Mayor Of The Sunset Strip

When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles I was introduced to punk rock music in the late 70′s by a show on KROQ. called “Rodney On The Roq” hosted by one Mr. Rodney Bingenheimer. That was the first place (and only place at the time) I heard bands like The Clash, Plasmatics, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, etc. Rodney is still doing his show on KROQ on Sunday nights. The documentary Mayor Of The Sunset Strip is about him and his life. I thought it was a fantastic and well done film. It was very sad. Anybody interested in the nature of celebrity and the superficial insular bubble of the entertainment business will find this very interesting to watch. The movie begs the question “how can somebody who did so much for the careers of so many people be living in squalor in a small apartment in Hollywood?” I think this is the more-often-than-not true story of how things go down. He made the radio station a worldwide known brand name and did not share in any of the profits of their success. Crazy and sad. Check it out, but not if you are in a bad mood.

Easter, Birthdays, Car Crashes, Etc.

I spent Sunday and Monday up north with Ronee and her family. Saturday was her mother Susan’s birthday. Sunday was RLC’s birthday and Easter. Monday was her brother Dave’s 21st birthday. Happy birthday to all and Happy Easter (a day or two late). I got her the complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus box set. She really wanted that and was excited.

Monday we went into the city and had lunch at Teany in the lower east side. She got the afternoon tea / lunch and I had carrot ginger soup with the vegetarian club sandwich and a peppermint iced tea. Everything was really good. It’s a cool place and worth the visit if you are ever in the area. We did a little walking around and stopped one of the American Apparel retail stores. And we also walked by the famous Katz’s Deli which was in the movie “When Harry Met Sally”.

I drove home earlier today. Just as I was getting near my exit RLC called me to tell me that she and her mother had been in a car accident on the way home from the chiropractor. The other driver had ran through a red light and plowed right into the front of their Durango. They both are ok but sore, of course. They couldn’t get the doors open. This is the 6th acciden that Ronee has been in – the 2nd this year! Awful. I just felt sick to my stomach about it. I’m just so thankful that neither one of them was hurt.

Gasoline $$$ Going Up Again, But Not In Jersey!

NEW YORK (USA Today) – Gasoline prices continue to set daily records, pulling averages above $2 in every state except New Jersey. The nationwide average price for a gallon of unleaded regular was $2.116 Thursday, up 1 cent overnight, according to data from 60,000 gas stations published by motorists’ club AAA. Before this year’s run-up, the AAA record was $2.054 set last May. Current prices are 21.9 cents more than they were just a month ago, and 37.6 cents more than a year ago, AAA data show. Adjusted for inflation, gasoline would have to hit $2.99 for a record, according to government data. If there’s good news about prices, it’s that they’re expected to top out soon. Full Story.

Sure, we might have the worst car insurance rates in the country. But evidently we have the cheapest gas. Hallelujah, our break has finally come! Ha. – Bill

Bono & Ali Hewsen Launch New Clothing Company

NEW YORK, NY (USA Today) – Bono is now another type of frontman: U2′s lead singer – and most recognizable face – is charged with raising awareness and interest in the new fashion brand Edun. The casual collection of jeans, T-shirts, chiffon dresses and shrunken blazers is Bono’s brainchild. He’s out there promoting it (most recently at a launch party at Manhattan’s flagship Saks Fifth Avenue) and he’s wearing it, showing off his Edun jeans paired with his signature wraparound sunglasses. “I’m here to try to get the sound on the radio, if you know what I mean,” Bono says. He joins scores of musicians with their own fashion labels, but, this being Bono, who is believed to be among the list of nominees for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for his social activism, there is a mission larger than selling slim-cut denim pants with metallic stitching. The ultimate goal is to build a brand that produces desirable and wearable clothing while providing sustainable employment and stable commercial relationships in developing areas of the world. Full Story.

The Decline Of Western Civilization

I cannot wait for the three Decline Of Western Civilization movies to come out on DVD. I have been waiting forever! I have a bootleg of the first movie, but the quality is horrible. Check out the official website at DeclineMovies.com.

Auto Tailpipes Cleaner Than Smokers' Lungs

Looking for another reason to stop smoking? A cigarette emits at least three times more air pollution than a diesel engine. Natural Health ( Dec 04 / Jan 05) reports on a study conducted by Italy’s National Cancer Institute in which a 2002 Ford Mondeo turbo diesel car was left in an air-tight garage for a half hour with the engine running. The pollution level was measured, after which the garage was aired out. Then researchers left three cigarettes burning simultaneously for a half hour. An hour after the cigarettes were extinguished, the level of pollution was ten times higher than that emitted by the diesel car. ( Source : Ode Magazine )

Happy Saint Patricks Day!

Check out The Official St. Patricks Day Website. My lovely Italian girlfriend would like you to believe that Saint Patrick was Italian, but he was actually celtic (he stated show in a letter to a British prince). There are a lot of misconceptions about him that you can read about here. I am German and Irish, but my namesake Power is Irish. So, we will definitely be celebrating tonight after I get off work at 11pm. Enjoy the day and don’t drive drunk!