Cause I got lyrics and you ain't got none

After reading a good friend's blog about heavy political vs lighthearted lyrics in music, it got me to thinking how we make decisions on who we listen to in music based on politics.

Here's my response to the piece...

I'm definately with you "I got more rhymes than the bible's got Psalms" is just much more fun to listen to.

Of course the Everlast project and the HOP project are two totally different animals. Lyrics are definately one person's expression of what's on their mind and we all know he's got the right to express it. I won't pay for it though.

Although, we comprimise that principle depending on how we like the music though, don't we? Which sucks, because I own almost every album Rage Against the Machine has put out and I certainly don't support their political leanings.

For me personally, I put a larger weight on the music and melody than I do the lyrics. But that shouldn't justify supporting an artist who preaches something I'm principly against.

10 Things I Learned at Lee's Wedding

10. The Red Fish Grill is about 2 hangings of sheetrock and a coat of paint away from Bourbon St debauchery, if you listen good enough you can hear the crinkle of dollar bills.
9. Brian would have made a great Hitler on the balcony.
8. The DH Holmes parking lot would be a great natural set for the next Saw movie or Seven or take your pick of serial killer flicks. I still don't know how I made it out of there alive.
7. That videographer was a complete prick, oh wait is that microphone on?
6. I'm glad I'm not roughly 21 years old and 12 sheets to the wind drunk at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, dodging hotel room furniture, hallway walls and generally looking like a complete tool. Yikes.
5. Losing 25lbs in preparation for the wedding was worth it, even though I gained 5lbs back just before. Dangit. Once more into the breach.
4. I may create my own product line of hairspray called "The Helmet".
3. I'm tight friends with some pretty great guys. I mean, who else is gonna get you a more catsassy groomsman gift than a Trogdor the Burninator messenger bag! \mm/
2. John did indeed have the ring. Excellent work boys.
1. Lee was knee deep in... pina coladas!

Congratulations to Lee & Lindsay!!

God bless you guys and have fun, yo!

Breaking Out the Tissue

I'm absolutely amazed at how life rolls along. For me at least, life seems to move from one season to the next seamlessly, effortlessly, and very subtly. But not always subtlely. I look back at the last five years in my life and I've had major milestones I look back on and can't help but say I can't believe it's been that long.

Some of the best advice I can give to anyone that is willing to accept it is from time to time, look around at where God has you in life, the exact moment you're in, savor it and be amazed at where God has taken you to in your life. This is easier to do, and a whole lot more fun, in the big occasions in our life when we get married, witness the birth of our children but when you learn to do it for no special occasion, it's a gift.

I believe God reminds me to savor these moments in my life from time to time. One of these reminders was when a close friend of mine got married this weekend. Just being a part of the experience and standing beside some very close friends and representing a great guy I was proud of made me reflect on my own proudest moments in life and I couldn't help but savor it.

Thank God for these moments, I don't think I could get through life without them.

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I'm Totally Crushing

So, I thought this was very cool...apparently popular TV shows are finding new ways to keep people entertained by their show during the long summer break, or at least my favorite TV show is doing so.

I've been captivated by ABC's show LOST ever since the first season premiered two years ago. Well, actually, that's not true. My wife was. I refused to get hooked into a new show about a bunch of poor souls who's plane crash onto a "deserted" island. However, as the weeks went by, my wife kept telling me, come watch, you'll love it. And every week she would tell me a tidbit that would chip away at my doubt. So, eventually at like week 8, I gave in and gave it a try. There's a reason why I consider my wife to be the smarter of us two. I love the show. Watched every episode since. I'm facinated by it. It's extremely well written, acted and produced. There's a mysteriousness to the show that I find intriguing. I love the cliff hanger moments and I can't wait for Wednesday nights.

But now it's more than just a show. The writers and producers of the show Lost have launched a game, per se, to keep fans of the show intrigued over the summer until the next season starts again. It's called the "Lost Experience" and it's kind of an alternate reality that runs parallel to the show's plot. However, it's not a show, clues are given to the story in other places such as the internet, commercials, email, message boards and other forms of media.

For instance, the first clue was a commercial promoting the "Hanso Foundation" that was run between segments of the show Lost, telling you to call a phone number to find more information about them, apparently the next clue was given on this number as a password to their website, and more of the story was revealed this way.

So, as a die hard fan of Lost, I'm again intrigued and a sucker for this stuff and I'm playing the game along with millions of other people. I just found it very innovative way to keep fans of the show locked in until summer break turns into Season 3.

Check out wikipedia for more info on the Lost Experience.

I love it.

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Reggie Overwhelmed by New Orleans Reception

I promise this isn't a football only blog, but it is that time of year and it's what I'm passionate about.

Anyway, a really great story here, about what happened as we picked Reggie Bush and his experience in New Orleans afterwards.

The Saints fans reaction to the selection of Reggie Bush was great. There was about 1500 people out at Saints camp and under a tent when the Saints were on the clock and amongst rumors the Saints would trade away the pick to the Jets, the place got quiet and concerned. And when the pick finally came in and Paul Tagliabue announced, "With the second selection in the 2006 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints select Reggie Bush, Running Back from the University of Southern California." it sounded like an explosion...the fans nearly blew the top off the tent, people were going nuts. It looked and sounded like the Saints won the Super Bowl. Great reaction that had the national media paying attention.

After the Saints selected Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson sent his private jet to NYC to pick up our newest Saint and brought him back to NOLA, where he met with the press at the Saints facility. He did his due dilligence by answering questions and took pictures with obiviously beaming General Manager Mickey Loomis and Head Coach Sean Payton. Reggie looked happy and pleased to be there but you could tell it was a long day for him.

After the press conference, the Saints brass whisked Reggie away to have dinner at Emeril's restaurant downtown, where as he stepped inside was greeted with a standing ovation and chants of "Reggie! Reggie!". He spent the next 2 hours surrounded by people congratulating and welcoming him to his new home in New Orleans as he was served his food prepared by Emeril Lagasse himself. General Manager Mickey Loomis said, who was also part of the dinner party: "One step into the restaurant, and it was like everyone knew he was there. I knew when we picked him that it was special, but even I didn't understand the magnitude of it until we walked into that restaurant. Reggie actually thought it was a set-up, that we had put people up to it. But, no, it was just a spontaneous thing. It was electrifying, really, there's no other word."

The next day they took him to English Turn where he was treated like royalty by New Orleanians welcoming him to the city and asking for autographs. People were clapping and chanting again as professional golfers tried to put out amongst the commotion.

Amidst some of the stressful things he and his family has endured lately, Reggie was quoted as saying "All the stuff that's happened," he said, "this helped get it out of my mind. I was able to stop thinking about it. What people here did for me, it was special, and they made me feel special. I'm going to do my best to pay them back."

"There are a lot of good things going on here, and I'm not just talking about with the Saints, and Reggie has enhanced it," Loomis said. "It's a great opportunity for him, for us and for the city."

I tend to agree with him.

Go Saints!!

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We've Got Bush!!

I'm absolutely THRILLED!! Freakin THRILLED!!! And most of you will be too come the 2006 Saints season. I had no idea Reggie Bush would not be picked by Houston. They're insane in the membrane for not picking Reggie. I can't tell you the last time I was so excited and psyched about a New Orleans Saints draft selection. Don't get me wrong I was happy about Ricky Williams when he was drafted way back in '99, however I was not happy that Ditka gave the ENTIRE draft away that year for him. I thought that was stupid.

However, Reggie Bush is going to be an incredible addition to this football team. He's absolutely incredible and versitle. The addition of Reggie will give opposing coaches nightmares due to matchup problems. Opposing teams will HAVE to game plan for Reggie but then it leaves Deuce open to hurt the defense in the running game. There's no linebacker or even safety for that matter in the NFL that can cover Reggie Bush one on one in pass coverage. They'll have to put a cornerback on him the whole game, which means they're going to have to play nickel (5 dbs) almost the whole game. It's going to be great. LOTS of possibilities. The offense is going to be fun to watch.

If our defense can just play mediocre, we'll win some games next year.

I'm thrilled!!

If any of you out there have any doubts about Reggie Bush's ability, please have a look at Reggie "The President" Bush's highlights.

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