So what's it about? Who really gives a crap. Watch the pretty explosions on this trailer and zip it:
samedi 31 décembre 2011
The Expendables = Pure Awesomeness
I don't want to get carried away here, but I think it's pretty obvious that The Expendables is going to be the greatest movie in the history of movies. Why? Well how about Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Terry Crews and Arnold Schwarzenegger for starters. Only the great assemblage of acting chops in the history of the universe. And if you disagree they might just smash your face. Collectively they've kicked more ass on film than all the other movies without them, ever, added together. This is like the absolute polar opposite of a chick flick.
So what's it about? Who really gives a crap. Watch the pretty explosions on this trailer and zip it:
So what's it about? Who really gives a crap. Watch the pretty explosions on this trailer and zip it:
Dommin Video
Here's the official music video for "My Heart, Your Hands" by Los Angeles-based goth-rockers Dommin. It's directed by Phil Mucci. Their debut CD Love is Gone is due in stores on February 2 and they will be touring with H.I.M., We Are the Fallen and Drive A this Spring.
New Korn Video
Here's Korn's music video for the song "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)" from the upcoming album ‘Korn III: Remember Who You Are’, which is due out July 13th.
Book Review: Old Flames
Old Flamesby Jack Ketchum
Synopsis: Burned again. Men never treated Dora well. This latest cheated on her and dumped her. The last decent guy she knew was her old high school boyfriend, Jim. He’d said that he loved her. Maybe he did. So with the help of the Old Flames Agency, Dora’s found him again. Turns out he’s married with two kids, but Dora isn’t about to let that stand in her way.
I'm a pretty big fan of Jack Ketchum, having read a good half-dozen or so of his works, and this is the most disappointing one I've read yet I think. It's just a straight-up by-the-numbers thriller with no twists during a very short story that's been told hundreds of times.
It's a very short, fast read (it's actually a novella) as the pace flies along and had no problem holding my interest. The lead character was intriguing, but never really revealed nearly as deeply as she could have been. That could have helped the book a lot. It also just sets a course in the first few chapters that it never deviates from and anybody who reads any thrillers can pretty much predict the rest of the book.
As a horror novel, there wasn't much violence or horror. As a thriller, it falls short of many thrills. As a character study, it only scratches the surface. As a Jack Ketchum novel, it's disappointing.
4/10
Good Night For Fights
Not only does the new season of The Ultimate Fighter debut tonight on Spike but they've got a fight card as well with 4 televised fights (at least) on UFC Fight Night 21: Florian vs. Gomi. I'm actually very excited about the top 3 fights on this card so I've got the DVR set as I'll be on the road.
* Kenny Florian vs. Takanori Gomi
* Roy Nelson vs. Stefan Struve
* Nate Quarry vs. Jorge Rivera
* Ross Pearson vs. Dennis Siver
I really like Stefan Struve and he's won 3 straight and I can't stand Roy Nelson so that'll be interesting. I hope they stand up with Stephan's big reach but Roy is going to obviously try to get it to the ground. Nate Quarry is one of my favorites just because he likes to stand right in front of people and go toe-to-toe. Sure, not the smartest way to win a fight sometimes but damned if it's not fun to watch. And Jorge will probably do the same. I like Ken-Flo a lot too but Gomi is sort of a legend in the sport. This will put one of these guys right in the mix.
Here's your usual assortment of videos for the event:
* Kenny Florian vs. Takanori Gomi
* Roy Nelson vs. Stefan Struve
* Nate Quarry vs. Jorge Rivera
* Ross Pearson vs. Dennis Siver
I really like Stefan Struve and he's won 3 straight and I can't stand Roy Nelson so that'll be interesting. I hope they stand up with Stephan's big reach but Roy is going to obviously try to get it to the ground. Nate Quarry is one of my favorites just because he likes to stand right in front of people and go toe-to-toe. Sure, not the smartest way to win a fight sometimes but damned if it's not fun to watch. And Jorge will probably do the same. I like Ken-Flo a lot too but Gomi is sort of a legend in the sport. This will put one of these guys right in the mix.
Here's your usual assortment of videos for the event:
Memorial Day
Today is the day that commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. Here are some great quotes and such for Memorial Day. Crank this video by Zakk Wylde as he plays a great acoustic version of "America The Beautiful" as you read through these.
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. -Senator Barry Goldwater
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves. -William Pitt
Chance has never yet satisfied the hope of a suffering people. Action, self-reliance, the vision of self and the future have been the only means by which the oppressed have seen and realized the light of their own freedom. -Marcus Garvey
In war, there is no prize for the runner-up. -General Omar Bradley
So long as there are men there will be wars. -Albert Einstein
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein
The cost of liberty is less than the cost of repression. -Web Dubois
The purpose of all war is ultimately peace. -Saint Augustine
And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I'll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today, 'cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land, god bless the USA. -Lee Greenwood
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy
Future years will never know the seething hell and the black infernal background, the countless minor scenes and interiors of the secession war; and it is best they should not. The real war will never get in the books. -Walt Whitman
As I approach the gates of heaven;
St. Peter I will tell;
One more soldier reporting sir;
I've served my time in hell. -Mark Anthony Gresswell
The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. -Randy Vader
The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem. -Rev. Aaron Kilbourn
When we say "War is over if you want it," we mean that if everyone demanded peace instead of another TV set, we'd have peace. -John Lennon
Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace. -Martin Luther
I think that, as life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time at peril of being judged not to have lived. -Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children. -William Havard
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. -Senator Barry Goldwater
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves. -William Pitt
Chance has never yet satisfied the hope of a suffering people. Action, self-reliance, the vision of self and the future have been the only means by which the oppressed have seen and realized the light of their own freedom. -Marcus Garvey
In war, there is no prize for the runner-up. -General Omar Bradley
So long as there are men there will be wars. -Albert Einstein
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. -Albert Einstein
The cost of liberty is less than the cost of repression. -Web Dubois
The purpose of all war is ultimately peace. -Saint Augustine
And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I'll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today, 'cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land, god bless the USA. -Lee Greenwood
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy
Future years will never know the seething hell and the black infernal background, the countless minor scenes and interiors of the secession war; and it is best they should not. The real war will never get in the books. -Walt Whitman
As I approach the gates of heaven;
St. Peter I will tell;
One more soldier reporting sir;
I've served my time in hell. -Mark Anthony Gresswell
The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. -Randy Vader
The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem. -Rev. Aaron Kilbourn
When we say "War is over if you want it," we mean that if everyone demanded peace instead of another TV set, we'd have peace. -John Lennon
Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace. -Martin Luther
I think that, as life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time at peril of being judged not to have lived. -Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children. -William Havard
2009 Year In Review: Music
Lots to talk about here so let's get right to it.
What went wrong? My least favorite CDs that I really wanted to be good would have to be the new ones from Brand New Sin, Distilled, and Lita Ford's Wicked Wonderland. I just hated almost everything about both of them and I've liked a lot of stuff by both artists. Bleh.
Comebacks... Ace Frehley returned with Anomaly and I really dug a couple of songs on it, but most of it wasn't good I thought. I was disappointed. I did however like Cheap Trick and Foreigner's new CDs and welcomed them back with open ears. Nothing compares to the comeback of Alice In Chains in my book though. I didn't really think it could be done without Layne but I'll be damned if Black Gives Way To Blue isn't just awesome. It got a whole lot of spins from me this year and will in future years I can assure you. KISS finally put out a new CD, Sonic Boom, and while it didn't blow me away by any means I thought it was a catchy pop/rock CD and was pleased.
New bands... my very favorite is Heaven and Hell, which you could technically say isn't a new band as Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice feel more like the Dio-era Sabbath. It's just a big, heavy CD that you can't possibly listen to and not make the devil horns and bang your head. Not possible. Another "super group" of sorts (I hate that term for the record) that tops my list of favorite new bands is Chickenfoot, featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith. I wasn't blown away by their CD at first, but within a week I really got into it and have played it a lot. It's fun, catchy rock n roll with excellent harmonies from Anthony and Hagar. Not a new artist per say, but new to me this year and I love the dude now, is country artist Jamey Johnson. I just love this guy and his old school country tales. Lastly, another heavy band that I just got into this year is Destrophy and their self-titled CD.
Favorite country CDs... well this isn't really fair as I only buy a few country CDs a year (I download singles though) but I'm confident my 2 choices are great CDs no matter how many I bought... Jack Ingram's Big Dreams & High Hopes and Keith Urban's Defying Gravity. Both CDs rock at times and are probably under the "nu country" banner.
Best laugh... Steel Panther's magnificent opus "Feel The Steel" is just absolutely brilliant... also filthy, catchy and funny as all hell.
Arkansans... our very own Kris Allen had a pretty good year I guess, winning American Idol and releasing his first post-Idol CD. The CD debuted at #11 and he wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 12 tracks. I didn't buy it, but I downloaded "Live Like We're Dying" and think it's a pretty good upbeat, poppy little track. I hope he has a long career personally.
Let's get to the big stuff I guess.
My favorite songs of the year for various genres:
* The Lonely Island ~ I'm On A Boat (comedy)
* Steel Panther ~ Stripper Girl (comedy)
* Brad Paisley ~ Then (country)
* Keith Urban ~ Kiss A Girl (country)
* Rascal Flats ~ Summer Nights (country)
* Randy Houser ~ Whistlin' Dixie (country)
* Jamey Johnson ~ My Way To You (country)
* Eminem ~ Bagpipes From Baghdad (hip hop/rap)
Rock/Pop:
* Cavo ~ Champagne
* Chickenfoot ~ Sexy Little Thing
* Heaven & Hell ~ Bible Black
* Breaking Benjamin ~ I Will Not Bow
* Hurt ~ Wars
* Alice In Chains ~ Check My Brain
* Creed ~ Rain
* Deepfield ~ Give Until It Hurts
* Far ~ Pony
* Destrophy ~ Why I Hate Goodbye
* Maylene and the Sons Of Disaster ~ Step Up (I'm On It)
* Marilyn Manson ~ Four Rusted Horses
* Chevelle ~ Letter From A Thief
* Seventh Void ~ Heaven Is Gone
* Tantric ~ Coming Undone
* Sick Puppies ~ You're Going Down
* The Last Vegas ~ I'm Bad
And lastly... my 20 favorite CDs of the year:
20. Throwdown ~ Deathless
19. Daughtry ~ Leave This Town
18. Five Finger Death Punch ~ War Is The Answer
17. Jack Ingram ~ Big Dreams & High Hopes
16. Bruce Springsteen ~ Working on a Dream
15. Wolfmother ~ Cosmic Egg
14. Burning Borders ~ Yesterday's Gone
13. Queenrsyche ~ American Soldier
12. Papa Roach ~ Metamorphosis
11. Pearl Jam ~ Backspacer
10. Tantric ~ Mind Control
9. Maylene and The Sons of Disaster ~ III
8. Creed ~ Full Circle
7. Megadeth ~ Endgame
6. Marilyn Manson ~ The High End of Low
5. Breaking Benjamin ~ Dear Agony
4. Keith Urban ~ Defying Gravity
3. Chickenfoot ~ s/t
2. Heaven & Hell ~ The Devil You Know
1. Alice In Chains ~ Black Gives Way To Blue
As I've said before, 2009 was another great year as far as I'm concerned. There was a lot of music that I'll still be playing years from now.
What went wrong? My least favorite CDs that I really wanted to be good would have to be the new ones from Brand New Sin, Distilled, and Lita Ford's Wicked Wonderland. I just hated almost everything about both of them and I've liked a lot of stuff by both artists. Bleh.
Comebacks... Ace Frehley returned with Anomaly and I really dug a couple of songs on it, but most of it wasn't good I thought. I was disappointed. I did however like Cheap Trick and Foreigner's new CDs and welcomed them back with open ears. Nothing compares to the comeback of Alice In Chains in my book though. I didn't really think it could be done without Layne but I'll be damned if Black Gives Way To Blue isn't just awesome. It got a whole lot of spins from me this year and will in future years I can assure you. KISS finally put out a new CD, Sonic Boom, and while it didn't blow me away by any means I thought it was a catchy pop/rock CD and was pleased.
New bands... my very favorite is Heaven and Hell, which you could technically say isn't a new band as Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice feel more like the Dio-era Sabbath. It's just a big, heavy CD that you can't possibly listen to and not make the devil horns and bang your head. Not possible. Another "super group" of sorts (I hate that term for the record) that tops my list of favorite new bands is Chickenfoot, featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith. I wasn't blown away by their CD at first, but within a week I really got into it and have played it a lot. It's fun, catchy rock n roll with excellent harmonies from Anthony and Hagar. Not a new artist per say, but new to me this year and I love the dude now, is country artist Jamey Johnson. I just love this guy and his old school country tales. Lastly, another heavy band that I just got into this year is Destrophy and their self-titled CD.
Favorite country CDs... well this isn't really fair as I only buy a few country CDs a year (I download singles though) but I'm confident my 2 choices are great CDs no matter how many I bought... Jack Ingram's Big Dreams & High Hopes and Keith Urban's Defying Gravity. Both CDs rock at times and are probably under the "nu country" banner.
Best laugh... Steel Panther's magnificent opus "Feel The Steel" is just absolutely brilliant... also filthy, catchy and funny as all hell.
Arkansans... our very own Kris Allen had a pretty good year I guess, winning American Idol and releasing his first post-Idol CD. The CD debuted at #11 and he wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 12 tracks. I didn't buy it, but I downloaded "Live Like We're Dying" and think it's a pretty good upbeat, poppy little track. I hope he has a long career personally.
Let's get to the big stuff I guess.
My favorite songs of the year for various genres:
* The Lonely Island ~ I'm On A Boat (comedy)
* Steel Panther ~ Stripper Girl (comedy)
* Brad Paisley ~ Then (country)
* Keith Urban ~ Kiss A Girl (country)
* Rascal Flats ~ Summer Nights (country)
* Randy Houser ~ Whistlin' Dixie (country)
* Jamey Johnson ~ My Way To You (country)
* Eminem ~ Bagpipes From Baghdad (hip hop/rap)
Rock/Pop:
* Cavo ~ Champagne
* Chickenfoot ~ Sexy Little Thing
* Heaven & Hell ~ Bible Black
* Breaking Benjamin ~ I Will Not Bow
* Hurt ~ Wars
* Alice In Chains ~ Check My Brain
* Creed ~ Rain
* Deepfield ~ Give Until It Hurts
* Far ~ Pony
* Destrophy ~ Why I Hate Goodbye
* Maylene and the Sons Of Disaster ~ Step Up (I'm On It)
* Marilyn Manson ~ Four Rusted Horses
* Chevelle ~ Letter From A Thief
* Seventh Void ~ Heaven Is Gone
* Tantric ~ Coming Undone
* Sick Puppies ~ You're Going Down
* The Last Vegas ~ I'm Bad
And lastly... my 20 favorite CDs of the year:
20. Throwdown ~ Deathless
19. Daughtry ~ Leave This Town
18. Five Finger Death Punch ~ War Is The Answer
17. Jack Ingram ~ Big Dreams & High Hopes
16. Bruce Springsteen ~ Working on a Dream
15. Wolfmother ~ Cosmic Egg
14. Burning Borders ~ Yesterday's Gone
13. Queenrsyche ~ American Soldier
12. Papa Roach ~ Metamorphosis
11. Pearl Jam ~ Backspacer
10. Tantric ~ Mind Control
9. Maylene and The Sons of Disaster ~ III
8. Creed ~ Full Circle
7. Megadeth ~ Endgame
6. Marilyn Manson ~ The High End of Low
5. Breaking Benjamin ~ Dear Agony
4. Keith Urban ~ Defying Gravity
3. Chickenfoot ~ s/t
2. Heaven & Hell ~ The Devil You Know
1. Alice In Chains ~ Black Gives Way To Blue
As I've said before, 2009 was another great year as far as I'm concerned. There was a lot of music that I'll still be playing years from now.
Bourbon Street Bound
So Kid Rock sings about The Big Easy in his aptly named song "New Orleans"...
A jukebox shakin' and breakin' down in New Orleans
I'll be the highest hillbilly that Bourbon Street has ever seen
Perhaps he had me in mind? He might as well have, because I'm making my way down there later today with food, fun, beer and sightseeing all on the list for 3 days. I've been before, a few times actually, but my last visit was over a decade ago so I think it's time to reacquaint myself with the area. And when I go somewhere to visit I want to make sure I soak it all in. I start early, sometimes months in advance, reading about the area and history and looking for places to go and things to do.
For this trip I've watched some movies based in the area like 12 Rounds, Deja Vu, Double Jeopardy, King Creole, The Reaping, The Skeleton Key, Hatchet and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What did I learn? Well, nothing I guess really that's usable.
