Bewilderment in My Car; Trade Deadline July 31, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in Uncategorized.Tags: alexi casilla, brian fuentes, brian roberts, chicago white sox, dj, gavin floyd, huston street, livan hernandez, mark grudzielanek, metrodome, minnesota twins, paralympics, powerball, salt lake, valleyfair
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Question of the Day: Why were there two tickets to the 2002 Salt Lake Paralympic Opening Ceremony in my middle compartment in my car this morning? I remembered I had placed my Powerball ticket from Monday in the compartment, so while driving to work, I felt around and tried to pull the ticket out, but instead grabbed the Paralympic tickets. I was utterly bewildered. Where did these come from? How did they get there? Who do I even know that would have gone to the Paralympics? It’s not as if I’ve never cleaned out that compartment before. I think I would have noticed at some point the large six-year-old tickets. As of now I have no answers, but I will keep searching.
Last night Lauren, Walsh, Jason, Sarah, and I went to the Twins/White Sox game, and we were part of the biggest crowd for a non-Opening Day game since 2006 as over 42,000 crammed their way into the Dome. And I do mean crammed. We foolishly sat in the cheap seats where it was Student Night and Dollar Dog Night. It was a madhouse! Trying to get to find seats was next to impossible, then having to squeeze single file between the end of the concession lines and the wall to get down the concourse added to the mayhem. In the second inning, Lauren, Sarah, and I got up to get a beer and Dollar Dog. Of course the dogs had long ago run out, but we didn’t find that out till we waited twenty minutes to get to the front of the line. Add in the fact that Livan Hernandez pitched like crap and Gavin Floyd cruised through the Twins’ lineup, and it made for a rough night. But a Twins game is still good fun, no matter what happens.
Today at 3pm is the trading deadline in baseball, and the Twins have a couple big holes to fill, especially after second baseman Alexi Casilla went down for the year with a hand injury. There are a few second basemen out there the Twins could look to, including Mark Grudzielanek and Brian Roberts, but my guess is the Twins will follow in their usual tradition of making no deadline moves. Technically, teams can continue to make trades until August 31, but it’s more difficult because players have to first be passed through waivers to be traded. If the player is dangling on waivers and another team wants him, the trade can’t happen. The Twins could also use a Neshek replacement in the setup role. Many names come to mind, but I like Huston Street and Brian Fuentes best. Again, no deal is very likely.
Tonight and tomorrow night are wide open. Saturday night I’m DJing a dance down in Byron, just outside Rochester. This weekend is also Lauren’s family reunion, so I’m sure I’ll be visiting with the Poulters. Tuesday after work a few of us are going to Valleyfair. It will give me a chance to see who’s left from my days in the Games department, though I can’t imagine I’ll recognize too many faces other than seasonal manager Jeff LaPlant.
Team BBQ; High School Movies July 30, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in dj, random.Tags: dark knight, dj, high school, judd apatow, lauren, movies, napoleon dynamite
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0-19; Entrepreneurship? July 28, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in Uncategorized.Tags: entrepreneur, softball, sportsmanship
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Oh, that funny Eden Prairie “Gold” League. The other teams in our league take things very seriously. Why so serious? That was a Dark Knight quote, FYI. Ahead 12-0 in the first inning with one out, a player on the opposing team argued with the umpire about our defensive alignment. Really? I even had to tell an opposing player who kept taking really close pitches to swing the bat. Does he need to be walking, up by 12 in the first?
Well, we lost both games to drop to 0-19 on the year. I had a total of two at-bats on the night, as compared to the leadoff hitter in the first game who had three at-bats in the first inning of their game. But I did go 2-for-2 with a run scored.
Also, I have Lauren’s “2000% support” on an idea for my new business. I would need to get a small business loan. More details to come. I have some big changes in mind for 2009!
Top Country Artists: #51-70 July 28, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in Uncategorized.Tags: aaron tippin, bon jovi, country music, craig morgan, jason aldean, little big town, marty stuart, rodney atkins, sammy kershaw, sara evans, taylor swift
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75. Mary Chapin Carpenter — No, I didn’t rank her ahead of the other women just because her last name is my hometown, though that didn’t hurt her any. MCC hit it big with some mid-90s songs like “I’m Feelin’ Lucky” and “Passionate Kisses.”
