Top 10 Reasons To Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for remembering. Remembering those you love, remembering those you’ve lost and remembering all of the things that mean something in your life. I have many reasons to be thankful, but there are definitely 10 reasons that stand out in my mind…

10. My job
Because of it, I am who I am. It allows me freedom. It allows me creativity. It has allowed me to see the world and meet some pretty amazing people. I love my job and all that it entails.
I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

9. My home
With the addition of our new kitchen this past summer, our house is more of a home than ever. And as the kids grow, I learn to love all of it’s little nuances. It’s been around for over 60 years and we’ve been in it for a little over 7. We’ve made a lot of changes and have added a couple of children that have given this old home a heartbeat.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything (except possibly a larger master bedroom with a bath).

8. My health
2 years ago I was in the worst pain I have ever been in in my life. Back pain, sciatica and physical therapy visits caused me more anguish than I would like to admit. However now I am recovering and feeling much better (knock on wood). Here’s hoping for a physically active and pain-free  2010 and beyond.

7. My families health
Sure…we’ve had some doctor bills…but comparing our home to some, we have been pretty lucky. My kids are healthy, my wife is healthy and our pets…?
Well…Barkley had that anal gland issue. But we won’t get into that…

6. My friends
Without them, I couldn’t survive. I wish I could express to them how important they are to me and my family. Even those friends who I haven’t seen in years have come back to become a part of my life again (via the world wide web) and it’s been great getting to know them all over again. Without friends, life would be very dark & boring. You make my life a lot more interesting!
Thank you for being a part of my life.

5. My family
There is nothing more important than family and anyone who knows me knows how important my Mom, Dad and my siblings are to me. Even though we have all have things in our lives that keep us busy, we never seem to lose track of each other. As I’ve gotten older, their importance to me has grown and I can’t even express the love I have for each of them.
I can only hope that 2010 holds bigger and better things for each of them!

4. My wife
She deals with me. She loves me. And she keeps my life in perspective. She really has my heart in her hands and, try as I might, I can’t seem to wrestle it back from her. She keeps me focused on being the best person I can be because she is so charitable & loving. It’s a competition I know I can’t win…but I’m gonna keep trying!

3. My son
He is the light of my life. Christopher has worked so hard this year with school, sports and growing up. At age 7 he is developed a strong sense of humor and is the best friend your son could have. He’s the spitting image of me at his age and it’s amazing watching him grow. I can only hope his life continues to be as adventurous and exciting as mine was and I truly think he is on a path to being an amazing man someday.

2. My daughter
If there is one person who has shown me how much I can change, it’s my daughter. Ava has grown physically and mentally so much this year and she is making huge leaps in school and in her overall development. She brings out the kid in me when she wants to play or whenever she simply wants to talk. Everything she does is magic and I can’t help but being swept away by her spell. I know she is going to grow up and not need me as much as she does now. And that is why I am enjoying every second of every day with her.

1. My life
I have truly been blessed. No matter how much I complain or moan, there is no one luckier than I. I am the luckiest man on earth and I know it.

Thank you for reading & Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours.

Top 10 Reasons I Love “Dexter”

If you haven’t seen “Dexter” on Showtime, you’re missing some quality television viewing. I am not one to sit and watch a lot of tv, but this show has successfully pinned me to my couch for weeks now as my wife & I watch seasons 1-3. We are midway through the 3rd season and the show keeps drawing me in…and tehre are several reasons for that….

10. I believe in the death penalty.
I’ll just leave it at that.

9. Jimmy Smits
He was great in “NYPD Blue” and in the 3rd season of “Dexter” he has been awesome as the one friend that Dexter has who truly understands what he stands for. I don’t know where his plotline is going yet (I’m only 7 episodes in), but I am enjoying his role right now.

8. Jennifer Carpenter
She really IS Dexter’s wife, but on the show she plays his sister and she is one of the best things about the show. She comes across as intelligent & strong, but she has many moments where she is working hard to keep herself composed. All that AND she’s good-looking…

7. The whole cast is awesome!
From the now gone Sgt. James  Doakes to the recently implemented  Detective Quinn, every actor or actress on this show has a defined role and they all make good use of it. My personal favorite? Forensic expert Vince Masuka…who is ALWAYS good for a few awesome explicit jabs.

6. My wife & I BOTH love it!
So our nightly “Dexter” fix is something we do together. And as long as she doesn’t get any ideas from it, it’s a nice way to end the day.

5. The Ice Truck Killer
Best plotline EVER. I was completely blown away by season 1 and I doubt I will ever see anything like it again.

4. Julie Benz is SMOKIN’ hot!
Even my wife agrees with me…with every passing episode she gets even better looking. Seriously…the BEST looking woman on television right now.

3. Michael C. Hall
As the title character, Hall plays Dexter close to the hip. He’s aloof but personable. He’s opinionated but not overbearing. He has direction but it wavers from time to time. He plays Dexter as he should play Dexter…as a man with a hidden agenda. And Hall makes this character one you can believe in…even if he IS hacking people up and stuffing them into trash bags.

