Ten Things of Thankful ... The Rib Beating Edition!

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Well, it's 

rambling time again!

I guess that's why 

you're here.  Right?

Actually, I'm not sure how well the rambling is going to work out tonight.  My brain, in addition to being completely deep fried, breaded, and coated with mayo and hot sauce, is somewhat lax in its efforts to focus on any individual idea.

I've been sick.

Supposedly, a man isn't supposed to admit that.  They are supposed to carry the image that nothing can touch their macho "tough guy" facade.  No matter what is thrown at a man, he is supposed to stand tall, take the full brunt of the force, and act like nothing ever hit him.

F**k that!  I've been sick.

This bronchitis crap has been going on for almost a week.  It's always nice to cough up rubbish that reminds you that your body has junk inside that birds wouldn't eat.  (Ever seen a bird eat road kill?  And you thought that was bad.)  

You know the coughing continues after sleep when you awake with your ribs feeling like you've been the target of a police Billy Club assault.  What the police have against one sleeping I'll never know.  I'm just trying to figure out how in the hell they get into my bedroom night after night to perform their Billy Club exercises.  

How many of these damn guys do you let in
each night, anyway?

I'll bet my wife has something 

to do with that!

Yep, she's probably in love with one (or more) of the boys in blue and has been trying to figure out a way to end our relationship, and still keep all the stuff we've acquired over the years.  She's taking advantage of the affect NyQuil is having upon me, waiting until I've passed out, and then calling them, knowing that they're the experts in beatings without leaving bruises.  

And who knows what's she's doing with them after they've had their target practice on my ribs???   Knowing her, she's probably doing all sorts of sordid sexual acts ... dressing up like a prostitute and saying things like, "Hey boys, what's a girl gotta do not to get arrested around here?  Okay, you know how much I hate jail.  Lets do it!!"

Bitch!

Okay, so maybe the antibiotics are making me fantasize a little.  

Maybe she doesn't dress up!

Anyway, it's once again time for 

Ten Things of Thankful.

This is going to be a chore tonight.

This is where all of our fantastic hosts allow us to let our hearts flow with beautiful tidbits of thankfulness that are meant to instill warmth and serenity in each and ever person that reads them.

Boy, am I in the wrong place!

So, here's my sarcasm once again.  Hopefully, something will warm your heart.  

Just be careful of police officers carrying and aiming tazsers!

Ten Things Of Thankful

I'm so thankful ...

Cough it all up before you go into
the pharmacy, pulleeeaaasseee!

1)  ... that my wife works in a pharmacy.  Sick people go straight from the doctor's office to a pharmacy for medications.  Thus, my wife comes in contact with every disease known to man on a daily basis.  She normally doesn't catch a thing.  No, instead, she's a carrier.  Her body is a smorgasbord of germs by the time she walks in the house each evening.  Anytime I want an excuse to not go to work, I simply have to hug her the minute she arrives home.  Within minutes, I could be suffering from South Asian herpes to Siberian flu.  Who needs a damn mosquito to bite and infect you when my wife will do it without the pain and itching that accompanies the insect bite?  

2)  ... for telephone ringer cut off switches.  Who's calling?  Who cares?!?!  When bills can't be paid, collectors love to call you endlessly to inflict mental anguish and stress.  They don’t just let it ring a few times.  They’ll let it ring until it switches over to the standard phone company message (after 35 rings) that basically states, “Hey, Dumb Ass!  How many times does the phone have to ring before you realize they either aren’t home or don’t want to be disturbed by you?”  One flick of the ringer switch can bring you the peace and quiet you deserve.  Of course, not paying your phone bill can achieve similar results.

3)  ... for cooler temperatures.  Fall has finally arrived, bringing with it temperatures that allow one to drive in comfort with the heater on.  This eliminates the guilty feelings one has about using a little more gas unnecessarily when the weather is moderate, but you drive with your windows closed and ventilation fan on to avoid listening to Miley Cyrus getting wrecked and balled in the car filled with teenagers next to you at the stop light.  I really don’t care about what a wreck Miley is, nor who is balling her.  I just hope they practice safe sex.  Last thing I need is Miley going into a pharmacy and giving my wife something else to bring home to me!

Once, my favorite time of the year!

4)  ... for college basketball season!  Finally, my time of the year to enjoy television has arrived!  Now, I simply want to reek vengeance upon the psychologist that got me thinking about including one’s spouse in shared activities, as my wife has started watching as many games as I!  And, if she misses one while watching her “Dancing With The Stars” or “The Voice” or “Gray’s Sucky Anatomy” in the bedroom, she has me record it so that she can make me suffer watching it a second time later.  I’m betting that she’s only watching basketball now to learn how to set odds to be a bookmaker for the police each night!  Bitch!

