taking a break

This clip is not timely, and the song choice has nothing to do with anything I might want to say tonight. But I'm up to my ears in finals week prep, and thus especially prone to distraction. Flipping post-football channels-- which actually is unlike me-- I ran across the rerun of this. I didn't expect to like it--nobody else should sing that song-- but I enjoyed it, so here it is. Take the Japanese titles as an ESL touch (or evidence of who gets better bootlegs).

classic

Looking for some kind of Labor Day-ish music, I ran into these 1985 Paris videos again. I'm not entirely sure he was entirely sober, but they sure were having a good time, and watching these always makes me smile-- and not just at Nils Lofgren's fashion victim outfit.

Happy Independence Day

That was a good day, too.

First Petty and now Springsteen, it's like I'm picking

One of the stars in this video will play in Sunday's big game. The one who plays football will not. Bring on halftime already!

This land

Whatever happens in the next 4-8 years, let's at least remember this.

My Lucky Day

It wasn't, really. So many things went wrong by 7:30 this morning that I had my first block kids imagine their own "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad" days for a journal assignment as I fixed the jammed printer, weeded through the crap left by last week's last-minute sub (the one who called me to confirm DIDN'T SHOW) and got the stuff together that I would have done before the bell had I not been 35 minutes later than intended because of a stalled garbage truck. (I'll skip the part about the crack-of-dawn computer problems, the misplaced phone, and the coat I couldn't find because I'd left it hanging on the door to the garage so as to streamline my morning.) It did get better. I didn't get anything done, but I had fun with some kids. And now I'm really smiling.

Working on a Dream

New Bruce sure does help to pass the won't-this-day-end time.

Livin' In The Future

Come Saturday, this blog marks its second anniversary. Born on the promise of a resounding mid-term victory by the Democrats and the appeal of a venue for personal expression, my first post was titled "Out of the dark ages, into a brave new world."

As enthused as I am about incredibly positive outcome of Tuesday's election -- which I hope Al Franken will be added to -- I'm reminded that none of this has happened yet. All hopes of progression were dashed by recession.

"The Republicans have destroyed this country over the last six years and Democrats should not be criticized if it takes a little time to clean up after them," I wrote then. "If nothing else, taking away Bush's rubber stamp and preventing the nation from deteriorating further is a step in the right direction."

Two years later, it seems we've only marched in place.

Meanwhile, the economy is in the tank, our government is an international and domestic disgrace, we're waging two wars badly and flexing for more, and so on. I'm sure glad gas prices had dipped below $2.20/gallon locally when I learned of Exxon-Mobil's record quarterly profits.

I've spent this day grasping for words to describe my feelings. I still haven't found them, but I did find this from American story teller Bruce Springsteen. God bless America!

The New Jersey Devil

And to think I once rolled my eyes when Lonnie posted pages full of video.

Bruce for Barack

10/4/08 in Philly

The bitter end

While my blogmate was dancing in the dark at a Bruce Springsteen concert, I was drafting a fantasy football juggernaut. Meanwhile, my former college professor was decomposing in an Iowa City park. She wins this Saturday night, but I'll gladly take the silver.

Type rest of the post here

One more for the road

Iowa--Ames, Iowa City, Waterloo. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Brooklyn, Jersey, Indianapolis. Chicago. France. Italy. Winnipeg. Washington, D. C. Our new friends from Toronto. And that's without even trying, just the hometowns of the fans who happened to be right near us, on the floor or in line. I'd almost swear besides the local sports columnist, Tony LaRussa, and Mrs. Bob Costas my friends and I were the only locals there--and we all live in Illinois. Such is the power of Bruce. Especially at the end of the tour, maybe, especially when the rumors are flying. Maybe Clarence is not well, maybe Max will be tied down with Conan. Maybe things are about to change forever. Or, rather, change some more, given the passing of Danny. Regardless, how remarkable to be surrounded by people from everywhere, all in town to see a band. But not just any band, but the heart stoppin', pants droppin', earth shakin' love makin', Viagra takin', legendary... E STREET BAND. And though we were quite late to this party, now having crashed it, we totally get it, and can't believe there's not a time machine to be found. Ah, well. It ain't over yet. And at least one of us is in Kansas City, crashing with folks from Toronto, sitting with their friends from Ames.

Livin' in the future

I smiled as the Bruce Springsteen song wailed when Barack Obama made his exit from today's town hall meeting at Coe College.

"Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet"

Indeed.

The local and regional flood recovery.
A reasonable energy policy that fully embraces environmental responsibility.
Affordable health care.
Investment in education and overhauling No Child Left Behind.
Rescinding Bush's irresponsible tax cuts for the rich.
Diplomacy before death.
Electing a Democrat.

"None of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet"