Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Last Tuesday before Thanksgiving


Last Tuesday before Thanksgiving…

Today’s music trivia is an iconic rock and roll artist who broke new ground as a guitar player and has never been equaled since he played in the late sixties and very early seventies.  His early and untimely death at the young age of 27 was mirrored by the departure of Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison, both who died at the tender age of 27 also. This guitar god has never been mimicked or copied in his style or expertise. His guitar rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner was chastised by much of the public at the time but was later revered as one of the best versions ever to be heard. His stage presence was second to none with lighting his guitar on fire or playing it with his tongue, but his rampant drug use got the best of him in the end.  Can you name this legendary guitar virtuoso?

Last night was the Holiday Pet Photo Shoot at the tavern here in El Segundo and Snoopy got her photo taken with me.  Next time I need to check my hair before I get a photo taken. It was hideous!  Anyway, besides that the photo came out okay I guess.  They say the camera puts on 50 pounds, right?  I need to get my fat butt on a diet or serious exercise routine.  Geez… Snoopy looked good as always since she has always been photogenic and I have never been photogenic so I look as well as can be expected.  I’ll have to figure out how to add a photo onto these blog posts so you can see our holiday photo.

I just completed a blog photo post test and it seemed to work, so maybe I’ll be able to add photos to our future blog posts?  We can only hope I’ll have the capability.

Today for lunch I got a sandwich from Jersey Mike’s, a new sub shop that recently opened nearby.  I was so hungry I wolfed it down only to over stuff myself like a Thanksgiving meal.  I so wanted to take a nap afterwards being so full.  That is the first time in a long time I have felt overly stuffed after eating.  I can’t let that happen too much often otherwise I’ll never lose any of this excess weight.  Note to self:  Don’t pig-out anymore!

During the 1990s, I used to ride a bicycle all over the place and I was in pretty good shape.  Wow, that was about twenty years ago… Anyways, I think that is the key to my physical fitness routine… ride a bicycle whenever possible.  I think if I can g et into a normal routine I can drop a lot of weight and excess fat from the old body.  I know it won’t be as easy as it was back then, but it should still be doable I would think. 

Just a short blog post today so I can get it out there for you all to peruse.  Enjoy!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb 

Snoopy photo Test #2

Test #2

Monday, November 25, 2013

Monday, prior to Thanksgiving…


Monday, prior to Thanksgiving…

I hadn’t planned on posting a blog this week, but since I have some free time at work I thought I would try to do so. 

Today’s music trivia contest is a musician whose career began in the mid sixties to 1973 who died prematurely in a small aircraft accident in 1973.  His hit songs included, “Time in a Bottle”, "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues", and "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song".  Who is this legendary rock and roll artist?

This week at work will be pretty slow since it is a holiday week and the start of the holiday season.  I am thinking of going to Boston Market for their Thanksgiving feast meals to go and have it at the homestead.  I had it several years ago and it was good, except they forgot to pack the dressing in my to go package.  Since I did not feel like driving all the way back just for that, I did without. L  I just looked on-line to place an order and it said no on-line orders will be taken since they have received such a high volume of orders.  Might have to go to the store and get our own turkey and bake it up.  I wonder if Snoopy likes turkey.  She usually likes anything I am eating or planning to eat.  In fact the other day she ate my pastrami Reuben sandwich I got from Jersey Mike’s sub shop.  That cost her hours of freedom as she was confined to solitary confinement in her carrier for quite a while.

Tonight is the Holiday Pet Photo Shoot at the Tavern and Snoopy needs to get cleaned and groomed before then.  I need to give them a call and set up an appointment for today and maybe I can drop her off during lunchtime. Cool, I can drop her off at 1230 and then pick her up after work!  That works out perfectly!  Now she will be all clean and groomed for tonight’s holiday photo shoot!  Last year she had the photo taken solo, but I might try to get into the photo this year.  She now has a new Red Thunder Vest she received for her birthday from a friend and she will be sporting it for the holiday season and also for the photo shoot tonight. She normally does not sport flashy colors, but we will see how she looks all groomed nicely and wearing the seasonal red color.

Dropped off the Snoopburger at the groomers for her monthly makeover which includes bath, trimming, ears cleaning, teeth cleaning, nail trimming, and the rest of the stuff.  It usually runs about $48.00 each time. I hope they do a good job and she looks all nice and presentable tonight for the holiday photo shoot.

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Friday, November 22, 2013

Friday before Thanksgiving week…


Friday before Thanksgiving week…

Today’s musical artist trivia band began in the turbulent sixties and changed part of their name in the seventies to reflect their continuing evolution as a band.  Songs such as, “Layin’ it on the Line”, “We Built this City” “Jane”, “No way Out” and “Sara” cemented their place in rock and roll folklore. With the band formed around Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and the goddess of rock and roll Miss Grace Slick, they were one of the survivors to make it out of the sixties to acquire fame.  Can you name this iconic rock and roll band?

