Autumn Souvenir

He covered John Lennon's "Isolation". I would've imagined that someone covering such an amazing song would be a major mistake - not last night.

So my alma went down to Villanova on Friday night. The overtime slide was a bit tough to bear (crap calls didn't help), but watching George Mason down UConn today made up for it. An 11 seed taking down Jim Calhoun's cocky #1 bastards in OT was what college basketball is all about. Ever since the great talents began jumping ship early to the pros, my interest in college hoops has nearly evaporated. The days of Milt Wagner, Hank Gathers, Walter Berry, Fennis Dembo, Derrick Chevious, Dallas Comegys and other former college greats were truly exciting times. George Mason's win today brought back a bit of that spirit. I spent close to four hours yesterday at the SF SPCA with my buddy Joyce. I hung out with a number of dogs, but it was a pit bull mix named Stella who could end up sharing this studio apartment with my cds and myself. Man are those good folks at the SPCA - they genuinely care about finding the right homes for these animals. I need to sort out some details, but Stell

As I sit here listening to the new Josh Rouse record, I can't help but reflect on the impact music had played in my life. It's shaped my career, it's impacted how I carry myself, it's constantly tempering and exploring my emotions, and aside from the people I'm closest to, it's the most important thing in my life. At aroung the age of ten, my father introduced me to Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and countless others. Over the next 22 years its been Public Enemy, Neil Young, Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Elliott Smith, The Replacements, Wilco, Josh Rouse, Eels and countless, countless others. Music runs through my blood and brain every day. No matter what's going on in my life, music is always there. I simply couldn't imagine existing on this Earth without it. I've gone through many relationships, fears about life and all of life's emotions, but no matter what, the sounds that come through my speakers or headphones carry me through. Last

It's Monday night following what's always the most exciting and inspiring week of the year. I'm exhausted, perhaps a bit emotional and coming down from another thrilling week in Austin, Texas. Although my job calls me for to actually do quite a bit of work at this wonderful festival, I did find time to see some bands who absolutely blew me away: Some I already knew, some were new to me and many just reminded me why I love fuckin' rock and roll so much. Why I'll never get sick of it. Why my blood, heart and mind always call for music. It keeps me going. It keeps me charged. It pulls me out of bad places. It's inside of me. The following are the bands/artists who I was fortunate enough to catch this year: APOLLO SUNSHINE: I had never even heard of these guys. I found myself with a hole in the schedule one night and figured I'd check out the SpinART showcase. I mean, it's SpinART, the bands have to be good. Good? Oh my dear lord. Blistering guitars, punk, s

With yesterday's straw vote in Memphis and the Sunday news shows filled with presidential hopefuls, it appears as if the race is on. Given what's happened over the past 5 1/2 years and what will continue to happen up through 2008, this will probably be the most important election this country's seen in some time. Sure, it's clear that I side with the left. There are very few members of the Republican party that I like. Without giving it much thought, Michael Bloomberg is the only republican I would consider supporting in an election. If I still lived in NY, I would've voted for him over Freddie Feraro. When considering Washington republicans, I've got nothing. I used to like John McCain but my respect for him has evaporated over the past few years. So here are the likely options in each party: Republicans: John McCain, Bill Frist, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Chuck Hagel and Joe Lieberman (oh wait, he's still a registered democrat). Democrats:

Yesterday it was one year at the earliest. Today Secretary Asshole Chertoff says that the flu could hit the US within a few months. He goes on to say that we're prepared; that the CDC/FEMA/Homeland Lack of Security, etc. knows how to deal with what's inevitably coming. Hmmmm...should we trust Mr. Chertoff? How'd he do with Katrina? Not too great if I recall correctly. What about them ports, Mr. Secretary? Didn't handle that one too well. Oh well, at least you're not the man in charge. I mean, the president will step in. Oh wait, he was in charge during the above-mentioned debacles, as well as the Iraq War, Gitmo, Abramoff, Plame, the ongoing torture (remember that: our government is PERMITTING torture), ludicrous tax cuts, defecits out the ass. With Avian Flu starting to pick up steam, Americans need to read about and find out their own means for potentially combatting what could be the next global epidemic. We clearly can't trust George W., Washington or the le