Monthly Archives: January 2016

Silent Sunday or: The Starman Flieth Home

31 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Music Review, Silent Sunday, Uncategorized

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Salutations™!!

You knew it was coming; this tribute to the “wake” of David Bowie from The Vagabond Saints Society. I had a great time and want to thank my fellow performers for allowing me to share the stage with them. First and foremost I want to thank Doug Davis, Jerry Chapman, Randall Johnson and Corky McClellan for being the core that holds us together. I also want to thank my close musical friends, Clay Howard, Patrick Ferguson, Neal Goode, Lee & Susan Terry, Nick, Chobey and Charlie from Gulley, Les Slate, Stephen Corbett, Jeffrey Dean Foster, Susan Snow, Drew Hofmann and Todd Verts for 2016-01-31 11.58.32always being fantastic pals to hang with and enjoy each others’ company and talents. Most of us are together for most of these VSS shows.

Thanks to Lauren Myers, Eddie Garcia and Michael Wilcox because you’re definitely (Vagabond Saints) Socialites, we just don’t see you as often as we should! Lee Wallace and Marty Rogers (I believe you’ve both done VSS shows before, I know Lee shared the stage with me for the XTC show at Cat’s Cradle), glad you’re here. To new recruits: Jonathan Dale Walker, Jim Wheeler, Andy Gerber, Whit Pitcher, Stephanie and Mike Princip, Todd’s Delta Monks, Dan Greene, Carl Haigler (how did I not know you sang?) and Jill “You’re an Awesome Ziggy” Martin-Byers, welcome to the fold. I’m glad to have either met you for the first time or see you again!

To Tucker Tharpe for being a gracious host and having an awesome club (and being the Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables), I thank you. Ian Butera, for never letting my cup (or water bottle) run dry and always making them delicious and just being the coolest cat in the room, I thank you. Brian Doub (for making us all sound amazing, especially under such difficult circumstances), I thank you. The entire staff of The Garage, whether there tonight or not, so much thanks to you.

To the people of the audience who came out to a) support local music, b) support The Garage and c) to pay respects and a fond farewell to David Bowie. I thank you. To Chad and Carissa of CCD, thank you for taking care of my girl. And speaking of which, to my #1 fan, my beautiful wife, The BCPF who was a trooper and a half. I very much thank you the most. You see, Dear Reader, she was up at 2am on Friday morning to go to work observing a delivery route for Krispy Kreme, with only about an hour’s nap, hung in all night long to support me, as she always does, spanning her waking moments almost an entire twenty-four hours. For this, and everything else she does and is, I love her with all my heart and there aren’t enough letters to make enough words the breadth and scope of that love. I’m a lucky fella.

Keep an eye out for the next VSS show, in March. It will be Radiohead featuring Mr. Patrick Ferguson doing the vocals for the entire OK Computer album. I’ll be doing a little ditty myself. And, with that, as Doug Davis’ parting words came upon the last notes of “Rock and Roll Suicide,” we all say: Goodnight, David.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Let the children lose it. Let the children use it. Let all the children boogie.” – “Starman” (Bowie)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week

30 Saturday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

a/perture cinema, the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), The Less Desirables Movie of the Week. It stars Megan Fox, Will Arnett and William Fitchner.

Per IMDb: “When a kingpin threatens New York City, a group of mutated turtle warriors must emerge from the shadows to protect their home.”

Ok, so let me say that there have been about 8 different versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles origin stories (that may or may not be an exaggeration). This is just the Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_film_July_2014_posterlatest. Each have their own merits but to me, the original movie in 1990 version as it was still in the height of the original series created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. This film actually gives a fairly faithful, canonical story about the turtles and Splinter’s origin as well as their connection to Shredder, albeit stylized for a more updated feel. Also, about each of the origin stories have different scenarios where Shredder is trying to rule the world.

Michael Bay produced this film so you can figure there’s actually a shload of CGI happening. In 1990, there were costumes that made the turtles look encumbered, although the actors within made it somewhat believable. The updated version has actors who can move more freely and allow the CGI to create a more fluid visual. I think it works. The voice actors, some of which are also the actors doing the motion capture work, are more free to move about in this film and the fluidity is remarkable. The special effects and CGI were handled by Disney’s (Lucasfilm’s) Industrial Light & Magic or ILM. So, the same outfit that brings you all the Star Wars Magic also brings it here.

I hate that there was no Casey Jones character in this one, although he will be in the sequel coming out later this year and I believe he will be played by television’s Arrow actor, Stephen Amell. Also, in that sequel the WWE Superstar, Sheamus (Stephen Ferrelly) will play Rocksteady. Megan Fox’s April O’Neal was a surprise to many of the “purists” out there and co-creater Laird though someone else would have been better but he wasn’t raising a stink about it. I thought she did an okay job but she’s no Judith Hoag (1990 version). William Fitchner’s character, Eric Sacks, was a great heel. Yes, Shredder (Tohoru Masamune) is the actual bad guy but he needs help in the civilian world and what better than a criminal businessman? Anything that Fitchner’s in, no matter how ‘good’ he seems he is always turns out to be the bad guy; he just has that look.

So, I’ve eluded the basic plot. It’s classic TMNT fare, really: Sacks and April’s father were lab partners who were working on a mutagen to cure disease and all the research was destroyed in a fire, that killed April’s dad. In reality, Sacks and Shredder along with his Foot Clan are trying to put a virus through the city and the Turtle’s blood is the key to the cure. So, why not unleash a virus on the city via a large radio tower in NYC then offer them the cure at a substantial price? Well, why not? That’s about the gist of the story.

Rotten Tomatoes rates it a a very lowly 21% Fresh with an Audience Score of only 52%. The critics offer up the following consensus: “Neither entertaining enough to recommend nor remarkably awful, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may bear the distinction of being the dullest movie ever made about talking bipedal reptiles.” Ouch. IMDb has it at 5.9 stars out of 10. It’s obvious that it didn’t get  a great critical response but it made some money. I think the only thing that really saved it for me was the history and knowing where the show came from and seeing where it has the capability to go. Also, I thought the personalities of the turtles were funny and pretty accurate. Tony Shahloub as Splinter? What’s not funny about that? Anywhat! I saw this on Amazon Prime because it wasn’t available on Netflix at the time. Again, really, it’s not at all a great film. It’s not even really a good film unless you’re a fan of the TMNT canon and in that case, this will at least be better than the parts II and III from the 90s (c’mon… Secret of the Ooze?). I’m rating it at 3 stars because I can’t go higher on this and I don’t have the heart to go under.

Have you seen it? What do you think? Let me know. Give me some recommendations for future reviews!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“COWABUNGA!” – Michelangelo

Soundtrack of a New Planet or: a Vagabond Bowie Union

29 Friday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

Well, it’s that time again. Time to invite you to the latest edition of the “Vagabond Saints Society Rocks Your Face Off Chronicles.” A refresher on the VSS real quick: a core band of musicians, consisting of Doug Davis, Jerry Chapman, Randall Johnson and Corky McClellan, decide on a “musical theme” (past shows have been a tribute to John Lennon on the 25th anniversary of his death, Tom Petty, two shows about R.E.M., KISS, Woodstock, Springsteen, XTC, Hall & Oates, even a collection of “Manc Sound” artists and many more) and invite, usually, a collection of local musicians to either play or sing with them in this theme. I have been a proud “card-carrying Vagabond Socialite” since around 2007-08 with the second of the R.E.M. shows and have become a regular having only ZiggyStardustmissed two shows in that time (Nick Cave and Emmylou Harris).

This latest show is really a bonus that just sort-of happened. VSS usually does three themes a year: one in spring, a summer mini-tour and a fall show. This one is a show honoring the musical genius of the very recently-lost David Bowie. We try not to use the work “tribute” because that gives the false-impression of us trying to mimic the artist(s) instead of what the truest sense of the word is: an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration. So, generally, there is a rule that says that no outside use of bands or instruments that aren’t part of the core band’s inclusion is allowed. But, for this show, that’s being waived and there will be several bands playing a one-off song (presumably) for the show, spanning Bowie’s entire, vast career. I know there are a couple of impromptu gatherings happening for that and some reunions of old bands that will do the same.

In addition to all of that, the core band will be doing his (in my opinion) magnum opus, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. That’s where I come in. I didn’t want to have to find people to play with and I didn’t feel comfortable enough to do an acoustic version of anything so I went with the comfortable surrounding of the core group and do a song that has meaning to me and The BCPF, “Starman.” I’ve known the song for a while because The BCPF put it on a mixtape for me when we weren’t even dating, yet. That being said, I’ve never really paid enough attention to know the workings of the song, so I’ve been cramming to learn the lyrics, including putting it on repeat and just doing the lyrics over and over again. So much so that my 13-year old made fun of me and asked if I was getting tired of it, yet, because he was (after two times through). It’s really a short-lyriced song, and they’re not the problem. The verbage is what gets me the most. I know what he’s saying, it’s how he says them that throws me. Danged Brit! I have them, though, I’m pretty sure. I had to skip on the one practice they had for the show because they did it on Wednesday which combined with the time frame was exactly the time that I record The Less Desirables. So, Doug is trusting me to get it right and he says he has faith in me. I’m glad he feels that way, even if it is extra pressure. But, yeah, I got this.

