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Sunday, October 31, 2010
I'm Moving
The blog is moving here, just cuz it's better 'n' stuff. The next couple of posts will be in both locations, then I'll remove this one.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
iTues #4 - "The D90 Walkman Mix"
As anyone of my vintage will know, Walkmans were portable cassette players that were the best thing ever in their day. Sony have finally - officially - ceased making them (though I think the name will continue for their new-fangled personal music players). *Sob* A "D90" was (is?) a 90 min blank cassette (45 mins per side) made by TDK - the choice of Walkman packin', mixtape tradin' music lovers everywhere.
Making a mixtape used to take time, care, attention and, yes love as one sat with a pile of LPs (link for the kids) selecting, sequencing and recording songs to tape one by one. The methods are easier (too easy?) these days with iTunes playlists, etc. but the fun can still be had. I have a particular friend with whom I engage musically by getting together and making mixes on the fly, one-upping one another with tracks as we go... the mix here is one that I did in this way a few weeks ago. Usually these mixes get shared with said friend, listened to a couple of times (at best) and deleted, but this one has insisted on repeated listens prompting me to share.
Making a mixtape used to take time, care, attention and, yes love as one sat with a pile of LPs (link for the kids) selecting, sequencing and recording songs to tape one by one. The methods are easier (too easy?) these days with iTunes playlists, etc. but the fun can still be had. I have a particular friend with whom I engage musically by getting together and making mixes on the fly, one-upping one another with tracks as we go... the mix here is one that I did in this way a few weeks ago. Usually these mixes get shared with said friend, listened to a couple of times (at best) and deleted, but this one has insisted on repeated listens prompting me to share.
It's got a bit of new, a bit of old, a bit of soft and a bit of loud... it begins with a trio of girls and another finishes it off.
Here's the playlist:
1. Karen Elson - "The Truth Is In The Dirt"
2. The Kills - "Hitched"
3. Boss Hog - "Whiteout"
4. The Stooges - "Real Cool Time"
5. Tom Waits - "Goin' Out West"
6. Justin Townes Earle - "Mama's Eyes"
7. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
8. The Howling Diablos - "Car Wash"
Here's the playlist:
1. Karen Elson - "The Truth Is In The Dirt"
2. The Kills - "Hitched"
3. Boss Hog - "Whiteout"
4. The Stooges - "Real Cool Time"
5. Tom Waits - "Goin' Out West"
6. Justin Townes Earle - "Mama's Eyes"
7. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
8. The Howling Diablos - "Car Wash"
9. The Jim Jones Revue - "Good Golly Miss Molly"
10. Morphine - "Like Swimming"
10. Morphine - "Like Swimming"
11. Spindrift - "The New West [Vocal Version]"
12. Jeff Buckley - "Vancouver"
13. Hellsongs - "Welcome To The Jungle"
This mix fits on one side of the aforementioned D90... how about sharing your own for the other side (in the comments)..?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Kicking
Whilst perusing the online edition of the Sydney Morning Herald this week I came across this article on professional footballers in Australia who (together with their English counterparts and representative association(s)) are seeking to have so-called "party drugs" removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list.
I have to admit that - as a football fan ("Soccer" and "Gridiron" being my preferred codes) - I was somewhat dismayed to read this, though hardly surprised. Even on the other side of the world one hears about the English Premier League (EPL) stars enjoying their clubbing and all that goes with it and here in Australia if a footballer is not in the news for (allegedly) assaulting some young girl, then they're being caught falling out of some club completely wasted at 3 am.
To clarify, let me say that, in Australia, it is pretty rare for the culprits in these situations to be players of any codes other than Rugby League (NRL) or Australian Rules football (AFL) and I don't point this out to pick on the codes where I don't find much to enjoy about the games themselves, but because it's simply a fact. The games themselves are not the issue - I can appreciate the skill, discipline and commitment of any athlete in any sport and therein lies the real point... discipline.
At some stage these footballers were disciplined enough to develop their skills to a level good enough to take them into the big leagues, then upon their arrival they seem to wish to let that discipline fall away. The argument that is being made in their campaign is that these drugs are not performance enhancing, but I state that this is taking a narrow view... the specific characteristics of any drug are barely a footnote. If WADA is in a position to police the general drug behaviour of athletes I believe they should uphold that position. If anything, the "performance-reducing" qualities of these party drugs should be considered as (breach of contract) failures on the parts of the athletes caught as they are not living up to their end of the deal for which they are being paid handsomely - i.e.: to produce the best on-field perfomances possible every week.
Let's get real: these players undoubtedly have skill - some even have true talent - but the big dollars are being paid for a "job" that's really just a glorified weekend pastime. With the name in lights and the big salary comes big responsibility as a role model to kids (and adults for that matter!) and sports personalities make great role models when they are exhibiting their on-field qualities (strength, commitment, discipline, tenacity and considered decision-making, to name a few) off the field as well. But when they are behaving like the wanna-be rock star reprobates that more and more of them seem to be these days - bringing their game(s) into disrepute along the way - they shouldn't be in a position to influence anyone.
Minimum two-year bans along with community service in drug programs for second-time offenders. Or do you think I'm being too soft..?
I have to admit that - as a football fan ("Soccer" and "Gridiron" being my preferred codes) - I was somewhat dismayed to read this, though hardly surprised. Even on the other side of the world one hears about the English Premier League (EPL) stars enjoying their clubbing and all that goes with it and here in Australia if a footballer is not in the news for (allegedly) assaulting some young girl, then they're being caught falling out of some club completely wasted at 3 am.
To clarify, let me say that, in Australia, it is pretty rare for the culprits in these situations to be players of any codes other than Rugby League (NRL) or Australian Rules football (AFL) and I don't point this out to pick on the codes where I don't find much to enjoy about the games themselves, but because it's simply a fact. The games themselves are not the issue - I can appreciate the skill, discipline and commitment of any athlete in any sport and therein lies the real point... discipline.
At some stage these footballers were disciplined enough to develop their skills to a level good enough to take them into the big leagues, then upon their arrival they seem to wish to let that discipline fall away. The argument that is being made in their campaign is that these drugs are not performance enhancing, but I state that this is taking a narrow view... the specific characteristics of any drug are barely a footnote. If WADA is in a position to police the general drug behaviour of athletes I believe they should uphold that position. If anything, the "performance-reducing" qualities of these party drugs should be considered as (breach of contract) failures on the parts of the athletes caught as they are not living up to their end of the deal for which they are being paid handsomely - i.e.: to produce the best on-field perfomances possible every week.
Let's get real: these players undoubtedly have skill - some even have true talent - but the big dollars are being paid for a "job" that's really just a glorified weekend pastime. With the name in lights and the big salary comes big responsibility as a role model to kids (and adults for that matter!) and sports personalities make great role models when they are exhibiting their on-field qualities (strength, commitment, discipline, tenacity and considered decision-making, to name a few) off the field as well. But when they are behaving like the wanna-be rock star reprobates that more and more of them seem to be these days - bringing their game(s) into disrepute along the way - they shouldn't be in a position to influence anyone.
Minimum two-year bans along with community service in drug programs for second-time offenders. Or do you think I'm being too soft..?
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