I can only assume,from the pitiful new schedules,that there's a lot of bad crack going around in the network crowd.I now recall why I didn't own a TV for years.Jericho was one of the few network series even vaguely interesting,although killing off Gerald was rather stupid.CBS is pretty much unwatchable now.The original CSI (screw the spinoffs) was cool,but it's jumped the shark so many times I've given up on it.I hope that TNT and FX and USA continue to hold onto some semblance of intelligence (ie: The Closer,The Shield,Rescue Me,The Riches,Monk,Psych) since the former "Big 3" are simply producing fodder for other brain dead crackheads.Maybe the Betty Ford clinic could offer these hopeless morons a group rate.

I am sick to death of hearing about the goddamn iphone,ipod,i-any-other mfing thing.For one thing,I would never,ever,pay 500$ for a phone,even if it could blow me while it cooks dinner and does the laundry all at the same time.Apple makes products for rich people,and those who want to pretend they are, who are willing to go into debt to buy the latest,hippest toy.Those of us who are NOT delusional get by just fine without owning any Apple crap.Yes,the press IS too nice to Apple and Jobs,since they are supported by advertising and Apple spends billions to pimp their shit,which has,as others have noted, ALWAYS been out of reach to the AVERAGE person.Therefore,as a matter of principle,if I inherited a zillion bucks tomorrow,I would STILL refuse to buy anything made by Apple.That said,I've never been convinced of their superiority in ANY way,having seen others deal with their Macs crashing and burning while my trusty PC kept on truckin'.And cost me thousands less.

Here's another interesting article (click signature)

When I was a child,my family was poor and couldn't afford to buy books.The library was my home away from home.I can't imagine what I might have done without that outlet.To this day,walking into a library instantly fills me with a sense of excitement and expectation of new worlds to discover.The only "Big City" library I have ever been in which fits the description mentioned earlier with a bunch of homeless folks hanging around is the Los Angeles downtown library.But even there,I wasn't afraid or intimidated by them.It IS a shame that many politicians don't understand the importance of public libraries,or that beautiful old libraries are torn down and replaced with soulless,warehouse-looking things,however ANY library is better than none.One thing I don't like is the addition of Internet terminals.I'd rather see kids actually learning the library system,doing REAL research in the stacks and READING REAL BOOKS,which is what the library should be for.The decline of the public library is yet one more nail in the coffin of literacy in this video game/internet obsessed society.

I turned 51 years old yesterday,but I still love music of all kinds.However,I wouldn't be caught dead at a stadium/arena show these days.Aside from the outrageous ticket prices,there are VERY few "big ticket" acts I'd even bother with if the show was free.I agree with several others who've mentioned concertgoers BEHAVIOUR as well.I don't mind the pot smoke,but the obnoxious screaming (and,God help us..."singing" along) are too much to bear.

That said,there are still GREAT artists who regularly appear at smaller,intimate venues for reasonable ticket prices,especailly,as others have noted,the amazing Richard Thompson and Dave Alvin,Lucinda Williams,etc. As for TRULY GREAT CONCERTS,here's my list,in no particular order,(years maybe incorrect... due to consumption of various illegal substances):

JAMES BROWN,1970

ELVIS PRESLEY,1966 ( Iwas only 10 but I remember it well)

ZZ TOP: several times in the 70's,(PRE "LEGS" when they were still the greatest blues/rock band around)

THE WHO:Quadrophenia tour-70s

LED ZEPPELIN:Houses of the Holy era

PRINCE : Last night of the Purple Rain tour at the LA Coliseum,an amazing display of true talent at it's peak.I also saw him several times prior to that at small LA clubs circa "Dirty Mind"/Controversy.

Shows with dates I can't begin to remember,in the 70's which were nonetheless incredible: FRANK ZAPPA,WISHBONE ASH,THE STRAWBS,YES,KISS,ALICE COOPER,T REX,THE ALLMAN BROTHERS,ELTON JOHN,ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY,HUMBLE PIE,DR.JOHN,BB.KING..... there are quite a few more but those come most readily to mind.I'm thankful to have lived through an amazing period of musical history.I fear there will never be one quite as influential again.

As I've made abundantly clear before,I despise Apple and all it's products.I also can't think of any NBC programs I'd download for any reason.However,should I wish to view one,I'd simply visit one of the many torrent download sites,and wham,bam,thank you ma'am.And have absolutely NO

crisis of conscience in doing so.Look,these bastards make BILLIONS of dollars through advertising,etc.,so these shows are paid for a gazillion times over.If anyone is unaware of how to do this,I'd be more than happy to explain the joys of piracy and how simple it is to watch anything you like.