I Lied...

...got my new laptop today and I have spent most of the day getting it to work. Promise i'll post up something next week...hopefully several things. Blip!

The Time

...has passed by so quickly since my last post. Work and the kids have left me w/ very little opportunity to post up, but I will remedy that starting tomorrow. I had a review of the new Voxtrot 75% done 3 weeks ago that i'll post now that it is out and i'll put up reviews of the just released album by The National, plus the upcoming Spoon and Polyphonic Spree releases too. I also went to my first live show in ages and will offer up my recap of Sloan @ the Metro in Chicago soon. A lot of good music floating around, so stay tuned. YOUNT!

WILCO

'Sky Blue Sky'

I've appreciated the evolution of Wilco's sound from album to album, mostly because each has (until now) been a significant departure from it's predecessor...constantly challenging your own musical scope as a listener to stay with them wherever they've decided to take you. 'Sky Blue Sky', however, initially hit me as a severely toned down version of their last release. After both 'AM' and 'Being There', I liked the sharp turn into the addition of power pop on Summerteeth...the experimental noise exploration on top of that via 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'...the more organic instrumentalization/production on 'A Ghost is Born'...then, versus any sort of re-invention, we get sort of a continuance instead.

It's not that I don't like it or think that an artist must re-invent their sound w/ every new release, I just don't feel that challenged by it. To note, I wasn't quite in tune w/ 'AGIB' when it came out, but it held my interest enough to want and try and understand it...until it finally clicked seeing the songs live at the 1st shows Jeff Tweedy did w/ the current line-up of the band @ Otto's in Dekalb, IL prior to that album's release. 'SBS'...well, it sounds really, really, REALLY nice but there isn't that much else to dig into. You hear it once and you pretty much catch everything going on.

However, there are some interesting thematic changes from 'AGIB' to 'SBS' lyrically. Where 'AGIB' could be interpreted as someone struggling w/ a slight identity crisis and definition of one's overall place in life (which he was)...'SBS' seems to be based upon finally finding some level of self-awareness and comfortability w/ who you are/where you're at. For fans (like myself) who really study Tweedy's lyrics, that's where you'll find the progression from the last album to this one. While it's kind of cool and he's still at the top of his game lyrically, it will likely be lost to the casual or first-time listener.

Granted, i'll have to continue to spin it...definitely see some of these tunes come off live...maybe something will unfold. I'd go back to any one of the previous 4 releases to illustrate my love for this band. Right now, i'll just say I enjoy it even though it's the first time since 'AM' I feel like i'm listening to something by Wilco that is really well-done, but not at all that extraordinary.

Me, Myself and You(Tube)

Another good find on YouTube...the video press kit for De La's '3 Ft. High & Rising.' Brings me back...and check out the HI-TOP FADE-CUT MADNESS!!!

Let Them Eat Cake

Sorry for the lag in anything to read, true-believers! February was insanely busy w/ a bunch of new products at work and (a lot more fun) MY BOYS TURNING A YEAR OLD!!! That's right, a full 365 days and they are still in near-mint condition.

We had decent sized party w/ friends and family alike at a bar/restaurant called Durty Nellie's in Palatine. Nellie's used to a be a total dive hole-in-the-wall we would, in our much younger days, go to see bands play as we sweat our asses off in the over-crowded, closet sized 'music room'. Time passed...giant condos and row homes erupted from the earth in downtown Palatine...Nellie's closed their original location and re-opened as a huge restaurant/bar/state-of-the-art music venue. So, as we enjoyed a few pints of one of the gazillion micro brew/imports they have on hand while children squirmed around on our laps, we all had to laugh how times have most definitely changed.

Anyhow, everything went great...even though, after almost a full 12 months of barely a runny nose between them, Logan came down w/ a cough/fever thing that kind of took him off of his game. They got tons of cool gifts, including their first real lace-up shoes...suede PUMAS (red & white and black & white, respectively). They played around w/ the cool cake their mom had made for them and were absolutely wrecked by the time they hit the crib that evening. In the few weeks that have followed, they continue to change before our eyes...a lot of 'talking' and no walking yet, but confidently moving from one piece of furniture to the other. Owen has also developed an ear for music and will go all Beat Street when he hears it...the kid has moves. Logan, will now greet me when I come home from work w/ a big 'HIYYYEEEE!' and a wave of his chubby little hand. They rule and I love them dearly.

