Nothing.

....Ross Gload's BFF whatever his name was, the diaries are always a big reason for me to peruse the site.  

I rarely have anything too detailed to say, and that pretty  much keeps me from posting a diary.  I would say that most who lurk on this blog probably feel the same way----thinking, "Why would I post a diary when it would look pretty ignorant next to what some of these guys are saying?"

That is to say, our diaries seem to be self-policing.

are so anxious about

but then again, they are cardinal fans

What if I were Heathcliff, it's no myth."

We need more literary pop songs.

Just continually impresses me. Whereas most open discussion forums usually degenerate into shouting matches, profanities, troll-bait, reducing the content to noise ratio, RR has consistently maintained a high level of decorum, high analysis content, and tremendous wit. I don't know if Will sets the tone for the rest of us, or if we're all just super guys (and girls), but I just wanted to give my kudos to everyone for being part of such a wonderful forum, easily my most favorite on the interwebs.

last night on VH1 Classic, I was reminded that Glenn Frey did "The Heat is On" from Beverly Hills Cop. While that song is far from my favorite, it was a fairly awesome 80's tune that you rarely hear anymore.

Don't know if anyone but a few nerds over at Baseball Think Factory are up on it, but there is a controversy over the Baseball Writers Association of America reviewing the application of eighteen internet writers into their association, a first for them, and accepting all but two of them - Keith Law and Rob Neyer.

The BBWAA is significant in that they are the voting body for MLB's significant awards - MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year. They also give access to the press box and clubhouse for reporters.

The controversy is in question because Neyer and Law were supposedly rejected because they do not attend a sufficient amount of games per year. Neyer and Law feel it is because they have been critical of some members of the BBWAA and the association is holding a personal grudge. It is even more ridiculous when you see some of the BBWAA members on the Star - Jeffrey Flanagan, David Boyce and Jason Whitlock. You telling me Whitlock goes to 40 games a year?

At the center of it all is Kansas City's own Bob Dutton, President of the BBWAA. Bob has been gracious enough to explain what happened on numerous internet sites, and has pushed the association to be more inclusive.

Anyway, here's a thread where Joe Posnanski interviews Dutton, here's a thread where Maury Brown interviews Dutton, and here's an amusing 400 post thread where Keith Law, Rob Neyer both post, and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News also posts, under a pseudonym and gets outed...all on a Friday night.

Off-topic discussion question: name a song that you consider to be a hidden, forgotten, or under-appreciated classic or jewel. I'll start, "No Myth" by Michael Penn.

That is an outstanding choice. A minor masterpiece of a song.

I always thought the Hooters 80s hit "And We Danced" was a song that really stood out in a decade full of electronic British pop as a good ol' fun song. It gets completely overlooked when people compile nostalgic set-lists of fun 80s songs.

By the eels. Very overlooked song. Just heard it on the radio. Beautiful and sardonic, just the way I like em.

life is white
and I am black
jesus and his lawyer
are coming back
oh my darling, will you be here
before I sputter out

Not totally overlooked, just totally under appreciated for being one of those really weird, songs about nothing that makes you want to sing along nonetheless.

I think the diaries here are generally awesome, by the way. :)

by crash test dummies

or am i pushing my luck with that one

Music and sports...I love 'em both.  The love the topic of "hidden, forgotten, or underappreciated songs. Here's a list of songs that fit the category:

Rainy Day Woman - Waylon Jennings
Red Neck Friend - Jackson Browne
Every Grain of Sand - Bob Dylan
Ring them Bells - Boby Dylan
Low Spark of High Heel Boys - Traffic
Terry's Song - Bruce (Magic)
If I Had a Boat - Lyle Lovett
Telegraph Road - Dire Straits
Peace, Love & Understanding - Elvis Costello

I like Will's question about underappreciated songs.  For those Dylan fans, I couldn't recommend My Morning Jacket's first record (At Dawn) more strongly.  In fact, no one really has had a full life until they have listened to this record at least three times.

Richard Thompson has some great songs on Rumor and Sigh.  Some of my all time favorite lyrics on 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.  "I've seen you at the corners and cafes.  Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme."  For me Counting Crows first two records really hit the spot.  "A Murder of One" reached into that place inside me that responds positively to desperation.

And just tonight, Will's reference to "No Myth" reminded me of another song that just will never be heard often enough.  Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet.  If you have a few minutes, do yourself a favor, pour a drink and give it a listen.  (Mullet-free version from 2006).

Come up on differents streets they both were streets of shame
Both dirty both mean yes and the dream was just the same
And I dreamed your dream for you and your dream is real
How can you look at me as if I was just another one of your deals ?

Where you can fall for chains of silver you can fall for chains of gold
You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold
You promised me everything you promised me think and thin
Now you just says oh romeo yeah you know I used to have a scene with him.

That's some good stuff.

And I know everyone remembers Dexy's Midnight Runners from Come on Eileen, but their only two U.S. releases were rock solid records.  If you like wall of horns and wailing vocals, you probably will like this.  Does music like this still exist?

Assign meaning to lyrics, which is the songwright's good fortune. Paul Simon, one of the best song crafters of our time, once said all lyrics are too personal to understand, but everyone draws their own meaning from their own perspective. Knopfler is a fine guitar stylist and a pretty good lyricist, but I see nothing profound in those lyrics; that's probably just me.

That Dexy clip is excruciating to me; it's a British Isles reading of American Soul Music, which still exists abundantly and far better done than that. I did like "Come On Eileen", but look at the title; really!

some personal favorites:

Rush - In the end & La villa strangiato
Van Halen - Hot for teacher
Led Zep - No quarter/dazed&confused
Metallica - call of Ktula (hate black album on)
Megadeth - most everything on Rust in Peace
Pantera - same goes for the Cowboys&Vulger albums
Slayer - Reign in Blood & Dead skin mask

   I could go on for ever but will keep it brief...just wanted to throw a few out ther that wont likely get recognition here.

Make me feel young again. Thanks guys.

Will:

I love the diaries here. I try to post one a month that is fairly meaningful -- I just don't ahve much time to write with MBA school and upcoming law school, wife, 3 kids, and 4 cats. Oh, and the full time job.

I promise, someday, I will bust out a diary that blows all of your minds.

As for music, check out The Blue Scholars, which is a progressive, positive rap group from here in Seattle. The Dandy Warhols "Minnesoter" from "Come Down" springs to mind.

Toy Matinee's "Last Plane Out" and Aja West's "The Olympian" album (If you are into Jazz/Funk)

i've found this website to be the upper-crust of all blogs,
sports-related or not.

everyone is cordial and intelligent and mindful of our shared love for
the venerable royals.

I get choked-up fantasizing about winning another World series after
all these years of adversity.  Close your eyes, picture it.  Soria
striking out Pujols or David Wright for the last out.  John Buck
throws off his mask and leaps into a pile of powder blue royals
jerseys that have converged just off the front side of the pitchers
mound.  Sorry, I just got goose bumps.

Underrated songs:
Black - Pearl Jam
Gulliotine Swordz - Raekwon the Chef of the Wu-Tang Clan
4th Chamber - Gza of the Wu-Tang Clan