Store Review - Vitalityweb in Poway

I have been having lower back pain for over a year. One thing I noticed was that I seemed to have very little pain at work. I attribute this to the fact that I have a Herman Miller Aeron chair at work. I put off buying one for myself at home, because of the expense, the basic model is typically over $600 and the model I have at work, with the "tilt forward" feature and adjustable arm rests retails for more than $800. I finally decided that the pain was too much and looked for a local store that sold the Aeron. I went to Vitalityweb in Poway, because their prices were slightly lower than anyone else selling new Herman Miller chairs in San Diego and I could go there and do a side by side comparison of the models for comfort.

The sales staff was very knowledgeable about the Herman Miller chairs. I was shown the exact differences between the basic and fully adjustable models as well as the newer Mirra model. Further, I learned some tips on positioning the model I had at work that I did not know. I ended up buying the fully adjustable model and drove away from the store with it in my van.

I don't often find such all around excellence in a store, so wanted to give them a little praise on the blog.

FTC Disclaimer: I may or may not have received valuable consideration in the form of swag, jack and/or coin to endorse these products. I am not saying and have the right not to do so.

The B-Daddy Channel

This weekend's music on both blogs is from the "Achtung Baby" album by U2. This was my favorite tune from that album.

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We are featuring Nina Simone this weekend on both blogs. Here is another classic from a very talented black female vocalist, Feeling Good.

Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps

Photo courtesy of the Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday web site.

When I was in the Navy I always knew that if I was in real trouble, I could count on the Marines. In the 1990s, I had to arrange a submarine change of command on short notice. A color guard is a traditional part of the ceremony, marching in with the the nation's flag as well as the flags of the Navy and Marine Corps while the national anthem played. The day before the ceremony, at our only available rehearsal, the base color guard, made up of Navy sailors, showed up. They did not strike me as particularly military looking. Two of the sailors needed haircuts and the woman member of the team was pregnant. Call me sexist, and some will, but a pregnant woman carrying a flag, in military formation or not, does not look particular fearsome or military. They could barely march either.

I was in charge and I was in a panic. Then I remembered, there were Marines on the base as part of a weapons security detachment. I promptly dialed them up and asked to speak to their commanding officer. I was told that he was on leave, and my heart sank, but it shouldn't have. It turned out the executive officer was acting as C.O. and was ready to make a command decision.

"We can do it," he said to my great relief, "I only want a few things for my Marines." Oh crap, I thought, here it comes. The major continued "I want my Marines to get a meal on board the ship." "Done," I replied. "And I want them to be given a tour of the submarine and be given an official photograph of the submarine signed by the Commanding Officer." "Done" I said again, with what I hoped wasn't too audible relief.

The next day the Marines showed up and they looked great, they marched with precision and the ceremony was a great success. The old and new skippers were both happy and I had learned a valuable lesson, when you're in trouble, call the Marines.

I made sure those Marines got all that was promised as well.

The B-Daddy Channel

This weekend I am playing some updates on traditional gospel songs. At the TLT we have Bruce Springsteen putting a jazz spin on "Mary Don't You Weep." Here are the Beach Boys and their incredible vocal ensemble performing "Michael Row the Boat Ashore."

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Halloween this weekend, so I am reprising one of my favorite bands from the 90's, Concrete Blonde, with some spooky music.

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We're going with some classic rock and classic music video this weekend on my blogs. Here is one of the all time great 80s music videos.

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I'm going with Joan Baez for this weekend's music. Here is a favorite tune of mine that Joan sings well. I wish she would have put her considerable vocal talents to the different song but same tune sung by Mahalia Jackson.

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At The Liberator Today, I posted a song that I first heard on one of Pop's Pete Seeger albums. Why were there so many albums by aging lefties in our house growing up? Can't answer that one. Anyway, The Weavers with Pete Seeger, made some great music, and here is one of my favorite, haunting traditionals.

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BDaddy is feeling mighty fine after Collingwood's demolition of St. Kilda in the Grand Final Replay.




If you want to know more about the group performing the music, click here. Here is a little video from the first half. No video yet from the second half, but Collingwood continued the domination displayed here.

Most Exciting Draw Evah

But still... a draw. I had assumed that the AFL Grand Final last night (PDT) wouldn't be on TV, since ESPN seemed to be putting all their other AFL action on espn3.com. Fortunately, I stumbled on the game in time to catch most of the second half and watch my adopted team, the Magpies, squander a 24 point halftime lead. St. Kilda ended up taking a late lead, but the Magpies struggled back to a one point lead. Unfortunately, Hayes of the Saints managed an amazing one point behind as it took two odd bounces to make it through the goal. Details here.

Better yet, watch the ending yourself. Collingwood Magpies are in black and white vertical stripe, the St. Kilda Saints are in white.



This is the perfect sport to fill the time between the NBA finals and the start of the college football season. But seriously, for Michele's Aussie cousins I have one question, a draw? In the the equivalent of the Super Bowl, there's no rule to conclude the game? Are you kidding me?

This game lends itself to so many really good options. To help out the Aussies and convince ESPN to broadcast more of this great sport I offer the following options so that the Grand Final doesn't end in a draw, waiting another week for a replay.

1. Sudden death. Like American footy, except perhaps you have to score a goal, not just a behind to win. Maybe you could also win on six behinds.
2. A ten minute overtime period, sort of like basketball, the game that Aussie Rules Football most reminds me of.
3. First team to score 9 points or similar, that might be interesting, because getting some behinds would also count for something.

So Aussies, I await your comments. I dare you to defend this outcome on other than economic benefit to the owners.

The B-Daddy Channel - Special Edition Collingwood vs. St. Kilda

Collingwood plays St. Kilda today (Saturday in Australia) for the Premiership at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. Lacking ESPN3, I can't watch the game live today, but wanted to sing the club song to root on our team.




As a reminder and encouragement I am posting the highlights of arguably the most important Collingwood win of the season, against last year's champion Geelong that sealed their top seeding.

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This weekend's music comes from the Byrds. I'm feeling pretty good about all the recognition the Tea Party is getting, including the recognition that our effort is necessary to the preservation of the Republic. It's not just about elections, but changing hearts and minds. Any let's enjoy our initial success, have some beers, and remember that there is still much hard work ahead.

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We're going with Surf music this weekend to celebrate the end of summer. Here are Los Straitjackets performing one of my favorite surf songs, Pacifica.