Boston | Aye Wonder

An Old Year’s AWT. The New Decade on its Way.

On 12.15.09, In Aye Wonder Tuesday, By Mike

Another Tuesday, another installment of Aye Wonder Tuesday. Can you take it? We’re running out of Tuesdays in 2009 but there is no shortage of news to talk about. The health care reform bill is making me ill as is Joe Lieberman. I am still confused by the entire climate change issue. The Tiger Woods saga is becoming folkloric. When will this decade end? It’s the decade of bad decisions. That’s what I am calling it, it’s not catchy but it does sum up everything.

Joe Lieberman you’re up first.

☞Joe Lieberman has leaped from #3 to #2 on my 5 least favorite public officials list. (Nancy Pelosi is and always will be #1) Lieberman has once again held the Democrats hostage over a bill that he alone had the ability to stop. The short version of Lieberman’s discretion is this: he wants to remove the Medicare buy-in option for people aged 55-64 that was attached to the new health care bill. I am not saying it was a good idea or a bad one but Lieberman came out in favor of this 3 months ago. It is symptomatic of why things never get done in Washington. Blame the President but the real blame belongs in Congress. By the time a concept goes through the legislative process, it is tagged with more earmarks and appropriations rendering the bill infective at birth. Lieberman recognizes that his vote is vote 60 and as a result can get what ever he wants and played his trump card at the appropriate time. How much longer will the people of Connecticut continue to reelect this democrat/republican/independent pretender?

☞Music, we need music. Since we are at the end of the year, let me introduce you to my favorite song of 2009. Phoenix’ 1901 is what a rock song with a pop overcoat is all about these days, a little synth, a little jangle guitar and a hook that keeps on giving. It is bright and shiny and it’s from France. Have a listen to AWT’s song of the year.

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☞Speaking of music, are you enjoying the upbeat song a day posting? They are moral boosters. Be sure to listen.

☞As mistress #14 steps out of the shadows, Tiger Woods has a new problem. His Canadian doctor is now under FBI investigation for providing athletes with performance-enhancing drugs/treatments. According to the New York Times, the doctor made four visits to Woods’ Florida home after Tiger’s knee surgery. Guaranteed the punters are putting 2+2 together to equal 5.

☞More and more people are questioning the climate crisis issue’s validity after thousands of emails were found showing that scientists were fudging data to convince the public and the media. The claim now is that we should just “trust them” because the scientists perpetrated this hoax to get everyone motivated for the inevitable. Admittedly, I don’t know what to think. Will we stop recycling? No. Will we continue to be more observant about waste and our impact in a macro world? Yes. Will ever believe Al Gore again? I never said I did in the first place.

☞This is an age old complaint but there is NOTHING good to watch on television. Now that Californication, Mad Men, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage have completed their season’s runs, there is nothing to watch. Do you have anything that you would recommend these days?

☞If you live in Boston, there’s a new restaurant you will want to try. Ken Oringer’s newest offering is a wonderful Italian enoteca on Shawmut Avenue in the South End called Coppa. Personally, I love eating like this, a little salumi, some antipasti, a little pasta, a little red wine. It reminds me of another favorite place, Mario Battali’s Lupa in NYC. Coppa is a charming hole-in-the-wall with amazing eats and the height of creativity on the drinks side. Take a look. Get ye to Coppa.

☞Speaking of food, one of the things that I have been doing much more often is cooking. I love to cook and bake. (Who’d a thunk it?) One of the things that got me cooking again is the “light bulb is on” recognition that cooking has a huge knowledge base. I always enjoy a task when I can study, then practice and the final scorecard is the end result. The end results have varied from great to not-so-great but fixing the not-so-greats is the best thing about cooking. We should be so lucky with other things.

☞The AWT quote of the week is from the elder statesman of good advice:

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.
~Benjamin Franklin

So goes another AWT. I hope that this one finds you in good spirit and good health as the holiday season envelops us all.

Aye Wonder. Yes. I do.

What about you?

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Tagged with: Al Gore • Appropriations • Awt • Bad Decisions • Benjamin Franklin • Boston • Climate Change Issue • Congress • Connecticut • Connecticut,United States • Democrat Republican • Earmarks • Favorite Song • Federal Bureau of Investigation • Florida • Food • France • Health Care Bill • Health Care Reform • Hostage • http://www.ayewonder.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/02-1901.mp3 • Jangle • Joe Lieberman • Ken Oringer • knee surgery • Legislative Process • Mario Battali • Medicare • Nancy Pelosi • New Decade • New Health Care • New Year's Day • Overcoat • Phoenix • President • Public Officials • S Song • Shawmut Avenue • the New York Times • Tiger Woods • Trump Card • Washington • Washington,United States

Dum Spiro Spero*

On 10.21.09, In Golf, Golf In Scotland, Mind the Gap, Monarchs House, Scotland, St Andrews, By Mike

A week from today, I will arrive in Scotland for the first time in 28 months. I am hoping to play a round of golf but the primary reason for my visit is to bid farewell to our long time general manager, Angus. Angus is retiring and calls my visit the “hand over.” If you’re a long time reader of this blog, you know that a small group of us have a home in St Andrews called Monarchs House that is rented out to golfers making the pilgrimage to the home of golf. Angus has been looking after the house and all the golfing visitors for 8 years.

