Holiday Cheer....Nutcracker Style

The Holidays are firmly here and what better way to ring in the season with the 12 year old red blooded boy that you mentor then a Saturday matinee of the Nutcracker? In all candor it was as part of our association the Washington Street Foundation; the incredible organization that provides incredible opportunities for 40+ valley kids in the valley. Armando admitted that he kind of liked the ballet, at least the visual image of girls prancing around in tights behind an insanely colorful and elaborate backdrop.

The Nutcracker is somewhat of a tradition with my family and I was happy to get a free chance to see what IB Anderson had up his sleeves this year. There's something magical about that production that extends beyond the legions of smartly dressed mothers and daughters. There's also something special about the Washington Street Foundation.

In the 18 months that I have been apart of the organization we have taken the kids to do the following things:

• Learn the art of bell making and the science of alternative community development from Cosanti
  
• Learn about college from visits to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley Community Colleges
• Visit the Out of Africa Wildlife Refuge and Phoenix Zoo
  
• Ponder the abstract genius of Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin
• Learn about nutrition and rudimentary culinary arts
• Visit the Mesa Museum of Art for the Muppet's display
• Learn the fundamentals of rock climbing and rappelling
  

The kids are introduced to culture, arts, science, and opportunities that would normally be beyond the limited means of their families. To top it all off they get college scholarships upon successful graduation from the program. Christmas is the time to express gratitude for things that truly enrich our lives. I'm not even a student but I've greatly benefited from the opportunity to be part of this group. I can only imagine the magnitude of positive influence it has over kids from difficult circumstances.

Randomizer Volume IV series VI

The holidays are upon us and soon time will expire forcing us to reveal how unfulfilled our intentions were through Outback Steakhouse gift cards. Here are a few thoughts to enjoy while you nibble on some gingerbread cookies.

• Christmas Music- In our attempt to inject some Christmas spirit into our lives we inundate ourselves with music from the season. Unfortunately most of the music is sourced at the commercial springs of our local radio stations. So instead of "Silent Night" we get fifteen different pop renditions of "Santa Baby". I can tolerate 1-5 listenings of the Muppet's rendition of the "Twelve Days of Christmas". But when it is played for the 6th time in 24 hours and I haven't even heard "Away in a Manger", "The First Noel", or "We Three Kings" once I have to wonder why we have such a hard time even mentioning the real reason for why we celebrate this holiday. Here's to more sentimental, traditional, and -dare I say- religous music at Christmas.

• The surprising quality from the 80's- Do you ever get sucked into watching one of those countdown or "remember the..." programs? The other night Jodi and I fell victim to a VH1 countdown of the best songs from the 1980's. Somewhere between "A-Ha" and "Guns N' Roses" we realized how great that music was, especially in relation to the uninspiring stuff of the past decade. These songs offered a new sound, were well crafted, and were exceptionally catchy. I have a hard time naming any song from the past 8 years that could be considered ground breaking or orginal. I have a hard time naming any song from the past 8 years that could be a "pop classic" on the scale of "Billie Jean" or "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." I probably have 1,200 songs from 2000-2008 and they are all suprisingly just pretty good.

• Eleanor Antin- On a recent trip to San Diego we had the opportunity to visit Museum of Art at Balboa Park. On display was the work of Eleanor Antin. Her work was titled "Historical Takes" and it focuses on a large series of tableaux photographs that are based on Greek and Roman history but mixed with modern themes. I have posted a couple of her photos here for your enjoyment or dismay. I think her work is definitely worth a moment of your time.

• Favorite Movies, universal theme?- We recently rewatched "Stranger than Fiction" and I remembered why it is amongst my favorite flicks. The ending credits had barely begun to roll when I realized how similar this is to a couple of my other favorite movies, "Truman Show" and "Lost in Translation". They are all great films that mark a serious departure for actors who had previously only been known as goofy comedians. They do a great job of broaching themes of loneliness, dreams, and human connection. They all were original and had a very quirky charm. Do yourself a favor and go rent one of these great movies over the holiday break.

Merry Christmas from the Jensens

The fabled "Lost Ending" to "It's a Wonderful Life".

Unfounded, untested, and possibly wrong observations

We see something once and it is quickly dismissed. We see it again for the second or third time and you have to wonder if a pattern exists. Here are a few observations that might or might not be of any merit. Maybe a social scientist can test these casual hypotheses.

• Jewish versus Mormon involvement in the advancement of members within their communities- I have worked with people within both communities and, for whatever reason, there is a greater sense of mentorship and inclusiveness within the Jewish community. It is worth noting that I have almost exclusively lived in areas with strong Mormon communities which might lead to a greater attempt to distance religion and work place advancement due to potential cries of favoritism and bias.
• A more social lifestyle equals a more active life- People, when left to themselves, seem inherently lazy. It is a special person, such as my sisters Amy or Megan, who can motivate themselves to great athletic heights. The rest of us need devices like social pressures, gym memberships, and friends who also share a sense of guilt in order to consistently burn our calories. The more friends we have the greater the chance is that you will be involved in an activity that requires some physical exertion.
  
• Drivers with vanity plates are more likely to cut me off on the freeway- Who is the typical vanity plate owner? Its mister type A personality who is out to prove how cool he is. These types are, by definition, more aggressive and more likely to swerve their heavily financed three series in front of me during rush hour.
  
• I'm less likely to know my neighbors name if I live in a suburb as opposed to the city- For whatever reason there is a greater sense of anonymity out here as people keep themselves and there are fewer activities/establishments to bring the community together. Rural and Urban communities seem to have a greater sense of involvement and mutual ownership.
• Mormons are less likely to have healthy views towards sex then other groups- We grow up learning about abstinence and morality. We then get married and what was once an anathema and a taboo is now vociferously encouraged. The problem is that there is little discussion when the green light is lit and most couples are left fumbling in the dark when it comes to intimacy. Strange and explicit blogs like this try and fill in the void and engender some kind of conversation on the matter.

Merry Christmas from the lads

I believe in Father Christmas

Politics, Redemption, Music and $150 tickets

Review of Coldplay Concert: November 26th, 2008, Phoenix Arizona

Few bands can make "arena" rock work. Even fewer bands can pull off a meaningful show in a stadium. Live music is about the fan and the band making an intimate connection through the music. That connection becomes weaker the greater amount of people that you throw into the arena. Relative newcomer Coldplay- well relative to stadium stalwarts like U2, Stones, Madonna, and the Eagles- is out to prove that they can reach every member of the audience and their performance Wednesday night at Jobing.com arena proved that they are almost ready for inclusion into that elite group.

For better or worse Coldplay can't stop being compared to U2. It only takes five minutes of watching the performance before you realize that the comparisons are justified. Norm put it well when he stated that the show is a poorman's U2 concert. There are several hallmarks that make a U2 show unique, here is a breakdown of how Coldplay performed relative to those benchmarks.

