Notes and Observation from the CMA Awards 11 November, 2009

Okay, growing up in Los Angeles I was alone with my Country Music, quite often, but I never lost my love for it.  What you see below are notes I took while watching the awards, just something to read, maybe enjoy, maybe argue with even.  The opinions below and observations are solely mine.

- Taylor Swift, what am I missing?  I really don’t care all that much for her vocals.

- Unlike most things today – you can actually thank God for things at the CMA Awards

- Miranda Lambert singing “White Liar” I really like her voice alot

- The set for the Zac Brown Band when the did “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” was incredible.  It was a fun rendition, I really enjoyed the fiddle player and am wondering if he is classically trained.

- Loved Carrie Underwood and “Cowboy Casanova” the costuming was awesome, the choreography was first rate, wuite the production

- New Artist of the Year – Darius Rucker – What a great acceptance speech.  Notice that at this particular awards show, they don’t go over their acceptable time limit!

- Daughtry and Vince Gill “Tennessee Line” Really like Daughtry a lot plus I love the song

- Loved the Kanye West/Taylor Swift references throughout the show, way too much fun!

- Keith Urban – love his vocals, haunting, simple, just really nice to listen to

- Tim McGraw “Southern Voice” what a fun song

-Sugarland – absolutely love them, their songs are so very believable

-Taylor Swift “Fearless” I do like this song and I loved her dress!

- Brooks and Dunn and ZZ Top – I’m blessed to have seen them play live at a County fair in Oregon (without ZZ Top of course)  It wasn’t as much of a stretch as I imagined it would be, it really worked well

- Jamey Johnson & Kid Rock, really liked Jamey Johnson, the look, the sound, the honesty, just great to see.  It worked well with Kid Rock too, very clever arrangement.

- A highpoint, the look at the Camero signed by the NASCAR Drivers and the Country Music Stars.  Julianne Huff and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. now that’s something you don’t see everyday

- Taylor Swift “Fifteen” Really didn’t like her vocals but the lyrics were really nice and watching the crowd of people all ages who were enthralled by it was fun

- Jason Aldean singing “Big Green Tractor” was fun.  It’s a fun song, not sure rather I like him or not yet though

- Billy Currington singing “People Are Crazy”  I love the song, his vocals and the lyrics.  They touch something in me, it’s nice to hear a story in a song, just a favorite of mine

- Taylor Swift wins Female Vocalist of the Year – it was worth it to hear her acceptance speech. (referring to the Kanye West incident again) and watching her when she got to hug Kris Kristofferson

- Dave Matthews and Kenny Chesney, what an interesting pairing.  They complimented each other well.  Best of the night so far and I enjoyed it immensely

- Faith Hill in my opinion looks like a fashion model

- Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift.  She did it, I’m not sure I agree with the choice but based on the reactions she deserved it.  I loved how she recognized her band, at that point she made my night.

Until next time, I hope you enjoy this and will leave comments and share this with your friends.

 

Thoughts on the Race at Texas Motor Speedway 11/8/2009

-The helicopter drop off of the Pace Car, now that was cool

- The flyover, a B52, there aren’t words to describe

- On Kyle Busch, I don’t like the guy but man can he drive
It would be kind of cool to see history made by winning all three races
even if it is done by him

- Lap 3, Jimmy Johnson, unreal, I feel bad for him and the team

*Note: gotta love NASCAR, other teams, including Stewart’s
helping JOnson’s Team get his car back on the track

-Lap 87 – Hornish has flats

-regarding track bar adjustments, why not take fewer swings
instead of possibly going way too far on adjustments
and having to dial back at a later time?

–love the Pace Car by the way

-Johnson back on the track, good to see,
have to admit the car looks good with the black hood
(I’m sure the sponsors don’t think much of it)

–Montoya’s Paint job, is this supposed to resemble a pinata?

- Tear off’s.  How many are there typically?