5)  ... for kitty litter.  Having two wonderful cats (I have to say that to keep their claws from attacking my groin each night, after the police have had their target practice on my ribs, while I sleep), there is nothing so remarkable as kitty litter.  Unlike a dog, I don’t have to get out of a warm bed each morning to have them walk me around the block so that they can let me know they don’t have to go to the bathroom.  I see so many people being walked each morning by their canines that an immediate and overwhelming feeling of satisfaction flows through my system each time I watch my wife empty the litter box.  It’s nice when life is so simple!

Okay, so it's not a picture of grand beauty!
It still gets me where I need to go!

6)  ... for my Honda Ridgeline.  Having an All Wheel Drive vehicle when snow is in the forecast provides another stress reliever.  Plus, it has never let me down mechanically.  In addition, it has ample room for five people, a trunk for my snake collecting tools, and gets all of 10 mpg in city driving.  (Hey, almost 20 on the highway!)  True, I’ve been paying on it since the dawn of time, but still, it has been the only vehicle in over 30 years of driving that I haven’t wanted to trade out of for something new.  It’s also too big for my wife to feel comfortable driving.  That’s one way to make sure it stays in one piece!

What the Hell type of charity do these
guys represent???

7)  ... for the ability to give charitable donations.  Each week, I contribute to the Powerball and Mega Millions lottery/ charity.  I consider this a charitable donation as I have never collected any substantial amount from these donations.  I know several people that play the daily Pick Three lottery, and have won.  It is so nice to know that I’ve been able to help not only these individuals maintain the lifestyle they love, but also, all the illegal aliens and others that have profited from my donations.  It’s always nice to know that you’ve done something nice for people!

8)  ... for the idiocy of the Wisconsin Police officers who couldn’t wait until an individual wanted on a warrant for illegal firearm possession left the Children’s Hospital before trying to arrest him.  Okay, if a person has a warrant for this, wouldn’t you think he might be armed again?  And, if you thought he was going to be armed, why would you go into a Children’s Hospital to try to arrest him?  Isn’t that like saying, “Hey, the coals may still be warm.  Why don’t you pour some gasoline on them and see?”

Sure, let's go to arrest someone that might be armed
in a safe place ... like a Children's Hospital!!!!  Duh!!!

So, the police go to arrest this guy while he’s in the hospital and find him holding a baby.  No, he doesn’t pull a gun out.  Instead, he puts the baby down and starts to run.  So, the police pull out their guns, still in the hospital, and scream, “Stop, or we’ll shoot!”  When the guy keeps running and then, only after being threatened, pulls out a gun, the police open fire!  Then, the police make out like it’s all the guy’s fault they fired live rounds in a Children’s Hospital!

No history of violent crime, no reason to pursue him in the hospital to make an arrest, and no remorse over putting children in danger by their stupidity.  I wonder if these guys have relatives on the police force in my city.  Guess I’ll have to ask my wife!

9)  ... for the stupidity and greed of retailers who plan on being open on Thanksgiving.  Are these companies made up of individuals so greedy that they can’t wait 24 hours to start making money off of the holiday season?  Are these companies so callous that they could care less about their employees being able to enjoy one of the few special holidays a year where family life and get-togethers is cherished?  Are these companies so hypocritical that they will make hourly wage earners work while the corporate members get to enjoy a full holiday, as well as the day after, either with friends or family?  Isn’t is sad that the answer to all of these questions is “Yes?”

You mean I can get an entire album
for only this much?

10)  ... for the music industry that has decided to start charging more online for a music download than for the actual CD!  Of course, there is no physical production that has to go into music downloading, no cd’s to record, no labels to print, or no cases to load, so it makes sense for them to charge two or three dollars more for them on Amazon.com and ITunes, doesn’t it?  One would think that without all the expenses, prices would go down.  However, the music industry has raised prices over $5 this year on the average per CD.  What do you want to bet none of the producers and company executives are working on Thanksgiving?

And, that’s it!  Another Ten Things of Thankful is in the bag.  I’d appreciate you commenting below (I live for comments), as well as visiting the other great lists in this hop.  Oh, and if you happen to see my wife in the company of police officers, just ignore them.  

It’s better than getting your ribs beat on!

Ciao!

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: Man, Have I Got A Story For You

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After the general "Free-For-All" that took place last week, Queen of the Hop, Jen (as well as the other great co-hosts) has come up with a theme for this week's Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday Hop.  

This is good because I'm currently unable to think for myself.  Yep, it's cold season again and good old bronchitis has made itself present in my cigarette smoke ravaged lungs.  I almost stayed away this week to keep from possibly infecting all of you with this wonderful challenge to daily activity, but what the hell, it is better to give than to receive.  Right?

Anyway, this week's theme is "... songs that tell a story ... a real story, not that love la la crap."  

You know, stuff like, "I love you so much and want you to be mine forever until I meet someone else that I want to be with forever unless you meet someone else that you want to be with forever first, unless you happen to have a horse and a dog in love and you're deciding between taking a train or a pick-up truck to the rodeo after you stop by the bar and get drunk while listening to the jukebox."

Kind of like a country love song, I guess!