2. The writing
Even with the “Harry” storyline growing a little thin (Harry is Dexter’s deceased father who taught him how to hunt & kill his victims), the writers of the show have managed intriguing plot twists and have turned up the heat every season on Dexter, making him squirm when he needs it and letting him breath at just the right time. I’ve enjoyed all the complications of his life and it has made for some very intriguing television.

1. He’s like me
I think the main reason I enjoy watching this show is because a lot of times, except for the homicidal tendencies, I “get” Dexter. He’s a man on his own. He doesn’t really identify with a lot of people. He is inward. He doesn’t like to be bothered with the drama of others. He goes about his life doing his thing and not regretting it. He isn’t trying to fit in and he doesn’t make excuses when he doesn’t. I like that about a person. And I like that about Dexter. He’s not the kind of person that is gonna go out of his way to fit in. Dexter doesn’t see life as a contest…and being the most popular doesn’t interest him. He is trying to keep his life, his ego & id in check and make sure that the people who mean the most to him don’t get hurt. It’s the best part of his character…and he (and this show) is awesome!

Top 10 Songs To Crank To 11

If it’s gonna be THIS big, it’s gotta be THIS loud!

When it comes to rock, I like it loud. And there ain’t nothing better than a rock song that DESERVES to be cranked to 11! If you don’t get the “cranked to 11″ reference, you need to rent “This Is Spinal Tap”. If you do get it…then you’ll get this list. Once again, this is MY personal list…but feel free to list your favorites in the comment section! And if you do decide to take my advice and crank this list up, don’t blame me when the neighbors come knockin’…

10. Sammy Hagar – “There’s Only One Way To Rock”
And Sammy knows how to do it.

9. Rage Against The Machine – “Killing In The Name”
Possibly the angriest song on my list here. This track is a slow heat and it burns right up to the very end, where it finally unleashes de la Rocha’s wrath.

8. Kid Rock – “Rock & Roll Jesus”
Completely underrated, this track is HOT. The Kid rocks in concert and this song is a jewel in his arsenal.

7. Oasis – “My Big Mouth”
It starts loud, then it gets melodic in a way that only the Gallagher brothers can do it. But it never stops rockin’ and it never backs down.

6. Metallica – “Enter Sandman”
Who doesn’t know this song? Metallica fans can say what they want, but when it comes down to it, “Sandman” is Metallica’s signature song. And it’s awesome. Even if you’re not a Metallica fan…

5. LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out”
A rap song? In the middle of all these great ROCK tracks? Hell yeah! LL flexes and sends a warning. And this song NEVER sits low in my stereo.

4. Led Zeppelin – “Rock And Roll”
Robert Plant’s distinct vocal makes it soar but it’s the drumming of  John Bonham that makes this an instant “Crank To 11″ classic!

3. Van Halen – “Everybody Wants Some”
David Lee howls and makes this one jam worthy. Plus…it’s all about what everyone wants and that’s what R&R is all about!

2. Guns N’ Roses – “Welcome To The Jungle”
What got me thinking about this list was this track. Seriously…if it wasn’t for Angus & the boys, GNR would OWN this list. And this track is one of the most recognizable riffs in the history of rock.

1. AC/DC – “Thunderstruck
Angus opens with a undeniable guitar and then the drums kick in a beat and then Brian Johnson’s raspy voice hits you like a ton of bricks. Not AC/DC’s most famous song, but it reminds me of my college days in Athens, Ohio and everytime I hear it, I crank it. And just so you know…I crank it to 12.

Top 9 Reasons I Love My Wife

9 years ago this week…

9 years we’ve been married. 9 long years. And you know being married to me ain’t easy. But somehow my wife has done it and she has done it with grace and style. There are a multitude of reasons why I love her, but these Top 9 will do for THIS year. But NEXT year I’m gonna have to come up with something better than this to profess my love…

9. She lets me be me
I’m not the easiest shlub to get along with. I can be cranky & moody & sometimes downright obnoxious! But she puts up with me and gives me her “opinion” when I need it. Usually she is a voice of reason in my overloaded brain.

8. She’s supportive
I can really get stressed out about things. Everything from money to work to the kids. It all gets in my head and I get all worried and crazy. But she brings me down to earth and keeps me focused. She has this way of dragging my worries & concerns out of me. She can be relentless when it comes to forcing me to talk about all the crap in my head and I don’t think I could survive without her!

7. She’s  funny
As she will tell you, she IS funnier than me. I don’t necessarily agree…but everyone always laughs at her jokes. Me? I usually get the “What are you talking about?” look and an uncomfortable silence. So yeah…maybe she IS funnier than me…

6. She’s a great mother
My kids are wonderful and she is the main reason why. They love her unconditionally and when I’m gone for a few days, she takes care of them and loves them and makes sure they are well-behaved. Without her I’m lost when it comes to dressing the kids, feeding the kids, fixing their hair, etc…

5. She’s hot
14 years into our relationship and I still find her to be as gorgeous today as she was when I met her. No lie.

4. She’s charitable
When she told me she wanted to quit her job and work for a charity that would pay her very little but it would make her happy, I was skeptical. But she just seems to glow when she talks about how well the charity is doing and how much they are doing for pediatric cancer research. I recommend that if you haven’t heard of “The Cure Starts Now“, you look it up. Seriously…is there any cause better than one that is trying to help save children?

3. She’s beautiful inside & out
I know…I already said she’s hot, but this is different. Because I think she IS hot…but being a beautiful person is totally different. She doesn’t have a bad intention in her body. She is always looking for the equality in life. And that is one of her strongest qualities.

2. She gives me my space
This might not seem like a great reason to love my wife, but when I need alone time, she gives it to me. When I’m gone for a while for work, she trusts me. When I need time with my friends, she tells me to go. It’s nice not being smothered, because when I need my time alone, she gives it to me. Thanks honey!

1. She’s an awesome friend
If you need an ear, she is ALWAYS available. You will never have a better friend than my wife. She can talk to just about anyone and if you need help with anything, she will drop whatever she is doing to be there. I used to think her allegiance  to her friends was a little much, but I see now that it is just who she is. She loves to socialize and she is at her best when she is around people. Unlike myself, she is an open book…and she is always supportive, even if she doesn’t always agree with your opinion. It’s one of her best qualities and I love that about her!

Today…and STILL smiling!

Top 10 Reason To Love My Awful Haircut

Yeah…yeah…yeah. This new haircut sucks. But that’s okay. And here are the Top 10 reasons WHY it’s okay…despite what my family might say…

10. I’m cooler.
I don’t mean “style” wise. I’m talking my head is cooler now I don’t have anything keeping the heat in. Which is nice because it seems like I’m always hot. Must be PMS…

9. I use less shampoo.
Which in today’s economy is a plus.

8. Less grey!
Not that I have a lot…but it is definitely LESS noticeable now!

7. My head LOOKS bigger.
Sure…it’s shaped like an egg…but with less hair, it TOTALLY looks like I’m a super genious or something like that…

6. No haircut needed for a really, really loooooong time.
Yeah…it’s gonna be a while before THIS grows back…

5. No styling needed!
So now…instead of the 4 minutes I used to spend drying it and gelling it and making sure it looked good, I dry it with a towel aaaaaaand DONE!

4. I get to wear a baseball hat…
ALL the time! Yes!

3. It’s good for a laugh
Sure…I’m the butt of many jokes and my kids laugh at me hysterically, but I’ve always been one to take my misfortunes in stride and THIS cut is pretty silly lookin’…

2. My wife takes pity on me
I just give her the puppy dog eyes and take off my hat and she immediately looks at me and feels sympathetic. Its sad…but it works.

1. My hair does NOT look as bad as this…

Nuff said…

Top 10 Reasons I Hate Tuesday

THIS is the kind of thing that happens on Tuesday. GAH!!!

Everyone hates Monday. Monday is the bad rap day of the week. Actually…I don’t mind Monday. If you think about it, even though Monday is usually the first day back on the job, at least you have something that is gonna be different than the day before. Sure, the day before you went to church, cooked out with family & friends, probably either played a round of golf or had a mixer. Whatever. But at least when Monday rolls around, it’s DIFFERENT. On Tuesday…well…here’s my Top 10 reasons why Tuesday sucks…

10. It’s not Friday.
Obviously.

9. It’s not the weekend.
Not even close.

8. It’s nowhere CLOSE to the weekend.
Yes…it IS closer than Monday. However it’s still pretty damn far away and Tuesday is basically a replica of what Monday was, except you’re not coming off the weekend all refreshed and replenished and now you’re just grinding it out.

7. It ALWAYS rains.
I’m not sure how this works, but it always seems like on Tuesday morning I can pretty much bet that it’s gonna be raining. I don’t know if this happens all over the country, but here in the Ohio Valley…it is a sure bet. Aaaaand it’s raining as I type this…

6. Kitty Litter Changing Day
Our trash pickup is on Tuesday, which means I get to change the cat litter. Which stinks. Literally.

5. It’s Trash Day
Which means I have to take out the trash. In the rain. Loaded with cat litter. Which stinks. Literally.

