OOO

Let us know how your KickStarter experience ends up. Hope you end up getting the funding, but even if you don't you got a write up in a mag so it's already a win. Like most things on the web, I would imagine as the site gets more and more popular it will be harder and harder to stand out from the crowd and actually get funding for a project, but I might be wrong about that. At any rate, I think most bands would do well to try to connect to their audience in new and original ways such as this; Nice work.

I'm not a smooth Jazz fan, but Chuck Mangione's sweet flugelhorn gets me every time.

I suspect that these tiny record labels, like most record labels, are a thing of the past.

Yeah, I agree. To paraphrase Charles Dickens, its the best of times AND the worst of times to be an artist. Sure, the traditional way of doing things - labels, radio, singles, etc - is dying out, but there's never been more ways for small time bands to get their stuff heard if they want to. And of course, on the other other side of things, because of that ease of use, its a lot harder to be singled out of the crowd.

All things considered, I'd say as long as one is willing to do some of the things that labels are supposed to do, theres enough tools that make having a label not worth it. If you want, its pretty easy to get on iTunes, Amazon, etc, and services like Bandcamp let you have your own personalized website/store.

I am sorry to hear about your label Todd, but the future is bright.

Sting's backing vocals on Money For Nothing.

I definitely think the new meters are more convenient, I just think its silly that the money is going to a private company and not the city.

As many bad mistakes (i.e. parking meters) as the guy has made, I can't help but like him. I think he's done a lot of good for the city, especially in the realms of tourism, beautification, and bikability...and I always get the sense that he really loves Chicago and wants it to be the best city in the world.

At any rate, curious to hear people's thoughts on his legacy and who might replace him. I hear Rahm Emmanuel is the biggest name out there being thrown around, but who knows.

The Singing Nerd, based in East Burkina Faso (in West Africa). I can definitely do shows in Fada N'Gourma and the surrounding area, and given enough forward warning, I'd be totally down to do a show in Ouagadougou, but Bobo Dioulassoi is probably a little too far. If this thing really has legs, I could also do shows in Benin or Togo, but someone would have to front money for a visa.

It was a good win on Saturday, and Michigan looks like a better team than last year, at least after one game.

 

That said, Wolverines fans need to remember that the team started 4-0 last year, then went 1-7 the rest of the season, and didn't win a single game on the road. This Saturday at Notre Dame could reveal much about the Blue's chances to improve upon last year's showing. If they can beat the Irish, I could see 8-4 as a best-case scenario for this year. If they lose, it could easily be another 5-7 disappointment.

On the bright side for you, I can decidedly say that Michigan has a much better chance of winning the National Championship this year than my team.

According to the article, Wilco is losing to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The only ending I would have been happy with was if all the good guys got away on a plane, and as its flying away in the sunset, we see Linus sitting on a rock on the island looking at the plane in the distance. Then he pushes a little button and the plane blows up and he walks away. Then "The Boys are Back in Town" starts playing as the credits roll.

Great Actor - RIP.

I hadn't played video games in a while, but I've been playing the Starcraft 2 beta like theres no tomorrow.

The way Christian explained it was that in the afterlife, time has no meaning, so it doesn't matter "when" people died. So kate and sawyer, etc got off the island but they eventually died, like all people die. Ben and Hurley stayed and took care of the island for many years, but they died too eventually. But they all decided to meet up in the afterlife. Meh.

No, the flash sideways universe was the afterlife, the island was real. Thats how I understood Christian's speech.

I would really like to find out why Caliber took the shot. I was just looking for ap recommendations.

There are two "P's in "app", and caliber has been known to take note of spelling/grammar.

But also, making threads with titles that look like other threads is one of the oldest ViaChicago gags - I seriously doubt it was anything personal..it was a good thread too. I think you should have kept it open.

Words with Friends - Scrabble played with your friends (or random people) at your leisure. You can make one move a minute or one move a week, and the app will let you know when your opponent moves (they also make chess with friends)

Yep - it's definitely alright to not drink for a birthday celebration.

I love all of Jeunet's films, this one included. It's a farcical look at the weapons industry. Top marks.

They're streaming a concert live on Youtube tonight.

Right.

 

High School students don't get pissed when their trip (which they raised money themselves to go to) gets taken away from them by people they never met for political agendas.

 

I can understand worrying about taking the students to Phoenix because of the ridiculous amount of kidnappings (due to the drug war which is fueled by the illegal immigrants).But worrying about their "legal Safety" in Arizona is hypocritical considering the school has ventured to China, South America and the Czech Republic. Where do they plan on going next, Iran?

I think you're misinformed on the facts. This is a high school trip that would have happened in December. Also known as NEXT school year... which means there is no team yet to be disappointed that they are not going on the trip.

From the press release:

Under long standing constitutional law, all school districts are required to provide an education to all children within the District’s borders regardless of immigration status. District 113 boasts a diverse student population and, as a school district, we believe in equal opportunity for each of our students. The selection of a girls’ varsity basketball team for the 2010-2011 winter athletic season will take place in November, 2010. The team has yet to be selected. When our students travel, the school district is responsible, both legally and ethically, for their safety, security and liberty. We cannot commit at this time to playing at a venue where some of our students’ safety or liberty might be placed at risk because of state immigration law. Our athletes will play in a competitive basketball tournament during their winter break.

 

Another important clarification relates to the misreporting that is present in some media outlets. The basketball team has not qualified for a national championship tournament. Rather, they were striving to find a venue for next season that would stretch them and serve to unify the group as a team. The protocol to take a trip within the US is to request approval from the Executive Council team. The Arizona travel request was submitted to Executive Council just two weeks ago. The request was denied for the reasons previously stated.

I'm sitting in Highland Park High School right now and I've talked to students...and they don't think its a big deal

The general feeling I've gotten from students is that no one cares. This is next years team, which hasn't been picked yet. The idea is that if an undocumented student WAS on the team, they couldn't guarantee their legal safety in Arizona, so they might as well pick a different tournament to go to. There are a couple random parents up in arms, and to everyone else it's a non-issue.

HPHS was practically my alma matter, I went to Deerfield High School and had plenty of friends who went to HPHS, so this hit pretty close to home.

 

When I was in 8th grade, Reagan flew in and gave a speech in the DHS gymnasium. That was a pretty big deal. Secret Service wounded up detaining a kid for 8+ hours because he stupidly made a joke about shooting the President.

what the heck? I went to Deerfield High School. And I work at Highland Park High School. RIGHT NOW!

And let me just add, since I do have first hand experience - this school actually has more diversity than you might think, and more than a few of the students I work with are undocumented/illegal immigrants. The village of Highwood, which is right next to Highland Park, has a large Mexican population.

I was going to post Mumford and Sons, so yeah - I'm 4thing that.

The last episode was super intense. Wow.

Happy belated Birthday, LouieB -your knowledge of Chicago, music, and Chicago music is awe inspiring.