• Rock Anthems- The U2 catalog is scattered with myriad songs that on any given night 75% of the audience knows intimately. The result is a moment where the band and crowd sway, sing, and cry in unison. There is electricity in the air that is more related to the energy generated by the crowd then by the loudness of the amp. Coldplay has several songs that apply for the term, "anthem" but realistically only "Yellow", "Clocks", and "Viva La Vida" qualify. These are good songs in their own right but the energy generated by the band isn't quite reciprocated by the audience. The intimacy and personalization of the songs just aren't there.
• Stage Set Up- Both bands are notorious for the lengths that they will go to in order to connect with the audience. Coldplay took lead from the Elevation and Vertigo tours by extending the stage into the crowd. They even go a step further by locating a temporary stage far into the lower bowl. The result is electric and ballsy. Hat's off for bringing the show to us.
• Pyrotechnics- The lighting, screens, and themes very much mirror U2 and many other veteran bands. For the most part the set up enhances the music and doesn't get in the way. The glaring exception was the lasers used during "Clocks" that were eerily reminiscent to the old laser "Floyd" shows that we attended at the planetarium during high school.
  
• Leading Men- I think that even Chris Martin will admit that he has a major Bono complex. Both have unbridled energy, optimism, vocal range, and desire to convey their musical message to the farthest reaches of the arena. But whereas Bono's energy is now finely honed and controlled, Martin's comes across as scattered and somewhat spasmodic. You watch Bono and he has a charismatic and sexual appeal. You watch Chris Martin and sometimes you wonder if he gets the caffeine injected intravenously.
• Politics- You can't mention either band's name without muttering Amnesty International or World Hunger in the same breath. Surprisingly the couple U2 tours were far more "message driven" then the Coldplay show. Martin spared us the preaching tonight.

I could probably draw a few more comparisons but you get the point. Coldplay isn't performing to the level of U2 but they, surprisingly, aren't too far behind. I just wish that they had more songs that were worthy of creating that intimate connection.

All in all it was a great show. The chemistry between the band mates is tangible and very real. The way that they interact with each other and interchange roles is world class. Highlights included "Lovers in Japan" as an encore with the paper butterflies mingling with the lights to create a joyfully thick ambiance and the crowd helping out Martin sing "Fix You". Certain songs that I didn't care too much for on the album really came to life when performed live.

I do have a couple of complaints. The wait was long and the opening acts did little to hold our attention. The avant garde sounds of John Hopkins really don't work outside of a club or Soho. Also, I was pretty disappointed to find out that the band plays the exact same set list from show to show. I understand that the complexity of the show makes things rigid but the acoustic set provides plenty of opportunities to mix it up. Our show was the last one in North America and I was expecting something a bit different than the standard set list.

Randomizer Volume IV series V

Some more random thoughts from a very random mind. This has turned out to be the best way to capture the little unformed thoughts that pass through my grey matter.

• Finding Objectivity- We live in a country that is pretty evenly split down the middle. We have our "reds" and our "blues" and depending on who you ask the other side is, in so many words, going to hell. This is particularly irksome for someone who tries to listen to both viewpoints in search of an objective middle ground. Each side has their army of statisticians, facts, and experts. For example, I am keenly interested to understand the societal impact of "civil unions" in countries like Denmark. It has been a human triumph or failure depending on the viewpoint of the author. It's sad that we live in a time where people write agenda first, facts second. It's hard to be objective I know. If anyone finds any good newspapers, talking heads, or blogs that are above reproach and not pushing an agenda then let me know. I'd like to read them.
• Tucson- We were down there this past weekend so that my little sister could do the Tour of Tucson.
  There is something the is equal parts creepy and intriguing about that city. You go there and you get a feeling that you are in a different time and place. It's like one of those small towns that Mulder and Scully would investigate.
  
• Rivlary Week- Once again BYU didn't show up when the game really, really matters something. We will have to tolerate another Utah team going to the BCS. We will, once again, be stuck with $1.99 shrimp cocktails, slot machines, and the Vegas Bowl. I'm sick of Dick Harmon almost convincing me that this team is BCS bound and a legitimate threat. I congratulate the U on the victory and publicly wish you the best in the upcoming game. But deep down I would get love nothing more then to see you get steamrolled by Texas or USC or Oklahoma. I don't care about the good of the conference, this is a rivalry.
• What the Twillight- So we've got some fantasy tale about a sexually repressed girl who falls in love with a vampire or something. That's great and it comes as no suprise that the "Hannah Montana" preteen girls have come out in droves to make this thing a best seller. But what is baffling and kind of gross is that you've got just as many mothers who have latched on to this underaged harlequin. How would Freud explain this? And better yet is there a male equivalent to this out of place behavior?Trust Michael Stipe when he says not to go back to Rockville.
  

Looking to the past to help chart tommorrow's course

I am a big proponent of dredging the past for guidance and insights to issues and events that are unfolding in the present. You know what they say about history repeating itself. I firmly believe that there are enough moments throughout history that help form useful patterns that allow us to forecast how things will tend to play out.

With the recent events that have unfolded regarding proposition 8 and "gay marriage" I have started to search history in hopes of getting some insight. My church has been labeled as bigoted and hateful because of its support for the ban. This is a very "hot button" and fresh issue right now. This isn't going away and I want to be as informed as possible.

I've started to research the history of this topic with limited results. Despite the fact that outside of recent actions in Europe and Canada there doesn't seem to much of a precedent for formally accepting a gay marriage. Now homosexuality has permeated history and certain societies have had varying levels of tolerance regarding the practice but I have not found any group that ever gave a gay marriage equal standing as a traditional heterosexual marriage. If anyone finds anything different please let me know. If there ever was a society throughout history that allowed this it would be of monumental importance to see how it played out.

One thing that muddies up the water for my thoughts on this matter is the strong correlation that gay rights advocates are drawing between the Civil Rights movement and the quest for equal marriage rights. Does this assertion hold water or is it just exceptionally brilliant marketing? This is one area I would like to better understand. Is the right for a homosexual couple to marry and adopt children on the same fundamental level as the rights afforded to African Americans through the Civil Rights Act of 1964? I guess a lot of this depends on whether you feel that homosexuality is a behavior/trait or whether it is a fundamental part of who you are as a person.

Another area that needs to be considered is children. This is another area that I would like to better understand. Biology 101 teaches that it takes a man and women to form a child. Now I believe that mother nature created this structure for a reason and that children need parental figures in the form of both a mother and a father in order to be optimally raised. If there was one area that I would strongly side with traditional marriage it would be this. At the core, nuclear level a family consists of a child being taught and nurtured by a paternal and maternal influence. I do not believe that a homosexual couple can create those kind of optimal circumstances. Once again I would love to read up on this and get some kind of scientific study or historical precedent to help solidify my thoughts. Right now I'm going off my gut, what I see in nature, and several thousand years of accepted history.

This is an issue that isn't going away. I think it needs to be studied, discussed, and that both sides need to show respect. Accusation of sin, bigotry, and hatred only stand in the way of a meaningful dialogue and, in my opinion, only mask ignorance. As this post illustrates my thoughts on this matter are somewhat scattered and still gelling. Hopefully this helps me organize my thoughts, maybe find some kinship with other people who are likewise organizing their own, and start some kind of meaningful dialogue between two sides that seem worlds apart.


Authors Note: Like many people, particularly Mormons, I have been very interested in how this plays out. This interest is based on several factors including:

• History- I was thinking about the silent white majority during the Civil Rights movement. These were, for the most part, good people who were just victims of their time and almost universally held beliefs. I want to thoughtfully and prayerfully understand this history because I don't want my children to learn about how I was backwards and stood on the wrong side of history.
  