4. New songs on ITunes.
Oh wait…that’s actually a good thing…

The REAL #4. Super Tuesday
We always elect our presidents on Tuesday every 4 years. Some might see this as a good thing. As of late, I haven’t been all that impressed with ANY government officials. Let along Presidents past or present. Take it as you will…but Super Tuesday’s aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

3. It’s unlucky.
And I quote straight from Wikipedia…
In the Greek world, Tuesday (the day of the week of the ”Fall of Constantinople”) is considered an unlucky day. The same is true in the ”Spanish language”. In the Spanish-speaking world, where a proverb runs: En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques, meaning, “On Tuesday, neither get married nor begin a journey.” For both Greeks and Spanish-speakers, the 13th of the month is considered unlucky if it falls on Tuesday, instead of ”Friday the 13th”. And if it’s in Wikipedia…it MUST be true.

2. Black Tuesday
Sure…it happened over 80 years ago. But still…it was the start of the Great Depression. And look at our economy now! I blame Tuesday…

1. I have to be different.
Just because all everybody ever does is bitch about Monday and so I have to go in a different direction. Especially on Facebook.

Top 10 Reasons I Haven’t Been Blogging

The main culprits….

Yeah…I know. I haven’t been blogging as much as usual. It’s been a bear of a summer and I’ve been busy. VERY busy. MUCH busier than usual! But school is right around the corner (8 days?!?!) and hopefully I’ll have a little extra time on my hands while the kiddies are off studying for the winter. Anyway…here are the Top 10 reasons why I haven’t been around. Not as if anyone cares…but it will make ME feel better…

10. Summer Camps
Seriously…my kids were signed up for EVERY possible camp known to man. If there was a camp for it, my kids were in it. And SOMEONE had to take them and pick them up. Right?

9. We were busy traveling
Okay…so we didn’t travel very far. However 2 trips to grandma’s house for the kids and then Steph drove to Moline and Indianapolis and I drove to Memphis, so it SEEMED like we were doing a lot of driving.

8. Our kitchen was renovated.
With so much dust and crap everywhere, I could barely see the keyboard…let alone put together a coherent thought…

7. I was drinking with my neighbors.
Ya know…it’s a good thing when you have 2 of your best friends living one street over and directly behind your house. Makes it easy to get home after a night of too many…uh…slushies?

6.  We were at the pool.
Pretty much twice a week. Sometimes more, but rarely less. And it was awesome!

5.  I was putzing around on my new IMac.
And I hate to say it…but I don’t see what all the commotion is about. Is it nice? Sure. It has really awesome screensavers and I LOVE the monitor. But overall, I can’t say that it is heads above a regular PC. Just sayin’…

4.  I was reading a good book.
Not really. THAT is a total lie.

The REAL 4. I was grilling out.
Whether at our house or our neighbors house (see #7), it seemed like we were eating hot dogs and hamburgers and brats and metts just about every night! Not good for my waistline…

3.  I was at the movies.
Quite a bit actually. Like most summers, I spent a good chunk of it either at a movie theater or watching a movie on t.v.  It’s what I do! And for some reviews, you can check out my OTHER site at “Popcorn & A Soda”!!!

2.  I was mowing my yard.
Well…someone has to do it!

1. I forgot.
Well…not entirely. However it really IS next to impossible to put together any kind of thoughts together when you have 2 kids constantly wanting to play or be somewhere or wanting to do something or they’re STARVING or they need/want/expect something else immediately following whatever it was you just gave them 5 seconds ago. It’s quite maddening! And it completely shrinks your brain cells up to the size of lint.

Needless to say, I expect to start having more creative thoughts coming along again shortly. Until then, I appreciate the loyalty of all 3 of my followers (yes…that does include you!) and I hope to see comments from you and you and you again at anytime.

Top 10 Changes That Come From Quitting…

Notice the fag in his left hand…

My brother Frank has recently kicked his nasty smoking addiction that we (our collective family) have been giving him crap about for pretty much the last 12 years of his existence. Finally, after mucho haggling and several tries, he has managed to put the cancer sticks down and has taken up a few newer habits. He asked me a while back why I hadn’t written about it, and I told him I thought it was really something HE should write about. So he did. I told him if he gave me a post, I would put it on my blog. And he did. So I am. Congratulations Frank! Quitting is the greatest thing you could have done for yourself and your family. I think I can speak for our entire family when I say…we are very proud of you and we love you! Now…here’s Frank’s blog which he also has posted on his anemic blog site called “The Veracity“….

Hell is officially frozen, pigs are flying and monkeys are crawling out of Alan’s butt!! That’s right ladies and gentlemen, brother Frank has quit smoking! How was that bet laid out again? Alan rides a fake bike and Frank quits the most addictive substance this side of Tang?! Fair? No. Besides, Alan lost like 15 lbs…and then gained 20 back hanging with school chum JT in one night! If the bet involved his nails, I’d have won easily! This calls for a list…

Top 10 Changes that come with quitting…

10. Shhhhh….It’s pretty quiet around here without all that bitching about my smoke.

9. 10 & 2 ……Both hands on the steering wheel, weird!

8. Work sucks. 20 minutes longer. No smoke breaks for NON-smokers is bullshit.

7.$180 richer…..$6 a pack x 30 days…you get the math.

6. Now what?…..I guess sleep follows directly after sex now.

5. Who farted?…..I can smell EVERYTHING!!!

4. I’m THAT guy…. I tell everyone I quit and how.

3. 30 sit ups, 50 push ups, 3-5 miles ever other day. No shit.

2. No more flem….I hope I spelled that right. (You didn’t. It’s “phlegm”  -Alan)

1. More people than ever hate me……Fuck them! Some say I am meaner, some are jealous or mad I actually quit smoking. Misery loves company and nothing pisses off a smoker more than someone who succeeded in quitting. My good smelling ass is gonna run right by them while cracking a six minute mile as they huddle around an ashtray grumbling how indecent it is for me to run in public wearing those shorts. I do it for the ladies.

Special thanks to Kathy for the “Book of Ages” which pretty much pushed me over the edge to quit.

Now he can take a deeper breath BEFORE he swings!

Top 10 Reasons The Reds Are Fun To Watch This Year

Look…I know they don’t have the Yankees payroll or the backing of a network (like ESPN with the Red Sox), but this year’s squad is a lot of fun to watch! Even with an average record (as of this post they are 1 game over .500), these guys are one of the more exciting surprises in the Major Leagues this season. Here’s why…

10. They are not overpaid multi-millionaires
Without looking into it, I know that this team probably makes less money than the Dodgers  minor league squad. And still they play hard every night. Love that!

9. Adam Rosales
Uh…who? Well, the Reds brought him up from the minors a little over a month ago, and even though he ain’t exactly tearing it up like he once was, he is still one of the more fun guys to watch on the team. He ALWAYS hustles! And that makes him one of MY favorites.

8. Dusty Baker’s lineups
Seriously, I never know WHO will be playing from night to night. With 3 or 4 guys who play multiple positions, it’s a situation EVERY coach would love to have.

7. Fans are into it!
On any given night, the crowds at GABP have seemingly gotten bigger and a bit louder. They are expecting this team to win…and our city has needed that feeling for a very long time.

6. The bullpen
With the exception of maybe 2 players, all of the bullpen can hold their own against any spot in the opponents’ lineup. In the past, that wasn’t always the case. But this year? These guys are lights out!

5.  Brandon Phillips
Hands down, the most underrated 2nd baseman in baseball. I’ve seen him make some amazing plays and he still never gets voted to an All-Star game. CMON AMERICA! Give this guy some props!

4. The starting pitchers
We have 5 guys who can be, at any given time, excellent. And when you have excellent pitching, you always have a shot at winning.

3. The Joey Votto drama
For those of you who have no idea who Joey is…he’s the Reds best hitter. Except he’s injured. No wait…he’s sick. No wait…he’s got anxiety attacks. No wait…uh…we have no idea what his problem is, but we’re gonna send him to a minor league team to get better. Um….what?

2. They play good baseball!
Although they lack in the offensive categories without Votto in the lineup, these guys can still play baseball! The pitching is stellar, the defense is top notch and we have guys who CAN hit the ball on occasion. We even have a pitcher who pinch-hits, a couple of guys who play multiple positions and 3 mascots! It’s small ball at its best…

1. Enthusiasm
For many years, Brandon Phillips has been my favorite player on this team because of his enthusiasm. Now there are maybe 15 guys who share the same state of mind. Go get ‘em guys! And hopefully, by the end of the season, you’ll be showing the rest of the MLB how playing with smiles on your faces instead of your hand on your wallet makes a world of difference!

Top 10 Ways My Baby Sister’s Life Will Change

Today I was gonna go home to visit my family and see how large my sister has gotten. She is due in a couple of months or so to have her first child.  A little boy is on the way to join our family and I couldn’t be more excited! It seems strange to me that my BABY sister is having a baby herself, especially since she IS the youngest and obviously has NOT been having sex. But enough with that topic. The weather is all crappy and I just don’t feel like driving 5 hours today (2.5 down, 2.5 back) and I was gonna save this for later, but now is as good a time as any to fill her in on how her life is about to change. Those of you with children can follow along and agree or disagree with me. Either way, she will be getting all the facts and will have ample time to prepare for being a new mother!

10. Sleep? Don’t worry about it. You’ll have plenty of time to sleep in 20 or so years…

9. If you thought you were having a shitty day before, wait til you have to change what is gonna be coming out of that child’s butt!

8. There is nothing better than the smell of a baby’s head. Which goes without saying because it is the farthest point from his butt.

7. Get used to cooking at home because the minute you go OUT for dinner, he will cry. Which also happens whenever you want to:

• Sleep
• Go to the bathroom
• Read a book
• Watch television
• Sleep…again

6. You will find that you have this unending need to protect your child. Don’t worry…once he begins to talk, all that goes away and you can’t wait for him to sleepover at his friends’  house.

5. If you breastfeed, it will be painful at first. Then it’s just uncomfortable. And then you won’t want it to end. And then you’ll want another child. Be careful with that last part. (Of course, this has been told to me by several mothers who breastfed. I have not breastfed and have never tried. I just wanted to clarify…)

4. Anything you enjoyed when you were without child is now gone. Do not attempt to bring  a “pre-baby” lifestyle into the “post-baby” world that you will soon live in. It doesn’t work. And if you DO try to do it, be warned…the baby will not like it. Trust me. And the one thing you do not want is a pissed off baby. Seriously.

3. There’s a sex joke (or lack thereof) in here somewhere…but I think I’ll save that for another time.

2. It does not matter how many handy wipes you use or how often you wash your hands, the baby is gonna get sick. That is how it builds up its immune system. So be prepared to be sneezed on, barfed on and pooped on. Always wear old clothes that you wore back in the 80’s. You’ll never tell the difference with acid wash jeans…

1. It honestly and truthfully is the most amazing, life changing event you will ever have. Enjoy every second of it because time passes quickly. It won’t feel like it at first. At first, time will stop and you will be tired and miserable and you will be angry because the baby won’t…stop…crying! But it all ends and life will resume soon enough. Love your child with your every being and you will never be the same. Oh…and be nice to your husband. He didn’t give birth, but he is just as freaked out as you are (if not more!). And he loves you unconditionally. Your first baby is the greatest thing you will ever experience. Everything leading up to this is secondary.

Enjoy it, Baby Sister. We love you more than you know and we can’t wait to meet your new miracle!!!

“The decision to have children is momentous. It is to forever decide to have your heart go walking around outside of your body.”
                                 – Elizabeth Stone

Top 15 Favorite U2 Songs

We are but ants to the band, U2…

No band touches my ears the way U2 does. I’ve only seen them in concert once, but it was my all-time favorite show. Their music is just built to soar! With Bono’s vocals, The Edge’s signature guitar-work, Adam Clayton’s bass and Larry Mullen, Jr’s consistant drumming, U2 has become the biggest band in the world…and for a reason. They are consistently great at what they do! So to celebrate the release of “No Line On The Horizon” this week, I figured I would list my Top 10 favorite tracks from my all-time favorite band! Except I couldn’t just go with 10…so I went with 15. Is that okay? And…here…we…go…

15. “Numb”
from “Zooropa” (1993)
It’s like an electronic orgy. The Edge actually does vocals on this one in a monotone voice. Different and kinda weird. Love it!

14. “Beautiful Day”
from “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” (2000)
I remember seeing the video and hearing the song for the first time on a plane heading to Seattle. Still reminds me of my favorite city.

13. “All I Want Is You”
from “Rattle & Hum” (1988)
I recall a buddy of mine singing this song for a girlfriend back in the OUZ studios in 1988. Still reminds me of him to this day.

12. “Until The End Of The World”
from “Actung Baby” (1991)
The Edge’s guitar work makes this track soar!

11. “The Fly”
from “Achtung Baby” (1991)
Awesome live!

10. “Silver & Gold”
from “Rattle & Hum” (1988)
When The Edge “plays the blues”, it gives me goosebumps…

9. “Vertigo”
from “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” (2004)
The video is awesome! And this song just rocks my world…

8. “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
from “War” (1983)
A signature classic. It NEVER gets old. And the opening drums could be the most famous opening to any U2 song…

7. “Breathe”
From “No Line On The Horizon” (2009)
Only time will tell if this track remains this high on my list, however right now…it’s on repeat in my car…

6. “Red Hill Mining Town”
from “The Joshua Tree” (1987)
Just about anything off “The Joshua Tree” is excellent! But I picked this track because it doesn’t get much press and it’s a great song!

5. “Bad”
from “The Unforgettable Fire” (1984)
I’ve always loved how it builds and Bono’s vocals are awesome!

4. “Mysterious Ways”
from “Achtung Baby” (1991)
Love the skittish intro and this song reminds me of an old girlfriend.

3. “A Day Without Me”
from “Boy” (1980)
The first U2 track ever released off their debut album. Still one of their best…

2. “Bullet The Blue Sky”
from “The Joshua Tree” (1987)
Larry Mullen, Jr. drums his way into the musical war of this song.

1. “The Unforgettable Fire”
from “The Unforgettable Fire” (1984)
Love the lyrics. Love the imagery. Love the vocals. Love the 80’s sound. Don’t have a particular reason, but THIS is my all-time favorite song….ever.

And this will conclude my weeklong lovefest of the band known as U2… The GREATEST band EVER! Thank you for humoring me!