St Andrews is not like many other places and very far removed from any town in the States. First of all, it is a magnificently beautiful medieval town. Unlike the U.S., there are no signs of wooden structures; everything is built from stone. Throughout the town, there are ruins that tell of the violence of the Reformation in the mid 1500s. St Rules Tower dates back to 1127. St Andrews also is home to Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world, founded in 1413. But it’s not just the history of the town or even the golf that makes me love St Andrews in particular and Scotland in general. I love the way of life, the people and the topography.

St Rules Tower

Recently, after all my years, I finally came to conclusion about why I love where I live and why I love the other places that I visit. There is a commonality in all of the places I gravitate toward. In Boston’s Back Bay, I overlook the Charles River and I am very close to Boston Harbor. I can also walk to anything that could satisfy my needs; food, drink, shopping, entertainment, open spaces and friends. In St Andrews, I am a 2 minutes from any of the beaches and able to walk the entire town and visit its shops and play golf. Here are a few of the other places I love: Plymouth, Sag Harbor, Newport, Marblehead, Savannah, Saucelito, Puerto Banus and San Francisco. All are water centric and all have lovely walkable old towns. Bring me to the mountains, away from water, and I can feel myself silently die.

In St Andrews, I intend on visiting all of my old haunts. They can expect me at the Russell Hotel for dinner and to say hello to Helen the manageress. I will have a drink at the St Andrews Golf Club to say hello to Gordon, Oggie, Alf and the rest of the boys (all over 70). I plan to see my old friend John, the one that always refers to my wife as the lovely Christine. I am going to have a dram with my friend Mike and commiserate about what could have been with Hamilton Hall. But mostly, I am going to breathe Scotland and all that it is to me. I never get excited about travelling until it happens but this trip has me on edge. As I found out 28 months ago, you never know when it will be your last.

* DUM SPIRO SPERO means “While I breathe, I hope” in Latin and is generally attributed to Cicero. The notable origin of the motto is St Andrews, Scotland. It’s attribution to Saint Andrew and his bones (relics) being taken to this small fishing village on the North Sea, contributed to its direct linkage between the saying, the town, the University of St Andrews and the Saint.

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Tagged with: 8 Years • Angus • Back Bay • Boston • Boston Harbor • California; • Charles River • Commonality • Dum Spiro Spero • Fife • Food • general manager • Golf • Golf In Scotland • Golfers • Hamilton Hall • Hospitality_Recreation • John • long time general manager • Marblehead • Medieval Town • Mid 1500s • Mike • Newport • North Sea; • Open Spaces • Pilgrimage • Play Golf • Plymouth • Puerto Banus • Reformation • Russell Hotel • Sag Harbor • San Francisco • Saucelito • Savannah • Scotland • SPIRO SPERO • St Andrews • St Andrews Golf Club • St Rules Tower • Time Reader • Topography • United Kingdom • United States • University of St Andrews and the Saint • Way Of Life • Wooden Structures

Not Aye Wonder Tuesday Already?

On 10.13.09, In Aye Wonder Tuesday, Music, Quote, By Mike

Didn’t I just write an AYT? This writing thing, especially on a schedule, is tough. Tough but worth it. I am one week into the renaissance of the blog and I am back to enjoying writing. Sometimes it’s cathartic as yesterday’s post was and sometimes it’s just fun. I am hoping for a higher mix of the latter.

Well, lets see. I suppose we should start with Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Hmm?

☞ I have many friends who “hate” the President but are often hard pressed to find a lucid reason why. “He’s raising my taxes,” say the haters. He’s likely not unless you are in the top .5% of earners. “He hasn’t done anything to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize,” cry the naysayers. Maybe you’re just not paying attention. Have a listen to Rachel Maddow, liberal, and forget your ideologies for 10 minutes. Then we can talk.

It’s time to be sensible again.

☞I have been watching the David Letterman “sex with staffers” story with great interest. I could care less about the details but watching Letterman in full crisis, public relations mode is something to behold. Forgetting about whether what he did was right or wrong, kids studying public relations in college will undoubtedly watch this performance as a shining example of great crisis management. The story, while not out of the news completely, is already ho-hum by most standards.

To review, tell the whole truth immediately, bury the bad news (cheating) with good news (blackmailer arrested), be engaging and apologize if needed. Brilliant.

