boomadagreat

thirteenoh

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:28:38 GMT

God Ever draws together like to like

visited 30 states (60%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

I only did this to son Edwin...

one.two.nine

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:29:42 GMT

There are only three things to be done with a woman... You can love her, suffer for her, or turn her into literature

Two things... wait, three (sorry Jarrett for missing your show)

1. "Funny People" may be a miss with critic's and audiences, but if you can enjoy the crass humor that permeates in "40-year old Virgin" and "Knocked up" with the seriousness of a Focus Feature film than this movie is right up your alley... Its really amusing to see characters being played by people who don't have to reach that far outside their own personal lives (I'm sure Adam Sandler can relate to being a 40-something actor whose had insane success as a comedian and is dizzied/disoriented/bored with his life and unsure of what to do next. I'm sure Seth Rogen can relate to being an up-and-coming comedian/actor struggling to get by in the face of his other friends success. etc.). This movie resonates so strongly with a lot of it's "hit" moments that it more than makes up for a surprising number of misses from an Judd Apatow/Seth Rogen film (i.e. the majority of the third act). However, the jokes and drama are apt for anyone who has ever felt lost and/or adrift in life... Honestly, this would've probably gotten more love on the internet if they had released it psuedononymously as a Wes Anderson flick

2. my three brothers and I are driving from our hometown in Maryland to San Chino, California in mid-september to drop-off my youngest brother at his doctorate program. I am going to try and blog every day from the road as well as take 234923847234 pictures...

you can follow along at threebrothersnopizza.wordpress.com

128

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:54:01 GMT

The world knows nothing of its greatest men

Somewhere on I-40, approximately between Exit 132 and the past, I started getting a nagging feeling. Something was wrong. The highway continued to melt away in the rearview, the a/c hummed, the tank was full, the car was running fine, and still, this feeling persisted. My blood felt thick in its veins. My mouth ran dry. I, nervously, bit my lip. Alamance County became 10 minutes ago and it became clear to me.

I missed Tate Street, with its dinghy, overpriced record store. Its El Careton with its cheap pitchers and even cheaper food. Its little coffee shop with hipster, art students. Its block party/festival that turned it and the adjoining Aycock into a parking lot. Its cheap liqour store that didn't ask for idea or explanation why someone would need 20 forty's (long story).

I missed Elm Street and Wendover Avenue and Friendly and Battleground. Its stores and restaurants and night clubs and cheap calzones with a gallon of free tea (another long story). Its arboretums.

I really missed that city. Though, as I passed that old familiar exit. As I turned to see the JP Build... er, Lincoln Financial Tower, a larger meaning, a greater hole inside made itself known to me.

I missed Back Campus, with its odd construction. Its nameplates to buildings that didn't stand anymore. Its oddly sloped soccer field. Its population of athletes congregated to watch first and second year girls stroll around way too dressed up for the preceedings that would proceed.

I missed Hill and Greensboro Halls (Not West. I will never miss West) with their odd layouts and convenient underground exchanges. I got love, hate, and drunk in the windy, forgotten places there. Such times can not be buried for convince or present life's sake.

I even missed the Fowler.

I missed every other nook in cranny of a place that seemed way too small when I was there, but has left a huge hole in my heart. Not for what it was, but for what it was to me... I may have departed for a vastly superior place, but it wasn't better.

I know that now and I'll remember it whenever I find myself on I-40 and I see that sign with those four words on it: East Lee Street Exit...

127

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:55:28 GMT

Distrust is stronger than trust

http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/kings-nbc-yanks-low-rated-tv-series/

:(

126

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:15:07 GMT

Men with destiny either die old and alone or young and unfulfilled

Jarrett and the 2-hour pilot convinced me... I'm now a "Kings" convert.

Though, seriously, who else feels like the creator just decided "You know what's the best graphic novel of all-time? The BIBLE!?!?!"

See you lame cats in 2 Samuel!!

(Speaking of which, when will we get The Rock as Samson in "JUDGES"?!?!?!)

Quasquicentennial

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:15:31 GMT

Life is either a journey of self-discovery or self-denial

Animal Collective just released an album titled after a famous concert venue in my hometown... I'm entering this in as early favorite for album of the year.

The sound isn't half bad, either. They sound like Modest Mouse with more direction!!

