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Useless Things Need Love Too

Useless Things Need Love Too

Monthly Archives: July 2017

The Proposal or: Magical Moments

31 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Honeymoon, Life as We Know It, Travel

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Engagement, Life, Love, The BCPF, Walt Disney World

Salutations™!!

Yeah, I tell this almost every year and yeah, it gets mushy and yeah, probably to you, Dear Reader, it gets old. The truth is, however, I never tire of telling it and if you don’t like my mushy stuff, this would be a good time to check out. If you don’t mind or are reading it for the first time, then read on! A bit of warning, though, it will be long.

The BCPF and I got up on July 31, 2011, and were driven to Charlotte to get on a plane. It was our first plane trip together and it was the first time that we were going to go to my favorite destination in the world, Walt Disney World. It was to be the first time that I had been there in six years and we were going to celebrate the fact that I, after many years since my last collegiate foray, had finished my degree. My gift to myself was this trip and I was taking my best girl with me.

Whilst I know it is a fashion faux-pas, when I travel to WDW, I wear a fanny pack. I like having my stuff with me and I don’t want it falling out while I’m being jostled about on rides. This day was a bit different, though. Yes, I had the fanny pack but it was the contents of the pack that was different. I put it on the x-ray belt and hoped that the scanning officer didn’t alert anyone to the pack’s contents. It passed inspection, we moved on, got on the plane, and headed to the “most Magical place on earth.”

We got on the shuttle and were whisked away to Wilderness Lodge, our “home away from home.” After getting in the room, the first thing I like to do when I get to WDW is to go to Magic Kingdom and have lunch in the form of a hot dog at Casey’s Corner on Main Street USA. Being as Wilderness Lodge is on Bay Lake, the same body of water that surrounds Magic Kingdom, we took a boat over and made it through security with no alerts to my fanny pack’s contents. We had to wait as it was before 11 am and Casey’s Corner wasn’t yet open. We had our dog and conversed about the Ibis that populate the courtyard.

We then moved to Swiss Family Robinson’s Treehouse and had no wait. We walked through that with no resistance, no people rushing or pushing past us. We moved on the Jungle Cruise and unless you’re the first person, first thing in the morning, there’s no way to miss a crowded line here. But, it was minimal. We got on the ride and were given prime seats (toward the front of the boat in the middle so you see everything with little craning of the neck). I held her hand and we enjoyed the boat ride through Asia and Africa and under Switzer Falls (named after someone named “Falls”). From there it was Pirates of the Carribean. The line was minimal and we were seated at the front of the boat. 216852_10150326463895490_8196672_n

One thing to note is that it was July 31 and we were in Central Florida. But, it was only in the mid-80s. Not too hot at all, which was surprising, but definitely welcome. We walked our way around to Haunted Mansion and had virtually no line. Since The BCPF and I are history folks, we had to do the Hall of Presidents, especially since we’re both fans of Obama and his presentation had just been added to the script. All of this, you have to realize, was seventh heaven to me. I was getting to be a tour guide of the place I love with the woman I love.

It’s a rite of passage for anyone going to Magic Kingdom, or WDW at all, to have to ride It’s a Small World. Yes, that song is annoying as all get out, but you have to ride it. Again, short line (which never happens) and we were put in the front row. By this time it was almost 3 pm and it was time to make our move to Epcot, as we had rezzies for dinner at Tutto Italia Ristorante at 5:40 pm and sometimes that trip can be time-consuming. But, getting to the Monorail was no problem, getting on the Monorail was no problem and the trip to Epcot was easy-peasy-George-and-Weezy!

We wandered through the gates and since The BCPF had no bag, no purse, no anything, I sent her through the “No Bags” line as I got my fanny pack checked (plus I didn’t need her to know its contents and didn’t want to take a chance). The first ride you encounter from the Monorail is Spaceship Earth. No wait and no halting in the middle of the ride, which anyone who’s ridden that ride can attest, that is rare. We moved on to the World Showcase since that’s where the Italy Pavilion is and you choose the left path or right path. Italy is in the left middle but certainly in the middle so we took the left path. That brought us to Mexico Pavilion first and we rode the boat ride, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros and were given the front row of the ride, with no other riders on the boat with us.

