Todd's Blog

Keith Richards' "Life"

2011-07-06T15:42:00.000-04:00

I finally got around to reading the Keith Richards biography "Life". It's a fantastic read - written like Keith is relating stories to you. Vastly entertainig.
The amount of drugs this guy did and the close calls with death are simply amazing. He also relates how he made some of those classic sounds on the early Stones records, and some of the business ups and downs they experienced. It's also clear from reading the book that he dislikes certain band members!
And then there are the women: Anita Pallenburg, Marianne Faithful, Bianca Jagger, the whole mess.

If you're a Stones fan like me, you're going to love this book!

Paul McCartney tells story behind album reissues in new film trailers - National paul mccartney | Examiner.com

2011-05-18T09:44:00.000-04:00

Paul McCartney tells story behind album reissues in new film trailers - National paul mccartney Examiner.com

Oil Company Profits Soar AGAIN

2011-04-28T10:12:00.001-04:00

It was announced today that Exxon Mobil's first-quarter profits jumped 69% to $10.7 Billion. WTF? The middle class is being squeezed so hard right now that it's disappearing. Between gas prices and food prices (which are influenced by gas prices because most food is trucked in from far away destinations), we're having to stay in an awful lot to make ends meet. Fewer movies on the weekend, fewer restaurants, less entertainment, no new toys for Todd.

But that means nothing to the Wall Street speculators who keep pushing the price of crude oil to record levels. They have become billionaires in the process. Do you know that the top 4000 earners in this country own more wealth than the rest of the country COMBINED? I'm all for capitalism, believe me, but that is a sick statistic.

The only way to combat high gas prices is to use less oil and gas, plain and simple. Buy a hybrid. Drive less. Ride your bike to work. Walk to the store. Many individual small efforts can lead to big results.

Thank-you fo allowing me to vent.

Steven Tyler in Rolling Stone

2011-04-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

Can't believe how great Rolling Stone cover boy Steven Tyler still looks. Man, is this guy ageless or what? One of the writers does a piece on Aerosmith's "deep cuts", but I think he's way off base. Here's mine:
Lord Of The Thighs:
Was an Aero song ever sexier? More suggestive? Hearing this when I was in middle school was a complete rush
Big Ten Inch Record:
C'mon, yes, it's juvenile. But it's a great party song.
Sick As A Dog
Just pure-on Aerosmith frenzy
Kings And Queens
very, very cool and a stretch that works
And then there's the hits which need no elaboration. Glad to hear they're planning a new album.

You're Gonna Die Laughing

2011-04-20T15:39:00.000-04:00

I love the Funny Or Die site. It was created by Will Farrel and his producing partner and it seems like everybody who's anybody is contributing now.

This is one of the funniest things EVER - When Harry Met Sally 2. Check it out - it's about 4 minutes and it's okay to LOL at your desk! Enjoy!

The Real Story on the Beatles' breakup

2011-04-11T10:13:00.002-04:00

from this week's Rolling Stone - interesting article on the McCartney angle on the Beatles' breakup.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-real-story-behind-the-beatles-last-days-20110408

Ron Wood is Picky

2011-04-04T16:18:00.000-04:00

RON WOOD of the ROLLING STONES picks a trophy.

Another Springsteen surprise appearance in Asbury Park

2011-04-04T16:13:00.000-04:00

This guy just can't help himself. He must get the itch pretty frequently when he's not on tour, because Bruce made another surprise appearance onstage in Asbury Park, NJ, this past weekend. Here's the link to the story in Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/rolling-stone-video-blog/watch-bruce-springsteens-surprise-asbury-park-concert-20110404

My favorite Tweet of the week

2011-03-29T16:47:00.000-04:00

I am really experiencing “pain at the pump.” I am also really hurting from the price of gas.

Conan O'Brien

I Shot Elvis Costello!

2011-03-17T15:42:00.002-04:00

I'm very excited to let you know that the folks in Ireland who administer The Elvis Costello Wiki Page have decided to include one of my photos of Elvis on their website! It's a Wiki page and fan forum and is really incredible - these folks have done an enormous amount of work on this site and it's loaded with E.C. gigography, bootleg info, discography, everything you want if you're a Costello freak like myself.

I took the shot at Lafayette University ("College" back then) in 1987(I'm either old or I was shooting when I was 7...). What's really cool is that they have the set list from the show.

