Thanksgiving with Lombardo

THANKSGIVING BLOG

UPDATE!

We have a response to a blog entry!

I feel like Steve Martin in " The Jerk " when he finds his name in the phone book and says,
" I am somebody! A respondent named " heyjack" left a comment about having success in a band. The give-and-take element has brought this blog to new places!
In an effort to milk this new level we have attained, I will respond to the response!
Heyjack ( never,ever in an airport ), you make a good point about success. Drive and
determination propell groups to bankdom. There is some nuance in my rant that makes it
so our statements don't necessarily contradict, I think. Nevertheless you are our " first
responder" and therefore win our GRAND PRIZE! Two tickets to Nickleback at Key Arena!
( If heyjack is actually nik, you are disqualified.).

Happy Thanksgiving and
'Shalom in the Home'.

Mr. L.

Vh1 and Mtv Review by Lombardo

BLOG 11-25-08

VH1 REVIEW

Rock of Love (my nickname in the 80's) entails a bunch of shows.
It is confusing.

First is something called "Chance at Love" ( my nickname in the 90's ).
The first thing I see is skanks conversing with two, high , rappers.
At this point Im not sure if the display on my cable is correct, but after
about 5 minutes I realize it is----couldn't watch it - made me physically ill.
Next is the Pickup Artist- Mysterey and Matador having finalists " teach" some
newbies about the 'Game'. Couldn't watch--- felt urge to strap explosives to my belt,
and detonate out in middle of my street.Then came Paris Hilton's " New BFF", I am perplexed at the irony, because I believe BFF is " Best Friend Forever". A " New" BFF indicates that there was a previous BF who, obviously didn'tlast F. After a few minutes ,wanted to joust sharp object into my own head.So I turned it off as well...depleting any chance at a legitimate review... but maybe saving a life.

Reporting nothing about VH1;
This has been Mr. Lombardo,
For the Pop Expose.

Call of duty World at War

This version throws you back to the WWII theme but it is based of the same game engine as Modern Warfare. But a different development company. But the is truly bad ass and like most Xbox360 games, it really shines when played online. Bottom line, BUY IT NOW!!!

More to follow.

The Blue Man Group

BLOG ENTRY MON. 11-17-08

BREAKING NEWS

As a corresondent for the PE, celebrity interviews are part of the job. The Vegas sensation " Blue Man Group" has taken their rockin' act on tour. I caught up with the performers during a recent tour stop in Seattle:

ME: " So guys, your on the road, how does it compare with Vegas?"

BMG: -

ME: " Has the act changed at all or are you doing what crowds have loved for years?"

BMG: -

ME: "Is it true that one of you is actually blue, due to a massive overdose of colloidal silver?

BMG: -

ME: " OK, Ive got to ask, when you first got together were there any other names swirling around; or do you have the same publicist as the ' Insane Clown Posse?'"

BMG: -

ME: " That was a joke."

BMG: -

ME: " Well I appreciate you guys spending time with us, anything you would like to say before we let you go?"

BMG - "YEAH, SHOUT OUT TO THE VENE AND MANDALAY-AND TO EVERYONE AT THE TI WHO GOT US STARTED......YEAH, YEAH AND EVERYONE OUT AT SPANISH HILLS AND THE LITTLE HONEY'S AT THE SPEARAMINT RHINO BABY! BELLAAAAAAAAAAGIIIIIIIIOOOOOO WHATS UP!"


Much Love,
Mr. Lombo

Lombardo's McRib Response.

BLOG ENTRY 11 12 08

MUST.......HAVE.....................McRIBB..........

This is in response to my collegue Nik's recent situation. It seems that he saw a billboard for the new/old McRibb sandwich and was overtaken by it's effect. I think this may be just a result of McParanoia.
The conpiracy theories of the day have caused this. To think that the McExecutives at the corporations are trying to control us is McCrazy. This has been going on for a long time: The shooter on the grassy McKnoll - Elvis in the Witness Protection McProgram - McFreemasons-
All unsubstantiated! I have found no reason to believe there is a secret, poweful group McTrying to control the public! McPlease! Do you really think that the government is secretly holding aliens at Area Mc51? Until one of these McOrganizations is exposed, we will all be McVictims of our own McMinds!

Until next time-
TO ENSURE ORDER ACCURACY ,ITEMS WILL BE DISPLAYED ON SCREEN.....

Mr. Lom.

Slums of Auburn part 2

Blog by Lombardo

BLOG ENTRY 111108


Possible answers to previous blog test question...

