I Miss Harmony House Records

Actually, I miss record stores in general. Time was, you could go to a good record store, and get just about anything musical that you wanted. Rock, country, classical, jazz, blues--you name it. Then, half of the enjoyment was going out and finding what you wanted; and, if you were lucky, you'd find something you didn't think to look for. 'Impulse buying', as it were.
Plus, the IMPORTS! Sure, you might get that album recorded at Budokan in Japan at K-Mart, but at a *Record Store* you'd get that album FROM JAPAN-complete with Japanese liner notes, and maybe a booklet! Top THAT, Blue Light Special! In fact, that's how I came across Slade and Mike Oldfield: because I was in a store, looking for something else.

Nowadays, though, you can get music at home, without ever stepping out of your door. Discovery of an artist or an album you might not have come across except on radio or in a store has given way to convenience. People download music--legally and otherwise--for no other reason that, "Because they can". Most don't even burn the music to CDs; just keep it on their hard dive, flash drive, iPod, etc. They don't care about the album art or the interesting info the liner notes might have-the Music is All. Who needs the Eye Candy? I want the Ear Candy.

People carry 15,000+ songs on a thing no bigger than a Starburst candy, and yet they're missing out on the info concerning it.

I kind of feel sorry for them....

First Day Of The New Year

Happy New Year, everyone. Was it a good and safe one? Hope so; no one should start the year on a miserable note.

Made any Resolutions? Quit smoking, lose weight, get a better job, spend less time online and more in the 'Real World'?

Me? No, I didn't make any; I never do. I feel that if you want to start, quit, improve, alter, etc. something in your life, you might be better suited to do it when you come to the decision to actually do it, not have to wait until another year starts. Besides, you've seen how I keep track of things I'm trying to catch up on (here), so I try and not to put too much on my 'To Do' list if I can help it. Yes, I *can* multitask, but I can still procrastinate with the best of them.

As I've said before, I'm trying to back off on certain subjects for a while; too much too soon in that realm just gives me a headache, and no chance to actually catch up. Besides, I'm starting to feel like a one-note kind of guy on this, and that's not my intention. Hopefully, anyone who actually reads this will bear with me, and, if not reply, at least be entertained. That's all I ask.

Not trying to change the world, just make the journey here more bearable. :)

I Believe In Father Christmas---Greg Lake

They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the virgin's birth
I remember one Christmas morning
A winters light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire.

They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a silent night
And they told me a fairy story
'till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas
And I looked at the sky with excited eyes
'till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise.


I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas you get you deserve.



On a lighter note, Happy Holidays, Everyone. :)

Jerry Robinson Passed Away Today...

Jerry Robinson, the man who created not only Robin, the Boy Wonder, but also Batman's greatest villain The Joker, has passed away. He was 89, and a far better storyteller than most other people in comics today.
To see some examples of his work, go here. His Wiki page is here.

We'll miss you, Jerry.

Obama Doesn't Mention God In Thanksgiving Address...

And, guess what? The world didn't end.

Get over it, already, you tools.

A Question, That Might Go Unanswered.

Not too sure if anyone reads this blog of mine; but, that's okay, as it's mainly just for me to rant a little.

But, if anyone *DOES* read this, a question:
Why do you believe, what you believe?
Because of your family? Your own personal 'moral compass'? Peer pressure? What is it, that makes you think and believe the way you do?

Just curious.

You Know, I'm At A Loss.

I haven't been as 'post-y' as I'd have liked to have been lately, and anyone who's skimmed here recently knows why (work, mainly).

Now, since I don't go online at my work, I can't post whatever crosses my mind when I want to post it. So, when I get a thought that I think might be "Really REALLY cool!" to post, by the time I get home, it's usually gone. So, I'm left with NOTHING to put here.

As of right now,I'm sitting here, enjoying my second Sapporo, and wondering about things in general. Political? Certainly. Unfortunately, too much in the political arena going on, for me to comment on (curse you, No-Online-Access-At-Work!), including Our Friend Birther Queen Orly Taintz (obviously, feeling neglected by the lack of press coverage). My head just frikken HURTS from all of things going on in that world right now. Let me just cut to the chase, in that regard:
Yes, I'm voting for Obama. No, I don't have to justify it. Yes, I'm better off now, than I was three years ago. No, I don't think the Republicans have any real contenders in the presidential race. Do I think Obama will win? Yes. Am I impressed with *ANY* Repubs right now? No.
In fact, political ranting may be set aside for a while, as I have a difficult time catching up when things get good.
There. Hope that settles that.

Anyhow....

Went out on (*GASP*) BLACK FRIDAY!!!! Not to buy anything (I used to work in retail years ago), but mainly just to people-watch. I'm probably one of the few people who can do that sort of thing at a mall all day, without buying *anything*. Turned out to be pretty boring. No fights, no obnoxious shoppers...everyone well-behaved. Better luck next year.

One good thing about this job I have (you remember my job, right?)...we *might* be shut down between Christmas & New Year's. Sort of a last-minute vacation at the end of the year. I'll take it. Maybe I'll do some drawing then, if Fates permit me.
And, yes, I will be torturing you here with the results. I'm just too heartless not to. :D