I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane
Don't know when I'll be back again, but such is the case with 1-Way tickets :-).
I am flying out from Denver in a couple hours! Ah! Yay! What?
That's pretty much how I feel. But at least I am packed, have a ticket & passport, and some munchies! Before I know it, I'll be scrambling to get my new apartment set up, trying to remember where we put everything...
I'll send out an email with my new contact info once I have my phone # over there. That'll also let you know I am safe and sound, even if a bit overwhelmed (just a prediction!).
Here's wishing unobstructed travels for myself, and a rockin' weekend for everyone else!
International Dance Season Review
Tuning in the airwaves and hitting dance clubs, I noticed that Bhangra was a huge hit over the summer. Bhangra is inspired by traditional music from thePunjab region of India. If you are still craving some this drum and Bollywoodbeat mix, I recommend picking up a copy of Bombay Bhangra Club: Essential ClubTunes.
This album came out in 2003 on the German label Blue Flame(
www.blueflame.com). DJ Red Buddha, who does a great job picking from the Bhangra artists known andunknown, mixed all the tracks for the album. This album has a good mix ofeverything from hip-hop to UK garage to house club sounds as well.
What surprised me the most was on Bombay Taikie's track "Charigye" was the use of Clint Eastwood's famous line from "Dirty Harry". Another thing I found with this album is how many original tracks I recognized but that were wonderfully remixed. Even samples of master Bhangra artist Punjabi MC's track is mixed inwith Don Shiva's "Dake Dake".
If you enjoy Bhangra and Indian tunes, you'llwant to pick up Punjabi MC's album and another great compilation called DesiNation.
[
Thanks Steph for your review! Find her writing @ www.boulderdirt.com]
Bush Cites Doubt America Can Win War on Terror
I just read this in the NYT:
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: August 31, 2004
ASHUA, N.H., Aug. 30 -
President Bush, in an interview broadcast on Monday, said he did not think America could win the war on terror but that it could make terrorism less acceptable around the world, a departure from his previous optimistic statements that the United States would eventually prevail.
In the interview with Matt Lauer of the NBC News program "Today," conducted on Saturday but shown on the opening day of the Republican National Convention, Mr. Bush was asked if the United States could win the war against terrorism, which he has made the focus of his administration and the central thrust of his re-election campaign.
"I don't think you can win it," Mr. Bush replied. "But I think you can create conditions so that those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world."
As recently as July 14, Mr. Bush had drawn a far sunnier picture. "I have a clear vision and a strategy to win the war on terror," he said...
Read the Whole Article Here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/31/politics/campaign/31bush.html?th
[Jason's Note: "What the $%@& !?! Isn't that one of the more compelling reasons people want him in office anyways?"]
A Different Perspective on Retirement
A few days ago, we received one of those infinitely forwarded emails that struck our fancy because it was so clever and, as you'll soon read, has a certain quirky logic. Kudos to the anonymous writer "No nursing home for me! I'm checking into the Holiday Inn."
"With the average cost for a nursing home per day reaching $188.00, there is a better way when we get old and feeble. I have already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn.
For a combined long-term stay discount and senior discount, it's $49.23 per night. That leaves $138.77 a day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in any restaurant I want, or room service, laundry, gratuities, and special TV movies. Plus, they provide a swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge, washer, dryer, etc.l Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap. They treat you like a customer, not a patient.
$5.00 worth of tips a day will have the entire staff scrambling to help you. There is a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. The handicapped bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp). To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays. For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, the cash keeps building up.
It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today. And you are not stuck in one place forever, you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city. Want to see Hawaii? They have a Holiday Inn there, too.
TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem. They fix everything and apologize for the inconvenience. The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks if you are OK. If not, they will call the undertaker or an ambulance. If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.
And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation. The Grandkids can use the pool. What more can you ask for?
So, when I reach the golden age I'll face it with a grin. Just forward all my mail to the Holiday Inn!"
Upon telling this story at a dinner with friends and too much red wine, we came up with even more benefits the Holiday Inn provides to retirees: most standard rooms have coffee makers, reclining chairs, and satellite TV-all you need to enjoy a cozy afternoon. After a movie and a good nap, you can check on your children (free local phone calls), then take a stroll to the lounge or restaurant where you meet new and exotic people every day.
Many Holiday Inns even feature live entertainment on the weekends. Often they have special offers, too, like the Kids Eat Free Program. You can invite your Grandkids over after school to have a free dinner with you. Just tell them not to bring more than three friends. Pick a Holiday Inn where they allow pets, and your best friend can keep you company as well.
If you want to travel, but are a bit skittish about unfamiliar surroundings, in a Holiday Inn you'll always feel at home because wherever you go, the rooms all look the same. And if you're getting a little absent-minded in your old days, you never have to worry about not finding your room--your electronic key fits only one door and the helpful bellman or desk clerk is on duty 24/7.
Being perma-skeptics, we called a Holiday Inn to check this story out--and are happy to report that they were positively giddy at the idea of us checking in for a year or more. They even offered to negotiate the rate (we could have easily knocked them down to $40 a night)!
See you at the Inn! "
6 Days & Counting...
So I'm going to Germany in less than 6 days.
Yadzooks!
At least then I'll have something exotic to talk about...
But really though, it doesn't feel like its actually going to happen. Something has to mess up so that I'm still in Boulder, right? Isn't that how its always been? Perhaps this one time I can slip by.
Another Great Review from Steppie
The fun finger points to...
This wacky debut album An Introduction to the Bikini Machine by The BikiniMachine has an overall funky beach tone. Inspired by the campy 1965 secretagent spoof "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine", this album plays out much like a soundtrack to the movie. It's as if Junior Senior and Beck had a lovechild that decided to do a James Bond soundtrack while taking cues from Moby. Most of the songs are intertwined with clips from the movie while maintaining interesting lyrics. It's a good album to beat the post-summer blues.
The song "I found a job" stand out from the album with a distinctly morekeyboard and funk sound. My personal favorite is the synth energized track"Have Love Will Travel", with its hoppin' dance party sound. Another favorites "Money Bum Bum Boogie" which sounds like a jiving 1960's dance. Yet theentire album is not all-upbeat tracks, every secret agent movie has the tense,dark moments like in the track "Strong and Ready". The album mellows out in the end with "Where is No. 1?" that has the basic beat and backing, mixed with clips as the lyrics, and ends with Vincent Price's distinct voice.
Despite its release in May, this album has been a hard find in stores but is available online. The only disappointment with An Introduction to The BikiniMachine was that it was only 10 tracks. This album remains consistent however,ever so slightly campy and nifty.
Thanks Steppie!
