Today's Tune: "The Wizard" By Black Sabbath

Happy Birthday Robbie Coltrane! Coltrane, born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, is a Scottish actor, comedian and author. He is well known by many for his role as Dr Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the brilliantly done British TV crime drama series Cracker (1993–1996, 2006 one-off special). Coltrane is mostly thought of these days however, as Rubeus Hagrid, from his appearances throughout the entire magical series (2001–2011) of 'Harry Potter' films.

Before he worked in the 'Harry Potter' films, he had another role, where he actually had some magical power of his own. In the 1988 special holiday television episode of hilarious comedy series Blackadder, called Blackadder's Christmas Carol, he played the part of The Spirit of Christmas.

With this character in mind, as well as his taking part in movies (Harry Potter) about wizards, our 'Today's Tune' is "The Wizard" (1970) by England's Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath - "The Wizard" (1970)

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 27 - 28, 2010

Last Update - March 30, 2010 at 2:00 AM EDT

Here are some snippets with title links to some of the items I caught over the weekend just past. It's Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for March 27 through March 28, 2010.

March 28, 2009

Postgame Notebook: Flames 5, Capitals 3
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Too Little, Too Late? – They waited until the third game of a three-game road trip to get off the bus, but the Calgary Flames were determined not to go home empty-handed. After humbling losses on Long Island and in Boston, the Flames roared to a four-goal period outburst against the Caps at Verizon Center on Sunday afternoon. The flickering Flames made it stand up for a 5-3 victory...

Calgary Flames at Washington Capitals Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Coach Bruce Boudreau After Home Loss To Calgary Flames
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals Players After Home Loss To Calgary Flames
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Ovechkin tops the list of most hated in Pittsburgh
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

Rob Rossi reports from Arlington, VA (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 28, 2010) "No Penguin opponent inspires as much hate
as Ovechkin":

The bad guy

In Pittsburgh, Ovechkin is an opposing NHL player who inspires a level of hate previously reserved for Philadelphia's Bobby Clarke and Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky...

Runaways Anthology On The Way
By mdome at Classic Rock

The Runaways are to have a double CD titled The Mercury Albums Anthology released on May 24.This will feature all 42 tracks from the albums The Runaways, Queens Of Noise, Live In Japan, and Waitin’ For The Night.

The compilation will come out two months after The Runaways movie opened in America. Here’s the trailer for the film.

Caps Face Flames to Start Homestand
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

After splitting shootout decisions in a back-to-back set of contests in the middle of the week, the Capitals had a rare Friday and Saturday night off from the rigors of the NHL’s regular season schedule. On Sunday afternoon, they’ll get back to business when they entertain the Calgary Flames in a Sunday matinee match at Verizon Center...

Happy Birthday to Reba McEntire - American singer and actress born in 1955.


March 27, 2009

Daltrey To Continue Peforming Even If The Who Split Up
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

The Who's Roger Daltrey insists he will continue performing even if the group split up because of Pete Townshend's tinnitus...

Green’s Giant Appearance
By The OFB Team at On Frozen Blog

...OFB reader and Caps fan Angela sent us the following photos of the event, with explanations of each one...

Gary Bettman: Ovechkin was not doing anything malicious
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

By David Haugh, March 27, 2010: chicagotribune.com
"Commissioner addresses state of NHL":

Did the fact that Ovechkin is a superstar affect the length of his suspension?

No. Your history as a player and the number of times you've been involved in an incident may, but no. The Ovechkin play, he was suspended for being careless and reckless, not for doing anything malicious...

R.I.P. Dudley Moore - English actor and comedian died in 2002.

R.I.P. Milton Berle - American actor and comedian died in 2002.

Happy Birthday to David Coulthard - Scottish
(former) Formula One driver born in 1971.

Today's Tune: "Would I Lie to You?" By Whitesnake

Happy Birthday Elle Macpherson! Alright, I've never considered myself a big fan of the supermodel / actress Elle Macpherson, but I'm really late (as usual) in posting a 'Today's Tune'. When I noticed it was Elle's birthday, and thought about it for a few moments, I came up with a song that could be perfect for the occasion. Please enjoy an old Whitesnake tune by the name of "Would I Lie To You?" (1981).

Whitesnake - "Would I Lie To You?"

Today's Tune: "Death Walks Behind You" By Atomic Rooster

This 'Today's Tune' was pretty easy to pick. My choice of "Death Walks Behind You" (1970 Album title track) by British band Atomic Rooster has a lot to do with my recent personal health.

Oh, don't worry. It's not really that bad (I hope). But with all the migraines I've been suffering through lately, it sure has felt like death would soon follow a few times.

I blame my misery on the ever changing weather. Up and down temperatures and barometric pressures always affect me like that. Choosing music from a band like Atomic Rooster, who's lineup and musical styles were ever changing (Prog rock to hard rock, etc.) throughout their history, therefore seems to make another good connecting reason for picking them.

Hopefully, listening to this awesome music, and taking a handful of painkillers, will get me through another day.

Atomic Rooster - "Death Walks Behind You"

2010 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Preview Part 2

For those of you interested in Formula One racing, I've compiled some articles from Formula1.com on this season's second race. The list below includes the second batch (Part 2) of posts (Saturday - March 27, 2010 Final Practice, Qualifying, etc.) that add up to a good preview for the 2010 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday - March 28, 2010. Click here for Part 1.

More entries that aren't directly related to this weekend's race in particular can be found at the F1 web site, as well as in some of Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' posts. Since you can scan the list, then pick only the articles that strike your fancy, this may save you some time.


Final practice - Webber wows home crowd
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

Mark Webber owned Albert Park on Saturday afternoon in the final practice for his home race, lapping his Red Bull in 1m 24.719s to head off the challenges of Bahrain winner Fernando Alonso (1m 24.929s) in the Ferrari and the revitalised Michael Schumacher (1m 24.963s) for Mercedes...

Qualifying - a Red Bull front row in Melbourne
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

Red Bull annexed the front row of the starting grid for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, courtesy of poleman Sebastian Vettel and local hero Mark Webber. The German set the fastest time of the weekend on his first runs in Q3, with 1m 23.919s. Webber’s best was 1m 24.035s. Neither improved on their second runs...

Qualifying - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

Vitaly Petrov on failing to make it through to Q2 for Renault; McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton on narrowly missing out on the top ten; and Sebastian Vettel on taking his second consecutive pole position of the season for Red Bull. All 24 drivers review Saturday’s action in Melbourne...

FIA post-qualifying press conference - Australia
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

Drivers: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1m 23.919s; 2. Mark Webber (Red Bull), 1m 24.035s; 3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 1m 24.111s

Q: Sebastian, what a lap. The final sector of it you were hanging it off the edge of the kerbs, you were all over the place. You certainly spoiled the day for the Webber fans here in Melbourne. Sebastian Vettel: Yeah, I think obviously first of all it is a great result for both of us and for the team. Mark’s home race, so it is a little bit funny remembering last year from Germany, so kind of revenge but it is a long race tomorrow. But coming back to qualifying, I think we did a good step into qualifying with the car, improving it, and the final session was all about ‘does it start to rain or not.’...

Q&A with Red Bull's Christian Horner
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

With driver Sebastian Vettel clinching his second consecutive pole position, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was all smiles in the Melbourne paddock on Saturday evening. Horner discusses his team’s progress in Australia...

Jenson Button Q&A: We will be stronger in the race
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

The pecking order in Bahrain suggested Red Bull and Ferrari were the clear frontrunners, with McLaren and Mercedes following in their wake. The performance of McLaren’s Jenson Button in Melbourne on Saturday, however, implies the British team are on the move, with Button set to start Sunday’s race from fourth ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa...

Mark Webber Q&A: I would have loved to be on pole
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

His Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel eventually ended qualifying on top, but Mark Webber came very close to securing pole position at his home race on Saturday. And with rain on the cards, and the Australian Grand Prix’s reputation for unusual results, Webber remains confident he could still emerge as the winning driver...

Qualifying analysis - Red Bull the team to beat
Posted at Formula1.com on March 27, 2010

Red Bull clinched the front row of the Melbourne grid with ease on Saturday, with Sebastian Vettel taking pole ahead of team mate - and local hero - Mark Webber. Behind the Red Bull duo, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, McLaren’s Jenson Button and Felipe Massa in the other Ferrari made up the top five. The big surprise, however, was Lewis Hamilton failing to make it through to Q3. We take a team-by-team look at how all the runners performed...

2010 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Preview Part 1

For those of you interested in Formula One racing, I've compiled some articles from Formula1.com on this season's second race. The list below includes the first batch (Part 1) of posts (Through Friday - March 26, 2010) that add up to a good preview for the 2010 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday - March 28, 2010.

More entries that aren't directly related to this weekend's race in particular can be found at the F1 web site, as well as in some of Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' posts. Since you can scan the list, then pick only the articles that strike your fancy, this may save you some time.


BMW Sauber expect ‘significant improvement’ in Australia
Posted at Formula1.com on March 19, 2010

Many pundits had tipped BMW Sauber as one of the dark horses for 2010 after their promising pace in pre-season testing. That promise failed to materialise in Bahrain with a double DNF, but having rested and regrouped the Swiss team are predicting far better things for round two in Australia...

HRT targeting race finishes in Australia
Posted at Formula1.com on March 22, 2010

With no pre-season testing, the Bahrain Grand Prix was never going to be an easy undertaking for new team HRT. But following a disappointing double DNF at Sakhir, the Spanish outfit are targeting a much more successful outing at this weekend’s Australian race...

Australia Preview - Red Bull, or Prancing Horse?
Posted at Formula1.com on March 25, 2010

After all the anticipation of the opening round of the championship in Bahrain a fortnight ago, this weekend’s second round is almost as eagerly awaited - if only to see if anyone catch match Red Bull’s fearsome speed, or unsettle Ferrari’s finishing ability...

FIA Thursday press conference - Australia
Posted at Formula1.com on March 25, 2010

Drivers: Vitaly Petrov (Renault), Bruno Senna (HRT), Jarno Trulli (Lotus) and Mark Webber (Red Bull).

Q: Bruno, how tough was Bahrain?
Bruno Senna: It was a pretty big challenge. The team arrived there with no previous preparation and everything had to be done there and we struggled a little bit. We couldn't learn from previous experience, so we had to do everything on the few laps we had and it didn't make our lives easy but the team still did a pretty amazing job to be there and get both cars on the grid...

Australia preview quotes - Lotus, Bridgestone, Virgin, Ferrari
& more
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

After the spectacular but sparse desert setting of Bahrain, the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship heads to Australia and the bustling metropolis of Melbourne for round two. Both the city and circuit are favourites - not just with those in the stands, but also with those hard at work in the paddock and on the track...

Practice One - Kubica puts Renault on top
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

Robert Kubica got Renault's Australian Grand Prix campaign off to a fine start with the fastest time in Friday morning's opening practice session. The Pole took his R30 round in 1m 26.927s, making him the only driver to breach the 1m 27s mark...

Practice Two - McLaren lead rain-hit session
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

Friday afternoon’s second practice session for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix nearly only lasted half an hour, even though the clocks were running for three times that. The problem was that one of the forecast showers arrived a third of the way through, and left the track so slick that it was not until the last 10 minutes that anybody went any faster...

Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

Renault, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull all made an impression on the timesheets during the first day of the Australian Grand Prix weekend. The leading teams and their rivals reflect on their early progress at Melbourne...

Q&A with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

Although his Friday didn’t quite go to plan after an off-track excursion during Practice Two, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel is optimistic that he’ll be back amongst the frontrunners on Saturday in Melbourne. With Vettel’s team mate Mark Webber finishing the day third quickest, the odds seem good for the young German...

Lewis Hamilton Q&A: We are thrilled with our pace
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

The rain during Friday’s Practice Two seemed to make all the difference for the fortunes of McLaren, with Lewis Hamilton topping the timesheets ahead of team mate Jenson Button in second. Although the British team are still unsure about where they stand when compared to their rivals, it’s certainly boosted Hamilton’s confidence...

FIA Friday press conference - Australia
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

Team principals: Ross Brawn (Mercedes), Stefano Domenicali (Ferrari), Christian Horner (Red Bull) and Martin Whitmarsh (McLaren)

Q: A question for you all. Was the result in Bahrain pretty much what you expected or were there some surprises?
Martin Whitmarsh: We didn’t think we were going to be that slow. That was a surprise...

Friday analysis - all to play for in rainy Melbourne
Posted at Formula1.com on March 26, 2010

The track rubbered in quite quickly during the morning session at Melbourne’s Albert Park on Friday, but the edgy weather in the afternoon was something of a nightmare for the teams as they sought to fine tune their cars ahead of Saturday’s all-important qualifying session...

Today's Tune: "Let's Get It Up" By AC/DC

On March 27, 1998, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra for use as a treatment for male impotence. It was the first boner pill to be approved for this condition within the United States.

To celebrate what must have been a really happy event for a lot of very frustrated people, I've chosen an appropriate song for the anniversary of this occasion. Our 'Today's Tune' is "Lets Get It Up" by AC/DC. The track first appeared on their 1981 album, 'For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)'. It was later released as a single.

This particular video shows the band performing at the Capital Centre (No longer exists) in Mitchellville (Usually refferred to as Largo or Landover), Maryland during the album tour. Those of you that know me can try to spot me in the crowd. I had a floor seat to the right of the center isle, close to the front (13th to 15th row?).

AC/DC - "Let's Get It Up" December 1981 - Capital Centre

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 25 - 26, 2010

Last Update - March 27, 2010 at 4:47 AM EDT

To catch you up on the last couple days, here is Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for March 25 through March 26, 2010. As usual, it includes the lastest news on music, racing (WRC and Formula 1), super hero comics in movies and Washington Capitals hockey.


March 26, 2010

Montgomery Co. Police Sergeant Faces Theft Charge
By AP - Posted at WJZ.com

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) ― Montgomery County officials say a police sergeant has turned herself in after pocketing thousands of dollars from altered payroll submissions.

County police charged Sgt. Jacqueline Davey on Friday with one count of felony theft scheme. They say she reduced the amount of leave subtracted from her leave balance...

BSO Musicians Agree To Pay Freeze, Cuts
By AP - Posted at WJZ.com

BALTIMORE (AP) ― The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's musicians have agreed to take another salary hit to help the organization weather the recession.

Players accepted a freeze for the 2010-2011 season on Thursday...

Frederick Film Festival Opens
By AP - Posted at WJZ.com

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) ― It's too warm for Sundance and too cold for Cannes, so this must be the Frederick Film Festival.

The event opens Friday for a two-day run of 12 feature films, 50 shorts and appearances by a couple big-name movie folks...

Virgin allowed to fit larger fuel tank
Posted at Formula1.com

The FIA has given Virgin permission to increase the size of their fuel tank on reliability grounds after the new team discovered it may not be big enough to get them to the end of the race at some events...

Local hero Webber fends off retirement talk
Posted at Formula1.com

Mark Webber was a trifle bemused at Albert Park on Thursday to find himself having to take time out from his focus on winning for Red Bull in his homeland to fend off rumours of possible retirement at the end of the year.

Sources quoted rival Lewis Hamilton as saying he thought Webber might consider quitting Formula One racing at the end of 2010, if he were able to land this season’s drivers’ championship. Webber, however, insists he has no such thoughts right now...

Classic AC/DC Film On DVD
By mdome at Classic Rock

The AC/DC film Let There be Rock is to be released on DVD early next year.Filmed at the Pavillion De Paris in December 1979, with the late Bon Scott on vocals, it will come with bonus footage, the details of which have yet to be confirmed.

Find out more at acdc.com

Carolina Never Quits
By Joe Beninati - Capitals Play-by-Play
at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Please don't let these guys slip into the 8th spot in the East. Carolina never quits against Washington and pushed them to the limit tonight.

The Hurricanes jumped out to a quick 2-0 advantage. Jamie McBain has a bright future ahead of him. Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice has noticed this youngster on the radar screen this year and his NHL baptism is going well. He blasted a slapper past a screened Semyon Varlamov to give the locals the lead early in the period...


March 25, 2010

Postgame Notebook: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 2, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Not Tonight – A night after coming back from a 2-1 deficit to forge a 4-3 shootout victory against archrival Pittsburgh on home ice, the Caps sought a repeat performance against the Hurricanes in Carolina. This time, the Caps came up on the short end of a 3-2 shootout decision...

Washington Capitals Players After Road Loss
To Carolina Hurricanes
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Coach Bruce Boudreau After Road Loss To Carolina Hurricanes
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Michael Schenker Group To Release Live DVD This Fall
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Planet Rock is reporting that Michael Schenker has revealed that the Michael Schenker Group will be releasing a brand new live DVD later this year.

The MSG have been touring Japan in recent weeks and in a post on his official website Schenker revealed...

No 'Pink Bodysuit' For Blake Lively In 'Green Lantern',
Two More Actors Added To Film's Cast
By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page

With filming of director Martin Campbell's "Green Lantern" well underway in New Orleans and only hours after it was announced that Angela Bassett has signed on to portray Amanda Waller in the film, two additional actors have been confirmed to appear within the movie...

Finding a Coveted Connection with Home Three Thousand Miles Away
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

I’m 2,700 miles from home, my business is finished for the day, and all I want in this world at 3:00 Pacific Coast Time on Wednesday is some manner of sports bar within walking distance of my Orange County, California, hotel, one that will afford me a plausible shot at watching the Capitals and Penguins on the NHL Network. It’s non-NHL Network cable television in my hotel room, and at the hotel bar...

McLaren: Diffuser change won’t affect our pace
Posted at Formula1.com

McLaren have been in the headlines recently thanks to their innovative diffuser design. Although a clarification of the rules by the FIA has forced the British team to make slight modifications to the MP4-25 ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, principal race engineer Phil Prew isn’t concerned about the effect the changes will have on the pace of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. In a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' session, Prew also discussed the performance of the new teams, the speed of the Red Bull in Bahrain, and the chance of rain this weekend...

Fernando Alonso Q&A: It’s F1 racing, not Cirque du Soleil
Posted at Formula1.com


Winning the opening race of the season is always sweet, even if it doesn’t necessarily reflect the grid’s true pecking order. No surprise then that Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso seems at one with the world ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. Speaking to the assembled media in Melbourne on Thursday, he admitted it’s too soon to tell who is really quickest - and whether the new rules will make for more exciting racing...


Exclusive Franz Tost Q&A: Toro Rosso must push harder
Posted at Formula1.com

The season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix was not a happy race for Toro Rosso. Although team principal Franz Tost was happy with the progress of Spanish youngster Jaime Alguersuari, he was annoyed a hydraulic problem on Friday all but ruined Sebastien Buemi’s weekend. Here Tost reviews the Sakhir race, evaluates the impact of the ban on refuelling and looks ahead to a better result in Melbourne...

Robert Culp dies at 79; actor starred in 'I Spy' TV series
By Dennis McLellan at Los Angeles Times

Robert Culp, the veteran actor best known for starring with Bill Cosby in the classic 1960s espionage-adventure series "I Spy" and for playing Bob in the 1969 movie "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," died Wednesday morning. He was 79.

Culp fell and hit his head while taking a walk outside his Hollywood Hills home. He was found by a jogger who called 911 and was pronounced dead at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, said Lt. Bob Binder of the Los Angeles Police Department. An autopsy is pending...

Caps Close Out Season's Series With Canes
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

A week after absorbing a 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Carolina and a night after a 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins on home ice, the Capitals head back to Raleigh to close out the season’s series with the Hurricanes on Thursday night at RBC Center...

Stanley Cup Atmosphere
By Joe Beninati - Capitals Play-by-Play
at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

It was amazing tonight. All the elements of Stanley Cup atmosphere were present and the teams on the ice gave a first rate performance.

This game had so many twists and turns it had to rank very highly on the list of most exciting games of the season...

Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath And Heaven & Hell Update

It's been a while since I've posted anything specifically about guitarist Tony Iommi and the guys from Black Sabbath or the Sabbath / Dio fusion band Heaven & Hell. I have included a few updates on singer Ronnie James Dio and his battle against stomach cancer, but you might want to read a little more about Tony, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, singer Ozzy Osbourne and drummer Vinny Appice too.

I came across an article (with photo above) at BirminghamPost.net that I wanted to share with you metal heads. It's an interview with Tony Iommi from March 12th, just a couple weeks ago, but still would have liked to have pointed it out sooner. Click here to visit the entire article. Meanwhile, read the excerpts below to see if you'd like to read more. I have to warn you, the author loves him some clichés.


They started with news about Tony's mates ...

...Everything was heavenly but then came the ‘hell’ part of the equation. Last November Iommi was forced to take a break for an operation on his hand so 67-year-old Ronnie James Dio arranged a tour with his band, Dio. However, it was suddenly cancelled when the singer was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Meanwhile, Vinny Appice was forced to have surgery on his shoulder, injured while touring, putting him out of action for five months.

‘‘It sounds like Emergency Ward 10,’’ says Aston-born Tony, who now lives in Lapworth. ‘‘Geezer is the only healthy one at the moment.’’

He has good news on all three casualties, however...


Later on, they got around to Tony himself ...

Tony’s hand is also healing well. The operation, involving stem-cell treatment, was something he’d put off for some time.

‘‘The cartilage between the thumb joints of my right hand, my fret hand, was rubbing, bone to bone. They’ve cured that but the bone’s been pushed back and I’ve been told I may need another operation to pull the bone up. I don’t particularly want to go there because I have a friend, also a guitar player, who had that operation and it all went pear shaped which put me off a bit.’’...


They discuss things other than health issues as well. Again, here's the link to the full story.

Today's Tune: "Don't Try Suicide" By Queen

After a long absence from this blog, today marks the official return of the 'Today's Tune' feature on Junior's Eyes. I use the word official so you know I mean business.

However, that doesn't mean we aren't in for a little bit of whimsical fun. I'm all for being lighthearted and positive, so I chose a track that isn't too terribly serious.

On this day (March 26) in 1999, a jury in the state Michigan found Dr. Jack Kevorkian guilty of second degree murder, for administering a lethal injection to a terminally ill man. Dr. Kevorkian wanted to help people end their suffering, by giving them a professional hand. Strange line of work to get into, I think.

Whilst looking for a subject to link with some music for today, and subsequently reviewing this bit of history, I couldn't help but think of all those people that try suicide totally unassisted. What if you screw it up and end up still alive, but maybe in even worse shape? It would be terribly embarrassing if you couldn't even get killing yourself right.

I think the best advice, when start thinking about snuffing yourself out, can be found in the Queen song, "Don't Try Suicide" (1980). Here it is now, in case you're feeling blue.

Queen - "Don't Try Suicide" (Audio with lyrics)

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 22 - 24, 2010

Last Update - March 25, 2010 at 11:56 PM EDT

Items of interest posted to the web on March 22 through March 24, 2010 are included in the following 'Reading And Viewing List'.


March 24, 2010

Postgame Notebook: Capitals 4, Penguins 3, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Twice As Nice – The Caps trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes of Wednesday’s game with Pittsburgh, but came back to take a 3-2 third-period lead. A late Pens goal sent the game to overtime and then to a shootout, and Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead in the skills competition, scoring on each of its first two shots. But the comeback Caps came back again, scoring on three straight shots to send Pittsburgh to a 4-3 shootout setback...

Coach Bruce Boudreau After Home Win
Against Pittsburgh Penguins
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals Players After Win Over Pittsburgh Penguins
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

In conversation - Bernie Ecclestone & Lewis Hamilton
Posted at Formula1.com

Reams have been written about both Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone and 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton, usually separately. Interviewed together for the first time at the recent Bahrain Grand Prix, the duo set out to make joint headlines, as they discussed the return of Michael Schumacher, the three new teams joining the grid this year, and each other...

Foos To Record In Dave Grohl’s Garage
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Dave Grohl has been talking about the new Foo Fighters album. What’s he been saying? Read on...As Classic Rock reported, the band are to start work shortly on a new album with producer Butch Vig.

Grohl told BBC Newsbeat: “It’s the first album the two of us have made together in 20 years. There’s something that Butch does that helps a song become a bigger song. At this point I just want to rock”...

Triumph Remix Package On The Way
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Triumph are to have a CD/DVD titled Greatest Hits Remixed through the Frontiers label on May 17.The CD has 14 tracks remixed by Rich Chyki, with the following listing:...

Caps Battle With Pens
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

After a three-day breather from the rigors of the condensed NHL schedule, the Capitals climb back into action on Wednesday night when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a victory over the Pens, Washington would eliminate the Pens from any chance of claiming the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings...


March 23, 2010

Caps OT with Michelle Scalise
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Boudreau discusses Sidney Crosby's scuffle
By Dan Steinberg at D.C. Sports Bog

Bruce Boudreau was on Pittsburgh sports talker 93.7 The Fan Tuesday morning, and as he's wont to do, he charmed the socks off the hosts.

"You know, it's kind of hard not to like the bad guy," one of the hosts said after the segment. "He's the bad guy, and we like him."

The coach and the Pittsburghers did have a disagreement on one thing, though. You can probably guess what that one subject was...

Meet The Avengers: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man
And Nick Fury Casting Finalized
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

While there are still a few roles that need to be cast, yesterday's report that actor Chris Evans will play Captain America provides one of the final pieces in a long-developing puzzle that, when completed, will bring together a host of Marvel Studios superheroes for "The Avengers."...

