Tag Archives: The BCPF

Working… For the Weekend or: Still Mum

18 Friday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

Weekend Just Ahead Green Road Sign, Business Concept

©not mine

You can’t know how hard it is to not tell you the big news that I have, Dear Reader, but I must hold off a little longer. I will say that we finalized the details and things will move forward, officially. The entity that I have entered this with has asked that I hold off announcing it because we want to do a big cross promotion thing with the podcasts and this. So, I guess we’ll be waiting a little longer. I’ll stop talking about it until I can talk about it. How ’bout dah?

Well, I hope that you have a great weekend. Hope it’s relaxing or fruitful or busy. I hope it is what you need it to be. I’m fighting off this crud that The BCPF had last week so, I’m going to continue to fight it. It’s a normal weekend for us, at least right now.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Food feeds both the body and soul – there are clear reasons to eat a balanced diet, but there are also reasons you cling to your mom’s secret chicken noodle soup recipe when you’re sick.” – Michael Mina

 

Another Podcast? or: She’s Getting Better

15 Tuesday Jan 2019

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img_20190115_234540

©Promise Mangum

The first half of the title of this, for once, doesn’t apply to me. This time I was actually on someone else’s podcast. It is called the “Pop-Up Podcast” with Promise Mangum and I really can’t talk much about it until it’s published. When it’s published, I’ll let you in on how to find it because that’s what I do, right? I promote. I’m a promoter. He did a great job and I’ll make sure to post some links when they’re available. The plus side of this situation is I got to spend a good bit of time with my good friend Sandy Meeks. I miss talking to her more.

On the other front, The BCPF is getting better. She (and others) have told me that I’m full of crap for saying I’m not a good caregiver. She told me that “your presence makes everything better.” I’ll pause for the “awws” here. I appreciate it and I guess she’s right, I just know that I can never be the caregiver that she is. So, she got the short end of that stick. But, the good news is, she is better. I still haven’t gotten to kiss her other than on her forehead. Tomorrow, dang it!

Speaking of tomorrow, well… I’m not going to jinx it. I’ll wait. It will give me something to write about.

How’s that for a teaser?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“

Fallen Ill or: Helplessness

14 Monday Jan 2019

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(notice: this may be considered graphic)50f42769dbd0cb2e3d00004d__w_1500_s_fit_

What happens when the person that takes care of you falls ill? What happens when you’re ill-prepared to return the favor? My baby, The BCPF has been sick since Thursday in what we thought may have been an upper-respiratory infection or chest cold.

It then moved to her head and back to her chest. Yesterday she had a fever of 102°. She has been coughing up green and yellow phlegm and it has been thick. I have relied on her since we started dating nearly nine years ago to take care of me through my sicknesses and surgeries. She takes awesome care of me.

I am not really equipped to nurse anyone to health. I really want to help her get better but I don’t know what to do. I want to make everything okay but I don’t know how. I feel helpless. I cooked her dinner last night and try to just keep asking if she needs anything. She says that I make it better but I don’t know how. She’s comfortable and her fever has broken and she says the phlegm, while still coming has cleared up and isn’t an off-color any longer.

She is getting better and really no thanks to me. But, the important part is she is getting better. I love her and wish I could have done much more. Here’s hoping that it is completely better very soon.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Being healthy is the crown that only the sick can see. A lot of times, we take it for granted.” – Hasan Minhaj

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/29/18

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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Judas_priest_-_point_of_entry_a

©Columbia

Yesterday was our last visit to Underdog Records. I mean, this year, of course. The BCPF and I will certainly be back next weekend. We have a lot of records to collect, yet, so we’re not done. We will have to get yet another LP case because three full- and one half- sized ones aren’t enough. Our “to-be-listened-to” stack was reset but our “listened-to-awaiting-filing” is getting huge. I mean… huge. Plus, we don’t like leaving them laying flat and that’s what’s happening right now. It’s not good for the records and it takes up a lot of space. Anywhat! Here’s the haul…

  • Judas Priest – Point Of Entry — I passed on this when I could have gotten it, in great shape, used earlier this year when I got that large haul of Judas Priest albums. I wish I would have gotten it, but I didn’t. So, I got it brand new. Luckily, it was not as expensive as most new albums. But, it’s a great album and fun listen. New.
  • Stryper – Soldiers Under Command — The funny thing about this is, the night before, The BCPF and I were playing through songs that teetered between country, religion and other things, just because. I played Stryper’s version of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” I found this yesterday and was happy. Even given my non-Prophet religion views, I like Stryper. At least this album and its follow-up (and my favorite Stryper album) To Hell With The Devil. It was in VG+.
  • George Harrison – Gone Troppo — This is a whimsical little album from the former Beatle. It’s a fun listen but it’s not his greatest work. A little tropical, a lot of George. VG.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Gratitude — 2xLP with “Shining Star,” “Sunshine,” “Sun Goddess,” “Reasons,” and more. VG.
  • Bartok, L’Orchestre De La Suisse Romande, Ansermet– Dance Suite · Two Portraits Opus Five · Rumanian Dances — NM.
  • Kenny Rogers & The First Edition – Greatest Hits — It’s amazing how a young Kenny Rogers sounded unlike Kenny Rogers back then. It’s a lot of great tunes, too. VG+.

This past week, Jonathan actually had a few tape decks for sale in the store. I have somehow resisted the trend of cassettes. They have always been inferior in quality to vinyl, CDs and even streaming. But, hey, if you’re into that, check with Underdog Records to see what they may have for you. Listen to The Less Desirables this week to hear what the weekly TLD/UR special is.  I also used Discogs to make sure I didn’t get a few duplicates yesterday. Discogs is pretty righteous.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I pushed my soul in a deep dark hole and then I followed it in. I watched myself crawlin’ out as I was a-crawlin’ in. I got up so tight I couldn’t unwind. I saw so much I broke my mind. I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” – “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” (Newbury)

Not So Fast or: Is That Food?

28 Friday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Tomorrow, 12/29, is the 5th anniversary since my last bite of “fast food.” Most people scoff and let it go when I say that, but to me, it’s a pretty big milestone. You have to understand that before my heart surgery (and even after to an extent) I was eating fast food, somewhere about the “3-a-day” mark and sometimes five-to-six days a week.no-fast-food

I believe the last thing that I had was a Big Mac, fries and a large Dr. Pepper. I hadn’t had any of that in a few weeks and even then, it was mostly double cheeseburgers from Mickey D’s. I hadn’t had a Big Mac in a long while and I remember thinking that it was pretty awful.

A few more weeks passed before I realized that I hadn’t had any fast food and I figured I’d just keep on keepin’ on. Well, the weeks became months and months are now years. Five of them.

The BCPF, of course, is quite happy about this. She didn’t like me having all that sodium and nitrate goodness and really it wasn’t good for me. It’s not good for anyone, really. I’m not opposed to others having it, I support the existence of the places and I do know that they’re making (perceived) changes to be “healthier” but I feel they will probably never meet a true standard in that realm. But, kudos to them for trying, right?

There are days that I miss it. Really, really miss it. But, I won’t break the streak. Now, I have to say that if we come across a White Castle in our travels, I will have some White Castle. Then, return to the streak. Not break it, but pause it. That’s the only caveat and with it being my streak, that’s the only cheat I’ll allow. I think that’s fair.

So, to McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Arby’s, Chick-fil-a, Taco Bell, Bojangles, KFC, and even Cook Out, even though they use only fresh beef and nothing frozen or with preservatives and all that, it’s been hard but I will continue on. I’d rather save my burger eating for Zesto, Cin Cin, Small Batch, Willows and other fantastic local establishments.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Fast food is popular because it’s convenient, it’s cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on the menu.” – Eric Schlosser

Fabriqué en Chine or: I’d Buy That For $1

17 Monday Dec 2018

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Yesterday, The BCPF and I were at the local Dollar Tree to buy some gifts for her work thing. I really dislike the Dollar Tree. It’s like being at Wal-Mart’s clearance section and I hate being at Wal-Mart. At least Wal-Mart has stuff that I’m interested in, with name brand merch. 5a0245ef6d4ed.image

The “Dollar” stores are always in disarray, stuff scattered everywhere, the no-name detergents spilled up and down aisles, stuff broken, it goes on and on. But, there was something that I thought about.

