My Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox won the World Series.

After being up and out late last night and getting up early this morning to get to work there hasn't been a lot of time to stop and let this soak in. Now it's quiet, and there is time to relax a bit.

In one of the top three most dominate single season performances ever, the White Sox have captured their first championship in 88 years. I've spent the better part of this evening reading the thoughts of Chicago's columnists and watching various news clips covering the celebrations. This column stood out to me over all the others and actually put tears in my eyes.

Ironically it's written by the Tribune's Pulitzer Prize winning cultural critic.

Baseball, in its glory
Savoring summer's game on a cool autumn evening

By Julia Keller
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 27, 2005

It rose in the autumn sky like a South Side Stonehenge, looking ancient and gray and invincible against the late-afternoon twilight.

This was not where the action was. The action was 1,180 miles away in Houston, where a few hours later the Chicago White Sox would finish off the Houston Astros with a 1-0 victory.

But to drive past U.S. Cellular Field on the same day the Sox won the World Series--to see the ballpark squaring itself pugnaciously against a mud-colored and cloud-clotted horizon, to see it proud and lonely--was to get a sharp chill of insight:

It's over now.

Because even before the game was played, you knew. Your friends knew, too.

The whole city knew. The Sox had it in the bag. They were too good, too poised, too lucky. They were too good to disappoint the city whose name they wear across the fronts of their jerseys, the city that's now second to nobody, thanks to these first-class athletes.

You knew they were going to sweep. You knew Juan Uribe would somehow have that foul ball when he surfaced from the sea of Houston fans in the seats during the climactic ninth inning.

And while knowing it didn't take the edge off--heavens, nothing could do that--you also realized the astonishing, unbelievable 2005 season is history.

History. As in something you study, something preserved under glass.

You're happy--who wouldn't be?--but maybe a little sad, too, ever so slightly. "Aye, in the very temple of Delight/Veiled Melancholy has her sovereign shrine," wrote John Keats in his poem "Ode on Melancholy."

He never saw the Sox play, but he wrote as if he did.

Baseball ends in autumn. The World Series is played on days when the sun slips away earlier and earlier, when by 5 p.m. the sky in places such as Chicago is the color of iron filings, when the air is getting cold enough to pinch.

The World Series wraps up, that is, at a time of year when endings are what we're thinking about. Endings, not beginnings. And what gives the Sox victory Wednesday night itspoignant perfection is the fact it won't ever happen again.

Oh, yes, the team might win again next year. But it won't be the same team.

It won't be the same way. It won't be these guys and those games and this vivid assemblage of plays.

Those pure moments: Joe Crede's fielding, in which the glove interrupts the ball's trajectory like a new law of physics, one that insists that balls can't cross a plane inhabited by the leather on Crede's left wrist. Bobby Jenks' sizzling set-down of Astros batters in Games 1 and 4, when the sight of the pitcher's broad back as he fell forward to throw was as reassuring as watching the bodaciously thick door of a bank vault swing shut. And the home runs, of course, such as Geoff Blum's blistering blast in the 14th inning of Game 3, as most of the nation slept.

Baseball is played in the summer but ends in the autumn, when the light starts to fail and kids are called inside early, taken reluctantly from their games in vacant lots and dead-end streets. The moments are precious because they perish. The joy is special because it's temporary. "Death is the mother of beauty," wrote Wallace Stevens. What makes today so amazing--the first full day after the Sox victory--is that it is unique in the history of the world. And will remain so. Cherish it, because it is moving steadily out of your reach.

Does that mean we shouldn't celebrate, shouldn't revel? Of course not. A South Sider who also happened to be one of the greatest of 20th Century poets--the late Gwendolyn Brooks--had some advice on that point. "Exhaust the little moment./Soon it dies./And be it gash or gold/It will not come again/In this identical disguise." That would be Brooks' eloquent way of saying: Party, people. But know that the sun goes down and the day ends, all the same.

Brendan Boyd's novel "Blue Ruin" (1991), a tragi-comical tale about the 1919 Series, has been mentioned before in these pages during this great Sox run, but it's good enough for another go-round. When Arnold Rothstein, the gambler who bankrolled the sorry deal, runs into the kid who dreamed up the fix, Rothstein is rueful. "If you pull this off," Rothstein says, "your life will be over. You'll have gotten exactly what you wanted."

A city that can never quite figure out where it belongs in the world is now sitting on top of it. A city that gets tired of apologizing for not being New York or Los Angeles suddenly doesn't have to apologize for anything. It's a great and glorious moment, and yes, it will pass, superseded by other moments.