• Accusations of Bigotry- For whatever reason the church has taken the brunt of the backlash on this. I guess we are a much easier and politically friendly target then the droves of African Americans, Catholics, Evangelicals, Hispanics, Muslims, and other god fearing people who came out in droves to support the measure as well. When someone calls my church hateful and bigoted it grabs my attention. Why? Because those accusations don't square with the church that I've attended since a kid. I consistently learned about justice and the ten commandments and such but I also learned about love, forgiveness, and respecting those that don't hold your views or beliefs.
• Faith- I support this measure because I faithfully support my leaders whose guidance I believe is divinely supported. But it is hard to have a rational discussion when faith and God is brought into the mix. This is a very tough issue. I have to admit that a lot of my support is based on my faith in this church and its leadership. So I figure that by studying this out I can have a meaningful dialogue with a person who deals in fact and wants to only talk in a secular forum.
  

San Diego Weekend

Some thoughts from a recent that Jodi and I took to San Diego.

• Little Italy- This charming community often gets overlooked by visitors who are so set on seeing Coronado and the Gas Lamp district. We found that this area had the perfect blend of ambiance and activity and wasn't quite as crowded as the aforementioned attractions. Plus the area is home to some excellent dining. We ate at The Trattoria Fantastica and I was treated to one of my new favorite dishes, the Pollo Valdostana. The dish is cooked in a brandy sauce that gives the dish an exceptional creamy and buttery taste.
  
• Halloween- We spent the evening as observers in the Little Italy district. There was a definite sense of community there that I feel that we miss living in the suburbs. All of the restaurants participated, dressed up, and passed out candy to the myriad kids and parents who paraded up and down the street. We sat in the square and watched as parents interacted with each other and with their kids. A big part of me really wishes that every neighborhood could engender a sense community like we felt there. That will always be one of the big reasons why I have a hard time living in the suburbs; we prefer to burrow into our own homes and abstain from meaningful interaction with neighbors.
• Balboa Park- This is another gem that gets forgotten in the rush to visit Sea World. The parks, museums, restaurants, gardens and architecture make it worth at least a full day. The park is a perfect activity to counter the frenetic pace of many of the San Diego attractions. We spent most of the time casually strolling through gardens, enjoying art, and soaking in the weather.
• Proposition 8- Our visit coincided with the intense climax to the furor created by Prop 8. We saw the debate from both sides. We first observed the response from a more liberal San Diego community. Whether you disagree or not the opposition equated marriage rights for gays with the Civil Rights movement. Later in the week we visited friends and family in Orange County and Temucula. The atmosphere was still very charged but very different. Out in the suburbs the sentiment was very much in favor of the prop. We drove by several large groups, mostly families, who were holding up signs and placards. Jodi's sister-in-law has been very involved in the measure and the amount of effort that she has put into this is staggering. She was fielding phone calls well into the evening and was even mentioned in the LA Times. We passed a similar measure in Arizona but it didn't generate a hundredth of the attention and division that it caused in California. This is a very difficult topic, just ask Steve Young, and I am sure that it will continue to be fought in the months and years to come.
• All in all we agreed that San Diego is one of those perfect cities, no surprise there. It isn't too big that it suffocates and intimidates you. But it offers all of the culture and ammenities that you would expect in a big city. Apart from the cost of living it is the leader of our pantheon of great cities that includes: Salt Lake, Denver, Austin, Portland, and Phoenix.
  

Prolonged exposure to EBAY can lead to serious addiction

It comes and goes like my quarterly craving for a Big Mac or a Santa Ana wind. Every several months I reintroduce myself to the great free-market experiment that is called E-Bay. And every time that casual infatuation turns into a full blown fever.

There was the baseball card rash of 2003 when I spent a boatload of cash on cards that featured actual game used jerseys of my favorite players. Those cards are currently in a shoebox in my office closet. Then there came the coin craze of 05'. It was a spectacular epiphany when I discovered that you could by artifacts from your favorite corner of antiquity. So I bought tons of coins both for myself and in an effort to teach my nieces and nephews about the coolness of history.

Fast forward to the present. I casually went online to see if I could find some good prices on jewelry for Jodi. But fifteen minutes into the exercise I was soon doing searches for things that interested me. I found an original Diego Rivera watercolor. I found authentic jerseys. And I found a multitude of items from Greek and Roman antiquity. While it was cool to see the stuff I was craving a more interactive experience. So I started to bid on these items. My primary reasons were A) a curiosity to see if I could actually get something like that at a cheap price and B) To make the other guys earn their keep by bidding up the price on those items.

Well the euphoria was soon doused by the cold water of reality when I realized that I was only a few hours away from having to own several hundreds of dollars of rare art. I almost ended up having to buy the Diego Rivera but it ended up settling for $630. I did however get stuck with a Greek Lekythos. What is that you ask? Well here is a textbook definition from Wesleyan University

"This vase was a flask used for toilet oils, perfume, or condiments, and also appears in funerary contexts, where it was used to pour libations for the dead or was left on the grave as an offering."

So I am now a proud owner of my very own Lekythos. I've actually looked at several sites of antiquities dealers and evidently I got a good price on the thing. I will just consider this to be an investment. With the stock market tanking I figure that this is just as good a place to put my retirement funds.

I have also learned my lesson. Unless I have gobs of discretionary income then I should probably avoid spending time on Ebay. I have sworn it off for now but you never know when the siren song of sweet deals and exotic goods will come calling again. Until then I will enjoy my little funerary vase from 5th Century BC Greece.

Randomizer Volume IV series IV

• I've become keenly interested in body language and interpersonal relationships lately. One it's interesting and two, social skills and creativity are two things that can't easily be outsourced to Bangalore, India. I would love to be able to read, communicate, and manipulate people better. Well, I'll publicly admit to striving for the first two. A pretty cool basic site regarding body language is called Changing Minds. Check it out.

• I've been called rambunctious and been accused of tom foolery but I've never been suspected of or called out for chicanery. I always liked that word and I always thought that it would be a seminal noun to aspire to for someone who liked good natured fun. That was until I looked up its exact definition. Now I don't mind that it has never been used when describing my high jinks, mishaps, or missteps.

• Here is a pretty cool blog from the creators of Freakonomics. When they stick to economics or social science they do a good job and they have a way of bringing to life stuff that can generally be considered prosaic.

• So I've been watching a couple of crime dramas on TV these days. I guess that's kind of tough since they are as universal as reality shows. One thing I've noticed is that every single tough guy detective/cop character has a horrible personal life. They all have serious issues with their dads as well. I guess that makes for good drama...or lazy writers.
  

My yin versus your yang

Every once in awhile I muster up enough courage to read a book that is considered a classic. It is much more challenging to read something like "Crime and Punishment" when there is no grade on the line. Right now I am reading some Greek Philosophy and brushing up on the age old struggle between Nomos and Physis.


In an effort to retain what I am learning about philosophy I am dedicating this entry to trying to apply these principles to the mundacity of my life. Here we go...

• Nomos (Order) vs. Physis (Chaos)- This eternal struggle often plays out between Jodi and I when it comes to matters of home maintenance. She sets a high standard and believes in a house of order and folded clothes. I hail from the free style "jazz" school of thought that believes in keeping things in a minimal working order. At the end of the day she always win and I always have to begrudgingly dust the coffee table.
  
• Theory of Fallacies and Descartes- This crafty Frenchman doubted everything in his search for truth. His quest led to the gem "I think therefore I am". From this truth he could move beyond doubt and had the foundation to build on other ideas. Me? I like to take a different approach. I like to blindly believe everything until it is proven wrong. A letter from the Publishers Clearing House declaring that I've won $40million. I'm all over it and awaiting the check in the mail. Big foot found in Georgia? Sure, it seems feasible. It takes a less effort to blindly believe everything then it is to disprove it.


