CD revival stalled and Note to local Radio

The CD revival has been stalled and it is XM Radio's fault. Since our baby has been born, I have been driving our car and not the Aztec (long story). Anyway, the car has XM Radio and I discovered two stations that I can't leave behind when I'm in the car. One is BPM that plays techno dance and the other is the Grateful Dead station. I realize the stations are as different as black and white, but they both take me to different places in life.
I hope to get back to the CD revival soon, but as long as I'm riding in the car it will be XM Radio.

Oh, on a side note to all the radio stations in Peoria and their advertisers. Radio in Peoria is terrible!!! We are sick of light rock, pop/urban rap, canned country, and 80's and 90's heavy metal. Stations: get a real, original format that is different from your competitor. Advertisers: stop wasting your money and demand that the stations get real formats. Oh and get a clue, advertise on stations that meet your market. I don't think too many people listening to the rock and heavy metal station are going to the Peoria Symphony any time soon. Stop using Ad agencies!!!! Hire someone local who can actually listen to the station and understand who does or doesn't listen to the stations.

Happy Poetry Month

Rain, rain go away
the Bulls keep winning, so it's okay
the Hawks keep putting the puck in nets
I wish I would have placed some bets
if the Chicago boys of summer would start knocking in some runs
that might just bring out the sun

Happy Poetry Month from
the Cycling Librarian

CD Revival reveals "No Doubt" iPod worthy music

Yep, I know everyone has been wondering if I'm still listening to my entire CD collection and the answer is, yes! I did take a week off to go back and listen to several that I had determined iPod worthy, and I still agree they are.

I must admit that I am getting to a smaller collection of CD's that I roll my eyes at as I grab any random 5-6 to put in the car for the week. But today, I came across a couple of gems that I had forgotten all about. They are currently out in the car, so I do not recall the names of the albums. The band is No Doubt. Wow, I forgot how much of a Ska beat is on one of the albums, but the next is more electronic beat. Besides the nostalgia of the music and remembering how much I liked them about 10-15 years ago, some of the "flip side" songs really rocked.

It is re-discovery like this that is the reason why I am doing my CD revival. I will post again as I get close to finishing.

Can't wait for this!

New Avengers

Pretty excited about the sudden appearance of Dr. Doom in the New Avengers this month. He is one of my favorite villains. Well, I guess it isn't actually Dr. Doom himself, but one of his Doombots. I am going to guess that when a Doombot shows up, the real deal isn't too far behind. Oh, by the way I'm also pretty excited that the New Avengers, led by Luke Cage (very cool), have convinced Dr. Strange to join. I really hope he can somehow return to the Supreme Sorcerer. One more accolade, the artwork will keep me around for a long time, too.

Loving Every Minute

Well, it's official. I've been sucked in. Over Christmas I decided to inventory my comic book collection. I discovered that I seem to be missing all of my Iron Man and Dr. Strange books. Disappointing. I did start digging through several looking for some to sell to make more room for new ones still coming in. I still get Amazing Spiderman, New Avengers, Avengers Prime, Secret Avengers, Spider Girl and X-Force. Before you start thinking, whoa, what's he doing buying so many books? I could buy lots more...easily.

Anyway, I was looking for some books to get rid of and I thought, I will read them one more time, put them aside, and sell them. I started with the X titles: X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Cable, X-Force and X-Factor. All of these are books from 1991 to about 1998. I have been reading them all together chonologically (all titles from Jan. 1991 then Feb...) just like I did when I bought them new. Of course my books all start with the unbelievably good X-cutioner's Song storyline. Let's just say, I'm not getting rid of any of these, but I'm back reading everyone of them and loving every minute.

Head hits in football

I read the Sports Illustrated article, "Concussions" in the November 1, 2010 issue this week. The only thing I kept thinking about as I read was how we, or someone, are spending millions to create safer protective helmets to reduce concussions and head injuries in football while we, or someone, are spending less to protect our own society from crime and violence. It just doesn't make sense why we spend millions to protect millionaires in their job, while public servants like police, fire, teachers get less and less. Frustrating and sad.