It’s time to talk about that trip we just took around the sun. It’s birthday time. Good ones, not so bad ones, memorable ones. Plans for this one. Also, It’s time to talk about that trip we just took around the sun. It’s birthday time. Good ones, not so bad ones, memorable ones. Plans for this one. Also, a new discussion starter question.
Leave comments or just join the conversation by calling the TLD Network Hotline at 336-422-NUMB (6862).
As you may or may not know, Dear Reader, I have written this blog “every day” (at least FOR every day) since November 1, 2014. That was right after, well a month and a half after, my honeymoon. I did the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time list (the 2012 list that matters) and reviewed that. I did the Honeymoon Chronicles. I have posted while traveling. I have started several podcasts since then.
Today is November 1, 2021. That’s 2,557 days. 2,557 blog posts. On October 1, I started counting down for this. That’s what that number has been. Probably over 750k words because when I was on, it was verbose. Especially in the early days, I had a special rule that said I had to have at least 250 words per post. Usually, it was over 500 but had to be at least 250.
As you may have noticed over the last two years, there’s been a bit of a shortage of topics to talk about. Most of the stuff I post anymore is just “piggybacks” off of my podcasts or other blogs. I’ll admit my heart hasn’t really been in it but I have to keep up streaks. I can’t let something go.
I loved posting in the beginning. There were a lot of cool things to talk about. It could be a rant. It could be a review. It could be an observation. It could just be spouting off about something, I mean look at the subtitle of this blog. I used to really love writing. That has waned, a lot. I think some of it has to do with time, which I have very little of, at least free time, anymore.
I’ve lifted my fingers from my laptop…
The pandemic threw things into disarray even more. At least pre-C-19, I had places to go, people to rub against, things to see and do. That’s where I drew a lot of inspiration for this blog that may or may not have been 100% true and accurate. You know that technically, I write this blog as a character and not as myself. That’s why it’s always signed “Scorp” short for Scorpio, short for ScorpioNC, the name I’ve used most of my adult “online” life. Scorp had a lot of things to say, sometimes just to rile people up, especially during the RS List days. Not all of it was how I actually felt. That’s creative license and I used it.
I think the key word in that last sentence is “creative.” Once the pandemic hit, and I found myself working on so much research and writing on The Man Who Ate the Town to keep up with what food and beverage establishments in WSNC that I became a bit burned out on writing. Because my scope was limited, so was my writing channel. I didn’t want to write so much but I also didn’t want to let this thing go. At least not then.
It went from making sure I had a post in before midnight to constitute that day’s post to “eh, I’ll write the whole week’s worth on Sunday.” And, that’s what happened. I was getting up early on Sunday to write Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s posts. Saturdays are fairly easy because it’s just picking a video to play for Sounds Like Saturday. But, skip back to five months ago, and every day it was a “Now Normal Chronicle” post about a video of something, mostly anniversaries of albums. That’s because it was easy to pull off. I think it was an interesting topic. So much that everything that Beeswax Vinyl Daily is, is exactly that. Music history. So, I didn’t see the need to post that every day, any longer.
It’s not fair to you, Dear Reader, to have to endure my boredom and frustrations. I don’t know if “fair” is the right word. You can just not read it, that’s okay. But, I haven’t stopped getting new followers and readers. I haven’t stopped getting likes on a good number of posts, mostly the food ones or where I say something profound (at least in my head). It’s not fair to me either, though. I started this to mean something. I still want it to mean something. At first, I missed being a “journalist” and this was the way for me to do that, bring you something exciting or at least entertaining. Through all these years, I think, especially in the beginning, that this was at least entertaining. It’s become a chore for me.
So, here we are, again, November 1, 2021. Seven years, to the day, that I started the NABLOPOMO (National Blog Posting Month) “30-Day Challenge” that I just couldn’t stop writing (thanks a lot Kristen Daukas). I am announcing that I am stopping the “every day posting” that I have committed to and somewhat adhered to, effective today. But, what does that mean? It means that there won’t be a dedicated Monday-Sunday daily blog post. But, I am not giving up blogging altogether. I do still plan on doing Sounds Like Saturdays and Spinning (or Silent) Sundays. I want this blog to go on.
But, that’s not all. I will be going back to the spirit of this blog and that’s posting with purpose. If I have something to say, to announce, to rant about, to promote, then I’ll come and post about those things. The blog is still here. In addition to that, I’m working on a weekly blog post along the lines of what was “Talking Tuesday” posts for seven weeks in 2016. It’s basically a blog post that is in podcast form. In fact, I am planning to start a Useless Things Need Love, Too podcast for those. I may look at the Wheeler’s Dog platform and do one on here (or its own website) and then do a BONUS episode each week on Patreon. I’m weighing my options.
It comes down to this, I changed my “daily” focus from this blog to the Beeswax Vinyl Daily and trust me, that takes up not only my work time but my free time, too. I put more hours into that than almost any podcast I do or have ever done. It’s my daily release. This used to be. This used to mean so much to me, and it really still does, but it’s not a priority. That’s its sad reality and sad truth. But, I still love it and I’m going to keep it. I think I’m going to take a virtual page out of the book of my friends Honu Global and refurbish, refinish, reimagine what this blog will be.
