Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I was blessed enough to have a fantastic Christmas with my family. This whole Holiday Season has been special driving with my daughter and watching the Christmas Lights. Christmas Eve I spent doing some last minute shopping. Our family went to a late night church service which was beautiful. It was special to be back at the church we were married at, to see old friends, to see a beautiful service. Christmas Day was filled with wonderful gifts. No big ticket items. However, everyone was happy.

We didn't let the roast or turkey thaw. So, we really didn't have anything special plan. A friend came over with dinner cooked and we shared a bottle of wine. Really, they made our Christmas better. We spent the day listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas Movies. Simply, having a wonderful Christmas Time.

Seasons Greetings to you and yours!

My Fantasy Football Team

My team almost went undefeated. They lost last week for the first time. My team finished 13-1 and were the top seed for my leagues playoff. The team that beat me was not a contender, however the old football saying on any given Sunday or in Fantasy Football terms any given weekend  any team can beat any team and that is what happened to me.

I finished first in the regular season last year but got bounced in the first round of the playoffs. This year I won during the first round. So at this point I can finish no lower than fourth. I won this weekend, I have a big lead and I have a player my opponent has none remaining.

Fantasy football is a long season, but I survived to go into the next round The match up next week will have me taking on one of the hottest teams in our league. I beat them once this year but it was a very close win which I pulled out the win on a Monday night game.

Let the football fun continue..

Happy Keith Richards Birthday

Keith Richards had a birthday today..and turned quite old. However, he continues to play guitar and continues to create music. Who doesn't appreciate his one off jams, his solo stuff, or his legendary work with the Rolling Stones.

It has been a busy year for Keith publishing his autobiography being released. The rumor of one more Rolling Stones tour to come in 2011 gives his fans something to look forward to in the New Year. You can read about that here.

I spent the day volunteering, then I took my daughter to see Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, and Home Alone in a movie theater today. So it has been a long, fun day.

A Bad Season

Maybe I am just reaching an age where all my peers parents start to have serious issues. My mom is in the hospital recovering from cancer related surgery, an old friend of mine's dad is in the hospital recovering from a stroke and a heart attack. We were close when I was in high school and I have very fond memories of his Dad and going over and watching boxing. The man was always nice and treated me very well.

A person at work passed away last week. I didn't really know him. I have friends that did. I feel for the guys family and it is so sad since the guy was only 27. When you write about a celebrity's death it doesn't really hit home. You can appreciate their work and life goes on. When they are friends, family, and co-workers it hits a little closer to home.

When they come along so close together it is really a bad season.

Yngwie Malmsteen Interview

Yngwie Malmsteen was my big interview! It was just published yesterday. I am excited about it and it is by far the biggest interview I have done to date. You can read the interview here.

I also did a review of his latest album "Relentless" which you can read here.

I must admit I was a little nervous when he called late. I was thinking he cancelled on me. However, he called apologized and we got the interview. I covered his influences, his new album, and tour plans I hope you enjoy.

Thirty Years Ago

Thirty years ago the world was robbed of incredible songwriter and musician when John Lennon was shot. We will never here the songs he would have written in the last 30 years. I might be biased but his solo work was the best from the former Beatles. He was the key songwriter with the Beatles along with Paul McCartney.

Perhaps it is selfish to complain of the music lost. Besides music, Yoko Ono was a robbed of her husband. Julian and Sean lost a father. The world lost a person who had the ways and means to change it. How, would the world have been different if John hadn't been shot.

Sadly we can't bring John Lennon back, we can't bring back the last 30 years. We can listen to the music of the Beatles and John's solo works. We can appreciate him for the musician he was. Yoko can remember him as the husband he was. Julian and Sean can remember him as the father he was. We can listen and the world will keep on spinning.

Brunch

Went to a brunch today at a wonderful restaurant. It was for a local charity I volunteer for. It was nice to get together when it wasn't a fundraising activity or a meeting. Sometimes it is nice to put a face on people you help, to share some fellowship time with those you work with.

More importantly it was nice to go somewhere wonderful with the family. A place where everyone could have a nice time and enjoy the Holidays.

The Interview is Confirmed

My interview is confirmed. I will turn it into an article. I've been working on this interview since late October going back and forth with a publicist. The subject is a musician like my other two interviews, but this one is a much bigger name. I'll spend much of the weekend prepping for the interview.

Come Monday, I will have a rock star calling my house. It's show time. It is a keystone in my writing to this point and what my future could be. Obviously, I want the interview to help the artist promote the latest album. Artists have an agenda. However, I don't want to end up being the same old interview or worse, the one asking the dumbest questions.

I'll blog next week about how the interview goes and when it gets published I will link to the interview. Well we will see how it goes...