Pros:

1. The beta version of Lala.com. Although I’m not very keen on their new model of selling “lifetime” streams for 10 cents a piece, or less, of songs, the fact that you can listen to every song in their collection (several million), including full albums, at least once, is a big plus. I’ve also installed their Lala Music Mover software, which in a very simple manner, allows me to access my iTunes library at work. Score!

2. Scrubbing Bubbles shower cleaner. Not only does this miracle product keep my shower clean and smelling like a rainforest, it also screeches like a hawk when it applies its magical flow of liquid cleanliness. I can think of no better sound at 5am.

3. THE SHOWDOWN signing to Solid State Records. The band not agree with this sentiment, but their last album tried to sound like DEF LEPPARD meets PAPA ROACH, meets VAN HALEN. A big stinkin’ pile of arena-rock intentions gone to the crapper. Maybe this signing will have them return the thrashin’ glory that was their full-length A Chorus of Obliteration.

Cons:

1. What’s up with this June heatwave on the east coast? Have you ever smelled a baby with a loaded diaper while standing outside in 100 degree heat? I’ve smelled dead squirrels with a better odor.

2. WEEZER are beginning to remind me of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. A band that can write the same song over and over again for several albums, and no one in their camp of fans seems to make a bit of noise about it. I enjoy my share of the band’s songs (particularly the new tune, “Everybody Get Dangerous”), but this is getting kinda tiring right? Right?

3. There’s more feuding going on between Trustkill and a band on its roster – this time, BLEEDING THROUGH. The band calls out its label for all sorts of monetary issues via the Headbanger’s Ball blog. Two sides to every story or not, I blame the signing of FIGHT PARIS for whatever trouble Trustkill might be dealing with. No, I will not let that go…

Bonus content: two great headlines that I saw on the AP Wire on Friday: (1) “Rabbi Declares Giraffe Meat, Milk Kosher” (2) “New Yorkers To Get More Colonoscopies” — I didn’t read the article on the latter, but I am curious about the headline’s grammatical posture.