Frosty Got Flattened By a Mannheim Steamroller

The third edition of Night Beat Noel is upon us, and I think I'm going to try having just four this year. Sort of like Quarterly Nominations for the PVA's four has a nice symmetry to it. Plus I think I would go nuts if I had to do anymore.

I thought I would mix things up a little bit by making a few recommendations of a Night Beat Approved Christmas Celebration. Now I've been known to enjoy "traditional" Christmas Carols done in the "Traditional" Way, up to a point. Too much tradition and I go into scrooge mode. No, I do my best with non-traditional "holiday" music. If you do to, then I think you have some of these artists on your iPod already.

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra - One of two Christmas Supergroups out there (the other has the initials M.S.) Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 You'll understand completely. Christmas Eve and Other Stories or The Christmas Attic should get you started.
• Mannheim Steamroller - Chip Davis and Company are the undisputed "Kings" of the Christmas Music season. (Well, except for Jesus of course, but he is "King of Kings", so I guess that M.S. is one of the under-Kings). Even though I thought they stumbled with their Christmas Symphony, for the most part these guys are Platinum. Pat a Pan, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Rock), Hark the Herald Angels Sing, even Rudolph shines with them. A must have in any collection. If the local radio stations would just play TSO and MS non-stop all December, things would be cool.
• Denver & The Mile High Orchestra - Timeless Christmas - If you like your Christmas Music with a touch of Al Capone or Speakeasies, then Denver is for you. Just kidding on the Capone, but seriously, Big Band Swing Christmas. Frosty the Blues Man is worth it alone. Ladies, I highly recommend This Christmas All I need is You.
• Barlowgirl - Home for Christmas: Guys, this one is for us. One of CCM's top FFR (That's Female Fronted Rock) bands ditches the electric guitar for some absolutely heavenly three part harmonies. Yes, I know, Jesus is the reason for the season, but these ladies are melt the snow HOT. Hearing Alyssa sing "I'll be home for Christmas" you really wish for it.
• Kathy Troccoli - Christmas Songs: Another one for us guys. KT was just starting out when your favorite blogger was spinning vinyl, and while she could always break the gages when she hit the high notes, this album makes the most of her sultry voice. This is the sensei. Barlow girl went the torch song route as well, but KT is the Flamethrower to their match. Listen to Christmas time is here and admit it, you're thinking "Charlie Who?"
• Annie Moses Band - This Glorious Christmas: Parents remember, you may be able to make your kids take violin, cello and harp lessons, but they'll still find a way TO ROCK. And when dad plays a mean Jazz/Honky-Tonk piano, you get the AMB. If you love Mannheim Steamroller. This is what Chip Davis was trying for but failed with Christmas Symphony. It's mostly instrumental.
• Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas A must have, and not just because of the TV Special. Jazz up your Christmas. Okay, how about this for a Christmas Playlist. TSO, Mannheim, Denver, Annie Moses and Vince.
• Rivertribe - Christmas Three words. Christmas. Australia. Didgeridoo. Enough Said. Not really. These Aussies mix the Didgeridoo with Trance and Pop. You will never hear Christmas Music like this anywhere. Give it a shot. You won't be disappointed. Except for some guest vocals, it's all instrumental.

Now, for the second part of my post. This one is long, but I think it is necessary. We also have some entries this year. KT was in my previous post.

• Jason Bare - Have You Heard EP 3.75 Emeralds
• Jim Hitchcock - Coast Highway Christmas 3.5 Emeralds
• Hillsong - Born is The King 4 Emeralds
• David Ian - Vintage Christmas 4.5 Emeralds
• Jadon Lavik - Christmas 3.75 Emeralds
• Hawk Nelson - Christmas 4.5 Emeralds
• Our Hearts Hero - Love is Breathing 4.5 Emeralds
• Smalltown Poets - Christmas 4.25 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Rockin Around The Christmas Tree 4.5 Emeralds This one needs a little more said about it. A lot of albums have this title. It was released on the First of November and has music by Anberlin, August Burns Red, Ivoryline, Demon Hunter and others.

