The End of the World As We Know It...Well At Least America

So today as I dropped the pounds on the bike at the gym, I watched a the news like a bad accident. You can't help but look, but as it become clears you're stomach drops. Record setting is usually good, but today the economy set a record for worst ever point drop. That's EVER. I don't really understand too much about it all. But I do know that something has to give. People are paying to Clinton and Palin as they shatter the glass ceiling during the past few months in this historic election, but no one is paying attention to the glass floor below us. When the economy began to turn down months ago, we were reassured that it wasn't a recession, it was just a small dip in the road. Today as Congress failed to pass a $700 billion bail-out. Can creating more money really fix the situation? Isn't it just a band-aid on an open wound? Something has gone terribly wrong with the infrastructure of our country. I don't think that the government should have its hand in everything, nor do I believe that the government to should have a strong control of anything, but I do think that the government is a government of the people, all people. For the everyday guy or gal, we may not feel the effects of the market today, but we will feel it. Those people who live day to day will continue to struggle to survive. The unemployment rates have already begun to rise. With the mortgage crisis, more and more people will be on the street. It's time for the government to help the people. It's time to turn our attention away from other countries needs and be selfish. Time to focus on America and restoring it to prosperity. I was lucky. I graduated and I found a job relatively easily, but I know many people who haven't had that luck. People who graduate in the next year or two probably won't have that luck either. It's beyond the blame game. It's beyond saying that an administration or a president or a political party has failed. Everyone has failed. Time to step it up.

On an ironic note, the sun came out today after about 4 days. (I don't know if that's the right use of irony. I should check with Norm MacDonald.)

You know the economy is bad when...

From MSNBC.com

FOUNTAIN, Colo. - A Colorado teenager hired men to kill his mother so he could use her money to get breast implants for his girlfriend, police said.

Fortunately for the mother the man hired to kill her tried to use a baseball bat and only slightly injured her. But I mean seriously what in the world was this guy thinking that he could just off his mother so his girlfriend could have nicer breasts. Crazy people in this world that is for sure. I'd only kill my mom if I was going to buy something for myself. (just kidding. Love you mom!)

In other sad news actor Paul Newman succumbed to cancer at the age of 83. In addition to starring in, directing and producing some classic movies, Newman worked hard to give back. After his son died of a drug overdose he started a foundation to produce anti-drug movies and perhaps most famously started Newman's Own line of food items originally as a joke. That small joke has gone on to donate over $140 million. He was a great American, although his liberal politics once landed him on Richard Nixon's 'enemies' list. He will be missed. I think I'll have some Newman's Own salsa in memory of him.

Went out last night for Rebecca and Steven's birthdays and had a great time. Was supposed to be working today at Jazzfest but they canceled it because of rain, although it isn't raining today yet. It's great that I don't have to work, but I totally would have gotten paid extra for this gig. Oh well.

Hanging out and watching movies all day.

Shawn

Jiggy The Dragon

So when I moved out Steven and I stole Mikey's stuffed dragon Jiggy. And it was supposed to a funny joke and we were going to hold him hostage. Then we got a great idea we would send him to people we know all over and take pictures kind of like the Flat Stanley thing. And send ransom notes to Mikey. But its 2008 and no one sends letters so we started a blog and it's gotten bigger than we could imagine. Jiggy is at Kenyon College and he is going on tour with the Women's Field Hockey team this weekend. So check out the website at jiggythedragon.blogspot.com

I'll be putting up pictures of the apt soon. Promise.

Shawn

New Mattress

YAY!! Probably should have put some more time and effort and not been such an impulse buy, but no more air mattress tomorrow!!

So on my way to work this morning I had a feeling that I was back in NY. Since last summer when Boston lowered the tax on filming in Boston there has been an influx of film crews. The latest is the new Mel Gibson movie "Edge of Darkness." I'm pretty sure it is the only one filming here although it just looked like a bunch of extras sitting outside Bar Lola waiting for filming to start. But it was still pretty exciting.

