Stefan Wood

Thanks. I'm back at work, and though I had a few anxious moments, I'm good. I never received any points for the incident. It's up to the insurance companies to assess now. I'll get a loaner tomorrow. My girlfriend is shaken up but is back at work as well. I've been talking to her every day since. All is well.

Thanks Allen -- The problem is the police have me written up as at fault. Perhaps that is not of concern to the insurance companies. I will mention it to them when I talk to Geico today.

A BIG learning experience. Thanks guys. All is well.

The Chico Hamilton set is one of the worst and most disappointing things I've ever heard in my entire life. If you ever come across one, you should absolutely not waste your money. Contact me so that I can make sure it is disposed of properly. And I'm of the opposite opinion. This is one of my all time favorite Mosaic sets.

I don't normally post personal matters, but I had to get this off my chest. I got involved in a nasty car accident yesterday. I was driving; my girlfriend was my passenger. It was a gorgeous day, like late May, blue skies and all. We decided to go to a park off of the Potomac River, Great Falls, but it was so crowded, we ended up going to one of the locks along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, that also runs along the Potomac. Walked together for a couple of hours, and had a great time. Got into my truck, which was in a parking lot that was close to the main road. You have to back out and turn parallel before entering the road, which is what I did. I let the oncoming traffic go by. When the road was clean, I was going to move when I saw two cars come down the road. I let them go, then turned. I never saw the third car. It struck my truck on the left corner, barely missing the driver's door. Both vehicles ended up towards the right side of the road, but we were now both inoperable, as my wheel was crushed and his had a flat. We were all shaken up, but most importantly, no one was hurt. When we all calmed down we talked and the other couple were nice people -- I got tips on a better insurance company from the wife, and made nice with their pet bulldog, Killer! The cops came and were all professional -- I got the citation, because in DC, Maryland and Virginia law, there has to be some accountability. I got off light with a failure to give right of way. I was able to see my girlfriend off - her brother picked her up. She has been very supportive and understanding. I've just been upset because I have never been in a situation like this, and at how close it came for someone to get hurt. I have everything squared away with my insurance company, and the truck is in the body shop. I made mention in another thread where I was looking forward to the New Year, where I would be less hard on myself and enjoy life a lot more. I have gone through mild depression and loneliness in the past, and I felt that I have come a long way from that. When something like this happens you question everything about yourself, but I think I can work my way through it. Again, what's most important is that everyone is safe. Just a nasty end to a beautiful day.

I'm looking for: Quella Vecchia Locanda's "Il Tempo Della Gioia" and their self titled album Maxaphone "Maxaphone" Thanks!

Got volumes 3 & 4 in the mail yesterday. Thanks!

James Brown's "Startime" when it first was released. Blew my mind back then, and still does today. One of the best box sets available.

Can't you make an electronic payment for the minimum over the weekend? Check this out - I have a Bank Of America bill due 12/31. Says right there on the bill: Payment Due Date: 12/31/2006So I go to make an online payment & it says thta the payment will be credited Jan 2, since 12/31 is not a business day. Fuck that. I'll pay by phone, take the hit on the fee, and be done with it. Nope. Same deal. Make it on 12/30, get credited for 01/02. I'm talking to some CS zombie and I ask him straight up - Define "Payment Due Date". "That's the last day you can make your payment and not have it considered late." "So why is a payment made before the Payment Due Date going to be considered late?" "Because the Payment Due Date falls on a Weekend" "So it's not really the Payment Due Date then, is it." "Yes, it's still the Payment Due Date." "So you're telling me that words on a piece of paper have no real meaning then, right?" "No, that's not what I'm saying." "You're a liar, aren't you." "No sir, I'm not. Is there anything else I can help you with?" "Yeah, you can get your head out of your ass before it gets stuck there permanently." Click. There's no grace period?

Yup, they are now $6.99!

I'll be seeing this. His movies have been mixed bags as of late. House of Flying Daggers was nice, but the plot fell apart 2/3 way through. Strong visuals. Hero is actually a movie that has grown on me over time. I thought it was okay at first, but gets better on subsequent viewings. I miss the small budget films from the 80s. Lon, if you like those mentioned, check out the Banquet and the Promise. I think both are flawed films, but look stunning and have some great moments.

Breathlessly awaiting boxes 3 & 4. I don't know why, I am still only halfway through the first box!!!

A funny story: I had this lp, and I sold it on ebay to -- none other than Gil Melle himself! He had been looking for a copy for years, and was happy to have won it. Got positive feedback.

Eclipse seems like a newer incarnation of the HVe (Home Vision entertainment) dvd line that had stopped a year ago.

No, they are not overpriced. For the research, restoration and other extras they provide it is worth the extra money. Who else will reissue the films that they are releasing?

damn!!!!!!!!!!! RIP to a music giant

It happens. There's so much music out there.....

It's amazes me that this group did not make a dent in the US music pop culture. I first became aware of this group by reading a review in Mike Stax's entertaining magazine Ugly Things, many years ago. I think it was a review for the double cd "Music in the Doll's House/Family Entertainment." I remember buying it, loving the music but hating the voice, and sold it thereafter. Some years passed, and I stumbled across a copy of "Fearless," and for a buck, I got it, played it and loved it. Roger Chapman has one of the most distinctive voices in rock (I never heard a man bleat before, but Chapman has a tremendous voice), and both he and Charlie Whitney are a great songwriting team. I've been listening to "Bandstand" a lot lately, and I put it right up there with Abbey Road for sheer creativity and terrific music. Family is a relevation,and I'm thankful for the reissues that are available (UK only of course).

I resolve to make my life a happier one in 07. I've been too hard on myself, in all aspects of my life. I just want to do well. Happy holidays guys!

Larry Young "Unity" Lee Morgan - "Cornbread" Jackie McLean - "Action" Sam Rivers - "Fuscia Swing Song" Horace Silver - "The Jody Grind" Grant Green - Matador" John Patton - "That Certain Feeling" Wayne Shorter - "ETC" Bobby Hutcherson - "Dialogue" Art Blakey - "Mosaic"

I have three Pat Thomas lps, the Strand and two MGM lps. Desafinado is the most fun of the three, with its infectious bossa nova grooves, but I do like the Strand one as well. The Moody date (the other MGM lp) is decent vocal jazz. I had no idea who the personnel were on the Strand!

Soul Connection is vinyl only. Never been on cd, but dammit, it SHOULD be. Grachan Moncur is great on this as well.

I second the Reiner Mahler 4th.

Same here. There's a wealth of good music from these sessions, that I am surprised that the two chosen for lp release are not the best tunes. That's not saying they are bad; it's just that the other tunes are much more interesting, and lively. I am surprised at the freshness of the music and how different they are from his group albums from that time. Fun, relaxing, and intimate.

The high pressure worked for me -- put in my order! Whew!!!