Losing that Christmastime Sense of Wonder

Like for probably everyone else, Christmas when you get older, is never the same as when you were little. You get older, you just get what you want, whenever you want it. But I woke up today, on Christmas, with just the sense, that it's all another day. Only getting four hours of sleep, doesn't help either. But after watching ''A Christmas Story,'' in the end sequences Christmas Eve, where they wake up to the white Christmas and Ralphie, gets the Red Ryder B.B. gun he wanted, it got me to thinking about how Christmas has lost most traces of that magical wonder.
I mean apart from the presents and gifts, just getting together for the family get-togethers doesn't even seem as fun. Again the four hours of sleep and not on my regular sequence played a part today. But I remember the greatest part of Christmas or any holiday, was getting to see my cousins and going outside and playing football. And a lot of times it was hit or miss, if they'd make it as they lived so far away or they had to work, so that made the time and discussions even more special. There was just that sense, especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving, that these were special times.
Maybe it is just the getting older. Or maybe I just need kids... Or maybe, it's the fact that with all family members and friends I have, we don't do gifts, only for the little kids. So, I miss out on the shopping and lose the sense of a countdown. I hate the cold weather, but there's something I like about being out on a cold clear December night, like when I went to the movie the other night. There was some of that feeling of Christmastime starting to show, but for the most part that feeling just eludes me this time of year. Maybe "A Christmas Story" had it right all along...

Still Loving What They Do; Alabama at the Fabulous Fox 11/9 Concert Review

When my brother became a fan of Alabama, I used to give him so much crap, because their songs sounded all the same in sound and theme. As the years have gone, I've come to appreciate them more. And though they went on a "Farewell Tour" in 2004, they decided to embark on a 40 Year Anniversary, Back to the Bowery Tour(The club in South Carolina where they got their start). After tickets sold out months ago, for their show at the Fabulous Fox in St. Louis, on the first day or two I figured I wasn't going to see this one either, but they added a second show and got pretty good seats, in sixth row back in left front orchestra(no obstructed view!).
Me and Zane got there with about 50 minutes to spare, but the line was curled around both sides when we got there. After the wait and the lights dimmed at 8 PM on the dot, a young guy came out and I said aloud "Aww, douchebags." I don't mind opening acts, but hate that disappointed feeling when they don't announce them and you're not expecting having to sit through one. 
Michael Ray was the opener and he played seven songs acoustically with a percussionist, or more a guy beating on box he was sitting on. He talked about about a record deal and Zane said, "Maybe he'll be able to afford his band a drum set."
Ray's songs sounded all the same and he looked to be in the Blake Shelton or Chris Young mode of douchebaggery, so my first thought was right. Tattoo covered and he did the obligatory classic country cover and totally butchered He Stopped Loving Her Today. Thankfully he was only on half an hour. 

After a half an hour set change, Alabama took to the stage with Brad Paisley's Old Alabama playing, and talking into If You're Gonna Play in Texas. The first few songs the sound was muddy, like Randy Owen was speaking away from the microphone too much, but they charged into the classics early on. The first half of the show was the highlights, with Tennessee River and Song of the South, two of the songs I wanted to hear more than the rest. 
After a messy split from their longtime drummer, the group was augmented by a four piece band.
This was the first time, I've ever seen a multiple night stand show of any artist. The Post's Friday night review was right about a few things, but the group must have read some of it or still in the process on fine tuning the tour. 
For starters it's refreshing to see a group just play music and not play up the douchbaggery aspects of modern country "shows" and put on a concert. During on the new songs, he was going through the redneck checklist(Trucks, tractors, etc), which I'm sure most modern acts stole from Alabama, it still seems contrived and dumbing down, I've seen too many times. During the redneck checklist though, he mentioned, "...it's like the uniting together, that Obama talks about," which got a chorus of boos, and Owen backing off laughing.
Some of the later bits that featured Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry seemed like forced humor entries. During the song of each of them got, Owen drifted toward the back of the stage, when he was by the keyboard player, I couldn't tell if he went back their to take a drag off of a cigarette or was just bs'ing. Zane noticed he dropped something when back there.
Randy Owen did his part as front man with quite a few good chuckles, "I can't see very well, but I can see plenty of people sitting on their asses up there," during Dixieland Delight, when trying to get people into the show. Or when he spotted a man in the pit with a Heineken, telling him, "You better get a Budweiser." He also chided a massive bald security guard for not getting a special guest they brought on stage and serenaded Happy Birthday to for at first not helping her up on stage. He also tossed in a few Missouri references as song lyric changes.
The second part of the show was sort of a drag, as they delved into the newer songs and the slower tempo songs, that seemed to drag the mood for me. it didn't help I was running on five hours of sleep and should have taken a vacation day Friday night as well...
And though they picked theaters for the "intimacy," and getting back to their beginnings, when Owen tried rousing a group(a decidedly older crowd) in the front pit to "get off their asses" to no avail, it was clear Alabama is more an arena and amphitheater type band.
And the one area where I agreed with the Post's review was that the concert, even with it seeming to drag in the second half, was too brisk at only 90 minutes. A few more songs and closer to two hours isn't too much to ask for a headliner. 
Naturally they aren't the band at their peak from 30 years ago and a step or two slower. Hence having more backing musicians when I'm pretty sure it used to just be a four piece on stage. Closing out with their best song, Mountain Music, it was still an enjoyable show and I'm very glad I got the chance to see them. 

 Set List (As best as I can remember)

If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)
Tennessee River
Dixieland Delight>Will the Circle Be Unbroken>Dixieland Delight
Song of the South
Happy Birthday
New Song by Jeff Cook Angel?
Turn It Off, Turn Me On? sung by Teddy Gentry
Born Country
Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard
Lady Down on Love
All American 
Love in the First Degree
Rocky Top
High Cotton
That's How I Was Raised 
My Home's In Alabama
-------------------
Mountain Music 

Fuck You MySpace!

Well, I guess time has fucked them over pretty good anyway. But out of a whim, I was going to go look at my old page, or more specifically my blog over there. But a quick search and from following my link, that I posted here four years ago, it appears my blog has been deleted.
The kick is I still have a profile, but no clue on the password. I sent for the resend button, but nothing has popped up in my inbox. So, real geniuses there, I have a profile but can't access it. It's no wonder whatever MySpace has sunk into, it rightly deserves it and needs a death. The only reason I marginally liked it better than Facebook(which I was actually on before MySpace) was that it had a blog. But eventually the stylings of it I didn't like and eventually made my way here.
I guess it's my fault for not copying my posts or transferring copies here, like I was going to do. It held a bunch of concert reviews and a few other thoughts. In a sense, it houses my memories of experiences and what I was going through at that point in my life from 2007 to early 2009. I remember the combing through various set lists of other shows to figure out concert set lists that I went to, just so I'd have an idea of what was played.
It's a pretty low blow move. Fuck you you ancient dinosaur.

Never Hot for Teacher

We got one of the local papers today and they featured an article on the new teachers at school, with them all pictured together and write ups on them. Most of the the new female teachers were both younger and attractive and led me to comment to my brother, "How is it I never any good looking teachers in Elementary school?"
Seriously, most of the ones I had were in or close to their forties. I think I had two younger ones and one of them probably would have been more attractive with a better high style.
And thinking harder about it, even after going to Junior High and High School, there was only one teacher that I had for classes that was attractive. I believe there were a few in my junior high days and then in junior and senior years, but I never had them as teachers.
What it all boils down to, was I got depraved of the young American male experience of having a hot teacher to gaze upon.

Solid FM Gold; Sail Rock 2013 Concert Review

I had last night off for the past couple of months and was planning on going to see Shooter Jennings, who finally made his way back to Mid-Missouri again, for the first time in four years. But I kept procrastinating on getting my ticket, Lord only knows why. And then on Monday my dad was talking about going to see the Sail Rock Tour that was happening on the same day in St. Charles at the Family Arena, which featured late '70s soft rock artists like Christopher Cross and Orleans among others.
 I thought about it and said, "Yeah, I can," thinking it would be something different from what I had planned and what I was used to. So, I ordered the tickets for the three of us(my mom decided she would go too) and scrapped by original reasoning for taking the vacation day.
After getting there well in advance of the 7:30 start time, which my parents love to do, we made our way to our seats up in the rafters. There were floor seats open when I bought them, but the old man decided the cheap seats would be good enough. $30 seemed a tad high for me for these nosebleeds, for an act like this. And as my dad correctly predicted they'd be lucky to get the place half full. We ended up moving to the next section over due to speakers that were partially blocking the view of the stage.
The show didn't start until about quarter til Eight, when Robbie Dupree, who acted as the master of ceremonies, introduced the tour, and the first singer, John Ford Coley, with Orleans serving as the house band for every act on the bill. Coley was pretty good coming out playing three songs, with I'd Really Love to See You Tonight, being the most recognizable one for me. He even gave a shout out to having been in Eureka playing at Six Flags at some point early in his career. And he talked about a time he lived in that divided our country, you were either for it or against it, seeming to be something about the Vietnam War era, before saying, " I'm talking about the Disco era, which I was always against," which got a chuckle from everyone. 
The next act was Robbie Dupree, for two songs, which were so so for me and then Player, or two members of the group more precisely. They played two songs as well, with their hit Baby Come Back being another one I had heard before. Dupree did give a shout out about having supposed to have played a gig with some of these guys in Hannibal, at some point, but the gig got canceled because of a tornado warning.
Next up was Orleans for five songs. They were probably the act I was most familiar with. One of the biggest surprises was their cover of Dancing in the Moonlight, which their original drummers brother wrote and they recorded early on, which is a song I've always really liked. I had to give both parents crap about paying money to see a Liberal rock star and one that was actually a Democratic Congressman, in John Hall. The only rock band that has a former Congressman in it according to Dupree. After their big hit, You're Still the One, they left for a twenty minute intermission.
After they returned, Gary Wright took the stage, who was another strong point with his two songs, Love is Alive and Dream Weaver, which always makes me think of Wayne's World. He talked about his friendship with George Harrison, and how the latter song was inspired by some Eastern literature and poetry that Harrison gave him.
Next up was the dullest act of the night for me in Firefall, for three songs. I don't think I'd ever heard of them before or any of their songs. The last one, featured one of the side musicians playing the flute and featured a five minute solo, with him running round the stage. Yes, seriously, a flute solo. There's only so much of it you can take before it becomes ad nausem. It got a good ovation, but seriously how do you know if it was actually good and he didn't fuck up the whole time?
Finally the big draw for most in attendance, was Christopher Cross for  five songs. He played one new songs mixed in with his expected smashes, Sailing and Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do). He seemed very shy even though he talked in between songs, mentioning how St. Louis native Michael McDonald sang back-up on Ride Like the Wind.  Cross still has the high voice from thirty years ago.
For the finale, everyone sans Cross and Wright I believe, came out and the jammed on Take It Easy, which fit into the '70s laid back soft rock vibe.
Overall it was pretty enjoyable. I probably would have had more fun seeing Shooter Jennings again (and getting the new issue of Astro City, which has to wait another day), but this was something different like I said. The concept was interesting too, which began as a joke with the derogatory term Yacht Rock. Not to mention the fact, as it was "Nothing But  the Hits." And as my dad said, "Look at how many number one songs you're seeing being played tonight, by the original artists." 

Set List 

We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again  (John Ford Coley)
I'd Really Love to See You Tonight  (John Ford Coley)
Love is the Answer  (John Ford Coley)
Steal Away (Robbie Dupree)
Hot Rod Hearts (Robbie Dupree)
This Time I'm In it for Love (Player)
Baby Come Back (Player)
Let There Be Music (Orleans)
Dance With Me (Orleans)
Dancing in the Moonlight (Orleans)   
Love Takes Time (Orleans)
You're Still the One (Orleans)
----Intermission-------
My Love is Alive (Gary Wright)
Dream Weaver (Gary Wright)
Just Remember I Love You (Firefall)
You Are the Woman (Firefall)
Strange Way (Firefall)
Never Be the Same  (Christopher Cross)
Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) (Christopher Cross)
Sailing (Christopher Cross)
Dreamers (Christopher Cross)
Ride Like the Wind (Christopher Cross)
Take It Easy (Everybody)

My First Visit to Astro City

I'd been meaning to do more posting and gathering my thoughts and favorites about Astro City, prior to the first issue of the new monthly coming out, but I never got around to it. And doing a little walking tonight during a free night off work, it got me to rethinking some of those ideas. I originally was just going to do some rereadings and do some favorites and least favorites lists and characters I'm most curious about. But  I figured the best place to start, was my first journey into Astro City.
I was 12 at the time and it was late 1996, in either late November or early December, and definitely what you could call a time of change. I was in my first yer of junior high school, had just recently became a Christian by belief and my grandfather had just recently passed away. My grandparents also used to own a newsstand/bookstore, that they closed up that summer due to my grandfathers declining health. Along with cousins on the other side of my family, that is where is picked up my interest in comics books(and reading in general), having a vast disposal during summers and weekly trips to pick up new magazines and comics.G.I. Joe was the comic that got me hooked and eventually after it ended helped me branch out into superheroes.
At the time though, I was mostly picking up random books that looked interesting or trying to fill in gaps of storylines I was missing. I was digging the one shots of Amalgam Comics, that Marvel and DC made during, DC vs Marvel, and Generation X from Marvel was the only book I was following, but my interest was starting to wain there.
On that chilly dreary looking day, we were out shopping on a Saturday in Jefferson City, mostly antique stores, we made our way to the Antiquarium, a comic book and book store. After doing some perusing and making notes of what stuff I wanted to get or was interested in, I eventually started getting my haul. I had a bad habit in those days of not picking up what I wanted right away and often forgetting what I wanted. I don't know if it was just if my parents weren't going to get anything, I didn't want to waste time of getting some or what. I remember that day Grant Morrison's first issue of the rebooted JLA was on the spinner racks and was one of the books I was going to get, but never did. I kicked myself for years for not getting that then. I was a sucker for starting on new books anyway...   
One book I did pick up was Kurt Busiek's Astro City issue number four(vol. two). I didn't have much of an impression about the book, other than I thought it was Kurt and Alex Ross trying to recreate comic characters in their own world. I actually thought Alex Ross did the interior artwork. Though that should have made me pick it up sooner; I had enjoyed the Marvels trade paperback collection. But the fact it had someone who looked like the Thing on the cover, only reinforced that belief, but hey, I liked trying a bunch of different stuff...
After getting back home, later that night in the cozy confines of the den, where I could enjoy my days haul of comics in solace, I stepped into the world of Astro City.
Kurt's said that Astro City and its heroes are just as unrealistic as any other comic universe and it's not a realistic view of heroes. But the realistic emotions of what it would be like traveling to a metropolis full of superheroes is. Riding along with Brian Kinney in those first few pages, it felt real and unique to any other comic I had read.
And then there were the Crossbreed, a group of evangelical Christian superheroes preaching the Gospel on a street corner, with realistic and derogatory responses from those passing by. That's when I was really blown away, especially after just recently becoming a Christian. Other than a few glancing elements of Catholicism, you wouldn't find this at DC or Marvel. It felt like I was experiencing everything with Brian, rather than being a passive observer.
Then came the history. There's a hero that's been active since 1862?! Who's the Air Ace and Leopardman?  Was I supposed to know who they are? How does the universe have so much built up after only eleven stories? Everything was intriguing and I wanted to find out more.
Thankfully, that day I also bought the year end issue of Wizard, which happened to have an article, A Visitor's Guide to Astro City. It gave me an insight to a few of the things, but gave me more questions too.
The other major drawing point? Brent Anderson's artwork. It wasn't Alex Ross, it was possibly better. Again there was just the realistic element in the details of everything, from faces to the backgrounds of the beautiful city, from city blocks to the secluded museum areas.

A brief aside, but Brent's pencils never looked better than those first twelve issues of volume two, when he was inked by Will Blyberg. Anderson's always had critiques of being somewhat inconsistent, with one great panel, then a so-so one, which I can see to a degree. But, when Blyberg was inking him, it let Anderson bring out the detail a lot more, which the first volume of the series and all the later incarnations feature Anderson doing his own inking. I don't know if it was that combination, plus being on that grittier, darker paper versus shiner, glossier paper later or what, but it was beautiful.

Even though, there were several good jumping on point first issues for Astro City, this one just seemed perfect, entering into the city the same time as Brian Kinney started his journey. I read later responses that it felt like a coming out story for someone who was gay, which I could see as a I got older. But more it felt like the country mouse comes to the big city to try and make a name for himself, but more to find his place. I related it, as someone who was coming out as being a fan of comic books.
I lived in a small rural community and in the country to top it off. I had no internet access at home for another two or three years. Heck, we still only had the Big Three networks, until we got satellite the next Fall.  There was no one around I knew, that liked or even read comic books, apart from my aforementioned cousins. But I really only saw them on a couple of holidays. So, I never really had anyone to talk to about comic books or even really want to mention that I read them, for fear of being an outcast. Wizard was really the only information source I had, when I picked up a copy.
I never really found a place until later high school years, with message boards and information at my disposal where I could discuss my comic book interests. I also found a group of friends, in the class below me, who enjoyed most of the geeky things I did as well, Star Trek, sci fi and one even was a pretty big comics fan, but I still never shed the loner mentality.
Within the next month or so, on the next comic book store run, to a different store though, I picked up the next issue, number five and the first issue of volume two. The continued story of Brian Kinney and another stellar introduction issue, fueled the fire for my interest in the series.
This was my Silver Age of comic book reading, I suppose, if G.I. Joe was my Golden Age. There have been solid and great stories told by Kurt and company since and even before, but there is still something magical in those first thirteen or fourteen issues of volume two for me.

A 2008 Collegiate Men's Olympic Basketball Team

And this is the final installment of playing make believe with the USA Men's Olympic Basketball team, if they always made of college players. I left off with a 2004 team, that would have seemed a little short on talent compared to the other Olympic years. But this 2008 team would have a little more fire and star power. The implement of the "one and done" rule for the NBA surely helps out, in making the most talented players go to college for a year.
I think the coach would have been Ben Howland for leading UCLA back from being a solid program, to an elite program fighting for Final Four berths. And I think a lot of the talent for this team would have been on display at the 2008 Final Four and I don't doubt Howland would have brought a good number of his Bruins.


Starters 

• C/PF Kevin Love (UCLA)
• PF Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina)
• SF/SG Brandon Rush (Kansas)
• G Derrick Rose (Memphis)
• PG Darren Collison (UCLA)

Bench

• C Roy Hibbert (Georgetown)
• PF D.J. White (Indiana)
• F Michael Beasley (Kansas State)
• SF Chase Budinger (Arizona) 
• SG/SF Shan Foster (Vanderbilt)
• SG Stephen Curry (Davidson)
• G Russell Westbrook (UCLA)

 This team and the talent pool to choose from would have made for a very strong team. This group here has a good combination of talent and versatility. And there is depth and strength at every position, height and size wise. There is also a good number of upperclassmen to go with young phenoms. I even left off a couple of the Freshman stars that year in O. J. Mayo and Blake Griffin and a couple of First Team All Americans, to fill in a few role spots.
Making up these rosters were fun, whenever I found the time and got around to it. Looking at various All-American and NBA Draft lists, as well as Olympic practice teams gave me an idea of who were the players around for each year.
The biggest fault I know is that its star player heavy like the Olympic teams since they allowed professionals to play. Looking at the actual collegiate Olympic rosters of the past, many times there were a handful of stars, a few skilled role players for certain spots and a lot more mid major talent. And even throughout the history of USA Men's Olympic Basketball, there was even chances stars wouldn't turn out, like Alcindor and Walton and the other UCLA players in 1968 and 1972. Or even like Pete Maravich and others who didn't make the cut for the 1968 team.
And there is no way to know who would have been announced as coach a year or two before and what type of team they would try to build up before the the Olympics even got close.
But it's been fun and I guess I can do it again in three years...

The Honky Tonk Hero; 6/9 Billy Joe Shaver Concert Review

I had been wanting to see the original Honky Tonk Hero, Mr. Billy Joe Shaver for years. He's played at Knuckleheads in Kansas City through the years and occasionally in St. Louis, but couldn't figure out why not in Columbia, with its huge contingent of rednecks and redneck posers. When the Blue Note posted that Mr. Shaver was coming, I was there in a heartbeat.
I wound up having to eat a ticket, as my old man was able to get in the fields and my brother had to work. But, oh well. I got there right when doors were to open, but they were already open. After taking a piss I wandered in to find a pretty desolate club. I stood for a while, then said screw it and sat at a table through the opening act.
Mercer and Johnson, a local duo played 13 songs over 50 minutes. They were interesting with a few catchy songs. They consisted of one member playing electric bass and the other alternating between acoustic guitar and mandolin, so they had a different sound and appearance. Steve Earle would be the artist they remind me of sound wise the most. A combination of country, blues, rock and bluegrass. And I guess I could have saw them in my neck of the woods in New London. They were enjoyable and a nice primer.
After they cleared the stage and another piss break, I decided to make my way toward the stage and there were more people(younger ones at that too) congregating up front as well. At first I counted about 20 to 30 people while the opening act was playing, but I'd say there was probably close to a hundred by the time Billy Joe took to the stage at about 8:20 or so. Still it should have a been a larger crowd to see this living legend, but it was a Sunday night and all the college kids are gone for the summer. But it does make me glad to know Columbia has some people with good musical taste and knowledge. And they're not all into bigger name or people who get on the radio, or just wanting to reason to get drunk in public.
The early part of his set was dominated by a lot by higher energy songs, which for being a man in his 70's, Shaver is spry and wiry. He was active and energetic with motions throughout the night. And the early part was dominated by some of his more well known songs.
A couple of the highlights for me were early. That's What She Said Last Night, a hilarious song filled with double entendres and dealing with technology and phones ("You just can't satisfy women these days, they want it bigger and bigger...some even like the black models.") Shaver told us it was the hardest and worst song he's ever wrote.
Then Wacko from Waco,which he wrote to tell the correct story on what happened on why he'd shot a man a few years back ("I shot him right between the mother and the fucker."), as compared to the song Dale Watson wrote, Where Do You Want It? "He wrote that before I'd even went to turn myself in the next day and was on the phone telling me about it. And the prosecutor was using it court as part of my motive against me!" Shaver told us.
I'm not sure on the exact order of the set list on a few songs, but these are the ones he played. I noticed it was very similar to his Live at Billy Bobs live album with his opening ten songs or so.

Set List 

Heart of Texas
Georgia On a Fast Train
Honky Tonk Heroes
That's What She Said Last Night
Black Rose
Wacko from Waco
I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)
When Fallen Angels Fly
Star in My Heart
Live Forever
Thunderbird
Hottest Thing in Town
Love Is So Sweet
Sweet Mama
Ride Me Down Easy
Freedom's Child
 I Couldn't Be Me Without You
The Git Go
Honey Bee
You Wouldn't Know Love If You Fell In It
Woman is the Wonder of the World
Bottom Dollar
Try and Try Again
You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ 

 The song Thunderbird featured a brief break for Billy Joe and his guitarists, while his drummer played a five minute solo or so. Shaver picked up a Red Bull for us all to see. The three piece backing band was very tight. And the best part was they were overtly raucously loud. Standing right next to one of the speakers for almost two hours, I had very little hearing loss.

The next song The Hottest Thing in Town was just as smoking and another highpoint for me. After Freedoms Child, the lead guitarist picked up an acoustic and save for the last two songs, the rest of the songs were softer ballad types.
Throughout the night, Billy Joe gave us backgrounds on the songs, as well as important meanings and things to him. Towards the end when he was talking about God and how you can do anything with Him and He can make you better at what you do, he added, "If you're an asshole, He'll make you a better asshole." Hilarious. 
After Woman is the Wonder of the World, he added, "It's true they are the wonder of the world. We put them up on a pedestal and what do you get? Bottom Dollar," with a sly grin.
The only real surprise was that he didn't play You Ask Me Too or Old Five and Dimers Like Me, two of more well known songs. 
Before the last song, someone handed him a piece of paper with a request, he opened and looked at it and said he'd think about it, but he had to do one for his hero, in You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ.
After he said his goodbye he mentioned he'd be out front signing whatever. I waited a few minutes to go up front, and waited a few more in line. A bigger guy waiting was mentioning that he might get a restraining order against him, as he'd seen Shaver in Kansas City the night before and was going to St. Louis the next night. Then mentioned he had to give a thong, I'm assuming Billy Joe Shaver on, to his 19 year old daughter, to which Billy Joe put his hand up to his ear jokingly. I was thinking about buying his book, but ended up just having him sign my ticket(benefits and drawbacks to using print at home vs an actual ticket) and shaking his hand.
This was a really great show, by great performer. It's probably muscled its way into one of the best I've been to consideration. It's amazing though how people can't fill up the Blue Note to see a legendary figure in Country music, but yet they'll fill up Mizzou Arena for whatever ass clown of the era comes to town...

A 2004 Collegiate Men's Olympic Basketball Team

Continuing where I left off, I've moved on to making an US Men's Olympic basketball team made up of college players. And this would 2004, a year of infamy in US Olympic Basketball, in which for the first time a team of professional players failed to win the gold medal(and lose three times in the process).
I think it would have been Roy Williams as the coach, if he wouldn't have already been before in his remarkably consistent career at Kansas and before returning North Carolina to national prominence. And I think he would have been the ideal coach for this team.


