Ed Icionsub

For some reason the TV guys have decided to start showing NFL preseason games on Friday nights. This competes with the high school games, which is totally unfair to the kids who are out there playing their hearts out for parents and school friends.

Tonight we are torn between going to a high school game with a high chance of getting rained on, or staying home and certainly dry to watch the Redskins play the Patriots.

I’m a Redskins fan from many years back and hate the chance to watch my team play. Then again, I don’t think they have much chance to beat the Patriots. So I guess we’ll make up our minds a little closer to game time, depending on the weather forecast and frame of mind.

Setting up house was the best part of graduating from college and heading out into the world. This was my big chance to buy the furniture that I wanted in the styles and colors that I liked. I wasn’t restricted to the style of the furniture in my parent’s house and I wasn’t held back from any of my choices by my mother’s criticism or my father’s complaints about how expensive the piece was.

The first room I wanted to furnish was my bedroom. I figured that the bedroom should be the most important room in my house. I planned on using it for both healthy rest and, when I got lucky, for some entertaining, too.

The selection of styles and types of beds was something that I took very seriously. I wanted a bed that would be attractive, functional, and last a long time. So I chose a traditional headboard and footboard style, like the Tuscany bed featured on Time4sleep.co.uk. I liked the dark leather, the masculine lines, and the classic style of that bed.

There are other styles to consider, but since it was my first bedroom and I was a young bachelor, I wanted something to reflect my personal style and I’ve never regretted my choice of furniture, even after all these years.

Happened across a music track by a guy named Raul Malo, “For the Good Times,” which was originally a big hit in the 1970′s for Ray Price. If you think you never heard of Raul, you might be right. But if you’ve heard any songs by the Mavericks from about 10 years ago, then you have heard Raul. The Mavericks had several top hits from top rated big selling albums before they broke up in 2001.

Raul struck out on his own and has been working on a variety of projects. He has released several albums on his own since the Mavericks broke up, and I’ve been trying to gather them up. I like his distinctive voice but even more I like his vocal style. It’s a little retro and not so formula based as the pop hits that are being playing on the radio. He goes deeper, like a true musician.

One of the fun aspects of living in Nashville is that we really are “Music City.” The entire area for 100 miles in each direction is home to people involved in the music industry. We live among songwriters, musicians, singers, managers and booking agents. There are dozens of related supporting professions, as well. Such as lighting technicians, guitar repair shops, hair stylists, tour bus drivers and deejays.

Of course, one of the most important things that the musicians need are the actual musical instruments. The professionals know where to shop for the best equipment and the best deals. The handful of very successful musicians can afford to buy things custom made. But for the rest of us who are struggling and waiting for our big break, we have to be smart with our money and shop for the best deals.

My first place to look is always the internet. The internet is fast, convenient and it lets me be very specific in my search. Saving money is easy if you check with PricePickle.com and look for the musiciansfriend.com promotion and coupon deals on their site.

Last year I bought an electronic keyboard with tons of features for under $100 so that I can pound out some of the tunes that pop into my head in the middle of night. When I’m not using it, I can pack it up and stick it in the closet, out of the way but ready for my next inspiration.

Watching some old episodes of NCIS, I’ve noticed that Duckie has muttered several “facts” that I did not know until hearing them just now. Let’s assume for the sake of argument that these are “facts.”

• One of the founders of the Society of Medical Examiners was Leonardo DaVinci.
• All all gun related homocides, 30% of those deaths were caused by the victim’s own gun.