Auld Lang Syne

I never remember what ”Auld Lang Syne” means.  On an old radio show we once asked what it meant and if there was actually someone out there that could sing the song with the correct lyrics.  Only a few knew it by heart and could explain it. 

Despite this, it’s a great song.  The notes always sound good to me as the year closes.  My favorite version is the Kenny G sax version, which I used to play on my saxophone.

When I was searching on-line for some year in review material I found an even cooler video using “Auld Lang Syne”, only the lyrics were linked to Christmas.  This video from a Graceland Christmas makes it that much cooler.  Elvis fans, you’ll love that video.

2008 Year in Review

This year in review shows just how much things have changed over the last 30 years.  While Britney Spears is making a comeback in 2008, she still continues at the #1 internet search figure of 2008.  What’s that say?  As bad as it gets, you can always make a comeback!  The excitement of the year no matter how you feel was fueled by guys like Barack Obama and Michael Phelps.  Those houses folks couldn’t afford to start with finally took out the economy, as did those corporate decisions on the other end of the spectrum.  Of those we lost in 2008, my heros would be Paul Newman and Tim Russert.  If you think about those 2 men, they have more things in common than you might think. 

New Years Resolution

As another year “closes”, a new year begins.  Being a self-professed optimist, I look forward to 2009.  In all likelihood it will be a transition year as we linger in what I think is a second modernistic depression.  It’s tough out there, but in a new revolutionary way.  My positive attitude is all based around my 8 month old son, Jake.  I’ve recently tried to focus more on him, and the more I do the happier I am.  For example, yesterday all I did was play with him and then bring him to school.  He doesn’t overthink anything.  He’s just happy when he gets to school to see his wonderful “teachers”, and know the routine he’s used to.  Toy…check.  Food….check.  Potty….yeah, u…there – that’s done now!  and, “Uh…someone please clean me up!”  My 2009 resolution is to not overthink things, as he already understands.  That, and enjoy my time with my wife and family. 

So here we are, the days after Christmas….the days just before a new year. Quite a ponderous time…..still surrounded by all things Christmas, trying to dig out from all the stuff……at the same time, ready for a fresh start as we embark on 2009.

Will I make resolutions? I sure could use a few….being healthier, being more patient and trying to be more organized are always a few things I could work on. I am certainly not alone. It’s always fun to drive by the spa/gym in the first part of January and notice the full parking lot as EVERYONE has that
New Year/New You mindset.

So here’s to saying good-bye to 2008, for me it was a pretty crazy year.
And here’s to looking at a prosperous and thinner 2009.

Happy New Year to you!!

Karen

U2 recorded here 20 Years ago at our very own Sun Studio…

I was reminded of this because U2 has a new album coming out…. Read more here:  http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9553183

The songs from Sun included U2’s “Angel of Harlem”, “When Love Comes To Town” and “Love Rescue Me” for their Rattle and Hum album… I personally love that BB King version with U2 on “When Love Comes to Town.” 

More on their time in Memphis blogged here:  

http://livefromsunstudio.blogspot.com/2007/12/u2-twenty-years-ago.html

Also, the other big new album coming in ’09 is from Bruce Springsteen (supposedly in Jan).  I love The Boss, so I’ll give you a review when it comes out.  I’d suggest if you’re a classic Bruce fan, pick up his last CD “Magic” from a year or so ago as well.

You guys have got to check this out.

I’ve realized there are many “must do” activities for the Christmas season in Memphis (besides listening to Classic Hits 94.1 KQK).  I’ve narrowed it to my personal Top 5 list.  The campy trip to Graceland to see the blue lights is certainly something to do at least once in your lifetime.  Sure the Enchanted Forest at the Pink Palace is cool as well.

But my Top 5 experiences would be:

#5:  Country Cruise to see local mid-South Christmas Lights.  My best drive was this past weekend on Collierville-Arlington Road.

 #4:  Family photos with the family (or girlfriend/boyfriend) in a special “Christmas” type place.  Stacy and I still have special memories of that new Carriage Crossing because when they first opened my apartment was nearby.  We went out there where they have those huge “Christmas Balls” to get our picture and asked some random dude to do it.  We both still react when we see those balls some 3 years later. 

 #3:  Zoo Lights.  I’m really excited because our company Christmas party is at the zoo this year!  Can’t wait.  We have a world class zoo with great volunteers and well organized events like Zoo Boo and Zoo Lights.

#2:  Being IN a local Christmas Parade.  This year was pretty cool because I had the opportunity to be in the Germantown and Bartlett Parades with the other Classic Hits 94.1 KQK Elves.  We put on our funny Santa hats, turned on the vans strobe lights, and we used the van PA to wish “Merry Christmas” from the truck while giving our best parade wave.  I love parades.  I also enjoy hanging out with the Kiwanis peeps and the folks from the local KC Hall.  I’m campy like that.  Many local hometown stories and fun to be had.

#1:  Visit SY Wilson Store in Arlington with the family.  Once again, this reveals my inner small town roots.  This year was my son Jake’s 1st Christmas with the whole santa visit.  Sure, it’s great going to the mall to do this.  But there is something very special about going to an old country store in Arlington with a real Santa family (mom was Mrs. Claus, the son was the elf complete with laser printer in store).  Great time.  Great memories with my wife and boy.

That my list!  Now…don’t forget, we’re jumping on the super heavy Christmas Campaign and will set up the best line-up of 100% Classic Christmas Music to air back-to-back starting at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve through Midnight Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas.  Merry Memories.

-Brad

Well, the holiday lights are finally up at the Perrin house. All my neighbors were weeks ahead and we looked like a black hole, until this weekend and we joined the throngs of lighted homes. We got crazy this year and added red and green lights to go with the clear. Crazy, I know!! It actually looks alot more festive.

So, Monday night I learned a little something about myself. Let me preface this by saying, I like sports. While I am not really the most athletic person around, I do like to watch them on TV and I love watching my kids do whatever sporting activities they enjoy. That being said, I have enjoyed soccer seasons, cheered my way through t-ball and baseball, even gotten the hang of the rules in inline hockey. However, this season is the first for me as a basketball mom…and let me say, this is a tough one for me. The sport is fine, I even played some in grade school. But as a Mom, it’s not for me. I guess there is a reason I am a baseball person…some say it is too slow paced. Not me…I love the often times passive way you can watch a baseball game (and sure it’s a bit more stressful to watch when your kid plays infield) but basketball…that’s a whole other deal.

How can I describe it…..as a Mom who is a spectator, when your kid is on the court, the fun, fast paced nature of the game becomes much more nerve racking and tense. And my son is only 8!!!!

What must it be like to be related to or invested in someone who plays college or pro ball of any kind. Think about the mom’s of all the U of M Tigers basketball players in the NCAA championship game? Or the mom of any field goal kicker in any football league….and again, I know, I know….. my son is only 8. And we all know in our hearts, the point is not if he wins, or makes that basket, or hits his free throw shot. It’s all about him having fun. And that’s all he will hear from me.

But inside, I’ll be all in knots, hoping he can break out of the pack, find a guy to pass to, or simply just not walk or double dribble.

Rudolph

Rudolph’s first cousin on his mother’s side, Shlomo

Check this guy out… truly one of the most unique artists, ever.

Amazing work! The artist is Livio De Marchi and there’s a lot more stuff on his website:

http://www.liviodemarchi.com/ukmain3.htm

This weekend is the kickoff to all the Christmas parades here in the Mid-South.  It’s a very exciting time of the year.  My wife and I are amped because we’re bringing our 8 month old son for his first pictures with Santa Claus at the SY Wilson & Company old store on the square in Arlington this weekend. 

As a kids, meeting with Santa was always somewhat uncomfortable.  Probably because where I grew up it was the same ole’ fart every year.  He practically “was” bad santa.

My mom was in love with the fact that I still “believed” in Santa Claus into the 4th grade.  Just for the record, I wasn’t the only one.  The class by that time was probably 75% believers from what I remember.  Actually, I went for it because it all added up to cool presents from Mom and Dad AND  Santa!

Well, Mrs. Roestler (you never forget those names) blew the whistle and told the entire class that it was garbage and a complete untruth.  Needless to say, my mom almost killed her that holiday season.  Thankfully, my mom used the “forgiveness” portion of her temperment, after a lonnnng parent teacher conference that Christmas.

May the spirit of joy AND tolerance be with you this Holiday Season!

-Brado