Required Reading

If anyone wonders what a great gift for me would be, might I suggest Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years Of The Last Great Record Label.

This book would make me extremely happy.

New York magazine did a great write up of it as well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's Valentine's Day! My most favorite holiday! In honor of this awesome day, I'm posting some musical schlok for your listening pleasure.

First, naturally, is Martina McBride's song, "Valentine." I couldn't find the real video on You Tube, so this homemade one will have to suffice. Seriously, who ever has time to make a video of someone else's song, complete with lyrics and ten different kinds of roses?


If early-90s cheese is more your flavor, then how about some Peabo Bryson with a side of Regina Bell? That's right, I'm serving up some "Whole New World," fresh from the Aladdin soundtrack.


Heartbroken this Valentine's Day? Don't worry, Poppa Peabo has a perfect song for those unlucky in love. (What can't this guy do?) I offer you, "Can You Stop The Rain." Now get yourself a tub of ice cream and fifth of vodka and throw yourself a pity party.

Connect Four for Charity -- A Photo Round Up!

Very few great events have occured in Hoboken, shy of the birth of Frank Sinatra. On Saturday, April 28th, a great event did actually occur: The Connect Four for Charity Tournament.

We all know and love Connect Four, but the brilliant team of Godfrey and Rachel Chan put together a tournament in which we played Final Four bracket style until one winner took all.

Naturally, I was knocked out in the first round, but that didn't stop me from taking the snaps until the very end.

First off: Ambiance. Old skool snacks suchs as Oreos and M&M's were plentiful and offered a much-needed sugar rush. Background music was 1980s classics such as "You're the Best Around" from the Karate Kid soundtrack and Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger."


This led to some heated matches, some lasting close to half an hour. Sara was my first opponent and the gal who knocked me out of the tourney. She knew how to give a good skunk eye. I shiver.


The guy on the left, Alex, showed early prowess at the tender age of 19. More on him later.


Playas:


Hoboken guys who were not friends or family of Godfrey or Rachel. They came for the pure sport of Connect Four. Awesome!


Obligatory Godfrey/Pauline shot


Obligatory Velazquez/Pauline shot


Sure, there were prizes, but pride was at stake as well.


It didn't take long for everyone to notice that "the kid with the iPod" was beating everyone. Curious, indeed.


Including Mike B., who made it all the way to the Final Four, only to be knocked out by the young samurai.


The Final Two came down to Alex, a local college student, and Karen, a friend of Godfrey's.


The final games were played on this board, in the main bar.


It was a true game of skill. The suspense was killing me.


Spectators were everywhere.


It was a nail-biter...


...but Alex emerged victorious!


Prizes were handed out and we all went home to train for next year.

Kids, it all starts with some checkers, and a dream...