Next was Norway and the Maelstrom boat ride (RIP, it’s now Frozen Ever After – BOO!!!!!!!) and yes, minimal line and, again, front row. Next, China and their Circle-Vision 360 film, Reflections of China. That took a little bit of time and it was about 5:15 pm. I knew we had no time to do anything else, so we decided we’d be early for our rezzie. We traveled two countries in about five minutes (we were booking it) and got to the restaurant to find that our reservation was 5:25, not 5:40. We were five whole minutes early, whew! The meal was pretty good. We finished and it was about 6:30.

What I’ve failed to mention up to this point is that my entire adult life I’ve gone to WDW and have seen people on boats on the World Showcase Lagoon watching Illuminations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show. Again, this was my celebratory trip and I wanted to do that, so I booked it. But, that happens at 8 pm each night. We had time to kill and I wanted to see “O Canada!” a Circle-Vision 360 film that had recently been upgraded and since it was one of my favorite attractions, I had to see how it had changed. It was good and I was pleased. We had timed it right and had no wait to get in, other than hearing the spiel from the cast member that should be heard. After the film and some wandering about, we went to the Yacht Club, just outside of Epcot to get on our boat!

We get there and the boat house is closed!! What the heck!? It was 7:45 and it was closed. I had many plans that needed to happen and this is not what I needed to happen. The BCPF tried to calm me down. “We can do it another day,” she said. No. No, we couldn’t. There was a number to call for questions and literally as I was about to hit send on my cell, a door pops open from the back of the Yacht Club and (yes this could be in my mind and not what really happened) a line of five boat captains came marching out in single file, each pulling a rolling cooler and singing or chanting something Disney-like. It was surreal.

A fellow that looked and sounded a lot like Uncle Fester from Addams Family came over to us and the other groups that had gathered for their own boat rides and asked: “who’s from North Carolina?” I raised my hand and acknowledged it was us. He introduced himself as “Captain Ron” which I thought was funny. We were having to watch the weather as a storm was rolling around the area. We couldn’t take the boat ride if the storm came through. Luckily, it didn’t and we could get on the boats.

Cap’n Ron drove the boat around Crescent Lake telling us its history and the history of the resorts around it, and then the theme parks that are located on its shores. He paused in a few spots to let us “take it in,” although I knew what he was doing. We worked our way back to the Yacht Club, Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn area and moved our way through the channel into the World Showcase Lagoon. Checking with Control Central we were able to move farther into the lagoon to view the awesome fireworks display.

I sat on the pontoon boat’s seat normally and The BCPF leaned in on me, her feet up in the seat. The fireworks started. I sneakily took the item I’d been hiding from my fanny pack and adjusted it to prepare for the coup de grace that was about to happen. The BCPF said she’d like to sit on the opposite bench. Okay. I had to maneuver the item for her to not see it. After about 2 minutes, Cap’n Ron said that we’d see better from the side we started from. Okay. Maneuver number two. We assumed the positions again. The BCPF leaned back and said, “you know, today has been perfect.” I nodded with a “yep.”

And it had been perfect. A nearly flawless flight. A quick and easy shuttle ride followed by a quick and easy check-in at the resort. The boat ride to Magic Kingdom. The hot dog lunch with the Ibis. The short lines. Every ride with the option gave us front row. The dinner. This boat ride and the fireworks to end all fireworks. As the glittery display came to an end and the announcements started, I said, “you know, today has been perfect. There’s only one thing I can think of that would make it more perfect.” I rose took the item in my hand, dropped to one knee, and exposed the contents of the item I had been hiding for nine months. I asked her, “Will you marry me?” She stared at me blankly and asked, “yeah? Are you serious?”

2011-08-01_22-42-30_75I looked down at the box and the faintly sparkling stones sitting within it and said, “I got a ring…?” She finally said, “yes!” Whew, I thought I was going to fall over. I thought I had all this figured out. I thought there was no way she’d say no. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. She said yes. Yes. YES! Cap’n Ron announced what had happened. We were

Cap’n Ron announced what had happened. We had been tethered to four other boats in the lagoon and the one right next to us was full of seven women and they wanted to know what she said. I stood and at the top of my lungs yelled, “SHE SAID YES!!!!” People were looking over the rails of that same bridge where I had stood several times and watched the people in these boats observe the fireworks. We were congratulated a lot. We were taken back to Hollywood Studios because it was easier to get to the buses to get back to our resort. Along the way, I told her the few people that actually knew this was coming and the people who didn’t. Some really surprised her. She didn’t get to see the ring, which she calls her “precious” in a very un-Gollem-like voice, until we got on the bus.

Once back at the resort we went to the mercantile to grab some beverages and asked about something to commemorate the engagement. We got badges and wore them around the park the entire week we were there. People congratulated us constantly and cast members of WDW would yell congrats to us from across the promenade if that’s where they saw the badge. I don’t think we paid for any desserts during that week (we realized we needed to keep those badges on the entire time). It was the perfect trip.

It was the perfect trip. The entire week, with the exception of one day, the weather was near perfect. We had fun. We ate well. We loved each other and we loved, and still love, our time together, no matter where we are. We have many anniversaries that we celebrate, which is probably overkilling it, but we’re disgustingly cute and don’t care to show it. This, to me, is the second most important after the wedding anniversary.

To The BCPF, Stephanie, I still love you as I did that day, but the magnitude has grown infinitely exponentially. I fall in love more and more every day. Good. Bad. Indifferent. We always have each other and have a love that I defy anyone else to match. This is our fairy tale and I am not ashamed, afraid, or reluctant to scream it from the mountain tops, roof tops and this danged blog. Happy sixth engagement anniversary my baby. I love you.

Sorry, Dear Reader for the 2200+ word explosion. I did warn you.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Yes!” – The BCPF

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/29/17

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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Tags

Bob Dylan, Built to Spill, Discogs, Donovan, Dusty Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, George Winston, John Lennon, The Beatles, The Doors, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I had a shorter haul this week but it had some great stuff in it. Underdog Records was accommodating as usual in our “habit.” Thanks to Jonathan for having a fantastic store. Here’s the haul:R-1864031-1270451320.jpeg

  • Dusty Springfield – Dusty In Memphis (part of the “Summer of Love” reissues from Rhino Records to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the actual “summer of love,” and it sounds fantastic on 180g vinyl, new)
  • Built To Spill – Ancient Melodies Of The Future (clearance, invoked the “The Less Desirables/Underdog Records special,” new)
  • Donovan – Wear Your Love Like Heaven (VG++ mono copy)
  • Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited (VG++ reissue from the 70s)
  • The Doors – Waiting For The Sun (VG+ in “unipack” cover)
  • George Winston – December (reissue)
  • George Winston – Autumn
  • John Lennon / Yoko Ono* – Heart Play: Unfinished Dialogue 
  • John Lennon – Mind Games
  • The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour (180g reissue, NM- copy)
  • Fleetwood Mac – Mystery To Me (penultimate album before Bob Welch’s departure and before Buckingham/Nicks joined)
  • Fleetwood Mac – Tusk (2xLP album)
  • Frank Sinatra – The Voice: The Columbia Years 1943-1952 (6xLP box set, although the case has a drill hole (promo/remaindered/discounted/returned/etc) the records are virtually unplayed NM)
  • Various – The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto (one of my favorite finds, when it was reviewed by me on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time (read my review here), I was confused, didn’t understand why this was relevant or important enough to be on the list. Eugene set me straight and explained that it was basically the origins of Graceland from Paul Simon and even other albums in my life, so I took a whole new liking to it and it was available at Underdog, I snatched it up right quick, fast and in a hurry)

So, even though the haul was lighter, the enjoyment has been fantastic! Go grab some vinyl from Underdog Records, or a turntable – he has a good bit of affordable ones, along with speakers, receivers and other accessories – and archive your collection with Discogs and share your collection with me. My username is tldtim.

Until tomorrow, happy listening…
Scorp out!

—
“You say yes, I say no. You say stop and I say go go go, oh no. You say goodbye and I say hello. Hello hello. I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello. Hello hello. I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello.” – “Hello Goodbye” (Lennon/McCartney)

I Saw a Light or: Bridge of Sighs (Eugeology Entry 29)

29 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Eugene B Sims, Eugeology, James Dewar, Jon Lowder, Matthew Fisher, Pink Floyd, Procol Harem, Reg Isidore, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Less Desirables

Salutations™!!

So, it’s Saturday and you’re probably expecting a movie review, right? Psych! Or is it Syke!? I don’t know, I’ve never had to spell my 80s cliche before… Anywhat! Since we didn’t review a film for this past week’s The Less Desirables, I’m going to catch up with the Eugeology list. The last entry was okay, not my favorite but I didn’t hate it. Eugene will catch up soon, I think and Jon, again, has assured me he’s not tapped out. Let’s do this one:

Trower_Bridge_of_Sighs

©Chrysalis/Capitol

 

#29 – Bridge of Sighs by Robin Trower.

My first take was oh jeez, blues crap! but it turned out that it wasn’t all that bad. I mean, there’s definitely some blues stuff happening but isn’t most rock and roll? There are times where it’s a bit much on the album. For the most part, I’m cool with it. It’s not a bunch of Stevie Ray Vaughn ugliness and that’s a plus. And no, Eugene, that’s not an invitation to “convert” me to SRV.

I love the use of spatial effects (that’s spatial, not special) like in the title track. I listened to this album via headphones because I was at home and Alexa couldn’t find it. So, I Napstered it. The point of that is that I can hear the depth changes in the “room” as the guitar parts are being played. The panning is pretty cool, too. So, if you listen to this album, allow yourself the luxury of headphones at least once. The wind effect was a nice touch, too. The unintelligible conversation as the song closes out is also a clever addition. I never understand what they’re saying but it adds to the mystery. It reminds me of Pink Floyd on the Dark Side of the Moon album.  I also like how the wind carries (and wisps away) on the following track, “In This Place.”

I really can’t say enough about the ambiance of the entire album. Matthew Fisher, the producer, took very good care of Mr. Trower on this album. All the instruments are prevalent and have great timbre and tone. Fisher was the organist for Procol Harem (“A Whiter Shade of Pale”), which Trower was a part of prior to his solo efforts.

Bassist and vocalist James Dewar, who hasn’t the greatest of all voices, does have at least one thing in his favor when it comes to his vocals, emotion. You can almost feel what he’s singing. But, I have heard this voice before and I can’t figure out where. I’ve checked out his history and nothing that he’s sung on before was something that I recognized (it was mostly Trower stuff).

Trower’s guitar prowess is pretty darned good. Yes, he’s a bit overly-bluesy at times, but it’s flavorful and inventive, not just bluesy for the sake of being so. His tone is pretty cool, using Leslie (rotating speaker), chorus and wah-wah effects to intensify the “feel and grab” of the guitar parts. His riffs and licks speak to you.

Reg Isidore’s drumming is a great compliment to the other two instruments. Nothing too flashy but definitely solid. It did seem that he skipped a beat or two, or just played something that made me think he did in “Too Rolling Stoned” which wasn’t my favorite song from the album. Probably my least fave. But, as a trio, the band had a lot of presence and finesse.

I’ve heard “Lady Love” somewhere before but I don’t know where. There’s nothing much on it. I do like it, though. I love the power of the final track, “Little Bit of Sympathy.” The stops are tight and the runs by Dewar and Isidore are happenin’. All that while Trower runs amuck without ruining the song. Tasteful. My favorites on the album are “In This Place,” “Little Bit of Sympathy,” “Day of the Eagle,” “About to Begin” and the title track.

I was dreading this album, but instead, I found that I really enjoyed it. I have to say it didn’t get a full compliment of listens – I usually try for six minimum – but, I could write this review off of three, I think that’s pretty impressive. Eug, thanks for introducing me, sorry it took so long. I can’t wait for this review. Jon, see ya in the funny papers, man.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If you stand in the light, you get the feel of the ride and the music that plays in your ears. In your head you can hear, a voice so sweet and clear and the music that plays in your head. As it flows up from the ground, taking all who hear that sound, close your eyes, it’s about to begin.” – “About to Begin” (Trower)

 

Looking Out for Love or: That Picking Style

28 Friday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Life as We Know It

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Tags

Bass, Doug Davis, Drums, Fleetwood Mac, Guitar, Keyboard, Life, Lindsay Buckingham, Music, Piano, Vocals

Salutations™!!

Anyone who has known me knows that I’m a bass player, it’s my main instrument, it’s where I’m most comfortable, it’s my sanctuary. I’d much rather be playing bass than singing, although I don’t mind doing them together. My “duties” with the two bands that I am currently in, I’m the bass player, do backup vocals and I play the idiot. That last one is a stretch, more just a dumb arse. It’s what I do best, I think.

But, I’ve always been interested in other instruments. I learned to play piano at the same time I learned to play bass. I’m much better at bass, but I have played keys in a band before. I’m no Doug Davis, but I do okay. Nothing special and I don’t do anything really fancy. I leave that to the professionals. The first instrument I actually ever learned to play was the drums and I will say that, to this day, they’re my favorite instrument to watch being played.

But, my first love was guitar. I can play the guitar. I’ve been known to do it. I’ve written many songs on it. I just don’t get to play it very much and when I do, I don’t think I’m good enough to hang with the big boys, but that’s probably because I don’t practice it. I’ve gotten into watching others play a bit more, lately, when I have the chance (and we all know how difficult that is), and have come across some things that I’m sort of jealous of. That goes for all instruments. I love watching YouTube and watching other people play the drums or the piano, guitar or even the bass, although that’s the hardest one to impress me with.

I have known who Lindsay Buckingham is for a good long while, but because it’s usually put in some ensemble piece (like Fleetwood Mac), I hadn’t really paid much attention to his playing style. I hadn’t really paid attention to Fleetwood Mac much, to tell the truth. Since doing the Rolling Stone Top 500, I have listened more closely. Now, Tango in the Night isn’t on that list, but it was my first intro to the band (again refer to my impossible musical path). During my viewing, I came across this interview with Mr. Buckingham and not really understanding how he played the song “Big Love,” I was blown away. I wanted to share it and that’s what I’m doing today. It got me to watch more of him doing them and others covering it. This is amazing stuff.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“You said that you love me and that you always will. Oh, you begged me to keep you in that house on the hill. Lookin’ out for love.” – “Big Love” (Buckingham)

What is this Tripe? or: Taco Time

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Food

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Tags

El Rancho Taqueria, Food, Foodie, Mexican, Tacos, WSNC

Salutations™!!

This is kind of piggybacking but not really. 3B and I went to El Rancho Taqueria for the first time tonight and had some tacos. They were some mighty fine tacos, at that. One of the tacos I tried was tripa, or tripe. Tripe is boiled or fried stomach of beef cows.

20170727_203614

Tacos from El Rancho Taqueria (l to r: chorizo, tripe, barbacoa, al pastor)

 

I’ve gotten to where I like to try more exotic foods. I say exotic. They’re exotic to Americans but in Mexico and a lot of places in Europe and probably every where else, it’s just part of everyday life. Anywhat! I’ve started looking for offal to eat. To explain that a bit, it’s basically organs or entrails of meat that has been butchered. The whole “snoot-to-toot” thing. Some say it rhymes with “awful” for a reason. I’ve had sweetbreads, liver, hearts, haggis (you don’t want to know) and other innards that many, if not most Americans have a hard time even fathoming the thought.

I haven’t liked it all, but I’ve liked a good bit of it. And, tonight, I found out that I like tripe. At least I like it at El Rancho. I got it in a fantastic taco with some cilantro and onions with three other tacos. I was told it was something else when they brought it to me and I tore through “another” taco before I realized it was the tripe. I mentioned it to a server and she brought me a small plate of it to try. I enjoyed it. It was kind of like chicken liver but not foul or gritty like chicken liver. And, it was a bit beefy in flavor, too. So, I don’t know why it reminded me of chicken liver. I don’t like chicken liver because it’s foul. This was sans foul. It was fried here and a good bit crispy. I enjoyed it and so did 3B.

I wrote about the experience tonight over on The Man Who the Town. You can read all about it over there. I will say though, I highly recommend you going and trying El Rancho Taqueria. It’s authentic Mexican food the way it’s supposed to be. Fresh and tasty. You can find them at 613 E. Sprague Street here in WSNC. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

Until tomorrow, try to stomach my post…
Scorp out!

—
“Do not let the word tripe deter you. Let its soothing charms win you over, and enjoy it as do those who always have!” – Fergus Henderson

Electric Green Machine or: Trouble (Eugeology Entry 28)

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

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Tags

Barry Stern, Black Sabbath, Bruce Franklin, Def American, Doom Metal, Eric Wagner, Eugene B Sims, Eugeology, Jeff Olson, Jon Lowder, Metallica, Rick Rubin, Rick Wartell, Ron Holzner, Trouble

Salutations™!!

Yeah, I’m just shy of a week late on this. So, the last thing wasn’t my thing. Eugene wasn’t too happy with me. Oh, and I talked to Jon over the weekend and he assured me he’s not tapped out, yet. He’s just been really busy. So let’s get on with this last week’s entry:

#28 – Trouble by Trouble.

Trouble_-_Trouble

©Def American

 

Well, this is, um, interesting, I think…? I’d say it’s more like a tale of two albums. On one hand there are parts that I really like and on the other hand, there are things that I absolutely do not like. Musically, it’s pretty rocking. Trouble is considered “doom metal” and that’s pretty evident in parts but then there are the parts that are just straight up rock. Whether they’re doom, gloom, ice cream or unicorn rainbow poop metal doesn’t matter to me. I like a good song. There are a few of those on here.

I guess my ignorance of “doom metal” shows here because when I think of doom, it’s never a good thing. I understand that the genre is mostly reflective of the sound, tempos, rhythms and instrumentation. However, I wasn’t prepared for the Christian/spiritual aspect of it, I guess. It’s not overtly religious, really in any of it. It is subtle but present. And, don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of lyrical doom on here, too. I mean “R.I.P.” y’all.

Par for the course with me is that I really don’t like the singer, Eric Wagner’s voice. He sounds like he’s screaming most of the time. Although, the more I listened the less it grated on me. Wagner spent time in and out and back in and back out of Trouble through out the years.

The drummer, Barry Stern, is danged solid. He’s on it and has flashy runs and fills when he needs to. It’s not too much. It’s just right. The twin-guitar duo of Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell make this album what it is, though. Their heavy riffs, harmony solos and thrashy melodies are what makes this album the heavy treat that it can be. Jeff Olson provides the obligatory keyboard piece that this genre needs, if for no other reason than to provide ethereal layers to create the dark ambiance the style is wont to provide.

The letdown for me would be the bass lines from Ron Holzner. He’s doing nothing but mimicking the guitar parts throughout. The guitarists could have used an octave effects pedal and created the same sound. I’ve not heard the bass missing this much since …And Justice for All from Metallica. I’m not sure how I feel about Rick Rubin and his production half the time.

I guess, for the whole album, the best I can say is that I’m conflicted. Parts I do really like and parts I don’t really care for. I won’t say I don’t like it. As I listened to it more whilst writing this, I heard things that previously I had passed off. There are times when I say to myself this doesn’t really sound like Eugene. And, then in the next moment, I’m like yep, there’s Eugene. I can see why he likes it.

Even though I usually dismiss songs that are “long for the sake of being long,” my favorite song on the album is “The Misery Shows (Act II)” at a whopping seven minutes long. I thought it was “Only Women Bleed” at first and then thought I was hearing Black Sabbath (which incidentally the genre of Doom Metal comes from Sabbath), and as much as I don’t like Wagner’s voice, it really works on that. “Heaven on My Mind” and “All Is Forgiven” are pretty cool, too. There are parts throughout that I kept going, nice and other parts I was like, Jeez o’Pete. Silly cliche lyrics being the most of that.

Overall, I’ll say that I didn’t mind it after I listened to it more. I don’t know that I’ll ever listen to it again, but I wouldn’t just shut it off if it was on. Thanks Eug for introducing it and, Jon, hope to see some writings soon!

Until tomorrow, gloom and doom to you…
Scorp out!

—
“I just want to show you that you don’t have to run anymore. I can show you your life has just begun.” – “The Misery Shows (Act II)” (Wagner/Franklin/Wartell)

Piggy Part Two or: Slow Food

25 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Food

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Tags

Dr. Brownstone's Sweet Summer Luv Luv Festival, Food, Foodie, Meridian's Seafood Festival, The Less Desirables Network, The Man Who Ate the Town

Salutations™!!

So, as promised, here’s the second straight piggyback. It’s a slow week for food in WSNC and this was a short The Man Who Ate the Town podcast this week. But, you can hear it HERE.

TMWATTLogo.png

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Each evening, dinner begins at 6:30 pm, an uber-talented visiting Chef will plan, prepare, and serve his/her multi-course tasting menu that showcases ‘hot-off-the-grill’ specialties.” – Dr. Brownstone’s Sweet Luv Luv Festival

Riding the Piggy Train or: Catching Up

24 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Podcasting

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Tags

Eugeology, Fan Interference, Podcasting, The Beer Dads, The Less Desirables Network, The Man Who Ate the Town

Salutations™!!

I have been so very busy this week that I am very behind on my postings. I have a good bit of things going on to talk about and will be doing that. I’m now a week behind on the Eugeology list and I hate being behind on things like that. So, here I am trying to catch up. Well, I’m going to use the opportunity for tonight and tomorrow to piggyback on the things I have going on. These two shows had releases today! TLDNetwork

First, there’s Fan Interference, the sports show for The Less Desirables Network. You can listen to the latest episode of that, where TC talks with Salem College Soccer Coach, Jay Callahan and Mississippi correspondent Gabe Austin about the craziness that is going on at Ole Miss right now. You can hear that HERE.

Second, The Beer Dads dropped their first episode in two weeks, which is all about regrets. Regrets for doing or regrets for not doing. You can give that a listen, HERE.

So, we’d appreciate you listening. I would appreciate you listening. Subscribing would be awesome, as well. Tomorow will most likely be The Man Who Ate the Town.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

 

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/22/17

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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Tags

1812 Overture, Barrel Fingers Barry, Bee Gees, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Bon Iver, Cabaret, Discogs, Elliott Smith, George Hamilton IV, Iron Butterfly, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Joan Baez, Journey, Judy Collins, Kansas, KISS, Kraftwerk, Lawrence of Arabia, Leonard Bernstein, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Madonna, Maurice Jarre, Music, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, Ralph Burns, Records, Ryan Adams, Seth Avett, Shirley Bassey, Tchaikovsky, The Kingston Trio, The Less Desirables, The Rolling Stones, Underdog Records, West Side Story

Salutations™!!

Underdog Records had some good stuff this week and The BCPF and I rocked it, at least I think we think we did. Right, dear? Well, you decide. Here it is:

R-7896531-1451178579-3152.jpeg

©Rolling Stones Records

 

  • Kiss – (Music From) The Elder (as I mentioned on Monday, I received this last Sunday after I posted the Haul list, read my post from Monday to find more, new)
  • The Rolling Stones – Some Girls (my favorite Stones album, new)
  • Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (new)
  • Bon Iver – 22, A Million (new)
  • Ryan Adams – Gold (a few years back, The BCPF and I were at a Mediocre Bad Guys show and they played a tune from this album. The BCPF had never been asked to dance, we slow-danced. I couldn’t not get it)
  • Neil Diamond – The Jazz Singer (Original Songs From The Motion Picture)
  • Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield – Sing Elliott Smith  (Elliott Smith is one of The BCPF’s favorite artists)
  • Journey – Escape
  • Kraftwerk – Musique Non Stop (12″ single)
  • Madonna – Madonna
  • Shirley Bassey – Never Never Never
  • Judy Collins – Whales And Nightingales
  • Joan Baez – Blessed Are…
  • Kansas  – Two For The Show
  • Billy Joel – Glass Houses
  • Nat King Cole With The First Church Of Deliverance Choir – Every Time I Feel The Spirit
  • Leonard Bernstein – West Side Story (Original Sound Track Recording)
  • Ralph Burns – Cabaret / Original Sound Track Recording
  • George Hamilton IV – Abilene (WSNC native, I should have at least one by him, right? $1)
  • The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy / Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Mussorgsky – 1812 Overture
  • Bee Gees – Children Of The World
  • Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (cover is in really great shape, the LP, however, is rough, $1)
  • The Kingston Trio – Sold Out
  • Barrel Fingers Barry – Beer Garden Piano (weirdness that I wanted, $1)
  • Gossec, Saint-Georges, Schobert – Petit Trianon: A Concert For Queen Marie-Antoinette
  • Maurice Jarre With The London Philharmonic Orchestra – Original Soundtrack Recording: Lawrence Of Arabia (I loved the film and the soundtrack was amazing, so, yes…)
  • Ben Folds Five – Whatever And Ever Amen (another WSNC native that I have grown to really, really love listening to)

