Tag Archives: The BCPF

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry or: The First

22 Wednesday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

For the first time in almost nine years, I’ll sleep in my bed alone. The BCPF is out of town on her first trip for work. She’ll be back tomorrow, but still…

Dark_Side_of_the_Moon

©Harvest

I have been out of town once, for three days I think when Eugene and I went to Richmond to spend the weekend with Brian. But, this is the first time I’ve been without her overnight. I have gotten used to her being at her mom’s house on Thursdays, but she comes home. I’ve already taken my pills, something she usually makes sure I do. She and I did get to do a little video chat but I already miss her. I’ll quit sulking now.

I am getting to listen to Pink Floyd out loud, something I don’t get to do with her home for reasons that are part of a long story. She likes Floyd but doesn’t like to listen to some of it. So, I’m revisiting Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. I love those albums. Anywhat! I have a weird day tomorrow, but I’ll talk to you then.

Until then, same blog channel…
Scorp’s alone.

—
“Forward he cried from the rear and the front rank died and the general sat nd the lines on the map moved from side to side.” – “Us and Them” (Waters/Wright)

A Change of Plans or: Happy Mother’s Day

12 Sunday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

I’ll do my “haul” post tomorrow. Today is about honoring the mothers in the world.

My own mother, who on here I call Ma Mère is one of my best friends. Yeah, she carried me for 9 months. Yeah, she always made sure I was cared for. Yeah, she has always been there for me. She always taught me to be the best me I could. She taught me I can do anything I set out to do. She said I was her superhero. Yeah, I love that woman. I worked with her for 26 years and I still only live less than two football fields away from her. I need to spend more time with her. I can’t be this close and not be there more. 000mothers day

To my wife, The BCPF, just because you didn’t birth 3B doesn’t mean you’re not a mother, parent, carer, provider and you deserve major kudos and celebration today… and, every day. You have gone above and beyond what many stepparents have. You’re a great wife, a great partner, a great Steph-mom and I love you dearly. My kid does, too, even if he doesn’t always show it.

To my sister, we have always had a lot of fights and arguments and man, sometimes you can be a pain in the arse, but you’re my favorite pain in the arse. You’re a good mom to my nephews and a good wife to my bro-in-law (bless him). You do so much and I love you for it.

To my mother-in-law, thank you for giving me the work of art that is your daughter. She is the only reason I’m alive to this day and I thank and love you for it.

To my ex-wife. Yes, my ex-wife, the mother of my only child. You’re a great mom to my boy and he loves you immeasurably. He hates that he doesn’t get to see you as much as he’d like but you know he loves you. Thank you for being his rock and for giving him to me.

To all my friends who are mothers, to all my friends who have lost their mothers (she’s still there with you), to all my friends who have been called “mutha,” I love ya and hope today is a great day.

Until tomorrow, happy Mother’s Day…
Scorp out!

—
“I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me.” – Antonio Villaraigosa

The True End of an Era or: Truly Trivial

07 Tuesday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

Tonight we had the very last trivia night at Finnigan’s Wake. Attendance has been waning for the last few years and for the last 9 months or so we have had two regular teams, Daphne’s Free Kittens (ours) and Silverware Burrito (aka Cicada/Monkee Voodoo/Macaque Magic/Simian Sorcery) the team that has also been around for a long time. Finnigans_Wake_Logo_2

Trivia Night at Fins started in the spring of 2007 and Opie did it the first night, but kept getting called away to take care of stuff. The next week, a friend of mine, Stephanie H. did the questions but didn’t really want to continue to do it all the time, so I said I’d do it. I changed some rules, changed the structure, made it into three separate 10-question categories, the second always “Random Acts of Trivia.” History, music, movies, food, geography, science, religion, television, and so on. I was the quizmaster from 2007 until 2011 when I was finishing up my degree. I came back early 2012 for about 3 weeks before I had my heart scare and was out until mid-to-late 2012. We came back as players and I realized I didn’t want to do the questions regularly but did do them a few times when needed. I did probably close to 7800 trivia questions. We at Fins along with Foothills had the first pub trivia nights in WSNC.