A. It was me.
B. It was Nik.
C. Spontaneous Human Combustion---- Perp. made it to my yard, and then was vaporized by one of science' s greatest mysteries; leaving no evidence of
remains as they were enveloped as a chariot of fire off my lawn.
Or....maybe
D. Suspect didn't run through neighbor's yard into mine, but ran through the school, jumped the fence into my yard, then ran through the neighbors.

Correct answer.....B.


BANDS

The PE examines projects by various bands...the music world is saturated with sameness today, so what can make a band stand out? As a musician myself I have thought of this alot. I have a few theories.....

First, if you are in a band to make music because you want to, you've already made it! Congratulations! No fan accumulation, or lack therof can take it away from you.

Second, if there is a desire for stardom, it will conflict with the first principle inevitably. How does this work then.....


Third, As with anything , talent (product) is the mitigating factor.

The first principle is not predicated on this. But the second, in conjunction with the first, is. In other words.... If you want to be a big band in the land you better be really,really good. Not just think your'e good and destined for marquee.....but be talented and dedicated to a higher level than anyone around you. How do you know if you are? Ask people who know. Not your groups of fans and friends, but those who REALLY know! Find them...they're out there. This might save people alot of frustration and/or give them proper direction.


Mr. L

The McRibb is Back!!!!

Everywhere I drive I see them, billboards displaying the McDonald's McRib, their barbecue rib sandwich. I guess the road side advertising has made it's way into my sub-conscious, because one day when I was driving home and I mistakenly drove straight into a McDonald's drive through without thinking twice about it (I was trying to get home!). Then when I tried to order some chicken nuggets, my tongue would not let me say the words, "chicken nuggets", instead it forced my mouth to utter the words, "Give me the fucking McRib bitch", ok not the bitch part. After I receive my order, I rush home to consume this beast of a sandwich. I open the McRib box (because a sandwich of this proportion deserves a box) only to discover what looks like a piece of rubber doused in bbq sauce stuck between a sandwich roll. Not caring , I take a big ol bite of it and immediately regret my purchase. Once the McRib hit my taste buds, I automatically envisioned the mechanically separated pig parts being processed into a "edible" patty ready to wreak havoc on my colon. The sandwich was disgusting and my stomach turns every time I see those roadside advertisement.

Nik, The Pop Exposé.

The Slums of Auburn, Washington (part one, act one)

Blog by LomBardo for The Pop Exposé

BLOG Sun. 11908

Yesterday up all night. It wasnt that bad though..... early Sat. morning was nice; about 6:30...warm outside...just light out....birds chirping as the sky continues to light up....Drunk guy, who just got mugged, ringing my DORBELL with a broken hand ,.....dew resting gently on the grass.....wait..What?!
Yes this reverberated shockwaves in my system for a minute. Carefully I opened my door ( let's just say ready ) - it's a bad neighborhood sometimes. To my surprise it was this guy, who I do know, coming over after a long night. I say surprise because relief would entail that I was glad to see him, rather than some thug(s). Turns out the thugs got the better of him and he decided to come over. He had no vehicle, lived miles away, so I brought him in for a little bit- reluctantly disarming myself. This is not the first time, however that he has arrived at my door with a broken bone and cerosis of the cerebellum. For Real! I drove him home, returned to my house and got on with the beautiful morning.....birds chirping.....


~ Blotter about my experiences in this area..

Case 1: About three years ago a guy was walking down my street with his wife and child. He asked if he could mow my lawn for cash. I said yes, let him use my equipment, and hooked him up with other jobs on the street. He stole my lawnmower.

Case 2: Driving home at @ 10:30 at night a while back, turning last corner to my house I see a toddler walking in the street, barefoot , alone. I stop and think of how to contain the kid without scaring him. I get him to come over to me and he is too young to explain why he is strolling down my street. I worked nearby so I opened the office, took him in and called the cops. They arrived and were AMAZED that he was so small and out by himself.
They managed to find out some info. and took him away.

Case 3: About a month later I am in my house watching football, in the afternoon. Out of the corner of my eye I detect movement. Looking out the window I see a small girl, barefoot, walking to my door! I open the door, girl was about 3 , and walked out to see what was up. As I held her hand and walked out to my driveway, I looked around for a parent ( or guardian over the age of ..well....6? )--- there was nobody. Nearly five minutes later I hear a neighbor lady calling out some name. I walked to the street and saw this lady, looking weathered, meandering around looking for this girl. When I walk out where she can see us I ask the girl If she knows the lady. Girl obviously approves and yells back. Lady walks over, yells at her, picks her up and passively says thanks and leaves.
That lady can vote .

Case 4: I awaken at midnight to my dog barking frantically. I see lights coming in my window from the BACK yard. When I peek up I see K-9 unit in my backyard looking around. Without turning on all my lights I take the dog in living room where I see cop lights on my street. Then I just wait to see what happens. The cops come around and see me, somewhat alarmed. They knock, I open, " Who's in there with you ?"
" My dog" I answer.
They mumble a little and I wait just a bit. Then I ask them if they want to check. The cop at my door was obviously some kind of rookie and he asks the searg. Guy nods and the " Recruit " enters my house. He checks it out then explains that a store was robbed down the street, and the K-9 tracks of the perp ended in my backyard ( Ann Rule are you reading this? ). The copkid looked at me like' What do we do?' I assured him that I heard nothing and my dog would have barked loudly if he did. Then they left and it was over.
Or was it.....
Following Monday : In the evening my next door neighbor alerts me from her yard ...laughing. I asked what was up and her husband came over. He said " did you read the Auburn Newspaper ?" " No ," I said." They're good friends of mine and Mark came over that night after cops left to see what was up. He showed me the paper which had a bit about the robbery. It concluded with " Police followed tracks to backyard but have no suspect. They will report back to house if they feel they need to for the investigation. "
Now the Test : On the other side of my back fence is a school....then the street. On my south side is one house...then a street. The cops came down and crossed over my south neighbors yard into mine , following tracks...until they got to my yard -then they stopped. What Happened ?

To be continued......I need coffee.

Mr. Lobo.

"Sometimes They Drop By" Ep by The Raveonettes

Well before I continue with the rest of my blog, I would like to state that the Danish musical duo known as The Raveonettes is my favorite modern band. But I must admit I was left a little confused (maybe even disappointed) after listening to their E.P. entitled, Sometimes They Drop By. Unlike their previous albums/ E.P.s, "Sometimes" lacks the sexy vintage guitar tones and haunting harmonies of their past work and opts for a more electronic/synthesized sound. Don't get me wrong, I like it when a band evolves but I think it's a shame that The Raveonettes decided to omit some of the key elements of their sound that had drawn me towards them in the first place. The songs on "Sometimes" sound like they could have been out takes from their last album, "Lust Lust Lust", which was less than stellar but still had catchy melodies and an upbeat rythm. Out of the four songs the E.P., "Way Out There" seems to be somewhat of a stand out track but still lacks that ummph like the rest of the E.P. The title track has a very opiated dreamy vibe which I can apreciate but the overall E.P. was very confusing to me and I hope this isnt a permanent fix for the band.(2/5) -Nik

Lombardo and Voting confusion.

BLOG ENTRY 11 6 08
Lombardo

First I should clarify that a previous random piece I sent may have been misconstrued. The blog about " Renee" and " Gilbert " was just simply joking around, and giving a 'shout out' of sorts. OK you probably decoded that those ARE their real names, and they both are friends of mine. Renee thing was in reference to a recent change of hair color and I don't think Gilbert has a Corvette. Let me just say I apologize for the ambiguity of my remarks, and let me give a non cryptic shout out to Renee and Gilbert. Alright ..... even the Nik stuff was made up. Please also realize that I have been out of It for two days so randomness prevailed.

WOW
The voting experience was telling.
I went to the poll and asked what ID they need.
The girl there said they have to let everybody vote....no matter what
She followed by saying that she asked if a kid came in, or someone who was from another
country, then do they let them?
The instructor said yes.
Surprised, I asked who gave her that instruction ( the girl herself was just doing what she was
told ) then two people crowded over us and I figured to let it go...for then.

Now for the media subjects ( double entendre if you think about it )

CELEB REHAB

What was supposed to be critique of an anticipated circus act, my sentiment has changed about, what I call " THE C R ".
At first I expected violent scenes and gratuitous celebrity parading, but after watching the CR for a couple weeks, I cant make fun of it....entirely. I dont want to make light of, what I have seen to be, compelling and tragic situations. So not to be morose on this Pop Exposé Blog, which I call " The P E ", I'll just say that some of the humor or irony I will try to convey in the future.

CABLE STATIONS I GET

Northern Arizona University Channel
@10 jewelry sales channels
The Barack Obama Channel ( If that isnt scary...it will be )
Spanish shopping channels
2 Horseracing channels

and about 245 others.


MISC.
.

~~~To the four of you who read this, let me recommend the writings of Dave Barry. He is the emperor of randomness! Hilarious.

~~~Dude got five....yes FIVE holes-in-one in ONE WEEK! 22 Yrs old . Illinois State University.

~~~Jones/Calzaghe tomorrow. ( Boxing fan ). My prediction...Calzaghe.

