Chalupa

The news of his death totally slipped under my radar until today. He died June 18th. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Akbar_Khan

Fast 'N' Bulbous!

The Phillies delivered a serious smack down to the Reds tonight. 22-1 was the final score. The Fightin's scored 10 runs in the bottom of the 1st. The Reds pitching staff has given up 32 runs in the past two games. Ouch.

PM sent.

Murder-suicide seems to be the most likely explanation. Sounds like he was having an affair. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, who led the famous Tennessee Titans' drive that came a yard short of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head. Police said a pistol was discovered near the body of a woman also shot dead in a downtown condominium. Police said a witness saw McNair arrive at the condo in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday and that Kazemi's vehicle was already there. The condominium is located within walking distance of an area filled with restaurants and nightspots, a few blocks from the Cumberland River and within view of the Titans' stadium. Two days ago, Nashville police arrested Kazemi on a DUI charge while driving a 2007 Escalade registered to her and McNair. McNair was in the front seat, but didn't break the law and was allowed to leave by taxi. The arrest affidavit said Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath, but refused a breathalyzer test, saying "she was not drunk, she was high." http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4306275

Oops.

Hey John - I just pulled out my Taper's Compendiums the other day. I hadn't looked at them in a few years . Anyway, I went to look up a specific show and got lost for a few hours reading the reviews. Excellent work.

Last night was Sonic Youth. Wednesday night was the Sun Ra Arkestra at the ICA. The Wednesday night show was one of the best performances I've seen by the Arkestra. Their concert was done in conjunction w/ the Sun Ra Exhibit that is currently up there. The last time I saw Arkestra back in May for Marshall Allen's 85th birthday show they sounded pretty awful. The horns were out of tune, some of the newer players seemed a little lost, and the whole band sounded like they needed another week of rehearsal. Some of you older Ra heads are probably thinking to yourselves,"sounds like a typical Arkestra show. What's the big deal?" The difference was that even in the those "regged but right" performances they were at least trying to make something happen on stage. That was not the case w/ the 85th Bday show when they seemed like they were all phoning it in. It was so bad that two friends of mine(one of which had traveled from Penn State for the show) left at the beginning of the 2nd set. In fact I remember thinking after the show that it probably would be a long time, if ever, before I'd go to see them - I skipped their June show here - again. Though to be fair, part of the problem may have been caused by tiny stage they were all forced to cram on to together at the May show whereas the ICA had a very large stage that accommodated all 19 musicians w/ ease. I know that before they hit the stage at the ICA some of the Arkestra checked out the exhibit so maybe that helped inspire them. Well whatever the reason they played their collective asses off on Wednesday night for two hours before they broke for an encore. Band sounded tight and displayed none of the characteristics that had plagued their May show. Everyone seemed energized. At one point Knoel Scott, who has to be in his 50's, started doing cartwheels and flips in front of the stage. This was their last stateside show before heading to Europe. Definitely make plans to go if they are coming any where near you. SY was very good. They came out and played all the tunes off their new album(which I'm really beginning to get into after being a little lukewarm about it after the first few spins) and then ended their set w/ "Death Valley '69" which I haven't heard them play live in years. They did two encores of tunes from "Daydream Nation" to close it out. It's crazy but one of the best current rock bands(imho), in a field were most careers are over by the time you turn 30, is a made up of a bunch of 50 somethings. Here's some footage from the show.... Edit: I just remembered that I saw SY open for Arkestra at Summer Stage back in '92. So it was pretty cool seeing both of them again 17 years later, albeit a day apart.

And rumor has it that the Knicks are going to offer 36 year old Jason Kidd a 3 year deal worth $25 Million. Won't they ever learn???

Pistons have come to terms w/ Gordon and Villanueva. Kind of scratching my head about the Gordon signing. I thought their need was at the PG position. I guess this means Joe thinks that Stuckey is the Pistons' PG of the future? How are the Bulls going to replace Gordon's 20ppg????

dang, I thought Youk was going to come through. Maybe Sherrill did too and decided to plunk him??

Swing and a miss.

Bailey gets a single, followed by Lugo getting caught looking for out #1. Pedroia flies out for out #2. It's up to Youk to save Dan's sleep. Strike one. Strike two. Ball. Youk gets nailed by a pitch. Jason Bay steps up to the plate.... Strike one. Strike two. Ball one.

Wow. Up 10-1 going into the 7th and now it's 11-10 O's going into the top of the 9th. I would be going ballistic too.

Make that 10-9.

10-8.

Martin Prado had the game of his LIFE tonight. Phils coughed up the lead not once, not twice, but three times. C'mon fellas you can't keep pulling that crap and expect to make the playoffs(not that you have any chance but I digress....) Hmm so w/ the Phils' loss tonight that means the NL East is the only division w/out a 40 game winner by July 1. Pathetic. Edit: Whoops forgot about the Marlins sitting on 39 wins too. Well if the rain ever lets up they should get #40 tonight. Still having one team w/ 40 wins on July 1st is pretty lame.

How's Simona Halep doing?

John Cater - Castles of Ghana (Gramavision)

The NL East is the only division not to have a team that has won at least 40 games. It's also the only division to have a team w/ less than 30 wins(For inquiring minds that would be the Nats w/ 22)

I know there's still 3 more months of baseball left and the WFCs are in first place but the Phillies are done. DONE. Stick a fork in 'em. I can't see them recovering from this funk that they're in right now. They've lost 11 out of the last 13 w/ 6 of those at home in back to back sweeps. Hopefully they won't trade the farm system for a late run at the playoffs. Ruben, pack it in and stock up on some arms for next year when everyone's healthy.

True. Sixers ain't going nowhere for the next couple of years with or w/out him.

Yeah, I'm on the fence about this pick. The only time I got to see him play was when UCLA lost to Nova in the NCAA tourney and he played poorly. Time will tell.

Mark Sanford, you just got a gift.

I agree. Hate to see Bowen go, always thought he'd retire a Spur. But he doesn't have much left in the tank I don't think. Thomas and Oberto are role players, and their numbers should be replaceable pretty easily. Not sure it's enough to get past the Lakers either, but it's nice to see they're finally shaking things up a little. I thought Drew Gooden was going to be a good pickup for them this past season. I think he could fit in pretty well, with a full offseason. DeJuan Blair!!! What a freakin' STEAL @ 37. He should have been a 1st rounder.