I’m not ashamed to admit it.  I LOVE Seth McFarlane. I think Family Guy is totally the funniest thing on TV right now. But I have to say, I was a little underwhelmed at American Dad. That is until I saw last week’s episode where Stan ( the dad) goes to retrieve his daughter from a My Morning Jacket concert only to be captivated by Jim James’ voice.

He then becomes a fanatic in the true sense of the word, even so far as to follow the band on tour so he can meet James. It kinda reminded me of my obsession with Phish in the early days. Make sure to watch the listings for this to be re-run!

Here’s a little taste.

America’s Oldest Teenager Dick Clark turns 80 today!  Although in recent years he’s most remembered for “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve,” it feels like I’ve been watching him on TV my whole life.

After he suffered a debilitating stroke a few years back, he only makes a cameo on that New Year’s Eve show, which is now hosted by Jonathan Suttin’s Number 1 enemy Ryan Seacrest.

Didn’t you love Dick Clark on $25,000 Pyramid?  Vicki Lawrence didn’t love him too much on this particular day…

Dick Clark also did some acting back in the day, appearing on the final episode of Perry Mason..and as himself on an episode of Batman. Check this out!

I’m really starting to love the Berbee Derby!  Now two years in a row I got a Personal Record at Berbee Derby.  This year I ran the 10k in 43:38- that’s averaging 7:02 minutes per mile!  Good for 12th place in my age-group!

Again this year, my friend Tara and I talked before the race and set some goals.  Last year we decided to try to run 8 minute miles and I ended up with about a 7:30 pace and she was at about a 7:20 pace.  So this year I suggested we aim for 7:30 and hopefully actually hit 7:00.  The strategy seems to work.  I was just over 7 minute miles and she was just under 7 minute miles.

Endurance House put together a team for the race- I actually didn’t register soon enough to be on the team, but I know everyone there, so I hung out with them before the race- we went for short warmup run together and while we were on that run, Tara jokingly said “5:15 for the first mile” and then I added “descending from there” (meaning- go faster on each mile after that), she finished the instructions by telling everyone they needed to run hard enough to puke at the finish line.  We were, of course, joking.

So the race started and Tara and I did the first mile in 6:19.  I told her that I would puke at the finish line if I kept up that pace- but she assured me that now was the time that we just ease into a comfortable pace.  I stayed with Tara through 4 miles and I stayed under 7 minute miles for 5 miles.  That last mile killed me.  It’s almost all uphill and I had gone out a bit too fast, so I was starting to lose steam.  But I made it- and made it in my best time ever!

Happened to catch part of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame concert thingy last night on HBO.  U2 and Bruce Springsteen with Patti Smith did Because The Night, a song Bruce and Patti wrote.  Because the Patti Smith version is the best, here you go…

Thanksgiving weekend edition!

1) Turkey Leftovers: this isn’t a band name or anything…I just LOVE turkey leftovers, in sandwiches. With Miracle Whip.

2) Natty Nation, F. Stokes, T.U.G.G. and Tropical Riddims Sound System Friday at 9pm at the High Noon Saloon. Reggae every day keeps winter away, right?

3) Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert: Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 1pm at the Madison Marriott West.

Freaky Band Name of the Week: Unprotected Sex, at the Frequency Saturday night at 8. They’re a meta band. That’s all I know. I’m afraid to type their name into a search engine.

In this time of thanks and reflection, we decided to talk about all the things we’re NOT thankful for…you might agree with some of them!

Here’s this year’s appetizer.  It’s easy reubens all around.  Crock Pot style.

- 2 packages dried corned beef

-2 bags of fresh sauerkraut

- 1.5 pound chunk of Swiss cheese

- 1 cup Miracle Whip

- 2 packages of cocktail rye bread

Drain sauerkraut in strainer.  Squeeze it good.

Cut up cheese into cubes. 

Cut up corned beef into cubes or squares.

Layer  ingredients in your Crock Pot. (sauerkraut, corned beef, Miracle Whip, cheese)

Cook on high for 1.5 hours.  Then turn to WARM.

Serve on rye bread.  I like it with some Thousand Island on the bread, too.

Indulge!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Move over, Rachael Ray and Paula Deen. Paul McCartney for some reason has made a video concocting mashed potatoes! I have no idea why he made this, but it is quite entertaining.

I’d say it’s Sir Paul at just about his cutest, post mop-top anyway. Enjoy, and happy thanksgiving!

Because the Muppets are cool.  Way cool.

Who needs a whole band to make great music? Not KT Tunstall! Kids, Do try this at home!