So, to the sales pitch. The show is being held at our “home” (and Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables), The Garage. The show will start at 9pm and go until we get it all in. Usually, there is a cover to get in, but for this show, it’s only a $1 donation to gain admission. That dollar goes to cancer research, which if you don’t know, is what took Bowie from this plane and into the Great Wherever. Surely, that’s worth it to come out. It will be crowded and it will sell out, so you’ll want to get there early. Come have a good time and listen to great music with talented folks.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Ziggy played guitar, Jamming good with Weird and Gilly and the Spiders from Mars. He played it left hand but made it too far; became the special man. Then we were Ziggy’s band.” – “Ziggy Stardust” (Bowie)

Crystal Clear or: Everything and All That

28 Thursday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

I want you to look closely at the picture included here. Tell me what you see. Or what you don’t see. Go ahead and look. I’ll wait.2016-01-28 11.03.45

Ok, well that’s done, I went back to Dr. Steve today and had him give my eyes yet another go. They looked good (without using that stupid $200/5mL bottle eyedrops) and he was able to do a fitting, get my stuff ordered, give me a script for new glasses, “everything and all that” (nod to my Sis).

As they had me reading the letters, with my glasses, with one eye covered, it was difficult to make out the letters past a spot; both eyes. Then Dr. Steve comes in, does his magic with the phoropter (did you know that’s what it’s called?) and BAM! there I was with the ability to see without squinting, blurriness and just awfulness. I got a new pair of contacts, ordered a year’s supply of them and then talked a lot of beer with him. We talked beer for, probably, about twenty minutes. Talked about him having one with Paul of The Beer Dads and me. Paul is also a patient of his.

Then I talked for about 25 minutes with Christy (Christi, Christie, Kristi, Kristie, Kristy, Qristi, etc.), the lovely lady that checks us out about music, and then with the awesome and spectacular Carol, who works in the Glasses Center for the practice, about podcasts, video work, and acting throughout the appointment. My appointment was about 20 minutes but i was there for an hour and a half. Dang! I run my mouth a lot.

So bottom line, my eyes weren’t damaged, just tired and uncooperative, two weeks ago. That’s great news, I thought I had messed them up. I’m lucky and need to get over my stubborn self. I will. The BCPF is already on the job in scheduling me taking them out and everything and all that. I can leave them in overnight, but I’m going to exercise an every other night policy; especially after I get the new glasses. I am. Really.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I see skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright blessed day and the dark sacred night and I think to myself, “what a wonderful world.” – “What a Wonderful World” (Thiele/Weiss)

Red Rocket Ale or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

27 Wednesday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Less Desirables Beer of the Week, Bear Republic Brewing‘s Red Rocket Ale. It is a “Strong American Red Ale.” And as we learned from last week, Bear Republic makes some danged fine beer.

Bear Republic says: “Red Rocket Ale is a bastardized Scottish style red ale that traces its origins to our homebrew roots. This full bodied and hoppy brew finishes on the palate 09c5a28c-0756-4afc-bc51-005c5c657e23with sweet, caramel malt flavors.” The carton states: “Red Rocket ale is a bastardized Scottish style red ale packed with distinctive flavors and an aggressive hop character rivaled by none.” I am a sucker for Scottish Ales and this being an American version, it fits me well. Dear Reader, if you’ll remember, I am a bit Scottish and, well, American. After all, I did get married in Scotland just a bit over a year back.

As I found out last week, even though I’m in a “hop-out” phase, I don’t mind the IPA aspect showing up in other brew styles, especially the way that Bear Republic does it. So, I look forward to this nugget of a brew. BearAdvocate BeerAdvocate scores this brew at 91 (Outstanding) with a Bros Score of 96 (World Class). Untappd has it at 3.58 caps out of 5. Both are awesome scores. Also, it’s 6.8% ABV (nice!).

