Animotion Ain’t Got Nothing On Me

Yep, I’ll admit it, I’m a little bit of an obsessive person.

I’m sure that comes as a great shock to people who know me. When I do something, I do it all the way. There’s no half way, just jump in feet first.

I’m playing this travian game which is the worst for someone with an obsessive personality. Thank God they never had webkins when I was a kid. I’m pretty sure I would have never seen the sun.

I go through cycles. Music obsession (which never quite ends), TV obsession (talk to me about Charmed, Family Guy and Heroes), Working out (we won’t talk about that right now) and just relaxing (I hope that cycle comes around again soon).

I got obsessed by blogging. I love it but as of late have been a little less than loyal to my hobby. I went through the myspace phase. I have facebook but I’m not as interested in it. I love the twitter. Follow me if you aren’t already!

My place is a mess right now. I was supposed to have an inspection today but it was postponed. Good thing too!

I am loving life right now even though it’s doggone busy. I can’t believe tomorrow’s Friday already. I need a weekend like nobody’s bizniss.

Good point of the day, filling up my vehicle for less than $40! I even got a car wash. Yup, I know it was a gray day and rainy to boot but what the heck. Car washes (the no non-touch kind) are like a moth to a candle for me. I could sit in one of those little tin boxes all day and watch those brushes spin around.

taawd memory alert
: when I was a kid my parents would get their car washed at this one place that had what we called the “hula woman” at the end. It was big row of red strips of cloth that would dance back and forth. I think for a hot second I actually thought there was some fat woman up above shaking her moneymaker. I mean after all it was her job right?

Maybe that’s why I’m still obsessed with car washes. You didn’t see that ending to this post didja?

When Vampires See The Sun…

My sister asked me to come over to her house to see my nephew off the bus today. Yeah, sure, it’s like 3am in the morning for me even though to the rest of the living, it’s like 3pm.

At least, she has all of her blinds pulled so I don’t have to see the direct sunlight. Although, I do find it a little funny she has a lot of garlic all over the place, crosses and very sharp stakes. I’m sure they all don’t mean anything.

I digress, I stopped at Chipotle before arriving at her humble abode. I love Chipotle in the afternoon but they had the place chilled to a meat locker in there today. I mean I guess they’re trying to save on refrigerator costs.

I rushed here after getting some lunch. There was an accident at the intersection before their home. I thought I was going to be late to see him off the bus. My sister told me the bus arrived around 2:10, it was more like 2:20pm. I don’t have a lot of anxiety but all I could think of was my nephew (he’s in 5th grade and old enough to let himself in) wandering about wondering where everyone was.

I’ll never forget seeing him for the first time or holding him. I’ll never also forget taking care of him for an hour (it seemed like eight) while my sister and brother-in-law ran a quick errand. He started to cry and I didn’t know what to do with him. I mean, he was a little bitty baby at that point. I put in a Motown CD and rocked him to it (I guess literally). I told him that this was the real music even though his parents may not play it too often for him. Believe it or not, the little bugger stopped crying and listened to the Temps, Tops and Supremes until his parents got back home. Hopefully, the boy will always have an ear for the good stuff.

When he was about three or four, he started liking Mambo #5 and Rockefeller Skank. I made him a CD with a bunch of songs on it but the CD magically disappeared. I think my sister has something to do with it.

Growing up, he learned how to open a CD case quickly. After that, he figured out how to put the CD in the player. He didn’t always put it in the correct way but I told him, it’s always the shiny part down. I have a picture of him sitting on the floor around tons of CD’s. It’s a great picture and I’ll try to post it.

That being said, my nephew now is a real stinker. He knows why and it’s not because he follows after his Nana either. He hears you when he wants to hear you. He taunts you until you start taunting him back. He’s also too wrapped up in video games during the time of the year it’s best to get outside and just having some fun throwing the football, frisbee or playing a little baseball.

His current fascination is “All Star” by Smashmouth, even though he’s a little late on that party but whatever. It’s all good, he’s an all star to me!

Exhausted…

I came home this morning after an appointment and collapsed. I was exhaused! I wanted to post an entry, catch up on some e-mail but kept dozing off. I will NOT admit on this blog that my head actually hit my laptop twice before I gave up and went to sleep.

My body loves to let me have four hours of sleep before it’s time for Timer. (If you don’t remember how annoying that commercial was on Saturday mornings, check out the link. That’s how I feel when I get up in the afternoon.)

I was supposed to work dayside tomorrow but that’s changed. I’m working mornings and keeping the morning show on the road. The switch to the switch suits me just fine. It also allows me to do a couple of things this week that I wouldn’t get to accomplish working days.

Motorola needs to get me my wireless bluetooth headset replacement. I expect its arrival any day and I want it badly for my workouts. I’m been bad this week but I’m going soon to work the stress away.

Repeat Message Alert:
I don’t know how anyone can say there’s nothing to do in Cleveland.

Tomorrow night, they’re having a taping of a new beer at Rock Bottom. I’m part of the Mug Club so I get the invite to come for dinner. I think I’m going to do that. By the way, I again want to say how good the food is at Rock Bottom. The service is good too, especially when certain servers are working.

Friday, it’s Gavin DeGraw and Marie Digby and Scott Smith.

Saturday, I volunteer at my non-profit, I can’t wait. There’s also Luau on the Lake which seems like a good time. I think I get good karma points for helping two non-profits in one day.

Sunday, taawd will rest.

Moving downtown was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You can’t help but get sucked into the life of the city.

Father’s Day (A Little Early)

I had a conversation this morning with my mother about their HDTV. I’m glad my parents have one even though they don’t have the HDTV cable box yet. It’s coming believe me. Anyhow, my dad, who taught me how to hook up my satellite TV signal, who taught me how to use telephone wire as speaker cable (I still think it’s a great idea), who taught me how to fine tune old black and white TV’s, is confused by hooking up the HDTV with all of the components; VCR, cable box and DVD.

My dad can figure out anything. Don’t worry, he’ll figure out the setup.

The entire conversation got me thinking about my father’s influence on my life. My father has done it all, firefighter, deputy sheriff, car salesman, TV repair man, warehouse manager, machinist and a dozen other jobs I don’t remember. He can truly do it all.

I’ve posted countless posts about music. Everyone knows I’m a music freak, there’s no better way of saying it. I know it, I love it, I breath it. So how did that entire love happen? For as long as I can remember, music filled my life. My dad always had some type of music going. He played Four Seasons, Four Tops, Ventures (on 8-track — nothing like a good instrumental that stops in the middle of the song to advance), Tommy James and the Shondells and his one of his favorite songs “Little Black Egg” by the Nightcrawlers. I always tell people (when they ask or not) about how my dad got me started on the music I still love today. It wasn’t just “oldies”, but country, rock and even disco.

My father loves to dance. There was always upbeat music in our house. My sister and I loved to dance and my father wouldn’t have any problem joining in. Believe me, my mother and father still don’t have any problems dusting off the line dance they choreographed themselves.

I remember when my sister and I were kids, he would go out and buy an LP, bring it home and put it on the turntable then dub it over to cassette. He and my friend’s father, Joe, would spent countless hours dubbing. It wasn’t fun for us kids, we weren’t allowed to walk because it would cause the record to skip. They’d set the needle’s sensitivity so delicately.

I also remember us Dad getting an Atari 2600 for Christmas. My father stayed up all night long that night playing Space Invaders. I think he slept the next day away.

My father pushed me down the road to technology. He loved CB’s, computers and even Intellivision (even though we had to go to Tony and Ann’s to play it) He’s now obesssed with HAM radios. I know he didn’t pass on his obsession tendencies to me. Neither did my mother.

But this post is about my father. He truly will never know the impact he’s had on my life, professionally, personally, musically and emotionally. Even though he even chased me into my bedroom one time, I outran him, thank God because he was really angry with me, I have no idea what the deal was. Ah, the little things you remember and the things you forget!

Happy Father’s Day, Pops, a little early.

The Soundtrack Of My Life

My newfound friend from Australia posted this meme on her blog and since I’m a music freak, I couldn’t resist posting on my page. You can check out her picks by visiting here.

Opening credits: Robbie Williams – Millennium
Waking up: Natalie Merchant – San Andreas Fault
Average day: Scott Smith – Lively
First date: Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
Falling in Love: Ingrid Michaelson – The Way I Am
Love Scene: Colbie Caillat – Bubbly
Fight Scene: Seether – Fake It
Breaking up: Beyoncé – Irreplaceable
Getting Back Together: Mulberry Lane – Harmless
Secret Love: One Republic – Stop and Stare
Life’s Okay: Peter, Bjorn and John – Young Folks
Mental Breakdown: Barenaked Ladies – The Old Apartment
Driving: Kanye West – Stronger
Learning A Lesson: James Taylor – You’ve Got A Friend
Deep Thought: Klazz Brothers & Cuba PercussionAir
Flashback: Jack Johnson – Do You Remember
Partying: Tom Jones – Sex Bomb
Happy Dance: Maxine Nightengale – Right Back Where We Started From
Regretting: Maroon 5 – Won’t Go Home Without You
Long Night Alone: Mana – En El Muelle De San Blas
Death Scene: Sarah McLachlan – Angel
Closing Credits: Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson

Folks, this isn’t easy. Try it yourself. I’ve always said I’d be for a way for me to hear music all of my life. I’d never get sick of it. What would be even better if the music somehow always would fit your emotions and what would be happening in your life. Although, I’m sure every now and then, I’d have to have a “pull the needle off the record” moment. Comic relief? Sure. Sometimes, the music probably would even alert me to what a putz I was being and I’d probably snap out of it. What do you think of my selections? Do you have any alternatives?

