To paraphrase the Carpenters . . .

Rainy Days and Mondays

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old

Sometimes I'd like to quit

Nothing ever seems to fit

Hangin' around

Nothing to do but frown

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

What I've got they used to call the blues

Nothin' is really wrong

Feelin' like I don't belong

Walkin' around

Some kind of lonely clown

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you

Nice to know somebody loves me

Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do

Run and find the one who loves me.

What I feel has come and gone before

No need to talk it out

We know what it's all about

Hangin' around

Nothing to do but frown

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

Adeste, Fideles!

O, come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant.

O, come, ye; O, come, ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him,

Born the King of Angels.

O, come let us adore him.

O, come let us adore him.

O, come let us adore him,

Christ the Lord!

Who can it be, now?!

By way of a prelude, and at the risk of dating myself, I will admit the first album I ever bought with my own money was Men at Work's "Business as Usual."

Give me a break. It was the 1980s, and their video for "Who can it be, now?" was all the rage on MTV.

Yes, Junior, they used to actually play videos on MTV.

But, I digress.

So, today is the 10th of the month, a more-frantic-than-usual time for yours truly, as I have to mail out a big old batch of payables.

This had me working past the usual quitting time at the office. So, I had no one to run interference for me as certain individuals who shall remain nameless here kept calling on the phone or knocking on the door.

Now, I know I'm in a particularly cranky mood today, but I do have to wonder if these people do this every day after office hours and I'm just not there to be annoyed. Or, did they just see my lonely car parked outside and decide that they had struck upon an infrequent opportunity for extended holiday hours of annoyance?!

ARRGGHH!

Get out of my way, now I've gotta rush to the post office before they close!!

The Wrestler

Just got done watching this critically-acclaimed film starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei.

It was . . . well . . . interesting.

Not that I'd ever have to watch it again.

Trying to be positive here, but it's hard not having much of a basis in professional wrestling "culture."

The best part of the film for me was the soundtrack, because it was heavily peppered with some great 80s metal. (Guns n Roses, Ratt, Quiet Riot, etc.)

In fact, if ye socks simply listen to the *new* Bruce Springsteen song composed specifically to play behind the closing credits, you can pretty much get the gist of the movie without having to waste an hour and a half of your lives.

The Wrestler is a one trick pony. He's not a good dad. He's not a good boyfriend. He's not a good employee or co-worker. He's not good at anything beyond the wrestling ring. And, that's frustrating . . . at least to this viewer.

I kept getting disappointed with Rourke's character. Just when you think he's ready to accept a new phase in his life, one in which he might gain some real self-actualization, he reverts to form.

I guess it was all that disappointment that overshadowed the few glimmering aspects of the film.

Bottom line: skip the flick, stick to the soundtrack.

5 Greatest Moments of the National Memorial Day Concert

(in no particular order)

1. Lawrence Fishburne's reading of a letter by Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by violin soloist Robert McDuffie playing the theme to Ken Burns' "Civil War" series.

2. Denyce Graves' rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

3. The team of Diane Wiest and Katie Holmes interpreting the writings of a mom and sister of a disabled vet . . . all three of whom turned out to be in the audience.

4. Trace Adkins' song at the end. I need to see if I can get that CD or download the single . . .

5. The anthems and color guards of each branch of the military, but particularly the US Air Force. . . off we go, into the wild blue yonder . . .

I wonder if folks who have no direct ties can ever fully appreciate what the men and women in our armed forces and their families sacrifice on behalf of this nation?

That'll be the day . . .

The words that followed that Buddy Holly hit title almost seem prophetic on this 50th anniversary of "the day the music died."

He was not alone when his plane crashed in that Iowa field. We also lost The Big Bopper and "La Bamba" icon Ritchie Valens.

But, everybody knew then, and appreciates now, that Buddy was the biggest loss.

Looking back on the golden era of Rock n Roll, it is impossible to find a more electrifying figure, someone who better personified the emerging genre.

Not even Elvis. And, I say that even in anticipation of the hate emails the statement will surely elicit.

Perhaps I am biased as a result of spending so many of my formative years in Lubbock, Texas, but Holly's music can still make you jump out of your seat and dance. "Rave on," I say!

In a perverse way, maybe his fans are lucky they never had to see him bloat into a Vegas has-been or once-was like too many of his would-be peers.

Instead of mourning the anniversary of his passing, I'd say we should break out our old vinyl records and decide once and for all which is catchier: "Peggy Sue" or "Maybe Baby"?

All that meat and no potatoes

Believe it or not, that is actually the title of an old Fats Waller song from 1941.

I remember discovering it on an old vinyl record I picked up at a garage sale as a kid, and just heard it again these many (many, many) years later. The lyrics are just as rib tickling to me today as they were then, so thought I'd share:

All that meat, and no potatoes
Just ain't right, like green tomatoes
Yeah, I'm waiting
Palpatatin'
But all that meat, and no potatoes

All that meat, and no potatoes
All that food, to the alligators, yeah
Hold me steady
I am ready
With all that meat and no potatoes

I don't think that peas are bad
With me, most anything goes
I look in the pot, I'm fit to fight
'Cause woman, you know that mess ain't right.

All that meat, and no potatoes
Just ain't right, like green tomatoes
Yes, I'm steamin'
I'm really screamin'
All that meat and no potatoes.

Imeem

Took a break from the packing in this little corner of heaven to explore a cool website that I thought I would share with ye socks:

www.imeem.com

It allows you to create playlists of your favorite tunes.

Check it out!

Incidentally, I posted my first playlist at the bottom of this blog. Click the little "play" arrow to listen to it.

The Fake Fictions

And, now from the world of music.

I recently discovered a distant cousin making a splash in the Chicago music scene.

His name is Nick Ammerman, and his voice and guitar makes up one-third of The Fake Fictions.

That's him in the stylish winter sweater. His wife Sarah, who adds the bass and her own vocal stylings to the trio, is pictured at center. And, at right is Ben Bilow, a drummer they found on Craig's List.

Check out some of the sounds on their current album "Krakatoa" at:

http://www.autraumaton.org/comp/krakatoasampler.swf

Feeling a little eclectic today

In the music department that is.

I got 2 new CD's in the mail today. (No, not certificates of deposit.) Some of us still haven't advanced enough to use mp3 downloads as our sole source of tunes.

Anyway, I was jamming to Finger Eleven on my lunch break. (Ye socks are probably familiar with their current hit "Paralyzer.")

And, I think I have now memorized all the lyrics to that catchy little number by Sarah Bareilles that's on all the commercials in between all the March madness.

But, the piece de resistance was the FREE . . . yep, FREE . . . CD of Mozart music I got in the mail when I got home. I think it was meant to entice me to purchase an entire collection of classical music. That's not going to happen, but I'm still unexpectedly enjoying old Amadeus this evening.

Pretty wide range of genres today, no?

The Leader of the Band

An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline-- a thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand

(Chorus)
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose and have come to know so well
I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I said 'I love you' near enough

(Chorus)

I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

RIP Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007)

What's wrong with the "Old Folks at Home"?!

In case you didn't know it "Old Folks at Home" is the official song down here in the great and sovereign state of Florida.

It was written way back in 1851, and has references to plantation life in its lyrics which apparently offend modern sensibilities.

You know, everything has to be politically correct nowadays.

So, it looks like more of our heritage is doomed to the dustbin of history. We might as well accept it, and divert our focus to the much more entertaining endeavor of selecting a replacement ditty.

Here are my top 5 suggestions (in no particular order):

1. "Seminole Wind," by John Anderson (an Apopka native). You've got to love the fact that he so closely associates Seminoles with the word "blow." Remember, the alligator's lurking in the dark. Be afraid!

2. "Big Yellow Taxi," by The Counting Crows. You know the one, "They paved paradise, put up a parking lot . . ."

3. "Snow Bird," by Anne Murray. I wish some of the real snowbirds would take her suggestion: "Spread your tiny wings and fly away . . ." Then, maybe there wouldn't be such an uproar about all this nonsense.

4. "Walkin' on Sunshine," by Katrina and the Waves. Unfortunately, I think the State of Louisiana has dibs on this one.

5. "The Boys from Old Florida," the Gator anthem. You've probably heard it during every 4th quarter. ("F - L - O - R - I - D - A") But, something tells me the feministas would have a problem with the gender specificity.

Any of you socks care to add to this list?!

Waiting for a star to fall

Last week, a song came on the radio that brought back a lot of old memories from my high school days. You know, the Stone Age!

Anyway, it was by a one-hit-wonder husband/wife duo called "Boy Meets Girl."

You socks are no doubt familiar with the one hit: "Waiting for a Star to Fall."

But, there are some other pretty good songs on the self-titled album, too.

I used to play it over and over again in the cassette deck of my old 1979 Honda Civic as I scooted around the dirt and cotton fields of West Texas. So many times in fact, that the tape wore out and the lyrics became warped and I eventually had to trash it.

Fortunately, nowadays, folks like me who are still lost in the 80s can now get the soundtracks to their youth on CD!

Mine arrived today, and I've really been enjoying the good non-warped quality of the sound. And, something I almost forgot: I no longer have to sit thru a song I don't like. I can just hit the "skip" button on my CD-player. Back in the day, you either had to endure it or try to time your "fast forward" button just right, and that was next to impossible.

Anyway, if there's anything that's better than modern technology, it's an old song on the radio . . .

Country Music Awards

This year's show was a big reminder of how Country Music (and its fans) are at odds with the liberal "main stream" media culture.

At least that's my take on things.

I mean, can you imagine the Grammy Awards or Oscars prominently featuring Christian-themed entertainment like Rascal Flatts' tribute to Virginia Tech?

Or, how about the standing ovation for our troops overseas?

No wonder the Dixie Chicks don't fit in anymore in Nashville.

And, how great was that duet with Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson?!

Anyway, it's encouraging to know there is at least a subculture around here that's pro-America and supports traditional values.

So, go out there and buy the heck out of some country music CD's!

Letting go

We have spent Dad's final hours giving him as joyous a good-bye as we can muster.

It started about 3:30 this morning, when we thought the end was near. My mom, sister, and I gathered around his bed as we played one of his favorite Randy Travis CD's. Great old songs like "I'll Fly Away" and "The Old Rugged Cross." We sang when we could remember the words, and hummed along when we didn't.

But, Dad was an old Cold Warrior, and he battled back. In fact, we've been thru a lot of peaks and valleys today and the last week and a half. Actually, the last five years.

Anyway, we had a few kind visitors stop by including his parents, and his Uncle Richard (who sang him "He Walks With Me" and "Amazing Grace."

Thanks to LeeAnn and Kelly for re-stocking the refrigerator and pantry.

Thanks to Bill. Thanks to Ellen. Thanks to Dwight. Thanks to Deloise. Thanks to Sally. Thanks to Margarita, and everyone at Vitas. And, thanks to everyone whose names are not coming to me now, but whose visits, phone calls, and emails have meant so much to us.