The Fix is In.

The American Kennel Club is a joke. Last year they finally had a different breed, a beagle, win best in show at its dog show and it turned out to be a huge media coup. Everyone loved that little dog, and even I must admit that it was pretty damn cute, and it ended up everywhere. So, these geniuses, they needed a way to keep this going, but how? How could they make this year's winner top last year's and still make it look real?

Easy, they picked the oldest winner in its 133 years, a 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel that not only didn't look like the best in show, group, or breed, but also looked like it was about to drop dead. The poor thing looked so tired and worn out from all the attention that I thought he needed a good nap, but instead, he'll get to spend the next year of his life traveling around the country to promote an organization that apparently picks their winners from a few select breeds, probably the ones they want to fuck.

Would explain why the Herding Group has only won once, well, that and it was created in 1983.

Back to music, I got my Maria Mena CD, Cause & Effect, today, and let me tell you, she apparently has mom issues. But, that's OK, because it's set against beautiful, stripped down to its barest form, pop music and even though the lyrical content can get uncomfortable at times, especially since you don't know this girl personally, it really lets you focus on the emotion and beauty of her voice. If you get the chance, you really must listen to All This Time (Pick Me Up Song).

Oh, and while you can, start listening to Deconstructing Jim because they're calling it quits soon. These local rock staples since 2002 only have three shows left, cumulating in a farewell show at, where else, Chicago St. Pub on March 27th and I know it'll be a blast.

Plan on being there, I know I am.