Facing the New Year

Every year around this time I try and take stock of some of the things that went on and see if I actually accomplished anything.  Well after poking around here goes:

I went thru a second operation in April.  This was the second one in 4 years.  This one went far beyond the other one.  The pain and the scope of it was super intense.  I pray that I never have to go thru it again.  I have busted my tail to insure that this time.

I started to play softball again and in the process found that I actually enjoyed it this time around.  I really hadn't played in 3 years because I didn't enjoy it but this time after the operation I took some time and figured out what I enjoyed and started doing those things again.

I went to some cool Penn State games again this year.  I can't tell you how much I love my school and how much I love going and showing my team spirit.  To this day, I still say that was the greatest accomplishment of my life.

I lost some family members to cancer this last year and so that sucked big time.  The weird things was that I lost them in the same week.  My birthday week....bummer.  Their death though help me reconnect with some family members and make some new relationships that I didn't have previously.  For that I am lucky.

So...I look forward to '08 and the challenges and surprises it has in store for me.  This year is the presidential election so that will be a new thing for me.  I have switched to an independent and so that is a new position for me.  Lots of luck to everyone in '08 as well...Holla if you hear that!!!!

A Charlie Brown Heavy Metal Christmas

Everyone that is or was in my age bracket at one time knows about A Charlie Brown Christmas. This completely changes everything. This possibly could be the best interpretation of a Xmas classic I have ever seen. Please watch this and share with your friends and family and laugh loudly. Holla if you hear me.....

Can it get any better than this

I was searching thru some of the Xmas songs that I love so much and I found one that you don't really hear every year. The great Dominic the Donkey!!! I have found this song makes me smile and laugh everytime I hear it. So take a listen to Lou Monte sing about Dominic and remember that Xmas is the best time of year and should be shared with those you care about. God Bless and Have a great Xmas!!!!

The Steroid Mess

Yesterday, The Mitchell Report came out in baseball and supposedly revealed the depth of which steroids had penetrated the game. On the surface, I hoped as a life long baseball fan that this report would shake baseball back to reality and help reground the game back to it's roots. I was disappointed to say the least. This report did nothing except expose names without any real substantial evidence to back the claims made in it. Most of the claims came from first hand accounts from 2 people. In other words, this was hearsay evidence nothing more. A lot of the players named were far gone out of the game and others have no impact on the game now. What concerned me most was the fact that report specifically asks for no player to be disciplined for their part in the steroid era. My question is then, why do the report in the first place then? If there was never a follow up or meaning to do the report why spend 60 million dollars on it? Because most of the evidence is based on hearsay most of the players know that if they are suspended they will win the appeal because they cannot be convicted by baseless words and no solid evidence. In some cases, players named in the report might not have even done steroids at all. For example, Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles is listed in the report even though his only connection to it is that a former teammate said he heard Brian Roberts say he might have tried steroids 1 or 2 times. Mind you, this player never saw Roberts take them but now Roberts is in the report and the fact is he will be ever tainted by the allegations. How did this report serve to make things better when there is no solution presented in it? The suggestion was that baseball enact more stringent testing. Duh!!!!! People have been clamoring for that for over 4 years now. I believe baseball tried to do what is right but got caught in their own end game. What I mean is that baseball wants to clean up the game from enhancing drugs but those drugs have helped produce record number of attendees to games and players hitting longer home runs, etc....Baseball wants to appear that is trying to do right but also stroking the golden goose and insuring that it continues to lay the golden egg. I am sorry yesterday was a sad day because a report came out that only reiterated what we already knew. Anyone could have told you that. Holla....

Van Halen Live San Diego Cox Arena Dance The Night Away

I just wanted to post this clip from the van halen tour that is coming to our town of pittsburgh in march. Van Halen with David Lee Roth was a big part of my life when I was a teenager. I remember the one summer I purchased all of their tapes at one time and played them over and over. I remember how depressed I was when Hagar replaced Roth. I never saw Van Halen before and swore I never would until Roth returned. I can't fucking wait!!!!

Random Thoughts

I realized I haven't posted any update lately but with the holidays it is tough to keep up with all that needs to be done. People know how much I love Xmas and the season so it is difficult for me take time to write down what I am thinking. Well I have some time now and here goes. Please note some of these things may only be related to Pittsburgh but I think you may enjoy them anyway.

1. Why does John Madden when he is here in Pittsburgh to call a Steelers game have to mention that the city is based on the confluence of the Mon and Allegheny River and forms the Ohio River. Does anyone here in Pittsburgh actually not realize that we live near rivers? Why does this moron have to point that out every frickin time he is here???

2. When you are trying to catch a bus that is like 100 yards away why do you feel the need to get in the street and run right at it. That is so stupid. Do you think that by waving your puny little arms you will stop that big old bus. Doubt it...Stay on the sidewalk and you can waive your arms there or better yet get there earlier....

3. It is a shame that the death of Kevin Dubrow was the only way lately that Quiet Riot could get in the news. They were a great band that were a symbol of my teen age years. People forget all the time that they were the first metal band to ever have a number one album on the charts. It happened in 1983...long before anyone could claim they were popular. Rest in peace Kevin.

4. Does it make you somewhat sad that almost all Pittsburgh Steelers fans are alcoholics?

5. I love women...I love them alot...I can't live without them...but to a woman a man is weak if he expresses how much he loves something. Then we are torn apart if we don't admit to things because the woman thinks we don't share. Is it any wonder why prostitution is still around?

Holla if you hear that.....

One Special Nite

Last nite I was able to be a part of something very special and memorable. My Great Uncle Frank "Frankie"Sciulli was inducted in to the Pittsburgh Penguins hall of fame. Man, what an honor...and what a person he truly was. Sadly, my Uncle didn't live long enough to see his name enshrined with the immortals but his spirit was ever present and alive in his family which was all together. I was so sad that he wasn't there to see the fruits of his labor but I was so proud of his accomplishments. His life was a lesson that we all should live by. Of small things, great things come. He was small in stature and small in voice but large in love and large in the thing that matters most...Respect....I find it hard to believe that any one man could have left a lasting impression that covers decades and generations like my uncle did. He carried himself with a dignity that I could only hope to have one day. Though he wasn't there in body he did something that hasn't happened for a very long time. My Cousin Diane pointed out that the family had never been to a sporting event all together at one time. I thought about that last nite when it was all quiet and realized that only you Uncle Frank could do that. You continue to provide the guidance and strength even though you are gone. Look at what you did...you brought us all together once again. I am a young man but this nite will be one that will never fade away. The colors, the laughs, the tears, and the pride will always drive me to chase that feeling over again for the rest of my life. To my family, I love you guys so much and am so proud to be a part of your lives. Frankie and Biba, you have raised beautiful children and they reflect your class and humility. I hope someday my children are as beautiful. Greg and Diane, your boys are stunning, young men and have the whole world as their playground. I want to be them so bad!!!! Rosella, I love you so much I wish you knew. Everything that you and I have shared thru the years is something that I keep locked away inside so I know it is always there for me and I don't have to share it with anyone. In the end, it didn't matter who won and who lost last nite because we all won. I hope this thanksgiving we can all stop for a moment and recognize the gifts we have been given. The biggest one being Life...it is something that always is mystical, magical, and ever changing. Life will always go forward and we will go with it. That is the way Uncle Frank, Pop Pop, Dad would have wanted it. It is the only way I know.

Could This Be The New Singer of Journey

My guess is that Arnel Pineda is the guy that will replace Jeff Scott Soto in journey. I can't believe how much this guy sounds like Steve Perry. If you close your eyes you think you are listening to Journey again. I think this is what Neal Schon meant when he said Journey was going to try and go back to the sound of the 80's. I think they may have found their man. My sources say first performance with this guy is in February of 2008. Mark it down...Holla if you hear me....

GO WEST - WE CLOSE OUR EYES

The Best Albums You May Never Have Listened To

I know everyone has their favorite records in their home collections and so do I. Recently though I was looking thru my collection and found some real hidden gems in my collection that I thought you might like to listen to sometime. Now understand some of this music is from a period of my life when I was growing up so you might not have even have heard of any of these groups. Here is the list...

1. Go West--Go West--These guys were like the synth pop equivalent to The Pet Shop Boys but with a more rootsy feel. They had a hit in 1989 with King of Wishful Thinking but to me their first album killed and was a fantastic feat of great pop music. Only 9 songs on the record but a tremendous job was done in making 9 standout songs. I don't know if they ever recaptured this magic again. Check out the post of the video..you will see how great they really were...

2. Boston--Corporate America--After the success of the first record and Third Stage this band really had reached their creative peak. In 2003, the band regrouped and released a very strong album called Corporate America. Tom Scholz finally relinquished some of the song writing duties and what came out of it was a new fresh sound that still had the Boston sound. Sadly, this would be Brad Delp's last album before his death. When I hear him sing I Didn't Mean to Fall In Love, I hear how great he was and how much I miss him.

3. The Beatles--Revolver--I know that any album by The Beatles has been heard but I think this album because of Abbey Road and Sgt. Peppers has gotten a little lost in the mix. With tremendous songs like And Your Bird Can Sing, Good Day Sunshine, Doctor Robert and more how can you go wrong.

4. Winger--Pull--One of the kings of hair metal. Sadly, this third album by this group showed a great deal of growth in song writing and sound in a time when grunge music was taking over the scene. The song Who's The One is a great acoustic song that came out at the wrong time.

5. Europe--Out of This World--The follow up to The Final Countdown and barely noticed by any fans at all. Personally, this is the one and only record by these guys that I enjoyed. It was a great, slick, produced album. These guys could really sing and play but no one really cared. Sad....

Holla....

The Understated Few

I had the opportunity and pleasure to read my homeboy Kevin's blog and he made a valid case that Ringo Starr was one of the most underrated performers of all time and should get more respect from Beatle fans...Hear, Hear to that....His insight got me thinking of some other people that I think are underrated and understated. Here are a few:

1. Dave Pirner--Soul Asylum--This dude is a great songwriter...They had some big hits in the early 90's but since then he has really put out some great works both solo and now with Soul Asylum again. Check him out.

2. Dave Menketti--Lead singer and guitarist of metal group Y&T...blues based voice, tremendous guitar player....severely underrated band...I really dig the stuff he did in the 80's, 90's and today.....

3. Blackie Lawless--Lead singer and brains of the band W.A.S.P.--most people see the name W.A.S.P. and either don't know them or pass them off as an 80's retread. WRONG!!!! When this guy is on he has produced some great work. His concept record "The Crimson Idol" was a masterpiece that even his mentor Pete Townsend thought was a crowning achievement.

4. Oasis---A band that sold 7 million copies of 1 record can't be underrated right? Wrong....This band continued to produce great music long after their 15 minutes of fame. Noel Gallagher continues to write great pop gems and his brother keeps reminding us what LSD is....Lead Singers Disease. A truly great band that takes inspiration from the greatest band ever...The Beatles.

5. Eddie Money--Shakin with the Money Man is a great experience...He made some great tunes and Gimme Some Water got its first big break on B94 in the 70's...Go figure...I have seen this man at least 10 times and he delivers everytime. The best was the acoustic show he did at Point State Park in front of 15,000 people. Just great songs played in front of a beautiful cityscape.

I am sure I can go on and on but I think these 5 suffice for now and should stir some debate amongst yourselves. I think these choices are right on the money if you give each of them a chance. Plus, I said so....so that must count for something.

My Top Ten Favorite Concerts

After watching the awesome performance put on by Prince last nite at the Super Bowl I started to think about my favorite concerts . I have seen well over 150 shows for close to 20 years and so I had a hard time coming up with only 10. A lot of the artists on this list I have seen more than once. In some cases more than 10 or so times. Here is my list and some of my sketchy memories of these shows:

10. Stryper--In God We Trust Tour--AJ Palumbo Center--Pittsburgh, Pa.--1989--You never really forget your first and this was my first rock show. I loved these guys. They made great music with a great message and they rocked. Hurricane opened up for them and I remember when I heard that first power cord I thought my head would explode. It was awesome!!!!

9. R.E.M.--The UP Tour--AJ Palumbo Center--Pittsburgh, Pa.--2005--These guys were past the time of selling gizzillions of records but they never stopped making great albums. This show proved what true professionals do. The "One I Love" sounded so good I thought they were just playing the record. It was that good.