And, with the $1 records, the Underdog Records/The Less Desirables involved the extensive section of $1 if you mention you heard the ad on the podcast. That’s why you should listen to TLD every week and hear the special. I’ll not give that away, you’ll have to listen to hear what it was and what to do! Also, if you’re looking to get into vinyl, Underdog has a good bit of used, quality turntables to get you started, a plethora of selections to listen to on your new turntable and accessories to keep it in tip top shape. The list above is brought to you by Discogs, which you should use to archive your collection!

Until tomorrow, happy listening…
Scorp out!

—
“Where do you go when you’re lonely? Where do you go when you’re blue? Where do you go when you’re lonely? I’ll follow you when the stars go blue.” – “When Stars Go Blue” (Adams)

 

Full Metal Jacket or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week

22 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Movie Review

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Tags

a/perture Cinema, Adam Baldwin, Full Metal Jacket, IMDb, Matthew Modine, Movies, Netflix, R. Lee Ermey, Rotten Tomatoes, Stanley Kubrick, The Less Desirables, Vietnam, Vincent D'Onofrio

Salutations™!!

a/perture cinema, the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Less Desirables Movie of the Week, Full Metal Jacket (1987), starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Baldwin.MV5BNzc2ZThkOGItZGY5YS00MDYwLTkyOTAtNDRmZWIwMGRhYTc0L2ltYWdlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjU0OTQ0OTY@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,656,1000_AL_

Per IMDb: “A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.”

I believe I’ve reviewed this film before, and perhaps more than once, but after watching it again with 3B just recently, it renewed my love for it. It’s super violent and shocking, perhaps the most of its kind. A mouthy, wise-cracking journalist goes through boot camp with an unrelenting drill sergeant, a dim-witted and all around screw up of a bunkmate, a violent recourse and of course, the effects of the war’s battlefield itself.

Matthew Modine’s “Joker” doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut, which gets him in some precarious positions in the barracks, with its occupants, with his immediate superiors and the brass that run the government’s military forces. He has to take the fledgling lug under his wing to make sure the rest of the platoon doesn’t suffer the consequences of the unfortunate soldier’s inadequacies. Then, as a journalist, he gets caught up in a conflict which sees heated battle zones become reality. It’s rough and Modine plays the part perfectly.

Modine is listed as the star, but I think the film’s two stars are actually real life drill instructor, retired, R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman and Vincent D’Onofrio as Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence. Ermey’s experience and ad libs were some of the most memorable lines in cinematic history. I can’t really repeat many on here without flying into a ton of obscenities. And, if you’ve not seen the film, then I’d be giving so much away to say how either of them turns out. I’m just going to say that they are both intense.

Stanley Kubrick’s visuals are, in classic Kubrick style, very vivid, both in sets and action. He set the cinematic bar high and often surpassed it on his own. The full crew had their hands full because Kubrick was a perfectionist, but everyone pulled their weight and the end result was amazing. The soundtrack also was intense. If I say much more, then I’ll end up giving stuff away. The film is pretty bad arsed, though.

Rotten Tomatoes rates it at 95% Fresh with an Audience Score of 94%. IMDb has it at 8.3 stars out of 10. I saw it on Netflix, although I own it on DVD and, I believe, Blu-Ray. It’s probably one of my Top 10 and I’m rating it 5 stars out of 5. Have you seen it? What would you like to hear/read me review?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God, I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen.” – the Recruits

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