Being Aaron Michael

I am really bored tonite but I have nothing funny to write about so I think I will do something different with the blog.  Tonite I am going to list my 5 favorite cds right now.  They are in no particular order and are not necessarily my 5 all-time favorites either.  If this is even remotely fun then maybe I’ll do more lists like this.  Click on the name to be referred to the Amazon.com track list.

1.) The Killers (Hot Fuss) - It took me awhile to give this cd a chance.  I finally did to see what the “fuss” was about and I was glad I did.  The two singles are decent but the other songs on the cd are what make it even better.  “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” and “On Top” are two amazing tracks. 

2.) Beck (Mellow Gold) - I recently bought this cd again.  When I had my paper route (almost 10 years ago) I remember listening to this tape on my walkman.  I found the cd for 9.99 at Sound Garden in Syracuse.  This cd is even better than I remember.  Included the classic “Loser” but I enjoy “Blackhole” and “Pay No Mind” even more.  Great CD!

3.) Pearl Jam (Lost Dogs) - Those of who know me, know that I am huge Pearl Jam.  This CD I bought awhile ago just to show my support because I buy everything that Pearl Jam releases.  I barely listened to it.  Until recently.  I cant believe I didnt listen to this more before now.  It is 2 discs of rare and unreleased tracks.  This is where you can find their version of “Last Kiss” but my favorites are “Fatal” “Dirty Frank” and “Leatherman”.  Awesome cd and I regret that it sat for so long without my attention.

4.) Howie Day (Stop All The World Now) - I heard pretty good things about this album and they were all right.  It is really really really good.  I love the song “She Says” and you have probably heard “Collide” as long as you dont live under a rock somewhere.  “Collide” is now my ring tone so that prove the coolness of not only me but this cd as well.

5.) Nirvana (Unplugged in NY) - My liking of this cd should be pretty self-explantory.  Amazing.  It has gotta be one of the best Unplugged recordings.  I especially like the three songs that they cover from the Meat Puppets.  Made me go out buy their cd as well (although I like the Nirvana versions better).  Classic.

Above and beyond those cd’s I really want to mention an awesome band that everyone will soon hear about.  The name of the band is Navar.  They are from the Olean area and they are quite a talent.  They have already opened for Third Eye Blind and more recently they played two nights with Reel Big Fish.  They have also worked with Robby from the Goo Goo Dolls.  I highly suggest a visit to their site and feel free to download some of their new demos of the upcoming album.  They have two cds out so far and they are both amazing and the new one (due out this summer) is very highly anticipated.  What is even cooler about the band is that I have spent a lot of time with them and they are a lot of fun.  One my closest friends, Jester (you may recall his name from previous blog entries), helps a lot with the managing of the band.  They are all doing a great job.  Also, check out their new fan site at www.navarnation.com.  Here you can sign up for a membership and check out a bunch of extras (if you do sign up make sure you use me as a reference - Bartzville - so I can get in the top 5 and stay there!! haha).  Please help us all in supporting a great local talent however you want to show it.  Pat, Ben, Skippy, Tim, and Jester and their fans will appreciate it!

Hope you all liked this entry.  It was a lot of fun to write actually.    Please leave some of your favorite cds as your comments and let everyone know your thoughts.  You just might turn someone on to a new band they would never have heard of.  Hope all is well and take care!

I have noticed that when I eat spicy food now, the top of my head starts to sweat.  Probably another sign of getting old.  Thats what I get for eating a jalapeno bagel with pepperjack cheese and hot sauce at 10 am. 

Is it obvious that every episode of 24 is virtually the same as the last one.  Stay tuned for the most exciting and most surprising episode of 24…EVER!!!!  Next week Jack Bauer disobeys his superiors and breaks numerous laws en route to saving the world from another season of Will and Grace. 

I wonder what its like to get paid to look all pretty.  Must be nice Cory.  Must be even better to change in the same room at 16 year girls in g-strings.  The many perks of being ridiculously good looking. 

Due to the increasingly high number of redbull shots that I do on the weekends, all I have to do is smell a redbull in the middle of the day to catch a buzz.  Not sure if thats good or not.  I almost yacked when I took a swig of on the other day to stay awake. 

The biggest talk of the town these days is the arrival of the new grocery store, Martins.  So I finally decided I would take a gander in there and see what all the fuss was about.  As I am working my way through the store, nothing seems different other than the isles were right on top of each other.  I get my 6 pack of Corona Lite and then head over to the produce section for my lime.  Then I notice the holy grail of all grocery stores.  The sign cant be right, does it really say “Melon Bar”.  Sweet!  Like a magnet, I am immediately on my way to the “Melon Bar”.  I wasn’t sure what to expect as I walk over.  I know what I am “hoping” is on display at the infamous “Melon Bar”.  I get there and they are actual melons.  Never knew that were other melons than just watermelon.  Obviously there is a enough for a whole “bar”.  Is cantaloupe considered melon?  It should be.  Cantamelon should be the new name so ppl dont get confused. 

So the new Pope is named Benedict.  Pope Benedict.  That doesn’t sound like a very “Popey” name to me.  Pope John Paul, now that makes sense.  Sounds like he was best buds with J.C. himself.  But Pope Benedict does not sound like a very authorative or influential name.  I think our new buddy Benedict (I will refer to him as Benny throughout the rest of this email) was beat up a lot while attending whatever Catholic school he attended.  He was one of the only kids that got beaten by both students and teachers.  With a name like Benny, you are walking around with a bullseye on your forehead.  Benedict/Benny is almost as bad as Stewart (Stewey), Norman (Normie), or Bernard (Bernie).  Destined for chess club and Model UN.  Not in this case.  Not Pope Benny.  He was Destined to overcome all the outside static to achieve his life long dream….to be Pope.  Then there is his email address be broadcasted.  I dont think it was an accident.  I think this was a ploy.  A ploy to get in touch with one of most media attractive persona’s of our time.  The man who produced such hits as “In The Closet”, “Beat It”, and “Smooth Criminal”.  That is right.  Michael Jackson.  Any person knows that in recent times Jacko and Catholic Church have been going through the same accusations.  I think Benny wanted to “touch base” with Jacko just in case he needed to “get a good lawyer” type situation.  Just in case.  I dont even know why I am talking about the Pope.  I dont even know what the guy does.