Have you had this beer before? If so, how did you like it? If not, run down to City Beverage and grab your own sixer and then tune in to the show this week to see how Caitlin, Chobey Badgio, the band Drat the Luck and I felt about it. Let us know, too, if there’s a beer you’re aching for us to try.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This unfiltered, bottle-conditioned, amber colored ale, (sic) breaks all style molds.” – Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale carton

Simply Business or: The Latest Edition

26 Tuesday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

Since some question the use of “celebrity,” I offer you the latest “Notable Names” that have moved on to the Great Wherever in 2016 (since Jan 18):

Sheila Sim, Lady Attenborough, 93 (Actress)180px-Abe_Vigoda_1975
Lou Michaels, 80, American football player (Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts)
Lee Abramson, 45, American composer and musician
Derrick Todd Lee, 47, American convicted serial killer
Bill Johnson, 55, American alpine skier, Olympic champion (1984 games)
Archie Gouldie, 79, Canadian professional wrestler
Espectrito, 49, Mexican professional wrestler
Cadalack Ron, 34, American rapper
Clyde Mashore, 70, American baseball player
John Jay Hooker, 85, American politician
Jimmy Bain, 68, Scottish bassist (Rainbow, Dio)
Thornton Dial, 87, American artist
Monty Brinson, 58, American reality show “personality”
Black, 53, British singer-songwriter

And, the latest is really not a surprise since he had his own “death watch” website: Abe Vigoda Alive Dead. Actor Abe Vigoda moved on from here today. The site had to change his status today. I remember hearing about that site since the early 2000s after rumors of his death. Turns out he eluded that until today. So rest on, Phil Fish, Sal Tessio and Mr. Abe Vigoda.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel and may the passings slow…
Scorp out!

—
“I’ve always been content just to be working and making a modest living for my wife and child.” – Abe Vigoda

Chilled and Over It or: Unbound Again

25 Monday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

Wow. The world looks different after four days without moving from your driveway. I did The Less Desirables, solo, early on Wednesday evening and then came home. I parked Nigel and then didn’t move him until this morning. Though there was still ice and snow on the ground, and other than a few side roads, it wasn’t on the asphalt, too much. So, mostly, it was a good ride to my “office” today.

2016-01-25 17.59.44

My place, right now.

Come to think of it, I didn’t even step outside but once in that whole time. Friday morning, I took the trash out. The can is right off my side porch, which is covered and there was a bit of snow and crud coming down then. It certainly was cold. I can stand the cold pretty good. I’ve walked my dog barefoot in the snow before. I’ve used my hand to melt snow from my windshield. I’m the “hot water bottle” or “hand warmer” for my loved ones and friends. It was really cold out there on Friday.

It got up to around 42°F today (if you’re to believe Nigel’s temp gauge) and the stuff started melting. That just means that what melts will be ice again tonight and tomorrow. So, be careful if you’re out and about. I won’t have to worry about it until tomorrow evening. Hopefully, it goes away soon. I used to really like the cold weather, but as I’ve said (this weekend), it’s more a hindrance, now.  I am mobile, now, though. Not that I wasn’t then, but didn’t even care about moving.

Cabin fever never happened, I enjoyed my time with The BCPF. We just sat and watched television. Catching up on several episodes of Friends and the entire season of Master Chef: Canada, just to name a few. Then add the football games and that was a decent little jaunt in hermitage. I am glad to get out for a bit today. I like when The BCPF are together, though, whether “stuck” at home or out and about, no matter what we’re doing. I hope we’re not secluded much more this winter, but it’s okay if we are. We always have a good time.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?” – J. B. Priestly

Silent Sunday or: Sporting Predicament

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

One of my guilty pleasures has always been professional wrestling. It’s one of the few things that my thirteen year-old son still does with me. Tonight is the Royal Rumble, one of the “big four” of the WWE PPVs. The Big Four are traditionally big money events and one of the original four big-named events (the others are Summer Slam, Survivor Series and the daddy of them all, WrestleMania), by pro wrestling’s largest name. That PPV WUvaF2WKstarts at 8pm.

It’s also, by odd coincidence, NFL Championship Weekend. The AFC (Patriots/Broncos) game starts at 3:05p ET and the NFC game (Cardinals/Panthers)starts at 6:40p ET. The “odd coincidence” is that usually WWE schedules their PPVs when nothing of extreme importance is going on, like championship games, awards ceremonies, etc. So, this is a big one (PPV) and it’s some of the biggest NFL games (right behind the Super Bowl). But, Royal Rumble is always in January and the scheduling of every thing is lining up to be just plain, well… Odd. So, my dilemma is to figure what to do. The one that matters to me the most is the late game (I’m pulling for the Cardinals, by the way). I’m sure I’ll watch the game because I don’t pay for the PPV (it’s free with WWE Network) and I can start it at the beginning. I’m also pretty sure there will be no school tomorrow, so it’s okay if 3B stays up late. On that, we’ll see, but that’s what I am thinking.

