Playlist 4 -- Doing D.C.

This week's Playlist is all about our nation's capital -- Washington, DC. (and, of course, the surrounding area). I've made more than a dozen trips to DC in the last few years for business, but never stopped to enjoy all the great town has to offer. After a couple snow-filled days of work, the wife came up and we had a great weekend.

I'm sure some of you out there have been to DC and have your own favorites. Let me know. And, as usual, feel free to chip in what what you're reading, watching, listening to, etc. this week.

As you'll see, we were just in awe after spending most of the day around the National Mall and the great monuments. But we're going to forever remember this trip for two things:

"It's like anarchy, but with Santas."
and
duck butts.

For more information, some excellent pictures and a story about which Supreme Court justice with whom we shared our flight back, skip on over to my wife's Web site Wild About Words.

In the meantime, here's this week's Playlist -- some highlights of our stay in DC.

Clyde's in Georgetown. We each had the same dish -- a rarity. The Butternut Squash Agnolotti -- dried cranberries, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, carmelized onion and a cream sauce. Delicious. And great atmosphere. And the waiters carried up to six plates along their arms.

Historical sites. We spent a lot of time walking Saturday, seeing the White House, a couple of The Smithsonian museums, where we saw the Hope Diamond and a great exhibit on Wildlife photography, and the Washington Monument. But I was just wowed by the World War II and Vietnam memorials. Very touching. And I was overwhelmed by the The Lincoln Memorial. I had no idea it would be so huge and inspiring.

Iota Club and Cafe. I really wanted to see some live music while we were there. I was hyped when I saw that the great political-punk group Ted Leo and Pharmacists were playing at the 9:30 Club. I've wanted to see the club and Leo for a while. But it was much more convenient for us to get to Iota in the Clarendon area (just two stops up on the Metro) and, boy was I glad. The Iota is a cool, intimate little club. After veggie wraps and the best french fries I've had in a long time, we moved from Iota's small cafe to the club next door. That's where we saw the incredibly fun and talented Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The lead singer sounds like a cross between Neil Diamond and Tom Petty and looks like a combination of Frank Zappa and Salvador Dali. The band's set of psychadelic folk-rock was too short (because they were the early show, they were time-limited), but what they did play knocked us out, including covers of Syd Barret and Bob Dylan, and the rousing finale "Alice in Space" that Murphy said his mother called very "Mummers-like." Yep, he's originally a Philly guy.

Orpheus Records. This record store is mostly vinyl with a great selection of rock, jazz and much more.

Cosi. This is a great breakfast/lunch/coffee hangout. It's warm. The piped-in music is good. Great flat-bread bagels.

There is still so much that I'd like to see, but didn't get to, particularly Ford's Theatre and the American History museum, which were closed for renovations. And we did not get to the Holocaust Museum. It's a reason to go back.

I Don't Get it 2

For those of you who missed last week's edition, this is how this feature works: Basically, these are people, events, things that don't make much sense to me. Click on the link to get the full story, or in the case of the first item, a link to the podcast.

1. Charles Barkley. One of my favorite ex-Sixers is losing a round mound of his money gambling. And he doesn't seem to care. Barkley, who admittedly says a lot of stupid things, told Bob Costas on Now: "I love gambling. It's fun. It's exciting. I don't want to leave all the money to my free-loading family ... I want to be dead broke when I keel over." Not only stupid, but insensitive. Think of all the good things that Mr. Barkley could be doing with that money, instead of throwing it all away.


2. Mitt Romney. I really am trying to keep politics out of this blog. Honestly. But I couldn't let this go. I'm not a Romney fan at all, but I've really been disappointed with all the anti-Mormon sentiment out there since he announced his candidacy. So I looked to last week's speech on religion with anticipation. Would he address the issue as JFK did 40 years ago, by stressing tolerance? Would he defend his own faith? What would he say to those evangelicals, some of whom view his religion as a cult? Mr. Romney said a lot of good things, but in the end his speech became simply a plea to those same evangelicals -- just another step in his effort to capture Iowa. A chance to put the discussion of freedom of -- and, just as importantly, from -- religion was lost. Mitt, you are no JFK.



