Quick update just to mention what many of you already know:
LORI PASSED THE BAR!!!
Now that's what I'm talking about. Congratulations sweetheart!!
Lori gets her own post, so I'll refrain from discussing the iTest's results announcement on Thursday or the Titans' impotent offense and save that for another day.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
From a music discussion on the Freakonomics blog...very interesting (and true):
The majors thrived in an era of artificial scarcity when they were able to control the production and distribution of music. Today, we have an infinite number of choices available to us, and when content is infinitely abundant, the only scarce commodities are convenience, taste, and trust. The music companies that are successfully shaping the Internet era are recognizing that the real value is in making it easier to buy music than to steal it, helping consumers find other people who share their music tastes, and serving as a trusted source for discovering new music.
The majors thrived in an era of artificial scarcity when they were able to control the production and distribution of music. Today, we have an infinite number of choices available to us, and when content is infinitely abundant, the only scarce commodities are convenience, taste, and trust. The music companies that are successfully shaping the Internet era are recognizing that the real value is in making it easier to buy music than to steal it, helping consumers find other people who share their music tastes, and serving as a trusted source for discovering new music.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Out here in Tucson, Arizona, this week for work-related reasons. Headed back tomorrow. It's been a good trip.
Had a chance to catch a replay of the Republican debates yesterday. Fred Thompson looked outstanding, especially for a first debate. Little nervous at first, and his answer on the strong dollar question was weak, but overall he showed some real signs of being a no-nonsense, very confident, independent-thinking candidate...which, of course, immediately sets him apart.
He has worldly experience, and he's certainly got a presence and plenty of charisma. Doesn't seem like many people want to admit, yet, how great of a chance he has to get tremendous popular support. If he gets the Republican nomination, I can't see myself voting for anyone else.
Mitt Romney, on the other hand, really blundered. Asking attorneys before invading Iran?? Sorry, but that's a great thing to say if you are interested in not ever being taken seriously again. The guy just seems a little too polished, too robotic, too corporate of a candidate to really embrace.
Rudy Giuliani? Not interested. The personal issues are a huge turnoff, obviously. But maybe if it weren't for the presence of Fred Thompson, and just the freshness of him as a candidate, maybe he might be easier to consider. But just seems like a cliched career politician, and no, I dont really view all that experience as a positive for the Oval Office right now.
Only other candidate worth mentioning is Ron Paul, who quite appropriately showed complete disgust at Romney's attorney/Iran comment and was generally quite intelligent and well-spoken throughout the debate. I'll have to keep an eye on this guy but he sure has a Ralph Nader "I'm just sort of here to prove a point, and not really compete" sort of look to him. Maybe too intellectual to be voted in, as sad as that might be.
Yep, Fred's the man, and if he doesn't get the nod as the Republican candidate, it's wide open from there. W has pretty much destroyed any goodwill I had toward the Republican party and it's time for anyone, regardless of party, who can begin to restore some of the damage that's been done in terms of foreign policy as well as on critical domestic issues, such as immigration, Social Security, health care, education, and tax cuts.
I guess I need someone to come along that will make me actually care about politics again.
Had a chance to catch a replay of the Republican debates yesterday. Fred Thompson looked outstanding, especially for a first debate. Little nervous at first, and his answer on the strong dollar question was weak, but overall he showed some real signs of being a no-nonsense, very confident, independent-thinking candidate...which, of course, immediately sets him apart.
He has worldly experience, and he's certainly got a presence and plenty of charisma. Doesn't seem like many people want to admit, yet, how great of a chance he has to get tremendous popular support. If he gets the Republican nomination, I can't see myself voting for anyone else.
Mitt Romney, on the other hand, really blundered. Asking attorneys before invading Iran?? Sorry, but that's a great thing to say if you are interested in not ever being taken seriously again. The guy just seems a little too polished, too robotic, too corporate of a candidate to really embrace.
Rudy Giuliani? Not interested. The personal issues are a huge turnoff, obviously. But maybe if it weren't for the presence of Fred Thompson, and just the freshness of him as a candidate, maybe he might be easier to consider. But just seems like a cliched career politician, and no, I dont really view all that experience as a positive for the Oval Office right now.
Only other candidate worth mentioning is Ron Paul, who quite appropriately showed complete disgust at Romney's attorney/Iran comment and was generally quite intelligent and well-spoken throughout the debate. I'll have to keep an eye on this guy but he sure has a Ralph Nader "I'm just sort of here to prove a point, and not really compete" sort of look to him. Maybe too intellectual to be voted in, as sad as that might be.
Yep, Fred's the man, and if he doesn't get the nod as the Republican candidate, it's wide open from there. W has pretty much destroyed any goodwill I had toward the Republican party and it's time for anyone, regardless of party, who can begin to restore some of the damage that's been done in terms of foreign policy as well as on critical domestic issues, such as immigration, Social Security, health care, education, and tax cuts.
I guess I need someone to come along that will make me actually care about politics again.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Got back just an hour or so ago from the company softball game. Down a couple of key players for a number of reasons, I took the mound as our new starting pitcher, and got the win. I had a couple of hits and RBI but really got into one and almost homered, which would've been nice. The weather's starting to change, and it makes for a great time outside even though our start time was pretty late (9:30! I know, I'm old!)
The real point of this post is to point you toward a fantastic new young artist: Melissa Cartoun. She posted something on Facebook, which alerted me to the release of this first real studio album of hers. After immediately purchasing it, I've been listening to it quite a bit and it's great stuff. It's that folk/pop female blend that channels the Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, etc. Very good songwriting and just an awesome voice, and solid production for being her own solo 'indie' release. The album can be purchased here. Even if you're not a fan of the genre, this is good stuff. Trust me...or not, as you can hear song samples by clicking on that link as well.
Hearing this album takes me back to the good ol' Vanderbilt Music Society days on campus, organizing various events and running the types of shows where Melissa would come and wow everybody. Sometimes you see somebody perform and realize that this is what they were born to do. That Imogen Heap YouTube video I've posted on here is a moment like that, just like the Prince "Musicology" Leno performance I've posted on here as well. Melissa's moving into that realm and it's only a matter of time until she's got the backing she deserves. I would say "she'll be on a major label" but who knows whether that's a plus or not anymore. But she'll be fine if she keeps producing stuff like this, so check it out.
The real point of this post is to point you toward a fantastic new young artist: Melissa Cartoun. She posted something on Facebook, which alerted me to the release of this first real studio album of hers. After immediately purchasing it, I've been listening to it quite a bit and it's great stuff. It's that folk/pop female blend that channels the Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, etc. Very good songwriting and just an awesome voice, and solid production for being her own solo 'indie' release. The album can be purchased here. Even if you're not a fan of the genre, this is good stuff. Trust me...or not, as you can hear song samples by clicking on that link as well.
Hearing this album takes me back to the good ol' Vanderbilt Music Society days on campus, organizing various events and running the types of shows where Melissa would come and wow everybody. Sometimes you see somebody perform and realize that this is what they were born to do. That Imogen Heap YouTube video I've posted on here is a moment like that, just like the Prince "Musicology" Leno performance I've posted on here as well. Melissa's moving into that realm and it's only a matter of time until she's got the backing she deserves. I would say "she'll be on a major label" but who knows whether that's a plus or not anymore. But she'll be fine if she keeps producing stuff like this, so check it out.