I thank all of you who may have read these ramblings daily, at least in the beginning. Thank you if this is your first time. Thank you if this is your last time. Thank you for pushing me through. Thank you for just being mildly interested. Thank you for tuning in to see what kind of train wreck it may be.
Once again, I’m not quitting this, I’m just repurposing it.
Until next time, same blog channel at SOME blog time… Tim out.
Let me start by saying that the number in the title has nothing to do with what I’m going to say here.
I tallied up my totals for my podcast episodes. The last I checked, in September, it was 2186. As of today, I have produced or co-produced 2281 episodes. So 95 since September 16.
Me doing my thing…
That includes The Less Desirables, The Man Who Ate the Town, Fan Interference, Asylum – Tales from the Devereaux Diaries, Beeswax Vinyl Daily, and Wheelers Dog (the general public editions) for the network (The Beer Dads is on hiatus as Beer Dad Jon acclimates to his new job).
This also includes my clients, Forsyth Magazines, Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber, Health Geeks Book Club, Nailing It, Eat Drink Triad. With the exception of LCC and EDT right now, I have actually produced more, but I’m trying to not count them until they are published. I guess I could say that I’ve had 2281 published. Whatever.
I am proud of my numbers. I have done this longer than anyone I know and anyone I’ve heard of, at least around here. Some may have started earlier. Some may have more episodes (not collectively, I feel) but, this is continuous since at least 2010, but I started in 2007.
I am a podcast producer that can get you quality recordings and listed on major podcast directories. It’s up to you, the client, to provide the content and do your own marketing. I don’t do that, but I am a one-stop shop for your podcast needs. Contact me here if you’d like to talk about your own podcast.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I like the freedom of podcasting. With podcasting you can really mess around with the form and the format. You can do as much time as you like without having to pause for commercials.” – Adam Carolla
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)
Since I was doing my tribute to Finnigan’s Wake yesterday, I didn’t do the “piggyback”. The Man Who Ate the Town was recorded before I knew about Finnigan’s closing. Michael was working on that story so he wasn’t with me. I talk about: Farm 2 Fourth happened and raised over $90k for helping feed children and other folks. Tim talks about the menu and flavor profiles of the event. DiLisio’s changes hours again. Bar Nola. City Bev has a tent sale. Small Batch Halloween Party. Tim and Stephanie had dinner at Davie Tavern. The Country Spinner and Burger Tour ’21 updates. “The List” is discussed as well as other food news. Listen to that episode here.
This morning, I did a special “supplement” podcast to talk about the same things I wrote on this blog yesterday. The difference is, you can actually hear my inflection, emotion and more. You can hear that here.
While I’m here, and it is Tuesday, then here’s your reminder to listen to the music history goodness that is Beeswax Vinyl Daily podcast. Listen to thathere.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some. Tell me why you wanna lay there and revel in your abandon. Honey, it don’t make no difference to me, baby. Everybody’s had to fight to be free. You see, you don’t have to live like a refugee.” – “Refugee” (Petty/Campbell)
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
Today on The Man Who Ate the Town, Michael and I talked about the former Dixie Classic Fair, now known as Carolina Classic Fair, how they have a beer garden, now, and Providence’s Farm 2 Fourth event. You can listen to the episode here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “The big news was, for the first time, the fair has beer!” – Michael
Fridays are networking days for me as I am part of The Best Damn Referral Group, or TBD as we call it. But, that’s not the network I’m talking about this week. I am always talking about all the TLD Network shows, but not about the network itself. Let’s run them down:
So, there I listed all the current shows on the network. You can visit them each individually, or you can access all the shows, as they are released, in one place: The Less Desirables Podcast Network website.
You’ll find all you need to know there. Of course, you can always subscribe to all the network shows on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon, Audible, and anywhere you get your podcasts. I appreciate that subscribe. I also appreciate any likes, reviews, ratings, or whatever else you can do on your preferred platform.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Beeswax Vinyl Daily are short podcast episodes where Tim Beeman details the day in music history.” – TLD Network
Today was a very laid back Monday. Not on purpose, but it just “was.” Michael and I recorded The Man Who Ate the Town, talked about the Carolina Classic Fair, Farm 2 Fourth, Eat Drink Burger Week, and more. I also had a great conversation with Chef Brian DePaulis from Providence when I visited them last week. You should give it a listen. You can do that here. I’d really appreciate a “subscribe,” a like, a review, and a rating. It would help me tremendously!
I went solo on The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast this week, as Michael had scheduling conflicts. That’s cool. I don’t want to do it all the time but every once in a while, it happens. On this episode, I talk about the Eat Drink Burger Week that happened last week. I talk about a new craft cocktail bar opening on the most bar-concentrated block in town. A restaurant reducing hours, one eatery whose founder passed away, and one that disappeared. There’s a lot more that I talk about. You can hear the episode here. I truly appreciate you giving it a listen, subscribing, “liking” it, reviewing it, and so on. It does help me tremendously and thank you for it.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “After chasing this barbecue dream for almost 11 years, Goodtimes Bar-B-Cue will be shutting down.” – Goodtimes Bar-B-Cue
Useless Things Need Love Too 