American Idol season 4 runner up Bo Bice has certainly planned out a map to success that includes a lot of time on tour, but entertaining the United States troops overseas has been the biggest highlight of his journey.

“I come from a military family, so when the call came to go over to Afghanistan, I was thrilled at the opportunity. Those two weeks were life altering, getting to experience how the men and women live over there, to see the true vision of what’s actually going on over there,” Bice told reporters. “Over here in the United States, we’re cut off. We don’t see that there’s so many bases out there that are controlled by other countries, and that we’re the support effort. So there’s a lot of different people tied up in this campaign. But the men and women there never waiver, whether they’re a support group or on the front lines. I took away a new respect and love for what freedom really means.”
Bo also talked about the continuing Paula Abdul controversy, and said “Idol” may take some knocks without Abdul at the judges table.

“If you took away Randy or you took away Paula or you took away Simon, you’re changing the dynamics of what made the show great,” Bo Bice added. “I don’t think it could equally handle the loss on either end of which way the teeter tottor goes, whether it be Simon or Paula. It’s like having a hit show, think about taking Monica out of “Friends”, would it still be just as big of a hit?”

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- Mauro Alem, joven doctor en Economía de 36 años nacido en Larroque, ex secretario de Industria del gobierno de Entre Ríos y actualmente especialista en mercado de capitales del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) será designado en los próximos días como el nuevo presidente del Banco de Inversión y Comercio Exterior (BICE)

La presidenta de la Nación y el ministro de Economía se reunieron con Alem y el gobernador Sergio Urribarri el jueves y acordaron allí su incorporación al cargo que había dejado vacante Miguel Peirano.

El propio Gobernador confirmó esta tarde el nombramiento de Alem, quien asumirá su nuevo cargo el 18 de agosto.

“Sugerí a Mauro Alem a la Presidenta porque es un joven talentoso, un profesional de primera línea, con experiencia en el exterior en el mercado de capitales y con una clara idea de los estímulos que necesita la economía y la industria y que se pueden llevar adelante desde el sector financiero y la banca de inversión”, dijo el Gobernador entrerriano.

“La Presidenta mira el país federal. Sabe que los hombres del interior no somos ni mejores ni peores sino distintos. Y que el país debe ser mirado en su integralidad y tratando de promover la competitividad de la economía en todo el territorio nacional. El doctor Alem tiene el perfil y además es muy joven, lo que en sí mismo es todo un símbolo de los cambios que queremos introducir y de hacia dónde vamos en esta provincia”, aseguró Urribarri minutos antes de partir a Ecuador y Venezuela como integrante de la comitiva presidencial para la cumbre del UNASUR, la asunción del presidente Rafael Correa y la visita de estado a Venezuela.

• Datos personales

Mauro Alem, nació en 1972 en Larroque, departamento Gualeguaychú, es doctor en Economía de la Universidad de Chicago con especialización en finanzas y desarrollo económico.

En la Argentina se graduó con honores en Economía, en la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ha recibido premios por su desempeño académico en los EE UU en 2001 y 2003.

En la actualidad se desempeña en el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo como especialista financiero de mercado de capitales e instituciones financieras y está a cargo de las operaciones financieras del banco para Colombia y Perú. Es experto del banco en banca pública y en estudios de impacto económico.

Durante 2004 en la provincia de Entre Ríos se desempeñó como subsecretario de Industria y Proyectos Especiales.

Como investigador se desempeñó como economista jefe del departamento Pymes del Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas para República Argentina y Latinoamérica (IIERAL)

Como académico se desempeñó como asistente de investigación de la cátedra del célebre Robert M. Towsend en la Universidad de Chicago y como profesor asistente en la escuela de negocios de dicha universidad.

• El BICE

El Banco de Inversión y Comercio Exterior es una entidad de pública de banca de fomento que el gobierno nacional busca relanzar con una política de mayor impacto en términos de inversión productiva y exportación.

La Presidenta le pidió a Alem que expanda la acción del BICE a todo el país, que evite la concentración del crédito y que garantizara el acceso a la financiación de los proyectos más innovadores y de mayor impacto para el comercio exterior de la Nación.

El nombramiento de Alem se inscribe en el alto nivel de las relaciones que tienen hoy el Gobierno entrerriano con el nacional. (APF.Digital)

Hungry Z, NBC Chicago Street Team
The word Bice may conjure up memories of a long haired “American Idol”, singing about “The Real Thing”. While you probably won’t find any long haired rockers here, you might find a tasty meal. Will it be the real thing, or just a reasonable facsimile?

Unassuming from outside, Bice welcomes you with a relaxed two level dining area. Customary bread baskets are given to each table with butter provided, and olive oil available upon request. Although after tasting their bitter olive oil, you may wish you stuck with the butter.

To help forget about the olive oil, crab cakes were in order. Four well sized cakes were fork tender and very enjoyable. Folks should treat the accompanying salad as garnish and not suffer through its blandness. A much more enjoyable salad choice would be the tomato and fresh mozzarella salad. Simple and delicious.

While there are many types of pasta to choose from, a steak can be a nice departure. A wonderfully tender filet is topped with a creamy green peppercorn sauce. While not a “steakhouse”, the filet was prepared perfectly medium, and the green peppercorns livened up a normally mellow cut of meat.

Go back to tradition and enjoy the lovely tiramisu. Ladyfingers drenched in espresso, layered with mascarpone, and dusted with cocoa give your taste buds a lovely kiss goodnight. Flaky apple strudel was another fine choice and even brought back memories of childhood.

Dinner for two with drinks and tip runs about $125-150. So was it the “Real Thing”. Similar to that long haired idol, Bice sings a catchy tune, but doesn’t rock as hard as it could.

Location: 158 E. Ontario

Phone:312-664-1474

The River Thames, (c) Debbie Bice

This is the first of what I am sure will become the next step in a fine photographer’s career. Yesterday I opened my May copy of Shutterbug magazine to find my friend Debbie Bice with a selected photo in the Creativity Community. The theme is “A River Runs Through It”. Deb’s picture is the lead shot in the article taken on a trip to London. What River? That would be the Thames. However, this vantage and composition is truly creative and unique – thus the feature position. I am told over 1,000 photographer’s from around the world entered. Get the magazine and enjoy!!!

O presidente Luiz Inácio Lula Silva cobrou a aceleração do acordo de cooperação entre o Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), o Banco de la Nación e o Banco de Inversión y Comercio Exterior (Bice), da Argentina, cujo objetivo é aumentar o ritmo para implementar projetos entre os dois países, especialmente relacionados à infra-estrutura.

“Precisamos acelerar a vigência do convênio entre o BNDES, o Banco de La Nación e o Banco de Integração e Comercio Exterior (Bice). Esse acordo permitirá que o Brasil ultrapasse os US$ 3,6 bilhões de crédito aberto para empreendimentos na Argentina desde 2003″, afirmou.

“O Brasil continua a apostar na economia argentina e no espaço econômico integrado que estamos construindo”, afirmou.

O acordo, assinado em setembro de 2008, prevê rodadas de negócios entre os bancos oficiais para identificar projetos estratégicos e economicamente viáveis para acelerar a integração entre os países e o desenvolvimento.

A informação é do Monitor Mercantil

Talk Talk
The Girl In The Letters
Cloudy Sky
Blossom Diary
Linsey de Butterfly
Slow dive
Walking in the rain
Hammurabi
Watashi to Pooru no koto
Kanashiki Tori
Tsutsun de Ageru

The album starts off with Talk Talk. This is a pretty intriguing song, yet sadly one that goes completely over my head. The arrangement is very strange, it features the drums that play a bit haphazardly and then there’s this tinkle that is very obvious thus annoying and some other pseudo sound-effects that seems to come out of nowhere. Its a bit unique but distracting at the same time. bice’s vocals were odd as well, I mean it was like she was sing-breathing or whisper-singing and it just didn’t make any sense to me. This song sounds very clazziquai and old-fashioned. I don’t really care for it, but its a pretty interesting start to the album.

The next track on the album is the wanton The Girl In The Letters. Ah, I really like this song. Its sung all in English, and though its not the best English I found that I could make out what she was saying most of the time. I thought the arrangement was nice, but just like the previous it made the song sound very old-fashioned, I’m talking thirties. bice’s vocals still have that sort of breathy quality to it, but it fit right in in this song and I found that I could connect with her: ‘i want to be all you need…’

The next track on the album is the airy Cloudy Sky. This is one of those songs that seem to breeze right by me, but I still found that I enjoyed it even if I couldn’t make out what bice was saying half the time. The arrangement is pretty laid-back, I love the guitar and how it sounds like the nineties. bice’s vocals are high and breathless and I’m wondering if she really does sing like this or she just knows how to control her tones and make them sound like she’s running out of breath. Its nice, but after a while is can become a bit old and taxing.

The next track on the album is the hazy Blossom Diary. I have to use that word again, but maybe daze is better. This is a song that if you aren’t into this type of eclectic music, it’ll drive you insane. Because is goes nowhere. I thought it was a bit mind-numbing, but I liked the breezy-ness of the arrangement and bice’s casual, though stuffy vocal performance. I’m really hoping that I don’t end up saying the same thing over and over again about bice she seems like a more out there version of YUI so far.

The next track on the album is the airy Linsey de Butterfly. This is one impossible song that I was five seconds away from completely ignoring because it was doing nothing to separate itself from the previous songs or catch and keep my attention. The arrangement is pretty flat and plays like air, seriously. bice’s vocals are nearly non-existent because she insists on breathing all over the place. However, I found this song strangely appealing and even comforting in a way.

The next track on the album is the dull Slow dive. This is quite an unmemorable song, seriously. The arrangement is very slow like the title entails but it makes me think of water and people swimming slowly and how very boring is that? bice’s vocals are intolerable, man her whisper breath vocals were just really getting on my nerves. I really wish she would change up her tones and give me some variety and difference vocal wise because I’m really getting sick of her sounding like she’s losing air faster than she can take it in.

The next track on the album is Walking in the rain. This song offers nothing I haven’t already heard from her–this album wise–I find that I’m inclined to like it though. The arrangement is interesting, though it of course sounds dated and old-fashioned and it makes me feel cold. bice’s vocals are a torturous loop of breathless whispers and its all so very impossible. The chorus saves this so though, since its mildly interesting.

The next track on the album is the somewhat different Hamurabirabu. Finally some variety, I was getting worried for a second, all the songs were beginning to sound the same. There’s really nothing spectacular about this song, only difference is its lead by the drums instead of all those windy, outdated and old-fashioned sounding instruments. bice’s vocals unfortunately don’t change and it nearly ruined the song. This track is pretty forgettable, but its a nice listen and offers something a bit different from the same ol same ol I’ve been hearing since track two.

The next track on the album is the slightly down-tempo Watashi to Pooru no koto. I had to listen to this song three times, but I think I like it. The arrangement made me think of walking down the street on a brisk day, the sun shining glaringly. It went well with the whole flow of the song. bice’s vocals weren’t as breathy or whisper-y as they normally are and I kind of liked how she sung the verses. The chorus is what nearly ruined the song for me, because it picks up a little and its kind of jarring, but after three listens I kind of got used to it. This song is pretty interesting, even if it doesn’t really make sense.

The second to last track on the album is the over my head Kanashiki Tori. I’ve been giving bice the benefit of the doubt, but I honestly have no idea what I was just listening to. The arrangement sounded no different from what I’ve been hearing, it actually sounded like a whole bunch of air. bice returns with the breathless vocals, and I’m wondering why she insists on singing like this, its really quite annoying. I don’t want to hear you breath, I want to hear you sing. This song is forgettable.