☞I love all music but when new bands attempt a retro sound, they rarely succeed. If they are successful, it’s a thing of beauty. That’s the case with the Pepper Pots from Barcelona, Spain. The Pepper Pots sound (and look) like they just stepped out of a sixties recording studio. Immediately, you will hear Motown, Stax and even a little ska. The tongue in cheek named album, Now!, is bound to put a smile on your face with a familiar yet brand spanking new sound. Have a listen to Take a Chance. And go get Now!. Now.

The Pepper Pots

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☞What makes people think that because they are good at one thing that they are automatically good at everything? I’ve seen a few of examples of that recently and it astounds me. For example, when god created me he had 10 marbles to allocate. He gave me 1 creative marble, 1 talent marble, 4 common sense marbles and 4 intelligence marbles. The message here is know who you are and it will serve you well. That is all.

☞The Damn Red Sox. We knew it wasn’t our year despite having a pitching staff that was looking “unhittable” for awhile. (yes, we are talking about the Red Sox.) But the thing that we really lacked this year was the fearsome one-two punch of bona fide sluggers. Gone is Mannny Ramirez and while still in Boston, consider David Ortiz gone too. My DNA is wired so that I cannot root for the Yankees going forward under any circumstance. I am hoping for an Interstate-5 match-up between the Angels and the Dodgers. Their home state could use the help.

☞Did anyone notice (or care) that the US defeated the International team in the Presidents Cup? We’re talking golf here, people.

☞I think I may be too old to be anything other than skeptical about Russia’s pledge to work with the US to ensure Iran’s nuclear program is used for peaceful purposes. Sorry. I can’t help myself.

☞Did you watch the Gin Wigmore video on the Aye Wonder Cheat Sheet? Ain’t she darling?

☞Have you ever gone back to a place that you haven’t been to in awhile? To me, it always seems a little disappointing. In my mind’s eye, I remember the collective charm of a place not its individual statues or museums or churches. But time does changes everything and it’s usually the little things that change the most. A Starbucks suddenly appears where the town coffee shop used to be. The 100 year old town center hardware store is boarded up and replaced by a Home Depot five miles away.

I don’t think there will be much of a change in St Andrews when I return after a 28 month hiatus. Medieval towns are good like that. But the one concern I had about St Andrews the last time I was there was the proliferation of charity shops. A charity shop is a store that operates within the context of a non-profit organization. For example, Oxfam may have a store that sells books and the profit goes to the charity. I am not against this but what has happened in St Andrews is problematic. The last time I was there I counted 14 charity shops. Ninety percent of the time, these shops sell second hand merchandise like books, records, clothing etc. Since the stock is primarily donated, there are no costs of goods sold. Store staffing is usually done on a volunteer basis. Naturally, there are no taxes on the profits (almost every sale is profit). Not to overstate the obvious but these are huge advantages for a store. The stores do have one significant expense. Rent. But here’s the thing, a charity shop enjoys a mandated 80% rent reduction. If you are a landlord and one of your properties comes off of lease, as soon as a charity shop indicates its interest, you must rent to them. OUCH. For a town like St Andrews, one that is reliant on holiday travelers, having a high street filled with charity shops is a real dilemma. If you see me in two weeks walking around counting storefronts, you’ll know what I am doing.

☞And lastly, the Aye Wonder quote of the week is usually drawn from my week’s experiences. This one is no exception.

Men travel faster now but I do not know if they go to better things.
~Willa Cather

Well that’s me done with another AYT, the second week in a row. It may be a streak started.

Aye Wonder.
What about you?

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Tagged with: Ayt • Barcelona Spain • Blackmailer • Boston • Charities • Charity shop • Crisis Management • Crisis Public Relations • David Letterman • David Ortiz • Earners • Golf • Haters • Home Depot • http://www.ayewonder.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/11-Take-Chance.mp3 • Inc. • Iran • Islamic Republic of Iran • Marble • Naysayers • New Bands • Nobel Peace Prize • Pepper Pots • Rachel Maddow • Retailing • Retro Sound • Russia • Smile On Your Face • Social economy • Staffers • Stax • The Home Depot • The Pepper Pots • The Salvation Army • Thing Of Beauty • Tongue In Cheek • United States • Waste collection • Whole Truth

Post Marathon, Aye Wonder Tuesday

On 04.21.09, In Aye Wonder Tuesday, By Mike

Is it Tuesday already? Goodness. If you live in Boston, you no doubt know that the Marathon was in town yesterday. That’s upwards of 26,000 official runners and their friends and families coming into town. That means it’s time to party. I’ve long said that Boston is a drinking city with a sports problem and yesterday proved it once again. The cash registers never stop ringing for bars and restaurants at or near key viewing points of the race. Nothing comes close to Marathon Monday with the possible exception of New Year’s Eve. It makes for a very long Tuesday. Trust me.

