Today on The Man Who Ate the Town, Ray and I discuss a “hidden” dress code for a local restaurant and why people are losing their minds. Or, better yet, WHY ARE people losing their minds over this? This and other restaurant/food news. Listen to the episode here.
You have food news? Let me know so I can let my listeners know.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I think I could actually be vegan if I could eat meat.” – Me
Tonight was Kristen Daukas takeover on The Less Desirables. Eugene was supposed to be her co-host/guest for the evening but he had to miss because of family emergency. So, even though I was supposed to be “off,” I sat in with Kristen as she ran the ship. It was fun. Like I said in the Facebook and RSS feed, what do two ADD people with a couple of microphones and a bottle of wine talk about? Well, anything they want to, really. Hear that episode here. And, hear the “BWV Daily” here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “What advice did your parents give you that you wish you took?” – Kristen Daukas
We got back to podcasting The Man Who Ate the Town today. Ray and I talked a bit about restaurants closing for the week of July 4 and Greek-owned restaurants. I gave a review for both The BCPF’s and my dining experience at The Katharine and Sir Winston over the last two weeks. You can listen to that episode here. And, don’t forget the daily dose of music history by listening to the Beeswax Vinyl Daily podcast here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul.” – Dorothy Day
Yesterday, The BCPF and I went and did a couple of errands and then went to Underdog Records. Even after sustaining a swollen appendage because of yellowjackets, Jonathan was all smiles and joking around. We had a good time. We didn’t spend a lot of money, though. Every once in a while I’ll have a shopping day when nothing moves me. I didn’t really find anything I wanted, but The BCPF got these two titles…
Calexico – Hot Rail — From 2000. We have established The BCPF’s fandom of Calexico. Here you go. New.
Buffalo Springfield – Buffalo Springfield Again — Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Mono, 180 Gram. Limited edition of 5000 copies, per Rhino website article. #188 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time,[9] maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list (that’s the one that matters). It fell off the list that doesn’t matter. We got it used, even though it was still sealed, so new.
Record Store Day is coming this Saturday. Visit the official RSD website for more info. Watch Underdog Records’ Instagram and Facebook for posts about Jonathan’s latest acquisitions and what you can pick up. You can order new records, day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. And use Discogs to track your collection. That’s one reason my list was so short today. I found some things and then realized upon looking them up, I already had those.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “Oh, hello Mr. Soul. I dropped by to pick up a reason. For the thought that I caught that my head is the event of the season. Why in crowds just a trace of my face could seem so pleasin’. I’ll cop out to the change but a stranger is putting the tease on.” – “Mr. Soul” (Young)
I hope you all recovered from the holiday nicely. The BCPF and I went back to Underdog Records after a week off. We got good stuff. We enjoyed our day. ‘Nuff said! Here’s the haul:
Kiss – Off The Soundboard Tokyo 2001 — Supposedly, this is truly “off the soundboard” but there are parts that make me question that. It’s too good and slick. There’s no way a KISS show is going to be that good and slick. They’re sloppy. It was 20 years ago, so Paul’s voice was still hanging on pretty well. But, also, Paul is in his “old Jewish woman” mode here and that didn’t start happening until just about 8-10 years ago. So, I question whether it really is live. But, it’s a good listen nonetheless. 3×LP, Special Edition, Triple vinyl album with cardboard sleeve housing each vinyl in its own sleeve with tracklisting. New.
The Mountain Goats – Dark In Here — The BCPF loves The Mountain Goats and this was his newest album. I like him, okay, but he’s kind of a one-trick pony. He sings most of the songs the exact same way with the same cadences, rhythms, and notes, it seems. I dunno. 1 1/2 sides. Side 4 is etched, Blue. “High Noon Somewhere Blue” vinyl. Side 4 has an etching of the Kola Superdeep Borehole Tower. Gatefold jacket with full lyrics. Includes digital download card. New.
Fleet Foxes – Shore — Shore was recorded before and during quarantine in Hudson (NY), Paris, Los Angeles, Long Island City and New York City from September 2019 until September 2020. As with Mountain Goats, side 4 is etched, Stereo, Black Vinyl.
