Happy Birthday Abie, Baby! Happy birthday to you!

_{Yesterday’s Music Trivia Answer}

_{Answer:  Tommy James and the Shondells}

_{I highly recommend to you younger peeps to try listening to this artist’s songs. You might be surprised!}

_{Today’s Music Trivia}

_{Today’s music trivia is a band I first heard of on the radio after returning from Europe in December 1978.  Producing such hits songs such as “Rosanna”, “Africa” and “Hold the Line”, this band originated right here in Los Angeles.  Consisting of three Porcaro brothers, including one of my favorite drummers, Jeff, this band began back in 1977.  Unfortunately, Jeff passed away in 1992, (he could never be replaced) and Simon Phillips took over the drumming vacancy. Jeff was trained by his most famous drumming father, Joe Porcaro, a legendary figure himself outright.  Having released a total of 17 albums, sold over 35 million albums, winning several Grammys and inducted as members of the Musician’s Hall of Fame in 2009, can you name this American rock band ?}

_{-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{(Yesterday’s) Alternate Band Names Answer}

_{Clue:  Heavy metal dirigible     Answer:   Led Zeppelin}

_{Thanks again to Tim B for again answering correctly yesterday!}

_{Today’s Alternate Band Names}

_{Today’s Clue: Rosy-colored/Mayberry’s barber     Answer:  ???}

_{Can you name three of this band’s songs?}

_1.

_2.

_3.

_{----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{3 Questions about us… (from yesterday)}

_{1.     What was my dog Snoopy’s name that was given to her at the foster home?  The name they gave her was “Bubblegum.” Now you know why I changed it to Snoopy!}

_{2.     What is Snoopy’s favorite toy to play with? Snoopy plays with no toys actually for some reason? (Trick question, I know!) J}

_{3.     What local establishment does Snoopy love to frequent? The Tavern on Main where she thinks she owns the joint!}

_{3 New Questions about us}

_{1.          What was the year of my 10-day California tour when I had my major motorcycle accident and when I totally broke up my body and also broke my back, almost paralyzing me?} 

_{2.          What kind of motorcycle was I riding at the time and still own?}

_{3.          Besides the accident, how else did I almost die on that trip?}

_{--------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{Television Trivia (yesterday’s game answers)}

_{In the early 1970s, there were two prime time television shows us youngsters back then loved and did not miss watching.}

_{1. Can you name both of these iconic television shows?} 

_{The Brady Bunch}

_{The Partridge Family}

_{2. Can you name all the kid characters in those shows?}

_{Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marcia, Jan, and Cindy Brady}

_{Keith, Laurie, Danny, Tracy, and Chris Partridge}

_{3. Who was their adult third wheel character (not their parents)?}

_{Alice, the housekeeper/cook/maid}

_{Mr Rueben Kincaid, their Manager}

_{Today’s Television Trivia}

_{1. Can you name all seven characters from the TV show, “Gilligan’s Island”? (I bet you are going to sing the theme song, right?)  J}

_{2. What was the Skipper’s character’s actual name on the TV show? (A real tough one, I know)}

_{3. Why did the Skipper always look after Gilligan and how did they actually meet? (Another toughy)}

_{4. What did Alan Hale (the Skipper) do on the TV show that was pretty much forbidden and never really ever done before on a sitcom? (Hint: Matthew Broderick did pretty much the same thing in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.) (I told you these would be harder questions)}

_{--------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{Where does this music take you back to? (A New Feature)}

_{I myself hear a song or an album from the past and I am usually transported back in time to a place or a person when I hear that particular music. Today we are adding yet another new feature and we are asking you guys when you hear a certain song or album, where does it take you back to… or who or what does it make you think of?}

_{Song:  Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen}

_{What memory does this song make you think of?  Some place, some time, some girl/guy?  Let’s hear from some of you silent people out there.  Make it fun for us all...}

_{For me, I first heard this epic song during my sophomore year in High School on the school bus on our way to our Bowling League.  We had just crossed the Swing Bridge (also locally known as the Bridge from Hell, the Death Bridge, etc) that spanned the Illinois & Michigan Canal (photo provided) on our way to Strike & Spare Bowling Lanes after school. I remember thinking to myself, WTF is this? I had never heard of any music like that before. It really affected me and it changed my life forever!}

_{How about you folks?  Let us hear your memories…}

_{For What It’s Worth}

_{We have put some considerable effort into the new features for our blog posts. I hope you enjoy them! Give us some feedback....}

