If you're reading this, you have too much time on your hands

The weather's nice so time to get outside and enjoy life...you should too. Life is far too short to be spent sitting at a computer, so without further ado...

Top 10 things to do this summer instead of blogging (including reading others' blogs)

10) Go to the beach and relax
9) Go somewhere you've never been before (may I suggest San Francisco or Seattle, where I've already ventured to this year & plan on going back soon)

8) If you don't already, sign up for some sort of social club or gathering such as a
book club, bridge club, running club, dog park, etc...

7) The next time you are thinking of sitting and surfing the web for an undetermined amount

of time, turn on some good music, get in a comfy chair with a beverage of choice (for me right now it's Magic Hat #9) and actually listen to the music...

6) Grab a good book & go to the park & spend a few good hours feeding your mind...I just picked up Michael Chabon's new book & I plan on getting at least a hundred pages read after work tomorrow
5) Go see some live music...outside if possible, with plenty of good food & beverages...go to your favorite radio station's website (here in Philly it's 88.5 WXPN) and check out the calendar
4) If you don't already have one, get a bike and try riding to work if close enough, and other close destinations that you would normally waste gas on

3) Go to your your nearest baseball field or stadium and take in the sights and sounds of America's past time (Go Phils)

2) If you don't already have one, go down to your nearest animal shelter and give a pooch a home...I mean you can get a cat but come on, dogs rule & we all know cats are evil & then you a have reason to take a walk or run at least twice a day, so like me, you'll never have to diet
1) Take one day and call out of work...turn off your phone, don't check your email and just

relax, maybe do one or some of the above but more importantly, enjoy the moment simply for

what it is...and believe it or not, it's actually a lot of fun even if you're by yourself...

Ok, so you may or may not agree with all this, but that's just to give you an idea of how I'm feeling these days...I just don't feel feel any need to blog. Maybe it's just a fall/winter hibernation type activity for me. I may or may not continue at some point in the future, but in the meantime, you can catch me at the beach, the park, various music festivals (check out WXPN's fest in July if possible), up at the ballpark, on my bike, out for a run with the dog, etc...you get the picture. So until next time, have a safe and wonderful summer.

PS-Also, if you can somehow persuade yourself to sign up for some volunteer or charity work, do it...you'll be amazed at how much you enjoy it.

I left my heart in San Francisco (but I'll be back soon)

Hello everyone, happy April to all...it's been awhile but I have a very good reason...exploring. While the Northeast was thawing out from winter's last gasp, I took the opportunity to make a very overdue and long awaited virgin pilgrimage to the Golden Gate of the West...San Francisco. What a town, by far the most unique place I believe to have visited in this vast country of ours. From wonderful meals (Sushi Sushi!) to exhilarating rides up Powell St. on the Trolley to a bikeride across that big red bridge (yeah that one), the weather was perfect & the trip was far too short...cannot wait to go back. Here are some pictoral highlights...

Here is the most recognizable piece of the skyline, the Transamerica Pyramid, stretching with it's wings 48 stories high...


And also the Palace of Fine Arts, the only building left from the 1915 World Exposition...


The very majestic and beautiful Grace Cathedral, by far the largest and grandest place of worship in the city (gotta love a church with a gift shop)

And then there's Lombard St. aka the crookedest street, but given that the hill has a 27 percent incline, it definitely makes the ride a little easier...

And now we have the world famous residents of Pier 39, the sea lions, who seem to know when their picture is being taken...

Now you see why it's the most photographed bridge in the world...

Do me a favor, if you haven't been to this wonderful jewel of a city, go now. And if you have, go again...I know I will very soon.

"I See My Marianne Walkin' Away..."

I'm going to be totally honest and say that I was truly sad to hear about the passing this week of Brad Delp. Who? Ok, I know not many people knew the guy by name or even face, but God forbid if you didn't recognize the voice about 5 seconds into a song. "Peace of Mind", "Long Time", "Amanda" and of course "More than a Feeling" were some of Boston's greatest hits, and Delp was the voice behind them. I don't admit this much, but I was a huge Boston fan growing up. Along with Journey, Meat Loaf, Styx and Night Ranger, this was the stuff that I sang in the shower, while I was listening to Nirvana, the Pixies and Pearl Jam with all my friends. It was even more sad to hear that Brad took his own life at the all too young age of 55, it just makes you think, and it made me want to go out do something, anything creative to enjoy this life for all that it's worth.

I'd just like to take this time to talk to people who don't take know much about or take clinical depression seriously, or think that a person should or could just "snap out of it." Clinical depression is as much of a biological disease as heart disease or stroke, but instead of killing by blocking an artery, it kills by creating so much pain that a bullet or a bunch of pills actually looks like a better option that standing it another day. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the US for men, killing 40% more people every year than Alzheimer's disease. The big difference, of course, is that when someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's nobody thinks it's a put on for attention, or that if they'd just get their act together they wouldn't have the disease to begin with.
If you think that you or a friend might have clinical depression, don't screw around or waste any time, that's the most serious symptom you're likely to get -- that wondering is the equivalent of chest pains in heart disease. Respect it and talk to a doctor, or get your friend to a doctor. If it's a friend, people are most likely to do something about it if all the barriers to not acting are taken away, so call around yourself, get the names of some professionals and present their names and numbers to your friend on a piece of paper, making sure to include a suicide hotline number, or just your number or anyone else's who's willing to be there and listen. Ask them to keep it with them in their wallet or purse. Then follow up and, in a polite and friendly manner, nag the hell out of them until they do something.

Here is a good resource to start...

There even may be a few of you reading this who wonder if you might be depressed, and maybe some who even feel a little envious of what Brad did. If that's you, please understand that this is not a normal way to think, your thoughts and your life can be different, and it's worth it to give it one small chance by going to see your doctor or a therapist, or just talking about it to anyone. You can quit at any time if you don't like it, but if it does feel like too much to bear, just give some outside help a chance to improve things for you or someone close to you.

Here is a very cool and unique tribute from a young fan to Brad and Boston, and there's many others on the youtube page...I especially like this one because it shows the very wide and infectious power of the music, no matter how old you are...Rock on and RIP Brad, I do sincerely hope that you have finally found your peace of mind.

Springsteen and Jesse Malin was like peas and carrots...

Hey there fellow seekers of creation and curiosity, I am especially overjoyed today to report that there is some new Bruce Springsteen out there. My affinity for the Boss equals that of a beloved family member, so I just can never get enough, even if it's just a guest duet spot on "Broken Radio", a great song on Jesse Malin's new disc Glitter in the Gutter. If you're not familiar with Jesse, it's about time you did...he fronted the 90's punk outfit D Generation, but has released three stellar solo albums since 2002, each better than the last. Malin's good friend Ryan Adams produced his debut The Fine Art of Self Destruction , and guests on the new record as well. Jesse holds musical similiarities with Springsteen in being able to balance driving rock anthems with sensitive piano ballads, but definitely carves out his own identity with his unique and insightful songwriting. Here's the collaboration between the two, sure to be a classic, but hey don't take my word for it. Do yourself a favor, go out and pick up Jesse's music, and maybe use this as an excuse to rediscover some old Springsteen. As for me, I just went back and listened to The River for the first time in awhile, and man does it hold up. I didn't do a write in vote for Bruce in 2004 for nothing...

Any Pearl Jam is better than no Pearl Jam...

Hey everybody, I know not everyone are Pearl Jam fans, but myself and most others in the civilized world that I know happen to be. So it is with great joy to officially have some new PJ...if you've seen the preview for the new Adam Sandler flick Reign Over Me then you have heard it. A rousing and faithful cover of the Who's classic tune is the centerpiece and namesake of the film, and it happens to be on the Pearl Jam fanclub's official holiday single just mailed out. The song, along with a great live version of Neil Young's rebellion anthem "Rocking in the Free World", is a worthy addition to the already hugely wonderful PJ catalog. Here are the songs, along with a link to the fansites below, if you want to shell out the 20 bucks and "officially" become a Pearl Jam follower. Another thing, you can be the judge, but I think Roger Daltrey is probably thinking right now he should've recorded Eddie's scream to take along to play on last year's reunion tour...it's pretty impressive.

www.pearljam.com

www.tenclub.com

Don't play bass for Lucinda Williams (unless you want a dark & timeless song written about you)...

Lucinda Williams seems depressed...or pissed off...or moody...or anything but happy whenever she writes songs. Over the course of a 25 plus year career and 9 albums, including this months' West, we've been treated to a close up of her various bass players, her heart and it's states of brokenness and how she feels about it all. Some critics have been harsh about her recurring and seemingly monotonous themes and moody sounds and production, but I for one, am always impressed by an artist such as she. If someone has actually been through the stuff in her songs, I would say they'd consider themselves lucky to be able to turn it into such creativity (and not throw themselves off a bridge in the process), and plus, she is a damn fine singer and performer. I saw her live a few years back and she played for four and a half hours...So if you don't mind some darkness in your musical taste, along with breathtaking honesty, damn good guitar playing and top notch songwriting, check it out. Here's her site, plus a link to a live show that was on NPR from last year, and one of the more upbeat & sweet songs, I'm guessing an ode to her sweet Mama...

www.lucindawilliams.com

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4767023

http://rapidshare.com/files/18798553/02-lucinda_williams-mama_you_sweet.mp3.html

Some nice new sounds...

M. Ward has always been a bit of a mystery, from the usage of just his first initial to his very moody and ethereal sounds that he's created over the course of 4 albums, including last summer's stellar Post-War. He seems to be hitting his stride now, even going commercial, with his song on the new Cadillac TV spot. But an artist as creative as he is can still be fresh and new

even on other peoples songs, as he does on his new ep, To Go

Home, out this week. The title track is an old Daniel Johnston tune, and also check out the rollicking version of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Headed for a Fall". Definitely hope for the future, in music that is. Below are 2 songs and his myspace...so go ahead, open your mind and enjoy.

http://www.myspace.com/mward

http://rapidshare.com/files/18628703/M._Ward_Post-War_02_To_Go_Home.mp3.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/18629087/mward-headed_for_a_fall.mp3.html

All roads lead to the Band...

You could say the Band are an obsession with me. And why not? They were Bob Dylan's original backing band, they had 4 different singers and songwriters(try that kind of multitasking) and they had Martin freaking Scorcese make a movie about them breaking up, the now classic concert/documentary The Last Waltz...and now they are truly legendary as ever. It's sad that we'll never be treated to hearing them play live again, given that Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, two of the most unique voices and talented players, are no longer with us. But we do take solace in knowing that the surviving members and their offspring still make great music today (See Ollabelle) and that one hell of a tribute album has finally been released. Endless Highway-the music of the Band was released a few weeks ago and collects a nice mix of young and old, known and unknown, faithful and reinvented in interpreting this wonderful influential music that needs to be heard. Here are just a few of my faves, classics done by the likes of My Morning Jacket, Jack Johnson & Death Cab for Cutie, in that order...Enjoy.

http://rapidshare.com/files/16248056/03_My_Morning_Jacket__It_Makes_No_Difference.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/16248309/04_Jack_Johnson_-_I_Shall_Be_Released.mp3

http://rapidshare.com/files/16248434/14_Death_Cab_For_Cutie_-_Rocking_Chair.mp3

Ollabelle loves Delaware...

I am going to get back to regular posting soon enough, and I thought a proper occasion to do so would be to spread the word about my current musical obsession...Ollabelle. They're based in NYC, and have been around a few years now, having put out their second studio album, Riverside Battle Songs, last summer. They tour relentlessly, and last night made their third trip back to Delaware, playing the historic and cozy Gild Hall up in the village of Arden. It was the second time I had seen them, and they definitely don't disappoint. Whether you're a fan of Americana, folk, rock or just all around amazing musicianship, you should check them out. All five members share singing, playing and songwriting duties, and last night we were treated to a guest spot of 2 legendary locals, harmonica virtuoso Bob Beach and none other than Wilmington violin merchant and musical icon David Bromberg. Altogether an amazing show, mixing originals and various covers, including "Jesus on the Mainline", "John the Revelator" and a rousing version of "Ain't no more Cane" the Dylan/Band classic first played on the Basement tapes sessions by Olabelle member Amy Helm's dad, Levon Helm, the legendary drummer for The Band. Below are links to their website, as well as a video of a recent performance of them.

Enjoy, and catch them live next chance you get.

www.ollabellemusic.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-7oQp0TvU