Like U.S. Cellular Field, that even now is hunkering down like a big iron barrel stave, waiting for the return of spring, it's enough that this day is what it is. We know what we have. We know who we are: Winners, for the blink of an eye, for the length of a lifetime.

Tonight it hit me what happened. My team won the World Series. Something that, at times, I never thought would happen. Hope? Hope is for Red Sox fans and Cubs fans. This is the second team in the Second City. A team picked to finish third or even fourth in their own division at the beginning of this year. A team that was featured in the lowest rated World Series ever.

Nobody watched, and I couldn’t care less. My team won the World Series.

Baseball truly is the greatest game ever played; and for this year at least, the Chicago White Sox played it better than anyone else in the world.

I was wrong

The World Series is coming to Chicago.

I can't believe I just typed that. It's even harder to fathom that it's actually true. I know they have to win one more game, but this series is as good as over. No curses. No goats. No Bartman.

The White Sox flat out own the Angels.

We All Know What's Coming

This is so weird.

I've been a Sox fan since the 6th grade. I was there in '93 for the now forgotten 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays in the ALCS. I stood by in disbelief and watched Kelly Wunsh give up a game tying single to the Mariners late in the first game of the 2000 Divisional Series. An event that seemed set the tone for the rest of that short lived series.

And so, as Sox fans, we've learned are place in baseball. We're here for the rest of the American League to beat up on.

Unlike Cubs fans, we've grown rather accustomed to this position. And so, every spring when the Cubs fans are chirping how this is "their year," we Sox fans sit by silently and wait for the inevitable. Defeat. Oh sure, we'll make the playoffs every 5 or 6 years, whether we need it or not. But early exits and, well, not so much as a single home victory since 1959 has taught us well to reserve our hopes. After all better to downplay any success than to get your hopes up only to have them crushed by reality. See 2000. See 1993. See 1994 for that matter. See 1983. The list goes on.

But then there is this. And this is bizarre.

This is two overly impressive wins against the World Series champs. This is a game one slaughter matched only three times in play off history. This is a game two come back when their "big game" pitcher was practically perfect through 5. Easily the most exciting home run in my life as a White Sox fan. This is looking at the face of the other teams big sticks and striking them out in key situations. This is capitalizing on other teams mistakes. This is clutch hitting when we need it, and shut down pitching and defense against the most potent offense in the AL.

This is gut wrenching. This is tense. This is thrilling. This is exciting. This is fun.

This is not White Sox baseball.

And so, I will continue to not believe. I will continue to expect defeat. After all, this is the White Sox, the doormat of the American League. And they're the Red Sox. Proven champions. Manny Ramirez. Big Poppy. All Stars. Cy Young winners. There's just no way to beat them, and even if they do, what's next? The Yankees? The Angels? Both World Series champs in the last 5 years.

Winners, as in the opposite of the White Sox.

Tag or Die

Hmmm, I've apparently been tagged by the C.G.P. This means I must now post 5 songs I like and, in turn, tag 5 other individuals to do the same. If I tag you, my most sincere apologies for the inconvenience, but it appears that this "tagging" ritual carries with it some sort of curse that inflicts great pain on he who fails to heed it's rules.

What are those rules you ask?

THE RULES: List five songs that you are currently loving. It doesn't matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they're any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artists, and the songs in your blog. Then tag five other friends to see what they're listening to.

Yes, so here we go.

"A Favor" by Okkervil River
"The Pretender" by Dr. Dog
"Manhattan" by Head of Femur
"Uh-Oh, It's Morning Time Again" by Mount Eerie
"I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon to Your Star" by The Boy Least Likely To

Well I guess that pretty much wraps that up, excepting the fact that I need to tag five other unsuspecting individuals, which I'll get to momentarily. First, you'll notice I made all those songs up there click-able, so you can click them. Go ahead now, put your little mousy right over one of them and click it. That'll give you the opportunity to download any one of them and enjoy it for yourself. Now, if'n you do so, please be so kind as to let me know what you think. Danke.

Since I'm in such a musical mood (and because I haven't done it in forever) I've decided to put up a new song in the Songs to Love section at the right. Enjoy it, it's Animal Collective, they're bizarre.

Right, so on to tagging. Hmmm, well of course I'll have to reach out and touch Crystal. So four more... let's go with Drew, Kim, Mike Moore, and as a peace offering, Brandon.

Good. So have at it then.

Wow

For those of you who were wondering why Duncan Avenue was shut down yesterday...

Body found along bike path
DUNDEE TOWNSHIP — Several passersby discovered a dead man along the Fox River Trail Monday afternoon, prompting closure of section of the bike path and nearby Duncan Avenue just north of Elgin's Trout Park.

