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The World According to Scott
This is the section of my site that is strictly reserved for my opinions, my beliefs, and whatever I feel like talking about at the moment. It's updated generally on a fairly regular basis, so check back to see what the most recent things on my mind are.
The views and opinions expressed on this page do not reflect that of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department or Cornell University.
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While in Cape Cod on vacation, we happened to be driving along Route 28 & passed a sign for a bar named Sundancer's that had a sign advertising a U2 Tribute Band playing that night. When we got back to the hotel, we looked them up on the web & found out they were called The Joshua Tree Band & they played U2 music exclusively. Needless to say, I was intrigued. I haven't actually seen U2 since 1987 when they played at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY, so when I read on their site that the band had "gone to great lengths to reproduce the unique sound of the worlds most popular rock band U2" & their "dedication to the entire U2 songbook, including early favorites that you likely wouldn't hear at a current U2 show," I thought they would be worth checking out.
So, my wife Kathryn & I drove back out to Sundancer's on Wednesday night 7/26, paid our $8.00 each & got there just a few minutes before they started their set. After being introduced by the local DJ from PIXY 103, the band began to play & right from their opening number of "City of Blinding Lights," I knew we were in for a treat. The cool thing about this band, is that they're not trying to be a U2 clone with the exact hair/clothes/look; they just sound exactly like them. A big part of what impressed me the most about them, was that they could have easily just played a greatest hits type of set that would have catered to even the most casual fan, but they didn't. While they did include more well known songs that most people would know, they also threw in some stuff that really blew me away, such as "A Sort of Homecoming," "Twilight," "In God's Country" & "Running to Stand Still," just to name a few. We ended up leaving after their first set, so I can't tell you what they played after that, but listening to them for the better part of an hour or so was a real treat, just the same.
The vocals of Mike Golanz were spot on. Trying to sing within Bono's range is not any easy job & he pulled it off very, very well. Their guitarist Ivo Matos had the tone & technique of The Edge down to a science. The rhythm section of Joe Wilson on bass & John Perkins on drums tied it all together, by providing a rock solid foundation in the same vein as Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen, Jr. I've been a U2 fan since their first album back in 1980 & never got the chance to see them in a club. I feel like I've gotten as close as I'm ever going to get seeing The Joshua Tree Band. The band is based out of Boston, MA & after looking at their list of upcoming gigs, it looks like they tend to play mostly within the greater Massachusetts area. Hopefully, they'll expand their range & make it into New York at some point. I strongly encourage anyone who is a fan of the music of U2 to make a point to see The Joshua Tree Band. I think you'll agree with me just how good they really are. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.
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Spent the better part of a week in Cape Cod & stayed in Hyannis, MA. While there, we took tours on the Cape Cod Central Railroad & a Boat Cruise on a boat called The Patience in & around Hyanissport & the bay, toured the Cape Cod Potato Chip Company, & drove all over the surrounding area including Harwich, Dennis, & Sandwich. Had some really sketchy clams at Spanky's Clam Shack - what the hell were those things anyway?? We hung out on the beach & got lovely sunburns & collected shells, swam a lot in our hotel's pool & just generally enjoyed ourselves. Overall, we came to the conclusion that Cape Cod is a really nice place, but way too crowded as a vacation spot during the summer months. If we return, it'll probably be during the fall, when hopefully there won't be as many people.
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Will be spending the last week of the month in Cape Cod with my lovely wife on VACATION!!! Looking forward to it.
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Many thanks to Monster Mike for providing me with CDs of old school Syracuse metal bands Mayhem & Sacred Death. Back in the mid-to late 80s, these bands were staples on the local Syracuse metal scene & both often played at the Lost Horizon. Mike is the drummer in One Hard Krank. He's also a veteran of the Syracuse metal scene & has played with a variety of different bands including: Tormentor, Legacy, Eklypce, Dorian Grey, New Reign, Four Large Men, Spider Babys & Dogs on Mars. Mike had hooked me up in the past with a CD of some old demos from another band from that era, Axiom. If you live in the Central New York area, be sure to check Mike's band One Hard Krank.
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Syd Barrett 1946 - 2006, R.I.P. As my buddy Roz said, "The lunatic is on the grass now."
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July 17, 2006 - the birthday & third anniversary of our Saint Bernard Cassidy's death. We will remember & miss her always.
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Just finished reading the book "Chasing Ghosts" by Paul Rieckhoff. Rieckhoff was a Lieutenant in the National Guard who led a thirty-eight man platoon & was stationed in Baghdad for the vast majority of 2003. The book chronicles why he chose to volunteer for combat infantry & what his first-hand experiences were like as a U.S soldier in Iraq. Not that I'm any sort expert on books of military experience, but I have read a number of books from soldiers in the Viet Nam war & I have to say, that this book is not only well written, but it is also very realistic, very gritty & gives the reader an up close & personal view of the frontlines in the current quagmire of the war we as a country are involved. This book is not exactly objective, but considering Rieckhoff's experiences, it's difficult to imagine it would have been anything but. I do think that regardless of your political leanings, this is a worthwhile read & gives you a snapshot into what our troops are facing & how they need our support. And also, how our government isn't holding up their end of the deal in terms of support for our men. Rieckhoff has also formed the group IAVA - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American.
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Update - ordered my tickets for the 8/20/06 Rollins Band show at Magic City Music Hall. Cannot wait.
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Enron founder Kenneth Lay has died of a heart attack. Lay was responsible for one of the biggest business scandals ever in this country. Karma or not? You decide.
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I've been an avid reader of Spin for a number of years now. Personally, I've always thought that it was one of the best music magazines around & always looked forward to getting my monthly subscription in the mail, & would read all of it cover to cover. Over the course of the last few issues, I've noticed that they've changed formats slightly & I can't say that I'm happy with the direction it's going. They seem to be trying to appeal to the 16 - 21 year old demographic. Now granted, a lot of the music they cover does cater to this age group, but I'm fairly certain they're not the only ones who are loyal readers. I've also noticed that they've switched editors & that many of the key writing staff are no longer listed in the magazine's credits. To me, this is really a major blow, because it's the writing that's always set this magazine apart, as far as I'm concerned. One of the major things that I am bummed about, is that Chuck Klosterman is now no longer writing for Spin. This is MAJOR SETBACK & MAJOR LOSS OF CREDIBILITY as far as I'm concerned. I think my subscription goes through the end of the year. If Spin continues to suck, it won't be renewed. What a waste...
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Some most excellent news - the Rollins Band will be playing the Magic City Music Hall in Binghamton, NY on Sunday 8/20/06. They're going to be on the road supporting X. Needless to say, I'm VERY psyched to hear this, as I've never seen them live before. I've seen Henry Rollins three times doing spoken word shows, but I'm sure this will be significantly different. This should also be very cool, because the band consists of the same line-up that recorded the amazing "Weight" album back in 1994 (Christ Haskett - guitar, Sim Cain - drums, Melvin Gibbs - bass). Tickets are not "officially" on sale yet, but I am continually checking to see when they will become available. This will be a show to remember, I am certain.
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Happy Independence Day. It was 230 years ago that the Declaration of Independence was signed. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." Here were are in 2006 & you know what? It's sad that not all these words that supposed to be the foundation of our very young country don't seem to ring quite as true today. We've got it pretty good here in our country, a lot better than most. It's a shame to see things squandered & taken for granted that should mean something. Think I'm wrong? Look around you - take a good long, hard look.
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Greetings & welcome to July 2006, celebrating two consecutive months of posting (yeah I know, amazing, right?).
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Be sure to visit kathryncoldren.com to see her Photography Portfolio!!
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