3. Tasteless Christmas decorations. Look, I can get as tacky as the next person. In fact, tacky is good when you embrace it as tacky. But this holiday season, I keep seeing more unknowingly tacky or tasteless Christmas decorations. On my way to work, I saw a yard that has a traditional nativity scene that is bordered by two inflatable penguins. Their cluelessness amazes me. I live on a great block that goes all-out for Christmas and I commend those who take the time to make our street such a wonderland. It really is beautiful. But if you're like me and haven't put out the lights yet, I suggest that consider the energy you can save by not doing it, then taking the money you saved and buy something for someone who isn't as well-off as you.

Think of it as the anti-Barkley action.

What do you think about this week's rants? Agree? Disagree? What do you not get? Drop in a comment and let me know.

Playlist 3 -- 30 Rock, Marah, Lambchop ...

Week number three. Thank you all who took the time to drop a comment. Let me know what you guys are reading, listening to, playing or watching this week.

Here's what's been on my Playlist.

30 Rock. A great old friend asked in one of the comments how I have time for all these distractions. One reason is that, unlike most Americans, I don't watch much TV. (My wife may disagree, but it's true). I have only a couple regular TV shows I watch. And other than to catch up with news or sports, the TV is in the hands of our youngest. And I have to give a shout out this week to one of those few shows I watch -- 30 Rock. It's clever and laugh-out-loud funny, thanks to Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and the incredible Alec Baldwin. And it just keeps getting better. While most shows were on reruns last week, 30 Rock came through with a classic -- Cougars.

A.J. Jacobs. The Year of Living Biblically. See last week's Playlist.

Marah. This Philly band is a great rock story. They release an album locally that generates some buzz, including the interest of a well-known country rock star (Steve Earle) starting his own label. They release a great album, then get in a tiff with said country rock star. Just as they're near their apex, they head into the studio. They think they have some great songs and they get their hero (Bruce Springsteen) to record with them. The album is a disaster -- commercially and artistically. Their fans revolt. They break up. Despite half the key members moving out of the country, they stay in touch and eventually get back together. With the steady support of a couple well-known authors (Stephen King and Nick Hornby), they continue to build their reputation as a great rock band that kicks you know what live. Their story would make a great VH1 Behind the Music if only anybody knew who they were.

I, of course, dig their references to Philly streets -- South and Christian. And two Philly legends -- the late Hy Lit and Harry Kalas -- appeared on their early CDs. You can find some of their music on www.emusic.com. Check out the albums 20,000 Streets Under the Sky and Kids in Philly.

Lambchop. Nixon. This group (no relation to Shari Lewis) and its album (no reference, as far as I can tell, to our creepiest president) was also part of my soundtrack this week. They're supposedly a country band, but it's not what anyone would think of as country. It sounds like something you'd hear parents in the 70s listening to on an AM station. Yes, there's a country feel, but it's mostly soulful and mellow. Favorite tracks: Up With People, Nashville Parents, The Butcher Boy.

Seahawks 28, Eagles 24. Well, now we all know how to put an end to a quarterback controversy. Start A.J. Feeley. Feeley threw four picks, including the heartbreaker after Brian Westbrook singlehandedly brought us to the brink of victory with an amazing punt return. Well to the Seahawks and their fans, good luck and please beat the Cowboys and Giants if you meet them in the playoffs.

As for the Eagles, I know it may be time to start looking forward. But I'm not ready to give up on Donovan just yet. The injury bug scares me. But if he's healthy, I still think he's our best chance.

Am I stupid for sticking with #5? Let me know. And at least I'm not as stupid as New Jersey columnist Nick Fierro, who says the Eagles should think about trading Brian Westbrook. Mr. Fierro, you are now a finalist for next week's "I Don't Get It."

Madden '07 for the Wii. While on football, I have a quick update from our first Playlist. I've developed a passing game. The season has started. My son and I have taken over the NFC East, replacing the Redskins and the Eagles. He's the Philadelphia Liberty, led by quarterback Donovan McNabb. I'm the Northeast Philly Pretzels, led by QB Brett Favre. (Yes, we're hopeless). Four weeks into the season, the Pretzels are 4-0 and the Liberty are 3-1. The teams have yet to meet head up, but it looks like they're both the class of the NFC.
Here are the scores:
Week 1
Liberty 12, Vikings 7
Pretzels 28, Texans 7

Week 2
Pretzels 15, Giants 8
Cowboys 7, Liberty 0

Week 3
Liberty 21, Texans 15
Pretzels 21, 49ers 13

Week 4
Liberty 21, Jags 14
Pretzels 20, Packers 7

I Don't Get it

I want this to be a positive blog, but every once in a while, I need to share another type of distraction -- some of the things I just don't understand. Things like: Why do so many people care about that celebrity? Why did he do that? What was he thinking? Here are some things that I just don't get.

1. Hannah Montana. Hanna seems like a wholesome girl and that's a good thing. One look at the teen-age girls now tells you what a great role model Britney and Christina were. But I don't understand what's driving grown men and women to do grueling, stupid things and pay thousands of dollars just for concert tickets.

2. Rudy Giuliani. I'm not going to get into politics here, at least not yet. (I know a few of you vote for the bad guys.) Regardless of what you think of Mr. Giuliani's political skills, you can't really believe that he's one of the most likeable candidates? Heck, his grown children won't even talk to him.

3. Palm Beach Community College. I love animals and I think it's great that the college offers pet insurance to its employees. But how can it cover the insurance needs of frogs, then announce that it won't cover the domestic partners of full-time employees? And it wouldn't have cost the college a dime because it pays employee premiums only, not those of dependents. That's just mean-spirited and ludicrous.

Disagree with anything here? Do you get some of these things? Tell me why. Agree? Let me know. Or share something that you just don't get.

I'll be back with next week's Playlist in a few days.

Have a great weekend.

Playlist 2 -- Bleeding Green, No Country for Old Men, more

Hey there. Another week, another Playlist.

A.J. Jacobs. The Year of Living Biblically. A.J. Jacobs is a riot. I dove into this after reading his book The Know-it-All, in which he attempted to become incredibly smart by reading every page of the Encyclopedia Britannica. In this book, A.J. tries to “literally” follow the Bible’s rules for a year. He doesn’t shave. He stones adulterers. He avoids mixed fibers. And he tries not to covet or lie. It’s hilarious. Jacobs is an agnostic, but jumps fully into the role, or should I say robe. The book (A.J.’s) doesn’t disparage religion at all, but puts perspective on the book (that old one that starts with Genesis) and the people who follow it.

Bleeding Green Nation. And speaking of A.J. Want to keep up on the newest quarterback controversy? Here's the site.

Those who know me well, know the Philadelphia Eagles are not just another distraction, they’re my main focus, especially between August and (I always hope) late January. In the Internet and NFL Network age, it’s easy to keep up with the news. But I miss the passion. This Web site brings it all. And unlike many of the Eagle blogs and message boards out there, it’s intelligent. It’s my daily stop to catch up on the Birds.

Now who thinks that great effort against the Patriots is a springboard to a great run? I sure hope so. But being a Philadelphia sports fan for 30+ years has taught me one thing. Don't get don’t get too optimistic. You'll just get your heart broken.

The Red House Painters. Ocean Beach and Songs for a Blue Guitar. This group is really the work of one man Mark Kozelek. And these two albums are muted, yet very memorable. Although the Painters’ sound is distinct, it covers several categories from folk to alternative country to progressive. They can be loud, but also introspective, sometimes on the same song. Ocean Beach is a quieter, more consistent affair. But Songs for a Blue Guitar is more fun. Kozelek loves doing covers (he’s done albums of Modest Mouse and AC/DC songs) and Blue Guitar has three – Silly Love Songs, Long Distance Runaround and a great version of the Cars’ All Mixed Up that you have to hear. Who do the Painters sound like? Hard to pinpoint, but Kozelek has been compared to a combination between Simon and Garfunkel and Neil Young. Check out the Red House Painters My Space page and listen to their cover of Genesis’ Follow You, Follow Me. Favorite Tracks: Have You Forgotten, Make Like Paper, All Mixed Up, Cabezon and Moments.

You can find a lot of The Red House Painters’ music at www.emusic.com.

No Country for Old Men. All right, I haven’t seen this yet. But this trailer has whet my appetite. It looks like the Coen Brothers have done it again. I don’t know anything about the actor Javier Bardem, but based on the trailer he’s nailed Anton Chigurh. If you haven’t read Cormac McCarthy’s book, treat yourself to it. It’s an easy read – much easier than his more acclaimed, but still worthwhile The Road.

