Well, it's not exactly St. Cloud, but if all goes well, I will be moving closer to St. Cloud before the year's out, anyway. I'm excited to have this major goal that I set for myself this year move closer and closer to reality with each passing day.
It's going to be a lot of work and probably rather spendy the first year in a new place, but I'm not worried because I know that all the hard work I've put into achieving this goal will pay off. Now I can dedicate more of my time and effort into my next goal: having a great woman in my life to care about that cares about me.
Until recently, I hadn't allowed myself the time to really focus on making great connections with other people. I'd been too wrapped up in work, responsibilities and expectations to focus on myself. It wasn't until I turned 40 that I realized how important it was to really appreciate and take care of myself.
This summer was one of the best of my entire life, probably one of my favorite summers since I was a kid. I was able to take some time off and do a little traveling, enjoy sports and music, hang out with a few rock stars and rock fans, and befriend some incredible people. Some of these people are fantastic women that I've quickly become good friends with. For now we're just friends, but the intense connections and conversations could lead to something more in time.
Whenever there's been a woman I've been interested in romantically, I've always gotten to know her on a deeper level as a friend first. I've been a little disappointed lately in one such connection because I haven't seen her in a while, but I know she has a busy personal and family life and that it's definitely nothing personal. It just frustrates me because when I get to know someone so well on such an intimate level that I can't help wanting to see her more and continue to get to know her better.
I've also ventured into the world of online dating, but so far I've been less than pleased with the results. I've had a few women reach out to me, but there's always been something about them that I'm not interested in from the start. Maybe my recent friendships with some amazing women have clouded my judgment.
Whatever happens, I know that "the one" great woman is out there for me. For now, I just need to give it time, and continue to make and expand my connections. I've been patient enough for this long, I guess I can wait a little longer.
Well, that's all I can think of to write about for now. I've been listening to a lot of great new music this month, most of which I'll cover in my annual best-of review at the end of the year. For now, have a great weekend, everyone!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Best of Live in Concert Vol. IV: Dynamic Drummers
I'm going to finish this series for the year today with one of the at times underrated but yet also one of the most important components of a good rock band: the drummer. Despite the stereotype portrayed in the movie "Spinal Tap," most drummers are the anchor to a great sound. With that in mind, here are the five best drummers I've heard live in concert in alphabetical order:
Michael Bland, Soul Asylum
I find it hard to believe that Bland has been playing drums for Soul Asylum for over a decade now. Previously known as a session drummer for different acts, Bland has come into his own in Soul Asylum. Last summer when I saw the band play in St. Cloud, I was amazed at how he helped the band move seamlessly from song to song.
Bun. E. Carlos, Cheap Trick
Although back problems have stopped Carlos from touring nowadays, I remember how his drumming a Cheap Trick show at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud really kept the balance for the rest of the musicians on stage. I was impressed by his even demeanor throughout the entire show too.
Paul Crosby, Saliva
I remember a couple of great solos from Crosby at the band's 2008 concert at the now-defunct Trobec's Entertainment Center in St. Joseph. His energy and enthusiasm were a big part of the crowd's fevered reaction during their show.
Barry Kerch, Shinedown
One of the original Shinedown members and probably one of the most underrated guys in the band. Kerch can switch tempos quickly and really helps his bandmates get in the flow of a song. This is especially important when they feed off the crowd's energy during fast and slow songs.
Morgan Rose, Sevendust
Morgan's quite simply one of the best rock drummers in the business. I always enjoy watching him play different Sevendust songs onstage, because he takes a different approach to each one. He even plays the same songs a little differently at each show, which is a tribute to an artist who's always working on perfecting his craft. I also like to give him a little good-natured grief after shows for being such a diehard New York Yankess fan. I have to respect him though, not only for his work in Sevendust but also for keeping busy in his downtime, producing albums for Candlelight Red, playing in the side project Call Me No One and filling in behind the drum kit for Eye Empire and Korn at times.
Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this series - it took longer than I thought to complete, but that's what happens when life gets in the way, I guess. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!
Michael Bland, Soul Asylum
I find it hard to believe that Bland has been playing drums for Soul Asylum for over a decade now. Previously known as a session drummer for different acts, Bland has come into his own in Soul Asylum. Last summer when I saw the band play in St. Cloud, I was amazed at how he helped the band move seamlessly from song to song.
Bun. E. Carlos, Cheap Trick
Although back problems have stopped Carlos from touring nowadays, I remember how his drumming a Cheap Trick show at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud really kept the balance for the rest of the musicians on stage. I was impressed by his even demeanor throughout the entire show too.
Paul Crosby, Saliva
I remember a couple of great solos from Crosby at the band's 2008 concert at the now-defunct Trobec's Entertainment Center in St. Joseph. His energy and enthusiasm were a big part of the crowd's fevered reaction during their show.
Barry Kerch, Shinedown
One of the original Shinedown members and probably one of the most underrated guys in the band. Kerch can switch tempos quickly and really helps his bandmates get in the flow of a song. This is especially important when they feed off the crowd's energy during fast and slow songs.
Morgan Rose, Sevendust
Morgan's quite simply one of the best rock drummers in the business. I always enjoy watching him play different Sevendust songs onstage, because he takes a different approach to each one. He even plays the same songs a little differently at each show, which is a tribute to an artist who's always working on perfecting his craft. I also like to give him a little good-natured grief after shows for being such a diehard New York Yankess fan. I have to respect him though, not only for his work in Sevendust but also for keeping busy in his downtime, producing albums for Candlelight Red, playing in the side project Call Me No One and filling in behind the drum kit for Eye Empire and Korn at times.
Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this series - it took longer than I thought to complete, but that's what happens when life gets in the way, I guess. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
2013 Minnesota Twins Year in Review
Well, a third consecutive disappointing Minnesota Twins season has come to an end. This year was the first time in a long time where I couldn't wait for the season to end, just so the misery would finally be over.
I feel bad for any fans who went to the team's final homestand this year. They were swept and outscored by a total of 28-13, and looked rather awful from what I've heard. I can't say for sure myself, because I tuned the team out after they traded former MVP first baseman Justin Morneau to the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Pirates for another fourth outfielder and another pitching prospect.
I went to a couple of games again this year, and the results were again predictable: I attended a 7-1 loss to Justin Masterson and the wild card Cleveland Indians and a 3-2 win over the morose Houston Astros, a team that lost its last 15 games of the year en route to a 51-111 record.
I've been a Twins fan for almost three decades now, but I can't remember the last time I've been this apathetic about them. My brother is a season ticket holder, and I know at times he's felt the same way. It's pretty hard to root for a team that set a team record for strikeouts by their batters and has had continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position all season long.
This team has also looked pretty raw in the starting pitching department at times this year. I'm surprised to see that the team's best starting pitcher was Samuel Deduno (8-8, 3.83 ERA in 18 starts). Former Pirate Kevin Correia (9-13, 4.18 ERA in 31 starts) was the veteran leader of the staff, but disappointing years by Scott Diamond (6-13, 5.43 ERA in 24 starts) and former Met Mike Pelfrey (5-13, 5.19 ERA in 29 starts) did little to ease fans this year. Relief pitching was a strong point, anchored by LHP Glenn Perkins (2-0, 2.30 ERA and 36 saves) in his first full year as Twins closer.
The offense, with the absence of Morneau via trade and C/1B/DH Joe Mauer via concussion to end the season, did little to inspire fans this year. One bright spot was the emergence of Brian Dozier (.244 BA with a career high 18 HR and 66 RBI) at second base. C/DH Ryan Doumit (.247, 14 HR and 55 RBI) and LF Josh Willingham (.208, 14 HR and 48 RBI) gave some offensive sparks but struck out more than expected this year.
Another disappointment was the trial of CF Aaron Hicks (.192, 8 HR and 27 RBI, 84 K in 81 games), who had never played about Double-A until this year. The play of Hicks and journeyman Clete Thomas in center field did little to make fans miss the traded Denard Span and Ben Revere.
My brother and fans like myself will probably go to Twins games again next year, primarily because the team is hosting the All-Star Game. Target Field is a great place to see a ballgame, although the fans are growing impatient with three straight losing seasons. I was surprised to see manager Ron Gardenhire get a two-year contract extension this week. I thought for sure he'd be gone. After all, no other MLB manager with three consecutive 90-loss seasons had ever kept their job.
The failures of this team don't rest entirely on Gardenhire's shoulders. The front office and coaching staff also shoulder some of the blame. I seriously think that unless they want to see their attendance finally start to sag, the management staff really needs to look at spending some of the money that went into building this beautiful stadium on players that will improve this team. Otherwise, it may be a Houston Astros type of future for this once proud franchise.
I feel bad for any fans who went to the team's final homestand this year. They were swept and outscored by a total of 28-13, and looked rather awful from what I've heard. I can't say for sure myself, because I tuned the team out after they traded former MVP first baseman Justin Morneau to the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Pirates for another fourth outfielder and another pitching prospect.
I went to a couple of games again this year, and the results were again predictable: I attended a 7-1 loss to Justin Masterson and the wild card Cleveland Indians and a 3-2 win over the morose Houston Astros, a team that lost its last 15 games of the year en route to a 51-111 record.
I've been a Twins fan for almost three decades now, but I can't remember the last time I've been this apathetic about them. My brother is a season ticket holder, and I know at times he's felt the same way. It's pretty hard to root for a team that set a team record for strikeouts by their batters and has had continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position all season long.
This team has also looked pretty raw in the starting pitching department at times this year. I'm surprised to see that the team's best starting pitcher was Samuel Deduno (8-8, 3.83 ERA in 18 starts). Former Pirate Kevin Correia (9-13, 4.18 ERA in 31 starts) was the veteran leader of the staff, but disappointing years by Scott Diamond (6-13, 5.43 ERA in 24 starts) and former Met Mike Pelfrey (5-13, 5.19 ERA in 29 starts) did little to ease fans this year. Relief pitching was a strong point, anchored by LHP Glenn Perkins (2-0, 2.30 ERA and 36 saves) in his first full year as Twins closer.
The offense, with the absence of Morneau via trade and C/1B/DH Joe Mauer via concussion to end the season, did little to inspire fans this year. One bright spot was the emergence of Brian Dozier (.244 BA with a career high 18 HR and 66 RBI) at second base. C/DH Ryan Doumit (.247, 14 HR and 55 RBI) and LF Josh Willingham (.208, 14 HR and 48 RBI) gave some offensive sparks but struck out more than expected this year.
Another disappointment was the trial of CF Aaron Hicks (.192, 8 HR and 27 RBI, 84 K in 81 games), who had never played about Double-A until this year. The play of Hicks and journeyman Clete Thomas in center field did little to make fans miss the traded Denard Span and Ben Revere.
My brother and fans like myself will probably go to Twins games again next year, primarily because the team is hosting the All-Star Game. Target Field is a great place to see a ballgame, although the fans are growing impatient with three straight losing seasons. I was surprised to see manager Ron Gardenhire get a two-year contract extension this week. I thought for sure he'd be gone. After all, no other MLB manager with three consecutive 90-loss seasons had ever kept their job.
The failures of this team don't rest entirely on Gardenhire's shoulders. The front office and coaching staff also shoulder some of the blame. I seriously think that unless they want to see their attendance finally start to sag, the management staff really needs to look at spending some of the money that went into building this beautiful stadium on players that will improve this team. Otherwise, it may be a Houston Astros type of future for this once proud franchise.
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