Are you a football fan or a wrestling fan? If you’re both, what would you do? Just wondering…

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“My job is to protect the integrity of the NFL and to make sure the game is as safe as possible.” – Roger Goodell

Let’s Get Yours or: Stuck Inside and Talking Travel

23 Saturday Jan 2016

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Salutations™!!

I know there’s usually a Movie of the Week post on Saturdays but there wasn’t a Movie of the Week (which would have been brought to you by a/perture cinema, the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables), but I have something else to talk about. Here it is, your periodic reminder of something that I do the “other half” of my days. By other half I don’t mean half of the days of the week I do the podcast/media stuff and the other half I do this. I mean every day I do the podcast/media stuff and the this all through the day. Each is “half” of my day and that also includes evenings. I’ve talked a good bit about the media stuff so I’ll focus on the other in this post. So, I know I’ve talked about it before and Thursdays are supposed to be Travel Thursday but I’ve kind of gotten away from that. So let’s talk travel, shall we? First, I’m a travel professional, a travel agent, an itinerary advocate. I have my own agency, called Bee On Your Way Travel. It’s part of a larger national agency so I have access to a lot of travel products.BOYWT

Do you bypass a real person to go to an OTA (online travel agent) like Travelocity, Expedia or Priceline? I hope not but if you do, there are two ways I can look at this. First, why not use a real travel agent? Email them, call them, IM them, send them smoke signals. It doesn’t matter what you do, contact them. They (we) want that business. There are three excuses I get from people (including my very own family, which kills me), the most, as to why they don’t use me: 1) “I didn’t want to bother you,” 2) “I just wanted to look it up and it was there, so I bought it,” 3) “I didn’t know you did that!?”

Okay. Looking at #1, that’s offensive. I know you’re not necessarily telling the truth; albeit perhaps not on purpose. You don’t ever not contact me at 9:30pm for just chatting or wanting to talk about someone else or get me to do something for you. I think it’s really one of two things. It’s either that you don’t like the thought of your friends (or family) making money off of you or you think you’re going to save money by using one of those OTAs instead of me. Look, I get it, it’s money and it’s hard to come by and we want to save what we can. The fact of the matter is, in most cases, you’re not going to spend much (if any) more using me than an OTA. I have access to stuff that an OTA isn’t going to present you. I also offer you a human aspect that you certainly aren’t going to get from an OTA. And, you’re putting food on my family’s table. OTAs are putting money in the big-wig’s pockets and not individual families (beyond that). You want your friends to succeed, right? You don’t like seeing them down. This is my job. This is what I do. I need to feed my family. Help your friends when you can.

#2. You spend a lot of time and effort working to earn your money. You work 40+ hours a week. Why in the world would you go home and work 10+ more hours on your vacation? That seems counter-productive, doesn’t it? You have insurance agents to handle your insurance, you have finance agents to handle your investments. Why not let your travel agent manage your free time and leisure money? I get the need to research what you want, but even the online world is going to mislead you at times. What is TripAdvisor going to give you that a travel agent’s expertise won’t? Honesty. I’m a senior writer at TripAdvisor so I’m for it, but there some people that only want to find negative things to make them look like they know what they’re talking about. Or, they just want a check on their count so give 5s and it means nothing. Even if we’re not experienced in a certain spot, our vendors are. They succeed from you being happy so they’re not going to steer you wrong. We succeed from you being happy and we’re not going to steer you wrong. If you have questions, ask me. If I don’t have the answer, then I will find that answer. Our answers are for your benefit, not just for us to see our name on a website. Use us! And, chances are, if you find it, we can get it for you at a great price, don’t impulse buy travel products. It usually isn’t worth it in the long run.

#3. (facepalm) I know that I don’t update my Facebook “travel professional” page every week, but I have 2200+ friends on Facebook and I’m talking about travel all the time and I talk about it on here, as well. I know I have readers because you talk to me. What more can I do? I’m open to suggestions. I DO “TRAVEL!” See!? I shout it at the top of my textual lungs! Now, you know!

So I said earlier, Dear Reader, that there is two ways to look at this, right? Well the other way is that if you’re just in need to go to an OTA really quick and buy a flight and hotel for this weekend and it’s 2am (I’ll admit I won’t usually answer you at 2am), there’s still a way to do that and still support your buddy (that’s me). I have my very own website that is just as feasible, works the same way and is comparable in prices with any of the big OTAs. Hotels, flights, cruises, rental cars, packages, even insurance. They’re all available to you right there. The one difference, I’ll tell you up front, is that you have to register to get any pricings. There’s no commitment in doing so and it’s absolutely free. The idea is that I can offer you everything you need in travel at a competitive price that you don’t need to “shop;” you’ll find it here. To be clear, I’d much rather talk to you and work on things for you as I still can get access to things that even my website can’t. It’s more personalized service and, in most cases, I don’t require any deposit to work with you. Also, I only get paid after your trip is done. So, that’s never a concern. Travel, have fun. That’s what I care about. The website can be found here.

All that out of the way, let’s talk one more thing. The human vs. OTA aspect part deux. If you book with OTAs or http://www.IBuyCheapTravel.com (that’s made up, I think) or whatever, then you may get the bottom dollar cost on “budget” travel. That means you’re showing the places you’re going that you don’t care about their location, only what you can get from them cheap. Usually, that ends up being exactly what kind of vacation you get: cheap. Even when there are things and amenities included with these you’re getting as little as they can give up for that price. Plus, they see that you didn’t necessarily pick them for their product. Human interaction allows me to take in information, make suggestions and give advice so that we make sure we get the most bang for your buck. Never in anything else in life does it mean so much to say, “you get what you pay for!” than in travel. You pay for a Motel 6 (not that there’s anything wrong with that) then you are going to get a Motel 6. Perhaps not in the resort, etc., but in the overall experience. And if something goes wrong? Call an OTA and see what happens. Call me and I will work to get you satisfaction. I can’t promise magic but I will do what I can to make you as happy as possible. You can find ALL my contact info on the website.

I know Edinburgh, London, Bruges, Brussels and Costa Rica, to some extent because of my experience and traveling there. I really know Paris and Walt Disney World because I study them and have spent adequate time there. It’s more than where to stay. It’s how to get around, what to expect in the ambiance, the currency, the weather, everything. You read on TripAdvisor, “it was awful, it rained the whole time.” C’mon. They can do better than that. Let me get you the best info for your trip. Trust me with your trip. I have been doing a good amount of cruises as of late. It’s very popular as of late. Let’s get yours. All inclusive in Caribbean? Let’s get yours. Riverboat cruising through Germany? Let’s get yours. Let’s do this.

The bottom line here? I want to help you. I want to feed my family. I want you happy. I simply offer you better and more practical service than websites, other than my own; I still service those customers. My tagline has always been that I help turn your dreams into memories. Let’s make that happen. Come to me before you do an OTA. You won’t be sorry. Let’s get yours. I hope this sheds a little light on what I do and how I can help you. I could write another thousand words plus on this and I’m sure I will in the next bit, but at fifteen hundred words, this is probably too heavy, already. I’ll end it here, then.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“I look my best when I’m totally free, on holiday, walking on the beach.” – Rosamund Pike

(s)No(w) Way or: I Will Not Say It

22 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Rant

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Salutations™!!

I refuse to mention, at least by name, the event that is happening outside. People are posting pics of it, but I have a window, I can see it. I know that I have posted pics and vids of it in the past but I am over it already and it’s really the first of note, this year. I just don’t like not being able to readily go anywhere I may need or want to go. Places are closed. Roads aren’t necessarily treacherous but the people who don’t know how to traverse them are. People and their milk sandwiches; really.

However, there’s the other side who are complaining that school is let out with this or that this isn’t impressive, blah blah blah. Well, no matter what you think, this area isn’t used to it and it’s always better to err on the side of caution than it is to take that chance. Always. So please, shut up.

The only thing that is more polarizing than this white mess is politics and religion. Two things that I try my best to not discuss. I do sometimes get sucked in to it, but I try my

white

Do this or go away…

darnedest to stay away from it. There are those who want it to come and beg and even pray for it to come. I don’t get that at all. I guess when I was in school, it was one thing but in the real world of adults and those who own their businesses or are in charge of one know that we are in for a shut down because nothing can operate in this.

Up North it’s just another day and people go out and to work and life is normal just cold and wet. Down here it’s all shut down. Again, I get it but i don’t have to like it. And I don’t. Not at all. Or, if you’re going to come, bring a ton of it. Go big or go home, I say. So go away, you!

See!? I was able to go a whole blog post without mentioning snow. Oh… oops.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.” – Bill Watterson