All the Sleepy Boys.

last Friday night, Sam insisted he was NOT tired. Neither were Vinnie and Arthur.

Anonymous poster's ID revealed!!!!!

For those of you who read the previous thread. . .the identity of the anonymous poster has been revealed! Here is a picture of the patriotic American:





Nice to have you back Joe. . .People started to take that Darned First Amendment seriously while you were gone.

Grammy Kudos!!!!

Congrats to the Dixie Chicks who swept their Grammy nominations with wins last night, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Country Album, and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

What perfect vindication for a group who was shunned by a Country Music Industry that was wrapped up in catering to a culture of ignorance, ethnocentrism, and hate. I would be willing to bet that they start getting airplay again. . .After all, ethics are one thing, but as far as our culture goes, profit is something altogether different.

I am so glad that there are so many in our country who recognize that democracy and free speech are still values to hold on to, and for individuals like Natalie Maines who are willing to stick to their guns and hold to their values, even when it might be counter productive to their professional career. I think some good Karma paid off last night.

If you haven't had a chance to hear "Taking the Long Way", it is definitely worth the listen. Produced by Rick Rubin (of Beastie Boys, Run DMC, and Red Hot Chili Peppers fame), the album is a fantastic listen--well written and well produced. Not a Rock album, it has certainly become a favorite for this old Rock Dawg.

On a side note. . .it was good to see Sting and the boys back together again. Not my favorite Police song, but a good performance of it nonetheless.

Something Special or Nothing Special?

One of the things that I have examined, looked at, pondered, whatever you want to call it in recent years is the ambiguity that appears to exist in our culture between self-effacement and egocentrism. it appears that so many of our institutions simultaneously teach that a person must have a healthy self esteem, while still considering themselves to be no better than anyone else.

A great example of this is our treatment of celebrities, who we laud for their unique abilities, exceptional talent, notable achievements, and alluring physical beauty; yet we simultaneously lampoon, ridicule, and condemn them for their arrogance, aloofness, and self-centeredness. It is almost as if we set up our idols for the sole purpose of knocking them down. Our culture appears to be confused as to whether or not these people should be regarded as "Special" or condemned because they think too highly of themselves.

This dynamic is also present in our public education system, where students are lauded for academic achievement by some educators, yet are simultaneously treated with contempt by others, and especially their peers. Exceptional artistic talent is treated with ambivalence, while exceptional athletic talent is praised and lauded. Regarding Athletes in the educations system, they are treated as heroes, almost god-like when they are winning, and so many oversights are made for poor academic achievement, inappropriate and violent behavior and substance abuse. then when these young people reach critical mass and something bad happens, the very public which deified them turns and criticizes them and the system that created them.

This inconsistency is present in our Mental Health and Counseling Professions, which are quick to diagnose and treat chronic hopelessness and self esteem problems, while also labeling individuals (frequently the SAME individuals) as grandiose and egocentric. So, which is it, is the individual grandiose, or do they have poor self esteem?

Christianity, as it is often manifested in our culture, is, in my opinion, one of the worst culprits of this inconsistency. The New Testament simultaneously teaches that we, as people are precious enough in God's sight for Him to give His Son, but at the same time, we are taught that we are lower than the lowliest, and that it is only through self effacement that we will become first int he Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore we have Churches that are full of people who are diminished, lowly, beaten down, under the control of the "exceptional few" who are able to consider themselves as "God's Workmanship". Again, which is it? Do we efface ourselves so that the last shall be first? Our do we live our lives boldly with courage knowing that God has saved us? Both are Scriptural ideas. . .is the God of the bible himself having the same sort of identity crisis that it appears our culture is having?

I myself can't speak to the truth and falsehoods of any of these institutions, but what I know is this: When I bought into the idea that I had to be what ANY of these systems taught me, either SOMETHING Special or NOT special, I was miserable. . .a person can't live up to the definitions that others ascribe to them. I have found that I define who I am--either special or not special. That is up to me. If that makes me grandiose or self centered, or if that makes me humble and downtrodden, oh well. at least I own it.

Myspace

Ok. . .so, i have a myspace page. . .and fortunately, since I have a band profile, I don't get the same level of crap going on that alot of folks do. . with spam, rude comments, etc.

One of the observations that I have made, however, is related to the "cool new people"

Now, I admit to being a fan of checking out the cool new people. . .to me it is like people watching at the mall. . .just seeing people, how they act, what they say. it is interesting to me, a student of human behavior.

One of the predictable phenomena, however, is when there are attractive 20 something women who are on the "cool new people". It usually takes about 24-48 hours until they have switched their profiles to private.

Are their really so many people out there in cyberspace who are so clueless and rude, that they perpetually get their jollies by making rude comments to complete strangers? I mean, people watching is one thing, and as someone who has several websites to host music, thoughts, etc, I am far from critical of the sort of emotional and intellectual exhibitionism and voyeurism that is the modern day internet.

This seems to me to be something different, however. To start a website with the best of intentions, but then have insecure, oversexed uncouth people being rude enough to make people hide themselves in what was intended to be a public forum is sad to me.

For real, myspcae horndogs, get a grip.