For those that live in the states have a happy and safe 4th. Try not to lose any fingers playing with the fireworks....and don't drive if drinking...but have a great day.

For those that don't....have fun anyway. Life is what you make of it....so make it fun.

Went away for a couple days. I did spend a few hours in NYC. Woah....that city is huge. I had a specific event to attend there, so I didn't have much time to explore the city (buddies fault he never gets moving early to drive down so I had to wait for him)....and I think with it's size it would take a day or so to see it properly. Very interesting place with quite the mix of people. And as anticipated very fast paced....and best not driven into,..(we didn't).

As for the people....everyone dealt with was very friendly and helpful. Late at night we took a cab back to the ferry so we could get the car and leave.....the cabbie took whatever cash we wanted to give him since my buddy told him we were low on funds. My buddy also lost his return ticket for the ferry but the dude let him on anyway,. Pretty cool.

The concert ended at midnight....yet the city was fully alive and bright with lights. Like no other city I've seen. I'm hoping to go back when I have time to sightsee....perhaps takes the little one up. Definitely the one city to see in the US if you get the chance.

Anyway, the rest of my vacation will be spent here at home......today....the amusement park I believe.

I changed my sig....again. See if it lasts.....

Today...or rather yesterday at 4 PM started my vacation. I'm off until 1 July. Yay! Today I'm heading to Cleveland...which is a three hour drive and I'll probably get back early in the AM. Number three one more to go. My sis also arrives with her family today and stays until the 28th. Haven't seen them in two years so it'll be great to catch up.

Thought I'd finish up the last two songs left on my list. I'm sure you're tired reading about them. I know how the songs make me feel but I don't know if I've done justice to any of them in my impression and rambling writings. All are great songs and if you've never heard them...I highly recommend them.

Personal Jesus - Interesting start. And the drums are infectious. The song is filled with symbolism and can be interpreted anyway you like. Depeche Mode has a very interesting sound. The music seems so happy and yet the lyrics don't match the sound. This song though has always interested me. There is a lot of sound going on in this song. The rhythm section is stable throughout the song and as such it insidiously gets into the subconscious. The constant steady thumping seems to build and rebuild. Dave Gahan has a smooth delivery and a nonchalant way of singing the lyrics that add to the atmosphere. Great song.....nice ending.

Black - Slightly different genre here from the reat of my list but this song actually made me a Pearl Jam fan and lately I've been revisting it. The music has a smooth peaceful atmosphere to it. Eddie Veddar has a great delivery in this song. Great voice. The melody is at harmony with the lyrics and punctuated by the bass and drums to accent the song. I always seem to drift into the music when I listen to Black. Definitely a song that would need be included on MP3 even if one isn't into Pearl Jam.

This morning I hit Level 50....strawberry candy and since it seemed such a momentous level I thought I should memorialize it. So here's to level 50.....and too much time on GS...or more specifically OT.

Everything went wrong yesterday. Had a sporting event for the little one about a half hour from home. He forgot part of his uniform so I missed the beginning rushing home to pick it up. One of my brothers and his family was in a one car accident when the rain caused him to lose control of his vehicle and it flipped. No serious injuries thankfully....and a sister went into premature labor but she didn't deliver so that's fine as well.

And guys....you haven't helped with my console confusion. Split decisions indeed.

Dead Souls (NIN cover version) - I really like the original version of this song and it's rare that I like cover versions but NIN did a fantastic job with this song and it fits into The Crow very well. The music is haunting, dark, depressive, and heavy. Very substantial way Trent covered this song and his voice creates a mood of hysteria in places before settling down only to repeat. The song has a sense of urgency....almost like a mind that slowly loses it's grip on reality. It pulls you into the despair and gets into your head. The musicianship is top notch naturally. I really like the way it builds to a fevered pitch and then slows it down.....and repeats. The drums are minimalist yet they create great tension. Great cover by a great band.

I have the next three days off. Started off by sleeping in. Something very rare for me. Have to get some work done around the house but I shall wait until the evening hours when it cools a bit. The heat and humidity make doing anything other than swimming outside miserable.

June is the month I decided I'd buy another console. I was definitely leaning toward the Xbox 360 but then again I want the PS3 as well. Both consoles have been out long enough to have a decent library...and for the game prices to come down. So on that front I have yet to decide which one to get. Maybe I'll just close my eyes and pick.

I have lately been building up both my CD and DVD collections. I've been buying mostly action or war movies first since they are my favorite. I picked up the Indiana Jones Trilogy since I'd never bothered to buy the movies. It's been awhile since I've seen them. Forgot how much I enjoyed them. The Last Crusade is now officially my favorite movie of the three.

As for music....I've been listening to Echo & the Bunnymen and Psycheldelic Furs a bit. Two very underrated but talented bands to have evolved from the 80's. My favorite decade....and genre Post Punk. I think it would have been cool to have lived in England in the late 70's and early 80's while the bands/music I like best was forming. Ah...what could have been.

Anyway, enough rambling. Catch ya in the OT....

Love Will Tear Us Apart - What can be said about Joy Division's masterpiece?....sparse and haunting, the lyrics are chilling in their delivery. The stark drumming intertwines with the melody to create an atmosphere of depression. The opening chords highlight the song while the drums come in with the keyboard to carry the song to ever soaring depths. I don't quite know why this song creeps into my subconscious like it does....but I could listen to it over and over and that is rare. Perhaps it's the irony of love, which is celebrated in entertainment medias throughout the ages is the very thing that tears people a part. The words are raw, emotional, and spot on. Going for a listen now.

One Goal. That was the difference. While my hockey viewing has certainly slacked off in recent years due to work interferring with the games....hockey is the better of the sports in Pittsburgh. Baseball is boring, as is basketball which we don't have, and while the Steelers are a favorite.....there is nothing like the energy a good hockey game can bring. In some cases non stop action. See triple overtime game for an example.

Even though the Penguins didn't win the Cup..they had an amazing year and a great playoff run. Good job...and here's to the future. And yeah...I'm a tad depressed.

The Bitter End - Great start to the song which repeats throughout. The rhythm section pulsates underneath the melody. It starts with the steady drum and then the bass enters. The lyrics are evocative....and somewhat obscure. I'm not quite sure what to make of them. While some people have difficulty getting into Brian Molko's voice...I can't imagine any other voice to Placebo songs. Originally Every You Every Me was my favorite Placebo song...until I discovered this song. Great beat...love the way it builds up right before the abrubt ending. Other noteworthy songs...I Feel You (cover), Protegei Moi, Pure Morning, You Don't
Care About Us, Because I Want You....