Summer pre-order update #2 August 27, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Audiobooks, Books, Media, Personal, TV.add a comment
For the first time in the 3 1/2-month history of these pre-order posts, I’m reporting that I’ve pre-ordered something other than a music CD. I have pre-ordered a nonfiction book and unabridged audiobook (CD):
Bill O’Reilly, “A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity: A Memoir” (9/23)
Courtesy Amazon.com
Here is the book synopsis:
In 1957, in the heart of the Eisenhower years, in the third grade classroom of Sister Mary Lurana in Saint Brigid’s parochial school in Westbury, Long Island, was a mouthy, obstreperous kid by the name of William O’Reilly. Quite a handful he was, and so one day Sister Lurana bent over him in exasperation in response to some piece of mischief and told him to his face, “William, you are a bold fresh piece of humanity.” Little did she know that she was, early in his career as a troublemaker, defining the essence of Bill O’Reilly and providing him with the title of his brash and entertaining issues-based memoir.
In his most intimate book yet, O’Reilly goes back in time to examine the people, places, and experiences that launched him on his journey from being a working-class kid to an immensely influential television personality and bestselling author. Readers will learn how his traditional outlook was formed in the crucible of his family, his neighborhood, his church, and his schools, and how his views on America’s proper role in the world emerged from covering four wars on five continents over three-plus decades as a news correspondent. What will delight his many fans and surprise many others is the humor and self-deprecation with which he handles one of his core subjects: himself, and just how O’Reilly became O’Reilly.
The Crusaders on the DNC P.A. today; Jeff Lorber again August 26, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Personal, Politics, TV.add a comment
Once again, I have “Your World with Neil Cavuto” on. And once again, contemporary jazz is playing on the Pepsi Center’s public address system in the moments before today’s DNC festivities begin. At this moment, 4:37 PM Eastern, “Shotgun House Groove” by The Crusaders is playing. The song is from their 2003 album “Rural Renewal.” What is it with 2003 music at the DNC?
There’s 20 minutes to go. If I hear anymore songs, I’ll list them.
4:52 PM UPDATE: “Under Wraps” by Jeff Lorber again; second day in a row. The music hasn’t been as loud today. So, it’s been hard to identify.
4:58 PM UPDATE: I give up.
Summer pre-order update #1 August 26, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal.add a comment
I made another pre-order today:
Spyro Gyra, “A Night Before Christmas” (9/23)
My copy of Lisa Hilton’s “Sunny Day Theory” arrived last Thursday. It sounded fairly good.
Spyro Gyra at the DNC? Jeff Lorber, too! August 25, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Personal, Politics, TV.add a comment
This hour (4PM Eastern Time), I’ve had on “Your World with Neil Cavuto” on Fox News Channel. The show is airing from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, the site of this year’s Democratic National Convention.
As I listened closely to the background noise, I couldn’t believe what I heard blaring over the public address system. Spyro Gyra! Whoever is in charge of the P.A. has their 2003 “Original Cinema” album playing on shuffle. So far, I’ve heard in order: “Extrovertical,” “Big Dance Number,” “Funky Tina,” and “Getaway.”
There’s another 10 minutes in the hour. If I hear anything else, I’ll provide updates.
4:51 PM UPDATE: Neil commented that the music is so loud he can hardly hear himself.
4:53 PM UPDATE: Now, we’ve switched to Jeff Lorber! “Under Wraps” is playing, from “Philly Style” in 2003.
4:54 PM UPDATE: “Gigabyte”
4:55 PM UPDATE: Neil, tossing to a commercial: “The formal kickoff with Howard Dean and this shindig really gets started, and the music really gets loud, after this.”
4:58 PM UPDATE: “Philly Style,” the title track
5:01 PM UPDATE: The music has faded out and the convention is underway. But it’s always great when contemporary jazz gets played at a mainstream venue, even if it’s just a P.A. warmup for the main event.
The 2008 Mike Chimeri Alumni Show! August 20, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Personal, Radio.add a comment
I’m two weeks late in announcing this, but I have confirmed a time slot on myWCWP during this year’s alumni weekend. And this year, I have a slot on Homecoming Day – Saturday, October 18 – immediately following coverage of the C.W. Post Pioneers Football Team’s Homecoming game against Millersville University.
I’m scheduled to be on from 3:30 PM to 6PM Eastern, but depending on how long the game and its postgame coverage go, I could start later. We’ll see what happens.
In the coming weeks, I’ll let you know what I have planned for the show. I have plenty in mind. You won’t be disappointed, and hopefully, neither will I.
9/3 UPDATE: I have decided not to use an official title this year.
Mentioned at HotForWords! August 20, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Media, Personal, Technology, TV.add a comment
The latest lesson at HotForWords – a website run by Marina Orlova, a Russian-born philologist – was partially inspired by yours truly, Mike Chimeri.
It all began in the comment thread – where my profile name is MCLIJazz (as it is nearly everywhere else) – for a blog post promoting her latest appearance on “The O’Reilly Factor”, the primetime opinion show on the Fox News Channel hosted by Bill O’Reilly. I am a big fan of “The Factor” and Bill himself. In the post, Marina reminded visitors to e-mail Bill to let him know how much they liked her appearance on the show:
Also.. after you watch it, please email Bill and thank him for having me on. Here is his email: …
So, I left the following comment:
Marina, your second appearance on “The Factor” rates as an A+. You were excellent.
And if anybody is going to write to Bill, include your name and location (”name and town”) in the signature, and write about one to three short, punchy paragraphs or sentences. Or as Bill would say, “keep it pithy.”
So, the latest video lesson is on the origin of the word “pithy”:
I get the “hat tip,” as we say in the blogosphere (typically abbreviated h/t), 40 seconds in:
MCLIJazz, mattym, annuddermale, prospero811, and mergatroidal have been using the word “pithy” all over my website. What exactly is “pithy” and where did it come from? HotForWords decided to investigate.
Watch the video for the investigation. (Warning: Scary image beginning at the 2:30 mark.)
New round of pre-orders August 13, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal.add a comment
Last night, I pre-ordered two CDs that will be released in late September at Amazon:
Fourplay, “Energy” (9/23)
Jeff Lorber, “Heard That” (9/30)
“Energy” marks Fourplay’s debut on Heads Up, while “Heard That” marks Jeff Lorber’s debut on Peak.
8/14 UPDATE: I have made another pre-order:
Lisa Hilton, “Sunny Day Theory” (9/2)
8/15 UPDATE: Never mind about “Sunny Day Theory.” It’s available right now at CD Baby.
Cablevision Derangement Syndrome August 12, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Media, Personal, TV.2 comments
I just got off the phone with a Cablevision customer service representative, got the same apathetic attitude regarding adding Fox Business Network, and hung up on him. (He deserved it.) So, I’ve coined a new term: Cablevision Derangement Syndrome.
Those with Cablevision Derangment Syndrome are Cablevision customers that are sick of the company’s arrogant attitude–reflected in customer service and advertising (see Optimum TV ads)–and unwillingess to add channels that many other cable companies, and phone and satellite operators have already added!
Symptoms include anger, frustration, helplessness, envy toward customers of other providers (DirecTV, Verizon FiOS TV), and a yearning to switch providers. Alas, a person with CDS realizes that switching providers means no more News 12, no more News 12 Traffic & Weather, and no more localized Local Forecasts on The Weather Channel (in SD). They also realize that their parents and sister don’t care about the lack of certain channels, are content with what they have, and refuse to switch providers just to please their son/brother. (As you can tell, I’m indirectly referring to myself.)
If you are a Cablevision customer and are afflicted with CDS, please leave a comment to this blog post. That way, I will know that I am not alone.
8/16 UPDATE: I guess I am alone on the Cablevision Derangement Syndrome front. That’s what happens when you make terms up – no one else knows what the hell you’re talking about, nor do they care. Am I right? Or am I just impatient in waiting for a response?
2,000 views! August 7, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Personal, Technology.add a comment
I’m late in annoucing this (because I wasn’t paying attention), but The Mike Chimeri Blog has now had its 2,000th view…and counting! As I post, we’re up to 2,044 views. As always, thank you to all that have visited my blog, even if only to view one post.
David Benoit “Heroes” album reviewed at SmoothViews August 2, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal.add a comment
In the August issue of “SmoothViews,” one month after interviewing David Benoit, Bonnie Schendell reviews his latest album, “Heroes.” As I said in my July 1 post about the interview, I reviewed the album back on May 29, two days after it was released.
Here’s the first paragraph of Bonnie’s review:
When it comes to long careers in this business, David Benoit is at the top of the heap. For over 30 years, this pianist has put out so much music, it’s almost impossible to listen to a radio station and not hear something of his every hour. His music has run the gamut from smooth jazz, fusion, and pop to orchestral, Charlie Brown, and now a tribute to the music and artists that most influenced David throughout his life. The end result is Heroes, an eleven track CD, with one original track,that offers up innovative, almost totally acoustic, approaches to songs that we all have known and loved for years. David brings this all to life with his regular touring band: Jamey Tate (drums), David Hughes (bass), Brad Dutz (percussion), and special guest, Andy Suzuki (sax).
MikeChimeri.com 