8. Dick Dale--The Fall Tour--The Rex Theatre--Pittsburgh, Pa.--2006--The king of surf music and one of the greatest guitar players I have ever seen. I am lucky my bud John Merriman introduced me to him. This was the first time I ever saw Mr. Dale play and I can humbly say I am proud to be a full fledged Dick Head now.

7. Boston--The Corporate America Tour--Blossom Music Center--Cleveland, Ohio--2003--This is one of the greatest arena bands of all time and any time they go out on the road it is a special treat. 3 hour shows of one hit after another. This nite in Cleveland my brother and I were 5th row center with about 13,000 other people. It is safe to say the roof was blown off the dump.

6. Motley Crue--Dr. Feelgood Tour--Civic Arena--Pittsburgh, Pa.--1989--This show was special because it was the Crue's last show of the 1980's. That alone made it a kicking show. More than that though was the big sound, big stage, big lights and the drum kit that hung from the ceiling and went out over the crowd. Where are where are those types of shows now?

5. Kiss--Alive and Worldwide Tour--Mellon Arena--Pittsburgh, Pa.--1996--The reunion of my childhood idols. I was petrified they were not going to live up to the image I had in my head from when I was a kid. They didn't...They were even better!!!! It was a dream come true to see the made up heroes come to life and retake their throne as the best show in the land. I remember losing my voice 3 songs into it. I have the show on cassette and you can hear me screaming and then nothing. It is classic.

4. Bruce Springsteen--The Rising Tour--PNC Park--Pittsburgh, Pa.--2004--The Boss' first stadium tour since 1984. Wow! is the only expression you can use. 3 hours and 45 minutes of just classic tunes. I recommend everyone get a chance to see a stadium full of people dancing to "Dancing in The Dark". It was a special summer nite in a stadium that has the skyline of Pittsburgh in the background. Truly a great spectacle.

3. The Rolling Stones--The Bigger Bang Tour--PNC Park--Pittsburgh, Pa.--2005--The world's greatest rock and roll band they are. They sock so much money into their show. They give their fans their money's worth. I went to the show with my 62 year old dad and 58 year old mom. They had as much fun as I did. Need I say more?

2. Prince--The Hits 4ever tour--Mellon Arena--Pittsburgh, Pa.--2003--After last nite's performance I thought about how great the Purple one is and how lucky I was to see him. Seventh row for this magical performance. One great song after the other. Before you know it, the show is over and you are depressed because you don't want to go out of the door and admit that the journey you just took is over.

1. Paul Mccartney--The US Tour--Wachovia Center--Philadelphia, Pa.--2005--Simply put the greatest of all time. I had seen him in Cleveland 2 years earlier and thought it couldn't get any better. I was dead wrong. Almost 4 hours and 36 songs played. It is something special to say you are a witness to history. My brother and I have made a promise that wherever he comes or goes we will find a way to be there. To Ryan and Kevin, to love him and his music is one thing, to see him takes it to a whole new level. I hope and pray that when he goes out again that we all make the same pact and travel to see the greatest. I would love to share those memories with you. It changes you inside.

My Top Ten Albums of All Time

After reading my buddy Kevin's blog I thought I would sit down and come up with my top 10 albums of all time. I based my list on the criteria that if I had to go to a deserted island by myself what albums would I take. This deserted island would have an endless supply of beer by the way....Some albums may not be your favorites but that is why this is my list and not yours. I think if you listen to some of the albums on my list you will enjoy yourself a great deal:

10. Def Leppards's Hysteria--An album that had 8 singles and was the soundtrack for my teen years. My favorites on the album are two songs they didn't even release, "Don't Shoot Shotgun and Gods of War"..The album still takes me to that place even now. It is the perfect album for the perfect time.

9. Bruce Springsteen's The Rising--I really fought over this one and Born in the USA but this one held out because I think after 9/11 and the fact that I was getting older myself this album and it's message resonated with me....The message of redemption thru the greatest tragedy imaginable is a great lesson to us all.

8. Kiss' Alive 2--I know for most people that know me know that Kiss is my favorite group next to the Beatles and the group that really changed my life and taught me how to love the theater in music and that it is possible to have songs become a soundtrack to the show you are about to see. I got this album on November 27, 1977 and I was never the same. You Wanted the Best...You Got the Best...The Hottest Band in the World...KISS!!!! You're damn right.....nobody did it better and still doesn't....

7. Savage Garden's Affirmation--I am not much for modern music or the fact that I believe recent artists have no soul to them. I did not even like the first Savage Garden album. Hated it. This album though is the perfect pop album. There is not one bad song on the record. Some danceable tracks and some great ballads all add up to one great album. I am almost glad they broke up after this album because I don't know if they could top this one.

6. The Beach Boy's Pet Sounds--What else can you say about the perfect album in terms of sound and message and great songs. Brian Wilson still to this day is one of my favorites and it only stands to reason that he had mental problems because no mortal person could hear the beauty that he did in his head. The reality is that you have to listen to the whole record at one sitting to get how good it really is. It wasn't about the singles, it was about the trip you were on. I am still on it to this day.

5. Motley Crue's Shout at the Devil--While Dr. Feelgood is the best album they made, there is something about this record that represented what I wanted to become. It was raw, abrasive, in your face and all about kicking ass....if you don't believe me, listen to "Knock 'em Dead Kid" you will see. You could feel the sunset strip dripping in between the tracks. It made us metal heads dream about heading out to the Strip to see what paradise really looked like.

4. Boston's Third Stage--Most people love this band's self titled debut album. I mean how can you argue against 'More Than a Feeling" but Third Stage to me was so awesome it was beyond words. When I hear Brad Delp sing "HollyAnn" I still get teary eyed. I cried at the live show and I cry when it is on my stereo at home. That, my friend, makes a great album.

3. Reo Speedwagon's Hi-Infidelity--It was the album that I had to replace twice because I played thru the grooves. It was the tape I had to replace 3 times because I listened to it so much and the Cd I have replaced once because I ruined it listening to it so much. "Keep on Loving You", "Take it On The Run", "In Your Letter", wherever I am and those songs come on, I stop to listen and soak in how good that album makes me feel.

2. Sam Cooke's Greatest Hits--The worlds greatest singer. Period...Bar None....He used his voice like an instrument...It was sex appeal, a way to touch the hem of Jesus' Garmet, and a way to feel what it must have felt like to be on "The Chain Gang". He was and always be the greatest and will always have a place of honor in my home and life.

1. The Beatles' Abbey Road--Simply put, THE album I could not live without. The second side of Abbey Road is the greatest music ever. That isn't even taking into account how great the first side is. A band that was at the end of their journey provided all of us something that we can take forever on ours.

There you have it. It may not be perfect but man it represents everything I love about music and how it makes me feel. Feel free to add it with some of your choices. I can't wait to read it.

What A Wonderful World

Normally when I sit down to write in this blog I write about abstract things and try not to give too much away. This one is going to be different. This story is just crazee enough to be true and be believed by all. So yesterday I was heading back to my office in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh when a car comes spinning out of control from the opposite direction. This car was going out of control spinning at least 3 times all the way around. Fortunately, I had enough wits about me to notice a road off to the left of me. I yanked the steering wheel hard to the left and pulled in to this road while the other car finally gains straightens out and promptly jumps the curb and crashes into the street signs. As the car starts to slow down I notice the driver throw a woman out of the passenger side door into traffic. He then proceeds to speed off. I grabbed my cell phone and tore across traffic to assist the woman in need. I went to call 911 and I guess the "gentleman" turned around and came back. He proceeded to get out of the car and begin screaming at me asking what I was doing to his wife. Now seconds before this she tells me he was trying to kill her and now this lunatic is yelling at me saying she was trying to kill him. Now here is the kicker.....she gets up and gets back in the car with him and drives away. I am standing in traffic now wondering what the hell just happened. The lesson here.....????? The lesson is that we have fallen so far as a culture that we must second guess whether or not it is even safe to get involved in helping someone else in need. I couldn't believe all of the events that transpired in just a short period of time. That guy could have easily taken out his anger on me if he wanted to and my only fault would have been that I was trying to help. I will leave with nothing more to say and open this up for discussion amongst my friends that read this......

