Feeling not so creative in the studio? Record more polkas!

In recent interviews, members of the band Green Day stated they were in a funk in the studio as they started writing and recording the "American Idiot" CD. In order to stimulate the creative juices, they recorded polkas, dirty Christmas tunes and salsas, among other things. Click the title for the Rolling Stone piece.

Clogged drain? Neighbor's barky dog? Hit by lightning? Find me the problem that polka can't solve.

Open Casting Calls for Tony's and Fred's voices

A couple of voice artists associated with selling cereal died this week. Thurl Ravenscroft, who was the voice of Tony the Tiger, and Henry Cordon, the voice of Fred Flintstone.

Henry took over voicing Fred after Alan Reed, the original voice of Fred Flintstone, passed away in 1977. I imagine that most of his lines as Fred during the last 28 years have involved yelling at Barney to give back his bowl of Pebbles cereal.

An even greater loss is Thurl Ravenscroft. In addition to Tony, a role he voiced for more than 50 years, Thurl voiced Kirby the Vacuum in the Brave Little Toaster movies and sang "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" in the Christmas special. Click the title for an obit link.

Bet you wish you got my mail

Hooray, Hooray, it finally arrived! Our very own copy of "Music from the 2005 Wisconsin State Polka Festival" CD! 13 bands including good ol' Syl Liebl Jr. & The New Jolly Swiss Boys. Wheeee!

That aside, I've been in a wierd, but good, pop/prog mood lately. Listening to lots of Yes, Rush and The Moody Blues. And The Beatles, too, for some reason. Checked out the Kaiser Chiefs and the new one by Robbie Fulks, Georgia Hard. Recommend the Chiefs, but am not sure about Fulks' new disc. I need another listen or two, but highly recommend anything else he's done.

Off to Michigan for the weekend and am hoping to catch the new Star Wars at some point during the trip. I'm looking forward to the trip, but am bummed because I had planned this to be a motorcycle trip, but Lori needing a ride back (she flew to meet up with the band) put the kibosh on that. It's working out alright anyway as it looks like it's going to rain on Sunday, so even if I didn't have to pick her up, I wouldn't have rode this trip.

RIP Frank Gorshin

Among so many other things, he was a great Riddler and will be missed. One of the icons of the old Batman series. Click title for obit.

I see 123, but where is 12345 Fake Street?

I'm surprised the 5-digit adressing issue in Lake County is still going on. Still I'm disappointed in the article. I really wanted to read the quotes from the individuals who object. As always, click on the title.

Increase your vocabulary special! Today's word: seigniorage

Another stab at the U.S. one dollar coin, eh? I like using them, but still don't think they'll catch on here for everyday use unless we eliminate the one dollar bill. Based on the article, everyday use isn't necessarily what the U.S. government is aiming for, rather tapping into the collector market similar to the U.S. quarter series. Create and insert your own joke about the U.S./Franklin Mint joint venture here.

Click on this post's title for the article. Good luck, Phil.

Love is blind with the blood in its eye

I asked Lori about this story. She said she wouldn't post my bail if we were in the same circumstances. I guess ours is not an "as long as you both shall live" but is actually an "until I stab you in the head" marriage. Click on the title for the story.

Wizzing on advancement

Thanks to the Bulls for a fun season, but man, what a tough, frustrating way to lose game 6! Argh! Everybody get healthy and let's do it again next year.

Well, with the Cubs seemingly in the tank and no NHL playoffs, I guess it's a KC Cougars game this summer and then might as well start thinking football.

Putting a fork in Texas

Checking out mostly new releases this week: Nine Inch Nails, Ben Folds, Mudvayne. Also listening to plenty of Andrew W.K. for some reason. I just love the nut!

Got back into town on Monday after being in Texas for a few days. The Harley rental process was a pain. It started out with well-intentioned, but untrained, employees from other departments trying to run the rental desk. Once we got through finding the reservation and filling out paperwork, etc., that's when I was told that not only didn't they have the bike I reserved, but they'd rented out all of their bikes and the scramble to put me on something ensued. Bottom-line, got a slightly different version of the model I wanted, a wonderful ride for the day, a discussion with the rental manager when she returned to the office the next day, and a reasonable discount for my trouble.

The rest of the trip was great. Lori and I had a fine time at the Cubs/Astros/Maddux/Clemons game. The Denton Arts & Jazz Fest rocked as usual.

The bowling year finally wrapped up. I was very pleased that I finished averaging 212, a personal best for a winter league average. Now it's time to be getting ready for summer - planning a few weekend rides and some projects around the house.