I don't need your photograph
-- Def Leppard

So in news, I turned 26 last week. To be honest, I had some troubles with this one. Just wasn't feeling the 2 to the 6. I am grateful to have lived to see 26, but 26? damn. Part of me screams, where am I going with my life? What happened to all the cool plans you had? Weren't you supposed to be ultra successful and renowned , revered and respected at 26? And not to mention the coolest cat on whatever block I was on. But then you grow up and realize that some of that stuff doesn't matter. In fact, the only one of those things I need is a little respect. Anyway, back to my birthday week.

I was so tired. It started with a bang on the Friday BEFORE my big day, with a friend's party. Out way too late and never recovered..... because SUNDAY, my lovely friends threw me a KA surprise party! And it was all good in the neighborhood and surrounding areas... Other stuff happened -- like going to see my boys Rascal Flatts -- who covered "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard, which prompted me to run right out and purchase "Vault" by DL. You should own that CD, for rizzle. Thanks to everyone for showing me the love -- you all rock hard core!

Anyway, much peace and love to my hood rats out there! =)

love y'all!
dabbs

HAPPY (Belated) BIRTHDAY to Mr. Chrispian Burks! Happy Birthday, buddy -- hope you had a good one!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMERICA!

Cue John Phillips Souza. Click here to give my favorite patriotic song Stars and Stripes Forever a listen. And I bet you didn't know that there are words, too!

Amy

is still beating
And from what I've seen
I believe 'em
-- Huey Lewis and the News

Ok, no making fun of the Huey Lewis reference. Happy Birthday to Rock and Roll! Today has been dubbed the 50th Anniversary of Rock and Roll. Today was chosen by music types because 50 years ago today Elvis recorded "That's All Right". Now there are arguements against today being the official anniversary and that's fine, because I don't care. I'm just glad that someone somewhere decided to pick a day to celebrate. (Here's a nice article about it, though.)

Where would the world be without music? I know it's not important to everyone, but my goodness -- it is vital to me. I could write volumes about music and how it's important to me and what role it's played in my life, etc. but I'll spare you! =) just get out there and shoot off some fireworks to honor Elvis, Sheryl Crow, Maroon 5, the Go-Go's, Mariah Carey (in her early days), Matchbox 20, Jason Mraz, Cyndi Thomson, Rascal Flatts, the Temptations, Alabama, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Lenny Kravitz (go listen to "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" and "Are you Gonna Go My Way" again), Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Joss Stone, Kelly Clarkson (don't care if you hate AI, girl can sing!), Clay Walker, Heart, The Bangles, Train, Destiny's Child, Beyonce, The Beach Boys, The Kinks ("You really got me" and "All day and all of the night"), Alanis Morrisette (I can only vouch for "Jagged Little Pill" which is one of the greatest rock albums of my lifetime), Lee Ann Rimes, En Vogue, Jay-Z, Judy Garland, Janet Jackson, Joey McIntyre (Listen to his live album "One Too Many" and tell me I'm wrong), James Bonamy, Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood, Salt-n-Pepa, Steve Wariner, Quad City DJs ("come on ride the train and ride it, woo woo!"), Colin Raye, Skee Lo (for nothing other than 1995's "I wish"), Montell Jordan ("This is how we do it"), DC Talk, Amy Grant, Don Henley, The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Glenn Frey (The sax part in "The One you love"), the Judds, Restless Heart, Notorious BIG and the list goes on.....

Amy