Mystery Diagnosis

In case you missed it the first time, my first episode of Mystery Diagnosis is airing tonight at 10pm on the Discovery Health channel.

The second episode is going along well and should be done within the next couple of weeks. Will keep you posted when I have an airdate.

Happy Watching!!

Quote of the Day:
"I think it is a matter of love: the more you love a memory, the stronger and stranger it is." -Vladimir Nabokov

Ice Wars

Once upon a time, I was addicted to all things Olympic, and figure skating was at the top of the list. However, that interest has waned in recent years. And the events of the past couple of weeks further proved why figure skating is not worth watching.

Michelle Kwan, who has had ample opportunities to earn Olympic gold and failed, earned a place on the current Olympic team, without performing in Nationals, claiming an injury. She petitioned the committee to be put on the team, and her request was granted, sealing any interest I had in Michelle Kwan or US Olympic skating.

I hardly think its fair that she didn't have to compete to make it on the team, thereby taking the place of someone who did train and work hard and competed to earn her place. What Kwan did is a selfish act by a selfish athlete. Shame on Michelle Kwan and shame on the US Figure Skating Association.

One thing in for sure is that when Michelle Kwan takes the ice, I won't be watching.

Quote of the Day:
"I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often."
-Brian Tracy

New York Billy #1

If I had unlimited wealth, I would see every Billy Joel show. Although the Boston one was slightly better, I still had an awesome time. And I got to cross "All For Leyna" off my Wish List. For the most part, the setlist was the same, with just a couple of changes. As before, listed are the songs by album and then notes.

Cold Spring Harbor:
* Everybody Loves You Now

Piano Man:
* The Ballad of Billy the Kid
* Piano Man

Tunstiles:
* Angry Young Man
* New York State of Mind

The Stranger:
* She's Always a Woman
* Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
* Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
* Only the Good Die Young

52nd Street:
* Zanzibar
* Stiletto
* Big Shot

Glass Houses:
* All For Leyna
* It's Still Rock & Roll To Me
* You May Be Right

An Innocent Man:
* Keeping the Faith
* An Innocent Man

The Bridge:
* Big Man on Mulberry Street

Storm Front:
* We Didn't Start the Fire

River of Dreams:
* Great Wall of China
* The River of Dreams

Extra:
* In the Midnight Hour

* The true highlight was hearing "All For Leyna" live. Between these two shows, I have heard everything I want from Glass Houses.

* First time I've heard "An Innocent Man" since 1993, at my first Billy show. Aside from one lyric flub, an excellent version.

* It was great to finally see a Billy Joel concert in New York -- especially Madison Square Garden. So many songs are New York based and the crowd was really into it. I'll have to go through a month of withdrawal before seeing him at the Garden again on March 4th.

Quote of the Day:
"So I would choose to be with you / That's if the choice were mine to make" -Billy Joel, And So It Goes

Boston Billy or Darren, Don't Read If You Want to Be Surprised About the Setlist

Fun was had by all at last night's Billy Joel show at the FleetCenter (or whatever the hell it's called today). I am a little tired today from the northeast trek, but otherwise no worse for wear. The show was incredible and totally worth my case of the sleepies. I had an awesome seat - literally facing Billy as he played the songs spanning his 30-year career. And it's always nice to be among my fellow SuperFans, who getting as excited about hearing "She's Always a Woman" as I. Listed are the songs and what album they were from and then some notes.

Cold Spring Harbor:
* Everybody Loves You Now

Piano Man:
* Piano Man
* The Ballad of Billy the Kid

Turnstiles:
* Angry Young Man
* New York State of Mind

The Stranger:
* Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
* She's Always a Woman
* Only the Good Die Young
* Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

52nd Street:
* Zanzibar
* Stiletto
* Big Shot

Glass Houses:
* Sleeping With the Television On
* Sometimes a Fantasy
* It's Still Rock & Roll To Me
* You May Be Right

The Nylon Curtain
* Allentown
* Pressure
* Goodnight Saigon

An Innocent Man:
* Keeping the Faith

Greatest Hits Vol. I & II
* The Night is Still Young

Storm Front:
* We Didn't Start the Fire
* I Go to Extremes

The River of Dreams:
* The Great Wall of China
* River of Dreams

Extra
* In the Midnight Hour

Notes:

* Billy opened with "Angry Young Man", which one of my favorite songs. An ideal choice really.

* The two big surprises for me were "She's Always a Woman" and "Sleeping With the Television On". I never even thought of having Sleeping on my wish list to hear live list because it's such a deep cut. It was a true treat. This was the first time in quite some time that Billy played "She's Always a Woman" live and he appeared surprised by how enthusiastic a response it received.

* "Keeping the Faith" was interesting to hear live. Not sure if it worked 100% live, but another one that I never expected to hear.

* The one that really got the crowd going, was actually in tribute. Wilson Pickett, a hero of Billy's, had passed away earlier in the day. He is best known for "Land of 1,000 Dances" and "Mustang Sally", so in tribute, Billy gave an amazing rendition of "In the Midnight Hour".

* I could have done without "I Go To Extremes". I've just never really been a big fan of that song.

* I love "Sometimes a Fantasy". I've heard it before and it's always a treat to hear it live.

* During "Zanzibar", there's a reference to the Yankees. The entire audience erupts into "Booooooo"s.

* Still on the Haven't Heard Live Wish List But Want To: "You're My Home", "Captain Jack", "All For Leyna". I'll have at least 2 more chances at the New York shows....

More to come.

Quote of the Day:
"I really wish I was less of a thinking man / and more of a fool who's not afraid of rejection." -Billy Joel, Sleeping with the Television On

Avenue Q

Go see Avenue Q! It is awesome. It is such a fun show and everyone should be required to watch it. Last night was a second go around and it was even better than I had remembered.

So rush to get Avenue Q tickets. You'll be glad you did!

Quote of the Day:
"It is not so much consequence what you say, as how you say it. Memorable sentences are memorable, on account of some single irradiating word." -Alexander Smith

Better Luck Next Year

Alas, my beloved Redskins lost and our season is over. But at least I can take heart in knowing that we had a good year and can build on that for next season.

I love you Coach Gibbs!!!!

Quote of the Day:
"Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self." -Cyril Connolly

The Guy on the Bus

I am a conformist. Every morning I get on the same 9:10 bus and sit in the same seat: 5 rows back on the left. There's this albino looking guy who sits in front of me; also a conformist. We don't talk, we've never acknowledged each other, but know the other is there. Today, this other gent sat in albino's seat. Albino skipped my row and sat behind me, so I would have my usual seat.

Quote of the Day:
"The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory." -Paul Fix

Victory is Ours!!

Hail to the Redskins,
Hail Victory.
Braves on the Warpath
Fight for 'ol DC!!!!

Tony Kornheiser called it. We ran the table.

Playoffs, Baby! Bring on the Bucs.

Hail to the Redskins!!!!!

Quote of the Day:
"The Washington Redskins are in the playoffs." -Joe Buck