I've also made a CD with some songs for the drive to get more geared up, from Fats Domino's "Walkin' To New Orleans" to Down's "New Orleans is a Dying Whore" and plenty in between like "New Orleans Ladies" by Le Roux, "Queen of New Orleans" by Jon Bon Jovi and "Ghosts Of Jackson Square" by Edwin McCain . So what did I learn from this? Well, again... nothing. But hey I'll have some songs stuck in my head as I walk around.
The top of my list of restaurants... Tujague's, Acme Oyster House, Superior Grill and Jagerhaus.
The top of my places to get some brew... Crescent City Brewhouse, Erin Rose, The Avenue Pub and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop.
I plan on hearing some tunes at The Bombay Club and Famous Door, drinking a hurricane from Pat O'Briens and soaking up some jazz at Preservation Hall.
I've created a couple of walking tours from our hotel to take in plenty of touristy sites, starting with a morning cup of chicory coffee from Café du Monde, followed by a walking tour of the quarter, St. Louis Cathedral, a giant muffuletta for lunch at Central Grocery, a stroll down the Moonwalk and some shopping in the area before dinner. Probably on the 2nd day we'll take the St. Charles Ave. Streetcar over to the Garden District for some sightseeing, including a walk around Lafayette No. 1 Cemetery. Somewhere in there we'll probably squeeze in Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.
Whew. I'm tired and I haven't even left yet. New Orleans is a different, unique city and I plan on having a unique time.
A jukebox shakin' and breakin' down in New Orleans
I'll be the highest hillbilly that Bourbon Street has ever seen
Perhaps he had me in mind? He might as well have, because I'm making my way down there later today with food, fun, beer and sightseeing all on the list for 3 days. I've been before, a few times actually, but my last visit was over a decade ago so I think it's time to reacquaint myself with the area. And when I go somewhere to visit I want to make sure I soak it all in. I start early, sometimes months in advance, reading about the area and history and looking for places to go and things to do.
For this trip I've watched some movies based in the area like 12 Rounds, Deja Vu, Double Jeopardy, King Creole, The Reaping, The Skeleton Key, Hatchet and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What did I learn? Well, nothing I guess really that's usable.
I've also made a CD with some songs for the drive to get more geared up, from Fats Domino's "Walkin' To New Orleans" to Down's "New Orleans is a Dying Whore" and plenty in between like "New Orleans Ladies" by Le Roux, "Queen of New Orleans" by Jon Bon Jovi and "Ghosts Of Jackson Square" by Edwin McCain . So what did I learn from this? Well, again... nothing. But hey I'll have some songs stuck in my head as I walk around.
The top of my list of restaurants... Tujague's, Acme Oyster House, Superior Grill and Jagerhaus.
The top of my places to get some brew... Crescent City Brewhouse, Erin Rose, The Avenue Pub and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop.
I plan on hearing some tunes at The Bombay Club and Famous Door, drinking a hurricane from Pat O'Briens and soaking up some jazz at Preservation Hall.
I've created a couple of walking tours from our hotel to take in plenty of touristy sites, starting with a morning cup of chicory coffee from Café du Monde, followed by a walking tour of the quarter, St. Louis Cathedral, a giant muffuletta for lunch at Central Grocery, a stroll down the Moonwalk and some shopping in the area before dinner. Probably on the 2nd day we'll take the St. Charles Ave. Streetcar over to the Garden District for some sightseeing, including a walk around Lafayette No. 1 Cemetery. Somewhere in there we'll probably squeeze in Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.
Whew. I'm tired and I haven't even left yet. New Orleans is a different, unique city and I plan on having a unique time.
vendredi 30 décembre 2011
Sexy Esti
I was just thinking it'd been a while since I posted any video or pictures of a hot woman, so let's just take care of that right now. I believe ridiculously beautiful Esti Ginzburg will do just fine so here's some video from her second SI Swimsuit 2010 shoot in India.
Him's Heartkiller
Here's Finnish love metal mongers HIM's official video for "Heartkiller" from the upcoming record Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice.
Real Clash of the Titans
I have a feeling that even if you don't get the UFC 116: Carwin vs Lesnar pay-per-view this Saturday, July 3rd, you may still hear the collision between these 2 heavyweight beasts. One of the biggest promotional match-ups ever will finally come to fruition when Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin enter the Octagon to battle for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Some of the hype they're putting out for this is awesome... such as this "Baddest Dude on the Planet" promo. Seriously, can you picture Mike Tyson at his peak stepping in the cage with either of these freaks of nature? These 2 dudes are just bad. The funniest thing is at the beginning of the video when it says "5 rounds". Um, that ain't happening.
Carwin: "When my hands touch people, they go down."
Lesnar: "I feel no threat by him whatsoever."
Me: "Let's do this."
Some of the hype they're putting out for this is awesome... such as this "Baddest Dude on the Planet" promo. Seriously, can you picture Mike Tyson at his peak stepping in the cage with either of these freaks of nature? These 2 dudes are just bad. The funniest thing is at the beginning of the video when it says "5 rounds". Um, that ain't happening.
Carwin: "When my hands touch people, they go down."
Lesnar: "I feel no threat by him whatsoever."
Me: "Let's do this."
Beer Rules
I've been noticing a lot more lately that beer snobs are beginning to heavily infiltrate the world of beer. The craft beer industry has grown so much in the last decade that suddenly I sort of feel like it might go the way of wine, which is filled with snobbish jerks that turn other people off to discovering great tastes. I personally follow a set of rules designed to make beer friends and get people into new beers, or stay with what they love. What do I care? We're all brothers and sisters in the wonderful nectar. I'd rather my friend drink beer I don't like than soda that I do when we go out. So, here are...
Cracker's Rules of Beer
1. The best beer is always free beer.
2. Don't talk down to people drinking what you don't like. What's it your business? Recommending some brews they might enjoy is acceptable, acting like you're above them because you like some special edition craft beer or something makes you an ass.
3. When a toast is made, always touch glasses with everyone.
4. Have a great toast of your own and make it your go-to toast. (mine is "here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women" for the record... from the movie Jaws)
5. If you go to somebody's house party, it is not acceptable to complain about their beer selection. See rule #1.
6. It is acceptable to complain about the temperature of your beer. But you should still drink it, Nancy-boy.
7. Never, ever leave beer in your glass or bottle. Formerly known as a pinger, it's just never to be done for any reason. By the same token... if you try a new beer, finish it.
8. No straws.
9. It is always an acceptable occasion to wear a shirt with beer on it. Funerals, weddings, work, mug shots... always.
10. Support your local brewery.
11. When visiting another city, support their local brewery.
12. It's acceptable to pay debts or give apologies with beer. Also, it's the best gift to give or receive. Any occasion.
13. If you die before you've done either a keg stand, funneled or shotgunned a beer... you've failed.
14. You should have a bottle-opener either on your keychain, attached to your cooler, on your fridge or in a very handy home location.
15. You should have your own cooler and take it everywhere. You never know when it will be needed.
16. Known you limits. Sure sometimes we all get smashed, but don't be that guy every time, or even regularly.
Cracker's Rules of Beer
1. The best beer is always free beer.
2. Don't talk down to people drinking what you don't like. What's it your business? Recommending some brews they might enjoy is acceptable, acting like you're above them because you like some special edition craft beer or something makes you an ass.
3. When a toast is made, always touch glasses with everyone.
4. Have a great toast of your own and make it your go-to toast. (mine is "here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women" for the record... from the movie Jaws)
5. If you go to somebody's house party, it is not acceptable to complain about their beer selection. See rule #1.
6. It is acceptable to complain about the temperature of your beer. But you should still drink it, Nancy-boy.
7. Never, ever leave beer in your glass or bottle. Formerly known as a pinger, it's just never to be done for any reason. By the same token... if you try a new beer, finish it.
8. No straws.
9. It is always an acceptable occasion to wear a shirt with beer on it. Funerals, weddings, work, mug shots... always.
10. Support your local brewery.
11. When visiting another city, support their local brewery.
12. It's acceptable to pay debts or give apologies with beer. Also, it's the best gift to give or receive. Any occasion.
13. If you die before you've done either a keg stand, funneled or shotgunned a beer... you've failed.
14. You should have a bottle-opener either on your keychain, attached to your cooler, on your fridge or in a very handy home location.
15. You should have your own cooler and take it everywhere. You never know when it will be needed.
16. Known you limits. Sure sometimes we all get smashed, but don't be that guy every time, or even regularly.
17. Always have beer in the fridge in case of emergency.
18. You should have at least 1 bar or pub where everybody knows your name.
19. Don't keep up with who buys how many rounds when with friends. It'll all be even when you're in nursing homes.
20. $20 taxi rides are still a helluva lot cheaper than $2,000 DWIs.
21. When getting a beer for somebody, always open it before handing it to them.
22. Beer before whiskey, mighty risky. Whiskey before beer, never fear.
23. Never check or ask about calories. If you're watching your weight, drink water.
24. Shaking up a beer before handing it to someone should be punishable by death.
25. Never bad mouth a homebrewer's beer.
A Slow Tuesday
Not a slow Tuesday for me, I'm packing and getting all things in order to get out of town for 4 days, but for new releases. Only a few things that caught my eye on the release list at all and the only one I'll pick up is the comedy/horror flick I've heard so much about. I conveniently put a trailer for that one for you below.
* Sherlock Holmes DVD (action/adventure with Robert Downey Jr.)
* Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel DVD (animated family film)
* Joe Rogan ~ "Talking Monkeys In Space" CD (comedy)
* I Sell The Dead DVD (horror/comedy)
* Sherlock Holmes DVD (action/adventure with Robert Downey Jr.)
* Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel DVD (animated family film)
* Joe Rogan ~ "Talking Monkeys In Space" CD (comedy)
* I Sell The Dead DVD (horror/comedy)
Paul Gray 1972 - 2010
Here's a really nice video tribute to Paul Gray, bassist for Slipknot, who passed away this week. R.I.P. Paul.
Here's the official statement from Slipknot, "Our brother will be greatly missed. This world will be a different place without him. We love you Paul."
*language warning*
Here's the official statement from Slipknot, "Our brother will be greatly missed. This world will be a different place without him. We love you Paul."
*language warning*
More On The No-No
Angels’ Double-A pitcher throws no-hitter
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Angels minor-leaguer Ryan Brasier pitched a no-hitter in the Double-A Arkansas Travelers’ 4-0 victory over the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night.
Brasier, a sixth-round pick by Los Angeles in 2007, struck out three and walked two — his only baserunners.
In the ninth inning, Brasier got Tulsa’s Matt Repec to ground out to third and Radames Nazario hit a fly ball to right field.
After a ball to Anthony Jackson on the first pitch, Brasier got two called strikes and Jackson then fouled off a pitch before grounding out to second base to end the game.
From the Trav's official site
Boxscore
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Angels minor-leaguer Ryan Brasier pitched a no-hitter in the Double-A Arkansas Travelers’ 4-0 victory over the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night.
Brasier, a sixth-round pick by Los Angeles in 2007, struck out three and walked two — his only baserunners.
In the ninth inning, Brasier got Tulsa’s Matt Repec to ground out to third and Radames Nazario hit a fly ball to right field.
After a ball to Anthony Jackson on the first pitch, Brasier got two called strikes and Jackson then fouled off a pitch before grounding out to second base to end the game.
From the Trav's official site
Boxscore
2009 Year In Review: Concerts
Reading through a lot of blogs for year end thoughts, I've seen a lot of people talk about how it was a down year in music (once again! they exclaim) but I have to say I found a whole lot to like as I usually do. It's been a great year with several great artists I've discovered and been to concerts from Vegas to the world famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. I've seen the full scope again from washed-up hair bands to country stars to Rock N Roll Hall of Famers. So my friend 2009, you get 2 thumbs up from me... and you will be missed.So let's start with my favorite concerts of the year, and despite the fact that I had a lot to pick from it was still not near as many as I've been to in several recent years. Age catching up? You shut yer mouf! Well, probably. But regardless, here are my...
Top 5 Favorite Concerts of 2009
1. Metallica with Machine Head at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (more here)
2. Gary Allen with Jack Ingram at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (more here)
3. KISS with Buckcherry at Verizon Arena in Little Rock (more here)
4. Keith Urban with Sugarland at Verizon Arena in Little Rock (more here)
5. Tora Tora reunion show at The New Daisy on Beale Street in Memphis (more here)
That was 5 awesome shows, but it still leaves off so many others that I loved... like Daughtry with Cavo and Theory of a Deadman just this month, Queensryche in Nashville, Black Stone Cherry and Bombay Black back in the Spring, Mudvayne and Nonpoint just before that show, Faster Pussycat with Bullet Boys at the Rev Room and finally AC/DC with The Answer way back in January. And I haven't even mentioned the big Edgefest show (because it was so brutally hot and I'm not a big fan of the festival type shows anymore I guess... see the "too old" bit above) with Korn, Static-X, Black Label Society, Mudvayne, Burn Halo and a lot of other sweaty, tattooed metal rockers. Oh it was a good show, but I stood on a paved parking lot for 8 hours in direct sunlight for most of it and 90+ degree weather chugging as much water as I could. That took away a lot of the enjoyment of some cool bands, trust me on that.
