117 of My Favorite Albums Growing Up

I just got back from seeing the movie Pirate Radio. I really liked it (8 out of 10 stars for me), particularly the music. It was great listening to all that music I grew up to, and the movie reminded me just how much I miss "albums," something we seemed to have lost with the digital music revolution. Watching this movie inspired me to put the below collage together of 117 albums that most influenced me growing up. I'm sure I missed some, but this gives you an idea of what shaped my musical tastes. Other than grouping the same band/artist together, these are in no particular order. (Click to enlarge.)

117 of My Favorite Albums Growing Up
(In no particular order) - Click to Enlarge.

How many of these do you know? Did any have an impact on you? What great albums did I miss? What were some of your most influential records growing up?

Kevin

Photos of My Daily Run and Full Moon

I run 3 to 4 miles a few times each week. Yesterday during my run, I took a few snap shots with my iPhone. I'm lucky to be able to just step out my front door and enjoy this beautiful run anytime I want. It's easy to see why I love to run, and why I love San Diego.

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We also had an amazing full moon a few nights ago. These photos, taken with my iPhone, don't do it justice, but gives you an idea. It was really incredible.

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Emily Richards Photo-Montage Video

"Time's not a friend to the days we hold on to." ~ Emily Richards

Kevin and Emily at lunch recently.

For those of you who know me well, you know that I use to live in Los Angeles where I had an artist management company. Yesterday, Emily Richards, one of the artists I managed (and Indie Superstar =), called to see what high res photos I had that she could use for an upcoming project. I have hundreds of photos of her on tour, performing, etc., so I started going through these looking for something that might work for what she needed.

While sifting through these photos, it really took me for a trip down memory lane. Wow, we really had so many good times (and bad =), and made so many good friends. Flooded with all these memories, I was inspired to put together this short photo-montage video of some of the pictures that had special meaning to me. I put the photos to the music of a very rare Emily Richards song. It was recorded as a quick demo in one take at my home in LA and we used it as a special "hidden track" on Emily's "out-take" CD called "Sounds in the Basement." In fact, the title for the CD came from the lyrics of this song. The CD is no longer available commercially, so even the most die-hard Emily Richards fans have likely never heard this song, even though it has always been a favorite of mine. Emily wrote the song years ago, long before I had even met her. I think you'll see, however, that it's amazing how a song written in one part of her life, fit so nicely with a completely different period of her life. (Emily really should re-record this song properly one day. I'm sure she'll cringe hearing the rough vocals, but it's still a beautiful song.)



HIGH Resolution LOW Resolution

Putting this video together had extra special meaning to me, since Emily and I were unable to communicate for the past year due to circumstances, and have recently been able to reconnect, and we can start working together again. (By the way, if you're in the Los Angeles area, be sure and come by Life on Wishire this coming Monday night at 9:30 PM to see Emily perform a few songs. I'll be there as well with many of our friends, celebrating John Jones birthday.)

For those of you not familiar with Emily's music, you can find her on iTunes, etc. I'd recommend her Valhalla CD to start you out, but they're all fantastic.

I hope you enjoy watching and listening to this video as much as I did putting it together.

Kevin

Two Nights, Two Great Concerts - Coldplay & Australian Pink Floyd Show

I saw two great concerts the last two nights.

On Monday I saw the Australian Pink Floyd Show here in San Diego at the Copley Symphony Hall. I was blown away! They played pretty much the entire Wall double album (one of my all time favorite records) from start to finish and then bits of Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Where Here, etc. for their encore. I didn't know anything about these guys until a few days before the show. Pink Floyd is one of the few bands that I have always wished I had been able to see, but haven't yet, so I figured a tribute band was the next best thing. It was unbelievable! The venue was great and the sound fantastic. I went with ex Linspire patriot Kevin LaRue (and fellow progressive rock fan) and we had a great time on the 5th row. They tour all the time, so if they are coming to your town, GO!

Then last night I saw Coldplay in Orange Country at the Honda Center (the "pond"). This is my third time seeing Coldplay. Last time I saw them in 2005 we were on the front row, and this time on the second. As always, the band was fantastic. I wasn't thrilled with the sound of the Honda Center, however, as it had this very annoying echo, and you'd heard every sound slapping back at you a split second later. It made it nearly impossible to even understand what Chris Martin was saying when he'd talk into the mic. Also, I tend to have the worst luck with sitting by annoying fans. Last night it was the two women sitting right behind us who wouldn't be quiet all evening and spilled their drink on me! Literally, dumped the entire cup down my back. Fans need to learn to not get so drunk that they ruin the show for everyone around them.

Two great nights. Below are photos and video I shot from the shows.

This is a short excerpt of video I shot of some of the night with Coldplay. The best, up-close footage is in the last half of the video.



Some photos I took from the Coldplay show (click to enlarge)...







Some photos I took from the Australian Pink Floyd Show (click to enlarge)...



I didn't shoot the below video, but it gives you an idea how fantastic these guys are. Comfortably Numb was a real mind blower!



Here is some great audio of their show just a few weeks before ours.



Kevin

My High Scores on Fieldrunners Game for the iPhone

UPDATE:

My new high score is now 686,525 (Level: High, Rounds: 100). Screenshots below.



Original Post:

OK, I admit it, this is the one iPhone game I've become rather addicted to.

Here is the end game of my highest score to date (85 Rounds, 432,250 points, Medium Level). I took this snap shot just seconds before losing my last life, thanks to a flood of those blasted helicopters!

You'll notice I leave an alleyway along the top. This way, when the enemy is about to the end of my route, but they are still kickin', I can "unlock" my field by releasing the sole man in the upper left-hand corner, then locking the end of the route, forcing the enemy to head back in the opposite direction and taking an additional beating. (I guess there is even a term for this, "juggling.") It's just those dang helicopters that can fly overhead that I need to beef up more for!


Here are my high scores (all on the Medium Level, other than score #8 was on Easy):

Any other Fieldrunners addicts? Share your score.

Some great scores (and pointers) to be found here.

Kevin

Off to Lake Powell -- See You In A Week

If you need me, I'll be right here...

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Kevin

My Fall Tivo Schedule

The new TV series are starting up. Thought I'd share what's on my Tivo. Am I missing anything good?

All the Sunday news programs, nightly news and political talk shows, all the news magazines, etc.

Prison Break (Mon - 8PM - 9/1)
Heros (Mon - 9PM - 9/22)
24 (Mon - 9PM - 11/23)
Boston Legal (Mon - 10PM - 9/22)
Penn & Teller: Bullsh**t (Mon - 10PM - 8/21)

House (Tue - 9PM - 9/16)
The Shield (Tue - 10PM - 9/9)
Fringe (New - Tue - 9PM - 9/9)
Damages (Tue - 10PM - 1/6/09)

Dirty Sexy Money (Wed - 10PM - 10/1)

Ugly Betty (Thur - 8PM - 9/25)
Survivor (Thur - 9/25)
Lost (Thur - 10PM - 1/1/09)

Amazing Race (Sun - 8 PM - 9/28)
Entourage (Sun - 10PM - 9/7)

Let me know if you have any recommendations.

Kevin

Radio Interview with Dating DNA’s CEO Kevin Carmony

I was interviewed about Dating DNA on the Computer Outlook radio program on September 5, 2008. You can hear my interview from their archives at www.computeroutlook.com.


Kevin

My Video Interview with Chris Pirillo about Linspire's Last Days

I've known Chris Pirillo for several years, and he's one of only a handful of people I follow on Twitter because he's ALWAYS got his pulse on the latest, coolest stuff. In following my blog, he was surprised to learn about some of the "weird stuff" that was going on with Linspire, so he invited me to his live chat room for an Interview. I tried to be as candid as possible with my perspective as to how Linspire came to an end.

Chris posted the interview in two parts...

PART 1 - Part one ended abruptly when there was a technical glitch that blew our connection up momentarily.

http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/07/03/kevin-carmony-interview-part-1/



PART 2 - Q & A - Part two was a very informal Q & A with some of the people in his chat room. You can tell I was more informal and relaxed during this part, as I end up rocking in my comfy office chair for most of this section. =)

http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/07/03/kevin-carmony-questions-and-answers/



Kevin

Five Tips for Stalking Me on Twitter

I recently invited some of my close friends to "follow me" on Twitter. If you aren't sure what "Twitter" is, or why you'd want to use it, watch this video, then read on...



I noticed that since my invitation went out, some of you have now joined Twitter and been following me. Here are a few tips for you to get fully in the swing with Twitter:

1. Watch the video above.
   
   
2. See some examples of how I'm using Twitter on my pages at www.kevincarmony.com and MySpace page. You can also see my Twitter updates on my blog here, just over on the right side ---> .
   
   
3. Be sure and upload a photo to your Twitter account. Your messages are much more exciting that way. =)
   
   
4. If you REALLY want to stalk my every step, be sure and enter your cell number and turn on "Device Updates" for me. This will send you a text message every time I blow my nose.
   
   
5. And lastly, be sure and enter what you're doing throughout your day, either via the website or from your cell phone.
   

As is the case with most "social networking" type sites, the real value comes in your personal network using the system. I hope many of you will try Twitter and see if it helps us stay more "in touch," even when we don't get the chance to see each other or talk regularly.

Kevin

My First Annual American Idol Predictions - Season 7 - 2008

This is just a little game I like to play each year by predicting the order contestants will be voted off American Idol. (OK, OK, yes, I confess to watching AI each week, but I know YOU do to, just admit it. =)

This year I'm even making my predictions BEFORE we're down to the final 12, so I could be wrong as early as tonight. (I'm predicting Amanda Overmyer, Kady Malloy, Chikezie, and Luke Menard are kicked off tonight.)

My predictions are the red numbers, with #1, David Archuleta the predicted winner, Jason in 2nd place, and so on. (You can click the image below to enlarge.)

PLEASE NOTE! This order is for my PREDICTIONS NOT for my personal favorites. My two favorites are David and Ramiele, but you'll notice I have Jason and Brooke ahead of Ramiele. I also don't care much for David Cook, Carly Smithson and not at all for Danny Noriega, but my PREDICTION believes they will make it to the spots mentioned. So, this is my order of how I think AMERICA will vote, not me.

Feel free to post or email me your prediction for the order of the final 12. We'll see how we do in the coming weeks.

Kevin

PS: Here are their names in text form, so you can easily cut, paste and move them around in the order you predict, if you want to post or email me with your predictions.

David Archuleta
Jason Castro
Brooke White
Ramiele Malubay
David Cook
Carly Smithson
David Hernandez
Kristy Lee Cook
Michael Johns
Syesha Mercado
Danny Noriega
Asia'h Epperson

The Beginning...

As the CEO for Linspire, Inc. the last two years, I penned most of the "Linspire Letters." Now that I've left Linspire, I wanted to have a place to still share some of my thoughts and ideas. So, here it is.

What will I blog on about? I'm sure I'll share some of my thoughts about desktop Linux, Linspire, why I left, do I still run Linux today, and what I think the future of Linspire and desktop Linux will be. More importantly, however, I'll share information about future ventures.

Stay tuned,

Kevin