The man was a probable murder victim, police said. Officials did not disclose the man's identity as of 8:45 p.m. pending notification of family members, police said.

Police were dispatched to the spot where the body was found around 2 p.m. and quickly cordoned off a small, wooded area just east of the Fox River between Covey Street to the north and the Interstate 90 overpass to the south in unincorporated Kane County. The location was yards away from the border between Elgin and Dundee Township, and fell within the Kane County Sheriff's jurisdiction.

Police widened the closed-off area to Trout Park Boulevard.

The people who found the body, two men and one woman, remained on the scene. The Polish speakers did not communicate in English.

This is about a mile from my house. I was actually fishing right were this happened last week. On the way home today a noticed a Latino family putting a large cross up on the side of the road. My guess is the crime occurred elsewhere and the body was dropped off here. However, that is just speculation.

Eerie.

Sad.

Setting the record straight

It has come to my attention that since I did not blame George Bush for the tragedy that is Katrina's rescue effort, I am a "spewing partisan rhetorical mis-information." Since I am not a Republican this is really disturbing to me. So in an effort to distance myself from the Bush administration I will use this post to point out some obvious truths about the man, George Bush:

George Bush actually caused hurricane Katrina. Well, not so much caused it but at least empowered it by planting underwater heaters beneath the Gulf of Mexico to make sure any hurricane that was there would definitely become a cat5 storm that would hit New Orleans.

Why would George Bush be against New Orleans?

Obviously because New Orleans voted 77% for Kerry. For sure he'd be mad at them and want to spite them. He could have, for instance, NOT put billions of dollars into the war with Iraq, and instead built a super flood protection center for the poor. Then they would be safe. But no, because George Bush hates poor people and everyone knows that poor people vote for Democrats. So Bush had to destroy them.

He's also a dirty capitalist who supports businesses who are in the business of greenhouse gas production. Because only greedy corporations create greenhouse gasses. Certainly not volcanoes or even super rich liberal movie stars and greedy musicians like the Bono who only use giant SUV's and planes with ozone friendly exhausts.

On second thought I probably shouldn't blame the underwater heaters on Bush because I read somewhere that was Karl Rove's idea. Of course Karl is Bush's right hand man so he's probably just as guilty. Hmmmm.

It's just too bad John Kerry isn't president because there is just no way he would have let the hurricane happen, let alone destroy New Orleans. Because Jon Kerry loves the black people!

Also, thanks to a tip from my ultra-liberal (and therefore intelligent) Mother, I now have information that proves that George Bush assassinated William Rehnquist so that he could appoint one of his own evil neo-con judges of doom! OF DOOM I TELL YOU!

Now to complete my anti-republican post I will post the mandatory liberal pictures of George Bush.

HE HAS THE BLOOD OF INNOCENT PEOPLES ON HIM!


HE'S A NAZI BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IN THINGS LIKE NATIONAL SOCIALISM AND BANNING GUNS!


LOOK AT THE THAT TERRIBLE MUSTACHE! LOOK AT IT, IT'S HIDEOUS!


SEE, HE'S A TERRORIST, BUT HE'S FIGHTING A WAR AGAINST TERROR! DON'T YOU SEE THE IRONY? DON'T YOU SEE IT?


JUST LOOK AT HIM, DO THOSE LOOK LIKE PRESIDENTIAL EARS TO YOU? I THINK NOT!

IMPEACH HIM NOW!

Katrina

A particularly offensive article was posted on CNN tonite.

If it's alright with you I'll quote the parts that I find particularly disgusting.

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Black lawmakers angry about federal response to Katrina

At a news conference Friday, black members of Congress were critical of the relief effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Black members of Congress expressed anger Friday at what they said was a slow federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

"It looks dysfunctional to me right now," said Rep. Diane Watson, D-California.

She and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with members of the Black Leadership Forum, National Conference of State Legislators, National Urban League and the NAACP, held a news conference and charged that the response was slow because those most affected are poor.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Illinois, said too much focus has been placed on the looting, taking away from what should be the priority: getting food, water and stability to the tens of thousands of displaced victims.

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It's hard to know where to start.

It's pretty apparent at this point that the man responsible for most of the terrible things you have seen in the past few days is going to go unpunished. In fact, it appears that this man will go on to appear a victim in this tragedy. I've read countless blogs, some blaming the President for lack of concern, some blaming FEMA for lack of response, many blaming the rich for not caring for the poor. However, I've yet to see a single blog or media story call out the man who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.

That man is NOT George Bush.

That man IS Ray Nagin.