• Epicureanism and the Good Life- I'm all about seizing upon some of that great "Carpe Diem" that this school pushes. In short when given the choice between a cheap and simple value menu and a gourmet dinner I will always chose the latter. While some may take satisfaction in knowing that the drive through at Wendy's saved them $3 they miss out on the greater pleasure that comes through a meal well made. Look towards tomorrow but not at the expense of today.
• Nihilistic Thinking- Well I can't say that I like much that comes out of Nietzsche or his disciples but that doesn't mean they aren't worth a read. I just haven't cared much to hear what Zarathustra spake or to enjoy the art and ideas of the many turtlenecked clad Euro dadaists that talk about post-modern nothingness. At the very least these crazy ideas make some good movies. Two cinema classics "Fight Club" and "Big Lebowski" have a little nihilism in their storylines.

Music and Memories

You ever put on an old mix CD and a long forgotten song comes on? And with that song comes a vivid memory of a specific time and place in your personal history? I think most of us can use music to document the key moments in our lives. Here is an example of one of mine.


Snow Patrol, “You’re all that I have”. From the summer of 2006

The previous months had been an absolute torrent of hell. I think that most of you know the back story so I won’t go into any details. My entire life, as I knew it, had ended and I was now left alone to try and forge something new. The sum total of my efforts for the previous several years had just been obliterated and I was starting over. Everything was terra incognita….new house, new relationships, new aspirations.

While there was a feeling of fear it was slowly being pushed out by the exhilaration associated with new possibilities. My slate was clean. I could pursue new hobbies or interests. I could learn from my past and forge new and more meaningful relationships. In many ways I was granted a second life.


So spent a week and visited my friend in Washington DC, something I had been meaning to do for years. I went to Austin City Limits with my cousin. I started to write music. I enrolled in a mentorship program. I dated with no regrets. I took up photography. I started attending early morning Kundalini Yoga sessions at the local Sikh Temple. I stepped up my efforts in church.


I wanted to experience my life in full color and for whatever reason that album from Snow Patrol really resonated. There was a yearning that I could relate to. I listened to that album incessantly because, for whatever reason, it was speaking to me.


Eventually life settled down into a comfortable and meaningful routine. I soon met Jodi and we would pick up new albums and artists along the way. That album would be pushed to the back of the playlist. But whenever it happens to get played it brings back a flood of those feelings from my experiences during the summer of 2006.

The Autopsy of our Economic Crisis

So we've been bombarded with articles, commentary, and assessments of our economic situation. At the top of the heap are accusations of blame. The epitaphs are incendiary and, depending on your political views, cast a different set of villains responsible for this morass.


In one corner we have the conservative view that the primary culprits for the crisis are the government sponsored programs (CRA, Fannie, Freddie, etc...) that have loosened lending standards in the name of getting everyone into a house. Lenders were forced to comply with these absurd standards as a means to get uncredit worthy applicants into their piece of the American dream. Along the way corruption and mismanagement of the programs (ie. Fannie Mae) became rampant and ignored. Until now. I am all for everyone getting an opportunity to get a home or car but I think that it has to come with the traditional strings attached such as down payment, credit history, collateral, and responsibility.

In the other corner we have the liberal view. Because the Republican leadership was so focused on deregulation it allowed the suits on Wall Street the chance to get creative with financial instruments that were highly risky and fundamentally unsound. The environment created by Fannie Mae lead to wild speculation and these mortgage backed securities. Everyone assumed that things would continue to go up and these people took more risks and became more careless. The proliferation of derivatives and other financial instruments got reckless. So, according to this view, we need more government oversight into how credit is extended and how the rules of finance are governed.

This is a pretty obvious over simplification of the problem. But it begs a fundamental question. Was it government involvement or non-involvement that caused this mess? And is government involvement or non-involvment the needed prescription to solving it? We'll see. I just hope that it is objective and non-partisan economists who come up with a solution and not the earmarking, pork barreling politicians. I hope that these politicians who are responsible for voting on "our"solution do so in a manner that reflects everyone's interest and not just their own.

Here's to hoping. Are the Visigoths at the gates yet?

Third World Fraud

The search for a new car finally ended. The journey was fun and we encountered the full gamut of deals ranging from decent to laughable. But the most fun part along the way was encountering the scammer that waits on the net ready to pounce on the unsuspecting chump who falls trap to the “unbelievable deal.”

Fortunately for me I was able to spot these scams. Actually it would take a completely naïve fool, on par with Woody Boyd to mistake one of these things for reality. If a car is advertised at 60% below Blue Book and you aren’t giggling then you deserve to have your money siphoned off to some warlord in Namibia.

There is something, however, that we can do to, not only combat this fraud, but have fun with it. This is called Scam baiting. And for those of us with a sense of humor it is a great way to level the playing field. Let me give you an example.

So we’ve been looking for a BMW X5. We’ve searched long and hard and have a very good idea of what the current market is for this vehicle. So when we found a 2007 X5 4.4 with 10,000 miles at an astounding price of $15,000 (KBB is roughly $50k) we knew we had found the bait.

We took the bait, responded, and waited for the fun. Sure enough within a day we got the following response.

Hello there,I am glad to hear that you are interested to buy my 2007 BMW X5 4.8I V8 FI DOHC 32V. Although I am registered in US, but I recently moved in Portugal (where my family is from) and the car is being shipped from here.The car is in a perfect cosmetic and engine conditions, and meticulously maintained. No damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects, never been into accidents and it is as advertised. I bought this car from US but when i tried to register it here in Portugal they said that i can't register it because it's an US vehicle and we have to do serious engine modifications in order to comply with the EU emission standards. As I said before, it is an US model (which complies with the american emission standards) and Europe regulations are different, also the fees to register it here in Portugal would be around 15,800 euros.I want to sell it in US because the car is still registered there.The price is low because here in Portugal nobody wants to buy it and so instead of keeping it in garage I decided to sell it to someone back in US.As no one will buy a car from overseas instead of local one only if the price is really attractive.The car comes with clear title, it is free of loan and liens.You will get from me the keys and all documents to register the car on your name.The finacial part of this deal will be manage by the shipping company and in this way both buyer and seller are 100% covered during the steps of this transaction.It will be insured during transportation and will be delivered at your address in maximum 15 days.Final price is $ 15,500 (the price includes shipping to US and insurance fees).Let me know if you want to move forward.Thank you!

Yes! We struck gold. This entry contained the classic signs of a baiter. The car was no longer in the country. The new country just didn’t value the car and the owner was forced to sell it at below market values. You are told to deal with a third party.

We decided to take action and call him out by telling him that in an absolute sign of good fortune I was planning to visit Portugal and I would like to arrange to visit the car in person. Naturally the response was that the car was unavailable for view. As it stands right now we are going to try and get our fraudulent friend to send us a picture of him with the car as a good faith gesture.

So if there is a moral to this story it’s this. Have fun with the people trying to bilk innocent people of their money. Don’t let them have the last laugh.

Addendum #1: It should be noted that I once fell for this scam back in 2005. It took a few days and a few people calling me an idiot before I came to my senses and realized that it was all smoke and mirrors. So, apologies to Woody Boyd.