So, let us get started before I succumb to the sleep signals that keeps saying, "Forget about this writing crap and go to bed and get well!"  I never was one to pay attention to good advice.

First one up will take us back into the early 60's.  The Sunday Comic strips used to be filled with nonsensical funnies about different phases of life.  One such strip, entitled "Alley Oop", took us all the way back to the days of the cavemen.  I don't really remember much about it, as it wasn't one of my favorites back then.  (Dagwood & Blondie and Dick Tracy held those spots.)  However, this comedy / novelty song did fairly well on the charts, so someone must have like it!

Hollywood Argyles  "Alley Oop"

Since we're on the caveman theme, here's a song from the early 70's done by the Jimmy Castor Bunch.  I can't tell you how many teenage boys would repeat the lyrics, "Gotta Get A Woman, Gotta Get A Woman" endlessly after hearing it.  Yep, even though the band was mostly known as a jazz band, they released this comedy / novelty hit.  Enjoy!

Jimmy Castor Bunch  

"Troglodyte (Cave Man)"

Ray Stevens was the master of the comedy / novelty song back then.  He wrote songs about streaking, crazy squirrels in a Mississippi church, and even a stalker whisperer who called a lady named Margaret endlessly.  Yet, among all his comedy songs, "Gitazan" and this one seemed to be the favorites of the masses.  Forget about being politically correct here.  That concept wasn't known in the late 60's.

Ray Stevens  "Ahab The Arab"

We've all heard stories of cave miners being trapped after a cave-in.  This wasn't only a fear of one who was claustrophobic, but of anyone who thought of a death that they would not want to suffer.  No one told the tale of a cave in better than Jimmy Dean with his classic, "Big Bad John."  (And "yes", this is the same Jimmy Dean that was later known for his breakfast sausage.)

Jimmy Dean  "Big Bad John"

Are you ready for a good cry?  I think we all need one every now and then.  Right?  Well, if you're ready, here's a classic that's guaranteed to get the water flowing.  Losing a spouse due to an early death is a heartbreaking topic on it's own, but Bobby Goldsboro had every household in America crying with this one back in the 60's.  Need a Kleenex?

Bobby Goldsboro  "Honey"

Phantom hitchhikers and strangers have always accompanied the lonely as they traveled dark and empty highways late at night.  Just imagine, there you are, traveling in the dark, in unknown territory, and your car has engine problems.  You're alone in the dark, without a cell phone, and you have no idea what awaits you.  Suddenly, a trucker comes by and volunteers to give you a lift.  Should you go?

Red Sovine  "Phantom 309"

I guess one way to keep that from occurring would be to make your own car.  That's what Johnny Cash sang about when he decided to do just that in our next song.  Imagine, working at an automobile factory and accumulating a whole car over a period of decades.  Putting it all together might just be somewhat problematic, wouldn't you say?

Johnny Cash  "One Piece At A Time"

Arlo Guthrie is best know for his 17 minute story song "Alice's Restaurant."  I almost put that one in, but I figured others would do it, along with Gordon Lightfoot's classic boat wreck, Bobbie Gentry's bridge secret, and David Bowie's classic space tragedy.  However, "Alice's..." wasn't the only story song Arlo wrote and performed.  How would you like to be traveling on a motorcycle at breakneck speed on a mountain and suddenly find yourself airborne?  Give Arlo a chance to tell you all about it.

Arlo Guthrie  

"Motorcycle (The Significance Of A Pickle) Song"

Bob Dylan wrote so many songs that would classify as story songs that it is almost difficult to choose.  However, his story of a boxer wrongly set-up, accused, and imprisoned has to be one of his most detailed.  A rising boxer sent to jail became a story that set the nation on fire in efforts to free him.  Sit back and listen to his tale of "this couldn't happen in America" with this selection.

Bob Dylan  "Hurricane"

Our last entry is a tail of forecasting the future.  As America was in debate over civil rights and Vietnam, two songwriters sat down and composed a song depicting what the future could become.  If you've heard this before, listen deeply to the words.  It's much more than just a duo with a catchy tune.  In fact, some of it may already be taking place a few centuries early.

Zager & Evans  

"In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)"

And that's it ... over for another week!  Once again, do your best to get around to the other blogs in the hop and see what others have to offer.  I may be a little slow doing that this week, until I can shake this bronchitis junk and do a better job of keeping my eyes open.  

Hope you enjoyed!

Ciao!

FTSF: Time for Free The Soul Freak ...er ... Finish The Sentence Friday!

Well, it once again time for Free The Soul Freak and let loose with all types of personal secrets that have been cast aside either due to embarrassment or too much drug usage during one's younger years.

Oops, that's Finish The Sentence Friday.  

My blunder.

Just speaking my mind, I guess.  It is such a terrible thing to waste even though I really try hard.

Normally, I sit here and ramble about something for a couple of minutes before getting into the topic.  I hate to say it, but sometimes that tends to be the best part of the post for me.  

Why?

Hell if I know!   Never really thought about it before.

