From the desk (and BlackBerry) of Keith Parnell

Amy Standen reported on NPR that the phonebook is long past its designed use and consumers (all of us) don’t want them. I tend to agree with this as more and more Americans become so dependent on their mobile devices. What do you think?

Amy’s report -

In the U.S., we produce 804,000 tons of phonebooks every year. That’s the statistic that comes from the EPA. It’s over five pounds of paper for every man, woman and child, including those too young to pick up a phone. One California lawmaker says it’s time to stop printing so many phonebooks.

Full report on NPR.org here.

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On Twitter? Follow me at @parnellk63.

Listening to Turn the Page by Bob Seger.

I’m listening to Norah Jones complete new album, The Fall, on NPR while catching the muted MLB World Series on the background television. That’s right, the whole album, free. Thanks NPR!

On The Fall, Jones maintains her jazzy, sultry sound while pushing into more contemporary pop territory. “Chasing Pirates,” “Even Though” and “It’s Gonna Be” (the album’s most rock-oriented song) are excellent examples of her new approach. But she doesn’t abandon the old one completely: “Back to Manhattan” may be her loveliest song since “Come Away With Me,” while “Man of the Hour” is set to a bluesy shuffle and “December” possesses a lullaby-like quality.

A warm, organic-sounding record, The Fall showcases Jones’ musical depth in exciting and unexpected ways, suitable for old fans and newcomers alike. Please leave your opinions of the album in the comments section below.

Listen to Norah Jones on NPR here.

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Pinetop Perkins is one of my favorite blues guys. According to a story he told NPR, he ran away from home in the 3rd grade after receiving a beating from his grandmother with a piece of stove wood and never looked back.

When asked about his gift for music he said, “I can hear that stuff coming to me before it gets to me, and do it to it,” he says. “It comes in my mind. Can hear the changes coming before they get to me. ‘How you do that? You don’t read it?’ No, I don’t read that stuff. No! I didn’t get no schoolin.’”

Now, at 95 years old, Pinetop has been nominated for a Grammy Award. You go boy. Keep beatin’ on those ivories!

I ran across this podcast on NPR. Very interesting and worth the 35 minute investment during your busy life. Listen here.

Talk of the Nation, March 28, 2008 Major League Baseball began its season this week with a series between Boston and Oakland played in Japan. Guests discuss the science behind America’s favorite pastime from statistics, to orthopedics, to the psychology of die-hard fans.

Guests:
Dan Gordon, editor of Your Brain on Cubs: Inside the Heads of Players and Fans.
Howard Zelaznik, professor of health and kinesiology at Purdue University.
William Raasch, team physician for the Milwaukee Brewers; associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin.