The first Friday in December, 2013…

The first Friday in December, 2013…

Today’s music trivia is my favorite rock and roll band of all time.  On all their many albums, there is no bad or subpar song what-so-ever.  The band abruptly ended their existence in 1980 when their drummer suddenly died and the remaining 3 members said they could not go on without his heart and soul being part of the music.  Probably the biggest and most successful band in the 70s, their awesome music is just as popular as it was back then.  Their top notch guitar riffs blended with the often overlooked organ playing and the lead singer’s wide range of vocals and the intricate drumming made this band one of the most loved rock and roll band of all time. One of their major hits is still one of the most requested rock & roll songs ever to hit the airwaves which has been played every single day since it’s release in the early 1970s.  Can you name this top-ranked British band that consisted of the wonderful members John, Jimmy, John Paul and Robert?

Well, I have been trying to ride my bicycle to work for most of this week and I have been pretty successful.  My legs still feel like they are going to fall off each day, but it does to seem to be getting a bit easier on a daily basis.  I hope it helps me shed this unwanted fat quickly and get my body back into better shape than it is in now. I’m hoping to shed this tired old body and replace it with a leaner and a more in shape specimen in half the time it took to expand to this size.  I think it can be done!

I am craving Chinese food for lunch today.  I could go for some Kung Pao Chicken and some Hot & Sour Soup to help open up my sinuses.  Nobody seems to want to go out for lunch today, which is sad.  It is a slow day here at work and I figured that peeps would want to go out for lunch, but it seems to no avail.  I guess it is an other lunch off the catering truck.  Chicken Taquitos sound good I guess.

I went outside at lunch and saw some dark clouds hovering in the area. I just checked my weather app and it is forecasting rain for tomorrow, but today is supposed to be dry.  I would hate to have to ride my bicycle home in the rain today, or any day for that matter.  People out here in California really don’t know how to drive very well, especially in the wet weather.  Once the pavement gets wet, the infrequent rains here allow a lot of oil buildup and the rain water, which makes it quite slippery, and then that causes these fools to crash into each other.  I am glad I don’t have that long commute any longer.  That was one of the best things I ever did was to move down to the South Bay area, which is where I work, and eliminated that freeway commute.  That can cause a lot of sleepless nights and unneeded stress, and needless to say, a complete waste of time.

Okay time to close this blog post for today and get the heck out of the office…

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

The first Thursday in December…

The first Thursday in December…

Congrats to Lisa K for guessing the correct last two musical artists as Joe Jackson and John (Cougar) Mellencamp.  Nice job, Lisa, as always. Keep playing the game!

Today’s musical artist was big in the 1970s when I was in high school with their unique sound with violins and their wonderful lyrics.  Later in life I found out they were born-again Christians and many of their lyrics reflected that.  Their many hits included, “Carry on My Wayward Son”, “Dust in the Wind” and “The Wall” which most got lots of airplay back in the 70s. Can you name this unique rock and roll band?

I rode the bicycle into work again today and it was a bit easier than before.  My legs are a bit sore but I am slowly getting used to it and I even found my bungee cords to keep my pants legs away from the chain.  I do need to get some new AA batteries for my headlight assy.  I hope the weather stays nice and the seasonal rains hold off until I get into some kind of better shape.  I do believe that the fat and weight will shed off slowly and constantly if I keep the bicycling up. 

FYI – El Segundo is a small town at the beach and is full of hills. Actually there are not many flat streets until you get to the East side of the town. The East side of ES is the industrial section as the West side of Sepulveda is the residential section of town.  I must go to the East side of town to go to work and luckily the streets are mostly flat.  If I want to go to the beach I’ll have to transverse many hills all the way through the residential section down to the beach.  I’ll need to work up to that a little at a time before I attempt that strenuous journey. 

El Segundo is a controversy within itself.  Known as the Mayberry on the West coast with a small town feel.  Downtown ES is quaint and has small shops to browse and shop at.  In fact, The Tavern on Main, a family sports bar, is located at 123 Main Street.  How American is that?  We have a reputation as a small quiet town with some of the worse cops around.  They are not to messed around with.  In fact, the Band, “A Tribe Called Quest” wrote a song titled, “I left My Wallet in El Segundo”. This is about being busted by the cops and having to pay a huge amount of fines afterwards.  I consider the cops here a double-edged sword.  If they are on your side and are doing their job protecting the citizens, then they are good.  If they are against you, they pretty much are the worst thing ever.  They are arrogant as most cops are and most of us citizens don’t like them.  Best bet is to try to avoid them.

El Segundo is also a corporation mega town.  Companies such as Mattel Toys, DirecTV, Northrop-Grumman, Chevron Oil, Space and Missile Systems Center @ Los Angeles Air Force Base, Rock & Brews, Wyle Laboratories, Tropical Exports (As seen on the TV show, “Tanked”), Raytheon, Cars Direct, LAX International Airport, and various other smaller companies. 

A few of the celebrities that have called El Segundo home include Coach Phil Jackson and his girlfriend Jeanie Buss, and also the comedienne Roseanne Barr.  Bass Player and financial wiz, Gene Simmons, is part owner of “Rock & Brews”, and is seen here frequently in ES.   I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger recently here at the Tavern for a birthday party, and he is much shorter than I ever thought. 

The El Segundo High School is the most photographed HS in the nation and has been used for many TV commercials as well as TV shows and movies.  Downtown ES has been used for filming as well with movies such as, “Dude, Where’s My Car”, and other movies I have seen.  The Old Time Music Hall located in downtown ES has one of the last working Wurlitzer Organs in the world and is used daily to show silent films and older films at a cheap price.  Holiday movies and concerts are also performed there, which really needs to be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

Since we don’t have “Beach” in our city title, El Segundo is our own little secret.  We don’t have residences located right on the beach, we do have our own beach, El Segundo Beach.  Not many people know about our local beach, because we don’t really advertise it.  On my weekdays off I have been known to get Chinese food to go and dine at our beach and have lunch in the sun.  Snoopy always enjoys those days basking in the sun.  She loves the attention she receives from people passing by on their bicycles, rollerblades and various different modes of transportation that utilize the beach-side sidewalk titled, The Strand.  The Strand is a popular way for people to travel by human power right on the beach all along the coastline of California.

Yesterday after work, I decorated for the holidays by putting up a string of lights outside my apartment.  Nothing crazy, just a 200-bulb string of small blue lights along the roof soffit and in the front bushes.  I would like to get a real Christmas tree, but unfortunately I really don’t have the room to properly display one.  My small living room already holds the TV stand, Bose speakers, bookcase, my desk, a recliner chair, my bicycle, and a sofa and love seat. There really in no room for much more in that very small room. I might get a wreath made from pine boughs to enjoy the great smell of the holidays. That smell takes me right back to being a kid during Christmastime.  That is one of my favorite smells in the world.

Well, it’s time to close for now.  Just a reminder…. Less than 3 weeks to Christmas…

Snoopy wanted me to tell you all to… Bark less… Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

The first Wednesday in December 2013…

The first Wednesday in December 2013…

Today’s music trivia artist hit the airways in 1982 with his debut album, “American Fool” which included such hits as “Feels So Good” and “Jack and Diane”. His follow up album “Uh Huh” was no disappointment with hits such as, “Pink Houses”, “Crumblin’ Down” and my favorite, “Authority Song”.  His mid-western values still hold strong today as he lives in the same small town he grew up in.  Can you name this all American rock and roll artist?

This is about the time of the year that I decide whether or not to send out Christmas cards.  Unfortunately, finances again this year dictate the path I go down and being so broke I really can’t afford it. Maybe I can design and develop one and get it out via the internet e-mail, or even using Facebook.  At least Facebook can be good for something useful. 

Tomorrow morning is Round One with my battle with my management here at work.  I am feeling pretty confident in our position to kick their assses all the way from here to Washington DC if needed.  They basically are trying to screw me and I am not going to take it lying down.  I am starting my final year prior to me retiring and I am not going to let them try to screw with my retirement or my pension in any way.  My Union representative feels pretty strongly with our strategy highlighting their violations of at least two of our bylaws.  I am looking forward to tomorrow to fight back and give them what they deserve, a kick to the head and a face full of fists. I hate A-holes and people who think they can push people around.  Well, they have picked on the wrong person this time and I am ready to kick someone’s sorry ass. F*cking A-holes, prepare for battle!

Man, it was chilly and windy this morning.  I took Snoopy out to do her morning business and I couldn’t believe the wind and cool temperature.  The thermometer said it was 57 degrees F, but that did not include the wind chill which had to make it in the lower 40s or high 30s.  Brrr…  I was really surprised that it cooled off so much in just one day.  I do have a wall heater in my apartment but I have never used it because it looks like a fire hazard waiting to happen.  So, if I really think it is getting chilly at home, I’ll just use a small space heater like I did last year.  I am used to using small fleece blankets while I watch TV at home on the couch.  And I always have Snoopy to keep me warm and vice versa, if needed.

