Well that didn’t last long
Working on some new things for the 2 of you that read this. Check back soon.
Desert Island Five revisited
Music arguments happen way too much with my friends and family. In fact, over a whiskey-soaked evening during this past Labor Day weekend, a few family members and I stayed up entirely too late arguing the merits of classic records, much to my conclusion that “You’re wrong. That record is shit because that song sucks.”
At the prompting of one music discussion/arguing session 5 years ago and much to the chagrin of Bill Simmons or any year-end commentator who loves the list as an incredibly lazy way to pound out a year-in-review, I wrote about my 5 “Desert Island Discs.” The premise of which is, if you were stuck on an island with a CD player and could have 5 albums for the rest of your life, what would they be? Here’s a shocker: None of my selections have changed, and really, the thinking behind them hasn’t either.
Here they are, in no particular order, with the notes I wrote in 2005, with some 2010 additions, in italics.
Late News-MONDAY
Running a little late today…it was a late night last night (more on this later today).
Here’s what’s going on:
They’re still fighting: Shock. [Wash Post]
Oprah goes nuts: The real news here is Don Johnson is still alive. [Wash Post]
Regulators Regulate: Time to inspect some plumbing in California. [LA Times]
The Ducks win big in Knoxville: Derek Dooley needs to take a shower. [RG]
Virginia Tech loses to Jimmy Madison: Dear Wyoming, it would be appreciated if you finished off Boise on Saturday. [Daily News Record]
The NFL was in full gear yesterday: I watched. And slept. [CNNSI]
The VMAs were last night: I watched. Much more on this later today. [EW]
It’s Monday. Lets do this.
MFNW Saturday
Here’s what I’ll be checking out on Saturday at MFNW:
Oh wait. I won’t. It’s college football Saturday. You only get 12 of these a year, friends. The schedule of games is here.
But for MFNW, there’s lots of good stuff.
A word of wisdom, just stay away from Pioneer Courthouse Square, unless you like songs with the words “hymn” in the title, Heart covers and 18th century shanty songs. Colin Meloy is smarter than you, and don’t forget it.
Who you should see at MFNW on Friday
You like live music. I like live music. We’re both in luck. MFNW is all over Portland this weekend and since I’m such a swell guy and like to help, I’ll post who you should definitely see, and who you should stay far away from.
A quick caveat, MFNW is great in that involves lots of different venues around town, but because I’m above trying to hustle all over town, deal with parking, lines, etc. Luckily for me, the organizers seemed to be consistent with grouping quality bands on the same bill each night.
I’ll leave the show previews to the professional music writers in town, and the festival’s website has a good rundown as well.
Without further ado, here’s a quick Friday’s rundown:
Friday Morning Edition
It’s Friday. Let’s get to it:
National front page stuff seems kind of boring, but you can check them out at here, here and here.
Brownstein says Portland is obnoxious: How correct she is. [Oregonlive]
MusicFestNW: Lots of stuff here [Oregonlive]
The Saints beat the Vikings: In other news, the NFL still bores me. [Times-Picayune]
Miss State choked against Auburn: That was a much more entertaining game than Graybeard vs Who Dat? [ESPN]
Did you know?: The Ducks play Tennessee on the road tomorrow. [OL]
It’s Friday. Happy hour starts at 2.
Who you should see Thursday night
MusicFestNW kicks off gets into full swing tonight all over Portland. You’re going, right? You should. In the true sense of a festival, there’s a lot of good bands playing, but there’s also a lot of crap.
Because I’m here to help you, I’ll post who you should definitely see, and who you should stay far away from.
A quick caveat, MFNW is great in that involves lots of different venues around town, but because I’m above trying to hustle all over town, deal with parking, lines, etc. Luckily for me, the organizers seemed to be consistent with grouping quality bands on the same bill each night.
I’ll leave the show previews to the professional music writers in town, and the festival’s website has a good rundown as well.
Without further ado, Thursday night’s Must See:
Thursday Edition
After last night’s rant, I’m feeling refreshed. Here’s what’s happening:
Obama anti fire : Who is this radical’s publicist anyway? [Wash Post]
White House shake up: Chief of Staff has to pay okay, right? Where can I apply? [Wash Post]
Sam starts to lose it: It’s like he’s not even trying anymore. [Oregonlive]
Justin Wilcox is the D Coordinator at UT: The Ducks are screwed. [RG]
Riley limits access: Media up in arms. Just close practice and really give them something to scream about, Mike. [Oregonlive]
The NFL opens tonight: Most of the country already has oversized jerseys on in anticipation. [NFL]
MFNW starts today: The rundown of who you should see and stay the hell away from coming later today. [MFNW]
It’s Thursday.
The Blowhard Strikes Again
So you may have heard, a couple of unlikable guys went after each other on the radio yesterday, over the loss of professional baseball in Portland.
Go ahead, listen to it. Good luck trying not to stab your ears out.
You can make the argument that Sam Adams is partly to blame for letting the Beavers go (he is), for having no political clout after the whole Beau thing (he doesn’t), or for just being a shitty politician (he is). You can blame Canzano for being the local Bill O’Reilly/Glenn Beck/Sean Hannity-wanna be media whore superstar (he is…and is good at it).
The problem problem isn’t the interview. It’s very Sean Hannity bully like. Big deal. It’s sports talk radio.*
The problem lies with the other mass media in Portland, trying to use this as actual news.
Tuesday night, after the interview, The Oregonian posted the audio from 95.5’s radio show. That’s not a huge deal, seeing that the blowhard works for the Oregonian as well, as is evidenced by his reciting columns on the radio and screaming REACT TO ME!
Fast forward to Tuesday night, when the interview/shouting match was a story on KGW’s 11 p.m. news, treating it like a top story.
How exactly is this radio screaming match news?
Is it because KGW just signed the blowhard as some sort of “expert” to provide commentary on the news? If so, KGW sure didn’t say so. In reporting on the Beavers last home game, KGW also pulled in a couple Canzano soundbytes that was clearly his opinion from the scathing column he wrote. Would it kill KGW to mention Canzano is either on the payroll as a commentator?
The fact this non-story was treated by news throughout the Portland area (hell, even the Grumpy Old Man recognized it), is pandering to the local blowhard, who has done a great job creating a buzz to turn out more page views/tv viewers/radio listeners** for his poorly argued controversial stances. Synergy at its best. It’s too bad that local “journalism” has come to this.
*Memo to the Blowhard: Do anybody a favor and actually be prepared for an interview next time, and better yet, learn how to debate, just not scream your talking points, which you love to do when somebody calls you out and presents an actual legit counterpoint. Memo to Sam: Just shut up. You’re not doing yourself any favors.
**Yes, I realize I’m helping pad the count with the links. Blowhard media empire, you’re welcome.
Wednesday
Here’s what’s happening:
BP releases blowup report: Lots of parties blamed. [Wash Post]
Shales takes on Jerry Lewis: I missed it this year, which is a shame. [Wash Post]
Charlie Kelly (the wildcard) speaks: Preparing for humidity, and Ken Goe says something along the lines of “in my experience, planning for weather really doesn’t matter.” [Oregonlive]
Pitchfork reviews The Thermals: Here’s news: the new record only gets a 6. [Pitchfork]
Two blowhards screamed at each other on the radio last night: I’m not linking it here, because it’s not news, as much as KGW and the Oregonian want you to believe it is.
It’s Wednesday, and there’s 2 kinds of football on Thursday. Almost there.
