More Music Stuff

As some of you know, started posting song lyrics on Twitter and Facebook every morning.  Some have specific meanings, some are just for fun.  So, been thinking a lot about music lately (not that I ever really stop).  Got a few things thought I’d share with y’all.  Maybe you’ll agree, maybe you won’t.  Don’t really matter.  That’s why there’s lot of choices on your radio dial.  But, if you’re curious what’s in the deep, dark recesses of my mind, let’s get started, a-one, and-a two, and a-three:

• Know I’ve said this before and it really sounds a little crazy, but think The Police are really underrated by a lot of folks.  Every time I post lyrics from them, always get a reply from someone, usually bout how much they love The Police and their songs.  Yet, whenever a best-of list comes out, you rarely see their name on there, or, if you do, it’s way down the list.  They are the only band who’s elicited a response every time I’ve posted a lyric by them.  Just seems odd that they rarely get mentioned in the rarified air of the all-time greats;
• Whenever I hear “Eruption/You Really Got Me” by Van Halen now, always think about our trip to Sea World last year.  They played this song during their finale in the Saturday night show.  Actually had a live guitarist play Eddie’s parts and he was purty awesome.  That was one of the best vacations we have ever taken and probably ever will.  These songs will bring back warm memories for me from now until I can’t remember no more;
• A Twitter friend of mine, @sharongooner, took a poll for the best frontman and frontwoman in rock history.  Freddie Mercury won for the men with 21 votes.  Next closest person was Morrissey with 10.  And, just to prove my point on The Police, out of 145 votes cast for men, no one, and I mean NO ONE, voted for Sting.  Ironically enough, means I didn’t either.  Voted for Freddie and Bonn Scott (who tied for 5th along with David Byrne, Mick Jagger, and Michael Stipe with 5 votes each.)  Debbie Harry won the female vote.  Out of over 75 votes cast, she received 24 of them.  Next closest was Karen O (?) with 6 votes.  I voted for Debbie and Chrissie Hynde, who was alone in third with 5 votes.  Can’t argue with the overall results.  Thought they turned out pretty well.  Did show me there’s a lot of singers I’ve never heard of.  Reckon I need to branch out more.  If you’re interested in reading the blog, you can click on this link: sharongooner.  She also has the results of a poll she took on best guitarist ever.  Oddly enough, the two people I voted for in that poll also finished first and tied for fifth.  Strange…;  
• The Deadliest Catch team played some awesome music during the whole Captain Phil saga.  Thom Beers’ choice to play Johnny Cash’s “Redemption Day” during the montage representing Captain Phil’s death was flat-out pure genius.  His choice of “All Roads Lead Home” by Golden State for the memorial sequence was awesome, too.  Can’t say I’d ever heard either song before then, but each was the perfect choice for the situation.  The episode where the crews find out about his death is on right now.  Getting goosebumps and this is the third time I’ve seen it…anyway, I digress ;
• On the subject of depressing things, every time I hear a Nirvana or INXS song, think about how sad it is that both lead singers are no longer with us due to their own hands.  Don’t think anyone was surprised to find out Kurt Cobain had some real demons circling around in his head.  Imagine most folks were surprised at how he decided to silence them, though.  Have heard several theories about Michael Hutchen’s death.  No matter what led to it, it’s still sad such a talent ended that way;
• On a happier note, read that Roger Waters and David Gilmour had a on-stage reunion the other day.  Needless to say, the crowd was stunned when Mr. Gilmour walked out on stage.  They were the classic yin and yang pair of musicians.  Roger knows how to tell a story with lyrics and David can weave quite the tale with the guitar.  Not sure how long the reconciliation will last this time around, but hope it sticks this go around.

Well, that’s all I got this time.  Appreciate you taking the time to read it, especially if you made it this far.  If you know who Karen O is, would appreciate if you’d drop me a note about her.  Will leave you with this: 

Take your time, hurry up.  The choice is yours.  Don’t be late.  Take a rest, as a friend, as an old memory….