Yesterday’s blog post was quite brief due to other commitments I had on my schedule.  My ramblings will most likely continue today in this post I am currently penning.  I sometime do get rambling on about some reference and go off on some obscure tangent. Anyways, I apologize for those rants and ramblings on. Congrats to Lisa K who correctly identified Jackson Browne as our trivia contest winner!

Out here in LA, for over 25 years there was a morning radio show called The Mark & Brian Radio Program on 95.5 KLOS Radio in Southern California.  They were even syndicated in other markets across the US.  Anyway, last year Mark Thompson decided to hang it up so he could spend more time with his family and his wife who was battling some form of cancer.  So he left to live on the East coast in North Carolina I believe and currently produces a podcast with his wife Lynda focusing on issues couples deal with.  I check it out time to time and it is pretty good.

Brian Phelps stayed here and teamed up with his good friend Jill Whelan, formally casted on The Love Boat, to do their own podcast production, which I subscribe to.  I really miss the old M&B show but this new podcast, The Brian & Jill Show (or as they like to call it The BJ Show) is pretty good.  And the good thing about a podcast is you can listen to it at your convenience. Some days I get too busy but I can always retrieve them when I need them.  I am pleasantly surprised that it has turned out so good and they already have quite a loyal following. I do enjoy the new show and try to follow them on a regular basis since it is just over an hour presentation.  I recommend you try to catch their show if you need some humor in your day, like I do.

So, I have been contemplating whether or not to get a Christmas tree this holiday season.  I need to remember that I have a dog now and would that be an accident waiting to happen?  Snoopy tends to get into everything she can.  Plus I am not sure where I could even put it in my tiny apartment.  Maybe I can get a tiny tree? I used to have a neon palm tree that I used to hang ornaments on, but the movers broke it last year when I moved into this current apartment.  They didn’t even move it, I did.  I walked into the room and it was lying on the floor broken.  I was so pissed off that I paid them $100 less than we agreed upon, which I told them would happen if they broke anything.  They were not happy, but I was less happy than they were. When we had an artificial tree we would always get a real wreath so we had the real tree smell in the house.  Maybe I’ll do that this year?
Next week is Thanksgiving week and we may not be posting to our blog page.  If we do, we will let you know via Facebook as usual.  Most likely it won’t be happening next week.  Not that anyone will be missing anything good if we don’t post… just saying.  It will be nice to take a break and be able to relax and not have to worry that I need to meet my self-imposed deadline to get the blog post published. Like yesterday’s very short and very late post that we just threw out there just to get it out there. 

I am debating if I should order a Thanksgiving meal from Boston Market or not for next Thursday.  I definitely don’t plan on cooking a turkey and all the fixings.  If I do, then I’ll need some place to put all of the leftovers.  Don’t get me wrong, I love eating leftovers!  I am just wondering how much food I would get with the Thanksgiving meal order and will I get tired of eating the same foods for days on end.  I do love the typical Thanksgiving foods, especially the cranberry sauce straight out of the can.  Maybe I’ll order a meal and savor the leftovers for days and days… J

We will let you know if we post on our blog page next week via Facebook.

Until there… Be Good!

- cb

Thursday and one week to Thanksgiving…


Thursday and one week to Thanksgiving…

Today’s music trivia is an artist who has been around since the 70s and is still putting music out there for us to enjoy.  His many hits include “Stay”, “Runnin’ on Empty”, and “Hold On, Hold Out”.  Stay, a tribute to all of his Roadies who set up and pack up all his stage equipment for each concert.  Can you name this piano player, songwriter and musical artist?

Today’s blog post is a short one unfortunately due to other commitments.

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Wednesday. November 20, 2013


Wednesday, November 20, 2013…

Today’s music trivia band has got to be one of the sexiest bands ever, in my opinion.  Their music just seems to be soaked with sensual feelings and it just appeals to my inner being.  I don’t know if it is just me, but their music works for me. Songs such as “Original Sin”, “Listen Like Thieves”, and “Suicide Blonde” were some of their big hits back in the 90s. Their lead singer and front man died unexpectedly in November 1997 in a freak accident and possible suicide in a Sydney hotel room.  The surviving members later enlisted a new lead singer to continue their bands existence.  Can you name this Australian rock band’s name?

Yesterday’s trivia contest was won by Tim B with the correct answer of, “Hootie and the Blowfish”.  Past trivia contest answers are….  “Dread Zeppelin”, “Edie Brickell and New Bohemians”, “Eric Clapton”, “Eric Johnson”, “Elvis Costello and The Attractions”, “Fleetwood Mac”, “Frank Sinatra”, “Frank Zappa and The Mothers”, “Gin Blossoms, and “The Grateful Dead”,

My Mom was a great cook.  I mean she could make something out of nothing and it would taste great!  Homemade chicken soup, navy bean soup, homemade cornbread… mmmm… She could take leftover turkey and make meals for weeks.  Most of my family would get tired of the leftover turkey, but not me.  I could make turkey sandwiches for weeks… and I did!  Our garage was connected to our house back home, just off the kitchen, and it was used as a freezer during the winter since it was not insulated.  Our leftover turkey from Thanksgiving would be kept out on my Dad’s workbench in the baking tray with aluminum foil covering it for weeks and I would be digging off whatever turkey I could scrape off the bones.  I miss those days!  If your folks are alive, make sure you tell them how much they mean to you. They won’t be here forever.  Cherish the moments!  Now, I’m hungry… L

Well, my doctor said my stress test was normal and I have no blockage currently in my arteries. So, I am wondering, what is causing the shortness of breath I have been experiencing?  We originally thought it was the blood pressure medications I have been taking.  Then after changing those out several times the doctor thought it was maybe blocked arteries, which I thought it was also.  Now apparently it is not that either, so now I am confused. You know it must really be something when the doctors don’t know what is causing this.  What the heck is causing this issue?  I really would like to know!

Is anybody out there tech savvy?  I listen to a daily podcast and I would like to know how I can download it daily and listen to it without having to be hooked up to the internet.  I thought if I downloaded it that it would work, but I must be doing something wrong. 

Facebook seems to be a big waste of time.  People think that by proclaiming their undying faith, or their love for their children or grandchildren that makes them a better human being.  I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t. Just because you post something on Facebook it does not make you a better person.  Your actions do. So quit telling me on Facebook how much you love Jesus, and your kids, and your grandkids and go prove it.  Just because you are religious that does not mean you are a better human that the atheist down the block.  It just means you are more religious than the other guy, not a better human being. Not a better neighbor.  Not a better coworker. Not a more courteous driver on the freeway.  You are just more religious than the other guy.  Do you think your God will love me any less because I did not “Like” your religious post or I did not share it with others?  If you think that then your God is a fallacy.  Religion has become just another crutch for many in today’s society.  If I wore a t-shirt that had “Atheist” or “Agnostic” printed on it, people would come out of the woodwork to try to change my mind.  Your non-stop proclamations of your religious beliefs do not make you a better person.  Your behavior makes you a better person.  How you treat your fellow man makes you a better person.  How you treat a complete stranger makes you a better person. So knock off all your proclamations about your religious beliefs and start acting like a good human. 

The bible was written by some guys, most who never even met Jesus, and Jesus did not write your bible.  Your interpretations of what’s in there is exactly that… your interpretations. We all can interpret it the way we choose.  It is only a book of proverbs to steer you in what some guys think is the right direction, to keep you in line.  Remember, church & state were not always separate until we became the United States and had the freedom of religion or the freedom of no religion.  The world would be better off if we had no religion.  Take all that gold and luxury items in churches, cathedrals, synagogues, temples, etc and feed the poor with all that excess.  Do you think your god really wants a gold cup to drink out of? And gold candlesticks, and gold items to lavish his house with?  Of course not.  If he does, then do you really want a god like that?  I would think not.  I’m tired of religious babble and would like the poor to share in all that wealth.  Join me in that wish.  I’m sure your god would want it that way too.

I wonder how many readers will get upset about this rant of mine?  Did you ever see the Bill Maher movie, “Religulous”?  I thought it was a great movie.  I guess most of you out there never even saw it.  Anyways, I am tired of the Moral Majority viewpoint of everything that goes on today. 

The best words ever spoken slightly touching religion was by Linus Van Pelt in the movie, “It’s a Charlie Brown Chiristmas”... where he quoted the verse of the birth of Christ.  I mean, if Linus quoted it, it had to be important to the season, right?

I always wondered, if Joseph and Mary were his birth parents, were their names Joseph & Mary Christ?   Nobody I ever asked in Catholic school ever gave me a straight answer to that question.  I asked a lot of questions in Catholic school that never really got answered. Like what about Noah and the flood.  Did everyone on the Earth except those on the ark?  If so, then logically we all descended from those people on the ark, right?  And then later there must have been brother and sisters making babies together, right?  I mean, how gross that must have been.  How did Noah get the duck billed platypus’, kangaroos and Tasmanian Devils all from Australia?  Did he raid a zoo, or what?  How did all that happen as well as finishing up the ark before all the rain came? 

As you can probably tell, I was always in hot water with all of the Nuns back when I went to Catholic school. I had more time standing in the corner than I did at my desk somedays.

I decided to post 10 things you may not have known about me below, just in case you were wondering what the heck happened to me along the way…  Enjoy!


10 Things you probably did not know about me

  1.  I went to Catholic school for 9 years and was an Altar Boy for 6 years 
  2.  I was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout
  3.  I can fly almost anything with wings
  4.  I would rather be around little kids way more than adults
  5.  I am allergic to Penicillin, Raspberries, bees, Poison Oak/Poison Ivy, and wool
  6.  I was appointed Student Leader (Dorm Chief) during USAF Basic Training
  7.  I played hockey for 10 years
  8.  I give lifelong nicknames to almost all kids
  9.  I was almost paralyzed twice
10. I am a romantic at heart 


Until next time… Be Good!

- cb