Top 10 Sax Songs

Recently I blogged about my favorite piano songs. Which, in turn, got me thinking about my all-time favorite instrument…the saxophone! I realize that the sax went out of style in 1989…and I’m okay with that. You don’t hear too many bands with a horn section anymore. But there are a few, such as The National and Spoon, who use a horn section and a few bands who still implement the sax here & there. So…I figured I’d present my Top 10 favorite songs that include the coolest, uncool instrument out there…

10. Al Stewart – “Time Passages/Year Of The Cat”
Oh…I know…that’s 2 songs! That’s cheating! But not really. If you think about it, the sax in both is eerily similiar and I love both songs equally. They both clock in over 6 minutes, both have a sax solo in the middle and both are the title track of each album from which they were released. Basically…they’re the same freakin’ song! But Al managed to sell them as 2…so I am saying BOTH belong here! 

9. Violent Femmes – “I Held Her In My Arms”
Quirky isn’t exactly how I would describe this band. Everyone knows “Blister In The Sun”, but this track from 1986 is one of their best and the sax really kicks it up a notch!

8. The English Beat – “Mirror In The Bathroom”
With its bouncy beat and the catchy rhythm, I can’t NOT bop my head anytime I hear this little ditty.

7. Michael Stanley Band – “Someone Like You”
For the opening alone, this song belongs here. Seriously, the first 30 seconds reminds me why I love this instrument so much. It sounds like a heart yearning for love. It’s THAT good!

6. Oingo Boingo – “Dead Man’s Party”
Ok…if you are ever at a party at MY house, and this song isn’t playing at some point, you are allowed to kick me in the head as hard as you want. Because it is NOT a party until some Boingo has been played. It’s inevitable. And the sax in this song kicks butt. And it’s not just the sax…but the entire horn section that is just cool.

5. Eddie Money – “I Wanna Go Back”
Remember THIS little tune from a guy who could have been bigger if Huey Lewis hadn’t stolen his thunder? Okay…that might be a stretch, but I love so many of Eddie’s songs and no one ever plays them anymore? But I hear plenty of Huey Lewis on the radio. WTF?!? Whatever, this tune has a great sax intro and then it reappears at the end. LOVE it!

4. Bruce Springsteen – “Born To Run”
Oh Clarence. Where would the sax be without you? I mean, you could take just about ANY pop song, have Clarence blow on his wonderful sax and it would make the song 10 times better! And then you stick him with The Boss and you really can’t go wrong. So many songs to choose from, but I choose the signature song simply because his sax is the heartbeat of Bruce’s amazing tune.

3. Morphine – “Whisper”
This band was never gonna be huge. They weren’t built that way. 3 guys. That was it. And 1 of ‘em played sax. They played what some called “low rock”. It’s as underground sounding as any music I’ve ever listened to and, if lead singer Mark Sandman (it’s even a cool name for a lead singer!) hadn’t died of a heart attack in 1999, this band would still be playing in smoky bars all across the world! This track is amazing! But it’s only one in a whole listing of great songs by Morphine.

2. R.E.M. – “Fireplace”
Not a band to use the sax, Michael Stipe & Company surprised everyone (and by everyone, I mean me) with this gem on their awesome album, “Document”. Quite possibly my all-time favorite REM track, and it IS because of the sax.

1. Gerry Rafferty – “Baker Street”
Think about it. If you are thinking “sax song”, where does YOUR mind drift? Seriously, the sax at the end of this song is so prolific in my mind, that it might very well be the reason I love the instrument so much. Just a little sidenote…acording to Wikipedia, this song inspired a resurgence of saxophone use in music and commercials known as “The Baker Street Phenomenon” in 1978. Sax sales also jumped and the song itself went to #2 in the U.S. Soooo…some might consider this to be a one-hit wonder from the 70’s. I consider it to be a classic song that has always been an important part of my musical growth! Plus….it was covered by the Foo Fighters. And that automatically makes it cool…

Top 10 Reasons I Like “Chuck”

So I don’t watch a lot of television. Can’t stand a lot of the crap out there, so you won’t find me watching too much except for American Idol and Monday nights when I watch “Heroes” (except for season 2…which was kinda not good) and my favorite guilty pleaseure…”Chuck”. If you’ve never seen “Chuck”, you should! There are a lot of reasons to like this little show that could…and I got the Top 10!

10. Chuck is the name of my best friend in high school.
Okay…not the BEST reason to watch…but it was probably why I turned it on in the first place…

9. The main character works at “Buy More”
Which is an obvious play on “Best Buy”…which is my favorite place to shop for cool gadgets and music!

8. The opening credits
Remember the band “Cake”? They use “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” as the opening theme. Sweeeeet…

7. The show is big on pop culture
It seems like they are always referencing Star Wars or IPods or some ridiculously hot model in the show. And the guest stars (Andy Richter & Jenni McCarthy last week) are top notch!

6. The guy who plays “Chuck” is cool and could be your best friend
He’s not…but he COULD be…

5. Chuck’s sister
Played by Sarah Lancaster…is HOT!

4. The supporting cast
Is great! From the staff at Buy More to the agent who hates Chuck but really likes him deep down (Adam Baldwin).

3. The music is uber cool
Unlike some television series that use the music to the point of annoyance, “Chuck” uses hip music of today and yesterday (The National, Frightened Rabbit, Phantom Planets, Talking Heads & Huey Lewis? Wow!) to move the story along.

2. It’s mindless entertainment
At no time does the show take itself too seriously. It’s basically the same plot every week and I love that because they find new ways to tweak the same format and they do it very well!

1. Yvonne Strahovski is really, really  pretty
Because I use the term “hot” way too much. Anyway…don’t know who I’m talking about? She’s at the top of the page. But if you don’t want to scroll all the way back…here ya go…

‘Nuff said.

Top 10 Piano Songs Of All-Time

No one plays the piano like Donald Duck. And I DO mean NOBODY!

This week, The Fray released their latest self-titled album. Known to most as the band on”Grey’s Anatomy”, they’ve made a splash with their use of the piano. Now…I am really more of a sax man (LOVE the sax!), but a great piano song always makes me happy. Here are my Top 10 favorite songs with a piano of all-time!!!

10. Brad – “The Day Brings”
A relatively unknown band out of Seattle with an amazing song. If you’ve never heard of them, go check it out! This track was released back in 1997 and is one of my all-time favorites.

9. Greg Laswell – “How The Day Sounds”
One of my favorite songs from last 2008! This simple little tune brings a smile to my face every time I hear it.

8. John Lennon – “Imagine”
So simple and it says so much.

7. Elton John – “Tiny Dancer”
With or without the goofy costumes, Sir Elton has always had a flair. This song from 1971 is listed as one of Rolling Stones’s Top 500 songs of all-time. Oh…and the scene from “Almost Famous” is really cool…

6. Kate Bush – “This Woman’s Work”
So sad and pretty. Makes me wanna cry it’s so damn good.

5. Ben Folds Five – “Song For The Dumped”
Ever had your heart ripped out and stomped on and you just wanted revenge? Well…this is the song to play JUST before you go and use the key on the car.

4. Billy Joel – “She’s Always A Woman”
Possibly the greatest love song ever? You decide. But this is Joel’s ode to his woman that makes EVERY woman want to hang with an average joe like Joel.

3. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
This classic rock staple will always remind me of Wayne’s World, even if it is one of the greatest opera/rock songs ever (with the exception of Meatloaf, I don’t really know any others!).

2. Elton John – “Love Lies Bleeding (Funeral For A Friend)”
For the intro alone, this song belongs high on this list. Elton takes it up on side and down the other. And then he rips into one of his greatest songs EVER.

1. Jerry Lee Lewis – “Great Balls Of Fire”
It’s been well documented that Jerry SHOULD have been the King Of Rock N Roll. Except for some guy named Elvis. Either way, Elvis ain’t making this list. Nobody can pound the ivories like Jerry can! And as cool as it is to see Billy Joel & Elton John on stage, face-to-face, I’d take Lewis setting his piano on fire ANYDAY!

You might be asking yourself…”Where’s Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’?” Well…if I ever do a Top 10 greatest HARMONICA solos I would probably put that song in here. But really…if you listen to it…the piano in “Piano Man” is very subdued. It’s really more of a great lyric song…not so much a great piano song. Just sayin’…

Top 25 Albums

Really? Is there any other choice for me???

So…yeah…I’m a Facebook kinda guy. And, as all Facebook users know, the Top 25 list is fast becoming a staple for anyone on “The Book”. So a friend of mine posted her Top 25 albums and tagged me. Considering the options (do it or don’t do it being the only two, I imagine), I decided to try to narrow down my Top 25 Favorite Albums. I have tried this before and it seems somewhat ridiculous. But, for the sake of my friendship with Brandi (who I haven’t seen in probably 6 years!), I thought I’d give it a go. Reminder…I’m a product of the 80’s, so those 10 years are well-represented here! 

1. U2 – Joshua Tree
2. U2 – The Unforgettable Fire
3. REM – Document
4. Prince – Purple Rain
5. Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night
6. Alexander O’Neal – Hearsay
7. The Police – Ghost In The Machine
8. Def Leppard – Hysteria
9. Sugar – Copper Blue
10. Fountains Of Wayne – Welcome Interstate Managers
11. Beatles – Rubber Soul
12. Talking Heads- Stop Making Sense
13. Bruce Springsteen – The Rising
14. Led Zeppelin – II
15. REM – Dead Letter Office
16. Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
17. The Pursuit of Happiness – Love Junk
18. Funeral For A Friend – Tales Don’t Tell Themselves
19. AC/DC – Back In Black
20. Journey – Greatest Hits
21. Pearl Jam – Yield
22. The Clash – London Calling
23. Violent Femmes
24. Bryan Adams – Reckless
25. David Grey – White Ladder

Except for Journey, which is the one band that I can’t really narrow down to 1 particular album, I think this is probably a pretty good representation of what I like to listen too.  Am I missing something? Probably. But these are the best of the best in my arsenal.