You were expecting some answer besides that one, weren't you?

The actual reasoning behind it could be creativity.  Instead of being shackled into one theme, freedom of expression enters the picture and allows the mind to flow freely into the world of the asinine.  One or two people have expressed that they enjoy these moments of rambling.

I'm betting there could be one or two that skim through it to get to the meat of the post.  (Think I'm underestimating or just being kind?)

Still a Virgin?

Pearls of wisdom could be lying in wait in these ramblings.  I doubt it, but they could be.  Mostly, it may be me just going on and on about some event that occurred recently that a person could somehow relate to.  I may even discuss the first time a person lost their virginity.  

Everyone's done that, right?

Well, maybe not Hillary Clinton.  
(I understand Bill is always busy losing his elsewhere.  They could have adopted secretly!)

Did you ever wonder about the people you think you know on the web and when they lost their virginity?  Probably not.  But, now that its been mentioned, will you?

There are some I might and some I definitely won't.  (Sorry, MJM!  There are some things in life better left unknown.  Enjoy your cheese stix.)

Anyway, this week's theme / prompt / sentence to finish / etc. for Free The Soul Freak ... sorry, Finish The Sentence Friday is:

When I was a little kid I thought ...

Isn't this almost an oxymoron.  Do little kids actually think, or do they just react to what they've been led to believe through environmental conditioning?  

Heavy thought, huh?

I'll let you delve into that more and waste away your day.  I've got a post to write.

There were many things that entered into my mind when I was young.  Many have been proven wrong over the years.  (And a lot of years that includes.)  Still, many still hold true in an optimistic way of thinking, regardless of how many times society desperately attempts to prove them wrong.  So, without further ado, let me begin.

"When I Was A Little Kid

 I Thought ...."

1)  ... "Please" and "Thank You" were polite expressions that were supposed to be utilized to prove you weren't an ignorant, self-centered ass.  This was obviously a falsehood as not even drive-up window operations adhere to it these days.  If I pay for an item, I expect a "Thank You" to be uttered in response.  No, it doesn't have to be a major, "Thank You Sir for your contribution to keep me and my family able to pay the electric bill this month and keep the place where I work in operation."  Really, a simple "Thank You" will do.  "Hey, McDonalds and Wal-Mart, do you think you might be able to teach this to the obvious ignorant people you hire since you two tend to be the biggest culprits in neglecting this simple task?"

Grrrrrr ...
Damn Those Magic Covers!!

2)  ... monsters were only in the movies.  Of course, we all had the "magic covers" that would protect us from Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and other creatures of the night whose only instinct was to find and kill little children who didn't have magic covers.  We didn't know that there were actually monsters that looked like normal people that would kidnap and either kill or hold hostage little kids for their own maniacal reasons.  Oh, we knew not to accept candy from strangers (except on Halloween), but we never imagined that humans could turn out to be worse than the Hollywood monsters on the big screen.  

3)  ... one could survive a fall if they landed strictly on their feet.  My thoughts were that the ribs could easily be broken if one landed on their side, so just land on your feet and you'd be fine!  To prove this, I decided to jump off of the second story of a split level house that was being built next door.  I awaited the end of the day when the construction crew finished and left, and made my way up to the highest point of the house roof.  Looking over the edge was somewhat scary, to say the least, but my mind had been made up.  Teetering back and forth, I finally leaned forward enough that there was no point of return.  I jumped forward and found myself airborne.  Kind of nice for the second or two it lasted!  Then, my feet found the ground.  “Sting” just doesn’t quite describe the pain that was received.  I was lucky in that my jump was to a downward slope, and I somehow rolled forward alleviating some of the impact.  I had learned my lesson the hard way, and blame my 31” inseam today on that jump!

4)  ... you were paid for doing a job and not paid if you didn’t.  Unfortunately, today’s CEO’s have clauses in their contracts that allow them to scarf up millions if they’re fired for not doing the job they signed on for.  I’m looking for just one of those type of jobs and contracts before I retire.  Just one!

See!  I'm not the only one
that ever did it!

5)  ... I was invincible when it came to dealing with animals.  My parents used to get so upset with me because I truly had “no fear” when it came to any type of animal.  My grandparents farm, which was my backyard, provided many experiences with cattle and hogs.  In fact, I remember my family laughing loudly as I rode a large hog around the pond, bouncing up and down as its little legs run their hooves off!  I can’t tell you the number of times a young bull Hereford would start to charge at me as I walked close to the herd.  I’d stand my ground, throw my arms up in the air and roar back at it!  It always worked in stopping them!  

As I grew up, I found that I still don’t fear them, but I do give wild animals a little more respect.  After having been bitten by venomous snakes and had an Ocelot attack the back of my head, I found not all of them will stay back as the young bulls did.  Recently, a bat was found on the ground at work.  None of my co-workers would go close.  Thinking that it might have rabies, I went to my Ridgeline, grabbed my snake tongs and a container, and returned to where it was lying.  Attempting to pick it up with the tongs, it suddenly sprang to life and took off in flight.  The co-workers ran off in a flash, leaving me there laughing.  The bat had pulled the old “play dead” act until it figured I wasn’t going to fall for it, and had taken off to escape.  I’ll bet my co-workers were more afraid of it than the bat was of them!

6)  ... that life would always be safe and secure.  Unfortunately, losing my mother at my age 13, and seeing my best friend die after getting run over by a speeding car ended that belief in my life.  I learned that life is only a temporary state.  Yet, instead of living it in fear of dying, one has to continually try to achieve and experience all it has to offer.  If not, you might as well be dead.  I’ve done so much in my life that many look at me and just shake their heads at.  Yet, I’m still around to talk about it.  Which, of course leaves the old expression to echo, “Only the good die young!”

Can you imagine what would've happened
if I had become President?

7)  ... I could be President of the United States.  All through high school, my goal was to go to college, become a politician, and become President.  Crazy, huh?  Of course, that was when I thought that politics would be the honorable way to change the world for the better.  God, we are stupid in our youth at times, aren’t we?

8)  ... that all men were created equal.  I don’t know if it was my belief in God, my belief in civil rights, or my belief that just because you had money it didn’t make you better than anyone else, but I truly believed that.  I marched and protested for the cause in the homeland of the KKK, prejudicial district court judges, and small minded people.  I was threatened, called a traitor to my race, and came close to bodily harm many times.  Still, I continued onward, doing what I thought best.  

Today, I see many taking advantage of government programs that don’t deserve them.  I see excuses for failure being given as race, instead of lack of personal effort.  And, I’ve experienced the same type of racist comments, based on complete stupidity and ignorance, as was given others 50 years ago, strictly because of my color.

I’ve come to believe that not all men are created equal.  No, it’s not a matter of race.  Instead, it’s a matter of what you do with your life and how you blame your failures.  As all are required to go to school until age sixteen, why can some not read or write?  Why is the English language cast aside for that used in Rap music?  Why does one find it so hard to examine their actions and accept personal accountability for where they are in life?  And, what is it that makes a person stop trying to better themselves and sit back thinking that the government owes them?

I don’t care what the color, we all have a mind to develop.  What’s not equal is the desire one finds within to succeed instead of giving up.  The Silver Spoon Society will always be there, unless we pull another Communistic Manifesto coup, which really doesn’t seem likely.  But, we can’t give up or give in to their desires to see us wallow in the mire.  It’s not up to society.  It’s not up to race.  It’s up to you!

And, after carrying this post on way too far, I’ve reached the end of Free The Soul Freak ... damn it ... Finish the Sentence Friday on this blog for another week.  

Ready to test out my theory 

about jumping off a split level house?

Okay, on the count of three ... 1 - 2 - .......

Ciao!

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: Remember These?

See All The Other Entries In Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday Here!!!

The door is open wide and the wind is blowing through the house.  Papers are flying off the table and
landing half open and scattered throughout the living room.  The cats are running wild across the furniture as they seed to find the ghosts in the ceiling that they keep seeing, while my wife and I only can imagine.  

At least that's what is occurring in my mind.

Why?

Jen did it to us again!  Instead of giving us a theme or direction, she's stated that this week's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday is a Dealer's Choice!  In other words, do whatever theme you desire.  OMG, the possibilities!  Which direction should I go?  What should I choose?  What would another person enjoy listening to?

And, what am I willing to use here instead of in another of my Wednesday postings on Raised On Radio?

I believe that every person that has ever been a disc jockey in radio has favorites that didn't quite make the normal playlist rotation.  These might have been songs that were too long, didn't fit the station image just right, or simply didn't appeal to the masses at the time.  Oh, some would have probably hit in later years, but the narrow minded program and music directors made decisions that hid some of these songs for years.

Now, my problem is twofold.  First, I must consider songs that today's audience might like.  Something that isn't so dated that people will turn it off after a few seconds and say, "Oh yeah, I heard a million like that on some oldies station!"  Second, I've got to be able to find these on Youtube in order to share them with you.

So, let us give this a shot.  Since I write from the seat of my pants and haven't investigated the availability of these yet, this may become a long evening.  Hopefully, it will be a good one for you.

First, a group that not many have heard of.  The first released their self titled album in 1968.  It did okay, especially locally in the Detroit area from where they were discovered.  In 1969, they release an album that did much better.  The album was called "Milestones" and the group was SRC.  On milestones, they found several songs that fit the FM format of the day, but instead, chose on releasing two songs that would never make the Top 40 Charts.  The first song was one of an child angel, sitting on a cloud in Heaven, looking down at humans on Earth.  Having had no childhood of his own, the angel proclaimed that he would forsake all of Heaven if he could just have a life of his own.  God was listening and granted his wish, but with the stipulation the angel would have no memory of Heaven.  The song was simply entitled, "The Angel Song."  

The bad thing is, there is no good video of this song.  A 2012 reunion of SRC on tour video exists, but the vocals are fuzzy and the music almost sounding as if someone with a cell phone recorded the event.  However don't fret.  This next song of theirs is worth a listen, too!  It's called, "Hall of the Mountain King / Bolero" and yes, it is the same as the classical music offering you might have heard in music appreciation class.  Did I say the same?  Well, it's the song, but done with electric guitars and instruments of the time.  Folks, this is the best rocking version of the song I've ever heard.  Don't stop until you've listened to the whole thing.  I know you'll be impressed!

Everybody's heard of the Doobie Brothers.  At least, anybody that's listened to real music, instead of the manufactured Pop of today.  Yes, the Doobie Brothers got their name as they were a biker bar band before becoming popular, and when they started playing, the doobies got lit up.  Patrick Simmons told me that in an interview decades ago.  If it's not true, don't blame me.

The Doobies had pop hit after pop hit.  My all time favorite song of theirs is "South City Midnight Lady" which shows a greater depth to their music than pounding out the standard beats.  However, even that song received good air play time.  So, in keeping with my theme, I give you another song that really demonstrated their abilities as complete musicians, "I Cheat The Hangman."

In 1973, Leon Russell toured the United States and created a double live album.  I was lucky enough to see the show at the Exhibition Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Leon was a classic musician, and had gained great notoriety touring with Joe Cocker on the Mad Dogs And Englishmen tour.  Earlier that year, he had released a song called "Tightrope" that lit up the charts and finally got him the attention he deserved.  Even in recent years, he collaborated with Elton John in creating an album.  Elton has stated he was in total awe of the man during the entire effort.  I say I learned how to speak Southern by listening and copying Leon's Texas accent, and believe it or not, that's the truth!  Still, the inner soul of the man comes out best in a slow song describing his earlier experience with Mr. Cocker.  Here's the title track,  "Ballad of Mad Dogs And Englishmen."

The double album of "Jesus Christ Superstar" came out while I was in high school.  It was one of the first rock operas done to a religious theme.  I can't tell you how condemned it was by small town churches throughout middle America.  I remember freaking people out in Latin Class as he and I would look at each other and sing, "What's the buzz, tell me what's happening" over and over.  Of course, the teacher would look at us and make one of her notoriously sarcastic threats, "I'm going to become a mad, raving, raging tiger and slash out with my claws and slice both of you two up if you don't stop that!"  Yeah, she was a cool hippie, too!

Yvonne Elliman, probably best known for her disco hit, "If I Can't Have You", performed a song as Mary Magdalene in this production that wasn't necessarily looked at for its religious association, but more for lovers during times that weren't exactly perfect.  Here's a song that was played fairly heavy back then, but seems to have been completely forgotten by radio today, "I Don't Know How To Love Him."

Let's travel back to 1973 again.  Tampa, Florida's baseball field (don't even think about asking me the name of it), was a concert that was more kick ass than ever anticipated.  J.Geils and his band were the headliners, Spooky Tooth was the middle, and some unknown band called White Witch was the opener.  White Witch?  Who the hell is White Witch?  Let me just say that White Witch was a kick ass band that never got the airplay it deserved.  Why?  Probably because of this song.  

This is a song that is still played at concerts today, either in the recorded music before the show, or as you're leaving the show.  I heard it leaving a Megadeth concert several years ago, and it immediately brought back memories that made me smile so huge my wife thought I was on something.  (I was, but that's another story.)  White Witch released two psychedelic albums that demonstrated much of their talent.  Sad things was, it was all over the place.  They could do anything.  So, I guess one could blame their failure as a band on a lack of focus.  Still "It's So Nice To Be Stoned" didn't help them getting airplay, as radio was somewhat afraid of playing that one, or having that one requested for airplay.  Just easier to eliminate any of the band's offerings I guess.  Enough talk.  Here's the classic, "It's So Nice To Be Stoned!"  Listen to the words in this one!  They will create a smile, guaranteed!

Radio has a way of destroying music.  It's called lets talk the artists into shortening the song.  Loggins & Messina released "Angry Eyes" in 1972 on their self titled album.  It was seven minutes and forty-two seconds long.  Most stations refused to play it.  So, Loggins & Messina shortened it.  To me, it ruined the song.  To them, it got people to listen to it, buy the albums, and hear the complete version.  To hear them play the full song in concert was bliss.  The quality of the musicians, the intensity of the music, and the lull of the rhythm pulled you into a world of Loggins & Messina that ended when their partnership did, and Kenny Loggins went his way into pop stardom.  Well, they got back together and are still kickin' sand in the face of walker with wheels music directors.  From 2012, this is Loggins & Messina with the full concert version of "Angry Eyes!"  Enjoy!

And that's it!  Gotta save some for future posts.  Hope you enjoyed these.  Please visit the rest of the great writers in this hop and check out their "Dealer's Choice" posts.  Yep, could be damn interesting to say the least.  So, leave here and go do it, but first, please leave a comment!  I'm going to listen to White Witch again and remember the good old days, or at least, what I remember of them.  Something blurred them somewhat.  Oh well, back to White Witch!!!!

Ciao!!!

Okay, okay, just in case you wanted to listen to "The Angel Song" by SRC, 

here's the video.  Again, I remind you, it's not the best, but the song if fantastic!!

Ten Things Of Thankful: Merry Christmas on November 1st?

Ten Things Of Thankful Blog Hop

I heard my first Christmas tune on the radio Friday morning.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" was being sung as the dark clouds of a major rainstorm hovered overhead.  Funny, I didn't see the relevance.  

What is even stranger is that the city postponed the kids going out and Trick or Treating on Halloween.  Instead, they are having all the kids go out on Friday evening to collect their goodies.

So, we can postpone Halloween a day and advertise Christmas a month and a half early.  At the same time, retailers are able to say, "Happy Halloween", but they're not allowed to say, "Merry Christmas" for fear of offending someone.

I may be dense, but I'm still having a hard time understanding that.

First off, I'm not offended by the various religious holidays.  If I walk into a store, and someone proclaims, "Happy Hanukkah", I simply will reply, "Happy Hanukkah" back in good will and respect.  

If groundhogs are the item of worship, I would simply say, "Happy Groundhogs Day" instead.

No, I don't celebrate Hanukkah or Groundhogs day.  But, I'm not offended by them.  Everyone has their right to celebrate and believe as they wish.  

So, why is Christmas under attack all of the time?  And, if a person doesn't believe in Christmas, why do they celebrate it by buying gifts, taking the day off, or, if they work that day, demand double time for the hours they put in?

Why is it okay to have Christmas carols playing a month and a half early, advertise Christmas layaway policies, and proclaim gigantic Christmas savings, but not allow your staff to say, "Merry Christmas?"  Has society grown so self centered and stupid that it doesn't realize that this holiday is based on a Christian belief?  

Have retailers forgotten that the majority of their fourth quarter earnings are based upon how many dollars are extracted from the wallets of those that celebrate the holiday?  Of course not!  But, they seem to be in fear of mentioning the reason why those dollars come their way.  Does not the "Spirit of Giving" come from the belief that the three wise men brought gifts to the Christ child in honor of his birth?  Why then, is it so wrong to mention his celebrated birthday's name?

I really don't care if you are a Christian or not.  Sorry, I'm not a religious fanatic that demands everyone believe the same way.  It's a person's individual right to believe as they wish, and pay the consequences for those beliefs, if there are any forthcoming in the afterlife, if even that exists.

No, I don't care.  But, don't be a damn hypocrite and celebrate a holiday you don't believe in!  Don't give or accept any gifts, do work that day for normal pay, and do go about your business as a tolerant adult should, instead of being a complete hypocritical ass that wants to enjoy the benefits of the holiday while bitching about its name.  And, if you're a business owner that doesn't allow your employees to wish people good tidings in the name of the holiday, then for the sake of your own hypocrisy, don't play Christmas music, advertise Christmas savings, or act like you believe in the Spirit of Giving.  

Happy Holidays?  

Sorry, I don't buy gifts for others to celebrate New Years Day.  

So, now that I've offended you with this rant, let's get on to what the purpose of this post is about.

It’s time for “Ten Things of Thankful” once again!

All of our wonderful hostesses have once again asked us to cast aside our normal philosophies of negative thought and remember those important things that are so commonly either ignored or simply taken for granted.  

So, without further ranting, rambling, or ado, let us begin this uncommon occurrence in our lives and start to become thankful!

1)  I’m thankful for shoes.  My wife is from Alabama and doesn’t really believe in them much.  I guess that’s why the bottoms of her feet resemble what most fire walkers would cherish having (and probably the same color).  Growing up in the country, I found that shoes were most beneficial.  Not only did they make walking much more comfortable, but briars, snakes, and the old style of beer can tabs couldn’t penetrate them as they could the bare bottoms of one’s feet.  Plus, without shoes, imagine how cold walking around in the Winter months would be?  Shower shoes don’t really count as shoes.  Once, as a child, I stepped on a board while wearing flip-flops, and found that a rusty nail easily penetrated them.  Also, I remember once running out in the snow to the mailbox in them and freezing.  Immediately, a lesson was learned.

2)  I’m thankful for gift cards.  I’ve warned most not to ever try to purchase me a gift for Christmas.  Simply make a quick trip to Best Buy, purchase me a gift card, and be done with my shopping.  Don’t buy me another polo shirt that will spend its life hanging lonely in the closet, a tie that will end up at a Goodwill center, or a cd that I already have.  And no, don’t give me a restaurant gift card.  Since most now have no smoking policies, I have a no visiting policy.  Even my wife still has a $10 gift card to Panara Bread Company that she received close to a year ago.  Best Buy only please!  (See, isn’t that simple!)