I was interested in a little experiment. Not so much an experiment but research. I looked on the back of  20 different items in various locations in the store. 18 of the 20 items had the same thing on the back of the item: “fabriqué en Chine,” which is French for Made in China. I’m sure if I kept walking through the store and looking at items, I’d find that 90% of that store is fabriqué en Chine.

I do not want to stereotype the people that shop at Dollar Tree, because, hey, I was there, The BCPF was there, I’m pretty sure my sister and mother shop there, but I would say that 75% of the shoppers at this store would have voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election and probably would in 2020, if he makes it that far. And, you know what, that’s great for them. We should all vote for who we want.

But, this isn’t a political post, I’m not trying to ruffle feathers and I’m not trying to start trouble. So, don’t make it into such. What this post is about is what will happen to stores like Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General when these tariffs start kicking in in 2019? What will its denizens do when they are completely understocked or worse, have to close because they can’t get to the off-brand “fabriqué en Chine” merchandise that they’re used to at these stores?

Again, not to be political but if my guess is right and nearly 3/4 of the stores’ shoppers are Trump supporters, how are they going to react that their “guy” is the cause of the loss? I don’t know that it will mater. I’m okay with whatever the answer is. It wasn’t meant to stir anything. I genuinely am interested in what would happen if these stores can’t get their extra cheap merch and the people who are used to getting this merch can’t. It’s simply an observation and a curious one at that.

I’m actually hoping that the tariffs get waylayed and we don’t have to worry about. We, of course, is a collective “we” as I’m not really concerned with what happens to the Dollar Tree. But, for the sake of everything we get that is fabriqué en Chine, whether we know it or not.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Just about everything I own was made in China. Just about everything you own was made in China, too.” – Timothy Noah

Double Piggyback or: The Beer Dads Who Ate the Town

26 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in Beer, Food, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

We recorded both The Man Who Ate the Town and The Beer Dads today.

Ray and I talk about burgers, Hop’s Burger Barn, Carmine’s 901 (or what used to be), journalistic integrity and source dependency, and other foodstuffs. We did touch on the Thanksgiving gathering that we were both a part of, too.

scrooge

©CBS

The Beer Dads touched on the “other side of Christmas, the parts that we don’t actually like. We are all Scrooges in some way or fashion. Plus, we give Beer Dad Paul a hard time about his dislike of Journey.

I want to say, too that today was my first day away from The BCPF since last Thursday and I missed the heck out of her today. But, that’s how it should be, right? I think she may have missed me a little, too.

To hear The Man Who Ate the Town click HERE. Or, to hear The Beer Dads click HERE. Remember you can subscribe on Stitcher or iTunes and now, even on Spotify. Really, anywhere you get your podcasts. Finally, you can always visit The Less Desirables Network website. No matter how you listen, I appreciate that you do.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world. She took the midnight train going anywhere. Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit. He took the midnight train going anywhere.” – “Don’t Stop Believin'” (Schon/Perry/Cain)

The Day After or: Early to Rise

23 Friday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

Our Thanksgiving from yesterday was fantastic! We had friends join us at our parents’ place (that would be Ray from The Man Who Ate the Town, his wife and his daughter) and all joined in with the rest of the crowd, there were 17 folks (16 if you count my nephew that slept through it all) in Ma ‘Rents’ house. We love big get-togethers as such. The Boston baked beans were a slight bit tough, but the flavor was amazing. So, that will happen again but I’ll try to modify it a bit. The deviled eggs were a bit runnier than I wanted but the flavor was right there, too. A win-win for the Scorp-meister!418454661596_600.jpg

Then we came home with The BCPF’s mother and brother and we watched football. Now, I was running on about 1.5 hours of sleep so it was rough. As soon as the ball game was over, I went to bed and was out in less than three minutes. We woke up at 4am and went to Underdog Records to stand (or sit) out in the cold for Record Store Day Black Friday Edition. It’s the only time that we go shopping on Black Friday and it’s a special case. We were fifth in line and we got everything we went in for and more. We spent more than we should but it was some birthday money and PayPaled money that was sent to me recently for payment of services.

