John Stewart Video on Obama Scandals

John Stewart, the left-leaning talk show host on Comedy Central, addresses the latest scandals.  (Warning - R rated)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Commander Chris Hadfield Covers "Space Oddity" in Space

I know what you're thinking: this is going to be lame.

If it were lame, would I post it up?  Enjoy.

Duck Stamp Champion a Six Year Old Girl

Duck stamps are extremely important for those that love waterfowling and the outdoors. Not only is there a national stamp, but many states have one as well, and they serve as a federal and state revenue sources since they are required in order to hunt.  The revenues raised by stamp sales are typically earmarked for habitat and conservation initiatives; things that likely would never be funded without the earmarked revenue.

Since the first federal stamp in 1934, it has become a point of prestige for outdoor/wildlife artists to have their handiwork featured on a stamp.  In fact, it has proved to be the launching pad for a long and lucrative career for many a wildlife artist.  As years have passed, formal selection processes have evolved to contests, and the result has been evident in the quality of the artwork that has been generated.  

Recently, the US Fish and Wildlife service held a Junior Duck Stamp contest for grades 12 and under, separated into age categories, which ultimately would decide a "best in show."  And the winner this year?  Well, she was 6.

That's right.  Six years old.  Miss Madison Grimm of South Dakota.  First grade age.

Here's her art of a Canvasback drake:

There was some back and forth on the technique that the little girl used to create the image, and she was actually removed as champion for a time.  But after investigation it was clear that the little girl created the image under legal means, and was rightfully reinstated as the 2013 Junior Duck Stamp champion.

I'm in my late 40's.  I can't draw stick people.  The above is something I'd love to have hanging on my wall somewhere in my house.  What fantastic talent.

Two obvious points:

1) I'm pretty sure that world of wildlife art has not heard the last of Madison Grimm

2) Can you imagine the art her parents have hanging on the family refrigerator?   

How to Gift an iTunes Playlist

So you want to gift an iTunes playlist, as many have over the past five years or so?

Well, if you've updated to iTunes 11, you can't.  As I found out after trying to gift a playlist to my brother for this birthday, Apple no longer has that feature available.  

Taking away the ability to make it convenient for your customers to buy lots of songs is a good business idea.  Selling stuff is good, right?  Taking away something like that is, well, stupid.

I've really been feeling like Apple is on the verge of jumping the shark, and this is yet but another example.

If you're an iTunes user that happened to enjoy this feature, you can voice your displeasure to Apple by clicking here.

In the meantime, if you're looking to gift a playlist, Amazon has a fairly painless way to do so.

Apple idiots.  Stark raving idiots.

Music Mix for My Brother

Every year for my brother’s birthday I put together a mix of music that I have found over the past year that I’m appreciating for one reason or the other.  

Today’s that day – happy birthday, bro.  Hope you enjoy the mix.

Driving Toward the Daylight – Joe Bonamassa.  Joe is playing the best power blues out of anyone out there right now.  He cranks out a massive amount of work, with some of it excellent, and some just OK.  This one is hit out of the park.  Great night driving song.

Bridge Burning – Foo Fighters.  Are the Foos the last rock band standing?  Not quite, but it is close.  This is an awesome workout song, and a great one to tee up before a big hill climb on the bike.  BTW, this song is so much better when played live and the weak backing vocals on the chorus are gone.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, SteveWinwood, Dhani Harrison, Prince.  This is taken from a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert about ten years back.  Most of the song is a very strong cover of the Beatles classic made famous by Eric Clapton’s incredible guitar work.  The real treat is the final guitar solo by Prince – about three minutes of a shredding solo.  There is no questioning Price’s musicianship, and after this performance, there should be no questioning his guitar work either.  Wow.

Call it Stormy Monday – Albert King & Stevie RayVaughn.  A classic song from two classic artists.  Stormy Monday has become a blues standard – I have five different covers of it in my iTunes library, but none of them approach the guitar work shown on this song.  It is really fun to hear the interplay between the two artists.  That would have been a hell of a show to see.

Bob Mould – Star Machine.  The Minneapolis native shows that he’s still relevant as a song writer and as a guitarist.  While his sound may hot have changed a ton since his days in Husker Du, he still has the chops to hold his own on alternative radio after all of these years.

That Wasn’t Me – Brandi Carlile.  Beautiful blue-eyed soul.  I saw her sing this live last year – just her and a piano – and you could have heard a pin drop.  It generated a very well deserved standing ovation.  She’s coming back into town this year, and I hope she does it again.  Her smoky voice just does not get old to me.

A Living Prayer - Allison Krauss & Union Station.  I actually bumped across this song via a YouTube video of an appearance on Leno.  For my money, Allison Krauss has the most pretty and pitch perfect voice out there right now.  I think that’s why she’s in such high demand for other artists.  She just sounds like an angel.

Heinrich Maneuver – Interpol.  Yeah, this one might be a little obvious.  However, I just think it is everything that I love about alternative music: guitar heavy and lyrics that can be interpreted a number of different ways.  While this is older, it has been on heavy rotation for me lately.

If Walls Could Talk – Ry Cooder.  Classic Cooder guitar work, and some spectacular background vocal work.  Cooder has been an under-appreciated ax man for nearly 30 years now.  I’ll give you that his vocals aren't sweet, but as he’s aged it makes is more forgiving.

This Ship Goes Down Deep – Black Lab.  There is so much about this song that reminds me about late ‘70s or early ‘80s rock.  I could definitely hear Eddie Money, Tom Petty, or Boston doing this song.  Maybe that’s the reason why I enjoy it so much.  It is a nice departure from a lot of the lo-fi stuff that is being put out there right now.

Gone Baby Gone – Boz Scaggs.  This guy still has the soul.  His voice has mellowed some with age, but goodness the man can still sing.  And as for still being able to hit those high notes, well just give it a listen and be prepared to be blown away.

Lucky That Way – Joe Walsh.  This is EXACTLY the song that you would expect Joe Walsh to write at this point in his life.  It is almost a cliché.  There are a lot of reasons why this guy is so well loved, and making a song like this is just one of those reasons.

Let It Be (Naked) – The Beatles.  Let it Be is my second favorite Beatles song of all time.  I have no idea how many times I've listened to it in my life, and I still get goosebumps (as I have now, listening to the song and writing this).  McCartney was never happy with how the Let It Be album came out – he felt Phil Spector and his famous “Wall of Sound” covered too much of the work up.  Hence, Paul recently went back and remixed the album without all of the Spector touches.  You’ll note that he also used an alternate vocal at the end, as well as an alternate Harrison guitar solo.  It makes for a fun rediscovery, and one that still delivers goose bumps despite all these many years and listens.

You’re Early – 2:54.  This is representative of a lot of the music that I’m into now.  It is darker, brooding, layered, and pressing.  There are a lot of bands I have in rotation that are putting this kind of stuff out (The XX, recent Bush, Katie Tucker and the Sons of Sweden)  and this song by 2:54 reflects it all very well.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – Holy Roller.  Quirky band, but I really love her voice and approach, especially when combined with the talented backing band. 

Seven Cities of Gold – Rush.  In honor of their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it seems only appropriate to take one from their most recent album Clockwork Angles.  The album is a slight return to Rush’s roots, and their musicianship is still on full display for all to see.  Rock royalty; still as relevant today as they were in the 70’s.

This is What Makes Us Girls – Lana Del Ray.  I can’t put my finger on why, but holy smokes, I LOVE Lana Del Ray.  The people in her songs are not living anything close to a perfect life, and the imagery she’s able to invoke is really something.  I have no idea if she’ll be able to have a career of longevity or not, but I’m really liking what she’s doing right now.

