A Credulous Nation

You’ve got to admire rabid irrationality.

Raider Nation hasn’t had much to smile about since January 2003. Those who’ve been paying attention know the details. Those who haven’t should consider them...selves lucky. Five years after the Super Bust in San Diego of all places, suffice it to say that all is not well in the House of Davis.

And still there are the diehards.

And maybe that’s the point.

It’s not that we Raiders fans are uncritical; it’s just that beneath the criticism runs a current of unconditional faith. So it is that JaMarcus Russell gets called a franchise QB, and DeAngelo Hall a shutdown corner. So it is too that he who blogs against the Silver and Black is he who gets flamed for it—which is of course the only fitting fate for so reckless and unrepentant a heretic.

God is not dead and Al is still kicking in the hearts of Raider faithfuls.

If you’re going to light fires for one of them, you might as well choose the geezer in the jumpsuit.

I don’t know what it is that makes otherwise functional adults don eyepatches and spew invective all across the Internet. I am a fan of the Nation not a fanatic. Measured skepticism’s a vice best left to agnostics and 49ers fans. The real wisdom is that of the true believer, especially when facing facts would mean having to account for (shudder) Art Shell and Randy Moss.

Some folks spend the Sabbath in church.

Others opt for the Black Hole.

If you can see the difference, Bubba, your eyes are a whole heap clearer than mine.

We are what we give ourselves to. Life without devotion is life without purpose, and without passion. Committing to Excellence won’t necessarily win you any football games, but at least it’ll give you a reason to wait ‘til next year. Something we admit being grown accustomed to lately.

On and given Sunday the Raiders will solidify their future with fans both new and old around the globe.

On Monday, they’ll still be the Raiders and fans will still be the Nation.

The good news?

Rooting for the home team means leaving your doubt at the turnstile—and I for one would rather be credulous.

Congratulations on your victories and remember the Autumn Wind will always be a Raider.

"Thanks for reading, thanks for visiting."

Ronald

Ever had one of those moments that catch you completely off guard? Listening to Ronald Jenkees' debut self titled album does just that. It instantly commands you to sit up and pay attention.

Based on Ronald's Youtube performances I expected his album would be good, but I didn't expect it to be amazing. Deep inside this cap wearing, easy-attitude apparent goof-ball lays the soul of an accomplished musician. Who knew the unassuming geek had it in him?

This album could have easily been a series of FL Studio loops with some crazy keyboard solos layered over top, but thankfully this isn't the case. Instead there are very well thought out arrangements that could easily satisfy the most discerning of instrumental music aficionados.

That said, the last two of the fourteen tracks (which seem slightly out of place to have been included on this album) are not instrumental with Ronald's unique rapping ability taking the serious edge away. The most notable being '56k Rap', where Ronald tells the humorous story of buying a 100mhz Dell with 56k modem and being the master of the Internet, performed with the attitude of an online gangsta. It works surprisingly well.

The insane improv keyboard solos Ronald is famous for are not featured as heavily as you would have thought, if his Youtube performances are anything to go by. But that should not by any means discourage you.

The 14 tracks cover a broad range of moods, but Ronald makes no apologies for a preference towards the easy listening style of 'phat' beats which compliment a well generated atmosphere.

On the subject of atmosphere, there is a movie soundtrack quality to a lot of the tracks, and if he were interested Ronald could probably forge a career in said arena.

It's hard to choose the most stand out tracks as they all offer something quite unique, but so far 'Loui', 'Gold Spinners', 'Almost Undamaged' and 'Neptune' are on the highest rotation.

And lest I forget to mention that his newest compilation "Disorganized Fun" has hit the net with as much ferocity as the last offering. So without going any further in my prose, I give you the odd-ball musical kat of the keyboard himself Mr. Ronald Jenkins...

"Thanks for reading, thanks for visiting."