New page....

Hey gang,


I recently boght an account to .Mac so I can have a proper web presence. The new blog, along with many other new features can now be seen at:

http://web.mac.com/ryan_mckenna/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html

Ssssssseven Days...

Every two years-or-so, around this time of the year I start getting that excited feeling in my stomach. It's because there is a new Rush album coming outand THAT means there is a tour soon to start after that.

Not beoing a group who likes to let their fans down, Rush is releasing "Snakes & Arrows" on May 1st. There is a North American Tour scheduled to start in June and run through September.



It's a pretty cool cover and from what I have heard from the sample of songs available out there, the music is fresh and eclectic. You either love Rush or you hate them...however with this new release, and from the music I have heard from it, I believe that Rush have make an attempt to win over some new converts.

Mind you, they would never say this out loud and I believe them when they say that they make music that satifies them and not looking to pre-package a hit single to be mass distributed to zillions of eager consumers. It's just that this album has a more organic vibe to it and more of a topical theme. It's a well-known fact that because of Neil Peart's lyrics and how he constructs them, a Rush album begins to generate a general theme to it. It's not all of the albums and it's definantly not a trend; "Roll the Bones" had to do with taking chances, "Counterparts" expressed the inate differences between men and women, "Test for Echo" dealt with an individual's need to feel like they are part of something....whatever that may be.

"Vapor Trails", however lacks a defining theme. That's not a knock, it's just my impression of it. The songs are excellent and translate perfectly to their live show. I still rock out to "Secret Touch" when it comes up on my iPod.

"Snakes & Arrows" seems to find it's common theme in faith. The song titles at least seem to point that way, "Working Them Angels", "Faithless", "Hope", "The Way The Wind Blows," to name just a few. The first single, "Far Cry" is instantly recognizable (I dunno if that's good or bad in the band's eyes) and goes right along with their tounge-in-cheek attittude concerning their numerous detractors (here's MORE of everything you hated about Rush), which they embraced with "One Little Victory" from "Vapor Trails."

Will this new album be their re-introduction to mainstream music? Probably not. I keep holding out that everyone will just wake up one day and feel the same way I do about this band. Let's face it, in order for a band of Rush's status to get a smash hit record that climbs the charts, they'd have to get Jay-Z, Rob Thomas and Beyonce' to make guest appearances like Stantana did with "Supernatural"

In fact the more I think about it, the more I am reminded that the highest charting single a member of the band had was a collaboration single that Geddy Lee released in the early 80's......but that was with Bob & Doug McKenzie.

May 1st, class....mark it down.

I am an honorary Baldwin brother!

FYI....

I moderated a RadioTour yesterday with Stephen Baldwin. We were promoting National Volunteer Week, which you can find more about at www.volunteer.org. I have to say that he was a class act throughout the whole process.

It's very easy for someone to get bored during these types of inetrviews, I mean you are saying the same thing again and again for hours on end...it can get tedious, even when you are promoting something as important as what we were talking about.

But he's a professional and handled it all with class. I was impressed.

When the tour ended and I thanked him for his time and effort, without missing a beat he replied, "You got it brotha!"


That was good enough for me.....

Thank you guys...

I know it's been a while since I posted, however, if you have been following the Islanders' playoff race over the past few months then you hopefully understand why. If not then just watch the highlights from the Isles/Devils game with the knowledge that if Isles win then they get into the playoffs... by the longest route in recent memory.

New Years Eve

We are so damn sexy......



.......well, at least WE think so!

It's legal with both the church and state...

Congragulations to Christine & Jerry on their marriage (once again)! This time the union received the blessing of the Catholic Church at a short ceremony in New Jersey on November 17th.

It was great to see Jerry's family again and to share the special night with our close family and friends.

The next day we whooped it up big time. I mean a party out the ass kinda shindig at Pasta Cucina in New City. The bride and groom were joined by 100 family and friends for an afternoon of dining and dancing. We even had a movie star crash the party...see below:





That's right...Emmy Award winning actor Armand Assante was spotted at the party in a classy double breasted jacket and tie. Now it helps that he's a cousin of the bride and myselfbut really... a movie star darnit, at my sister's reception! I had not seen Armand in quite a while and it was great to finally see him and his beautiful daughters again.

Not to be forgotten but the othe man in the picture is my cousin Ross who attended the reception with his lovely wife Christa. They recently welcomed their first daughter, Hannah into the world. Amy & I were lucky enough to have been at her Christening.

It reminds me that this past year has been about reconnecting with family. With the events of April, May and June and the loss of my dear Aunt Maddy, it's become even more important to connect with the people whom you care about the most. No matter what the time between visits has been when everyone is together, all is forgiven and good times are had by all.


Which, of course, is how it should be.

Happy Birthday!

Belive me folks when I tell you this:

I have the most wonderful wife anyone could ever hope to have.


Mow there are countless stories, memories, jokes and moments that have led me to the above statement. Not least of all is how she was an absolute rock this weekend while her hypochondriac of a husband sat and shivered, struck down by anxiety over what he thought may be wrong with him.

Just take my word on this. She turns 31 today. I congragulate her on joining the rest of us in the next box down on all applications. Give her a call or an e-mail and wish her a Happy Birthday.