74. Steve Wariner — Possibly the shortest country song of all-time, I’ve always been a big fan of “Burnin’ the Roadhouse Down.” Seriously, it was like 1:59 I think. Couldn’t come up with another verse Stevie Boy?
Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt, close as usual
73. Marty Stuart — Back in my lowly days of watching TNN country videos in the early 90s, I think I thought Marty and Travis Tritt were gay together. They always sang with each other and seemed so utterly happy. “High on a Mountain Top” is Marty’s best.
72. Ricochet — Hard to believe these guys are still around. Haven’t heard much from them since “Daddy’s Money.” I checked their website, and they didn’t have long hair like I remembered. Maybe I’m confusing them with Little Texas.
71. Billy Currington — I was supposed to see Billy C in concert with Jason Aldean and Trace Adkins in Mankato a couple years back, but it was winter and Billy’s tour bus went off an icy road near Chicago and he missed the show. Still like “Good Directions.”
70. Trisha Yearwood — Jordan used to be a big fan of “She’s in Love with the Boy” in the early 90s. That was a pretty good song come to think of it. Now Trisha’s in love with a boy named Garth Brooks.
69. Carrie Underwood — Carrie is really close to breaking the barrier, but she still has too many annoying songs, like “All American Girl.” I was quite the fan of hers on Idol back in the day, and even voted a few times in the early rounds, especially after 80s week.
68. Kentucky Headhunters — Only here, on this list, would the Kentucky Headhunters rank ahead of Carrie Underwood in anything. But it probably won’t be for long. I don’t know how long “Dumas Walker” and “Honky Tonk Walkin” can hold up.
67. SheDaisy — The least manliest name for a country group possibly ever, SheDaisy had a smash hit “Tonight I’m Just Me” in 2000 which might be the only country hit about schizophrenia and multiple personalities.
What kinda gone are we talkin' 'bout?
66. Chris Cagle — Is he gone for good, or just getting started? Chris Cagle’s “What Kinda Gone,” if I had to pick right now, would be my favorite new song in 2008. He’s a recovering alcoholic and general all-around bad boy. I think the kinda “gone” he’s talking about is the real gone. I don’t think that broad’s comin’ back for him.
65. Martina McBride — Pretty tolerable, not too annoying. These are some of the terms I’d use to describe one of country’s leading ladies, Martina McBride. And she’s been just slightly unannoying for long enough to get some real cred’ here on the list.
64. Vince Gill — Back in the 90s, women adored Vince and his boring melodramatic songs. He won CMA awards one after the other, much to my amazement and chagrin. Today things have cooled down for Vinny. One song I will remember is “What the Cowgirls Do.” He was probably referring to himself as to what the cowgirls do.
63. James Otto — Maybe the greatest palindrome-named singer of all-time, Otto has already struck big with “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.” Notice how country songs like to spell words how they say them—”lovin’” instead of “loving?”
62. Luke Bryan — All Luke’s friends say that he started shooting doubles when you walked in. Why did you do that? Why would you drive poor Luke Bryan to alcoholism!
61. Chris Ledoux — Probably the only people who think Chris Ledoux is a better country singer than Garth Brooks are the Ledoux family and Garth Brooks. I wonder if Cadillac Ranch still exists?
60. Billy Dean — Do you miss Billy the Kid or the slightly younger Billy Dean who sang that hit song about himself fifteen years ago?
59. Aaron Tippin — Mom would likely slit her wrists before listening to Aaron howling “Lookin’ for my bluuuuu—aahhhh—hoooo, ahhhh—-hoooo—-ahhhh—-hoooo angel.” But I always thought that was a good song… unless of course there was something wrong with my radio!
58. Jason Aldean — If Jason Aldean is from a Hicktown, then I must be from the town where the Hicktown sewage is pumped… or something. I don’t think Macon, Georgia, with a population of 229,000+ can be considered a hicktown!
57. Craig Morgan — Craig took a stand for farmers everywhere when he yelled at city folk to stop honking their horns as he drove his International Harvester down the highway at 3mph. He also boosted FFA sponsorships by 400% as he bellered about his sons who take part in the farming program.
56. Bon Jovi — We’re talking strictly as country artists here, so Bon Jovi isn’t quite where you’d expect. Believe it or not, when my favorite rock band turned country, I actually lost interest in them. Maybe it was because the music wasn’t very good. Hmm.
55. Rodney Atkins — If Rodney’s first album is any indication, kids could get the wrong message. He sings about his son wanting to be just like him, but also plans on holding a gun to the head of anyone who tries to date his future daughters.
The legendary Sammy Kershaw.
54. Sammy Kershaw — Who else can sing a song about a Vidalia onion and get taken seriously? Sammy rocked the country charts in the 90s with weird songs about honky tonks in America and girls that don’t know they’re beautiful, though time and time he told them so.
53. Sara Evans — A real fine place to start with decent female artists is apparently in the early 50s. No female soloist ranks higher than Taylor or Sara! Somehow, Sara Evans slipped through the cracks and came out with some real good music, including “Suds in the Bucket,” a song Simon Cowell once scoffed at, thinking the song was about soap.
52. Taylor Swift — A difficult challenge, but males in their 20s are actually not made fun of for listening to Taylor Swift, who has defied all odds by turning in hit after hit after hit on her debut self-titled album. That’s going to be very tough to live up to when the time comes for her second album!
51. Little Big Town — Not very often you see a group mixed of males and females, and especially when all are prominent singers. LBT has gained some critical acclaim with “Boondocks” and “Bring It on Home.” I wonder what little big town they’re referring to—Huron, SD, perhaps?
All Clouded Out July 27, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, dj.Tags: dj, grilling, grocery, martini, minnesota twins, softball
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We’re home safely from St. Cloud, where Lauren assisted me DJing the big Nesse wedding dance at the Red Carpet Martini Lounge. Liz warned me that the last time she was there, there was puke all over the “red carpets.” But we were impressed; it was actually a pretty nice venue. The dance was long. Maybe the longest one so far. Cocktail hour started at 3, which meant we had to leave at 12:30 to get there and get set up. And by the time we got home, it was almost 2, so we were gone 13 1/2 hours Saturday. If you count base pay + tip + travel + the money I would have spent had we not worked, it was a profitable venture.
I was pleased to hear today that my August schedule is pretty light, with shows 8/2, 8/22, and 8/23, while being on-call the weekend of 8/15. Yes, it sucks that I am still scheduled to work on my birthday, but I have been assured double pay that day, so I can’t hardly turn it down.
Today I have a completely open day of rest and relaxation! We were up by 10 and went grocery shopping already, and now are watching the Twins game. No other plans for the rest of the day. Tomorrow is softball in the EP league with Patrick and friends, and Tuesday night is our end-of-the-year softball team grill-out at our house. We’re expecting most of the team to show up, and I may even break out the DJ equipment and crank some tunes. Lauren thought perhaps we could hand out some awards, like MVP which clearly would go to me.
Wednesday or Thursday night I hope to get out to the Twins/White Sox game. The Twins have slumped to 3.5 games back since the All-Star break but are still in the mix in the AL Central and Wild Card races. I think we’ve been to 17 games already this year, if you include two in Milwaukee and one in Chicago.
Live from the Red Carpet July 26, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in Uncategorized.Tags: dj, st. cloud
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I’m currently sitting at my DJ table on the stage in the basement of St. Cloud’s finest establishment, the Red Carpet Martini Lounge for wedding #2 in as many days. Lauren again is along to keep me company. Last night we were at the classy University Club in St. Paul for the Garcia wedding. By far the nicest venue I’ve played at so far. There were about a dozen former Valleyfair co-workers who kept the party rocking. James the trainee basically ran the show while I mingled with friends. Despite the dance not officially starting until 9:30, it was a great night!
We were just informed, after having completely hauled the equipment in and set up, that the cocktail hour is in fact in the upstairs. Despite this news, I’m just going to play dumb and stay down here. By the time we got moved upstairs it would be 3:45 and time to move back downstairs again. This place is kinda weird and I feel very uncomfortable. Partially because I forgot my dress shoes and am wearing sandals with my dress clothes, and partially because we are perched up on a stage in front of everyone. Oh well, we’re here now and will be here for another… nine hours.
Weekend Full ‘o Work July 25, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in dj.Tags: dj, ecuador, valleyfair, wedding
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Tonight is the big Alison/Alex wedding in St. Paul! Not only am I an invited guest, but I’m the DJ. Alison and I worked together at Valleyfair in 2004 and 2005, and Alex came from Ecuador to work at Valleyfair the year after I left. The two met and fell in love, and just two years later are tying the knot.