Day Jay-Z was born without the backslash

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:31:32 GMT

If there is anything that a non-conformist hates more than a conformist, its a non-conformist who doesn't conform to the prevailing standards of nonconformity

Where were we?

oh, right...

THE END OF THE YEAR AWARDS TO END ALL END OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Before we get into it, two notes I forgot from the last rankings:

1) Canibus' "Secrets amongst Cosmonauts" should've been featured in The Day the Earth Stood Still that's all I'm going to say about that...

2) That new MIMS track (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szo2SoMJUY) is pretty good... There, I said it.

3) Apologies to Young Jeezy for leaving off "Put On" from Honorable Mentions for Singles... I don't blame you for having shallow, repetitive verses. That's the best you can do...

Now, Part II

Rock/Pop/Country

"What have we done to deserve Taylor Swift?"

Honorable Mentions:
"I dream of Feudalism" by Loren Murrell
"Odd Couple" by Gnarls Barkley
"Learn to live" by Darius Rucker
"Here's to being Here" by Jason Collett
"Visiter" by The Dodos
"Love on the Inside" by Sugarland
"The Glass Passenger" by Jack's Mannequin

Dishonorable Mention
Besides the obvious (Third Eye Blind and The Offspring re-emergence, Everlast and All-American Rejects writing more songs that sound the same, and anything Fall Out boy related), there were three other albums that left me shaking my head:

"Weezer" (red album) by Weezer
Why? Seriously, why?!? Fun, unoffensive pop-punk has its place in the world, but how many more albums can you guys keep putting out with the same tired philosophy? The only thing original about this was the return to primary colors (from green, as their last self-titled album was called). Not even the radio-friendly song was all that catchy...

"New Amerykah" by Erykah Badu
I just don't know what you're bleating about anymore... You're like the R&B version of Alanis Morrisette, except increasingly less radio friendly and incoherent. I made it through this mindless babble a few times before I just gave up and was thankful I didn't invest actual money, just time, into the whole endeavor. You should've stayed retired.

"Raise the Dead" by Phantom Planet
You guys started with a spark, but now you're just garbage... The first album toed that indelible line of emo and indie rock so well. Powerful ballads, head nodding chords. It should've launched you guys into stardom... I'm sorry that it didn't. It wasn't fair. Instead of working on refining your sound and digging deeper (like Brand New), you guys tried to reinvent yourself as another cheap knock-off of labelmates, Fall Out Boy, but we have too many of those as it is now (I'm looking at you, Panic at the disco!). Give up on trying to scream your angst and focus on unique lyrics to paint it... Give us more complex solos and not chaotic chords. The whole world STILL needs an anthem.
I heard you're on hiatus and good... maybe that's what you guys need to rediscover what's been missing in your music in this latest release.

Now... On to the rankings!!!

Singles
5. "Just got started lovin' you" by James Otto
4. "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles
3. "On a Tuesday in Amsterdam long ago" by Counting Crows
2. "I will possess your heart" by Death Cab for Cutie
1. "Already Gone" by Sugarland

Albums

5. "Death and all of his Friends" by Coldplay
This may be a slight Homer pick, but I can't deny this latest installment from the British pop (definitely now) group. While the title track is far from their best radio offering ( I like it better than Clocks, but it seems sorta forced...), it fits in well with an album where, like my #1 rap album, the sum of the parts are far greater than any individual piece. Such a dark and foreboding album... Perfect for winter evenings, wrapped in a blanket.
Favorite Track: Cemeteries of London

4. "Way to Normal" by Ben Folds
Abandoning the somber storytelling, which marked his last release, Folds returns with daring bravado that show, while the number of keys on the piano may not have changed, he is certaintly putting them to use like few before him have done. His song content is far lighter than in the majority of discography, reaching back to the days of the "Five", but it is nonetheless enjoyable. However, he does indulge some of his fans who do delight in his more personal parlays (see: me) with two epics that certainly rate with his best "Cologne" and "Kylie from Conneticut". Definitely and enjoyable album all the way around.
Favorite Track: "Cologne"

3. "Be OK" by Ingrid Michealson
Her voice is amazing. She could sing "Row Your boat" (while she doesn't sing the Goose Hymn, she does incorporate the round to great effect on one of the album's most poignant songs, "The Chain") and I would probably buy the cd. I could keep going on, but it would end up being a ramble and, when I ran out of words, just letters and symbols that would mean "Ingrid is the *&^^%%^"
Favorite Track: "Giving Up"

2. "Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings" by Counting Crows
I said it before, and I'll say it again. Adam Duritz is almost without peer as a song writer. While this isn't as strong as an album as in the group's heyday, it still has plenty of strength and songs that seem to be meant as a lullaby to us Gen X and Y's that are toiling away through our mid-20s and 30s. While Duritz still has the nasty habit of whining instead of just relying on the lyrics to carry his intended purpose, the lines that hit land hard. This is the ultimate fall album... Great for retrospective evenings and sunsets.
Favorite Track: "On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago"

1. "Narrow Stairs" by Death Cab for Cutie
If Adam Duritz has a peer, it is Ben Gibbard. From the gritty, warbaling of "Bixby Canyon Bridge" this album set a pace that no other album this year had a chance of matching. Driving guitar tracks, the band's ability to incorporate every sound into a perfect cacophony of sound, the lyrics that paint the canvas of twentysomething life... There are very few misses on this album.
Favorite Track: "Talking Bird"

the first three numbers you learn

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:36:05 GMT

time is the speed at which the past decays

A cold, miserable December night is the perfect backdrop to post one of my most anticipated post of any given year. Without further ado, I present the 6th annual "END OF THE YEAR AWARDS to end all end of the year awards"!!!!!

Pt. 1

Rap

"Death before Bloc Party!!!"

Albums of the Year

Honorable Mention:
"Theater of the Mind" by Ludacris
"LAX" by The Game (Double honorable mention with "my life" on the Rap Singles of the Year list)
"Seeing Sounds" by N.E.R.D (Double honorable mention with "Everybody nose" remix)
"The Album" by Royce da 5'9"

Now, Dishonorable Mentions:

"Paper Trail" by T.I.
If I were going to jail for a stretch and had a chance to leave one lasting image to the world (there's no guarentee that the magic he has now will be there when he gets out. Just as Noreaga and Styles P...) it wouldn't consist of "take your Louis rag, wave it around in the air". That's just me... Fine, you need a catchy single, but the faux-introspective nonsense that screams out in "Live your life" is a blasphemy that has to offend even the most base, trl-teenie bopper. The contradictory message of "live your own life just like me" painted on the canvas of not focusing on secular entities while encouraging the pursuit of "getting money" isn't even laughable, it's just sad. T.I., I hope you take acting classes when you're in jail because you're far closer to being a competent actor than a musical artist... and I saw "A.T.L"

"Terminate on Sight" by G-Unit
The curious continued popularity of G-Unit frontman, Curtis Jackson, abroad is one of the more confusing trends that make me glad to be an American (along with Nutella and man capris). I'm just glad that his star is setting... unfortunately, we're about five years too late. I don't blame him for all the problems of hip-hop the past few years, but he doesn't help the case any...

"Exit 13" by LL Cool J
I really hope that this album was either the result of a lost bet or LL's sense of dry humor. The title should've been "Exit 13 years ago" as in when LL should've left the rap game... (daGreat's note: I realize that had he left 13 years ago that would've deprived the world of Canibus v. LL, but that was like Jordan scoring 54 with the Wizards... One pearl amongst a whole lotta empty oysters)

"The Quilt" by Gym Class Heroes
Like most musical groups, Gym Class heroes had a rocky, underwhelming beginning (see: Papercut Chronicles), but they capped this by releasing a "vastly underrated to the point it became vastly overrated" [you know, people kept saying that it was underrated so much that, eventually, it was getting more exposure than the quality warranted] album (see: As Cruel as School Children). Quilt was their next time up at the plate and well... I understand they all can't be homeruns, but I hope Travis and the boys were wearing helmets because they came crashing back to earth at Mach speeds...

Now... On to the rankings!!!

Singles
5. "Captain Cold Crush" by Canibus
4. "Brooklyn" by Jay-Z
3. "Handlebars" by Flobots
2. "Backstage Girl" by Phonte
1. "A milli" by Lil' Wayne

Albums

5. "The Carter III" by Lil' Wayne
Now here's the question: Should someone be rewarded for exceeding impossible to exceed hype?!?! I say "yes" and that's why Lil' Wayne is here on the list at #5... What makes this different than T.I.? One, Weezy F. isn't going to jail. Two, Wayne has no pretenses to some superior intelligence and just proclaims himself "the greatest rapper alive" because he just rhymes words (to great effect of wit and humor). Some will hate that I put the album here, but they can't deny the frenzy this album created (a milli in a short week!!) and credit Weezy for mixing amazing beat selection with experiment (not always so good... see: "Phone Home"). The album is incredibly listeanable and gets knocks for things Weezy can't control, well, he could write his lyrics down.
Favorite Track: "Tie my Hands"
Favorite lyric: I got summer hatin' on me 'cause I'm hotter than the sun, spring hatin' on me 'cause I ain't never sprung, winter hatin' on me 'cause i'm colder than y'all, and i will, i will, i will never fall

4. "Universal Mind Control" by Common
I can't fault the man. He stuck to the script and made another gem... However, I was hoping to get more philospher Common and not sexual savant Common... Oh well.
Favorite Track: "Gladiator"
Favorite lyric: Plant and grow 'em, for the young seeds to know 'em, trees is blowin', we see change in the wind, its a new day and I got to take it in, see a black man run, we need him to win... Young eyes search for a better tomorrow, let belief lead the way and the angels will follow

3. "Behind the Stained Glass" by Killah Priest
I don't know any rapper who mixes apochyrpha, gritty underground, and metaphors better. I feel like an idiot for overlooking his talents for so long (a decade, it seems). His songs are like reading the Old Testament... part storytelling, part parable, part historian. Truly unique in a world of followers and imitations. The only comparable is that Priest smacks of a more talented, cleaner version of Vinny Paz of Immortal Technique fame.
Favorite Track: "The World"

2. "Untitled" by Nas
If Lil' Wayne gets credit for exceeding the hype, Nas must be enshrined for authoring one of the most thought-provoking and intelligent rap albums... EVER. How did this not win album of the year? Three reasons. One, Nas is too self-indulgent to ever take the top spot in a poll of mine (there, I said it). Two, there are a few tracks that contradict the whole thesis of the album, Hi, "Breathe". Third, the album didn't go off as "Nigger"... I know he, ultimately, has no control over that (I respect him for not slapping up some other title and then releasing a mixtape of other songs called "The Nigger Tape"). Though, he shows daring and unapproachable intelligence and craftiness (though, sometimes rambling and off-topic) with painting the history of the word and, unlike his incomplete and cowardly Hip Hop is Dead, he paints a future and direction to navigate the quagmire he's built over the course of the album, no matter how loopy it may be. Thank you for cementing your place as one of the top 5 rappers of all-time...
Favorite Track: "Y'all my niggas"
Favorite lyrics: New improved JFK on the way, it ain't the 60s again, niggas ain't hippies again, we ain't fallin' for the same traps, standing on the balconies where they shot the King at, McCain got apologies but don't nobody want to hear that, we need honesty

1. "Rising Down" by The Roots
There simply isn't an album that flows from one dark, foreboding point to a satisfying conclusion. Even being the house band for Jimmy Failon won't deter these guys. This album never gets old...
Favorite Track: "I will not apologize"
Favorite lyrics: My city is full of, heartbreakers and stargazers, who puff garsh Vegas, So they "Gone with the Wind" like Clark Grable, Breathin' like Darth Vader, believin' in dark angels

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boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:12:01 GMT

promises you can't keep are not a second currency

See you next season, Tyler Zeller...

Dominating performance even if they left it in cruise the whole second half. It is going to be a loooooooong bball season for the University of Kentucky

121

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:17:28 GMT

One should die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly

three observations I came across while in DC today:

1) Well, this isn't about DC, per se, but there was a small company of service(people) wearing the active US Army fatigues. 10 in total, 6 women... 2 of the women were visibly pregnant and 3 of the guys couldn't locate where they were or where they were going on the metro map.

Go ARMY STRONG!

2) I was vociferously attacked by a DNC member today. I was already late and she demanded my credit card information to support Obama. I asked how much she wanted as a donation and she said $44 (for the 44th president) and I said that I would be glad to sit down and fill out the form and mail it to the DNC and she yelled that too much time would elapse and that he'd fall desperately behind. I then told her that I would just give her $20 in cash and that I didn't care about the contribution paraphernalia, to which she called me a "cheap bojangler for the man". She was white.

