Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Here are a couple of my favorite songs that I simply must listen to during the holidays.

Janet Jackson!

I still need to post the rest of my photos from my trip, but in the meantime I wanted to mention last weekend's events.

On Friday I got to see Janet Jackson during her one-night-only concert in Taipei. I had 12th row seats--I could see the sweat flying from the dancers!

Janet was amazing; she's 44 years old and still as talented and sexy as ever! I took some photos and videos, but unfortunately my mobile phone camera doesn't do very well at dark, loud concerts.





This is the view of the stage from my seat in the "VIP" section.

And this is the view behind me. They're all jealous!

See? I was there!

Unfortunately, that photo of me is much clearer than this one of Janet :-(

Fortunately, here's a shot from the Taipei Times. I don't know how she managed to sing, dance, and continue to breathe in that outfit. Hawt!

I have a (lame, Lame, LAME) video that I shot here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XoSsmUyt1c

There's a better video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKTgxAczM9c--check out Janet's interaction with the guitar player during "Black Cat" at the 1:30 mark (!)

US Troops + Lady Gaga = ROFL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haHXgFU7qNI

Lin Yu Chun sings "I Will Always Love You"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA-tOsM6F4Y

Susan Boyle does it again

If anyone thought that Susan Boyle was a one-hit wonder...think again. Here is a link to her hauntingly beautiful rendition of the Rolling Stone's song "Wild Horses". [Lyrics]

Note: Hopefully the above link will work by the time you read this. Originally I had posted a YouTube video with the song, but it had been pulled within an hour!

Susan's debut CD goes on sale on November 24; pre-orders on Amazon.com [order CD] have already outsold Whitney Houston's comeback album and other pre-release titles, including the Beatles remastered Abbey Road. [New York Times]

You go girl!

Another inspiration

I must thank my friend Michael K. for sending me this video from Britain's Got Talent, the UK version of American Idol. It features contestant Susan Boyle, a never-married, "frumpy" middle-aged Scotswoman whose voice prompted this awe-filled smile from Simon.

It also brought tears to my eyes.

Susan Boyle Sings on Britain's Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 @ Yahoo! Video

The longer version, with more comments, can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

♬ Do Re Mi

I found this video today and have plastered it everywhere--on MySpace, on Facebook, and now on my blog.

Sadly, today's news is overflowing with reports of the cruelty that humans inflict upon each other. Happily, though, the situation for our species is not hopeless, and this video demonstrates the joyful human spirit.

It put a silly smile on my face, and I hope it does the same for you.

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

It's also found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UE3CNu_rtY

If I were a boy

Beyonce - If I were A Boy (New)

Guitar man

My son Austin has been learning the guitar for the past several months, all self-taught. He just sent me this video of a Switchfoot song he's been practicing.

Yeah, I'm a proud dad.