"We Run This Game" - Hokie Nation

A little pet project we put together. Credits are at the end of the 'video.'

Huge thanks to Jeff Thompson, Anunaki Productions for putting this together on such short notice.

Breaking Radio Silence

It's been months, unfortunately, since I posted on here. But today, I was inspired. This video is kind of long, but it just gets better and better until the end.


I'm in finals mode, and then we're hitting the road for a little cross country adventure. If I get permission from my better half, I'll be blogging about the trip as we go.

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

I went with a couple other law students, some siblings, and some significant others (mine included) to a jazz club in Phoenix called Rhythm Room to watch a performance last night. My contracts professor, along with his wife, three other top attorneys in the Phoenix area, and six random musicians, are all part of a 10-person rhythm and blues band called the Repeat Offenders. They do cover songs, mostly. But they were very good. My professor plays the drums. I think he was happy to see that a couple of his students came.

After their show, however, we were treated to a little old-school jazz magic. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, who has toured with the likes of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones, among many others, was the headliner. He has been nominated for several Grammys. We got to hear him play for a $4 cover at the door. Nice little surprise.

We bought one of his albums on the way out. I'm listening to it as I write this. It's sort of inspiring, I guess. It's called "Born in Arkansas," and his son told me it is his best compilation. I had him sign it to Melissa, but I think we struggled a little with a language barrier. I don't speak jive, and he doesn't get yankee. So it's signed, "To Merissa; from Willie Smith," and he drew a cartoon caricature of a circle with two huge eyes.

Sadly, his eyes aren't really all that big. But he plays a mean harmonica.

Today, in My Own Entertainment

This is not national news.

Some of you may know I've been on the hunt for a Big Black tee-shirt. Thanks again to the internet research prowess Craig continues to show, I have found the holy grail of Big Black merchandise. If I don't win this contest, I know where to turn. Big Black Security has a home. I have my eye on a couple products. Don't judge me.

The Special Ops NE hat in white is the hotness. I'm not sure what the fashion rules on mixing and matching are, but I'm also peeping the Foiled Tee, black with with silver lettering. Can those two go together? Do I have to wear DC shoes when I don the ensemble? Or are the all white Jordans copacetic?

Part two of today's entertainment extravaganza is a music observation. A friend of mine turned me on to a DJ, goes by DJ Rectangle, who puts out some pretty good mixtapes. He gave me a CD with a bunch of his mixes, ranging from about 20 minutes to about an hour. His best one is Kill Steelz (Vol. 2 can be heard on his My Space). Check it out if you have a chance. I have the mp3 (as a backup to a CD I legally purchased, of course).

Now that I'm an experienced blogger...

Let's take some time to get to know me. You're all going to be avid readers of these posts, so you might as well know now what you're getting in to.

I'm going to be writing about sports, music, entertainment, and travel. I do some writing on the side. That's what takes up just about all of my time. If you don't care about any of those things--and really, who can honestly say that none of those are interests of theirs--then don't read this blog again. Ever. Seriously. Just don't.

So...as for sports. I'm a Redskins fan. I love the NFL, but it doesn't compare to NCAA football in any way shape or form. College football (Go Hokies) has more passion, more flare, more excitement, better fans, and more meaning than any pro sport could ever hope to have. As soon as you start paying the players, it becomes a business more than a passion. College basketball is fun, but aside from Virginia Tech, I don't watch much until March. I'll watch playoff NBA (my allegiances change regularly)...this year I like the Celtics--I was fans of all three of those guys before they played for Boston--the Pistons, and the Wiz. Don't like baseball but I'll poke fun at the fans sometimes. Can't follow hockey. I'm all about World Cup soccer, but the MLS is painfully boring.

Music...I'm a bit of a rap aficionado. I don't care about the message it sends. Give me a good beat and good lyrical flow and that's all I need. I'll dabble in a little rock and alternative. Can't hate the oldies. Despite an alleged sighting of me at a Toby Keith concert, I try to avoid country music. Punk/emo/screamo/grunge/metal/etc. is garbage in my eyes. Sorry...I know...the emo kids are going to cry about that, too.

Entertainment...I'm a huge movie-goer. I like comedies, action movies, crime dramas, thrillers. Basic stuff. I steer clear of the horror flicks 'cause I just don't get the point. They're all so predictable and cheesy. I'll take a Superbad or a Super Troopers, Van Wilder or How High any day. Big fan of Bruce Willis, Denzel, and (ashamedly) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I can't explain it...but I always smell what he's cooking. I follow Brotherhood, Californication, Entourage, and The Wire on TV (On Demand may be the greatest invention of modern times).

Aaaand...by default...travel. I do contract work for a little software company in Pittsburgh that requires a bit of travel here and there. If I'm not going anywhere for work, I have a few spots I'd like to get to. Jackson Hole, Wyoming might be the most beautiful place in the country. I'd love to hit up the tropics sometime soon, maybe take a cruise to the Virgin Islands. Tour Europe on a vespa. Road trip across America in an RV with two or three friends, a dog, and a map.

Other than that, what you see is what you get. As soon as I get a little more familiar with this 'blog' thing, these posts will get more interesting. There will be color photos and illustrations with captions. Maybe videos and songs. Who knows. It's the world wide web...the possibilities are endless.

Suggestions for improvement are welcome. Please leave comments.