Its Finally Over
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Well the Tigers fell apart big time this year and the last month wasn't even worth watching. The team finished in last place of their division with a record of 74-88. It wasn't the worst in the league but come on, Kansas City finished one game ahead of us. I guess buying players doesn't always guarantee a win, just ask the Yankees. Well there is always next year and lets hope the Tigers can maybe make it into contention once again.
Posted by mardenhill 9/30/2008 08:32:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Tigers
Guitar Hero World Tour
Monday, September 29, 2008
Move over Rock Band because Guitar Hero will be releasing their own drums, microphone and extra guitar next month. For $189 you can get the whole kit including game but you will still need 3 other friends to play along. I have yet to play Rock Band but looking at the line up of songs for GH World Tour, this will be a must have. Black Rebel Motorcycle, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Dinosaur Jr, Foo Fighters, REM and Oasis are just a few on this release which features more alternative songs than before. Don't forget there is the Aerosmith edition for all you purists that you can pick up as well.
Posted by mardenhill 9/29/2008 08:44:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wii
Political Stunt
Thursday, September 25, 2008
For once the media got it right and called John McCain out on his latest political stunt on "suspending" his campaign to return to DC for the bailout legislation. Mind you, McCain does not sit on this committee nor has he voted since April but somehow we are to believe he really cares and can do something about the current crisis. Just like in the past, McCain has parachuted in at the 11th hour to claim he reached across the aisle and created some bi-partisan legislation. This time he doubled down and runs the risk of looking like an idiot also derailing the plan all together. He is stuck, either he backs Bush and pisses off the House Republicans who already hate him or he sticks with Boehner and the House and destroys the plan. This isn't country first, this is John McCain first and a last ditch effort to save his campaign which has been spirialing out of control. He is in a massive freefall and does not know what to do. His campaign is in a disarray and the hacks he has advising him are only bringing him down.
The Sarah Palin choice is imploding as well which is why she is so tightly controlled. Her latest interview with Katie Couric was a disaster where she couldn't name a piece of financial legislation McCain proposed and continued to push the line that living next to Russia makes you fluent in foreign policy. Hey I live next to Canada, I am only 35 minutes away, I am now qualified to be Vice President.
I do hope he shows up to the debate tomorrow night otherwise he looks like a wimp for ducking the affair. There is no time out and I expect my president to be able to multi task. Obviously McCain cannot do this therefore needs to be as far away from the White House as possible.
Posted by mardenhill 9/25/2008 10:08:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
New Ryan Adams
Friday, September 19, 2008
It wouldn't be a year without some kind of release from Ryan Adams and next month we finally have it. Besides Ryan Adams, we have new Oasis and my birthday to look forward to. Ryan is touring with Oasis on their North American tour but as of now no US dates and no Detroit. I know Oasis will make their way to Detroit early next year I just hope they bring Adams along for the ride. I can't think of a better show than the two of them. Back in '99 or 2000 I can't remember, Oasis brought Travis on tour with them. This was an amazing show and one I thought hard to beat.
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Ryan Adams And The Cardinals are set to release a new album next month, and will also hit the UK for a tour in November.
The band, currently supporting Oasis on their North American tour, will release 'Cardinology' on October 27.
The 12-track album is the follow-up to 2007's 'Easy Tiger'.
The tracklisting for 'Cardinology' will be:
'Born Into A Light'
'Go Easy'
'Fix It'
'Magick'
'Cobwebs'
'Let Us Down Easy'
'Crossed Out Name'
'Natural Ghost'
'Sink Ships'
'Evergreen'
'Like Yesterday'
'Stop'
Posted by mardenhill 9/19/2008 01:37:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
McCain's Very Bad Day
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Blames Wall Street Crash On "Fat Cats" Who Are His Biggest Donors... Press Pack Stages Mini-Insurrection... WATCH: Gets Testy With Morning Anchor ... Conservative Columnists Turn On Ticket... Major Surrogate Says McCain-Palin Couldn't Run A Company... Adviser: McCain Helped Invent Blackberry
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This is the headline on Huffington Post and a great one at that. This morning I watched John get all bent out of shape while on his Morning Joe interview. Then the line about him inventing the Blackberry nearly made me fall out of my chair. Did anyone ever tell John that Research In Motion is a Canadian company? I know it was a staff member who made the comment but it is one that will stick. At that point Carly Fiorina when asked if Sarah Palin could run a company she said no but then tried to backtrack and say that being VP was nothing like running a company. You could have fooled me because the Bush Admin ran on treat Washington like a corporation the last 8 years. Lets hope all this hoopla spills over until tomorrow that way the world can really see McCain's testy side and that elusive temper we all have heard about.
The whole Sarah Palin fiasco has been a sideshow circus and now that the novelity is starting to wear off people can finally see how McCain sold his soul to be president. He is nowhere near a maverick, nowhere near his persona back in 2000. Even Karl Rove said his last round of ads went too far. Its about time the media woke up and realized that they have been had. McCain has played them for years and its about time to return the favor.
John McCain has no idea about economics and the state of the country, he has proven that day after day. Just think, it only took the implosion of the stock market by a bunch of ignorant and criminal CEOs to prove it. Do we really need another catastrophe to show the country that McCain is no good?
Posted by mardenhill 9/16/2008 08:40:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
Lucid Absinthe
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Last year I wrote about a new Absinthe that had made its way to the States but as usual only in NYC and California. Well last weekend I decided to check the website again and low and behold it was available in MI. According to the website the closest location was in Ann Arbor so last week we made a trip out there to pick up a bottle. The store had 2 other brands of Absinthe available but all were at premium prices. After buying my bottle I checked Holiday Market in Royal Oak who had the Absinthe $10 cheaper than what I paid. Mind you its still expensive but it is also a bottle that you will not drink in one night. This Absinthe clocks in at 124 proof and contains all the botanicals and wormwood that were banned years ago. The ban was lifted after a scientist proved that the levels of wormwood could not and do not elicit hallucinations. You would have to drink a couple bottles to reach the level and by that time you would be dead. We haven't opened the bottle yet, I was going to wait for my birthday but that is still a month away and I don't think I can wait that long. Once I do I will post a review for all of you...
Posted by mardenhill 9/13/2008 12:31:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Liquor
4 Years
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Wow, I can't believe that it has been four years now since I started this blog. 1679 posts later and I am still amazed I have things to write about. I don't plan on giving up anytime soon and maybe one day I will print my postings via Lala.com for all to enjoy. My goal is to reach 2000 postings and hopefully I will be there within the next year. Anyways I am off to bed but wanted to commemorate this milestone on "What's Going On In The Head Of Randy".
Posted by mardenhill 9/09/2008 11:10:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Misc
Dogfish Head - Punkin Ale
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Well its that time of year again and if you do not know what I am talking about its Punkin Ale time. I was going back thru my posts and this is my 3rd Punkin Ale posting and the 3rd time I have used the same photo. Either I need to find a different photograph or Dogfish Head needs to change their website. Anyways, its the end of summer and beginning of fall which means pumpkin will be everywhere, in coffee, cakes, pie and beer. Yesterday was the beginning of the season for me, I took a trip over to Great Harvest where I had a pumpkin and chocolate chip muffin which was amazing. From there I stopped by Holiday Market to find out when the Punkin Ale would be out and low and behold it was sitting there right in front of me begging to be taken home.
The story doesn't end there and since we are still on the subject of Dogfish Head, I need to tell you about my crazy deal on the Festina Peache summer beer. This is Erika's favorite beer and last year we stocked up on a number of bottles at the end of the season courtesy of Holiday Market. This year I was able to pick up a case of Festina Peache for $39 which is a freakin steal. We are now well stocked for the winter and will be ready for more next summer. We also had some Festina Peache on tap over at the Berkley Front the other nite which is something everyone must try at least once in their lifetime.
