-469.28 for the week
Crude speculators ruled the Street this week.
Weak dollar + rising demand + war in the middle east + rampant speculation + presidential election year = we get screwed.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Russell 2000 (May 16-23)
.........741.17 (5.16.8) ......................724.10 (5.23.8)......
............................-17.07 for the week.......................
She's a voodoo doll
You can't beat a guy rocking out with a big ol' Gretsch and a grass skirt. These guys are going to be entertaining my local honky tonk this evening with their songs of psychobilly and I plan to be there with a beer in my hand and a goofy grin on my grill. They look like they're gonna put on an interesting show. (Hopefully the public access TV crew won't be along)
Snakeout -- 'Scary Mary'
9 Pound stormed the stage after that and rocked well into the evening. The mosh pit threw me to the right at first over by Earl. After gathering a bit of permanence over there, I was shoved back towards the right of the stage and soon enough I was able to get all the way up to the stage itself between Blaine and Luallen. It was a good thing. There was a crowd behind me of amateurs just bashing into each other and generally being dumbasses. Someone would get up to the stage and try to take more space than they needed or could hold and would eventually get usurped and thrown back into the roiling pit. They were all a bunch of idiots and it even felt like Blaine was getting pissed at them for being so unnecessarily pugnacious. There was also some dude who kept running on stage and diving off into the crowd that would invariably step aside and let him plunge to the floor--he did this 3 or 4 times! 
It was a killer show.
Snakeout -- 'Scary Mary'
UPDATE:
The bluegrass band was playing when we first walked in. Brad and I went downstairs to smoke before the show. The green room is always a better place to have a smoke but especially on a cold rainy night like this one. Quis was there talking to some smoking hot girl who was a hanger-on of the big fat lead singer ('from Canned Heat') from the bluegrass band.
Quis and Brad and I smoked while Earl and Luallen were hammering out a set list over on the couch. The bluegrass band finished up and they came streaming in, big burly corn fed kids from the sticks layered in denim. I only watched them for a few minutes but they seemed pretty good. They looked and sounded right--and not surprisingly, they've got a lot of competition around these parts. I think they were hoping for more of the romantic back stage life and got the harsh reality of a handful of drugged out slugs lazily taking up space and not paying any attention. Oh well.
I split to grab a beer before Snakeout took the stage. Turns out I had plent
y of time because as they did take the stage Len (the mad scientist) blew a fuse on his amp. Earl appeared, then Hendricks, then Blaine and there was quite a crowd standing around the dead amp poking and prodding from all angles. Though he was the most knowledgeable of the amp (for he built it), Brad was actually the last one to arrive and the one least likely to give his input. Len switched to Blaine's amp and played on.
Man, Snakeout absolutely flat out rocked. Len's energy was superb, the songs were all cool and funny and the bass and drums were able and ready. The bass player told me later on that they hardly ever practice, they all have day jobs and families and the band tends to only play a handful of dates each year. Len was a cool dude, very smart and a very friendly fella. And he flat out rocked on stage.
9 Pound stormed the stage after that and rocked well into the evening. The mosh pit threw me to the right at first over by Earl. After gathering a bit of permanence over there, I was shoved back towards the right of the stage and soon enough I was able to get all the way up to the stage itself between Blaine and Luallen. It was a good thing. There was a crowd behind me of amateurs just bashing into each other and generally being dumbasses. Someone would get up to the stage and try to take more space than they needed or could hold and would eventually get usurped and thrown back into the roiling pit. They were all a bunch of idiots and it even felt like Blaine was getting pissed at them for being so unnecessarily pugnacious. There was also some dude who kept running on stage and diving off into the crowd that would invariably step aside and let him plunge to the floor--he did this 3 or 4 times! 
It was a killer show.
Brad and I drifted back down to the green room and waited for everyone to sift back in hoping weed would be available. All the Snakeout guys were there, all the 9 Pound guys, even a few of the bluegrass guys were 
hanging around and there were, predictably, a handful of other just taking up space. We smoked a bit, argued over whether Brenda Lee was better than Patsy Cline or Bad Company better than Queen. I got locked out front (as my hand stamp had long since been sweated off) for 20 minutes or so as '80s night dance party revelers filled the street. A coupla older broads from another bar drunkenly chatted me up for a while. I squeezed back in and got back downstairs in time to grab a coupla tall boy Budweisers and catch up on the conversation. Earl was putting on a show on the washtub bass, Snakeout chatted about the Red Wings, Blaine told wild and crazy stories of partying too much in Europe (or maybe it was Texas).
Eventually we all went out to Perkin's, a good time was had by all. My ears were ringing for 2 days and my neck was sore for more than a week. I'm getting old but not too old.
hanging around and there were, predictably, a handful of other just taking up space. We smoked a bit, argued over whether Brenda Lee was better than Patsy Cline or Bad Company better than Queen. I got locked out front (as my hand stamp had long since been sweated off) for 20 minutes or so as '80s night dance party revelers filled the street. A coupla older broads from another bar drunkenly chatted me up for a while. I squeezed back in and got back downstairs in time to grab a coupla tall boy Budweisers and catch up on the conversation. Earl was putting on a show on the washtub bass, Snakeout chatted about the Red Wings, Blaine told wild and crazy stories of partying too much in Europe (or maybe it was Texas).Eventually we all went out to Perkin's, a good time was had by all. My ears were ringing for 2 days and my neck was sore for more than a week. I'm getting old but not too old.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lakers 89-85 Spurs
Missed the first half but caught all of the second. Coming out of half the Lakers looked lethargic, their attack was lazy and unfocused and on the other end Ginobli got a little hot allowing Duncan to wheel and deal effectively. The Spurs added to their halftime lead and while I knew the Lakers had a run in them, I thought the game was just about out of control. But of course right then as the Spurs got the lead up to 20, Kobe took over and that was that. Even with a 20-point lead you could see the Spurs were in trouble. Ginobli wobbled, Parker didn't control the game the way he usually does (and probably has to) and while Duncan was in classic form (he still sucks at FT's), the rest of the supporting cast didn't show. Pau Gasol got off--he and Kobe make a formidable tandem.
But the supporting cast is best at home--my theory as to why the home team always win in the NBA--and the Lakers got good performances out of Vujicic and Radmanovic (each chipping in 10 pts/5 reb), which they'll be hard pressed to duplicate back in Texas. The Spurs on the other hand didn't get the increase in marginal production out of Ginobli's extra minutes that they were looking for and Michael Finley went 0-5. Those trends won't hold and the Spurs will get their points from those two over the course of this series.
I failed to get my full series prediction in before game 1 but here it is: Lakers in 7. Like the Celtics in the east, I think the resurgent old-timey power pulls it out against the recent conference dominator. Unlike the east, however, I don't think the home team wins every night. The Spurs will win in Cali, the Lakers will win in Texas (I like the Spurs in game 2, Lakers in game 3). But once it's down to the last game, I'll stick with the home team. In this case, I'll even make the further prediction that the Lakers will be down in the 4th quarter of game 7 and have to rally. That said, one of my other thoughts about this series, that each game would be close from beginning to end, has already been blown. I didn't think either team would have a 20-point lead at any time in this series and while the Spurs didn't have it for long, they did have it. But both of these teams can score plenty of points quickly so perhaps leads and runs are in the cards.
But the supporting cast is best at home--my theory as to why the home team always win in the NBA--and the Lakers got good performances out of Vujicic and Radmanovic (each chipping in 10 pts/5 reb), which they'll be hard pressed to duplicate back in Texas. The Spurs on the other hand didn't get the increase in marginal production out of Ginobli's extra minutes that they were looking for and Michael Finley went 0-5. Those trends won't hold and the Spurs will get their points from those two over the course of this series.
I failed to get my full series prediction in before game 1 but here it is: Lakers in 7. Like the Celtics in the east, I think the resurgent old-timey power pulls it out against the recent conference dominator. Unlike the east, however, I don't think the home team wins every night. The Spurs will win in Cali, the Lakers will win in Texas (I like the Spurs in game 2, Lakers in game 3). But once it's down to the last game, I'll stick with the home team. In this case, I'll even make the further prediction that the Lakers will be down in the 4th quarter of game 7 and have to rally. That said, one of my other thoughts about this series, that each game would be close from beginning to end, has already been blown. I didn't think either team would have a 20-point lead at any time in this series and while the Spurs didn't have it for long, they did have it. But both of these teams can score plenty of points quickly so perhaps leads and runs are in the cards.
Man U 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 PK's)
I didn't make a prediction for this game because I just couldn't decide. Man U is loaded up front and they've been rolling all year long, with Cristian Ronaldo on his way to Footballer of the Year very much playing the role Kaka played for AC Milan last year on their way to the championship. Chelsea, too, is loaded (good god, Shevchenko doesn't even play!), but the Ballack/Lampard/Drogba trifecta disappoints as often as they succeed. I think my final thought was that Ronaldo would be the deciding factor, that his playmaking up the middle would spring Tevez or Rooney and that would be enough. Actually that didn't come to pass.
Rather than being the set-up guy, Ronaldo scored the one goal, a nice header in the box. (Incidentally Cech didn't even make a move on Ronaldo's header, not that he could've gotten it anyway, but even though his momentum was already moving in that direction, he didn't dive. Strange) Man U attacked well in the 1st half but did more to dominate time of possession more than the scoreboard. Without much possession Chelsea's attack never quite formed but Lampard was able to finish on a busted play, an example of perseverance and timing more than skill, just before halftime to even it up.
For the first 30 minutes or so of the 2nd half, Chelsea dominated the ball and Man U's attack effectively disappeared. The great Ronaldo was neutralized and Tevez and Rooney barely sniffed the action. Chelsea still couldn't score even though they had a handful of good opportunities. Michael Ballack alone shanked 4 or 5 good scoring chances (I'm not a Ballack fan, I find his game to be rather lumbering and imprecise, odd for a German midfielder).
In the 1st OT, there was kooky action galore with each team getting some wide open play in the box but neither converted. The 2nd OT was marred by a lot of chippy play as the rain picked up. Drogba got tossed, Tevez probably should have too and there were many yellow cards as the frustration really started to mount. The game started at 11pm local time in Moscow--amazing they'd start so late just to keep that time slot--and after 2 OT's and extended penalties, it must've been like 2 in the morning by the time it was all said and done.
The real story for me was John Terry failing to convert on the 5th PK that would've won it. The PK's were tight but Ronaldo's stutter step move didn't phase Cech and his lack of momentum made for an easy save. After that it was just a matter of Chelsea finishing off their chances. But Terry slipped on the wet turf and put the ball wide. Man, what a finish. From there the momentum shifted back to Chelsea and they took a few kicks later. PK's suck and that's a horrible way to finish the frickin' Super Bowl of Euro soccer but I gotta say this was about as exciting as PK's get.
I would've preferred that the weather held up a little better and obviously everyone wants more goals. All in all though a good game, an exciting match and in the end I reckon the better team won. There was plenty of heartbreak though. Terry, the English captain, failing to take the championship served up for him; Drogba getting tossed going into PK's; Ronaldo didn't have his usual impact; Tevez and Rooney were virtually invisible.
Rather than being the set-up guy, Ronaldo scored the one goal, a nice header in the box. (Incidentally Cech didn't even make a move on Ronaldo's header, not that he could've gotten it anyway, but even though his momentum was already moving in that direction, he didn't dive. Strange) Man U attacked well in the 1st half but did more to dominate time of possession more than the scoreboard. Without much possession Chelsea's attack never quite formed but Lampard was able to finish on a busted play, an example of perseverance and timing more than skill, just before halftime to even it up.
For the first 30 minutes or so of the 2nd half, Chelsea dominated the ball and Man U's attack effectively disappeared. The great Ronaldo was neutralized and Tevez and Rooney barely sniffed the action. Chelsea still couldn't score even though they had a handful of good opportunities. Michael Ballack alone shanked 4 or 5 good scoring chances (I'm not a Ballack fan, I find his game to be rather lumbering and imprecise, odd for a German midfielder).
In the 1st OT, there was kooky action galore with each team getting some wide open play in the box but neither converted. The 2nd OT was marred by a lot of chippy play as the rain picked up. Drogba got tossed, Tevez probably should have too and there were many yellow cards as the frustration really started to mount. The game started at 11pm local time in Moscow--amazing they'd start so late just to keep that time slot--and after 2 OT's and extended penalties, it must've been like 2 in the morning by the time it was all said and done.
The real story for me was John Terry failing to convert on the 5th PK that would've won it. The PK's were tight but Ronaldo's stutter step move didn't phase Cech and his lack of momentum made for an easy save. After that it was just a matter of Chelsea finishing off their chances. But Terry slipped on the wet turf and put the ball wide. Man, what a finish. From there the momentum shifted back to Chelsea and they took a few kicks later. PK's suck and that's a horrible way to finish the frickin' Super Bowl of Euro soccer but I gotta say this was about as exciting as PK's get.
I would've preferred that the weather held up a little better and obviously everyone wants more goals. All in all though a good game, an exciting match and in the end I reckon the better team won. There was plenty of heartbreak though. Terry, the English captain, failing to take the championship served up for him; Drogba getting tossed going into PK's; Ronaldo didn't have his usual impact; Tevez and Rooney were virtually invisible.
Who ya got?
The Celtics were 31-10 on the road in the regular season, 0-6 in the playoffs. Will they get the trend back in their favor in Detroit? I'm not betting on it.
It's in the match-ups. Wallace has to shoot effectively from the outside to neutralize KG in the middle; he'll do it at home but not on the road. Tayshaun has to stop Pierce; he'll do it at home but not on the road. Billups can outscore Rondo even with a gimpy leg but at home Rondo will get the calls and that first step might be all he'll need to be successful. The benches are suspect, each bringing an uninspiring mix of re-treads and greenhorns. Bench players always play better at home though its hard to see either bench making too much of a difference (unless Billups ends up hurt and the Pistons have to go to Rodney Stuckey but I don't see that happening).
