Rockstar Supernova

Lori and I went and saw Supernova at the oakdale theatre last night.  It was very cool , and a lot of 
fun.  For those who don`t know , Rockstar Supernova was the Rock version of american idol where
contestants sang in competition to win the front man job for the band consisting of 
Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke and ex-metallica bassist Jason Newsted.  

Lukas Rossi , the winner , brought his unique growling voice , along with his amazing falsetto , and general rockstar attitude to last nights show.  I thoroughly enjoyed the show , Lukas as front man transforms the "hard pop" music mostly written by tommy lee and clarke , into a new sound.  Lukas also performed his own song that I loved , Head Spin , that he wrote with his former band Rise Electric.  Listen to it here performed on the show.

Dilana , the chic that came in 2nd I think , maybe 3rd opened , followed by Toby the Aussie , and then Dave Navaros band Panic Channel.  Dilanas set was without a drummer , just 2 guitarists one of whom apparently was Magne ., a contestant.  She sang some originals and a great Black Crowes cover , She talks to angels , she definitely nailed it ... she has a wonderfully diverse voice and style.  Lori thinks she should`ve won ....she thinks the men were scared of a woman singer.  

Tobys band was o.k , kinda what I expected .  Hard poppy crapola , sung pretty well with good energy.  Nivarros band had a couple songs I recognized and I thought it was pretty cool.  Lori felt it was 80`s music only slightly updated.  

Finally SUPERNOVA , Damn that was fun.  Lukas just captivates you with his unique voice and quirky stage presence.  There were a couple of songs that stood out esp. his Head Spin song , as well as a ballady song that entranced you.  He performed a Rossi-style version of Bittersweet Symphony that was just tons of fun.  I really enjoyed the concert , I will admit that some of the songs written were not written with Rossi in mind , Toby or even Dilana would`ve made it sound more mainstream as was the spirit it was written in , Lukas at times doesn`t sound like he is singing in the english language , though his emotion drips with every syllable .  I think the band
picked rightly in Lukas who , as hinted, will play a bigger part in there next album.  He transforms everyday mainstream rock into something unique , palpable and emotional.  I would call it Grunge EMO . Lori I`m sure would disagree.  
  My other complaint , that Lori would definitely agree with , is that in the end we thought Dilana
would`ve sung a song with Lukas during the encore which was disappointingly short.  Dilana should`ve had more performance time , she in our minds , was a close 2nd if not possibly the best singer of the bunch.  I would`ve enjoyed more of her .  
All in all , I loved it ....Bought the CD on the way out .. The CD tames Lukas a bit and may make him more accessible to the average fan.
Kevin Beary


 

The State of the Union

 Here is a link to the presidents State of the Union address 

The president has excellent speech writers. I enjoyed his speech , I enjoyed his nod to our first female house speaker ( democrat pelosi) , I enjoyed his occasional conciliatory tone in response to the new democratic majority.
I thought he could have done more. He could`ve congratulated the democratic house on its first 100 hours initiatives and told them he looked forward to signing the minimum wage bill , the ethics lobbying and budgeting rules changes , the anti-terrorism bill etc. Especially since these are minor measures that have popular support that a veto wouldn`t fly ...it would`ve been easy to say < Hey I`ll work with you "
Instead , this speech just repeated his previous objectives only in better rhetoric. He still wants to change Social Security , push Health care on individuals , Protect his base with tax cuts , expand on the controversial no child left behind act , drill for oil in environmentally protected areas , INCREASE the war effort despite the opposition , I find it funny that now he wants to limit bipartisanship since they lost the majority. "Can`t we all just get along" after 6years of thumbing his nose at the democratic voice is insulting.  
Nothing has changed , only the rhetoric.

Finally an Arab voice on our side

Inersting article

Manning Makes it to the Super Bowl

 Peyton Manning lead his team to 32 second half points to beat his (and my) archrival patriots.  This was one of the best comebacks I have seen in playoff action.  Peyton Manning still has to win the super bowl to officially get the camel off his back but getting there is a start.  

