Ok, so we've done favorite movies and favorite bands and others...so lets do favorite albums...

My All-Time Desert Island Top 5 (Etched in Stone):

1.  U2 "Achtung Baby"
   
2.  The Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots"
   
3.  The Beatles "Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"
   
4.  Bob Dylan "The FreeWheelin' Bob Dylan"
   
5.  Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"

6.  Weezer "Weezer (Blue Album)"
   
7.  Bruce Springsteen "Nebraska"
   
8.  Seven Mary Three "Economy of Sound"
   
9.  Pink Floyd "Division Bell"
   
10. Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced?"
    
11. Jeff Buckley "Grace"
    
12. U2 "The Joshua Tree"
    
13. The Beatles "Abbey Road"
    
14. Radiohead "In Rainbows"
    
15. Stevie Ray Vaughan "The Sky is Crying"
    
16. Willie Nelson "Teatro"
    
17. The Ramones "The Ramones"
    
18. Explosions in the Sky "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone"
    
19. The Strokes "First Impressions of Earth"
    
20. Phantom Planet "Phantom Planet"

Not to be, or maybe, just to be a self-righteous A-Hole...I have had some very cultural influential mediums come screaming at me recently...along with andrewmiller's '07 recommendations I have stumbled upon some really good movies and music recently; and, I want to share them with y'all:

1.  Once...great movie about two singer/songwriters' in destitute Dublin
2.  Day and Nightdriving- Seven Mary Three...new album available on ITunes for only 10 bux by the most under-rated band EVER...this time around they are very Springsteen/storytelling/romantic-ish...I've had it a day and listened to it 3! times...check it or their previous under-rated albums out...Economy of Sound is my fav
3.  No Country for Old Men...read the book and couldn't believe the movie pulled it off...but, then again, it was Joel and Ethan Coen
4.  2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl by Daniel Pinchbeck...very wierd book about the Mayan calander and the prophecy of the "end date" of December 21, 2012...can't help but think its a possibility in today's world
5.  Bright Eyes- Cassadaga...wow!...the song Soul Singer in a Session Band just floors me...if there ever was a Bob Dylan Torch this hombre is carrying it

I'm a pseudo-anti-social dude...I get out a lot...just not a big fan of formal events or crowded places...you can normally count me out on a 5:30pm Walmart run...but I figure a crowd of Royals fans would be pretty easy going...I had my hopes, and I had my doubts...particularly I didn't really think a 27 year old would feel particularly mature while standing in line to get an autograph from a 22 year old (it would of been a lot funner with a kid, but I kinda felt like a douche with just my wife)...normally, I would set back and just not care, but I figure, "Hey, I spend a lot of my time watching/listening to/caring about/writing about the Royals, so I might as well meet 'em and see what its all about"...plus when I buy a new home soon I'm turning my computer office into a "Royals Room," so I need some more souvenirs to fill it...and I had paid time off from work, so off I went to Fanfest with my pregnant wife...

first impression---CROWDED, way to effing crowded...but it was fun...good time music roaring, people swatting at batting cage zingers, powder blues to the left and right, cotton candy, funnel cakes, friendly ushers/staff, fellow fans, little kids with that gleam of excitement in their eye...I thought, "this is gonna be fun"...I'll just break down my experience:

my main goal for the day was to meet and maybe get a picture with Alex Gordon...my wife got off work a little late, so we showed up a little late (4:45)...jumped in the line for an autograph from Gordon and 5 other Royals...

after standing in line for 30 minutes and moving about 10 feet, I spot Seitzer and McRae signing autographs and the line is somewhat small, and then I see Denny Matthews and a short line...

wife keeps spot in line, while I wait 30 minutes or so for the highlight of the day...met Denny Matthews...dude has a serious handshake...super nice and spent his time talking to each fan...I had my Tales from the Royals Dugout book with me and they (Denny and author Matt Fulks) were impressed...I told Denny I had been listening since I was a kid and that the book was very good...I realized the person with Denny was the co-author and asked him why he wasn't signing anything...Denny was laughing, saying something like, "he wrote the whole darn book and he's just sitting there not signing anything!"...Fulk said, "I'm just having fun watching you," and we all had a laugh...the previously bored Fulks was mildly entertained...while Denny signed my book I told him its good that he did the book, so that people like me (younger/not around for the start of the organization) could get a real feel for how the Royals came to be presently...Matt Fulks signed my book "To Shane-from one fan to another- Matt Fulks" and gave me a very friendly handshake and goodbye...funny that the most meaningful autograph of the day wasn't from a Royal...

back to the other autograph line...so its been roughly an hour for my wife waiting in line...so I buy her a soda and let her walk around...she comes back and we realize we've missed Gordon (lotta people were looking to meet Gordon, if he has a decent year, he will be a star in K.C.), and that we've now been waiting in line for an hour and a half, and just say the hell with it...I mean I didn't want to hang for another 2 hours just to get 6 autographs...I really had hoped to get everyone there to sign my baseball...GRRRR

took in the atmosphere and crowd...checked out the merchandise and it was pretty cool...game worn Monarchs hats and what not...pretty cool stuff for not all that pricey...still, just realizing the excitement around the Royals right now, it was really, really crowded...

very short line for a Bannister picture, so we jumped in...royaldaddy was right about Bannister...first class, top notch dude... shook my hand saying, "Hi, I'm Brian"...really nice, but not that creepy televangelist nice, like that trustworthy "I'm-truly-glad-to-be-here" niceness...convinced my wife to jump in the pic and she was shy as the pic shows, but thought Brian was nice...I said, "you gonna win the Cy Young?"...he said, "NO" and gave me a funny sigh...I said, "well, if you can stay healthy I don't see why you wouldn't have a shot,"...Bannister replied heartily, "Thank You", with a nod...

that wrapped up our day at Fanfest...we left early to go eat and take the dog out...it was fun and extravagant and also mildly disappointing...I think with some changes (single person autograph lines) it would be really good...maybe a bigger area (bet they didn't realize that many people would show up)...thank you for listening to my pseudo-exciting day...I know my grammar is uncalled for, but my intentions are proper  (Bannister pic coming soon)...peace out

I want a little input from the fanbase here, and this is kind of Kansas City sports related...its all relative you know...

this is about the Sean Taylor death...I, personally, have no clue what to make of it...I never have known what to think of a person I have not personally known dying...I've had a few times in my life when someone I've known little has died and I was confused...I have also had those very close to me die and it was, well, like you'd expect...emotional to the Nth degree

Sean Taylor to me was the best safety in the NFL at the time of his death...a hard hitter, a hard worker, and a monstrously talented athlete...I hate making statements post death, but Sean Taylor is probably gonna be the NFL version of Kurt Cobain...we are never gonna truly know his intentions or capabilities...

with that said I want to bring forth Larry Johnson's and Jim Rome's comments on the subject...I don't know if I am getting soft from having a kid on the way or what, but...DISCLAIMER:  I have searched the internet for EXACT phrases of what Larry Johson and Jim Rome said only to find nothing, so I will paraphrase their statements to the best of my memory to complete this diary...

on 810 I heard an interview with LJ where he said that basically he was glad he wasn't in Sean Taylor's position of getting to know bad people and being involved in that and that he is glad his family doesn't have to deal with it like Taylor's family is and, also, that he is a strong believer in karma and that Taylor had karma against him from the gun charge from a couple years ago...    this is, well, basically what he said...I couldn't believe it...my wife and I were appalled...she added, "he is always such an ass"...I mean, seriously, I knew LJ was a self-righteous moron, but DAMN DUDE...

then I watch Rome Is Burning later on (I guess just to get even more pissed off)...but Rome is like, all, why was Sean Taylor even home?... saying he should of been with the team...and, to me, it felt like Rome was kind of saying it was his fault for being an idiot for being home that night, seriously its what he was portraying, saying "I'm not saying anyone deserves to be murdered, but..."... (once again, I couldn't find the script, probably because its been destroyed to save a lawsuit)...

anyhow...I'm completely awestruck...surely Shock Americana hasn't come this far...right???