3)  I’m thankful for wheels.  Damn, where would we be without wheels?  I’d probably be at home, as I’m not one to go out and harness up the old horse and carriage.  Never did it and don’t want to start.  And, if cars didn’t have wheels, what would they have ... Lincoln Logs?  That would make getting about like Fred Flintstone’s car.  “Yabba Dabba Do!”  And, if that was the case, can you imagine braking the car the way they used to ... with their feet?!?!?   I’d have to take my wife with me wherever I’d go so her bare feet bottoms could stop the car!   That's it!  My wife has Fred Flinstone feet bottoms!  "WIIILLLLLMMMMAAAA!!!!"

4)  I’m thankful that college basketball season is starting.  Not only do I completely become immersed in the battles fought, it gives me a viable reason to have my wife watch and record “Dancing with the Stars”, “The Voice”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Duck Dynasty”, and other excuses for television viewing in her bedroom.  It’s the one time of the year I can sit back in complete peace and quiet and get wrapped up in television, even though I have deciphered that the NCAA Tourney, that will fill the screens next March, is actually decided in advance by the television programmers as to who will bring them the greatest viewing audience.

5)  I’m thankful that most individuals that vote also smoke marijuana.  That is the only reason that could exist for the short term memory loss problems they have in recalling the stupidity of current politicians and re-elect them to continual terms in office.  Perhaps, the governing body has finally determined that their future positions depend on the continuance of the voters smoking, and are coming around in changing the laws to make this a legal activity.

6)  I’m thankful that Kentucky still allows licenses to carry concealed weapons.  Although it is true that rednecks will always kill rednecks, it doesn’t seem to be in the masses that occur in other states that have much more strict gun control laws.  Perhaps there is acknowledgement among criminals that they really don’t know if their targets will be packing a pistol that keeps some of these crimes from occurring.  Still, one can be assured, if there’s ever an individual that believes he can make a name for himself by shooting innocent people in a public place, it probably won’t be a law officer that takes him down quickly.  It is a shame that society requires this action, but at least Kentucky recognizes that it is necessary.

7)  I’m thankful for Chinese food.  In a day when most lunches consist of fast food filled with additives and preservatives, Chinese restaurants can still provide you with a meal of fresh vegetables and brown rice for a minimal fee.  I’ve started visiting one three or four times a week, shifting between Mongolian Mix and Beef Broccoli for the most part.  For a heaping helping of the main course over rice and an egg roll, I pay $4.46.  I’ve also found that they will substitute chicken for beef in the Beef Broccoli, which takes some of the mystery out of the “is it really beef” question.  “Woof, Woof!”

8)  I’m thankful for a comfortable recliner.  I’m finding that I actually sleep better in my recliner than I do in bed.  (I just spent six hours in it dead to the world.)  I have no idea why, but if I go to bed, I’ll lie there for hours thinking about what I either could be doing, or need to be doing.  If I sit down in my recliner, I’m asleep in a minute or two.  My wife hates it, so I try to do it as often as possible.  After all, she can’t say I’m never around if I’m right there!  Right?  (She has, upon occasion, been known to bump against my feet or turn up the television volume to astronomical levels at times.  But then again, she’s never denied her “bitch” qualities!)

9)  I’m thankful for decent management at Office Depot.  Having sustained a somewhat rude experience last Saturday night at one of their locations, I arrived home and wrote their corporate office.  I remembered to keep attitude and emotions out of it, and only stated the facts and what I expected in return.  Within 24 hours, I received notification that store management had been contacted, and that I would be contacted by them within 48 hours.  Five hours later, I received a very professional and apologetic email from the store manager who stated he had discussed the matter with his staff, and for me to deal either with him or a member of his management team when I returned to have my request granted.  I arrived at the store, and when I stated my situation to a manager there, was surprised to find the incident had indeed been discussed.  I was immediately taken care of, apologies given, and left pleasantly surprised.  So much so, I immediately went to their corporate website and wrote another letter stating the high level of service received.  I’m still in a state of shock as this very seldom happens in this day and age.

10)  I’m thankful that I’ve finally reached the tenth item to be thankful for.  Would you believe this one actually took an hour and a half to write tonight?  Normally, I’m done with these in less than 30-40 minutes.  I’m guessing that I’ve been somewhat distracted by the television.  “Locked Up Abroad” was on for a noise factor, but it drew my attention several times as it first showed a couple of South Africans that had been held hostage by Freedom Fighters in Eastern Asia, and then two ditsy girls that had been caught smuggling cocaine from Peru.  I normally ignore shows like this, but for some reason, it caught my attention.  (God, Is my wife’s television habits rubbing off on me!)

And that’s it!  I’m finally done!  Over!  Complete!  

Man, I’m thankful I got through this one!

However, if you’re a glutton for punishment and want to see how others have struggled to put down their lists, you can see the complete listing of them here!

C'mon, you know you want to see more!

Oh, by the way, if you do celebrate New Year's Day 

by giving gifts, 

I'll take a Best Buy Gift Card!

Till next week, 

Ciao!