So, I do have some stuff to post up with soon...how about reviews of the upcoming RJD2, Wilco and Modest Mouse releases? More goodies from YouTube surfing? A few book reviews? Six-demon bag?! I promise not so long of a lag this time...unless either of the two midgets currently residing in my house decide to walk on their own accord. Peace!

TV Party

As stated in an earlier post, I only have a handful of 'Must-See TV' shows I watch religiously each week. NBC's 'Heroes' started back up a few weeks ago and is still going pretty strong. In fact, one could challenge it's actually picking up steam w/ Sylar's escape and the whole mommy/daddy thing w/ Claire (AKA THE Cheerleader). Not to over analyze, but the fresh take on the baggage that comes w/ someone finding out they have special capabilities you don't see in most comic-based films and TV, is what gives the show it's underlying charm. Much like my other favorite, ABC's 'LOST', the way that the characters are all interwoven into the crazy storyline is the other plus. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep the momentum going after the Summer break, but for now...still good stuff.

Speaking of 'LOST', the new season started last night and I wasn't disappointed. While I still refuse to miss an episode, the show has kind of slowed down a little. Part of the issue being, the large portion of the fall run focusing on the shit going down on the OTHER island w/ Jack, Sawyer and Kate. It's been cool getting a lot of insight into 'The Others' and all, but it's been at the sacrifice of the other gaggle of Lostaways and how they fit into the story as well. I read that the show's creative team has promised that they'll re-focus on what's happening outside of 'Other-ville' starting in a couple of weeks. That said, last night's episode was pretty action-packed and did throw a few nuggets our way...but you can never tell what's truth and what's a mind-game.

NBC is back to form w/ their Thursday night line-up. 'My Name is Earl' and the US version of 'The Office' are back to that Seinfeldian brand of quirkiness that just can't be forced. Both shows are creative as hell, have a strong ensemble cast and, most importantly, make me laugh. 'Scrubs' (in it's final season) and '30 Rock' are good too, but I usually get sucked into watching ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' w/ Mrs. Famous during the same time slot. Funny enough, I should be annoyed w/ that show...but it ain't really that bad. Good schlocky fun, actually.

Outside of that, there really isn't much I have to watch...and yet I still find myself in front of the TV even when none of these shows are on. Digital Cable w/ 5 majillion channels to surf through will do that to you. I have actually found time to read a few books and will drop a triple-play Book Club post as soon as I finish the one i'm on right now. Until then...Peace!

I'll Be You(Tube)

Gotta' love the gems you'll dig up on YouTube...



Interview w/ the Mats circa 'Pleased to Meet Me' on some show called IRS - Cutting Edge or something. Check out the eyebrows (or lack thereof) courtesy of the Young Fresh Fellows.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Damn. Outside of Owen deciding during the game to finally crawl on all fours and the amazing run back on the kickoff...what a mess. Can't take anything away from Indy, especially their running game and defensive line...but the Bears just seemed to be dead men walking after the first quarter. Luckily for me, i'm also a Cubs fan and accustomed to finding solace in the phrase: 'There's always next year.'

So Fucking Party You Will Die

Back in 1999, an album came out that i'll admit now...I didn't quite get at all. An album since that time that I grew to love and, without sounding too corny, become completely entranced by. 'Since I Left You' by Aussie sonic collage artists, The Avalanches, is one of those records where upon first listen you can tell is something really unique and cool, but end up scratching your head over. Then, eventually, after tucking it away, you bust out later to give it another spin...and then another...and another, until...PING! It all comes together.

Not quite a hip hop or a dance or an electronica album, but equal measures of all of them combined. Really, it's the closest successor to the Beastie Boys sample-laden masterpiece 'Paul's Boutique' which is amazing for one glaring reason. After said B-Boys release and De La's '3 Feet High & Rising' dropped in the late 80's, the business of sample clearance hit artists hard and, in my opinion, almost neutered the genre of hip-hop/rap completely. Where albums like those cut apart and wove different pieces of music and sound into amazing tapestry, legal issues basically reduced the art (yeah, ART) of sampling to the wack practice of Diddy looping the hook from a Bowie or Zeppelin tune and rhyming over the top of it.