- Lap 166 – Caution – Fans should be shot and hog tied for throwing things on the track

- Lap 175 – Montoya finally gets his due?  Karma?
Unfortunately he takes some other too.
(Gordon, & Edwards.
Could Montoya have done anything differently?
In my opinion he just got loose

- after Montoya’s interview while in the garage, I still think he’s an ass
(It’s Carl’s Fault he got loose?
What did I miss?

- Lap 207 – Caution – Sorenson takes himself out/off

- What is the wave around?
Why did 7 cars get it?
Why is this in place when they have the “Lucky Dog”?

- 68 Laps to go – the Robby Gordon stop
with Marc “Hollywood” Armstron’s helemt shot
Great shot of the glowing brak ritors.

- Question: wouldn’t it be better to pit
when you’re just inside of the fuel window to finish,
rather that wait until 10-15 laps to go in hopes of a caution
at tracks where you have long green flag runs?

- 4 laps to go – gotta feel bad for Dale Jr.
If he didn’t have bad luck he’d have no luck at all

- 3 laps to go – awful for Kyle Busch
I mean that
would have loved to see that record set

Kurt Busch – great win, real nice
loved the backward victory lap
nice tribute to the fans

Final – interesting race with the Lap 3 incident
and so many running out of fuel at the very end

Regarding the Madeleine Brand Article against “The Giving Tree”

I have to admit it. I never looked at The Giving Tree as offensive or gender biased, not until she brought it up. To me it is a heart-warming book that teaches Children of all ages the joy of sharing and giving without expectation of recompense. You have to have a pretty twisted mind to call this book gender biased or offensive in my opinion

NASCAR – Tallaedega 11/01/2009

1) I really don’t like the new rule
about the corners
I suppose later in the race it might be better
and I understand it’s safer
but it just doesn’t sit well (Lap 23)

Another thought, they have worked so hard
to get people interested in racing
and now it seems to have become
exactly what people used to complain about
a bunch of guys following each other along the track (Lap 51)

Finally, it looks more like a race (Lap 63)
I should consider blogging this, really
it is still very irritating though
since this is one of my two favorite tracks

So far, I think the best part of the race
has been the driver chatter and the non-races off Pit Row (Lap 81)

Okay, it finally looks almost like a race (Lap 111)

Looks more and more like Talladega
I don’t want a big wreck, but good racing would be great right now (Lap127)

Whoa, okay, not what I expected
I love what Newman said though
pretty much what everyone I’ve talked to has been saying
and what I’ve been thinking
I’m glad he’s okay (Lap 187)

Okay…Green…White….Yellow,
now that sounds like Talladega to me
Felt bad for Ku Busch, Harvick, Stewart,
and especially Mark Martin
What a race

Directions

I didn’t know until recently where I wanted to take this particular blog, while it will still wander, I have chosen a direction as of today. I am an occasional poet, not destined to do great works or even memorable ones. My writing is based on observations taken while I travel or what I see while walking around….I hope you’ll enjoy, comment, criticize gently and find some humor or wisdom here

Jimmie Johnson’s Pocono run raises NASCAR lucky dog questions – Tom Bowles – SI.com

Jimmie Johnson’s Pocono run raises NASCAR lucky dog questions – Tom Bowles – SI.com

“Heading to Watkins Glen this weekend, Jimmie Johnson is basking in the glow of a miraculous 13th-place finish that could have ended up far worse. Making up 20 spots in the final 20 laps of the race, the No. 48’s charge through the field was fascinating television as he made mincemeat out of his competition in the final few circuits…”

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/08/06/Free_Pass/index.html?eref=si_motorsports#ixzz0NS03eMPH

A Soldier’s Rant

This is written by a young man serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.

Okay, I need to rant.

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades.
He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villian to
many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn’t the point of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief.. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the Amercian people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even
Congress sees the need to hold a “moment of silence” for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he’s a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades?
What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence?
Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying “good riddence,” and “thank God for IEDs?”
When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a “Pop Icon?”

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq
and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;

“So that others may live…”

Isaac