Searching back through my blogs it seems I hardly posted a mention at all one of my favorite musical moments of the year, and that's back on my March Vegas trip when I went to see Monster Circus at the Hilton, met them, got a picture and sat side stage. They are a collection of rockers from bands like Twisted Sister, Motley Crue and KISS that play a bunch of great old 80s tunes along with some acrobats, fire breathers, a ring master, an evil clown guy and sexy dancers on stage. It's a very Vegas style show with some solid tunes like “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “Crazy Train” and “Highway to Hell.” A bit cheesy you say? Perhaps. But a helluva great time and the packed crowd loved it as well.
Check out my picture with the guys below... Fred Coury (Cinderella), Tony Montana (Great White), John Corabi (Motley Crue, Ratt), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio) and Bruce Kulick (Kiss) .
So yeah, 2009 will be tough to top, but I'll give it a shot.
Welcome to Ghost Town
I'm feeling a little heavier today than usual I guess. Crank up this Charred Walls Of The Damned video for "Ghost Town" from their self-titled debut. Charred Walls of the Damned are an American group formed in 2009 consisting of Richard Christy (Iced Earth), Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Iced Earth), Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth) and Jason Suecof.
No-Hitter At Last
I've been to hundreds of minor and major league baseball games through the years, and you can even throw in lots of college games, and last night at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock I witnessed something I've never seen. Ryan Brasier threw a 9-inning no-hitter. The first in the new park ever and the first in the Texas League since 2002. What a night! It was "Bark At the Park" night so lots of people brought their dogs, which was sort of entertaining in itself, and a full moon hovered over the stadium as he threw his gem. Awesome night.
It looks like that's my last game of the weekend as the forecast calls for storms the entire time, but at least 2 new films hit the theaters and 1 of them really makes me want to break my month long theaterless streak. Here's more on both:
Furry Vengeance
The Plot: A real estate developer (Brendan Fraser) looking to turn a forest into new homes faces some unusually tough competition: the local woodland creatures.
My Thoughts: Looks like a family/comedy flick that relies on slapstick humor... and from what I've seen it looks like it's going to suck. Take the kids though I guess, they might get a kick out of it.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Plot: Disfigured serial killer Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley) stalks a group of young people in their dreams, forcing them to remain awake as the only alternative to death.
My Thoughts: Seriously, this looks awesome. I've been following the progress for over a year and it's FINALLY in theaters so I'm going to definitely get out to see it. I watched all of the 8 films in the original series in the last month just to prepare. Jackie Earle Haley looks like a perfect pick for the new Freddy and from what I've seen, they're going more with real horror than the ridiculous comedy front-man that Freddy became in the series. Great news.
It looks like that's my last game of the weekend as the forecast calls for storms the entire time, but at least 2 new films hit the theaters and 1 of them really makes me want to break my month long theaterless streak. Here's more on both:
Furry Vengeance
The Plot: A real estate developer (Brendan Fraser) looking to turn a forest into new homes faces some unusually tough competition: the local woodland creatures.
My Thoughts: Looks like a family/comedy flick that relies on slapstick humor... and from what I've seen it looks like it's going to suck. Take the kids though I guess, they might get a kick out of it.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Plot: Disfigured serial killer Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley) stalks a group of young people in their dreams, forcing them to remain awake as the only alternative to death.
My Thoughts: Seriously, this looks awesome. I've been following the progress for over a year and it's FINALLY in theaters so I'm going to definitely get out to see it. I watched all of the 8 films in the original series in the last month just to prepare. Jackie Earle Haley looks like a perfect pick for the new Freddy and from what I've seen, they're going more with real horror than the ridiculous comedy front-man that Freddy became in the series. Great news.
Four Decades of Sammy
A clip from the upcoming DVD "Been There Once, Be There Twice" that features a live version of "RED" with video footage covering 4 decades of Sammy Hagar's career. Directed by Paul Ware. Check out the new RedRocker.com for all things Sammy!
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