_{Linus says, “I would rather travel in the slow lane.  You get to see so much more scenery that way and you will have a more enjoyable trip!”}

_{Snoopy preaches, “Bark Less and Wag More!”} 

_{They are both wise beyond their years…}

_{Until next time… Be Good!}

- kb

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014

_{For What it’s Worth}

_{Happy day to our peeps, you, our faithful readers. We have been playing around with our format these past few days, but since not many that we are aware of ever reads this, I guess it is not a big deal. I can always spend this blog writing time writing my novel and other writing projects I am involved in. If you read this blog, let us know. Nothing worse than wasting my time.}

_{Also, for the Trivia Games, I am only giving you guys until the next blog post to provide us answers.  We really can’t wait until someone decides to participate.  With the new format and the addition of the new games, I just can’t do it. I have to make it easy for us to publish, so get your answers back to us as soon as possible.  Speak up and let’s hear from you guys!}

_{1. Music Trivia}

_{I like almost any kind of music except maybe disco, hard rap, techno and opera. I can appreciate them, but those of  you who really know me know that they will never hear me listening to any of that. Other than those few, I like all kinds of music. So, with that being said, today’s music trivia is a not a rock and roll band, but an R&B/Soul music band that formed way back in 1968 in Oakland, California.  Known for their funky soulful sound, well-defined horn section along with syncopated bass guitar playing, this band had its most commercial success back in the early and mid seventies, prior to the disco era. “Soul With a Capital S”, “What is Hip”, “You’re Still a Young Man”, and “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)”, were some of their biggest hits.  Also known as T.O.P., can you name this soulful American R&B Band?}

_{Yesterday’s Music Trivia Answer}

_{The answer to yesterday’s Music Trivia is the American band, Toto.}

_{-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{2. Today’s Alternate Band Name Game}

Clue:  Temperamental Sadness       Answer: ???

_{Can you name three of this band’s songs?}

_1.

_2.

_3.

_{Yesterday’s Alternate Band Name Game Answer}

_{Clue: Rosy-colored Mayberry barber    Answer:  Pink Floyd}

_{-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{3. Today’s Television Trivia}

_{1. What was the lead character’s name in The Six Million Dollar Man and what actor portrayed him?}

_{2. What bionic capabilities did he receive?}

_{3. What editing process did they utilize to identify when he used these capabilities? (There were two things actually.)}

_{Yesterday’s Television Trivia Answers}

_{A.          Can you name all seven characters from the TV show, “Gilligan’s Island”? (I bet you sang the theme song, didn’t you?)  J}

_{1. Gilligan}

_{2. The Skipper}

_{3. Mr Thurston Howell III}

_{4. Mrs Eunice (Lovey) Howell}

_{5. Miss Ginger Grant}

_{6. The Professor}

_{7. Miss Mary Ann Summers}

_{B. What was the Skipper’s character’s actual real name on the TV show?}

_{Jonas Grumby}

_{C. Why did the Skipper always look after Gilligan and how did they actually meet?}

_{While in the Navy, Gilligan saved the Skipper’s life by pushing him out of the way of a depth charge that had broken loose and was rolling down the deck of their destroyer. After retiring from the Navy, the Skipper used his commission to buy the S.S. Minnow and began offering three-hour tours from Honolulu Harbor. Gilligan was his First Mate.}

_{D. What did Alan Hale (the Skipper) do on the TV show that was never really ever done before on a sitcom? (Hint: Matthew Broderick did pretty much the same thing in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.)}

_{The Skipper would look directly into the camera as though he was looking at us and usually with some kind of facial expression. Ferris took it one step further by speaking directly to the camera like he was talking to the viewers.}

_{-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{4. 3 New Questions about us}

_{FYI – Linus is my VW Camper Bus/Van (yes, it’s a hippie bus)… if you did not know…}

_{1.      What year was my Linus “born”?}

_{2.            What color is Linus?}

_{3.            What makes Linus kinda unique for a VW Bus, maybe just one in a hundred out on the road?}

_{3 Questions about us Answers (from yesterday)}

_{1.            What was the year of my 10-day California tour when I had my major motorcycle accident when I totally messed up my body and also broke my back?  July 1984}

_{2.            What kind of motorcycle was I riding at the time and still own? 1982 Yamaha Maxim 750}

_{3.            Besides the accident, how else did I almost die on that trip? Allergic reaction to Poison Oak throwing me into anaphylactic shock causing my throat to swell shut and I quit breathing. A hurried trip to a hospital Emergency Room was warranted.}

_{-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

_{4. Where does this music take you back to?}

_{I myself hear a song or an album from the past and I am usually transported back in time to a place or a person when I hear that particular music. Today we are adding yet another new feature and we are asking you guys when you hear a certain song or album, where does it take you back to… or who or what does it make you think of?}

_{Song: Colour My World by the group, Chicago}

_{This song reminds me of the dances back in High School, such as the Homecoming Dance and of course Prom, slow dancing with my girlfriend.  I believe this was the actual theme for our Senior Prom.}

_{How about you folks?  Let us hear your memories…}

New capabilities!

If there is no photo being shown, please let us know, okay? We are trying to expand our capabilities!

Music Trivia

Today’s musical group is a band from the 1960s – 1970s, my favorite decades for music.  To tell you the truth, I have been listening to this album the last few weeks at work, almost on a daily basis, and it still has not gotten old. The band was formed by the first three original members, Danny Hutton, Cory Wells, and Chuck Negron as the lead singers, and were backed by background singers and musicians they hired to round out their band.

From 1969-1974, nobody had more Top Ten hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets. As of 2011, this band continues to top the list of artists with the best Billboard Top 100 Chart average! During this period, this band was undoubtedly the most popular band in America with twenty-one consecutive Top 40 hits and twelve straight gold LPs. By late '75, they had sold nearly 50 million records.

With #1 hits in the US such as, “One” (is the Loneliest Number), “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come”, all three had featured different lead singers. Other hits included, “Black and White”, “Eli’s Coming”, “An Old Fashioned Love Song”, “Never Been to Spain”, “Shambala”, “The Show Must Go On”, and “Sure As I’m Sittin’ here”, all of which were cover songs written by outside songwriters. 

Still making live appearances today, can you name this iconic American rock and roll band?

Alternate band names

Clue: Heavy metal dirigible   Answer:???

The Answer to yesterday’s Alternate band Names Contest: 

The Clue = VW Bugs… Answer = The Beatles

Tim B finally figured it out!  They get harder as we go along…

3 New Questions about us…

1.     What was my dog Snoopy’s name that was given to her at the foster home?

2.     What is Snoopy’s favorite toy to play with?

3.     What local establishment does Snoopy love to frequent?

Past Questions and Answers: 

1.     What breed of dog is Snoopy?  She is a Parsons Jack Russell Terrier

2.     When did I get her?  November 11, 2012

3.     How did she come into my life?  She was a rescue that I found online

Past Questions and Answers: 

1.     What is my favorite MLB baseball team? The Chicago Cubs, of course (and also the California (Now L.A.) Angels

2.     What is my favorite NHL hockey team? The Chicago Blackhawks, of course

3.     What is my favorite NFL football team? The Miami Dolphins (and also the San Diego Chargers). The Chicago Bears are my third team I guess, by default.

Television Trivia   (Another New Game Feature)

In the early 1970s, there were two prime time television shows us youngsters back then loved and did not miss watching.

1.     Can you name both of these iconic television shows?

2.     Can you name all the kid characters in those shows?

3.     Who was their adult third wheel character (not their parents)?

Current Stuff

I have been watching the Winter Olympic games each evening that I record usually the evening before (Did I ever mention I hate watching commercials?), and the trick to that is to avoid hearing the news so not to ruin the excitement of watching it recorded. I saw American downhill skier Bode Miller had some issues on his downhill run and fell back in the standings ruining his medal chances in that discipline.  I believe he is also going to do the Giant Slalom or 3G or whatever title they give it now. I think the 3G is between Downhill & GS. Anyway, good luck to him in that endeavor. I also fast forward through the figure skating and ice dancing stuff because I have no interest in those at all. I also have not much desire to see all the human-interest stories. Most of us have our own human-interest stories to contend with. Saw some Luge runs last night, which I enjoyed as well as some Women Snowboarding events. That one Czech girl took a nasty shot to the head and cracked her helmet, which was quite dramatic. I hope she is okay in the long run.  Headshots can do some damage, I for one know that well. They can come back to haunt you.

