Solar Panels

This is an amazing story I read this morning, courtesy of the BBC.

Solar Panels In Spain

This is where we are going as a green world. Space on our planet is quickly disappearing. What we need, especially in our community are bright idea's, like the one above.

amazing

New Blog Archive

I have added an RSS feed to my blog from Politico 44.

For those who do not know, Politico.com made a name for itself over the course of the election by breaking several news stories. Now, after the triumphant win on November 4th, Politico is taking on the entire 44th presidancy. Each minute will be thrown on this site, and subsequently on my blog.

Check back often because Politico 44 updates often.

Victory!!!!

There are no words...

Past Albums-Revisited-Metallica's Load

I decided I am going to review some great albums from my youth and talk about them. Since my friend Mar is the only person who actually reads my blog (and given that her fiance talks a big game but never comments), I guess she will be the only one who enjoys these little blogs. Oh Well.

Artist: Metallica.

Album: Load.

Year: 1996.

This album was it for me, the introduction into the world of Metallica. Of course I had heard Enter Sandman and Sad But True from their previous album, but when I saw the video for "Until It Sleeps", I began what would be a magnificent quest to be an absolute Metallica fan.

Track List and description:

Ain't My Bitch-The song brings back the memories of riding in my El Camino down the mean streets of Gilman, Illinois-wondering who my bitch was.

2 X 4-no comment

The House Jack Built-a great song and the first non-single song of Metallica's I enjoyed.

Until It Sleeps- Lars Ulrich with Mascara and a bluesy opening. This was complete opposite of Enter Sandman and was what hooked me.

King Nothing-The video had Metallica in the woods. It always reminds me of winter.

Hero Of The Day-John Mayer called the solo in this song his favorite. Basic and powerful.

Bleeding Me-Listen to the guitar solo and then try and tell me that Kirk Hammett isn't amazing

Cure-no comment

Poor Twisted Me-no comment

Wasting My Hate-no comment however the live version is amazing.

Mama Said-James singing to his dead mother. When you see him do this song solo and alone on stage with an acoustic guitar, you can feel how much pain inside.

Thorn Within-no comment

Ronnie-no comment

The Outlaw Torn-no comment.

After hearing this album, I immediatley went and saw them in concert in Moline, Illinois. I will never miss a Metallica concert when it comes around. They are just too good.

Discovery

Today I have discovered a song that may or may not mark the end of my status as a fan of great music.

Now, you may be asking.. what song is it, Ryan?

This song was recorded in 1992.

This song won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocals in 1993.

The song I am referring to is k.d. Lang's "Constant Craving".

That's right friends, I am in love with a love song sung by a lesbian.

This song might be the most amazing song ever put down on record. I am a grown man of 28, and after hearing this song I am surprised how moved I was. This was not the first time I heard this song. I can remember that my mother had this album and played this song like 900 times on a car trip between G-town and Champaign-Urbana. Of course, the repetitive nature of hearing a song over and over can ruin it for a person, especially for a twelve year old who had just discovered Nirvana. Nevertheless, as an adult and hearing this song, I am completely floored at how honest the lyrics are, and how thoughtful the production value lends itself to k.d. Lang's voice.

I may have destroyed any shred of integrity I have as it relates to blogging about music, but who cares. This song is a gem.

It's been awhile

So it has been awhile, and although I am trying to stay true to the blogosphere I am having a rough time finding the minutes to type anything here. This is mostly because of work, and school, and of course the Cubs Playoffs, but rest assured, when I have the time I will write my innermost thoughts here to the masses...aka Chris.

Better Place

I first read about Shai Agassi in a recent article in Wired Magazine. It seems Shai is about to change the entire world, and most of us did not even know it.

Driven

It seems as if every few years a story comes up about a new technology, or idea that will change the way we travel. Case in point, this story.

Reinventing The Wheel

Although the segway does serve some kind of relavancy today ( an example is Chicago Cops or tourist scooting through the park, it never caught on with the average joe. Better Place, although a complete 360 from the segway, is the future.

Our dependance on foreign energy(oil) is sickening. Our news cycle is inindatted with the problems with oil. Iran may start transacting oil in Euros, or Russia may transact it in Rubles. Hurricanes threaten our strategic oil reserves, or terrorist threaten to destroy strategic piplines. It is time for the world to wake up from this nightmare that is being perpetuated by the government, OPEC, and Detroit. Following Shai Agassi is an important step.

If you liked what you read about Better Place, my suggestion is to forward the link to the Wired Story to your local United States representative. Let them know that we need a change.