A kid of the 80's

I am sitting here right now listening to a heaping amount of 80's music and I can't help but think of how cool this music really is. I mean who can not think back and get all wound up thinking of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger". Go Rocky Go!!!!! I can remember spending my Saturdays at the World of Sports Roller Skating Rink with all of my friends and hearing the familiar refrains of The J. Geils Band "Centerfold" and tearing out on the rink and feeling like the coolest kid in the world. There is one person out there right now reading this that knows exactly what I am talking about and since you don't really know any of the other people reading this I leave it to you to keep the illusion that I was cool alive. And then after we all tore around the rink, it was time for the slow skate. Thankfully, I was popular enough that I never had to worry about skating on my own. I remember the big slow skate song was Journey's "Open Arms". I wonder if Journey knew that song would become the South Boston make out tune. While I am on the subject of South Boston...Christy Watts, I have a memory of steel and I remember in 6th grade how HOT you thought the guys in Wham! were. I tell you now like I told you then, a guy that good looking has to be Gay!!!!! Don't even try and deny what I am speaking of. Thankfully, later on you were able to worship at the altar of Motley Crue and other hard rock Gods and they saved your soul. At some point we all felt Dexy's Midnite Runners were pretty sweet and we all wanted to know what Eileen actually looked like....To this day I still don't know how to do the Safety Dance!!!! It was a time when a guy dressed like a girl could be liked by guys...Culture Club anyone??? Karma...Karma...Karma....Chameleon....I think everyone should take a trip down to Funkytown!!!! oh my yes....A lot of the songs that came out that I probably didn't like all that much I really enjoy now...For example, I am listening to Flock of Seagulls now and think "I Ran" is totally bitchin....the hair on the singer is still stupid but the song is killer. It is very difficult to think back to those days and not smile. It was so indulgent and pompous and silly and fun that I find myself grinning just remembering those times. If you need a reminder of how great and silly it was think of "We Built This City" by Starship or Styx's "Mr. Roboto" or The Bangles "Walk Like an Egyptian". We laugh at them now but we danced to them then. They were the soundtracks to our lives at that time. It was a time that didn't take itself so seriously...How could it when the catch phrase was "I want my MTV!!!!".....So the next time you feel like the music today has no fun or no dance to it...Grab an 80's CD and throw it on....You will find your feet tapping and your mouth smiling....Trust me...I am doing right now as we speak....Join In!!!!

Xmas rules and New Years 2007

Mom and Dad's all lit up...Pretty isn't it???


I feel like a real turd writing about the holidays and New Years because it is so not original but I can't think of anything else that I can write about just yet....so here goes....I had a great Xmas. I spent some quality time with the family. It is very rare that we all get together and spend more than a dinner or something together so it was nice. My brother had been working nites for over a month so I never saw him and wasn't sure I still had a brother. Rumor has it I still do. When we did get some free time he and I went to go and see Rocky Balboa. Top-Notch!!!!!! Very good story and a good ending to the franchise. I had to spend some extra hours at work to make sure that my staff was able to go home early....It was worth it....they bust their ass for me and it was nice to get them out of the bank for a bit. By the way, I got everything I wanted this year. I must tell you I had to kick ass this year. I always figured I was the bomb but the presents proved it. After Xmas I took a few more days off work to recover. The sleeping in after the holidays was a nice respite from the hussle and bussle. New years was really good. I settled in to watch Dick Clark--a new year's staple since I was a kid--and boy was I surprised about how much I had to drink already. Beer is God's gift to me...and I love him for it. Now after partying until 3:30 in the morning I slept on the couch and was awakened at the ungodly hour of 8 am with the sharpest reminder that I had to be at my parents house at 11 am to watch the PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS kick some smokey mountain ass in the outback bowl. Needless to say, 2007 started off with me being just as stupid as 2006. Feeling like my head was rolling aimlessly around the deck of the Titantic I decided now might be the time to "climb the mountain". So being the toughest of tough guys I started on to the beer at my folks house at about 10 am...I got there early....That first beer was ugly and rough but after that it was all smooth smailing from there. The more Penn State played well the more I celebrated them. I celebrated very well thank you....20-10 Penn State wins. Now I get home and for the next 3 days I see beer and my fridge and my stomach drops to the deepest depths imaginable. Damn you hair of the dog!!!! Anyway....I hope everyone had a great 2007 and I hope to drink with each of you.