The last track on the album is the mellow Tsutsun de Ageru. This song is pretty slow and doesn’t seem to go anywhere. I had at first thought it was boring but as I gave it another listen I found it to be pretty all right. The arrangement is soothing, I like the guitar. bice’s vocals aren’t as annoyingly breathy and I actually found her vocal performance a pleasant listen. This isn’t a memorable song, but its a somewhat nice ending to the album.

-GRADE: C
Rating: * star

bice’s second album let love be your destiny is such an underwhelming listen, seriously. I like bice’s music, I can safely say that, I however don’t like how all the songs seemed to sound the same, it made this album very difficult to not only review but listen to. The arrangements were pretty OK even though they only seemed to have variety in two of the tracks: ‘talk talk’ and ‘Hammurabi’ which is a shame. bice’s vocals were a challenge, because she seemed to insist on singing in such a breathless whisper like she couldn’t help herself and it was oh so annoying. Chara can pull off the breathless whisper, its one of the main reasons why I like her music, bice on the other hand is pretty hit or miss and comes off sounding like a jock. The tracks on here, a few of them, were pretty good though, stand-out being The Girl In The Letters which was a bit unique. let love be your destiny had the potential to be a lot more than what it was, but you realize sooner rather then later that is offers nothing. I hope her other two albums and her mini albums are a lot better than this was.

-El Torrontés se viste de fiesta. Terrazas de los Andes presentó anoche en los jardines del Museo Isaac Fernández Blanco la cosecha 2008 de su Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontés, vino de la línea Reserva elaborado con esta uva típicamente argentina que, junto con el Malbec, son emblemáticas de la Argentina en el mundo. La gente de Chandon contó como los vinos Torrontés están despertando gran interés y curiosidad en consumidores de todo el mundo siendo que este reconocimiento la posiciona como una de las variedades con mayor potencial de desarrollo. La intención al elaborar Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontés 2008 es que se destaque su carácter y se mantenga su personalidad conjugando elegancia con el espíritu intenso de la variedad. Para ello se realizó en Salta una selección de pequeñas parcelas de Torrontés. A 1.800 metros de altura, en viñedos irrigados a través de canales seculares, donde las condiciones de suelo y altura son ideales para que la variedad Torrontés alcance la combinación de intensidad y elegancia se cultivaron las uvas que dieron lugar a este Terrazas Reserva Torrontés. Se presenta en botellas de 75 cl. y se encuentra a la venta en los principales restaurantes, vinotecas y supermercados del país. Precio sugerido de venta al público: $ 46. Más información:
www.terrazasdelosandes.com

 -Max Brasil, distribuidora exclusiva de la Enoteca Fasano en Pernambuco, Brasil comercializa cigarros en el Nordeste brasileño desde 2003. Los vinos de Enoteca Fasano entraron en el mix de la empresa a principios de este año. Entre las etiquetas que se destacan está la línea argentina Pasión 4, de bodega Joffré & Hijas, y los portugueses Dorna Velha Tinta Roriz, de Quinta do Silval.

-Tres Blasones se asocia a Premier Wines. Bodega Tres Blasones y Bodega Premier Wines formaron un joint venture para la elaboración de espumantes de calidad. Se trata de Cumbres Andinas, un espumante que si bien ya había sido presentado al mercado interno con mucho éxito, sólo lo había hecho en circuitos reducidos. Esta asociación supone el incremento en la escala de elaboración y también el alcance de la distribución a escala nacional, a través de la sólida estructura comercial de Tres Blasones. El consumo de espumantes ha aumentado de forma importante en los últimos años. Se trata de un mercado que recientemente ha visto surgir nuevos jugadores que han incrementado la competitividad en la categoría, en términos de calidad y oferta. En este contexto se potencian el conocimiento destacado de Premier Wines en la producción, y el expertise de Tres Blasones en la comercialización de productos premium, para satisfacer una demanda creciente del mercado mediante alternativas de excelente relación precio-calidad. La línea comercializada será el espumante Cumbres Andinas, en sus versiones Extra Brut y Brut Nature (precio sugerido $26 y $31). También se incorpora a esta oferta Champs du Nord (precio sugerido $17)  

