Autumn Souvenir

For some reason, Josh Rouse's Nashville and Solomon Burke's record by the same title are arranged one song per artist after another in my iTunes. When I first noticed this strange sequencing I was a bit pissed. But over the past two days, I've played both albums as iTunes arranged them. Simply wonderful. Rouse's farewell record to his hometown, released in 2005, is a beautiful tip-of-the-hat to a life that he's left behind, but couldn't step away from without recognizing all that the city and his relationships meant to him. "Sad Eyes," one of the most heartbreaking songs in recent memory, shows hope in even the most broken of relationships. "Streetlights," is the ultimate proof that Rouse is one of the finest songwriters of the decade. "I called you up, cause I felt so guilty, ended up, it was not such a pretty scene, let’s dump the ashtray, wipe the table clean" is a line certain to hit many. It's a record just bleeding in per...

7th Street, San Francisco , originally uploaded by ccsbandwagon .

This morning I received the below e-mail from a friend who's a leading mind in her area of medical expertise. I think her most poignant question is about our elected officials answering pointed questions akin to an athlete or coach. I mean, if Alex Rodriguez can sit in front of the media and discuss his steroid use, how can our "leaders" not be forced to do the same, especially when it's in connection with laws that will impact every single life in this country. How can the American media not be on top of these folks? In the era of MSNBC, FOX and CNN, I'm not really sure why I even ask that. But heck, don't NPR, the BBC and other reputable sources get a seat at the table? Her e-mail: Politicians who oppose universal health care with a "governmental option" should be required to hold press conferences like coaches and athletes and answer the following questions: 1) Who are the "liberal special interest groups" you are concerned will inapprop...