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I actually bought new music yesterday. Rachael Yamagata's Happenstance and Katie Melua's Call Off the Search. The first I blame on the iTunes store. Rachael's song Letter Read was one of the free songs of the week and it's an amazing song. Just grabbed me the first time I listened to it. Very Fiona Apple before Fiona self-destructed. I went to her site, listened to some other songs, and got hooked. It's a lot of a love lost sort of album.

Katie Melua came to my attention because there's a commercial that plays during Live with Regis and Kelly. It's a bit intriguing so I visited her site and listened a bit. Totally blues songs and she has a voice that pulls it off well. Not necessarily something I'd buy but it was someone I kept in the back of my mind.

And I wouldn't have bought the CDs but Saturday wasn't too well for me. I went to the WCBS luncheon. Problem on the Bay Bridge so I had to drive back and use the San Mateo Bridge. But then there was an accident on the 101 and in the end I ended up getting there an hour and a quarter late. Another 40 minutes or so before we left so I both didn't get to eat much and more importantly didn't get to listen as much as I would have liked. So afterwards I went to Borders and bought the two CDs.

Now, I could have bought both albums on at the iTunes store and the thought did cross my mind. It's cheaper. But there's something about having an actual CD and the insert and it just seems more permanent. Then again, iTunes store is cheaper and you get immediate gratification and it's all seamlessly downloaded onto my computer. I don't know. I'm, not really ready to buy music online. Software online I occasionally do, but not music online.
So I haven't written about President Ronald Reagan, who died a couple of week ago. Depending on who you talk to, he did a lot of good or a lot of bad. I tend to think he was a fairly good President. Maybe not the best and he certainly made mistakes. But he was a two-term President and helped the country get out of some bad times. President of the United States really doesn't have as much real power as most people think. They're not supposed to have a huge amount of power. Presidents wield power through influence, negotiating skill, personal charisma. And Ronald Reagan had those qualities.

The Lakers lost to Detroit in the NBA Finals, five games to one. They ran into a defensive buzz saw, convincingly lost four games and only one their one game by scoring like 13 points in two minutes to force overtime and the win. I wasn't really rooting for either team, though deep down inside I'm happier that the Pistons won. But the Lakers represent California while the Pistons represent a change of pace for NBA champions. This is probably the end of an era for Los Angeles. Phil Jackson is not coming back and who knows about the players. Oh well, change happens.

Tomorrow I might have jury duty. It's the first time I've been called though it doesn't look good for me. I called the phone number and they said I'm not in the first group called, though maybe I will have to show up so I need to call at 11:00 tomorrow. I think it would be fun to participate in our justice system, though it is a lot of time and I do have lots of work to do. Of course this means I can't carpool tomorrow since I might need my car.

Dave came over today to pick up his flip-mattress. I need to buy one. The problem with Dave and appointments, it's that sometimes he is ver late. Today he stayed after work doing some project and didn't show up until after 14:00 (he gets off at 11:00). For some reason I wanted to go to a movie today but by the time he dropped by and then we talked and then it was 16:00 and I wsn't in the mood anymore. Not his fault, just the way he is.
Copyright (c) 2004 Kevin C. Wong
Page Created: June 20, 2004
Page Last Updated: June 20, 2004