Sarah Palin and Going Rouge: Coming to a dollar store or bargain bin near you….

Waste of space and I am sure that she didn't write it....

Who wants to read what she wrote?  Plus, I want to know who bought the coat?  I bet it’s leftover from her spending the Republicans hard earned money out of the war chest.

Sarah Palin book part of conservative boom

By HILLEL ITALIE (AP) – 3 hours ago

NEW YORK — These are boom times for conservative authors.

Michelle Malkin’s “Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks and Cronies” spent weeks at No. 1 on The New York Times nonfiction list. Sales have been strong for Dick Morris’ anti-Obama “Catastrophe” and the reissue of “The Five Thousand Year Leap,” by W. Cleon Skousen.

And Sarah Palin may top them all.

In a feat usually reserved for the likes of J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown, Palin’s book was No. 1 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com just two days after Harper announced it had moved up the release date from the spring to Nov. 17 and that the memoir’s title was “Going Rogue.”

Staying power is what it is all about.  This book was on the NY Times best sellers list.

See? people will buy anything....

The fact that people are lining up to buy it doesn’t really mean much.  It might mean people are stupid, but we here have been saying that for a long time.

Palin’s 432-page memoir, still No. 1 on Friday, has been given a first printing of 1.5 million copies and booksellers have begun fighting for sales. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut the $28.99 list price by more than half, to $13.50, and Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com are offering “Going Rogue” for $15.65, a 45 percent discount.

I haven’t seen J.K. Rowling hawking Harry Potter for a big discount.   That is because people actually think that she can write and they are patiently (and in some cases not so patiently) waiting for the book.

Call me a skeptic, but I don't think that they will be waiting in line like this for Sarah Palin's book

I doubt that Sarah can string a couple of sentences without throwing one of her trademark “You knows” in.

nor do I think that they will be dressing up like her...

Plus, have you seen them discounting the book BEFORE IT IS EVEN OUT? That just reeks of desperation and trying to stay in the limelight.

Although she resigned abruptly last summer as governor, and the Republican ticket of Sen. John McCain and Palin was decisively beaten in the 2008 election, “Going Rogue” will surely outsell the memoir of her Democratic counterpart, Vice President Joe Biden, and likely approach the million-selling heights of President Barack Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope.”

Yep, just like people bought Billy Beer back in the 70’s.  People like keepsakes, especially if they are memorable.  If nothing else, she is memorable for a lot of things, even if it is not being good.

That beer actually was okay for a cheap beer...

Yes, Sarah, I am calling you the equivalent of Billy Beer, without the cheap price or good taste….

“I know a lot of people who are surprised by this,” says Adrian Zackheim, president and publisher of Sentinel, a conservative imprint of Penguin Group (USA). “There was some question as to whether her popularity was still intact after she resigned as governor and some question as to whether the original following was still with her. The answer to these questions is pretty unequivocal.”

“Movement conservatives are voting with their dollars to endorse the values they believe Sarah Palin represents,” says Twelve publisher Jonathan Karp, who has published books by McCain and by a liberal favorite, the late Ted Kennedy, whose “True Compass” came out last month.

“In a similar way, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin and Mark Levin provide an opportunity for ideologically motivated consumers to see their views validated. It’s the political equivalent of attending a Grateful Dead concert. Pure and simple, it’s market democracy.”

Wow, Jerry must be rolling over in grave.  Really? Sarah is the same as the Grateful Dead?

Tonight, one last band will shake off its cobwebs in an attempt to Barack voters all night long. The Grateful Dead announced plans over the weekend to reunite for one show, and one show only, in support of the candidate. Tickets to the live performance sold out almost instantly, but Deadheads far and wide can watch the performance from the comfort of their dwellings at IClips.net at 7:30p.m. PST. What a long strange trip it's been for Obama since his campaign began back in 2006, but he's kept on truckin', and come tomorrow, the future of his presidential hopes will be determined for the people, by the people.