That does it for now. I think I can finish up the rest of the Christmas Releases in one more post since December seems to be quiet. I won't have to have an Epiphany Edition. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Post Thanksgiving Musings

Now that Black Friday has passed, both yours truly and the voters in my poll agree that it is now O.K. to start with the Christmas Music. And it is Christmas Music,People. Like most bastions of Liberalism and Political Correctness, my town has a "Tree Lighting". And what kind of tree might that be? It's not even a blah "Holiday Tree" lighting. It's just a tree lighting. I think that is usually done with matches and may need a permit.

It definitely is an anti-Christian bent. I mean, nobody insists that Muslims be "tolerant" by putting a Star of David in their Ramadan displays (Are there Ramadan displays?, Doesn't Ramadan involve fasting? I digress.) Tolerance used to mean "I let you do your thing and you let me do my thing and if we never talk we can't fight, so all is cool." Now, at least when a liberal is talking, tolerance means "Undying Love and acceptance of me, and nothing for you, after all, I'm wonderful and you are a hateful S.O.B." or something like that. So You wish me a happy holidays all you want, I will wish you a Merry Christmas. Of course if you really want diversity we can go HannaRamaQwanzMas on you. I don't want that, and I don't think you do either. One further thought. If you're Jewish, I have no problem wishing you a Happy Hanukkah, and I hope you don't have a problem wishing me a Merry Christmas. That's supposed to be the fun of it. We're all supposed to be able to enjoy our holidays without being offended that someone else has a different holiday. You know that first amendment, it was meant to make sure there wasn't a State Religion, not as a hammer to bash others beliefs.

On to music matters. New Release Tuesday is taking an extended Christmas break, so one of my full album sources is out until January 10 (That's even better than Government Work). With a reduction in new material, I am thinking of going back over a few older releases and catching up on Rewind and a few other thoughts like I did with Small Business Saturday. Of course the Christmas releases keep coming in so I will have a few more Christmas editions coming.

Thanks for staying with me all through the season and beyond. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Beware of Small Business Saturday

Today I am compelled to pass on news regarding a diabolical plot by the multinational corporations to control the world. Now this information has been provided to me by the peaceful folk at Occupy Wall Street, so we can be assured of its reliability.

Like all diabolical plots, this one has an innocent name. It's called Small Business Saturday. It has an equally innocent slogan "When we all shop small, it will be HUGE!" I have found numerous examples to show just how huge.

• In 1902 Real Estate Agent George D. Dayton opens Dayton's Dry Goods, a small retail store on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
• In 1962 Sam & Helen Walton open a discount retail store in Rogers, AR. Unable to find investors for their one little store, they are forced to put up 95% of the money on their own.
• In 1965 Leonard Riggio establishes Student Book Exchange in Greenwich Village. The small bookstore is devoted to providing low cost textbooks to college students. 
• In 1971 English Teacher Jerry Baldwin, History Teacher Zev Siegl, and Writer Gordon Bowker start a small coffee shop at 2000 Western Avenue in Seattle, WA
• In 1976, in a garage in CA., two hippie kids build a computer circuit board with a fruity name. It has a CPU of 1MHz, 8kb of Ram, and 1kb of VRam, and sells for the beastly sum of $666.66
• In 1978, 25 year old college dropout John Mackey and 21year old Rene Lawson Handy borrow $45,000 from family and friends and open Safer Way, a small natural foods store in Austin, TX

Now these are all small businesses, the backbone of America, and deserve our support. You would think so, and people did support them, and look what happened. They turned into the monsters Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks and Apple, responsible for destroying main streets across this land.

 What about the last example? That is the worst of all, for only three years later, when they only had 19 employees, Gaia herself, in her infinite wisdom, attempted to wipe this great evil out by unleashing the worst flood in Austin in 70 years. Without insurance, Mackey and Handy, with nearly a half million dollars worth of damage, would have closed, except that neighbors and customers volunteered to help them clean up the store, and vendors and creditors gave them time to pay their obligations. This allowed them to reopen after only 28 days, and they became Whole Foods Market, responsible for shutting down small natural food markets everywhere.

I think it is obvious. I implore you, Do Not Support Small Business. It WILL Grow.

