GA Russell

The temp! Yesterday it was -29 Celsius in both Winnipeg and on Mars. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-deep-freeze-as-cold-as-uninhabited-planet-1.2479967 -29 degrees Celsius = -20.2 degrees Fahrenheit

I'm not familiar with the Allegro label, but I see that they have a number of familiar names, including Rene Marie, Claudio Roditi, Sir Roland Hanna, Gregory Porter, Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Monty Alexander, Avery Sharpe, Lorraine Feather and Lalo Schifrin. Amazon has five Allegro sampler mp3 albums available for free. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_12?rh=n%3A163856011%2Cp_36%3A0-1%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A625150011%2Cn%3A!624868011%2Cn%3A625036011&bbn=624868011&ie=UTF8&qid=1388603511&rnid=624868011 For some reason, the link isn't transferring properly. So click on what is here, then look to the left and click on "jazz," and the page will come up.

It's a couple of days late, but I think we missed your birthday, Tony, so Happy Birthday 2013!

Every New Year's Day I start the year by opening up a new (to me) Julie London album. Last year it was For the Night People, and today it is Sophisticated Lady.

Happy New Year to you, Chris, and to everyone here!

Amazon US had problems getting this book in, but it finally arrived at my place today. I'm looking forward to reading it.

If you haven't seen this already... http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/83754317/

Top 10 defensive plays of 2013 video http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94043

Amazon announced that the week before Christmas alone it sold a million Prime memberships. It has also announced that this Christmas season it shipped more Prime packages than Super Saver Discount packages. http://www.geekwire.com/2013/amazon-prime-top-20-million-members-as-company-touts-best-holiday-season-on-record/ http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/12/26/amazons-impressively-successful-holiday/?KEYWORDS=amazon+prime

The Wire: Season One - $17.49 http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-First-Season/dp/B0002ERXC2/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359186&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Wire ***** The Shield: Season One - $12.29 http://www.amazon.com/Shield-Season-One-Michael-Chiklis/dp/B0012CJQY6/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359341&sr=1-3&keywords=The+Shield

In my view, stereo systems are all about value. There is no such thing as perfect, so the question is, "I have a budget of X. How should I spend it?" When I say value, I mean that a system that would be unimpressive priced at $1,000 might be considered quite good priced at $400.

Happy Birthday 2013 LW!

Top 10 hits of 2013 video http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94023 ***** Top 10 post-season plays of 2013 video http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/93715

Tangerine Dream: The Virgin Years, 1974-1978 (3 CDs) - 8.03 GBP http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Virgin-Years-Tangerine-Dream/dp/B004D5H2M2?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ7T5BOVUVRD2EFYQ&tag=camelalerts-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B004D5H2M2

Groove Holmes - Soul Message Stan Getz - Sweet Rain Manfred Mann - My Little Red Book of Winners Henry Mancini - Music from Peter Gunn

Chicago has signed Chris Williams. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439779

Top 10 returns of 2013 video http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94005/autostart/true

The Brecker Brothers - Complete Arista Albums Collection - 9.99 GBP http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008CZNTDA/ref=pe_198281_42816121_pe_epc__1p_0_ti

This King album is a favorite of mine. It goes in and out of print. I see that the CD is now going for $39.87, but the cassette is going for only $2.75 http://www.amazon.com/Please-Come-Christmas-Charles-Brown/dp/B0000017BB/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1387950400&sr=1-2&keywords=charles+brown+please+come+home+for+christmas

I haven't yet heard Snoopy's Christmas this year, but in the words of the Red Baron, "Merry Christmas, mein friend!" I hope you all have a joyous and safe holiday.

If I get an Amazon gift card tomorrow, I might pick it up!

The Argos today released Inman early, apparently to allow him to sign an NFL contract promptly. http://cfl.ca/article/argos-release-receiver-dontrelle-inman

I don't think anyone has yet mentioned Charlie Parker's White Christmas on his Complete Live Performances on Savoy box. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Live-Performances-Savoy-1947-Oct/dp/B00000DC2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387908436&sr=8-1&keywords=Charlie+Parker+Savoy+live

Let's review what has happened in the past week. The Redblacks got some good players in the expansion draft. They chose Kevin Glenn and Thomas DeMarco for their quarterbacks. They also got Chevon Walker, Keith Shologon (who I think was their best pick) and Marwan Hage (who is long in the tooth, but who I expect will provide leadership in the locker room. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439107 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439238 ***** The Bombers named Marcel Bellefeuille as their OC. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439247 ***** The Als' Andrew Woodruff retired because of concussion problems. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439335 http://cfl.ca/article/woodruff-retires-alouettes-extend-pair-of-canadians ***** The Stamps named Rich Stubler as their DC. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439391 http://cfl.ca/article/stubler-named-defensive-coordinator-in-calgary ***** The Bombers released Sandro DeAngelis. I've never understood why he was the best when he was with the Stamps, and hasn't been any good ever since he left them. (This article mentions that the Bombers released Justin Palardy during the season. I don't recall that.) http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439391 ***** The Argos' Jeff Johnson has retired. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439461 ***** Denver, Miami, NY Jets, San Diego and Minnesota have shown interest in Dontrelle Inman. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439478 ***** After spending this year with Dallas and New England, Jason Vega is returning to the Bombers. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439645 http://cfl.ca/article/happy-returns-vega-re-joins-bombers-for-2014 ***** The Lions have named Khari Jones as their new OC. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439649 http://cfl.ca/article/lions-hand-khari-jones-keys-to-offence ***** The Redblacks named their coaching staff. http://cfl.ca/article/gibson-among-8-coaching-hires-in-ottawa ***** Top 10 runs of 2013 video http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/93995/autostart/true

RIP. To my knowledge, he introduced to America one of my favorites, pianist Mike Nock. I'll have to pull out my Live at Pep's CD.