Like many others, the passing of the King of Pop has caused me to once again delve into his music and remember just how good he was at what he did.  Despite all the personal craziness, no one reached the masses like Michael did, an no one may ever again.

One of Michael's true gifts as an artist was to take songs, whether he wrote them or not, and really own them.  Whether it was a love song, a message to the next generation, a story or self-aggrandizing, he was able to pour himself into the song and convince the public to buy it.  Whereas many pop acts have come since Michael's heyday, and many have had the talent and supporting music to make good music, but often end up with a manufactured feel.  However, Michael lived in the music, and almost always managed to come across as authentic.

Will there ever be another like Michael?  Probably not.  But at least we'll always have his music to remind us that "pop music" doesn't have to be a dirty word...

I have to admit that growing up a child of the 80's, Michael Jackson was probably my favorite musician.  Heck, even today as I mostly listen to rock and alternative music, there's still a part of me that smiles fondly when listening to Jacko's music.  I always found what happened late in his career to be tragic, and until proven otherwise, I decided to keep focusing on his music.

So, today, I'd like to revisit a few of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and videos:

• Thriller was the cherry on top of the King of Pop's video collection.  It really epitomizes the "it's not just a video, but a mini-movie" that he often took with his videos.  I can remember all the fuss about the debut of this video and the primetime attention it got back way back at a time when it was really unprecidented.
• Smooth Criminal, from the admittedly awful Moonwalker movie (I once got to watch while having my braces worked on), is a song that has always stuck with me.  Just a great, catchy tune and intriguing video.  Still not sure how it really fit into the movie, but who cares now?
• Leave Me Alone was one of the first Jackson songs I can remember that really started to encapsulate Michael's feelings about growing up in the limelight.  Plus, the crazy Peter Gabriel type video is pretty cool, and surprisingly and subtly meaningful.
• Scream from the latter part of Michael's career is actually one of the hilights for me.  Not only was the video dripping in style and effects, but the song is extremely raw for the pop star.  In fact, much of the "new" HIStory album (Disc 2) was like this, but much less subtle!
• The Way You Make Me Feel is simply a great song with a great video.  While there's nothing really amazing about the video in terms of guest stars or special effects, it simply demonstrates, much like Beat It,  the way Michael was able to capture the camera.
• Lastly, one of my favorite songs, Man In The Mirror.  I'm not sure there could be a much better musical message than to encourage people to take a long look at themselves....  It really does speak to the "make the world a better place for the children" message he was always delivering.

I could go on and on, because there is hit after hit to pick from, but I think I'll stop there.  Farewell to one of the true influential giants of the music industry.  Many have already tried to imitate his work, and many more are sure to come, but there's only one King of Pop.  At least, there was...

We've rolled around to another month, so that means it's time for another Monthly Lyrics Challenge!

We're sticking to a very defined theme this month, as all the lyrics below are from songs that appear in a popular video game franchise. So, we've also added a bonus question worth five points if you can name that franchise as well.

Oh and we are sticking with each lyric being worth two points, one for the artist and one for the song.  So, if you've got the artist but can't put your finger on the song name, go ahead and at least try for partial credit.

This is the month to build up the points and really prove your stuff!

Apparently, May was a busy month for most people, because we only got one submission.  That's pretty weak people!  How are you supposed to gain bragging rights when you don't beat anyone?  Feel free to refer your friends next month.

But, Wade did enter this month and picked up three points in the process.  Nice work!  Congratulations!

For the rest of you reading who didn't bother to take the time to enter, here is the answer key for May:

1. Wyclef - Gone 'Till November
   

   See, you must understand, I can't work a 9 to 5
   

2. Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

   My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
   My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
   

3. Fabolous - Holla Back

   I'm Gangsta
   Ya'll just wannabe's
   

4. Social Distortion - Ball and Chain

   You can run all your life
   But not go anywhere
   

5. Nine Inch Nails - Survivalism
   

   I got my propaganda I got revisionism.
   I got my violence in hi-def ultra-realism.
   

6. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh)
   

   Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder
   Where it's so white as snow
   

7. Finger Eleven - Paralyzer
   

   This club has got to be
   The most pretentious thing
   Since I thought you and me
   

8. Dead Eye Dick - New Age Girl
   

   I don't know where she's going
   And I don't know where she's been
   All I know that loving her has gotta be a sin
   

9. Oasis - Wonderwall
   

   By now you should've somehow
   Realized what you gotta do
   

10. Weird Al Yankovic - Baby Got Jack
    

    What the hell is an anaconda?
    

If you're a sports fan and you haven't been watching the NHL playoffs, then you should be ashamed (especially if you've been tuned in to the boring NBA playoffs that ESPN and ABC have been repeatedly trying shove down your throats). 

This year has been one of the most enjoyable playoffs overall in any sport in a long time, and I don't just say that because my Pittsburgh Penguins have been successful.  Tight, competitive series where the stars have truly shined (heck, after tonight, each of the top three players in the game has posted a hat trick at one point in the playoffs, and two of those were even in the same game) have made this postseason the must-see event of the season.

And it is truly amazing to see the talent levels across the board.  Besides the more well-known stars, the teams remaining have scoring threats ten deep, so there are always threats on the ice.  Plus, each team has great net-minders who will make game-changing plays with the leather and pads.

Simply put, the NHL playoffs have been exhilarating, and this season should put the NHL back on the map of major sports (but probably won't since most of the games are on the not-widely-available VS. network and ESPN continues to pretend it doesn't exist.  If you can catch a game, I would highly recommend it, even if you just wait until the Stanly Cup Finals (but you're going to miss out on more great hockey if you wait!).

One day a few weeks ago, I had the following experiences in my travels to and from work:

• Watched a police car sitting at the front of a light across from me watch a crossing car run a light nearly 5 seconds after the light had changed, only to wave me on and ignore the blatant violator.
• Travel with traffic on the interstate at 65 in a 55, only to be passed by a state trooper going 70+.
• Nearly get cut off by a police car rolling through a stop sign in a residential neighborhood.  I had to slam my breaks to avoid a collision, and then the cop finally saw me and let me have the right of way.

These events just brought to a head one of the things I am regularly observing with increasing frequency: that we are a number of key laws that are simply not being enforced with any kind of consistency any more.  People are driving further and further over the speed limits, weaving in and out of traffic (usually without using any turn signals at all, a personal pet peeve of mine), and breaking laws right and left, even in the presence of law enforcement officers.

And look...I do understand that police officers can't be everywhere at all times.  And yes, there are times when more pressing matters require officers to overlook minor offenses.  However, it should be the responsibility of police officers to act when they see these clear offenses, and to uphold the letter of the law at all other times...especially when they are on duty!  I don't see that as being too much to ask as a loyal, upstanding, taxpaying citizen.  Do you?

We're back at it once again with a new edition of the Monthly Lyrics Challenge.  No theme this time around...mostly because I simply haven't had time to put one together.  You're lucky you're getting this month's challenge, let me tell you!

Anyway, we've got a slightly new feature this month!  Now, each lyric is worth two points, one for the artist and one for the song.  So, if you've got the artist but can't put your finger on the song name, go ahead and at least try for partial credit.

So now with chances for double the points, good luck!

Well, I'm a few days late since I was out of town, but last months results are in and we have a winner.  Congratulations to Courtney, who was able to successfully name one of the ten lyrics in last month's challenge.  Yes...our winner got just one out of the ten correct.  But a winner is a winner, so congratulations! For the rest of you who got zero out of ten, here is the answer key for April:

1. Kanye West - Jesus Walks

   Now hear ye hear ye want to see Thee more clearly / I know he hear me when my feet get weary Cause we're the almost nearly extinct / We rappers are role models we rap we don't think

2. Crash Test Dummies - Superman's Song

   Tarzan was king of the jungle and Lord over all the apes

3. Flobots - Handlebars

   I can hand out a million vaccinations / Or let'em all die in exasperation Have'em all healed of their lacerations / Have'em all killed by assassination

4. My Chemical Romance - Teenagers

   So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose / Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me

5. Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing

   I walk right through the door. Walk right through the door. Hey all right! If I get by, it's mine. Mine all mine!

6. Genesis - In The Air Tonight

   How could I ever forget, it's the first time, the last time we ever met

7. Dr. Dre (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Nuthin' But A "G" Thang

   You never know she could be earnin' her man and learnin' her man - and at the same time burnin' her man

8. Pax217 - Voices

   we are all obsessed with comparing one another to eachother and it scares us

9. Wallflowers - 6th Avenue Heartache

   And the same black line that was drawn on you / Was drawn on me

10. Sublime - April 29, 1992 (Miami)

    Next stop we hit, it was the music shop, / It only took one brick to make the window drop Finally we got our own P.A. / Where do you think I got this guitar that you're hearing today?

One of the great things about Pittsburgh is that it's a true melting-pot of cultures, in large part thanks to the communities that had built up around the mills back in the day, and the influx of foreign students in the major universities today.  What that means is there are many non-chain options for food in almost every community, even in arenas such as pizza where the mega-chains dominate so many other regions.

One of the local pizza places that clearly rises above the rest is Mineo's Pizza House, with two locations, one of which is thankfully within walking distance of my house!  Mineo's offers up a hearty and tasty pizza, which can be a little pricey (around $17 for a large), but is well worth it.  They load you up with cheese and toppings, and we have never been disappointed.  And it goes further than you think.  A large should be able to feed 4 hungry adults, which is further than any large chain pizza will get you. 

In addition to my high praise, Mineo's has also won numerous local awards in their 50+ years in the 'burgh.  And if you can't make it to Pittsburgh, or our house for dinner, then you can always order a pizza from them to be FedEx-ed overnight so you can try it yourself.

If you're a lover of pizza, then I highly recommend trying Mineo's at least once (especially the pepperoni!).  You definately won't be disappointed.

So I was just curious, since I haven't done it in a while, and I searched for myself on Yahoo.  Turns out that in the top ten results, my old homepage on Hiram's CS webserver is still up and active.  Sure, the information is a little out of date now, but I'm amazed it's still even there! 

Oh, and if you do a search for me, let me go ahead and answer a question for you.  No, it was not this Greg Nilsen that was in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.  At least not that I can remember...