Until we meet again… 

I’m Back

Howdy, y’all.  Don’t know bout you, but it’s been pretty dang hot everywhere I’ve been this summer.  Definitely glad God gave someone the smarts enough to invent A/C.  Know it’s been a few weeks, but have been a little busy and haven’t really had anything just felt the need to talk about.  Now I’m all rested and recharged. Got a few things on my mind this week so here we go:

• Travelled out to Summerlin, NV last week.  Trip was great until got ready to fly home.  They loaded us on the plane then decided to fill the empty seats.  Trouble was, the computer was broken down so they had to fill the empty seats by hand.  As a result, we were 45 minutes late leaving the gate.  Now, besides the fact it was 116 outside, what’s really aggravating is they held up a plane with about 300 folks already on board just so they could put 10-15 more folks on it.  This resulted in about half of us missing our connecting flights in Atlanta, and seeing as how we got to ATL after 11 pm, there were no other flights until the morning.  Did I mention they were also out of hotel rooms and most of the restaurants were closed?  So, they inconvenienced about 150 people for the sake of 10-15 people.  Wonder how they thought that was providing good customer service?  And they wonder why people get are so angry at the airline industry all the time;
• Best part of my trip was getting to meet fishing legend Bill Dance.  He was on my flight out to Nevada.  He’s every bit the nice guy you see on TV.  If you know who he is, you know he always wears a University of Tennessee ball cap.  He had it on and even had one attached to his brief case for some reason.  Have watched his show since I was a kid.  It was a real thrill to meet him even though it took me a long time to build up the courage to talk to him; 

                                                   

• Went to Gulf Shores, AL, a couple weeks ago.  Great time to go.  Hardly anyone on the beaches, free parking everywhere you went, and a short wait at Lambert’s.  Media reports of the oil are greatly exaggerated (imagine that).  There was some oil there but it was just a thin coat.  You would think there was oil about a foot deep the way the media’s been carrying on.  If you enjoy the beach, but not so much the water, you can still enjoy yourself.  Many rooms have reduced rates right now, too.        
• Speaking of oil and the media, the local news in Mobile started each night with about 10 minutes of oil coverage.  One station even had “breaking news” about every hour just in case you somehow forgot the oil was still out there.  Think the worst story I saw was a 5 minute piece on a dead turtle found in the Intercoastal Waterway.  At the end of the piece, they quickly mumbled something about no one knows if it’s death was related to the oil or not.  Good grief.  Talk about stretching for a news story.  But, now that the oil has apparently been capped, the media will be able to focus on something new now…I hope.  Love how President Obama took 42 days to address the nation while the oil was still flowing, but it took him less than 24 hours to speak out after it had been capped.  Just sayin’…;
• Mid-term elections are coming up.  Wonder how many Dems will continue with the “It’s-all-Bush’s-fault” theme?  Pretty sad that’s all they really have to fall back on after two years.  Think the biggest disappointment to folks is the perceived lack of jobs being created as a result of the big stimulus package which was passed last year.  Part of me wonders if the jobs are out there but they aren’t the ones people want.  When the New Deal was passed, it created blue collar jobs.  Nowadays, folks want to tell others how and where to dig the ditches instead of using the shovel themselves.  Would think it’s hard to create white collar jobs out of nowhere.  But, the perception is out there that the Dems are more interested in handing out unemployment checks than creating jobs.  Americans always talk about being free.  Have to wonder how much freedom we are giving up when we always have our hands out to the government looking for our “free money?”  Got news for you, Folks, ain’t no such thing as free money.  Now, there are always some folks who actually need a helping hand.  Ain’t talking ‘bout them.  Talking about those folks who can be independent but choose not to.  And, in my mind, every time you take a handout from the government or give up a freedom to the government, you are becoming less independent.  Maybe I’m wrong, though;
• Anyone else watching Big Brother this summer?  Pretty funny they had this big “twist” all planned out by having someone play the part of a saboteur.  Bad thing was they were voted out the first week.  What’s even funnier is only one person even had a notion as to who the saboteur was, but the whole group took credit for getting them voted out.  Hmmm, folks taking credit for blind luck.  Sounds like a bunch of politicians, don’t they?  These House Guests are just about as interesting, too.  We have Showtime 2 now and get to watch Big Brother After Dark this year.  They haven’t really been all that interesting during the times we’ve sat down to watch them.  Almost like watching C-SPAN.  Hours of mindless blathering with a few good nuggets thrown in every now and then.  But, still feel the need to watch although I don’t know why…;
• Last week’s Deadliest Catch was the episode where Captain Phil passed on.  Thought the production team handled it about as well as they could.  Definitely proved why they’ve made this show as good as it is.  Have said it before, but it’s hard to believe how empty people have felt for a guy (and his family) they’ve never met in person.  Another sign of a great production team cause they’ve managed to let the real guy through without any embellishments.  Hope you’ve pulling up lots of full pots in Heaven, Capt Phil;
• Well, another real American icon passed last week, Mr. George Steinbrenner.  Whether you loved him or hated him, have to admit he changed the game of baseball forever.  And, you might not have liked his tactics, but he was an owner who was all about winning.  Too many owners out there nowadays who only care about the bottom line.  Mr. Steinbrenner also inspired one of the greatest comedy characters of all-time on Seinfeld.  RIP, Big Guy…

Hope everyone is doing well out there.  Appreciate you taking a few moments out of your day to read my thoughts.

Y’all have a good one!

Back to Randomness

Things just keep getting curiouser and curiouser every day.  It's snowing more in Alabama than it is in Vancouver.  The Obama administration is sounding more like the W administration than they would probably care to admit.  All sorts of crazy things.  With that in mind, got some thoughts to get out of my head.  Please feel free to continue if you're curious.

OK.  You've been warned:

• Well, happy to report that January thunder did in fact bring February snow to our neck of the woods.  Had about 3 inches of snow on Friday; a trace of snow Sunday night; then about an inch Monday evening.  Most snow folks around here can remember for at least 15 years.  You can insert your own global warming joke here;
• Read an article where the current administration says people who criticize it are actually playing into the hands of Al Qaeda.  Hmmm.  Where have we heard that before?  Guess the more things change, the more they stay the same;
• Robert Gibbs made fun of Sarah Palin writing notes on her hand the other day.  Now, not saying she doesn't deserve some ribbing for what she did.  But, would think that president's spokesman would be above that.  Surely they don't see her as a threat to their administration, do they?  Hope not.  Would think they'd be more worried about creating jobs, fighting terrorists, and multitude of other things than someone who has to write notes on their hand;
• Very sad to see Captain Phil Harris died last week.  Fans of the show will remember he had a blood clot break loose from his lung two years ago.  He was lucky to have survived that.  Last reports were that he was recovering well from his stroke.  Then we get the news about his death.  Just shows how fragile life really is, and that we should be prepared to go at any time;
• Have been amazed at not only my reaction but the reaction of the public at large to Capt Phil's passing on.  There's been a huge outpouring of support and a real sense of loss from fans of Deadliest Catch, which isn't a surprise.  What's amazing is how much we feel like we actually know Phil, Josh and Jake (and all the others) just from watching them an hour a week on a TV show.  Would venture to say we know a lot less about them than we actually know.  Tells me what a great job the producers of the show really do, and that they've made it more about the personalities than the fishing;
• Supposedly there was $82.7 million legally bet on the Super Bowl this year, and Vegas cleared $6.86 million.  The article said both numbers were actually down this year cuz people didn't play the side bets such as who wins the toss, scores the first touchdown, etc., as much as in years past.  Side effects of the economy, I reckon.  Wonder if they will be asking for a stimulus package?; 
• Completed my taxes a couple of weeks ago.  Have already received my federal refund.  All the state will tell me is they have approved my refund, they will send it to me as "funds will allow," and they appreciate my patience.  Wonder if I could get away with that with them?  Somehow doubt they would be as patient as they want me to be;
• According to my useless trivia up top, male Indian elephants are not interested in the opposite sex until they are 21 years old.  Probably lots of human parents who wish their children were the same way.  You're reading the thoughts of one of 'em;
• Speaking of things up top, the quote the other day was, "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it," credited to Sir Winston Churchill.  Shows what confidence he had as a leader.  Also a reminder that the victors are the ones who get to write history; 
• Saw where Louis Gossett, Jr. has prostate cancer.  Not sure what stage it is in, but am lifting prayers up for him and his family.  Shows how important it is that men get checked for it.  Like many cancers, it can be beat if you catch it soon enough;
• Wonder if Mardi Gras in New Orleans was a little wilder this year?  (Is that even possible?)  Imagine they're still riding the high of winning the Super Bowl so it probably was.

Well, that's all for now.  Hope you enjoyed it, or, at the very least, might have something different to think about now.

Y'all have a great week!

Rest In Peace, Captain Phil

Rest in Peace, Captain Phil.

God must have needed another crab boat captain.

The world will miss you.

Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.

This, That and The Other

Usually only update once a week.  But, have run across some more things I feel the need to comment on so gonna think out loud again this week.  Hope you enjoy:

• Don't know about where you live, but there was a bunch of riggamoroll around here on National Signing Day Wednesday.  In case you don't know, that's the first day high school football recruits can officially accept their scholarship offers.  The way folks have been carrying on, you'd think we were having a presidential election.  Take that back, think they were more interested in what was going on than they would be in an election.  You got high schools having assemblies and press conferences (including national media) for these kids to announce their decisions.  All this for 17-18 year old kids who ain't proved nothing except they were purty good high school players.  It's no wonder some athletes feel such an sense of entitlement sometimes.  And, we got nobody but ourselves to blame for it, either; 
• Heard where the Secretary of Transportation told Toyota owners to stop driving their vehicles this week if it was part of the recall then said later that's not what he really meant.  When I read the first comment, figured it was gonna create a panic and overload the dealerships.  Was not surprised to see him crawfish a little later in the day.  Now, he made the first statement while testifying to Congress why he had actually been proactive in this whole mess.  So, here's what probably really happened:  He was puffing his chest out to Congress about how tough he's really been on Toyota then let his mouth get away from him.  Classic case of speaking before you're really thinking.  Hope he learns a lesson from this; 
• Speaking of opening mouth and inserting foot, see where President Obama has made the people of Nevada mad again by sort of bad-mouthing Vegas.  Twice in less than a year.  Didn't really think it was much of a slam against Vegas as much as it was gambling in general.  But, he mentioned it by name so now they're thinking fewer tourists will be coming out.  Can't help but think he wouldn't be saying the same thing if Vegas were in New York or California.  You know, the states with a whole bunch of electoral votes?  Just saying;  
• Read where a Dennis Zeglin from New Jersey plead guilty to shooting his African Grey parrot during a NASCAR race last year just cuz the bird wouldn't shut up during a race.  Yup.  Shot him three times with a BB gun.  And, brace yourself, authorities think alcohol may have been involved.  Go figure. Anyway, think it was his wife who turned him in.  Now, this wouldn't surprise me as much if he lived somewhere's here in the South.  Just goes to show there's rednecks everywhere in this great land of ours;
• Looks like the bad data bug is biting another "scientific" study.  Turns out the docs who wrote a paper on MMR vaccinations being a possible cause of autism purposely overlooked a lot of info that didn't agree with what they were trying to prove.  Caused a lot of worry and fear for who knows why.  Maybe they did it for fame or trying to get more research money.  Whatever the whyfore, it wasn't good enough.  Just another example of my theory that you have to know someone's motives for a poll, survey, research, etc., before you take their data at face value.  If they start out with the answer before they start asking the questions, the questions just might skew towards the result they want rather than being objective.  Just food for thought.  By the way, do hope they find the cause some day; 
• Read an interview with Bill Waterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, one of the greatest comic strips ever.  The article said it was his first interview since 1989, and it was via an e-mail Q and A.  Said he has no regrets stopping in 1995. (Man, has it really been that long?)  Just wanted to go out while he was still on top.  Although I wish he would have kept it up, can respect his decision to quit.  Can think of more than one example of someone who should have quit before they did.  That being said, Mr. Waterson, anytime you want to come back, please feel free to do so.  This is one fan who will never get tired of your work;
• Yes, that is a tattoo of Calvin and Hobbes on my right upper arm as my profile picture.  It's from a Sunday cartoon where they were dancing to classical music (1812 Overture, I think).  The tattoo artist took a picture of it when he finished and it was actually published in a magazine.  Used to have a copy of it somewhere.  Besides being a tribute to the strip, the tattoo is to remind me you can find fun in anything if you try hard enough;
• If you are a Deadliest Catch fan, you may be interested to know that Captain Phil Harris (F.V. Cornelia Marie) had a stroke the other day.  Fortunately, he was in port when it happened.  Last report was he's doing well.  He can squeeze peoples' hands and talk.  Even told the doctor, "Don't $@#^ up!" Get well soon, Capt Phil!  Will keep you in my prayers; 
• The NFL tried to get people to stop selling "Who Dat" paraphernalia in relation to the Saints since they weren't getting their cut.  Claimed they had the rights to the saying since people were saying it bout the Saints.  Needless to say, there were a lot of folks hacked off in New Orleans.  Now, I've heard that expression has been around long before the NFL was even a glint in somebody's eye.  First time I can remember it being used with the Saints was when the song Who Dat came out in the mid-80's.   Glad to report someone somewhere with the NFL finally got some smarts about 'em and decided they didn't have the rights to that saying after all. Somebody must have checked the trademark office and saw somebody else had it first. Glad to see the little guys can win sometimes;
• Saw where Herschel Walker is an MMA (mixed-martial arts) fighter now.  Said he won his first fight Saturday night.  Knowing what a natural athlete he is, imagine he's probably purty good at it.  At 47 he's probably not in Brock Lesnar's (one of the current world champions) league, but likely still purty dang good and impressive.  As odd as this sounds, he probably doesn't get enough credit for being as great an all-around athlete that he truly is.

Well, that's all I got for now.  Hope you are having a good week.  By the way, thanks to my bud Janet for filling me in on what "jump the shark" is in reference to.  Talking about when Fonzie water ski-jumped over a shark in one of the later episodes of Happy Days.  You know, the episodes that weren't as good as the first several seasons?  So now when a show has faded from glory and/or is searching desperately for storylines, they are referred to as having "jumped the shark."  Thanks for the info, J!

Later.