Yes we can!

3) The Church of Scientology offered me a free personality and stress test today. I told the member that confronted me that I wasn't rich enough to be a Scientologist... He didn't find the joke nearly as funny as I did. I think that if my religion were a joke, I'd be able to take one.

Century + Score

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:02:10 GMT

Pessimism is an emotion, not a philosophy

I just realized that if I were Tupac Shakur, I'd be dead now (Not like him being him, because obviously I'd be dead, but like if my lifespan were the same as his)...

I would've been dead for a week now.

Damn... that makes me feel both insignificant (in respect to what I've done to "leave a mark on society") and just awestruck by his cultural/historical/societal impact (forgive him his missteps, he grew up infront of a universe with no real direction).

I wonder what would've become of Mr. Shakur had he lived (best case scenario: He'd be Jay-Z with a larger, more cognizant political presence; worst case scenario: He would've succumb to the lifestyle he embraced to forge an identity and he'd have gotten killed at some later point or would be incarcerated... Most likely, he would be somewhere between the two extremes, but closer to the latter)...

The sky wasn't the limit, indeed...

Regardless of all the potentials, he would've probably made a better pro-Obama song than Young Jeezy...

Year Hadrian thought that England was cool, but a HUGE wall would make it cooler!

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:18:18 GMT

All successful revolutions are the kicking in of a rotten door

You reply to this post. I assign you a letter. You list ten things you like that start with that letter!

Young Edweezy gave me "M"

1. Market Street and College Place

I can never outrun the Gate City...

2. Maniac Magee

This book started my life-long love affair with literature

3. Minute Maid

Whether its the Hi-C or the Orange soft drink, I love it. Who cares if it has little fruit juice and a lot of Fructose Corn Syrup? Its all delicious!

4. Maredsous

Tasty, Belgian Beer which is vastly underrated and unknown largely because of its proper rated, better circulated Abbey Brewerymate, Duvel.

5. Mousekewitz

The last name of Fievel (Philly to his friends) from the best, non-disney, animated movie ever An American Tail (shout out to Spielberg)

6. March Madness

College Basketball > NBA Basketball. This is the main reason...

7. Michaelson, Ingrid

Most amazing vocalist I've ever seen live... Check out her music (especially if you like: Mirah, Metric, or rainer Maria)

8. Memorial Stadium

Not to be confused with War Memorial, but where the Orioles (and REAL Colts) once played.

9. Mathers, Marshall

What he's done to/for rap can never be qualified... both positively and negatively. One of the best lyricist ever...

10. Maryland

How could I have a "m" list without the Old Line State? Maryland. Pound-for-Pound, undisputed best state!

years since cubs last won the series + 19

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:46:13 GMT

Truth is the first casualty of war

Now that the olympics are taking their four year hibernation (seriously, Winter Olympics... why?!? Hi, British Columbia) and in the light of one of the best organized and executed summer games, the question turns to: What was the best Olympics ever?

Being only 25, I don't think I can begin to answer that as I only have lived through 6 olympics (and the only thing I really recall from Seoul was Flo-Jo... her hair went for days!!). So, feasibly, I can attempt to answer this question:

What was the best Olympics I've ever seen?!?

So, in descending order:

5. 2004 Summer Olympics - Athens

This is what happens when you get a mercy games in a country long on history, and short in competence. Lengthy strikes and transportation problems delayed several of the main competitive structures completion (and, judging from their mediocre designs, would've been better to have halted production altogether). These games will always be remembered for turning the Olympic torch relay into a Francis Drakian task and for the US Men's Basketball's fall from grace... Oh, and some guy named Phelps exploded on the scene winning 6 gold medals.

NBC also proved they were still unequipped to deliver "live" broadcasting dealing with a major time zone difference....

