Mullies and Gimmees

Today, I posted a title but didn't write anything that pertained to it. I'm old and us "olds" can walk from one room to another and completely forget why we're there. Maybe, not that bad.

Anyway a Mullie or a Mully is short for Mulligan. It's a golf metaphor, and it pertains to a do over or a second chance. I think of the scene in Goodfellas after Henry and Tommy have torched the joint because they've milked it for everything it had and now they had to burn it for the insurance money.
So the erstwhile Henry Hill is explaining why it probably wasn't such a good idea to have let "Paulie" in on the restaurant, because no matter what else happened, the boss got his "tribute". He had to get paid for anything the bar generated. You probably remember the scene.

So while the bar burns, Henry is explaining the reality---such as "Oh you had a Fire?? F**k you pay me!"
So I got to wondering in this joyous time of year whether a mulligan is a metaphor for being "born again."? We hear about redemption and second chances and I think of politicians whose names were found in the pages of a "madame's" clientele list. Or the guy who tweets his junk to strangers. Or the people who pass budget deals and leave out the welfare of very important people- real people. Will their time come when they ask for a mully? Don't they deserve it?

Oh, you hit a shitty drive and you want a mully, go ahead. It's OK.
Oh you have a 6 foot putt? You can have a Gimmee. Just remember I gave you one. I may need you to give me one someday.
Oh, you embezzled from the office petty cash, used the dough to buy crack and made a shambles of your life? Just ask God for forgiveness and you will become whole again. But go to rehab and write a book.

Do the families of the kids and teachers gunned down in Newtown get a mully? Or the families of all gunshot victims for that matter??

So the humstle that seems appropriate is John Wesley Work's and the Fisk Jubilee Singers  Wade in the Water. We all need to be forgiven for our actions-- by others but mostly, by ourselves. I just struggle with the whole thing from time to time. It's such a good time of the year. But it's also a time for contemplation and figuring out being kind and forgiving as well.

I usually post once a day, but whenever I know I got something either wrong or incomplete, I like to go back and finish if I can. OFYAH: Scorpio. It's in my nature

No writer will always write everything you like. You wouldn't want me to, would you? That'd be boring. I think of the question that was once asked of a person: Are you Ambivalent or Stupid? Answer: I don't know and I don't care. But I think we all do care.
 But I'm still not going to sit on Santa's lap. Uh unnnh.

"Mullies"

In your life, into how many public bathrooms have you left a deposit?**

Are dogs that can't stay off your bed **ck blockers?

Did the Cubs trade Starlin Castro yet?

It has been reported that the State  of Colorado has discovered almost "double" the amount of Endocrine Disrupting Checmicals (EDC's) at fracking sites. They just don't get it. In Pennsylvania, officials usually ignore these results and explain any potentially harmful site discovered chemicals are the result of "faulty testing."

A moment, please: Glands that secrete life sustaining fluids to the bloodstream that directly affect nearly every function of the human body. But as our good friend Frank Drebin said, " but that's not important right now.."

Why are we naming winter storms?

The Transparency Train: Darrell Issa, member of Congress from California's 49th district is conducting nationwide hearings, whereby he is humbly asking for anyone who wants to come in and report their experiences with the ACA. (I won't call it Obamacare). There's just one problem. In reviewing the transcripts of these "hearings" I do not see people giving testimony that they have signed up and are happy with the fact that they are covered for the first time in their lives. Uh Oh.!! The dog ate my homework- when he wasn't on the bed being a **ck blocker."

Speaking of the Affordable Care Act, a sizable amount of legislators from a certain political party have launched a nationwide campaign to remind folks that after their party wins a majority in the Senate in the 2014 midterm elections, it is full speed ahead for defunding and repeal of the ACA.

In other ACA news, former Pennsylvania Senator, Rick Santorum said this: " If we have a system where the government is going to be the principle provider of healthcare for the country then we're done. Because then you're dependent on the government for your life and your health.

A moment please: Where does it state in this law that the government accrues any financial benefit from this law's implementation? Doesn't the law provide that the potential beneficiaries are the private healthcare providers? Is the Government collecting the premiums for whomever signs up?
Just saying.

Please call me when Dez Bryant stops crying. 'Mamas, don't let your Cowboys grow up to be babies.'

Today's humstle:
Nick Lowe- I knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll.

Still knocked out remembering John Scofield's Uber Jam this past weekend. I used to listen to him in the 80's and 90's. It's great when music slaps you in the head and says, "How about that??"

Until tomorrow, do me two favors, don't name any winter storms and call me if the Cubs trade Starlin Castro. You can reverse the charges.

** possibly tens of thousands. Kid you not.

Well, well , well

Remind me the next time I go on vacation, not to eat the Pizza they bring into the VIP lounge at 3:15 AM. Or was it hot dog that preceded it?

We return home from Warren Haynes' 25th annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, NC. We visited our farm, saw our grandbaby (cute as hell!). Some of us took a ride on a John Deere B-350 dozer backwards across our creek ( no bridge yet) (boots too short for a splash). Driving from Chicago to Asheville and back is a wonderfully cathartic experience. I love my adopted home town and the music was just amazing. I am going to list all the people I can remember and thank them for giving up their time to play for a charitable event that benefits the Western Carolina Habitat for Humanity. Those three words are really telling. Habitat for Humanity have built 23 homes for people over the years- people who really had nothing and now they walk through a door and into a Habitat- a home. Money goes for assistance and food drives and clothing for those who are less fortunate than many others. Warren Haynes is a wonderful man. God bless the whole damn event and the people who give to help others. And they don't vote to cut off Food Stamps or Unemployment benefits. They play good music and inspire everybody to be be better people. That is a gift that money cannot buy. So--
 I give thanks!!
And sincere apologies to anyone I missed. I will mention in future posts if I did.

WARREN HAYNES AND GOVT. MULE   Warren, and Steph, don't know what to say but thanks. I'm not alone.
KEB MO
GREG ALLMAN*
PHIL LESH* QUINTET
JOHN SCOFIELD UBER JAM
AQUARIUM RESCUE UNIT
WIDESPREAD PANIC
GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS
MICHAEL FRANTI
O.A.R. 
JIMMY HERRING
AUDLEY FREED
JEFF SIPE
COUNT M'BUTU
CRAIG SORRELLS
BILL EVANS
RON HOLLOWAY
DR. DAN MATRAZZO
IKE STUBBLEFIELD
JAY BOWMAN
KEVIN KINNEY
RON JOHNSON
OTEIL BURBRIDGE
RANDALL BRAMBLETT
MARC QUINONES
MIKE BARNES
ROOSEVELT COLLIER
DOORS
EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS
THE BROADCAST
TROUBLE
The volunteers and CID Entertainment.

*Two organ transplant guys, still bringing the happy to many people. They were down and out but they got the gift of life. Please consider signing up. You'll smile down from heaven.

This post is about the music of the weekend in North Carolina. On the same night 400 miles away, in Pittsburgh, my dear friends, THE CAUSE were playing a second night of commemoration of the the Grateful Dead's 1980 acoustic/electric sets they recorded at NYC's Radio City Music Hall and San Francisco's Warfield Theatre. The Cause is a hard working band and my dear friends and so while music is the message they deserve a special mention too.
ERIC "PAPPY" WEINGRAD
DAVID " PROFESSOR" TAUBERG
MIKE SOUTH
MIKE "TOUR PRO" TONY 

Lots of other stuff going on and it will get mentioned. But a fond farewell to Peter O'Toole, Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin and Joan Fontaine.

See you tomorrow. 

12-12-13

Ah, North Carolina. I am walking on our property of 27 acres in McDowell County. We're here to attend Warren Haynes' yearly event, Christmas Jam. Warren is the founder of many bands, not the least of which is Government Mule. He's been the driving force behind this event and this is the 25th anniversary  He knows some musicians who come and play for the good that this event does; all the proceeds go to the Western Carolina Habitat For Humanity. The vibe and all that goes with it is amazing and it's among many reasons that I love this diverse state and hope to live down here permanently some day. That day is still a ways off but if you don't make a plan, the dream has no chance of coming true. The shows are in Asheville, which is sometimes affectionately called the Paris Of The South. It's one of my favorite places- funky, freaky and wonderful. North Carolina has been undergoing a little political upheaval since 2010. We bought the property about then but had no idea what might transpire politically. It matters but at the same time it is tempered by my love of this area. 

You might notice I have opinions in my posts. Why would you bother to follow my blogs if I didn't? I've been coming to NC for nearly 40 years and always knew, somehow I might end up here. So even though local people have taken the state in a very different socio-political direction, I am a visitor here and I may comment from time to time on what I think about that. Many aspects that upset people are that folks they consider outsiders come in and try to make policy. I will be civil, but I too will live here some day, pay taxes here and will care about what goes on here. There is a reasonable way to do that. I will figure out a way to do so in a positive manner. 

For now I am still a tourist guide, extolling the many virtues of this state. I am happy to be here this weekend to participate in a charitable event that does much good for the less fortunate. I'll be writing about the lineup of players next week. Last night was pre-jam event at a local club and if that was any indication of what's to come, I'll hope to have great stories to tell.

For now, I will take leave because I'm on a little vacation but the writing goes on. Again , I thank you for looking in on this thing and if you like what you read, tell your friends. I hope to have many followers. 

Peace and have a happy, safe weekend. 

Snatch defeat from the Jaws of VIctory

River Rescue, Part 1. I watched Paul Ryan and Patty Murray standing up  and announcing compromise yesterday. He's 6' 1", so that makes Senator Murray 3' 9"*. Poor Paul Ryan! He may be headed for another embarrassment most of the damage inflicted by his own party. The budget deal still tilts away from added revenues which may be crucial to a sustained recovery. On the other side, entitlements were left alone so until this deal is read and disseminated, it's hard to see who compromised on what. Both principles represent the well thought of legislative branch of government. You know the one I mean; the one with the approval rating between 9 and 13%. The only clear things to come out of this is to avoid another government shutdown. This is being touted by the punditocracy as being accomplished. So amidst all this happiness and relief, there will come a vote before Congress adjourns for the year. Stay tuned. A successful thumbs up on the deal is currently in doubt, with Presidential hopefuls basically against it. But they voiced their disapproval early in the week and by the time everyone is enjoying holidays, people will have forgotten what it is they said. One of the things that was left out of the bill was an extension of unemployment. It is said that 1.3 million people will be adversely affected by this omission and those who are responsible for that don't want you to remember that either. No immigration reform, no farm bill, little retirement of the effects of the sequester. But we have started to see the dark money warriors beginning another round of "defund and repeal Obamacare ads. Just remember- there's always room for Jell-O.

So as a salute to the people who really run this country, today's humstles are:
Pete Seeger- Little Boxes
Creedence Clearwater Revival- Fortunate One.
Long John Baldry- Everything Stops For Tea.

*Patty, I know you're not 3' 9".

Steve Stockman, R- Texas wants to ask you a question at this festivus time of the year: 'Who, in your foxhole, is bayoneting you in the back?' Did you ever notice that people who blithely use military type terms, have never served? Have you also noticed that Stockman's hero, whom he called a true patriot never served either. You know who I mean- the bowhunting, guitar playing guy who was jailed and executed by his communist government after Barack Obama's re-election? I forget his name, "so I got that going for me. And that's a good thing"

Today is the second day of my "Trade Starlin Castro to any team that needs a shortstop" campaign. It is easy to maintain composure and actually learn to enjoy baseball purgatory, when your team hasn't won a World Series in 105 years. I just don't think I care any more. Especially when my favorite team is owned by Joe Ricketts. Dooooooonnnnnnnn't get me started!!!!

Major props to Warren Haynes, whose annual Christmas Jam is happening this weekend in Asheville, N.C. All performers play pro bono and ALL proceeds go to the Western Carolina Habitat For Humanity. That is one of the greatest works of faith, hope and charity there is; one whose aims were forever advanced by the "worst President in the history of the U.S." Attribution is difficult here because so many have said it in so many different ugly ways. Just a hint: It's a little wild animal with a 3 lettered name.

I no longer flip the bird to people. I have managed a takeoff on Rocky IV, where he can't see and tells Duke Evers and Paulie that he sees 3 Dragos out there. So Pauly says "hit the one in the middle"And Duke, says "yeah, hit the one in the middle. So if someone is giving you a hard time, hold up your ring, bird and index finger and tell whoever's bugging you to.... well, you know. Happy Wednesday. Be well and thanks for readin

Out of my cave

What a couple of days. I have reconnected with people I've had no contact with for nearly 50 years. I had resisted social media for a long time and my recent involvement doing this and sorta getting social with old and new friends has been really great.

So today's humstles are:
Cat Stevens- Wild World and Paul Simon's Myth of Fingerprints

I still love this new forum for writing, and connecting.  Real life has also tapped on the window and said, "hey remember me?" So, maybe some posts will be shorter but I hope to clear those things and stretch things out again soon.

Baseball's winter meetings have begun- a rite of winter to remind me that my Cubs still suck. But for a week I can play pretend General Manager and make lots of trades. Of course, that's like whistling in the wilderness because like the tree in the forest, if I make noise, nobody's going to hear me. And to paraphrase Yogi, 'if people don't want to listen to me, well, nobody's going to stop them.'

There is a major musical event coming up and I will try to report about it in real time or after it's over.

Paul Ryan and Patty Murray are close to a budget deal- or so the story goes. Who's going to **ck this one up? 4 more days of the unremarkable 113th Congress. Do NOT get me started. But we're all grateful for Rand Paul going to Detroit and telling them what to do to bring about the 3rd great renaissance for the motor city after it emerges from bankruptcy. Special interest have such a death grip on elected officials, that gridlock is really not much of a mystery. More about that in the next few days as we give some sort of requiem for a body that accomplished so little. Let's hope they understand that cutting people's unemployment is not something voters will forget.

RIP JIM HALL. There is news of his passing this day and I want to pay tribute to a great guitarist. He played with many and really made a mark on me. So many people still alive and kicking with their music at advanced ages. Always sad when one of them leaves the scene.

I know most everybody is getting ready for serious holidaying, so I'll keep this short. There aren't enough hours in the day to do all that we think we can accomplish.

Thanks for visiting. As ever, I am most appreciative.

Off campus post

Well, it's time to see if I can do this remotely. I like just sitting at my desk and posting. But I travel at times and since this is getting to be a 6 or 7 day thing there will be times I need to get out of my zone to write. 

So, here is a remote post. Testing!