The X-factor is Ray Allen. He's been virtually invisible so far but matching up with Rip Hamilton will bring out the best in him. In the first round Joe Johnson ran him ragged and in the next Wally Sczerbiak gave him no inspiration. He's ready to bust out and now is the time.
I'm taking the Celtics in 7. Home team wins every game? Yup, I'm sticking with the Celtics even though they've given me no reason for my faith. By game 7 the Celtics will be mentally and spiritually wrecked but I think at their lowest point is when they'll finally get over the nerves and just play some ball. This game 7 will be a classic.
It's in the match-ups. Wallace has to shoot effectively from the outside to neutralize KG in the middle; he'll do it at home but not on the road. Tayshaun has to stop Pierce; he'll do it at home but not on the road. Billups can outscore Rondo even with a gimpy leg but at home Rondo will get the calls and that first step might be all he'll need to be successful. The benches are suspect, each bringing an uninspiring mix of re-treads and greenhorns. Bench players always play better at home though its hard to see either bench making too much of a difference (unless Billups ends up hurt and the Pistons have to go to Rodney Stuckey but I don't see that happening).
The X-factor is Ray Allen. He's been virtually invisible so far but matching up with Rip Hamilton will bring out the best in him. In the first round Joe Johnson ran him ragged and in the next Wally Sczerbiak gave him no inspiration. He's ready to bust out and now is the time.
I'm taking the Celtics in 7. Home team wins every game? Yup, I'm sticking with the Celtics even though they've given me no reason for my faith. By game 7 the Celtics will be mentally and spiritually wrecked but I think at their lowest point is when they'll finally get over the nerves and just play some ball. This game 7 will be a classic.
Spurs 91-84 Hornets (game 7)
The Hornets came out tight and even though they made it close with a flurry of points in the last few minutes, this was classic San Antonio. West was such a star throughout the series but he disappeared in this game, just never got into the flow. Chris Paul, too, was short-arming his shots in the lane, not crisp on his passes. Jannero Pargo filled it up in the 4th but he took every shot instead of getting the team into a scoring groove, so rather than lifting his team he kept them stuck in place.
The Spurs are badasses. They grind away, year after year and even though I thought this year they looked lackadaisical this regular season, here they are agan. As much as everyone loved the Paul and Hornets, doesn't Lakers-Spurs seem like the match-up we wanted all along?
The Spurs are badasses. They grind away, year after year and even though I thought this year they looked lackadaisical this regular season, here they are agan. As much as everyone loved the Paul and Hornets, doesn't Lakers-Spurs seem like the match-up we wanted all along?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
A love like that won’t last
I dig Sade. Her voice makes my spine shiver--I said it! She's got a spine-shivering voice! How can you not dig that? She's a cutie, she puts a solid band behind her and the visual design of her live show is intriguing. The sound is excellent and the visual is obviously home video quality.
Sade -- 'No Ordinary Love'
Sade -- 'No Ordinary Love'
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Watch your world burn
Prong was a guilty pleasure for me back in the day. Their sound is…I don't know…mook punk? Mook thrash? I saw them years ago, probably the emptiest show I've ever been to. Dude, the guy stage-diving into a crowd of 5 or so people cracked me up! But, Prong showed up and rocked the hizzy just the same, a good show by unfazed professionals. 'You guys got that Southern mentality!' Who knew they had so many videos? (Or any at all)
Prong -- 'Whose Fist Is This Anyway?'
Prong -- 'Unconditional'
Prong -- 'Looking for Them'
Bonus -- Tommy Victor talks about life on the road
Good to see they've jettisoned the keyboards and gone back to the pure hard rock trio sound. And clearly they're into that stage where they're only playing because they still love it and have nothing better to do. I can dig that. Love the dude who jumps up on stage and starts wailing. 'Prong's the shit, dude!' (hiccup)
Prong -- 'Whose Fist Is This Anyway?'
Prong -- 'Unconditional'
Prong -- 'Looking for Them'
Bonus -- Tommy Victor talks about life on the road
Good to see they've jettisoned the keyboards and gone back to the pure hard rock trio sound. And clearly they're into that stage where they're only playing because they still love it and have nothing better to do. I can dig that. Love the dude who jumps up on stage and starts wailing. 'Prong's the shit, dude!' (hiccup)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Now your look has changed
This is a homemade short film called 'Necktie Fighters' that uses a Trail of Dead tune over footage from Head and SLC Punk. Looks entirely illegal but its You Tube, man, what are you gonna do?
And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead -- 'Intelligence'
And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead -- 'Intelligence'
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