Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Life Of Riley


Alright folks, in my pursuit to not turn this blog into a DaddyBlog, here's another baby post.  Both of the girls in my life were cleared to go home late Sunday night.  That was a whirlwind of improvisation on par with Robin Williams and Drew Carey's crew.  Mommy had to get some sleep, because she's still recovering from the delivery, which was quick, but not exactly smooth.  I sat up with Riley, holding her and listening to one of our local radio station's play their fan voted Top 500 for Memorial Day weekend.  Thank you to all our soldiers past and present for your service...just wanted to get what I had been unable to get out on time.

In listening to the Top 500, which is mainly 60's to 80's rock music, I would explain to Riley about the songs we were listening to.  It kept her very calm.  Until we got to a Peter Frampton song.  She hates, "Show Me The Way."  Just lost her mind when that came on, but immediately relaxed after the song ended.  That's pretty much been our weekend.  We got some family visitors on Monday.  My Mom (Nona, which is what she's wants to go by), Camilla's Mom and Step Dad and Auntie and Uncle, with Brains and Viper.  Viper was mad because, Riley couldn't play with her yet and Brains held Riley for 23.739 seconds longer than she got.  Sibling rivalry...Brains is at least smart enough to check her Cheerios for poison in the morning.  Viper was definitely on the warpath, but also tired from a long day at the Children's Museum planning her world takeover.  I think she's already scouting Riley to be part of it.

I'm going to try to get my vocals recorded for this week's radio show, but I think I'm going to skip a week and get the new one out for next Wednesday.  Just an update for those of you that might go looking for it.

The Life of Riley will be a weekly update of the baby happenings in our life.  So, I can in theory keep this DaddyBlog stuff to a minimum...for now.  I have no doubt my life is going to dominated by my girls for the next 50 years.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Enter Riley Lyn


I don't think the blog will turn into a Daddy-Blog, but you never know.  Extremely happy. 

Friday, May 27, 2011

Well...Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Blog


So, for the first time in 36 weeks there will be no Nine By Design here.  Also, please excuse the horrible title of this post, but as I type this my wife is having contractions and we're watching Sportscenter (her favorite show, not really, but it's the only on at 3:13AM).  She's not quite ready to go to the hospital, she has yet to see the smackdown that the Red Sox put on the Tigers yesterday.  I can't deny her that.  See you guys later.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Blogs I Like





I've been busy with baby stuff, so I haven't really had much to say about anything lately.  Nothing that I think is worth talking about here at least.  I thought I'd promote a couple of blogs that I follow.  It's not all about me.  At least for the 15 minutes or so it will take me to do this entry...then it's back to me.

Andrea Joseph's Sketchblog is really great.  An extremely good artist.  I wish I had half her talent.  It's not updated as often as I'd like, because I want to see more artwork, but is always a treat when a new entry hits.

Smacksy is a Mommy-blog.  Basically it's stuff her son says or does and is pretty entertaining.  She has a new post daily and hasn't missed one since she started the blog a couple of years ago.  I think that's correct and good for her, because it's not easy to have new stuff on a daily basis.

I started following both of these because, they were Blogs of Note on Blogspot.  I think it's supposed to be random, but I take a look at the blogs they pick everyday.  Looking for ideas on how to make my little doohickey here more interesting.  There's a lot of junk out there in the blogosphere (like my blog), but there are some good ones.  Always looking for new ones to follow, so drop me a line with ones you like or maybe your own.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Mushy Brain


This is what my brain feels like after a weekend of preparing for the baby.  The house is clean and the baby's room is about 97% set up.  Waiting on a dresser that my father-in-law is actually making.  He does excellent work, so we were very excited about it.  Today will be more work around the house, but as far as funny (what I think is funny at least, you guys probably think otherwise) quirky posts that my readers are used to, ain't gonna happen today.  Just numb and dumb right now.  I'll probably be back tomorrow, but just in case, don't hold your breath. 

I'll leave with 3 dance commercials that make me laugh...I feel like I have to do something.

 

Friday, May 20, 2011

Nine By Design 36


Here we are, face to face, a couple of Silver Spoons...whoops...I wrote the first three words and that's what popped into my head.  36 weeks without a miss...it might all change once the wife goes into labor, which could be any time...literally.  I know you're having contractions, but I have to get this blog entry done...I don't think that would go over well.  Today's topic is:  Reality Shows, the non-network ones...the more educational kind.  I don't watch the god awful, Dancing With The Pseudo-Stars or American Idle...horrible stuff. 