While Marathon Monday’s Tuesday hangover prevented me from writing earlier, I am here with the regularly scheduled Aye Wonder posting. Some of my random thoughts may be muddled (like one of the drinks I had yesterday) but I trust you will make sense of them. So here goes.

☞When he pitched in Boston, I loved him but when he left I saw Roger Clemens for what he is. Now, the world will get another look at him through the soon to be published book entitled American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America’s Pastime. Sports Illustrated is publishing an excerpt from the book that will undoubtedly raise further talk of Clemens’ lies to a Congressional committee. I wouldn’t want be him.

Can you help me? I can’t inject in my booty.

Those were the fateful words that began the friendship between legendary pitcher Roger Clemens and the trainer who would ultimately betray him, Brian McNamee.

☞I want to say I don’t believe in torture but something inside of me asks this question: If the balance of the country’s stability and safety can be upheld by getting information from one person, would I torture to get that info? I would have a difficult time saying no, I think. I know it is inhumane but a terrorist attack of innocent people is more inhumane. Is this a simple case of two wrongs don’t make a right?

☞Geez Norm. Haven’t you had enough appeals by now? Apparently Norm Coleman doesn’t think so because he is now appealing a lower court ruling from last week that awarded the Minnesota senate seat to Al Franken. Minnesota has been underrepresented now for 4 months because of Coleman. I would be willing to bet that if the election were held again, Coleman would lose in a landslide because all throughout the process, he has put his own interests ahead of the interests of the Minnesotans. People generally don’t like that.

☞I had a great laugh when I read this story. It reminded me of the time that there was a bank robbery in a Massachusetts north shore community and police were waiting for the criminal when he got home to Charlestown. Apparently, the genius thug was wearing his Charlestown High School football jacket when he perpetrated the robbery in full view of the bank’s surveillance cameras.

☞A week ago, I never heard of Shawn Lee. Now, I can’t stop listening to his new album, Shawn Lee Presents Soul in the Hole. It’s amazing to me that Lee recorded this album in this decade. It has such an authentic 70’s soul sound with some electronics thrown in. Have a listen to the same titled opening song and see if you agree. WOW.

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☞If you live in Boston or plan to visit, make certain the new Lansdowne Pub is on your dance card. It is a brand new Irish Pub with a 67 foot long bar. They will be serving traditional food and lots and lots of beers including 2 Guinness taps. The fixtures are stunning and they will have live bands starting this Friday night. Endway does a residency there for 5 weeks. Here’s the poster. (of course, it’s a self-serving post!)

☞In my effort to keep it real here, I found this video about waterboarding. The journalist bets he can endure 15 seconds of waterboarding. Its not difficult to watch but it is enlightening.

☞And lastly today’s Aye Wonder quote is from Michael Levin, philosophy professor at City University of New York. He writes in favor of torture here.

There are situations in which torture is not merely permissible but morally mandatory.

Aye wonder about this.

And I am certain you do too.

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Tagged with: Al Franken • America; • American Icon • bank • bank robbery • Booty • Boston • Brian Mcnamee • Charlestown • Charlestown High School • City University of New York • Congressional Committee • electronics • Excerpt From • Fateful Words • Food • Goodness • Hangover • http://www.ayewonder.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/01-soul-in-the-hole.mp3 • Irish Pub • Journalist • Lansdowne Pub • legendary pitcher • Marathon • Massachusetts • Michael Levin • Minnesota • Minnesota senate • New Year's Eve • Norm • Pastime • philosophy professor • Random Thoughts • Roger Clemens • Runners • Shawn Lee • Sports Illustrated • sports problem • Steroids • Terrorist Attack • Time To Party • Two Wrongs • Upwards

Photo Hunter #22 – Purple

On 04.18.09, In Photo, Photo Hunt, Photo Hunter, Photography, By Mike

I haven’t participated in a Photo Hunt since November 29th but since I committed to write every day again, it’s back! Today’s theme is purple. Earlier this week, I wtote about my High School and purple is the school’s color. Initially, I was determined to find a photo representing the old days back at Latin School. Unfortunately, no luck. I haven’t digitized many photos from back then. (another new task) I do have what I think is an excellent replacement.

The photo below is of Endway when they performed at the Paradise in Boston on Feb. 17 of this year. In this shot, the band is bathed in soft purple ellipsoidal spotlights. If you are unfamiliar with Endway’s music, you can hear them on MySpace.