A cat5 storm hit his town and Ray Nagin did nothing. Looters began taking food that was not theirs to take, and Ray Nagin did nothing. Looters began stealing guns, and Ray Nagin did nothing. Looters began breaking into medical facilities and pharmacies to steal narcotics and Ray Nagin did nothing. Looters turned to assailants, attacking rescuers attempting to airlift stranded individuals and Ray Nagin did nothing. Assailants turned to sexual predators as men attacked, raped, and murdered women and children and Ray Nagin did nothing. One particularly disturbing account of such activities reads as such:

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Sitting with her daughter and other relatives, Trolkyn Joseph, 37, said men had wandered the cavernous convention center in recent nights raping and murdering children.

She said she found a dead 14-year old girl at 5 a.m. on Friday morning, four hours after the young girl went missing from her parents inside the convention center.

"She was raped for four hours until she was dead," Joseph said through tears. "Another child, a seven-year old boy was found raped and murdered in the kitchen freezer last night."

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What could Ray Nagin have done? Well the easy answer to that is, of course, something. He could have properly planned and trained his local law enforcement to handle a catastrophe such as this. He could have, once the hurricane hit and passed seized and secured the local grocery stores and used the food and supplies to feed the survivors. He could have seized and secured the local gun retailers to prevent them from falling into the hands of looters. He could have seized and secured the local pharmacies and hospitals so that they could be used to treat the wounded and sick. He could have taken serious steps to stop looting at the first signs to send a message to others that it would not be tolerated.

He could have preserved order.

Instead he promoted lawlessness and disorder. He sent thousands of refugees to the local convention center and did NOT alert FEMA. In fact, FEMA officials learned of this decision from watching CNN's coverage. The result was thousands of people packed into a small space with nobody in charge. No authority whatsoever. That's why you have men raping children to death in public. That's why people are starving to death.

And this man has the nerve to get on the air and blast the Feds for not doing enough to help. Yes, it's true that FEMA could have done more, but at least they did something.

Tell me again how President Bush doesn't like black people.

Tell me again how FEMA's response is inadequate.

Tell me again how it's rich America's fault that poor people in New Orleans are dying.

Heck, even Mayor Nagin has some blame to pass around:

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“I don’t know if it’s the governor’s problem [Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco] or if it’s the president’s problem but they need to get their asses on a plane and sit down the two of them and figure this out right now.”

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Everyone's problem except yours, eh Mr. Nagin?

untitled

Doing laundry tonite at the Three Seven Coin Laundry in East Dundee. I was hoping to watch the Sox game on one of the televisions here, but it appears Spanish soap operas are the programming of choice for the evening. I fear for the life of any man who might dare to turn off one of these shows, so instead I write.

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I'm quite happy to see the end of the Tour de France. Even more so, the end of Lance Armstrong's career. With his retirement comes the end of the yearly media blitz attempting to persuade us all into believing what a terrific human being he is. I wonder if anyone else finds it coincidental that he is deciding to retire now after questions of his steroid use are heating up. I'd also say most "terrific" men I know don't ditch their wives right after having three kids with them. Yeah, it's true he overcame great odds in winning race after race after a battle with cancer. Still, I have to wonder if such a struggle might have been avoidable if, say, he hadn't been injecting himself with liquid muscle in the first place.

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I wonder if men cry this much on English speaking soap operas. These guys on El Cuerpo del Deseo sure are weepy.

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Can we put an end to calling the Decemberists an original band? I know the kids get all excited over the use of an accordion, but really they aren't at all an original sounding band. I'll admit that Picaresque is a moderately decent album, and even confessing to being rather fond of We Both Go Down Together, but calling the Decemberists anything more than a Neutral Milk Hotel cover band is really overstating things.

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On the topic of music, 2005 has been overwhelmingly disappointing. At present I can really only think of 4 albums I could confidently recommend to people, despite already listening to probably twice as many albums as last year. In order they are:

Sufjan Stevens Invites You to Come on Feel the Illinoise:
Rolling Stone magazine actually featured this album in their last issues reviews, and rightly so gave it 4 out of 4 stars. Look for his popularity to grow and grow over the next few months as this album starts to sink in with casual music fans.



Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy:
Complete with the knock your feet from under you, have you curled up in the corner before tearing your heart out lyrics rabid fans have come to expect out of Will Sheff.


Architecture in Helsinki - In Case we Die:
This my be the funnest album since the Unicorns (a moment of silence for the Unicorns please) made Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone. Quite a good live performance as well, you Chicago kids can look forward to them coming back this way in the Fall.

Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs:
This one is still growing on me. I'm not sure who Bird reminds me of (I think maybe Rufus Wainwright, OH NOS!) but he's quite the musician, as it turns out quite the whistler as well.