-España. Piden normas más claras y flexibles para regular el vino ecológico. La producción europea de vino ecológico (sin productos químicos) necesita una regulación europea “más clara” y flexible, según ha afirmado hoy el profesor universitario y consejero jurídico de Bodegas Valsardo, Alfonso López de la Osa. EFE- López de la Osa ha señalado, durante un seminario sobre los retos de la viticultura ecológica en la UE, que al hablar de este tipo de producción es necesaria una legislación más armonizada. Los vinos ecológicos no están incluidos en los reglamentos de la nueva regulación del mercado vitivinícola y previsiblemente estarán incluidos en un futuro reglamento de la UE sobre agricultura ecológica. El representante de Bodegas Valsardo -empresa inscrita dentro de la Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero- ha indicado que en el caso de los caldos ecológicos es conveniente cierta “flexibilidad” dentro de las reglas sobre Denominaciones o Indicaciones Geográficas Protegidas (IGP). En este punto, se ha referido a requisitos como la homogeneidad que exigen las Denominaciones y a la conveniencia de hacerlos más flexibles en ejemplos como el uso de levaduras naturales. El Comité de Organizaciones Agrarias y Cooperativas europeas (COPA-COGECA) reunió hoy a representantes de las industrias, de la Comisión Europea y otros expertos para analizar los desafíos de la producción de vino ecológico.

-Del 14 al 17 de octubre se realizó en Sevilla, España el Concurso Internacional de Vinos y Espirituosos. CINVE 2008 dio cita a grandes personalidades de Europa, Estados Unidos, Latinoamérica y Asia para conformar un jurado internacional. En esta edición 2008 el CINVE otorgó especial atención a los vinos y espirituosos del Nuevo Mundo. Entre los vinos premiados estos fueron los argentinos:

Felicitaciones a los ganadores. DLR

-Ciudad del Cabo seleccionada para recibir a expertos en turismo del vino del mundo. Algunos de los más importantes actores de los destinos internacionales del vino se reunirán en Ciudad del Cabo para discutir nuevas tendencias del vino y del turismo del vino, cuando se realice la reunión general anual de la Red Global de las Grandes Capitales del Vino en noviembre. La reunión tendrá como anfitriones a las municipalidades de Ciudad del Cabo y Cape Winelands. La alcaldeza Helen Zille y el alcalde Clarence Johnson darán la bienvenida a delegados de la red, que representa las ciudades más importantes del mundo asociadas al vino. Recibirán al contingente de visitantes de alto nivel de gobiernos, del comercio y de la hospitalidad el domingo 9 de noviembre. Los visitantes vendrán de Bilbao-Rioja (España), Burdeos (Francia), Florencia (Italia), Mainz (Alemania), Mendoza (Argentina), Oporto (Portugal) y San Francisco-Napa (Estados Unidos). Durante casi una semana, se centrarán en presentar nuevas maneras de aumentar el turismo internacional del vino, así como promover mayores conexiones económicas, académicas y culturales entre los ocho países de la red.

-La bodega mendocina ahora denominada Casa Bianchi invertirá $ 18 millones en la ampliación de su bodega de San Rafael. El proyecto será financiado parcialmente por el Grandes Capitales del Vino (BICE) e incluye la puesta en marcha de una tercera línea de fraccionamiento especialmente diseñada para sus vinos de alta gama. Las obras además le permitirán incrementar en 3 millones de litros su capacidad de almacenamiento en vasijas de acero inoxidable.

Grande successo per il cantautore romano che martedì 28 luglio si è esibito in piazza Bice Piacentini rispolverando vecchi successi e proponendo nuovi brani tratti dal suo ultimo album “Monetine”

SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO – «Mi sono trovato molto bene a San Benedetto, peccato esserci stato così poco. La piazza dove si è svolto il concerto poi è stupenda». Queste le impressioni a caldo di Daniele Silvestri al termine del concerto che ha tenuto martedì 29 luglio in piazza Bice Piacentini, al Paese Alto di San Benedetto del Tronto.

Non ha tutti i torti il cantautore romano: il vecchio incasato si è trasformato in un meraviglioso palco all’aperto dove Silvestri per due ore ha intrattenuto con i suoi successi un numeroso pubblico di tutte le età. Almeno mille le persone presenti.

Puntualissimo, alle 21,45, il cantautore è salito sul palco iniziando un viaggio musicale attraverso il variegato repertorio delle sue canzoni, differenti nelle tematiche e nel ritmo, spaziando da testi più intimisti ad altri più irriverenti.

Caustico, dinamico, simpatico e confidenziale: Silvestri sul palco è cantante, musicista, ma anche un intraprendente oratore. L’artista romano ha saputo intrattenere il pubblico per tutta la durata del concerto in un crescendo di movimento e animazione.

Al pubblico sono stati proposti brani nuovi tratti dall’ultimo album dell’artista “Monetine” e vecchi tormentoni, quali “Salirò”, “La paranza” e “Gino e l’alfetta” ma non sono mancati testi più impegnati come “Il mio nemico” e “L’uomo col megafono”.

Era da poco passata la mezzanotte quando Silvestri e la sua band hanno abbandonato il palco congedandosi dal pubblico sambenedettese con il brano “Cohiba“.

«Spero che il pubblico si sia divertito almeno la metà di quanto ci siamo divertiti noi», ha detto il cantautore dopo lo spettacolo e, visto l’entusiasmo dipinto sui volti della gente a fine concerto, sono pochi i dubbi in merito.

(da   SBTOGGI.IT)

I love music and have probably over 4,000 CDs. Lately, though, I’ve been ignoring my CDs and downloading songs from Wal-Mart.com and Amazon.com instead, to get the latest hits from several artists.

So what do I listen to while I type all day? Here’s the latest list of songs in heavy rotation on my personal jukebox:

“I Don’t Want To Be” — Gavin DeGraw — this one’s from a few years ago, and at first I didn’t care for it, but I like how he vocally attacks the words and the beat is strong– a great pop-rock song with a strong melody and hooks!

“Come and Talk To Me” — Jodeci — this one’s from 1991 or something like that– an oldie but goodie. If it was The Beatles and The Stones when my parents grew up, when I was in my teens it was Boyz II Men and Jodeci. I like this particular song because it’s singable, and it’s got “swagger.”

“Wait For You” — Elliott Yamin — this American Idol singer has a great R&B/pop song with this one

“Do It For Love” — Hall & Oates — back in the 1980s, this duo had hit after hit, and this was one of their more recent modern era hits that’s very catchy pop

“You Rock My World” — Michael Jackson — he’s the most weird artist we all know, right? He hasn’t had a real hit since 1995, but this quasi-hit has the best bassline– thumpin’ along, making me shake my shoulders, and even though MJ is nuts, he does do a good job making music you can feel, you know?

“What’s Left Of Me” — Nick Lachey — when he and Jessica divorced, he got a hit song out of it. He seems like a nice guy in real life, and this song is all about how you get knocked down, but you gotta get up again, which I can relate to and so can you.

“Sway” — Melinda Doolittle — a big band gem from the American Idol contestant who sang it so well– I found out this song was a hit for Dean Martin in the 1960s I think– I like it, it’s got Latin pizzazz.

“Over It” — Katharine McPhee — stylish R&B/pop from the American Idol contestant who looks like Miss America. This song makes me wanna marry her– it’s a cool song from a stunning girl.

“Tattoo” — Jordin Sparks — can you tell I watch American Idol? This song, from the American Idol winner, was so annoying to me at first– I couldn’t stand it– it’s an odd beat, odd feel, BUT it grew on me and it’s so darn catchy that I can’t get it outta my head.

“Mercy” — Duffy — this chick is from Europe– Britain I think– and she sounds like Amy Winehouse– retro 1960s pop for today. Cool song, quirky voice– a trendy song for the moment; I like it.

“The Real Thing” — Bo Bice — Another American Idol contestant. This guy had the long hair and was a “rocker.” This song rocks.

“How To Save A Life” — The Fray — an eloquent pop song– haunting and emotional and whiny and weird; I love it.

“Gotta Get Thru This” — Daniel Bedingfield — the brother of Natasha had this hit a few years ago and I never remember it from the radio, but I found it on a compilation CD at Dollar Tree and it sounds like The Chipmunks on acid– a breakbeat dance tune that makes me nervous because it’s twitchy and jittery and full of energy.

“With You” — Chris Brown — this is the song that goes, “I need you boo.” For that line alone, I love it. Catchy love song for today’s generation of young people.

“Chasing Cars” — Snow Patrol — Is this emo rock? I don’t know what style this is– guitar/atmospheric/haunting melody– it’s a lot like The Fray– that kind of post 1990s, post grunge sensitive rock song that gets in your head and won’t leave.

“Because of You” — Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson — I’ve liked Reba for years and when she and American Idol’s Kelly Clarkson remade Kelly’s hit, this one was a must have. These two ladies sing it like they mean it, and I always respect singers who do that.

“Nothing Left to Lose” –Mat Kearney — I remember going to Gospel Music Week in 2005 and he was the talk of the conference but everyone said he was too good, and too cool, for Christian music. Now look at him: VH1 poster boy, with this great song that sounds like a Counting Crows tune.

“Collide” — Howie Day — I don’t like his name– Howie– but the acoustic version of this song is awesome. Very singable melody.

“New Soul” — Yael Naim — Not sure who this singer is or where she’s from, but this song seems to be floating around the atmosphere and it bounced into my consciousness enough for me to spend 99 cents to download this quirky tune.

“Lost” — Michael Buble — I love this song. It is the best on the list, even though it sounds like something straight out of 1970s adult contemporary radio and is cliche all the way. At first I thought this was a stupid song, but like usual, the ones I hate  grow to be the ones I can’t get enough of, and this is the kind of emotional song I’d like to sing in public for an audience– very touching song.

“Bleeding Love” — Leona Lewis — written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic– so it is well-written because I’ve decided Ryan Tedder is great at what he does, and this girl knows how to sing a song– I think she’s a sensation in Britain and now America gets a taste of her. While this song sounds like something out of 1989, I still love it because it’s sung with conviction.

That’s a sample of what I’m listening to right now. Keep in mind I have thousands of songs and artists I listen to– this was just a glimpse into my musical taste. –Mark Weber

So last night Mel and I had dinner at Bice to celebrate our 1 year anniversary!

I had the Shrimp stuffed Monk fish on a bed of spinach, olives, and cherry tomatoes.

Mel had the Chilean sea bass in a butter sauce with baby squash, tomatoes, and olives.

I know it all looks great, but dare I say…it really wasn’t. The Monk fish had absolutely no flavor by itself, and the dish as a whole was washed out by the taste of…olive. Mel’s sea bass was better than my dish, but still lacking. Both were in desperate need of some acidity, and were drowned out by…the olives.

All in all it was a pretty disappointing trip. The bread and water were actually the best part of the meal.

But! Despite the dining disaster, we had a great night. Mel is now the proud owner of a KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer!

Fantastic. Happy Anniversary to us!

-Johnny