Addendum #2: We are now in the shipping phase of the process. We were sent actual account information that we are to wire our money to and information on a shipping company called, Best Global Cargo Ltd.

What does your car say about you?

So I’ve spent the last three weeks looking for a new car. My visits to ESPN.com have been supplanted by exotic searches in Auto Trader designed to find me the hidden deal that will end all hidden deals. Well? Three weeks into this thing and I can tell you a whole lot about the car buying process or about German engineering but I still don’t have a car to call my own.

My problem? I can’t seem to decide on a specific car. I am in search of “the deal”. The result is that my searches are all over the board. I fall in love with one car and just as soon as the love begins to blossom a new chrome vixen comes storming into the picture. One of the positive side effects of this exercise in futility is that I get a pretty good sense for the brand perception and identity of each car. Here is my attempt at profiling the typical driver of the following cars.


Acura Guy- The car for a person who is practical, pragmatic, and likes to get to the bottom line. He respects value and performance but he isn’t driven necessarily by style or the need to impress his peers. He is the type of guy who wears his Blackberry on his belt on a holster and likes his button down shirts pressed but plain.

BMW Guy- This dude has got something to prove. He might be a little younger and he is out to show the world that he’s got edge, moxie, and means. He’s the type of guy that shops at Banana Republic and isn’t afraid to admit to being a metro sexual. He doesn’t need refinement and he wants to feel his ride as it makes its way down the highway.

Mercedes Guy- This guy might come from generational wealth. He wears a cardigan and he likes it. He likes performance but not at the expense of a smooth and refined ride. Where the BMW guy might be new to his status this guy owns a Mercedes because it says that he’s been here for awhile.

Volkswagen Guy- This guy likes to steer clear of the beaten path. He values quality and he most certainly prefers a Mac. He deals more in creativity and he laughs at the dude wearing the Dockers who happens to be driving the Acura. He wonders what the guys in the Mercedes and BMW’s are trying to prove. He likes his little unique corner of the world.

Lexus Guy- This guy thinks like Acura guy. But he also thinks he’s cooler. He wants the quality Japanese engineering with some of the cachet of the German brands. Whereas the Acura guy will quietly enjoy his drive, Mr. Lexus will vocally set out to prove to the other guys why their car purchases were wrong.

Jaguar Guy- This fellow is looking for his car to provide a little sex appeal. He might get mocked by the other guys for this. His judgment is also questioned by them as they wonder why he would want to drive a car that can’t hold its value. He doesn’t care; he’s just out to score.

Range Rover Guy- This guy is just out to flaunt his wealth. He says ‘to hell’ with fuel efficiency, practicality, and resale value. He might actually take this car up to the mountains….well at least to the Ski Resort. Even though this machine was designed for the Serengeti, the closest this guy will take this car to the rough outdoors is through the speed bumps outside the nearest wine bar.

Honda Accord Guy- This guy likes the club but kids, family, and life sort of got in the way. He’s not disappointed though because, while he gave up a little on the brand, he certainly gets most of the perks that the other guys have in their rides. He’s very practical and he’s not gonna put his family in debt just so he can look cool in the Safeway parking lot. He’s not even going to be at the Wine bar, Health Club, Discothèque or other hotspots that the other dudes frequent so he’s not too worried about image.

And now...time for something completely different

The Ryan Manifesto

Another political election fast approaches and our nation becomes more deeply mired in apathy, antagonism, and anger. The general populace aches for a return to past glory as our elected officials continue to bicker and feast on pork back in Washington. Our roads crumble, our infrastructure fails, our rights are hedged, our soldiers sent to fight unnecessary battles, our economy limps, our prices climb, our status plummets, and our future looks bleak.

This is not the country that I was raised to love. This is a country whose stewards have failed her. This is a country whose greatness has been covered in the tarnish of partisan politics and selfishness. Our politicians are experts in the art of pandering to special interests. Our citizens no longer ask what my country can do for me but what does my country owe me.
I, Ryan Jensen, can no longer tolerate this sad state of affairs. I write with the passion of a hundred furies and with the conviction of a believer. My vote is up for grabs and these are the conditions upon which I will consider your candidacy. I want my America back and I want its glory restored.

I. Limited Government- We are a nation of capable individuals. We are a nation buttressed by strong local and state governments. Our national government should protect our borders and our basic liberties. Our national government should ensure that commerce flourish under free and fair conditions. Our government should be doing anything that we can take care of ourselves and it should not be telling us how to live our lives.
II. Fiscal Responsibility- As a responsible individual I live within a budget. I know what my income is and if I purchase a fancy BMW I reduce my other expenditures so that my finances don’t bleed red ink. This simple principle seems lost on our politicians. We cannot be everything to everyone, regardless of how many votes can be won through pork barrel projects.
III. Diplomacy- Listen, we don’t have the exclusive rights to every virtue. Let’s talk to our neighbors throughout the world instead of walk over them. Much can be gained by seeking to understand their perspective. This doesn’t make us weak, it makes us wise.
IV. Inward Focus- We cannot police the world if we cannot even take care of ourselves. I do not want my tax dollars being spent to prop up some dictator some rat hole in Asia. I do not want dollars wasted abroad until our citizens at home are taken care of. The obvious exception to this would be humanitarian aid.
V. Education- Our schools lag behind those of the modern world. Our kids do not learn math and they are no longer taught the arts. No money is being spent to ensure that our students get the best education possible. Instead our teachers are being forced to teach to passing standardized tests. This is a no- brainer. Our nation’s ability to rise or fall depends on its citizens. Educated citizens make better citizens.
VI. Environmental Stewardship- I’m not a nut who wants to chain myself to a sycamore to prevent a housing development from starting. But I do believe that we need to take care of our land and to pay attention to the consequences of industrial progress. There’s nothing wrong with recycling and there’s nothing wrong in not developing all of the land in the hopes that it will be enjoyed for future generations.
VII. Energy Policy- We sent a man to the moon, we can certainly adopt an alternative fuel that is easier on our environment and doesn’t fill the pocketbooks of some sheik in Saudi Arabia. The technology is out there but the will to do so isn’t. I want someone who can take the reigns of leadership and push through a plan that gets us weaned off of foreign oil and into using an economical and environmentally friendly alternative.
VIII. Economy- The government should provide opportunities that benefit the innovative ideas of its citizens. The government should provide conditions for growth. The government should not villanize and over tax entities that provide an innovative product or service and make a profit. Free enterprise should be allowed to be free.
IX. Principled Leadership- Our leaders do not need to listen to focus groups in order to form an opinion. Our leaders should be transparent and consistent with their intentions. I do not want another leader who speaks to the other party as if they were bedeviled. I want our leaders to treat one another with respect.
X. Immigration Reform- Listen I understand the plight of the illegal immigrant. Their intentions are good. I also understand the complaints of the small local government whose resources are strained because they are being drained by people who aren’t contributing much to the tax base. But there is middle ground here. We don’t need a blanket amnesty program because it will just encourage more illegal immigration. We don’t need to criminalize these people and build a big wall either. We can revamp our system and make the pathway to citizenship easier. Let these people be contributing members of our society, no longer marginalized. I would much rather have a large Hispanic population that are happy and tax contributing US citizens then a group that is angry and forced into crime because they are not granted a far chance at equal status.