Starters

• C Emeka Okafor (Connecticut)
• PF Wayne Simien  (Kansas)
• SF Josh Childress (Stanford)
• SG Ben Gordon (Connecticut)
• PG Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph's)

Bench

• PF/C Sean May (North Carolina)
• PF Hakim Warrick (Syracuse)
• PF Lawrence Roberts (Mississippi State) 
• SF Luke Jackson (Oregon)
• SG J.J. Redick (Duke)
• G Blake Stepp (Gonzaga)
• PG Chris Paul (Wake Forrest) 

 Maybe I wasn't paying attention as much during this season of college hoops(Mizzou had probably the most disappointing season in their history with the talent they had.) but apart from a few marquee names, the group of players just doesn't jump out at you. The previous Olympic years I've done all had at least a couple guys with that potential that make you think it would be a dominant talented team. This year's group of players would have made 2004 still seem like it was going to be a struggle for the US.
But there are a few stars, Okafor and Nelson, plus Paul who was only a Freshman here. But skipping college had become the norm for major talent. Actual 2004 team members, LeBron James, would have been a Freshman,  Carmelo Anthony, skipped out in 2003 after his Freshman year and Dwyane Wade, left early as well in 2003, all would have been marquee talent.
And all three are that mid size athletic guy or an athletic forward, which going over the All-American lists and other rosters for 2004, which seemed to be lacking. This roster reflects that, in that the guards are all smaller and the big guys tall, height wise. I'm sure in real life it would have been balanced a little more, but it just seemed like all the talent that year were smaller guards, with a handful of bigs.
But the thing is, Roy Williams could probably work it to his advantage. Quite a few of his later Kansas teams were built on three smaller guys and two bigs. As much as I despised him for coaching KU and now Carolina, I've got to admit he's a hell of a recruiter and able to harvest that talent into a unit. With this roster he has talented point guards, solid shooters and quality big guys with various strengths. This team might have stood a better chance that the real 2004 team...
Though maybe we're just destined to lose every 16 years. 1972 to 1988 to 2004, which puts 2020 as the next year. And that will be the first Games after which Coach K won't be coach after righting the US ship following the 2004 debacle...

A 2000 Collegiate Men's Olympic Basketball Team

Continuing from my previous work of making up Olympic teams made up of college players, I'm now up to 2000. The group of eligible players wouldn't have been as stout from top to bottom as the 1992 and 1996 teams would have probably looked. By now skipping college altogether was becoming more common(Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal would have been seniors in 2000) and early entrants were as well.
But looking at the top college players here, I think this group would probably be a better "team" from top to bottom rather than a collection of stars. I think Coach K would have again been the coach, after getting Duke back to prominence from a lull in the mid-90s and he likely would have again brought several of his guys to enhance the team setting.

Starters

• C Brendan Haywood (North Carolina)
  
• PF Troy Murphy (Notre Dame)
  
• F Shane Battier (Duke)
  
• SG/SF Chris Carrawell (Duke)
• PG Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State)
  

Bench

• C Chris Mihm (Texas)
• PF/C Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati) *
• PF Marcus Fizer (Iowa State)
• SF Morris Peterson (Michigan State)
  
• SF/SG Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky)
• SG/SF Courtney Alexander (Fresno State)
• PG Jason Williams (Duke)
• PG Speedy Claxton (Hofstra)

This would definitely have been an athletic team, with forwards with size, speed and agility. The only downside is there isn't that many true shooting guards besides Carrawell, but the versatile forwards like Prince and Battier, make up for it. And there quite a few good point guard candidates that didn't make the roster, A.J. Guyton and Scoonie Penn, were both first team All-Americans, plus there was Ed Cota and Khalid El-Amin too...
And I realize my teams are more star and All-American heavy that historical college Olympic teams. Quite a few of the stars wouldn't want to play, some guys wouldn't make it due to needing various role spots(Height, shooters, mid size defensive stopper, etc.) and there likely have been a couple true two guards. But I also figure that as the game became more international, kids would want that exposure for the future and its a combination of taking as many of the best players and filling roles.
No matter who would have made up the roster( if it were made up of college players), I think this group of players(as well as the options available in 1992 and 1996) would have continued USA Basketball's winning way in Olympic play. But 2004 might be a different story..

*- I'm assuming Kenyon Martin wouldn't have been able to make the team after breaking his leg during the Conference USA Tournament, but as the player of the year in college basketball, he would have definitely been a starter.

Maybe It's the Nerd In Me...

...But on the Big Bang Theory, how does Penny have an apartment in the same building as Sheldon and Leonard, who share an apartment? Granted hers is way smaller, but a waitress barely making ends meet versus two scientists with doctorates working at a university? Stranger things in life happen and I guess it is a pretty crappy apartment building(the elevator has never worked) which would let the two of them save money for stuff they like....

The Spirit of George Jones...And Everyone Else; 5/3 Jamey Johnson Concert Review

I put off buying tickets to see one of my favorite performers for a third time, Jamey Johnson until about two weeks or so before. I was sort of wishy washy about it, I just saw him a year to the date(or at least the same first Friday of May. I remember because it was Free Comic Book Day the next day last year as well.), but figured I hadn't burned up any vacation days and he is one of my favorite artists.

And it was originally going to be held outside on 9th Street in front of the Blue Note as part of it's 9th Street Summerfest line of concerts. The weather changed of possible snow in May, pushed it indoors. Which was ironic because last year, I was worried about getting to hot inside the venue. And it also pushed the doors opening from six to eight for whatever reason.
I got there a little after seven , after doing a scramble to find parking on a Friday night and the line was already tailed back into south alley. I made the strategic decision to leave my heavy coat, in that I'd rather be down in front of the stage than up in the balcony. Standing in line for 40 minutes of 40 degree temperature, I did have some regrets but figuring it'd be warm inside packed up next to people. I'm just glad I skipped shaving...
Once the doors open and I got in and took a piss, I got in a decent area up to the left front area. And to my dismay, even with my hoodie it was still freezing in a gaggle of people. The crowd was made up of a surprisingly number of middle aged women in addition to younger college age fans. Both downing copious amounts of beer.
After standing around for another hour, opening act Chris Hennessee came out at nineish and played seven( I think) songs over half an hour. He did a lot of the outlaw name dropping and covering of songs, doing a good job of priming the crowd, but when playing his own originals it was like he was playing for about ten people in a crowd of a thousand. Which was a shame because I think he's got some talent and enjoyed his raw singer songwriting material, Waylon Jennings Song was the best stand out and even the medley of his influences was enjoyable, though makes him sound too much like others.
Set List
1. Country Boy Can Survive>Outlaw Women
2. Waylon Jennings Song
3. Long Haired Redneck>Hey Good Looking
4. 
5. Red Dress
6. Medley- Mama's Don't Let Your Baby's Grow Up (To Be Cowboys)/ Luckenbach Texas> Good Ol' Boys/ Swingin'/Ballad of Curtis Loew/Can't You See
7. Georgiana

Around 10:05 the lights dimmed and the band took the stage, including Hennessee who played guitar, harmonica and backing vocals during Johnson's whole set, before Jamey clad in a Harley emblazoned jacket, took the stage and opening with  High Cost of Living.
Being my third time seeing him, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect song wise and the reverence of covers from his favorite artist. I could even say it's his shtick, of how he doesn't hardly say anything throughout the show, plays a lot of the same covers, which takes a lot of the uniqueness away for me, but there's something about the passion and joy that makes me forget about most of that and just enjoy the show. Without libation too. It's a celebration of Johnson's songs, his backing band's tightness and ability and his respect for his forefathers.
The day before he played the memorial for the late great George Jones and it was still evident throughout the night, the second song was a Jones song, the first of four, possibly five. And you could see the intensity of Johnson putting in the performance to these songs.
Overall in the 32 song and two and half hour, it was about two thirds cover songs to Johnson originals. While I'd have liked to have heard a couple of favorites California Riots, Women, it really didn't matter. Seeing him do three Waylon songs, and all three ones I like, Set 'Em Up Joe and three of my favorite Johnson songs, By the Seat of Your Pants, Playing the Part and Give It Away, all made up for it.

Set List (Not sure of one song)

1. Released>High Cost of Living
2. Bartender's Blues
3. That Lonesome Song
4. Still Doing Time
5. Can't Cash My Checks
6.  Take This Job and Shove It
7. Waymore's Blues
8. That's The Way Love Goes
9. The Guitar Song
10. Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?
11. By the Seat of Your Pants
12. Set 'Em Up Joe
13. Playing the Part
14. The Door Is Always Open
15. Long Black Veil
16. Dixieland Delight
17. Understand Your Man
18. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?
19.  ?(Would These Arms Be In Your Way? Walk Through This World With Me, Honky Tonk World, Don't You Ever Get Tired(Of Hurting Me)
20. Macon
21. Heaven Was a Drink of Wine
22. White Lightning
23. Oh Susannah/Midnight Rider
24. Nothing Is Better Than You
25. Turn the Page
26. Tulsa Time
27. In Color
28. Give It Away
29. The Chair
30. I Fall to Pieces
31. Amazing Grace
32. I Saw the Light


And of my three times seeing him this was the most talkative he's been. Midway through the show there was a couple of fights, where the bouncers had to escort at least three people out through the night(and mostly girls I believe) which led Johnson to remark, "If you all keep up the fighting, we're gonna have to learn the Rocky theme." And one of the crew, looking to be ex-cop or military, came near me and was harassing some girl, making me miss a good part of the fiery performance of Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? Thanks dickhead.
 Before the highlight performance of the night Dixieland Delight, he asked us if we liked Alabama? And after the scorching fiddle playing by the keyboardist, he remarked, "There's nothing we can do that can top that....But we can add to it."  And before The Chair, he said, "Alright, lets do some Hank Cochran," and afterwards explained to us before it was a George Strait song it was a Cochran song.
The only real downside, was being in front of the speaker, the bass was cranked way higher than anything in the mix for where I was standing. Needless to say a day later the ears and deaf and ringing.

"Here's one for the Opossum, " he said, before Amazing Grace and "in case its dark when he gets there," before the finale of I Saw the Light, which Johnson still doesn't do the fake exit encore, which is another reason to love this man.
The big guy I was standing near most of the night and who I believe was there last year as well, yelled out, "Jamey Johnson! You can fuck my mom!" at one point towards the end. Hilarious.
Standing for five and a half hours and being cold all night and still have ringing ears 24 hours later, it was well worth it. Better than last year and almost as good as the first time I saw him in 2009, which is probably the best concert I've ever seen. How awesome is it to see a man with two CMA and ACM Songs of the Year under his belt this close and yet, so sad when people like Jason Aldean are where they are?

A 1996 Collegiate Men's Olympic Basketball Team

Continuing where I started with the 2012 and 1992 teams, brings us to 1996. 1992 would have been a tough year to narrow down players( I think I would up leaving off Rodney Rogers and Harold Miner among others) and 1996 would have been even tougher. The 1996 NBA Draft produced one of the best collection of rookies which meant there were a lot of good players out there.
The coach in my mind would have been Rick Pitino, for his work of turning the Kentucky program back around the 1990s and fresh off a championship in the 1995-96 season with a deep roster of stars, would have been perfect in leading this team.


Starters

• C Tim Duncan (Wake Forest)
• PF/C Marcus Camby (Massachusetts)
• F John Wallace (Syracuse)
• SG/SF Ray Allen (Connecticut)
• PG Allen Iverson (Georgetown) 

Bench

• C Erick Dampier (Mississippi State)
• PF Walter McCarty (Kentucky)
• F Keith Van Horn (Utah)
• F Antoine Walker (Kentucky) 
• SG/SF Kerry Kittles (Villanova)
• G Tony Delk (Kentucky)
• PG Jacque Vaughn (Kansas)  

 I think Pitino would have taken several of his guys with him like I had Coach K do for the 1992 team and like Dean Smith did do for the 1976 Games. But this team would have been talented and been able to play big or small, with talented athletic NBA forwards. This would have been another team to rival that of the fabled 1960 Olympic Team too.
The scary thing is how many didn't make the cut.  Stephon Marbury, Raef LaFrentz, Danny Fortson and Lorenzen Wright off the top of my head.
While I know I load them more heavy with stars  and All-Americans than most college Olympic teams actually had, I think even without the Dream Team and eligibility of professionals, the bigger name guys would have played more. And too, the early to mid 1990s just featured a lot of great players, before Kevin Garnett led the trend of skipping college all together and players were jumping to the pros even earlier. 

The Ghost of Mike Dixon and the Missouri Tigers 2012-13 Season and Beyond

Last year, I wrote about Frank Haith's successful first season, albeit with a disappointing finish and wondering if 2011-12 was going to be as good as it got for Haith. He had a tight knit senior laden club with the talent to make it to the Final Four and would lose all but two of players from that team.
But with the news that former UConn Center Alex Oriakhi was coming to Mizzou, joining a super backcourt of Phil Pressey and Michael Dixon and fifth year senior Lawrence Bowers back after an injury, things started looking up. We were getting three impact transfers, in addition to Oriakhi, and going to the SEC, where the basketball waters aren't as tough and aside from Florida and Kentucky, the conference was even weaker than normal. Missouri did end up having a great season, with really only a couple of bad losses, at Florida and to Louisville(the likely national champion as I write this before the Final Four) in the Bahamas. Realistically Missouri should have could have won every other game they lost in the regular season. This team was good but...
They could have been so much more. The first couple of months the team looked like a contender, playing the way the prognosticators across the country thought they could be. And that was without Michael Dixon, who was was suspended for undisclosed reasons, as well as Jabari Brown, a former five star wing player who transferred from Oregon, who was eligible in the second semester. It looked like they had the mentality of a winner and knew they could be so much more when they got Dixon, but...
We all know what happened, when Dixon was booted off the team and the university for multiple sexual assaults, which he seemed to have had to remorse about. And after that the team started to lose its mojo as the season went on. They still won some big games, didn't lose at home, but at the same time couldn't pull out wins on the road they should have. And they were never fully able to show the confidence needed to make a decent run in the NCAA tourney. Where the ghost of Michael Dixon hurt the team on the court was a lack of a backup point guard to spell Pressey. Negus Webster-Chan a 6'7 swingman was used early in the season in the role and Keion Bell a 6'3 shooting guard, settled in the role, but never looked comfortable. And Pressey wound up playing 35 plus minutes a night. Dixon would have been able to spell Pressey for breaks, having the size to run the offense and help defensively on smaller guards. In the most ironicof ironies, the 2013 team was too big, where the 2012 team was Mini-Mizzou with not enough tall and big bodies.
And most importantly, Dixon would have been the choice for late game shots instead of Pressey. Pressey's mistakes late in the game, cost the team four or five chances at wins. Was it too much pressure of trying to do to much to carry the team?

And how much of it was Coach Haith, not trying to do something different? After three or four times, you figure they would try to do something different or put it in someone elses hands. Personally, I think a lot falls on Haith, who's a better recruiter than a coach. He lost his offensive scheme guru Ernie Nestor and the team this year seemed to show Nestor's role was huge last season. I don't this years teams was able to run things from half court sets, hence problems at the end of games and the Haith's Stall Ball Offensive that let teams creep back. I always said Pressey is most effective going to coast-to-coast being able to change speeds. Run your regular offense at the end of games, even if it only takes ten seconds off the clock and take your chances on defense.
It goes back to my questions from last year, where does Haith go from here? Can he continue to build on these successes? Does Phil Pressey come back?
Looking into my crystal ball, I think Pressey comes back for his senior season, but if he doesn't I think the team is in decent shape guard wise. Pressey, Brown and Earnest Ross should fill out the perimeter spots with experience.
And if Pressey doesn't come back, it could be a good thing. It would force other players into action and larger roles, and might get a better team cohesion of not having a go-to-guy or a star.
The biggest problem area will be the front court and points scored in the paint. Tony Criswell is the only player returning from the rotation, with Sophomores to be, Ryan Rosburg and Stefan Jankovic, whose potential is very intriguing, likely fighting for spot in the rotation if not starting.
And newcomers likely will play some big roles. Tulsa transfer Jordan Clarkson, is a big guard who can handle the ball, will likely find a spot as well. Top 100 freshmen, Wes Clark, a 6'0 point guard and Johnathan Williams, an athletic 6'8 forward give Haith, more options and talent to develop, in addition to Junior College transfer Keanau Post, a 6'11 center with potential as well.
I like a rotation of Pressey-Brown-Ross-Criswell-Rosburg starting, with Clark-Clarkson-Williams off the bench. The front court will be up in the air, depending on who can do what, primarily be an offensive threat. That's why I think Williams has a shot to start if he can do that. Heck he could play small forward and Ross, with his bulk act as power forward, providing mismatches for other teams. But I'm not sure how much Haith trusts Freshmen though. Short handed last year, especially in the height department Kadeem Green couldn't even get minutes in big games and this season save for Rosburg, minutes for Freshman were again hard to come by, barring injuries, after conference play started up...
Ultimately it comes down to the coaching ability of Haith or his assistants. I've got a lot of questions and doubts on that ability from what I've seen. There's no doubt the man can recruit. Look at what the kids who recruited to Miami did this year. Heck, he's landed some good talent for 2014, not to mention the transfers he's brought in. 
It will come down to winning and losing after a point. The more talent you have the more is expected. Getting into the tournament is a no-brainer, but early exit and after early exit won't be tolerated year after year. Ask Tubby Smith and Ben Howland. I just wonder how much the ghost of Mike Dixon will haunt Haith and Missouri basketball...

Singin' Those Sad Songs; Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell 3/17 Concert Review

I can check two more classic country artists off my list of ones I need to still see live. Old friends, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell hit the road in support of their Old Yellow Moon album and The Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, got the second official stop on the tour. I had waffled on getting tickets earlier in the month, when there wasn't many good open seats. For the hell of it I checked on Thursday and they had released good seats up front.
Now, Harris is one of my old man's favorites and I've wanted too see Crowell too. But alas my dad wasn't sure if he had music practice for a Easter Pageant he's in, but I decided to get tickets anyway, as it was easy to get off work on a Sunday night and my mom would go(which she did) if he couldn't go.
For being St Patrick's day it was a nasty,  rainy, snowing and sleeting day out. Though thankfully it was still warm enough for nothing to stick. But we ended getting there a little bit after six, for the 7 P.M. start time.
The Peabody Opera House is pretty spacious ceiling and stage wise, but don't think seat wise is bigger than the Fox Theatre. Both are nice. The seats I ended up getting were three rows back(six counting the orchestra pit) in the right middle section, which provided one of the best seating views I've had at a concert, at least in the theater setting.
Opening act Richard Thompson hit  the stage a hair after seven, preforming a 10 song set at a little under an hour in his "Electric Trio."  Honestly, other than knowing he is regarded as one of the great guitar players and he was in Fairpoint Convention, I'm not familiar with his much. I did recognize the last song, Tear Stained Letter and I might have heard Keep Your Distance before as well. And his guitar playing was good on his electric and acoustic. The sound and tone of his songs I really enjoyed too, not being familiar with, which means I'll have to check him out a little further.
His English manners and humor were on display as well. Dealing with hecklers, both positive and negative, he came back with several witty replies. After an obnoxious request, he replied, "No, we're going to do the next one."  Early when he was trying to tell the sound people, that he needed to go down, multiple times, he kept motioning down, then telling us, "That's our secret signal system here, to go down."  The funny thing in most circles or places, he's probably more famous than either Crowell or Harris, but is the opening act here, which Thompson said, "..This is a wonderful bill, except for our part here."
After a half hour set change Harris and Crowell came out with their five piece backing band and opened with Gram Parsons' Return of the Grievous Angel, which was almost worth the ticket by itself. They followed with another Parsons tune, Wheels.
Their band kept a good country sound and backing throughout the night. And Harris kept up a banter with the audience throughout the night and Crowell occasionally injecting some of his dry wit. Harris at one point, "I was lucky to have him all to myself in my band and as a songwriter. I heard all of these songs and before other people knew who was (He replied, "They still don't know me.")."
Overall they played 23 songs total at slightly under two hours, hitting quite a few from their new album. Their cover of Kris Kristofferson's Chase The Feeling was a pretty good version and one of the nights highlights. Though Harris at one point remarked how most of the songs they played were sad ones, even with the ones with a nice cheerful beat.
Pancho and Lefty was another highlight, which Harris remarked they loved this Townes Van Zandt song but only knew the words to the chorus and on the bus they had to rewind the cassette of it("With a number two pencil," Crowell added.)  which they kept playing.

And the three pack of songs written by Crowell that Harris recorded in the 70s, of Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight, Till I Gain Control Again and I Ain't Livin' Long Like This, which Thompson came back to add guitar muscle one, was another strong point for me. Leavin Louisiana was the song I was most looking forward to hearing, as I'd been playing Harris' version nonstop the day or two before.
The most surprising omission was Harris' most known song Two More Bottles of Wine, but honestly the beauty of their singing together and other surprise songs, was enough to make up for it.
After leaving the stage shortly, the pair came back for two more songs, If I Could Only Win Your Love and Love Hurts, another song Harris recorded with Parsons as well as another highlight of the night. At the end Harris brought her dogs on stage, and gave a message about taking them in and trying to keep others out of the kennels.
Another one of the better concerts I've been too. And this being the first concert of my smart phone age, I have decent pictures(Though I still need to learn to use it. Should have gotten little better due to my nearness.).  The next day, I told the old man he should have skipped practice and went. Two great icons of true country and Americana music. It's a shame that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill pass the muster for most folks as "Country Music." People have sad tastes.

Set List  (The order isn't 100 percent good and question marks are songs I think they played based on other set lists.)

1. Return of the Grievous Angel
2. Wheels
3.Tragedy ?
4. Tulsa Queen
5. Luxury Liner?
6. Spanish Dream?
7. Pancho and Lefty
8. Earthbound
9. Back When We Were Beautiful
10. Dreaming My Dreams 
11. Bluebird Wine
12. I'll Be Your San Antonio Rose
13. Old Yellow Moon?
14. Chase That Feeling
15. Black Caffeine
16. Invitation to the Blues
17. Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight
18. Till I Gain Control Again
19. I Aint' Living Long Like This
20. Hanging Up My Heart?
21. Still Learning How to Fly  
--------
22. If I Could Only Win Your Love
23. Love Hurts


KDHX's review

The Return of Astro City!

After almost three years, the greatest comic book returns June 5th!



When we last got to visit the great city, we were getting the final chapter of the Silver Agent's story, after wrapping up the massive Dark Age storyline. We were promised the monthly series after that, but creator Kurt Busiek's health took a bad turn for a while, in addition to the Wildstorm imprint being dismantled. But the wait will be worth it.
This comic is so much more than the fights of the tights. It's about the human aspect of what's it like living in a world of heroes, whether it be from a super powered perspective or of an ordinary guy who just moved to the city. They have the same thoughts, emotions and problems as we do, albeit with super villains running rampant. It's a deeper world of heroes and villains than the comic books of old.
Naturally my interest has waned in these in-between years, more so than similar hiatus for Kurt's health issues from 2000 to early 2003 (Or course my total comic interest these days is nowhere close to my teen years).
And Herocopia went down to spammers, plus we lost all the entries we put in and it reverted back to the original, which sucked considering we had entries for every character, neighborhood, thing and reference. If you wanted to know every issue Jack-in-The-Box was in, or who the Grandenetti Cathedral was named for, it was a quick reference for casual and hard core fan.
But I'm sure I won't have a problem getting back into the book  Even issues in a multi-part story do their best to be self contained and I'm sure Kurt will make the first issue very reader friendly, similar to the way he made volume 2 #1 of the main series and the first issue of the Local Heroes mini-series great jumping on points. There will be something for everyone.
In the MTV interview, he hints at a new intriguing character, The Broken Man, similar to the way the Silver Agent was to readers in the early issues. He's hinted that we've seen him before. My very early speculation guess would be he's the Bouncing Beatnik/Halcyon Hippie...
I'm eager to see the N-Forcer expose story that Kurt mentioned before the hiatus. It's a character who's been active in the Astro-Verse since at least 1959. Plus the fact that we'll see more of the present day characters after spending so much of the characters specials and the whole part of The Dark Age in the past. The Honor Guard is another of my favorite intrigues as I'm a sucker for super teams. They seemingly held the same roster from at least 1991 until 2008, the last time we saw the modern team. I'm just curious to some of the changes and inner workings.
But the older characters are very intriguing too. I'm still curious as to how the Silver Agent wouldn't have known Mirage, considering they were teammates on Honor Guard in the 1960s from the Dark Age Book Four #2. I want to see what the Astro-Naut looks like. Or how there were two different accounts of what happened to the All-American (I think I have another blog post formulating around now)...
Kurts always been masterful of  weaving from the past to present, in self contained, two-parters and multi parters. Heck the whole crew of Artist/Character Designer Brent Anderson, Colorist Alex Sinclair, Letterer and Designer JG Roshell and superstar Cover Artist/Character Designer Alex Ross are stellar.
June 5th can't get here soon enough. I guess I'll just have to break out some issues and get reacquainted with the great stories I already have.