Matthew

It would be nice to be able to go right back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. Still, I got some Artie Shaw going, which is nice.

I've had to make many drives to Northern California and Tucson in the past months, and I always wind up listening to a couple of hours of Sirius XM U, which is the "indie rock" satellite radio station. I guess you could say it's influencing my taste in rock. Look on the bright side -- I could have linked The Big Pink: Dominos.

OH MY GOSH!! I cannot tell you how much I love this single from Avi Buffalo, great pop music. Avi Buffalo: What's In It For

It just seems as if the Phils jumped the gun on this one, they didn't even give it time. This excuse of wanting to restock the farm system, any trade of Lee, at anytime during the season, could have done that. Granted, it would have hard for Philly to make that trade during the season if Lee was lights-out, but certainly, I think a better trade was there later on in the year. Philly should have made an effort to sign Lee, and if it didn't happen before spring training, then I can see a trade in that circumstance.

Sitting in front of my laptop computer at 2:00a.m., in a Super 8 Motel, in Tucson, AZ, catching up on email, wishing I could get tired. I lead such an exciting life.

Well, you got me there Johnny E., I didn't really look up Lee's Al record, but you're right.

Yeah, the Mariners' didn't give up anything of high value to get Lee. Just a strange move by the Phillies, but it's also a strange move for the Mariners because I don't think they can sign Lee, so it looks like one year and out for him. Not a good way to build up a team, but we'll wait and see. Plus, Lee seemed to be more effective in the NL than the AL. It's a great deal if Lee pans out, but at this point, I have a lot of questions.

Do you sense that they were having an off day, or was there something weird going on between SG & BE? I think it's both in this case. While a couple of things work, there just seems to be a lack of connection between Getz & Evans. In some way, even though they have similar styles, yet, at the root of the thing, there is, to my ears, a lack of compatibility between the two. But, who knows, maybe they couldn't get a score that day, so they were off.

The latest is that Halladay and the Phillies have agreed to a contract extension, so it looks like it's on -- I hope the the Mariners can ink Lee to a contract also, but I have my doubts.

Hey, I'd be just as thrilled to have Happ on the M's. The Phils have some terrific lefties, so here's hoping we get one of them. I have a feeling if this deal isn't done today, it's over.

J.D. approves...

If you have the dreaded "Metal Box" of Evans, you can tell by the alt. tk's & false starts that they were struggling during this session. IMHO, one of the worst in the Evans' Verve catalog.

mega dittos

Lee and Felix at the top of the rotation, with a (hopefully) improved Morrow as the three starter -- that could be a killer staff. Just wondering what the Mariners gave up (Phillippe Aumont?), and if there is any kind of agreement with Lee for after the 2010 season. Still, the Angels look weaker, so the Mariners might have a legit shot this time. Of course, everyone was excited about the 2008 season, and look how that wound up, but still, major props to the Mariners on this deal.

Wow! I'm speechless.......

Looks like Jason Bay is going any where but Boston, turning down 60 million over four years. Don't think he's worth that much money myself, overrated in my book, but whatever. Boston might not have too good of a team next year.

I think I'm starting to go off the deep end with my rock choices, but I love this stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Knfvn-g-E.

Hans is right. I'm guilty as charged. Blindsided, as it were, by the unintended double negative. I feel shame.

I agree with you on Damon, I don't see anyone paying that high of a price for someone on the downside of his career -- after all, how many times can he steal second and third? It's interesting, but a lot of the "experts" don't seem to be too sold on Grandrson, they seem to feel that last year was a major downturn in his playing. Still, he's a lefty batter, and all he has to do is lift a flyball to right field, and viola! it's a homer! I think I read somewhere that the Yankees have ten players over the age of thirty-three on the roster. I find that hopeful grounds for a collaspe next year.

I know this is freaky, but I also ordered today: YA HO WHA 13: God And Hair. Thirteen disks of pure California crazy psychedelia.

Artie Shaw: The Last Recordings: Rare and Unreleased & Last Recordings: The Big Band Vol. 2

Great article that got past me when it was first posted. Thanks a 1,000,000 for the alert on this one Dave. I'm trying to make up my mind on getting either the Artie Shaw or Oscar Peterson Mosaic for Christmas. Decisions, decisions.....

My YouTube favorites at the moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_RbSAwMa3U. I also dig this video from SXSW 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crJlogkdjB8.

I always thought that was their greatest..... hit???!!!!????

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Atsuko Yamano, of Shonen Knife. Now, I know people will tell me that SK was never meant to be "good" from the very start, but jeesh, at least try keeping the beat.