Educational Reality Shows:

Mythbusters - It's just a cool show.  All of the hosts are funny in their own way and you learn so much in every episode.  A show that really appeals to everyone, well if you have an interest in learning things.

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives - I love cooking-esque (if that's a word?) shows, you'll see more on the list I'm sure.  This show is great, because if something looks good on the show, you can go to the website and get the recipe.  Plus, I'm a sucker for diners, it beats fast food every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I (Almost) Got Away With It - I don't know what it is about cop shows, but I love them.  It's pretty much what I watch on network episodic television.  This is real life stuff.  Where I learn how to be a better criminal and how to escape from jail. 
Lockup Raw - I used to watch the HBO show OZ when it was on.  It made me terrified of prison and this show reinforces that terror.  It really shows what the phrase, "Doing Time" means.  Just scary stuff.
Anthony Bourdain No Reservations - First of all, if you've never read his book Kitchen Confidential, what are waiting for?  You will learn so much about restaurants, you may never eat there again.  He travels all over the world and tells it straight.  Where to go if you're ever in that country and what to look for, plus gives you a lot of history while he's at it. 

Deadliest Catch - I've learned that I never want to do this for a living.  It really does take a special breed of person to do this for a career.  The ocean scares the crap out of me for various reasons, so this is extra scary for me. 

Gangland - A show that let's you know about the dirty parts of real life.  Hopefully, you'll never have a run-in with any of the gangs profiled.  The gang in this video, I've actually seen live and in action.  Extremely frightening and turned me off to rock shows in Boston.  I just won't go to see certain bands anymore.

Overhaulin - There are a bunch of  car/motorcycle shows on.  American Chopper and Street Customs are shows I've watched before, but they seem to be more about created drama.  This show is about repairing and "overhaulin" a car for someone, that can't or has been unable to do themselves.  Plus, Chip Foose designs it for you.

Top Gear - Last but, certainly not least...Top Gear.  A show for gear heads or for someone like me, that knows relatively little about cars, but still likes them.  You learn a lot about the cars they profile/test and it's done with a great sense of humor.  Highly recommended.  The original, not the American remake...it's just nowhere near the original.

There we have this week's list.  Reality based shows that will make you more intelligent, probably...not proven scientifically, but they are surely better than any of those revolting game/talent shows.  Cheers, Happy Weekend!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Off The Beaten Path Show # 4 - Second Time Is The Charm...


Hopefully, the second time around will be the charm for Show # 4.  I think everything will be fine.  Ted is back from his week of meetings and we're both positive that the show will run smoothly.  So tune in to Rock401.com to listen to the show on Wednesday at 12PM ET, Thursday at 4PM ET, Friday at 8PM ET and next Saturday May 28th at 8AM ET (For the overseas crowd).


Off The Beaten Path - Show # 4 Play List

Let’s Go Crazy – Prince
Radio, Radio – Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Bastards Of Young – The Replacements
I’m Waiting For The Day – Beach Boys
Pay Me My Money Down – Bruce Springsteen
The Harder They Fall – Jimmy Cliff
There She Goes – Chris Isaak
Cheap Reward – The Devil Makes Three
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ – Canned Heat
Going Up The Country – Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Requiem For A Heavyweight – Jay Berndt
New York City – They Might Be Giants
Good Girls Don’t – The Knack
Moonchild – Rory Gallagher
Gentlemen – Afghan Whigs
Bikeage – Descendents
Walk Away – Dropkick Murphys
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey – Beatles
Last Cup Of Sorrow – Faith No More
Peace Sells – Megadeth
Dad, I’m In Jail – Was Not Was
Get Off The Phone – Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
Ever Fallen In Love – Buzzcocks
I’m In Love With My Car – Queen
Musta Got Lost – J. Geils Band
Soul Clap – Booker T. & the M.G.’s
I Want You Back – Jackson 5
The Walls Came Down – The Call
Woke Up This Morning – Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes
20th Century Boy – T. Rex

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Weekend Retrospective


We are coming to the end of what seems like the never ending preparation for the baby.  It's very close...the day where all the practice is put into action for real.  This past weekend was more of the same...get ready for the rest of your life.

Saturday - was a run around day.  My car was inspected and it passed.  Not bad for the 8 year old vehicle.  The only thing it needed was brake rotors, which was more money we don't exactly have, but needed to be done for safety, so it was done.  The wife, on a normal day can hang with the best of them, but since she is 9+ months pregnant, doesn't have much energy these days.  So, I told her to head home and I would wait for my car.  Even the woman at our garage knew she was tired.  We've been going there for the better part of 11 yrs.  They treat us well and we love that there are still honest people in that business.  Very difficult to find, so if you have a good garage, stay with them as long as you can.

