Ringing In the New Year

I snapped this on the way home tonight. I've always loved how the state capitol adds a magical touch to New Year's Eve.

From Us To You

Season's Greetings

File under: awesomely geeky holiday entertainment

E-Trade Baby

This TV commercial always makes me laugh.

"Whoa."

I'm Outta Time

Here's the video for "I'm Outta Time," the second single off Dig Out Your Soul. I'm not that crazy about the vid, but I like the song. It is one of three penned by Liam Gallagher for this album, and he claims it took him nine years to write.

The spoken bit at the end is an audio clip of John Lennon from an interview just before his death.

Frozen Oasis

Were it not for work and other adult responsibilities, I would have been at the Target Center in Minneapolis Wednesday night for the Oasis concert. The Star-Tribune printed a predictably negative review, complaining about the band's apparent lack of onstage enthusiasm and Liam's weak vocal delivery.

My own personal rebuttal: First, nobody goes to an Oasis concert for the thrilling stage show. People go to an Oasis concert for the terrific music. For most of its fans, the band is the epitome of cool.

Second, I don't deny that Liam's voice has been rough at some live performances in the past; however, it's in good shape right now. Take a listen to a clip from the Minneapolis show:



Noel Gallagher pissed and moaned about Minnesota's cold weather on his tour diary. His previous entry about the cold on the way from Denver to Minneapolis is even better.

I love reading his tour diary and interviews. Ego. Dry wit. Biting tongue. Endlessly entertaining.

Half-Blood Prince, Redux

It seems that Warner Bros. had such huge success with The Dark Knight that they've pushed back the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to next July, so as to ensure another WB summer blockbuster.

As Ron would say, what a load of waffle!

At least they've released another trailer, which plays up the humor a bit more than the old one.

Weight of the World - just a bit of venting

A stack of essays to grade...
a Cub Scout den flag to design and sew...
JFK Parent Night x 3...
eight performances in five days...
holiday shopping...
unruly children jeopardizing my dance facility...
unruly headscarves...
spelling tests...
Student of the Week...
dance uniforms not arriving in time...
prescriptions that ran out...
performances to schedule...
appointments to schedule...
phone calls to return...
a student who questioned my very intelligence...
photocopies and stapling for JFK...
photocopies and stapling for Cub Scouts...
where to hold State Competition in 2012-2014 and how much to pay...

oh, and remember to change the oil in the car.

My life is weighing heavily on my shoulders right now. At least I can be sure that this, too, shall pass. Just not fast enough!