~~~Palendrome of the day.... A man a plan a Canal Panama.

~~~The Atlantic side of the Panama Canal is west of the Pacific side.

Until then,

Mr. L.

Wallpaper, Pop Music Lives!

In a musical scene filled with dull dance grooves and lousy "art" rock, it is very refreshing to hear the catchy pop hooks that ooze out of the Auburn, Washington band, Wallpaper.
Their debut album entitled, "On The Chewing Gum Ground" is the first of hopefully many K Records release. The three members, Derek Kelley, Spencer Kelley, and Steve Potter, use tried and trued song writing methods to formulate very familiar but original compositions. When listening to key tracks from the album such as, "New California" and "Nod Off", one could not help but hear the influences ranging from The Beach Boys to Pavement which only encourages you to listen and want more. The three piece has made writing a catchy pop song their forte. Trading off instrument duties with each other and singing in harmony is the norm at a Wallpaper show, while lead vocalist Derek sings lyrics that are sarcastic, sometimes cryptic, and above else, clever. Over all, On The Chewing Gum Ground really captures the band in their "live" element which I think is the best element of a band. The album is proof that the pop song format is still relevant even in today's epic musical landscape.
I give the album 4/5 -nik Y.

Basic tracks you gotta hear: Pop Rocket, Rock Collage, Totalled.
"On the Chewing Gum Ground" by Wallpaper, out now on K Records. www.krecs.com
Check out Wallpaper's MySpace at www.myspace.com/publicstudents
Email me (Nik) at nikyambao@me.com

The Last Shadow People show.

On the way to last Shadow People Show. We are playing with Wallpaper, very good band really excited to see them perform.

Lombardo Entry 11-06-08

BLOG ENTRY 11-06-08

Subject.....

Renee.

There is a girl I would like to blog about. I won't say her name, but what a lady! Just when you think you know her, there is a chameleon effect and you see a girl that looks totally different. She is an enigma and a wiley vixen indeed.
Also a guy...his name I will with hold.... he's a buddy of mine ,and I'll just give him the code-name " Gilbert". " Gilbert " is a man who you should embrace because he may be worth many millions soon. He has a Corvette with his name on the license plate. - nuff said.
Finally the host of this blog, Nik. Nik is incarcerated now, but when he gets out I plan to take him to his favorite restaurant....it's called " Crabs ".
I now think the world will end in 2012, so I'm livin' like it's Two....thou-sand.....eleven!

Piece,

Mr. Lombardo

Didn't see that coming.

I had feeling the Democratic canidate would win the presidency buy didn't see a landslide coming.

349-169?!?!?!?

Brian Rocky (R) Wa, for The Pop Exposé

UPDATE......IMPROMPTU BLOG.....

Dear Readers, and those reading impaired,

I wasn't going to do it.... I didn't want to bring politics into it. But this is the night before the single most, absolute WIERDEST election I have ever seen! The soapbox needs to be stood on! ( Yambao smiling right now ). It is not really accurate to say I am a republican...because I don't know what that is anymore. But, a political conservative "type" Yes. I'm 38 (ladies), really into politics for 20 years. Poli-Sci major at the Univ. Washington ---- Home of " Red Square", but still retained all my political beliefs. Actually there is a whole blog for every subcatagory I write about... so .....from now on * Enter Disclaimer Here*. Can't write about all of everything. So, at an attempt at brevity so shall I be.
That preface is not to say I am an expert, to each their own expertise; but to encode the frustration of being politically active for many years. Plus I barely got into UW in the first place as extracrclr. activities were my focus at the time. My resume is actually pretty mediocre
to this point in life.. (ladies). But I am still into politics, I am voting tomorrow, and I have sustained a political perspective through the past 2 decades. So what can I say about this election..... well.......part of the reason I am balding (ladies) is the past involvement with politics, but this circus is scary! I won't even talk about Obama/Biden, except to ask ....what does that look like? But the " Conservative " ticket this election is just what we Repubs thought. McCain is....well......being idiotic! I don't call him an Idiot ,but he has confirmed our fears on the right. He is a hero of this country, but once you enter the realm he's in it is prudent to scrutinize, I believe. ( Yes, this is the same guy who an hour ago was quoting Gary Busey). What are we pissed about? He is a turncoat on his own party and a pandering egomaniac. O'Reilly is to be subject to scrutiny also, but his TV show is successful. McCain won't go on it! Britt Hume, cons. TV host, called Mac for MONTHS.....McCain wouldn't go on the show! Katie Couric...more than once. That is a microcosm of what the McCain mindset is, and that is why we are stymied.
