Music Monday: Billie Jean

Perhaps the essence of a play in 3-5 minutes is Billie Jean. Paired with an iconic video, it solidified Michael Jackson as an adult pop singer whose color did not matter. And it turns out there was just as much drama in the recording studio as in the actual song:

 

Oh, one more thing. It’s kind of important. If you don’t like the idea of random people being able to contact you through G+, you’d better read and follow the instructions in this article.

In Closing: the official excuse is to prevent unauthorized export; hero; Pope Francis continues to preach common sense along with lovingkindness and compassion; NSA scandal junkies need to be aware that Bruce Schneier is planning to post an “exploit a day” (yes, he has a working RSS feed); on college; on employment; on the Fed; the Japanese appear to be getting serious about whiskey; and just a little round up of some of the smarter things I’ve seen on other people’s blogs this week.

Music Monday: The Jimmy Webb Principle

In his book, Jimmy Webb tells us that the very best popular songs are actually complete plays in 3 to 5 minutes. We will be exploring that idea for a while on Music Monday, but let’s start with the Master himself….

 

In Closing: I seem to recall Jesus saying something about how the poor would always be with us; a few choice items on dietary choices; now that’s just plain dumb; Janet Yellen; glad I’m not up north; follow-up; oops; bwahahaha; reality check; Cambodia; free house, just add land; and I’m not sure how anybody is dumb enough to think that a for profit company can reduce costs without also reducing service.

Music Monday: Got Plans?

 

In Closing: the TSA; I hope I never need this drug; power of the purse-string; the end of the Kombi; yet another heaping helping of NSA, FBI, Snowden, privacy, and related links (oops, the money might actually be on We The People’s side this time); um, yes; Chinese food; REAL ID is still out there; cannabis; killer cows; part-time; sorry, those 70+ grocery stores weren’t making enough money; apparently the conservatives are on to Pope Francis’s source material; and the middle class.

Music Monday: Come!

 

In Closing: yes yes yes, of course I’ll serve up more NSA, privacy, and Ed Snowden links, you can count on me!; RIP Kalashnikov; ancient super-volcanoes; he’s got the right to say stupid, hateful shit and I’ve got the right to continue ignoring him; nice doggies, bad handlers; not sure why people think they have the right to ignore the law, nor why they think kids having babies is a good idea somehow; a few moments of economic clarity; wouldn’t get much traction as the Screw Everybody Treaty; rich white criminal; zero thinking policies; would require backboneCuba; or, you know, we could start school late enough that kids don’t have to walk in the dark.

Music Monday: Christmastime in the City

 

In Closing: NSA? Sure, I got your random links right here (and why exactly would Snowden take a deal that forces him to shut up?); Muslims; I’m not sure how equal wages equals abortion but then I’m sane; let’s hear it for statistics; friendship; race card; Keystone XL is not only a bad idea, it’s unnecessary; cyberspace robots; and there are moments I miss Seattle.

Music Monday: The Old Apartment

 

Last week I noticed a banner up at an apartment complex reading “Free Turkey.” I thought it was a fine idea. A turkey is a whole lot cheaper than giving $50 off a month’s rent. Further, this can be used as a retention tool for current residents. Give a turkey in exchange for a years lease and you have a chance to update their contract, maybe raise their rent. Plus their lease will be up next year right around the holidays, and who wants to move during the holidays? The banner is even reusable next year.

Better banner than “Now pLeasing.” Leasing pee? If they’re pleasing now, what were they before??

In Closing: last thing we need; on Social Security; a few items on Iran; a follow up; “Common” Core; filibuster; crime, racism, and grammar; a few relatively random items about the internet, privacy, spying, the NSA and FBI, yadda yadda yadda; oatmeal; wrong way; yoga; not a bad idea; TV is dying; and lying presidents.