Tonight on Asylum – Tales from the Devereaux Diaries, Kousin Gary revealed his KISS ranking. He went strictly by numbers and formulas and only barely by personal feelings. Some of his movements from his previous list were mind-blowing. Inexplicably, he put some of the best KISS albums near the bottom of the list. I can’t even talk about it, now. I promise this isn’t a ruse to get you to listen, but if you’re a KISS fan, you need to hear this list. I think he’s lost his mind or the system he used was flawed. Listen here and prepare yourself.
Tonight on The Less Desirables, I thought we were going to have a guest but it turns out that is scheduled for next week. Before the show, we ordered food from Xcaret via Door Dash and from what we were told the food would be there in 24 minutes. Well, it was an hour later. We talked about it on the show and then we just shot the breeze. I felt like it was a great flow to the overall show. We had fun. Listen to the show, here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I’d say you need to take that up with Door Dash.” – Door Dash driver
Like last week, I had a post for yesterday, so I didn’t do the food blog promo. So, here we go…
Michael and I talked about Finnigan’s Wake closing and my visit. We talked about the places in Greensboro that I went to, a new “fry” place coming, and more. We had a good time with each other, goofed a little on the history and holidays and such. You should listen to that episode, which you can do here.
While we’re here, let’s do our reminder to listen to Beeswax Vinyl Daily. Tell your friends. It covers ALL kinds of music. Not just the stuff that I’m into. It’s a little bit of everything. I mean everything, too. Have I been emphatic enough for that? Every. Thing.
— “I could see it was a rough-cut Tuesday. Slow-motion weekdays stare me down. Her lipstick reflex got me wound. There were no defects to be found. Snapshot image froze without a sound.” – “Freeze-Frame” (Wolf/Justman)
My Kousins and I didn’t necessarily talk about KISS tonight. Well, we did, but that wasn’t the main topic. The main topic was what we call something “KISS Adjacent.” That means that even it isn’t KISS, it’s something that had to do with KISS in some shape or form. This week, the main topic was the Alice Cooper album Brutal Planet. Alice Cooper and KISS have had some parallel moments through their careers. But, what makes this KISS Adjacent is that the drummer on this album is KISS’ very own Eric Singer. We listened through the album, gave some commentary of the album and even got in the weeds because that’s what we do. You can listen to that episode here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “We’re spinning round on this ball of hate, there’s no parole, there’s no great escape. We’re sentenced here until the end of days and then my brother there’s a price to pay. We’re only human, we were born to die. Without the benefit of reason why. We live for pleasure – to be satisfied. And now it’s over there’s no place to hide. Why don’t you, come down to… It’s such a brutal planet.” – “Brutal Planet” (Cooper/Marlette)
Tonight, The BCPF showed up on The Less Desirables so that our Official Astrologer, Cindi McNulty of Essential Zodiac could read and explain her natal chart. We have certainly “embraced the woo woo” on TLD. Cindi was fun and she pegged The BCPF. You can listen here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Cynthia’s philosophy on astrology is that each person has positive and negative attributes in their chart.” – Essential Zodiac
Today, I learned some very sad news. Finnigan’s Wake will be closing its doors permanently on October 30. Finnigan’s Wake is THE reason the Arts District in Downtown Winston-Salem exploded in to ’00s. Yes, there were other now-staples such as Sweet Potatoes and 6th & Vine, but none had the impact that Fins did. But, for me, the impact was even more than reinvigorating an area of town.
Practically nothing in my life right now would be like it is if it weren’t for Fins. How, you ask?
Me and My Best Girl
I was able to realize what others may say is ridiculous but something I’m very proud of. I was the second-ever person to join the 90-Day Club. Not only did I do 90 days, I did 1099 days. That got me some recognition and status.
I was “Trivia Tim.” I didn’t start the pub trivia at Fins but I took it over after the first three weeks and I did it for six years after. Again, people got to know me, spend time with me, and my network was greatly and largely expanded because of that.
The Less Desirables was conceived, hatched, and born sitting at the high-top table right next to the hallway. Without that, I probably wouldn’t have started other podcasts after it. No Fan Interference. No Camel City Dispatch/Electric Camel Pod. No Tart & Tangy Triad. No The Beer Dads. No The Man Who Ate the Town. No Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking. No Apartment 5B. No Beeswax Vinyl. No Beeswax Vinyl Daily. No Asylum – Tales from the Devereaux Diaries. No Wheelers Dog. No The Less Desirables Network. No podcast clients. Heck without Fins, there may not be a podcasting community here in WSNC to speak of, at least as it is. I know two or three podcasts in town that are thriving because they were inspired by me doing The Less Desirables (or one of the others) and they’ve told me that. No podcasting would mean no “Podfather.” All that I am and do wouldn’t be if there was no Finnigan’s Wake. In fact, the first place I ever met Brian Attridge who started The Less Desirables with me, was at Finnigan’s Wake.
The revitalization of downtown, in general, may still have happened but it wouldn’t be what it is if Philip “Opie” Kirby and John Cahoon hadn’t opened THE Irish pub in October of 2006.
Me, Brian and Eug, TLD…
The first place I met Jon Lowder, one of the Beer Dads and a partner/friend that I have come to thank for many of my accomplishments was at Fins.
Several of my friends who are in relationships met at Finnigan’s Wake. Which brings me to the BIGGEST link that Fins has for me: I met my wife, The BCPF, Stephanie, at Finnigan’s Wake. If she hadn’t come with her friends to play trivia and get away from her toxic, dead-end marriage, and we hadn’t started having small talk conversations, I would never have had the opportunity to ask her, “Are you married, Steph?” That conversation and the fact that she had a birthday soon around that time and I did a special trivia category for her, led to us having our 11:10p nightly computer conversations, which led to us being great friends, which led to us being more than friends, which led to us being affianced, which led to us being life partners and husband and wife.
Me and My Eug
Finnigan’s Wake is the portal to my survival, to my life, to my being, to my loves. I so appreciate that Opie has kept the pub going for so long. The pandemic was hard for everyone. It led to changes within the business. But, he says it’s not about the pandemic. He said the restaurant was kept alive by the community and patrons. He says this is about him and wanting to start something new. Move in a new direction. Pursue new ideas and thoughts. He has been all over the world. As far as I know, he’s touched every continent. If he’s missing one, I think it’s Australia. He’s bought houses. He’s raised money for charities. He’s made himself better. He’s made the community better. I am glad for my friend that he’s okay and just starting a new chapter.
When I read that this was happening, it felt as if I had lost a friend, or at the very least, been kicked in the teeth or the crotch. The memories and recollections of the last 14 years of my life (with the exception of the last one) have relied heavily on my time in the wooden doors under the green sign with the huge Claddagh, the hallowed halls of Finnigan’s Wake. Slàinte mhath, Finnigan’s Wake. Slàinte mhath.
Until tomorrow, Erin go Bragh… Scorp out!
— “The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.” – Brendan Behan
No, I’m not dating, Dear Reader. The Less Desirables will be doing a remote recording from Cin Cin Burger Bar on November 10. As a promotion, Tracy, one of my work wives/co-hosts is silent-auctioning a date with her for this event. Here are some details about the “silent auction”:
Tracy B of TLD
THIS IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH CIN-CIN BURGER BAR!!!!
To be eligible, you must make a donation. Donations must be made to The Less Desirables Cash App: $TheLessDesirables
Donations start at $50. A donation is just that, a donation. If you are not the highest bidder, there are no refunds. Thank you for your donation. Highest bidder wins the dinner date. Also, where it is NOT affiliated with Cin-Cin Burger Bar, if you don’t win, don’t complain to them, this is our doing.
This a “date” only at the restaurant, Cin Cin. It is dinner and socializing. You will meet her/us there. There is no pickup of her, or her of you. No, physical interaction outside of hugs and perhaps holding hands. NOTHING outside “appropriate social norms.” What you think is appropriate must meet HER criteria/parameters.
There is to be no expectations of continued dating unless she is interested. You will not get a phone number unless she wants you to have it. There is to be no social media stalking, either.
This is open for both men and women. She has no hangups either way. No married men or women unless your spouse is with you and an equal donation to your donation is paid (so if your donation is $50 and you’re bringing your spouse, that’s $50 for EACH of you). She is also okay with couples, too. Don’t bring your kid(s) with you if you’re a single parent.
This is supposed to be fun and kind of a fundraiser for the podcast. Your dinner will be paid for out of the winning pot. This will include up to $25 per person. Alcoholic beverages are not included. You must pay for those yourself, she’d appreciate if you bought hers, too.
When the event is over, your date is over. She leaves when we leave.
If you do NOT agree to these terms, do not donate to the $TheLessDesirables Cash App. Again, there are no refunds.
Let’s have some fun!!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “If there hadn’t been women we’d still be squatting in a cave eating raw meat, because we made civilization in order to impress our girlfriends.” – Orson Welles
Have you figured out the number combo code above? What may it mean? What will it be? Send me a note, let me know your guess. There’s no prize, but there is an “atta-boy” or “atta-girl” in it for you.
On Asylum – Tales of the Devereaux Diaries Podcast this evening, the Kousins talked about my 2021 KISS albums rankings. I did a rating back in 2018 and that was partly the basis of this podcast that I do with my Kousins. We went through all the albums and talked about them. I posted my 2018 (part I) here and (part II) here. I’m not going to post the updated rankings just yet as I want you to listen to the podcast and find out that way. I will post it soon, though. So, in order to hear the episode, you should go here.
You know something, Dear Reader? You wouldn’t know it from looking at me but I love to eat. I love to have a little dessert with my meal. That may or may not actually be true, but I do love me some B&G Pies. B&G Pies have been staples in WSNC for 72 years. They are made right here and like snowflakes or fingerprints, no two are alike.
L-R: Shannon, Scorp, Bethany, Tracy
This week on The Less Desirables, we had Shannon Faircloth who is the owner of B&G Pies. Those little handmade treasures get me excited just thinking about eating them, and we talked about that, the history of the company, her history at that, the pies, how they’re made, and more. Shannon was a blast. Before the show, she didn’t know that she could stay long. She stayed for the whole show. The convo was good. The only thing missing? Pies!
We mentioned, a few times, that we were expecting pies and she totally spaced on us about the pies. But, you can listen to the episode if you visit here. Go have some pies!!! Lemon, peach, cherry, apple and chocolate! Check them out on social media!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Lots of love and planning go into each and every handmade fried pie at B&G Pies” – B&G Pies
Your weekly reminder, especially if you’re a music lover, a history lover, or best yet, a music history lover! I got you! Head over to hear today’s episode. And, if you go to Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Podcasts (or ANY podcatcher platform), subscribe, rate, like, endorse, whatever. Help out the cause! Listen here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “M-E-T-H-O-D-O-F-L-O-V-E” – “Method of Modern Love” (Hall/Oates)
Useless Things Need Love Too 