You can see the page here: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Concert_1987-04-30

It's nice to know those old photos are good for something besides collecting dust in my closet!! Click on my name below the Elvis pic and you'll be sent to my Flickr page which has more shots you might like. Enjoy!

Chilling New 9/11 Video from NYPD

2011-03-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

The New York Daily News today posted a video that the NYPD shot from one of their helicopters on 9/11. I have to warn you, it's pretty chilling. Worth watching, however, especially when the 2nd tower falls.

Make sure you have the sound on so you can hear the police radio chatter.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/03/07/2011-03-07_haunting_911_video_by_nypd_surfaces.html

Charlie Sheen, Motivational speaker?

2011-03-07T09:24:00.000-05:00

If you look at Charlie Sheen's "poetry", it could pass as motivational speaking:

With "tiger blood," "Adonis DNA" and his "fire-breathing fists," Charlie has invented a new language

"Ready for my next fastball, world?"

"PLAN BETTER Applies to everything where an excuse now sits. Try it. U won't be wrong. Ever."

"I am on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. It's not available because if you try it, you will die. Your face will melt off, and your children will weep over your exploded body."

"A night of drink/ A night of hate/ A night as dark/ As last night's date."

"Can't is the cancer of happen."

Sheen claims his party exploits make Frank Sinatra and Mick Jagger look like "droopy-eyed armless children." He has called himself "battle-tested bayonets." And he's said he's riding the "tsunami of media ... on a mercury surfboard."

He's like the Darth Vader of motivational speaking.

Here's more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/03/the-charlie-sheen-glossary-a-totally-bitchin-bi-winning-guide-to-the-actors-best-quotes.html?cid=6a00d8341c630a53ef0147e2ed5604970b

Baby GaGa Pulled From Market!

2011-03-01T15:16:00.000-05:00

Yea, I can't resist a story with the words "...selling foodstuffs made from another person's bodily fluids...". Read and enjoy!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/01/134167895/breast-milk-ice-cream-seized-from-london-store?ft=1&f=1001

Charlie Sheen: Don't you just love a good meltdown?

2011-02-28T10:56:00.000-05:00

Don't you just LOVE it when a star flames out in public? Too much money, too much fame, too many sycophants.
Like David Lee Roth said, the first sign of mental illness is taking yourself too seriously. By that measure Charlie Sheen is stark raving eating bugs and aliens from space mad! PT Barnum would have put him in a cage and displayed him for twenty-five cents a peek.

Check out today's Charlie Sheen's "You can't process ME with a normal brain" comments and video here. Spectacular!

George Clooney On Why He Won't Run For Office

2011-02-23T17:00:00.000-05:00

Gotta love George Clooney's comments today on why he'll never run for public office: http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/23/clooney-ive-done-too-many-drugs-for-politics/

He's honest, to say the least. That's why I love the guy. If only people who ACTUALLY ran for public office were that honest, we'd have a different breed of politicians creating laws and policies which govern our lives.

If only....

Former Fox News employee: ‘Stuff is just made up’

2011-02-18T14:07:00.000-05:00

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/11/fox-news-employee-stuff-up/

Saw this post today - didn't we all know this already??

Organic Gardening 101: Where Do You Start?

2011-02-16T14:41:00.000-05:00

Organic Gardening 101: Where Do You Start?

The World's Longest Kiss?

2011-02-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

Well, if this isn't a story for Valentine's Day, nothing is.Thai Couple Breaks World Record For Longest Kiss.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't worry, it's almost over

2011-02-11T11:28:00.000-05:00

I am so freaking tired of snow and ice. The warm weather predicted for Sunday reminds me that before I know it I'll be working in my garden. Can't wait.
My garden is entirely organic and I grow tons of food. You can check out my blog here - it's called The Big Blog Of Gardening. I've also got a feed for it on the right side of this page.
Pretty soon I'll be all about tomatoes, peppers, carrots, potatoes, spinach, corn... Straight out of the garden and onto the table for dinner.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME SHOW

2009-12-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concert on HBO? It's unbelievable -catch it if you haven't. Great sets from Crosby, Stills & Nash (but not Young, unfortunately), Simon & Garfunkel (Artie can still hit those killer notes on "Bridge over Troubled Water"), U2, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Beck and especially Bruce Springsteen who blows the roof off. Bruce's version of "Jungleland" is absolutley astounding.

Oh yea, it's running on HBO. It's about 4 hours, so you might want to catch it in two viewings as I did.

