fives of days

it’s not Friday, but I wanted to share some content with you.  Been traveling over the weekend.

What plans did you have for this summer?

To survive.  Am ready for cool weather, and no visitors for a bit. Heck, i am ready for cold weather.   Wifey and I made it here 21 years in Denver with no A/C. After this June that set all kinds of records, and being someone who is aware of climate change… we finally broke down and bought a portable AC unit.  Excellent investment.

It was a very very busy summer, musically speaking.  A LOT of concerts. See, our families finally figured out we live an hour away from Red Rocks, the greatest rock venue in America.  So, our out of state relatives check the calendar and pick a show to see and come visit us. Which… we LOVE. This meant that in one month this summer, we saw Umphreys McGhee, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffet, Avett Brothers, Dead and Company.  And when that stopped, we flew to Seattle to see the big Pearl Jam ‘Home Show’ spectacular. That one was fun. Not just because we have wonderful and dear friends in Seattle… but the Pearl Jam shows felt like a movement.  This may sound dorky, or old… but rock and roll (and certainly my heroes) were on the fringes.  This is why watching Pearl Jam get into the rock hall of fame was so moving.  So many bands there I loved and followed weren’t really my generation.  Sure, I saw the Allman Brothers over 20 times… but their true time was an era before me.  By the time I got on board in the 90s, they were already touring on nothing but 20 year old hits.  Pearl Jam, though… I watched them come up from day 1.  I felt that when we landed in Seattle and I saw those banners in the airport.  Those banners said “you were right, Lono.  They are awesome.  Sorry we doubted you.”  Of course, there is another side to that which is a little more sad…. so we will stick with the romantic perspective.    

 In flying out of Denver the day before the show, the SouthWest crew noticed how many people had Pearl Jam gear on.  The pilot called us all out on the flight… in Denver, mind you. He said everyone on the plane who was going to see Pearl Jam should turn on their call buttons. The whole plane lit up, like lighters on an encore. It was as if we were on a chartered jet to see Pearl Jam.

When we got to the airport, we were greeted with this

Have you accomplished them or is it still a work in progress?

Have I accomplished all the summer stuff?  Well, we certainly jammed in a ton of visits and little trips and tons of concerts.  It was not an ambitious summer. Mostly, like everyone… we just worked. It is just work and sleep and rinse and repeat.  This summer was shitty hot, so I am just glad it’s over.  Here is a cool pic of me from this weekend.  In the evenings, when camping, I am usually the entertainment.  We sit around a fire and drink and I play guitar and tell stories for hours.  I an easily play for 4 or 5 hours at the fire.  Just keep feeding me beer and ciggies, and sing along when you can.

What would make this summer much better for you?

For it to be over, and it is.  It was just HOT. ALWAYS. Every day in June was some kind of record because it was over 95.  This is why I left Phoenix. Granted, these are first world problems. I am SO fucking blessed in my life.  I have a big beautiful ranch and house and wife who loves me and an amazing family on both sides… and I am bitching about how hot my living room is?  Hey… you asked. I didn’t bring it up. I am just answering the questions.   WAIT… can I add this?  Kudos to all of you who do all this and have kids.  We have no kids, and we are very happy that way.  I can’t imagine doing all the stuff we do, and all the work we do, and also raising kids.   Well, actually, if we had kids we wouldn’t have the time or the money to do any of these things.

When did you go back to school from summer break when you were a kid?

It was very clean… the break.  Memorial day to Labor day. Same from kindergarten to high school.  We had no variables in days… because we didn’t have snow days.

Is anyone else as shocked as I am that it’s Labor Day Weekend and most of the summer is nearly over?

No.  It now being a few days past, I feel Fall very much.  Not in the days, but the evenings cool down a lot, and quickly.  We jammed so much stuff in, I am ready to just not do much but watch some football.  Here is another example of what we jammed in… I drove 1500 miles this last weekend. Again, no regrets… but I am tired, mister.  Also, I look at things this way… every day that passes is a day less we have with President Trump.  My lord what a piece of shit that guy is.  Remember how Fonz couldn’t say the word ‘wrong’?  I know I already did that rant… but what does a guy have to do to get impeached these days?  The Russia stuff is very clear and very dark.  He is a horrible narcissist and the world will be better when he is gone.  Sooner, rather than later, would be preferable.

Ok, time for bed.  I love you, and you are doing great!

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Friday Fives bonus music edition

*** editors note > I wrote this the day before Amy Winehouse died. Just a coindicence, really.

Hey all,

The last two weeks of ‘fives’ have frankly beeen phoned in crapola.  I have been super engaged in moving and settling.  You deserve better.  Not much better, but better.  So, here is a free look at my awesome music psyche.  Here are the first five songs that come up on full random on my iPod.

There are 14,292 songs on my iPod.  here goes:

Rehab- Amy Winehouse

man, what a talent.  Too bad she hasn’t done ANYTHING in five years.  I remember the first time I heard her sing.  I was listening to the local clear channel factory.  I was impressed they were playing 50’s R&B (black people music, in a nutshell).  The song was ‘back to black’.  The wifey explained it was a young hot limey chick.  I could hardly believe it.

Anyhow, your reaction might be that she is an overrated hack.  Not the case, watch this clip:

 

This drinking will kill me – Dwight Yoakum

normally, I don’t like country.  Certainly not any comtemporary country.  But, for Dwight I have an exception.  I was over at Eddie’s house many Easters ago.  Dwight doing ‘guitars, cadellacs…’ a capella.  Just him and his voice.  It is off this album, which converted me instantly.   I love it so much, i actually picked up one of the songs and perform it in my band. Also, Dwight is a great actor, and you have seen him in tons of movies.  He does bit parts, mostly.  Sling Blade, Crank 2, and a bunch of others.  He gets about five lines, and you would not recognize him because without his hat he is balder than I am.

Don’t Tell Me – Madonna

I LOVE this song.  I don’t have much Madonna on my iPod.  only two songs, I believe.  This, and ‘Ray of Light’.  I also remember when I met this song.  Madonna was on Letterman and played it, on acoustic.  It was impressive.  Here is that clip. 

Kick Drum Heart – Avett Brothers.

This song is ok.  Like everyone else, I fell in love with them on ‘I and Love and You’.  GOD that is a really really great song.  The rest is marginal.  They need someone to help write their songs and flesh out their ideas.  A Mutt Lange, a Steve Lillywhite, or a Glen Ballard.  Those guys are the modern ‘Brill Building’.  They are hit factories.

Lonely – Tom Waits

Tom Waits is the bomb.  This song, which is a complete downer, is from his first album.  Written in 1972, the year I was born.  Actually, almost all the songs on this album (Closing Time) are downers… but beautifully written.  You won’t hear Tom Waits on the radio, ever.  But, his songs are out there.  Rod Stewart made ‘downtown train’ a hit.  The Eagles made ‘Ole 55’ a hit, and Springsteen made ‘Jersey Girl’ a hit.