The Dead(at least the living….if you believe the ACORN scandal, then really the DEAD too) are for Obama

Here is a Dead Show..

These dirty rocked out hippies are not voting for Palin...

and here is a typical Palin fan…

I shudder to think how much that airbrushing cost. Especially since she won't win anything again....

and her conducting politics….will the book talk in depth about that?  That might be the best part of the book…

I wonder does she even know who she is talking to?

Karp calls the title “brilliant” and says it “suggests she’ll let it all hang out,” a likely attraction for customers on Amazon, which lists purchasers of Palin’s book as also buying “Glenn Beck’s Common Sense” and Levin’s “Liberty and Tyranny.”

Palin herself has said that “Going Rogue” will give her a chance to express herself “unfiltered,” a bold brand for a public figure who has likened herself to a pit bull with lipstick and once alleged that Obama was “palling around with terrorists.” Palin’s collaborator, Lynn Vincent, has her own history of attacking the left. She is the co-author of “Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party.”

“That sounds pretty lively,” says Marji Ross, president of Regnery Publishing, which released Malkin’s book. “Palin is certainly well positioned to take on the bureaucrats and government establishment, but she also may be positioning herself for a run at the (2012) nomination and that might have its own discipline.”

A lot of people have disciples, but do we really want them running the country?

This guy had a lot of disciples and what happened? For those of you not in the know, this is Jim Jones, and no, he doesn't rap

“Palin is going to appeal to anyone interested in American culture right now,” says Harper publisher Jonathan Burnham, who declined to offer specifics on the book, whether content or tone.

“Although she has a very strong conservative following, who are with her through thick and thin, she has this large cultural presence that exerts a great deal of fascination. And what we’re seeing here are two vectors coming together.”

The very existence of a Democratic administration means material for conservatives. In the 1990s, Ann Coulter and Barbara Olson were among those who wrote best-selling attacks against President Bill Clinton. Al Franken, Michael Moore and other liberals were popular authors during the Bush administration. Now, says Ross, as Democrats reign in Washington, “conservatives have been energized.”

“They have really come out of the lethargy they were stuck in last year,” she says.

Burnham declined comment on how or whether Palin’s memoir would be fact-checked. (Publishers traditionally rely on authors to tell their story straight.) Liberals are ready to step in. The Progressive Book Club and Media Matters, a progressive media watchdog group, will soon start a joint project to fact-check upcoming conservative releases. “Going Rogue” is high on the list.

“These books are often riddled with sloppy and demonstrably false claims,” says Media Matters senior fellow Karl Frisch. “We feel we have good reason to keep our eye on Sarah Palin.”

Burnham declined comment on Frisch’s remarks. He said the manuscript, much of it written over the summer, was “extremely strong” and covers everything from her family to Alaska to her vice presidential run.

“It’s Palin, up close and personal,” he says.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

I just do not get her or the people that think that she is the one to lead the country.  You have a right to support her, and fortunately, I have a right to make fun of you for doing it.

Where have you gone Sarah Palin?

Everywhere I go people are talkin’ about Sarah Palin. Why did she quit? What is she doing? What a stupid move b/c she can’t win? it’s all over the press also. They just can’t figure this woman out. Here is one interesting one I read this morning.

Palin’s stunning announcement raised more questions than it answered: Is she bowing out of public life? Is there a more nefarious reason for her resignation after only two-and-half years in office – yet another G.O.P. scandal in the offing? Or is the woman who tops most G.O.P. 2012 shortlists to challenge Barack Obama stepping down to get a head start on her next presidential campaign? Palin took no questions after her unscripted, rambling address, and her comments seemed to hint both ways: that she’s “passing the ball” of elected office, and that she plans on working for all Americans, not just Alaskans. “Some are going to question the timing of this and let me just say that this decision has been in the works for a while. In fact this decision comes after much consideration,” Palin said, holding up her left index finger as she amended her thought, “Much prayer and consideration. And finally, I polled the most important people in my life, my kids. And the count was unanimous. While in response to asking, ‘Hey, do you want me to be a positive influence and fight for all our children’s futures from outside the governor’s office?’ it was four yeses and one ‘Hell, yeah.’ The ‘Hell, yeah’ sold it.” 

This reporter goes through every scenario. Everything.  Except the truth. Palin did it for the $money$. How tough is this one? Palin can’t make much dough in freezing Alaska. But out of Alaska….  Like Tony Montana “The World is Yours”.  She can take over Michael Jackson’s tour dates.  (too soon?) Go on the speakers tour with all the other out of office politicians like Bill Clinton. (could you imagine an affair between Bill and Sarah?  I could…) Make loads of $Loot$.  She can also write her book. All politicians have to write a book. Even Obama wrote a book. Palin’s book will be a #1 Best Seller before it even hits the printer. Imagine the $dough$ from that….millions I’m sure.

Youuu betchaaa! Doggone it!

On a side note.
Is she gonna start speaking proper English? I hope not b/c she is so funny when she talks. Her use of prepositions is plain comical.
I say keep it up Sarah. The country could use some more humor during this economic crisis.

Dumb Niggas: William Roberts finds a way to win with the help of XXL magazine….AGAIN!

I disagree William, I think that you do have a credibility problem and the sooner you address it, the quicker you can continue becoming not relevant

William,

This is an open letter to you.  You need help and we here at Too Old are here to help in any way we possibly can.  I know that you need attention.  Who doesn’t crave it?  But the way that you are going about it will only hurt in the end.

50 already killed you…it might be best if you just stayed hidden or better yet dead.  I mean with lyrics like these

SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!! We don’t wanna hear your mafia tough talk
That fake fuck boy shit don’t fly in New York…

its better to keep quiet and have people think that you are ignorant, than to open your mouth and prove them right.  50 lyrically destroyed you and whatever is left, Tia is going to get.

At least you have been honest about one thing.  The deposition records that 50 got a hold of seem to be true upon further reflection..  When you were telling them that you were not spending all that money, you were right.  You were buying your family bootleg gear.

Now, comes the letter that XXL received and put on their website to put you on blast.  When will it end?  It will end whenever you want it to, but you can’t go around trying to floss if you don’t have it.  I looked at the Forbes list for richest African Americans, and I didn’t see you on it.

When 50 Cent isn’t taking baby mothers shopping at the Gucci store, and cleverly assassinating the character of Florida rapper Rick Ross, he’s making trips to the bank.

According to Forbes magazine, Curtis Jackson is the second highest-earning African-American superstar, with an estimated earning of $150 million. This places him behind Oprah Winfrey and in front of movie mogul Tyler Perry.

Most of the rapper’s earnings were raked up by the $100 million sale of Vitamin water. Last year he outearned your favorite rapper on Forbes “Hip Hop Rich List” with a whopping $100 million. Jay-Z came in second with $82 million. Diddy came in third with $35 million.

Then, the XXL Editors received this letter from Louis Vuitton concerning the May 2009 cover of Rick Ross.

Dear Editor:

We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks. Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.

The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit. Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to correct the confusion.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Pantalony, Esq.
Louis Vuitton Malletier

P.S.  Have a nice day!  William, they are killing you.  Hopefully this will get to you in time for you to make some changes in your life.  If we can do something to help, please, just let us know…

Sincerely,
The Management of Too Old

Michael Douglas and Oliver Stone reunite for Wall Street 2: Art imitating Life yet again…

When looking over the Financial Times, (yeah, I read it, what of it?  Ronin is the residential financial guy, but I read to understand what little my 453B is earning) I couldn’t help but to notice what the stock market is doing.  Our “Friend” Jason has gotten into the financial game and he talks about earning money for people.  He loves to celebrate his accomplishments and brag about getting million dollar accounts for his brokerage firm. (We will not mention them because they do not need your business)

The problem is that this guy is like Bernie Madoff…

He took so many people to the cleaners, it isn’t funny.  But, Jason idolizes this guy.  He says that he wants to become bigger than Madoff.  That is why the inside investor tip of the day is “PASS”… Jason says it as a joke, but inside, you can see him scheming on getting your hard earned loot…

March Madness!!! Things to remember about the Tournament

Surprisingly, the entire crew got their favorite teams/alma maters in the dance. ( I have to fudge a little bit, I got Berkeley, my favorite team and hometown team, but a little and dirty secret that I have is that I started at Davis (because I was waitlisted at CAL) and I graduated from Weber St. who lost in the semis of the Big Sky to Montana St, even though we ran through the regular season at 16-2.)  This at least gives me some reason to keep an eye on the NIT, since Weber will be playing SDSU in the first round, one of the final teams left out of the field.

Ronin will be cheering the UCLA Bruins into battle, while Erik is the resident Trojan fan in the house, cheering for the University of Spoiled Southern California, an illegitimate, wanna-be California Regent School…( I couldn’t help it, since Erik knew he was in dire straights at the end of the regular season needing to win the Pac-10 tournament to make the big dance.  We rode him mercilessly about playinng in the NIT or the CBI.  They made it, so hats off to Trojan fans everywhere.  This is the one time where I throw my support behind all Pac-10 teams, even USC…)

Putting those little annoyances away, it’s time to think about the tournament.  I found an interesting article on the LA Times website about resources to use for the tournament and I added a section on food.

Too Old Food and Drink Recommendations

• Chicken Wings. You have to have a lot of chicken wings and they are not that hard to prepare. You can do them the conventional way, or do something nontraditional in the preparation, like bread them first, and then fry them, or bake them in your favorite style sauce. One of the Too Old ways will be the use of a Garlic Pepper Sauce to coat the wings, as the sweetness plays really nice with the hotness. I might unveil my curried chicken wings, but I don’t want too much out there, because the gremlins don’t leave…

• Mexican Bar. We usually have some sort of Fajita/Mexican bar for people to make their own tacos and/or burritos during the game. I usually make my sought after al pastor (spicy pork that has been marinated at least two days) chicken and carne asada. I think that this year I will include refried black beans as a slight twist on the traditional classic. This works extremely well, because we have hipster vegans that can’t eat much and they can usually eat the tortillas and salsa and beans. (Although I am going to spike the beans with lard, which is Animal fat…that is where the flavor comes in…) One area that I (and you) can cut corners on is the tamales.  Mi Pueblo, a mexican market here in the Bay Area, has a restaurant inside the store.  You can buy tamales that they make there that are really, really good.  Also at the Oakland Farmers Market (in the DMV parking lot in the Rockridge/Temescal area) have good ready made tamales as well.

• Drinks. This can cause riots in some places. Some people will make the call to load the kegerator and let’s get going. There are some hipsters and other sophisticated types that will claim martinis and such. I don’t discriminate; I say live and left live. I am going to have a decent selection of beer ( re: Beer that I would be willing to drink, like Guinness, Newcastle, Stella, Red Stripe or some Hefeweizen. Does this mean I don’t drink Bud or other cheap derivates? Yes, if I can help it, and I can. I will start the morning games with fruity drinks to keep my vitamins going and get lubricated. So, to get in the proper spirit, I will open up with Baileys and Coffee, with a splash of Kailua, and then move to Pineapple juice and dark rum. Beer really doesn’t work for me until the afternoon games come on. I will have the standard Seagram’s Seven and 7-Up going as well for the mid afternoon change-up

Flights

• Kayak.com is the first place I check for cheap airfare. It’s a different business model, but think of it as the Craigslist of travel. Kayak seems to either partner with or one-up all the other heavy hitters (Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity). I’ve also heard good things about Mobissimo but haven’t used it yet.
• Unfortunately, Kayak misses a couple of the best budget carriers. Specifically, you should double check on Southwest, JetBlue, and Virgin America for good rates and dependable quality. My personal favorite is Virgin America. While they only fly to a few destinations, it’s clearly the airline for the millennial generation — tons of in-flight entertainment, mood lighting, on-call food, and even WiFi on select flights.
• Still can’t meet your budget? Google your destination. You might see an ad for a cheap flight.

Weather (to plan your packing)

• Everybody should know about Weather.com by now. Even if you’re a regular, make sure you’re checking the 10-day forecast for your city of choice. It’s at least as reliable as the local weatherman, and gives you all the info you need with one glance.
• While less practical, I’m always amused by GoingToRain.com.

Lodging

• You’re reading a sports blog, (we do more than just talk trash….we talk sports too…)  so there’s a good chance you’re a college student or upcoming sportswriter. In other words, you’re more broke than the BCS. While I don’t have personal experience with the site, I’ve had several friends (and fellow sportswriters) recommend CouchSurfing.com as a cheap (heck, free) alternative to a hotel.
• Use Facebook, Twitter and whatever other social networking sites you’re on to announce your travel intentions — and needs. You never know if a long-lost friend might be able to hook you up at the last second.
• Quickbook.com can find you good deals on higher-end hotels.
• When all else fails, go back to Kayak (or Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline or Travelocity).

Local advice

• FanFoodie.com is a stinkin’, rotten, awful idea. In other words, I’m really jealous that I didn’t think of it first. They guys behind HuggingHaroldReynolds.com are the brilliant minds behind the site, which has guest contributors from around the country (I did one a couple months ago). Check it out, and look for the categories just to the right of the main column. Click on the city you’re going to, and prepare to eat well!
• Sure, you know about Google Maps. Sure, you use it for driving directions. But did you know they also offer public transportation and walking directions? Next time you’re filling out your start and end locations, look for a drop-down menu that says “by car” and change it to your mode of preference. Unfortunately, this is good for some but not all of the NCAA tournament cities.
• Speaking of Google, travelers on a budget should search for “rideshare” (try it with and without the name of your destination city). They say nobody rides for free … but you can if it gets the driver into the HOV lane.
• Use the forums at TripAdvisor.com to post a question. Unlike Citysearch, you won’t be left wondering if you just got advice or an advertisement. A friend recently went to Istanbul (not Constantinople) and got a recommendation for a good burger.
• LikeMe.net is a relatively new site, but has some good recommendations for places to go. The first time I went there, it told me to check out three of my favorite places in my hometown.
• Yahoo Travel has a number of local guides that will give you tips on what to see and do at your destination.

Game Tickets

• You can always try the official NCAA men’s tournament ticket page, but some sites are already sold out.
• If you like to hedge your bets, check out FirstDIBZ.com. The site allows you to plunk down a non-refundable deposit (ex: currently $25 to $150 for UCLA depending on the seat). If your team makes the semifinals in Detroit, they will guarantee you the opportunity to purchase the seats at face value.

Race Still Matters: The New York Post and Racist Cartoons

Race Matters…

That was one of the best lessons that debate taught me.  First and foremost, there were in my time (and the same thing exists now) few black debaters.  I was fortunate in the sense that I had my buddy Doug and Marcus from high school that participated in debate.  I owe a lot to debate and one thing that changed who I am as a man was reading Cornell West and Derrick Bell.

Reading these works of art helped define my place in the world as a black man and what I needed to do to embrace my blackness.  The cover shot of Race Matters is ironic, as a Black man nicely dressed, still can’t catch a cab in New York.  Dr. West is late for the shoot precisely because he can’t convince a cab driver to stop and pick him up.

You would think that we would be much further along in racial issues after events like the Rodney King incident or Amadu Diallo or Sean Bell (no relation, but we are all related…) but clearly we are not.  Oscar Grant, which we blogged about here happened. It’s easy for some to forget the racial struggles that have happened here in the United States.  People tend to think that the fight is over, since we elected the first Black President of the United States.  Wake Up!

Here is the comic in question

The Daily News critiques its competition, the New York Post…

Ongoing studies by a prominent psychologist at Stanford University suggest that the racist association of African-Americans with apes is so ingrained in our history and culture that it persists subconsciously even in college kids born after the civil rights movement.

The study’s results were summarized in the 2008 paper “Not Yet Human: Implicit Knowledge, Historical Dehumanization and Contemporary Consequences.”

“It was surprising to us how strong it was,” the co-author, Stanford Associate Prof. Jennifer Eberhardt, said Wednesday of the persistent link. “It did give me cause for pause.”

She did not need to see the Post to know the dehumanizing association is wired into many psyches.

“It’s still with us,” she said, “despite the election of the first black President.”

We also have the first black attorney general, Eric Holder. He made a speech to Justice Department employees Wednesday marking Black History Month. He said we remain “essentially a nation of cowards,” afraid to speak to each other about race.

“If we’re going to ever make progress, we’re going to have to have the guts, we have to have the determination, to be honest with each other,” he added afterward. “It also means we have to be able to accept criticism where that is justified.”

Holder was not speaking of the Post, but he might as well have been. Sharpton was and he was planning a demonstration. The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives was calling for advertisers to yank their ads. Readers were speaking of a boycott.

The artist, Sean Delonas is a racist.  He is also a homophobic.  Look at one of his earlier cartoons.  We should not be shocked about what comes out of his mouth (or more to the point, his pen…)

The old saying is true, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Unfortunately all the words are saying that you do not matter blacks and gays.

Slumberland: If you don’t read this book you hate yourself!

So now that you know what it looks like there should be no excuses.  If you recall, this past summer I suggested that you hate yourselves if you don’t see the movie The Wackness.  Well, those of you that saw it should now trust my advice, and for those that didn’t, this may be an opportunity to redeem yourself (with yourself, who currently hates you).  We’ve been repping Paul Beatty on the blog for his other two novels, Tuff and White Boy Shuffle – both fantastic reads.  His new novel, however, is, in my opinion, his best yet.  Slumberland is the story of DJ Darky, a man searching for the final touch to complete his creation: the perfect beat.  A search that takes him from Los Angeles to a small bar in Berlin.  Dj Darky is insightful, composed, insatiable, neurotic, enigmatic, brilliant. and a veritable encyclopedia for all things musical.  The book has been described by another favorite writer of mine, Adam Mansbach (Angry Black White Boy), as “an epic mash-up of race, music, culture, history, and everything else worth throwing on a turntable.” Paul Beatty spins this deliciously hilarious, inspiring, and hypnotizing tale of music, race, politics,  sexuality, and the meaning of life (set against Germany before and after  the destruction of the Berlin Wall) with such rhythm and effortless grace he sucked me into the world of DJ Darky and the curious nightlife of both pre and post-unification Berlin.

Without divulging too many of the priceless gems Beatty sprinkles throughout, I thought I’d hit you off with a few choice quotes (as if the above praise hadn’t already convinced you to immediately run to your local bookseller):

I remember everything I’ve ever heard.  Every dropped nickel, raindrop drip-drop, sneaker squeak, and sheep bleat.  Every jump rope chant, Miss Mary Mack Mack hand clap, and “eenie meanie chili beanie oop bop-bop bellini” method for choosing who’s it.  I remember every sappy R&B radio lyric and distorted Hendrix riff.  Every Itzhak Perlman pluck and squishybackseat contorted make-out session.  I can still hear every Hey you, You the man, and John Philip Sousa euphonium toot and every tree rustle and street-corner hustle.  I remember every sound I’ve ever heard.  It’s like my entire life is a song I can’t get out of my head. (pgs. 14-15)

Next time I’ll tell you about how whenever two black quarterbacks face each other in a football game, black America gets a collective migraine because we don’t know which team to cheer for.  (pg. 93)

and one more to close this show…

The twilight was uniquely uninspiring.  The sun looked wobbly and slumped toward the horizon like a carsick child sinking deeper and deeper into the backseat.  Its last act of consciousness, this solar hurl of refracted light, the colors of which were so putrid they scattered the birds and the clouds, and left the moon to clean up the mess.  (pg. 133)

Rabbit truly at Rest John Updike (1932-2009)

Who knew writing about society and their vices would lead to riches?

