Pandora Online Radio

As my friend Michael posted on his blog, I too have discovered Pandora.

I don't listen to music at work on a regular basis because my tastes of music are not what you'd call commercially popular. What this amazing website does is pretty incredible.

Here's what they say about Pandora and the Music Genome Project on their website:

On January 6, 2000 a group of musicians and music-loving technologists came
together with the idea of creating the most comprehensive analysis of music
ever.

Together we set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Taken together these genes capture the unique and magical musical identity of a song - everything from melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony. It's not about what a band looks like, or what genre they supposedly belong to, or about who buys their records - it's about what each
individual song sounds like.

Since we started back in 2000, we've carefully listened to the songs of tens of thousands of different artists - ranging from popular to obscure - and analyzed the musical qualities of each song one attribute at a time. This work continues each and every day as we endeavor to include all the great new stuff coming out of studios, clubs and garages around the world.

It has been quite an adventure, you could say a little crazy - but now that we've created this extraordinary collection of music analysis, we think we can help be your
guide as you explore your favorite parts of the music universe.

We hope you enjoy the journey.

Check it out, type in your favorite artist and get a free, continuous, commericial free radio on your computer. (I think you can even use the service on cell phones and iPods.)

RE: God, Racism and Recipes

It's weird to me how everyday life really gets one thinking.

I was in Tops this evening (I despise Tops...I was only there because I had a hankering for ice cream and I didn't want to drive to Wegman's) and a man handed me a religion pamphlet. He was very polite about it and he actually took me off guard. We were simply walking into the store when he turned around, smiled and handed me the "brochure". I actually started reading it while walking to the frozen food section.

I am not a religious person. I am a SPIRITUAL person who refuses to be a part of a cult-like setting where people chant and submit to zombie-like kneeling, standing, shaking of hands, banging of chests, etc. (Please don't take this the wrong way. I used to be an altar boy. I am NOT suggesting that organized religion is bad...in any way whatsoever! I am simply sharing my views on what organized religion looks like to me.)

Although I don't attend church, I miss some of the things that go along with it: meeting new people, congregation picnics/holiday parties/fundraisers, bingo, the free wine.

I believe in God. I try to obey the Ten Commandments. I pray...but does the fact that I don't go to church make me a bad person? Does the fact that I disagree with many things the bible "preaches" make me bad?

Moving on...

You have to watch the new GSN (Game Show Network) program called "Without Prejudice?" - it is really interesting. A group of panelists sit and listen to five strangers and judge them based on: first impression, occupation, beliefs, etc. They then vote one of them "off" until only one remains. This person gets a check for $25K because they're the least hated. It's unbelievable! I first thought it was going to shed light on serious issues but I was wrong. What it essentially does is highlight the stupidity of many and the intelligence of few...with music. I know that I'll keep watching it. (Hey...I said it was INTERESTING not good.)

Finally...my recipes. You'll notice (if you're observant) that I've added a link to my "Diversions and Delights" section: My NEW Recipe Blog. I have copied the recipes I previously posted on this site onto it and I plan on adding more. I hope it's interesting reading...if not, at least I have a virtual recipe box.

(I'm sitting here trying to think of something witty to say. I have nothing. The end.)

Regular Joe vs. Diet Joe

I think I'm about to go on a diet. The sort of diet that makes one lose only belly fat. I sure hope there's a diet that can do that!

I know that I'm not fat and I know that there are lots of people reading this who think I don't need to lose any weight. (I don't really think I need to lose weight - I just want to lose my belly.)

Now...I already know what my problem is: in addition to my messed up intestines due to an over zealous doctor who prescribed horse tranquilizers following a very routine and simple surgery over two years ago, I've come to the healthy realization that I indulge in liquid libations far too frequently. I like Seagram's 7 and Seven-Up. I like it to a fault. I named my blog in honor of it. Need I say more?

I'm not suggesting that an occasional cocktail is verboten. I'm saying that I can't single-handedly keep the Seagram's people in business anymore. (Not to mention I don't even get stock options or complementary bottles for my support.)

Folks have told me that the trick is to reduce my caloric intake while increasing my calorie burning activities. I thought that was easily doable. However...they didn't mean for me only to drink (thus reducing my food calories) and walk to the liquor store twice a day (thereby increasing my exercise.) So I have to go back to the drawing board.

I have two very close friends who, after not touching alcohol for only one month, have lost over 10 lbs. each! They eat the same amount and maintain their normal level of physical activity.

I hope to follow in their footsteps. In the meantime, I'm drinking freshly brewed iced tea sweetened with Splenda and crossing my fingers in hopes that I'm on my way to a healthier lifestyle. Wish me luck!

Perpetual Kid Website.

I recently came across a website called Perpetual Kid and I am totally enamored by it. It is a store that sells really nifty gifts, housewares and novelty items.

Have you ever walked into someone's house and seen something ingeniously clever? It happens to me all the time! And I get jealous that my friends have cool things and I don't. Well... Now I know where to get some and I wanna spread the word.

Check it out and if there's a way to tell them I sent you (so I can get lots of free stuff) let them know. Otherwise...buy me something cute so that when you visit my house you can be jealous.

Abracadabra!

I am kind of sneaky.

I have, for months, been under the impression that I couldn't post to this blog from work. At one point I could and then (apparently they found out how much time we mere workers are spending on personal stuff) <poof> firewall. I was at a standstill because break-time (lunch break, coffee break, smoke break, breaks from break) is when I was most blog-productive. Now, all of the sudden: no more.

Rest assured, dear reader, for I am once again able to be witty in the workplace...simply from e-mailing my posts directly to this site (in a cryptic DaVinci code sort of way!) It's brilliant! I am literally (I shit you not) doing a happy dance in my swivel chair!

Although I am staring the danger of this situation directly in its ugly face, I have come to the realization that this is something I must do. To sneakify my blogging practices is what I was undoubtedly destined to accomplish.

I wish I had the Pink Panther theme song. I'd totally be rocking it right this second.

Paddywack, give your dog a bone.

Jamie's Grandmother was visiting us this afternoon and told me that she really likes our house but that we need knick knacks. "This place would be much more beautiful," she said, "if it only had some knick knacks."

This got me thinking. I looked around (after giggling a little bit to myself) and realized that she's sorta right. Now...don't get me wrong. We have strategically placed "pieces" but nothing that really constitutes an honest to goodness "knick knack".

After glancing around the living room I asked her, "What kind of knick knacks do you recommend?" (I was not placating her - I was really curious.) She replied, "Oh, any kind! You know, I used to collect owl figurines and wall ornaments. Owls are really beautiful and quite mysterious. You should collect something like owls."

Owls frighten me. Seriously. My Aunt Rebecca's mother-in-law used to collect owls and I never liked to visit her house. Regardless of where I walked, it seemed like the owls were always looking directly at me...following my every move.

Needless to say, owls were out. But I was still intrigued. I mean...she is a very smart woman! She knows what she's talking about. If an almost 90 year old woman thinks I need knick knacks, who am I to argue? Even now, hours after she left, I'm still contemplating what we will adorn our uncluttered walls and tables with.

What constitutes a knick knack though? A collection of something? Does this collection have to be displayed? If displayed, does it have to be on shelving reserved exclusively for knick knacks? (If that's the case, I'm not only going to have to buy said knick knacks but shelving to boot...this sounds like a very expensive endeavor.)

OK, after looking in my Merriam-Webster dictionary I've learned that a knick knack is "a small trivial article usually intended for ornament." The plural (knick knacks) suggests a "collection of small trivial articles usually intended for ornamental display."

Upon further investigation and observation, I determined that I do indeed have a collection. I have two very specific collections: green glass and books. But does green glass a proper knick knack collection make? In addition, I've always been told never to judge a book by its cover. So it is my understanding that a book, in and of itself, cannot accurately be deemed to have artistic merit unless it is read. I am in a quandary.

Here's my question: Do you have knick knacks and if so what are they and how do you display them? I look forward to reading your answers and thank you in advance for your intelligent responses.

Back to blogging.

This is an open letter to those of you who routinely visit my blog:

I have been slacking and I apologize. There's no real excuse...other than pure laziness. Although I'm no longer physically or technically allowed to post from work, there's no real explanation. I'm sorry.

Now that both of you have read that statement, I'd like you to look at some of the minor changes I've made to this site. I have removed my photograph, my book list, my word of the day, weather links, and a few other things. I have also reduced the number of posts that show on this main page. (If you'd like to look at older posts, simply click on the link to your right called "past posts.") I also changed my background color. (Tangent: Have any of you ever said "backaround" or "backround"? I have - and I was an English major!!) Anyway, I made these changes because...well, there's no real reason. I just did.

OK, that's enough of an apology and explanation of changes made. I'm going to make myself a cocktail and find something utterly uninteresting to post next. (I have to make up for lost time.)

Fondly,
Joey

I'm not dead...honest.

I haven't posted a blog in ALMOST two months! Can you freekin' believe it? I blame it on laziness and an overall sense of "nothing to report". (I shouldn't actually say that - lots of good and comfort have surrounded me lately. I'm just lazy. OK, I admit it. I do blame it primarily on laziness.)

I have to make this a short blog because I have to shower and head on over to the casino where Jamie is having lunch with his Dad, Grandmother, sister and youngest brother. (Jamie's Grandmother is a riot and she LOVES the casino. She had never even stepped foot into a casino until we took her a few months back. She was so excited and, every time she talked to Jamie, asked when she would be taken there again.) His family is really great!

I went to the BUA 15th anniversary fun(d) raising party for a brief time last night and I had a wonderful time. I saw people I haven't seen in a long time and had lots of pleasant conversation (albeit for some people who think I'm fat.)

Here's how the fat thing panned out: someone noticed how I (and I quote) "look like [I] haven't missed any meals"; another person took be off guard by saying "you look great" and then following it up with "you've really filled out"; finally...a really nice, older couple with whom I've been acquainted for nearly ten years noticed how I'm "not skinny anymore". I shit you not, people!

I also had a really nice conversation with my beefy cat angus friend, Michael. He's going to be my friend! (I don't really have many friends and to potentially count Michael as my friend will be a really nice thing.) In addition, Weezie said that she wanted to come over our house for a cook-out! I guess my new friends and a future cook-out outweigh the fat comments!

OK, time to shower and then gamble. Maybe I'll do another post/video later...for the two or three people who still look at my blog.