This is a simple and straightforward list. I join the millions of Americans who are absolutely fed up with the direction of our once great nation. We no longer are going to sit idly by as our politicians led us further down this road. My vote is up for grabs and if you can satisfy my demands I will gladly vote for you. Let all of us write our own manifestos and demand more of our government. This is a government by the people and for the people. Let our voices be heard!!!!

Randomizer Volume IV: Series III

• We spent two hours in Ikea and all we got out of it was a power strip, some light bulbs, Lingenberry heartburn, and a newfound respect for deodorant. That place amazes me.
  
• The Dollar is regaining ground against the Euro. I have been following it closely ever since planning for our Italy trip and it is at its strongest point since February. Just to illustrate the need to follow currency fluctuations here's an example. In early Feb the dollar was trading at .68 per Euro, by March it became .65. That small difference meant $200 lost in our vacation budget. One needs to be an expert in arbitrage in order to travel to Europe these days.
• Costco is the ultimate microcosm of 'America'. If I was from another time and another place and I was seeking to understand the inner workings and motivations of early 21st Century America I would spend a few hours at my nearest Costco on a Saturday afternoon. No store better defines the heart of America then that place.
  
• BYU is at best a top 15-20 team this year. A BCS bound team needs to have a better defense. Even if they run the table I don't know if they are truly deserving of a BCS game. Regardless of the BCS ramifications it would be unbelievably cool if Utah and BYU could go into their rivalry game undefeated.
  

Today's Word: Chaebol

Great news for Lacuna Strategic Marketing.

We signed up our latest client, LG. Business is slowly moving forward and soon enough we will have enough home grown capital to embark on some real growth.

I'm particularly excited about the prospects surrounding LG. It is a well established multinational. The project work is very intriguing and can lead to bigger opportunities. And it allows me to work closely with some friends in the Korean community.

While I'm a relative neophyte to Korean culture, I have had a few encounters with it that have planted the seeds of interest.

• My brother served his mission in Seoul. His love for the country and culture was demonstrated through his letters, souvenirs, and kimchee deposits left in the family fridge.
• I had several Korean friends at Thunderbird. They were actually my largest source of discretionary income. They would each pay me $20/an hour to hang out and chat in their efforts to work on their English.
  
• I remember doing research on the uniquely Korean business environment and the dominant role played by Chaebols. The Korean landscape is controlled by several uber- conglomerates that play a very vital role in most aspects of business dealings. Think of US Business Environment right before Roosevelt and his big stick took down the mighty monopoly.

The project should be exceptionally fun and hopefully there will be some travel associated with the work. Now I just need Jeff to help me out with some basic Korean phrases.

The Wonderful Modern Miracle that is Craigs List

I remember 10 years ago when making a sizable purchase required extensive research, references, and many aggressive face to face meetings with oily haired sales reps. But the Internet has ushered in a new era of happy halcyon days and at the forefront of that bliss is Craig's List.

We recently decided that it was time to retire the old Accord. She had faithfully caddied me around for 8 years without problem or complaint. Seeking to take advantage of the gas madness I decided that now was the best time to sell this moderately fuel efficient car. I posted an ad on Craig's List and waited.....

Within 2 hours I got a call from someone interested in making a quick decision. An hour later he was at my house test driving it. Twenty minutes later our hands met in a handshake of mutual agreement. Fifteen minutes afterwards I had a certified check in my hand and he had the title to his new car. It was more quick and seamless then if I had gone to the grocery store for a gallon of 2%.

It is incredible how well the Internet lubes the engine of commerce. I got a quick sale of my car at my KBB asking price and $3k over what the dealer would give as a trade in. Now I can use this same world wide web to research our next car purchase and use this information as leverage against the greasiest of salesmen. The internet: The Great Information Equalizer.

Redemption at 3am

Like many Olympic enthusiasts I have been annoyed at the NBC coverage of the games. Instead of treating us like the ‘net’ savvy, real time, smart people that we are they continue to suspend the time difference between here and Beijing and attempt to convince us that everything is taking place live during our prime time. Since we are not stupid we catch the stuff online as it happens and usually pass on the event when it is played six hours later.

I understand the logistical issues. But I have a couple of recommendations for the next go round. 1) If it is 8am in the US and a game is being played live in China, play it live here. Don’t wait for two hours and play it on tape delay when we already know the outcome. This happened with the US-Argentina game. I followed it live online at 8am. It then came on at 10am….what the point? 2) Don’t try and fool us with your faux “live coverage” angle. We know it’s not live. We will choose to watch the event if it is still compelling.

Anyways….this post was to be about the big US-Spain gold medal game. I needed to blow off some steam first.

Wanting to watch the game live- thanks to NBC for finally broadcasting something meaningful live- I opted to stay up for the 12:30am start time. I was expecting to watch a few minutes and retire once the US pulled away with the game, most likely during the 2nd Quarter. The US blew those racist and hairy Spaniards out by 37 points the previous week so I was expecting them to pull a French rollover and be content with the silver.

Surprise….surprise…

My late night lethargy was soon jolted to a full and alert semi-panic with Spain pulling up by 5 in the early going. The US couldn’t stop the precision offense of the lanky representatives of the Iberian Peninsula. They were shooting very well but I was concerned that their fortunes would quickly change once things cooled off. The game was physical and intense and I was greatly rewarded for catching this.

As the game progressed the US would lull me to a false sense of security by building up a 9 or 11 point lead. But every time that it appeared that they would break the game open the Spanish would quash the run with a well timed three pointer. They kept the game in reach prevented the US from getting easy transition points.

The game came down to the wire. It wasn’t until the last couple of minutes and a clutch Kobe four point play that I could finally sit back and relish in the reclamation of our rightful place on top of the awards podium. It was great to see these padded NBA players express the same unbridled and exuberant joy and passion that their almost anonymous counterparts and showed throughout the game. During these games the players weren’t the NBA brats that we’ve grown accustomed to. During these games the players were a cohesive team, determined to fit in, respect the Olympics, and claim gold.

It was now 3am. I made it this far and I was determined to see it through. Upon ending the awards ceremony I was almost immediately greeted with a feeling of exhaustion. There would be no rest for this tired kid as church was scheduled to begin at 8am. I had the gnarliest migraine and could barely make it through the services. But I was filled with a feeling of solidarity and patriotism as I scanned the foyer to find other husbands slumped over in similar exhaustion. We did our small part to support our nation and our nation rewarded us in kind.

How China Shanghaied the Olympics and other 5 ringed thoughts

I’ve been mildly interested in the Olympics this year. I’ll be the first to admit that they don’t quite have the cachet that they did during my “cold war” youth. Even though the Medal Tracker is still closely followed as a proxy war between fiercely nationalistic countries it still isn’t as compelling as when we actually had miles of missiles pointed at each other. Some thoughts….

• As expected China’s efforts to anoint itself as the world’s leader have been met with justified skepticism. Despite a security force the size of Bangladesh there are still stories of protests being quashed and insanely basic liberties being curtailed. China wants to appear open only as long as it doesn’t interfere with its government’s carefully crafted agenda.


• Evidently China has sort of cheated in making its Olympic presentation. The stories of lip synching and fake fireworks during the opening ceremonies are already old news. China has also done a number of other things to gloss its issues. This hilarious take from Rick Reilly dives deeper into this matter. Don’t get me wrong, China has done a great job of effectively hosting the Olympics. Just a word of advice, however. Don’t try too hard to be something that you're not (A country with acceptable human rights) and don’t overly embellish an already impressive city. (Creating fake facades to cover up blighted parts of town or displacing citizens.