I’m not going to the wedding ceremony. Instead, I’ll be in St. Paul setting up my equipment. Lauren is also along as my date, and James the DJ trainee will be joining us later. When Joe first mentioned I should have James along for the show, I was a little hesitant. I didn’t know how much good this show would do for him in terms of being trained, seeing how the music is largely Latin pop and far from a typical dance. But Joe pointed out that James could basically take control of the music and I would be able to mingle with friends. I now deem it an excellent idea!
Then on Saturday, it’s off to St. Cloud to the Red Carpet Martini Lounge for another wedding dance. I always cringe when I see the couple wanting to start the reception at 3pm and have it go til 1am. Trust me, no one wants to be cramped up in a wedding reception for ten hours. Every time this happens, it never works out for the bride and groom, and I get to pack up a little early. Here’s hoping that’s the case again this time. Lauren has volunteered to come along yet again to keep me company. I think she’s a keeper!
Top 100 Country Artists: 76-100 July 24, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in Uncategorized.Tags: countdown, country music, faith hill, george jones, mark wills, shania twain, top 100, trent tomlinson, wade hayes
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Cowboy up, y'all, for my latest countdown!
It’s an all-new countdown! This time I’m counting the top 100 country music artists, according only to me. Amazingly, I could only think of 110, so just about anyone I could think of made the cut, even some that I really don’t care for.
100. Faith Hill — She may not be bad looking, but she’s my least favorite popular country singer of our time. Not to be sexist, but there aren’t many female country singers I like to begin with. And I can’t think of a single song of hers where I wouldn’t turn the station if it came on. If I had to pick, best song would probably be “Mississippi Girl.”
99. Lee Greenwood — Everybody knows Lee for one song and one song only, but it’s so damn popular and every time they played that during the seventh inning stretch at the Metrodome and I swayed back and forth with friends screaming it, I always got chills. I am referring, of course, to “God Bless the USA.”
98. Reba McEntire — Probably the most prominent female country singer of the last twenty years, and I still don’t care for her music. Like Faith, she just doesn’t do it for me. But as you will see later, it is possible for a couple female acts to rank high. One tolerable Reba song is “I’d Rather Ride Around with You.” Her music is probably still better than her sitcom, though.
97. Kellie Pickler — Kellie played the crowds watching American Idol with her dumb blonde act. At the time I thought she was really that innocent, but now I think it was all an elaborate act that landed her fame and fortune as a real country singer. Can’t say I’ve heard many of her songs, but there was that tear-jerker “I Wonder.”
96. Radney Foster — Who??, you’re probably asking. I don’t remember much about Radney (not Randy) Foster other than he looked suspiciously like Eric Clapton and he only had one big hit that I can remember. That song was “Nobody Wins,” which I distinctly remember hearing over and over again on the bus in 1993.
95. Shania Twain — Notice a trend here? All of country’s biggest female acts are already out of the running! Actually, I think I dislike Shania more than Reba or Faith Hill, especially her many annoying songs about not being in it for love. She does have one song that I like, though, called “No One Needs to Know.”
Ronnie Milsap, the greatest blind country singer.
94. Ronnie Milsap — Bonus points for Ronnie because he’s blind. Again, I can only think of a couple songs he sings, but I like them both. “Smoky Mountain Rain” is probably the most popular, followed by “Stranger in My House.”
93. Van Zant — At one time a few years ago, it appeared Van Zant was going to be the equivalent of Big & Rich, but after their one big hit “Help Somebody,” but I haven’t heard much of them since. Maybe somebody should help them resurrect their career.
92. George Jones — Considered a legend by many, Old George is a bit before my time. I made fun of his 90s video for “I Don’t Need No Rockin’ Chair,” but eventually came to like his rendition of “Finally Friday.”
91. Waylon Jennings — Like George Jones, many country purists would be apalled to see Waylon at #91, but I don’t know a lot of his music. Everyone should know his famous “Good Ole Boys,” used as the theme song to Dukes of Hazard.
90. Oak Ridge Boys — Again, I spent more time making fun of the Oak Ridge Boys than I did enjoying their music, but you have to admit their ability to harmonize is pretty catchy. “Elvira” and “My Baby Is American Made” are classics!
89. Sheryl Crow — I think technically Sheryl Crow counts as a country artist because I saw her perform at WeFest. Well, we at least know she’s a person and not a real crow. I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan, but some of her stuff is catchy, like the new “Love Is Free.” It’s that damned overplayed “Picture” duet that takes her down a few notches.
