did you say free (part 2)

The Charlatans announced last year they will be offering their next studio record for free. At last look, this is planned for 3 Mar 08. If you like their kind of music (or even if you don't), this is a chance to check out this talented band. The latest single, You Cross My Path, is available right now.

Radiohead released their record, In Rainbows, last Oct in a similar way. It has got to be their best offering since OK Computer. (Let me know if you are interested.) I can't wait to see them when they come to the Hollywood Bowl next.

Xfm.com (UK) provides an occasional freebie in their "Watch and Listen" section.

On another note but staying with the "free" theme, I have found myself longing for Friday mornings. Not for the obvious reasons but actually to go to work and stop by Chick-fil-A on the way. Since the beginning of the year, Chick-fil-A has been offering breakfast for free. Every Friday morning (through the end of Feb) they serve up one of their tasty breakfast items for free with no purchase necessary. This may only be in the Irvine location next to the 133 but it's worth a try.

did you say free

Music is important to me. I listen to anything and almost everything. I really enjoy game night at our friend's house because we eventually listen to Hair Nation (high school days, 80s metal and hair bands). For the past few years, I have been listening religiously to a small radio station on the left-hand side of the FM dial, KCRW (89.9 in SoCal). To me, KCRW, is a beautiful blend of college radio and talk radio for your parents. One of the best things about this station is that it is streamed as well and I get to listen at work. I would love to buy most of the music I hear on their Morning Becomes Eclectic program but unfortunately will not allow myself to afford it. Sometime last year they decided to make available one song a day free for download known as Top Tune. Try the station out and you might find something new you'll like.

One of my wife's friends put together a list of their favorite music of 2007 and made it available for download. I hope that this will inspire me to do the same for '08.

the worms crawl in

I think it has rained here in SoCal more in this year than it has in the past two years. It's beautiful to see the fire ravaged areas bursting with green. Our lawn is looking sweet. Apparently, the worms don't seem to like the rain as much as I do as they have been crawling into the house under our slider and as far a a couple of feet indoors. Does this seem right to anyone else? Are they looking for a warm place to sleep? Is this a sign of the second coming? Either way, I choose eradication. An old practice my dad taught me with slugs was to use salt. It works great with worms too. As soon as I rain Morton's on them, they flop around like a fish out of water. I think have a future science project in mind for my son.

when can i get a cell phone

As much as I embrace technology, I loathe it at the same time. Over the holidays my son asked, "When I get a cell phone?" I laughed out loud. You know, one of those deep guttural laughs that is almost uncontrollably sarcastic. Come on ... what's a 5 year old gonna do with a phone? "To call my friends," he just stated as a matter of fact.
Well, there you have it.

memory

You up for a game of Dora memory. My son, 5, will rule you!

but i'm scared

Though terrified about falling, my son, 5, rode his bike for the first time on Saturday without training wheels. Man...who knew how tiring that was going to be running up and down the street along side of him for 10 minutes.