Random Music Tuesdays: "Ready For A Miracle" by Patti LaBelle And Edwin Hawkins

The movie may have been forgettable, but the soundtrack rocked! With a reworking of a song from a musical, a cover of an Elton John tune, and a most epic classic rock song, this soundtrack was already bitchin'. Throw in a bunch of gospel music and ... well ... how could you not love it?

What's that? Not good enough? You need another reason? Fine. I'll see your skepticism with one gospel legend and raise you one diva with street cred and pipes. And what! I defy you to listen to this and not get religion.

And all God's children say ... AMEN!

Ready For A Miracle - Patti LaBelle And Edwin Hawkins

Does Washington Have A New Professional Sports Team?

Has the play of the Washington Nationals gotten so bad that they have to distract the fans any way they can? Or are the owners still pinching pennies so tightly that they're skimping on letters?

I wouldn't be surprised by either. Let's face it, the Nationals aren't exactly taking Major League Baseball by storm this year. And the Lerners have uncharacteristically opened their wallets a little early this year.

Someone needs to speak to the folk over on 'Taxation Without Representation' Street and let them know that they have now fielded the biggest laughing stock in all of sportsdom. And that's saying quite a bit.

We're So Small And The World's So Vast. We Found Each Other Down In The Grass.

First, this post is inspired by my parents, who have been together for more than 40 years.

Second, the post title is taken from "September Grass" from James Taylor's album October Road.

Third, while there will be references to my relationship with my ex, I'm not wishing to have that back. The past is the past, and for the most part, it's a good one and I will always treasure it.

Good. We have an understanding. Now.

I want what my parents have. I want someone to see me, disgusting faults and all, and still want and love me. I want someone who will know me inside and out, who will discover those deepest darkest parts of me, and will still readily claim "He's mine!"

I thought I had that with my ex. But I didn't. It's not his fault, nor is it mine. Despite our best efforts, we weren't meant to be.

Yet each passing day makes me wonder ... Has my time passed? Am I beyond the point of someone taking a gamble on me?

I'd like to think I'm not. But I'm hardly the judge on this point, now am I?

I don't know what I should think or how I should act. I can only do the best I can and hope that the Universe will return the best to me.

Expectations

A couple days ago, I watched the video clip from "Britain's Got Talent", in which Susan Boyle wowed the judges with her rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Misérables. In case you've been living under a rock the past week, here is the clip with the actual song beginning at the 1:44 mark.

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009

Ms. Boyle has been the darling of the Internet ... aye, the world even ... based on this simple Google search. Why, she even already has her own Wikipedia page. Her voice has been described as "angelic", "pitch perfect", and "breathtaking".

I have to admit that the first time I watched the video, I was incredibly impressed as well. But upon further viewing, I realized that I had fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the book.

See, Ms. Boyle isn't what a great number of us would call attractive. I get the impression that this self admitted "never been kissed" woman might not be the most socially adept person in her hometown of Blackburn, Scotland. It is for these reasons, her homely looks and her awkward manners, that we have been duped into believing her talents to be more than they really are.

What we see in Ms. Boyle is a bit of ourselves. We see our own commonness. We see our own wish to achieve a dream. We see our own hope to pursue that which we love. And in seeing part of ourselves in her, we elevate her own abilities higher than they truly are. Don't get me wrong. Ms. Boyle has a nice voice. I would even go as far as to say it's lovely. But "angelic"? "Pitch perfect"? "Breathtaking"? Hardly. She is simply enjoying the fruits of exceeding the very low expectations we had of her upon first impression.

These aren't sour grapes. Nor am I trying to tear Ms. Boyle down. I simply want things to be kept in perspective. The world had done her no favors by mocking her appearance before and it continues to do her no favors by exaggerating her talents now.

I sincerely wish her the best as she moves forward in this competition. I even hope she wins the whole enchilada. But let's not fool ourselves here ... she isn't going to be the next Elaine Page.

*SIGH*

There is very little more heartbreaking than to have to turn down a job possibility on the phone because you don't have the experience for it (not even close) ... especially when that job possibility would have increased your annual salary by $50,000.

Le sigh.

Rock The Red!

Tonight is Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, with the New York Rangers facing my Washington Capitals at the Phone Booth at 7pm. The game will be aired on Comcast Sports Network.

Although I have season tickets and tickets to all post-season games, I will not be able to watch the game, due to work. But I will be recording it and will be Rocking The Red in my heart.

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Breaks On Tax Day

Yes, happy Tax Day, my faithful readers! This is the day to which we all look forward each year. It is the day in which we write letters to Uncle Sam, telling him what we want so early in the new year.

What's that? Uncle Sam is being stingy with the cash? Fret not! There are rebates all around you!

God bless America!

Taking His Ball And ... Oh, Wait ... It's Not His Ball (UPDATED)

It seems that our City Council and our Mayor will never get along. Fenty is yet again playing hard ball and trying to squeeze the councilmembers out of their private suite.

For the second year in a row, D.C. Council members say Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is holding hostage the baseball tickets to their suite at Nationals Park.

The councilmembers, showing that they aren't some bush league team, are once more stepping up to the plate.

[Council Chairman Vincent C.] Gray said he will write a letter to the Nationals today demanding that they void the tickets for Suite 61 that Fenty is holding.

"We know these tickets were intended for Council members," Gray said. "This will be an opportunity for them to correct their mistake."

One councilmember decided that enough is enough and will go to bat for the residents of this fine city.

Council member Kwame Brown (D-At Large) said he's considering going even farther. Brown said he might introduce legislation to put both the Council's and the Mayor's suites at the ballpark on the auction block.

"We should sell both boxes to the highest bidder and use the money to help with budget pressures," Brown said. "It's the people's boxes. It's the people's stadium. Why does the mayor get the boxes?"

Some residents are already hoping that Brown's legislation will make the line-up; he is certainly swinging for the fences with it. If it does happen, Brown would hit one out of the park and become the populists' MVP.

Right now, this is anyone's ballgame. Someone will be the hero and someone will be the goat.

But quite frankly, I'm a bit tired of both sides making every miniscule issue a bench clearing rhubarb. I don't understand how they can't both see that they're playing on the same team ... the team of The District of Columbia.

UPDATE: Washington City Paper has the transcript from this morning's exchange between Mayor Fenty and the media. You really should listen to it ... it loses a lot in translation from audio to text.

Smithsonian Selects The Next Great Museum

Several weeks ago, the Smithsonian Institution reviewed the designs of the six finalists for the new African American Museum to be built on the National Mall on Constitution Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets NW. For those who can't visualize it, the location will be here:

View Larger Map

After roughly 2-1/2 weeks of looking over the six proposals, the Smithsonian has chosen a design that it thinks "will be an important addition to the National Mall and to the architecture of the city".

The winning designers -- the Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates, Davis Brody Bond and SmithGroup -- envisioned a museum with two of the above-ground stories shaped like wide crowns. They sit upon a wide stone porch, and the exhibits are contained on four floors. The exterior features bronze screens that change color during the day and night, and are designed to be porous filters for light inside the sharp geometric structure.

David Adjaye, one of the architects, said the design followed themes of "celebration and praise. We are celebrating an incredible journey and looking to the future."

While quite striking, the Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates, Davis Brody Bond, and SmithGroup design was only my second favorite. I much preferred the Foster + Partners/URS Group, Inc. design ("Proposal C" from the first link in this post) because of its soft lines, its harmony with the landscape, and its contrast with the harsh rectangular buildings surrounding it.

Still, the Smithsonian has chosen a smart design that should fit well amongst the rest of the museums on the Mall.

Random Music Tuesdays: "Fool In The Rain" by Led Zeppelin

Included on their eighth record In Through The Out Door, "Fool In The Rain" was the final song to make the American pop singles charts for Led Zeppelin. It would also be the last time the band recorded together, as drummer John Bonham died of pulmonary edema a year later.

I dig this song because:

1. C'mon ... it's friggin' Led Zeppelin!
2. It has a whistle! Any rock song with a whistle automatically kicks @$$.
3. It has one of the coolest groove lines ever with bassist John Paul Jones at the piano.
4. The whistle marks a samba-style breakdown in the middle of the song. You know I loves me some Latin-influenced music.
5. The song is so damned infectious!

This work of art is over six minutes long (6:13, to be exact) so make sure you've set aside some time before clicking that arrow down there.

Fool In The Rain - Led Zeppelin

Dancing On The Head Of A Pin

Once in a great while, I will experience something so brief as to almost go unnoticed ... a lyric in a song, a scent on a breeze, a glimpse of a color ... that will cause my past and present to merge for one singular moment. In that moment I realize all over again how fantastically, sadly, beautifully, tragically wonderful my life is.

I remember how insignificant I am in this universe. I remember how blessed I am to have people in my life who would argue that fact with me. I remember what I have lost. I remember what I have gained. I remember what brings me joy and what I could do without. I remember my sins and how many of them have gone without atonement. I remember how deeply I have loved. I remember how hotly I have hated. I remember moments I have tried painfully to erase from my memory.

I can clearly see this person that I am and all that has happened to shape me.

And in this one singular moment I know that I am exactly who I am meant to be. In this one singular moment I am completely at peace.

Is This Man Even American?

It's bad enough that the President is so ashamed of his country that he has to apologize the the whole world. Does he also have to whif at his Presidential duties?

Spring Cleaning, On The Inside

2009 has been a year of changes. It started with relationships, some ending and some beginning.

Then I quit smoking.

Yes, you read that right. I quit smoking.

Then I joined a kickball league.

Yes, you read that right, too. I joined a kickball league.

A bunch of good friends of mine decided to form a team this year and I was asked to play along. And so I am. Lord knows I need the exercise. Sitting around the house all day is not good for anything, except for getting fat and lazy. Maybe it's just me but I don't think this would look good on me. Not a'tall.

Kickball is very much as I remember it from elementary school ... except that perhaps the ball seems a wee bit smaller than it did back then. You still have to kick the ball, on the ground preferably. You still have to run the bases. You still have to catch the ball. And you still have to dodge the ball. The game is still a blast.

So we had our second practice last night (the first that I could make). While not all of our players were present, twelve of us were. We practiced throwing, catching, and kicking. Then we played a 6-on-6 scrimmage game. I have to say that, based on what I saw last night, we've got a pretty good team. Our defense is pretty darned good, if I do say so myself ... and I did. Our offense, however, needs some work. We kick way too many fly balls and we aren't thinking strategically. But we've planned a few more practices before the first game of the season to iron out the wrinkles and work out the kinks.

So far this year, I'm making good decisions. This is yet another. And I'm glad I decided to do this.

Do I sense a recurring kickball recap coming?

Ah ... Disturbing Commercials I Love ... From Quizno's

A recent status update on a certain social networking site stated the following: "[User Name] is wondering if anyone else finds the Quiznos commercials a tad ... inappropriate?" The commercial to which this user is referring is this one:



It's not the only Quizno's commercial running right now. In fact, it's one of three (from my latest counts) involving the toaster oven and Scott. But watching them reminded me of another Quizno's commercial that was disturbing ... and yet I also loved it:



Again, while this was not the only Quizno's commercial involving the Spongmonkeys, but it was the best.

Or how about this oldie but goodie:



Ah. Good times. But before you think that I'm a fan of all of Quizno's commercials, there was one line of commercials that I just could not stand.



There's something wrong about a talking baby with a smoker's voice. There's something even more gross about a grown woman flirting with a baby.

Am I alone here? What are your favorite or most hated commercials?

A Startling Television Mystery Solved

This week's episode of House M.D., began with and focused on the suicide of Dr. Lawrence Kutner. Dr. Kutner was played by actor Kal Penn, best known for co-staring in the "Harold and Kumar" movies.

Dr. Kutner was introduced last season as one of Dr. House's new diagnostic team. His character brought a warmth and a calm that seemed absent from the rest of the team. He had become a fan favorite because of this and his suicide was sudden and jarring. The bulk of this week's episode focused on finding reason for/in Dr. Kutner's suicide. While none was found onscreen, we finally have one offscreen.

Actor and longtime Obama supporter Kal Penn is joining the Obama administration, the White House confirmed to CNN Tuesday.

The actor will be part of the White House Office of Public Liaison, which is run by Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. Penn will be primarily involved in dealing with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and the arts community.

It appears that the way that his character was written off the show was as much a shock to him as it was to the rest of us.

One of the things I love about our show is you never know what's going to happen. So that news struck me in the same way we hope it strikes the audience: there was a little bit of anger and some depression. You really go through those emotions, especially when somebody dies in that fashion. Ultimately, it was a really interesting choice for them to make. We don't really know why he did it, unless it's resolved in the episodes after [I left], which, of course, I'm not privy to anymore. At least in [last night's] episode, we don't really know why he did it. There's no note. There's no explanation. And as a testament to David and Katie, that's a huge risk. 'Cause it is going to make people upset, and it is going to piss off some of the audience. And, ultimately, in my opinion, that's what art really is -- when you can conjure up those kinds of emotions. And it's rare nowadays to be able to do that on network television, but they managed to.

I wish Mr. Penn all the best in his new (political) role. His acting on House M.D. will be missed.

Countdown

One ...

... two ...

... three ...

... four ...

... four-and-a-half ...

... five?

Touché, Tuffie. Touché.

Remember this? Well ... no more trash-talking. It's game on, biatches!

Thanks for the heads up, Tuffie!

Random Music Tuesdays: "Peek-A-Boo" by Siouxsie And The Banshees

Released in 1988, this song was the only Top 100 hit for Siouxsie And The Banshees. It's a tune about a stripper, made incredibly creepy by the heavy use of backmasking the instruments and Siouxsie's use of a different microphone for each line.

Peek-A-Boo - Siouxsie And The Banshees

It's Finally Here!

*coughTuffiecough*

Let the trash-talking begin!

Sorry ...

... no blogging today or tomorrow. It's just too nice outside. Catch you on Monday, peeps!

Joke Of The Week

One particular Sunday morning, Pastor Green noticed little Steven was standing and staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The young lad of seven had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up and stood beside him. Gazing up at the plaque along with the boy, he said quietly, "Good morning, son."

"Good morning, pastor" replied the boy, not taking his eyes off the plaque. "Sir, what is this?" Steven asked.

"Well, son, these are all the people who have died in the service," replied the pastor. Soberly, they stood together staring up at the large plaque.

Little Steven's voice barely broke the silence when he asked quietly, "Which one, sir ... Sunday School or the 10:30 service?"

A TV Favorite Returns

Project Runway is coming back to cable TV on Lifetime sometime this summer. And hosannas were heard throughout the fashion world. Make it work, people!

Anacostia Rail Delayed Again. Surprise All Around.

Well, this sucks monkey balls.

The District's much-anticipated streetcar project is running behind schedule, pushing plans to run a red-and-gray trolley in Anacostia from late this year to sometime in 2012, officials said.

Apparently, this latest delay was born from the route change.

District officials had planned a 1.3-mile segment between Bolling Air Force Base and the Anacostia Metro station. But D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) and several community representatives argued that it made little sense to run a city-funded line on a route flanked by a freeway on one side and a military installation on the other. In November, officials announced they were dropping the southern portion to Bolling and extending the route north through downtown Anacostia, along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE to Good Hope Road. The new route would begin at a maintenance facility to be built at Firth Sterling Avenue SE and South Capitol Street.

And those streetcars that have been in storage in the Czech Republic? Don't worry too much about them.

Meanwhile, the Czech manufacturer is conducting monthly maintenance on the streetcars. They are powered up and operated for about 200 yards on tracks in Ostrava, then put back in storage.

It would be nice to have this done sooner rather than later. But that's D.C. for you.

Since We're Talking Vices

The House of Representatives passed legislation that will allow the Federal Government to regulate tobacco products.

[California Democrat Rep. Henry Waxman's] bill wouldn't let the FDA ban nicotine or tobacco outright, but the agency would be able to regulate the contents of tobacco products, make public their ingredients, prohibit flavoring, require much larger warning labels and strictly control or prohibit marketing campaigns, especially those geared toward children.

The Senate would still have to write up its own bill. And the President would still have to sign whatever makes it out of Congress. So it's not a done deal. But still, this news on top of the yesterday's tobacco tax hike.

The increases, which raise the federal cigarette tax from 39 cents a pack to $1.01, applies to all tobacco products. It comes as more than two dozen states, desperate for revenue in a sunken economy, consider boosting their own tobacco taxes this year.

It's enough to make one think that if Government can't cajole, shame, or persuade smokers into quitting then they'll tax and regulate them into quitting.

But our government would never do that.

You've Got To Be Kidding Me With This

Dear alcoholics, please stop destroying the earth. Thank you.

No April Fool's Joke

No, my faithful readers, this is the real deal. If you've had it, please let the rest of us know how it is. Until then, I'll try to keep the bile from rising in my throat.

A Step Back In The Right Direction

It seems that the ill-will from last year is mostly gone and our new tenants are becoming good, responsible tenants. I admit that I was terribly excited when the District finally landed a baseball team. But all the bull$h!t from last year seriously soured me on the team. This won't win me back completely, but it does abate my anger a little towards them for being such douchebags.

Now start fielding a team that can actually play and win games, and you might win back this former season ticket holder.

Of Life And Limbs

I told you that I would be opening up more and I am.

I don't like limbs. I don't like being out there on them. I made a decision recently (i.e. within the past six months) that I would no longer allow myself to be left on one by myself.

Limbs are flimsy. Limbs are uncertain. Limbs can break. And you know what's there to stop you when they do? Nothing. What you get is lacerated by the other limbs as gravity takes control. Not fun. Not at all.

And so I won't do it. I won't be the only one to climb out there. I won't be the only one to be left out there. I've done it more times in my life than I care to count ... the one to stick his neck out professionally for a "friend", the one to be in a place personally when other parties are not, the one to volunteer out of some perverse sense of duty and fairness.

I won't be that person any more.

Let me ask you, my faithful readers (and recent folk) ... how many times in your life have you been left out on a limb either because you crawled out there of your own accord, crawled out there because you thought you would be accompanied, or left out there because everyone else crawled back to the trunk? Please share with the class. You may do so anonymously, if you so wish. Inquiring minds want to know.

What's Good For The Goose Is Good For Th ... Oh Look, A Penny!

Mayor Fenty, whatever shall we do with you? You are turning out to be everything I thought (and hoped you would not) be. Just like another certain recently-elected official, you said a lot of pretty, popular things during your campaign but your actual governance is ... how shall we say ... radically different.

Let's take a look at one thing in particular over which you were very harsh with your predecessor: traveling.

The mayor's traveling habits are getting so bad ... so secretively, shadowy bad ... that he is receiving unsolicited advice on how he should be handling it.

