Today's Moment of Zen: 'Hot Coffee' at the Halo house

What could have Master Chief looking so perplexed? Do you think it has anything to do with CNET all but predicting the demise of Xbox 360?

Today's Moment of Zen: "This Album Syncs Up to 'ToeJam & Earl'"

Prolific Boston singer/songwriter/rock god Robby Roadsteamer has upped the awesomeness quotient on his third disc in 8 months (or so I'm told). "This Album Syncs Up to 'ToeJam & Earl'" is, hands down, the best album title EVER. Plus, as an added bonus, all 14 of its maniacal tracks -- as well as those from his other releases -- are available as free downloads on Roadsteamer's site.

sys11 -> an awesome mix tape + free MP3s!

As always, click on the links for free MP3 downloads of the songs -- it's so much easier than trying to think of something "clever" for each selection on this, my latest awesome mix tape!

1. The Toadies - "No Deliverance" (listen here)
2. Girls - "Lust for Life"
3. Haley Bonar - "Arms of Harm"
4. Josh Rouse - "Directions"
5. Centro-Matic - "I, the Kite"
6. Low - "Starfire"
7. Jay-Z - "Change the Game"
8. Girl Talk - "Hands in the Air"
9. Mason Jennings - "I Love You and Buddha Too"
10. Paul and Linda McCartney - "Too Many People"
11. The Willowz - "Evil Son"
12. Scanners - "Lowlife"
13. For Squirrels - "The Immortal Dog and Pony Show"
14. The Deadly Syndrome - "Eucalyptus"
15. Sean Na Na - "We've Been Here Before"
16. Pony Up! - "Matthew Modine"
17. Foreign Born - "In the Shape"
18. The Icarus Line - "Get's Paid"
19. Bob Dylan - "I Shall Be Free--No. 10"
20. The Pixies - "No. 13 Baby"
21. Eons - "Getchya Guitar On"
22. Mystery Jets - "Diamonds in the Dark"

Thus concludes your eleventh dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Haley Bonar, "Heavy Metal in Baghdad," Ana Popovic, Hojas Rojas, Mt. Wilson Repeater and the Arrowhead Library System's Bookmobile! Oh, and a couple random pictures!!

"Stuck Inside of Bev's with the Serbian Blues Again" :: Ana Popovic's performance July 4 at Bev's Jook Joint might be the last time you'll catch her in the Twin Ports before she hits it big as a ... pop star?

"Understanding the Arrowhead Library System" :: Jim Weikum, ALS’s director, explains Bookmobile, Mail-A-Book and how Duluthians can save money on audiobooks by renting them free from ALS’s Web site. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"High Gas Prices" :: Not my title, but that is my picture.

"Black Mags" :: Another orphan photo of mine. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

CD REVIEWS :: Reviewed this week: Haley Bonar's "Big Star," Hojas Rojas' "Helium" and Mt. Wilson Repeater's self-titled debut.

"DVD Review: 'Heavy Metal in Baghdad' Essential Viewing" :: From scene one, in which the film crew dons flak jackets, it's pretty obvious that “Heavy Metal in Baghdad” isn't going to be your ordinary, average, made-for-PBS documentary. I already got a nice note from a friend of the band (Acrassicauda), so I'm pretty happy with this write-up. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

I also wrote a piece for the summer edition of Blueprint -- which I believe is supposed to print this weekend -- but I don't have it in front of me so I'll have to link to it next week. (I know, the suspense....)

Leinie's Sunset Wheat takes flight ... literally

What is this blog without its high-flying beverage news, eh? Am I wrong? Come on ... who's with me?

LEINENKUGEL'S SUNSET WHEAT BOARDS DELTA FLIGHTS WORLDWIDE
Popular Wisconsin Craft Beer offered to customers on all Delta Flights

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (June 26, 2008) - This month, the Jacob Leinenkugel
Brewing Company began partnering with Delta Air Lines to offer the airline's
customers Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat beer on all Delta flights worldwide.
As the craft beer industry continues to grow in both popularity and sales,
Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat is among four beer offerings. The introduction
of Leinenkugel marks Delta's first craft beer offering.

Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat, which was first introduced in Upper Midwest
markets in the spring of 2006, has since been making its way across the
country as Leinenkugel's expands its geographic footprint based on its
growing success as a regional brewer. Brewed in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
for 141 years, Leinenkugel's continues to build on its solid fan base and
has a loyalist group called the "Leinie Lodge" made up of over 200,000
members from across the U.S.

"Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat is a unique and refreshing beer choice and we
are thrilled to partner with Delta to offer it to passengers on board
flights," said Jake Leinenkugel, Leinenkugel's president and fifth
generation brewer. "This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce
Leinenkugel's to beer lovers and new consumers across the country who are
seeking different varieties to satisfy their taste for adventure."

"Delta is committed to providing its customers with choice and an onboard
experience that is both stylish and entertaining," said Jake Frank, Delta's
managing director of Global Product Development and Delivery. "Offering
customers a premium craft beer like Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat complements
our product strategy and the other enhancements we've recently added for our
customers - including signature cocktails and food created by celebrity
chefs."

Brewed in small, high-quality batches, Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat is a
year-round beer featuring a slightly fruity and citrus character
complemented by the gentle spiciness of coriander. It is brewed and
balanced with a combination of malted wheat and pale barley malt, cluster
hops and natural flavors. An orange garnish adds extra refreshment.
Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat contains 4.9 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

About Leinenkugel's
Leinenkugel's, brewed in Chippewa Falls, is the leading craft brewer in the
upper Midwest. Leinenkugel's year-round offerings include Leinenkugel's
Sunset Wheat, Honey Weiss, Berry Weiss, Leinie's Red, Creamy Dark, Original
and Light. In addition, Leinenkugel's offers four limited-release seasonal
beers including Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest,
Leinenkugel's Apple Spice and Big Butt Doppelbock. For more information on
the rich history of Leinenkugel's and the adventurous portfolio of beers,
visit www.leinie.com.

About Delta
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any
airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 324 destinations in 62
countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S.
airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with
flights to 43 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean,
Delta offers 600 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing
alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than
16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding
member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with
extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its
SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 474
worldwide destinations in 104 countries. Customers can check in for flights,
print boarding passes and check flight status at Delta.com.

~Information and photo courtesy of Leinie's. Caption: Jake Leinenkugel, president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, at the Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls, Wis. with cans of Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat which were specially produced for Delta.

SYS9+10: My first double mix tape!

With Grandma's behind us, we can all breathe a little easier....

shake*your*shores9 :: ENTER

1. Lifter Puller - "To Live and Die in LBI"
2. Riddle of Steel - "John Frum"
3. Death Cab for Cutie - "Cath..."
4. My Morning Jacket - "I'm Amazed"
5. N.E.R.D. - "Windows"
6. The Cool Kids - "Black Mags"
7. The Thermals - "A Pillar of Salt"
8. Mason Jennings - "Crown" [Daytrotter vers.]
9. Hey Rosetta! - "There's an Arc"
10. Ghostface Killah - "Charlie Brown" [DJ Medhi Remix feat. Mapei]
11. Protons - "Good Guys"
12. XV - "I'm Going In (Check)"
13. Flipp - "Psycho Babble"
14. The Apples in stereo - "Signal in the Sky (Let's Go)"
15. Aerosmith - "The Train Kept A-Rollin'"
16. Bob Dylan - "One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)"
17. Jay Reatard - "All Over Again"
18. Rob Crow - "Up"
19. Rich Aucoin - "At War with the Cynics (An Opening)"
20. Cloud Cult - "As Long as You're Happy"
21. From Bubblegum to Sky - "Even the Sunbeams"
22. Gang - "One Up the Sun"

shake*your*shores10 :: RETURN

1. The Impossibles - "Never Say Goodbye"
2. Birdbrain - "Inside Out"
3. Geezer (or G//Z/R) - "Box of Six"
4. Cloud Cult - "Alone at a Party in a Ghost Town"
5. N*E*R*D - "Spaz"
6. Mac Lethal feat. Joe Good - "Camera No. 2"
7. Eyedea & Abilities - "Kept"
8. Doomtree - "I Should Cut Your Liver Out (Interlude)"
9. Pep Squad - "Bug-Nug"
10. Tokyo Police Club - "Friends of P" [Rentals cover]
11. Bicycle - "All of Her Chords"
12. Boston Spaceships - "Go for the Exit"
13. Ryan Adams - "Harder Now That It's Over"
14. Alice in Chains - "Over Now"
15. The Posies - "Definite Door"
16. The Pixies - "There Goes My Gun" [BBC vers.]
17. For Squirrels - "Stark Pretty"
18. Self - "Borateen"
19. God Lives Underwater - "Tortoise"
20. Spiritualized - "Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space"
21. Peter Gabriel - "Solsbury Hill"
22. Elliott Smith - "Son of Sam"
23. My Morning Jacket - "Heartbreakin Man"
24. Weezer - "Across the Sea"

Thus concludes your ninth and tenth doses of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Kritical Kontact, Heritage Sports Center, There and Back Books' Andrew Slade and lots o' pictures of Lincoln park Trail!

"Kritical Kontact: Putting Duluth Hip-Hop on the Map" :: Local hip-hop outfit Kritical Kontact is about to release what will most likely become its national calling card: “Evolution of Revolution" -- it's going to feature some production from Domingo (Eminem, Amy Winehouse, KRS-One and Fat Joe, among many, many others) and one of my favorite emcees, Kansas City's Mac Lethal, even drops by for a track!

"Andrew Slade Releases Second North Shore Guidebook" :: A Q-and-A with the Duluth author and field researcher, who runs There and Back Books with his wife, Sally Rauschenfels. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Discover Duluth: Lincoln Park Trail, Vol. I & II" :: Lincoln Park Trail rightfully deserves a place among Duluth's elite trails -- you know, the ones you bring out-of-town visitors to to show off how wonderful the city you call "home" really is. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"The Start of a New Athletic Tradition in Duluth" :: This article by Matt Suoja on Duluth's wonderful new Heritage Sports Center feature a photo by yours truly.

Finally, I didn't write "Duluth-produced Mockumentary 'God Rocked' a Winner" -- my coworker Rose Case did -- but I believe it's something longtime Fly High, Duluth! perusers will enjoy. "...And on the 7th Day, God Rocked" (formerly known as "God Rocks") is 4 Track Films' debut, after all!* *We're not counting "Newton's Disease." Same people, but that was done a couple years before 4 Track was formed.