Because of my duties at AbsolutePunk and all that's going on at RMP, I am not going to be writing much music in here anymore. I'm seguing this into just whatever the heck I feel like. For those that enjoyed "We've Never Heard of You Either," enjoy the archives/back entries and dive into my reviews at AbsolutePunk and all the music-related posts at RMP. For now, let me just wax poetic about whatever I feel like.
For starters, why is Michael Jackson's death so celebrated? Why can't people accept that championing a perverse, disillusioned, eccentric and incredibly odd person is borderline ludicrous. Sure I understand he contributed a lot to the music world, but he hasn't exactly been relative since the mid 90s. Okay, he made a brief blip on the radar with "You Rock My World," in 2001, but come on, he's been nothing but tabloid fodder for almost two decades. The point is, the media needs to focus their attention on soldiers on the frontlines and the fact that Iraqis rejoiced over us leaving Baghdad. Or how about the political quagmire in Iran, or the nuissance that is the North Korea. Hell, there are even more interesting stories in Africa than this Michael Jackson eulogizing and funereal curiosity. As an admitted music fan, I appreciate what he did for the pop charts and the influence he had on far too many, but I am pretty much tired and done with all of this press coverage.
That being said, it's more than just MJ. The last month-and-a-half devoted to Jon and Kate Gosselin is nauseating, embarassing and downright pathetic. Their sad plight is much the same as various couples across the country. Stop making it a bigger deal than it is. How about we focus our attention on the Web 2.0 inspired Moldovan revolution, or the rebuilding of L'Aquila, Italy. Or the political coup in Central America.
I just don't understand why American media focuses on the most trivial of stories. I really don't.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Blah About the Belmont Stakes
I'm deviating away from music for the third consecutive post (and my first since April 2009) to talk about the Belmont Stakes. I went this year, for the first time since 2000 (or maybe 2001, I don't remember) and pretty much dreaded it. Being that only 50,000 or so would show up, I was kinda amped to attend and see a few good stakes races too. Oh yeah and the Belmont. That, too.
So I parked ($10, as opposed to the $2 on other days) and all of a sudden I realized why I had stayed away. College kids were tailgating just about everywhere and while that's festive and convivial and cool, it's not my thing and kinda off-putting. But so be it, so it goes. I walked in and paid the $10 (it's $2 every other day) and tried to find a reserved ticket window. I bought a program ($5, up $2.50 from the everyday price) and watched the races from the second tier, near the LIRR entrance. Upon overhearing that reserved ticket sales were upstairs, I headed up there and got a seat on the third tier auxiliary. I was so high up I only saw the last 500 yards of each race. And then there were the masses of people, most of whom were inebriated or intoxicated. This was only 50,000. I cannot imagine 100,000. I don't do well with crowds and just 50,000 was too much for me. Upon leaving after Summer Bird's victory, I reminded myself why I enjoy the races on a ho-hum weekday or a sunny weekend with a Grade III. I like the space and the quiet and the wise guys. I can do without all the rest. Even if most of them are the glue to keeping this race aloft.
As for the race, like I said, I didn't see much. But Summer Bird's move was awesome. I think it's great that his trainer, in his first year of training has won a Belmont. That's wild. He's only 35. That's even more crazy. I also read that his owners have been in the game since the 80s and once had a champion with LeRoy Jolley. They are both Indian, doctors and bred Summer Bird themselves. Kinda cool, actually.
Alright that's enough. One of these days I'll write about music in this thing. At least I think. I hope. Who knows?
So I parked ($10, as opposed to the $2 on other days) and all of a sudden I realized why I had stayed away. College kids were tailgating just about everywhere and while that's festive and convivial and cool, it's not my thing and kinda off-putting. But so be it, so it goes. I walked in and paid the $10 (it's $2 every other day) and tried to find a reserved ticket window. I bought a program ($5, up $2.50 from the everyday price) and watched the races from the second tier, near the LIRR entrance. Upon overhearing that reserved ticket sales were upstairs, I headed up there and got a seat on the third tier auxiliary. I was so high up I only saw the last 500 yards of each race. And then there were the masses of people, most of whom were inebriated or intoxicated. This was only 50,000. I cannot imagine 100,000. I don't do well with crowds and just 50,000 was too much for me. Upon leaving after Summer Bird's victory, I reminded myself why I enjoy the races on a ho-hum weekday or a sunny weekend with a Grade III. I like the space and the quiet and the wise guys. I can do without all the rest. Even if most of them are the glue to keeping this race aloft.
As for the race, like I said, I didn't see much. But Summer Bird's move was awesome. I think it's great that his trainer, in his first year of training has won a Belmont. That's wild. He's only 35. That's even more crazy. I also read that his owners have been in the game since the 80s and once had a champion with LeRoy Jolley. They are both Indian, doctors and bred Summer Bird themselves. Kinda cool, actually.
Alright that's enough. One of these days I'll write about music in this thing. At least I think. I hope. Who knows?
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