Bill Parcells retired from the cowboys today , probably because of the severe disappointment of the fluky playoff loss where Romo , the emerging franchise , blew the snap of the game winning field goal .  Football has its ups and downs,  persevering tough times , tough decisions , disappointing prospects , working your ass off...developing talent , putting it together , getting to the playoffs , Beating a good team and getting to Kick the winning field goal then doohhh .... !!!

Mr Parcells may have just had his last stab in the heart , loss
Miss ya Bill

Finally some results from Democratic Power

 Bush gets court oversight for surveillance program
Austin American-Statesman (subscription) - 18 hours ago
By Richard B. Schmitt. WASHINGTON - In an about-face, the Bush administration said Wednesday that it has decided to seek court approval for electronic surveillance it had previously done without warrants.

It appears Bush will not budge on Iraq but is making concessions where he previously had hard stances.  He may also acquiesce to democratic demands for minimum wage increase , reducing the country's reliance on imported oil.  Last week he also dropped his plans to renominate 3 ultra-conservative judges that the democrats vigorously opposed.

I would like to see more of this compromise and am hopeful that the government can find moderate/centrist ways to govern.  

Keep in mind , the surveillance concession is announced just a day before the atty general  was to testify before congress and two weeks before the court of appeals rules on upholding the ruling that warrantless surviellance is unconstitutional.  The ACLU feels  "This move is pure smoke and mirrors to avoid the scrutiny of the courts and Congress, and lawmakers should not be fooled. If the White House now recognizes that the FISA court is the right entity to approve wiretapping, why did the president continue to violate the law for years?"

New years goal

Well I have smoked less than 10 cigarettes today....I usually smoke a pack and a 1/2- I got my toothpicks , gum , lollipops etc;  
I even went to the gym for the 1st time in months.  I`m already HUGE... 
o.k thats my belly but anyway 

In order to cut down on smoking I had to quit my 2 dunkin donuts turbo-iced coffees a day habit.  Lori picked me up some starbucks espresso cans and some sobe adrenaline so I won`t have caffeine withdrawal as well as nic fits--Unfortunately they don`t seem to wake me up like D-D but doin` that for a few days I should get used to it -- we`ll see
Modest goals first - I want to keep myself well under a pack a day and get used to stalling when I have the urge to smoke--
Wish me luck
Kevin

We just picked up Lori's new PT cruiser.....well it is used but only a 2006 w. 15.000 miles...
"I love it" says Lori 

Bush orders the storming of an iranian embassy in Iraq

Within the hour of last nights speech about a troop surge , and preventing Iranian and Syrian 
intervention , , US forces raided an Iranian consulate in northern Iraq, arresting five diplomats and staff and taking computers and files. 

Only weeks before Bush said he will consider all plans of action on Iraq , and seek bi-partisan consensus on an Iraqi plan , Bush stubbornly ignores all aspects of ISG , including dialogue with Iran and Syria , and effectively declares war on them with the arrival of an additional aircraft carrier strike force and defensive patriot missiles to protect allies (this means Israel) , and then this arresting of "legal" diplomats in the country.  

This is scary.  
I am not at this time stating he is wrong , or that I agree with attempting to dialogue with Iran and Syria but .......this is scary
I was reading something on MSNBC and Tim Russert came away the thought that Bush has hinted on a wider war which would include Iran.  
Scary

Funny Bumper Sticker

I was on my way to work this morning and saw this bumper sticker 

"Work Harder , millions of people on welfare need you " 

I wanted to turn around and go home

 

J E T S..i really thought we had a chance today.We played tough for most of the game but new england just came up with bigger plays . Season over ...just like that
But... remember the Jets were not expected to win more than 4 games and we went 10-6 .. This is something to build on.  
After the game , regarding the season Mangini said “I was most proud of the effort that they put in, the way that they worked, the way that they came together as a team, and the progress that they made collectively,”
The jets have lots of caproom , a new attitude and lots of young players to build around .  We are going to be a team to contend next year and on .