In late 2009/early 2010, I met this beautiful woman at trivia and she and I would hang out after trivia every Tuesday and many of those would be until Fins closed. I would do what I could to keep this woman at Fins into the night. I enjoyed our time. We ended up having a “standing date” every night at 11:10pm on Facebook. That woman was The BCPF. So, yeah, we met at Finnigan’s Wake at trivia. We even got married on a Tuesday because that’s the day we met.

Opie has been doing the trivia with a few guest-quizmasters here and there (The BCPF did last week’s trivia) but has kept everything going as long as he could. However, with the waning attendance for so long, it’s just not feasible to keep it going. Opie said they’d been debating this for a while.

The truth of the matter is, Jim, The BCPF and I had only been going so we could hang out together. Add that with the other team and our funning ribbing back and forth and, of course, getting to hang with Opie a bit because he’s a cool dude. So, we have discussed and plan on still getting DFK together regularly and having a trivia Rendez-Vous or game night or dinner or bevvies once a month or so. I hope we keep this up.

So, to all our past opponents, past competitors, friends and more, thank you for lots of great memories over the years and thank you Finnigan’s Wake for having a place for us to do our fun. You will be missed.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Why is it trivia? People call it trivia because they know nothing and they are embarrassed about it.” – Robbie Coltrane

Not-Silent Sunday or: 10000

05 Sunday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF’s and my usual Saturday routine was disrupted by work. Now, by work, I really mean, that I got to run my mouth talking for the Carolina Cobras last night. They won a very sloppy but fun game. There were some awkward moments but for the most part, very fun.

0020190505_105509

My second-best girl turned 10000.

This also means we didn’t get to Underdog Records, mostly because there was a street festival and we would have had to park half a mile away. Not that I don’t need the exercise, but Nah. We wouldn’t have had time to listen to much of what we got anyway, as I had to be in GSO early in the day.

What we did do, though, I felt good about. My friend Margaret who is in the TBD group with me had mentioned a youth fundraiser for the kids at her church. Yes, I know, “church” isn’t for me, but I like getting to help my friends’ causes when I can. And, it’s for the kids. Also “and…” it was a car wash. Annabelle hasn’t had a good washing since she was serviced last and we won’t really call that a washing.

It was a big day for Annabelle, too. On the way to the Coliseum, she turned 10000 miles. So, she turned a milestone and got dussied-up. I love my car.

My car, my ability to help the youth and my friend, a Cobras hard-fought victory over the only other undefeated team in the league, spending time with my best girl. A win for the Scorpster yesterday. I’ll take it!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“At the end of the day, if I can say I had fun, it was a good day.” – Simone Biles

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 4/27/19

28 Sunday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

It seems like forever since I’ve done one of these posts. We were still “in the dark” from the power outage and just went on about our day. We had breakfast and then did two stints at Underdog Records. The first was just to go in and get our haul and the second was to see (and participate) in Clay Howard’s LP release show. I was supposed to play bass but scheduling got in the way and couldn’t practice. I did lend my backup vocals, however. It was a good show. Loud and intimate. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

Chuck_Mangione,_Feels_So_Good_(1977)

