The Traveling Wilburys

I just came in from cooking food for the local Project Celebration, turned on my tv, and was doing that guy thing, cruising through the entire range of channels on the guide. I saw something called The History of the Traveling Wilburys on the Sundance Channel and had to check it out. Unfortunately, it was only 30 minutes long.

Now, if you've forgotten about the Wilburys, as I had, check out this line-up: George Harrison (The Beatles), Jeff Lynn (ELO), Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. Holy Smokes!!! Does it get any better than that? This was just a short documentary of sorts of the making of their first cd in 1988 and how they did it, with no ego, no pretense, all fun, all friendship. 5 of the icons of their industry and individual era's and they all came together (George Harrison's idea) to make music, share in the writing, share in the singing, share in the playing. It took 6 weeks from start to final mix. Spectacular.

Unfortunately, Roy Orbison passed away a short time later and wasn't on the second Wilbury cd, and now George Harrison has passed away as well. Two of the five are no longer with us. Great losses, both.

I think I will go find these cds since they have been remastered and re-released and really go back and listen. Here is a great website that tells the history of this group and really gave me a greater appreciation for this collection of talent.

What do you think about the Wilburys? Is it a greater appreciation after the fact as it is for me?

You just never know what you might see.....

I was walking through the bedroom this afternoon and my wife was watching one of her indulgences, "Beverly Hills 90210". Not one of my favorites, but she watches it on SoapNet TV. Anyway, something caught my attention. It was an acoustic guitar riff that sounded so familiar that I had to stop and watch to see what was happening. There was some sort of party going on and there was a band playing live with all the 90210ers dancing. The camera cut to the band and, sure enough, there was John Rzeznik and Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls up on stage in 90210 type of clothes singing "Name" from the "A Boy Named Goo" album. There was some reference in the show to 1996 so I'm guessing this was about the time frame. Not the look of the Dolls I was expecting, but the music was still excellent. Love the Goo Goo Dolls. So, even though I couldn't find a clip of this particular performance (it was pre-youtube) here is another live performance of the Goo Goo Dolls and Name.
And John is wearing some cool footwear, too.

Indiana Jones.........Well

The family went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie last night. We were all excited about seeing the next "installment" since we had loved the first 3. Okay, Anita and I loved the first three. Cole and Corinne are a little young (15 & 12) to have really gotten in to the first 3, but they were excited none the less. I knew Todd had blogged that he was going to see it, too, so I texted him where I was, and of course he was in the same building watching the 30 minute earlier Indy. Haven't got to chat with him about it yet, but I'm sure he'll blog it and let us all know.

Anyway, my thoughts. At best, it was okay. It seemed really slow and tended to drag even with the amount of hyper action they threw into this one. I enjoyed the "mystery" of the earlier additions as Indy discovered and figured out the secrets as the movie went along. In this one, Indy seemed to "action" himself into each discovery. It was more as if he fell, shot, drove, jumped, ran, swam,........whatever, his way into each discovery and you had to endure it the whole way. I did like the fact that they brought Karen Allen back from the first Indy movie, and liked the Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) character, though it was totally predictable (to me) that he would end up being Indy's son. Also, the plot of this installment didn't seem as "real" as the first 3, especially the 1st and 3rd installments. And by real, I mean the whole space ship, alien thing. The "Lost Ark" and "Crusades" backdrops were at least, historically, real. This just didn't seem as believable, for lack of a better word.

Anyway, just my thoughts. Oh, and we figured it up: Family of 4 to eat at Logan's (with a good tip to Chris the server who got us ordered and fed in right at 30 minutes so we could make it to the movie) $48.38 and $31 for 4 tickets to the movie = $79.38. Thank goodness Marble Slab closes at 10 p.m. and was closed by the time we got out. Ouch!!!

Next up, Prince Caspian. (for me. my family has already seen it without me last weekend, but loved it and want to see it again on Monday).

It's Friday!!!

You know, it's sad that I didn't realize that this was a holiday weekend until Tuesday of this week. I really wanted to take the family home to DeLeon on Memorial Day weekend to see my parents since we haven't been there since Christmas, but it just snuck up on me and we've got so much to do that we can't go. I am a horrible son. I talk to my parents every week, several times per week most of the time, but to not take the time to go visit them in person stinks. With all the activities the kids are in, my commitments to the church (teaching Sunday School, running sound), etc., I guess I let those things take priority over my own parents sometimes. It also denies two other things as well: 1) my parents opportunity to see their grand kids, and more importantly, 2) my kids getting to know and spend more quality time with their grandparents (who are phenomenal people, by the way). My dad just turned 68 years old and my mom will be 68 in a couple of weeks. They are both in good health, relatively speaking, but after a friend of mine lost his mom on Mother's Day, it has really made me more conscious of how precious time is and the importance of continuing to invest it in my relationship with them. Got to do a better job. My mom and dad are great people who raised 3 boys in a Christian home, taught them to be conscientious people, and most of all, to be followers of Christ by actively having us in church and through the example of how they have lived their lives. I love them because they are my parents, of course, but also I love them because the Christian people they are. They freakin' ROCK!!!

I will make this pledge today: in the next month, I will go visit my parents.