Viewing Hint: Some of you will hate me for saying this, but you can probably skip the half hour or so of Metallica's set, which also features the formerly great Ozzy Osbourne. Don't get me wrong, I love Ozzy and Metallica, but it just doesn't work for the show-too heavy amidst all of the lighter fare. And quite frankly, Ozzy is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay past his prime, can't sing anymore, looks bad in mascara (like your grandpa on acid) and really should permanently retire and get to spending all of that money he's made. I mean, when he jumped into the air I was afraid that he'd break a hip when he landed or something. Besides, his wife has a good income as a host on what... America's Got Talent?

THE MAD GARDENER

2009-09-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

I call this post The Mad Gardener, because that is how I spend all of my free time these days. Not Howard Beal mad as in "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore"! Mad as in obsessed.

When you work indoors all day, there is something truly liberating about running home from work and getting dirty in the garden - I find it akin to meditation. I chop, shovel, hoe, rake, plant, water, whatever needs to be done and love every darn second of it. Even though I didn't grow up on a farm, there were farmers in my family a generation or two back, so perhaps it's something in my blood.

My neighbors frequently comment that I look like a kid playing in a sand box, which I think is very appropriate. I even sometimes refer to my garden as "the sandbox". Let me tell you, there is no more rewarding feeling than having a family meal in August when everything on the table was grown in your home garden. And the flavor of snap beans, tomatoes, peppers, or corn which go directly from the garden to the table can't begin to compare with even the best organic produce from your local market. And the seed cost less than $2.00. I don't figure in my labor, because I love it so much.

Mostly I grow vegetables from early Spring through late Fall and have flower beds surrounding my home as well, so there is always lots on my "to do" list. As if that weren't enough, I've also started a blog called The Big Blog Of Gardening, which you can check out here.

Get dirty today!

FILM REVIEW

2009-08-26T16:27:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I caught Quentin Tarantino's new film, "Inglorious Basterds" - yes, that's spelled correctly. If you're a Tarantino fan, this will not disappoint.

The film takes place during World War 2 and is about a company of Jewish U.S. Army soldiers led by Lt Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) who are dropped behind the German lines, and just like a band of roaming Apaches, routinely ambush Nazi (or as Brad Pitt would pronounce it Naaaa-tzi) patrols and perform unspeakable acts of violence against them (did you expect anything less from Q.T.?). They eventually cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl with a revenge motive, which whips the film into an explosive climax, to say the least.

For those of you who are historically challenged, let me interrupt here and mention that as far as we know, there was never a band of Jewish soldiers who did any such thing during WW2, and the end of this movie is most definitely not historically accurate - it all sprang from Q.T.'s head and is a complete fantasy. So anyway....

I.B. is sort of like a WW2 movie blended with a spaghetti Western. Especially the very first scene in the movie, in which German Colonel Hans Landa, played by Christopher Waltz (watch this guy - he's gonna be HUGE!), interrogates a French dairy farmer who has a secret. Waltz was the best thing about the movie - his Colonel Landa goes about the business of Nazi security and what he calls "detective work" with all of the charm of Ted Bundy: charasmatic as all get-out and menacing in a homicidal way at the same time. It's a brilliant performance and I bet he gets nominated for an Oscar.

And then there's Brad Pitt who's clearly having a ball with his hicksville Tennessee accent. It's especially hilarious to watch his character murder the Italian language with that drawl near the end of the movie, and the little extra he gives the Nazis he ambushes is classic Tarantino - Colonel Raine always lets one go, but not unscathed.

Watch for the tavern scene. Initially, it doesn't include either of the stars, but is so sharply written and acted that it'll blow your shoes off. It's one of those classic moments that will be archived in film history, mark my words.

Also, watch for the David Bowie song "Putting Out The Fire", used almost in its entirety in the scene that leads to the climax. If you listen to the lyrics, it fits so perfectly that you would think it was written for I.B. But as a huge Bowie fan, I can tell you that "Fire" was written and released in 1982 for the film Cat People!

So if you're a Q.T. fan, you'll love this. But I must warn you that the violence is over the top and definitely not appropriate for kids. I had a ball and can't wait to see it again!

TIME FLIES LIKE A.....

2009-08-21T14:40:00.000-04:00

Man, I can't believe it. I actually took my son to college yesterday. I can't believe it's been 18 years already - where does the time go? In my head, I'm not older, but judging by the events going on in my life, I am.

Of course, he frequently tells me that I'm the immature one, so there you go....

SQUIRRELS ARE NASTY CREATURES

2009-08-10T08:32:00.001-04:00

Yes, squirrels are nasty creatures - I don't care how cute you think they are. I'm a mad gardener (mad as in "lots", not "angry"). At this time of year, I'm in vigilante mode, trying to protect my corn from the ravages of our neighborhhod terrorists - the squirrels who hang and wait on the telephone wires and poles until my trusty critter-chasing dog Belle is in the house. The nasty varmints then make a beeline towards my garden and jump in, gorging themselves on everything I've grown. Last year, they literally shredded a dozen ears of corn in one night - peeled them right on the stalk and ate the kernels (I had the inspiration then to set up a motion controlled squirrel bazooka, but it didn't work out..). And you should see them sitting on top of the sunflowers, consuming nuts all the live-long day. These are the healthiest squirrels on the planet, no doubt.
Now you're probably saying, "Todd, why not just shoot them?". Don't believe for a minute that the thought doesn't cross my mind every minute of the day. But as we live within city limits, my wife has forbidden me from sitting at the window and taking aim 24/7, even with a lowly BB Gun. She's afraid that between my bad eyesight and the squirrels' blinding speed, I'll only hit the neighbors' windows. And they're too smart for trapping, to be sure.
So next time you see a squirrel and say "aww, how cute!" - remember that they are actually nasty little rodents, not far removed from the proverbial RAT. Gardeners unite! If someone invented an EFFECTIVE squirrel deterrent, they'd make BILLIONS!

MUSIKFEST IS IN FULL SWING

2009-08-06T11:40:00.000-04:00

Hung out at "Hawkplatz" last night, seeing all of our enthusiastic listeners and staying cool under our misting tent provided by energy saving solutions. Man, as soon as we turn that misting tent on, it's like moths to a candle. People swarm to the tent and the look on their face is something akin to a religious experience. In the two hours I was there, we saw hundreds of listeners and gave away tons of prizes. It's always a blast.

Then I went and bought some tickets so I could swill some beer and eat some food that would stop up my heart on the spot. Yummy. I shortly realized that the prices this year were considerably more expensive than in years past, which was a bit of a letdown, considering that we're smack dab in the middle of a recession. I love Musikfest on a summer night, but you can blow through $150 with your family before you leave your first Platz. Ouch!

Do you think the cost of going to Musikfest will have an effect on attendance this year?

BEATLES ROCK BAND TRAILER

2009-07-21T16:52:00.000-04:00

The trailer for the Beatles edition of Rock Band, being released September 9, is utterly mind blowing. Check it out here. My jaw hit the desk when I saw it and now I can only eat grits, applesauce, and creamed corn**. The game will include 45, count 'em 45 remastered tracks (all the original CD's are being remastered and re-released) and Abbey Road will become available for download for the first time ever on that date as well. There's even a cool presentation box coming out to store your re-mastered Beatles catalog CD's in and every one of the CD's will also contain a DVD mini-documentary on the making of that particular release (note to wife: your Christmas shopping for me this year is REALLY easy). Whew!

This Fall Beatlemania re-ignites!

**P.S.: Look for the Easter Eggs, Beatleheads! I caught: a Yellow Submarine under a bridge during the airplane scene; concert posters promoting bands with names like: Carry That Weight and Blue Jay Way. I'm sure there's tons more.

PEGGLE IS THE GREATEST GAME EVER INVENTED

2009-07-13T10:51:00.001-04:00

Oh man, Oh Jeez, What a wonderful way to waste hours upon hours of your life, ignore your kids, disregard your wife, blow off your chores, let the dog starve, and fall endlessly into the gaming void.

Now generally, I'm not one for playing PC games, but my son introduced me to a game called PEGGLE, which is brilliant. It's kind of retro, in that it resembles pinball, but it also uses the idea of those peg games from the 60's, where you would try to move the little balls around and land them in holes. In PEGGLE, you use a virtual ball to take out the orange pegs on the screen (not as easy as it sounds) - the ball drops and bounces around much like the balls in those old peg games or a pinball machine - it's simply amazing. I started playing it around 11 PM Friday night and finally went to bed around 1:30 that night. Saturday morning I was at it again and played for another two hours. By that time I was awarded the Peggle Grand Master certificate and was on to the Challenge levels. Of course, the lawn remains uncut this week, and the weeds are growing in the garden, but who cares???? I'M A PEGGLE GRAND MASTER! Check out the free version at www.popcap.com/games/free/peggle.

And please don't play this at work, because you'll probably get fired for non-productivity. But you will of course be a Peggle Master.

MJ JAMS WITH ELVIS

2009-06-26T15:38:00.001-04:00

So Michael Jackson gave up the ghost yesterday. I can't believe he expired before legendary abusers like Keith Richards, Ozzy, Pete Townshend, Nikki Sixx, David Crosby, Steven Tyler, Slash, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton... Man, those guys were the Olympic torch bearers of rock n roll lifestyle near-death by misadventure. I mean, Keith used to get blood transfusions so he could start all over again fresh as a daisy(now that's dedication to a lifestyle...). Like Bill Hicks said, after nuclear war two things will survive: cockroaches and Keith Richards. But I digress.

I assume that once the coroner's report comes back in a few weeks, we'll find that MJ died like so many other celebrities of his ilk (Elvis, Jim Morrison)... His heart couldn't deal with the (in this case) pain killer cocktails anymore. It's tragic that such a rich life should end in such an inglorious manor. Hunter S Thompson had the right idea when he had his ashes shot out of a cannon after he took himself out. Elvis died on the toilet, Morrison died in a bath tub and MJ collapsed in his living room. Living in the bubble of show business must surely be surreal and I can only imagine how easy it is to go off the rails without anyone giving you a reality check.

See ya Jacko!

Contrarian messages at Southern Lehigh

2009-06-04T10:06:00.000-04:00

The administartion at Southern Lehigh High School clearly has overstepped their disciplinary authority in punishing a small handful of senior students for sending emails to the media regarding the seniors who camped in the courtyard at Southern Lehigh as a senior stunt. In case you missed it, a bunch of seniors threw a ladder up the wall at the school, climbed over and down into the courtyard, which is normally off limits after school hours, pitched tents, and camped out overnight earlier this week. These students will receive summary citations for defiant trespass, and one student may lose his status in the National Honor Society, which may of course, affect any scholarship opportunities he's received for college. Most likely, they'll have the kids work off the offense doing public service.
But what really infuriates me is that the school is now punishing two Southern Lehigh seniors who sent emails to the media commenting on the student campers' punishment. Understand that the emailers were not, I repeat, were not involved in the camping. These emailers, who were exercising their right to free speech, which is encouraged by the school, have now been suspended for 5 days for unauthorized use of the school computers(!). Are you kidding me?
In my day, senior pranks involved WAY more than camping in the courtyard and emailing the press. Man, I can't even say what we did, because... (well, it was a long time ago and my memory is fuzzy...but I'm sure it was dangerous and illegal and life threatening and is the reason why my memory is hazy...).
Come off it, Southern Lehigh Administrators. The right to speak should be ENCOURAGED - you should not be gagging (the emailers have been forbidden to speak to the media about it) and punishing these kids as if they were leaking Grand Jury testimony or something. THEY WERE EXERCISING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. You have taught the wrong lesson here - you have taught them that there is a contradiction in what you say officially and what you do officially when put to the test. The First Amendment is not to be applied only when convenient.
I get that you should punish the campers in some way - I'm sure your insurance carrier is jumping all over you about liability issues - after all, if one of the campers choked on one of the pretzels he was eating, or if he broke his pinky falling off the ladder, the parents might sue you for not having a 24 hour security watch or some such silliness. But punishing kids for exercising their right to free speech, even if it is generated on school district equipment, is an easy out on a technicality for you. I'm sure that if the kids sent it from their home email accounts, you would have found a different technicality to punish them with, because let's face it, you were embarassed. Your reaction is way over the line and you blew what could have been a wonderful, "teachable" moment for these kids.

Bruno Rules

2009-06-02T10:31:00.000-04:00

Is Sascha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G) not the funniest man on the planet? Bigger cajones than any comic in history. Did you catch his move at the MTV Awards where he flew in (literally) in costume as his Bruno character (from his soon to be released new film), had a "malfunction" and landed crotch side up in Eminem's lap? (how coincidental, considering Eminem's Elton John gay-bashing comments a number of years ago at the same event...) A short melee ensued with Eminem's posse, Eminem yelled a few expletives, stormed out, and Bruno stumbled through the audience. I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself. I don't watch MTV anymore (way out of the demo...), but this one would have been worth seeing live. But of course, there's clips everywhere on the web, which is how I caught it. Google it and enjoy.