Esau.

Endurance, strength, mental awareness, agility, reaction times, nerve, durability, fitness and so on, are all things athletes need to excel at if they wish to be the best, professional, successful, whatever. I won't make a point by point post, and just keep it short. Although I appreciate ya'll who did. Great points. Hopefully, this makes sense. - I believe hockey players and F1 racers both require great amounts of agility (for example), but not the same agility. - It does take a shit ton of nerve to race any car at high speeds, no argument there. But it also takes a ton of nerve to skate into a corner at full speed with a 225lb+ guy also at full speed following/hitting you. Just not the same nerve. (Anyone who says different I doubt has played at a junior or higher level) Anyway, I believe those guys are athletes. No question. But, I disagree they are any more of an athlete, then say hockey, football or lacrosse players etc.

Reminds me of the Basement Tapes. Currently enjoyin'...

Chuck Norris can eat chicken noodle soup with a knife, Charlie Sheen smokes seven gram rocks and wins.

Urine tests for professional dart playersRanked by weight catergoy for professional bowlers. (feather, light, heavy etc)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/the-50-biggest-creeps-in-sports/

:dazed: http://www.kkmime.com/main.html

How much coke did Charlie Sheen do?

Gotcha. I guess I kinda had a brain fart while replying. A later re-read I realized my misinterpretation, but by that time I was a few beers into my friday and heading out the door.

I agree, only went from your original post. I think TheGoodRev makes a good point though, in fact, that sounds even more plausible. Wish I could be of more help, mine is about 30 years old and I've had to replace needles/stylus and belts over the years, but can't say I've experienced what your describing.

Needle/stylus issue by the sounds of your description. That's my thoughts anyway.

Hard to believe it's been 27 years since I saw Richard with the Band (opening for Grateful Dead) at Kingswood (my first for both bands). Date: 6/21/84 Performer: Band Location: Toronto, ONT Kingswood Music Theater Source/Quality/Length: FM/E/80 Note: w/Cates Bros. Open for Dead Song list: 1. Story Everybody Knows 2. Long Black Veil 3. Shape I'm In 4. It Makes No Difference 5. Milk Cow Boogie 6. Mystery Train 7. King Harvest 8. One More Shot 9. WS Walcott Med Show 10. You Don't Know Me 11. Stagefright 12. Caledonia 13. Genetic Method 14. Chestfever 15. Java Blues 16. Up On Cripple Creek

April 3, 1943 - March 4, 1986. Embedding disabled, but this is worth the watch. Do your self a favour and check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM_ZqESUuFU "Richard Manuel was a whole show unto himself. He was hot. He was about the best singer I'd ever heard; most people said he reminded them of Ray Charles. He'd do those ballads, and the ladies would swoon. To me that became the highlight of our show." --Levon Helm "He brought a lot of powers and strengths to the group. He brought in gospel music from his church upbringing. Plus, he loved to play and just come up with new things. It was like having a force of nature in the band." --Rick Danko "Richard not only had the voice, he had this great rhythmic feel..." --Garth Hudson "Richard was a sweet, sweet guy... Always pushed the envelope beyond where it would go. Drove one hundred fifty miles an hour in his driveway; faster on the road." --John Simon "I was madly in love with Richard... At the time, [1975] we had the same troubles. I felt insecure and he was clearly insecure, and yet he was so incredibly gifted....For me he [Richard] was the true light of the Band. The other guys were fantastic talents, of course, but there was something of the holy madman about Richard. He was raw. When he sang in that high falsetto the hair on my neck would stand on end. Not many people can do that." --Eric Clapton "Richard Manuel's is the first voice you hear on the first Band album Music from Big Pink. After a Robbie Robertson guitar intro that sounds as if it's being fed through Garth Hudson's Lowrey organ at its most distorted, his aching baritone launches into the first reproachful line of `Tears of Rage`. As it arches over `arms`, you can't help thinking of Ray Charles, the singer who more than any other shaped this unlikely white soul voice from Stratford, Ontario. And by the end of the first chorus you realize why, in an almost unspoken way, Manuel's fellow Band vocalists Levon Helm and Rick Danko always looked upon him as the group's `lead` singer." --Barney Hoskyns "Well, let's see: I started [in music] at nine and quit. Then got back to it when I was twelve. Then I became a party star. In fact, I became a party!" --Richard Manuel

put the bong down and keep up, I shaved my head years ago.

Just saw on FB that these guys are playing the Casbah lounge tonight here in Hamilton for anyone interested. Here are the other Ontario dates.. 03/04/11 Hamilton, ON The Casbah Lounge 03/05/11 Kingston, ON The Mansion 03/06/11 Montreal, QC L’Escogriffe 03/07/11 London, ON Call The Office 03/08/11 St. Catherines, ON Mansion House 03/11/11 Toronto, ON The Horseshoe Tavern 07/09/11 Toronto, ON Edgefest '11

It's friday...turn this shit up

I think Harper is weak to be honest, and I think the scene at the G20 and his actions or lack thereof afterwards only backs that up further. The weak leader may look to the dugout for support (as you say) at times, but, (keeping with the team analogy) I think they also look to who they perceive as the stronger team/coach and want to emulate them in some cases - in this case, Harper looks to the USA and I think the scene at the G20 also backs that up. The so called "anarchists" at the G20 really weren't much better then the police or Harper either, in my opinion. The violence and vandalism they took part in at the G20 only really shows a disrespect for other Canadians, then it does the government. Personally, I think it's the Canadian people in general, who need to get tougher instead of looking/voting for more passive leaders.

Fantastic song. Hamilton shows a tad far to say for sure, but it's on my calendar now. Cheers

I caught wind of these guys on CBC3 a little bit back. http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/The-Sheepdogs Def. can hear a Guess Who influence

I'd say a combination of both. I would say Harper knew about the setting up of cells and obvious overkill of security. Although maybe (big maybe) just never really realized the full extent of it all. I doubt he checked things out first hand. I think the cops went overboard on their own and that by the time Harper knew things were out of control on the cops side he didn't want to appear things were out of HIS control, so instead he sat quietly and let it all happen, to try and save face in light of all the visiting dignitaries. The other points I would rest solely on the cops. Removing badge numbers, names and the whole "corralling" people in, telling them to go one way then preventing them from doing so. I mean, it seemed as though there was no definitive chain of command and in situations like that all you have are two sides of unorganized groups squaring off - only one side was armed and much much more threatening. I couldn't say if Harper gave the order and sent them in like that, but, I imagine he was fully aware of most of it while it was happening. Which goes back to my thought of him trying to save face. There was definitely a breakdown of communication between both sides in my opinion. I blame that on Harper. I don't believe he had Canada and it's people in mind at all, just his own pride. In my opinion, that whole shitstorm should be the eye opener Canadians need to see Harper just isn't right for the job and hopefully we do or will come election time.

I'm supposed to be in Scotland that weekend working at a friend's shop, if time/work permits I'll try to make my way there. Sounds like a great afternoon.

Oh hell ya! Just cracked another dead elephant..sleep is on hold.