Friday, March 27, 2009

RIP: VIRGIN MEGASTORE

So it's been announced that the remaining V.M.s in the U.S. will be closing by May 31, including the one close to me in Downtown Disney shopping area. Bummer, as they were the last large music store that carried beyond the 'popular' music. Good place for Hawkwind and others of that ilk. But, alas, no more. Hopefully, they'll have a good closing sale and I'll be able to pick up some last gems before they go.
Never to old to rock and roll...but will rock and roll never die...?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

WADDY WACHTEL

The famous unknown guitar player, you may recognize him, but you may not know who he is. Besides being a session musician, he also plays guitar for many vocal acts that don't have permanent bands. The reason I bring this up is last night watching a recent clip from a Stevie Nicks 'Soundstage' show, and of course there was Waddy playing guitar for Stevie. Well, back 25 or so years ago, there was a Stevie Nicks concert broadcast on HBO. And the guitar player was Waddy Wachtel back then.
And the funny thing is, he really doesn't look any different - glasses and long wavy hair. Is he a Waddy-clone, kept on ice until needed? Is he a Waddy-robot? Or does he have a 'Dorian Gray'-style picture somewhere in a vault that ages while he stays eternally youthful?

30 years from now will my grandson Ryley be watching a Stevie Nicks tribute band...with the guitar player Waddy Wachtel? (Waddy's Stevie Nicks Show, perhaps?)

If I'm still here, I'll let you know...alright, see ya in 30 years then...

Friday, March 20, 2009

THE HOURGLASS OF PROCRASTINATION

When the system's running slow, this is what happens...

Thursday, March 19, 2009

MEMORY

"I can't think of what I've forgotten, because I've forgotten it."

Randy Newman in Rolling Stone Magazine

(Yeah, isn't that the truth; at least I think it is, but I may have forgotten...)

MOVIE QUOTE

From Night Of the Dead (2006):

Anais: "You're insane!"

Dr Schreklich: "Yes, but who gives a shit?"

DIVAS

"If you call yourself a diva, you're not a diva...you're a cunt."

Sarah Silverman on "Politically Incorrect"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

THE THEORY OF INTELLIGENCE

'Well you see, Norm, it's like this . . . A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.'

Words to live by, you betcha!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

RUTABAGAS

Hadn't had them in about 40 years, but saw them on the buffet table at Fred's Market (good,down-home cooking - no shit). So I had to try them, and found that they're quite as tasty as when my Mom used to make them.
Of course, they look better prepared like this, and taste reminiscent of carrots. My opinion, mash them up with potatoes, then they're great!



Monday, March 09, 2009

35 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS

Well, as close as one gets anyway. Of course marriage has it's ups and downs, but we've done quite well, Phyl And I, especially considering that people never thought we'd make it. We knew better, but the proposal on our second date may have thrown people for a loop. Ah well, but here we are 36 years later, slightly more decrepit; but we still manage to have fun. And while our love may not be as intense as it once was, I believe it's probably stronger.
 So happy anniversary to us, and maybe we can squeeze in another 35 years...

Friday, March 06, 2009

JUMPER...THE BOOK (AND THE MOVIE)

By Steven Gould: I believe this is the first novel published by this author(whoever he may be). the original edition was published in 1992. Republished now that's it's become "a major motion picture" it would be interesting to see what a re-written version(post 9-11) would turn out. Anyway, an interesting story of a teenager who discovers his power of teleportation(thanks to his abusive father), but only to places he's been or can visualize in detail. While the story itself(terrorists,government agents,etc)is nothing new, the psychological and especially the personal interactions are something more than you might normally expect from this sort of novel (marketed as a 'movie tie-in' right on the spine of the book).
So, all in all, a good fast read, with some food for thought - what would YOU do given the choices David has to make? Personally, I would have gone for the bank also...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And now for something completely different...and that would be the movie. Actually read this book quite a while ago, and in the interim had a chance to watch the movie. Probably a mistake, it usually is when I read a book & watch a movie. And when I say completely different, I mean pretty much different. Other than the name of the movie, the name of the main character, and the power to jump, there's not a lot in common betwen the book & the movie.(And of course, the movie comes off the worse.) I'm not going to give away the 'plot', but I will say one of the disappointing bits was the movie had more than one jumper, which was part of what made the book work well; being the only person with an ability like teleportation is a lot different than being one of a few or many.

So if you haven't read the book or seen the movie, do one or the other - not both. And I would recomment the book over the movie.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

BEER NUMBER 632

And a perfect name for it, since it's a barleywine style with 11% alcohol!! Coming as the 3rd beer of the night, it ended up the last beer of the night.
So I found this place in Brandon, FL - Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza - Home of 110 beers...yes that's 110 beers, about 30 on draught, which is where I found this delectable beer. And you get to sign up for the " World Beer Tour" with your name on the plaque when you drink all 110 of them. Funny thing is though, I've probably had close to 75 of their beers previous to finding the place, now I'll have to drink them just to get my name on the plaque!

Hey, it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it...

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

VASE OR FACE?

I'll tell you, this cartoon series 'Dinette Set' is way too funny!!! And you really have to pay attention to the backgrounds, t-shirts, etc. to make it even funnier. Check it out, the link is embedded in today's blog title.
Heathcliff says check it out!!

Monday, March 02, 2009

DOUBLE VISION

Oh, wait, not the album below, but the reason I've been fairly absent recently...
Actually Phyllis has had double vision more like the picture below...

So for the last 2 weeks we've been going back and forth to Tampa to see the eye specialist for her eye operations, which basically consisted of surgically lifting her lower eyelids to cover her tear ducts. Which operation has a really long and meaningless name (at least to us laymen). But hopefully once the shiners go away Phyl's vision will go back to normal.
But now that's all taken care of (except the beating to death of the wallet) I should be able to get back to my semi-regular irregularity...
(...sounds like a bowel problem doesn't it??)