Moving Day March 31, 2009
Posted by Matt in work.Tags: moving, office, work
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This morning, my office moved from one building to another, so my day has been pretty crazy so far. I am now the proud(?) occupant of another, perhaps slightly larger, cubicle, but I’m still no closer to a window than before. My office is located right outside the door of my boss’s boss’s boss, so that could be interesting. The building sits just off lovely Brooks Road (those of you familiar with Whitehaven know that’s an oxymoron), which should cut my commute time by at least a few minutes.
That being said, setting up my new office and moving ahead with my normal duties will keep me from posting anything more than this – at least for now.
Say It Ain’t So, Cal! March 30, 2009
Posted by Matt in Memphis, basketball.Tags: basketball, coach, John Calipari, Kentucky Wildcats, Memphis Tigers, NCAA
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Our local Memphis paper, the Commerical Appeal, reports today that Tiger coach John Calipari has been given permission to speak with officials at the university of Kentucky about their open head coaching position. Calipari is the winningest coach in Memphis history with a record of 253-68 since taking the reins in 2000, he’s won 5 conference championships and advanced to the national championship game in 2008. His recruiting class for next year has been ranked as one of the, if not the, best in the country.
In Memphis, Cal is a highly venerated leader who has led the team nearly to the very pinnacle of success and has turned the program into a perennial national powerhouse. His departure would be a terrible blow to the team and to a city that needs all of the bright spots it can get.
Kentucky and the SEC, though, offer a challenge and a level of exposure that a second rate conference like Conference USA just cannot compete with. The Wildcats are a storied program with a history matched by few others in the nation.
And, who knows, maybe he really has a thing for his cousin…
Let There Be Rock! March 28, 2009
Posted by Matt in concerts.Tags: concert, drive-by truckers, Memphis, New Daisy, Patterson Hood, set list
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Music, particularly when performed live, many times exudes a strange power, something empowering and enlightening, that can transport us to the highest highs and lowest lows. It takes us with its powerful grip and, as we relinquish ourselves, it transforms us in heart and in mind.
Last night, I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite bands in the world, the Drive-By Truckers, play a show here in Memphis and again I was blown away. This was my third DBT show and, while it may not have quite stacked up against 2008’s 3.5 hour extravaganza, it was still an excellent, high-energy show. Below is a setlist, though I’m not sure that the entire thing is in order.
Gravity’s Gone
Wednesday
Where the Devil Don’t Stay
Steve McQueen
Play it All Night Long
Sinkhole
Feb. 14
Plastic Flowers on the Highway
Ghost to Most
Self-Destructive Zones
When Daddy Learned to Fly
Home Field Advantage
Goode’s Field Road
Huston
Company I Keep
Women Without Whiskey
Marry Me
Encore:
Zip City
Let There Be Rock
Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Shut Up and Get On the Plane
People Who Died
Notes:
Zip City and Let There Be Rock are incredible songs that remain among DBT’s best in terms of playing live.
Patterson Hood spoke several times of how he worked at the New Daisy years ago when he lived in Memphis.
It’s amazing to me to watch Hood, in all of his mid-40’s glory, writhe around the stage, drenched in sweat, and totally beholden to the music.
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love was a surprise cover that went over pretty well, but the stellar version of Keep on Rockin’ In the Free World really brought the place down.
It must be customary for the band to finish off a fifth of whiskey at each show because it seems as though they pass a bottle around every time I see them.
Again, it was a great show. Don’t ever miss an opportunity to see this band live – they are among the best.
Random Plan Friday March 27, 2009
Posted by Matt in Random Play.Tags: Ipod, music, random, shuffle
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My Ipod contains over 5,400 songs, so anytime I hit “Shuffle Songs” it is interesting to see what comes up. Because of the nature of my work, I am able to listen to music through headphones most of the time, so naturally I do so and I thought I would share with you what came up when I “shuffled” today. Enjoy.