T.C. Boyle. East is East. (see last week’s post). Nearing the last 30 pages.

Now you guys tell me. What's on your Playlist?

Playlist 1 -- Welcome aboard, Ryan Adams, TC Boyle, Wii, Coltrane

How do you start off your first blog?

I went to my favorite blog and started clicking the “next blog” to see what other bloggers did to start theirs. Here’s what I found, in order …

• A Web site in Spanish that I couldn’t understand.
• A blog that involved a “live camera” that was currently inactive, but promised some interesting “action” if you clicked to another site.
• A Web site in another language I couldn’t understand, but the profile picture was Jesus on the Cross. (I guess it’s officially a trend if even the Savior has his own blog).
• A Web site that stated: I’m not here to waste your time, so I'll make this brief. Having your own product to sell, is the best way to make money on the internet. But you probably already know that.
• The Curioso blog. Again, I couldn’t understand any of the words except for these two – Paris Hilton.
• And, finally, this.
  

So maybe I’m putting too much thought into this thing. So I went back to the first posting on my aforementioned favorite blog – Wild About Words and found the straightforward, conversational opening. And I stole it.

Welcome to Distractions.

Life is great, but not always easy. But these pleasant distractions we allow ourselves help to make it easier. For me, these distractions are music, books, sports, movies, TV shows, games, Web sites, etc. Part of my blog will be sharing my distractions and, hopefully, getting the four or five family members or friends who visit the site out of obligation to share theirs.

Well, I better get moving. I’m already way behind a lot of grannies and 10-year-olds who have started and abandoned their blogs while I’ve tried to figure out how to start mine.

I’ll get started with My Playlist.

Each week, I’ll list the top five distractions that have kept my attention in the past week when life wasn’t getting in the way. What do you think of these items? What’s on your “Playlist” this week?

Ryan Adams. Easy Tiger. I’ve been a big fan of Ryan, going back to his days with Whiskeytown and his first solo album Heartbreaker. Over the past couple of years, however, I’ve started to fall in line with the critics. If the prolific songwriter was a better self-editor, he’d have a handful of great classic albums instead of a dozen good ones. I skipped 29 and was about to do the same with Easy Tiger. But a friend of mine, who does not like Ryan Adams at all, kept talking it up after hearing Two on Sirius radio. So I checked it out. And it surprised me. The songwriting is excellent and his backing band the Cardinals can do it all. Yep, there are a couple clunkers. But it’s one of Ryan’s most consistent CDs. It’s folky, a little alt-country and it rocks in some places, too. Definitely one of the better CDs of this past year. Favorite tracks: Two, The Sun Also Sets, Goodnight Rose.

Free Rice. This site allows you to test and improve your vocabulary and do a small part toward ending hunger. For every correct answer you get, Free Rice donates 10 grains of rice, which is distributed by the United Nations World Food Program. Check out the site to learn more.

TC Boyle. East is East. I’m about halfway through this book, one of only three Boyle novels I haven’t finished yet. It’s a typical TC yarn. A Japanese man of mixed blood jumps off a ship off the coast of Georgia and hides from authorities on an island full of the usual TC Boyle crackpots and nitwits. Well-written and very engaging.

Madden 07 for the Wii. I thought I’d be all over my sons’ Wii Game System when we were finally able to buy it for them. But I have too little time, and as you can see, too many other distractions. But after getting soundly beaten by my younger son in Madden last weekend, I crept into our rec room when the kids went to sleep, created my own fantasy team, played a game against the New York Jets (and lost), but finally figured out how to throw the ball effectively. Look out!

John Coltrane. A Love Supreme. While I’m very confident in my knowledge and understanding of all types of rock, from classic to indie, I’m still a neophyte when it comes to jazz. I don’t know why I like what I do, but I do. Some jazz albums, like Kind of Blue, are easy first listens. A Love Supreme was not. I could always understand the musicianship behind and revel in Coltrane’s famous sheets of sound. But I didn’t always “get it.” Last week, however, I popped it in my car CD player as I drove to the gym. I was tired. I had a huge headache. And I was thinking about just skipping the workout altogether. But somehow this music picked me up. It’s been on my car CD player ever since.