4. 2000 Summer Games - Sydney

Had it not been for the crapfest that came four years afterwards, this might've gone down as one of the most lackluster Olympics since the Canadian Games of 1976 (Yes, the boycotts in '80 and '84 probably weren't as competitive, but those were at least rife with underlying tension.) Maybe I'm heartless, but the whole "aborigines are our friends now" theme seemed sorta heavy-handed and disingenuous, complete with an otherwise unimportant, biracial sprinter receiving the most glorious honor of lighting the Olympic flame. The only two highlights that stick out to me are Vince Carter destroying the professional career of Frederic Weis before it got started (best. olympic dunk. ever) and Ben Sheets' pitching the greatest olympic baseball game of all-time (and then subsequently, going from underrated to vastly overrated at a speed that caused him to constantly suffer injury to the chagrin of fantasy baseball owners and Brewers fans everywhere)

3. 1992 Summer Games - Barcelona

The elaborate opening and closing ceremonies were exceptional (possibly the best on this list), all capped by the amazing and awe-inspiring (and best) torch lighting.

These games featured: the first "Dream Team" and changed the way the world looked at basketball, the unstoppable "unified team" (the poor IOC solution to the disconsolate mess that was the former Soviet Union), the diving competition that displayed the brilliant barcelonian skyline.

My enduring memory of these games will always be Derek Redmond. The British sprinter who tore his hamstring during a heat in the 400 meters, gamely, trying to finish the race out. His father rushed down from the stands and, finished the race, arm and arm, with him.

2. 2008 Summer Games - Beijing

We all just saw it. Phelps, Redeem, Shawn and Natasha, the williams' sisters, Usain Bolt, and the rise of China itself...

It is a number that will keep these games alive forever... and that's 8. The day, month, and year of the games (well, start) and the number that Phelps took home.

1. 1996 Summer Games - Atlanta

Too young to remember the LA Games (and its cool torch lighting ceremony), this was my first chance to see the games on my own soil (Soccer prelims were played in DC) and, for the first and only time, entirely live. The games started at a frenzy pace having the greatest icon of the 20th century touch off the games as Muhammed Ali lit the torch for the fortnight. These games had it all: the second (for all intensive purposes, last) "Dream Team" steam rolled to another gold, Micheal Johnson (and his gold shoes!!) running into history, Carl Lewis, (at 35!)the greatest of all send-offs, becoming the greatest Track & Field athlete of all-time, the kerri strug vault!! Aggasi enduring (sans bandana), and, most important, the rise of Kurt Angle!

The underlying tension of a terrorist act, which claimed two lives, also put the whole scene into perspective, and launched these games into the stratosphere of truly enduring olympic moments.

My eternal memory of these games is watching an aged, always regal, Linford Christie, ravaged by age, walking away from the track at the beginning of the 100meter finals, disqualified for a false start. He looks sad, confused, and hurt. His best years were behind him now, his talent faded away, just like his figure did to the camera lens, as he disappeared into the stadium tunnel.

years since the anti-trust was first signed (hi, haliburton)

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:09:35 GMT

Love is the name for our pursuit for wholeness, our desire to be complete

I watched in '93 when Griffey hit the warehouse...

I watched in '96 when Walker knocked his name out in the scoreboard at the Jake...

I watched in '99 when McGwire assaulted the Green Monster (and that parking deck behind it)...

I watched in '00 when Sosa hit balls almost 2 football fields long...

I watched in '04 when Tejada bounced balls off the train tracks in Houston...

I watched in '05 when Abreu just kept hitting home runs...

I watched in '06 when Ryan Howard improved the Pittsburgh landscape by blasting mammoth shots into it...

However, all of that pales in comparison with what Josh Hamilton did tonight. For such a storied place as Yankee Stadium has fashioned itself to be, this evening saw one of the greatest testaments to the human spirit and the most indescribable feats performed by a simple man and a 71-year old pitcher.

117

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:44:00 GMT

Before one fools others, one must fool themselves

My Chuck Klosterman moment...

There's an amusing trend, in large, european cities, of tourist-oriented bars designed on the premise of what foreigners think a european bar should be like. There's the faux-family shields, the antique steins, the oversized mirrors, the nauseatingly upbeat euro techno music, oversized beer taps, and countless other novelties that seem more 80s than Brussels. Conversely, and even more hilarious, now, in America, there's a seemingly overhanded response in the rapid expansion of bars designed to imitate the imitation of the european bar. They try to recreate an atmosphere and ambiance that was never authentic. Your "gastro pubs" and countless "Paris Crepe Bars" are merely copying an idea that was perpetuated by Europeans entrepreneurs who wanted to reproduce something familiar to American sightseers with the illusion of being real.
Of course, the elitist and trendsters of america are eating it up. These new "shoppes" and "emporiums" are the perfect way to relive an eon old trip to Europe which was probably more "American in Paris" than "paris, je t'aime". What's the harm? None really. Just at the emperor enjoyed his new clothes, so, too, are the people who are swallowing this new American Europe flavored-America.