Sunday - we had to do a little food shopping before heading to a family birthday.  The wife got about 10 minutes into our shopping trip and was exhausted.  She tends to push herself a little too much, still.  So it was nap time for her before the party.  We got to her mom's house early, because I had to unload some boxes at the House of the Terror Twins (muhaha...it needs that evil laugh).  The great thing is, they weren't there.  It's not the Twins, they are four years old and are doing the best they can with the hand they were dealt.  The problem is the mom, but that's another story for another time.  Everyone arrived for the party about 20 or so, minutes after we finished.  The party was a great time.  Again, I'd say that has some to do with certain people being elsewhere, but I think it's more that everyone gets along pretty well.  The kids had a great time playing outside, as the weather was just nice enough to go outside.

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend.  I will now continue with all the work that needs to be completed before the big day.  It's coming whether I'm done or not.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Nine By Design 35





Alight folks...I actually get to do the list today.  Blogspot had been down for maintenance for quite sometime, so I wasn't sure if this was going to happen.  The streak continues though, 35 straight weeks.  Today is also Friday the 13th of May.  So it made the topic of today's list quite easy.  It will be Scary Movies.  I've seen a lot more than I expected, since I always claim not to be a big fan of them.  I guess I'm wrong, which happens a lot and will only happen more.  Without further ado, here we go.

Scary Movies:

Jaws - One of the scariest movies I ever saw, because it's reality based.  A shark could terrorize a beach town.  Well in my eyes it could.  For years, if not decades, I wouldn't swim in the ocean.  I still always think of this movie when I go to the beach.  It also doesn't help that I live relatively close to where this movie is based. 

Dead Ringers - Another one of those movie plots that "could" happen, I suppose.  Jeremy Irons really makes this movie creepy.  He's really good in this movie as the twins.  More psychological than anything else, which is more my speed than your typical monster movie.  Directed by David Cronenberg, who is brilliant...check it out.

Psycho - Do I need to say more?  Alfred Hitchcock, Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, just terrific.  Again more of a thriller than a horror movie.  It will scare you if you've never seen it.  Watch the original, not the remake.  Black and white is a good thing. 

Alien - We're going a little Sci-Fi here.  The trailer is masterfully done.  "In space no one can hear you scream."  Such a scary sentence, but very true.  A classic.

Halloween - The movie that started the slasher film genre or at least, popularized it.  To be able to do so much, with such little money and special effects, almost makes it scarier.  Jamie Lee Curtis and PJ Soles, so hot.

Friday the 13th - I go to a summer camp very similar to the one portrayed here.  So, this movie is always in the back of my mind when I'm there.  Also, Kevin Bacon is in this, because he's in everything.  Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is very real.

A Nightmare on Elm St. - Another one of those, watch the original.  I haven't seen the remake, because there's no need to in my eyes.  There's only one Freddy Krueger and that's Robert Englund.  All due respect to Kelly Leak.

Scream - I love what this movie did for slasher movies.  It turned the genre on its ear.  Made it much more than a mindless, super-natural killer coming after you.  It was a smart scary movie and I love things like that.  All the things that you'd talk about with your friends, they put in the movie.  The script is genius.  A very well done film.

Saw - Anything that could technically happen in real life, scares me more.  The Saw series does that.  Jigsaw, is a great character.  Would you have the presence of mind and be calm enough to follow the directions?  I doubt I would.  I'd be all about the panic and probably end up dead. 

That's the list for this week.  Watch one or all of them.  Cheers, Happy Weekend!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Technical Difficulties


So my greatest fear happened...the radio show didn't run.  My 4 1/2 (I'm the 1/2) listeners will be disappointed.  There's nothing that can be fixed right now.  The producer is away doing work things and I have no access to the software.  Even if I did, I wouldn't know what to do.  It will probably run next week, I'll notify everyone when I know for sure.  I'll leave you with this:

 
 

Monday, May 9, 2011

10 Questions With...Darren Hill

Red Rockers: Darren Hill, James Singletary, John Griffith and Jim Reilly

And now for something not completely different, but a little different.  I got the opportunity to talk a little bit with Darren Hill.  A man that has worn many hats in entertainment, so to speak.  He not only was a musician in a couple of pretty successful bands, but also manager of some of the great and legendary (no exaggeration) bands/performers in music history.  That's not all kids, he's just added entrepreneur to his impressive resume and like most things he's been involved in, it's a really interesting venture.  Darren Hill really is the definition of self-made success. 


DJ:  Where are you from originally?  Who/What got you into playing music?

DH:  New Orleans. During high school I was really into music and went to shows all the time – The Who, Stones, Pink Floyd,  Jethro Tull…I saw dozens of shows. I was learning how to play bass (figured 4 strings would be easier than 6) at the time, but the songs I was trying play were just too complicated. Then, within the span of a few months,  I saw both The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. It changed my life.  I realized that it was more about passion than technical proficiency. From that point on, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

Darren Hill and Dee Dee Ramone


How did the Red Rockers form?  What’s it like being a “one hit wonder?”  In no way meant to be derogatory, millions of people try the music business and so few actually have a hit.  Do you remember where “China” peaked?

The original band (John Griffith, James Singletary, and myself) all grew up in the same neighborhood and were friends. John could play piano and guitar already but James and I were just learning. After we saw The Ramones together we decided to start a band. I recruited a drummer that went to my school and we started practicing in John’s garage. Sometimes we would open the garage door and all the kids in the neighborhood would come watch us. Our first gig was opening for local New Orleans punk legends The Normals. Our second show was opening for The Cramps (original lineup). The Normals split up and we soon became the top punk band in town. We opened for everyone that came through – Black Flag, Mission of Burma, X…then we did our first out of town tour with The Dead Boys.  Eventually we realized that we were going to have to leave N.O. if we wanted to make it, so I talked the guys into packing up our belongings and we moved out to California. Our drummer was still in school and his parents wouldn’t let him leave so we recruited Patrick Jones in LA. Howie Klein (who later became president of Reprise Records) signed us to his label 415 Records out of San Francisco. Our first record Condition Red was released in 1981 and it got a lot of attention. We were dubbed “the American Clash” by several critics. We toured quite a bit on that record and then had a falling out with Patrick. Jim Reilly from Stiff Little Fingers took over as our drummer. We did some dates with The Clash – which was a real dream come true for me.

415 Records was sold to Columbia Records and that’s when things started to change. At the same time, our sound really started to evolve. “China” was just another song to us, but the label really thought it could be a hit.  They hired Annie Liebowitz to shoot our album cover and gave us nice budget to shoot a video. Radio really took to the song – it was # 1 on the Alternative Chart and I think it eventually cracked the Billboard top 40. MTV was starting to catch on and they played the crap out of our video. I think they didn’t have that many videos at the time…haha.

Suddenly we were in all of the Teen magazines. Anyhow, we toured constantly that year and sold quite a few records. Looking back, it seems surreal now. 

Do you attribute the breakup of the Red Rockers due to the band’s “style” change that was “China” or was it just time to move on?

In 1985 we were the support act for U2’s “Unforgettable Fire” tour. The tour ended on the East Coast and we decided to relocate to Boston. Boston had always been really good to us. We were all living in a big old house and working on songs for a new record. John had a girlfriend still back in New Orleans. One day he left to go visit her and never came back…haha. I’m sure it was much more complicated than that – there was a lot of pressure on us from the label at the time. I was devastated – I thought the songs we were working on were really good and that band meant everything to me.


After the breakup, Jim Reilly (drummer, Red Rockers and Stiff Little Fingers) and yourself would join The Raindogs in Boston.  How did that come about?  Please talk about that band.  

Jim and I were planning a new band when we met Johnny Cunningham at an Irish pub in Boston. Johnny was a world-renowned Celtic fiddle player from Scotland who was in the band Silly Wizard. He was sort of the Jimi Hendrix of fiddle players. He agreed to join our band, but we still needed a singer. A mutual friend of ours introduced us to Mark Cutler from The Schemers in Providence, RI. We loved his voice and his songwriting.  Eventually we talked him into joining what would become The Raindogs. We were signed to ATCO/Atlantic and recorded two critically acclaimed records and toured with Warren Zevon, The Waterboys, Don Henley, and Bob Dylan before calling it a day. 

After that, I was recruited to play in Paul Westerberg’s first post-Replacements band. We toured the world and played on “Saturday Night Live.” Then I played in a short-lived band called Klover with Chris and Brian from Gang Green. We recorded one record for Mercury.

I might be incorrect, but didn’t you have a record label, Monolyth?  Is it still operational?

Yes, I became partners with Jeff Marshall – who already had Monolyth up and running. I brought in Grandpaboy (Paul Westerberg), The Royal Crowns, The Pinetops, Big Bad Bollocks, and others.  Sadly, this coincided with the decline of the record business and we eventually closed shop.

How did you enter the world of band management?  What makes for a good band manager?

My son was born in 1990 and I decided I didn’t want to miss his childhood being on the road playing in a band. The problem was – I didn’t know what else to do. I had been in music all my life. I had some job offers from labels, but it would have meant moving to LA – which I didn’t want to do. By default, I ended up handling the business for every band I was in. In the back of my mind, I always thought that one day I would go into management. I tried to pay attention, learn, and make contacts throughout my playing days. It seemed like a natural transition for me. Plus, I didn’t have to move. I think what really helped me the most was the fact that I had the experience of being in a band myself. I think the musicians that I work with know that I understand and have been in their shoes.

Red Rockers with Jello Biafra joining them on stage


What bands/performers have you managed in the past?  What bands/performers are you currently managing?

My first two management clients were The Royal Crowns and Dropkick Murphys. Over the years, I have worked with Combusitble Edison, Skavoovie & The Epitones, The Black Eyed Susans, New York Dolls, and Hot Rod Circuit. My current roster includes Paul Westerberg/The Replacements, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Roky Erickson.

Are there any new projects/tours/albums you can talk about that your clients will be putting out in the future?

The Bosstones are working on a new record this summer and will be going over to Europe for the first time in several years to play some festivals.

Roky Erickson will be going over for festivals this summer as well. He just released a record with Okkervil River last year on Anti and more recently a dvd with The Black Angels.

Paul is doing some soundtrack work.

Who are your 5 all-time favorite bands/performers?  Are there any guilty music pleasures?

The Clash and The Who are by far my two top favorite bands. The Stones, Faces,  & The Jam probably round out the top 5. Can’t forget The Kinks either. I’ve really gotten into jazz over the last several years.

Is there anything or anyone you’d like to plug or promote?  Please use this space to do so. 

I recently opened an antique/art gallery in East Greenwich, RI called POP – Emporium of Popular Culture. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time and it’s a lot of fun. www.emporiumofpopularculture.com.


How about that guys?  If that's not a cool and interesting interview, than I don't know what is?  I'd like to thank Darren for his time and the great pictures that he supplied me with.  Check out all of his bands...they are worth your time and effort.  If your local, stop in and see the cool stuff at Darren's POP.  I have to get down there myself.  See you next time with another interview.  This one will be hard to top.



Off The Beaten Path - Show # 4?


I'm posting the play list a little early (one day), because I'm waiting on the finishing touches of my latest interview.  I think it will be a really good one, so I want to get everything just right.  I don't wanna screw it up.  Speaking of screw ups...It's actually not anyone's fault, but the premiere of Off The Beaten Path Show # 4 may not happen on Wednesday May 11th.  There is a software issue, the show has been scheduled to play, but it might not go.  The producer of the show is away on a business trip, so he won't be able to monitor it.  So it's out of our hands, literally.  Hopefully, everything will work out just fine...just giving my 4 listeners a heads up.  The show will play, it just may be delayed a week, but here are the excellent songs I'll be playing at some point.

Off The Beaten Path - Show # 4 Play List

Let’s Go Crazy – Prince
Radio, Radio – Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Bastards Of Young – The Replacements
I’m Waiting For The Day – Beach Boys
Pay Me My Money Down – Bruce Springsteen
The Harder They Fall – Jimmy Cliff
There She Goes – Chris Isaak
Cheap Reward – The Devil Makes Three
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ – Canned Heat
Going Up The Country – Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Requiem For A Heavyweight – Jay Berndt
New York City – They Might Be Giants
Good Girls Don’t – The Knack
Moonchild – Rory Gallagher
Gentlemen – Afghan Whigs
Bikeage – Descendents
Walk Away – Dropkick Murphys
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey – Beatles
Last Cup Of Sorrow – Faith No More
Peace Sells – Megadeth
Dad, I’m In Jail – Was Not Was
Get Off The Phone – Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
Ever Fallen In Love – Buzzcocks
I’m In Love With My Car – Queen
Musta Got Lost – J. Geils Band
Soul Clap – Booker T. & the M.G.’s
I Want You Back – Jackson 5
The Walls Came Down – The Call
Woke Up This Morning – Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes
20th Century Boy – T. Rex

Cross your fingers...