Well, this campaign has been wierd, just like the fact that I am going to go vote for this guy tomorrow. And, that has been the most I plan to expound on the subject of politics forever on this blog. But it is an historic time....and the words of Gary Busey come to mind. " What's my situation with the situation".



Sincerely,
Bald, right wing, mediocre blogger. ( Ladies ).

PS History.........in 19th century politicians would need to carry their voice over the crowd they were speaking to, so they would stand on a treestump... hence " stump " speeches. Also hearers would want to ask questions or yell at them , so they would bring a wooden soapbox to stand on so they could be seen and heard. Now the Irish Spring container doesn't work as well, that's why I soapbox on the Interweb.

Brian Rocky for The Pop Exposé, Thoughts for Election Day 08'

BLOG ENTRY for Election Day 2008!

To begin this blog, I think that it would be appropriate to give an explanation of what it is all about. I think I heard tonight what sums it up.
It's the night before an election for the highest office in the land. We have heard so much from the candidates that there is much to quote from them. Yet I go to the words of a man who is not running for office, yet thinks he is. So on this election eve I go to the words of Gary Busey, " I speak from a spiritual land; thats where I live ". Busey was also called a scumbag in this latest episode, downplaying it like a true candidate by saying " It's not the first time I've been called that".
Now to the topic de jour. Which means " topic of the jour ":
Fry Sauce.
A warning.... anytime you are offered " fry sauce " as a condiment know this... whatever you are eating, by adding fry sauce you make it taste like a Big Mac. Just a heads up. Okay there are some more items of the jour. The Pickup Artist on VH1 is something I cant forgoe.
Just when I thought I knew all about subliminally manipulating women I am outdone by ameteurs. Yes the Pickup Artist, or as I call it " The Artist " features young males without experience taking up methods from a man I think is called "Mystery". Maybe Mystere. I just call him " The Artist ". These young lads are given clothes and spa treatment for a makeover session, then a 6 foot mannachin for a makeout session.But there is a factor introduced which is most effective in their effort to corrall strange women at crowded locations. It is simply the saying " I need to get back to my friends in a minute ". Who are these friends? Could it mean a mundane group of every men, or Is the guy possibly Implying that he must return to his alien land, and that he is not of this Earth? Could it be code for " I am a spook from a secret Soviet Block nation that is remnant of the 1991 fall of the USSR ", or maybe " I am on a television show and the other participants are in a bus outside"?
Mysterey Indeed!
I will now experiment with the Emotions taskbar.
Yes this is the one which should be used with this particular entry----.or possibly.

Until we have a ' Lame Duck ' in the White House,
Goodnight.... from Brian Rocky for The Pop Exposé.

2nd generation iPod touch to the rescue!!!!!!

I am a proud owner of an iPhone 3g, but after filling up the little 8GB wonder with my music collection, I noticed two things, I need more room to add the rest of my media collection and ever since I loaded up 7 Gb worth of songs on to the phone, the iPhone is starting to crash way more often. The iPod part of the iPhone has been crashing most, it used to never quit on me before , but since the recent media in influx it crashes more frequently. I have the latest 2.1 firmware and I only have about 5 other apps on it besides the ones that came with it. So my decision has been made to get an additional iPod touch to store the rest of my music collection and to relieve my iPhone of hardcore music playing duties. My iPhone has went from maybe 1 crash a month to 5 crashes a day, this has become real thorn in my geek side. But now I just have to make up my mind of either a 16 GB or a 32 GB iPod touch. What's a geek to do?

Rikki Rainbow bitches.

Well let me get straight to the point, Rikki Rainbow is a electro-pop phenomenon that will melt your brain. I was at a Halloween party this weekend where I saw Rikki Rainbow perform for the first time. For those who don't know, Rikki Rainbow is the gay rapper alter ego of my friend Scott Ricketts. The performance was full of sass , ego, and confidence something I crave when i see a gay rapper perform. The flows and the dance moves made his persona very addicting to watch as all eyes in the tiny overheated basement were fixated on Rikki. Even meat head jock types couldn't help but cheer him on. As he is the only person on stage performing, this was very impressive to see such command over the crowd, a true MC. To best describe the music its like Lil Kim with a penis and Fruity Loops. Rikki Rainbow is a testament to how dedicated a performer can be to a character. I predict more ass shaking flow kicking house shows to come, be on the look out. To find out more about Rikki Rainbow check out his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/rikkirainbow and listen to the song , "Totally Bodacious". It will fuck you up!