one molly ringwald

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:46:08 GMT

There is no mystery... you get what you give

WE MAJOR (remix) from 2 years ago!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/12377775ffb3fe5d/

Feeling worse than not getting ass, day you leave for a tour,
They say if you die a soldier, people will grieve for you more,
Think that? You dumber than people that believe in this war,
Fox News showin’ false death counts, like they retrievin’ the score,
I guess that makes Katrina, a little halftime entertainment,
I just rap the situation, I don’t try to explain it,
Never lame shit, as we stay sharp as a knife,
I’m the reason you’re upset for what you did with your life,
Less than my best, is like the gift you chose to sacrifice,
Wit’ ill thoughts, just a bonus that my prose is so nice,
My best bars, anything less than those won’t suffice,
I get girls and gems and never talk about hoes and the ice,
Ozy, baby, the King of Kings, I don’t gotta pose as Christ,
Takin’ this for ours, we not your saviour,
But you gotsta know, homie, we major

115

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:22:49 GMT

my mom's birthday is today

blatant self-promotion... vote early, vote often
http://www.poetry.com/voteforme/poemvote1.asp?PID=12963777

114

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:08:47 GMT

Being right is almost never more important than our happiness

I just listened to the advance copy of Counting Crows "Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings" and since Young Arneezy won't review it (he's a hater), I decided that I'm going to do it...

I liked it. I don't need it, but I like it.

Maybe I should explain in detail...

The Counting Crows started as an aimless rock group from California searching for their place in a changing, musical landscape. Grunge was big and people wanted to hear songs that said something and gave a voice to the angst of Generation X. They carved out their niche writing these songs (and they did it damn well), with a pop hilt that kept their name ringing long after the era unlike their more talented, though genre jihad, contemporaries (see: Pixies).

However, as with many bands that have weathered long-periods, they've dipped and rose in popularity as they've tried to weather not only outlandish expectations (stop with the fables, they'll never top "Mr. Jones" or "A Long December") and confusing experimentations with new styles (see: Hard Candy) and hadn't released new material since 2002. Rich in the irony, they seemed content to enjoy the place they earned with music wrote about not being able to earn a place nor be happy.

So, why, then, did they release a new album now? The trip wasn't complete. They needed to fulfill their rock roots ("August and Everything After" started a hard, high note that no other album, until now, dared to match with the first half of the album. Adam Duritz remarked that that half reflects Saturday Night where you go out and sin... Its loud and violent and ugly.). They needed to scratch at the itches that probably keep them up at night ("Recovering the satellites" plays like an open wound. Case in point, the latter part of the album plays like a confession, much like the Sunday Morning motif suggests, it plays like the atoning for all that's been.).

This album is far from their best work or even a legendary album (its disjointed and not made for beginning-to-end listening, there are a few songs that can be cut due to just not fitting in to the flow, a few songs go on too long), but it has some painfully, poignant moments. It has some daring and exploratory moments. It has one song that deserves a place in the pantheon of Great Counting Crows' Songs (On a Tuesday in Amsterdam long ago) and it makes me remember everything that I loved about the band and giving me reason to hope that Duritz, the gravelly voiced singer, is right when he opines that the band is far from done.

one and unlucky

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:35:12 GMT

when a thing has perfection, so much greater is its pleasure or pain

Silly, immature game to enhance this time of year.

Due to the large number of games being played the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, CBS gets spread thin on announcers and has to rely on some of the regional voices to cover the games. Here's where the fun comes in... The local guys aren't the most versed or polished, usually being former players and coaches, and this often leads to some, shall we say, dubious remarks.

So, I try to find all the comments that could double for play-by-play/analysts of an "Adult Movie":

Here are the highlights of today's games:

- "That's a confident guy right there. To sit back and just let it rip clean like that" (Miss. St. vs. Memphis)

- "He really knows how to fill the box!" (Davidson vs. Georgetown)

- "He knows how to take advantage of openings" (Miss. St. vs. Memphis)

- "And Finally, every man involved has scored!" (UNC vs. Arkansas)

Keep watching. Though, as the games get fewer, so, too, do the remarks... Though, there's always hope for the Gus Johnson Money Shot (that's a topic for another LJ)

January 12

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:42:08 GMT

Beauty is worse than wine... For it intoxicates both the beholder and the beheld

You may have read rumors of my first foray into recording a rap song... Here you go. Not very good production and i get ahead of the beat sometimes.