Happy Thanksgiving From Night Beat HQ

As you enjoy family, food, football and faith. Not necessarily in that order, just remember this. We celebrate a day in October 1621 When the Pilgrims (not the dour Puritan, these were real Elizabethan Englishmen) gave thanks, first to God, and then to the Wampanoags for their survival of the first year. Massasoit arrived with 90 of his tribemates plus 5 dressed deer and a dozen wild turkeys. There were also gun and arrow shooting contests in which both Wampanoag and Pilgrim participated. Plus foot races and wrestling contests. It lasted three days. And it paved the way for a treaty between the two which lasted for forty years. The Pilgrims were people of their word, unlike some of their descendants. So, if you see news items of protests against Thanksgiving, just remember, as is usually the case of anything in the MSM, it doesn't stand up to the facts of history. HAPPY THANKSGIVING everybody.

 

Night Beat Noel: The Second Coming of Christmas Music

The Second Christmas Edition is upon us. As we said the last time, the ratings are for reference only because we have no Christmas Music category at the PVA's.

• Deborah Bradley - Tis The Season 3.5 Emeralds
• FFH - One Silent Night 4 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - An Irish Christmas 4.75 Emeralds
• Kathy Troccoli - Christmas Songs 4.75 Emeralds
• Kids Choir - Songs Kids Really Love: 17 Christmas Songs 4.25 Emeralds
• Various - The Best Christmas Carol Album in the World...Ever 3.5 Emeralds
• Various - Great Worship Songs: A Moments Peace Christmas 4.5 Emeralds
• Various - Great Worship Songs for Christmas, Volume 12 3.75 Emeralds
• Various - Maranatha Christmas: Christmas Classics 4 Emeralds
• Various - Maranatha Christmas: Songs for the Season 4 Emeralds
• Vineyard UK Worship - Christmas from the Vineyard 4.25 Emeralds

I'm deciding to do this in bite sized bits for my own sanity. So, until later in the month or maybe even early December, we will put the Christmas Edition Under Wraps as it were. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Bask in the Glory

I Love Instrumental Music. I Hate Instrumental Music. Really, it's one of those dilemma's that St. Paul Had. In Philippians Look it Up (Philippians 1:21-25). Maybe I exaggerate slightly. The reason I have this love/hate relationship with instrumental music is that most of it is so darn relaxing that one is likely toooo Oh sorry, I must have dozed off there. Let's just say don't play this on a long nighttime drive. If you're home and want to chill, this is perfect.

Instrumental music, when it is done right, can be very mood affective. Otherwise it's just background noise.

I once did a presentation in College (a long time ago, we used slides) and used Phil Keaggy's The Wind and The Wheat as my soundtrack. I just let it play. If you've never heard the album, download it, get the CD. It is a must have for any music lover.

Michael W. Smith is like that. When he first appeared on the scene in the '80's he was known already for his Synthesizer/Keyboard skills. The Whole Pop Star thing came later. When Wonder came out last year I was elated. Not because I am a huge Smitty fan. I'm not. I only have Project and Project 2 on vinyl. I was elated because this was the Smitty I liked, the Composer in all his Teshian goodness. Most of the tracks were worthy of a soundtrack.

Glory is fifty minutes worthy of an Epic Movie like The Lord of The Rings Trilogy or The Ten Commandments. It's like a Christmas full of Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra and not a Grandma Got Run over in sight.

This review is a bit light, but in one sense so is an instrumental album. It's hard to say "So and so can't sing worth beans on this album when they're not singing. So let's do it this way. If you're at home and you want to Crank up the stereo and relax with symphonic excellence, well this album is 4.75 Emeralds of greatness. If you want Smitty Pop, it's only worth about 3.75 Emeralds. 

That should do it for this post. So far it was my toughest to write. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

Night Beat Rewind: October 2011

The first edition of Night Beat Rewind for the 3rd Platinum Vinyl Awards Eligibility Year is now upon us. My how things fly by. At least it seems like it here. Either that or I just get distracted a lot. Once again I will now split things into three categories.

