ROCK, READ, AND ROAM!

Yoga Means Union
Ambulance LTD: Ambulance LTD
Ambulance LTD is my favorite new band of the 00's. Sounds like The Beatles Meet The Velvet Underground. Love it! (*****)

Solitude
Days of the New: Days of the New
What does this sound like? What would The Doors have sounded like if they had based out of Louisville, Kentucky instead of LA? What if the vocals of The Door's, Jim Morrison, were blended with the vocals of Alice in Chain's, Layne Staley? That's what this sounds like. Days Of The New 1 (Yellow), is my favorite LP of the late 90's. (*****)

The Birth And Death Of The Day
Explosions in the Sky: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
When I heard this the first time, I felt the same way that I did when I heard U2's Boy. The emotions on a first listen were also the same as when I learned that the cool song at the end of Apocalypse Now is a Door's song. If you watch Friday Night Lights, this band does the theme song. :) (Nonvocal music.) (*****)

Kashmir
Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti
Insert your favorite rock critic cliche- "This is their Sgt. Pepper." "This their Exile on Main Street." "This is their Nevermind." Yes... this is my favorite Zeppelin album. :) (*****)

It's Not My Place (In The 9 to 5 World)
Ramones: Pleasant Dreams
This is catchy pop punk from the creators of the genre. I believe this is one of the best albums of 1982. (*****)

See No Evil
Television: Marquee Moon
On Marquee Moon, Television creates "ethereal punk rock" that begins the post punk movement. (*****)

A Day In The Life
The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Enough ink has been used writing about this album to fill the mouths of every politician in the world. If you love music, you need this in your collection. :) (*****)

L.A. Woman
The Doors: L.A. Woman
This CD without the "bonus tracks" is my favorite album of the rock era. Only 27 when the album was released, Jim Morrison, sings with the strength and wisdom of an 87 year old bluesman. The Doors combine gritty blues and jazz to create a proto-punk fury that still resonates today. (*****)

John A. Sanford: Dreams: God's Forgotten Language
I learned about this book from a minister. Imagine that. :) Very good introduction to dreams from a Jungian psychologist who is also an Episcopal priest. (****)

Debra Schepp: eBay PowerSeller Secrets: Insider Tips from eBay's Most Successful Sellers (2nd Edition) (v. 2)
Do you want to make some part-time or full-time income selling on eBay? If there is a better book to show you how, please let me know about it. :) (*****)

Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness and the Secret Sharer (Enriched Classics (Pocket))
Both are great novellas. To me, The Secret Sharer is even stronger than HOD. Sharer is a great read about the "shadow side" of our human nature, and how our shadow side can point us toward the correct direction for our lives. (*****)

Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers: The Story of Success
What does Gladwell believe leads one to become a master of what one does? Coming from the right environment, and "doing the roadwork." (Working very hard at something you love.) Excellent, inspiring, book! (*****)

Paul Hawken: The Ecology of Commerce
Hawken's classic book created my initial interest in sustainable business. (*****)

James Hillman: The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling
This is one of my favorite books. Hillman believes that when we are born, we are each imprinted with "the seed" of a unique calling. According to Hillman, we ignore our calling at our peril, and I agree with him. (*****)

Seth Godin: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
I love Seth Godin's books! Like some of the best rock songs, Seth's books are short, catchy, and to the point. Great read on leadership. (*****)

Patricia T. O'Conner: Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English, Second Edition
Most books about grammar have all the flavor of an unsweetened cup of green tea. :( As far as grammar books go, this one has much flavor. (****)

Bert Decker: You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard, Updated Edition: The Complete Book of Speaking . . . in Business and in Life!
The bad news- I bought the first edition of this book, and failed to apply its teaching. The great news- Learned my lesson, and started applying what is here. This is my favorite book about communication. (*****)

Ray Bradbury: Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity
In a moment of serendipity, a bookstore employee recommended this book to me. One of the masters, Ray Bradbury, provides inspiration and tools for any writer or anyone who aspires to write. (*****)