Buffalo Boy's Blog
Giving You More Than Just My Two Cents
September 2007 Archives
Music that Changed My Life
Im going to try posting this as a regular weekly thing. So for my first, is the first band I can remember listening to as a kid. My earliest memories of listening to music was sitting in my room when i was 4,or 5 years old with these huge oversized headphones on my head listening to this 8 track of the Beach Boys greatest hits. To this day, I still love them.
Pet Sounds and Party! are my two favorite now. I don't have the old 8 track, The only thing I remember is that the print on it was worn from me playing it so much. The closest thing I have to that old greatest hits 8 Track is the Beach Boys Sounds of Summer which is filled with great stuff but missing a bit. Little Honda was a favorite off that 8-Track that you don't see very much on their greatest hits but to me was one of the better car songs that they ever did.
On the Party! record which I now have on CD is the full length Version of Barbara Ann which is by far and away my favorite Beach Boys Song. (It was a cover of the Regents who recorded the original Barbara Ann back in 1961)
The Beach Boys, still one of the bands that changed my life.
Category: Music
John McCain Has Lost It
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070930/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_faith
Senator John McCain in this interview states that he would prefer a Christian president because those are the values that this country was founded on. Is he kidding?
Im sick of politicians making religion an issue. First of all, this country was not founded on Christian values, it was founded on freedom from religion. The British settled here to escape religious restraints of England. So John McCain needs to go back and check his history books again. There were other religious factions settling this country other than Christians.
Second, why does the religion of a president matter? He goes back on his statement and tries to save himself by stating that he would vote for the best person even if they were Muslim. Too late John, not that you had my vote, because you didn't, but you probably lost a lot more votes by making your initial statement.
Bottom line, we are not electing a priest or pope next November. We are electing the leader of this country. Talk of what religion the candidates are is just distracting the people from discovering the real issues. The religion means squat. Separartion of church and state. It doesn't matter and it shouldn't even be discussed.
Category: Politics
This Looks About Right
This looks about right. Next June it should be the life size version with Derek Roy, Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek plastered all over it. Okay maybe Im getting a little ahead of myself but why not!
Category: Sports
One New York Team Down, One To Go
Being a Blue Jay fan, Im not a New York Fan. I don't like either New York Team. So Today, even though it wasn't the one I really hate, I can tip my cap to the Phillies because Its anybody but the Mets in the National League.
GO ANAHIEM AND CLEVELAND!
Category: Sports
Blogging
Im having fun with this blogging thing. For the forseeable future, I wont be posting on Mondays or probably Tuesdays either. Mondays is my 6 Am to 10 PM day. Work till 3:30 then its off to grad school from 4-10
Tuesdays is my 12 hour day at work. My two longest days of the week. My biggest posting days will be Thursday through Sunday. Though I may surprise with a few Monday through Wednesday.
Category: Miscellaneous
Summer of '07 Music
I Put Together a Playlist of some of the highlight music of the summer. I suppose that with today being the last day of September its time to concede that Fall is here and the summer concert season is over.
I had an amazing Concert season by anyone's standards. Started with The Hip in March (if you can call March Summer. (I do, its spring...which is close enough.) There was still snow on the ground and it was cold enough to freeze Jet Fuel but that didn't stop the Hip from heating things up and getting us pumped for a string of shows that would last through September.
Heres the Concerts:
March: The Hip in Rochester...I ordered tickets for this show after the two Buffalo Shows sold out in 2 minutes.
June: Not Music but two of my favorite comedians, Jon Stewart and Bill Maher
July: 5440 twice, Rush on July 4th, The Alarm, The Fixx and The Psychadelic Furs, and The Lemonheads
September: Elvis Costello and Feist
We could have capped off an even better summer with the Cure show in Toronto but that will have to start a great summer of '08 next May
The Playlist:
Feist- 1234 possibly the best song I saw live all summer. Heavenly and Im not religious.
Elvis Costello- Tramp The Dirt Down
The Fixx- One Thing Leads To Another, They sounded better than ever.
Rush- Spirit of the Radio, had already seen them on the 30th anniversery tour from the 8th row, sat next to Alex's family and everything...Was afraid this show would disappoint, but it was surprisingly good. Rush Still Rocks
The Psychadelic Furs- Heartbreak Beat, they were the only disappointing one of the summer. However, they got to this song and started to pick up the pace in the second half of their set.
Rush- Circumstances, one of a few seldom played gems that made going to this one worth while.
Rush- The Way the Wind Blows, The new stuff off Snakes and Arrows kept growing on me. Great CD comes to life live.
5440- Golden Sun, they are amazing everytime I see them. Best part of both times I saw them...They were free shows!
Rush- Far Cry, see above
Elvis Costello- Allison, seeing this song live was simply amazing. He was one artist I have always wanted to see but never had before. Well worth the wait.
Elvis Costello- Radio Sweetheart, A pleasant surprise in his set that thrilled everyone there.
The Alarm- Rain in the Summertime, a song that sounds so sweet against a setting sun. Mike Peters has beaten Cancer and the Alarm sounded great. Is it okay to play this song during the winter or will it just torture me with thoughts of warm summer days?
The Lemonheads- Its a Shame About Ray, it was the Lemonheads and about 500 of their closest fans. Amazing show.
Rush- Mystic Rhythms, another sweet surprise from Geddy and the boys.
Rush- Vital Signs, Yet another...Rush Rocks
The Lemonheads- Mrs. Robinson, classic CFNY favorite...great live.
Elvis Costello- Indoor Fireworks- on a hot summer night in September this song was truly incredible. Elvis had such a stage presence.
5440- Nice To Luv You, It has almost gotten to the point where if I don't see 5440 during the summer in Buffalo or somewhere close, its just not summer. Neil was great both nights but at the Canal Concert series in Tonawanda, he was electric.
The HIp- Lonely End of the Rink, was so looking forward to hearing this one live and it was awesome.
The Hip- Hundreth Meridian- Always my favorite Hip tune Live. They were amazing as always. I wish they would play a 2 hour show, they have enough material.
Elvis Costello- Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes, led off with this at the show and immediately got everyone singing along. and this one will complete my list.
This may have been my best overall summer for concerts. The only one better may have been Summer of 2000 seeing the Cure front row center at Molson Ampitheatre but it was one show that summer. This was a string of shows that just seemed to keep coming.
Category: Music
Trent Vs. JP?
VS 
Oh Crap, here we go again....Flutie vs. Johnson all over again. Trent beat the Jets today and quite frankly showed more than JP did in two plus games. I think there is going to be a quarterback change here in Buffalo....
If Edwards even looks respectable Monday night next week, its all over for JP.
Category: Sports
Most Under-rated Bands of All Time
I have been listening a lot the Trashcan Sinatras. In my mind one of the most under rated bands of all time.
Here is a list of my most under rated (appreciated) bands of all time
1. The Sundays- Where oh where have they gone. Harriet Wheeler had a magical voice that should go down as one of the sweetest sounds on Earth. Qute possibly the female version of Morrissey
2. Belly- Just amazing.The lineage of rock bands that can be traced from Belly is amazing. The list includes Throwing Muses, The Breeders and The Pixies. Tanya Donnelly may possibly be one of the top three female vocalists of all time. She is still putting out solo stuff online.
3. The Trashcan Sinatras- At one point in the 90's was billed as 2nd coming of the Smiths, recent CD Weightlifting was a pleasant surprise and they do have a great live DVD out that really defines them.
4. The Afghan Whigs- This band just flat out rocked in the 90's. Gentlemen was one of the best CDs of that era.
5. The Catherine Wheel- They were played a lot on CFNY but not a lot here in the States. Blood line has a little Iron Maiden in it too.
Honorable Mention: James, yes I know they had the big hit but they have scores of other great stuff.
Category: Music
Fantasy Hockey
Another sports entry, but hey, its the end of Jays season and the beginning of hockey season so what the hell.
What a lame week in my fantasy league. The leagues in Yahoo started keeping stats for this week for two games.
Anaheim and LA in London counts apparently and fantasy owners who have players from those teams will score points and victories.
How lame is that? I have none. There will be teams and matchups this week that are tied 0-0 for lack of any Anaheim or LA players. So if you didn't happen to pick up players from one of those teams, chances are you are starting from behind for a mere two games played in the NHL this week.
I have heard it said before, but YAHOO sucks sometimes.
Category: Fantasy Sports
Speaking of Danny.....
I am waiting for something to come back to me from Mr. Gare. My dad and Danny visit the same place to get their hair cut. Back in 1980 (I was 7) I had my picture taken with Danny at the Sabres Carnival. It was a polaroid and Autographed.
A few years back, we had a water loss in my parents basement and the autograph got ruined. Well with the picture intact, I decided to see if my dad could take it with him and get it to Danny. Surprisingly when my dad mentioned it to him when they were both there, Danny was more than happy and even intrigued to see it.
So when I get it back I will post a photo of that little piece of Sabre history.
Category: Sports
RJ's Side Kick
John Tucker worked in Jim Lorentz's seat last night next to RJ for the Sabres broadcast. Not bad. Better than Barnaby on Wednesday night. Both did okay considering the shoes they have to fill.
Tonight its Mike Robataille's turn. He should do fine. He has been there before and I have always liked him though I think he is better in the post game and between periods role spilling his guts. I really think he is Buffalo's Answer to Don Cherry. I like both but I think Cherry is a bit more flamboyant, though both are equally opinionated and passionate about the sport which is what draws us to them.
I would like to see Tucker or Barnaby get the job if that is the way its going. Another candidate and I don't know his availability but he has been in the role before and has always done well is Danny Gare. Gare last I knew was in Columbus doing play by play.
Maybe, they could work out a deal with Danny and Jim to have Jim do home games and Danny do Away games. Hmmm......possibility and both are excellent color analysts. I know Danny lives here in the Western New York area in the off season.
Category: Sports
Children's Healthcare
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070928/ap_on_go_pr_wh/children_s_health
I have become increasing political and skeptical over the years. Especially with George W. calling the shots in the US. He again showed his incompetence and why the US needs to adopt something that makes sense for a health care policy. What is in place now is not the answer. There are millions of uninsured children in the US.
Millions of them could have been covered had he taken out his pen and signed a bill that Nancy Pelosi clearly explained to him would cover 4-9 million more children in the US whose families do not meet medicaids standards for what is considered poor thus not covering those kids. It would cost an extra 6 billion dollars a year.
Currently the US spends over a billion a day in IRAQ. Easy decision. End the war September 30th and the US would save enough money in the month of October to cover those children with healthcare for 5+ years.
I know that no healthcare plan is flawless but single payer universal healthcare is at the very least worry free. How could any country allow their children to be uninsured? It is puzzling that a Christian President could allow that to happen. Guess hes not so Christian after all. George says he wants to compromise on the bill that would provide the coverage....to me there is no compromise. Cover all children with health insurance or to me its as good as none at all.
Chime in on this Canada, would you rather have a private system that gouges and looks for ways not to pay and leaves the poor in the dark or would you rather have your current system?
Category: Politics
Start of Buffalo Boy
I realized I never quite said where Buffalo Boy came from. A few years back, when Humble and Fred were on CFNY I emailed Howard...It may have been around the switch or right after the switch to MOJO but thats besides the point. All I know is Howard emailed me back with a "Hey Buffalo Boy" So I kept the nickname when I emailed Humble and Fred....thats pretty much about it....nothing shocking...but just a tidbit of why I inherited the nickname Buffalo Boy.
Category: Miscellaneous
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
I think its time for the definition of who and what belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to be tightened. Madonna is a prospective nominee for the next ballot. The Beastie Boys are also on the ballot and they should be.
Madonna on the other hand bugs me. Is she really Rock and Roll? She's pop music thats for sure. To me what belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame is Bass, drums and guitar with a few exceptions that I won't get into. I have also noticed rap stars going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Doesn't rap or hip hop deserve its own hall of fame?
Of course in any musical category you are going to have crossovers. The Beastie Boys could go into the Rap hall of fame if there is one? or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I just think that some artists recently have not been put where they belong. They all deserve notice but they need to put in the right hall of fame here. Maybe Alan Cross can debate this with me.
Category: Music
Fantasy Hockey
Speaking of predictions, here is my fantasy hockey lineup let me know what you all think. I personally am worried about goaltending.
Center: Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Kyle Wellwood
Right Wing: Pavol Demitra, Markus Naslund, JP Dumont, Ales Kotalik, Drew Stafford and Patrick Kane
Left Wing: Thomas Holmstrom, Brenden Morrow, and Thomas Vanek
Defense: Wade Redden, Chris Phillips, Tom Poti, Shea Weber, and Brian Campbell
Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist, Vesa Toskala, and Marc Denis
PLEASE VESA BE GOOD!!!!!! If not I need to hope one of my surplus wingers like Patrick Kane gets hot so I can trade him for a goalie and maybe a left winger. Can you Leaf Fans give Wellwood a kick in the pants too?
Category: Sports
NHL Predictions
Category: Sports
Hello!
I would like to thank Mr. Mike Boon for setting me up! I am new to this but have been inspired by the likes of Freddie P,, Humble Howard and Mike Boon himself and figured "Hey a little friendly competition from Buffalo would be nice". That and I always have a lot to say. A little about me, Im 34, from Buffalo obviously and i am very busy and have added this little piece to my busy-ness. I have lots of Canadian influences for regular Canadian readers of Mr. Boon's, Freddie's or Howard's blogs will see. I am a Blue Jay fan, a Sabres fan 1st and a Leaf fan distant second (don't ask how that works out but it goes back to when the Leafs were in the other conference. So you will often see me post about hockey/baseball. Im a huge music fan. I grew up on CFNY so I am actually a bit of a music snob. Im a physical therapist full time, swim coach part time and graduate special education student (so you can see where the busy parts come in. I will write about those from time to time. I have become increasingly political over the years so you will see a lot of political posts. Finally, Im new at this so if you see anything on here that you like and would like it to become a regular thing or have suggestions let me know. In the meantime, I hope everyone stops by and spends some time reading a little on here and don't be afraid to leave your comments. Talk to you all soon
Buffalo Boy Mike
Category: Intro
Toronto Mike Presents Buffalo Boy's Blog
I'm testing the new Buffalo Boy Blog, a Toronto Mike production. This is my first time with MT4 and it looks pretty different on this side of things.
Is the world ready for Buffalo Boy? We're about to find out...
Category:
