When we last left our hero, he was on the verge of disclosing the truth about a solution to the energy crisis.

Back then it was just in my head.  Now it’s in a pages doc.  Unfortunately, it’s still in draft form.  I’ll post it soon, once thoughts are organized in such a way that increases the likelihood of me blowing your mind.

In the meantime, I’ll catch you up on what’s happened in the meantime.  

I suppose the biggest news is that I ran another 1/2 marathon at the Sunburst in South Bend back at the end of May.  It was a fun race.  I had a rather stressful travel the day before the race.  For the first six miles or so, I felt terrible.  Honestly, I was hurting at mile 2 and thinking, “Shawn, what the hell have you gotten yourself into.”  I saw my dad at the halfway point and stopped for a min to give him an update and to forward messages to the rest of my family (who were cheering around the 10-mile marker) as to when to expect to see me.  I don’t know if it was that short pause or if it was seeing my dad or what, but after that, I felt heaps better.  From there I started to cruise.  I stopped again for 5 minutes or so to see my fam at the 10-mile spot.  That was cool.  My 3-year old niece and then 8-month old nephew were both there.  Macy (my niece) even remembered it when I was home this weekend for father’s day!  Out of the blue she said, “Uncle Shawn, you ran in a race!” Macy rocks.

Yes, I’m part Superman.

Work is interesting, but as I promised from the day I took the job, I won’t post entries that are work related. I will say that I had been staffed on in North Carolina for a couple months, but that’s on hold for now.  So I get to work from home for a couple weeks here.  And that’s alright with me.

On the horizon, I have a trip to NYC planned at the end of the month.  Among other things, I’ve got tickets to see Passing Strange, which I’m more than thrilled about.  

More on that later. (I know, more promises…)

-SFM

OK, I never participate in these things, but being that I was asked by a new blogger, I’ll do it…Though I won’t pass it on…

The details:
-Post the rules on your blog 
-Write six random things about yourself in a blog post 
-Tag six people in your post
-Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
-Let the tagger know your entry is up 

1. I’ve owned seven different versions of the Asics Gel-Nimbus.

2. I love politics and political philosophy but loathe politicians.

3. I never lie.

4. I took 110 flights last year.

5. I’m never without an iPod. 

6. According to my academic transcripts, I have 3 degrees from 4 universities.

-SFM

I have a post planned. It’s all there, sitting in that place in my brain where sentences are formed. Unfortunately, that place is not here on my site. I’ll get it here. Hopefully soon.

To give you a quick flavor, the post has to do with the energy crisis. I’ve yet to get write a political post during this primary season, and I’m holding off on the good stuff till the general election. That being said, I’m really not thrilled about ANY of the candidates. With regards to the energy crisis: I’ve solved it. Well, not really, but I’m convinced of the conditions that must be met in order to really solve it. That’s what I’m going to be discussing.

-SFM

I’m Proud to say that I known of Katie Herzig and her music since 2003.  I’ve seen her perform both solo and in Newcomers Home probably a dozen times or so, and I’m always impressed - and not just because I have a schoolboy crush on her.  She’s a legitimate artist, and her songs are personal with a sentiment that makes them intimate.  While Miss Herzig’s sound is mostly typical of a singer/songwriter, she’s at her best when she stretches herself beyond just her acoustic guitar and voice (which is beautiful) and endeavors to be more progressive.  She has a new album due on May 13 titled, Apple Tree. The song Hologram (below) shows that Katie has really grown since her last album and has begun to realize a bit more of her own potential.

Be sure to get the album when it comes out May 13.

-SFM

I’m glad this wasn’t 10 years ago…

Student Held in Alleged Massacre Plot

Scary.

-SFM

I think I have a couple of secret admirers.  I’m not sure, though I do have circumstantial evidence.  Anyway, it’s kinda cute.

If I do, and you’re reading this - stop by and say hi!

Does this frighten anyone else:

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/31/news/economy/paulson_regulation/index.htm?cnn=yes

?

I mean, think about it.  The federal reserve controls the money supply, banks, and now mortgages.  What that basically means is that the Fed Chairman will control all of your investments.  One man may control ALL of EVERYONE’s investments in the United States.  

Think about that for a little while.

-SFM

Someday I’ll write a post not related to music.

Until then,

NEW DEATH CAB!!!

SFM: Am I an evil pirate?

Judge: The court will now hear closing statements. Mr. Prosecutor, your floor.

Prosecutor: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. The prosecution has proven, beyond any doubt, that SFM is guilty of piracy in the first degree. By his own admission, SFM has stated that on March 17, 2008, he illegally downloaded the album, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings by Counting Crows. Let the record show that the album is not scheduled for release until March 25. A week before it’s public release. A WEEK! Surely this act of impatience and ill judgement should not go unpunished.

Consider an illegal download. One has to search the web. Before that one must know where and how to search for a leaked album. No this was not a passive act in the heat of the moment. This was an aggressive, premeditated crime, which is why we’ve sought the maximum charge.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, these are the facts of the case, and they are undisputed.”

Judge: The defense may now make its statement.

Defense Attorney: Thank you, your honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we do not dispute what my counter part has just stated. They are, indeed, the facts of this case. They are, indeed, undisputed. They are not, however, alll of the facts.

No, what the prosecution conveniently omits is the fact that my client, SFM, has not downloaded any illegal music since he finished his undergrad in 2003. In fact, my client is a complete advocate of the intellectual property rights of both artists and record labels. As a productive citizen, my client makes more than enough money to indulge any musical delight he may have.

This, however, is a special case.

We wish the jury would recognize the following facts and consider my client’s mental state at the time of his alleged illegal download:

1. SFM has been a huge Counting Crows fan since 1993.
2. Counting Crows has not released a new album since Hard Candy debuted on July 9, 2002.
3. Cowboys was intentionally leaked by the band in August 2007
4. The original “official” release date for Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings was November 27, 2007.
5. The delay was announced on September 27, 2007, a mere two months before the original target release.
6. On Janruary 13, 2008, the band released a Digital EP, containing two tracks from the album.
7. On February 10, 2008, the lead single was released.
8. On February 28, 2008, my client “Pre-Ordered” the album on iTunes
9. On March 17, he downloaded the leaked album.

Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is not a case of a man out to steal. What we have is a case of an unquenchable thirst for new Counting Crows music. Nearly 6 years between albums. A broken promise of a release date. And a slew of teases as to what the album contained. Yes, my client was perhaps impatient. But he was driven it his patience limits! Perhaps even intentionally.

Finally consider this question as you head into deliberation. If a man “pre-orders” an album, thereby committing to the purchase of the album a month before its released, then downloads the album a week early when it’s leaked - is that piracy?

Thank you, you honor.

Judge: The jury may retire into deliberation

-SFM

“But that was cool because the sound would wash over you like mountain view creeping out of a  cheap car stereo somewhere on the brother side of midnight. That time when the music goes right over your head and straight to that part of you that’s the most beautiful. I mean, when your mind cannot grasp the music’s math and your heart really has no clue. You just go on like a soldier following the melody’s path - you look back to say, “Thank you, brother. Thank you, mother. That you for this view.” It just gives and gives and is so much…and whether you get it or not, it’s God.” 

-Stew, Passing Strange