FlyOver Series

I loves me some NY Yankees and the Red Sox but it's always special when FlyOver Teams are in serious contention for the World Series.

Witness 2011: Milwaukee Brewers v St Louis Cardinals (aka The Suds Series) and Texas Rangers v Detroit Lions. What is not to like about these teams so dearly held to our non-East/West Coast hearts getting TV exposure, but more importantly, getting the validation that we know they deserve. Guess what, folks, we don't need your stinking East Coast validation! (Sorry, West Coast, the McCourts totally effed up the Dodgers. The Angels, Giants and A's have a Flyover vibe: when they're in contention, we're all rooting for 'em.)

Thank ye - O Gods of Baseball.

Blues for Anyday

Nobody knows you
When you're down and out
when your pockets
don't hold a penny
Look for your friends
You don't have any

When you get back upon your
Feet again
Everybody wants to be
Your good, ole long-lost friend

You know, it's mighty strange
Without a doubt
Nobody knows you
When you're down and out

Written by Jimmy Cox

Nice

What is "nice"? Accommodating, too accommodating? Loving as one wishes to be loved? At what point is one an enabler? Where is the invisible, moving line where one ceases to be loving and becomes ... what? Over-loving? Enabling, the current term for allowing one's self-destructive partner to immolate? No, not allowing, helping the process along.

So, you are told your entire life that you are 'nice'. By even your therapist. "Nice' ceases to be a positive adjective, it becomes a pervasive worm that lives within the soul, destroying every relationship.

Live Blogging the Rally for Sanity / March for Fear

So I dvr'd this for later viewing in order to skip Comedy Central's famous 5-minute-minimum commercial blocks.

Imagine my excitement to see it's commercial-free!

I am officially a Roots fan now. Like 'em as Fallon's house band, but their set rocked!

What's not to like about the Roots backing John Legend. Haven't heard this Withers song since the day.

MYTHBUSTERS! This is better and better! This crowd is unfuckingbelievable! Who woulda thunk it? Sentimental fool, I am full of emotion and tears. What a wonderful celebration of our nation's inherent goodness. MB's experiments are so cool. Groundswell - seismic measurement, too good.

DAMN! Never saw 10 mil persons before!

Ozzie looks awesome! Keith Richards lives and writes his autobiography. Wondering if sex, drugs and rock n roll aren't the right way, after all!

Orgasm: Cheryl Crow and Kid Rock

Tears again. Jon Stewart's closing speech.

Appreciation

Awesome version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". I never knew Prince was such a virtuoso on the guitar ... guess I got caught up in the mystique and never learned of the substance.



Lovely tribute to a timeless song.

Feeling Thirsty

Goodness...First post of 2010. Where does the time go? Well, if one works for the US Bureau of Census, the time is overtaken by a job that must be done accurately, but fast. No, faster. Why isn't this done yesterday? Sounds like most jobs, right. Interesting working for the Fed govt. But not today.

Today it rained. Beautiful, almost 1/2 inch of lovely, cool rain. Meanwhile, in OK City, it's flooding. But here in West Texas, we received a welcome reprieve from the weeks of 100d heat. The grass is crunchy when I walk on it...doesn't matter how much I water it. Rain, though: why does rain give the grass more nutrients than the water from my well? Why does it seem the grass and trees and flowers get a welcome, refreshing drink from rain?

You know how a cold beer tastes sooo good on a hot day? Man, it goes down easy: cold, bracing, satisfying ... until you want another. The 2nd beer is good, just not as good as the first.

Then take a big drink of water -- There, that's it. That really satisfies the thirst.

Cold Christmas Day

Watching a cracklin' fire on Christmas night. Cliche, but true (that's why they call 'em cliches). Too beautiful to put into words -- a spark flying here and there, yellow flames in front, red on blackened logs, and blue flames in back.

Lovely day, very low-key -- just the way I like my holidays.

We had way more than a dusting of snow yesterday, maybe an inch - unusual for West Texas at Christmas. Cold, cold, so cold. Weather moving in from the North with an icy North wind blowing. Icicles still hanging off the house, tho there's been no moisture in 48 hours.

I put a blanket on Blaze, our Palomino, last night. He spends more time now laying out in the sun on the ground, like a young colt, gathering every ray of sunshine on his old bones. He's such a beautiful horse, and so affectionate. My big ole baby who puts his soft, warm, white muzzle against me while I pet his thick, golden winter coat.

Normally, Blaze gambols about like a young colt, but lately he's had a bad limp. We think the mare, Star, kicked him in the knee. He chases her around, trying to herd her like any stallion would, while she bucks and rears, putting on her own personal rodeo. Seems like little Star must have connected with Blaze's knee. He was giving her a wide berth last week, but he's back to moving her around again, albeit with a limp.

More cold on the way. I'm going out for more wood.

What War?

Upon hearing President Obama's order for more troops to Afghanistan, I was overtaken by a memory of another war.

I was about 17 when my oldest brother returned from service in the Navy during the Viet Nam war. He and my mother were talking in our small kitchen. They were discussing his attempt to bond with our father down at the local VFW. Daddy wore his green cap proudly, and spent many afternoons drinking beer down at the VFW Hall. My brother, then in his mid-20's, drank a couple of beers with Daddy and his buddies, then left. "All they wanted to do," he explained to Mama "was drink beer and talk about their war. I want someone to talk to about my war."

His lament crystallized the dichotomy in the country, at that time and still today, about Viet Nam, about every war. No one wanted to talk about this Boomer war, fought in a country nobody knew about, for so many years it was just another boring staple on the evening news. Even today, there is a romance about World War II. Books are written, and celebrated, about The Greatest Generation. From the time I was thirteen, I read everything I could about the Second World War, mesmerized by the twisted psychology of Hitler. My mother told stories of meat and tire rationing, her job in a Long Beach shipbuilding plant, and how proud everyone was of the troops and the war effort. The nation, according to her, pulled together as one during the early 40's to fight Hitler and the Germans, then Tojo and the Japanese. She was disgusted at the Berkeley and Columbia protests, at John and Yoko with their long, unkempt hair and anti-war attitude, at my sympathy to the protests and enthusiasm for Lennon's music and views.

And just as she didn't want to hear pot-smoking musicians sing give peace a chance, the nation didn't want to know about those who came home from the war. When first one, then another brother came home from service, they set about finding jobs and settling families during the inflationary times of the early 70's. Just as their father had done 20 years earlier. There were no parades. Hawks and Doves still fought over political careers. Nixon had a secret plan. Cronkite still intoned on TV every evening: over jungle fire-fights, and protests, and bloody bodies.

And nobody talked to them about their war.

Black Crowes

Dodgers at Cards, Game 3

Why am I only live-blogging this series? I am loving the Yankees-Minnesota series. Have a convoluted 10th cousin 4x removed to the 2nd power tie to Minnesota. But I loves me some Jeter - well, who doesn't really? The most-talented, classiest player in beisbol. Plus, nom nom! Jeter's on my fantasy baseball team, if you catch my drift. In my fantasy league, I always win.

And, of course, along with the Cardinals, I've ALWAYS loved the Red Sox. I know, one cannot love both the Yankees and the Red Sox, except if you live in fly-over land. Ha! Back at ya, East Coast. I witnessed the sickening Bill Buckner error. Must...erase...bad image...from...mind...

One thing the Dodgers/Cards have is my 2 fantasy GMs: Tony LaRussa, the only lawyer who shouldn't be at the bottom of the sea; and Joe Torre, former catcher (my fantasy position -- in baseball) he of the aforementioned stupid decision by the Steinbrenners. Too young to see Joe Torre catch, but I watched him coach the Cardinals in the playoffs in the 70's. I also remember how pissed off I was when the Cardinals fired him, until I saw how hot Tony LaRussa was!

This is not going well: Dodgers up 3-0 in 3rd inning. Ever notice how in football everything is bold, aggressive Roman numerals, but cooled-out, pastoral baseball prefers the more American Arabic characters. Yes I said it: American Arabic; just shows how chill baseball is. Super Bowl III vs 3rd Inning.