Big Love – Lindsey Buckingham.  Rolling Stone named Buckingham the 100^th best guitarist in rock.  Listen to this song and tell me if you think they’re right.  He did this song when he toured here last year, and it is still etched firmly in my memory.  My jaw is still open.

At Transformation – The Tragically Hip.  I continue to be a huge fan of the Hip, and they continue to fail to disappoint.  They're still cranking out relevant and damn good music, despite their length in the tooth.  Canada's finest export

Blues Man - B.B. King.  Dude is 87.  I've seen him live probably five times - the first time was when I was a freshman in college thirty years ago.  I'm seeing him again on June 1.  Incredible.  I love this song as his voice and his guitar work belie his age, and given the lyrics of the song, it comes together so well.

Lake Harriet - Carrie Rodriguez.  Every time I hear this song I get homesick.  Cute little toe tapper.

Neverending Math Equation - Sun Kil Moon.  I'm really liking this band a lot.  There are tones of Son Volt, Strand of Oaks, and Bon Iver, 

Metric - The Void.  Hate their politics.  Really enjoy their music.

Cat Power - 3, 6, 9.  Like the Hip, she's been at it forever, and is still cranking out some really enjoyable music.

That's it.  Hope you have a happy birthday.  I miss you and hope to see you soon.

Happy Mother's Day

Due to conflicting schedules, I won't be seeing my Mom today.  I feel really crummy about it, as we seem to have a tougher and tougher time getting together.  I was hoping that the move to Green Bay wouldn't change too many things.  As it turns out, with my friends, my hobbies, and most importantly my family it changed a lot.  Far more than I would like.

But there's not much I can do about that now.  I'm here now and need to see the job through to the conclusion.

Looking back, I've miss a lot of Mother's Days.  It usually fell over fishing opener, and Mom always got the short straw.  There was always a call and card, but if you don't have the hug, well, it just lacks the important stuff.

So, Mom, this is for you - while not totally applicable, it's damn close:



I look forward to seeing you later this week.  Also:

The Minnesota Fishing Opener That Wasn't

Due to unprecedented weather, a massively thick sheet of ice still covers the surface of Minnesota's "big three" walleye lakes - Leech, Mille Lacs, and Winnibigoshish.  Fishing opener, nearly a religious experience for Minnesota anglers, is ostensibly closed.

In fact, in Walker, Minnesota it is currently snowing.

I've fished Leech for opener for nearly 30 years, and have never seen anything like it.   Spring has still not arrived in force in the upper Midwest, and it is a killer for sportsmen and those that make their living off of them.

Fortunately, the weather is getting significantly warmer next week, which is good because my crew and I are headed to Leech for our annual trip.  But if the projected weather will be enough to open up the lake prior to our arrival is a question still be be answered.

Global warming, my butt.

Mark Dayton Questions Vikings Release of Chris Kluwe

At a press conference last Wednesday, the esteemed Governor of Minnesota, with nothing better to do, waded in on the conspiracy theories around the Vikings release of Chris Kluwe.

According to conspiracy theorists, Kluwe was a Pro Bowl punter that was released due to his outspoken stance on LGBT rights.  Kluwe is most famous for his vulgar open letter to Emmett Burns, and gained deep endearment from the left because of it, among other things. 

Kluwe's release had nothing to do with the fact that his skills had diminished to the point of being average, yet his salary was higher than average.  It had nothing to do with the fact that the Vikings had done the EXACT same thing with Ryan Longwell (took a kicker in the draft, claimed to want "competition," had the new kicker work out at the spring rookie camp to ensure he was OK, then summarily cut the more expensive Longwell).  It had nothing to do with the Vikings looking for better performance at a significantly lower cost.

No.  According to Mark Dayton (among others - really), the Vikings instead chose to cut Kluwe under suspicious circumstances.  Yeah, that's it.  

For the first time since we moved, I'm glad I'm not a Minnesotan.  What an embarrassment.