Rush talk About Songwriting Honour
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

To commemorate Rush’s imminent induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame, CBC have posted a 55-minute interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.You can check it out here. The ceremony happens on March 28 at the George Weston Recital Hall, inside the Toronto Centre For The Arts...

Q&A with Renault's Kubica and Petrov
Posted at Formula1.com

Renault’s Robert Kubica reviews his first race for the French squad and evaluates the R30’s potential, whilst team mate Vitaly Petrov assesses his debut performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix and describes how Formula One racing is fast becoming his home country Russia’s favourite sport...

Heavy braking - stopping a car with a 2010 fuel load
Posted at Formula1.com


When the refuelling ban was first announced for 2010, one of the main concerns was how to make sure brakes could last a Grand Prix distance. A full tank of fuel adds around 150 kg of weight to the car, and it requires considerably more energy to slow down that extra weight. It seemed that the brakes would be in for a tough time in 2010...

Behind the scenes: Citroen
Posted at WRC.com

Ever wondered what it takes to win five World Rally Championship manufacturers' titles?

Defending champions Citroen know, and they've given wrc.com an EXCLUSIVE look behind the scenes at their state-of-the-art WRC team headquarters at Satory near Paris...
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Cool video - Citroen’s PR manager, Marie-Pierre Rossi, shows you around the Citroen WRC factory.

Pirelli Star Drivers get their season underway
Posted at WRC.com

Pirelli's five Star Drivers have got their season off to the best possible start by completing a week of media and fitness training; including a test in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X with which they will contest six rounds of this year's World Rally Championship.

The five drivers, Nick Georgiou (Lebanon), Peter Horsey (Kenya), Hayden Paddon (New Zealand), Alex Raschi (San Marino) and Ott Tanak (Estonia), completed three days of theoretical preparation in Edinburgh together with their co-drivers, before moving onto a two-day test in Tuscany, where they sampled the Mitsubishi Lancer run by Ralliart Italia for the first time...

Ratt Drummer Publishes Autobiography
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer is to have his autobiography published next month. It’s titled Tales Of A Ratt – Things You Shouldn’t Know, and is published on April 20 – the same day that the band release new album Infestation...

Free 'Forever' DVD To Get Stateside Re-Release
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Bringing forth a mighty brand of blues-rock in the early 1970s, Free was a critical piece of foundation in hard rock’s roots. Today, March 23, Eagle Rock Entertainment will celebrate their career with the release of the Free Forever 2 DVD set...

How to Wash Crosby's Face Video
By tj at Alex Ovetjkin

Paul Kukla asks: "Someone Want To Count The Crosschecks?"

Ok, Paul, I counted three and one more after it was over.

The refs missed all of them since the cross-checks were coming from NHL's poster boy. And what's up with picking on a smaller Zetterberg? Why not to try Todd Bertuzzi? Last year it was Malkin (6'3") who tried to beat up Henrik and he couldn't! Go, Zatta!...
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Contains 3 videos of Crosby showing what a dirty player he is.

Download Festival: More Bands Confirmed, Day Tickets Go On Sale
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Steel Panther, Saxon, Cinderella, Ratt and Airbourne head the latest batch of 22 bands just confirmed for the Download Festival, which happens at Donington from June 11-13.The full list of those 22 names is as follows:...


March 22, 2010

Ten games left, ten things to watch
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

We are down to it now – ten games or so left in the regular season. There is no mystery about where the Caps will finish the year. Absent being spirited away by aliens, they will win the Southeast Division (already clinched), they will win the Eastern Conference (16 points ahead of Pittsburgh with ten games to play), and they will likely win the President’s Trophy (nine points ahead of Chicago and Phoenix with ten games left to play)...

The Caps Season So Far ... By the Numbers
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

...so it seems like a good time to reflect on the season thus far, and that's what I've did late last night. I figured I'd share some of what I think are the highlights one gets when looking at the current NHL Team Stats in a comparative fashion. So by the numbers the Capitals are the #1team in the NHL in the following categories:...

Slash: Video Studio Insight
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

A 12-minute video studio report on the new self-titled Slash album has been posted.This features interviews with Slash himself, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Lemmy, Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), Fergie (Black Eyes Peas), Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Duff McKagan and Dave Grohl.

Check it out here.

For further info on the album and also the special Slash fan Pack, go here.
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Check out this video! Long list
of living legends included.

On Playing Out the String
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Seldom if ever have the Capitals had as many games to conclude the regular season that mean so little in the grand scheme of things as they do this spring. The Southeast division title was locked up not long after Valentine’s day, and effectively not long after Washington’s first blizzard this winter. The Caps began seriously pulling away from the rest of the Eastern conference immediately after the Olympic break. There’s still some mild drama related to the President’s trophy, and the Caps have never won that, but that’s almost a curse of sorts — in the 23 times the trophy has been awarded since 1985-86, only seven winners have gone on to claim the Stanley Cup...

Glenn Hughes Can't Believe The Story Of His Life
After Writing Autobiography
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes plans to shock fans with stories of debauchery and drug use in a new autobiography...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 20 - 21, 2010

Last Update - March 23, 2010 at 10:25 PM EDT

You might find some of the things posted to web over this past weekend as interesting as I did. Here is Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for March 20 through March 21, 2010. It's a much shorter list than usual, but that's going to happen sometimes, hey?


March 21, 2010

The Last Week - Where Does The Time Go...
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

...So here goes a quick recap and summary musings about the last week, now that the heat of the moment and all that other stuff are over...

SXSW 2010: A Chilly Fade To Black
By David Glessner (Posted by mdome) at Classic Rock

...As outdoor temperatures took a freakish plunge toward freezing cold, Classic Rock awoke on Saturday to face another mad quest for parking at Austin’s SXSW. Circling the city for what seemed like eternity, we finally found a distant spot and charged into the chill on our way to see legendary Canadian prog thrashers, Voivod.

Preparing for business beneath an outdoor tent, Voivod were set to play their third and final SXSW gig before driving home to Montreal and then on to Russia. As luck would have it, Classic Rock strolled right into the band’s backstage area, where drummer Away was cracking his knuckles and doing warm-up stretches while an onstage announcer praised the history of Canadian metal bands including Exciter, Anvil, Killer Dwarfs, Helix, Lee Aaron et al...

Big Letdown in the Big Apple (until Happy Hour)
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Business travel delivered me to the Big Apple late this week, where I had a chance to visit the NHL Store on 6th Avenue. I’d been warned for a couple of years now to prepare to be underwhelmed by its inventory and overall impact on the NYC shopper, but the weather was spectacular for walking the big city shopping district, and I was looking to kill some time before meeting my New York blogging buddy Pepper for happy hour...


March 20, 2010

Postgame Notebook: Capitals 3, Lightning 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Killed – Coming into Saturday night’s game with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Capitals owned the league’s second-worst road penalty-killing percentage. And Washington had surrendered seven power play goals on 18 chances in five previous meetings with the Bolts this season.

Given all that information, taking five minor penalties in the game’s first 40 minutes did not seem like a recipe for success for Washington on this Saturday night, but it was. Goaltender Jose Theodore continued his tremendous recent run between the pipes, and Washington killed off all five Tampa Bay power plays...

Washington Capitals Players After Road Win
Against Tampa Bay Lightning
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Coach Bruce Boudreau After Road Win Over Tampa Bay Lightning
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Grand Prix Road Survey To Limit Parking Downtown
AP story posted at WJZ.com

BALTIMORE (AP) ― A survey of downtown Baltimore this weekend could bring the city closer to landing a high-profile Grand Prix race.

The survey to determine whether the city must modify any of the roads along the likely route will be conducted Saturday. Parking will be prohibited along certain streets in the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards areas...

Initiative Raises Green Awareness in Hockey
By Chasta Piatakovas at Love the Game, Don't Like Puck Bunnies

The NHL launched green initiatives, and more than half the NHL players have taken major steps in becoming environmental leaders—Matt Bradley, the “Captain Planet” of the Washington Capitals, has instituted recycling programs—but increasingly more needs to be done as hockey causing considerable damage to the environment...

Caps Conclude Trip in Tampa Bay
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

The Caps conclude a four-game, eight-day road trip with a Saturday night visit with the Lightning in Tampa Bay. The game also concludes the season’s series between the two teams...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 18 - 19, 2010

Last Update - March 22, 2010 at 8:04 PM EDT

Thursday and Friday of this past week offered up quite a variety of items on the net. Here's the 'Reading And Viewing List' for March 18 through March 19, 2010.


March 19, 2010

Happy Birthday to Tatiana Ovechkina!
By tj at Alex Ovetjkin

Happy Birthday to Tatiana Ovechkina, she is 60 years old today!

Pavel Lysenkov interview with Tatiana has its usual epic size that draws a usual comparison to Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" novel...

SXSW 2010: So Far, So Good
By David Glessner (Posted by gbarton) at Classic Rock

In the first of a series of reports from Texas’ South By Southwest music festival, Classic Rock hangs out with Motörhead, goes to an intimate Cheap Trick gig, gives Yogi a lift (not the bear) and gets bowled over by ‘punk rock supergroup’ Batusis...

From The Black Country To Sunny California
By Brooke Ellis (Posted by gbarton) at Classic Rock

Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian set up shop in Malibu to record their debut album. Classic Rock is there...

Swede Gets Sickness Benefit – Because He’s A Metal Fanatic!
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

A Swedish man is receiving sickness benefit – because he’s addicted to heavy metal music!

Seriously, 42-year-old dishwasher Roger Tullgren from Hasesleholm has been classified as suffering from a disability by the Swedish Employment Service, because of his lifestyle...

Under the NHL Rule, Fairness in Suspensions is Arbitrary
By Chasta Piatakovas at Love the Game, Don't Like Puck Bunnies

Debates about the NHL’s disciplinary sanctions have polarized opinions between those who see the NHL as biased and those who may or may not oppose a particular ruling, but see the NHL as increasingly inconsistent when handing down sanctions...

Steve Perry: I’m No Racist
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Former Journey singer Steve Perry has strongly denied allegations from US comedienne Sarah Silverman that he’s a racist.

In a recent Playboy interview the controversial Silverman claimed that “the one-time lead singer of a very popular band from the 1980s” said to her: “You’re my favourite comedian. You have the best...
*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: From what I've experienced, Sarah Silverman seems a talentless, annoying piece. I had never heard anything bad about Steve Perry before this, and it's hard to believe anything Silverman says. Without witnesses, it's hard to say whether or not this was just another attempt at gaining attention, or if there is any truth to the implication.

Video Footage Of Bonamassa, Hughes, Sherinian, Bonham "Supergroup" Debut Performance Available
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

The self described by Joe Bonamassa "Supa Dupa Groupa", namely guitarist Bonamassa,"The Voice Of Rock" Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) and drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Foreigner) made a surprise debut appearance...

Southern Rockers Molly Hatchet To Unleash Justice In May
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Planet Rock is reporting Molly Hatchet are to release a brand new album, 'Justice', via SPV/Steamhammer on May 31...

Kinks On DVD
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

The Kinks are to have a DVD titled You Really Got Me released next month by Voiceprint.

With a running time of 87 minutes, it includes interviews with Ray and Dave Davies, plus drummer Mick Avory. There’s also rare and previously unseen footage...

Bombs Put AC/DC Show In Doubt
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Unexploded bombs are threatening an AC/DC show in Austria.

The band are due to play Wels Airport in Northern Austria on May 22. This was the target for heavy bombing raids during World War Two and authorities are concerned there are still unexploded ones around the area, which pose a serious threat.

Wonder if AC/DC’ll play Blow Up Your Video? Whatever would their late frontman, Bomb Scott, think?!


March 18, 2010

Postgame Notebook: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 3, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Point Taken – For the third time in the five times the Caps and Canes have hooked up this season, Thursday’s game required more than 60 minutes to settle. For the first of those three times, it was the Hurricanes that came away with a pair of points...

Washington Capitals Players After Road Loss
To Carolina Hurricanes
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Coach Bruce Boudreau After Road Loss To Carolina Hurricanes
Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes Game Highlights
Posted at Comcast SportsNet - Washington, DC

Right click on video to choose full screen option.

Red Bull to stage F1 demo in Belfast this weekend
Posted at Formula1.com

Formula One power will come to Northern Ireland this Saturday when Red Bull take to the streets of Belfast. The team’s former racer David Coulthard will be at the wheel for the evening demonstration run in front of the iconic City Hall...

Five Hendrix Albums Reach Billboard's Top 100
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

AntiMusic is reporting that Valleys of Neptune, the long-awaited album of previously unavailable Jimi Hendrix studio recordings, has debuted on the Billboard 200 best-selling albums chart at #4, while four additional Hendrix catalog titles...

Hard Rock Hell IV: More Bands Added
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Uriah Heep and UFO have been confirmed for Hard Rock Hell IV.

The action happens at Pontins in Prestatyn, North Wales from December 3-5, with everything kicking off on December 2 for the real diehards...

UFO Fly Round UK
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

UFO will play six UK shows next month.

These are:...

Main St Super Deluxe Box Set Now Available For Pre-order
Posted at RollingStones.com


A very special collectors edition of Exile On Main Street is available to pre-order now.

This incredible Exile On Main Street Super Deluxe Boxset includes the re-released album on CD and with a bonus disc of 10 never-released tracks produced by Jimmy Miller, The Glimmer Twins and Don Was, a 64 page clothbound collector's hardback book with photos from the Exile era, the double vinyl album in triple gatefold sleeve, a set of 4 postcards in an envelope and a DVD containing exerpts from the documentary Stones In Exile, the legendary Cocksucker Blues (filmed on the Stones 1972 tour of Exile) and Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones.

UK & ROW fans can order here.

USA Customers can order here.

Ozzy The Movie!
By mdome at Classic Rock

Ozzy Osbourne might be coming to a screen near you soon – as plans are in hand for a movie based on his autobiography I Am Ozzy.

Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife/manager, told People magazine: “Next year I want to work on a movie for Ozzy. He’s had offers...

Huge national effort puts Jordan Rally back on track
Posted at WRC.com

An epic reconstruction operation has put Jordan back on line to host the forthcoming third round of the World Rally Championship from 1-3 April.

The worst rains for 20 years decimated large parts of the rally route, rendering many roads impassable, but a joint national effort between the army, Government and Amman Municipality and co-ordinated by the organising committee over the last 10 days has put the Kingdom back on track...

A Blogger’s Faith in Government Restored: The Formation
of the First-Ever Congressional Hockey Caucus
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

The greeting from the congressman in his office this week was sudden and startling: “Can you blog and walk at the same time?” Nebraska Representative Lee Terry, smiling, asked as he stepped out of a closed-door meeting to meet me.

I was more than a little nervous meeting the congressman on Tuesday. Standing next to the world’s greatest hockey player 40 or 50 nights each winter with a digital recorder is old hat; being in the Rayburn House Office Building awaiting a one-on-one interview with a member of Congress most definitely is not. Washington is home to the no. 1 power play in all the NHL, but that’s a power play that’s no match for the power played up on Capitol Hill...

Caps Seek To Match Road Mark in Raleigh
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Washington continues its four-game road trip with a Thursday night visit with the Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC Center. With wins in the first two stops on the trip in Chicago and Florida, the Caps have put themselves in position to tie the single-season franchise record for road victories if they can take two points from the Hurricanes. The Capitals are 9-1-2 in their last dozen road games...