step away from the monitor

Happy Autism Awareness Month

An message to all 11 of you MotherGoldstein readers...

My postings kind of dried up since the last big Autism walk, and thanks by the way to everyone who donated. Overall the walk raised over $120,000 for the Autism Society of MN.
I will back to posting soon.
My family recently got the news that my youngest daughter is now also on the Autism spectrum. She has been going through many test (all of which are NOT covered by my BULSHIT insurance). Keep my family in your thoughts and I will be back posting soon.

Team Max

Hello all,

Team Max Lewis is gearing up for a fund raising walk on Sunday Feb. 24, 2008 to support the Autism Society of Minnesota in their efforts to enhance the lives of children and families who are living the adventure called autism. We would love to see all of you out there with your walking shoes on, but we realize that is not a possibility.

If you would like to sponsor our team it would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds go to the Autism Society of Minnesota which not only helps families throughout the state, but also benefits Max and his progress.

The link for online donations is -Team Max Lewis

happy new year everybody

happy new year - merry xmas - keith's birday - my brother's birthday - baby jesus' birthday!!!!!
First of all... how many f'n college bowl games do we need?? don't know about you but i think currently, there are about 8 too many... I gotta say, i'm a sucker for a cheerleader... well, girl cheerleader - I feel so old, gals didn't get the breast augmentation back when I was in college... sorry, certainly I digress.

Had a great holiday, and got some great presents, first up, my brand new Shubb GS dobro steel:
[picture removed due to complaints]
note: the face I'm making has less to do with my excitement and more with the metal object sticking out of the right side of my head. Another great present I received was the book, "Dance with the Devil" by Stanley Booth. Thanks TA, I've never met you face to face, thank you for the awesome book.

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Guitar of the Week:

Killer Gibson signature V - The Jimi Hendrix model... remember? the Band of Gypsys? My personal favorite Jimi Era. This V is clean, and with the 60's model tremelo bridge, humbuckers pickups, and funky 60's finish... Very affordable and Hey it sounds great when plugged into this...

Orange Combo! It REALLY DOES SOUND GOOD PLUGGED INTO THIS BABY!

Ok, Song of the... just click play I grabbed some stuff I've been listening to over the holidays..

First we have,
The Sixths, with "Kissing Things"

and the next two are my old buddy,
Brooks West with, "Sharpie" and "the Art Song"

it's good to be back...

Happy Birthday Keith...

Happy Birthday Keith, you don't look a day over 113.

On a "sad"/"wow, it's been that long" note...

Can you believe it has been 10 years to the day since the untimely death of Chris Farley?

I've felt like she looks before... and man did I feel f'n horrible!

Hillary, got Spackle?

Song of the... Just Click Play...Yo La Tengo

Not doing a whole hell of a lot of posting these days... I've been very busy: feeding reindeer, dealing with Elf labor disputes, and trying to get my new Sirius satellite radio to work in the sleigh.

Seriously, "Song of the... Just Click Play" is dedicated to my lovely wife. She is quite simply, a Superhero. Taking care of a child with Autism (dealing with the countless therapists coming in and out of our house - as well as trips to the "Courage Center" for occupational therapy), she also raises two "wild princesses". This week she finished her Master's Degree, wow.

"on our way to fall in love" by Yo La Tengo is a song that reminds me of our first year married (also the first year she started Grad school). It's one of those songs, when I hear it I can't help thinking about my wife and how much I love and respect her.

Hope you like it.

sometimes reality television can yeild very good things...

This is, The Clark Brothers performing, YOU'RE IN MY HEART, by Rod Stewart

Sometimes you gotta love "top 40" Radio

Stories like this always make my day...
Z100's Jingle Ball to help fight autism

Meet Fin

on this day

38 years ago today the Stones Played Altamont Speedway.

Today would be a good day to watch "Gimme Shelter" the movie which chronicles the 1969 tour.

My favorite line in the movie comes from Mick when viewing footage of Ike and Tina Turner, who was the opening act:
"It's nice to have a chick occasionally"

The Vault

Love Concerts? Where do you go when you want to see Judas Priest, Rolling Stones, and um... Roger Miller? Wolfgang's Vault That's where.
Concerts from your favorite bands, unless your favorite band is REM... Sorry Beth, they're not on this site.

OK, so not ALL the bands but quite a lot - check it out.

New book about the The Replacements... Just in time for Christmas

"All Over But the Shoutin': An Oral History", by Jim Walsh sounds like a "must read" for all us Mat fans. Greg Gaston from
Crawdaddy interviewed Jim Walsh about the book and I can't wait to read it.

“It was kind of daunting to do this project, it stopped many writers. There was fear of the band, and fear that they wouldn’t get it right and be laughed at by all the smart Replacement fans—who are the smartest, most persnickety, demanding fans of all. But you start getting older, and friends of mine started dying, and maybe important stories weren’t going to get laid down if I waited any longer. It’s like you’re in the middle of your life and you’ve lived these stories—and I lived it.”

I'm rushing to my iPod now to listen to some Mats!

UPDATED I FIXED ITSong of the... Just Click Play...The Weakerthans

New Song of the ... Just Click Play

I hope you enjoy The Weakerthans - My Favorite Chords

One of my favorite bands.

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Alright I figured it out, it seems that my code was missing a <, so...

it's working now... enjoy!

On This Day....

8: Horace, Latin poet, satirist, dies

Then Nothing really happened on this day until...

1940: Actor Bruce Lee (Liu Yuen Kam) born
1942: Rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix Schulz (Foxy Lady, Purple Haze) born
1962: Rock musician Charlie Benante (Anthrax) born
1962: Rock musician Mike Bordin (Faith No More) born
1984: Artificial heart recipient William J. Schroeder speaking for the first time since the implant, asked for a can of beer -- a wish that was granted two days later

Autism News: Hillary talks - Autism Speaks responds... I remain bitter

So I have had a few emails today asking if I am planning to Vote for Hillary based on THIS STORY. My answer is simple, "The elections are 11.5 months away"! I think it is foolish for anyone to be 100% sure for whom they are voting this early in the game.

I like what she said, more money devoted too:

• Expanding research to identify the causes of autism, including potential environmental reasons.

• Improving education and early detection and intervention, including creating a task force to investigate autism treatments and services.

• Training for teachers to instruct children with autism.

Perhaps she should add a babysitter fund for the 10's of thousands of parents of kids with Autism, who NEVER get to go out on regular dates.

Autism Speaks, responded: Since they are non-profit they will not endorse any candidate. In the same breath, families dealing with Autism are "non profit" too - so that's a good excuse NOT to endorse anyone.

Here's the deal folks... Not talking about all the emotional and stressful feelings associated with Autism, The financial portion is just adds to the mix... Maybe this will better help me explain:

1. monthly cost of my son's therapy=$8,900.00
2. monthly income=A LOT less than $8,900.00

Insurance companies help, but what insurance companies are the best at: finding loopholes NOT to cover. In fact, my 5 year old son has reached his LIFETIME LIMIT ON PHYSICAL THERAPY! Ahhhhhh! I knew this post would end up just pissing me off.

I will leave you with this, what is Autism?

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

Ric Flair supporting Mike Huckabee

I don't know much about Mike Huckabee other than he seems to be the "tough guy's" guy.

Recently Chuck Norris (NOTE: There is no chin under Chuck Norris' Beard - There is only another fist) as endorsed Mr. Huckabee, and now Ric "The NatureBoy" Flair (pictured) is jumping on board. In a statement just in time for Iowa, Mr. Flair was quoted as saying, "WOOOOOO!"

Meet the women who won't have babies - because they're not eco friendly

Attention all annoying people... do this.

"At the age of 27 this young woman at the height of her reproductive years was sterilized to 'protect the planet'."

Don't get me wrong, saving the planet is a noble cause, but being down right annoying is another thing entirely. I'm no saint and I annoy plenty of people (just ask my wife), but give me a break STERILIZE YOURSELF TO PROTECT THE PLANET?!?!?!?!?

Here's an idea, have LOTS of PROTECTED SEX to save the planet!

Look Me In The Eye!

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a proud father of a young man with Autism, as well as an obvious advocate for the cause.
This morning on The KQ Morning Show, Tom and the crew interviewed John Elder Robison, author of, Look Me In The Eye, a story about growing up with Asperger's Syndrome.
It was a great interview and I am excited to read the book. Mr. Robison is quite the interesting cat, older brother of Augusten Burroughs, "Running With Scissors". After quitting high school, John started tinkering with music instruments, he eventually ended up on the road with KISS. He designed Ace Frehley's signature "smoking Les Paul" as well as other Stage instruments.

From building guitars to designing games for "Milton Bradley", John Elder Robison has had an interesting life. I'm very excited to read his book. His blog is very inspirational as well.

Song of the... Just Click Play...The Mystery of the Missing Hockey Star

Three types of people know the story of Bill Barilko: Canadians, Hockey Fans, or "Tragically Hip" fans (in most cases it's all three).

"In April 1951, in one of the most dramatic moments in hockey history, defenceman Bill Barilko scores the goal that takes the Stanley Cup for the Maple Leafs. Four months later he disappears in the northern Ontario wilderness.
The Leafs didn't win another cup until 1962... the year Barilko's body was discovered"

Since Hockey is in full effect, I thought I would share with you a band who is synonymous with the great sport.
Today's song is "Fifty Mission Cap" off of the CD "Fully Completely". The song is about the Leafs, and the disappearance of Bill Barilko.

I hope you like the tune, The Hip is somewhat of a love em or hate em kind of band (kind of like Hockey is a Love it or hate it kind of sport).

Here is a bonus for all you Rock and Hockey fans out there, "Lonely Side of the Rink" by the Tragically Hip...