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Folding laundry must the most boring endeavor man can commit himself to.

A New Project

I've started a new blog, which is not really a blog at all. It's more of a project that will probably take years to finish, if I ever finish it at all.

Intrigued? Don't be, it's really nothing special. Click here to check out the details of The Principle Driven Life.

I've added a new song that's a must have for all old school 8-bit Nintendo players. It's an old Jellyfish song sung from the point of view of King Bowser of Super Mario Bros. fame. Even if you're unfamiliar with video games you should really check it out, as it's an amazing pop song anyone could enjoy. As always you'll find it in the Songs to Love section to the right.

Mmmmm-kay?

Silly Games

Which twentieth century philosophical novelist are you?

You are Ayn Rand!

Okay, so I didn't really get that from one of those silly web quizzes, and truth be told I pretty much loathe those things. But I have been reading The Passion of Ayn Rand, and I must say I've been shocked by some of the similarities in our personalities. Well, we're not that similar I suppose; she's an atheist, I'm a Christian, she was born in Russia, I in America, Ayn was a genius and I'm... well not, and of course she is, after all, a she.

Still, there have been some uncanny moments of, "Goodness, that's me," in reading this biography. Maybe the most obvious example is this one:

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"Throughout her high school days, Ayn continued to be very vocal about ideas that were important to her. "I argued at the slightest provocation, whether people did or not want to hear. I criticized myself for this. I was very aware they didn't want to talk, and I was forcing the conversation. I knew it was wrong." Her passion for ideas, her conviction that they were of paramount importance, led Ayn, all her life, to "force conversations." One might make the mildest of off-hand comments - and suddenly find oneself engaged in an all night philosophical conversation about the wider meaning and implications of one's comment."

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I don't know why it is I insist on "forcing conversations." I often find myself getting into uncomfortable situations with co-workers or friends after they say something trivial and I over react because it violates even the smallest of my principles. I can see it in the eyes of my victim friends. They really have no desire to talk about whatever subject is at hand, yet I continue driving my points home, in an oft times overbearing fashion.

I don't typically come out of these arguments conversations feeling too well about them. I can't say I usually make my point, or make them come around to my way of thinking. I do honestly try and hear other peoples opinions though, and then proceed to annoyingly force them to prove their points ad nauseam. I've learned people are more than happy to have their own opinions and not really know why they have them, or how to defend them. I have not learned to shut up and keep mine to myself.

I suppose it boils down to my desire to be right. I don't know.

Well, that's all for now, I've got important things to do. Thanks to Lauren, I've got a little game that I've become obsessed with.

A Short Play Showing the Effects of the UN's Condemnation of Terrorist Actions

"Hmm, I think I will blow something up today, and kill several innocent people."

LATER THAT DAY....


BOOM!

The UN security council reacts to the attack...


"WE CONDEMN THIS ATTACK!"



"Okay."

An Invitation

Sufjan Stevens Invites You to: Come on! Feel the Illinoise!

Back in 2001 John Linnel of They Might Be Giants fame released his first and only solo project. Entitled State Songs it consisted of 16 songs about various states. Leading off the play list was Illinois, and while State Songs was filled to the brim with the clever lyrics and catchy hooks that made They Might Be Giants great, Illinois was a major disappointment. A simple organ solo with no lyrics, it served as a mere primer to the rest of the greatness on that album. My home state got screwed. My civic pride was in shambles. My fellow statesmen weeped and tore their clothes. Until, that is, hope was restored in the form of news about Sufjan Steven's second installment to his 50 states project: Sufjan Stevens Invites You to Come on Feel the Illinoise! Would the Land of Lincoln finally get the homage she so richly deserves?

I remember the first time I heard Sufjan's first album (first state album that is) Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State. A friend of mine had given it to me, telling me "it's about Michigan." "Great." I thought, "it must be fascinating." I loaded it up in my media player, grabbed my headphones and to my shock was immediately mesmerized. Over the next few weeks I couldn't get Sufjan's unique arrangements out of my head. And his writing? Well, having grown up in Michigan, Stevens wrote songs about his memories associated with the state, no so much the state itself. The results were some of the most emotionally moving songs of 2003.

Stevens' 2004 follow-up, Seven Swans, was some what of a drop off from Michigan though his writing was still solid, he moved away from the orchestral accompaniments and odd time signatures that helped make Michigan my pick for 2003's album of the year. Based on this, it was easy to assume Stevens would continue this acoustic trend on Illinois. Turns out this isn't the case.