'Since I Left You' was a feel-good bouillabaisse of disco/flamenco grooves, hip-hop beats, movie dialogue and other 'everything but the kitchen sink' sound effects blended seamlessly together to create something special. Much like 'Paul's Boutique' and '3 Feet High' before it, billions of snippets were painstakingly assembled into one unified body of work w/ the sole purpose of making your head bob and your toe tap. Outside of the whacked-out tune to the insanely good video above, the rest of the songs are like musical Calgon and take you away to place where you can't help but feel good. For those that don't have it, I highly recommend adding it to your collection.

So, now you're probably saying: 'just awesome my man, but why review an album that came out over 6 years ago?' Well, after dropping this gem on the unsuspecting world and laying down a series of insane live shows w/ dozens of folks on stage to recreate what was on wax, they pretty much disappeared outside of a mix album and random side projects/DJ sets...most fans assuming they'd never hear from the band again...until last Monday. The following post showed up from the band on their website forum just a scant few days ago:

Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007
4:49 pm

Post subject: a chinese new year message from the avalanches

-----------------------

abracadabra!

happy new year yall. we've
made a heap of mixes and stuff available while we finish the record. they wont
give you a hint of the new albums magical sound unfortunately, but they will
keep you pilgrims well nourished until the next harvest.

its a really thrilling time
for us right now as this record comes together, its so fuckin party you will
die, much more hip hop than you might expect, and while there is still no
accurate estimated time of arrival, were sure you're gonna love it when it
arrives.

much of last year was spent
cutting up the spoken word/instructional records we need to tell the albums
musical story, and we have some 40 odd songs we're narrowing down and finishing.
so its real, it exists, and you know we wouldn't be serving anything up unless
it was gonna give you that same special feeling that since has. funnily enough
its ended up sounding like the next logical step to since, we just had to go
around in a big circle to get back to where we belong.

and one day when you least
expect it you'll wake up and the sample fairy will have left it under your
pillow. so big up to clint for all his work in making the downloads available
for everyone to enjoy, and have a great oh seven.

The post came w/ a mix you can DL HERE and, like they said, not completely indicative of their sound, but a great sample of how fun this band and their music can be if you let it. Enjoy and PEACE!

'THIS IS NOT A GAME, PEOPLE!'

I've got a lot of guilty pleasures, but one of the biggest as of late has to be VH1's 'The White Rapper Show'. Kind of an American Idol / Survivor / Real World hybrid, the just of the show is finding the next 'Great White Hope' of hip-hop. The show throws 12 wannabe MC's from various locales and backgrounds in a hovel in the birthplace of hip-hop, the Boogie Down Bronx, and pits them against each other in various challenges testing both their mic skills and knowledge of the game.

The show is hosted/moderated/judged by a white hip-hop legend in his own right, MC Serch from 3rd Bass, and super-producer Prince Paul (the man behind De La's opus '3 Feet High & Rising' ) and luminaries from Grandmaster Flash to Kurtis Blow to Brand Nubian to Just Blaze are brought in to drop knowledge on these kids as they strive to become last MC standing. Seriously, not only are these lucky contestants getting an opportunity to blow up...but they are getting schooled by true legends.

The actual contestants are way too new school for my taste. Some of them have decent skills on the mic, but they are all kind of cookie-cutter to what's selling records in the genre today. That said, watching some of these youngsters and how tweaked they are is what gives the show it's charm. One cat, the self-professed 'King of the Burbs' John Brown, is seriously from another planet. The dude drives people nuts by repeatedly referring to a "Ghetto Revival", a personal social movement scant on details other than the claim that it's a "lifestyle brand" that will support "the revival of ghettos and all types of different struggles throughout the world". BWA-HA! Even better than the interaction between the housemates, is the freestyle contest at the end of each episode to decide who stays and who'll step off.

Really, i'm not doing it near the justice it deserves, so tune in or hit up Vh1.com and check it. Outside of that, i'm digging on NBC's 'Heroes', plus the Thursday night 1-2 punch of 'My Name is Earl' and the US version of 'The Office' (F the Haters, it's just as good as the original). Then, next week, ABC kicks back in w/ the Winter season of 'LOST'...WHOO-HA! Be sure to tune in next time...same Dalek time, same Dalek channel. Bzzzzt.

HOLY (FOOT) BALLS!!!

Not only was it a landmark day in the Famous household due to the boys hitting 11-months, but THE FREAKING BEARS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!! I was lucky enough to see them go in 1985 while in Junior high, but my boys get to see this before they even turn a year old!

It'd be cliche for me to post up w/ the Super Bowl Shuffle, so, instead, be a Grabowski...

GO BEARS!!!

The Man With Two (RED) Shoes...

As anybody who knows me can tell you...I am an absolute sneaker junkie. I really can't remember the last time I wore anything but a pair of tennis shoes to go about my daily routine. Via post-Christmas shopping excursions, I was stoked to find a light grey pair of Adidas Superstars (w/ the shelltoe) and (even though outside of the Onitsuka Tiger kick a few years back I usually rock Adidas exclusively) a pair of coffee colored suede Pumas...both on sale.

That said, even better than those finds, was the gift I received from Mrs. Famous. Originally, she had gone to the Converse website and was one click away from ordering me a pair of low-cut Chuck Taylors she had designed for me herself. Unfortunately, she went to the other room to check on the kids and never completed the order...which I stumbled upon getting on the PC several hours later. Since the surprise was ruined, she ended up just giving me a gift certificate to design my own. Roughly 3 weeks later...

...BOOM BIP! There you go. Nothing too radical in the design, but they came out great. It has some fresh bandanna/skull print for the inner lining and the personalization on the back is embroidered. Ooh. La. La. Throw in that they are hella comfy and that Chucks are just so timeless, i'm a happy camper.

Even better than all of that though, as part of the (Product) RED initiative, 15% of the net retail sales of the kicks will be paid to The Global Fund for AIDS Relief. Those of you may recall from my post a few weeks back, that I recently headed the development work for the two first US phones for Motorola's RED offerings at Sprint and US Cellular. Other particpants like GAP and Apple have some cool offerings too...you should check what it's all about and where you can 'shop RED' to make a difference...IT'S A RED THING. Peace!

Here in my car...

There is a brief period every morning, totalling no more than 35 minutes, where anything seems possible. As I take the drive into work, sip my coffee, sing along w/ whatever is on the stereo... the world passes by through automatic windows and over the top of my dashboard. A new day begins and the rigours of work and everything else yet to beat me down. It's one of my favorite moments of each day, very empowering and eclipsed only by the moment each night when i'm greeted at home by the two boys and my wife.

More stuff later. Peace.

...and TWINS!

I promised a long overdue update on the boys in my return to blogdom a few posts back, so here you go...

OWEN (AKA MR. MEAN MONKEY FACE)

O is really our thrill-seeker of the two. He's army-crawling at breakneck speeds, sitting up at the drop of a dime and pulling himself up onto coffee tables, pack'n'plays, couches, etc. I had to lower the cribs earlier than expected before the holidays, as my wife exclaimed one afternoon while I was on the phone w/ her from work: 'I just heard a thud! I think Owen fell out of the crib!' She informed that she found him on the floor on his back, completely fine but a little shaken up and (best of all) not wearing any pants...pretty much like me any given day in college. He also can not only withstand the Baron Von Raschke Brain Claw, but will place his face into your outstretched hand just to mock you.

Seems he's also fashioning himself quite the lady's man, flirting w/ any female w/in a 2-foot radius. A friend of the wife was over to see the kids and, after flashing some puppy dog eyes and his trademark grin, he decided to help himself to an under-the-shirt/over-the-bra handful...pretty much like me any given day in college. I figured it's okay to let him revel in the random grope before he's old enough to get sued for it.

He has an arsenal of interesting facial expressions, most of them Zoolander-esque versions of the same thing. The Mean Monkey Face, The Stinky Cheese Face, The Booker T Face...all of them usually brought out to express his displeasure that you're not letting him do something that he wants to. He eats like a horse, rarely turning down any thing put in front of him...uses an excellent pincer grasp on cheerios and fruit puffs too (one at a time, very efficient). Outside of that, he's a really content kid...as long as he can be a busy-bee, he's happy!

LOGAN (AKA BIG CAT)

While O may be catching up, Lo is still the beefier 'big' brother of the pair. However, under that slightly chubby exterior lies a total creampuff 90% of the time. He's extremely social and loves to be around other people...more specifically, HELD by other people...especially Mommy. We still haven't received our infant decoder ring, but it seems he's babbling about some very important stuff. When he's not talking, he's testing additional uses of his mouth and vocal chords by yelling ('HEY!')...motorboatin' ('PHHHBBBBBBTTT!')...or, when upset, reaching out to his Mother ('MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA!'). He's a little more content to stay in one place than Owen and, since he has a few more pounds to work with, hasn't quite grasped pulling himself up...but when he's army-crawling, he moves really quick.

It's funny to watch how he really has two moods. While the word 'jolly' is rarely used to describe something other than Santa Claus or a Rancher, I can't think of a better way to describe him when he's in a good mood. Big deep laugh and a huge open mouth smile to show off what seems to be the 200 teeth he's had come in over the past 3-4 months. Loves to play peek-a-boo, even though his hands usually end up on his forehead versus over his eyes...will laugh until he has tears playing tug-of-war w/ the dog (or Daddy)...claps his hands in celebration when somebody says 'HOORAY!' Then, something happens that he doesn't like or, most of the time, somebody has told him he can't do something...to say he gets agitated would be an understatement. Fists pound, legs kick, screaming/crying ensues...just articulating to you the best he can that's most definitely not happy. Luckily, this usually only happens 2-3 times a day...especially in the morning if he hasn't had his bottle yet (just like Dad and his coffee).

Speaking of food, depending on the day, Lo can be quite the challenge to get through an entire meal. If he doesn't like something you've offered up to eat...he'll let you know by swatting his arms around or trying to wrestle the spoon from your hand to throw to the floor. Recently, he's also chosen mealtime to practice spitting things out of his mouth...not because he doesn't like what' he's eating, but just because it something new. He finds it hilarious...Mommy, not so much. That said, he has taken to holding his bottle himself and pound the whole thing w/out any assistance and can put down a handful of cheerios/fruit puffs/shredded cheese in the blink of an eye. Bottom line, he's such a fun kid to watch grow up...every week it's a new trick and we're so proud to watch it happen.

So, if you couldn't already tell, i'm one extremely proud poppa. They'll be a year old next month and I can hardly believe it. They came into this world 3-weeks early and so tiny when we brought them home. Now...they're like little men and, next to Mrs. Famous, the most amazing thing to happen to me in my lifetime. Until next time...PEACE.

AMBFAD BEST OF 2006

Well, here it is...my obligatory 'Best Of' list required of every music geek...

1. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America

2. The Roots- Game Theory

3. Asobi Seksu - Citrus

4. Cut Chemist - The Audience is Listening

5. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale

6. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
7. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
8. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
9. People Under the Stairs - Stepfather
10. Mr. Lif - Mo' Mega

I'll refrain from pontificating what it was I dug about each release, as a few of them I already reviewed earlier on. Suffice to say, the Hold Steady swooped into the top spot at the final hour. The Roots brought the goods...but the Springsteen meets Thin Lizzy rock'n'roll throwdown was too infectious not to give the crown to. Fishscale made every hipster's list as the obligatory hip-hop release, but it's wacked out lyrics and tripped out soul clips that backed them up deserved all of the hype. That said, the more indie hip-hop releases from PUTS (awesome beats) and Mr. Lif (lyrics and flow you won't hear on the radio) were tight as well...and definitely worth checking out. TV on the Radio's latest finally got me on their bandwagon w/ it's eclectic (but uptempo) line-up of tracks and YLT/Neko brought some sweet sounds that ran the gambit from perfect chill-out to moderately freaky.

That's kind of a lazy recap, but it's about all I have the energy for right now. Decide for yourself, go out and listen to clips via your normal means and hook yourself up w/ some good tunes. More next week. PEACE!

I know I hurt you and I made you cry...

...and to love I rhapsodize.

Wow. 4 months. It's been 4 months since I updated this thing and we're a few days into a brand new shiney 2007. It's not that i've been gathering moss or anything...to the contrary, actually. I got a new gig at work (where I launched the US versions of the RAZR for Bono's Project RED campaign for starters), the boys have grown so much and gone mobile and, thusly, we've had our hands full.

Anyways, as part of my New Year's resolution (amongst others) to get back to writing more, i'm going to get back to filling the interweb w/ more useless bullshit about music, film, TV, art, fast food, physics, kung fu and general pop culture tomfoolery. (Segue coming...watch for it) I'm also going to try and really reconnect w/ my love of music (new and old), as I only really dabbled in what was out there in 2006. Which leads me to...

...the video for the new(ish) single from U2 from their recent 'singles' collection 'U218'. The collection itself is kind of useless for most long-time fans of the band and contains the above tune and the Katrina relief tune they did w/ Green Day. I liked the tune when I heard it, but this is one of those rare moments when a video takes a song to a new level and gives it meaning. The just, being that even the biggest of bands are fans in their own right...that they can be fanboys and/or music geeks as much as the guy typing this. The video, literally gave me chills the first time I saw it. On top of that, the droves of performance footage from such a diverse collection of some of the greatest performers to grace a stage used throughout is just too fun to watch (check out the clip of 'The Killer')...see if you can name all the artists included.

Speaking of U2, I received their huge book 'U2 by U2' for Christmas and i'll provide a review after the 3 months it'll take me to read it (it's chocked full of stuff). I'll also post my my Top 10 of 2006 by week's end, which (self-admittedly) is really only the few records I listened to the past year and really enjoyed. Plus, some pics and an update on the twins and other stuff I planned on throwing on here in 2006, but didn't get to. Promise (he says w/ his fingers crossed behind his back). So, as always, stay tuned and peace out. Whoo.

An actual music post?! Oh, snap.

Yep. I'm actually serving up a few quick hits of stuff i've been digging on over the past few weeks. I've also got more wack bullshit i'm tinkering with in the lab...the AMBFAD 'Battle Royale'...(finally) the eagerly anticpated follow up to 'Mix Tape Manifesto'...more music, movie and book reviews...for real, son!

So, here we go. It's an El Famous music celebration and your eardrums are invited, bitches...

SOUND TEAM - 'MOVIE MONSTER'

An indie-rock hybrid of everything from Sonic Youth to Spoon to Ride and maybe even the Killers if they weren't so weaksauce. Post-punk new waveishness w/ their own flair about it, it sounds inventive...not at all textbook. Probably one of my favorite things i've listened to so far this year.

ASOBI SEKSU - 'CITRUS'

A take on the whole shoegazing genre w/ generous nods to My Bloody Valentine, Lush and Ride for 2006. However, there's also some sweet tasting power pop bubbling underneath it all, that gives it a fresh perspective. Great production brings out the swirling guitars and gorgeous vocals (sung alternately in Japanese and English). This one is sure to be a grower and take a spot high atop the year-end 'Best-of'.

CUT CHEMIST - 'THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING'

Former DJ for Jurassic 5 goes solo and dishes out a hot platter full of turntable goodness. A nice mix of influences/sounds ranging from brazillian to funk to rock and all sort of wild shit. Track #8, Storm, also features two of my favorite MC's du jour: Mr. Lif and Edan...fucking tight. Fans of former collaborator DJ Shadow and RJD2 are sure to dig.

Speaking of DJ Shadow, came across 4 tracks from his upcoming release ('The Outsider') and if they are any indication of the rest of the disc, it's going to be some seriously hot shit. Same goes for Illadelphia's Roots crew, who have the most excellent 'Pre-Game' EP out on iTunes to give us a taste of their upcoming 'Game Theory' album. All the tracks sound fantastic and you can DL the first single 'It Don't Feel Right' on their myspace page for free HERE.

Stay classy, Word Wide Web...Uncle El will be back soon. Peace.

I'm sorry...so sorry.

Again, a gajillion years between posts on here. I'd like to show, for the record, that I actually spent some time working on a brand new layout for AMBFAD, but haven't finished it...thus the lame-o back-to-basics dilly you see here. Still trying to figure out some HTML and you know, it's all ball-bearings nowadays (hey!).

I have actually got a bunch of new music to talk about, so i'll post up by week's close w/ some reviews. The boys are doing great...there is cereal, veggies and fruit being eaten (and spit out), some sitting up nearly unassisted, much rolling over and we had studio portraits taken for the first time ever (which, i'll post soon)!

Stay tuned, true believers...fresh goofy crap will be coming your way soon. Peace!

Sitting in the back of a car

or, maybe, keeping w/ the Big Star thematic...'When My Baby's Beside Me'? (Thanks BK)

As this post finds me on the horizon of my very first Father's Day, i'd like to give a shout-out to Dads everywhere...including me own. I credit my Pop for my sense of humor, amongst other things. I only hope I can provide a life for my kids like he provided for us. I still can't comprehend his need to put salt in his beer (don't ask me) or his allegiance to the St. Louis Cardinals, but he's my old man and i'll let him slide.

My plans for the weekend look to consist of a couple of bottles of the inaugural batch of Fat Tire shipped to Chicago, a copy of 'Kung Fu Hustle' fresh from Netflix, Cubs vs. Detroit in the comfort of air conditioning, BBQ ribs on the grill, a possible viewing of 'Nacho Libre' w/ the Mrs. while Grandma watches the boys and a mystery gift (ooh) that will be unveiled on Sunday. While all that adds up to a Father's Day weekend fit for a king, the best part of it will be spending time w/ the two monkeys that have bestowed me w/ the title of 'Dad' and the wonderful woman who blessed me by bringing them into our life.

So, to those of you who are Dads...have a great weekend. To those of you who aren't...be sure to give yours a ring, pat on the back, hug, salt shaker for his beer, whatever. I've said it before, it's the hardest job i've ever done...but it's also the best thing i've ever been given the opportunity to do.

'It's been a long time since I...'

Has it really been almost two months?! Wow. Between being slammed at work and the two even bigger reasons you see above, having even 5 minutes to post up w/ some assemblance of anything anybody would want to read...just hasn't been in the cards.

Anyhow, as you can see, the Brothers Famous have changed sooo much. It's crazy. It's getting harder to call Owen (Left on the B/W and bottom photo) a 'Peanut' and Logan (Right on the B/W and top photo) could be the youngest linebacker in NFL history...if I didn't insist both of them go to college first. Logan is all smiles for the most part, the kid is either sleeping, eating (a lot), dirtying his diaper or grinning from ear to tiny ear. Owen is coming around too, the kid is smiling more every day and will actually giggle on command. Both are holding their own heads up while sitting upright and lifting their necks when on their tummy. Logan has quite the melon on him though, so it's a little tougher for that neck to hold it up. All that and more new tricks every day...Owen has even turned over a few times. Completely by accident, but he'll master it soon enough. They are truly amazing and both have come so far...little fighters through and through. So blessed.

Not much to report outside of the twin-cultivation business. Listened to some decent music here and there...most recent Neko Case is good, still trying to get the big deal over Ganrls Barkley (Cee-Lo and Dangermouse) and getting into Frank Black's back-catalog. New Mats songs have surfaced and will be featured on a 'Best Of' being put out by Rhino. The track selection itself is kind of meh, but i'll end up buying it for completist reasons...and the new tunes really are pretty decent. Again, i'm torn about any sort of reunion tour...but it worked for the Pixies and God knows the Mats deserve a big payday.

Throw in an excellent season finale of 'LOST', the new KFC chicken bowls and too many baseball games sure to educate my sons on the pain you endure being a Cubs fan (seriously, I still bleed Cubbie blue, but how much worse can they get). I'll really try to get back to some legitimate business on here...but, obviously, you should take my threats to do so w/ a grain of salt.

As always, peace.