• The fact that baseball and softball are being dropped from the Olympics leaves one with a puzzled stare. It’s darn right baffling when you consider all of the other stupid events that they are feverishly adding such as trampoline jumping, badminton, or competitive walking. The games are already full of enough stupid events, why pull out a couple of legitimate ones? The response for their departure was that they were too U.S. dominated. What the….? Baseball has a very global following and if they were following that same stupid logic then why not get rid of table tennis or badminton. Those are both sports that no one other then China gives a damn about.


• Here’s an interesting observation. If you subtract all of the events that are dependent on subjective judging then the medal count gap between the U.S. and China becomes three times wider then it currently is. Does anyone smell any hometown cooking? Keep in mind that it is the year of the rat.


• I sure hope that there is a team of scientists down in Jamaica trying to figure out what they are putting in their Kool-Aid. This is insane. How can one small nation full of ganja and dreadlocks be this fast? Is it the training program? I don’t know. I heard something about Jamaican people having extra fast twitch muscles or something. I don’t know what that means and I don’t know how that could be isolated to just that little island. Regardless I’ll be the first to admit that they’ve got the best celebrations of any victors. It’s good to see them so happy. They haven’t had much to cheer about ever since they lost Bob Marley.


• The whole Spanish/Argentina team photos smacks of hypocrisy. They received virtually no condemnation for their racist poses. The hyper sensitive U.S. press would have demanded that the U.S. team withdraw from the tournament should they have done anything remotely similar. It’s weird how quick our media is to condemn actions within our own country and how easy they justify the boneheaded decisions of people in other places.


• So how long does Michaels Phelps mania last? A year? A month? I give him a Wheaties Box cover, a visit to the White House, and two months before the nation moves on and he is forgotten only to be remembered again years from now when his name pops up as a Trivia Pursuit question. Don't get me wrong. What he accomplished was down right incredible. Its just that our collective attention span is measured in miliseconds and swimming is a sport that will only draw our attention once every four years.
  
  

Utah and then some

Went up to Utah for some fun with Jodi's family. Throw in some Jensens and a few Skutch and call it memorable.

Highlights included:

• An afternoon on Utah Lake. No carp or bloated cows spotted in water.



• Mountain biking up American Fork canyon with the brother-in-laws. The trail was exceptionally scenic but somewhat brutal. I am blaming my performance on the altitude. It's incredible to think that Megan will be climbing this road during the Tour of Utah.



• A visit to 'the BYU'. That place is under perpetual construction. Still was nice to visit a few areas that furnished some great memories.


• Every day filled with great meals. The culinary feast culminated with our gourmet foil dinners that were enjoyed in the 'forest'.



• Midway with the family. Always a great destination....a shame that we missed Swiss Days.



• Lunch with the friends.

Mixing some science in with my daily fiction

Lately I've been really getting into works of science fiction. There is something about the genre that suspends mundane reality and opens up an endless world of intergalatic possibility. I quickly worked my way through the traditional authors and was satisfied. And then I struck gold with the works of Ronald Chevalier. There is something about his seminal work "Cyborg Harpies" that speaks to the inner fears and aspirations of the human race. He truly is the voice of those who dare to believe beyond this galaxy.

I've also become quite taken with Ronald's overall life experience. His philosophies and techniques rival anything coming from India or even L. Ron Hubbard. Enjoy this piece on "relaxating" and you'll understand.

www.ronaldchevalier.com

Randomizer Volume IV: Series II

• Best year in sports?- I'm going out on a limb and saying that this has been one of the best years ever for sports. Here we go: Giants-Pats in Superbowl, NCAA Tournament and first time ever that all #1 seeds made the final four, Celtics-Lakers, Tiger being monumental, relevant baseball and great All-Star game, Man Utd in European championship going to shoot out. Nadals grueling and epic defeat of the once titan Federer at Wimbledon. Am I missing anything? The only thing that would have made it absolutely, positively stellar would have been a Cowboys upset of the Pats and the Jazz in the finals.
• History's coolest dump- I recently read about some digs taking place outside of Rome at Monte Testaccio. The place was a huge Roman landfill and is a giant mountain of pottery, amphorae, and other historically cool garbage. And the place was very well organized, another testament to superior Roman engineering. You know what they say- "One nations really old crap is another archaeologist's treasure."
• Tribute to Los Mochis- I received a quick email from a Mexican friend from Los Mochis, Mexico. It made me realize what a great place that is and how bad a job I've done keeping up with friends. He sent me this link- http://www.mochisonline.com/- and I think I might use it to track down some old friends. That place had some of the freshest and best food I've ever consumed. Rob, didn't you spend some time down there?
• 1491- I'm reading this book to get a better appreciation for the history of my own continent. Quite frankly our Euro-centric approach to education is pretty myopic. This was also one of the selected books from the ill-fated Skutch Book Club I believe. Anyways, it has been a great read and it has really supplemented what I learned in my early studies of Mesoamerican history. It is absolutely incredible how advanced some of these nations were and how little we know about them. The scientific community can't even agree on when the first people inhabited the Americas. It is astounding how much mystery is still shrouded in the mountains above Cuzco or in the Jungles of Copan. Hats off to the damn Spaniards for destroying a good portion of these people's cultural legacy.

Golfing Amongst Legends

You ever want to spend an afternoon with John Elway? Discuss approach shots with Mike Schmidt? Stand in awe of Michael Jordan?

Well my bro-in-law has been spending the last couple of years putting together the Legends Cup Challenge. Check out the link and peruse the people who have committed to partcipate. You see these world class atheletes have a competitive drive that needs an outlet. Evidently golf is one of the few activities that can satiate this demand. Perhaps they haven't heard of backgammon. This isn't your average celebrity event. These guys have signed on to win. There are 4 teams, each comprised of retired atheletes from the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

It should be quite an experience and hopefullly it will become an annual event. The vision is for this to be something that is covered by ESPN. I'll plan on being there....will MJ?

Humanizing Our Heroes

It seems like one generation’s hero is another’s sullied, historical villain. I just got done reading a Wall Street Journal article discussing the sudden surge in popularity of Joseph Stalin in Russia as its people are beginning to reclaim more of its nationalistic past. Wasn’t it just a decade ago that they were finally dealing with the reality of his cold and barbaric figure? On a smaller scale it seems like our own US heroes like Jefferson, Washington, or even Lincoln see their popularity and venerability ebb and flow according to public opinion and thought.

I suppose a sign of societal maturity is when we are able to appreciate the historical myths of certain figures but also study and evaluate their complete histories, foibles and all. We can appreciate Jefferson’s contributions to early America in spite of his personal peccadillo’s. We even see these oscillations in the way that our favorite characters our portrayed on the Silver Screen.

Right now we are seeing a large increase in movie characters that are flawed, mistake prone, or even misguided. Gone are the images from yesterday of Errol Flynn who was above reproach and always acted selflessly and with the public’s best interest in mind. The world isn’t as black and white and movies reflect characters that have to deal with vague morals and complex problems. Movies as varied as X-Men and X-Files demonstrate that we like our protagonists to have faults and to actually deal with life’s rich and complex realities. But nowhere do we see this shift in preference more evident than in the latest installments of two venerable classics- Batman and James Bond.