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Tagged with: Boston • Boston'S Very Own Endway • Ellipsoidal • Endway • High School • Latin School • Music • Paradise Boston • Photo Hunt • Photo Hunter • Photos

Opening Day Aye Wonder Tuesday

On 04.07.09, In Aye Wonder Tuesday, By Mike

I think about blogging all the time. I think about how much I love doing it, how much I hate it and how much time it requires. The time factor is what always stops me dead in my tracks. It’s not really about how long it takes to write. That part is easy. It’s about how much consideration I pour into writing. It may not get written about but whenever I sit down to think about all the wacko things I think about, I end up spending 2, sometimes 3, hours on a single Aye Wonder post. Wouldn’t you agree that it’s difficult to carve out an extra 2-3 hours out of your day? All that aside, if it appears here, sometimes it becomes a weight that has been lifted, if you will. I think about it less. I feel like – if you are thinking about it now too that somehow it lightens the load for me. I know it’s not true. I was telling a friend of mine that sometimes I think of the strangest things. For example, on a recent trip to St Barth (alternatively spelled St Barths, St Bart or St Barts), I began thinking about why some of the towns named after a saint have a “s” at the end; St Andrews immediately comes to mind. Was the town named after 2 or 3 or more St Andrews? I know that’s not true, so why the multiple insinuating “s?” Was it possessive and over time the apostrophe was dropped? Try googling that one puzzle-master. I don’t know what to say. My mind is constantly in motion and I suppose…it beats the alternative. Over the past several months while I wasn’t writing, I have been thinking and thinking and thinking. Sometimes I ponder about the most mundane of issues and other times, most other times, about the issues that plague us as a nation and as a world. Lucky you. I am sharing today.

☞Since President Obama was elected, I thought his demeanor and thoughtfulness would win over some of his detractors. So far? I couldn’t be more wrong. Yesterday, the Pew Research Center produced a study that shows that the partisan gap in approval ratings is the highest in 4 decades. In other words, 88% of Democrats think that the President is doing a bang up job while only 27% of Republicans think the same. How is it possible that we can all look at the same body of work and come up with such disparate opinions? I know the argument; Democrats think that government is the solution and Republicans think that government is the problem. Is it possible that we are all mired in thinking that is conventional and not reflective of the times? Just wondering.

☞Bernie Madoff is really the scum of the earth.

☞In 1976, George Harrison lost a lawsuit that claimed Harrison’s My Sweet Lord was plagiarized from the Chiffon’s He’s so Fine. Since then, there have been many claims of copying songs but the most recent instance will definitely draw a lot of publicity. Coldplay was in court yesterday defending themselves against claims that their Viva la Vida was directly copied from Joe Satriani’s If I Could Fly. Have a listen for yourself and remember….there are only 8 notes.

☞Many of you have asked about how my recent foray into band management is going. Hmm…great, terrible, rewarding, frustrating, exciting, depressing…well you get the idea. It’s like parenthood. ENDWAY is five incredibly talented, mid-twenty guys who want success and they want it now. We have had some exciting moments together. The band played SXSWin Austin, TX., the largest independent music festival in the world. Tomorrow, Morgan Dorr, ENDWAY’s lead singer, belts out the National Anthem at Fenway Park where the Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays in the night game home opener. But in fairness, we also have had our struggles. In all, I love doing it. The guys are genuine, big-hearted and open to learning the process. We have a plan that requires execution and will surely give us a leg up in the industry. Stay tuned for the unearthing of the plan. Below is the press release for tomorrow and underneath that is a clip of Morgan singing the Anthem.

***MEDIA ALERT***

MORGAN DORR TO BRING ENDWAY TO FENWAY
Lead Singer, Boston Favorite to Sing National Anthem at Red Sox Game

WHAT: Morgan Dorr, lead singer of Boston’s very own Endway will make his “major league” debut as he sings the National Anthem at Fenway Park in Boston, MA, as the Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays for the first night home game of the 2009 season.

WHO: Morgan Dorr, lead singer of Endway will perform the National Anthem, with the sideline support of band members, Kevin McHugh (Guitar / Vocals), Scott James (Drums), Brian Lempert (Keyboard) and Alex Sandman (Bass / Vocals). Their album, Action, was released in the summer of 2008 and follows their successful self-titled 2005 release. Following their recent performance at SXSW in Austin, TX, the band drove an additional eight and a half hours to go to New Orleans to volunteer for the Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) with animals that were abandoned and lost during Hurricane Katrina.

Also, while touring in Costa Rica in January 2008, Morgan, Kevin, Brian and Scott worked hands-on with the Roberta Felix Foundation, a charity that benefits underprivileged children with special needs. “During the day we were contributing in any way that we could,” says guitarist Kevin McHugh. “It was an eye-opening experience to see that every little bit counts.”

Four songs from the debut album are featured on five successful MTV shows including The Real World, Road Rules, and The Hills. Endway has shared the stage with national acts: All Time Low, Brand New, Boys Like Girls, Hoobastank, Dashboard Confessionals, A New Found Glory, Fair To Midland, Damone, The Lost Prophets, and The White Tie Affair.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2009
7:00 pm National Anthem

WHERE: Fenway Park
4 Yawkey Way
Boston, Massachusetts 02215

CONTACT: Traci Coulter / traci@tcopr.com / 917.776.9184

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☞Two weeks ago, a senior Chinese official floated the idea that the dollar should be dropped as the key reserve currency. While our financial leadership, Geithner & Bernanke, rejected the Chinese proposal, don’t think for one second that issue is going away because we want it to. Given our domestic financial conundrum, we are no longer dictating policy to the world. Expect China to push this issue. What happens with it may be the key to our future.

☞In my last post, I mentioned my disappointment over Scarlett Johansson’s decision to trade in her blond locks for brunette ones. I misreported and I am happy to say, she is not brunette but a redhead. I am perfectly fine with this. That is all.

☞I just made myself a lovely little sandwich for lunch. It had soppressata, provolone cheese, oregano, fresh basil and a glisten of extra virgin olive oil. I would have loved to put it all on a richly sliced French boule but I settled for a more diet conscious wheat wrap. I think I mentioned this awhile ago here that I love to make sandwiches. Combining ingredients across a variety of different cuisines to make a mouth watering lunch appeals to me. If you are ever in Boston, venture over to La Verdad on Lansdowne St. Make certain that you are hungry and then order Ken Oringer’s Chicken Milanesa Torta. It is a griddled sandwich that has oaxaca cheese, molasses-chipotles, avocado, Mexican herbs, refried bean & mayonesa. (It is also served with Yucatan slaw and spiced plantain chips.) It is an amazing amalgamation of heat and cool, firm and messy, contrasting textures and all round goodness. It is without question the best sandwich I have EVER had. So there.

☞My friend, Mary Grace knew North Carolina was going to win the NCAA Championship last night. And while my hat is off to her, I will go out on a limb and predict that your Boston Red Sox will win the 2009 World Series. Jed Lowrie will turn out to be the second coming of Dustin Pedroia. Jacoby Ellsbury will be the league’s most potent leadoff hitter and his play in centerfield will be a marvel to watch. Most importantly, the pitching staff will be the envy of all. 100+ wins is within reason. You heard it here first.

Aye wonder if I should be in the prediction business.

And so should you.
Welcome back.

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Tagged with: Action • Alex Sandman • Anthem • Apostophe • Apostrophe • Approval Ratings • Array • Austin • Bernie Madoff • Boston • Boston Favorite • Boston Red Sox • Boston'S Very Own Endway • Brian Lempert • China • Costa Rica • Decades • Demeanor • Detractors • Dustin Pedroia • Endway • Fenway Park • Gap • George Harrison • Googling • Guitarist • Http://Www.Ayewonder.Com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2009/04/06-National-Anthem.Mp3 • Http://Www.Youtube.Com/Watch?V=UvB9Pj9Znsw • If I Could Fly • Jacoby Ellsbury • Jed Lowrie • Joe Satriani • Ken Oringer • Kevin McHugh; • Lead Singer • Mary Grace • Massachusetts • Morgan • MTV; • NCAA Championship • New Orleans • North Carolina • Obama • Official • Opening Day • Pew Research Center • President • Puzzle Master • Roberta Felix Foundation • Scarlett Johansson • Scott James • Spiced Plantain Chips • St Andrews • St Bart • St Barth • St Barths • St Barts • Strangest Things • SXSWin Austin • Texas • The Real World • Thoughtfulness • Time Factor • Tomorrow • Traci Coulter • Traci@Tcopr.Com • Virgin Olive Oil • WordTwit • World Health Organization • Yucatan

ENDWAY

On 01.15.09, In Business, Career, Endway, Friends and Family, Music, Music Industry, My Wife, Radio, By Mike

Woke up this morning, was a chill in the air
Went into the kitchen, your cigarettes were lying there
Your jacket hung on the chair where you left it last night
Everything was in place, everything seemed all right
But you were missing
Missing…
~You’re Missing – Bruce Springsteen

I know, I know. It’s a long overdue missive. I thought about writing every day but there was only ever time time to “think” and never enough time to “do.” As many of you know by now, I have decided to do something that brings me back to my youth. I am now managing a band. It’s not the first time I have done this. In fact, this is the sixth band I managed but the first one in 31 years. (It felt odd just typing that out.) You probably have a few questions and I am going to attempt to anticipate them here but to be honest, I’m sure I don’t have all of the answers. I do know this though; the music industry is now a blank canvas. The opportunity to help redefine an industry will be exciting, fun and hopefully, lucrative. Let me tell you about the band.