Illinoise starts out with a piano solo much like Michigan does with one of the quieter tracks on the album. It follows with one of the many instrumental interludes before bursting into the title track, Come on Feel the Illinoise!, Stevens' most robust and compelling song to date. Seeing as Sufjan grew up in Michigan, not Illinois, it may be unfair to expect as much emotion out of this album as Greetings From Michigan, though songs like John Wayne Gacy, Palisades, and Casimir Pulaski Day are certainly touching to say the least. Still, whatever emotion is lost from Michigan is more than made up for with Illinoise's, in-depth compositions and improved production.

It's probably unfair to compare the two albums at all as Illinoise is more than good enough to stand independent of his first work. This album is gorgeous, nothing less. An impressive composition of songs packed with strings and horns interwoven with simple, yet still beautiful, folk songs. Rarely does Illinoise let up or drop your interest, despite its length. Each song has its own uniqueness, much the way Michigan did, only better. Sporting over 20 instruments and several back up vocalists, Stevens does everything big with Illinoise. From the 74+ minute play list, to what I have to assume is a purposely pretentious and obnoxious track list as follows:

1 - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL
2 - The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience But You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, "I have fought the Big Knives and will continue to fight them until they are off our lands!"
3 - Come on! Feel the Illinoise!
-Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition
-Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream
4 - John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
5 - Jacksonville
6 - A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, But for Very Good Reasons
7 - Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step Mother!
8 - One Last "Woo-hoo!" for the Pullman
9 - Chicago
10 - Casimir Pulaski Day
11 - To the Workers of the Rockford River Valley Region, I have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament, and it involves shoe string, a lavender garland, and twelve strong women
12 - The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
13 - Prairie Fire That Wanders About
14 - A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in Which Sufjan Stevens Has an Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze
15 - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
16 - They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhhh!
17 - Let's Hear That String Part Again, Because I Don't Think They Heard It All the Way Out in Bushnell
18 - In This Temple, as in the Hearts of Man, for Whom He Saved the Earth
19 - The Seer's Tower
20 - The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders
-Part I: The Great Frontier
-Part II: Come to Me Only With Playthings Now
21 - Riffs and Variations on a Single Note for Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, and the King of Swing, to Name a Few
22 - Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I shake the dirt from my sandals as I run

Though it looks daunting, only 13 of the 22 tracks are what would be considered full songs with lyrics and all, while 6 of them are less than a minute and consist of music only, (or less in the case of One Last Woo Hoo). The connections to Illinois are broad. From Come on Feel, which is a 2 part song about Chicago's Worlds Fair and Illinois' own Carl Sandburg. Decatur taps into Macon County's Civil War history while pleading for sympathy for stepmothers. Two of the albums most emotional songs, Casmir Pulaski Day and John Wayne Gacy both deal in death. The former talks about a man of faith wrestling with God over the death of a loved one and in the latter Stevens confesses, "In my best behavior, I am really just like him."

I could go on and bore you to death with a song by song recount of how great this album is, but such things get old. Obviously it's impossible to say whether or not a better album than Illinoise will come out in 2005, but I very highly doubt a more beautiful sounding one will. And even if this doesn't finish the year as my favorite, it's easy to call Sufjan Stevens one of the best song writers currently creating music. Maybe the best. Seriously. I am anxious to see where the next stop in the 50 States project will take us (current rumors say Oregon) until then it's nice to know Illinois wasn't forsaken.

Rating: 9.65/10

I Love These Men

Who are they? The creators of my new favorite restaurant, Cereality.

Not that I've ever been there, but I intend to make my first pilgrimage sooner, rather than later. The idea is simple enough. 33 different cereals, 34 different toppings, some milk and a trendy looking bowl. It's like Cold Stone for cereal.
Honestly, what could be better? If they opened a cafe in East Dundee, I think I'd go for every meal, every day. Come to think of it, I wonder how much it would cost to become a franchisee. Think about it, free cereal for life.

Goodness.

With that combination of cereals and toppings, there are easily over a thousand combinations of heaven to enjoy. They even have soy milk for certain types of people.

Anyway, despite these goofs I've put up a new song by Andrew Bird.

The Hottest Topic on the Planet

Fresh off a discussion on Kay-do regarding the G8's decision to eliminate the debt of several African countries, World Magazine has published an article with some thoughts on the possible effects of such actions.

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Whose jubilee?
COVER STORY: Powerful names in Christendom join music moguls to mount a seductive campaign to cancel poor-nation debt—a plan more likely to benefit oppressors of the poor than the truly impoverished by Mindy Belz

What common cause could unite Pink Floyd and Rick Warren?