Lambchop – Showtunes — It seems to be a The BCPF-heavy haul. That’s okay. My KISS album was almost $60. Lambchop was one of the first bands that I remember her putting songs from on a Mix Tape (CD). Merge “Peak Vinyl” Edition New.
Jonathan had a fairly large crowd when we left Underdog Records. It was good to see that, especially with a big festival happening downtown. Watch the Instagram of Underdog to see what Jonathan has gotten in and putting out for purchase. You can shop new records, day or night, by visiting the Underdog Records website. RSD #2 is coming in two weeks! See the available list here. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection and The BCPF was just remarking this morning how it has saved us more than once from getting an unintentional duplicate. Or, it has allowed us to see that the copy of something we have is shite and this better version needs to be put in our collection. You should use it for that, too.
Tonight, we had Jessica and Matt Judson from Thirsty Buffalo Beverage Catering. We had three really great beverages that Matt made for us. They do everything beverage from providing a bar tender all the way to a mobile bar with the bar tenders. New things are in the pipeline for them. You can listen to the episode here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Your bar plays a huge role in event aesthetics and the overall energy of your party. We’ll bring the cocktails, and create an incredible guest experience.” – Thirsty Buffalo
Tonight, The BCPF and I were able to get together with The Joneses, The Lowders, The Verners, and “Our Jim” Young at one of my favorite restaurants in town, Diamondback Grill.
We have all spent time together in our yard, socially distanced, but not in a restaurant (at least not all of us) since before the pandemic. Last night was amazing. A lot of laughter. A lot of catching up. A lot of great beverages. A lot of great food. Dean, our server was amazing. Special thanks to Kimberly and Murphy Gregg for having such a great restaurant and for taking such good care of us. Our first outing was a success!! There will be plenty more!
From bottom clockwise: Paden, Stacy, Paul, Susan, Jon, Me, The BCPF, Celeste, Jim.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.” – William Butler Yeats
Today instead of playing a video, I’m just going to post a picture. A picture of me doing “my thing” last night on stage, playing the songs of The Rolling Stones. This is from my performance of “Paint It Black.” So, I’m just gonna leave this right here.
The BCPF and I went to eat first at Cafe Arthur’s which we hadn’t been to in about 18 months. We then went to a drag carwash to get Anabelle washed for the second time in two days. Then, we hopped over to Underdog Records and then home to do some listening. Here’s the haul:
Various – The Original Sound Of Burkina Faso — Mr. Bongo is a world music record label that specializes in reissuing albums from around the world and more recently lost classic films from around the world. We are doing our “Country Spinner” thing and eventually, hopefully, we get to Burkina Faso. I am fascinated with a lot of the African countries because they have lush but troubled histories, what with the European “ownership” of many of the countries for so long. But, beyond that, I have gotten more and more into world music lately. So there’s that. 2×LP, Compilation. New.
King Diamond – Abigail — I’m not the biggest King Diamond fan but something about this album I really enjoyed on CD so to have it on vinyl about $10 less expensive than buying new, especially in NM condition? Yeah, I’ll take that. Limited Edition, Reissue, Blue, 180g.
Sting – Live At The Bataclan — Record Store Day 2017 release – 3500 pressed. Recorded at the Bataclan in Paris on 12-11-2016. Sting performed an exclusive concert in Paris for the re-opening of the Bataclan, a year after Islamist militants killed 90 people at the venue. Sting donated the proceeds from the show to two survivors’ charities. NM.
Superchunk – Come Pick Me Up — Seventh album from Mac McCaughan and company. I’ve stated before, I’ve seen this band with The BCPF, twice. Hype sticker states the following: “Superchunk’s class album from 1999. Remastered, 180-gram vinyl reissue including new liner notes and bonus tracks. Full download included.” New.
Paul Simon – There Goes Rhymin’ Simon — We have this already but the cover is kind of beat up and I believe it’s an original pressing. This is a Limited Edition, Numbered (#0657), Gatefold. It’s in NM. We will keep both.