Batman- The Dark Knight has never been well….as dark then as in the latest movie. The campy images of tights and Robin have been replaced by a man who is wrestling with the questions like “how far should civil liberties be jeopardized in order to combat evil and keep the peace.” Not that Batman has ever had the squeaky clean image that his pal up in Metropolis has, but at least he managed to consistently put the bad guys behind bars. Now his Gotham is more complex and the lines aren’t as clear as they once were. The questions and doubts that he has reveal a truly tormented character. This kind of complexity paid off and the reviews and box office receipts validate the brave change in the way that the series has been portrayed.

James Bond- The differences between the Pearce Brosnan and Daniel Craig depictions of 007 are stark and noted. Gone is the perfectly groomed, hardly a hair out of place, and pithy comment available at a moments notice Bond that we got in the 1990’s. It has been replaced by a character that shows weakness, gets dirty, and has serious character flaws. He still manages to get Her Majesty’s work done but it isn’t as seamless as the work of his predecessors. While there are still exotic women, fast cars, strange villains, and elaborate stunts they are much more grounded in reality.

I see these two characters as a microcosm of a bigger trend. Right now we don’t want our heroes to be perfect. We prefer real people who have problems dealing with the same difficult realities that we do. We still like the action but we prefer it to be more grounded in our reality.

Dude, where's my music: Addendum

That list got me thinking about something else. Unheralded songs by well known artists that deserve more press. These are the songs that might be a B-Side or never got any real play. But they are the songs that really solidified my relationship with these stellar bands.

My All-Star B-Side List

1. U2- "North and South of the River". This song came out in the midst of the Pop experimentation. But it really stood out at the time because it hearkened back to the earnest yearning of their earlier work. The song has a beautiful and building melody and it is definitely deserving of a few listens.
2. REM- "Sweetness Follows". It gets completely overshadowed by the more commercial songs from Automatic. But this is the most emotional and touching song on that album.
3. Beatles- "Mother Natures Son". It's hard to say that any Beatles song is under appreciated and I'm sure that even this song has been covered 43 times. But it is another simple song that is probably the most geniune song that Paul put out. Doesn't have the typical Paul pop sound at all.
4. Bono- "Dreaming with Tears in My Eyes". This is easily the best the Bono's voice has sounded in the last 10 years. This song is an old Jimmy Rogers cover and he absolutely hits it out of the park.
5. Sting- "Why Should I Cry for You". Off of Sting's best album and besides, "All this Time" his best solo song. Alot of depth and emotion here. To often Sting gets lost in jazzy, bloated numbers but this song connects.
6. David Gray- "Now and Always". Many people only equate "Babylon" to him but he has a pretty good collection. This song has great texture and a great build.
7. Cold Play "Shiver". Some very good and earnest Cold Play. It reminds me of early U2 because it is a very pure, emotional, and unadulterated sound. I often like early music from the big bands because it seems more unspoiled.
8. Death Cab for Cutie "What Sarah Said". Great lyrics, great beat, good melody. It's a very accessible song and a tribute to Ben Gibbard's song writing.
9. Foo Fighters "Walking After You". A relatively mellow song from a group I don't typically listen to. Maybe it was the fact that it was featured on the X-Files soundtrack that has made it an endearing favorite. All in all, good piece.
10. Oingo Boingo "Flesh and Blood". An absolute gem that gets buried by all of those over played 80's sound track songs that obscure the remainder of the Boingo catalog. Danny Elfman knew how to write a great pop song. It's a darn shame that he was just as talented writing stuff for Tim Burton movies.
    

Dude, where’s my music?

Since we have become a “list” society I thought I’d join the fray. With Austin City Limits just around the corner I decided that I’d turn my attention to some smaller bands that merit further interest. These aren’t your garden variety mass-market bands like Coldplay or U2; these are musicians with a smaller and more specific sound and audience. Here are my current top 10 favorite smaller bands. I’ve been listening to these guys for quite awhile now but I haven’t found anything new that really merits much interest.

10. Beulah- An excellent combination of upbeat horns, interesting lyrics, and catchy tunes. This is the type of music that you would listen to if you were invited to a hip urban house party. Start off with “Score from Augusta” as it has great summer peppiness to it and finish your introduction off with “A Good Man is Easy to Kill” as it is their finest work.
9. Calexico- A great Tucson band that melds folk music with the deep tones familiar with traditional rural Mexican music. And they pull it off, introducing the average listener to sounds that they would traditionally avoid. I would recommend starting off with “History of Lovers” as it is a good gateway song and gives off a nice Neil Young vibe.
8. Bright Eyes- Conner Oberst has kind of been the sexy critic’s choice when it comes to song writing. But he does merit the accolades. His lyrics provide a depth and color to songs not often found this side of Bob Dylan. You can be swept away by the mood just by reading the liner notes. But if you are going to listen to some songs I’d recommend “Hot Knives” or “A Song to Pass the Time”.
7. Elf Power- A quirky band from Athens Georgia that will immediately evoke images of rustic elves….never mind, just listen. Most of their songs have a strong driving beat and some interesting additional instruments. Give “Come Lie Down with Me” and “King of Earth” and you’ll see what I mean.
6. The Shout Out Louds- A beautiful Swedish band that evokes memories of the Cure, but without the Robert Smith hair or dourness. Their percussion is as distinct and strong as anything this side of “The National”. Go ahead and sample “Out Loud” and “Normandie” and wax nostalgic about “Staring at the Sea”.
5. Sufjan Stevens- Like Bright Eyes, Mr. Stevens has received a lot of critical press. He is an exceptionally prolific writer so you might be completely inundated with the volume of his ever growing catalog. A lot of it is slightly experimental and hit and miss. Stick with these instant classics- “Come on Feel the Illinoise! Pt 1. The World’s Columbian Exposition”, “Chicago”, “No Man’s Land” or “”He Woke Me Up Again”.
4. Cafe Tacuba- I’ve been trumpeting this band ever since I stumbled upon their sound as a young college intern in Los Mochis Mexico. They are on the tip of the innovative “Rock En Espanol” movement. While their last album wasn’t up to their typical eclectic and innovative standards it was still head and shoulders above everything else coming out of the region. I don’t want to limit my recommendations so listen to the following albums in their entirety- “Re”, and “Cuatro Caminos”. You will be astounded by their energy, depth, variety, and creativity.
3. The National- My friend Wade said it best about the National. “To sum…while not the best music by whatever metric you choose, their music resonates with us because they capture and deliver what it means to be a thirty-something semi-progressive, semi-urban dude (us, if we drank), so we listen to it, again and again.” Their music has some great texture and their percussion is absolutely intoxicating. Listen to “Mr. November”, “The Geese of Beverly Road”, “Daughters of the Soho Riots”, and “Start a War”.
2. Sea Wolf- Remember those old OC soundtracks? They always showcased the hippest and coolest up and coming acts. If Sea Wolf would have been around 5 years ago they would have been one of the cover bands. Their melodies are simple but well executed, their lyrics typical but heartfelt, and their image superficial but still cool. Girls and sensitive men rejoice. I strongly recommend “The Garden That you Planted”, “Sea Monuments”, and “Leaves in the River”.
1. Matt Costa- He does the whole relaxed, acoustic surfer social guitar sound better then the current titan, Jack Johnson. His voice is as smooth and melodic as the evening waves breaking on the North Shore. I am very surprised that he hasn’t gotten more coverage. So sit out by the pool, throw some skewers on the BBQ and listen to “Cold December”, “Yellow Taxi” and “Astair”