I had a nice dialog last night with Tim B via messaging.  Seems like we have a lot of similar interests and I look forward to seeing him soon, if not next year some time. Plus, I like owe this dude some serious drinks for winning all those the music trivia games, even though I had to pretty much spoon-feed him answers with a new game he was playing last night. And, I thought it was a pretty easy one at that!  Keep playing, Tim! You are a pretty tough guy to stump! J

Road Trip Planning

As most of you know, we are planning our US road trip for next year. What you may be aware of is that we are looking for anyone who is interested in traveling along with us for part of the trip. I know some folks work for themselves or they have flexibility in their work schedules. Maybe there is a part of the US you would like to see and travel through? Maybe you have been there before and would like to revisit it? Maybe there is a National Park that you always wanted to visit? Yosemite? Yellowstone? The New England area? The Appalachian Mountains? The Florida Keys? Well, my friends, this could be your chance, maybe your once in a lifetime chance to do just that! Let us know your thoughts and what you desire to do and where you would like to visit.  The world can be your oyster, and this could be your chance! Just let us know if youre interested and we can try to work it into our schedule.

As Snoopy always says… Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Some new games to play today!

Music Trivia Contest

Today’s music trivia is a solo artist probably known today more for his outspoken views about hunting and gun control as well as his fondness of conservative politics.  As the former lead guitarist of “The Amboy Dukes”, he is also known as the Motor City Madman originating from Detroit. He has also played lead guitar as a member of the supergroup, “Damn Yankees”.  Always an ardent anti-drug campaigner, he has said he doesn’t do any recreational drugs including alcohol or tobacco.  Some of his hits songs include, “Wango Tango”, “Stranglehold”, and “Dog Eat Dog”. Can you name this caveman of rock and roll?

New Games

As I had mentioned, we are going to feature some new games and we invite all you smart folks to play. Here are a few…

3 Questions

How well do you think you know us?

1.     What is my favorite MLB baseball team?

2.     What is my favorite NHL hockey team?

3.     What is my favorite NFL football team?

Alternate Pop and Rock & Roll Band Names (New Game)

How it is played… by using synonyms and antonyms…. 

Example…. Clue = Smooch     Answer = Kiss….   Got it?

Okay, let’s give it a try… Here goes…

1. Clue = VW Bugs    Answer = ???

Band Knowledge (New Game)

Can you name and list three songs from the group answer above?

1.

2.

3.

Television

The XXII Winter Olympics began over this past weekend, which I think I enjoy watching more than the Summer Olympics. I enjoy watching Hockey, all the Snowboarding competitions, the Alpine Skiing competitions, especially the Ski Jumping, Downhill, Giant Slalom, and even the Biathlons, the Bobsledding, Luge and Skeleton competitions, and the Speed Skating competitions.  There are plenty more events to watch also, but usually fast forward through most of them since I record pretty much everything that I watch on TV.  That poor guy Bob Costas has got a bad case of pink eye from the poor water conditions over there in Sochi. It seems to be getting worse each day and I can tell you from my own experience, pink eye is a very painful condition.

I somehow missed The Beatles Anniversary celebration that was broadcasted last night for being on The Ed Sullivan Show 50 years ago.  I hope they replay it soon so I can record and watch it because I heard it was pretty good.  I must be living in a cave not to know that was going to be broadcasted.  I got stuck on watching the Olympic Games. Good grief! L

I caught myself watching an new show this past weekend called, “Hillbilly Blood”.  It is basically a reality show about these two self-proclaimed “Hillbillies” (as they have defined is a cross between a hippie and a redneck) who live in The Appalachian Mountains in the western part of North Carolina who trade and barter their way through life, living basically off the grid. Both of these guys definitely look the part, and I would be afraid to personally approach them anywhere one on one.  Surprisingly, one of these guys is very knowledgeable and very resourceful, building something useful out of nothing but items laying around and accessible to them. These two guys, “Eugene” and “Spencer” are pretty rough-looking guys that would scare the crap out of any of us civilized folks, especially in their own environment.  I saw these guys make bio-diesel fuel out of rendered pig fat, a crossbow using a car’s leaf spring, and they even made a power generator from miscellaneous materials they scrounged up.  This one guy is pretty ingenious, smart and quite resourceful. It was quite an interesting show if I say so myself.  Who would of thought such a thing?  I’m gonna have to record some future episodes of this program.

Thanks to my good buddy Joe for providing us some input and some in-route destinations (Arches and the other National Parks in Utah) for our upcoming Road trip.  WTF is up with the rest of you guys?  C’mon, give us some ideas already!  Make Snoopy happy and give us your input!

Okay, I’m gonna close this blog post for the day so I can work on some other projects and new games to include in these posts.

What does Snoopy always say? That’s right… Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb