A CD to remember

01. August 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Connecticut, friends, music

Over each of the past six or seven years, each momentous occasion has been celebrated with a carefully selected collection of music. Each CD is picked by the celebration crew (whomever that is at the time), and presented to some or all of the participants. There are only a few people that mix the music, and it is always difficult to find the right order to keep the mood right. The CDs are cherished by all recipients, memories of the event, person, place, or time in their lives. Oh yes… listened to over and over again.

The CD entitled “Tiara Tunes for Sue” was lovingly created by her friends, and presented on her way out the door of Virginia for our new life in Connecticut:

Say – John Mayer
Game of Love – Santana
Whenever I Call You “Friend” – Kenny Loggins
All the World – Point of Grace
Eagle When She Flies – Dolly Parton
Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
Goodbye – Night Ranger
I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
We Are Family – Sister Sledge
Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor
Stay Beautiful – The Last Goodnight
Circle – Edie Brickell
Friends – Jump5
My Wish – Rascal Flatts
Something’s Broken – Tim McGraw
Stop! In The Name Of Love – The Supremes
Find Out Who Your Friends Are – Tracy Lawrence

Asia in concert

28. June 2007 · Write a comment · Categories: concerts

Asia, originally uploaded by sealexander2010.

This is a non-zoomed photo taken last night at the Asia concert in Innsbrook (Glen Allen, VA). My son and I had great seats to this sparsely attended event. Where else can you be sitting less than 40 feet from Steve Howe (in my son’s words, one of the world’s greatest guitar players)?

Oh yes, the tickets were $13 each including the handling charge!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

24. November 2005 · Write a comment · Categories: music

If you EVER get the chance to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert, do whatever you can to see them. They were in Richmond, VA last night and put on a mind-blowing, multi-dimensional show that was part classical concert, part rock concert, part laser light show, part broadway. I didn’t really know what to expect but know that I have become a huge fan of the music that they weave together. Their history is interesting, their performance remarkable.

On the way home, I asked both kids what they thought of the whole show. My daughter (11) simply said, “AWESOME!” A similar reaction was held by my 13 year old son. He especially liked the lights and the pyrotechnics.

You can check out the band at their official web site:
CLICK HERE

Satellite Music

09. March 2005 · Write a comment · Categories: music

I have been a huge XM Radio fan for several years now. I’m not quite sure what radio commercials sound like, except for the 30 seconds or so that I listen to commercial radio on my bedside clock radio during workdays.

I work for a company that sells XM, so we have had some great deals to get me the equipment, but it’s been worth it every step of the way. I firmly believe that the money my family spends for XM is thousands of time better than any money we pay for cable TV. Cable TV, after all, requires that you be sitting in one place for an extended period of time. XM is portable, mobile, or fixed, depending on your setup.

Right now, we have four (sad, but true) XM units that we pay a monthly service on. One is in Sue’s truck (the oldest radio), on in her office (a new one, but it sort of sucks as well), a Delphi unit in my truck (sometimes in my house) that totally rocks, and a new portable one. We have a bit of swapping to do – my Delphi from my truck is going to get mounted in her truck (and she can use it in the office as well), and my portable MyFi is going into my truck (also to use in the house). That’ll take us from four to two that we’re paying the monthly service on. Much more reasonable, if you ask me.

I have been using the MyFi in my office, as the reception is good there. I don’t really like the mobile (i.e., for walking) side to it, but it would likely perform better in a city rather than in pseudo-suburbia where we live.

The musical selection is excellent. My favorite station is Deep Tracks, XM40. The two DJs on the station know more about music than all of my friends put together (and that’s saying a lot!). Great commentary from real professionals. Right now, for example, Peter Frampton is singing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” It’s a great version of the Stevie Wonder song that we all know. Today, GTM had a clip of an interview with Rick Wakeman (from Yes) that I listened to in a short drive home. I was laughing so hard because of the commentary Rick was delivering. What a sense of humor. Certainly, there is no commercial station that you could ever hope to hear that on.

The other favorites I listen to are Top Tracks (XM46) for regular ‘ol hit music, and Lucy (XM54) for newer music that my son and I can mostly agree on. Even the MIX songs (XM22) that replaces most “hit” commercial music stations is at least 100 times better because of the continuous music with no commercial, traffic, or weather breaks. Did I mention no wining local DJs talking to hear themselves talk. At work, I also listen to Watercolors (smooth jazz) and XM-Pops (classical). No talk and easy listening music. It’s not my favorite, but good when I have heads-down concentration required while sitting at the computer at work.

So, if you haven’t tried XM, you should. For broadband users, there is even an online version that you can try out for 3 days for free. Go to www.xmradio.com for details.

Oh, yes. The price is going up. So What!!! Comcast has upped the price almost monthly on the worthless cable. If I didn’t need it for high speed internet, it would be dropped. XM will also include the online version with the upgrade, so it’s really a wash. If you have any doubt of the value, ask either of my kids. There is never a fight when I ask them to get my Delphi from the truck so I can turn it on in the house. Jake is a big XM20 (20 on 20) fan, but also listens to Lucy. KT listens to XM22 much of the time, and Nashville (XM11) whenever she and I are in the truck together. I am really glad to help teach that diversity in musical tastes is a good thing to have as an adult.