"It comes down to making people understand the priority being served, and the connection of where you are going will be a benefit to the city," said D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D), who has attended two car shows in Europe and a shopping convention in Las Vegas with other city officials. The Washington Auto Show organizers paid for his trips to Europe, which were aimed at drumming up support for the D.C. show, and his council budget paid for the trip to Las Vegas.

I think it goes down deeper than that.

Still, Fenty's approach has left him open to the kind of second-guessing that he used to do to former mayor Williams (D), who was dogged for leaving town too often. Williams, who served as the head of the National League of Cities, traveled 137 days during one year.

See, Anthony Williams had good cause, open cause, appropriate cause for his traveling. What cause does Fenty have? Who knows. The mayor isn't saying much about it.

Oh. And if you think I'm the only one raising stink over this, think again.

Happy April Fools' Day

What is the greatest April Fools prank you have ever pulled?

The comments are yours.

Some Personal Dumping

You asked for it. (Okay, you didn't ask for it. But you didn't say "no" in a previous post, so that's an implicit "yes".)

I've learned through the power of the Internet that life is moving on. In the not-so-distant past, this would have been cause to drop me into a deep depression. But, in all honesty, I am happy. People deserve to be happy, and people deserve to be with people who love them and treat them the way they should be treated. If you're reading this and you recognize who you are, know that I love you and that I truly am happy. No comments, please.

As for me, I have started seeing someone. It's the first time in ... many years ... that I've waded into the wild world of dating. We have applied no labels, we are not exclusive, and I have no idea where ... if anywhere ... it will go. But it's a good place to be. I am content in where I am in life right now. I am happy with the people in it. And I am not anticipating or deciphering where it may lead from here. It is what it is and it will go where it goes.

I'd be a liar if I said that at times I didn't wish for more in my life. I do. My brain, my analytical side, wants to take me down dark alleys I don't particularly want to go. But I remind myself ... or I call on people I trust to call me back ... that life is good where it is and that it's where it should be. I've been there. I've lived there. In those dark places. And it's not a pleasant place to be. I'm just thankful that I have people to talk me back.

Being happy for friends and being happy for self is all anyone could want in life, right? If so, my life is golden right now.

And that is a truth I can smile with.

Random Music Tuesdays: "Twenty-Five Miles" by Edwin Starr

Best known for his anti-Vietnam War song War, Edwin Starr had a fairly successful career before his signature hit. The best known of all of his other hits is Twenty-Five Miles, a song about a man desperate to get home to his love. It's a powerful Motown song complete with soul, drums, horns, and ... did I mention soul? There really isn't a lot to say about this song that you won't feel from hearing it.

So hear it. Here it is.

Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr

When A President Gaffes, We Should Turn A Blind Ear.

Tipped off by Jimmie, I went over and read this article and nearly choked on my coffee right out of the gate.

Instant Internet communication and an explosion in political commentary are magnifying President Obama's gaffes and administration missteps, and could erode his popularity faster than that of other presidents, say experts from both left and right.

I agree with Ms. Johnson. We should take it easy and back off the President a bit. I mean, it would just be wrong, mean-spirited, and uncouth to focus our attention on the President every time he "misspeaks", wouldn't it?

iPhone 3.0 Preview And My First Major Disappointment With Apple

I'm a Mac fanboy. It's no secret. I know it. You know it. To me, Steve Jobs farts rainbows and unicorns; and everything he touches turns to banana pudding. (Mmm ... banana pudding ...) My house is an Apple house; and if it weren't for work, I would not have one single Micro$oft machine in it.

Of all the the Apple toys I own, I love my iPhone best of all. It should come as no surprise that I was incredibly excited when I heard that the iPhone OS 3.0 upgrade will be released this summer and that it will finally include some features that have been sorely lacking.

For iPhone owners, it just keeps getting better. When iPhone OS 3.0 arrives this summer, it will introduce over 100 new features, including the ability to:

Search your iPhone
Cut, copy, and paste
Send photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS*
Read and compose email and text messages in landscape

Additional features include text forwarding, voice memos, support for additional calendar programs, Notes synchronization, Wi-Fi auto login, stereo Bluetooth, anti-phishing, and auto-fill.

I giddily watched the presentation, as all good fanboys should, feeling like Santa himself was letting me know what Christmas will bring this year.

Of all the goodies, though, I was most excited about MMS and voice memos. Two things I had on my ol' Palm Treo 650 were finally coming to my iPhone. The only thing missing is video ... but I'm patient ... good things come to those who wait.

Wait. What's this? There's an asterisk. Asterisks aren't usually good things.

And, indeed, it's not.

* MMS messaging is available only on iPhone 3G; fees may apply. MMS may not be available in all areas.

And herein lies my first major Apple let down. See, I have the original iPhone 2.5G. MMS will not be available to me. Unless, that is, I upgrade to the iPhone 3G.

Steve ... after all we've been through together ... after all the Windows disciples I've converted ... how could you?! You know I love my iPhone 2.5G! You know I planned on growing old with it! How could you put me in a position to chose function over feeling?! You bastard!!!

Yet you know I will. You know that I will upgrade my phone in preparation of the OS update. You know I covet MMS and voice memos too much to keep hold on my iPhone 2.5G.

And though I may enjoy sending picture messages and recording song ideas, I will be sorely (and secretly) disappointed in you.

Gird Your Loins And Don Your Thinking Caps

Any longtime reader of The District Diaries will remember my post from last year about The Post Hunt. Take a moment to read it, if you haven't already. I'll wait.

Back? Oh. Okay.

Ah, good. Welcome back.

Well, hallelujah and amen, boys and girls, it begins again!

The Hunt Returns!
Get ready for another wild, wacky afternoon of brainteasing puzzles in Washington, D.C.

When & Where
May 17, Noon-5 p.m., Rain or Shine
Starts at Freedom Plaza (14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). Puzzles take place throughout downtown D.C.

So, where my peeps at? Are we up for tackling this again this year? Bring it on!

Caught Red-Handed

This is pretty cool.

For the first time, researchers filmed the transfer of HIV from infected to uninfected T cells through structures called virological synapses. The study, conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York, NY, and the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, could lead to new methods to block the transmission of HIV. The study published in the March 27 edition of Science.

Bird Watching

My condo building is mostly surrounded by woods. I see plenty of wildlife - the family of ingenious raccoons that raid our dumpster at night, the occasional deer that wanders out into the clearing, the random opossum, and the numerous birds.

Birds I haven't seen in a long time.

Last week, while having a smoke outside, I heard a woodpecker in the woods. A couple days ago, I saw the little feller. He was a Red-cockaded Woodpecker and he was beautiful.

There is a family of Cardinals that live around my building. I see them often. But I can't remember a time in my life when I actually heard a Cardinal. Until today. A male was sitting in a tree no more than 50 yards from where I was standing. And he was trying his best to attract a mate. Cardinals have such a lovely song. I can't believe I've never heard it before.

I also spotted an American Goldfinch. I hadn't seen one of those since I was a child. I remember we had sunflowers in our back yard at one point, and those flower attracted so many Goldfinches. And here I was, so many years later, looking out my window when one stops for a moment along the thickets just on the other side of the fence.

It makes me wonder what else is out there just beyond my windows.

More On Barry's Circus

From today's The Washington Post, Barry plans on making a payment of $4,250 on Monday toward his unpaid taxes. He also feels that "federal prosecutors are being unfair in asking a judge to revoke his probation for tax offenses".

"I just wish that the U.S. attorney will tell the truth," Barry said. "They keep saying that I haven't paid my taxes, but I am contributing to my tax bill every month. I take full responsibility for the past, but I have met every condition of my probation as it relates to taxes."

I'm no tax attorney, but I think missing paying last year's taxes isn't quite meeting "every condition". Barry is still whining about the disclosure of the exact amount of his back taxes.

Barry said in a statement Thursday that prosecutors had broken the law by disclosing the specifics of what he owes [...]

That's not an opinion that is universally held.

[...], but they are permitted to do so in criminal cases, especially when they are trying to show a defendant has engaged in a pattern of unlawful behavior.

[...]

Andrew C. White, another former federal prosecutor, said authorities justifiably disclosed Barry's debt to show the seriousness of his offense. "With the budget issues we are facing right now, they are trying to show that this is an absolute affront to hardworking taxpayers," White said.

You broke the law, Mr. Barry. Not once. Not twice. But eight times. Still, you believe that you are the one being unfairly treated. So go ahead and cry us a river, Mr. Barry. You're pretty good at playing the victim. Unfortunately for you, you are also pretty good at being the criminal.

But You Can Only Order Them In Pairs

Mmm mmm mmm ... yes, please!

It's just a shame that Issac Hayes is no longer with us. I can think of no one better to headline such an event. But he will live on in our hearts, in our minds, and on the Internet.

Sing it, Chef!

Rethinking A Decision, To An Extent

I've been thinking ... or rather my subconscious has been thinking ... about this site and why it's been languishing. And I think I've discovered a couple reasons for it.

The first reason is that I just don't post as much, on average, as I have in the past two years. I always made an effort to write something, anything, to keep things from getting all musty up in here. I have failed pretty badly as of late when it comes to that.

Which segues us into the second reason.

I made a conscious decision a few months ago to keep my personal feelings to myself and off this blog. At that time, it was a necessity ... I was falling apart and you were all witnessing it. T'weren't purdy ... a'tall. Since that decision, I came to quite a few personal realizations and conclusions, and I've righted my ship. I doubt that I will ever fall into as deep a pit of despair as I did last year. Which is why I've decided to begin writing about myself a bit more as well. Hell, that's why people visit personal blogs ... you can read news anywhere and you can listen to music anywhere. But you can't get my singular thoughts, feelings, or experiences anywhere else but here.

Maybe you're rejoicing and popping open the champagne. Maybe you're gnashing your teeth and rending your garments. Either way, I don't particularly care. It's my sandbox and I want to build me some castles.

But it'd be cool if you still want to play, too.

Send Him To Jail Already

Anyone who knows me knows that I am no fan of Marion Barry. It makes my blood boil that he's still in "public service". He has singlehandedly done more harm to my city than possibly any other person or persons involved in politics. If it hasn't been his race-baiting and populist trickery, it's his "recreational activities". And if it's not that, it's his laziness as a citizen. The man should not be entrusted to "serve" the people.

Today, we learned how much Barry owes in back taxes ... over $277,000! What was his response? It was essentially "stop saying mean things about me".

If this were you or I (or even those hated Wall Street fat cats), we would be jailed quicker than you can say "tax cheat".

Hell, now that I think about it, the best way to get a "get out of tax-jail free" card is to be a politician.

Are You For Real?!

This had better not suck or so help me gods ...

Cloud Computing ... Do You Know What It Is?

I can tell you this much ... it's not this ...

Template Change

I thought, what with Spring and all, that the ol' Diary needed some dusting off. So I'm trying a different template. What do you think? Keep it? Revert back? Try something different? The comments are all yours.

Fenty Seeks To Undo All Williams' Initiatives

With a headline like that, I could work for the MSM. *smirk*

On 04 January 2005, Mayor Anthony Williams signed into law the District of Columbia Emancipation Day Amendment Act of 2004, making Emancipation Day a legally recognized city public holiday.

The holiday commemorates the day in 1862 that President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which ended slavery in the District of Columbia and freed more than 3,000 slaves. This act was passed nine months before President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It was the first time that the government of the United States acted formally to abolish slavery and telegraphed the eventual end of slavery to the rest of the country.

Mayor Adrian Fenty, as stated in his proposed fiscal 2010 spending plan, wishes to put the holiday back into private observance. His rationale is to "save the city about $1.3 million" in holiday pay for city workers who have to work on 16 April, beginning in 2010. Obviously, not everyone is happy about the proposal.

“I think it is just disrespectful of what I think is one of the most important holidays we can honor,” Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. said Tuesday. “I will fight to ensure that it stays in the budget.”

Personally, I don't really care one way or the other. On one hand, taking away a holiday from people is a rough thing to do. On the other hand, which would you rather have ... one less holiday or a cut in services?

Random Music Tuesdays: "C-lebrity" by Queen + Paul Rodgers

In 1991, Queen lost their bigger-than-life frontman, Freddie Mercury, to AIDS. During the rest of the 1990's, the band put out various compilations, re-releases of albums, and various other performances with other artists.

Bassist John Deacon decided enough was enough and retired from music in 1997. Still, the final two members, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, believed that the band wasn't finished saying what it had to say. So, in 2004, they teamed up with singer Paul Rodgers to perform with them at the band's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame. The chemistry felt right for all involved and they set out for a world tour.