Meet Live8, ONE, Make Poverty History, and the Long Walk To Justice, all part of the latest gizmo-laden, concert-driven, wristband-toting, venue-hopping extravaganza powered by aging rockers and their fans in search of—and perhaps sincerely committed to—a cause. more...

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Of course I have thoughts on the article, and for lack of a better topic of discussion and simply for the fact that I'm bored, I'll share them with you.

Yet the United States gives the highest absolute amount in foreign aid of any country—in 2003, more than $16 billion, according to Hudson Institute senior fellow Carol Adelman. Hudson Institute research indicates private charity totaled over $35 billion for 2000, the last year such figures were tabulated—or three and one-half times U.S. government aid for that year. Those figures do not include giving by local U.S. churches.

This really shocked me. $35 billion in 2000 from private organization? That much money going to Africa in one year, and apparently making so little difference, is a very discouraging thought. Is simply pumping more money into this continent going to make any difference at all? Before you get all huffy and yell at me for not caring, let me just say I'm not suggesting putting an end to all monetary aid, I guess I'm just overwhelmed by the lack of progress that's been made in decades of efforts to alleviate the suffering of these people.

But offstage a band of leading economists and scholars says the G8 plan is not only misguided but harmful, particularly for church-based poverty-fighting efforts. "Debt forgiveness rewards the corruption and inefficiency of governments who have mishandled loaned funds," writes the editorial board of the Kairos Journal in a letter sent June 6 to Mr. Warren and Mr. Stott, along with others. "In forgiving the debt of poor nations, we're not forgiving the debts of those nation's poor; we're merely enabling bureaucratic perfidy and incompetence."

Here lies my greatest objection to the One campaign's thought process. With all of the relief going to the government and leaders of these countries, rather than their citizens, we have no guarantee that this money will help those who are in need at all. While it's easy enough to say at this point that the budgets of these countries will be transparent and monitored, who will be designated to enforce any infractions against the agreed upon budgets?

Furthermore, even if money is going to the poor and those who need it in the form of education and health care, isn't this just creating a pattern of governmental dependency rather than creating opportunities for these people to make their own situations better?

Beyond that, the poorest nations should look to Southeast Asia and India, where once-stricken economies are trading their way out of poverty.

Exactly.

Looking at recent success stories from other countries and learning how they got themselves out of trouble certainly seems like a better idea than returning down a path that has a known destination of failure.

Debt elimination would have a chilling effect on credit. "If it becomes clear that debt will be written off in the future, then it is no longer a loan but a gift," said Mr. Thornbury. He believes that will be a deterrent for both public and commercial lenders. "Why would you invest in something on which you would not have a return?" he asked.

While I do think Mr. Thornbury is overstating the effects debt relief would have on the global lending market, I also think it's important to realize no country is going to make an investment like debt relief and expect nothing in return. In having their debts dissolved, each country that partakes is sacrificing a piece of it's sovereignty. The United States is already a country that likes to force it's politics and will upon others, and donating billions to a few countries is going to give the US a greater sense of entitlement than ever.

"The problem is a problem that has to be solved not by governments but by people—people giving to people,"

This is where the story starts to contradict its self a tad bit. In the beginning, it was lauding the amount of money being poured into Africa from private charity groups. Now it's saying that the solution to the problem is not government intervention but private citizens. While I agree that bureaucratic influence alone is not enough to meet the needs of Africa, it is clear given the immense amount of money already going there via private donations, that some help from those in power is needed.

I'm not pretending to know the solution to these issues. I know it's easy to sit at my desk and pontificate and criticize those whose intentions are well meant, and I don't want to be one who stands in the way of progress just asking questions and not lifting a finger to help. But I also would like to stand behind a solution I truly believe in, and I'm asking a lot of these questions because I really don't know the answers.

A New Feature Added to Tomato

You'll see it over the the right side there, it's called 'Songs to love.' Each week (or so) I'll post a new song for you to download and try out. If I feel like people enjoy it I'll keep it going. Due to limited server size I'm only going to keep one song posted at a time for now.

The current selection is a song from the oddest family in the church, the Danielson Famile. Click the band name to get some information about them, click the song title to download the song.

Like I said, I'll do this as long as there seems to be some interest, or until the RIAA breaks down my door. (HAHA@ME!!!)

Oh, one more thing, if one of you can test to make sure the link works just so I know I set this up right, that'd be swell.

A peculiar occurrence at the grocery store

Today while getting the weeks supplies at the local supermarket, I noticed a preponderance of tables set up with samples. You know the kinds, crackers in the snack isle, ice cream in the freezer section, and little sausages in the deli. Normal stuff. That is until I reached the end of the store. The section they keep the non-grocery items at. Medicine, magazines, soaps, shampoos, that type of thing. Oh, and alcohol. It was there where I stumbled upon a table with a middle aged woman standing behind it. I was so shocked by the samples she was offering I simply stood there in awe. I think my mouth might have been hanging open. She must have noticed me staring, because she kindly offered, "Would you like a sample?"

