Tift Merritt

I'm going to see Tift Merritt in March at her concert at the Carolina Theatre in Durham. Tift got her start in the triangle area.

Three Girls And Their Buddy

I said in "new year, new experiences" that I'd missed out on my chance to see Patty Griffin in Chapel Hill. Fortunately it turns out I didn't! One site said sold out, but another said there were seats available. I ended up sitting way in the back of the theatre, but fortunately it was a small theatre.

The name of the show was Three Girls And Their Buddy. It was Emmylou Harris (famous country/folk/bluegrass singer), Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin (mostly known for her pop hit "Sonny Came Home"), and Buddy Miller. The group was awesome, and they took turns singing songs and harmonizing with each other, while Buddy played guitar for all (and sang his own songs too).

My favorite was Patty, followed by Emmylou mostly because of her legend. Buddy Miller played very unique selections and was good. Shawn Colvin is very talented but she's just not my kinda thrill.

I didn't get any good pictures, just some shaky and dark video, but the picture above was taken at Patty's show in Raleigh at the NC Museum or Art back in 2006.

A new year, new experiences

This year, I want to add more spice to my life. I wasted most of the past 7 or 8 years just going through the same routine: wake up, go to work, come home, watch tv, go to sleep, rinse and repeat. Over the past couple of years I've rediscovered sports that I used to play all the time when I was younger. Now between "come home" and "go to sleep", nearly every day I get out and do something: I go to the gym to work out, play volleyball, racquetball, ultimate frisbee, or shoot pool (ok, not a sport but still fun).

For 2008, I plan to step it up. I want to get out and have more fun, play more sports, be healthier, be smarter, and most importantly - do things I've never done before. Here's a list of some things I plan to do this year (some of these things are lofty goals and some of things are ridiculously simple. I don't care, I just want to do them. :P):

• Go somewhere new (new to me, that is) and exciting for a vacation (Mexico? Jamaica?)
• Go to more concerts, comedy shows, and sporting events.
  
  So far I've seen:
  
  Will Ferrell
  Lori McKenna
  The NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  Patty Griffin w/ Emmy Lou Harris in Chapel Hell.
  
  
• Join a new sports league (a new sport, maybe dodgeball or flag football)
• Go on a hiking trip
  
  So far I've gone hiking on the Eno River, and I am going to South State Park near Asheville, and a volleyball camping tournament in Virginia Beach.
  
  
• Go on a snow-skiing trip in the west (Colorado or Utah)
• Go on a water-skiing trip (maybe http://www.cobleskischool.com/)
• Take a cooking class, and do more cooking and less microwaving.
• Drink a lot more water and a lot less diet soda.
• Try lots of new foods and visit restaurants I've never been to.
  
  Indian food is really good.
  I found a Korean place I need to check out.
  I found a really good Thai place.
  I ate a tomato sandwich (gasp)
  
  
• Be a more friendly and outgoing person (I'm usually a pretty big ass)
• Read more books
  
  The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass.
  The Tipping Point
  
  
• Visit NY city
• Go to a ComedySportz show (maybe http://www.dsicomedytheater.com/schedule/showdetails.php?ShowID=26)
• Start a jump training workout and daily pushups/situps
• Clean up some of the little software apps I've written and put them on the web for free download.
• Hang-gliding in the outer banks.

Advertisers Getting Wise?

Much like the RIAA ignored the business potential of the Internet and instead tried uselessly to fight against it, advertisers have struggled about DVR technology, especially the dreaded "30 second skip". So far, Amex is the only company I've seen using the most obvious solution. While their advertisements aren't *in* the television show, they're closely related. You may have seen the ads that Tina Fey (of "30 Rock", and formerly "SNL") has been doing for Amex. They are playing her ad (and another by one of her "30 Rock" co-stars whose name I do not know) during the airing of "30 Rock", in a manner that makes them look like they are a part of the show. Genius. Lots of potential there.

Favorite Bands/Artists

Rabbert posted a lists of some of his favorite bands/artists and their songs. I don't think I can do this, because my taste in music is too varied. Its impossible for me to pin down my favorites without leaving dozens out. :) But...one day I started to, and here's what I had when I gave up (I didn't get very far...maybe I should just print out my WMP playlist):

• Tupac - When We Ride
  
• Randy Travis - 1982
  
• Dixie Chicks
  
• Led Zep
  
• Nirvana
  
• OAR - Crazy Game of Poker
  
• Otis Redding - Sittin on The Dock of the Bay
  
• Ozzy
  
• Pink Floyd - Money
  
• Allison Krauss and Union Station
  
• Lori McKenna
  

ATT on Flickr

There are quite a few shots of the American Tobacco Trail on Flickr (some of them from me).

Cry Laughing

The funniest email I ever got, I laughed so hard that I cried. I have saved the email for years (I received the email in the mid 90's), and it came up in conversation over the weekend and the last post also reminded me of this, so I am posting it here for all to enjoy. I've no idea the origination of this email or who wrote it, but it wasn't me. Enjoy!

INEXPERIENCED CHILI TASTER

Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast:

"Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges and (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.

Here are the scorecards from the event:

Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili

JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me
two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili

JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now, get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all the beer.

Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic

JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burn-out taste buds? Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that ugly bitch is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover

JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off? It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks!

Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety

JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shit myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally, she must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lipsanymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!

Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili

JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my damn shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided tostop breathing, it's too painful. Screw it, I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4 inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili

JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot chili?
FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to report)

China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission

In today's stupid news, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without permission.

White Chicks

(12:54) lancer: is it odd that I think white zombie is one of the best bands ever?
(12:54) lancer: and I also think the same thing about the dixie chicks?
(12:54) jamesn: yes

Linky links - Aug 3 links

From "The Sneeze": the "Steve, don't eat it!" series. I think my favorite was the one for cuitlachoche. "If you're having trouble with the pronounciation, it's: Cuitlacoche (kweet-lah-KOH-chay) or Huitlacoche (dat-sfuckin-NAS-tee)."

Southparkify yourself, and Simpsonize yourself.