Cardinal bats are silent. Dear Lord, PLEASE don't let the Dodgers get in the series over the Cards -- especially not in a sweep! Because, you know, the Higher Power loves baseball.

Okay, this is too depressing. I'm going to make lasagna for supper. Maybe that will change their luck.

***************************

Okay, my bad, bad bad. 4th game. Dodgers swept Cards. Good on Joe Torre!

Clearly, I am in denial that this is the end for STL.

That is all. For now.

October Baseball

Watching the 2nd game of the LA Dodgers vs St Louis Cardinals series tonight. God, I love baseball post-season. Every game is so important - every game counts.

9th inning, STL leads LAD 2-1. 2 outs, 1 man in scoring position - please, please Cards, pull this one out. Cards fan from...well...the womb. Although I am in love with Joe Torre. Steinbrenner f***ed up letting him get away. Oh, well, that's Steinbrenner. Letting ego get in front of the brain.

Oh, s**t! Dodgers on 1st & 2nd. Oh, awesome hit to tie the game 2-2. Damn Dodgers just won't give up. One would think (hope) they lost their mojo trying to sew up the division lead. ooooooo......it just gets worse. Cacher lost a pitch: everybody advances. Ball 4, bases loaded, 2 out. Cards aren't changing pitchers. Dude's pitching well, just a couple bad breaks.

OH, MY. With 2 outs in 9th inning, Dodgers get 2 runs to win the game. Series: Dodger 2; Cards 0.

God, I love the baseball playoffs!

Anybody?

How are we feeling today? Have we taken our meds? Is it better now?.....or now?

Where have you gone, Jim Morrison?

I'm watching VH1Classic (I know, most of you can stop reading now) -- a film of the Doors late in their time together. Jim Morrison's "fat" phase. Right before he offed himself with heroin. Coincidence?

I read Morrison's poetry, but could never get into it. Maybe I was too young, or maybe his poetry was tainted with his addictions. Don't get me wrong, I'm no drug prude; but, honestly, drugs/alcohol (same thing) really don't enhance one's creative spirit. Dylan Thomas, Heath Ledger, F Scott Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe.

How do you feel?

Best Toy

Courtesy Breyer, Inc.

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

I loved horses, but we couldn't have a horse. I always asked for a horse, and sometimes received a plastic horse. They weren't always Breyer; they were whatever, and I loved them all. Thoroughbreds, Quarterhorses, Trigger (Roy Roger's horse - only Olds will know RR & Trigger), Appaloosas, Palominos - didn't matter. Loved 'em all. I kept a notebook with their names.

Unfortunately, most of the horses lost a leg or two as I played with them. Thank God I didn't have to put them down. I still have one horse with only 1 leg intact. My favorite.

We had lots of adventures. Anyone who can hook me up with horse models, I will be in your debt.

What was your toy of choice?

In Memorium

Courtesy NASA.gov

A day to give thanks. Thanks that we survived 9/11, and grew to embrace the tragedy as part of our nation and part of our collective conscious.

Thanks that the "training excercise" reported today in Washington did not result in harm to our President. At the time of this post, there is still confusion as to what, exactly, occurred on the Potomac with the Coast Guard.

God, please bring peace to us, our families, our neighbors, our nation, our President and our universe. Please bring Your serenity to those battling illness, loneliness, depression and their demons.

Thank you for Your infinite love and care.

Please share your thoughts.

Nerd Joke

Why are complementary metal oxide semiconductors always happy?






Because they're not bi-polar.

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood at Madison Square Garden

Just bought the Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood at Madison Square Garden DVD.

It is unbelievable. Those 2 old dudes rock.

Always a fan of Clapton, from the days of Cream: "White Room" first memory from -- what -- '67? I don't know - I was 13, and I knew I was hearing some very new, strange and awesome music.

