Tag / Boiler Up!

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16 Left Standing

We enter the Sweet 16 without the major upsets of last year, but also without the Cinderella team for the nation to rally around.  My Boilermakers are still alive, thanks to their thrashing of defending champion Villanova last weekend, which makes me cautiously optimistic about their chances this weekend.

Things look pretty good in the East, with only one of my Sweet Sixteen picks already out of the running.

Things aren’t looking so hot here, where I only have 2 picks still alive and none of them picked to pass through to the Elite 8.  On the plus side, this may mean an easier road to the Final Four for the old alma mater.

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 11

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 11 takes us late into 1993 and my sophomore year of college.  It features mostly alternative and hip-hop hits, with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Shai – Baby I’m Yours

The second, and final, top 10 hit for the R&B quartet more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 7 plays 15 plays, most recently on 10/12/2018 

Tears For Fears – Break It Down Again

Topping the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the comeback hit for the 80s sensations managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 9 plays 18 plays, most recently on 7/28/2018 

Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes

The only single from the band’s sophomore effort to chart, peaking at #38, the tune managed to pick up 10 additional listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 2 plays 12 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

4 Non Blondes – Spaceman

A mere 2 new listens for the minor follow up hit to What’s Up.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 4 plays 6 plays, most recently on 1/10/2016 

Pearl Jam – Go

Used as Paul Konerko’s walkup music during his final season, the first single from Pearl Jam’s sophomore effort picked up 5 new listens in the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 19 plays 24 plays, most recently on 11/7/2018 

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

Nirvana’s first release from their final studio album, ranked as the 10th greatest rock track ever by Kerrang! magazine, added 14 additional plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 9 plays 23 plays, most recently on 12/27/2018 

Radiohead – Stop Whispering

Peaking at #23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the lesser known follow up to the smash Creep tripled its plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 play 2 plays 6 plays, most recently on 11/7/2018 

Side B

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Time To Go Dancing

It’s that time of year again, as the nation’s attention turns to the college hoops scene for the next few weeks. I’m down to just one pool this year; one at my mom’s work.  Without further ado, let’s take a look at this year’s selections.

I’m not seeing much in the way of upsets here, with overall #1 seed Duke my pick to make it to the Final Four.

Purdue finds themselves the #3 seed, playing the first weekend in Hartford.  Given Virginia’s historic poor showing last year, I don’t see them doing much with the #1 seed, so I expect quite a few upsets in this region.

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 10

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 10 covers the spring and summer of 1993, following my freshman year of college, and features the top rap and alternative hits of the summer, along with some pop and the last remnants of hair metal.

Side A

Pearl Jam – Black

Hitting #3 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart despite the band’s refusal to release it as an official single, the song was only listened to 5 times in the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 6 plays 11 plays, most recently on 5/1/2018 

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

The big hit from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bomb Last Action Hero, originally recorded from The Blaze during a nightly song battle, garnered 10 additional listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 7 plays 17 plays, most recently on 7/13/2018 

UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

After going unheard for 3 years, the track, featured on the Sliver soundtrack, doubled its plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 8 plays 16 plays, most recently on 10/29/2018 

Aerosmith – Cryin’

The first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy, which finished as the 60th biggest single of 1993, picked up 10 new plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 16 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

TLC – Get It Up

The cover of the The Time hit, created for the Poetic Justice soundtrack, finally picked up some listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 0 plays 4 plays, most recently on 7/31/2018 

4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?

The 50th biggest single of 1993 picked up a small increase of 3 listens for the ubiquitous debut from 4 Non Blondes.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 16 plays 19 plays, most recently on 11/5/2018 

whoompTag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

The unofficial theme to the Bulls third straight NBA championship, who showed up for 90s night at the game I attended in February 2015, added 30 new listens over the past 3 years, thanks to its use by the Cubs when someone hits a home run.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 13 plays 43 plays, most recently on 9/1/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 9

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 9 places us squarely in the early months of 1993, overlapping with the second semester of my freshman year of college.  The hip hop and pop are rounded out with some alternative and what passes for hair metal in the post-grunge era.

Side A

Dan Baird – I Love You Period

Despite not knowing if this song, which peaked at #26 on the Billboard charts, ever got radio play in the state of Illinois, I’ve somehow managed to add 5 new listens over the past 3 years..

