Below is the very first post that was ever made on Funegro, back in 2003. I wondered if anyone would like to revisit our selections with the benefit of a few more years of wisdom...
Personally, I have come to realize the greatness of Nirvana and would like to submit to the committee that we consider replacing Ted Nugent as the representative of the letter "N". For their definitive song, I would suggest the song that changed everything, Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Thoughts?
Original Post:
Below is an alphabetical listing of the greatest rock & roll artists of all time, along with their definitive works. A single artist was selected for each letter of the alphabet, and then a recording was selected that best represents their work.
Many thanks to the selection committee - me, Scott Biggers and Eric Oliver.
Aerosmith - Dream On
Beatles - Let it Be
Eric Clapton - Layla
The Doors - Break on Through
The Eagles - Hotel California
Foreigner - Feels Like the First Time
Grateful Dead - Truckin'
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
INXS - Don't Change
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Kansas - Carry On My Wayward Son
Led Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven
Van Morrison - Moondance
Ted Nugent - Stranglehold
Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Rolling Stones - Jumpin Jack Flash
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime
U2 - I Will Follow
Van Halen - Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
X - Los Angeles
Yes - Roundabout
ZZ Top - La Grange
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Ignorance is bliss
One of the most fascinating aspects of growing older is how clichés become reality.
I think of those phrases and truisms you hear all your life. From TV, film, friends, parents, wherever. An example might be “keeping up with the Jones.” As a kid, I understood this principle. You want to have what your friends have.
But sometime during my adult life, I experienced the seductive power of status, of gathering things and caring too deeply about how those things defined me, vis a vis my peers. That’s when I understood the cliché at a visceral level – and began to grasp the problems of living that way.
So there’s a reason these phrases have weathered the test of time: The universal and human principle of truth each contains.
This year, I’m experiencing the truth of “ignorance is bliss.” At least the truth for me.
Because 2009’s steady drumbeat of economic woes rob me of the bliss that comes with living in the moment. Perhaps this says more about my perspective and priorities.
But this year, I recognize how much of a drag this constant stream of gloomy news and dismal economic indicators is on my spirit. By their very nature, they transport you to the past and the future, out of the present moment.
And I resent those who force this news on me.
Chief offenders in my daily life are the big screen TVs in our downtown office building lobby that broadcast CNN, presumably to fill those idle seconds of its tenants waiting for the elevator. (Honorable mention goes to the blowhard at last week’s Mavericks game who forced his loud and unsolicited pessimistic economic opinions on all of us seated in section 119.)
In a day and age where news can be obtained in an instant from our handheld devices, this “push” tactic of content feels increasingly anachronistic. Especially when the content being pushed is lousy news, and, for me, comes with the personal subtext of poor investment decisions, hemorrhaging retirement funds, and my kids’ future.
My refuge from this distracting noise is the museum, a short walk from the building. It’s there I find inspiration in watching the children playing in the courtyard. Of course, these school kids are blissfully unaware of recession, market turmoil and the government’s grim employment outlook. In their oblivion, they experience the joy and play in their midst.
Inspired, I tried a media fast Wednesday. Away from the day’s toxic news my mood lightened. My senses sharpened. My food tasted better, the sun felt warmer, and, in the absence of roses, I sat and smelled the coffee. I was truly enjoying the day.
Of course it is this unplugging that makes our annual retreat to the New Mexico mountains so glorious. What a treat to experience that high-altitude feeling midweek in a flat urban environment. The simplicity of living in the moment. The joy of the present.
Indeed, the bliss of ignorance.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Abilene church drops electricity for month : Spirituality : Abilene Reporter-News
Abilene church drops electricity for month : Spirituality : Abilene Reporter-News
My first thought was - that's going to make counting attendance very difficult...
My first thought was - that's going to make counting attendance very difficult...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The real holiday sale
Driving past the nearby restaurant row on Valentine’s evening, I was struck by the packed parking lots and heavy traffic generated by this holiday. What a massive hassle to deal with that, I muttered to myself.
After arriving home I repeated the sentiment to my wife, who was seemingly content with her lot on this Valentine’s: Preparing a nice meal at home for her kids and husband, the owner/operator of this cheap Valentine’s date.
Later, my under-romanced wife and I recalled the Valentine’s dinners we’ve shared at restaurants – and the accompanying hassles. Babysitting arrangements. Overpriced obligatory roses. Battling every couple within a 90-mile radius for a decent reservation time, plate of pasta, and the attention of the overworked waiter. After 21+ years of marriage, who needs the aggravation?
Valentine’s Day, we thusly concluded, is amateur night for couples.
Much like New Years Eve, long recognized as amateur night for revelers. An open invitation for any yahoo to cut loose, be silly, over-imbibe, sport wacky hats and the occasional pair of novelty glasses – all in the lenient eye of the general public, who shrugs its collective shoulder at this behavior and sighs, “Hey, it’s New Year’s Eve.”
Although some of us – those who might lay claim to a higher order of world-weariness –tend to look down our nose at these hapless amateurs, whether for New Year’s or Valentines or . . . well, just about every holiday has an "amateur night" quality to it.
Think of those who trot out a sense of patriotism once a year – on July 4. Or those who wait until Thanksgiving to offer any sense of gratitude during the year. Or those who make their cameo church appearance every Easter.
I’ve always viewed this notion of “amateur night” as a negative. Probably because I’m far too shrewd and advanced in my human development to buy a $49 bouquet of roses on February 14 or to be caught dead with any of those holiday novelty items Hallmark is peddling. Those who do get suckered into such things are, well, suckers. Hacks. Pssshh . . . foolish amateurs.
What this view neglects though, is that at a deeper level, the actions these holidays encourage and promote are the actions and values that elevate our society.
Meaning that society stands to gain from these amateur nights.
Consider these values associated with the holidays:
--Joy and renewal (New Year’s Day)
--Equality (MLK Day)
--Freedom (July 4)
--Hope (Easter)
--Leadership (President’s Day)
--Sacrifice and valor (Memorial Day, Veterans Day)
--Industriousness (Labor Day)
--Gratitude (Thanksgiving)
--A couple of varieties of love (Valentine’s, Christmas)
And each one of these holidays invites you and me to try its particular value for that day. Each holiday is a sales event.
But not the crass kind we associate with the holidays. (Save at our GIANT LABOR DAY MATTRESS SALE!!!! Freedom from high prices!!!!)
What's different is that the holidays aren’t triggering a selling event. They are the selling event. Because what’s being sold are not goods or services, but an attitude. A value.
Imagine the calendar as a giant trade show, where each holiday has its own sales booth offering generous samples of its virtue to all comers. Let's check it out. Oh, look, it’s Thanksgiving. Over there. The booth with the spinning prize wheel and fishbowl of business cards.
As you approach it – which resides at the fourth Thursday of November – you are greeted by an earnest sales rep who welcomes you with a brochure and a dazzling smile.
Hi. Would you like to try some gratitude today? Go ahead. See how it feels. Oh, it looks fantastic on you. Not trying to be pushy here, but why don't you take it with you and try it for the next few days. I think you'll like it.
With any luck, every visitor to Thanksgiving – or MLK Day or Veteran’s Day or Valentine’s Day or whatever holiday on the calendar – has a positive experience with that specific holiday’s virtue and chooses to exercise it on that day . . . and beyond.
Because when the holiday “sells” its virtue and gets people to try it and live it, the sale makes our society better and stronger. Consider it a stimulus of civility. And in these unstable times, we need the maximum number of people adopting and exercising these values.
God bless the amateurs.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
what my kids found in big trash
Christmas seems to come twelve times a year for my children, thanks to the City of Dallas' monthly big trash pickup. That such "riches" would be pushed to the curb as refuse is astonishing to these pint-sized treasure hunters (aka: hobos).
This month's tally:
--Briefcases (2)(entry code not included)
--Bolo tie (1)
--Various sports patches & ribbons (3)
--Mini BBQ grill (1)
--KAPPA ALPHA OMEGA membership card for Stan (1)
--Brass "STAN" beltbuckle (1)
--"STAN" chain bracelet (1)
--Astrological necklace: Taurus. (Presumably Stan's)
(Not pictured: non-working ShopVac)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Mysterious Ways In Which The Lord Works
Never comes to the office holiday party
Changes the subject whenever anyone mentions past employment
Always minimizes windows right when you walk up
Logs onto Instant Messenger, but status always reads "BUSY!"
Even after all this time, still hasn't set up voicemail
Talks about family a lot, but doesn't have any pictures on his desk or anything
Parks in the alley instead of the garage, even though it's free for employees
Doesn't list any emergency contacts on HR form
Sometimes goes missing for days, then shows up with head all bandaged and acts like nothing happened
Always seems to have coffee, never seems to make coffee
Pretends to be on the phone when clearly none of the lines are lit up
Enables macros
---------
courtesy of the genius of mcsweeney's
Changes the subject whenever anyone mentions past employment
Always minimizes windows right when you walk up
Logs onto Instant Messenger, but status always reads "BUSY!"
Even after all this time, still hasn't set up voicemail
Talks about family a lot, but doesn't have any pictures on his desk or anything
Parks in the alley instead of the garage, even though it's free for employees
Doesn't list any emergency contacts on HR form
Sometimes goes missing for days, then shows up with head all bandaged and acts like nothing happened
Always seems to have coffee, never seems to make coffee
Pretends to be on the phone when clearly none of the lines are lit up
Enables macros
---------
courtesy of the genius of mcsweeney's
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