My thoughts on the Grammys

Okay, I don't tweet, so I have to find a different way to put my feelings about tonight's ceremony out there. So, here it is As I watch the show (with the beauty of DVR) I will mention any notions that comes to me.

And away we go ...
¤ Lady Gaga is like performance art, mixed with roadside carnival. No, that's not a compliment. And yet, I must admit her stuff is catchy.
¤ Seriously, will Elton John perform with anyone who asks?
¤ I think Simon Baker is actually sexier without the accent. Huh, who would've thought that?
¤ Why the hell is Beyonce singing You Oughta Know? I'm just glad Alanis didn't show up for the cheesy awards show duet.
¤ Pink, I'm tired of your trapeze act. I've seen it over and over again. Get a new schtick. I am always surprised by her voice though.
¤ That is not a good look, Miranda Lambert.
¤ I used to really dig country music. What happened, cause Lady Antebellum is not getting it done.
¤ Ringo Starris tiny.
¤ The more I see the Kings of Leon, the more I like them.
¤ I love Robert Downey Jr. Always game for the joke and very sexy. But that he grew into, he was not hot in Less than Zero.
¤ Thought from EP, "Has Jamie Foxx ever made a song that wasn't preposterous?"
¤ Seriously, I'm not hating on Taylor Swift, but I don't get it. What makes her so special? She sounds like a high school student in a talent show.
¤ This Michael Jackson tribute is cheese-tacular. And 3-D gives me a headache.
¤ As has been said on numerous occasions, by many people, Jon Bon Jovi looks incredible for his age. But what no one ever says is how old the rest of the band looks. Melanin would have helped y'all tremendously.
¤ Placido Domingo and Mos Def? Thanks award show.
¤ When they announced this Mary J. Blige / Andrea Bocelli performance, I didn't know what to think, but I suspected it wouldn't really work. Well, it wasn't terrible, but it just didn't do it for me. I hope lots of folk download it for Haitian relief though.
¤ Maxwell is obviously hoarse, but he's still doing his thing. I love that he's doing Where is the Love with Roberta Flack. However, her makeup was applied by a half-blind drunk ... who hates her.
¤ Thanks Drake, for letting Lil Wayne and Eminem have a moment to do their own tracks. (That is sarcasm). When did Travis Barker become the full time hip-hop guest drummer? Is he trying to take ?uestlove's job?
¤ Taylor Swift? Album of the Year? Really ???? ... I still don't get it.

Okay, I guess that's the end of that. This was a fairly lackluster show. Crappy winners (and nominees, really) and there were no performances I could even come close to calling classic. All in all, blah. I'm glad I watched on DVR.

Preach!!!!

Have you seen this? I missed a lot last week, but I'm glad I caught this. Keith Olbermann - thank you, thank you, thank you. You said this better than I ever could.

Back to Basics

Actually, the title of this entry is a total misnomer. There is absolutely nothing basic about what I want to talk about. This past week I have had the amazing experience of reconnecting with friends, some constants, some I hadn't seen in awhile. In doing this I have been able to really enjoy my life in a way that should be impossible with the difficult circumstances I'm dealing with. To me, friendship is the touchstone of a well lived life and this week I realized just how great a life I have. Being a real part of someone's life, no matter how long it is between visits, is an important thing and an honor. Seeing families start, grow, change and ultimately thrive, is incredible and even moreso when those families count you in their number. Thanks to all of my friends who make my life so much more than just existence.

- akip

This post dedicated to all of my fantastic friends, especially Norma & Irene, The Ramirez (& Fernandez) family, The Preston Family and, as always, Amanda.

Time & Change ...

Well I haven't written anything here in almost 3 months. I've meant to, but just haven't gotten to it somehow. In these past 80 days or so, I've gone through a lot. I should have many things to talk about and I will get to them soon. Here's a preview:

1. Unemployment
2. European Vacation
3. Love letter to Lisbon (yes that should be included in the previous entry, but it deserves it's own separate thought.)
4. What to do with the rest of my life
5. Being broke at Christmas
6. Control Freak-ism
7. Thoughts on long distance relationships
8. etc. ...