chuck kottke

Hmm! Music here is all over the map! It used to be that there were fewer choices, but now, so much is available, it's a little hard to get a feel for what or who is popular. I would say it's audiences - Coldplay has topped the charts (YEA!), and dominates the internet, but radio play is a bit less. Regionality has a lot to do with it - one might never hear them in let's say rural Kansas (I might be wrong though!), but they get great play in New York! (probably they get really great play in old York too?;)) Today's radio stations are specialized more than ever, and have a more distinct musical genera, so I can't quite figure it out over here! (Billboard online has them at the top, so perhaps even in terms of radio play?!)

Umm.. Well, Chocolate is basically the love drug! :P Which really is fine! Theobromine, caffeine, and a couple of other good things, plus lots of antioxidants, healthy cocoa butter, and some sugar (65%-70% cacao is best). I think the dark (semi-sweet actually) is best with almonds, as this enhances the taste and texture. So, yea, it stimulates some of the same brain chemistry that we feel as euphoric love, and the caffeine gives a nice buzz, and the sugar has quite an effect as well! (a little sugar's OK, a lot's not OK, unless it's a rare treat, if you want healthier ways of approaching life). Try some, and see how you feel!:):thumbsup::hat:

Umm.. well, I'm sure of it - quite a few peeps here have mentioned it, so I'm pretty sure of that!:)

Hello Rayne! How's the weather down in the Banana belt?:P So, you've got the hots for Guy Berryman then I gather?

The Strawberry swing could be a swing (dance), and the music sounds like an Appalachian folk song..or possibly Native American? Sort of, but then it has the sound of Chinese traditional instruments a bit..:\ Oh who knows where they came up with it - ask this Martin fellow!:laugh3:

Why?:rolleyes:

Considering that the Beatles started Beatlemania! and so, I would probably guess yes, if for no other reason than what airieslady says!:rolleyes: You have to look at it also as perhaps..~ they try and get vibes/ideas from their fans, to produce music that will reignite some level of passion in the fan base, so I'm sure it's something they do. And besides, they know some of us on the site, so I would imagine, it's a way to see how we're doing! (Or maybe spy on us..) (where has Lore been hiding lately??:P).

Umm.. you definitely have talent! Stage freight is normal - just pretend you're playing to a small cafe crowd - I mean it's really the same, but only a few more people in the cafe! (but yea, I'd probably be freaking out too!:stunned:) Just Omm before you go on to calm your nerves.. ;) I did alright playing to mall goers once; kind of a passive audience, so it's easier then to get used to crowds that way.. Just be yourself, be well prepared, and enjoy it!

But that's like so not true!! (funny as hell though!:laugh3:). These people had neighborhoods. They were working-class folk, and they would gripe about the royals, but they did get paid! (well, until the gold mining regions got taken over by the neighbors!).. Actually, they were pretty well off, surprisingly so for having devoted so much energy to some giant government bureaucratic construction project!:lol:

Nuclear-tipped bunker-busting weapons??:( They're not essential, and if ever they were used, they leave a lasting legacy of nuclear fallout that's very harmful to the civilian population (that's us!). Once upon a time, I had the pleasure to see some of the research done using taxpayer dollars at the University in Madison (the so-called Star Wars defense programs). Now, spending trillions on things that are never going to work, vs. putting that into R&D for let's say, malaria drugs, or experiments in new solar cell designs, battery technology development, or aid and diplomacy, development and investment in nations struggling with poverty and disease - we'd be much better off. I have to differ on that one - R&D, but of the kind, even military, that is specific for things which are both effective and reduce hazards. Why not robotic equipment to hammer-drill into bunkers using conventional explosives? Better to not create a bigger deadly mess in the end..

...And Coldplay supports/loves semi-sweet dark fairly-traded chocolate!:P ..sometimes you feel like a nut; sometimes you don't..

;) And thank you as well for informing me about all this :) - I haven't been to a concert yet, so I have only an inkling of how the process works. Sad to see people taking advantage of a generous offer by entering to then scalp tickets - not everyone is so enlightened as you are! Well, that's fantastic! It's good to be in good company, and having fun is much better with friends, I agree! From a position of generosity, comes greater wealth.;)

But, back on topic, if we had representatives (be they congressional, state, or local) that truly worked on our behalf, then many things would improve almost automatically, as they would be doing what's best for the citizens. This holds equally well for trade policy - ethical leaders would want a trade policy that reflects common-sense values, and this would make us better trading partners with the developing parts of the globe. And in many ways, being fair to those in other regions of the globe reduces the threat from terrorism, as poverty and unfairness breeds resentment and hopelessness; changing that equation reduces the chance of seeing radicalization take hold in those parts of the globe, and ultimately makes for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

:thumbsup:Right on! Plus, the military budget could be trimmed, especially in the areas of research and development of technologies that only create another arm's race, and spend more on what's really needed by our service men and women. And we should be taxing corporations, not letting them flee the country tax-free by putting up a mailbox and a file in the Bahamas, and claiming they're headquartered somewhere else!;)

I've tossed bales of hay, and it's worse than that!:laugh3: Actually, it's too much influence pedaling (which is really influence buying). The selling of political rhetoric is not the main problem - they seldom do what they say; they do what their investors tell them! Basically, yes, it does appear that way, but there is some truth in that - 3rd party candidates do dilute one party or the other somewhat, though there is cross-over voting, and they often get some non-voters to vote. What I see as a solution, which might not materialize without a strong demand for change, is a systems of checks and balances on the campaign process itself. I would like to see a citizen's review board oversee the process, and be able to set the format & questions for the debate. A panel that checks any bad and completely false advertisements, and a limit on the campaign season. Cap the money they can raise too!! (no loopholes!). Break up some of the media monopolies - a free press is the check and balance on political power, and when the press becomes lopsided, we no longer have the process allowing voters the right to see both sides on equal footing (and I have had firsthand experience with this close at hand - two local papers with definite ownership bias as part of a chain affecting reporting)

Well, sometimes the lyrics really are written about some event or experience, but written vaguely. So, to the songwriter, they may not be entirely subjective, but naturally after some revision and reflection, become more so.. Still, there are often clear hints at certain things; some political, and others personal. But to each one of us, they have the meaning we ascribe to them, and become mystified by time as well..

Thanks for warning us, Ian!;) ( ..and the Devil's :vampire: in the details..).. Sounds a bit like they took a lesson from some of the mortgage/banking practices here in the US: On page 3.b, buried in fine print, it clearly states in leagalE that 'the aforementioned rate will be adjusted to 300% of the current rate in 36 months past the signing of this document.. too bad if you can't pay that much!' So, good to read the fine print, and find out what fangs and claws it does contain! Why can't these companies just be fair with us peeps? I mean, would these execs. want to be treated that way, if they were in our shoes?? Grr!:veryangry2: I'd like to see them put through the same mill they press others through. Anyhow, down with the the bad corps. and their greedheads!

knighthood or saint? I'm impressed - that is extremely generous and thoughtful! For that, you have either earned your wings, or shall be granted knighthood!:angel::crown: Oh that's right - they had those free concerts!! Now I remember!! "We're starting from a place of freeness.." as Chris said on the radio interview.. Well, good for you! I'm sure the person to whom you gave them had a fantastic time, and appreciated every second of it!;) But people were paying 100 Pounds on Ebay to get in?? I thought the tickets were free?:confused: Perhaps once they were given out, people started selling them off? Oh well - scalpers never end. True - generosity is the gift of sharing happiness; & if I had tickets, I would do just the same. ;) & since clocks was my gift to the world,, it's good to see them doing the same.. But the regular prices, aside from the free concerts - what is that usually? Is it reasonable, or a bit pricey??

Greetings Cha! I'm glad you could join us here in this global internet cafe with our assortment of actors and actresses!:):laugh3: I'll be your waiter this evening:elvis:.. Would you like white wine, or red?;) Chocolate Mocha or strawberry swing?:p

Hello Phil! Wish I could be of some service to you - but trans-Atlantic flying is out of my price range, and I haven't a clue where to get tickets in the British Isles (unless you want to come to Chicago to see them!) - but that's probably sold out too! (scalpers have plenty I'm sure, but I've heard rumors of fans shelling out $400 for $70 tickets - which, in these days of deflating dollars may not be much, but still, it's a lot!). Um.. reasonably priced tickets? Is there such a thing??:laugh3:

Welcome Sarah to the coolest site in cyber-town!:cool::)

Yes, if they reach their production goals, that's what I've heard as well! Maybe not too much strain, if efficiency is ramped up with cooling and heating systems in buildings/homes, and solar is installed in all those roofs and lots! It's really just a matter of change. In some ways, one could compare it to going from Steam engines to Diesel Electric Locomotives. The efficiency improvements meant less loss of energy, and more value for the fuel cost. I know I've already changed one home from using 5 fill-ups of propane a season, to requiring only one; with a little added solar it could be reduced to perhaps 1/3 per year. So, if an improvement in efficiency of that magnitude is possible, then we need to focus on that issue, and supply becomes less worrisome.;)

The oil in the US is, in all truth, a drop in the bucket! Maybe we could get another 10% of the supply boosted if we went whole hog on it; so that concept worked well in the past, but we must focus on a common sense, demand-side approach, and find the supply-side coming from as Jay say, diversified sources! The truth of the matter is, just like it has been with refrigerators and freezers, simply doing a better job with the designs of equipment, and getting the "beer cold", without using so much energy, is the answer! This is not rocket science - just good old fashioned common sense stuff. And many of these gains are already market choices; they simply have to be made available to the buying public with incentives. (as if rising fuel and electricity costs won't do the trick alone!). So, the same thing applies to buildings - insulate, ventilate, and heat-exchangers for air. Autos & trucks- apply known technologies to sharply reduce air drag on the bodies, and use known technologies to double the efficiency of the drive system, whether that be from internal combustion technologies, or battery/fuel cell/capacitor/electric motor drive technologies. (even retro-fits for OTR trucks should boost mileage dramatically, and provide a transition cushion). Then, on the Supply side, diversification! With reduced demand, a transition to renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal, wave, hydro-electric, some biomass) will be easy and painless. A transition to high efficiency should reduce demand by a factor of 4 or greater, and thus supply from renewables to meet that demand will be quite easy to do.

I know something about Japan - but not everything by far! Japan always looks like such a neat place - the beautiful gardens, so perfectly maintained, Bonsai, fine arts, traditional pottery on Hokkaido, the steel making for the swords, and the incredible technological success of the Japanese people has always amazed me! Sounds like a friendly, busy place to be. 10 years - you must almost feel Japanese in your state of mind then? Have you been to the Western side, where it's all forested? Leaping from Spanish to English, or Spanish to even German is not too hard to do, but Japanese is a whole different state of mind to get into.. I can only imagine what that must be like! :thinking::) Congratulations on bridging that chasm!! A prefecture is like a county in English or American terms? Or, more like a borough?

How are things at the Bronx Zoo?:) Welcome to the global network of Coldplay enthusiasts, and other circus performers here!:laugh3: