Friday, November 8, 2013

Wrapping up the week.

Well, that was the week that was.

Remember TWTWTW? David Frost premiered it in the UK in the 60's and of course, the US had to have their version. I enjoyed it a lot.

Where I once saw Rob Ford, I now only see bubbles. It's a very popular swimmin' hole. I thought I saw Rand Paul there last week.

One of the greatest bands I never saw. Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. And, as good as his version was of Twin Guitar Special" my HJ is Cindy Cashdollar's version, on her record, Slideshow." MMMmm!

Check out the story of Bayou Corne, La. And think of the spoxwoman who extols the job creating potential for the Oil and Gas producing industries.

Whose version of Thunder Road do you prefer? Bruce's or Robert Mitchum's?

Two memorable quotes:
1. "Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I have ever known in my life."
2. "A flute without holes is not a flute. A Donut without holes is a danish."
{I have more}

I am compiling a list of words or phrases I'd like not to see or hear any more.
Meme
Horrific
Epic Fail
Photobomb
Tope
Biebs
Got Questions? Visit us at ----------.com to "learn more" (aaaaaaaaargh)
But wait, I'm not done yet. Call within the next 10 minutes and I'll double the offer.
{I have more}

RIP Amparo Rivelles

For you fantasy players, check out the Arizona prospects camp. It gives you a snapshot of your ballclub's future; such that it may be.

As Willy Wonka said, *we* are the music makers. *We* are the dreamers of dreams.

Tell someone you love them. Dream big. Don't be a dick. Have a wonderful weekend. Don't over schedule yourself or your kids (you're welcome).

See you Monday.






Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Some thoughts for today

Today, I think, you don't piss your pants from anything funny I have to say. there are days like that.

RIP Charlie Trotter.
Charlie Trotter was a gastronome enfant terrible; a brilliant thinker and doer in the realm of food and wine. His Chicago restaurant was a Michelin 2 Star mainstay for many years and the world of eager "foodies", who loved the turn his art of cooking was taking and young chefs beat a path to his door. If you were a young cook and thought you were 'all that and a bag of chips', 'you went there and asked for a chance to work for him. He'd say "OK, but you work for free and when you're done, you'll have learned at my feet and you will go out and carry the torch of excellence to all foodies who appreciate my craft."

And many did. But working for him was trial by fire. I know because I know some who did. He was a 101% perfectionist,  rarely willing to bend his will to very many realities. For awhile, he simply didn't have to. That doesn't last of course. He closed his restaurant 2 years ago and many did not know why. Insiders and friends did, but until you read the obit, you don't know that he was getting sick and couldn't continue to execute in the manner he wanted. After he closed, his sphere of influence and all those trappings started to slowly recede. He felt as though he was no longer the center of attention and that is hard to take, when for years, one's every word has been pounced upon as if it was larger than life. But he had a vision and he extracted as much out that vision as he could.

He was often not such a nice fella, but he made a distinct impression on the world he worked in. It's somewhat fitting that today is a gray, chilly and damp Chicago day. He'll be missed. Today's HJ is James Taylor's Mean Old Man, a self deprecating almost elegy to what happens when you're just NOT anymore. In the song, however, the man meets a woman who rescues him from his self loathing and he along with his dog, is saved. Which leads me to the Emmylou Harris, Earl Thomas Conley duo, We Believe In Happy Endings. The tough days are when we get smacked in the face and realize that you can believe in happy endings but that doesn't always happen

We cannot save Richie Incognito or Aaron Hernandez, unfortunately. They have a talent but some terrible flaw in their personality did not let them succeed in their chosen field. This whole anonymous practice of standing on a soapbox with some fort of nom de guerre is a really slippery slope, so I will mention the names of these two and let your mind go where it will as to their troubles. But I'm not sad for them. It ain't pretty though in this new society where radical personalities' 10 lbs of shit doesn't quite fit into a 5 lb. bag. Today, a particular socio/political movement is realizing that they and the candidates they nominate to run for public service are also possibly out of touch with the lives and realities of many others. And I'm not sure I'm sad for them either

Imagine the reality of being William Shakespeare. For years, few had any interest in what he wrote. Today, he is required reading in many school curricula. So, poof-- down the wormhole and out the other side where as humans, the best we can do is to keep trying. Me too. I'll be more back to normal tomorrow.

Thank you for reading and listening.


Monday, November 4, 2013

Multiple HJ's

Here's thing about songs that enter your brain---

Who wants to have just one a day?
1. Theme From Route 66. The Route 66 Orchestra. This was an early TV sitcom starring Marty Milner about two guys just riffin' on Rt. 66 in the late 50's and the wacky things that happened to them. They wore tee shirts with smokes rolled in the short sleeve. I don't think they ever got laid- or made it to California the song has little bit of everything; including a tone of optimism. We all could use as much of that as possible.
2. I like that Girl. By the best bar band ever, NRBQ.
3. Look Who's lonely now. & Get it right the Next time.  Bill Labounty and Gerry Rafferty. Both are songs that play at the end of the possibly painful sitcom, Hello Ladies. No, definitely painful. Operative quote from another song that might thread through this show, "Lonely Man Cries for Love and has none." Moody Blues from Search of the lost Chord.

We all know somebody or lots of somebodies that can't afford to lose their SNAP benefits. I'm sorry, that ain't right.

Steeler fans are really sad these days.
RIP Sarah Burke
First BITCOIN ATM opens in Canada
Bravo Reto Berra. Yogi is proud of you. He just doesn't remember knowing you.
Twitter IPO warming up in the bullpen
I accidentally grabbed Chorizo instead of Andouille when I was making Shrimp Jambalaya over the weekend. I think I'll keep it that way. Chorizo gave it a sweet overtone. The bottle of Lusteau East India Sherry went very well with it, by the way.
Rob Ford? Meet Marion Barry. I think you both may have inhaled.

Speaking of Yogi, my favorite Berraism: "If People don't want to come out and watch baseball, nobody's gonna stop em'."

Two big elections tomorrow.

Put a song in your head and hum it. Tell somebody you love them. And take the Bears and the points. See you all tomorrow.