R.I.P. Lux Interior

UPDATE (2/14/09): There’s an update on The Cramps site that Lux died of an Aortic Dissection. It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Best Friends Animal Shelter.

It’s a very sad day. Yesterday Lux Interior died.

Statement from their publicist Girlie Action’s website:

“Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away February 4, 2009 due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST at the age of 62. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

The Cramps

The Guardian

The Daily Swarm – lots of quotes and video clips.

Thanks Philip Lynott

I heard Gary Moore sing this tonight:

‘I’ve been spending my money in the old town
It’s not the same Honey, when you’re not around
I’ve been spending my time in the old town
I sure miss you Honey, now you’re not around
now you’re not around this old town’

And of course the original song finishes with :

‘This boy is crackin’ up
This boy has broke down…’

Words I’ve taken to heart in the recent past in a big way.

It also applies to my thoughts on Phil – I really miss you.

I’m so happy that you’re remembered.

I’ve been on a Thin Lizzy tear of late. Several DVDs have come out recently. Overview to come!

Bless you Phil, you still inspire! You and your music help to keep me, at least, together.

On My Brilliant Nokian Winter Tires

Having lived in Atlanta for 22 years I always wondered why anyone would need an all wheel or four wheel drive sedan. Then I moved to Denver and it seemed that the Subaru was the state car. I was commuting at the time and when the first snow arrived the inch or two turned to slush and my drive to work on the local interstate was alarming at best. After all I had all weather tires. The next snow came innocently enough and though the surface streets were fine, I stopped at the local Starbuck’s drive-thru and after making my purchase I found myself sliding down the hill on a sheet of ice right into traffic. Knowing that I was going to be going to Winter Park regularly during the winter, I sought out some snow tires.

I drive a 1995 Mercedes E320. It’s very heavy and a rear wheel drive. I knew that I needed something to keep myself safe. This was driven home in September 08 when I tried to return from my Girlfriend’s house in Winter Park to Denver during a rain storm. I was watching the outside temperature reading in my car as I headed up Berthoud Pass. Once it hit 32 degrees the snow started sticking. The tires started slipping and about two miles from the top of the Continental Divide I was losing traction fast. Before the spinning of my wheels got too bad I turned around. I didn’t want to get stuck or in a ditch. I went back down and borrowed Kristy’s beater Cherokee for the trip back. I saw a few people that weren’t prepared in the ditch on the way back. Kristy drove my car to Denver later in the week when she came to visit me in Denver.

My search for winter tires led me to Nokian, a Finnish company. Their studded Hakkapeliitta 4 tires came highly recommended through my internet research. I bought them at Meadow Creek Tire in Denver. When they were done applying the studs and mounting the tires the sales guy said, “You’ve got a snowmobile now.” Was he ever right.

Since they’re studded they’re noisy as hell, but driving on ice and snow with these tires really is not much different than on pavement. I can safely out perform any front wheel drive and almost any four wheel drive. They’ve gotten me out of many sticky situations and now I actually look forward to less than perfect road conditions when I drive Berthoud Pass.

For safety and downright fun in winter driving I highly recommend these tires. I’m so impressed that since I need a new set of summer tires I might actually consider Nokian for that set as well.

I Work at EffectiveUI!

Well after 15 months of contracting, mostly on one particular staff augmentation gig, I’ve wrangled my way into EffectiveUI as a “Senior Software Engineer.”  Not totally sure what that means but I do know that I am feeling happy and hopeful that I’ll be able to realize my full potential as an RIA developer.  I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally be working amongst all of the incredibly talented and smart people here.

AND I live across the street from the office.  How cool is that?!?