iRawk...December 31, 2011

iRawk...Therefore iPod

New Year's Edition

I've been giving it much thought and I have to say the best new release of 2011 for me is:

PJ Harvey, Let England Shake

This album remains on the nano after almost 8 months.  

Mostly All Other 2011 new titles came & went.
Some singles remain from these 2011 releases although PJ Harvey's February 2011 release is one of three music albums to remain in total on a 16GB iPod nano.
"Let England Shake" grew on me over time and impresses on every listen.

At first I though it girlish, playful noises.  Oddly jingoistic being pro-English yet a bit of "what have we come to as Britons" melancholy mixed in to boot.  All songs are little stories...
Sometimes disjointed yet what eventually shined through after a few listenings was a tightly and slickly produced great rock 'n' roll album, an artifact whose production will get fewer & fewer as the years charge along, Time being the Juggernaut it is.

As an album, as a progression of rock sounds & songs.  Evocative & respectful of its source.  Overly British nonetheless that is British Rock for you.  Sad stories told in sonic Black & White shades.  The history of being poor.  Or of countless turf wars from knights of yore to football hoodlums.  It's of the same Cosmic Fabric that when cut fit the Beatles, the Stones, the Kinks and the Clash just for starters.    

"On Battleship Hill" is my favorite in a collection of good rock songs.

"Cruel nature has won again..."
Why is it the Brits who get Rock Right more oft than naught?

Coming in at a close second are the pair of SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD motion picture soundtracks, originally released in late 2010 and I caught up to the movie in mid 2011 so nyah!  Both kept in their entirety an a great addition to the Shuffle.  

Honorable Mention goes to Keith Richards' *LIFE* and Deepak Chopra's "The Soul of Leadership" for my fave audiobook of the year, all paid for from the iTunes Store.  Audible Audiobook accounts are cool too so sez Doctor Hooey but iDigress...

Also my sung-in-Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita which I purchased this year, I think was a nice pick-up.  

I didn't go "ga-ga" for new music in 2011, I guess.  Here's for 2012 to have more music and if you think I missed a few, please share your thoughts!

kriya shakti,

The Smoking PUCK! December 31, 2011

The Smoking PUCK!

December 31, 2011

Hark This Herald!
aka: Ringing in the New Year with the Goal Siren!

Yee haw! To-Nite! Dallas ends the month & the year as the Bruins go to the Lone Star State to shoot Stars.
A 7-game win streak. 9-2 so far this final month of 2011, the Year of the Bear.
In 2011 the Gallery Gawds have witnessed some of the best Bruins Hockey ever recorded or cared over.
So to all reading this Have a Happy & Safe New Year's Eve. Full of friends, family, fireworks, staying up late, asti spumanti, Chinese Take-Out...and someone to kiss at Midnight.
Huzzah!! Happy New Year from and to Channel OCHO!

It's New Year's Eve.
I'm staying in.
As I'm oft to do.
I'd rather watch the Bruins at 8PM and maybe...just maybe stay tuned to see if the Times Square ball drops on Ryan Seacrest's head finally.
I'll probably get some Chinese take out. Or maybe I'll leave them alone tonight seeing they'll be wickid busy.


May the Bruins continue their championship ways.
May my friends all continue their happiness.
May my enemies believe that I don't believe in enemies.
May my family continue to bless me with holidays & special times.
May the Road Rise to Meet You.
And May you get to a Hockey Game this year. I might take in a Portland Pirates game just for the daytrip, weekend and great restaurants!!! What about you? It's Winter. How is hockey a part of your New England Winter?


Kriya Shakti,
Rev Sully
Hub of the Multiverse

Eric O’Sullivan (nee Anzalone)
Boston, MA USA

So how was your Holiday Season.
Matt...Bon Festivus?
Kiwi, slaughter the mutton to the World Tree of the Maori (ps saw the Haka at the WC, as always goosebumps! but iDigress...)
Doctor Hooey in NYC I can't wait to hear/see the experience of the New Year a block away from Central Park.

So who's got a Holiday Yarn to Spin.
See You in the Funnypages.

As always I plan to stay in NYE. It's a tradition and a good night to go to bed early. Interesting things happen in the Small Hours of a New Year....a Moral Alchemy; of change, of self-forgiveness, of purpose.

I look forward to making a chunk of the next two weeks a period of meditation.  To find the Gap Between Thoughts.  It's going camping.

Oh and living too.  I plan on just living life with Potentiality.  And Apply it!  With Love and Purpose.

Kriya Shakti,

The Comics Gnome POOTS!...December 19, 2011

The Comics Gnome POOTS!...The End of a Volume

This is it.  Finally.  The Grant Morrison Years come full circle with LEVIATHAN STRIKES!

Under the BATMAN INCORPORATED banner as well.  

If you've been clued into the recent goings-on at the DC Magazine Company we'll know that all titles got a New #1, set in an Enhanced Continuity post-Flashpoint event but iDigress...

Some good titles got caught in the Undertow such as XOMBI,
Some stood out and rode the wave ashore like BATWOMAN...

Then this nugget gets pooted.  This is the promised missing piece to the puzzle.  

Where this One-Shot fits in the continuity is unclear and I do not care.  

Where it fits in the Grant Morrison Years writing BATMAN is squarely at The End.
Diametrically Opposed to The Beginning...
BATMAN #655, published late July 2006.  Five Years of Loose Ends.

Closure to one of my favorite stories of the last DC Era.  

BATMAN INC. ended abruptly mid-story and had no new #1 in the DCnU.  

Dick Grayson went from being Gotham's Dark Knight, back to being NIGHTWING with his own #1 which I didn't buy.  Eddy Barrows is on pencils too so I'm probably missing wickid good art.  

The Returned Bruce Wayne took his son Damian Wayne as his Robin and the Comics Gnome didn't poot the DCnU BATMAN AND ROBIN by Tomasi & Gleason.  

So when it was said & done post-FLASHPOINT, the BATMAN INC. idea was mostly shelved.

Nonetheless, Africa got to keep their Batman from the BATMAN INC days, BATWING. 

Batwing #1, September 2011

To me, BATMAN INC. was an audacious idea.  Tell the World that Bruce Wayne is Batman's financier...and ALWAYS HAD BEEN!
Better than out himself as the Batman, Bruce Wayne makes the Bat a Brand!
An Icon like the Nike Swoosh® or the Apple on my gadgets exclusively for Urban Heroes inspired by Batman.
It was real fun but it's done.

But now BATMAN INC gets One Last Chance to complete its story.
Thanks.  

And this is worth going to the funnybook bodega for.
$6.99...80 pages...This Week!!

(Ed. Note 12/28!!! e'os):
TO BE CONTINUED IN 2012!!!
Frak.  I thought it was coming to an end.  I need a few more reads to catch up to ending.  
I do like the idea of getting more but honestly grant, I was looking forward to more of the End of the Batman Volume from you for now. I really do feel its the same Batman and Joker and Jim Gordon since '89 hardcover Arkham Asylum, the one funnybook Doctor Hooey Groks! Continuity Grenade!!!)

Kriya Shakti,

Rev. Sully

Hub of the Multiverse

"Mnemonics"

xkcd

iRawk...Therefore iPod, December 18, 2011

iRawk...Therefore iPod

Touched by an Angel Edition.

OK.  Not really an Angel.  Sometimes he's a sheer demon.  

But I was deeply touched by a dog recently.  

Sometimes a dog jumps in your lap and nails the wedding tackle so hard you walk funny for minutes.  

Touched.  ;)  

But really.  

photo taken on my iPod Touch...one damn good camera.

This is Benny.  Benito Juarez.  One Damn Good Dog.  And he was Rescued.  

Benny is a mutt.  A mix of what we think is rat terrier and maybe a little Chihuahua.  

And he happens to be one of the best dogs I've ever helped care for.   

Someone Abandoned this Noodle of Love.  I don't get it.  Well someone must have had their reasons I guess.

It makes me think of my old cat, Millie.  I abandoned him!  I did.  Therefore I cannot be judgmental about whomever abandoned Benny in South Texas.  

My cat...I couldn't take him with me where I was going after a nasty split & I needed a new address and she agreed to take him.  That's it.  And that was all I heard of the pet.  Incidentally my asthma attacks and their Emergency Room trips ceased!  I still feel bad after all this time.  The cat would probably be near the end of his natural life about now if he lived long enough...and I think stupid silly things like "does he remember me?"...did he die with dignity & love?  Did I let him down even though he was the Key to my Asthma?  I have to trust that what I did was best I guess.   

From Another Time Long Long Ago...

Benny & I would walk.  And I'd listen to my iPod.  I "read" most  of Keith Richards' "Life" via audiobook.  I'd sing to the poor pooch too...and the Graveyard.  I'd sing to the Dead...I think I'm a big hit with the Dead thinking who takes time to sing to them?  The Dog & I took great walks around Malden's Fellsmere Pond, where nature converges...water, fish, ducks, geese, grass, trees, fountains...it's a nice slice of Urban Planning.  

And it's all over.  No more dog walking with Benny.  

I feel blessed having Just One More Minute with him.  I met Deedee & her Mum for coffee before they took off in their minivan, fully loaded with Deedee's possessions bound for the Lone Star State.  

Benny jumped out of the car and I let him lick my face one last time.  

Like the end of some 1940s movie.  

I do hope to see Benny again.  

But I'll always feel a little bad about Millie.  Asthma-less and all.  That's a tough one.  Benny was rescued.  And so was Millie in a way.  

I guess we who roll the dice with our pets by committing them to Rescue need to have faith that it'll work out.  

So to the people whose circumstances demanded leaving Benny behind I hope you can feel good that he's probably one of the best loved dogs in the Multiverse.  

You can quote me on that one.

Kriya Shakti,

The Smoking PUCK! December 18, 2011

The Smoking PUCK!

December 18, 2011

Strange Syzygies…Our Super Stars Are Realigning in New Constellations 

aka Keeping Those Winning Ways

Ahem…I'm about to make a pronouncement.

Or on the Other Hand, Overstate the Obvious…

The Big Bad Bruins Are Back. 

Fighting, Shooting, Scoring, Hitting, Thrilling. 

After the Long Hangover of October, an Undefeated-in-Regulation November and now carrying a 4 game win streak into mid-December, it is fair to say There’s a Bear in Here. 

Please Bear with me. 

Thanks.

I’m very pleased to be a Bruins Fan right now.  Let’s hope this energy is sustainable and carried through to June again.   Listening to the Bruins systematically take apart the Philly Flyers during yesterday’s matinee was like a chef's demonstration on butchering chicken..."Here's How's it's Done"

31 Games in this 82 game season and the losses are still in the single digits. 

I smile inwardly and outwardly when I think of the Bad Press in October.  heh.   

There’s a glut of news in the New NHL of the 21^st Century.

One: Realignment.  More in a Sec.

Two: Concussions.  Sheeesh, where to start. 

Three: Dead NHLers in 2011.  This NPR’s Only A Game Episode I caught last week says it all.  “Following his death, Boogaard’s brain was donated to researchers at Boston University studying brain injuries. He became the fourth former NHL player found to exhibit traces of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).”

More here at the New York Times. 

2011 is a Ying & Yang of Years, the Bruins find Ultimate Success as an Elite Team compared to such tragedy.
As Vonnegut Spake, “So It Goes…”

Realignment: Okay.  We’re here.  The NHL Board of Guv’nahs have an Idea.

I’m not saying it’s Bad.

Nonetheless I’m not saying it’s Good either. 

Realigning the 30 NHL teams into 4 Conferences; two with 8 teams the other 2 with 7 teams.

In Addition, turning the existing Playoff Structure into some Abstract Tessaract, an Idea I can only Hope to Visualize without direct experience. 

With the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg, having those Jets in the Southeast Division makes need for having them play their natural neighbors and soon-to-be rivals. 

It would be much like the Old Style Hockey I grew up with in the 70s & 80s with the Campbell & Prince of Wales Conferences having a similar inner 4 Division Split of the Adams, Patrick, Norris & Smythe Divisions. 

Currently, the League has 2 Conferences with 3 Division per side, 6 total with 5 teams each. 

All these numbers give me headaches…

It would be nice if the NHL, an organization that loves it’s Classic Connections would adopt an Historically Laden Names to the Conferences as Before... 

Just imagine if the NHL sell the naming rights of the Division to Corporate Entities!!!

The Dunkin Donuts NE, the Wal-Mart Pacific, the Budweiser Mid-West and the Viagra Atlantic!  Oh don’t get me started!!!

It’s a beautiful day.  New Beginnings for Old Friends start today.
Good Luck, Yadira Enid.
May The Road Rise To Meet You and Safely Too as you drive back to Texas today with your Mom & Dog. 

I was teasing when I kept saying "I'll miss the dog".  I will miss you too, Deedee.  Thank you for your friendship & company these past few months.  It was nice to be your companion again if only for a moment or two.  Thank you for sharing your dog with me and also allowing me to help you as much as I could.   

Time to get ready for the Tom Brady vs. Tim Tebow fight at 4PM this Sunday Afternoon.  Watching it with a Rabid Broncos fan as well. 

I’ll have to show him Bruins Loud I guess. 
Poor Neighbors…we might have to be realigned…ha! 

Kriya Shakti,

Rev Sully

Hub of the Multiverse

Eric O’Sullivan (nee Anzalone)

Boston, MA USA

The Pac Man Abbey Road tee.

I spotted at MIT telling one of the Grad Students once again, "You Have My Favorite Tee Shirt of the Day"

December 14, 2011: Pizza Rolls...the Only Thing Left to Say About The Star Wars...

Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite Ice Cube Tray

The perfect thing to go with Pizza Rolls while watching the Star Wars.

Also works for Chocolate...

The Comics Gnome POOTS!, December 12, 2011

POOTing forth for Free Comic Book Day 2012

Dark Horse Comics Offering.  

DARK HORSE COMICS 
Buffy the Vampire Slayer / The Guild Flip-Book
(W) Andrew Chambliss, Felicia Day (A) Georges Jeanty, Jonathan Case, Dexter Vines 
(C) Georges Jeanty, Adam Rex
Buffy has never so badly needed a vacation as she does now — with the world overrun with “zompires” and other fallout from Season 8. Luckily, Spike has got the perfect solution: a “spacecation”! Then, having lost their regular real-life meeting place, the Guildies are having a little trouble finding a new location which they can all agree upon. It all comes down to a little in-game battle to decide the new meeting place… and the circle follows the decree of the winner: the beach?!"

Oh my goodness.  

I will be there.  I will not miss this one.  

PS Buff, love the shirt...
Also do not ask what a "zompire" is either and who coined it (Xander).  

"Potential"

xkcd

The Smoking PUCK! December 3, 2011

Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins.

To-Nite.  7PM.  

I'm looking forward to this game like my Short Ribs over polenta here.  

I'm serious.

a 12-0-1 November.  Defending Champions playing like Defending Champions.

Kriya Shakti,

View from the Birdhouse, December 3, 2011

Fall Foliage December 3, 2011

Malden, MA USA corner of Highland & Pleasant 

Fall has about 2 weeks left on the calendar when Winter begins in Earnest a few days before Christmas.  

Most trees are bare.  Birds nests are visible in the branches.  Nonetheless a late turning tree & its foliage.