I heard this on a Royals broadcast a couple of years ago, without searching, or peaking at comments, try to figure it out yourself...this is great fun and can be used in many a conversation MLB has 11 consecutive (back to back years) MVP Award Winners, one for every position (including pitcher), and 2 positions with 2, for a total of 11 players...also, there are 2 "active" players...active in "" because who knows how active Bonds is...there you go, you have 1...name the other 10

ok...well still got a busted laptop...figuring I prolly just gonna buy a new one...but beings I just payed cash for a '99 Chevy (sweet deal) a laptop not in sight soon...still been checking in and reading a lot, just not enough time to post...so I got a rant on Buddy Bell...

1.  Ok so today on 810 Buddy said something like, "we're still trying to figure out how aggressive we should be," talking about late game baserunning/other decisions...ok Buddy...keep bringing the infield in in the first inning and then ask yourself how aggressive you should be in the ninth...you dumbass...keep stumbling through your interviews dinghead
2.  also on John Buck's struggles he said something to the fact of tweaking your swing all the time and "hitting is the hardest thing in sports" and blah blah blah...I'll reserve myself a la Hank Aaron and comment later
3.  next time you listen to a Buddy interview just count the seconds of silence/ummmms/ughhhhs and tell me its not more time than the completely ignorant B.S. that comes outta his mouth...ty Buddy for just getting outta the way...wish it could be sooner

Just got home from work...saw nearly all of the game...just adding some things I thought needed to talk about because my hotel internet pood the bed last night

RANT TIME...Sweeney hits the deck on a pitch close to his head...doesn't get hit, but takes first without conferring to the ump (maybe the video just didn't show the ump awarding first)...then Gordon grounds out and on the throw to second for the DP Sweeney hits the deck like 10 feet from the bag and covers up like a possum (not the first time I've seen this)...OK...BUSHLEAGUE...yes, I have had my heyday with Sweeney...he did steal home against the Yankees...but I dealt long enough of seeing him bumble around at first base as the worst defending first baseman EVER (I have recurring nightmares of him dropping foul popups)...then he decides to become considerably unclutch...had it...his taking first is like the pope riding around in his bullet proof pope mobile (faith in action)...his contract pissed me off enough with the whole, "only stay here if we win"...well maybe if we weren't overpaying for nonfielding half seasons of you, Sweeney, we would of been winning more games...I get it, your sorry, and you want to give us a hometown discount for next year and contribute...I still love ya, but come on Sweeney...play hard, and play thru injuries...I have been very supportive of the Royals moves over the years, especially, the moves they made pre '04 (I think we just got unlucky)...and I am not worried about missing out on Dye and Damon...but passing on Beltran for Sweeney is enough to make me puke right now...quit the acting on the field Sweeney

Ok...wooo...had to do it...Buddy Bell stylee...props to you Buddyliscious for getting tossed in the 2nd...that dude was a Joey Gathright leap from home

on our pitching...same old, same old from Perez...smart move by the staff to yank him early and save that era for a decent trade (even though I think they did it because they want him to stay a Royal)...didn't mind Standridge in there to see if he could shine in an almost blowout...didn't look as bad as Perez, but wasn't anything close to good either...but my amateur skills assessment thinks that he does have more Major League in the future...Braun looked good...figure he's our closer next year easy...Gobbler was the Gobbler...seemed to throw his curve with better command than he usually has...ok, wierd, but I've never seen a video of Wellemeyer pitching...just never got a chance somehow...I actually loved his inning...he looked mean and focused...8 of 9 pitches were strikes...and they looked nasty too...definitely see why he is still on the team

Gordon looks awful in the field and at bat...but I think its from pressure...kind of ARod as a Yankee pressure...I wish he wasn't like this...but at the same time...you all know he is coming out soon

ok so we do our job and at least get to the bullpen in like the 7th or something and they put in this dude Accardo (rhymes with???)...Royals on the bases everywhere...and we get to see Brown hack at everything out of the strike zone...nuff said...this Accardo guy is ridiculous...he looks more elfish than TPJ and more whipped school boy than Gobble...not to mention his lack of any pitching...man Brown pissed me off when he struck out...oh, and the joel42 in me says Accardo rhymes with Retardo

Stairs played!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...read that again...WHOOOHOOO...taking his Reggie Jacksonesque swings still, but like 12 lbs. lighter...come on Phatty I wanna see a .310 avg. this year...and Ryan was talking about how he plays hockey and coaches hockey in the offseason to stay in shape...F Yeah...and he skated with Ryan during the season and they were always scared he'd get hurt, but still loved chillin' with him...Stairs...awwww...my inevitable man crush...I would like to think he flied out in respect for his Royal love

Ok enough of my lip...game tonight at 1807 private Pyle...finally get a pitcher that isn't a superstar...and we have Grein K goin for us...I predict a Royals win...like 7-2...I'm actually thinking about betting them tonight...prolly pretty decent odds...but then I prolly won't cuz I really want a win...Greinke goes 8 innings with 8 K's...Gordon 2 of 4 with 2 doubles...DeJesus 3 of 4 with 3 runs scored...GO BLUE

Just finished the game at 2AM and read the game thread..600 posts...NICE...just had some stuff that I thought was diary-able.

...JDLR with a really good game...although Tigers were helping by swinging at everything...I believe LaRue helped a lot...he changed something in the 5th or so and DLR started winging the curves and the offspeed stuff...I like his curve...seems he can throw it for a strike more than other pitches, but this could be good or bad...only thing I saw from LaRue I didn't like was that he didn't try to sell some close pitches to the ump...but maybe not doing this helps to get other pitches called???

...I like announcer Bob on RSTN, but the dude is getting totally Harry Carey on not knowing wtf is going on...making the game actually more interesting

...DDJ really is on Christ's side...in that replay his face skidded on the grass for like two feet...OUCH...glad he's not hurt

...has anyone noticed Sweeney's Nomar routine...I think I'd rather have Michael Tucker's crack eyes back

...Ordonez really looks like he's pulled something...ran shortstepped to 2 flyballs...but if he was really hurt I reckon Shef woulda been out there

...Inge is a defensive animal

...props to Verlander for a good game...he took some bad calls...and still got out of it...looks like he'll be great for the whole season again...I'm jealous we don't have a guy that throws 100mph every other pitch...he works faster than almost any pitcher I've seen also

...Shealy really looks like a lump out there...he looked ready in ST and then just looks so not ready right now...lets hope him and Gordon start taking speed

...I second the WTF on Gload...could of at least pinch hit for him against a lefty late

...it amazes me how little the players pay attention to the intricacies of the game...on that Pudge grab against the net he could of thrown out our guy at first, but he wasn't paying attention...but also Pudge always seems to be paying attention so when he finally slung that ball to first Verlander hit the deck and Pena almost got hit...thats why I love Grudz because he's always there when a ball goes astray

...ahhh yes, finally...the Ketchup, Mustard, Relish race is finally a real event with racing  on-field mascots...my dream has been realized..lets just hope Randall Simon is retired and Relish can relish another year of victory!

I'm just a burn out, so this article will not be detailed a la NHZ, but merely an opinion starter.  According to mlb.com Jon Lieber will be moved from starter to reliever.  I think I am with most Royals fans here when I say that Lieber is definitely a Royals fan's "type of guy", and I think most of us share a liking.  I don't have a whole lot of evidence to back this up, other than a few posts on here dreaming for a trade for him; also, he has that Royals "feel," that pitcher's version of Joe Randa, always underappreciated.  He always voices his opinion, but in a good hey-I-think-I'm-right-here kind of way, as noted by the article.  I enjoyed watching him on WGN with the Cubbies and witnessed his nasty junk, not a la George Brett's crotch.  Anyhoo, is this enough fuel for the fire???  The Phils are entertaining trade possibilities.