©A&M

  • Carole King – Writer: Carole King — This was actually acquired last week but it was our only grab in a truncated visit to Underdog, which actually could have happened on Friday, it’s all a blur now. But, this was her debut album back in 1970. She had written a lot of stuff but this was her first for her versions of the songs. VG++.
  • The Mountain Goats – In League With Dragons — The BCPF loves The Mountain Goats and we try to get anything we can. This is a brand new release that came out on Friday. It’s the “hardcore” 2xLP, double-speed mastered version that is yellow/green marbled. It also contains an exclusive black vinyl 7-inch featuring two non-album tracks. New.
  • The Cure – Pillbox Tales 1977-1979 — This was an import and “unofficial” release. Robert Smith sounds so young and at times didn’t sound like him at all. But, it was and it is. Great sound. VG++.
  • The Fresh & Onlys – Early Years Anthology — This is an American rock band out of San Francisco. The BCPF picked it up, I don’t know much about it. According to the bastion of all correct internet infotainment, Wikipedia: They are a key band in what has been described as San Francisco’s “new garage rock” movement, but their sound is equally aligned with pastoral psychedelia, brooding new wave, western twang, and jangly literate 80’s guitar pop. NM.
  • Kate Bush – The Kick Inside — If you ever know a Kate Bush song, you never forget the voice when you hear it again. That is the case here. I know her best for her work with Peter Gabriel and the tune “Running Up That Hill.” And, you can definitely hear the trademark Kate Bush warbly/high-pitched jangle. I love it, though. VG- due to some pops and skip or two.
  • Dokken – Tooth And Nail — It’s Dokken, it’s hair metal from the late 80s. I like that stuff. Yeah, I’m a sucker. VG/VG- because of the sleeve.
  • Linda Ronstadt – Silk Purse — Her second album and it’s all covers, as she was wont to do. Her thing was her voice. That was her personality and her vibe. She now has Parkinsons Disease and is unable to sing. This and all subsequent entries on this list is from the $1 bin and should be VG unless otherwise noted.
  • Nat King Cole – Top Pops — Nat King Cole. The BCPF. Done.
  • John Denver – John Denver’s Greatest Hits — 3B always plays “Take Me Home, Country Roads” when we’re cooking so, we have to add it, right?
  • Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good — Ol’ Chuck gets Yacht Rock Radio play, especially the title track, so why not have some on vinyl? I love that song.
  • Paris – Paris — This was Bob Welch’s (credited as Robert Welch) first project after leaving Fleetwood Mac. He formed this band with ex-Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick and ex-Nazz (with Todd Rundgren) drummer Thom Mooney. The fact that Bob is on it and the cool neon green cover, are really the reasons I got this.
  • The Lovin’ Spoonful – The Very Best Of The Lovin’ Spoonful — As the name suggests. This is listed as Good condition and the cover sleeve is Poor because it’s falling apart.
  • Abbott & Costello – Who’s On First? — The BCPF found it and wanted it. That’s all we needed to know, right?
  • Europe – The Final Countdown — 7″ Single, not the full album, which I certainly want. People seem to hate this song, the band and the album. Kind of like Nickelback today. However, I love the band, this song and the album. So, I stick my tongue out at all of you.

So, it was a pretty great haul, even though we only got to listen to about two of the records because of the power/Clay situation. We will catch up a little today, I think. Underdog was hopping with people yesterday, partly due to Clay’s performance, but because people were just wanting to be there. Jonathan had hotdogs, too. Yum! Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear about the TLD/UR special of the week. And, use Discogs to catalog your vinyl, CD or even cassette collections.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I’d like to see you in the morning light. I’d like to feel you when it comes tonight. Now I’m here and I’m all alone. Still, I know how it feels. I’m alone again. Tried so hard to make you see but I couldn’t find the words. Now the tears, they fall like rain. I’m alone again without you.” – “Alone Again” (Dokken/Pilson)

A Happily Recurring Theme or: Seventh Second

18 Thursday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

Note: I liked what I wrote about this day last year so I just copied it and reposted. It’s hard to write this story without repeating myself so, why fight it? I want to bring attention to the fact that I’m still here to annoy you, Dear Reader. I am happy to be able to say that (that I’m still here).

It was  six seven years ago today that I received my “zipper.” Being at the hospital before the sun came up, getting shaved from neck to (literally) toe, seeing my family, having my (then) fiance – The BCPF – standing holding my hand and trying to keep a happy face, having my parents pray over me as I get wheeled through some ominous doors, being moved onto a mostly comfortable operating table and telling stupid jokes to the operating staff before I just blacked out counting back from 100. That’s how I remember it.

I groggily stirred with a breathing tube snaked through my gullet whilst hearing a nurse, whose name I believe was Sandy, talk to me and me nodding that I understood whatever it was she was saying to me. The BCPF came in to see me, touching me, stroking my hair (I still had a little bit). I’m not sure of the timeline, I was still very doped up on morphine at the time. Maybe some time passed, maybe it didn’t, but Ma Mère came into the recovery room and in a moment we will all talk about until we’re no longer here, she patted me on the left shoulder and said, “see, you really do have a heart.” At this point, I pointed to “Sandy” and made a motion to bring me a writing utensil and something to write upon. In my continued, and glorious haze, I scribbled to my mother the following:

Leave the comedy to me!

I remember everyone laughing. My job was done, I went through another phase of “blacked out.” They had collapsed my lungs in order to get to my arteries and heart and whatever else they were doing with me and, as a lifelong asthmatic, my lungs and I have a long history of arguing. They weren’t wanting to cooperate and inflate so I could breathe on my own. So, recovery took a little longer than it should have. Then they wheeled me up to my own private room. I had to get up and sit in a chair. I asked for my phone and that’s when this selfie was taken:

Tim After Surgery

My son came in to see me, as did my family. I had put them all through a lot. They were tired, nervous, but happy that I was sitting there making stupid faces at them, I was alive. I had survived. Hand me my heart-shaped pillow and let me cough. There was no laying down for a while, that’s for sure. When I sat back, I could feel my chest shifting. After all, they did saw me in half. I didn’t lay down for about four weeks, actually. But, over time my strength came back and I was able to maneuver around like a real person.

On the way to that, though, I had people watching over me like a hawk. The BCPF made sure that someone was “on duty” with me the whole time, from my sister to my mother, her to her mother. Someone was always here. It got to where I had to fake needing to go to the bathroom just to go sit on the toilet lid and be by myself for a few minutes. I had some great friends bring me and my chaperones food. I can’t tell Chris and Ashley, Doug and Molly and Jerry and Jennifer how much I appreciate them doing that.

After this, though, The BCPF and I decided that we’re going to live. LIVE! And, that’s what we’ve done. We’ve been to Europe twice, the second a wedding/honeymoon expedition. So glad I got to see Notre Dame before this week happened. We accompanied friends to Costa Rica. We went to Walt Disney World with my family. We have time with each other. We enjoy just about everything we do. We collect records, we eat really delicious food, we hang out with really terrific friends, we just love our lives.

I have to really thank The BCPF for everything, because if it
weren’t for her, making sure I take my meds regularly, eating right, doing what little exercise I’ll do, going to my doc appts, and just living the heck out of IMAG0150me, I wouldn’t be here today to write this. She didn’t sleep much that first week. When she did it was in my hospital bed. My boy is also a huge part of my life. He’s almost 16 17 so he’s testing my ticker a good bit, but I love that boy to no end. They together are truly my everything. To my family, thank you all for your support and being here for me. To my friends, you’re all my bedrocks. You’re the foundation that I build on. To The Beer Dads, Jon and Paul, thank you guys for traversing this weird ride with The BCPF and me in our quest for World Domination. To everyone. I love you. Just… I love you. To Dr. Bret Borchelt. Thank you for “fixing” me.

I was 41 when this happened. I’m 46 47 now. I have to at least make it to 82 for me to be satisfied with it. I have to say, in all sincerity, I would never want to go through this again. However, in the grand scheme of things, it was all worth it and really, for me, wasn’t all that terrible. I think my family and friends had it worse than I in this ordeal. I got taken care of, waited on and yes had to endure some pain, but it wasn’t too awful. I’m just glad we have hit the “magic number” (no not three in this case) of six seven. That’s when the docs stop looking so closely at the procedure. I’m still here and other than being ridiculously fat, I feel great. So, all is well on this side of the world. I hope all of you have as wonderful a time as I do. Happy sixth seventh second birthday to me.

Until tomorrow, still kickin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Open-heart surgery is now part of a typical life experience for many people. Folks talk casually about ‘having a stent put in,’ as if they had their tires rotated.” – Roger Ebert

Our Lady or: Sleep Well

15 Monday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

I had planned on writing about more happier and funnier things today, but with the news coming out of Paris about the Notre Dame Cathedral being gutted by fire has really hit me in the teeth. My stomach has turned since hearing the news.

800px-Notredame_Paris

©Madhurantakam

My mother called and asked if I heard about it and I hadn’t because I was recording. But, once I knew, it was rough.

The BCPF and I have been to Paris twice and I think we are both in agreement that it is our favorite city in the world. Both trips had us visiting Notre Dame several times each trip. It’s at the center of the city so you really can’t escape it.

It’s no secret that I’m not religious. I make sure people know so they know where I stand. However, the first time I went to Paris was April 1, 2013. That happened to be Easter Sunday. After eating, the first thing that we did was visit Notre Dame. It was a very busy day being Easter and we took a tour into the historic cathedral. All the bronze statues, the wood, the architecture, the organ and its hundreds of pipes and much more. The loss of these things can never be brought back, even if the French rebuild.