October 2011: Missing The Mark

• Marc Chopinsky - Israel's Hope 3.5 Emeralds
• Mark Harris - Stronger in the Broken Places 3.75 Emeralds
• Immortal Souls - IV: Requiem for the Art of Death 3.75 Emeralds
• Robin Mark - Fly: Live From Ireland 3.75 Emeralds
• No Other Name - The Other Side 3.75 Emeralds
• The Waiting Kind - The Waiting Kind 3.75 Emeralds

Please, hold the jokes. I used this title last month as well. It just happens we have three "Marks" this time around (one a last name). And no other name, no it's a coincidence as well. It just so happens that all four failed to wow me enough to give them 4 Emeralds or over. Next time, guys. Moving on.

October 2011: Perfect Platinum

• Evanescence - Evanescence 5 Emeralds
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Welcome to the Masquerade Fan Edition 5 Emeralds

No big surprise here. TFK is always solid, and the recent Masquerade version once again rises to the top. An as to "What you want", what could any rocker want more than "The Return of Amy Lee."

October 2011: Imperfect Platinum

• Casting Crowns - Come to the Well 4.5 Emeralds
• The City Harmonic - I Have a Dream 4.5 Emeralds
• Close Your Eyes - Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts 4.25 Emeralds
• Code - Beautiful Time 4.5 Emeralds
• Deas Vail - Deas Vail 4.25 Emeralds
• Keith Elgin - Keith Elgin 4.5 Emeralds
• Emery - 10 Years 4.5 Emeralds
• Family Force 5 - III 4.25 Emeralds
• Future of Forestry - Future of Forestry 4.75 Emeralds
• Sara Groves - Invisible Empires 4.75 Emeralds
• JJ Heller - Deeper 4.75 Emeralds
• Lights - Siberia 4.75 Emeralds
• Pavilion Towers Worship -Crisis Worship 4.25 Emeralds
• Kerrie Roberts - Once Upon a Time 4.25 Emerald

At last. Done With October. Not that it was bad, just that as things have gone recently, I had gotten a bit backed up. I didn't get through September until the middle of October and I thought that October would be Joining November sometime around Christmas. It's good to get back on top of things. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Night Beat Reverse Survivor Edition

What is Reverse Survivor You ask? Well, have you ever been asked something on the lines of "If you were ever stranded on a desert island, what music would you like to have with you". Of course, that would entail having a lifetime supply of batteries for your CD player, or access to electricity for your PC or Mac to charge your ipod, so how deserted could it be. Of course logic never comes into these questions.

Reverse survivor flips the question over. "What Albums (or songs) that you own (or used to) would you like to strand on a desert Island, never to be heard from again. I know, it's cruel, but don't tell me you haven't thought about it at one time or another. At least about "Grandma got...." at Christmastime.

I would nominate three albums to get us started. All in the CCM industry of course. The Debut self-titled albums by Skillet and Zoe Girl. And also the release The Anatomy of Broken by Chris Sligh, which I called The Anatomy of Boredom. In my opinion these are almost unlistenable, except in an MST3K kind of way.

Now this should get the idea rolling. Granted, my experience is in the CCM arena, and that's not everyone's cup of Joe. We're talking about music CRITICISM folks. No form should be above ridicule. IMHO I would put anything from country or So Go here, but that would be too easy. Specifics please, unless you really do mean "anything by..."

Now this is fun, so try to keep it civil. But, as they say, "All's fair in love and war". And music. Now, from time to time I try to keep up my posts with the 100 Greatest Christian Albums Ever. So Check back from time to time as I listen to the albums and make my verdicts. (The Ranking was done by CCM Magazine about 10 years ago). The entire series of posts is cross-linked, so all I have to do is give you the first.

That's about all for now. I will return with more PVA related posts as well as Music Reviews. I thought we could take a break for something fun for a while. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

God's Not Dead

That's the title of the Newsboys recent worship album, but I guess that was only chosen becuse "The Covering" was already taken (by Stryper). Of the Dozen Songs on the Album, 33% of them are covers (Your Love Never Fails, Mighty to Save, Forever Reign, and Revelation Song)


Now I'm nitpicking here, but what is it with Newsboys and Hillsong, especially Mighty to Save. On the original Born Again album it appeared. Then on the miracles edition it appeared twice, one of them a remix by Family Force Five. Now it's on GND. That's four times on three albums. Other CCM reviewers feel that MTS has been "covered to death" as it is. Perhaps Hillsong should voluntarily retire the song.

On to the album. Despite the Covers, the album shines. Newsboys are back to their pop sound with album. I kind of liked the DC Talk sound on Born Again. Part of My problem with the album is that, it could have been done by anyone. The covers sound almost like the original. Okay, since Kari Jobe doesn't sound anything like Michael Tait, but other than that. Part of what made the original Mighty To Save cover (which is on here) is the screaming guitars, which is not on the Hillsong version.

I'm a rocker, and Skillet Worship is my favorite worship album out there. Beside MTS, all that gets my blood pumping is I am Second to None. It's not enough for me. They should have ratcheted it up.

I'm Sorry. God's Not Dead, but this album is on life support. My final rating 3.75 Emeralds. There are going to be so many good albums coming out in the next eleven months. It's not worthy of a PVA. That hurt, just to say. Next time guys. Until next time I am Awaiting Your Reply.

And on the Seventh Day, God Rocked

Don't let the title fool you. The Anthem of Angels, the latest release by Seventh Day Slumber, is not a Christmas Album. If it was however, that probably wouldn't surprise many SDS fans. The album will drop on November 15, and the title hints of the Angel Choir of Luke 2. However the album marks SDS return to Rock/Alternative scene for the first time since 2007. That was when Finally Awake came out. Take Everything was a worship release and came out in 2009. We'll start with the track list.

1. Wasted Life
2. Love Came Down
3. One Mistake
4. Addicted to My Pain
5. Never Too Far Gone
6. Pieces
7. Crash
8. Back where I Began
9. Knows my name
10. My Life
11. How He Loves

Sometimes songs get covered to death, and I'm beginning to think that is happening with the David Crowder Band song How He Loves. They even have some guy named John Mark McMillan saying he wrote it. (Yes, I know JMM did write it, but once someone's version becomes "the version" in a persons mind, no amount of reasoning is going to sway them.)

Pop Quiz: Who wrote God of Wonders? What about Build Us Back? Answer in the comments, and I'll reveal the answers in a future post.

Seventh Day Slumber is a Product of King Midas (Brandon Ebel) Tooth and Nail Empire (signed to the BEC Recordings label). I have always considered them a "counseling band", that their songs relate to the pains felt by the young people of today. Whether it is that they are beyond God's forgiveness (One Mistake), or that they are too deep in Sin (Addicted to My Pain, Never too far gone). There is a nice blend of soft and hard. A little quieter than Finally Awake, but still good.

I am giving Anthem of Angels by Seventh Day Slumber a final rating of 4.5 Emeralds. The third season of the Platinum Vinyl Awards is getting off to a fast start. Stay with the Night Beat as the Winter Heats Up with more than Christmas Releases. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Platinum Sneak Peak: Children's Music

It's November, the green leaves have fallen from the trees. (We never had foliage season this year. Between an unusually cold spring and summer combined with Irene and the Hallowsnow event, the leaves were stripped before they turned. One thing has gone according to schedule, and that is that the possible entries for the 2nd Platinum Vinyl Awards have all come in and the process of whittling them down has begun. This years entry pool was much better than last year. However, some entries still lag. Last year the Children's Music genre only had two total entries and Folk Music had only five, and we try to have seven final nominees. This year Folk has Nine entries and Children's five. Both may be final with no further cut downs.

In that spirit I am giving a special:

Platinum Sneak Peak

Today I will be posting the Five Children's Music Nominees. Don't worry, you wont have to memorize them. We'll reveal them again once we have the Final Ceremony. Basically my thoughts on this category are, songs for a young-un audience that will not drive an adult bonkers with repeated listening.

Children's Music

• Denver and The Mile High Orchestra - Groovy
• K5 - K5 Kids Sing the Songs of Toby Mac
• Maranatha Kids - Top 25 kids Praise Songs
• Veggie Tales (feat Moriah Peters) - Songs for a Princess
• Worship Together Kids - From the Inside Out

This will be the list I announce when the "Awards" are handed out, most likely in April of 2012. Previous Emerald Ratings are erased and we start from scratch, but in the interest of full disclosure I will reveal that both Denver and K5 received full 5 Emerald Ratings from me. That is all I will say. Feel free to comment with your votes, though I may open things up officially to a fan voting process next year. If you think my keen eye missed an eligible entry, please use the comments to tell me. Until next time I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Heating It Up: Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees - Rock

We finally come to the end of the genre based nominees for this quarter with Rock. Again, we were well represented. Eleven entries for this one too.

Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees

Like I Said, nearly a dozen entries. This is good. Even though it makes my job a lot more difficult, I like it when the genre's are well represented.

Rock

• Ashes Remain - What I've Become
• Downhere - On the Altar of Love
• For King and Country - For King and Country EP (D)
• Icon For Hire - Scripted
• Manic Drive - Epic
• Maylene & The Sons of Disaster - IV
• Needtobreathe - The Reckoning
• Rapture Ruckus - Open Your Eyes
• Rush of Fools - We Once Were
• Switchfoot - Vice Verses (5)
• Heather Williams - This Time Around (5)

We had Two Perfect 5's this time around with Switchfoot and Heather Williams. Now that things are finished it's time to put every entry in the pool and start whittling them down. I know I am only in my second year but I'm already thinking of mixing things up, maybe making up a fan survey to see who you think makes the grade. But that can wait. Please feel free to make your thoughts known in the comments. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Heating It Up: Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees - Hard Rock

Hard Rock, Metal, Metal-core, Thrash. The Devil Wears Prada. You get the idea. This is the hard stuff, cranked up to a billion. These are the best of the Summer.

Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees

This quarter we had eleven nominees in this genre. This is a very good showing. I will have to some serious slashing in this genre this year. Fans will be crushed.

Hard Rock

• Call to Preserve - Validation
• The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
• The Great Commission - Heavy Worship
• Hands - Give Me Rest
• Haste The Day - Haste The Day vs Haste The Day (Live)
• Nothing Til Blood - When Lambs Become Lions
• Oh Sleeper - Children of Fire
• A Past Unknown - To Those Perishing
• Phinehas - The God Machine
• We Came as Romans - Understanding What We've Grown to Be
• Your Chance to Die - Suscitatio Somnus

That's a lot of entries. A lot of tough choices. I know my friend Melissa will be crushed if Dead Throne doesn't make it, but I think it has a lot in its favor. The links go to my reviews of the albums. Only Rock to Go. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Heating It Up: Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees - Hip Hop/Rap

We're Back. Things got a little crazy with the Hallowsnow Event. Amazing how nineteenth century the electrical grid is around here. Continuing with the 4th Quarter Nominees, we move onto Hip Hop and Rap. As usual, this is a pretty well represented genre.

Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees

The Fourth Quarter of Hip Hop gave us Eight Nominees. Since the genre will be eventually be whittled down to seven, this is what we call a good showing. Without further ado we present.

Hip Hop & Rap

• Ambassador - Stop the Funeral
• Benjah - The Break Up (D)
• Braille - Native Lungs
• DA T.R.U.T.H. - The Whole Truth
• Lecrae - Rehab (Deluxe Edition)
• Rapture Ruckus - Open Your Eyes
• Thi'sl - Beautiful Monster
• Various Artists - Holy Hip Hop, Volume 11

Only Two Genre's are yet to be revealed, Hard Rock and Rock. It's good to get back into the swing of things. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Back up To Speed

The Power is back everywhere. It will take a few days but I shall be up to speed soon. We still have more to announce for the Fourth Quarter and there are new releases and Christmas Releases to come. Stay tuned. Plus I am going to attempt to create my novel on the side, and I may yet squeeze into NaNoWriMo.

November Update

Hallowsnow Strikes Again. The Saturday October 29 Snowstorm dumped only about 3 inches of snow, even though the weather reports were predicting 26 inches. However, even though my personal abode remained unscathed and power loss free, the nearby town suffered 80% Power Loss. Since I am currently relying on that Towns library for unfettered internet access, we are somewhat hamstrung. I am hoping to be up to full speed soon. Of course, I am not the only one to be inconvenienced. The Local Trick Or Treating has been postponed to November 4. At least they are getting it in before the clock change.