In 2008, the band, newly dubbed Queen + Paul Rodgers, released an album of new material. If you're expecting Queen of the 1970s - 1990's, you will be sorely disappointed. If you're expecting a Bad Company sound, you will be sorely disappointed. What was born out of this collaboration is a mixture of the two ... the hard-rocking theatrics of Queen with the gritty blues rock of Paul Rodgers. It's a combination that shouldn't work but does (mostly). The song featured in today's Random Music is one of my favorites and probably the hardest rocking song on the album.

Enjoy!

C-lebrity - Queen + Paul Rodgers

Television Series Review: Lie To Me

On 21 January 2009, FOX introduced a midseason replacement to its Wednesday lineup. It follows Dr. Cal Lightman and his colleagues at The Lightman Group as they try to crack cases based on the lies people tell. They do this by using the Facial Action Coding System that was developed by Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen in 1976.

This show gives a new spin on the "detective show" genre. Instead of scouring crime scenes and following hard facts, they rely on catching people in lies. While not admissible in court, it makes for some interesting drama. And I do like the new spin.

First, the good. The show is anchored by movie actor Tim Roth, who brings a fantastic intensity and egotism to the main character. This man is the shit, he knows it, and he'll make sure everyone else around him knows it. The supporting characters are all fairly good in their own quirky way. The writing is pretty solid; at least it grabs my attention for the duration of the show. And I guess that's all that can be asked of national television.

Now the bad. The show has fallen into its format - two cases tackled per episode. I suppose that offers variety in an hour span but it also doesn't allow much time to flesh out any one case; that will be good for only so long. The writers are also very heavy-handed in pointing out when people are lying. That will make sense here at the beginning of the series, as we viewers are being introduced to this new line of detective work. But they need to learn to be more subtle as the show goes along. Part of the excitement of watching this show will be in allowing the viewers to find the nonverbal clues themselves. And the cases, so far, have been far too easy. I would love to see a case or a character that pushes Dr. Lightman and his group to the edge of their abilities ... a Moriarty to his Holmes ... set in an espionage case, perhaps that could run over several episodes ... someone based on this man perhaps. Finally, and this is a minor gripe but I'm a D.C. native and so such things bug me, the building that houses The Lightman Group's office is not an office at all; but I do understand the attraction to use it as an office building. (By the way, bravo on the clever use of cinematography to mask how massive the building actually is.)

All in all, it's a good series and you should check it out.

I Can See It

It's a canvas laid out before me. I can see its shape but I can't see its pattern. And it frustrates me that I can't see its true beauty ... that I can't quiet my mind to enjoy it for what it is.

Anybody Looking For A Tech Job?

From D.C. Wire:

Government sources tell D.C. Wire that city officials today plan to terminate 23 contractors tied to three companies named in the affidavit from federal law enforcement authorities charging manager Yusuf Acar and Sushil Bansal, the contractor who owns Advanced Integrated Technologies Corporation.

Random Music Tuesdays: "Get Up" by Mike + The Mechanics

In 1991, Mike + The Mechanics released their third album, Word Of Mouth. While not a commercial success like Mike + The Mechanics and The Living Years, the album was a solid piece of work. In any other year, the album probably would have cracked the Top 40. Unfortunately, it was quickly forgotten after its release due to another album that was released a shortly thereafter.

The opening track was sung by Paul Carrack, channelling his inner Paul Young. It's a terribly catchy tune that will hopefully brighten up your day a little.

Get Up - Mike + The Mechanics

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Would You Like Some Punch With That Pi?

Happy National Pi Day, boys and girls!

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a resolution introduced two days earlier that designates March 14, 2009 (3/14, get it?) as National Pi Day. It urges schools to take the opportunity to teach their students about Pi and "engage them about the study of mathematics."

Learn more about Pi Day and get some geeky goodies at the official website.

Watchmen - The Spoiler-Free-ish Review

*** WARNING: While I won't be going into plot details, I may spill a hint or two about the movie. If you haven't yet read the graphic novel or seen the movie and you wish to be surprised when you do, you might want to stop reading this review now. But if you don't care, by all means, read away. ***

This past Saturday, after sitting around the condo for most of the day, I got a bit bored and decided to do something I hadn't done in many months - go see a movie. Watchmen had just been released the day before and so I thought to myself, "Self," because that's what I call myself, "let us go watch Watchmen and see if it lives up to the hype or if it's the big disappointment that the pre-release reviews say it is." And so I went on Fandango, bought my ticket, printed it out, and trekked my way to the movie theater.

I arrived about forty minutes early (cutting it close, from what I've heard about the lines). Seeing the parking lot half empty, I felt safe in lighting up a smoke before entering the theater. I walked up to the ticket guy, handed him my pre-printed ticket, and entered the lobby.

I was immediately accosted by some fellow taking a survey on commercials shown before the movies. If you know me or if you're a faithful reader, you already know my position on commercials at the movies, but what was a couple minutes out of my life? What can I say, I was feeling generous.

So yes. Movie.

But first there were the previews, most of which, yet again, disappointed me greatly.

"Excuse me, sir." Ah ... the survey taker followed me into the theater! "I forgot to ask your age." I told him my age and, slightly startled, he replied, "Do you mind if I put you down as twenty-four years old? I didn't realize you were outside of the demographic."

Sure, dude. Knock yourself out.

Disappointing trailers. Yes. Littering my vision like ... well ... like litter, I suppose. Except for one. Where the first trailer was witty (as I commented on my other movie review last year), this trailer got me all sorts of excited. To quote Tuffie, "Finally the Star Trek series is going to be fun and explosive and [...] ENTERTAINING again for its entire fan base!" Amen and hallelujah.

Now to the movie.

I'm not a Watchmen fanboy. I've never read the graphic novel, though I will now to see what was edited or scripted out of the movie, as I did with The Lord Of The Rings trilogy ... as "epic" as a movie based on existing material can be, something important is always left out. Anyway, I was walking into this movie a complete Watchmen virgin, with no expectations other than to be impressed by a good story, neat-o effects, and bone-crunching fight scenes. (Notice I didn't say good acting.)

I wasn't disappointed.

Fantasy movies, by definition, demand the audience to suspend a good deal of belief. Even fantasy movies "grounded in realism" like Christopher Nolan's Batman series. You have to walk in knowing that very little that is about to happen is plausible in any way whatsoever in the real world. I do appreciate the attempt to make it as "real" as possible to allow the audience to connect to it in some real way, though.

I enjoyed seeing the heroes as the semi-realistically flawed people they would be if they truly existed. Seriously, if your soul purpose for living was to fight crime, how could you not be at the very least marginally screwed up? Or if you were the only person on the planet who embodied the definition of superhuman and could see the past and the future and all other planes of existence simultaneously, how could you not help but become apathetic toward humanity and its incessant need to eradicate itself? I understood this side of these characters. I liked seeing this side of these characters.

I appreciated that a character existed who saw the world in absolutes, who refused to compromise despite the ramifications. As much as we are hesitant to admit as much, people like that do walk our earth. I also appreciated that some of these characters needed to be heroes ... they needed that fix as badly as an addict needs a score or some people need attention.

I found the pacing of the movie to be comfortable. It slowed just enough in a couple places to add some back narrative and to allow the audience to catch their collective breath. Of course, it helps to have a character like Rorschach to push it along.

The fight scenes were pretty cool, though nothing I haven't seen before. I think, maybe, they would have been better if Mr. Snyder hadn't relied on his now-becoming-signature slow motion shots. Maybe one day an American director will study Asian action movies and learn how to do action correctly without having to rely on gimmickry.

Oh, but what of the plot, dear Diarist?

The story is pretty solid, as superhero movies go. I don't think it would have been as surprising if I had been watching for the signs that were peppered throughout the story. Yes, there are plenty of clues leading up to the big finale and if you are watchful (HA!) you will see them. I, obviously, wasn't. Frankly, I was so drawn in to the movie. There is so much visually to take in. And the acting, while not spectacular (with exception of Jackie Earle Haley), is strong enough to support the script.

My only major quarrel (which is a minor quarrel, really) is defining Ozymandias as "The World's Smartest Man". "The World's Most Perceptive Man" or "The World's Most Opportunistic Man" or even "The World's Greatest Chess Player", perhaps. But I didn't see anything in the movie that would qualify him as the smartest man on the planet. (Unless you argue that being the most perceptive, most opportunistic, and greatest chess player all at once makes you the smartest. I might concede the point on that argument.)

All in all, a good flick. A long flick. But definitely worth your time. Just make sure you have plenty of it.

Random Music Tuesdays: "Let The Good Times Roll" by Chuck Brown and Eva Cassidy

Today's Random Music is focusing on a pairing of two of D.C.'s finest.

In 1992, a powerfully talented young singer was introduced to "The Godfather of Go-Go". This unlikely duo went on to record the album The Other Side, a collection of jazz, blues and soul standards, some of which were recorded live. The whole album is a gem, particularly because of how well it showcases Brown's rich, soulful baritone and Cassidy's emotive soprano.

I've chosen the first song on the disc because it has almost everything I require from a song: horns, drums, guitar, powerful vocals, and singers simply having a good time. It is hardly the best song on the album - there are a couple others that tug at the soul (as all good jazz and blues should do). I recommend that you do yourself a huge favor - buy this album and play it until you wear the electrons out.

Let The Good Times Roll - Chuck Brown And Eva Cassidy

It's All In The Marketing

Still Here, Just A Tad Busy

Hey there. Remember me? Yeah, I hardly remember me, either. I do apologize for the lack of blogging. Life has been busy and I'm just trying to keep pace. I will have some goodies for you next week (don't get too excited ... it's not like I'm giving away cars). In the meantime, enjoy this fantastic weather we're having, all you Mid-Atlantic readers.

Reminiscing

My favorite people who are no longer with me are Mel Batten and my grandmother, Millie Osborn.

I'll start with Grandmother. She is still the most precious person to me that I've known. I was her first grandchild born with blue eyes and so was special to her. Special to the point that I was the only grandchild with a pet name ... "My Precious Blue Eyes". It was so iconic that my oldest brother decided to roast me during her wake. But now, even all these 13 years later, it brings tears to my eyes. I miss her so terribly. I wish she were still here to give me love, advice, comfort, and support. I know that for as long as I can remember her, she is still here. But it would be so nice to hear her voice, to hear her say that she's proud of the person I've become, to hear her say how much she loves her Precious Blue Eyes. I would give anything for that right now.

Mr. Batten. My second father figure. The man who gave me my confidence back. I miss him so much. I think about Mr. Batten almost on a daily basis. I have so many memories (a certain toilet papering comes to mind) but the one memory that sticks in the forefront of my mind is a bus ride home from Calvert County after a long Tri-County Honors Chorus rehearsal. I was sitting alone in a bus seat and Mr. Batten moved to sit beside me. We talked a while about the rehearsal. I gave him a hard time about giving me a hard time during rehearsal. And then he said something that has stuck with me even after all these years. "You are the son I would have had." I knew how special it was then. And I know how much more special it is to me now.

The hardest part of life is that it ends. And those of us left behind are left to deal with the aftermath.

Random Music Tuesdays: "Mama Look-A Boo Boo (Mama Look-A Bubu)" by Harry Belafonte and Danny Kaye

It's been a while since I've brought you random music so I think it's about time I bring it back. To start us off anew, I figured I would present a video (a first for Random Music Tuesdays!). This is Harry and Danny performing one of Harry's biggest hits on The Danny Kaye Show on 27 April 1966.

There is some confusion among people about this song; people can't seem to understand it. I think this confusion is rooted in the Americanized title of the song. The most popular spelling for the title is "Mama Look-A Boo Boo", which makes this a completely nonsensical song. However, the alternate spelling, which I included in this post title, is "Mama Look-A Bubu", which makes much more sense since bubu is Jamaican slang for fool. Keep that in mind as you listen to the lyrics.

Enjoy!

Harry Belafonte and Danny Kaye
Uploaded by paleopale

Hello? Is Anybody Home?

*cough cough* Hey! Diarist! Diarist? Hello?! *cough cough*

Oh! Um ... hi! Hello there! You startled me.

Yeah. Well, your door was open. What's with all the *cough cough* cobwebs? Did your cleaner take a vacation or something? Is this some emo trip you're on that we should know about?

Sorry about that. I've been busy with other things. You know, like making ends meet and keeping a roof over my head. But I'll clean up around here soon. I promise.

Mmm hmm. Just like you promised that ...