As of this writing, the bell towers are still standing. Let’s hope they hold on.

The last time we were in Paris, which was 2014, we were instructed by Arturo, our tour guide, to actually step on the Point Zero in front of the church and the superstition for that was that it meant you would come back to Paris. We certainly plan on going back, but it may be a while. I hope this fire is contained and the bones of the building stay standing and that this enables Paris to finish renovations quicker.

I’m leaving it at that.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The spire ruined in the Notre Dame fire contained artifacts considered sacred to Roman Catholics, including a relic believed to be from Jesus Christ’s crown of thorns.” – NBC News

Silent Sunday or: Been KISSed

07 Sunday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

We didn’t get to Underdog Records yesterday due to our travels for the KISS concert. It was 3B’s and The BCPF’s first KISS concert and 3B’s first overall. They had smiles on their face all night long but some of that could have come from watching me.

I have seen KISS about 11 times now and I will say this show is in my top 5. There was no evidence of so-called lip syncing that people have talked about with Paul. I heard every crack in his voice in every song and especially during the interspersed banter. You could tell he was having a bit of trouble but he put on a great show. Gene looked like he was my age, not about to drop into 70. Eric and Tommy were great and on it. I do think Tommy was a bit loud but it was great.

3B was most impressed with Eric’s drumming, especially the obligatory solo. And, it was great. I know some people hate drum solos but I love them.

Also, I have very few pics because I purposefully didn’t take them or even pull my phone out once the show started except these few (the pic of the three of us was before the show).

Until tomorrow, recuperating…
Scorp out!

—
“Baby gets tired, everybody knows. Your mother tells you, baby has to show, yeah, yeah. Let me go. ‘Cause baby’s got the feelin’, baby wants a show. Baby, won’t you tell me? Baby, rock ‘n’ roll, yeah, yeah.” – “Let Me Go, Rock and Roll” (Simmons/Stanley)

Sounds Like Saturday or: The KISS Edition

06 Saturday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

Well, you had to know this one was coming. It’s Sounds Like Saturday time and I’m going to see KISS tonight and taking The BCPF and 3B with me. So, here’s a clip of one of the coolest things you’ll ever see, in concert or ever. At least to this Gene Simmons mark. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same KISS channel…
Scorp geeking out!

—
“The spell you’re under will slowly rob you of your virgin soul…” – “God of Thunder” (Stanley)

A Quarter Past or: Another KISS?

05 Friday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

25 years ago today, Kurt Cobain took his own life (or not according to what you believe happened). At that time I didn’t care. He “single-handedly” killed my music. He didn’t and as I’ve said, it was time for it to go, really, but at the time, you couldn’t convince me of that. It was 4 days before my first wedding. I really didn’t hear about it until I was on my honeymoon. And I didn’t care. Good riddance, I think I said. That was dumb and I totally get that, admit that, and regret that. I don’t think or agree he was the second coming of Lennon, but he was important and I now get that.kiss300

RIP to him, for sure.

Tomorrow, I will take The BCPF and 3B to Raleigh to see KISS. It will be my 11th time, I think, if I counted right, or if not, a good many and their first and probably only time. I have to admit that I am glad they are finally calling it quits. I’m sure this will be a show to end all shows but c’mon… they’re pushing 70 and why not go out before you become a joke? Paul’s voice isn’t the same and they look funny walking around in platform shoes, but man, I’m sure I’m going to be a giddy 8/9-year-old again.

It’s not about all that other stuff, it’s about how I feel listening to it. I still get tingly listening to KISS records; even the stuff I don’t like as much as some of their other stuff. It’s still a spectacle that all other bands try to imitate but usually fall short. This will be great. I have seats which are front row on the first balcony level so we are looking right over Gene’s head but slightly in front of him so we can see what’s going on. We’ll be eye level to him “God of Thunder” time, I think. Again, gonna be great. I know a few folks that are going and we’re gonna have a meet up beforehand, It think/hope.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“What else should I be? All apologies. What else could I say? Everyone is gay. What else could I write? I don’t have the right. What else should I be? All apologies.” – “All Apologies” (Cobain)