My God, this concert is amazing. The last Clapton dvd I bought was the "Concert for George" tribute to George Harrison. I thought it was the cat's pajamas. Tonight I watched the Clapton/Winwood dvd, then put on the Harrison tribute. Clapton seems so much more engaged in this concert - it's almost day/night. And I loooooves me some Eric. His tribute to George was heartfelt. He clearly directed the music; and, I imagine he had his talented hands full with all the egos involved: Jeff Lynne, the late Billy Preston, et al; not to mention Tom Petty and Paul McCartney who are strong-minded directors of their own bands.

Clapton seems so much looser and happier at the MSG concert. And he is so back to his blues roots. Listen to "After Midnight", just as fresh as the original 1970 studio release. If you've never heard "Tell the Truth", you owe it to yourself to listen to this version with Winwood's excellent keyboards -- it totally stands up to the original. Winwood's interpretation of "Georgia On My Mind" is comparable to Ray Charles' classic. And "Little Wing" is spot-on with Clapton and Winwood trading vocals -- with much better vocals and guitar than the Derek & The Dominos-era version. A down-and-dirty bluesy "Voodoo Chile" gives a different spin to Hendrix' song. Clapton's guitar is a nasty counterpoint to Windwood's heartfelt vocals, who then ups the ante with his soulful chops on the keyboard.

Clapton is in great voice throughout the concert. Steve Winwood's vocals are as strong as when he was a teenager, and his guitar solo on "Dear Mr. Fantasy " rivals Clapton.

Clapton's guitar feels like the early 70's again, only better. The man who always aspired to be as good as his hero Robert Johnson is there -- in spades.

Clapton's feeling it again.

Best Months

April and October are my favorite months of the year. They are good, gleaming, groovy times. Seasons change. Months poised right before and after conventionally celebrated months: School beginnings and endings, book-ending vacations.

I love being unconventional, though it's distressing that unconventionality ultimately becomes orthodox.

Vacations in April and October are the best. Rates are lower for hotels and entertainment. Weather is moderate.

Life is good in October and April

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MONSTER?

Above is a picture I managed to take of a beast the likes of which have never been seen before. I dubbed it "The West Texas Basseagle". As you can see, it's a two-headed beast whose habitat is loveseats, chairs and sofas. The beast appeared on my loveseat yesterday; but, like the Yeti, took off when it heard the "snap" of the camera. This is my first sighting. It has a disjointed, lumbering gait; and the two heads each make a unique noise, like a "barking" of some kind. I have no more information than this. To my knowledge, this sighting is the first one in West Texas. Loch Ness has its monster, the U.S. has its Yeti, and the Northeast Coast has the Montauk Monster. I fear this is only the first report we will see of the Basseagle. Please let me know if you have seen such a creature; and post any photos you may have.

Cry Me A River

Take a moment and listen to Diana Krall's rendition of this great bluesy torch song. This is not to be confused with JT's "Cry Me A River".

I first heard this as a very young child when Julie London had a hit with it. She was an actress as well as a singer; married to the great jazz artist Bobby Troup who wrote "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66", one of the best songs ever written. Miss London was beautiful, and had this lovely, wispy, smoky voice.
Her version was a hit in 1956-57 according to everything I can find. It's hard to believe a song could make such an impact on a 3-year-old. Actually, I think I heard music in the womb -- I can remember listening to old rock from Buddy Holly, Elvis and Ray Charles.

I rediscovered this gem while watching Joe Cocker's rock interpretation at Woodstock.

Several stylings of this song are on the web: from the great Ella Fitzgerald (she's really rockin' it at the end, and adds an extra verse), Julie London (soft and sad) and Barbra Streisand (way too bombastic for my taste). Diana Krall takes just the right tone, combining blues and jazz for a bittersweet take.

All these songs, except Miss London's, are really gritty by the last verse, the sadness turning to this side of anger with a whole lot of "Your bad, dude; I'm out". Interesting phrasing, too; puts me in mind of Willie Nelson's unorthodox singing style. The jazz guitar is mighty tasty, too.

Sit back, and enjoy. And, please let me know of any other versions out there.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9y1vGxPVAA