Saturday, June 19, 2010

Leading indicators...

OK, it’s The Bliss Index®, you say to yourself…so what does it indicate?

Many things, gentle reader. Many things.

That's just one way to look at your level of Bliss®...

Without further adieu, I present the latest installment of The Bliss Index® Leading Indicators™:

Listen…

If you listen really hard, you can hear someone tell us,I will not rest until the leak is stopped.(Which doesn’t include going to sports events, golfing, attending concerts, etc…of course.)

We're listening...

Catch a rising star: All The Abused, a band out of Orange County, Calif., fronted by the hugely talented Sky Green, got out of the blocks with a great effort, “A Never Ending Story.” Her driving guitar and vocals distinguish the band and its music from so many rockers out there today. The title track is a fave and “I Don’t Care” has a Ramones-esque flavor that is infectious. Likewise, “I’ll Never Be A Rockstar,” is one of those tunes that will have you coming back for more. ATA’s lyrics are a bit heavy on the “issues” but they’re obviously heartfelt. It will be interesting to watch/listen to Green as she continues to mature as a musician, vocalist and songwriter. It’s always a thrill to catch a star on the rise and she’s one, for sure. You can listen/buy here.

Sky Green of All The Abused...

To…the voice of the great inventor, Thomas Alva Edison. After more than eight decades of being tucked away and forgotten, audio recordings of Edison were discovered (and uncovered). After a painstaking couple of years, researchers have brought Edison’s voice back from the great beyond.

Here comes the sun. No, not The Beatles’ version…to the actual sun’s.

In case you missed it, we sat in for Dave Congalton (KVEC-AM 920) this week. The show - featuring Bill Whalen, political analyst/columnist (looking ahead at the November elections); Jeff and Melissa Purchin (local swim school owners/operators) on what parents can do to safeguard kids this summer; Bill Morem of the SLO Tribune; and Dr. Joe Astroth, Autodesk chief education officer (on education, natch) – is available on podcast (here).


Watch…

World Cup – live. If you’re Koman Coulibaly, watch the game you’re in charge of

Would you like to see what passes for sports fans these days? Check out the videos from the LAPD and help weed-out the idiots.

Click, actually, to see where opportunities are

Rising (political) star/Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) explaining entitlements:


Buy…

---- MY DAD SAYS, by Justin Halpern. (It Books/HarperCollins, $15.99.) The Twitter feed is hilarious, so if you’re into compendiums…why the heck not? (But a TV show? Well, Shatner© is involved…)

Cool bicycling gear. (Just remember what Lance says: “It’s not about the bike”…so does that mean it’s about the accessories?)

Sprint’s new 4G phone – Just not everywhere. “Salem, Oregon; Milledgeville, Georgia; York, Pennsylvania. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami are among those not yet operational but scheduled for later in 2010.”

The scariest storyever: “Goodnight Moon.” (Why is that old lady saying, “Hush!”…anyway?)

anything but Euros!

Frightening!

Rent…

Invictus – The Clint Eastwood directed flick (now on DVD) starring Morgan Freeman (as Nelson Mandela) and Matt Damon (as the captain of newly democratic South Africa’s national rugby team) is interesting. It is, of course, a dramatized/sanitized version of the events, but it’s an interesting look at a nation that’s always struggled with its sense of identity – and justice. The script is so-so and it’s not one of Eastwood’s best directorial efforts, but Freeman’s performance as the South African leader looking to build a new nation on compassion, forgiveness and unity is remarkable. Damon, likewise, takes a somewhat forgettable character, deepens him and makes the guy likeable.

Worth watching...

Avoid…


Pasta and pools - they just don't mix...

“Brothers” – This film (currently on DVD) should not just be avoided…it should be shunned. Not only does it take cheap shots at vets, but it only serves to strengthen prejudices against members of the U.S. military (especially its field officers). I’m not going to link to it, because I don’t want any part of helping this putrid pile of melodramatic anti-U.S. bile. I’m not one who believes in “book burning,” but let’s just say any DVDs of this stinker I find will likely become drink coasters. If you know/love a veteran, current member of the U.S. armed forces, or just plain love this country, don’t do the writers/director/stars any favors by giving this film any of your hard-earned money.


Nuf said...

Luxury yachting – if you’re connected with BP.

Golfing – if you’re supposed to be “doing all that [you] can” to get a handle on the oil catastrophe in the Gulf. (That goes for you, too, No. 2.)


Golfing = leadership?

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