When I was a student in high school at John F. Kennedy, I lived with my grandparents.  They were real salt of the earth types.  My grandmother never met a hard day of work in her life.  She was up at 5am gardening or cleaning something up.  She expected that everyone else would work as hard as her.  Not many people could match her stamina.

Growing up with her and my grandfather was heard, as they were sometimes trapped in the 50’s when I wanted to live in the 80’s.  One weird thing about living with her is that I was never given a house key.  The rationale for this policy is that I would lose it, and someone would be able to figure out that the lost key opened up the door at 4608 Cypress and that they would be able to steal their wealth.  What make this difficult is that someone would always have to let me in the house when I got back, meaning that it was easy to keep tabs on me.

One the many patented excuses I would use was that I was studying at the library.  Once I hit my senior year, it became easier, as I had a job at the Act One and Two Cinemas in Berkeley.  Closing meant that some nights, I would not get home until 1am and then turn around and go to school.  But, before those good times, I used the public library excuse for all it was worth.  Just getting out of the house was liberating to me.

E’s song of the day

We here at Too Old respect a variety of musical genres, and I must say I’m ashamed that I haven’t dropped any Jazz on you at any point in the ever-expanding history of E’s song of the day.  Our boy Ronin has a smooth little jazz piece as one of his ringtones, but that isn’t today’s song.  No my friends, today, I’m dropping a track that I just read being big-upped in the new book, Slumberland, by one of my favorite authors of the past few years, Paul Beatty.  Steve has quoted his work in previous blogs, but I would like to include the excerpt from Slumberland to introduce this song:

“Stolen Moments” is Oliver Nelson’s signature tune, a song I find to be the ultimate mood setter; it’s a classic jazz aperitif.  Oftentimes, when I play hardcore underground hip-hop or punk gigs, after three or four especially rambunctious tunes the mosh pits begin to resemble the skirmish lines of Bronze Age battlefield, the warehouse windows start to shake, the record needle starts to skip, the women have that “I’m down with the pogrom” whatever-motherfucker look in their eyes, and I know the party is one more Wu Tang killa bee sting or Bad Brains power chord from turning into Attica, I play fifteen to twenty seconds of “Stolen Moments” to ease the tension, keep the peace.  Its incongruous beauty brings about the wry existential lugubriousness of the Christmas Eve carol coming from the enemy encampment on the other side of the fog-covered river in a hackneyed war movie.  “Stolen Moments” is that type of intrusion, a lull in the fighting, a time to finish the drink and forgive and forget.  The people know I’m providing a respite from the real by granting them a temporary gubernatorial death-row reprieve before I hit them with the next piercing Mobb Deep fuck-you falsetto, Bounty Killer lick shot, or soul-splitting, pre-sellout, angst-ridden, Biohazard scream.

I knew immediately that “Stolen Moments: would be the Slumberland’s signature tune; a smooth midtempo song, it would provide a sticky, almost humid, langourous background to an already sexually charged atmosphere.

- Paul Beatty, Slumberland, pgs. 81-82

READ THIS BOOK!  And enjoy the music…

Oliver Nelson – Stolen Moments

E’s song of the day

Last night I saw a preview for the HBO show Big Love, and it had this sweet bluesey little tune .  I’ve been on a bit of a blues kick lately because I’ve been reading this sweet new Paul Beatty book, Slumberland (which I highly recommend).  I did a little research and found it.  This jam is nice a nd mellow for a rainy day in the Bay Area.  Today’s song: the Black Keys, Lies.  Enjoy…