As a self taught guitarist from East Texas, everything I play is the blues in some form or fashion. From Robert Johnson to Lightnin' Hopkins, my roots are anchored in the rich American tradition that is the foundation for Rock'n'Roll.
Tuesday evening, the man largely responsible for making Austin the live music capital of the world died. R.I.P Clifford Antone.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
The Rockette
I'm planning to write a comprehensive graduation post sometime this week. But for right now I wanted to quickly address a few things:
First, uber-thanks to Ian, Justin, Brantley, et. al for a tremendous graduation party. After three days of graduation rituals (which included a black suit in 96 deg. heat), a kick-ass party was exactly how I wanted my law school career to close out. Seems like everyone had a great time.
(The OC spoiler alert)
Second, Marissa Cooper was killed in the season finale of the OC which leads me to believe that the OC is dangerously close to jumping the shark (if it hasn't already) and probably has about a season left before it becomes a drag on the network.
Third, Grey's Anatomy is moving to Thursday night and will directly compete with Aaron Sorkin's new dramedy, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which seems to be one of the most anticipated new shows of the fall. Both will compete with Thursday night primetime champion CSI. Thank god for TiVo.
Fourth, I love baseball. I categorize people based on baseball. Some people are pitchers. Some are designated hitters. Some are catchers. Some are closers. I'm a pitcher person in a lot of ways, but mainly because I can appreciate the beauty of a pitchers dual. Some people can't like baseball unless its a 7-6 game. I think baseball is at its highest when its a 1-0 game. That being said, I have a tremendous amount of respect for great pitchers, more so than great batters. Orel Hershiser was my first sports idol, Sandy Koufax my second. Along the way hurlers like Roy Oswalt, Dontrelle Willis and of course Roger Clemens have been added to my own personal pitching hall of fame -- a personal fraternity of sports figures who's stories of greatness and dominance I will pass down to the next generations of Sinkersinthedirt.
For the last several years, I've closely follow the career of Catherine Leigh Osterman. Since arriving at the University of Texas, she has become the most dominant pitcher in the history of the sport. While I don't admit to have watched many softball games, I do confess to having watched many of Cat's pitching performances. Yesterday, in her quest to win the only trophy that has eluded her -- the National Championship, Cat (pitching for the third straight day) struck out 18 batters and allowed one hit to advance the Longhorns into the super-regional tournament where they will host the 14th ranked Washington Huskies. Most impressive: in her three days of pitching in the first round, Osterman pitched 21 shutout innings, struck out 52 batters, and threw 73% of her 301 pitches for strikes. She's also a lefty, wears my favorite number, and is tall & beautiful. When she leaves Texas, no matter whether she wins her national championship or not, Cat will be one of the two greatest pitchers in the history of the university.
All is done, things have come full circle. Congrats to all the grads. To all those traveling, may you do so safely. To all those studying for the bar, hahahah....(I don't be laughing in the winter so I figured I'd do it while I can).
First, uber-thanks to Ian, Justin, Brantley, et. al for a tremendous graduation party. After three days of graduation rituals (which included a black suit in 96 deg. heat), a kick-ass party was exactly how I wanted my law school career to close out. Seems like everyone had a great time.
(The OC spoiler alert)
Second, Marissa Cooper was killed in the season finale of the OC which leads me to believe that the OC is dangerously close to jumping the shark (if it hasn't already) and probably has about a season left before it becomes a drag on the network.
Third, Grey's Anatomy is moving to Thursday night and will directly compete with Aaron Sorkin's new dramedy, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which seems to be one of the most anticipated new shows of the fall. Both will compete with Thursday night primetime champion CSI. Thank god for TiVo.
Fourth, I love baseball. I categorize people based on baseball. Some people are pitchers. Some are designated hitters. Some are catchers. Some are closers. I'm a pitcher person in a lot of ways, but mainly because I can appreciate the beauty of a pitchers dual. Some people can't like baseball unless its a 7-6 game. I think baseball is at its highest when its a 1-0 game. That being said, I have a tremendous amount of respect for great pitchers, more so than great batters. Orel Hershiser was my first sports idol, Sandy Koufax my second. Along the way hurlers like Roy Oswalt, Dontrelle Willis and of course Roger Clemens have been added to my own personal pitching hall of fame -- a personal fraternity of sports figures who's stories of greatness and dominance I will pass down to the next generations of Sinkersinthedirt.
For the last several years, I've closely follow the career of Catherine Leigh Osterman. Since arriving at the University of Texas, she has become the most dominant pitcher in the history of the sport. While I don't admit to have watched many softball games, I do confess to having watched many of Cat's pitching performances. Yesterday, in her quest to win the only trophy that has eluded her -- the National Championship, Cat (pitching for the third straight day) struck out 18 batters and allowed one hit to advance the Longhorns into the super-regional tournament where they will host the 14th ranked Washington Huskies. Most impressive: in her three days of pitching in the first round, Osterman pitched 21 shutout innings, struck out 52 batters, and threw 73% of her 301 pitches for strikes. She's also a lefty, wears my favorite number, and is tall & beautiful. When she leaves Texas, no matter whether she wins her national championship or not, Cat will be one of the two greatest pitchers in the history of the university.
All is done, things have come full circle. Congrats to all the grads. To all those traveling, may you do so safely. To all those studying for the bar, hahahah....(I don't be laughing in the winter so I figured I'd do it while I can).
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Bartlett For America
Is it apropos that law school and Westwing ended within 24 hours of eachother?
School is done, the rigor mortis of reality is setting in, and the job hunting is yet to begin...it should be a very interesting summer. Thankfully I'm not taking the bar this summer. As one of my good friends put it, we should probably take the bar after our first year.
Anyways, new 7-min preview for what will be my most anticipated movie of the summer (DLP at Highland 10 foe-sheezy):
The Astros' youth is catching up with them. After a honeymoon period with pitchers Wandy Rodriguez, Taylor Buchholz, an Fernando Nieves and an ailing Lance Berkman, the Astros have proceeded to get slaughtered in their last two game. On the bright side, relief pitcher Russ Springer tried his damndest to hit Barry Bonds, got thrown out, and a received a standing ovation. Also Brad Lidge finally got his shit figured out. Turns out he was tipping his pitches which forced him to locate his fastball. After over compensating, it looks like he finally has people chasing his slider again. Thank God.
School is done, the rigor mortis of reality is setting in, and the job hunting is yet to begin...it should be a very interesting summer. Thankfully I'm not taking the bar this summer. As one of my good friends put it, we should probably take the bar after our first year.
Anyways, new 7-min preview for what will be my most anticipated movie of the summer (DLP at Highland 10 foe-sheezy):
The Astros' youth is catching up with them. After a honeymoon period with pitchers Wandy Rodriguez, Taylor Buchholz, an Fernando Nieves and an ailing Lance Berkman, the Astros have proceeded to get slaughtered in their last two game. On the bright side, relief pitcher Russ Springer tried his damndest to hit Barry Bonds, got thrown out, and a received a standing ovation. Also Brad Lidge finally got his shit figured out. Turns out he was tipping his pitches which forced him to locate his fastball. After over compensating, it looks like he finally has people chasing his slider again. Thank God.
Monday, May 08, 2006
The Music Of Finals
In 5 days I will face one of those "first day's of the rest of your life" experiences. I will have no loan money to lean on, no job lined up, no classes to think about, but still a lot of stuff to do. I originally went to law school because the job market was bad and I had no clue what I wanted to do. Three years later, the job market is in better shape, and I have an inkling of what will drive me (and ideally my bank account). But I can't say that I'm wholly embracing the thought of actually facing the real world. The first thing I'll be doing next Monday is drafting incorporation papers. So I'm pretty much plunging right in.
Between now and then I have a final to study for, which inevitably means procrastinating. Tonight’s topic of digression, finals music.
Wolfmother.
Saw these guys at SXSW and last night at the Parish. I was well into a rolling drunkeness when I saw 'em at SXSW, so I was particularly interested in measuring how much actual musical talent the band actually had. The music they play is far from rocket science - a few dancing riffs over blues power chords. The way I see it, any band (and I mean any) can make one decent album. But longevity requires some serious musical talent.
Wolfmother lead guitarist Andrew Stockdale is clearly the bands musical weak link. But, drummer Myles Heskett and bassist/keyboardist Chris Ross have some serious musical chops. Stockdale can't breakout unique and spontaneous lead riffs, but he recognizes that to really entertain the crowd he's got to do more than regurgitate what’s delivered on the album. From that prospective, the man is a genuine show man. His 'fro only adds to the intrinsic rocker-ness he brings to the stage. With a little luck and spiraling ego, Stockdale could become a serious rock star.
The show in general was good. The red flotilla of Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling at the Parish were distracting, and the sound started off a little low. But once the band cranked up their amps, they got the rock out. They are a light show away from being a seriously kick ass band to watch live. Would really like to see them at a packed La Zona Rosa next time through town.
Gnarls Barkley.
The duo of DJ Danger Mouse and rapper Cee-Lo create some fresh and unique tracks in their first album "St. Elsewhere" (which has already reached the top of the charts in the UK). Aside from their clear musical talents, these guys have a serious sense of humor. Check out their pictures on their myspace page (linked above). Hoping to the high heavens that they end up on the ACL list (which will officially be released) this Thursday.)
Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger
I'm not a big Bruce Springsteen fan. I recognize his impact and talent and whatnot, but I've just never been able to be utterly wowed by him like some of my compatriots. The Seeger sessions haven't done anything to officially change my mind, but I'm definately starting to warm to idea of reevaluating my position.
Sessions basically uses Springsteen raspy, blue collar voice as the mouth piece for a beautiful collection of Americana. Springsteen had no hand in writing any of the 13 songs and is accompanied by 11 talented musicians and a handful of back up singers. The album is precisely produced and crisp to the very end. I can tell this one is gonna get a lot of summertime play in my neck of the woods.
Other things on rotation:
The Pizza Tapes, Treasury of Bluegrass, Best of Otis Redding
Ok, can't procrastinate forever.
Between now and then I have a final to study for, which inevitably means procrastinating. Tonight’s topic of digression, finals music.
Wolfmother.
Saw these guys at SXSW and last night at the Parish. I was well into a rolling drunkeness when I saw 'em at SXSW, so I was particularly interested in measuring how much actual musical talent the band actually had. The music they play is far from rocket science - a few dancing riffs over blues power chords. The way I see it, any band (and I mean any) can make one decent album. But longevity requires some serious musical talent.
Wolfmother lead guitarist Andrew Stockdale is clearly the bands musical weak link. But, drummer Myles Heskett and bassist/keyboardist Chris Ross have some serious musical chops. Stockdale can't breakout unique and spontaneous lead riffs, but he recognizes that to really entertain the crowd he's got to do more than regurgitate what’s delivered on the album. From that prospective, the man is a genuine show man. His 'fro only adds to the intrinsic rocker-ness he brings to the stage. With a little luck and spiraling ego, Stockdale could become a serious rock star.
The show in general was good. The red flotilla of Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling at the Parish were distracting, and the sound started off a little low. But once the band cranked up their amps, they got the rock out. They are a light show away from being a seriously kick ass band to watch live. Would really like to see them at a packed La Zona Rosa next time through town.
Gnarls Barkley.
The duo of DJ Danger Mouse and rapper Cee-Lo create some fresh and unique tracks in their first album "St. Elsewhere" (which has already reached the top of the charts in the UK). Aside from their clear musical talents, these guys have a serious sense of humor. Check out their pictures on their myspace page (linked above). Hoping to the high heavens that they end up on the ACL list (which will officially be released) this Thursday.)
Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger
I'm not a big Bruce Springsteen fan. I recognize his impact and talent and whatnot, but I've just never been able to be utterly wowed by him like some of my compatriots. The Seeger sessions haven't done anything to officially change my mind, but I'm definately starting to warm to idea of reevaluating my position.
Sessions basically uses Springsteen raspy, blue collar voice as the mouth piece for a beautiful collection of Americana. Springsteen had no hand in writing any of the 13 songs and is accompanied by 11 talented musicians and a handful of back up singers. The album is precisely produced and crisp to the very end. I can tell this one is gonna get a lot of summertime play in my neck of the woods.
Other things on rotation:
The Pizza Tapes, Treasury of Bluegrass, Best of Otis Redding
Ok, can't procrastinate forever.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Luck and a Burrito
"The man who said 'I'd rather be lucky than good' saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependant on luck. It's scary to think so much is out of one's control..."
