HemiBeers

RIP Lola. We had to euthanize Lola, one of my dogs, this past Sunday. She developed pneumonia, which is a fatal side effect of her megaesophagus diagnosis a few months ago. Basically the esophagus enlarges and goes uphill instead of downhill, leading to fluids and food getting caught and eventually ending up in the lungs. Alot of coughing up. She was pretty much over it the past few months, but last week it got worse and eventually went really bad over the weekend. Sunday morning after a rough night she was too weak to even walk. We knew it was time. She was 15 by our best guess. Lola was a Carolina dog which is a rare breed usually discovered as ferals in the Carolina and Georgia swamps. We got her from a rescue in Michigan when she was about 2, which we guessed. Very unique dog and personality. Very shy, almost aloof around strangers until she warms up to you. Rarely barks, except when severely aroused. At first, we didn't think she could bark until we had her for a couple of months. But she was also very athletic in her youngers days. Her favorite thing at the dog park was to get other dogs to chase her and she would put moves on like a running back. Could have been an obstacle course dog, but I didn't have time for training. We still have her Bestie, a mini Bernadoodle named Stella. Totally opposite extravert personality but they got along like best friends. Stella hasn't been her perky self the past week or so, so she's feeling it as well. The hardest part of putting a pet down is knowing when the right time comes. Lola had her health issues in the later years, but always seem to bounce back and adapt. Even though she was less than 100%, we feel relieved that we gave her as much time as possible. She still enjoyed Stella and her daily trips to the dog park. She and I were almost an exact match personality-wise, so it hurts when someone that close to you is gone. I'm hoping some of the grief will go away once I get her remains back and put them to rest. Her last chest xray showed a b b stuck in her left armpit. She had this before we owned her. I can't imagine anyone shooting such a beautiful quiet dog like her. Sorry for the babbling, but I miss her greatly.

Take care bro. Sorry to hear of your struggles.

Just another false hope and 'what if?' when a drummer becomes available. There's any number of drummers, famous or not, that have the chops to play Rush material. There's been plenty of time and opportunity to make it happen if Al and Ged wanted to. The Taylor Hawkins gigs were a nice cherry on top, so I think they're satisfied with that and ok to let it go. As for Matt, retirement, perhaps. Freelancing studio gigs...sure. But I think it's at the age where he doesn't want major obligations.

If he doesn't want to play with Pearl Jam after 27 years, why the hell would he want to play with any other group? He's recorded with Geddy, so that would be off his bucket list, if he had such a thing. He's only a month younger than me, so he's getting to the age where it becomes more physically challenging, even more so for drummers. Tim Alexander retired at 60, so not unreasonable to stop around that age. We don't have their perspective and expect them to continue until they fall over. It's not unlike any of us at the same age that just don't want to do it anymore, for whatever reasons. The great thing about retiring is that you remove a major obligation from your life and it opens up a lot of freedom.

I changed my vote to Page to tie it up...just to see what happens from here. Yeah I'm that kind of guy.

fortunately neil never used samples like this guy.

We hit 100 in Kalamazoo today. Hotter than Tampa FL. I'm trying to paint the outside trim and I had to start and 6am to get in a few hours before it was unbearable.

Allan was admired by EVH and Alex. Allan it is

miserlou by dick dale. rockin tune.

Going in a different direction here. My two favorites are Pat Metheny's Tell Her You Saw Me and Barber's Adagio for Strings. Both the most emotional and heavy pieces of music I can think of. Both lacking any singer or lyrics...because they don't need it.

fresh arm...and adrenalin like a retriever off their leash.

Morse's career was one where he was constantly pushing himself beyond a comfort zone. Formed an all instrumental band with no singer that touched every genre'. Going out and doing solo albums. Joining established groups in Deep Purple and Kansas and having to fit his own style into their material. When I consider EVH I see someone with a revolutionary style, but stuck in his own band, big brother always having his back, with constant lead singer drama. Never moved beyond his comfort zone, other than the occasional cameo appearances. I own twice as much Morse material as EVH because he's his material is more interesting to listen to.

This will be an EVH win, but I'll go down fighting with my Steve vote. Yea yea I get it...EVH is the greatest trickster among guitar players. But Steve's variety and musicality is much more interesting to listen to than one trick Eddie.

we all trend in the gray and wrinkly direction....if we're fortunate enough to last that long.

I remember seeing him on the Mike Douglas show and he was tripping on something. Mike wasn't sure how to deal with him during the interview. Must see TV. That's a long lifetime for someone with addiction.

Townsend is grossly overrated as a guitarist. Hendrix easily.

He had a doctor's appointment. No, really, that's the reason he couldn't make the gig.

Jimmy is well known for his sloppy live playing. No one has ever accused Brian of being sloppy. Brian it is.

you made the claim...it's your duty to support it.

If I found a melted cassette of Signals in my car, does that qualify as a remix? Or how about if a reasonably competent tribute band secretly recorded Signals, while keeping the vocals, and peddle it as a remix? Internet is loaded with false claims of 'found gold'.

ELP was a top 3 band for me back in the day. So normally, I would defend them to the end. But stating that Karn Evil 9 II is the second best rock song ever defies belief. It's certainly one of their most concise songs and showcases all the members. It also avoids Emerson's esoteric noodlings which sends alot of ELP songs off the track. It's not hard to come up with an argument that there are better songs for 'second best ever'. So far all you have are opinions. Run a poll...I dare you.

I think the Lions had inklings that it may happen. Some in the press are now concluding that they drafted Ratledge with the idea that he would eventually be Frank's replacement at center. Lions having been hoarding O line draft picks for the past couple of years so they're aware that the O line, outside of Sewell, are nearing the end. In examining the roster, I contend that this would have been the last year for Ragnow and Decker, since they are facing the last year of their deals with high cap numbers next year. The roster is mature in spot areas and it should be no surprise to replace older expensive guys with cheaper draft picks. The draft this year looked thin at Center, so the thought of drafting a solid OG and converting them to C is valid.

Lions perennial all-pro center Frank Ragnow announces his retirement today. Loves me some Frank, but jesus could you give us your notice pre-free agency and pre-draft? Gonna be alot of young bucks on the interior oline now.

Tipton is good but he can't play Renaissance music like Richie. That's the definition of a backhanded compliment. lalalala lalala. Vote is now 8-2. This is over.

Host of Sports Science, died of apparent suicide after battle with depression. Really enjoyed that show. RIP https://www.yahoo.com/news/john-brenkus-death-founder-host-122108934.html