3 > 25

So I have gone around and around on this in my head for the last couple weeks watching the media stroke Barry Bonds in his quest for 714 and 715. One thing is absolutely clear in my mind after all of this, Barry Bonds is not worthy of the record books. Period.

I am sure that a lot of people will think, duh, yeah we know that but stop and think about it. The beauty of baseball is that everything is statistically linked. Every hit comes from a pitcher who has an ERA and is played on a certain day of the week at home or away. The nerd in me loves this stuff. But take away any particular player or play from the game and the ripple effect through history and the records is magnified. You just cant pull Barry from the books as I simply dont know if that is fair to the game as it changes history. However, the fact that Bonds is VERY likely guilty of taking a substance which in some way gave him a synthetic edge is deplorable and he certainly deserves to be stripped. He is a cheater and does not deserve the honor of playing the game.

But what do you do? What is the answer for baseball? I would argue that baseball has brought it on their selves but I will leave that for another rant later. Some people argue for the asterisks but what does that REALLY mean historically. If that is given then technically he still holds the place on the books which I feel is wrong. I just dont know what the right thing is here.

So I am watching ESPN today and there is an interview with Bonds on which he is asked some pointed questions on how he would feel if there were a mark beside his name on the books or if he was wiped from the records. Of course he plays the victim and expresses that he would be emotionally hurt. Tough, I wont be crying for ya. But he also expressed excitement for what Pujols is doing this season and in some ways I could hear something different in his voice. Here is a man that actually sounds like he is taking the blame for his actions and if you ask me, I dont think that Barry would choose the same path with the media or with synthetic substances. That is a first. I have never heard that from him ever. Ever. Something is changing with this man, but I am afraid that it is far, far too late. One thing is clear in all of this with me though and that is that Barry does not ever deserve to be in the Hall. A friend of mine said it quite well that if Pete Rose is held out for what he did off the field, then surely Bonds has to be held to an even stricter standard.

I will never forget as a child the wonder of baseball. I grew up a huge Atlanta Braves fan. I remember not missing a single Braves game and actually scoring them for a while by hand. Also, being from Mobile, Hank Aaron was a god and I always marveled at him. I still have a signed baseball somewhere at home from him. My beloved 44 is next in the sights of Bonds and it hurts. It just hurts.

I think we can all agree (Yankee and Red Sox fans alike) that seeing the Babe fall to Bonds is tragic. Maybe "tragic" does not even fully capture it. But one thing is true according to Booster's math, 3 will always be greater than 25.

Memorial Day Weekend

Although I am pretty tired from it, I had a great weekend in Austin with Angie and Andy. Whenever I go I always wonder why I don't spend more time up there because it is so much fun. They have to pool in the back now yard so it's great hanging out at their house as an option to going to the lake. Friday night they had a party and a bunch of peeps over which was a lot of fun. Finally got to meet the famed Mackenzie as well as hang out with the usual suspects (Yo along with Kesha and the entourage). Some how a keg of Dos Equis made the evening a lot more fun - that along with Angie's Coronitas - and giving the likely underage pizza dude shots - oh and.....well you just had to be there! Saturday was momentarily hijacked by a failed water pump on the boat but we did manage to make it out after that. Sunday was a much better day on the lake with less wind and no mechanical failures. Angie and Andy have probably the most bad ass wave runners on the lake so that made it even more fun. It screams. I rallied both nights to drag my butt out downtown. Sunday was a late one with some late night action over at Jeff's house. I had a good time, did not suck at all! Back again in two weeks for Yo's birthday party.......and do it all over again.

Time for a big weekend

Off to Austin for the weekend to hang with Angie and her husband Andy. A weekend on Lake Travis in Devil's Cove is just what the doctor ordered about now. They have a boat and wave runner so there are always toys to play with. Plenty of pics to come.

First weekend of the summer. I think some summer music is in order. Have a good weekend.

Just for the record, 9 shirts.....don't even ask.

The Little Drummer Boy

So the question was posed to me by Kimmy, what kind of music do you listen to? Good question that might be of interest to somebody stopping by, and also something I would not mind journaling on for myself.

Music is a strange thing with me. For me, what I listen to depemds on what I am doing, where I am, my mood, what time of day and my environment. I am very diverse in what I like but also pretty picky in some ways in what I listen to . Radio is a no no. Wanna piss me off, fiddle with my car stereo and put on the radio. When I do find the Mrs. Booster one day, she will have to enjoy music just as much. I would not mind at all a different taste in music, but having a broad appreciation and a passion for music is a must. It's really important to me, and it probably has a lot to do with my experiences, particularly growing up.

I grew up in a house listening to the crooners before I could develop my own tastes - Sammy, Sinatra, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis and that whole set (Christmas was not complete without the Bing Crosby Christmas album being played). So I suppose from the start I had an appreciation for the band sound. Pops also listened to a lot of Miles, Count Basie and straight ahead jazz so that is a huge influence. My very first real instrument that I played was in the sixth grade. I figured out that I wanted to be a drummer (to the delight of my parents and every other parent out there). The cool thimg was that I was very good at it. Extremely good I might say. I took lessons, made top chair in every all state band, and before you know it, I was up and coming in my home state of Alabama - pretty cool for a teenager huh???? Although I studied all percussive instruments I really excelled at playing snare and timpani.

My first real professional experience was playing in Spirit of Atlanta during the summer of 87 when I was 17. I saw my first drum corps show maybe 9 years earlier and now was my shot. As it was my first year, I was happy just to make the cut and I played in the cymbal line that year. This was cool because I got to meet people from all over the US and enjoy their musical influences, but I also got to travel all over the US. During this time I learned a lot about jazz and also classical rock. I think I heard my first Led Zepplin in Spirit over at a guys house.

My own career in music continued into college where I played in the marching, percussion and symphonic ensembles every year. The pride and joy for me was the marching band at Auburn. Our drumline was hot shit without a doubt and I played snare for 5 years. Those were good times. Me and a friend, Coop from Auburn went back to Spirit to march our age out year in 1991 - Spirit played music from the movie Glory. He played top bass and I was number two and if a part could be split, we did it. We turned EVERYONE'S heads that summmer splitting stuff between two bass drums that sounded like one person was playing. (drummer stuff...)! After college I taught at UH one fall for their line going to PASIC but that was about it. As an engineer it was time for me to make a choice between manking dough and working for da man or playing music. My nerdness won out.

So I guess all said, what I listen to is really a product of my experiences as a musician. I like music. I dig a good band. I listen for intonation and tuning. The tempo and interpretation matter to me. I suppose I am trying to say that I do more than "just listen".

Well what do I listen to? Well that is pretty much anything. Country is not my thing but I do like some stuff that could be classified as folk or TX rock. I am a big fan of ethnic and world music and musicians that incorporate that stuff into their music. So here is the list. At any time, any combination of the following could be in my car changer. Some of this is also what is currently in rotation

Jazz:
Cassandra Wilson
Joshua Redman
Branford, Ellis and Wynton Marsalis
Liz Wright
Brian Blade
Tony Williams
Miles
Marcus Miller
Christian McBride

Rock/TX Rock/Bands:
Lenny Kravitz
Dave Matthews Band
Patrice Pike
Bob Schneider
Sting
Donald Fagan/Steely Dan
Incubus
Drive By Truckers
U2
Coldplay
Citizen Cope

R&B:
Meshell N'degeocello
Glenn Lewis
India Irie
Soul Live
Prince
Maxwell
Stevie Wonder
Amel Larrieux
Musiq
Mary J. Blidge
D'Angelo
John Legend

Rap/Urban:
The Roots
Notorious BIG
Common
Beastie Boys
Tribe Called Quest
Jay Z

Tunes picked up this past weekend:
John Mayer - Try
Tony Rich Project - Pictures
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

He Said, She Said: I thought only guys did that

After 2 weeks of no communication from her (without cause).......

He said:

I just wanted to say that I am sorry if I did something to offend you or to upset you.

She said:

Sorry G, I've been in my own busy world. All signs pointed to us just being friends and I didn't think to call you back immediately. I'm only rude to friends not lovers ;)

Are women now doing the stuff that guys are always held to task for? Who gave them the guy play book?

Dorks and Lightsabers

I thought that I had seen it all as a big Star Wars fan but this one tops all. Credit to Zach (my favorite Star Wars dork) for the find - by the way Zach, "We can make the 10:30".

Linky

From this morning

The fast lane...............

Lights

Just a cool picture I took last night.

This CD brings back a lot of good memories.

Actually when I think about it, I became a fan of The Roots about the time I first started blogging (journaling at the time). I suppose this was just over ten years ago. Boy was I going through a ton of changes at the time - pretty much becoming an adult and making a lot of adult decisions. Great job at NASA, chair of a non profit, cool girlfriend (until she broke up with me and started dating this total sleeze, sorry T) and that was probably about the time I became a foodie. Don't know why I picked this one up tonight to listen to.

What ever happened to rap music? I can;t blame people for hating rap these days as most (make that all) of the stuff on the radio is crap. The Roots get it right. They have been rockin' Philly for a long, long time and I wish more people would follow their lead. An MC, real drums, bass and horns. This is how you move a crowd.

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Just cause I think this is cool

Once upon a time people used these:






Crude instrument it is. Plastic handle with something that resembles a brush on the end. Can you believe that I actually would put toothpaste on the end and manually rub it against every tooth and gum. Sometimes you miss a couple spots but no biggie. Hey after all, I am sure that the cavemen used something similar when chew sticks weren't handy.

Now civilized people use these:



Maybe I am just hella late to the game, but I think this is the coolest thing ever. (OK, I probably am late to the game). Ordinary toothbrushes ought to be outlawed and banned. People caught using anything else should be marched up a hill and publicly ridiculed. I love this thing. My teeth have never been as clean as after using my Sonicare. So what you say? Well if Silver can rave on this, then I think I am allowed to get on my dental soap box.

Friendship: Just the Basics

Although I am a pretty big nerd, introvert and only child, I still manage to be a fairly social creature. I have always had friends, and attracted people to me when I look back on my experiences, and that is a good thing. I have had a ton of fun along the way. But still along the way, I have always looked at my circle from time to time and had to pause. Maybe this is just my bitterness pouring out.

If anybody ever reads this years from now when I am long gone from this world, I hope that somebody can stand up and say that I was a good man. I want to be known as a good friend. A confidant. You could rely on me. If I say it, you can take it to the bank. I suppose that it all comes down to being reliable. It is probably because I have always worked hard to do so much and be so much to those around me that I find so much effing disappointment in those close to me. At the end of the day, who really has my back?

I think its one thing to do something for a friend - give a ride, loan $20, help fix something. Whatever. But what about the difficult stuff? What about putting somebody else's interests or feelings before yours? What about being as considerate to others as they are to you? What do you say or more importantly do when somebody else is not around? I am so tired of being disappointed. I am not talking the he said she said shit. I am talking about willfully making a decision knowing that it hurts somebody else. If people can so clearly see how good a friend that I am, why can’t that be reciprocated? What is the problem with that? It just pisses me off to no end.

So here we go again, another disappointment and another let down. I am done. I mean it, I am done. If people want to be my friend in the truest since, then they will have to earn it. If you are a friend and you fuck it up and drop me in the grease, then God help you. I can’t continue to be disappointed and let down by others. Time for me to start looking out for self.

Cinco de Mayo

Gotta love the blue ritas..........

Jazz Fest 2006

As usual, Jazz Fest in New Orleans does not disappoint!

What a weekend. Even though the music and food was off the charts as usual, this year was a lot different. Andre and his family have moved from their home in Nola to Gonzales which is just outside of Baton Rouge. Drove over Friday mid day and stayed with them on Friday night which was perfect. I don't get a chance to spend a lot of time with him and his family so I had time to hang with them and catch up. As always, his daughter Morgane is beyond charming and cute. That little lady is my buddy for sure and she is a pure joy to be around. Seeing his son AJ now at 2 years old is something else. This kid finds trouble to get into from the moment he wakes up. If he can throw it, toss it, break it, tear it or get it dirty you can bet he will find a way.

Of course the trip would not be complete without some drama. Friday night between having AJ spill some beer on the phone and one two many text messages my phone craps out. Great. Took care of that one first thing Saturday.

So after getting a pre paid phone for the weekend, I head over to Nola Saturday morning where I meet Lisa and Katie who are also in from Houston. We had a ton of fun doing all the things that you do at Jazz Fest. Met up with Donnie and Sabine as well as a few other Houston peeps and continued the madness with them. Plenty of the usual favorite food vendors were available but some were missing. No crawfish sacks this year......sucks! But, I was able to down some crawfish bread and the obligatory crawfish Monica.

Dave Matthews and the Band were the highlight of the day for me without a doubt. They opened with One Sweet World and also threw in Pig and Recently both of which I have never heard Live. Pig was a treat for sure. One of the highlights of the show was Edge from U2 coming out to joining the boys on Jimi Thing. That was really special and only reminded me how much I need to make a U2 show. As if that was not enough, the boys closed with JTR which has not been played for maybe 3 or 4 years. Wow. Did I say wow? It was windy and threatened rain all day long but the weather held off until the end. We got a little rain during JTR which had to be a bit appropriate.

I opted out of going back on Sunday because the city got a ton of rain Saturday night and it would have been muddy (and a VERY late night checking out Anders Osborne at dba did not help either). Instead I drove back to the neighborhood where Andre's house was and I was not prepared for what I saw. I began taking pictures of the area and his house but I deleted them all because they simply cannot capture what I saw. It looks like a hurricane hit last week not last year and this is not an exaggeration. Imagine tens of thousands of houses needing to be destroyed. Leveled. The homes still have the reminders of the spray painted "X" on them with the body counts and the date inspected. Water lines on the houses 8 feet high and higher. No power. No stop lights only stop signs. No gas. No banks. No grocery. No stores. No nothing. Block after block after block simply abandoned with all the house hold goods still in them. I should mention this is Lake View which is a middle class area, not even the 9th ward that you hear so much about. Going in Andre's house was so sad because of all the memories that I have from that house. This city is in need of a major cultural, economic, and financial overhall because the problems that they have from this one storm will last the next ten to fifteen years.

Here's to the Big Easy. I surely "Know what it Means......to Miss New Orleans"

All the pics and goodness here.