random video: Neil Young and the Band "Helpless"

my absolute favorite neil young song, because we all feel helpless at some point
"dream comfort memory to spare"
guess the number of canadians on stage (and off), win a prize

Random video: Procol Harum "Whiter Shade of Pale"

I must be feeling nostalgic or something, although it's a nostalgia for a time I lived through, but don't remember. Because I was an infant in 1967, not because I smoking herbal cigarettes.

Random video: Pink Floyd: "the good times are passing by"

I'm too...distracted...to form coherent thought. No politics, don't want to angry up the blood. No nothing. I don't want to even try at the moment. My brain is dulled and overheated, asleep and electrified, simultaneously. And what better accompaniment to distraction than Pink Floyd. So I'll show a Floyd interview done during the making of Dark Side of the Moon. Like that album, and the band itself, the interview is both dated and timeless. And a little bit funny too, if you look at the face of David Gilmour and his reaction to his band mate's back-up singing. Judging by the look in his eye, perhaps he understood better than anyone that all of it, Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd, rock and roll itself, was all a grand mixture of gibberish and brilliance.



If you want to listen to some outtakes from the Abbey Road sessions for Dark Side, click here.

Hot Child in the (Cold) City

A lot of American politicians could learn something from this woman! Can you imagine any US city, or state, or any other governmental entity, being able to declare itself debt free? I didn't think so.

Sweet Land of Liberty?

The Fascist America that President Bush created is alive and well under the regime of President Obama.



Addendum, April 9: Listen, I don't really think George W. Bush was a fascist. He doesn't have enough depth of character to be a fascist (he's not deep enough to be devoted to any cause other than himself), or enough depth of intelligence to understand what fascism really means. But certainly some of the moves his administration made where the types that fascist dictatorships would make. You know, like spying on your own people under the ruse that you're protecting them.

And I don't think the current Messiah in the White House is a fascist either. I don't think he's dressing all in black and goose-stepping around in jackboots. Although, we really don't know what goes on in the Lincoln Bedroom, now do we? But some of what the Obama administration is attempting to do is what certain European governments did in the economic downtown of the 1930s, when people looked to their government for hope and help. You know, like nationalizing private enterprises.

Really, what we have here in this Fox News clip is a bunch of small-time, tin-badge dictators trying to show a law abiding American who's boss. But I will say, to me, these TSA guys and local cops who were asking questions that were none of their business exemplify what is happening with the federal government on a much more vast and grand scale.

Tiger Speaks

I received the text of this speech in one of those chain e-mails that gets sent around -- finally, one of those things turns out to be useful. It is an interesting, and brief, speech from Tiger Woods during the inauguration ceremonies for Barack Obama. It is interesting in that it doesn't mention Obama, even in passing, and it is brief, possibly because Woods may not be an Obama supporter. It is also a wonderful speech in that it pays tribute to those who know first hand that freedom is not free.

I can't help but note here that Tiger is a far better golfer than public speaker. Woods could perhaps take some teleprompter reading lessons from the president.

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Pinky, No Brain

Luck Be A Pinky Ring

I have a Frank Sinatra calendar on the wall of our computer room. I'm an admirer (of sorts), a fan of his music and I'm ever intrigued by the complex person that Francis Albert was. But that's neither here nor there at this moment. Right now I'm concentrating on his jewelry. The pinky ring to be specific.

In the calendar photo for the month of April, Frank is, of course, wearing a suit, dark with a white shirt and light colored tie, loosened at the neck. In his hands are sheet music and a cigarette. Sinatra is unadorned by jewelry, save for a pinky ring on his left hand.

The pinky ring was, once upon a time, a favorite male furnishing of Las Vegas entertainers, in particular, the Rat Pack, and others of their ilk. Personally, I don't get the look. I don't wear jewelry other than a wedding ring. I don't even wear a watch. I just don't like stuff on me. But I understand that there are some men who dig adornment.

But why adorn the pinky? Is it to bring some self-esteem to the littlest, and perhaps least famous, finger on our hands? I mean, let's face it, other fingers get all the notoriety. The index finger points things out on a daily basis, the clumsy among us are known as being "all thumbs," and anyone who has ever driven anywhere at any time is familiar with the middle fingered salute. And of course, there is the traditional ring finger, where one puts one's wedding band.

There is a ritual amongst Canadian engineering school graduates (I kid you not) whereby a pinky ring is placed on the working hand of the graduate. But obscure Canadian rituals don't explain the affectations of Vegas entertainers. I suppose "affectation" is the key word here. The pinky ring was just a little something to set the Vegas stars apart from all the minor lights in the constellation, as if being wealthy and famous and talented wasn't enough to set one apart. Perhaps the pinky ring was a sign that you were in the club.

What's the point of all this? None, none at all. Stop reading this and go back to your life.