He-e-e-e-e-ey. Have you seen the whole house? I know you in the back have. But you, the eager one. Have you? No? Then ixnay on the omisespray and have a look around. And when you're done (and I haven't tidied up any) there are some fantastic links on the right to some fantastic reading that could occupy your time until I get my sh!t together here.

Go on now. Enjoy!

But don't break anything.

That's My Coucilmember!

Marion Barry has once again failed to file tax returns. But this time the Feds want him incarcerated. It seems as though The Night Owl won't be able to snake his way out of this one.

I can't really blame Barry for his actions. He's used to living a life free of consequences (minus one minor hickup). Besides, it's not like the Federal government isn't full of role models for him to emulate.

No, the only failing I can find in all of this is that the Ward 8 Councilmember isn't part of the Obama administration.

"Yeah. I don't want to cure anybody here. They all deserve to have whatever they have."

That quote is taken from Pete's Dragon, a 1977 Walt Disney movie. In the movie is Doc Terminus, a "salesman" who isn't all that he appears, as he peddles his powerless "cures" onto the town's pliable population. It's a timely quote because it sums up what your government thinks of you.

While the President puts on his best Doc Terminus impression and members on Congress struggle hard to find a middle ground, I think it would help us, the ones who will be paying for all of this, to reflect on what came of the first bailout:

The Bush administration overpaid tens of billions of dollars for stocks and other assets in its massive bailout last year of Wall Street banks and financial institutions, a new study by a government watchdog says.

The Congressional Oversight Panel, in a report released Friday, said last year's overpayments amounted to a taxpayer-financed $78 billion subsidy of the firms.

But this is the Obama administration and the Democrats have the majority in Congress. Hope! Change!

Mmm hmm. Would you like some snake oil with that hope and change?

But I do have to agree with the good Doc ... neither Congress nor this President wants to cure us; they only want to expand on their wealth and power. If we allow them to push through this "economic stimulus recovery", then we deserve to have whatever we have.

Pictures From Recording

I promised pictures and here they are. They aren't much but they should give you an idea of what Mario brought together for his new album.

Obama Economic Plan - Quote Of The Day

Maybe you've heard that President Obama's economic recovery plan now tops more than $900 billion. To help you grasp how much that is, here is a quote from Temple University math professor and author John Allen Paulos:

A million dollars a day for 2,000 years is only three-quarters of a trillion dollars. It's a big number no matter how you slice it. A million seconds is about 11½ days. A billion seconds is about 32 years, and a trillion seconds is 32,000 years. People tend to lump them together, perhaps because they rhyme, but if you think of it in terms of a jail sentence, do you want to go to jail for 11½ days or 32 years or maybe 32,000 years? So, they're vastly different, and people generally don't really have a real visceral grasp of the differences among them.

Let's look at that again ... a trillion seconds equals 32,000 years. That is the jail sentence that the President wants to impose on us, the American people.

Let that sink in for a moment. Then get mad that your government wants to make us foot this monsterous bill for something that more than likely isn't necessary and won't work.

Random Thoughts (NYC Edition)

I've had a few clouds passing through my brain this week and I thought I'd share. Lucky you.

1. Big cities are big cities. Although they each have their own flavor, they're pretty much all the same. I feel just as comfortable and "at home" here as I do in The District.
2. New Yorkers aren't as dickish as their caracatures would lead one to believe. But then maybe I haven't met any real New Yorkers yet.
3. The only advantage that New York City has over Washington, D.C., that I can tell, is sheer volume. Them's hardly be braggin' rights.
4. Speaking of volume, it seems that, no matter the neighborhood in NYC, there is a Starbucks on every friggin' corner. This is both a fantastic thing and a blight on the face of the earth.
5. Macs rule. I hate that I had to take my Vista instead.
6. As fun as this trip has been, it will never trump last year's trip with The Brain.
7. That last thought makes me sad.
8. Oh ... did I mention how fantastic Mario Spinetti is? I did? Well, he is.
9. Buses should never be cancelled over 1.5" of snow. This would never happen in The District. *cough cough*
10. The more work I do with music, the more I hunger to be doing music for a living. It makes me wish I had been born 15 years later than I was. Yeah, yeah ... it's never to late to blah, blah, blah. Reality is that in certain areas of life it is too late. The music business is a young person's game -- start young, make it young. Technology has truly brought power down from the few to the many and if it had been around when I was younger I would have a musical career today.

My Semi-Secret Mission In NYC

Several of my readers know that I'm in NYC the first half of this week. Only two or three of you know why.

And now so will the rest of you.

I was invited by one of my favorite new recording artists to lend my voice to three songs on his upcoming debut full-length album. (If you don't know about Mario Spinetti, check my posts here and here, then go to iTunes or Amazon and buy his currently-out EP.) Originally, Mario sent out an invitation to his fans to participate in one of the new songs on his upcoming album. I responded (as you knew I would) and got the nod. The fantastic twist in all of this was that not only would I be adding my voice to the 50+ chorus on the new song, I would also be singing with his close vocalist friends on two other songs as well. This was quite a surprise to me, as Mario has only briefly met me twice and we've only chatted online about six times.

Mario is simply one of the sweetest, most gracious people I've ever met. He treats all those around him equally (both in comparison to each other and to himself). He truly appreciates the talent and energy of the people around him ... in fact, it fuels him and drives him forward. It was an education watching him interact and direct and pull out of the singers present what he needed from them. To get that from a room full of performers without becoming overbearing or diva-like is an accomplishment.

Singing with these two choirs filled me with emotions I haven't felt in a long time. I felt part of something greater than myself (relationship aside *MUAH*) that I haven't felt since The Consort. In a way, I felt undeserving ... the odd man out in this gathering of friends. Yet here I was, joining them in voice on some mighty powerful pieces of composition. I can't express enough the gratitude I have for being allowed to have been a part of it all.

And these performers! Yes, they are all New Yorkers which would lead one to think that the carry some level of pretension, and maybe they do. But if they do, it wasn't on display last night. It was refreshing to have been pulled in and treated as if they had known me their whole lives. The support given, the energy shared, the joy that permeated the room was ... what's the word? Real. Honest. Free. I truly wish them all the best in their various endeavors.

I have some pictures from the 50+ chorus along with a short video of Mario giving instruction for the recording of that one song. I'll be posting them when I get back to D.C. later in the week.