The BCPF and I grabbed some grub from Cafe Arthur’s and came home, went straight to bed, set the alarm for noon, slept through that alarm and here we are after putting the records in Discogs and listening to a couple. We got some good stuff, but you’ll have to wait until Sunday for “The Haul!” I don’t know if we’ll get by Underdog Records tomorrow since we blew our budget on today’s festivities.

I’m off, Dear Reader. I hope your holiday was fantastic.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities.” – Record Store Day

Gobble Gobble or: Happy Thanksgiving

22 Thursday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

I’m taking today off as is most of the country, except the Wal-Mart and Target employees who will have to work this evening. So, happy Thanksgiving from The BCPF, 3B, TLD, The Beer Dads, Apartment 5B, Ray (with TMWATT), and Fan Interference.

turkey.jpg

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/17/18

18 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

It was a regular day for The BCPF and me yesterday. We ate breakfast (crepes, this time), ran by Underdog Records and then came home for a wonderful afternoon of “rekkid listenin’.” Here’s our haul:

Citytocity

©United Artists

  • Mark Knopfler – Down The Road Wherever — The latest effort by the former Dire Straits frontman and ax-wielder, it is quintessential Knopfler. He has a way of telling stories with such honesty and directly from the heart. The tunes on this album range from rocking to jazzy. It’s great stuff. 2xLP and is new.
  • Pearl Jam – Vs. — I always dismissed Pearl Jam, just like I did with Nirvana and many other grunge bands because well, they were grunge bands. I learned after many years that this isn’t awful stuff and it doesn’t bring the same gut-wrenching nausea that it used to. I actually find that I like this stuff more and more, now. This is a 2015 remaster that I found in the clearance bin. This album for less than $13? Yep. New.
  • Indigo Girls – Indigo Girls — The major label debut of the Emory University-born duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. Their biggest hit is “Closer to Fine” and it’s on this album. Side 1 is great. Side 2 is tired and cliche. The BCPF was very excited to find this one. VG++.
  • Paul Simon – One-Trick Pony — She was also very excited about this one and it was a great listen. I didn’t know it was a soundtrack to a film. So, we’ll have to find it and watch it. The soundtrack is great but I hear the film is “just okay.” VG+.
  • Yes – Big Generator — The follow up to the massively successful 90125, this had two singles: “Love Will Find a Way” and “Rhythm of Love.” I have really enjoyed my Yes collection and can’t wait to listen to this. VG+.
  • Gerry Rafferty – City To City — I was most excited by this one. I didn’t know how excited until I got home. I saw it had “Baker Street” which is Rafferty’s biggest solo hit. I didn’t realize that it had “Right Down the Line” on it as well. I love both of these songs although I had never heard either until just a few years ago. Weird, I know, but true. This is a great album all the way through. VG+.
  • Wings  – Wings Greatest — I have this on CD, it was my first foray into the Wings world. I have plenty of other stuff now, but then, this was it. Now, I have it on vinyl, too. VG.
  • Joe Jackson – Look Sharp! — The debut album from Joe Jackson is amazing front-to-back. The album contains such great tunes like “One More Time,” “Sunday Papers,” “Look Sharp!” “Happy Loving Couples,” “Got the Time” and his first hit, “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” We loved listening to this album. EX/VG++.
  • Carpenters – A Song For You — The fourth studio album from the brother/sister duo. The opening title track (and subsequent album closer) was written by Leon Russell. Other songs include tracks written by Carole King, Toni Stern, and more. It was supposed to be some kind of concept album. The funniest part of the record was at the end of side 1 when Richard and Karen sing about “being right back after we go to the bathroom.” Plus, it was a $1 bin find.

This Friday is the Black Friday Record Store Day event and Underdog Records will have a slew of the items for sale. Most of them are limited releases and rarities. Also, it’s a great time to get your gift certificates either for yourself or your loved ones. Jonathan has many 45s to make cool gift certs for you in any denomination. Listen to the latest episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UDR special of the week is.

Discogs lets me keep track of what albums I already have. When you have a large number of pieces, it gets harder to keep track of what you already have. Discogs is the answer. It works for CDs as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Then I learned to play some lead guitar. I was underage in this funky bar and I stepped outside to smoke myself a “J.” And when I came back to the room everybody just seemed to move and I turned my amp up loud and I began to play. And, it was late in the evening and I blew that room away.” – “Late in the Evening” (Simon)