papsrus

Looks like a nice pick-up: Don't know much about him other than what I've seen in games. Can't argue with fortifying an already solid bullpen. And the way they lost in Seattle last night, they could have used him. It's a numbers game at shortstop, but it'd be nice to see Zobrist stick somehow. Was also glad to read they benched Upton for a game for not running out a ground ball. And even Longoria got a little talking-to in the dugout in Seattle last night after jogging to first on a single to left. I'm pretty certain Longoria will get the message, hope Upton does, too.

OK, other than the schmaltzy presentation and corporate love-fest, here's the thing that really grates on me, I guess: The big stories in the U.S. leading into the games seem to be whether swimmer Michael Phelps will break Mark Spitz's record of seven golds, and whether the U.S. basketball team will recapture gold (preferably going undefeated in doing so). So, if Phelps doesn't win eight freakin' gold medals, he's a failure. And if that basketball team doesn't win gold, or win every game they play, they will be judged a failure. Nothing new, I guess. But it just re-emphasizes to me that it's not about competing. It's about the insatiable need to win more than anyone else, at any expense. My favorite athletes are guys like Eddie the Eagle, the bespecticaled British ski jumper back in the Calgary Olympics who was lucky to make it off the jump in one piece. Or the Jamaican bobsed team -- underdogs, in other words. We used to root for the underdog. Now we expect perfection. I have no desire to watch the U.S. basketball team pummel opponents or, alternately, come apart at the seams and become a national disgrace if they don't. That isn't sport to me. ... I'm sure I'll think of more stuff I don't like about the Olympics, but I'd better stop for now ... (People say I'm a little grumpier since I quit smoking. I don't know what the bastards are talking about.)

Oh man, if they start laying on the syrupy crap with these athletes I'm going to break something. I read the other day where the Dominican Republic is offering cash payments to athletes who win medals. Right up front they're saying a gold is worth X amount, silver is worth Y, etc. ... This thing hasn't been about "amateur" athletics for a long, long time. I have to say though, that I do enjoy the winter games much more, maybe because they're a bit smaller in scale, but also because the sports are faster and there's a lot more crashing involved ... Plus you get to see stuff like curling. ... Who'd a thunk? That's gotta be the biggest beer-drinking sport of all time, I'm guessing.

Being that they're in China, everything is going to take place in the middle of the night or in the early morning. Is anyone really going to tune in to the USA vs. Lithuania water polo game at 4 a.m.? Or, worse yet, watch some canned replay of it the next day? ... Does anyone even care about the Olympics anymore now that we're not staring down the big bad USSR, or now that professionals are taking part, or now that we know a not insignificant number of the top athletes are probably doping up in one way or another? The Olympic Games are nothing more than an enormous waste of money and one giant corporate cluster fuck. ... IMO ...

Sensational! ...

Interesting. I expected the posting to be much more caustic, given the headline. I like the idea that Braxton's music can be much more playful and "fun" than listeners sometimes give him credit for. This is what I found in "Iridium." Not so much, however, in something like "For Alto."

no matter how many times it took, it's something bush would never have been able to say. ... The shocking truth ... Wouldn't it be ironic if Paris Hilton ran for office someday (in the very, very distant future)? ... Hey, if George can do it ... ugh...Reagan was president! And both were re-elected!

no matter how many times it took, it's something bush would never have been able to say. ... The shocking truth ... Wouldn't it be ironic if Paris Hilton ran for office someday (in the very, very distant future)? ... Hey, if George can do it ...

This is all very encouraging news and cause for much celebration!! Happy birthday.

Seriously, the music kicks ass.

Yeah!!! One step at a time - I think Quincy is right about gifts or rewards or whatever you want to call them, too. (The Mosaics angle sound good)

I'm still trying to comprehend that Iridium set. I've only really listened to the first half of it (about 5 CDs). I love the wide variety of instruments but it is hard to digest even one disc at a time. It is ... and I know what you mean. One of the main things I take away from those live sets is a sense of pure joy emanating from the musicians. That's not always the case with Braxton's music for me. I get a very positive vibe from the Iridium box. I have more of an emotional response to it than is often the case with his music.

I know what you mean. From the wrong side, unfortunately... I was recently divorced also, and making some positive changes in my life is partly what this is all about. That, and the doctor reading the riot act to me ... again.

Thanks all. ... I guess that pack of cigs in the kitchen drawer wasn't so tempting after all. I completely forgot about them, and so failed to bring them to work for my still-smoking co-worker. But I'm home again for a spell now and will take them in when I head back. ... 7/4, you're exactly right about changing behavior patterns. And I should have double checked that there were no cigs in the house. I was a little stunned for a second when I saw them there in the back of the drawer. And I really like Quincy's reward system!! I'll work on that.

I'll admit it -- I've been a little weak lately. And, and, and ... I found an unopened (thank goodness) pack of ciggies in a kitchen drawer today. There it was, staring me in the face like the devil himself. ... Kind of a test. I'm taking them in to work tonight to give to a co-worker who smokes. The temptation was moderately strong though. "Not one puff" ... that's the mantra. feel better now.

You're quite right about O'Neil. I have always enjoyed the 20 and 23 Standards sets. -- I haven't heard the 8 Standards (Wesleyan). But the two "standards" titles that I really love are Braxton's "Charlie Parker Project" (not universally admired, or so I've read) and "A Memory of Vienna" with Ran Blake, which I acquired earlier this year. I've never heard Braxton so lyrical as he is on the Vienna disc. The version of 'Round Midnight is gorgeous. And despite some criticisms of sloppiness on the Parker Project (criticisms which I'm not convinced are on the mark) I find the music riveting and perhaps more focused. Dealing with a single artist rather than a range of artists has something to do with that. And it may be more on the listening end than the execution end, I'll admit. But I love both of those, and put them right up there with the best of his output overall. (Dortmund, Montreux/Berlin, the Crispell-Hemingway-Dresser quartet, Iridium, to name a few of my faves).

Grrrrrr ...

Groovadelphia is my first exposure to Organissimo! I've given it four or fives spins now since it arrived a few days ago and am thoroughly digging it. Kicking things off this morning with another spin. Nice way to start the day!

That's good. I guess when you're semi-addicted to this thing, it's difficult to imagine someone just dropping out for weeks at a time without so much as a toodeloo. Anyways, now that MG's been located, can you get the rest of us some help?

Eat some cake! ... and have a good one.

Is it a male or female cat? It is not uncommon for a male cat -- especially one that hasn't been neutered -- to "mark" his territory. If you're going to keep this cat, you should get him or her neutered or spayed, and checked out by a vet. A vet will also be able to give you the best advice on the peeing thing. Cats are cool. ... Good luck.

I wish I could go ... sadly, I think it'll have to wait this year. As for the autograph thing, I know at the Atlanta festival a few years ago there was a booth set up off to the side of the main stage where some bands would sell autographed copies of their CDs. Good way to meet the musicians and at least let them know how much you enjoy their music. So ... if Gerald Wilson has a new CD out, there might be a similar setup in Chicago. ... Just guessing.

What the heck. Let the party begin! ... I'm always early for everything anyways. Happy birthday (tomorrow) Lon! And thanks for all the sound advice.

Belated best birthday wishes to both of you. Aug. 2 is a great date!

If you are concentrating, it ain't gonna happen. Damn! ... ok, ok ... gimme a sec. :eye: