Libertine Gazette

Beautiful Day

2011-09-10T18:12:00.001-04:00

It was a beautiful day for a nice bike ride down Ocean Boulevard. Betsy and I stopped in to River City Cafe on 21st Avenue for a quick bite. The weather is cooling off just a little and summer is winding to a close. We are coming up on some great days ahead. Soon the a/c goes off, and the windows fly open to greet the fresh air. It's a good day to be alive.

Biking

2011-08-24T22:18:00.001-04:00

Betsy and I have been bicycling every afternoon after work, weather permitting. We have been up to this for about two weeks now. It feels great to be in motion. We seem to be getting stronger. Next step is to add some crunches and push-ups to our routine. We are going to be doing these two challenges:

Two Hundred Sit-Ups

One Hundred Push Ups

I feel it will be great to run these simultaneously. We are moving along in a natural, unforced way. We will be ramping it up in due course.

Katie Begins Her Brisbane Semester

2011-07-15T00:02:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, my daughter Katie arrived in Australia to begin her semester abroad at University of Queensland in Brisbane. We will be communicating primarily via Skype or iChat. After a good nights rest, I am happy to say Katie is quite upbeat about her visit. Yesterday, after a long couple of flights across several time zones, she was a little bit stressed out and punchy. She went to sleep at about 5:30 PM, and slept until about 7:00 AM. She is now out and about, exploring the city and picking up a few needed items. She met a british girl last night while fooling with the lobby computers, which had crappy internet. The British girl invited Katie to join her out and about today, perhaps going to the beach and taking in the scenery and getting a lay of the land. I am hoping the visit will be an all around success for education, experience, and lasting friendships.

Katie started a blog about her Australia experience here.

An Appeal To A Majority

2011-07-13T09:06:00.001-04:00

"Nothing is more abhorrent to a reasonable man than an appeal to a majority; for it consistes of a few strong men, as leaders, of knaves, who temporize, of the feeble who are hangers-on, and of the multitudes who follow without the slightest idea of what they want."

Goethe

Homey Hoedown

2011-07-11T20:17:00.001-04:00

Paddle faster, I hear banjos....

Homey_Hoedown_1.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Yale Brothers 1979 - I Never Wanted You To Leave

2011-07-10T18:36:00.001-04:00

Dorks in action. Good song, Rog.

Yale Brothers - I Never Wante by The Yale Brothers Listen on Posterous

Rog on keys, Chris on drums. Golly. the memories.

Quirky

2011-07-10T18:24:00.001-04:00

Quirky.mp3 Listen on Posterous

More old Garage Band...

Space Music-ish

2011-07-10T17:39:00.001-04:00

Space Music-Ish.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Airwolf Blitzer

2011-07-10T17:21:00.001-04:00

Airwolf Blitzer by Chris Yale Listen on Posterous

Something else from Garage Band farting around.

Crime Drama 1975

2011-07-10T17:00:00.001-04:00

Here's a little instrumental I did on Garage Band when I first got my Mac. Reminds me of a Crime Drama from the 1970s.

_Crime_Drama_1975.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Corny

2011-06-05T21:56:00.001-04:00

This is too much! Made us want to grill corn.

Cleaning

2011-06-05T21:16:00.001-04:00

Betsy and I are cleaning up the house in anticipation of our daughter Katie arriving tomorrow. It will take Katie approximately five minutes to destroy the place. Just kidding, Katie! I'm sure Katie will be happy to chill out after her whirlwind European tour. Can't wait to see you, kid.

Dixieland

2011-06-04T01:29:00.001-04:00

A little music from the Boardwalk...

IMG_1240.MOV Watch on Posterous

Website Change

2011-05-30T11:24:00.001-04:00

My old website at chrisyale.com is going away. Nimbit used to host it and they are no longer offering hosting, so I decided to transfer the domain and just have it direct to my Posterous page for now, while I figure out other options. I am sort of in the process of experimentation. Please bear with me.

Rise Above It

2011-04-19T19:51:00.001-04:00

Take a stand for what you are and rise above.

We did the best we could on the four track Tascam, but I hope you feel this song. Recorded in 1990. This one will be revisited...

Rise_Above_it.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Strange Fascination

2011-04-18T18:30:00.003-04:00

Here's one recorded on a four track Tascam Portastudio. I wish it was the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. That is what this band deserved.

Strange_Fascination.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Tired

2011-04-18T18:30:00.001-04:00

Speaks for itself...Describes me a bit...Set up a mic (sm58), and riffed a bit.

Tired.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Bicycle, Bicycle.

2011-04-05T17:16:00.001-04:00

IMG_1041.MOV Watch on Posterous

Strange Fascination

2011-03-27T13:24:00.001-04:00

Here's one recorded on a four track Tascam Portastudio. I wish it was the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. That is what this band deserved.

Strange_Fascination.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Tired

2011-03-27T13:23:00.001-04:00

Speaks for itself...Describes me a bit...Set up a mic (sm58), and riffed a bit.

Tired.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Standin' Alone

2011-03-26T07:26:00.001-04:00

One of my old songs. I have lots of old songs. But not as many as are brewing now, provided I can keep my mind together to pull them off. Don't write me off just yet.

Standin'_Alone.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Watching Her Eyes

2011-03-21T07:32:00.001-04:00

Here's one from a rehearsal.

Watching_Her_Eyes_Reh.mp3 Listen on Posterous

The Dakota

2011-03-19T18:07:00.001-04:00

We were here a few years back. I just found this vid and thought I'd share. It made me sad to be there because of John. But I'd like to live there. Felt like the center of the universe.

Dakota.MOV Watch on Posterous

What I Wear

2011-03-18T19:19:00.001-04:00

Small Town Girl

2011-03-13T18:50:00.001-04:00

A co-write with my friend Mark Weisman I am happy to share. I used Logic Studio, and Toontrack.

Small_Town_Girl_Final_Mix.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Salieri

2011-03-04T10:44:00.001-05:00

Mediocrities of the world, I absolve you...

Salieri.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Cluttered? Nah.

2011-03-03T20:26:00.001-05:00

My humble workspace.

Where You Gonna Run To Now

2011-03-01T23:18:00.001-05:00

From the archives. A relatively unplugged duo version featuring my buddy Ed Dennis on lead guitar and backing vocals. Have a listen, if you like...

Where_You_Gonna_Run_To_Now_Acoustic.mp3 Listen on Posterous

What Might Have Been

2011-02-28T05:59:00.001-05:00

What Might Have Been by Chris Yale
Download now or listen on posterous

02 What Might Have Been.mp3 (5154 KB)

IMG_0959.JPG

2011-02-26T23:46:00.001-05:00

IMG_0959.JPG

Rog doing his thing.

What Might Have Been at Create South

2011-02-26T23:17:00.001-05:00

Testing From iPhone

2011-02-26T17:47:00.001-05:00

Download now or watch on posterous

p12.mov (4339 KB)

Checking out Posterous

2011-02-26T17:31:00.001-05:00

I'm doing a little experiment and checking out Posterous. Looks like it could be quite useful. I'm going to check out my brother Roger's band, Sick Stooges tonight at the House Of Blues. Maybe I'll put up some pictures or maybe audio, if it's not completely distorted. sickstooges.com.

What Might Have Been

2011-01-26T16:20:00.003-05:00

From my friends at Myrtle beach TV

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T10:28:00.001-05:00

[The Birth of Jesus Christ]
[2:1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
[The Shepherds and the Angels]
[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
[21] And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
(Luke 2:1-21 ESV)

The Sun News reviews Well Enough Alone CD

2010-04-24T11:25:00.002-04:00

Chris Mowder reviews my Album, Well Enough Alone in a larger article about CDs in the Sun News

CREATE South

2010-04-18T17:48:00.003-04:00

The third annual CREATE South conference was yesterday. It was a perfect day for the event, and it was the best one yet!

Rog and I played a short set during lunch. It was loads of fun.

This pic is compliments of Eugene Mah. He has more photos from the event here.

Good Rehearsal

2010-01-20T17:03:00.004-05:00

My brother Rog and I had a good rehearsal today. I wasn't feeling well before he got here, but as we got underway, I started feeling better. We worked through 21 songs, most of which were originals, but we did some covers too.

Here's a list of what we went over:

Speed
Watching Her Eyes*
Standin' Alone*
Living For You*
Castaway*
It's Not Love*
Carolina Moon*
Paint Me a Birmingham
Famous Last Words*
What Might Have Been*
Seeing's Believing*
Something I Remember*
Early Train*
I See September*
Go*
If You Walk Away*
Broken Angel*
You Wreck Me
Last Day On Earth*
Dead Flowers
Your Song

Twenty one songs gone over today. That makes today the best rehearsal this year so far.

* Yale Bros originals either penned by me or Rog

NEED

2009-12-12T20:49:00.002-05:00

I need your
fibrous assaults
on the landscapes
of my aorta
and the
scratchings
of self doubt
on the lenses
of my soul

Texas Windmills

2009-11-08T19:03:00.003-05:00

Southern Ghosts

2009-10-31T15:15:00.002-04:00

Southern Ghosts

Miserably abiding

What the dusty skeletons

Have been so long hiding

I heard that they were here

But they seemed too far

To be so near

Despite the doubt
Tonight they appear...

Social Distortion

2009-10-25T17:39:00.004-04:00

My buddy Joe Gonzalez was kind enough to take me with him to Social D last night at the House Of Blues. We had a great time. This was the third time I have been fortunate enough to see the boys at this venue. I saw them back in the day in Hollywood about 1981 0r so at some run down old dilapidated dance hall with some other punk bands. I don't remember them that night, but my brother Roger says they were on the bill. He says we had a good time. Hell, in 1981 I ALWAYS had a good time.

R.I.P. Jim Carroll

2009-09-13T23:36:00.002-04:00

Jim died of a heart attack 9-11-09. They were my friends, and they died.

Into Arkansas

2009-08-31T19:48:00.003-04:00

Olive Branch, MS towards Memphis

2009-08-30T21:53:00.003-04:00

Southeast 2, maybe Georgia

2009-08-30T21:27:00.002-04:00

Southeast 1

2009-08-30T20:59:00.004-04:00

Glad To Be Home

2009-08-30T16:27:00.005-04:00

I am now home from California. It was a whirlwind of a trip. I drove Katie's car across the country, which was quite enjoyable; I had been wanting to get some alone time, and that trip pretty much provided that. I rolled into Los Angeles on August 18, and I met my wife and daughter on August 19th, which happened to be Betsy's Birthday. Our objective was to move Katie off campus (USC) and into an apartment with her roommate, Amanda. Mission accomplished. There was lots of schlepping and lots of shopping, but we got it together. Unfortunately I didn't have the time I would have liked to have had to visit friends, but that will have to wait until next time. Now that Katie is settled in, there will be lots more time for leisure on our next visit. I am kicking around the notion of going to the TAXI Road Rally in November.

We stayed at the Westin Bonaventure. I wasn't entirely happy with the hotel, as they seemed to hold an archaic business model, e.g., they charged for internet service which I thought was stupid, because even the most mom and pop motels across the country include that service for free. Plus, parking was $34.00 a night, which I suppose is the going rate for downtown, but it pissed me off anyway. The Bona Vista lounge at the top of the hotel was interesting. It is a rotating bar, offering you a 360 degree view of Los Angeles each hour. That was fun.

Next time, more time will be my own. But I knew that going in.

I also realized something on this trip. I need to get in shape....

In the Quiet

2009-07-26T08:33:00.002-04:00

In the quiet of the morning before the brain starts racing you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the infinite. It comes sneaking in at the odd moment when you least expect it, and it is gone in a flash. But for that instant, the universe opens itself up to you and there is a joyful delight and a thoughtless knowing that you are in the presence of that which you emanated from and to which you will one day return. Eternal. Wordless. Indescribable. Holy.

The iPhone Ad You'll Never See

2009-07-17T08:24:00.000-04:00

Test

2009-07-15T11:08:00.001-04:00

This a test from my phone...

The joy of music.

2009-07-14T23:21:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T12:06:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day!
My dad would have been 95 tomorrow.
He was the most youthful and alive person I have even known.
He died on my 21st birthday.
Rog and I are 45 now and we miss him every day.
Enjoy your dads while you can.
If you had or have a horrible dad, never mind.

Betsy's New Man

2009-05-01T09:17:00.003-04:00

My wife has a new boyfriend. And if that wasn't enough, he's moved in! His name is Billy. She rescued him. Took three months, but she did it. He's been living here a couple months now, and is only just now approaching me. But he's crazy about Betsy.

Learning

2009-04-28T23:00:00.004-04:00

I've been learning lots of things lately...

Like never paying in advance for work not completed...

Like never saying never...

Like doing the best I can with what I have...

Like excellence is its own reward...

Like taking the time to be still.

VACCINE

2009-04-27T21:07:00.006-04:00

I medicate my pain
to put my soul at ease

My overloaded brain
is the cause of this disease

The choices I have made
have authored my affliction

A cold and selfish heart
within a walking contradiction

Starving

2009-04-27T20:37:00.004-04:00

Your heart's in the right place
and I'm starving for the sight
of your face
But this old car
can't go that far
Aching for your love
about as gentle as a shove
from a strong man
at the right hand
of a tycoon
or a missile
in the hands of a baboon

Move In To Your Truth

2009-04-17T08:10:00.002-04:00

This may not be what you imagined it would be, but it is all you've got in the present moment. Live it. If you don't want it, change it. You are the creator of your own reality. You are powerful. Move in to your truth.

Language and Identity

2009-04-12T07:56:00.002-04:00

We are inexorably bound up in our primary language, and to a very large extent it sets the parameters of our reality. We are usually unconscious of what lies behind that language, which is the pure essence of who we really are.

City Of Pain

2009-03-25T19:39:00.004-04:00

My buddy Richard Klotz put this video up of our old band Rogue Alley. He was the bass player in the band, and I was the singer. Roger, my brother was on keys, Mark Cerneka was lead guitar, Jim Alden on drums. This is a snapshot of the times, and I had the time of my life. Richard directed and produced this film. It would not have existed without him.

Thoughts From A Viewing

2009-03-21T08:58:00.003-04:00

The mother of a friend of mine died on March 19. She was a lovely lady and I was quite fond of her. I went to her viewing last night and I began to think of the nature of things, knowing that one day I would be the one being laid to rest.

These were a few of my thoughts…

Don’t be so identified with present form that you forget what your true nature is. You are spirit. Go beyond language into deep knowing which words cannot express. It is impossible to put the infinite into words. Once we try to conceptualize the eternal nature we lose touch with it. The answer only comes when we’re not trying.

These forms are dynamic. All that we see will crumble. Energy remains but does not sustain structures perpetually. Energy is a creative force. It seems restless.

Always remember that there is more to life than what we can taste, touch, smell, hear and see. That life that pulses through us and programmed our brains to beat our hearts has no beginning and no end. Honor that life force in the stillness without words, and without thought. Peace, be still….

Today is CREATE South Donate/Social Media Day

2009-03-19T17:26:00.003-04:00

CREATE South is coming to town for our second annual conference. It was a blast last year, and I highly recommend it. It'll be bigger and better this time....

This is recopied from an email from my buddy Dave Slusher, who is co-chair of CREATE South....

Thanks to everyone for expressing interest in the CREATE South
conference. This year it will be held April 25, 2009 in Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina. We are expanding from our first year in both
programming options and in the space we'll have available to us. The
conference will be held at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College
facilities on the old Air Force Base - a few blocks from Market
Commons and about half a mile from the beach. More information is
always available at http://www.createsouth.org/

The conference registration is free for the attendees and we plan to
always keep it that way. If you haven't already registered for this
year, please do at http://www.createsouth.org/register.php so that we
can accurately plan for the size of the turnout.

That said we have set aside today, March 19th 2009 as "Donate Day."
We are still looking for donors and sponsors to help us meet the costs
of presenting it. If you can spare a few dollars, there is a donate
button in the sidebar of every page on our website. If your company
would be interested in sponsoring the conference or you know of one
that might, please drop a note to sponsors@createsouth.org .

Also, today in honor of March Madness we are putting on the "full
court press" for getting the word out about the conference. If you
have a blog, we'd appreciate greatly if you'd post a short note
referencing the conference. Likewise, for those of you who are users
of Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed or any other social media sites,
please make a quick post about the conference. Our goal is to get as
many interested people in the room for mutual education and
edification. We'd love it if no interested party misses out just
because they didn't know about it.

Thanks to everyone for making 2008 a great conference and we expect
even better for 2009. Over the next few days we'll be posting
information about our programming. Keep watching the main site and our
blog at http://blog.createsouth.org/ for more updated information.

Best to everyone in 2009.

Dave Slusher, co-chair, dslusher@gmail.com

CREATE South

2009-03-19T17:13:00.003-04:00

The second annual CREATE South is coming up April 25th.

This is the official communication from Andre Pope of CREATE South....

Calling all friends of CREATE South – www.createsouth.org – Today is the day that you get to play a major part in CREATE South 2009! We are launching a donation drive and social media blitz for the continuing success of CREATE South. We are asking for you to take a moment and donate whatever you can towards preserving the tradition of our grassroots art and technology conference.

We have set-up a donation button on the front of the website ( www.createsouth.org ) to make it easy to donate! Whatever you can afford to give will be of great service. After your donation, if you could help spread the word that would be even better. Pass along this email to all your contacts in your address book. Blog, Twitter, FaceBook, FriendFeed whatever it is that you do to help get the word out. The more people we can get involved the better. To make it a little easier there is even a little Twitter donate button to help you pass the word!

If you haven’t done so take the time to register for this year’s conference. Just go to http://www.createsouth.org/register.php and fill out the form!

We look forward to seeing you April 25, 2009!

What's with Irish Rock Icons and Shades?

2009-03-04T20:49:00.003-05:00

Test from Google Docs. I want to work...

2009-02-25T17:29:00.001-05:00

Test from Google Docs. I want to work from here. Just to see what it's like.

iTunes

2009-02-06T12:35:00.001-05:00

This is a test link to my iTunes page.
Testing. Testing. Is this thing on?

I Love Jesus But I Drink A Little

2009-02-04T08:05:00.002-05:00

I almost choked on my coffee!

Charity Water TWESTIVAL

2009-02-03T20:56:00.001-05:00

My Login Screen

2009-02-02T22:56:00.003-05:00

Thought you might get a kick out of this, or maybe a poke in the eye...
Spread out!

John Lennon - Working Class Hero

2009-01-24T17:47:00.002-05:00

I have been reading the wonderful new biography of John Lennon by Philip Norman called John Lennon - The Life. I spotted this online and am sharing it for anyone out there that still appreciates the work and the man. I still do. I find it hard to believe he's been gone so long now. But his spirit lives on.

Aggravation Into Energy

2009-01-21T09:14:00.003-05:00

I have a couple of cats. They wake up about the same time every day and bug the shit out of me every morning. My wife wakes up earlier than I have been, and is usually the one that feeds them. I have decided to change things up in this new year. Instead of cussing at them and turning over and trying to go back to sleep, I have been arising when they stir and start their groundhog day-like each and every morning routine, feeding them, and going about the business of starting the day. I write each morning and enjoy some quiet, reflective time. This gets me out of bed earlier, and gives me more time to get the day going in a relaxed and poised manner. So, instead of getting pissed (angry, not drunk), I thank them for reminding me it's time to wake up and spend some time alone with my thoughts and to connect with the Great Spirit. So far, so good. Everybody's happy. Especially my wife. All this time I thought she liked getting up. I think she enjoys sleeping in just a bit better.

Live Coverage

2009-01-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Dawning Of A New Day

2009-01-20T09:18:00.002-05:00

Today is a new day. There is an air of hopeful anticipation in the air for most people. Regardless of political affiliation, the process of inauguration is exciting. It represents change; change of administration, change of policy, change of leadership and management style, change of philosophy. I am aware of the grave state of affairs, and I know that one person or group of persons is incapable of solving all of our problems. I am hopeful that the incoming President and his staff will carry out their duties responsibly, competently, and with as much foresight as humanly possible. May the Constitution not be trampled underfoot. May wisdom be the credo. God Bless America.

Evil Genius Chronicles

2009-01-10T12:06:00.002-05:00

I just finished listening to my friend Dave Slusher's Evil Genius Chronicles podcast, his first one of the new year. It really resonated with me. Do yourself a favor and go check it out. Better yet, subscribe to this great show.

2009 Already?

2009-01-03T10:37:00.004-05:00

Time has a way of slipping by, especially if we are living in an unconscious manner. I admit that I have spent a great deal of my life avoiding the present moment; daydreaming the time away. Thinking of the past or the future. Dwelling on dark imaginings or fantasizing about some other place and time, some other set of circumstances, some other reality. I aspire to being present, now and always. That is my intention.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T00:50:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone!

Waiting

2008-12-16T09:36:00.004-05:00

Here's a picture I call "Waiting". I found this in the bowels of my archives. This is done in the old Paint program.....

Up Early

2008-12-16T09:32:00.001-05:00

I am up a bit earlier than usual this morning. I made the choice to try pulling myself from the computer and getting to bed about an hour earlier with the intention to get up earlier. It worked. I got the same eight hours of sleep, but I woke up earlier, refreshed and ready to take on the day. I have been making different choices these days. Choices which nourish the life-force, and put me back into alignment with the reality that is coming alive in me. I am giving myself time now to do the things I want to do. Time has such a way of racing by. I am learning to embrace the moment rather than over thinking and obsessing about what is, and how that might possibly affect what will be. I am making conscious choices to move toward that which I fear. I know that fear is not negative. Fear is an excellent teacher, if one is willing to push through it and not cower before it.

I am re-reading The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. It's good stuff if you are out to recapture your creative essence.

Righteous Action

2008-11-28T16:49:00.001-05:00

Stop trying. Stop striving, and learn to live again. Learn to let go. Learn to be free again. Unlearn the gestures of tyranny of self. Unshackle from the past. Let yourself flow with the freedom of the moment. Act from your limitless core. Speak the truth in love. Better yet, let the truth be expressed through holy silence feeding righteous action.

Embrace the multiplicity of life. Enjoy the fragments that produce such a varied prism of color.

Beyond Our Means

2008-11-15T11:55:00.004-05:00

"Our government has lived beyond its means for decades. We now
face a crucial juncture, at which we determine whether to continue down
the path of debt, inflation, and government intervention or choose to
return to the economics of the free market, which have been ignored for
almost a century. Increased debt leads to higher taxes on future
generations, while increased inflation diminishes the purchasing power
of American families and destroys the dollar. No society has ever
achieved prosperity through indebtedness or inflation, and the United
States is no exception. We cannot afford to continue our current
policies of monetary expansion and unending bailouts. Unless we return
to sound monetary policy, sharply reduce government expenditures, and
realize that the government cannot act as a lender of last resort, we
will drive our economy to ruin."
Ron Paul

"Wake up, people!"
Diet Pepsi Max.

President Obama

2008-11-05T00:07:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, President Obama!

Shift Happens

2008-10-28T12:58:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - From The Getty Center Garden in L.A.

2008-10-22T08:18:00.003-04:00

USC Parent's Weekend

2008-10-19T09:50:00.003-04:00

Here are some pics from Parent's Weekend, including some at the Trojans VS Sun Devils. Trojans 28, Sun Devils 0! Fight on, Trojans!

New MacBook Pro

2008-10-18T14:07:00.003-04:00

Apple replaced my MacBook Pro with the new model. I was given the choice of the previous model, which was set aside for me for a few weeks down at the Apple Store in Charleston, or, the brand new model. I took a chance and went for the new model. I am glad I was out of town for a while, because if I picked the machine up any earlier, I would not have had this option, as the new versions would not have been released yet.

Thanks to Casey Koronkowski, the incredible Apple Genius who treated me beyond my expectations, and expedited this exchange for me. Thanks also, Casey, for transferring my data so quickly and cleanly. All I had to do when I got home was turn this baby on and rock!

I like the keyboard better now than on the older MBP. It is way more responsive for my typing style. I know some people prefer the old style, but not me.

I am back in the saddle, and it feels allright!

It was worth the wait.

2008-09-18T22:54:00.002-04:00

Instructions: Take a picture of yourself right now. Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair - just take a picture. Post that picture with NO editing. Post these instructions with the picture.

My buddy , Andre Pope posted this on his blog, and it seemed cool, so there ya go!

"Niche Expression"

2008-09-11T17:20:00.002-04:00

Everything has changed. The way we shop has obviously changed. The way we entertain ourselves and interact with others has changed. We no longer have to be slaves of what the big machine dictates. We don't need to put up with whatever "next big thing" they choose to spoon-feed, shove down our throats, or otherwise foist upon us.

In his enlightening and highly recommended book, Buying In, author Rob walker has this to say:

"The mass market - indeed, massness itself - is dead. No longer must we accept the stultifying, homogenized monoculture of decades past, as niche expression is made available to us at last. Companies must, as more than one guru has put it, provide personalization."

Jury Duty

2008-09-08T21:29:00.001-04:00

I have been selected for Jury duty here in myrtle Beach for the week. Today was the qualification process. They had one case for the day, and I was not selected. I am still required to appear each morning until Friday. The fact that the court is pretty much across the street from Broadway At The Beach, the place I work, makes the logistical aspect of attending pretty darn easy. If anything, I consider this experience a study in psychology and sociology. We humans seem to have mastered the fine art of getting ourselves into trouble.

Ready For The Pool

2008-09-07T14:20:00.004-04:00

Something New

2008-08-06T21:58:00.001-04:00

I can't escape the feeling that new things are on the horizon for me and my family. It is now less than two weeks until Katie goes off to college. We leave on August 19th (this is also Betsy's Birthday). Move-in day is the 20th.

It will certainly be a different dynamic around this little house, but I am thrilled that Katie has such a great opportunity ahead of her.

Quiet

2008-07-20T10:59:00.001-04:00

I have been quiet. I really haven't had all that much to say lately. I have been overloaded with information. Sometimes I see no reason to add to the cacophony of absurdity, the vanity of babble. The foolishness of ego-driven opinion. The hollow emptiness of words.

Time Machine

2008-07-11T19:57:00.004-04:00

I have been keen to try Time Machine, and I have been on the lookout for a reasonable deal on an a backup drive. Today i found one at Circuit City. I found a Western Digital MyBook 500GB drive for $99.95. I snapped it up and headed home. There was nothing to setting it up and now my Mac is backed up automatically. I am happy with this process. As a fairly non-technical person, this seems a quick and complete backup solution. I was doing some manual backups to my other external drive, my portable one, but I have some peace of mind knowing that all my stuff is secure.

Orientation Complete

2008-06-25T21:03:00.001-04:00

Today was the final day of Katie's orientation at USC. She has also registered for classes for her first semester, and we basically have all of our ducks in a row. It has been an extremely busy couple of days, with a tight schedule, and not much wiggle room at all. The time has gone by very quickly. I was hoping to get together with some old friends, but as it turns out, we simply didn't have the time. We will be back on a regular basis though, and I am sure we can do that next time around.

We have a very early flight tomorrow, which means we will be at LAX by 6AM or earlier. Ugh.

The USC thing being done is a major load off my mind. I'm sure Katie is relieved to be done with all the rigamarole as well.

If any of my buddies are reading this, sorry I didn't get a chance to see you, but I'll be back soon and will try again then!

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RIP George Carlin

2008-06-23T14:40:00.001-04:00

Greetings from L.A.

2008-06-22T20:34:00.001-04:00

We have arrived in L.A. This is a pic from Jim's house Sunday afternoon. We are here for Katie's USC orientation this Tuesday and Wednesday. We are all pretty wiped from the trip, but I believe as the evening comes on we are starting to rally. It's hot here, but not the humid hot in Myrtle Beach. It is supposed to cool down by about twelve degrees, and then down seventeen degrees by the day after tomorrow, which is my kind of weather. I love this town!

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Pics From Last Night's Show @ Fresh Brewed

2008-06-21T17:06:00.002-04:00

Rog and I had a blast playing at Fresh Brewed last night. Thanks to all the great people who came to the show, old friends and new.

Here are some pics...

Me, Orson Welles, Roger

2008-06-15T14:07:00.002-04:00

Father's Day

2008-06-15T14:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day!

I lost my dad on my twenty first birthday. That would be July 8th, 1984. It seems like another time and another life, yet in other ways, it seems like just yesterday. It has now been almost twenty four years since then. That means that I have been alive longer without my dad than I was alive with him. I miss him every day.

People, enjoy your dad while he is here to enjoy. Because all that can change in the blink of an eye.

Vote Republican. Get What you deserve.

2008-06-14T10:39:00.003-04:00

Test

2008-06-13T16:13:00.001-04:00

This is a test for ScribeFire, the Forefox add on. It allows you to post from your blog directly from Firefox. At least it's supposed to. So here we go.....Testing, one, two, three. Check two, two.