Shearwater – Century Eyes
Radiohead – Morning Bell
Whiskeytown – Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight
Al Green – Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Interpol – obstacle 1
Billy Bragg & Wilco – I Guess I Planted
Pearl Jam – Education
Los Campesinos! – Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks
Willie Nelson – That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)
Smashing Pumpkins – In the Arms of Sleep
Phish – Poor Heart
The White Stripes – Black Math
Green Day – Coming Clean
Thao – Swimming Pools
Cake – I Will Survive
Bob Dylan – I am a Lonesome Hobo
Pride & Glory – Losin’ Your Mind
The Shins – Caring is Creepy
Nick Drake – Clothes of Sand
U2 – Stand Up Comedy
Robert Johnson – Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)
Neko Case – Pretty Girls
REM – Perfect Circle
Dave Matthews Band – Burning Down the House (live)
Free Music Friday – DBT Encore March 27, 2009
Posted by Matt in free music friday.Tags: drive-by truckers, The Company I Keep, video
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I know that already did another post about them earlier this week, but I just had to do it again since the concert is tonight.
Sample Lyrics:
My first wife told me, you need to get a life
My second wife told me to get another wife
I brought a bottle and the Impala’s parked by that tree
So come on darling, if you want to be number three
The Rain Falls… March 27, 2009
Posted by Matt in Memphis, basketball.Tags: loss, Memphis Tigers, Missouri, NCAA Tournament, rain
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There is a cold rain falling in Memphis this morning. Threatening clouds shroud the city in darkness, casting their pall upon the citizens who found their hopes and wishes dashed to pieces the previous night and diffusing the great joy for which they had yearned.
Another season is over.
Despite a valiant second half effort, our Tigers fell last night to Missouri, ending another great run for the Championship. Even though this 33 win season ended in the Sweet Sixteen, there is still much pride to be found around the city for our team.
But, the skies won’t stay dark and overcast forever. The rain will not fall for an eternity. No, eventually the sun will peak through the clouds again.
There’s always next year…
The Shrinking Church March 26, 2009
Posted by Matt in Christian Beliefs.Tags: church of christ, Jay Guin, progressive vs. conservative
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I just read this excellent post by Jay Guin about the Church of Christ and wanted to share it with you. I think he makes some great points regarding the progressive/conservative paradigms. What do you think?
Creepy Cantor March 26, 2009
Posted by Matt in random.Tags: Britney Spears, concert, Eric Cantor, fundraising
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According to this article posted on CNN.com, House Republican Whip Eric Canto was spotted at a Britney Spears concert earlier this week.
“I had a political event there, and it was simply because it was there to help the team, that’s why I was there,” Cantor told CNN on Thursday.
An aide of Cantor said that he was raising money at the concert for his polictical action committee, ERICPAC.
When asked his opinion on the concert, Cantor said that it was “quite a show. I hand it to the performer, she was something.”
Now, I’m not trying to judge his motives or anything, but doesn’t a concert that is dominated by teenage girls seem like an usual place to try and raise money? It just strikes me as, well, strange.
Olivia Update March 25, 2009
Posted by Matt in friends.Tags: heart transplant, Olivia Apa, recovery, surgery
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On Monday I wrote a short piece about our friends the Apas and their young daughter, Olivia, who was undergoing heart transplant surgery that day. According to her website, Monday’s procedure was a success, but as of yesterday she was still having to use a breathing tube. There has been a bit of arrhythmia, but the results have been good so far.
Hillary: The Musical? March 25, 2009
Posted by Matt in politics.Tags: Hillary Clinton, movie, musical comedy, Supreme Court
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This week the US Supreme Court have been hearing arguments regarding government regulation and free speech stemming from a 90 minute film from the past election cycle entitled “Hillary: The Movie.”
Regarding the documentary, Justice Stephen Breyer said, “I’ve seen this movie. It’s not a musical comedy.”
But, don’t you think it would be better if it were a musical comedy? I have this vision of actors playing the Clintons and other governmental figures that randomly burst into song and participate in choreographed dance numbers.
Hillary: The Musical Comedy sounds so much better anyway…