The beat is courtesy a young man who goes by the name "Ya Boy Gutta". Gracias, comrade.

The Fallout
http://www.zshare.net/audio/8841282b97a1eb/

Lyrics:

You left this night to falter, still I don’t fault her,
A paradox called love and pride caught her,
Baby, you shine like the first star this night,
I fucked up before but now I’ll get this right,
Street lights become dawn, I hardly yawn,
Chances slipping across the universe and gone,
‘Cause nothing is gonna change her world,
‘Cause nothing is gonna change my girl,
Until she is not any longer, feelings only grow stronger,
To a certain point now we Bluer than Chris Pronger,
Reality wanted a check, but I got nothin’ to pay,
It takes more than lovin’ to stay, somethin’ to say?
I set you apart, beget my heart, even when I was bluffin’ or stray,
‘Cause at the heart of love you only find fear,
‘Cause life is headlights and you were a blind deer,
You never had a chance, thought its better that we dance,
Then sit out, stay stuck, life only worth it when we advance,
But it seems your lackin’ a clue, And oh what, a beautiful view,
Especially when you’re never aware of what’s around you,
Hard trying to forget, the past, life don’t omit,
What we usually want, irony a poor fit,
I am a boat in the forest, lost, looking for my sea,
I am the innocent convict, no appeal ignore my plea,
Just a past now blurred, Pretend it never occurred,
If a heart breaks, and the cause doesn’t notice, is it even heard?
Now back in Winter’s dead, her last note bounces in my head,
“Take care, baby, Someday you will be loved” it said,
Yeah, Someday you will be loved…

Diet 11:11

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:43:16 GMT

If you don't celebrate, what is there to fight for?

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the death of the most overrated rapper of all-time

Sapp + Favre + Landetta (he wore #4 at some point)

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:19:07 GMT

You always dread the unfamiliar

I'm on the verge of the rest of my life... finally. There is only so long one person can play Peter Pan. I guess saying "finally" is wrong. I don't have any regrets or any hangups about my current position in life, I just am ready for the next step. I'm ready to be my own entity and to do something, to be somewhere (else), with someone.

All those things will come in time, right? Right. All my stars are aligned

one oh nine

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:54:47 GMT

The one who is prepared can only suffer harm if he delays...

Website of the year (so far):
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

completely obliterates every blog idea i've ever had

Other road behind my house

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:14:27 GMT

Silence is the one friend that never betrays

February musings...

1) What exec at disney signed off on the idea of giving Martin Lawrence a multiple movie deal? This is the same guy who is banned from NBC and has like a 3294273893283248734 foot restraining order on him from Tischa Campbell, angela bassett, and half of Detroit. Just doesn't seem like the best marketing move for the mouse...

2) Castro gave up power. I love all the neo-cons and everyone else who are cheering this as the return of Cuba to democracy. That's the fundamental problem with this administration and its continued supporters... they not only think that everyone should believe as they believe, but they want to force them into said belief. You know because without democracy, Cuba is falling apart. Their higher literacy, lower inflation, and higher cultural index rates are sure signs. I'm not saying that, like all countries, there isn't problem (hi, denial of freedom of speech), but I wish that we wouldn't present the island nation as this troubled empire that's now dancing singing "the wicked king is dead".

3) Good to see Hillary finally showed up to the campaign. Some things are just destiny... The cult-like following, the galvanizing of apathetic people, the calming force. Obama has it all. I don't think history will judge Clinton as losing this election (or her husband), they'll judge Obama as being one of those rare individuals that transcends all the petty restraints that confide us mere mortals. Let's all hope that the change he's bringing is more Kennedy than Nixon...

107

boomerhoco@gmail.com — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:41:25 GMT

A new broom sweeps clean

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/offthecharts/webkaraoke.html

hours of fun and a very sentimental valentine gift idea (I'm not saying this is all you should do, but it is a good way to supplement whatever other lame shit you get)