Jim Bianco

Jim Bianco is a singer. Jim Bianco describes his voice as "raunchy." Jim Bianco is a songwriter. He writes songs "sometimes about love, sometimes about sex, sometimes about stalkers, or music or folly or the Devil." Jim Bianco is cool.

Jim is currently on his CD-Release Tour with Jeremy Fisher and Brooke Waggoner promoting his third album, sing, before going on the Hotel Cafe Tour 2008.

As one of the founders of the Hotel Cafe Tour, Jim is much respected among the indie scene. With such passion in his craft, his lyrics just sashay off the stage. The Police's stalker song Every Breath You Take has nothing on Jim's I've Got a Thing For You.

Painkiller tugs at the heart. Sung with such love, you can't help but wonder who the inspiration was for such a beautiful song.

As good as the album is, seeing Jim and his musical partner Brad Gordon live is better. You can't experience the crowd sing-along to the song sing at home. Also, you can't get them jumping off the stage and playing in front of you in a cozy club. Or get that hug or conversation about the weather by sitting at home listening to the CD.

Even though there are plenty of opportunities to see Jim, don't wait until the last minute. Buy those tickets now!

PS: In case you need more convincing, check out the video for I've Got a Thing For You.

Microsoft + Yahoo = ?

Biggest news today out of the tech world: Microsoft bids $44.6 billion to purchase Yahoo! (market valued at $25 billion)

• http://ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCAWNAS894220080201
• http://www.news.com/Week-in-review-Teaming-up-against-Google/2100-1083_3-6228754.html
• http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2008/tc2008021_367435.htm

If it's accepted, how would this merger affect you?

Happy 4706!

Happy February 1, 2008!



The Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, is just around the corner. This year's celebration begins on February 7th. It rings in the year 4706 and the Year of the Rat.



Many people are familiar with the music that is played during Chinese New Year. You hear it during the traditional lion dance and dragon dance that you see on the news when they show about a 5-minute clip.



Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days in China and other Asian countries. It's a combination of United States' Thanksgiving, the holidays, and New Year's rolled all in one. Can you imagine celebrating all those into one? This is why it can takes weeks to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.



Now, if we can celebrate in other cultures, why can't we place equal weight to Chinese New Year? Everyone knows what you are talking about when you mention St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. We've even incorporated them into our lives where share in the celebration of heritage and pride -- whether or not we're of Irish or Mexican descent.



Why doesn't Chinese New Year get the some respect as other cultural events in the U.S.?



What are your thoughts?