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

First Tuesday in December, 2013…

First Tuesday in December, 2013…

Today I started a new chapter in my life and began riding my bicycle into work.  This way I get the exercise I need to drop some weight and I also have a better chance of staying healthy.  It is only about a 2-mile ride one way but I sure felt it this morning. Luckily it is a pretty flat course with only one hill, but my body just was not used to it.  After work  today I’ll find out if I had a slight downhill grade on the way in since I’ll be going back home the same way.  It felt like some pretty easy pedaling for much of the ride.  I bet it is going to be harder on the way home.  We will keep you posted.

Today’s musical trivia contest is a UK artist who’s easy listening style has been around since the late 70s I believe. His many hits include, “Breaking us in Two”, “Steppin’ Out”, “Sunday Papers”, and “Is She Really Going Out With Him?”  Can you name this easy listening UK artist?

I went outside during lunch and noticed a slight tailwind for my ride home on the bicycle. Funny, I would of never noticed that before riding the bike in, but today I could use it.  I need to also dig out some small bungee cords for my pants legs to keep them away from the chain while pedaling.  I need to get some new batteries for the headlight assembly.  The old batteries leaked and corroded the inside of the headlight, so I brushed the damaging acid away and then treated it with some baking soda to neutralize the effect of the harmful acid. Hopefully it should still work fine because I really don’t want to have to go buy a new one. 

Next I need to break out my Whizzer, which is a beach cruiser with a small two-stroke gasoline engine on it, sort of like a moped. It requires no license, no insurance, no helmet.  Just pedal and drop the clutch for a one speed motorized bicycle experience.  I haven’t ridden that in well over a year I estimate.  Time to break it out I guess and see how it runs.

I have noticed that since we have not been going down to the beach, our blog posts tend to be much shorter than they were before.  I think the early sunsets have a contributing factor to this process as I tend to complete and post them before I leave the office to head home.  I’m sure when the days start getting longer here in a few weeks the length of these blog posts will increase in proportion.  But that remains to be seen.

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb     

The First Monday in December 2013…

The First Monday in December 2013…

Today’s music trivia contest is a guy that has a very loyal following of fans.  These folks arrive early for his concerts and tailgate extensively.  They even bring their own sand to make their own beach, palm trees, umbrellas and beach chairs to properly tailgate and drink cocktails and beers.  His loyal followers are referred to as “Parrothead’s” and they always attend his concerts when he comes to town.  Known for his kickback lifestyle as a partying sailor of Florida and the Caribbean area, he is also known for not allowing other artists not to play his songs for a profit.  His many hits include, “Changes in Latitude”, “Fins”, “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Margaritaville” have made him a household name.  Can you name this highly successful musician and songwriter?

We took some days off last week from our blog post due to the long holiday weekend celebration.  I spent a lot of quality time lounging on the sofa watching TV shows I had Tivo’d.  Snoopy got a bit spoiled this past weekend being allowed to sit on my lap while watching TV.  Some days you just have to break the rules to live life just a bit differently.  I really did eat pretty well this past weekend and reveled in the fact that the food was so good.  I tried not to overeat, but it was a bit difficult when all the food tasted so good.  Loving the leftovers also!

As I had mentioned previously, I plan to start riding my bicycle as an alternate to driving short distances and I am hoping to get in better shape with this change of lifestyle.  I have about one year to retirement and I have a lot of weight to shed as well getting back in shape without going to the gym or any fad diets.  I have never seen a fat person riding a bicycle.  Twenty years ago I rode a bike almost daily and was in pretty good shape.  This practice should help me with my bad back with a low impact exercise I can do on a daily basis.  I am planning to start this routine tonight by getting some air in my tires and ensuring the headlight and taillight both work. I might have to get up a few minutes earlier to ensure I get to work on time.  

Need to put some air in my tires so I can ride that bike tomorrow.  I also have a beach cruiser with a small gas engine on it they called a Whizzer. It is a generic brand and not the original Whizzer model.  I might start riding that also after I build up some stamina in my legs and rear end.  My work is between 2 – 3 miles I estimate, and the terrain is pretty flat, so it should not take that much time or that much exertion on my part.  I need to weigh myself and take some measurements to check my progress.  I just know the rainy season will soon be upon us and that will not be too fun then. I hope it holds off for a while so I can get in some what a good condition.

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb