The Appeal of Kenny Chesney

Anyone who has attended a Kenny Chesney concert knows that he is more than an entertainer. For the "wanna-be beach bums," known as Chesney fans, he is a way of life and a role model of what it really means to live life the way it is meant to be.
Chesney is often referred to as a modern-day Jimmy Buffet, and rightly so. Like Buffet, Chesney's music and concerts center on taking up waves in places that allow individuals to forget their problems. In his concerts, Chesney repeatedly asks those in attendance for one thing--to forget everything that is bothering them and join him in the moment. While this is the appeal of the arts in general, Chesney has a knack for bringing people away from work, difficult family lives or the simply mundane, and for an hour and a half.
This is the appeal of Kenny Chesney. From songs like "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem," to "Summertime" or "Beer In Mexico," the theme of his music centers on bringing the beach a little closer to home--on relaxing, on recalling the days of no worries and innocence. Ironically, while Kenny asks his audiences to revel in the moment, he does just the opposite on stage. His high-energy show is a non-stop ride. The clean, dry shirt he dons at the beginning of the show becomes a sweat-soaked garment within the first ten minutes. It is this energy that Chesney puts into his show that allows his fans to do what he asks of them. From the moment he leaves his dressing room, Chesney fans begin forgetting whatever is on their mind. As the lights go down and the screaming begins, whatever worries were on the minds of those attendance are suddenly transformed into the anticipation of seeing Chesney live. Fans are transformed into beach-going, beer-drinking maniacs who take pride in the fact that they will probably not be in to work right away on Monday. Even before the doors open for a concert, fans are gathered outside together near the back of truck beds tailgating--blaring the anthems of youthful glory and wasting cares away. His 2007 opening acts, Sugarland and Pat Green, are a precursor to Chesney's no-cares attitude before he even takes the stage. By the time Chesney takes the stage, audiences are miles and miles away from anything and everything that may have bothered them. Chesney simply takes them even farther away.
Chesney is not necessarily a stellar vocalist or musician, although talent in those areas is part of what has propelled him to where he is today in country music. In the end, however, it is the pucca shells, the sand bar and tall tropical drinks on stage that give audiences a new-fround sense of life. At least until Monday rolls around and everyone returns to work.

Pictures of Damian James Rank!!!!!!!

Has anyone seen the show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" This show, on the surface is very funny. Adults try to answer elementary grade school text book questions to earn a million dollars. What is even more interesting, and sad, is that the contestants get 3 cheats where the class of 5th graders can help the contestant.
The funny thing is, and again sad, is that NO ONE has one a million dollars. I question whether the show is a testament to the intelligence of our younger generation-the fact that they can outsmart a person at least twice there age makes this a pretty convincing argument. However, I also wonder if the show doesn't say something about the levels and systems of education in our country. Do students simply memorize material just to spit it back out....yes, this is an obvious answer. How many of adults memorize the Pythagorean Theorem only to repeat it again 5 years later? It doesn't happen to often-no one remembers it. And yet these things are deemed important....so why don't we as adults remember the base for learning and the beginning of our education? Why can so many adults prove that they are not smarter than a 5th grader?
Of course, adults do have the learning from experience thing going for them, and the base for learning in elementary school is combined and added upon as students grown and learn throughout their education careers. I still have to ask though, why are so many of us not smarter than a fifth grader? Are we losing common sense to 10-year-olds? The question makes a great debate for both the modern school system and pop-culture.

I'm frustrated by the lack of commitment and funding that so many school boards have for the school systems today. Just this week, our local school board announced that they would be cutting a number of teaching and support staff positions. How much longer can this occur. It is the same story around the United States. Funding for schools is dropping, and with many schools having declining enrollment, it is even worse. When will schools take responsibility for the declining levels of education in students today. More and more students are unprepared for college level courses, let alone graduate level courses. Many find themselves dropping out in the first year because they didn't expect the level of competition. Without this level of education, colleges will only be producing mediocre students, unprepared for the work world. How can be continue to be producing the worlds great thinkers when all high school are encouraging is mediocrity. When classes continue to be cut in courses because there is a need to save money, it is the students, and hence the future of the US, that suffer because the school would rather concern itself over how to name an athletic field than work towards keeping classes in school.
What prompted this for me was the recent elimination of a media literacy course. In today's world, students' lives are filled with media in one way or another-Internet, advertisements, magazines, music, etc. Many students are unaware of the incredible impact that these modes of communication have on the younger generations. Without understanding things like the bias in news, or the perils of marketing on teenagers, or the effect that television has on a child's development, students will not be able to discern credible modes of media and the effects in general it has in today's world. Can today's students be in a world where things like the media are allowed to influence every decision they make. Courses like these are vital to helping students grow and learn in a society that increasingly falls father and father behind other nations. School boards want to see teachers take responsibility for their work, and they should, but not before they take responsibility for the administration of the school building. Members of the community need to hold the administration of schools accountable for these items, and concern themselves more with the education of students than the how the sports team did on the game Tuesday night. Where are our priorities America?

Happy Halloween!!

I thought I'd post a picture of my niece from Halloween....feel free to tell me how cute she is!!



While a princess isn't all that original for this little girl,
it fits her quite swimmingly, doesn't it?










On another note, REBA Season 6 will begin November 19th. I can't wait to see Reba back in action. Take a look at fancyreba.com/news for more information. Check out the CW on Sundays from now on.

I want to dedicate tonight's blog to my Aunt Sherry, who is currently recovering from surgery due to a battle with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, "The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (13% of women). It is estimated that in 2006 about 212,920 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time there are slightly over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world." To beat this, its imperative to detect the cancer early, so please, women, GET CHECKED!! My aunt should survive this battle simply because she and her doctors detected the cancer early. Each day, more and more strides are made towards a cure, but until then, women all over the world will be continuing to fight this disease. Chances are, it WILL effect someone you know. For more information, take a look at www.cancer.org. Help continue to make strides! Fight the fight Aunt Sherry.

Ok, so I finally have a more official job! Reporter with the Chetek Alert! Granted, its only part time for now, but I'm really excited about the prospects of the position. It can only get better! Starting in November, keep an eye on www.chetekalert.com for my articles. More as it gets closer!




On another note, there has been a lot of publicity surrounding Sara Evans departure from "Dancing With the Stars". (See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15251252/) Since my last post surrounded country music, I felt it timely to comment on the situation. I appreciated Sara's work on the show. I think a lot of people really hated to see her on each week, but it was clear that she put everything into her performances and truly appreciated the support from her fans. While many people may be glad to see her go, I am sad to see it. I am sad because the situation she has been put in is sad. However, I completely admire her decision to be with her children at this time. It is that dedication to family that makes me respect her even more as not only an entertainer, but a person.

The Slide of a Steel Guitar, the Hair on a Fiddle Bow....the Twang of a Queen....



Country Muisc....yes, that is the subject of tonight's blog. Now, anyone who's met me, even for just 10 minutes, can gather that I am one of the biggest country fans you will meet. Lots of people say "I listen to just about every genre of music...except country." Most people who say this can't even come up with a good reason...they say it because they can make fun of it. For those of you who say this...I say bah humbug. The interesting thing is that those eclectic music lovers forget that country is a combination of almost every major type of music...rock, bluegrass, blues, R&B. Country music is music for the ordinary person. It deals with everyday love, life, good times, and friends. Now, I don't deny that there are the songs out there are annoying or extremely simple. I've had the pleasure of attending many concerts, and have met three major stars. They've created some of the best memories of my time because it bonds people together. Common music for the common person brings out a common bond between people...that is country music.

I also want to comment on the country news making headlines

I want to leave you with a couple pictures from those concerts that I've been able to attend...


The funny man himself--Bill Engvall
















Me and Emerson Drive














Reba and Myself!!! The most exciting one of them all!

Counting Pennies



An original assignment....in Middle English

A good fotball player ther hadde been.
He played for the Packers in Wysconseen.
The nombre faur he wore on his chest..
He seyde the grene and gold were alre-best.
Thryce he was cleped most important player,
A fet, many said, nedeth a preyer.
He played with corage on the feldes
Lyke a sely child in reyn holdes.
During playoff monthes on the turf gras
He wolde kepe a berd around his face.
Him thoughte to do so was good lucke
For him, his wallet, and teme’s sake.
For yeres he played with an injurie,
So he took payn drogee lyke candie.
But with the helpe of his good freendes
His problemes did come to mendes.
No humbler man hadde I ever mete
Which loved his estate with al herte.


Another original:

As a first grade penny

I toddled through the lockers
to gym class:
“Short shrimp”
“Short shave”
“Short shit.”
I walked the hall braving
the giants flocking my sides
daring the railroad tracks
waiting to be the
flattened penny
the train would
Squash and
Crush.
Banging doors like
out-of-tune tympanis
spread the scent
of innocent blood
starting the tracks
into full
vibration:
“Short shrimp.”
“Short shave.”
“Short shit.”
“Shorty.”
Don't slip.
If your gets foot caught,
The train Will
Squash and
Crush.

Packer Tickets and Forrest Gump

Ok, so I don't know about anyone else, but cheap Packer tickets are really hard to come by. At least, I can't seem to find any for less than 80-90$....is there anyone else who has any idea how to get tickets? I'm wanting to go to a game at Lambeau during December. If anyone knows anywhere that has cheap tickets, please let me know ASAP!!

On another note, I just finished the novel version of "Forrest Gump". I must say that it was much, much different from the movie (which, by the way, is one of my favorites). For anyone who doesn't want to spoil the book, skip this....

First, in the book, I was much less sympathetic to the character of Forrest. He didn't seem like this lovable guy who was just a little out of it. The book made Forrest out to be more of an brash, clueless idiot. He swore, first off, which didn't happen in the movie. Secondly, the problems between Forrest and Jenny were made out to be much more in Forrest's fault and I was much more sympathetic towards Jenny in the book than in the movie.

Secondly, Forrest does many many more things in the book. He still plays football and ping pong and goes to Vietnam, but he also becomes an astronaut, gets lost in the jungle for a couple years, becomes a Pro-Wrestler, and plays harmonica for a band, along with becoming close companions with a male orangutan named Sue. (Which reminded me a little bit of the Jonny Cash song, "Boy Named Sue".
The ending is also almost a 180 from the movie.....but I won't give that away.

Now with all of these differences, I can't really say whether I liked the movie or book better. It is hard to compare the two with the variations. I still love the movie, and the book wasn't bad either. There were portions of the book that were witty, comical, and sad, much like the movie. For anyone interested, however, in taking in more of Forrest Gump than what was in the movie (a sequal if you will),
I recommend reading it.

I guess that's all for tonight.

Today's Garfield comic, I found it amusing....

I love relaxing when the 'rents aren't around.....its so much less anxiety

Bulldogs and Things

An unusual call I thought I share while working at the Chetek Library:

Caller: Yes, Rachel, can you tell me what the school colors of Chetek are?
Me: Purple and white
Caller: And what is their mascot..you know, like the Barron Bears.
Me: The bulldogs
Caller: Ok, thanks
Me: No problem

I thought that was an interesting call to the library....I guess thats the only excitement you get working at a small town library.

---------------------------------------------------
Another poem. I'm sure there'll be more to come....

Thing by Lisel Mueller

What happened is, we grew lonely
living among the things,
so we gave the clock a face,
the chair a back,
the table four stout legs
which will never suffer fatigue.

We fitted our shoes with tongues
as smooth as our own
and hung tongues inside bells
so we could listen
to their emotional language,

and because we loved graceful profiles
the pitcher received a lip,
the bottle a long, slender neck.

Even what was beyond us
was recast in our image;
we gave the country a heart,
the storm an eye,
the cave a mouth
so we could pass into safety.

Apples to Apples and Cheese

So, after graduating from St. Olaf, I never realized how much I'd miss campus, in particular my friends. You develop such a bond with your peers. Its so difficult to go from being with everyone your age to being back living at home with few people left around your age. I miss the little things....the fall colors on campus....the occassional poker game.....Apples to Apples....the theater department....going to Target or Cub late at night...a random football or frisbee game....so many things. I don't miss the school work, but I miss the people and the memories. Ok, cheezy, mabye, but I love cheese (I have to, being a 'sconi).

So, since I don't really know how to express in words my thoughts right now, I thought I'd share a couple of original poems:

The Highway: To L.T.

The dashed lines breeze past
Twice the speed of life-
an investment.
Yellow lines blur
Dull, transparent, lifeless
Look out the window before

CRASH

and look at
the needles on a pine tree
the red breast of a robin
a doe and her fawn experimenting
with a crop of alf alfa

instead of steel and concrete
listen to
the yelp of a coyote
the splash of a jumping perch
the giggle of a baby
Silence
instead of sirens and car engines

Soon those yellow lines--
Become moments
vivid, distinct, musical
Each mile marker--
a milestone
For the long road trip home
That some complete
Before the journey really
ends
Its those 'roadies'
that count each dashed line
Remembering its shade of yellow--sunflower
Its texture--rough
Its length--too long
Its width--too short
Its story--one of millions
To Live On


The Bottle

A bottled heart gathers dust
sits with creeks and cracks
Cornered away where it is safe
It doesn't want to sparkle
It doesn't wish to be emptied.
It just wants to be dusted
drank--maybe a little
and tasted with class
a selective sip
Some will eventually savor


Twenty three...going on thirteen
Little girl, stay in books
You will never handle the streets
You don't possess the sense--
Use the pot to boil the water
Make sure to keep the dogs locked up
Put on a little foundation
Maybe some eye shadow
Lose a little weight--remember your heart.
Turn off the lights, lock the door.
As If I Don't Know....
Twenty-three, going on thirteen.

So, today, the Packers finally won a game. Brett Favre finally reached 400 touchdowns. The question has been posed for a couple of years now...is #4 washed up? If anyone watched the game today, they should honestly be able to admit that no...he still has a lot in him left. He left the weekend with the second most passing yards....340ish with NO interceptions....I'd say thats pretty darn good football playing. There is nothing like watching Brett and his youthful, boy like intensity as he plays the game. Only when he loses that, should anyone say that Brett should retire!!

Thats all I have to say about that......

What I Wish....(in no particular order)

1) People would finally understand the importance and genius of Reba McEntire to the entertainment industry.
a. Another meeting with Reba to tell her these things....
2) Brett Favre would get one more Super Bowl ring with the Packers.
3) I could act for a living and spend my life on stage.
4) I could find a job and my parents would get off my back.
b.When people want experience for a job, they should remember that there needs to be a way to OBTAIN experience as well!!
5) People would be reminded that "The DaVinci Code's" cover reads 'a novel'...no matter how interesting or true the premise of the book is.
6) A petition to stop cancer would actually work.
7) Russ Feingold will be our next President
8) My parents would get over stupid little things and remember whats really important.
9) I could actually find a special someone to spend my time with......
Lyric time: Born to be Blue The Judds

Maybe Im wrong

Maybe Im right

Maybe I just dont know

Will I ever fall in love

And never have to worry

That Im fallin all alone?

Maybe its true

I was just born to be blue

Maybe its true

I was just born to be blue

They say everybodys got a someone

A sweet somebody to love

It might be fate or destiny

May be written in the stars above

But I cant help but wonder

After all that Ive been through

Maybe my babys nowhere to be found

And I was just born to be blue

Was I born to be unhappy?

Just to live on heartache street

Was I born to go to bed each night

And cry myself to sleep?

Can somebody out there help me?

Give me some kind of clue

Tell me Im wrong, tell me Im right

But, dont tell me I was born to be blue

They say nobody dies from a heartache

You cant drown in your own tears

But who wants to live in this world alone

Where minutes turn into years?

So Id rather go down believin

Suffer a heartache or two

Tell me Im wrong, tell me Im right

But, dont tell me I was born to be blue

Was I born to be blue?

Born just to cry?

Born to be alone til the day I die?

Somebody tell me

Was I born to be loved?

Born to be kissed?

Born to find the one to show me what I missed?

Was I born to be blue?

Born just to cry?

Born to be alone til the day I die?

Tell me, mama

Was I born to be loved?

Born to be kissed?

Born to find the one to show me what I missed?

That song says it all for me right now.

I love these lyrics to Rodney Atkins song "If You're Going Through Hell"...

Well you know those times
When you feel like there's a sign there on your back
Say's I don't mind if ya kick me
Seems like everybody has
Things go from bad to worse
You'd think they can't get worse than that
And then they do
You step off the straight and narrow
And you don't know where you are
Use the needle of your compass
To sew up your broken heart
Ask directions from a genie
In a bottle of Jim Beam
And she lies to You
That's when you learn the truth

chorus
If you're going through hell
Keep on going,
Don't slow down
If you're scared, don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there

Well I been deep down in that darkness
I been down to my last match
Felt a hundred different demons
Breathing fire in my back
And I knew that if I stumbled
I'd fall right into the trap that they were laying,
But the good news
Is there's angels everywhere out on the street
Holding out a hand to pull you back upon your feet
The one's that you been dragging for so long
You're on your knees
You might as well be praying
Guess what I'm saying (repeat chorus)

Its so simply said, and yet so beautifully written....Just keep swimming, just keep swimming (kudos to all who understand that last reference!)

So, what do you say on these things? Everyone's got opinions, experiences...stories. I guess thats what these are for. You know, I've really gotten into the movie Rent. For those who've never seen it, or who are only remotely familiar with it, the movie deals with the lives of a group of friends, about half of which have AIDS. Its a story about thier relationships, a story about living thier life to the fullest. Its about not being afraid of who you are and what you stand for. I guess thats where I'll start witih this blog...live laugh love....how do you measure a year in the life? Here' to you Luann!!