There on the table before me stood several bottles. Next to them were little plastic shot glasses. I'm not a drinker, not even beer, but the labels were familiar enough to me. Jim Beam. Absolut. A few others I didn't recognize.

I finally came to, smiled, and politely turned her down. Turning, I walked away shaking my head, more in shock and disbelief than in disapproval.

I'll not make any social commentary on this other than to say I thought it quite odd.

Canadian Health Care

Maybe you've heard, over the past few years, the outcry from the left to emulate Canada's health care system. Maybe you, yourself, have considered what it would be like for the government to take care of all of your medical bills and procedures. Well the Canadian Supreme Court has considered it as well, and their conclusions are surprising.

I'll go eat some cereal while you read.

Health-care ruling called 'stinging indictment'

CBC News

Some of the country's largest medical groups call Thursday's Supreme Court of Canada ruling allowing private health insurance in Quebec a "historic" decision, but Prime Minister Paul Martin is downplaying its significance.

In a 4-3 decision, the country's top court said Quebec patients should be allowed to buy insurance to cover medical treatments already provided by medicare, citing the physical and psychological suffering caused by long waits for services in the publicly funded system. more...

It's amazing that it took seven years for the court to hear this case. How many people have died because of inadequate health care during that time? So many in this country continue to pine for a socialist based health care plan. Starting with classic democrats, and recently a new wave of Christian thinking that focuses on social responsibility. Maybe this ruling from the Supreme Court will dissuade some of those thoughts, but I doubt anyone will pay much attention.

Back

First I'd just like to get this out of the way because I thought this picture was hilarious.

I'm extremely anxious to post my review of Come on Feel the Illlinoise!, but patience is the order of the day.

The trip to Arkansas was a success I suppose since no one was lost or injured. I think everyone had a good time, we did a lot of swimming. I must say, having spent the vast majority of my life north of the Mason-Dixon line, I was some what thrown by the lack of haste in the service at some of the establishments we visited. Heh, well I don't know what else to say about it.

Hey Jon, I found him....

Thax Douglas

And for the rest of you, I took the time the other day to fix my brakes because the rotors were warped like crazy and the whole van was shaking. I'm sure you've been there and know how it is. Anyway, I was pleased to see the pads and two rotors to do the whole front end were only 70 bucks. I'm thinking that saved me a few hundred.

While I tinkered with the brakes I got to listen to Sufjan Steven's forthcoming album, Illinois. I must tell you, this album is... oh wait, better just wait until I post the review when it comes out.

Other than that, nothing new really. Crystal and I are going to see Architecture in Helsinki tonight.

Excitement is ours.

A Trip to the Theatre

A Small Play Based on Chad's Comment to my last post.

Staring (in alphabetical order)
Madison Kunze ... as herself
Chad Pilcher ... as himself
Scott Kunze ... as himself, and narrator

And Introducing
Buzz Lightyear ... as himself

Act I
(In which Chad first lets known his desire to punch Madison)

"It all started when me and Madison were trimming some bushes and Chad wandered by"


"It sure is a nice day for trimming lilac bushes."


"Oh, hello Chad, I had not noticed you wandering by. What do you think of babies Chad?"


"They go around in their little cases, looking so smug...I just wanna punch 'em in the face!!!"


"Oh No!!"


"OH NOS!!!11"


"I WILL PUNCH YOU!!!"

Act II
(Later that night, when Chad returns to prey upon his victim)

"I will get her when she sleeps! look at her now, she grows weary for the day is long and her activities are many!"


"i wuv mi mommy"


"Watch as I slowly climb up the stairs towards her room and.... what's this?"


"meow"


"A small kitten has made it's resting place upon these steps. Nice kitty... nice kitty...."


"MEOW!!"


"OH NO!"


(Baby Madison sleeps safe tonite)

Act III
(In which Chad follows Madison to a secret unknown location)

"i wuv mi mommy"


"I have followed their car to the perimeter of this secret compound."


(Outside the compound)


"Barbed wire is no match for my ability to crawl through it!"

10 minutes later....


"Ouch! Next time I will use wire cutters!"


"I have finally gained access to the secret compound!"


(Inside the secret compound)


"OH NOS!! The secret compound is Willow Creek!! It's ventilation system is laced with poisonous gas, and it is infested with W.A.S.P.s!!!"



The End(?)


Legal disclaimer for the criminally dumb.