88. Leann Rimes — Boy was America crazy about little 15-year-old Leann Rimes back in the 90s, but boy did her act get old fast! She gets some points for teaming up with Bon Jovi recently, otherwise her best song was “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.”
87. LeeRoy Parnell — All it takes for LeeRoy to get revved up is a tender moment. And just to make sure no one cuts the “e” sound short on his first name, he added a second “e.” And capitalized the “R.” Okay, got it LeeRoy.
86. Shenandoah — Church on Cumberland Road, Next to You Next to Me. I guess two semi-hit songs is good enough for 86th.
85. Lady Antebellum — Much like the Barenaked Ladies, here’s a group that’s put out some great singles in their first half-year on the radio, including the popular “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” despite not actually being ladies. I predict we’ll be hearing plenty more of them in the future, male or female.
84. Dixie Chicks — Ugh.. The Dixie Chicks also really annoy me, but are leaps and bounds above Faith, Shania, etc. The pudgy lead singing girl is funny looking, but if you look closely, so are the two taller, plain girls.
83. Gretchen Wilson — Gotta respect Gretchen Wilson, working so hard to get to the top. She’s one hard-drinkin’ tough-fightin’ broad I wouldn’t mess with, but I haven’t been a huge fan of her music. Her recent song “One of the Guys” was pretty listenable.
82. Chad Brock — Chad said “Yes!” I said “Wow.” He said “When?” I said “When are you going to come out with another good song?” Chad was left speechless.
Does anyone but me even know who Wade Hayes is?
81. Wade Hayes — Wade was making a name for himself back in the late 90s with hits like “Old Enough to Know Better.” Maybe he’s old enough to stop wasting his time in mediocrity.
80. Dolly Parton — Aside from a couple big songs like “9 to 5″ and “Islands in the Stream,” I didn’t know much Dolly until her recent week on American Idol. She still looks very fake, but probably better than she would at her current age if she wasn’t fake.
79. Jack Ingram — Jack’s hit it big recently with a couple #1 hits like “Wherever You Are” and “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely.” Will probably never make it much higher on my list but he’s good for a solid hit every couple years. Is it just me or to people whose last names start with vowels get forgotten easily?
78. Eddie Rabbit — Eddie definitely moves up a few spots thanks to Weezer mentioning him in their new song “Heart Songs.” That Eddie really does love a rainy night, and probably Easter too.
77. Trent Tomlinson — Possibly the younger brother of Chargers running back Ladainian Tomlinson, Trent sings about how he doesn’t want a woman he’s dating to get drunken than him. Excellent song.
76. Mark Wills — Back in 2000-something, Mark Wills hit it big with “Nineteen Something,” in which he recalled random events from the 70s, 80s, and 90s but couldn’t remember what year they happened in exactly. Check out the old RG.com Year in Reviews, Mark! I know what happened when!
Frustrations Boil Over July 23, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, random.Tags: road rage, softball
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We finished the year a respectable 4-7!
Last night, my frustration boiled over into an uncomfortable road rage incident. Frustration from what? I don’t know… lots of little things. My poor showing in the softball game, the Twins losing three straight, my lack of down time over the weekend, annoyances at work, being mistakenly charged $146.12 for dinner at Jake’s, my pants all being ripped and tattered. But what really pushed me over the edge was traffic.
Since Sunday, I’ve hit an unordinarily high number of red lights. At first it was almost comical, how every light I pulled up to was just turning red. Then Tuesday, power was out all over the city and street lights were down on my way home from work, so everyone had to stop at every light. Traffic was backed up for miles and miles and miles. I got off the main road and took side streets all the way home until I got to Hennepin, where a bus sat blocking the intersection for several minutes, probably due to the same power outage. Dozens of us honked our horns, but the bus had nowhere to go.
Then after softball, my drive home got even worse. Red light after red light. And then when the lights did turn green, the cars in front of me waited like six seconds to start moving. Eventually I snapped and started honking at cars and screaming profanities, making Lauren, Sarah, and Walsh a little uncomfortable I’m sure. Lauren tried her best to get me to be calm and not worry about it, but it did good for me to erupt at traffic. Sometimes some good ol’ fashioned whining and pouting makes me feel better.
On the softball field, by the way, we closed out the season losing to Dream Team, 14-8 after blowing an 8-3 lead. I finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Walsh and I alternated at pitcher every inning, and I played one inning at first. Liz even made her first appearance of the season and played catcher.