ENDWAY

Their name is Endway. They play soul-infused dance rock and they are four 20-somethings from Boston. No band ever likes being compared to anyone else because it puts them in a box, so to speak. But here’s what I think: to me, Endway sounds like Maroon 5 without the hyper-production. And we like it like that. This band still has edge but write and perform accessible songs. I have two songs I’d like you to hear and comment on, if you would. The first one is my favorite song. It’s called My Life. The second is Airplane. Have a listen and we’ll meet back in a few minutes to discuss.

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Can you imagine this on drive-time radio? Can you hear it playing in the foreground of Gossip Girl? As good as I think Endway’s song craft is, its their live show that sold me on them. I am a harsh critic of live performances. Artists that disengage from their fans or play without feeling and fervor, disinterest me. Endway knows how to connect with their audience. The playful patter of lead singer and mesmerizing front-man, Morgan Dorr always keeps you interested as does Kevin McHugh’s frenetic yet always under control guitar playing. You can immediately see that these two have been playing music together since they were in their early teens. The word magic comes to mind. If you’re going to have a calling card as a band being a great live act is a good place to start.

It’s very easy in this business to find people who are willing to put their arm around you and tell you how great you are. Unfortunately, their other hand is in your pocket. ~Paul Stanley of Kiss

I believe in nurturing relationships but I believe in honesty first. Endway has been at this since 2004. They have two self-released albums. They have placed 6 songs on 5 different MTV reality shows. They have opened for dozens of national acts. They played 200 live dates in 2007. And—-they have little to show for it. The reason? There are two ways to make it in the music industry; 1. get lucky or 2. have a plan and execute it. Endway did neither. I am all for luck but having a plan gives you a much better chance until luck comes striding into the room. Will they get pissed off reading this here? No. They know this and I think, it’s the reason they asked me to manage them. My initial reaction was no. “Why,” they asked. “Because I’m already married,” said I. But with Christine’s blessing, here I am. (It doesn’t hurt that she thinks Endway will be monster stars too!)

So where to with Ayewonder.com and Endway? I will continue to write and that’s a promise. I will try to write often. Endway is a very time consuming project because it means relaunching the band and creating a “brand” identity. It’s a business; a creative business but still a business. How can you, dear reader, help? I knew you were going to ask. See them when they come to your town. Go to the band’s underdeveloped myspace website and demand that they come to your town. (You’ll see the demand widget.) Please, Please, Please, tell your pals. If you’re from Boston, come and see the band headline the Paradise Rock Club on February 17th. It’s an 18+ show with a 8 PM start. You can buy your tickets right here. Bring 10 of your friends! Also on Endway’s Myspace page, you will see their tour info. They are heading down the Eastern seaboard for 4 weeks and may be visiting your town. I will also be attending the NYC show at the Canal Room on the 23rd of January. If you live there, we would love to see you.

And that, boys and girls, in a nutshell, is us all caught up. I hope you all had a great holiday season. Sorry for being out of touch. The photo below is from our signing party. Morgan looks like he’s about to cry. Funny guy.

Possibly Related Posts:

Tagged with: Accessible Songs • Airplane • Blank Canvas • Boston • Boston Band • Bruce Springsteen • Chill In The Air • Cigarettes • Dance Rock • Drive Time • Endway • Favorite Song • Few Minutes • Foreground • Gossip Girl • Http://Www.Ayewonder.Com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2009/01/Airplane.Mp3; • Http://Www.Ayewonder.Com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2009/01/My-Life1.Mp3; • Hung • Kevin McHugh; • Kiss; • Managing A Band • Maroon 5 • Missive • Mp3 • MTV; • Music Industry • Opportunity • Paradise Rock Club; • Paul Stanley; • Please • S Song • Song Craft • Time Radio • Time Time • Two Songs

Week 25 – 5 x 5

On 11.17.08, In 5 x 5, Boston, Economy, Food, Football, Movies, Music, By Mike

FIrst 5 Random Songs from my iTunes Shuffle
You Shook Me All Night Long -AC/DC
Animal Bar – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Misere, “straight” concluded – Jelly Roll Morton
The Lad with the Silver Button – Mark Mothersbaugh
Don’t Panic – Coldplay

5 Things to Know about Professional Football this Past Weekend
Never take Detroit on the road (Don’t ever take them this year.)
Great teams are always lucky
Yesterday’s win by Pittsburgh over San Diego is the first time a game has ever ended with a score of 11-10
The Philadelphia Eagles should be ashamed of themselves. They could only manufacture a tie (first since 2002) against the lowly Bengals
You know Fantasy Football is whacked when Matt Cassel leads the week in points

5 Things to Do if the World Turns Upside Down
Consolidate/eliminate debt
Buy shelf stable food
Buy and take delivery of gold
Work in a recession proof job
Pray

5 Great Burgers in Boston
The Paramount (Diner)
Bukowski’s Tavern
Lucky’s
Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage (Technically, Cambridge)
The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons

5 Favorite Bond Films
From Russia with Love
Goldfinger
Casino Royale (w/ Daniel Craig)
Goldeneye
Live and Let Die

And for the record, Quantum of Solace is another good fun Bond romp.

