Democratic National Convention, New Year's Rockin' Eve Style

I've been watching PBS' gavel to gavel coverage of the DNC, and had a few comments on the convention:

1. The Music: For a party running on a platform of change, Democrats sure seem to be married to the same old cliche music demonstrated in past conventions. It's like they made a soundtrack for the DNC in 1996 and decided to keep using it over and over again. This isn't a 15 year high school reunion Democrats, every third song doesn't have to be from Lenny Kravitz. And the theme songs for the speakers don't need to be so overt. When the governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, took the stage, I was half expecting to hear a sound bite from The Wizard of Oz proclaiming "Kansas she says is the name of the star". Nor do the songs have to be so inappropriate. As much as I would like to say the speeches of these notable Democrats are what is staying with me, the picture that I can't get out of my head is of thousands of delegates, in an act of celebration over the official nomination of Obama, gettin' down with their bad selves and starting a "love train, love train". Sigh. Just remember Democrats, if you insist on asking the political question "are you gonna go my way" over and over again, your answer may eventually turn out to be, no.

2. The Venue. Aside from moving the Obama acceptance speech from the convention hall to the open air arena being a spectacle of Dick Clark proportions, I wonder how the switch appears to undecided viewers. On the one hand, the move demonstrates Obama's unconventional approach and his desire to identify with the average American and create a more inclusive policy. On the other hand, it was somewhat of a spectacle and may feed the fire of the recent criticism levied against Obama for being a celebrity. I'm curious to see how it all pans out.

3. What, no balloons?

Personally, this year's DNC reaffirmed why I'm a life-long Democrat. Michelle Obama's speech alone was the clincher.

...love train, love train...

The Obama/Biden ticket

I have decided that the best thing about Obama picking Joe Biden as his running mate is that when people ask me which ticket I am voting for, I can say calmly, and with all seriousness, that I am voting for Jobama. Snap.

The Archive

Here is a very poignant mini-documentary about Paul Mawhinney, the owner of the world's largest record collection. The estimated worth of the records is $50 million.  Due to health reasons, Paul is forced to sell the collection.  The asking price is a scant $3 million. Even more impressive, a huge portion of his collection (83%) contains music not available on any CD! This weekend I'm going to search the family tree to see if any Mawhinneys turn up. Wish me luck... 

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

Jamie Livingston Project

As a tribute to Jamie Livingston, for the month of June I took a photo a day. Here are some of the photographs that resulted. For lack of a polaroid camera, the photos were taken with my digital. In black and white of course. Read Jamie Livingston's touching story here.

An open letter to the music of Don Henley and The Eagles

Dear music of Don Henley and The Eagles,

Although I am sincerely flattered by the recent interest you have shown in me, your actions, quite frankly, have become excessive and unwanted. While I do enjoy hearing a selection from your musical catalog on occasion, the frequency in which you have been playing as of late is far beyond what one could consider normal or common place.

Curiously, you have been showing up everywhere I do. Specifically, in recent weeks you have managed to arrange to be at the grocery store I frequent, at my place of work, in a friend's car and at my family's home. Further, last night you appeared unannounced and uninvited at my apartment. I do not know, nor do I want to imagine, how you managed to turn my radio from the off position into a platform for your "Best of My Love".

In any event, your actions must stop. Although I am holding both of you, the music of Don Henley and the music of The Eagles, jointly and severally liable, I suspect a greater portion of the blame lies in the music of Don Henley. Your persistent playing of "End of the Innocence" has been especially problematic in recent weeks.

Please consider this a formal request to cease and desist from playing any and all music from any of your compilation and/or greatest hits albums including, but not limited to, "Lyin' Eyes", "Hotel California" and "Desperado". Although unverified as of yet, I suspect you may also be responsible for the recent series of hang up phone calls made to my cell phone. If this is the case, please refrain from any further activity of this nature.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this matter and I trust no further action will be necessary.

Regards,

Sarah

You Should Read: Replay by Ken Grimwood

Sometimes a person can describe something with such dead on accuracy, the only thing you can manage to say is, YES!  Like the first time Heather tried a mojito, after taking a sip she commented "It tastes like a spa".  A mojito does indeed taste like a spa.  To describe it any other way would not only be unfortunate, it would be a lie.   In reviewing the book Replay by Ken Grimwood, NPR contributor Brad Metzler commented that it was the book least like Chicken Soup for the Soul.  Brad Metzler, like Heather, is not a liar.  

Metzler's review and the book's association with one of my favorite Bill Murray movies (Groundhog's Day is based off of this book) were what originally peaked my interest.  After reading Replay, I can say that this is easily in my top 5 favorite books of all time.  

The premise is fairly simple, after leading a mundane life, Jeff Winston drops dead at the age of forty-three.   Moments after his death, he awakens to find himself eighteen again and in the dorm of his old college.  He has been given the chance to do it all over again.  With full knowledge of the future, Jeff begins by placing a series of bets on sporting events that he already knows the outcome to. He eventually amasses a considerable fortune and personal success beyond anything imaginable in his former life. Then, at the age of forty-three, Jeff Winston drops dead, again. He awakens at the age of eighteen, again.  And yet again, he has lost everything he loved.  This is the first of a series of "replays" Jeff experiences (some of which are just plain heart wrenching). Ultimately, Jeff must figure out why he is replaying and in the process examine happiness, loss, progress, his moral obligations and the meaning of existence.   

Although in the realm of science fiction, to me the books is more philosophical than anything else.  Wonderful on so many levels, I would highly recommend this as a read to anyone with even a passing interest in philosophy, science fiction or Bill Murray. 

Knights of Pythias

It took me several months to notice this "Knights of Pythias" sign around the corner from my apartment. Which I found both odd and fantastic. I had imagined that many a round table meeting had been held here, likely to discuss how to finally get that dang sword out of that stone. I had also voted it the building to most likely share its name with a RUSH album. I had even decided to change the way I reply to people when they ask me where I live..."Do you know where the Knights of Pythias is? No?!? Well you should." 

Then I took the time to actually look up the Knights of Pythias. Apparently, they are an international fraternal order that was founded in 1864.  They list the moral uplifting and purification of society as one of their objectives.  What a bummer.

I guess I'm reverting back to my former response to inquiries as to where I live: "Do you watch Dog, the Bounty Hunter?  Did you see the episode where Beth picks out her wedding shoes from the 'ho' store'?  I live right around the corner from there."