Ok, my tangent is over and I am now back to the Punkin Ale. As usual it is a rich amber ale with hints of nutmeg, clove and other fall spices. It surpasses any pumpkin ale on the market and one I will drink for the next couple months.
http://www.dogfish.com/brewings/Seasonal_Beers/Punkin_Ale/3/index.htm
Posted by mardenhill 9/07/2008 10:38:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Beer
The Gutter Twins - Adorata EP
Saturday, September 06, 2008
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Track 1 - Belles (Vetiver)
Track 2 - Down The Line (José González)
Track 3 - Deep Hit Of Morning (Primal Scream)
Track 4 - Flow Like A River (Eleven)
Track 5 - St James Infirmary (Traditional)
Track 6 - Duchess (Scott Walker)
Track 7 - Spanish Doors
Track 8 - We Have Met Before
The opening track features an organ with a bit of swoon, reminiscent of the way the Whigs would start off cds. Although its a cover it could easily been a Dulli original with the melody and tempo. Although its an upbeat song, the piano and violin compliment each other on track 2. Both Greg and Mark are on vocals with Greg taking the lead and adding his trademark passion and snarl. Track 3 is one of my favorites since it is a cover of Primal Scream and done without the electronic backbone. Its amazing and almost eclipses the original. Track 4 is dark and full of electro blues punk but stays close to the original. On track 5, Mark takes over on lead vocal duty and will remain throughout the remaining 3 songs. This song was covered by Mark and Isobell and could have easily been a track on I'll Take Care Of You. As usual its amazing and showcases Mark's ability to dig up traditional songs and breathe new life into them. Track 7 is an original and takes the cinematic orchestra of the Whigs and adds a layer of Mark Lanegan. The final track is a climber, starts off slow with just a few picks and strums of a guitar then builds and builds. Its closer to a Twilight Singers song than a Whigs but you can tell Greg had a big part in writing this one. Overall its an amazing EP and one that you should pick up. As of now I believe its an iTunes exclusive so fire up that jukebox and head right over to the store.
Posted by mardenhill 9/06/2008 11:50:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Volkl AC20
I was in need of new skis and this year I decided to get some. My old skis were 1998 Volkl Carvers which were amazing for the time. They were the first generation parabolic skis and for years I enjoyed skiing on them. Unfortunately 10 years later the technology and shapes have changed so much that it was time to invest in a new pair. I had demoed the Dynastar Legend 8000s last winter but was not able to find them for a decent price. I also didn't want to leave the Volkl family and when I found these at Boyne Country Sports I was sold. They are great all around skis, perfect for groomed runs, moguls, powder or ice. They have shock absorbers on top of the skis to help prevent some of the chatter that can occur. The curves are huge on these skis which will make for some easy turns and deep carves down the mountain. The big change for me will be the length, I purchased 163s and have never skied on something this short before. I have not doubt that I will be very happy with these and can't wait for the first snowfall.
I also bought new boots, I got a pair of Head Edge 8.5 (last seasons) which are very comfortable. My boots were even older than my skis so it was definitely time to upgrade. The bindings are much easier to latch and the fit is much nicer. My bindings are being mounted as we speak and should be ready in another week or so. Below is a description of the skis.
Manufacturer's Description of the Volkl Unlimited AC20:
"The AC20 is a completely new ski in the Unlimited series. This is an example of the new combination of the 3Motion system and new Power Grip construction. The AC20 has a new shape of 118-74-103mm. For true advanced skiers or those who are intermediates and want a ski that will perform well as their ability improves, the AC20 is a great choice."
http://www.volkl.com/ski/unlimited_ac20.htmlPosted by mardenhill 9/06/2008 11:08:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Skiing
Packaged Bliss 2008
Last nite a few of my college friends got the band back together for a benefit show. Helen, Aaron, Jon and the drummer (sorry I can't remember his name) reformed Packaged Bliss for one night only. It was a lot of fun, some songs I remember vividly while others I was scratching my head at. Packaged Bliss used to play around Kalamazoo (amongst other cities) and had a great following. The music was different than the usual bands at the time, it had more brit rock and jangle pop influences which was a nice break from the rest of the scene. I just want to thank the band for a great time last nite, it was nice to take a trip down memory lane.
Posted by mardenhill 9/06/2008 10:43:00 AM 3 comments
Labels: Music
