Blahg

22 September 2006

Starsailor - Bluebird Theater, Denver, Colorado, 21 September 2006

I was going to write up a full review of Starsailor's concert, but I found myself a little over committed. In addition to the concert, there was a review to crank out of U2's ZOO-TV DVD and a rather unexpected business trip to Atlanta was thrown into the mix.

So, a few notes will have to do.

The crowd was bigger than the one during their Boulder visit a couple years back, which is a very good thing, but this band still deserves a much, much bigger audience. At least they were at KBCO earlier in the day, getting a little more airtime.

They are touring in support of their new album, On the Outside, which was released in the U.S. on August 22, but I got a U.K. import nearly a year ago. It's good stuff - and I like the album a lot more now after hearing many of the songs played live. It's a very strong album.

Starsailor had two opening acts. One was Peter Walker; they're a very good trio who were quite thankful for the opportunity to meet and tour with Starsailor. The bass player in particular was a really nice guy.

The other act was called BMD, which I somehow figured out stood for Brother Man Dude. The lead singer looks like a clone of Brian Johnson (AC/DC's lead singer), but, nonetheless, they were most definitely into it and put on a great set.

The stars of the evening, though, were still Starsailor. Given the smallish crowd, it was a great opportunity for me to finally get an authentic set list ripped right off the stage and one of James Walsh's guitar picks!

Here's that set list: In My Blood Counterfeit Poor Misguided Fool Alcoholic This Time Fever Get Out While You Can Love Is Here In the Crossfire 4 to the Floor Tie Up My Hands Keep Us Together Good Souls Silence Is Easy (Encore)

One other highlight of note: There was a streaker. She was a Sally Bowles type, complete with bowler hat. On a couple occasions, she gallivanted in front of the stage, flashing her boobs as she passed by, doing a little dance thing, and grinding up against some of the guys (yeah, I was one of them).

The band was totally perplexed and highly amused by the sight. Just one more reason why Denver would be a memorable stop, Walsh said.

The chick should’ve hooked up with the crazy dude strumming the air guitar like a madman and banging on the air drums like there was no tomorrow. They would've made a great pair, but she took off with some other random male after the show.

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13 August 2006

I raised this question before, but let me rephrase it:

Why isn't there a religous equivalent to the United Nations? Only by the global edict from some kind of worldwide religious council will the war on terrorism really start to make major headway.

Victory won't come by bomb-sniffing dogs (although they'll help). It'll only be by shaming the fanatics into realizing the disgrace - not martyrdom - they bring to their religion. Then the disenfranchised and over zealous will come to realize that destroying western civilization is not the answer.

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4 July 2006

Yet another Nintendork Update:

Today's an historic day.

For one thing, 230 years ago, the American colonies declared their independence from Britain.

For another, during my morning mental test, I scored a perfect 20 on Brain Age. The mind is in tip-top shape and the bod's never felt better.

Yes, dear reader, those are two of the reasons why Mattster magazine once again named Mattimus the Sexiest Matt Alive.

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25 June 2006

Another Nintendork Update:

I scored a nearly perfect 21 on the Brain Age test this morning. This time around I skipped the buggy Stroop test and avoided those speech recognition problems.

Just thought I'd share.

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20 June 2006

A Nintendork Update:

I've been doing my daily Brain Age training. I started out at 68 last Tuesday and today I scored a terrific 23 (the best possible score is 20).

The software's a little loopy, to say the least, particularly with the voice recognition portion. I have to say "boo" instead of "blue" during the Stroop test. Also, during the calculations portion, sometimes the system trips up on my handwritten "12" on one particular problem; I can write the exact same answer for a similar equation without issue.

In addition to those glitches, there was also a definite learning curve in getting used to how to write on the screen and in taking some of the tests.

The learning curve was to be expected, but it's irritating how Brain Age repeats the instructions EVERY SINGLE TIME. HELLO! This is a brain test! Give me credit for remembering how to do the test every day and at least give me the option to skip the instructions.

Anyway, it's been interesting and I think overall it does help sharpen the mind.

As for Nintendogs, a game I bought almost a full year ago, I still haven't picked a puppy. Still not ready to make the commitment and take on the responsibility of owning a cyber pet.

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13 June 2006

OK. So I'm once again flirting with the "Dork Side." As has been documented elsewhere on this site, my one videogaming fetish is for the GameBoy and its more sophisticated relative, the DS. (I'll say it once again: they make great traveling companions for those long distance flights.) I managed to get my hands on one of the first DS Lites to hit stateside over the weekend and I must say it's a thing of geeky beauty.

A dramatic improvement over the prior model, this one really is a sexy little thing, kinda reminiscent of the iPod with its glossy polar white finish. The improved screen brightness makes all the games look better and it's amazing how many details in even the older Advance games are now clearly visible.

I also managed to snag a free copy of Brain Age for the DS from Best Buy, thanks to an online coupon that disappeared from their site in the blink of an eye. Gotta keep that brain working out.

All told, I'm one happy camper, particularly after trading in the old unit and pocketing away a nice chunk of store credit.

The difference really is stunning. Sitting side by side, the old one looks soooo Cold War-tech while the new one is so modern. And to think I got that original DS only last year!

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26 April 2006

It's always special when the right album rolls along at the right time.

This time, that album is Bruce Springsteen's We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions.

With the People's Republic of Mattopia embroiled in a year of loss and challenge, this album looks to the light at the end of the tunnel.

The album is more than a tribute to Pete Seeger. The liner notes include an introductory sentence or two for each song, explaining the songs' origins. Great stuff all around.

Mrs. McGrath: "Strongly associated with the Irish Republicans and the Easter Rising of 1916, this antiwar ballad was first published in 1815 as a Dublin broadside."

O Mary Don't You Weep: "One of the most important Negro spirituals, adapted by black Pentecostal churches, the song then made its way into the freedom song repertoire of the civil rights movement."

Eyes on the Prize: "A Holiness hymn also known as 'Gospel Plow,' 'Paul and Silas' and 'Hold On.' 'Keep your hand on the plow' became 'Keep your eyes on the prize' in a 1956 rewrite by civil rights activist Alice Wine. The most exciting versions were recorded at Movement mass meetings, sung by local freedom marchers."

We Shall Overcome: "The most important political protest song of all time, sung around the world wherever people fight for justice and equality. Originally a Baptist hymn, brought into the labor movement in the 1930s, popularized among civil rights workers in the 1950s at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee."

This is the soundtrack for a comeback of Mattopian proportions.

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