New Music

Anyone who knows me well, knows I’m a music buff. One of my new favorite songs is “Mercy” by Duffy. I saw her first on “London Live” on MOJO. Just a day later, one of my friends sent me a message telling me how much she loved the song. If you haven’t heard the song yet, check it out by clicking on the song link above. The music scene is doing this 60’s retro thing right now with Amy Winehouse and now with Duffy. You can hear about a half a dozen classic music hooks during the song.

I know I’m going to take some flack for this one but everyone I know is humming Miley Cyrus’ tune “See You Again”, especially my neighbor, Molly. It’s a pop gem sounding a lot like “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart. If you’ve listened to any radio recently, you’re bound to hear it. There are already a bunch of remixes on this song floating around the Internet.

I’m a little late on this one but I really like Fall Out Boy’s song “Sugar, We’re Goin Down”. It’s just got that angry workout harder feel to it.

I’m still trying to get sick of Maroon 5’s “I Won’t Go Without You”. I don’t know why I’m still listening to it but I’ve always enjoyed their songs.

Finally, Jason Mraz’s latest effort, “I’m Yours” will have you trying to sing-a-long with him. I try I just can’t keep up with his ska-style.

If you haven’t tried The Hype Machine, give it a try. There are all sorts of remixes to songs and they run a list of what people are blogging about on the Internet. I check it out all of the time to see if there’s a new song I can add to my mp3 player. Good stuff!

It’s almost Friday!!

What You Didn’t Know About “Amazing Grace”

My college professor, Larry “Greybeard” Heiner, sent me a link to this video in a recent e-mail. I’m sure you’ll be just as surprised by what Wintley Phipps has to say about the song “Amazing Grace”. I know I was enlightened.

Free Music From My Balcony?

The Plain Dealer Pavilion has announced some of its 2008 schedule on its website. I’m excited to hear some of the different bands that are coming to the venue.
I can’t wait to hear how the music sounds from my balcony. I already have people lined up, ready to sit on my patio to hear the music.
The Superior Viaduct is also a great place to hang out during the concerts. During the Barenaked Ladies’ concert, boaters sit on the Cuyahoga River and listen for free. The band even yelled at the boaters for not buying a ticket to the concert.
I hope more acts will be added soon.
Here is the schedule as of today:
Fri, 06/13/08 – 8:00pm
Death Cab for Cutie
Find Tickets
Sat, 06/21/08 – 8:00pm
First Light
Find Tickets
Tue, 06/24/08 – 8:00pm
Return to Forever
More Info
Tue, 07/08/8 – 8:00pm
Chicago
Find Tickets
Sat, 07/26/08 – 8:00pm
Earth, Wind & Fire
Find Tickets

photo credit: netnerd (thanks for the great looking picture of the Flats & the Plain Dealer Pavilion)

Seriously, Cleveland, How Are You?

Seriously, Cleveland, How Are You?

The Onion

Seriously, Cleveland, How Are You?

Hello again, Cleveland! It’s me, Bob Seger. You may recall me from the rock-and-roll concert last night. First off, let me say that it was such an…

The Michiganer reaches out to Buckeyes. Check out Bob Seger’s supposed message to Cleveland via the ONION. It’s a funny read. Is there a Kohl’s coming to Steelyard Commons?

Good Radio Gone Bad

While I’m on the topic of radio…

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a music fanatic. That’s probably putting things lightly. I have a bit of an obession trying to guess songs in the first couple of notes and then naming the artist and even the year, that’s especially the rule for oldies.

Majic 105.7 has gone from one of the nation’s best oldies stations to the 2008 version of WDOK 102.1.

Gone are the days when it actually sounded like an oldies station. I’m talking jock talk/song/jingle/song/jock talk and so on. The songs were fun, mostly upbeat and just made you feel good about yourself. Gone are Ravenna Miceli (who’s now doing traffic updates), Scott Howitt, the man who could even rhyme “orange”.

It’s become “blah” music. That seems to be the rule for radio stations around the country. The “mom and pop” ownership is gone only to be replaced by the corporate giants. The deejays who knew the music and loved it are gone. The jocks who remain don’t say much and don’t have much of a personality.

It’s sad. I always thought WMJI and WMMS were Cleveland. Just like WKDD was always Akron. You can’t say 96.5 WKDD anymore. It’s 98.1 or something like that, years after the switch I still can’t find it on the radio dial. I think growing up 98.1 was a religious station.

Corporate researchers can’t figure out why people are buying up Sirius and XM radios and turning off the commercial radio stations. I’ll muddle through the commercials (even one for Consolidated Resorts) if it’s worth me to wait for the personalities and the music they play.

Deejaying is an art and it’s been lost for the most part. No more cart machines. All of the jingles, music and commercials are now on a computer. Radio today just isn’t the radio I loved of yesterday.