-Woody Allen, Match Point
Part of what I love most about the game of baseball is that it ultimately comes down to luck. You can spend $200M on your payroll, you can have the winningest record in the league. But if you want to win the World Series you need a little bit of luck. Luck can turn into momentum, and then into confidence, which ultimately, with a little bit of bad luck, comes cycling back to its starting point.
That circular pattern leaves its marks everywhere in this world. Whether it be the ying-yang, the aztec calendar, or the calendar year; history repeats itself: its a cliche for a reason.
So when everything is tallied up at the end, you'll have had your good days and you'll have had your bad. But only a few things will be important in the long run, and those are the things you can control.
Now, what those things are is entirely up to you.
Completely different subject
To illustrate how effective marketing can be: When I was an undergrad. One of the first few Chipotle Burritos stores opened up near campus. I had just gotten a hair cut and happened by when the manager stopped me and gave me a card for a free burrito. I mention I have a tight group of friends and they'd love a burrito so he gives me about 100.
This made me a very popular man. Women were throwing themselves at me for a burrito (ok, maybe not, but the hyperbole helps draw out the justaposition of tone between the previous paragraphs and this one).
Chipotle became the spot for cheap, filling food. For the mizserly you had two meals in one. For the jock the two burrito (and a bottle of tabasco) challenge -- needless to say, that last one was rarely attempted and I personally never witnessed a success.
At any rate, by the time I graduated I would still run into people who visted Chipotle on a weekly basis and remembered the first time they tried a Chipotle burrito...this weekend (and week) Chipotle (yes, I know it's owned by McDonald's) is trying to use integrity (love the irony) as the foundation of its marketing campaign and giving away free burritos (once again, Democrats are beat to the punch). So if you've been patient enough to read to the bottom of this post while studying for finals on Sunday, you might get a free burrito out of the whole thing. Glass half full, that's something you can control.
One final left. Shoutout to my favorite law peeps and their throw-caution-to-the wind Margarita addictions!
Endnote: Wolfmother, tomorrow.
-Woody Allen, Match Point
Part of what I love most about the game of baseball is that it ultimately comes down to luck. You can spend $200M on your payroll, you can have the winningest record in the league. But if you want to win the World Series you need a little bit of luck. Luck can turn into momentum, and then into confidence, which ultimately, with a little bit of bad luck, comes cycling back to its starting point.
That circular pattern leaves its marks everywhere in this world. Whether it be the ying-yang, the aztec calendar, or the calendar year; history repeats itself: its a cliche for a reason.
So when everything is tallied up at the end, you'll have had your good days and you'll have had your bad. But only a few things will be important in the long run, and those are the things you can control.
Now, what those things are is entirely up to you.
Completely different subject
To illustrate how effective marketing can be: When I was an undergrad. One of the first few Chipotle Burritos stores opened up near campus. I had just gotten a hair cut and happened by when the manager stopped me and gave me a card for a free burrito. I mention I have a tight group of friends and they'd love a burrito so he gives me about 100.
This made me a very popular man. Women were throwing themselves at me for a burrito (ok, maybe not, but the hyperbole helps draw out the justaposition of tone between the previous paragraphs and this one).
Chipotle became the spot for cheap, filling food. For the mizserly you had two meals in one. For the jock the two burrito (and a bottle of tabasco) challenge -- needless to say, that last one was rarely attempted and I personally never witnessed a success.
At any rate, by the time I graduated I would still run into people who visted Chipotle on a weekly basis and remembered the first time they tried a Chipotle burrito...this weekend (and week) Chipotle (yes, I know it's owned by McDonald's) is trying to use integrity (love the irony) as the foundation of its marketing campaign and giving away free burritos (once again, Democrats are beat to the punch). So if you've been patient enough to read to the bottom of this post while studying for finals on Sunday, you might get a free burrito out of the whole thing. Glass half full, that's something you can control.
One final left. Shoutout to my favorite law peeps and their throw-caution-to-the wind Margarita addictions!
Endnote: Wolfmother, tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Rumor Mill
Heard a rumor from some reliable and connected sources that the Grand Jury will hand down an indictment for Karl Rove on Thursday or Friday.
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