That was the Bible at a former job of mine. How does this crap take hold?!

Better idea, Steve: Run with the 7 Habits of Ineffective People Who Are Not Afraid of Life idea and have your son bump Covey's grandson out of his Harvard admission.

Eileen: That's genius!! Meredith: I think it takes hold when one influential person makes it his bible, and every other lemming follows along because nobody wants to be the one to day, "Mr. Mortonsen? That Cheese book? Really, really stupid."

Steve . . . was he really rambling and incoherent? That is so interesting, because I think the guy gets about 50,000 grand per appearance. Hell, I could be rambling and incoherent for a lot less than that.

As noted, I wasnt there to provide a first hand account, but I am yet to hear one positive review. Fairly clear that he is trading on his name, so to speak, rather than on offering any relevant contribution. ("Oh, Covey is going to be there? He is famous, this must be a big deal.") For similar situations in other fields of endeavor, see also Hasselhoff, David; and 2, U.

Whoooeee!! I've got a big U2 fan in my life who isn't going to like THAT!

And, obviously, Steve, you did not see Hasselhoff's stunning performance in the SpongeBob Squarepants movie. I think it may have been some of the best work he's done in his entire career. And that is saying a LOT, is it not?

I actually gasped at the U2 comment. My son at age 5 knew most of the words to the entire Boy album, making his parents proud. Steve N., blasphemer that you are, what DO you listen to?

Well, as far as tangents are concerned, I'm a former math major, so needless to say I love 'em. :)

And anytime it's feasible, I think Dixie's Midnight Runners should be thrown into conversation, as well as Soft Cell, the Pet Shop Boys, Nena and Howard Jones. I mean really, "no one ever is to blame", right??? I totally feel you Eileen on the whole Tears for Fears, Adam Ant thing. My first concert was Bon Jovi, followed shortly thereafter by a three way ticket of the Sugarcubes, P.I.L. and New Order.

From the meat eating, martini drinking, socially liberal, fiscally left-wing, bleeding heart...
rapc

Oh, and it's Dexy's Midnight Runners - named for drug Dexedrine (the precursor to Ritalin). Being an 80s expert is a heavy burden indeed...

For the record, I want everyone to know that I, too, knew it was Dexy's. Just for the record. I just got caught up in the excitement.

Laurel, on Monday we are going to address your situation. It's ready for posting. P.S. I may be coming out to Seattle to do some work for Boeing. Maybe we could have a cocktail at the fish market and watch the boys throw the salmon around.

Steve

Ah, clarity. Thanks Darin. The Doves latest was reviewed in Entertainment Weekly this week (which I noticed only due to the mention in this blog), and while they got an A-, I learned absolutley nothing about the band/music/style.

In true critic-speak, the review was full of purple prose that left me no more knowedgeable about the band that I was previously. Their style could have been playing spoons on their knee and blowing into empty moonshine jugs based on that review. (this is why that Amazon "people who shopped for this also shopped for" thingie is so very very powerful).

Love punk/ska! I'll definitely check that out. That name is hilarious.

DATE: 02/23/2005 19:60:7P PM
Bless you Steve. I thought I was the only who felt this way about this junk. My cheese moveth, but I don't need a children's book to tell me that either.

DATE: 02/23/2005 28:81:2P PM
I was not in attendance, but Mr Covey recently presented to a group of our leadership... and the reviews were none too kind. Rambling, bordering on incoherent.

DATE: 02/23/2005 28:84:8P PM
I had a college roommate who was forever moving and/or eating my cheese and other foodstuffs. I beat him up, finally. I read that "who moved my cheese" book . . . . and just could not believe grown people paid money to buy it.

DATE: 02/24/2005 12:92:7P PM
There WAS a big article in the Chicago Trib last week about how U2 has completely sold out and is alienating many of their fans as they struggle to stay relevant and in the "public eye." So there may be something to it . . . . but when I saw them three years ago, it was one of the best shows I"ve ever seen.

DATE: 02/24/2005 03:84:6P PM
Maybe they should make a movie of Covey's life and call it "Lord of the Cha-Chings", and it could be populated by all his hairy little habits. (Sorry - I'm wanted in several states for my punning atrocities.)

DATE: 02/24/2005 08:11:3P PM
Hasselhoff was brilliant in Dodgeball, too. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.

DATE: 02/24/2005 10:00:7P PM
Well now we're blaspheming U2, so I must weigh in. Find me one band who is worth a crap who hasn't been accused of selling out. Aerosmith is pushing cars, Van Halen pushed Pepsi (Clear, at that, ewwwww.), The Who has the franchise on CSI, the Stones went disco and Rod Stewart wore hot pants. Hell, even Joe Cocker did a movie soundtrack..."Love Lift Us Up?" Are you kidding me???

My point being...calling U2 a sellout makes me say 'Meh, so what?' They've made some great music, and whatever bad things you can say about Bono...he is, at least, trying to make a contribution financially and socially to change things for the better in the world. You don't have to agree with it, but you can acknowledge it just the same. As opposed to some (plenty) musicians who spend their time bitching about things while they waste their days away on the beach half schnockered. (Not that there's anything wrong with that , see also Honeymoon, My and 2000, Summer of Beer.)

Who Moved the Cheese, The Fish Philosophy...whatever. The bigger point is (and you're going to love this one folks...from the computer geek, nonetheless) that if people were able to communicate more effectively in their work and personal lives, overall they become much happier. And then they eat the fish and the cheese with a nice pinot gris (I recommend the 2000 King Estate Pinos Gris, myself) and don't read a gosh darn thing unless it's fun for them.

DATE: 02/24/2005 19:01:3P PM
Now, now, I never called U2 a sellout, just no longer relevant. Which I stand by. I don't dislike U2 particularly, I just recoil a bit at the reverence they are accorded (such as the term "blasphemy" when one takes a shot at 'em!). Sorry, but the Edge is just not that great a player (seriously, how many variations on that jangle-jingle-jangle riff can you milk?). Which is not a crime, but for the fact that he is revered as some guitar legend. And if I want politics, I'll go to a politican. You are (arguably) a rock and roll band - sing about girls! (now I'll really be ducking for cover...)

Full disclosure, since you asked for it, my preferred poison (pun intended) is 80s hair bands. Pure, unadulterated, utterly meaningless, windows-rolled down, scream-along songs. I have seen KISS 18 times (what? what?) and Jimmy Buffett 8 times. But my all time favorite, guitars slung down at the knees, riff-ola band is a british outfit called the Wildhearts. Hard to find in the states, but pick up "Earth vs. the Wildhearts" or "Riff After Riff" - you won't regret it (well, maybe if you are looking to save the world in a 3 minute song you might...)

Throwing the goat,
Steve

DATE: 02/24/2005 21:84:3P PM
Steve N. - I 'm sorry about the blasphemy comment. And I'm sorry you've seen KISS 18 times. Now you can tease me about paying good money (from the drive-movie theater I was working at in the early '80s) to see Adam Ant, Billy Idol AND Tears for Fears. I believe we're even.

DATE: 02/24/2005 22:82:8P PM
I like U2...I think they are a great stadium band. I personally find the Edge good at what he does, but I don't consider him even coming close to the greats. (And the greats in my book, just to clarify, are people like Clapton, Hendrix, Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Prince, and more recently Robert Randolph.)

And I find it interesting, the whole "if I want politics, I'll go to a politician" argument. Music was founded on speaking out, on fighting for a cause. R&B comes from slave music, from gospel, from people talking about what is going on around them. R&B combined with folk music to make rock and roll, and folk is based on commenting on every day life. Punk is full of people screaming about the human condition, and the alternative movement took that to a different level. Even rap artists are taking a stand.

I think musicians get pigeon-holed sometimes. If they just 'sing about girls' (which I do not find offensive, btw, being married to an 80's hairband addict) - they're considered fluff, and if they sing about the human condition, or politics or war, they should "Shut up and sing". But don't we hold them to that higher cause? Don't we want them to take a stand, and try to help out? If someone put a microphone in your hand and said, "please, you have this public presence, and this great access to so many people, won't you please speak to raise money and awareness for our cause?" And don't we expect them to say yes? And if they don't, do they not get persecuted in the media? When people get famous, what's the first question they get asked? (Besides "who are you wearing") The question is "what's your charity". Every celeb is expected to have a charity...to appear on game shows to raise money for it...to appear at benefits to raise money for it...to appear in ads that talk about it. Aren't we being crass if we want to take their money and their time and not let them speak or sing about their cause? This goes for actors, musicians, writers...anyone in the public eye. The latest Green Day album is amazing, and political and people are hailing it...

Some of the biggest artists in the world have founded and sustained their careers on being politically and globally aware. I'm not sure why it's so shocking anymore.

My two cents...
not a goat thrower :)

DATE: 02/24/2005 31:21:7P PM
I don't believe it's shocking - just overrated. I think they *can* be aware - and activist even. What I dislike is the instant credibility we assign people in an arena they are unproven at best. To wit, because Bono can sing, does not make him an expert on the rainforest. Because Ted Danson can ...(what is it he is good at exactly? For the sake of argument, lets call it "acting") does not make him an expert on global warming. Let's leave that to the scientists and folks who dedicate a lifetime to the subject. Instead, we believe those with good hair.

I guess I *don't* want them to take a stand unless they know what they are talking about - since our culture tends to assign relevance and credibility based on popularity - see the Spencer Johnson example (Ah HA! Back on point!)

"Taking a stand" does not make you informed or credible. It's nice, I suppose, in an altruistic kind of way, but that does not make it correct, nor does it make it worthwhile.

From my entertainment, all I ask is that it be entertaining. It *can* be meaningful too, I suppose, but lets not lose sight of goal number one in the pursuit of that meaning.

I don't do higher causes I guess.

Your friendly meat eating (Hi steve) fiscally conservative, socially liberal, skeptical libertarian atheist,

Steve N

DATE: 02/24/2005 32:24:2P PM
And, damn, I forgot to make my planned "Tears for Fears and Adam Ant? Come on, Eileen!" gag from a a few notes ago...

DATE: 02/24/2005 32:70:1P PM
Dixie's Midnight Runner. Touche.

You're all wrong on U2, and the whole go-to-the polititians-for-politics thing, but you do know your '80s music. I'll give you that.

DATE: 02/24/2005 61:34:1P PM
Your friendly meat eating (Hi steve) fiscally conservative, socially liberal, skeptical libertarian atheist

Good God, Steve N. We may have to get married. You just described me. This is what I call a BLOG!!! We start with Stephen Covey, veer towards U2, touch on politics, teeter towards activism, and end up with DIxie's Midnight Runners.

Steve

DATE: 02/24/2005 71:51:2P PM
I do like the odd tangent, as you may have noted.

Much as I appreciate the offer Steve, marriage didn't agree with me in a prior attempt. And your offer would certainly draw a distinction between socially liberal and SOCIALLY LIBERAL - if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Eileen, I'll take whatever small victory I can get. As the philosopher-poet once said, I don't believe in the 60s, in the golden age of pop, you glorify the past while the future dries up.

(sorry, couldnt resist)

SN

DATE: 02/25/2005 12:44:7P PM
That was a typo...I know better...I read Steve C's post and lost my senses...DAMN YOU STEVE CRESCENZO!! (now embarrassed to call myself a singer, a musician and an 80's efficiando.)

Slinking out of the office early to drink and eventually stumble into the Auditorium Theatre to see Joe Cocker...you all have a fantastic weekend.

DATE: 02/25/2005 02:10:7P PM
WOW! What a thread!

U2's music was very political in the early albums, a lot stemming from the Irish struggle (Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride, etc.). I will agree with Steve N. that U2's angst in their music is what gave them a following. I guess it's hard to have angst to draw inspiration from these days when you're making millions per year...

I'm in my mid-30's and the band I'm into now is Doves, from Manchester, UK. Good stuff.

http://www.doves.net

DATE: 02/25/2005 10:14:5P PM
Joe Cocker's alive?

And you 80's music fans must check out this compilation of punk remakes of new wave songs. Fabulous: http://www.yourmusic.com/browse/album/50779.html

DATE: 02/25/2005 39:11:7P PM
Darin,

What are the Doves all about? I'm already trying to find the Wildhearts, as per Steve N.'s recommendation. Now I'll look for the Doves, too.

Steve C.

DATE: 02/25/2005 40:01:1P PM
Now I have to weigh in again here - there were two Wildhearts albums actually released in the states recently. "The WiLDHEARTS Must Be Destroyed" is considerably poppier, but still riffy. "Riff after Riff" is much harder edged, but condidered to be more representative of the band. Since you are a chicago guy, I can tell you that Tower Records tends to carry those two.

If you happen to come across "Endless Nameless" (which is unlikely) run - dont walk - run out of the store. Awful album - the result of too much heroin and trying to get out of their record deal by purposefully putting out an album that borders on unlistenable. If the 'hearts were more socially revelvant, that might be considered a blow against the crypto-fascist corporate machine, but in their case I think it was probably something about not enough beer in the dressing room...

SN

DATE: 02/25/2005 52:82:4P PM
Thanks to Steve N. for the "DEXY's" edit......and does anyone remember the heavy ewww-factor 80s riddle that relates? "What's worse than sweat on Olivia?"

Laurel
(for whom the height of rebellion in freshman year at Wazzu was skipping class to watch MTV----continuous videos, that is, before they chopped the programming up into 30-minute chunks....)

DATE: 02/25/2005 78:25:6P PM
Oh, please Laurel. Not that joke. Please!!! I've lived with that for years. Oh, and I was at my 3rd grade son's awards banquet last night thinking..."It's not Dixie's...it's Dexy's." Someone obviously beat me to it today. That's what I get for taking a day off work.

DATE: 02/28/2005 73:43:6A PM
Steve, Doves has been described by some of their fans as "a soundtrack for your mind". They are a traditional guitar/bass/drums trio, but they have an ethereal asthetic to them at times, some high energy foot-stomping anthems, and some good acoustic stuff. Their latest album (their third) "Some Cities" goes on sale in the US March 1. They've been under the radar in the states, but have a good following. I think there are streaming samples of that album at http://www.nme.com

DATE: 03/01/2005 80:75:4A PM
Yes! Joe Cocker is still alive, and was absolutely fantastic! It was a great show...I highly recommend seeing him if you can. You will sing along with every song and he gives a knock down drag out performance as only Joe can.

Will have to check out the Doves...and Meredith's suggestion as well.

If anyone is looking for great punk/ska remakes of tunes...you must check out the band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. I love their stuff... http://gimmegimmes.com/

I believe their stuff is on Amazon if you want to preview it.

DATE: 03/26/2005 43:25:1P PM
dodgeball was hilarious!

DATE: 08/11/2005 10:54:7A PM
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