KC And The Sunshine Band – Part 3 — This contains three of the band’s biggest hits, “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty”, “I’m Your Boogie Man”, and “Keep It Comin’ Love”. The first two reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 while the third peaked at number two. Two other singles, “I Like to Do It” and “Wrap Your Arms Around Me” found moderate success on the charts. Club Edition (RCA), Gatefold. EX.
Louis Armstrong – Hello, Dolly! — This should be Louis Armstrong and His All Stars, which at the time included Joe Darensbourg, Billy Kyle, Big Chief Russell Moore, Arvell Shaw, and Trummy Young. But, cool, anyway. On the back it does say that. Mono. VG+.
Maurice Larcange – Paris For Lovers — You know we love all things France, especially Paris. The “Country Spinner” currently sits on France and we are excited to start our journey (again) to France. This was there and as we collect anything we see “from” Paris, we had to have this, too. EX.
The haul was good this week. Nothing really high profile but we were happy with it. This coming Saturday is Record Store Day Drop One! So, make sure you go to the RSD website and see what will be coming out. Let me warn you, folks camp out for this so the line will be long. We didn’t get that last year because of the state of the world. Jonathan will be opening the store at 8am and only so many folks will get to go in at a time. But, if you’re not interested in RSD and just want other albums, then you can shop the Underdog Records website 24/7. I use Discogs to track my collection (that’s how I knew the condition of my other Paul Simon copy) and you should, too!
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all. And though my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none. I can read the writing on the wall.” – “Kodachrome” (Simon)
Today, I “officially” reopened The Less Desirables Studios in The Lab at Industry Hill for podcast recordings. Now, that being said I won’t be doing everything in that studio right away. Really, I’m only opening it so I can accommodate the clients that need a place for in-person podcasting. Some of my podcasts, ones that I host, will be done, some from my home, and some from the studio.
I haven’t talked much about this part, but I got my EIDL from the government and I have spent a good bit of it on new equipment, new computers, new processes and soon, a new table from which we do podcasting. I’m also going to reorganize the studio space, creating a new editing room and separate recording space.
The recording space will be in the same room that the podcasts are recorded, now. The editing room will be in a different spot in my suite, which I used to call “my office.” I never have used it as an office as I tended to do everything from the studio. The closest it has come to being an office is that the printer and internet router (thank you X1 Communications) are in there. But, it will be rearranged and used more effectively.
For the third office in the suite, I have to figure out what to use it for. My initial plan was for video. I don’t know about that now. We talked about turning it into a “set” for a revival of Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking but as of now, that whole idea is on permanent hold. The big room, I hope to figure something to do with that, too, but I am less interested in filling that room as it ties the whole thing together.
Now, speaking of Sipping NC and the “big room,” I went in yesterday to let in the cleaners that I had come in to help me prepare and when I walked in the door, I noticed a mess. It seems the top shelf of my liquor wall that held the bottles and cans Jordan Keiper and I had collected from the libation makers on the SNC show, collapsed and the bottles (save one wine bottle) had toppled to the floor. In doing so, I lost two bottles, a Bedlam Vodka bottle and a Covington Sweet Potato Vodka bottle had both shattered and the alcohol had soaked into the carpet. There were several other bottles that had fallen but none of them broke. Oddly enough, two of the bottles had lost their corked caps. That isn’t the odd part. The odd part is, I never found them. Nowhere. Gone. Disappeared.
I looked around and in the “office” I noticed a bag of ketchup and mustard packets had been gnawed to shreds by a rat or mouse or something. We have had a problem with those in the last little bit (but we have an exterminator that has planted bait traps). My only thought is that perhaps the rodent liked the smell of the alcohol and took them off somewhere to “have a party.” I don’t know, but it’s funny to think of it.
So, that was my adventure yesterday. I have clients scheduled for next week. Yay me! We’ll see where this new adventure takes me. Thanks for indulging me in my story.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “I don’t think anybody can create in a space where they don’t feel comfortable.” – Amy Sherald
