BURNING UP

If you are going to be a superstar DJ, there are three simple rules you need to remember: Number One: You can always rely the Studio 54 compilation set. They're premixed! They last for hours. 

And Number Two: Madonna. Always works. 

-- James St. James (Seth Green) to Superstar DJ Keoki, Party Monster (2003)

My tribute to 30 years of Madonna continues with the second video from her self-titled debut, Burning Up.

You're welcome.

IF I ONLY HAD A HEART

"I found it credible. I know from the experience we had, and the necessity for adjusting my own device, that it was an accurate portrayal of what was possible."

-- Former President and Supreme Leader Dick Cheney, on an episode of Homeland, featuring a story line where terrorist assassinate the Vice-President by disabling his wireless pacemaker, triggering a heart attack.

Wait a minute, Dick Cheney has a heart?

LUCKY STAR

Okay, I have to admit it hurt a little bit when I recently realized it had been 30 years since Madonna's self-titled debut album was released.

Actually, it hurt quite a bit.

Anyway, this is the first Madonna video I ever saw, and I have no problem admitting that it was love at first sight!

I present to you one of the best songs on an album that not only happens to be her best, but is arguably one of the 10 best albums of the 80's, Lucky Star.

You're welcome.

CHERRY PICKERS

So the tea-baggers managed to hijack the government and shut it down for two week, in what turned out to be a poorly planned and executed attempt to defund Obamacare.

First, the news pictures of wheelchair-bound WWII vets being denied entrance in to the World War II Memorial because of the government shut-down didn't read too well in the news, so a bill was passed allowing it to be re-opened. Then, a second bill was passed to allow furloughed government workers receive back pay for their time off work, essentially giving them a free two-week vacation (which I don't begrudge them for a second).

Let's not forget the bill that had to be quickly passed, restoring military death benefits.

Then, the Houston Chronicle finally couldn't stand it anymore, and took back its endorsement of Senator Ted Cruz, saying:

"When we endorsed Ted Cruz in last November's general election, we did so with many reservations and at least one specific recommendation - that he follow (retiring senator Kay Bailey) Hutchison's example in his conduct as a senator. Obviously, he has not done so. Cruz has been part of the problem in specific situations where Hutchison would have been part of the solution."

Interesting.

So if my scorecard is correct, I'd say not only did Obama win, but if the democrats can hold it together and not fuck it up (as they tend to do), I'd say they'll win in 2014, too.

We'll have to see if voters memories can hold out until the congressional elections next year.

ALL TIED UP

I love my new bow-tie.

WASHED OUT

From an album that I have a hard time picking out a favorite song - because they're all so damn good - I present to you Don't Give Up from the latest Washed Out album, Paracosm.

J'adore cet album tellement.

PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACK

It's so difficult to put a friend in the past tense.

Nearly 10 years after I left the city I lovingly refer to as My Oz, I finally bid my beloved New York Yankees a fond farewell. It just got too difficult to follow a team based 2,500 miles away, especially without cable or satellite service. Besides, most of the players that were on the team when I lived there have since retired, the old stadium has been replaced with something nicer yet too expensive to visit, and I'm no longer familiar enough with the new players to make it worth my while.

I deleted the MLB app from my cellphone, removed their Facebook page from my list of Likes, and stopped following their Twitter page. However, I will still wear the shirt pictured above with fond memories of all the Nathans hot dogs and Cracker Jack that I washed down with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in The House That Ruth Built.

BRIDGEWORK

The Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge has finally opened to traffic, ten years overdue and $5 billion dollars over budget.

I don't think transportation officials get to pat themselves on the back just because they opened it a few hours earlier than anticipated, as they did last night.

CEMENT POND

Beer, barbecue, a swimming pool and lots of family gossip?

Okay, Pete and Gina, here I come!

SUMMERTIME

This is me and my surfboard yesterday afternoon.

So long to Summer 2013.

You were pretty awesome.