BRIAN LIBBY

"Neon Nights"

In 1982 at age 10 I bought a record album on the K-Tel label (they specialized in pop hit compilations and, as their name indicated, advertised on television) called Neon Nights, featuring "rock's danceable side". Twenty-two years later, the album has resurfaced as a guilty pleasure. By far my favorite song is "Let It Whip" by The Dazz Band, a mostly forgotten R&B act. ("There's somethin' divine in you...WOO HOO!") But there are a couple of more recognizable songs, such as "Don't You Want Me" by The Human League, "Super Freak" by Rick James and "Controversy" by Prince. More interesting, though, are the forgotten artists and songs: "Call Me" by Skyy, "Murphy's Law" by Cheri, and "You Got the Power" by War. It makes me realize that when listening to old pop music, be it from the 80s or 60s or whatever, we almost always listen exclusively to the big hits whose familiarity dulls their impact. I get sick of hearing the same old songs on the radio. I think it's much more fascinating to hear antiquated songs that I don't know so well. I'm willing to sacrifice quality for that sense of surprise. The songs by lesser-remembered artists on Neon Nights aren't great, but they make a nice time capsule that isn't burdened by being so worn out.

Howard Dean's Iowa Scream

I find it really depressing that the event derailing Howard Dean's campaign is not the third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, but his over-the-top speech afterward. Yes, he looked silly and not very presidential. But is this the most important criteria for choosing a president? It just really bugs me how much attention the media gives to something so superficial when there are really pressing issues that get ignored. I also feel sorry for Dean's very active army of supporters. Dean was probably going to lose the nomination anyway, but it would have at least been nice for him to maintain his dignity by losing it on real issues. It's all so hypocritical: We usually find our politicians so boring, so robotic in their carefully rehearsed public images. Then a guy like Dean comes along who speaks more off-the-cuff, and he's cruxified for it.

Trading Wallace

For the past several months I've been convinced that the Blazers needed to trade Rasheed Wallace. But I feel a little bit more conflicted about it now. Although there's no question his behavior is often a distraction, my problem has always been more with his play. I hate seing a power forward with as as good a turn around jump shot and solid defensive post skills as Wallace perrenially parking himself out by the 3-point line. He also has been bad about not calling for the ball enough. But with the emergence of Zach Randolph as a regular 20+ points-per-game scorer, it's created a better niche for Rasheed. He doesn't have to carry the scoring load all the time. He can pick and choose his opportunities to take over the offense, which is what Wallace prefers--only now we'll still have a post presence looking to score. And it's also worth noting that while Wallace still gets definitely more technicals than the average NBA player, we are now a couple of years removed from when that problem was at its apex. Although Portland surely isn't done making moves, either this season or over the offseason, I think Randolph and Darius Miles give the Blazers a good young nucleus, and the trio of Wallace, Stoudamire and Anderson provide a nice foundation of veterans. Dale Davis to me is expendable, but I also think we should keep another constant source of trade rumors, Ruben Patterson. His heightened oncourt energy are so often a real boon to the team, and can't be measured in Patterson's mediocre statistics. He also plays superb defense. Ah, if only John Nash were reading this weblog. Or anyone!

Skirt and Pants?

Why do some women wear pants underneath a skirt? I'm looking for a member of the fairer sex to explain this one to me. I can understand how a skirt would make one's legs cold. But if you go ahead and decide to put pants on, what's the point of the skirt? I can't imagine it's a purely fashion choice, because (at least in my mind) it looks totally ridiculous. It's like having a baseball cap on top of a fedora or something. What gives?

Photography Shows

Just in case last July's "Out of Site" photo show didn't satisfy you, my pictures are showing currently at Starbucks Coffee on Southeast Hawthorne in Portland, then moving to Fife restaurant on Northeast Fremont for February and March, Georgie's restaurant at Southeast 12th and Division in May (home of some great eggs benedict and white-chocolate-chip pancakes, by the way), and Tiny's Coffee at Southeast 12th and Hawthorne in August.

Enough about the Hemi!

Whatever TV channel I watch, whatever billboard-festooned street I'm driving on, I can't escape advertisements for the Dodge Durango SUV that brag about it having an engine christened the "Hemi". I'm sure it's a fine engine: powerful, efficent, whatever. But for God's sake, Dodge, give it a rest! It's so annoying how advertisers insist on beating you over the head with a slogan, which they feel all the more need to do in an age where media options are so diverse. Can't a guy watch a couple Three's Company reruns or the occasional football game without always being inundated with Hemi worship? It's bad enough always having to hear about those stupid Coors twins. Somebody please get me Tivo so I can edit out this drivel.

USC: National Champs

Without any shred of a doubt, the USC Trojans are national champions. I say this not as a USC fan. I didn't even like them at all before my sister started going there. I say this because USC was voted #1 in both the AP and coaches' polls before winning the Rose Bowl. The so-called BCS national championship game will only produce a co-champion on paper because of a contractual obligation that requires coaches to vote the winner of that game #1. What a damn joke!