @ the RCA Dome.

But hopefully, the Colts are at the ready & are seeing to it that no letdowns of any kind bar them from taking it to Jacksonville this weekend. It won't be an easy game by any means, as this'll determine who gets first place overall in the AFC South. Then again, nothing has ever come easy for any opponent for the Colts for a majority of this season.

Go Horse!!

Current playlist

Since I've just started posts on all things pertaining to music again, I felt that this would be a great opportunity to give away the top 10 songs on my playlist right now, songs which stuck to me like glue thus far this week (album names are in italics) :

1. The Sea and Cake, "Shoulder Length," One Bedroom
2. Ulrich Schnauss, "Never Be The Same," Goodbye
3. Sam Prekop, "C + F," Who's Your New Professor
4. Steely Dan, "Peg," Aja
5. The Sea and Cake, "Middlenight," Everybody (BTW, great album overall)
6. Stereolab, "Miss Modular," Dots and Loops
7. Mouse On Mars, "Chromantic," Instrumentals
8. Neu!, "Fur Immer," Neu! 2
9. Band of Horses, "The First Song," Everything All The Time
10. My Morning Jacket, "It Beats 4 U," Z

I'll try to get another playlist up in a short while; until then, check this one on out!!

Giving Back Greek style

It's that time of year again.

Whereas plenty of duders find that this particular holiday season is nothing new, more of the same ad infinitum, I on the other hand feel quite differently.

I'm kinda bummed that I'm still doing most of this work from the outside but I've been sending Christmas cards out left & right for the past few days now. And such small acts of kindness truly mean something to me since I'm still showing my love for my Greek counterparts all over the place. If that isn't enough, I'm doing this out of the goodness out of my heart, going the extra mile to show my support is still alive, still strong, that I as an alumni have been keeping my fave sororities in my thoughts the entire time & that they're appreciated as well.

(side note: Some duders are out there, thinking, "I wish I could do the same." Well, for the men in question, it's not that hard to accomplish, whether one's an undergrad or alumni; if you truly respect women & give them plenty of heartfelt thought, doing the little things to cheer them up & make them smile shouldn't be difficult at all. Or should I say, it isn't & never was meant to be challenging; it's not beyond any dude in his right mind to take some time out of his day, go to the nearest Hallmark store & find some cards to send to his fave sorority sisters. And they'd loooove you for doing just that, guys.)

For others, it's a bit corny to send Christmas cards out to the above women so they don't bother. But if I were a corresponding secretary/secretary for a fraternity who receives cards from this sorority or that, I would have the heart to respond in kind, to show (once again!) that they are appreciated. Not only that, but they're also loved as well. To just write them off is plain wrong if not totally beat down (i.e. uncool).

For me, sending Christmas cards out is quite a whole other story. It's not only closing off every sorority sister's day on a cheerful & high note; it's also showing that though I'm far away, they're still close (& dear) to my heart & will always be.

A lucky bunch o' Irish

Just when we thought all was lost with Notre Dame, they put together a little winning streak to wrap up what can be considered a rather long & rough season in the world of Irish football. Not only that, but the fact that ND notched 2 straight wins in a row is a sign of hope & redemption for next season.

How gradually this youthful ballclub has matured in three months or so worth of time. As any football coach in his right mind can confirm, success doesn't come overnight, nor does improvement as a football team. Success for the Irish in 2008 can only come with experience along with marked improvement, & if that's not enough, growth in getting down the fundamentals which they could not use to save their lives for a majority of the 2007 season.

We had our doubts about Charlie Weis & how he was preparing his ballclub week in, week out. Somehow we persevered; somehow we endured just enough. Then wins over Duke & Stanford (in respective order) really got us thinking: Weis isn't as bad of a coach as we thought.

Likewise, we could say the same of Notre Dame after their last 2 games: they weren't the same team who got pounced on by Michigan or USC or Penn State. And their success during the past two weekends could serve short notice to next year's opponents that the Irish still have something relevant to say to us, that they're not going to repeat history in 2008. Until next season, we're wading things out.

(no subject)

In a coupla days, Thanksgiving will arrive. And I, among so many other folks, am certainly due for a much-needed break in the action.

Some of it'll be spent doing the obvious, getting one's grub on. Some of it'll be spent watching football & staying glued to the screen unless a minor emergency arises...lol. Some of it'll be spent with old friends, visiting old haunts, among all those things which remind us of being back home.

On the other hand, some of it'll be spent in reflection. And not only that, giving plenty of thanks.

How many of us will find the effort to do both of the latter on Thursday? Let's hope we take time out to give thanks where (& to Whom) it's rightfully due, because Thanksgiving is so much more than a great meal & good times, that much is for certain.

Calling out the Colts, continued

Well, my beloved Colts finally broke a two-game slide by beating the Chiefs 13-10 yesterday. And yet there are those two glaring issues which have plagued Indy for the last two Sundays which need to be addressed:

(1) Adam Vinatieri missed some field goals again. What the...? When the going gets tough & crunch time has arrived, one of the NFL's most reliable kickers can't seem to get some of his most recent kicks to go through (the FG which could have given the Colts a win @ San Diego being among them). Hopefully, he can fix this issue before it's too late...wait, he doesn't have much time at all to mull his kicking funk about in his mind since the Colts play in the ATL on Thanksgiving. Let's hope he has gotten over this issue for the remainder of this season.
(2) Indy's offensive woes. Sure, Peyton's short on receiving firepower but that doesn't mean that other players besides Joseph Addai have to exempt themselves from contributing. And sure, offensive lineman Tony Ugoh has been out of the picture for a spell...so what does that prove? If they want to score more than the 13 points which they put on the board on Sunday, leaders need to emerge & step up & make an impact, injuries or no. And one anticipates that the cupboard becomes full after the Holidays, because, man, the Colts offense needs a boost as well as additional motivation from the makeshift offensive line Peyton has worked with thus far.

Boos from the fans aside, one has to be grateful that Indianapolis got a much-needed victory. Now the next issue is when the Colts will once again be a fire-breathing monster which has thrown defenses off guard all season long.

Oh me oh my Ohio State!!

Ohio State's loss to Illinois last Saturday could hardly be the end result of the Buckeyes looking too far ahead to their marquee matchup against the Michigan Wolverines. Nah, their loss can be attributed to a whole lot more than that.

The Illini basically did whatever they wanted offensively, & particularly with their running game. Against an Ohio State defense who has been downright stubborn against the run & pass all year, Illinois ran at will, amassing 250-ish yards or so on the ground. Hardly the way the Buckeyes wanted to celebrate their final home game of the season but that's what happened.

Offensively, the Buckeyes could do no wrong. Or so it seemed with Todd Boeckman getting picked off three times.

And then there was the sixth play or so of the game, a play which Ohio State could have easily challenged then & there (for those who watched the events unfolding around that play, I'm sure you can find some common ground here)...I mean, how hard is it to challenge calls when you have a game on the line? Well, the Buckeyes could have done just that & shift the momentum of the game into their favor completely...But nope, they didn't. This may be my own personal opinion at work here but I surmise that specific play really cost Ohio State a victory.

Now I'm listening to the Wolverines-Buckeyes game going on at the Big House; so far Ohio State has the upper hand to the tune of 7-3. Let's hope they pile on the points & keep the Wolverines in check for good (as if they didn't do that enough for the first half!!)

Go Buckeyes!!

Calling out the Colts

Indianapolis may have had a boatload of inactives for last Sunday's game, among them 3 of Peyton Manning's top 4 receivers and rookie offensive lineman Tony Ugoh. Then one of the Colts' (& the NFL's) top defensive stars, Dwight Freeney, went down with a season-ending injury...ridiculous, right? Perhaps these factors may have been the reason why Indy fell to the Chargers 23-21 but I beg to differ.

First of all, San Diego didn't beat Indianapolis. To be honest, the Colts beat themselves & have no one else to blame for this defeat but themselves alone. Secondly, it all comes down to playing mistake-free football which Indy obviously didn't do: allowing an opening kickoff return for a TD as well a punt return later on, Peyton's 6 INTs, a shanked Adam Vinatieri field goal which could have won the game for good...the truth has to hurt but Indianapolis did themselves in with silly mistakes they could have avoided.

Now it's time to move forward & without Freeney leading the charge on defense, how will the Colts respond? Will the receiver corps which Manning delights in throwing to be ready to rock against the Chiefs? Will the offensive linemen be at the ready & give Peyton some time to find targets who aren't wearing the opposition's uniforms?

Let's hope so; let's pray that the Colts bounce back in every way possible this weekend.

In the Cards

For the first time in 11 years, Ball State is finally bowl eligible & that, to me, is one of the sweetest things that has happened in the world of Cardinal football for quite awhile.


Not too long ago, however, we would have been singing a drastically different tune.


Against teams like, say, Nebraska or Auburn, folks'd say that we didn't have a prayer & we blindly believed them, as the Cards fell without much fight. Even with Big 10 teams on our schedule, it would've come to the same adamant conclusion: We just couldn't win against the higher-echelon ballclubs.


If that's not enough, when it came to winning football games, we were downright laughable, even riding the nation's longest losing streak at one juncture (a good 1 1/2 years or so of futility). Then we upset Miami of Ohio in late 2000; one sensed the tide was starting to turn in our favor, that we could steer our wayward ship in the right direction. We came close to making some noise for the 2001 season; trouble was, to grab a bowl bid back then, we needed 7 victories as opposed to the current 6...were we ever close. After that, the wheels fell off our cart & it would take some time for Ball State football to make a resurgence of any kind, even once in a blue moon.

But last season, the Cards proved any doubters wrong, almost defeating Michigan & Indiana. We almost beat Nebraska this season; we put up more of a fight against Illinois & IU than some folks say we did. To be perfectly honest, it took some time for Ball State to get this far, a good decade of detours & hardships which accompanied those detours.

And here we are, having come full circle to the likelihood of playing in a bowl game. This isn't to say we have arrived; the Cardinals still have to play Northern Illinois & there's still so much work to be done. But for the moment, if you're a Ball State football fan, things are looking up & barring any letdowns during the holiday weekend one hopes they can stay that way.

Go Cardinals!!

Charlie, we hardly knew ye

Notre Dame is enduring one of their worst losing seasons in a dog's age & you can point out multiple factors for why the Irish are so horrid: they can't run the football, their offensive line is porous like the Atlantic Ocean (allowing roughly 60 sacks this season alone), QB-wise, they can't seem to find any consistency from game to game, yada yada yada.

But this time around, you can't help but pin much of the blame on Charlie Weis.

Sure, Weis has some very impeccable NFL credentials on his resume & these have worked wonders during his time @ South Bend. But these credentials weren't enough to save Bob Davie's job or even Tyrone Willingham's behind. Which leads to 2007, one of the most putrid years on record for one of college's football powerhouses: Where did the Irish AD go wrong when he hired Weis?

But that'd be digressing. One can see the youth, the inexperience of Notre Dame in who knows how many aspects of the game; we don't need to be told about this for the thousandth time. One can see the struggles which come with being green & inexperienced, stepping into pretty big shoes which you're not accustomed to wearing. We've seen it all before in who knows how many variations from the Irish all season long. It's on the head coach & his staff to set things right, to lead his ballclub in the direction where they need to go to become successful. And as hard as Weis has tried to steer ND back on course, it seems that his team is lost in translation, speaking a completely different language when they take to the field.

Then again, that would be a grievous understatement. Weis himself, it seems, has been on a different page than his ballclub & naturally enough is speaking a foreign language which is better suited for say, anyone who's in the NFL paying their dues. It's not that hard to figure out. But come next season, one hopes that Notre Dame doesn't repeat themselves as they have done way too many times in 2007, that they take one word into consideration fully & with sincerity, a word which they desperately need more than all else: leadership.

Who will step up as leaders? Who will lead the way selflessly? These are questions the players will find answers to, though they may not come easily. However, it is on Weis to find out who is up to the task as far as leadership is concerned.

PS Boy, did the Irish ever need leadership badly this season. And we thought that we'd get at least several wins for '07, Charlie? The very thought that we'd get 6 or 7 victories was another false hope which this season's ballclub has done nothing to change.

Something Brand Neu!

In 1973, Michael Rother & Klaus Dinger, otherwise known as the German duo Neu!, began working on their second release, titled appropriately enough, Neu! 2. Hoping to build on the accolades which their eponymous predecessor received, Rother & Dinger were not only hoping to change how rock music, in all of its primitive, raw glory was supposed to sound but they would also unknowingly or otherwise create something just as fresh & exciting: what we today know as the remix.

Midway through recording, as legend has it, Rother & Dinger realized that they were in dire straits as far as funding went: they were almost broke. So to keep their label happy, & give them more than enough material for a fully realized album, Neu! put two songs, "Neuschnee" & "Super" through some pretty major paces: "Neuschnee 78" is just that, a song going 200 mph on the Autobahn (with Dinger deliberately bumping the needle on the record player at one point). "Cassetto" is two minutes of hearing a tape player on its last dying legs (& with the above recording equipment about to call it a day, a cassette getting eaten up by the tapedeck). "Hallo Excentrico" is "Neuschnee" played at varying speeds (& Dinger, Rother, & engineer Conny Plank having a conversation in the studio). "Neuschnee" in its original form is Neu! carrying over their motorik vibes from their debut effort, a new bunch of sound rolling down the motorway for sure.

"Super 16" is "Super" slowed down to a seriously molasses-like crawl (again with Dinger jacking around with the record player's stylus at the tail end). On the other hand, "Super 78" is like hearing Alvin and the Chipmunks going punk...lol. Funny but it's true. "Super" at normal speed is punk all right, well before the term even came into existence; in fact, Dinger's ecstatic yelps on this song paved the way for all the Johnny Rottens which would step onto the scene just a few years later.

And that's all for side two of the original album. Side one is equally awesome in its own right: "Fur Immer" is the sound of Krautrock in a nutshell, reminiscent of the opening track to Neu!s debut: minimal layers of sound laid down over a driving, conveyor-belt groove which is irresistible & trance-like. This composition in a sense was a battle charge folks like Stereolab responded to with a passion (as well as plenty of experimental musicians & other post-rockers). "Spitzenqualitat" reveals Dinger's drumming at its most forceful & if I dare to say so most robotic. "Lila Engel" closes off the first half of things avant-garde punk style, Neu! rocking out like two dudes possessed.

Neu! 2 had its share of many admirers & fans: David Bowie, Blur, the aforementioned Stereolab, & Kraftwerk just to name a few. This is Krautrock at its most unique & most innovative (not to forget beautiful); at the same time, as the album's second half readily confirms, it's just as intriguing & adventurous: Neu! 2 could be called the first remix album ever made on earth.

One ugly weekend in general

In the world of college football & the NFL, it was a pretty awful one if you were in a Ohio State uniform, a Michigan uniform, a Purdue uniform, an Indiana uniform, & oh yes, if you saw Peyton give the Chargers 6 free gifts (i.e. he threw 6 interceptions...bleh!!) & Adam V shanking a field goal which could have won the game for the Indianapolis Colts.

Yep, it was a pretty uneventful weekend & a dreary one if you happened to be rooting for any of the above teams.

But it's time to move on, time to press forward: all is not as lost as one thinks.

There is hope & with it a chance for redemption. So why mope around when there's work which needs to be done? Just because each of these teams lost doesn't mean it's the end of the world; there are still games to be played, there is still a second chance to prove the doubters wrong, that they can't be counted out.

And if that's not enough, each team still has something important to say to all the haters/critics out there: we're still for real, love us or hate us. Yes, we will bounce back!!

Today's quotes to take note of

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, & what you do are in harmony." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do." - Confucius

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius again

"Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance." -Samuel Johnson

Can goods

In 1973, the German group Can was going through a small crisis, one of which could have easily sent other bands down the slippery slope of no return: their frontman for the past few years, Damo Suzuki, left to join the Jehovah's Witnesses (at which point, plenty of Can lovers were exasperated: what the...?). Yet the band, now a quartet, didn't fold to all the pressure & challenges which come with finding a suitable replacement to take over Suzuki's spot. To be honest, lead singers were always an afterthought with Can. Now in fighting trim & guitarist Michael Karoli taking over a majority of the vocal duties, they forged ahead to create their brightest hour ever as a band, 1974's Soon Over Babaluma.

The opening track, "Dizzy Dizzy," displays Karoli with icy croon & all, along with his fellow bandmates (keyboardist Irmin Schmidt, bassist Holger Czukay & drummer Jaki Liebezeit) putting the listener in a trance in short order & all this before the phrase "trance-rock" ever came into being. Syncopated & yet oh so subtle, the unique rhythmic undercurrent Can was always known for creating in their music is at full strength, & the next track "Come Sta, La Luna" with call & response vocals by Schmidt continues that trend.

The last track on side one, "Splash" is the composition which is about to send this album's floodgates open: Liebezeit, being the one-man drumming machine that he always was known as, is on fire, keeping things moving along like a well-timed clock, Karoli burns not only on violin but also during his moments on guitar (tonewise, he sounds a bit like Robert Fripp), Schmidt gets his two cents in on synth while Czukay keeps things tasteful & flowing along nicely on bass.

And like a lot of folks, I thought Brian Eno singlehandedly created what is today known as "ambient music." Boy, was I wrong. Side two features two compositions which combine for 20 minutes of fun, fun, fun (rivaling "Bel Air," their side-long tour de force from 1973's Future Days) & is where ambient in a sense began in earnest & the quartet saying, "Hey, Eno, we love you & all these ambient albums that you did but we were doing ambient first...lol." The first stanza, "Chain Reaction" could be the precursor of trance-rock on the dance floor, pointing its way out into the great unknown, with Karoli's Fripp-ish lines & Schmidt's icy, ambient synthscapes leading the charge. 11 minutes later, we hit a detour on "Quantum Physics." All is space, the sounds dissolving into one dreamlike state, an ambient ether which is as ominous as it is calm, the end of this album's musical journey but not without its foreboding, not without its mystery.

Soon Over Babaluma, I feel, is where Can really put ambient music on the map; Brian Eno didn't begin his ambient series until a year later with his masterpiece Discreet Music. Can already got the head start here though & in all of this music's ominous glory, we find the quartet at its highest point ever, as a collective of musicians working toward a common goal. For that, these guys should be rewarded. Long live the Can!!

Music for Today!

In 1964, when the Beach Boys were at their prime commercially, their chief leader & songsmith, Brian Wilson decided to call it a day touring-wise so he could concentrate fully on crafting the group's studio sound. Influenced immensely by Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" production (& in fact, incorporating a boatload of musicians who worked with Spector into his scheme of things), Brian was out on a mission & in the process transformed the way a whole lot of folks listened to music back then. And what better way to gain new depth, strength & confidence in his production skills than with 1965's Today!

The first side reveals Wilson & the rest of the Beach Boys hitting their stride with songs like "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Do You Wanna Dance?" & "Help Me, Rhonda." In a sense, side one is a more naturally upbeat step up from the previous Beach Boys albums (e.g. All Summer Long). At the same time, it reveals a more heartfelt sound which "When I Grow Up" boldly confirms in spades: Brian was indeed maturing as a songwriter, the young buck that he was.

But side two of Today! is where everything falls into place about this album. At the time, it was risky to lay one's heart out on the line & to sound so introspective & personal as Brian did on songs like "She Knows Me Too Well," "Please Let Me Wonder," & "In The Back of My Mind." However, that's exactly what he did with the other half of Today!...good call indeed!! In fact, side two sounded like the perfect precursor to the next bold undertaking he & the rest of the Beach Boys would dive headlong into, 1966's Pet Sounds (still love that album!!) The whole second act is like listening to that above-mentioned album a year early, well before it was even released. And yet, the introspection, the aching beauty, the personal, heartfelt longing which Brian & the Boys captured so gorgeously on Pet Sounds...it's all here on the second half of Today! and is undeniably heart-wrenching.

Today! can be considered a big step forward for the Beach Boys overall. Not only that, but this effort find Brian emerging not only as a master songwriter with a great knack for crafting beautiful melodies & sounds unlike anything Spector himself envisioned throwing together: It also marked his emergence as a pretty awesome producer who knew how to make some pretty amazing-sounding songs which have stood the test of time over 4o years later.

A test of faith

The smoke has finally cleared at the RCA Dome, & the Colts are back to business as usual as they prepare for the San Diego Chargers.

No doubt this'll be a test of Indy's faith as all the other games before New England were tests to see how up to the task the Colts were in shutting down, say, Jacksonville (which they did to great effect) or staying resilient in away games @ Houston & Tennessee. San Diego, after getting blasted for 300 yards on the ground by Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, is hoping to redeem themselves in a major way & what better team to vent their frustrations on if it's Indianapolis.

The Chargers, with LT still kicking tail on the ground, knows how strong the Colts are offensively & defensively. 2 years ago they knocked Indy from the ranks of the unbeatens by exploiting their pass rush & pressuring Peyton like mad, among other things I won't go into here.

Indy, on the other hand, is determined not to let history repeat itself a second time against San Diego. Knowing that SD is still a dangerous team across the board, they don't have to be told what's at stake. They already sense that the Chargers are going to be another imposing challenge in a long line of challenges coming up for the majority of the remaining regular season games. And I'll be dipped if Indy's not ready to bounce back from Sunday's loss; I'm sure that they will be ready to roll but this upcoming game is not going to be a cakewalk.

This'll be a test of faith, a shot at redemption which won't come without a fight.

Down but don't count them out

Yesterday couldn't have come at a better time & what better way to wrap it all up than seeing the Colts go up against New England. Sure, the Patriots may have had all the offensive firepower on hand but I felt the Colts, with a pretty impressive defense, could counter by keeping those threats in check for most of the game.

And for most of the game, the Colts did everything that I hoped they'd do to neutralize Tom Brady & company. That is, until the fourth quarter, that other 25% which mattered most.

Up to then, New England was just in a lull...then a bomb from Brady to Randy Moss shifted the momentum to the Patriots for good. Yet another bomb later on which led to the winning score by Kevin Faulk: talk about making big, championship-level plays at this juncture. The Pats made the big plays which they needed to make when the need arose, whereas Indy on the other hand didn't make the big plays which they had to make to beat NE at their own game. Sure, they were pretty awesome on defense but offensively, without complete firepower at their disposal, the Colts couldn't respond in kind on the other side of the ball. No fault of Manning's, but without a full arsenal of receivers on hand, he was short on some much-needed artillery which could have knocked New England from the ranks of the unbeatens & at the right time too.
(Though of course, you gotta love how Joseph Addai stepped his game up here.)

But don't count Indianapolis out though New England beat them. Sure, they'll be up against a Chargers squad who just got burned alive by Minnesota & a case of happy feet courtesy of Adrian Peterson; San Diego is just as angry & hoping for redemption along the same lines as the Colts after this latest debacle. Let's hope, however, that the Colts get on the rebound & take their last game as not just a lesson learned but also the impetus they need to get through the remainder of the regular season unscathed.

Part Two

Taking Greek pride/support to a level no other dudes have made the effort to realize.

Even as an alumni, I still find ways to show my support every chance I get - & by support, I don't mean stopping back in town for Homecoming Weekend either & leaving my Greek pride at that, dudes!! - & none more so than with any philanthropies/causes/events my sorority counterparts in the Greek community are holding. A lot of fraternity members are thinking by now, "Damn, son, this dude still has nothing but love for sororities; what's up with that?" I'm not surprised that I've still got it, even now. Then again, plenty of undergraduate fraternity members with a heart, with character, with personality to match - should follow my lead here as well, rather than brood over how I'm getting all these praises & accolades when it comes to, say, showing up for Bid Day & cheering up plenty of sorority sisters in AOII, Alpha Phi, AGD, etc. or showing up for a philanthropic event any of the above sororities is holding. As I've said ad infinitum in previous posts/along similar lines, I do these things not because I feel like it but because I care about my sorority counterparts & because my love for Greek life, to me, is a lifelong thing & shouldn't come to a screeching halt after graduation - beginning & end of story.

That's the mark of someone who has taken his support & pride for all things Greek to a level which is going to be hard to top. How many undergraduate duders who happen to wear Greek letters are going to step up & do the same?

Done & Done

The last team standing wins & moves on.

This is the credo for any high school football team who is lucky enough to still be getting their gridiron groove on & for any team who has found the muster & faith to make it all the way to the sectional championship. In short, it's a do-or-die situation & only one team moves on to Regional play, plugging away another week or so longer than expected. The losing team, of course, goes home, but not without taking solace in the fact that they accomplished a lot this season & have nothing to be ashamed of if they got beat by a far more superior ballclub & still busted their tails for all four quarters. If they lost to a mediocre team, well...that's another story.

Two teams are laying their all on the line when the opening kickoff commences. Who is most ready to play, who has the most fire in their eyes, who is most prepared for whatever surprises the opponent has up their sleeve...that's who's going to grab the Championship outright, no questions asked. Oh, & it'll come down to who makes the biggest plays when they have to, & when they count most.

One senses the anxiety, the tension, all the excitement which comes with preparing for tonight's game in not only the players' psyches, etc. but also on the coaches' faces when it comes to giving a summary on what kind of team they'll be playing. At this point in time, nothing will come easy; everything will be hard-fought, regardless of the final score. The coaches know this as well as their assistants; they don't need to be told of the implications & dilemmas which are part & parcel of a Sectional championship gameplan.

At any rate, the last team standing tall is a winner, a champion & gets to play another week or more if they can help it. And may the best team who shows up to play tonight take all!!

Weekend Warriors

This weekend is shaping up to be one of the more awesome weekends on record when it comes to great football: first off, it's the Ball State-Indiana showdown, then it's the Colts taking on New England in a battle of unbeatens.

Nobody ever had it so good when it came to having an eventful weekend, with all the excitement, anxiety & nailbiting that's expected for games like these.

Ball State & the Hoosiers are hoping to grab a bowl bid any way they can; each team knows there's a lot at stake & nothing to lose as well. The Hoosiers in particular are in need of redemption after a three-game skid & what better way to seek it than against my beloved Cardinals. Yet looking at the Hoosiers, they've not only got the home field advantage but a lot of expectations to fulfill: winning one in honor of Hep & getting themselves a bowl bid, a topic which hasn't been discussed lately...until now. But don't underestimate BSU & the fact that they're seeking payback for their loss to IU last season; they're out to set things right & want to get over the hump of not being able to beat a Big 10 team.

Then we've got Indy-New England. The past three go-rounds, Indy's claimed the upper hand against the Pats. But from how NE has been playing of late, can the Colts maintain their home field advantage as well as a newfound confidence that they can beat the Patriots for round #4? If so, not only are the last team standing without a defeat but they've got one huge chip off of their shoulder for the remainder of the season. Then again, nothing ever comes easy, not even against a former AFC East nemesis as formidable as New England.

Gotta love how this weekend shaped up in the world of football: go Cards!! go Colts!!

End of the Line

"You don't have to worry about me."

Then again, if it's Kobe Bryant & the current state of his relationship with the LA Lakers, you have to worry. A lot. No, a whole lot.

Things are going downhill fast & the only way to end this round of sour gripes, this enmity between Bryant & the rest of the Lakers in general (teammates, coaches, GMs, etc.) is to send his antics elsewhere. He didn't just want to be the Lakers' marquee player; he wanted to be the Lakers all by his lonesome. And he senses that his team, in a conference chock full of powerhouse ballclubs, is in no way, shape or form, ready to compete with the best of the best. That's right: the Lakers pack little if any punch to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. So it only seems natural that Kobe wants out of town to play ball somewhere out east, right?

Of course, given the simple fact that Kobe has brought as much pain as he has brought joy to the Lakers fanbase & all for a good decade. It's time to move on, time to get over the terrible path of destruction he left behind for sports enthusiasts to marvel at no end. After running Shaq & Phil Jackson out of town on a rail (only to bring Jackson back into the picture shortly afterward), Kobe now feels it's his turn to run, to leave his not-so-humble abode called the Staples Center before he does any more damage to the Lakers organization.

He once could trust in his teammates; now he only trusts himself. For Kobe, that type of blind commitment to self is what has brought him to a predicament along the lines of Alex Rodriguez & his relationship with the New York Yankees. The next question is finding a tenable exit strategy which could be seen as a good call for everyone involved. Bryant's employer for 11 years sure hopes that it's a good call & damn if something doesn't give.

"You don't have to worry about me." And yet seeing another dramatic episode in the turbulent saga in which the main characters are Kobe & the Los Angeles Lakers front office, we're already getting worried. What now, my friends? Will Kobe head to Chicago or another respectable ballclub where he can feel right at home? or will he stay on in LA & create more grief & contention? Kobe helped bring on the Lakers' current state of suckitude; leaving may not be the easiest option to end this suckitude (then again, nothing ever is easy) but it could get an uncoachable, recalcitrant monkey off the backs of both Jackson & Lakers owner Jerry Buss once & for all.

The Lakers might stink if they made good on the trade but at least they don't have to worry about who got them to stink to begin with.

The Last Act of Defiance

For almost three decades, Robert Mugabe has held sway over the nation of Zimbabwe with an iron fist, if not an unswerving mindset that he is the man in charge & anyone who dares to object to how he is ruling Zimbabwe is asking for trouble. But now one senses the tide is starting to turn, not because of the democratic opposition, not because the nations next door are seething with rage over Mugabe's tyrannical antics. No, the tide is beginning to turn because his own cronies are feeling that it's their time to shine, that Mugabe's bright star of terror & oppressive tactics is beginning to fade.

In fact, his gang of spooks (aka the senior VIPs of the ruling ZANU-PF party) saw to it last December that either it was their way or the highway, when they put their feet down & refused to accept a proposal which could postpone elections slated for next year until 2010. That's typical Mugabe mullarkey in a nutshell: I'll rule for Zimbabwe for a couple more years then I'll decide to resign in 2010. But this time around, his strategy backfired on him.

Basically, what Mugabe was really saying that he would run for President again in 2008 & therefore stay in power until 2014 - by which he'll be 90 years old if he's lucky to be alive that long. Yet taking a look at the nation's imploding economy, its population moving abroad to start anew- several more years of Mugabe running the show is rather untenable as well as plain inconceivable. Naturally enough, seeing Mugabe's gobbledygook as impossible, the higher-ups in ZANU-PF itself are beginning to rebel, among other factions who'd rather see Mugabe give up his presidency.

Mugabe, throughout his long three decades of misrule, doesn't know how to let go, the Old Dinosaur that he is. But like Mobutu before him (an equally inept dude in his own right when it came to running a nation properly), his time is running out; this could soon spell the beginning of the end of Mugabe's power over Zimbabwe once & for all.

And soon he will have to let go of the reins which he has held on to so stubbornly for 27 years running. Then the next question will be: "Who will be the man to set things right?" It's anyone's guess; either way, Mugabe will have to step down from his autocratic post either by force or peacefully.

The Spirit of '66

1966 was a pretty awesome year in the world of popular music in general, with some of the most important (& revered) albums of all-time coming out left & right: The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, The Beatles' Revolver (which was their longest-running album at this point), Simon & Garfunkel's Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde just to name a few. (And of course, Dylan loved defying convention: Blonde on Blonde is about 73 minutes worth of great music, as opposed to the half-hour or so of power which could be found in just 12 or so songs during that era.)

Indeed, popular music was a sacred institution unto itself & every release of monumental value was seen as a sacred book, scriptures full of comforts, assurances & truths folks would so desperately need as the '60s began not only to draw to a close but also descend into its downward spiral (which the never-ending Vietnam War helped bring on in full force). By the end of the decade, popular music was never the same again, its status as something sacred demolished, imploded, never again to regain its luster & glory.

But 1966 was a very good year, a very good year for popular music in general, a far cry from the current assessment held about popular music overall. There was life, meaning, symbolism, truths in those songs back then; even the most schmaltzy stuff carried some fabric of sincerity & truth which today's material unfortunately is in need of. If that isn't enough, the music has still found ways to endure (especially the above albums I listed) for four decades straight. Not only was it born out of necessity, but out of experience, being able to articulate one's concerns, emotions & feelings - in short, much of the most important music from that year was made out of risk-taking, breaking the norms & conventions of the day. Buying a record in 1966 was like buying an inspirational book in hopes that you could be enlightened, that it could bring sparks of hope & joy into your life. With albums like Blonde on Blonde, Parsley, Sage..., Revolver, & Pet Sounds, the main premise of each artist was to speak the truth in their own way, on their own terms.

And they would also leave us wanting more.

That was the Spirit of '66 as viewed from the world of popular music, a vast receptacle of all things cultural, political, mystical & spiritual.

Rocky Mountain Low

When the Boston Red Sox fought long & hard to earn their way into the World Series, I along with who knows how many other folks sensed that Colorado's fabled run to the Main Event would also come to an early end. And we all came to a similar conclusion - that the Red Sox would sweep this thing right off the Rockies' feet (though I did have my doubts a la the 2007 NBA Finals).

And that's what Boston did to Colorado, getting that much anticipated sweep which we were all predicting would occur.

The amazing thing about this whole Series is that the Rockies didn't really put much of a fight & against a team whose offensive & defensive (particularly in the pitching dep't.) firepower is just too strong, how could they? Well, for games 2 & 4, you can't accuse them of not trying; far from it. It's just that Boston has been in this situation before, having won a World Series themselves a short while back. The Red Sox knew the routine. And though the upstarts hung around, the BoSox didn't fold & stepped their game up a notch.

But we shouldn't overlook Colorado next season, should they play like they played during the tail end of the regular season as well as the NL playoffs...if they're lucky enough to have lifted the hype off their backs by then. Until then, we'll just keep waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

Colroado can't knock those (Red) Sox off

In game 2 of the World Series, Boston may have been down but they didn't bow out either as the Red Sox bullpen kept Colorado in check on their way to a 2-1 victory.

Sure, game 2 didn't have all the offensive fireworks which the BoSox displayed in spades but then again with strong pitching & a bullpen that was up to the task, how can you go wrong?

Well, from the looks of things, Boston appears to be on its way to a sweep if they keep up their stellar play on both sides of the ball: strong hitting, stubborn pitching & clutch defensive plays to keep the Rockies in check. I've heard everyone go on & on about the Red Sox getting a sweep, but let's wait & see how they fare @ Coors Field first before we start doing any major celebrating.

As anyone knows by now, when you're down 2-0 in the World Series or NBA Finals, Game 3 is a do-or-die game; not only will it give Colorado the psychological edge (as well as much-needed confidence); it could give them incentive to prove that they're invincible in Mile High mode as well. And that's saying something: they're back at home with nothing to lose & a definite advantage in their favor (home field!!) But Boston has other plans as well & knows that this game is a big deal on their part as they attempt to go up 3-0...one game short of sealing the deal on the whole World Series!!

Anything can happen come Saturday night & both ballclubs know what's at stake. May the best team win!!

Rox vs. Sox

Sorry, Colorado. Your days of riding high had to come to an end sometime during postseason play.

After convincing sweeps of the Phillies & Diamondbacks, a lot of folks thought that Colorado could perhaps do more of the same against the AL Champs (who BTW are the Red Sox, not the Indians...boo to that).

But with a long layoff, there also comes that trademark rustiness which is the end result of not having played baseball for the longest time...a good week or so in Colorado's case. And did the Rockies ever look rusty as Boston took it to the house to the tune of 13-1.

Then again, Boston could show these upstarts a thing or two about playing quality baseball. I mean, they've got Manny, David Ortiz, Dice-K, Beckett...how can you top these four dudes? At the same time, the Red Sox has way too many weapons under its belt for the Rockies to have a chance at even keeping things close in the World Series. Point is, Boston has been there, done that already. On the other hand, Colorado is an up & coming ballclub newly arrived on the scene reveling in the hype, living the dream of finally making it this far into the postseason.

If there is something to be said about last night's game, the Red Sox made a clear statement of intent for Colorado to take note of: we're not handing this World Series away easily...wait a minute, this World Series is ours for the taking.

After seeing the Red Sox storm back to win the AL Finals 4 games to 3 (way to step it up, Cleveland...talk about choking), I can't help but say that the days of judgment have now arrived for the Rockies. They're not playing Arizona or Philly; they're playing a team on a mission, a team which has almost had its season end early but kept believing, kept fighting to punch their ticket into this gala event. And that kind of stubborn, bend-but-don't-break team spirit which Boston has brought into the World Series spells trouble for Colorado, if not a prophesied sweep of these young bucks from Denver.

All good things come to an end sometime, Colorado. Too bad they had to end last night at the Green Monster aka Fenway.

(another untitled)

Loyalty. Dedication. Appreciation.

Three words which lead to the exact same destination: support.

When it comes to showing support for just one sorority in the Greek system, a lot of duders are more than happy to do just that. But for the most part, it's all a bunch of lip service, fake sincerity in every sense of the word "fake." Sure, plenty of the aforementioned men who wear Greek letters may mean well & are willing to show their love when they're up to the task but in the end, when the excitement & fun wears off, their hearts are with another sorority, then another, then another...In summary, their "love" & "support" are nothing more but facades, fronts, farcical.

However, there are a select group of Greek men who truly love one sorority with all their hearts & truly are going the extra mile to show their support (be it through philanthropic events that they hold, Bid Day, Homecoming, among other positive things). That's the mark of a true gentleman, a man of good character, a man who actually cares about his sorority counterparts with a passion that is unique as much as it is heartfelt. It's support that is not meant just for four years or so worth of college but as a lifelong deal; this is a fact about Greek life which I among countless others share wholeheartedly & has remained part of my personal philosophy for the longest time.

For those men who don't love one sorority with all their hearts or see sororities as a scoring station, I find their support (if they show any) downright laughable. I mean, what's so difficult about doing the little things to make them smile? to cheer them up? to show that they're appreciated? to show that they're loved? It's not that hard to find a sorority who has the classiest, most wonderful ladies around & say, "I love AOII," "I love AGD," "I love DZ," etc. & really mean every word that you said. And it's not that hard to do the little things to show your Greek counterparts that you're willing to stand by them through thick & thin, through good & bad & via the most random acts of kindness.

Support of this magnitude is giving 110% to your fave sororities in the Greek system, not 25% or 50%. That's the kind of support any fraternity member with a heart & personality should show his favorite sorority, & not just when he feels like doing so either.

Take it from one who knows, one who has lived these words out like none other.

Looking out for #1

Ohio State knew that they were a marked team when they grabbed the top spot in college football; they didn't need to be told of the complications & implications which come with being the #1 team in the nation.

They were riding high with a 24-0 lead @ the good ol' Horseshoe until Michigan State surged back to make things as interesting as they were scary. And with good reason: they beat Ohio State when they were ranked #1 two times, the most recent upset being 9 years ago. But the Buckeyes rode it out & grabbed a hard-fought 24-17 victory.

The only offense Michigan State really had came from the defense; both TDs were the result of an interception & someone coughing up the football. Yes, that's how awful the Spartans looked offensively & much credit needs to be given to the Buckeye D for neutralizing a balanced MSU attack which caused the Hoosiers fits the week before. On the other hand, despite the two late turnovers (& almost a third giveaway) Ohio State churned things out offensively & never really gave the Michigan State offense a chance to get untracked to do some damage of their own.

Who said being ranked #1 was all fun & games could do worse than to overlook their next opponent. And that can be real effortless to do for the more cocky & overtly arrogant teams who think they're the greatest college football powerhouses to ever roam the face of the earth. Not so with the Buckeyes, after assessing their overall performance against MSU: they know it's not fun & games from this point on.

#2 Dilemma

This year has been a topsy-turvy team for college football in general & none more so than those teams who were ranked - you guessed it - #2.

USC & California held on to the #2 spot for a short time before Stanford & Oregon State respectively sent them packing down the rankings ladder.

The latest #2 victim is South Florida, who got knocked off by Rutgers last night 30-27. Which is going to lead us to the next question: who's grabbing that cursed #2 ranking? Boston College? LSU? Oklahoma? Oregon?

I wish I knew. And man, do I loathe the Bowl Championship Series ranking system with a passion.

But anyways: whoever is moving up to #2 had better be on their guard like Ohio State needs to be on their guard with their #1 ranking (LSU losing their hold of the top spot to Kentucky should be caution enough already); we've seen just how much of a bugbear being ranked #2 has been for three teams this season alone.

Proceeding with caution is something, it seems, has been if not a complete joke this year in the world of college football, more like an anomaly as some lesser-known ballclubs are moving out of the doghouses & into the higher echelons which the elite football powerhouses are known to dwell. And for the next team who gets ranked #2, I'd advise them to be ready to play unless their next opponent wants the immediate go-ahead to knock them off (which Rutgers did BTW to South Florida).

The number two: what a dreaded number it has become only a month into the 2007 season. And I thought that being ranked #1 was bad enough. Just to be #2 this year is saying that you're a marked team, no matter how many awesome players you have on the field.

USC. Cal-Berkeley. Now South Florida. Who's next to fall?

The Luck of the Draw

The luck of the draw.

Sectionals for high school football start tonight & some sectionals are tougher than others, with enough competitive teams scrambling for the same prize: a championship & a chance to advance further into postseason play.

But no sectional, I feel, is going to be more challenging than in Class 2A, Sectional 27, where defending 2A state champion Harding (5-4) takes on Fairfield (9-0); top-ranked Jimtown (9-0) plays Woodlan (5-4); Garrett (8-1) plays Central Noble (5-4) & Bishop Luers takes on Prairie Heights in a battle of 5-4 squads.

Yes, the competition is that loaded. And what some folks don't realize is that the two SAC (one of the more competitive conferences statewide) teams in this thing are 5-4 but they're pretty awesome 5-4 ballclubs, given the fact that they've taken on much larger schools & are all the better for having played the 3/4A (i.e. larger schools) competition come sectional time. If that's not enough to have some folks worried, the coaching squads @ Fairfield & Prairie Heights have been if not on edge, really focusing on their more physical opponents all week, knowing that you can't emulate the speed of Luers or Harding in practice...it's that impossible once you get on the field & actually meet them head on.

Here are my picks for this week on who's going to beat who:
Harding over Fairfield - upset special; Harding a bit down this season but looking to set things right now that they're in sectional action against a formidable opponent
Luers over Prairie Heights - SAC does it again; no contest here since Luers is smarting over their loss to Dwenger last week
Garrett over Central Noble - ACAC champs keep on the right track but proceeding with caution
Jimtown over Woodlan - Jimmies run, run, run away with win...& I thought playing Adams Central was tough enough for the Warriors; Jimtown is ten times as good as AC though

Nothing beats the joy of Friday nights under the lights playing high school football; for every team involved, it's do or die. And may the last team standing move on!!

Quote(s) of the day

"One person can make a world of a difference to others just by doing the most random acts of kindness. For the longest time, that's what I've been doing & that's what I'll always continue to do." - yours truly

Last thoughts on Homecoming

Last weekend was one of the best times of my life, bar none, & plenty of folks, I surmise, are echoing my sentiments.

Homecoming took place @ Ball State on Saturday & of course Saturday is the culmination of a really fun, wild & exciting week made ten times more wild & crazy. Most of the wild & crazy times were @ tailgating of course...hahah...what better way to celebrate Homecoming than to be @ tailgating for the longest time!!

Now it's back to life & business as usual; bummer, I know...lol. But Fall Break is just a few days/less down the line & not only is this a time to chill out, take a break & regroup for my next journey to Muncie (which BTW will be next weekend), it's also a time to, as it were, recharge one's batteries altogether before diving headlong into the rest of this term. How I miss times like this already.

But my love for all things Ball State has not been lost. If anything, it's only grown stronger & more so at the present time.

Homecoming: A Thought For Today

Time is inching slowly but ever so surely before I head down to Muncie for Homecoming, my third consecutive journey back to Ball State for all things related to football & good times.


Hate to say this but I've got to be an early riser; tomorrow I'll have to be. The fun is getting started well in advance & I'll be dipped if I'm not in the least ready to go by making it down to Muncie bright & early.


Meeting up with old friends, perhaps making new ones along the way...such are the joys which Homecoming Weekend can provide in spades. I'm doing both of the above for sure on Saturday.


Until then I'm just counting down time, waiting for the sign to get back down to Ball State.

Homecoming Week, Part Four

In this last installment on Homecoming Week, I wanted to focus on Air Jam & all the craziness surrounding it.

Not only is Air Jam a great vehicle to lipsync to your fave tunes but it's also a chance to display one's dance moves, one's choreographic abilities...in short, to have a mighty good time doing all of the above!!

At the same time, it's a perfect opportunity to lend your wholehearted support to your respective fraternities/sororities, etc. as they take to the stage & do their respective routines. The whole premise of this event is to have a good time & even if you didn't get first place (or even second) say that you still had a blast regardless!! Yet for those who aren't participating, it's an awesome relief to know that they can show up & cheer on their house & the sororities whom they're paired with for the whole week. That not only shows you care about your fellow Greeks; it also shows much love for them as well.

Sure enough, some duders who wear letters will show up & not give their sorority counterparts much thought as they perform...yet when it comes to their own brothers, they whoop it up left & right. That's bandwagon support in just one nutshell: giving much love to your own house for Air Jam, but showing none to say, A-Phi, AGD, etc.

To return things to an upbeat note, the best of luck to everyone who's participating in Air Jam; it should turn out to be an outstanding night for all involved!! (I know: I wish I could be there to get in on the fun but can't make it; I'm still showing my support though so take heart :-))