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 9 plays 14 plays, most recently on 11/1/2018 

Ugly Kid Joe – Cats In The Cradle

The cover of the Harry Chapin hit, which gave the band their highest charting hit of their career, picked up a mere 4 new plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 10 plays, most recently on 11/15/2018 

Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal

The story of a wise homeless man, which hit #6 on the Billboard charts, managed to pick up 7 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 12 plays 19 plays, most recently on 11/27/2018 

Naughty By Nature – Hip Hop Hooray

The 45th biggest hit of 1993 nearly doubled its total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 12 plays 23 plays, most recently on 12/19/2018 

Positive K – I Got A Man

The rappers only top 40 hit, peaking at #14, garnered a slight 4 play increase in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 10 plays 14 plays, most recently on 11/16/2018 

REM – Man On The Moon

The tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, which peaked at #2 on the Alternative Songs chart, picked up a mere 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 9 plays, most recently on 11/28/2018 

Aerosmith – Livin’ On The Edge

Spending 9 weeks atop the Album Rock Tracks chart, the first single from the band’s 11th studio album, which I bought at a midnight release at the Musicland that would eventually become Kazoo’s, managed a slight increase over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 8 plays, most recently on 7/3/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 8

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 8 covers the winter and spring of 1993 and the second semester of my freshman year of college. The alternative influence starts to become more noticable, as both Pearl Jam and Nirvana make their belated first appearances alongside old mainstays like Poison, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard. Besides that, we are treated to a lot of hip-hop and hair metal, with a small sampling of pop, as always.

Side A

Bell Biv Devoe – Gangsta

The intended first single from the second Bell Biv Devoe record, which flopped, it was dropped from the album and now is lost to history.

Pearl Jam – Jeremy

The belated first appearance on these tapes by Pearl Jam, the song, which VH1 ranked as the 11th greatest song of the 90s, saw a modest 3 listen increase over the past 3 years, with nothing for nearly 2 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 9 plays 12 plays, most recently on 4/21/2017 

Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker

Charting as the 9th biggest hit of 1993, the biggest song for butts since Sir Mix-A-Lot had a healthy 15 play increase.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 8 plays 23 plays, most recently on 8/6/2018 

Boyz II Men – In The Still Of The Night

The cover of the old doo-wop classic, recorded for the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, added 5 plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 9 plays 14 plays, most recently on 12/4/2018 

Arrested Development – People Everyday

Peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts, the second single for the Atlanta-based group added an additional 7 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 14 plays 21 plays, most recently on 10/18/2018 

Nirvana – In Bloom

The belated first appearance of Nirvana on these tapes, the song, winner of the Best Alternative Video VMA in 1993. picked up a mere 5 new plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 13 plays 18 plays, most recently on 4/30/2018 

TLC – What About Your Friends

The third straight top 10 hit from TLC’s debut album added 11 new listens to its total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 7

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 7 covers the fall of 1992 and the end of the first semester of my freshman year of college.  We are treated to the last gasps of hair metal and pop, with a little dance, alternative and hip-hop thrown in for good measure.

Side A

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

The longest song ever to crack to top 10 on the Billboard charts, peaking at #3, the opus, which checks in at 3 seconds shy of 9 minutes, picked up 7 new plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 5 plays 12 plays, most recently on 11/14/2018 

Def Leppard – Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad

The 86th biggest hit of 1992 picked up a mere 2 listens since 2015 and only 4 since 2012.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 8 plays, most recently on 12/5/2018 

Toad The Wet Sprocket – All I Want

Topping out at #15 on the Billboard charts, the first hit from Toad the Wet Sprocket only picked up 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 17 plays 21 plays, most recently on 12/9/2018 

Tesla – Signs

The live track, which I once owned on CD before trading it in for LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out, gained a mere 4 new listens, with the last one coming only 2 weeks after I bought the band’s namesake car.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 5 plays 9 plays, most recently on 7/13/2017 

Soup Dragons – Divine Thing

The alternative dance single that became a moderate hit in the US gained 9 additional listens.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 14 plays 20 plays, most recently on 9/23/2018

Ugly Kid Joe – Neighbor

Ugly Kid Joe, who debuted much too late for their 80s hairband style, saw a five-fold increase in the amount of plays this first single from their first full length album.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 2 plays 10 plays, most recently on 11/12/2018 

The Heights – How Do You Talk To An Angel

The theme song from the short-lived FOX show The Heights, nominated for the 1993 Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics Emmy, picked up 6 new plays.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 8 plays 14 plays, most recently on 7/14/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 6

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 6 takes us through the end of high school, through the summer, and into the beginning of my freshman year of college.  Sadly, this is not the original version of volume 6, which was lost after being borrowed by my sister for a party.  The steady stream of hair metal and pop starts to become overtaken by alternative and hip-hop.

Side A

Genesis – I Can’t Dance

The second single from the 14th studio album from Genesis, which received a 1993 Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, nearly doubled its number of listens in the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 7 plays 13 plays, most recently on 8/6/2018 

Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You

Hitting #9 on the Billboard charts, the first hit for the California band  put together a decent increase of 16 spins over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 22 plays, most recently on 9/17/2018 

Joe Public – Live and Learn

Ranked 16th on complex.com’s list of the best new jack swing songs of all time, the tune managed to double its plays since our last check.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 12 plays, most recently on 9/5/2018 

Boyz II Men – Please Don’t Go

The final single from Cooleyhighharmony, which failed to crack the top 40, finally got a listen or 8 over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 0 plays 8 plays, most recently on 8/3/2018 

Def Leppard – Make Love Like A Man

The second single from Adrenalize, and the first video with new guitarist Vivian Campbell, nearly managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 11 plays, most recently on 8/30/2018 

Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

After going over 3 years without hearing the Bob Dylan cover, it picked up 5 new listens in the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 7 plays 12 plays, most recently on 9/1/2018 

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under The Bridge

The first appearance of “alternative” music on these collections, which became the 8th biggest single of 1992, nearly doubled its play total.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 11 plays, most recently on 12/14/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

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The Still Growing 10,000 Step Club

Last year, as I was finishing up my third year with the Fitbit, I took my last look at the top 25 step days I’ve had since I first started tracking my steps way back in July of 2011.  At the time, I had surpassed the 10,000 step plateau 165 times.  In the past year, I have managed to add an additional 52 occurrences, my best year to date, for a total of 218.  With my fourth year using the Fitbit coming to an end last week, I thought it would be appropriate to take a new look at my top 25 step days over the past 7 1/2 years, featuring 10 new entries.

1: 4/14/2018 – 27,470 steps

My best single day total is our first new entry, coming this past April during a trip to New York to see Angelina.  The day’s excursions included trips to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, Central Park, the Guggenheim museum, and the Empire State Building.

2: 7/21/2018 – 27,278 steps

Another new entry, from July’s trip to Virginia, fell just short of the top spot, thanks to a hike up Catawba Mountain to McAfee Knob with Jeff and Val.

3: 6/6/2013 – 24,988 steps

After 5 years as my single day best, 2013’s trip to Disney World falls down two spots.  The day’s excursion to both Epcot Center and the Magic Kingdom ended up with a total of approximately 12.5 miles.

4: 3/18/2018 – 23,780 steps

The third new entry comes from last spring’s trip to Las Vegas for the IBM Think conference.  The day’s totals include gallivanting around town, including a trip up to Caesar’s Palace from the MGM Grand to see Absinthe.

5: 10/24/2018 – 23,362 steps

We round out the top 5 with the fourth new entry, from last fall’s trip to Boston to see Angelina for our birthday.  While she was in class, I took tours of Fenway Park and Harvard, before meeting up with her for a late lunch and then heading to the airport for the trip home.

6: 3/22/2016 – 22,493 steps

My former second highest day took place during the ill-fated trip to Disney World in March of 2016.  The day’s excursion started at Hollywood Studios before heading over to Epcot Center with Jeff and Val.

7: 7/27/2013 – 20,592 steps

My now seventh highest total, and my highest at home in the state of Illinois, came thanks to the BTN 5K and a, for lack of a better word, misunderstanding about where I should be picked up after the race.

8: 12/29/2018 – 20,374 steps

The eighth highest entry, and fifth new entry, took place just over a month ago and the trip to Disneyland to see Danny perform with the Lincoln-Way Marching Band.

9: 8/5/2017 – 20,218 steps

The ninth highest entry came in August of 2017 on the first day of my trip to Boston with Danny and Michael.  After landing in town, we traipsed to the Science Museum, a breakfast joint, our hotel, and, finally, Fenway Park.

10: 7/14/2017 – 20,208 steps

We wrap up the top 10 with another trip to Disney World, this time a one day journey with Angelina to celebrate her high school graduation. Continue reading →

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FB4: Week 20

A pretty decent week, thanks in part to one big day.  Sunday got the week off to a good start, coming in at nearly 7700 steps.  Monday was even better, finishing just 81 steps shy of 11,000 steps.  Tuesday suffered a big drop off, with only 9 steps keeping me from 6000 steps.  Wednesday was slightly better, but still under goal at nearly 6200 steps.  Thursday jumped back up over 7300 steps, thanks in part to travel down to West Lafayette.  Friday was the big day of the week, with over 16,700 steps thanks to Danny’s campus tour of Purdue.  Saturday finished over 7500 steps, due to a trip to Guaranteed Rate Field to see the White Sox battle the Tigers.

Total steps: 62,317

Daily average: 8902.4