Friday, May 6, 2011

Nine By Design 34

 

We're finishing up another week and you've made it to the weekend.  Good job, it's Miller Time or Pepsi time, in my case.  Then again, it's always Pepsi time.  This week's list is all about MMA.  I love the sport.  A lot of people think it's barbaric, but it's actually better long term than a sport like boxing, because of the rules involved.  In boxing, most fighters are allowed to keep going after being hit with a "flash" knockout.  If you can get up and convince the ref you're okay, you'll keep fighting.  Not in MMA.  Sometimes fights get stopped too fast, but that's for the health of fighters.  So, this list is just some of my favorite all-time fighters...not necessarily the best, but guys I like to watch.


MMA Fighters:

Toby Imada - One of the smaller guys you'll see on this list.  If you watch the clip, Imada is losing, but how quickly things change in the world of MMA.  It was called the submission of the year in 2009, an inverted triangle choke.

Matt Hughes - Matt Hughes is a country boy and country boys are strong.  Hughes was about to go to sleep and then it happened.  Hughes was UFC Welterweight champion two times and is in the UFC HOF.  Still has a couple of fights left in him.

Randy Couture - The real Captain America just retired.  He has defied all of the odds time and time again in MMA.  He's always been too old or too small.  The man just wins.  The first fighter to ever be champion at two different weight classes in the UFC (heavy and light heavyweight).  Also, the only fighter to win a title after being inducted into the UFC HOF.  Finally decided to retire at 47 to act more.  He could still fight, but wanted to do other things.

George St. Pierre - I have a ton of respect for this man.  Does whatever it takes to win.  Has fought everyone and more often than not has won.  His two career losses have been avenged.  He's a hard person to dislike, because he's a generally nice guy and has a great sense of humor.  GSP vs Anderson Silva next?

Jeremy Horn - Was one of my early favorites, because he was a submission machine.  He will literally fight multiple times a month.  Normally fighters fight 3 to 4 times per year, but Horn fights a lot.  He's had 113 professional fights and he's only 35.

Wanderlei Silva - All you really need to know is, his nickname is "The Axe Murderer."  Has had more success in Japan than the UFC, but still one of the most feared men in the octagon as his career comes to an end.

Frank Shamrock - One of the first fighters to have the full package of skills.  He wasn't just a wrestler or striker, he could do it all.  He was way ahead of most fighters in the early days of the UFC.  First fighter to hold the UFC Middleweight (would become the Light Heavyweight) title.  He was undefeated in the UFC.

Bas Rutten - "El Guapo" was three time King of Pancrase and one time UFC Heavyweight champion.  He had to retire due to injuries.  Is one of the most colorful and best analysts in the sport.  Has an MMA gym in California and teaches there.  A great personality and key to the sport's growth.

Royce Gracie - The reason why the UFC was started.  To promote and highlight Gracie BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu).  Easily one of the best BJJ practitioners in the history of the sport.  Size has never mattered to him or his family.  Technique should always win out in their minds.  Most of the time they were absolutely correct.

That's it for this week.  Hope you enjoyed it.  MMA is fun, plus submissions are just really neat.  I'm trying to figure out what to do with the blog when the baby decides to show up.  We're literally weeks away and it could be anytime in reality.  It might be sporadic initially, but I'll always post something.  Cheers, Happy Weekend!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Waiting Is The Hardest Part


I've been waiting for things lately.  I'm waiting for some interview answers to come back, but that's not the interviewee's fault, it's only been a week or so.  I'm just impatient, plus at this moment in time, I don't have much prepared for the blog.  The baby could pretty much arrive at any time.  My wife has just entered 9 complete months, so it could realistically happen very soon.  I had to prepare my internet radio show early, because the producer will be away for the week, but also, because of the baby.  I'll nearly done preparing another show just in case.  I don't normally work this much in the future.  I'm very much a day to day kind of person.  So, that's what I have for you guys right now...it's not much.  The interview I'm waiting for will hopefully be as good as I think it will be.  I guess, we'll just wait and see...




Monday, May 2, 2011

Recovery

Eternity Solution

I'm recovering from the baby shower...so I have nothing witty, humorous or intriguing to say, but I do have some things to show you.  Read about Eternity which is a puzzle.

And also this:  It Solves All Your Problems

That's all I have today, I'll try to do better later.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

So It Begins


Today is the Baby Shower.  If I didn't think fatherhood was real enough yet, it's official now.  It's hard to look cool in a Baby Bjorn.