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Tagged with: AC/DC Animal Bar; • Bartley • Bond Films • Boston • Bristol Lounge • Bukowski • Burger Cottage; • Cambridge • Casino Royale • Chili Peppers; • Daniel Craig • Detroit; • Fantasy Football • Favorite Bond Films; • Gold Work • Good Fun • Hot Chili Peppers • Jelly Roll Morton • Mark Mothersbaugh • Matt Cassel • Philadelphia Eagles • Pittsburgh; • Professional Football • Quantum Of Solace; • Random Songs • Recession Proof • Red Hot Chili • Red Hot Chili Peppers • Russia • San Diego • Shelf Stable Food • Silver Button

Photo Hunter #17 – Blue

On 11.01.08, In Photo, Photo Hunt, Photo Hunter, Photo of the Week, Photography, By Mike

I love NYC, not as much as Christine but I do love it. I think New York, for me, would be behind, Edinburgh, Boston, London, San Francisco, um…um…and then New York. I say that, tongue firmly in cheek, because of the Boston/New York sports rivalries. But there you have it.

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Tagged with: Array • Boston • Boston New York • Boston Sports • Cheek • Edinburgh • London • Love • New York • New York Sports • Photo Hunter • San Francisco • Sports Rivalries • Tongue

Halloween Extra

On 10.31.08, In Holiday, Life, Monarchs House, Scotland, St Andrews, By Mike

It’s difficult to believe that Halloween with its goblins and witches is upon us already. But imagine a place where you can encounter ghosts and the paranormal not just in October but every month. Due to it’s somewhat bloody history, ghosts are not unusual in Scotland. However, they are positively commonplace in St. Andrews and the County of Fife.

I’m sure you need convincing. How about the “ghost car” driven by a malevolent looking man that speeds down the “A7″ causing reoccurring accidents? You need more don’t you? Of course you do. There’s always the assassinated Archbishop of St Andrews, James Beaton, who rides down Strathkinness Road in a phantom coach drawn by four large horses. The murdered Prior who can be observed on moonlit nights watching over the Tower of St. Rules might convince you. Or the “white lady” would definitely scare your hair straight. It’s not unusual for this “ghosty” woman to run right through you by the square tower. I know I’m not making a strong case for you but name one other country who recognizes the Ghost Tracking profession. A few years ago, one of our friends in St Andrews awoke to a wee, ghoulish, girl at the foot of her bed…on a regular basis.

About two years ago, I was at our home in St Andrews while Christine was in Boston. One Sunday afternoon, I called Chris from the drawing living room while making myself comfortable in a big winged back chair. Five minutes into our conversation I heard the unmistakeable sound of hoovering vacuuming from the next floor. Chris heard the startle in my voice and asked what was up. “I thought I was in the house alone. Someone is upstairs,” I hesitantly remarked. I shifted in the chair, mistakenly thinking that somehow I would hear better. But there was no doubt that someone was vacuuming. I got out of the chair and moved toward the living room door. Chris was still on the phone with me. The sound was definitely louder and coming from the 1st 2nd floor landing. “Chris, I can’t explain this. I have to go upstairs,” I told her in a completely unconvincing tone. And up the stairs on tiptoes, I went. The stairs are carpet covered stone and there was minimal noise squeeking out from under the weight of me. Chris asked what was going on but I didn’t dare respond. It was unnecessary because she could hear the vacuuming too. When I reached the midway landing, the noise stopped…dead. I bounded up the remaining stairs and looked in the rooms. Nothing. Then, I opened the linen closet and found the hoover still hot from finishing its chores. Gulp.

Next time I will tell you about the case of the missing cushions pillows.

See for yourself, visit St. Andrews. Have a ghoul on us.

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Tagged with: A7 • Accidents • Array • Back Chair • Beaton • Bloody History • Boston • Expl • Fife • Five Minutes • Ghost Car • Ghosts • Goblins • Halloween • James Beaton • Living Room • Moonlit Nights • No Doubt • Paranormal • Phantom Coach • Square Tower • St Andrews • Strathkinness Road • Sunday Afternoon • Tower of St. Rules • White Lady • Witches

An Old Year’s AWT. The New Decade on its Way.

Dum Spiro Spero*

Post Marathon, Aye Wonder Tuesday

Photo Hunter #22 – Purple

Opening Day Aye Wonder Tuesday

ENDWAY

Week 25 – 5 x 5

Photo Hunter #17 – Blue

Halloween Extra

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