Sitting at work trying to do the switch over between Sarah and I because tomorrow is her last day. So it's going to be a busy day and then tonight I'm going to meet Sarah for her birthday. It was nice when I went for my run, but it seems to be getting cloudy out.

Happy Birthday Sarah!!

-Shawn

Thoughts from an office.

So I don't know if it's that time of year when summer is over and people are going back to school that gets me bummed out, but it seems to happen when it gets dark earlier and when it's just not warm enough to wear shorts. Although I tend to hold out until the first snowfall with my sandals, holding on to some sort sunshine. The job is going great and events like tonight's open mic make me really jealous of these kids who are so musically talented. Not only can they sing and play, but they write their own stuff, and play their own stuff and keep the audience and me captivated. I'd pay to see most of these people play.

It's weird to not be in classes and to not really see everyone. Now that I'm back at work I'm working some days some nights and I'm still trying to find the balance. The job is great and don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, because I could be busting tables, but I get paid much finer to hang with rockstars and soon to be rockstars. I just hope that I'll be able to stay in contact with some of the kids from school who are local. It just seems so hard with people working and having different schedules. You really have to make the effort to stay in contact. I just have to try and make the effort now.

Tomorrow is pay day and I'm going out and buying a bed :) :) finally! No more squeaking on the air mattress which Steven has no problem sleeping through, meanwhile I keep myself awake. Maybe a good night's sleep will cure the end of summer blues. Okay back to the music.

-S

Everything happens for a reason.

So it was often speculated and rumored while I worked at MTV, but today it was made official that in November Total Request Live (TRL) will broadcast its last show. The music countdown that debuted in 1998 and served as the springboard for the likes of Britney Spears and N'Sync along with personality Carson Daly is coming to an end, "for now." Although in the past few years even TRL has shown less videos and more interviews, it seemed to be one of the last programs that focused on music videos on the channel. The show will conclude with a 2 hour special on a Saturday in November.

So while I wanted very much to have a real shot as an MTV VJ for TRL, it seems that the reason I didn't hear back was that perhaps they already knew the end was near. Imagine if I had up and moved to NYC for this position only to have it end 2 months later. Now instead, I have another job of my dreams and its going great.

This just solidifies more my decision to stay in Boston. Things are going the right way.

-S

Laundry Day

As I sit here folding laundry, I remember fondly what is like to have laundry in your apt. I took it for granted that any day of the week without having to dig for change I could walk down that long hallway and throw in half a load, a pair of socks or do four loads of laundry. Now I'm back to jamming everything I can into one load for $1.50 wash and $1.50 dry and our couch is so new I can't even dig for change. I guess things could be worse, I could have to walk to a laundry mat.

-s

Live at Cafe 939: NeedToBreathe

Lead singer Bear Rinehart said that after one of their first shows he was afraid the reviews were going to be headlined "NeedToPractice." They weren't and it also wasn't the case last night. NeedToBreathe provided a nice mix of both known songs with a couple new ones from a yet to be recorded upcoming album, that kept fans and newcomers alike wanting more. Blues and southern rock influence was evident on songs such as Streets of Gold and Signature of Divine. Andy Davis, the opener, made a guest tambourine appearance with the band on song Girl Named Tennessee, after which they mentioned their nickname for him...Sandy Anus. He's only been mildly irritating as a tour mate. What was most impressive was the contrast from simplicity and stripped songs to some of the more rocking tunes. The greatest example of this was the encore when the band unplugged moved over the couches and played Washed By The Water.

These guys put on a great show and will continue to rock on the road until the end of September. Definitely get out and see them.

Live from Cafe 939: Andy Davis

So Andy Davis just left the stage of Cafe 939 for the second time this year. Andy hails from Nashville and previously graced us as part of the Ten out of Tenn tour. This time he returned for a solo jaunt (with only his iPhone as a backing band on a few songs.) Andy started playing guitar and quickly moved to the keyboard for his first song "Good Life". It wasn't long before he had the audience clapping along. After a couple originals, we were graced with a song he wished he wrote "At Last" by Etta James. The follow-up his own "Believable Doubt" was a killer and after a few more songs Andy got the crowd to sing-a-long with the title track to his album "Let The Woman". At one point Andy sang "And Boston goes wow..." and Boston was less than enthusiastic, but after a second try they got it and Boston showed what they were made of. Andy's sound and performance style reminds me a little of Ben Folds and I am sure he has a long career ahead of him.

Andy will be touring with NeedToBreathe thru the end of the month. Check him out if you can.

Music Lives (or should I say rocks)

For those of you concerned that if MTV forgets to highlight music, everyone will, don't fear. Tonight's Fashion Rocks (recorded last week before the VMA's) was equal parts fashion and good ol' rock and roll. Tributes to Etta James, Marvin Gaye, and many other greats by today's stars including Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Duffy, Kid Rock, Chris Brown and Mary J Blige. These stars shined and sang. Host Dennis Leary even pointed out how unlike the VMA's the show was going to be, lots of music, real singing and no Britney Spears. The only scary part so far has been Debbie Harry who looked kind of like Madonna, on crack. She looked like she stuck her face out of a cab doing 90 down Sixth Ave and it stayed like that. Her vocals sounded okay though on her duet with Fergie.

UPDATE 10:20PM
Kid Rock just performed again. This time his own song "All Summer Long" which combines the backing tracks of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama" an awesome song. Then afterwards he intro'd three members of the current incarnation of Lynard Skynard for a full on "Sweet Home Alabama".

More to come.

-S

MTV VMA's 25 Years later.

Ok so I can't really say later. Because I wasn't around for the first couple, but I have been around for the last couple and while some performances shined (Pink)others were just okay (Rihanna) and some were just a surprising mess (Christina Aguilera). It seems MTV was all about restoring bad images. Britney Spears went from comeback flop last year to comeback flat this year. Her opening sequence with Jonah Hill was mediocre at best. It got a couple chuckles but it was safe. Then every award she was nominated she got. I don't know if the awards are even relevant anymore, but they seemed to think by giving Britney these awards they were some how saving her career.

Okay on to some highlights. Pink is looking better than ever. I have to say I have always been a fan and I think she is really underrated. If you compare Pink and Christina Aguilera last night, Pink's performance was crazier and provided more VMA quality surprises with explosions and costume changes and SINGING. Christina's performance for me was very disappointing. The reworked Genie In A Bottle was interested but obviously pre-recorded and during the dance sequence I kept having flashbacks of Britney's performance last year. You're a mom now Christina, have some class.

I have to admit I do really enjoy the Kid Rock song he performed, but the Lil Wayne combo was a little strange for me. Also really enjoy Leona Lewis but again the Lil Wayne collaboration was not a highlight for me.

Overall I feel like the VMA craze is over. No longer is it about pushing the envelope and being the craziest award show, the craziest parts came from the host who did a great job for being a relative unknown to American audiences. The days of climbing podiums and flying Sterns have come and gone. Maybe its time to say goodbye to the VMAs and work on something new. Like playing more music.

-S

Feet for Pete

Happy birthday Peter! Hope school is going well.

Every year my family gets together and walks for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Our team Feet for Pete raises money in hopes that our lifetime will see not only improved medications and devices for juvenile diabetes, but we want to see a cure.

We can't do it alone. I invite you to join us in the walk in Albany, NY or to make a donation. A dollar goes a long way. This year i hope to raise at least $250 and with your help way more. You can make a difference.

To make a donation you can visit my donation site HERE or you can send me a check made payable to JDRF to my new address in Boston:
Shawn Wolfgang
222 Beacon St Apt 52
Boston, MA 02116

Pete and I thank you in advance for your generosity.