A Gift From On High...

Well, my 7th intersection with one Bob Dylan was very successful. The venue was beautiful, the band sounded great, and I even scored some Dylan's 1984 "Real Live" on vinyl, which fills a void in my record collection. The trip couldn't possibly have been better. We stayed in a Holiday Inn in Cincinnati which functioned as the perfect place to take in political coverage. The airwaves were ripe with coverage from my home state with Obama and Biden in town and all. Of course the highlight of the trip was the 5 or 6 minutes in which Dylan played my absolute favorite, "I Believe In You". It was really something to see him play something from the Gospel period which I was cheated out of due to my late arrival to this world. Anyways, Bob treated me to a little taste of that last night, for which I am grateful.

Off To See The Dylan...

Tomorrow I'll being Bob Dylan for the first time in nearly a year. I've seen him live about 5 or 6 times, and relish the opportunity. I became absolutely obsessed with Dylan right out of high school and was able to catch his set in the magisterial Fox Theater in St. Louis in 2006. I kind of figured with Dylan's age and my pocketbook that would be my only chance to see him, but I got bit by the Bob bug and couldn't help but keep coming back. Not only is Bob and absolute legend, and probably in the top 3 or so songwriters of modern music, but he has always been really exciting to see live. He generally has come out with a different setlist every night which makes multiple viewings equally exciting. Although the the sets have grown a tad more stagnant since I first saw him in 06', he still breaks out the occasional head turner. I've yet to see a true rarity in concert, so I'm pulling for something special tomorrow night. Recently he's played "I Believe In You" from his gospel era a few times, and I'd be absolutely ecstatic to hear that. His Gospel music probably is his most important stuff to me, which can't be said for most folks. I'd definetly love to hear that one.

Don't let me change my heart,
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue.
And I, I don't mind the pain
Don't mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
'Cause I believe in you.

A Song...

Verse:
I don’t need a God of Wonders.
I ain’t got a sea to part.
All I needed was redemption.
But you knew that from the start.

In my own ambition,
All I found was poverty.
When you knew that all I needed.
Was a shot of honesty.

Chorus:
So come, and rescue me.
From Gallows and from Calvary.
I can’t promise I’ll go joyfully.
But Come, and rescue me.

Verse
I’ve looked among the scriptures.
And among the hallowed stacks.
“That’s all well and good Kid”,
You said, “but My love is all you lack.”

“Those books will get you just so far,
Then you’ll have to swim.
Through the plague of doubt
And the wages of sin!”

Chorus

Verse
I’d been battered on the rocks,
With the foam all in my mouth.
The current had me by throat.
To the east and west and south.

I knew that I was drowning,
And there was no good way out.
I was rollin’ towards the falls.
And All that I could shout! Was…

Mad Props to Kobe...

In light of my last post, I thought I'd share a little tib-bit of the Olympic coverage I caught was just great, and at the same time, very sad. NBC's Chris Collinsworth was doing a little op-ed piece about Kobe Bryant. Now, I'll admit, I've never been a huge fan of Kobe Bryant. I'd admire his ability, but have always been a tab put off by his attitude, so I was fully expecting his answers to fall a little short of what I would expect and hope for.

Now there are two facets to this interview. First, of course, are Kobe's responses, but even more interesting, and mildly disturbing, are the questions. The segment of the interview in question reads as follows:

Collinsworth: Where does the patriotism come from inside of you? Historically, what is it?

Kobe: Well, you know it’s just our country, it’s… we believe is the greatest country in the world. It has given us so many great opportunities, and it’s just a sense of pride that you have; that you say ‘You know what? Our country is the best!’

Collinsworth: Is that a ‘cool’ thing to say, in this day and age? That you love your country, and that you’re fighting for the red, white and blue? It seems sort of like a day gone by.

Kobe: No, it’s a cool thing for me to say. I feel great about it, and I’m not ashamed to say it. I mean, this is a tremendous honor.

Now, first of all, I was really amazed at this specific line of questioning. Not specifically that this sentiment exists, because I know it does, but that instead that it would rear its head in the context. I just never thought I would hear something like that hidden within American Olympic coverage. I just really don't understand the way reporters are going out of the there way to be beyond objective. When I'm listening to a Cubs game on the radio in the Chicago area, I don't expect Ron Santo to go out of his way to compliment the Brewers or Cardinals. I want him to be all about the Cubs, so likewise I would much prefer a similar style of reporting when it comes to our great country, and our athletes. Anyways, I gained a lot of respect for Kobe. I don't know what he's like on a personal level, but this is the kind of thing I want all the little impressionable little boys watching T.V. to hear. Thanks a lot Kobe.

P.S. Kobe also mentioned how great it was to first get his jersey for Team U.S.A. He said he put it out on his bed and just gazed at it. He may be cocky but he's humble when it counts.