Random thoughts....

Man, this morning I woke up with the worst stiff neck. I can barely look up it hurts too much. I feel like my neck can barely hold up my fat head! It was caused by either A) slept on it funny, B) our oldest son Ryan coming into our bed in the middle of the night and kicking us both until I put him back in his bed, or C) getting up with our youngest son Brett at 3:15am to give him a bottle, and falling asleep in the glider in his room, which is not that comfortable. I had a hard time turning my head to look for oncoming traffic on my way to work!
Either way, it hurts like a bitch! I just loaded up on 3 Tylenol Caplets - Extra Strength, so hopefully they will work fast.

ON A SIDE NOTE...
My wife just finished reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. She loved it! She gave it to me to read last night and wanted me to start reading right away, so she can have someone to talk to about it. Well I forgot to bring it to work today to read, yeah she was all sad and said "awe Eric. Well I will let you read it tonight to get started." Wow, having flashbacks of doing book reports in high school English class! I do plan to start reading it tomorrow though.

Photo of the Day

We are landing ON Haneda Airport? #1834
Originally uploaded by Nemo's great uncle.

This is funny. Found it on Flickr, was a poster in a the lobby of a hotel in Tokyo. The quotes mean "We are landing at Haneda Airport" and "get away fast with Keikyu trains"

Almost looks like it could be a short on SNL from the Ambiguously Gay Duo.

Rising Gas Prices

So this morning I am getting ready for work and see on the news that in Beverly Hills, CA, the price for gas was $4.04 a gallon! HOLY SHIT! Makes you wonder. On my way to work the 2 stations I pass are Citgo - $3.09/gal and Shell - $2.99/gal.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline rose to $2.825 a gallon, up more than 2 cents from Wednesday and more than 60 cents from a year ago, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report.

I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and I thought the Chicago area had the highest prices around. Last weekend was Easter, and I assume the price spiked up due to more people traveling.

It amazes me that people are still shocked when the price goes over $3/gal. With our government wanting to attack everybody, the fear in Americans is increasing. People are afraid that if we attack Iran, then we are going to lose a lot of our oil imports, thus causing a HUGE increase in crude oil, which equals higher pump prices. I would think the government could step in and control the rising costs, but then again, Dubya is an oil man from Texas, so he is probably getting a nice cut of the profits.

Sorry, had to vent. I voted for Bush, but now am realizing just how bad of a job he is really doing.

LATEST MUSIC NEWS

Ok, so you know about the new Tool single. I also recommend checking out the new Pearl Jam single - "World Wide Suicide" - song rocks. Also, "Dani California" from Red Hot Chili Peppers - this songs is so good I can't even explain. However, I think if you are not a fan of RHCP, you may not like it.

Upcoming album release dates:

Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam - May 2nd
Tool - 10,000 Days - May 2nd
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium - May 9th ** This is a double album with 28 tracks **

UPDATE: Smashing Pumpkins reportedly reunite!
"According to the Smashing Pumpkins Web site, "It's official. The Smashing Pumpkins are currently writing songs for their upcoming album, their first since 2000." "
I love the Pumpkins older stuff, but not so much the last album. So this will be interesting to see what it sounds like, IF and when it comes out.

Now, I am not a huge Country Music fan, but my wife is, so by association that makes me a fan. And I have to admit, some of the music is really good, but also the women in Country music are beautiful. Dixie Chicks, for example... pretty good music + good looking = album sales. They too have a new album coming out... "It's more of a rock record with country leanings than a country record with rock leanings,"

Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way - May 23rd

VELVET REVOLVER
Velvet Revolver are in the mood to experiment these days, as they dive into pre-production for the follow-up to their 2004 multiplatinum debut, Contraband. The band's branching out more than ever on the new album, tentatively titled Libertide. No release date given.

HONORABLE MENTION
iTunes has FREE DOWNLOAD weekly, and I usually download anything free, because I am always looking for something new....so this week it is "Out Here All Night" by DAMONE. I am diggin' this tune! Check it out on iTunes!

Random picture

Found this somewhere, don't know why but it made me laugh so hard. Reminds me of a kid I went to grade school with. I was going to use it as my photo in my profile but decided not to.

I have no idea on the date the picture was taken, but the boy looks so studious and happy to be there.

Photo of the Day

Traffic Jam With a Heavenly Pick-Me-Up!
Originally uploaded by abdurmalik.

Found this on Flickr, thought it was really cool. A little ray of hope in the daily grind of traffic.

Chicago

IMG_0037
Originally uploaded by eslinger24.

Went downtown Saturday night with the wife and another couple. Weather was nice, we went to Gibson's for dinner, then over to The Whiskey Bar for drinks. We stayed at the Union League Club on Jackson and Federal, was really nice to have a night to ourselves. Love the Chicago skyline! Here are the PHOTOS I took downtown

Sad Day

Roger L. Eslinger November 6, 1943 - March 31, 2006

Last week, my father passed away at the age of 62. He had battled cancer for 18 months and it finally beat him. I will miss him tremendously, but he will always be in my heart and memories. I have a blog dedicated entirely to him, click HERE.