I was up late playing the music that I love.
*****
I started by playinng some classic Beatles. I think their music really changed with the album "Revolver".
This album starts off with a snappy little rock song, called "The Taxman", later covered by Stevoe Ray Vaughn. It also has a song called "Within you, Without you" which was a real stretch for the Beatles. If you get a chance, listen to "Revolver". It still holds up.
*****
I like new music and older music too. I played a CD by Spoon. They have one song on there called "Japanese Cigarette Case", which is a haunted melody. They begin by heavily leaning into the bass, meanwhile repeating the lyrics: "Bring me my japanese cigarette case, hold the mirror near my face. Let all my memories be gone!" There is also some interesting accoustic guitar work in this song. Check out Spoon.
*****
Other favorites of mine are Zero Seven. A couple of their songs that I really like are "In the Waiting Line", and also "This Fine Social Scene". These guys are from England, and they have toured the US. I had a chance to see them in Portland over the winter, but got there too late, and the show had already started (Rats!). You will like their music if you find out about it.
*****
One band that I have liked for a long time is The Cult. These guys are also from the UK, and they have been around for a long time. One of their more recent hits was "Dirty Little Rock Star", but they go way back to "Edie". "Fire Woman", and "Rain". Great vocals, and shreddding guitar leads. I love The Cult, and you might too if you knew something about them.
*****
One song I played was "Crossroads" by Cream. I have never been able to replicate Eric Clapton's chops on this song, he was that good some forty years ago. I have never improved enough to match that level of precise speed and talent. Eric Clapton definitely deserves all the succeess and respect he has earned over the years. He is one of a kind.
*****
I love the music of the Pinkertones and Madrid de las Austurias, both bands from Spain. Check out the Pinkertones doing "Sonido Total" in Spanish. They feature some excellent acccoustic playing in the middle of this song. One song by Madrid de las Austurias is called "La Vente y Luna" , sung by a very sexy lady that will shred you, she is that hot! Meanwhile, in the background, is some of the best jazz type piano work that you can find. This is a great song. Check out these bands from Spain.
*****
If you have Rhapsody, like I do, finding out about these new bands is pretty easy to do, and fairly cheap too. Also you can get most of these albums directly from Amazon.
Mr. Charming
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
How Rock Music Ruined this Country
Rock and Roll Music helped to turn me into a Lunatic.
*****
My Dad always loved music, although he could not hold a note to save his own skin. He had these old 78's, mostly Gospel Music, which he loved dearly. This type of music conveys a great deal of expression; it has "soul".
*****
My dad would work on some project in the garage, often with the radio blasting some kiind of country and hillbillie music, which I found to be dumb and abominable. Sometimes they would play some Johnny Cash, which we both agreed upon. I love Johnny Cash, and still do. I still love my Dad, and he passed away some twety years ago.
*****
One of my first albums ever was "Meet the Beatles". I think this came out in 1964. Even my parents knew who the Beatles were, as they had been watched on the Ed Sullivan show, and had proven to be very successful entertainers. Later we discovered they were probably musical geniuses, too.
*****
I think that the sixties might have been the Golden Age of Television, which also helped to change everything.
The had variety shows, like the Ed Sullivan show, and the Red Skelton show. But they also had shows like the Smothers Brothers, and Laugh In, which were quite different in their natures.
*****
Growing up, I watched all these shows on television. We did not have much, but we always seemed to have some crappy black and white TV that worked pretty good. We of course did not have cable, or color TV, or any way to record these shows. You sat there and watched them in the Moment, or you would be penalized and would have to wait six months for the re-runs in case you missed anything.
*****
Some of the best shows that I can remember were the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction. I loved the Man from Uncle, although the Girl from Uncle was a real stinker! Get Smart was a great show, and so was Hogan's Heroes. These are all shows I remember watching as a kid.
*****
My parents naturally hated the Beatles. My Dad thought they were just a bunch of Sissy Boys, and would have nothing to do with them. My Mom could actuallly care less about the whole thing. My Mom liked to read books, and still does. This is a bad habit I later acquired too, and has plagued me for the rest of my life.
*****
I spent the next forty years buying books, storing them in a makeshift library, in order to remember quickly what I have read in the past. That way I can see the path my thinking has taken me, and can pull down a book from the shelf for a reference, if I need to.
*****
I did not buy much else, except for stocks. I became a very successful trader over time, and right now I have accumulated some wealth. I really do not own anything that is of any value - I am reminded of the Eastern line of thought which states that "That which you hold holds you." I do not need that kind of heavy magnetism bearing down on me. When I return to Portland I will sell some books that I no longer need, and will donate others to the Public Library for a tax write-off. I will either sell or give away my crappy furniture. I will keep all my carpentry and gardening tools, and a couple of good ladders and my bicycles. I will travel light, and the move will be very efficient. I have no need to haul a ton of junk half way around the country!
*****
Rock and Roll Music changed everything in the United States. Young men and women were growing their hair long, smoked marijuana, and walked around nearly naked all summer, playing their stupid bongos and going to peace rallies. This all amounted to a lot of fun, and the government naturally could not allow this. Names were written down secretly, and these filthy hippie nests had to be broken up. Us versus them.
*****
Meanwhile, the entire country was becoming polarized over the Viet Nam war. Blame it on this infernal Rock Music, or blame it on Television, or both. Rock and Roll Music supplied the back ground noise to all of this confusion.
*****
My own story turned pretty good. When I turned 18 they had just gotten rid of the draft (Yay!) and legally I could drink like hell and get snockered with all my friends from high school. My friends were all growing their hair longer, and so was I. Our adult lives stretched before us, full of wonderment and promise. We were all lucky enough to have been born into this age of changee, a maelstrom of it right in front of us. Life was going to be interesting. And it was.
*****
Mr. Charming
*****
My Dad always loved music, although he could not hold a note to save his own skin. He had these old 78's, mostly Gospel Music, which he loved dearly. This type of music conveys a great deal of expression; it has "soul".
*****
My dad would work on some project in the garage, often with the radio blasting some kiind of country and hillbillie music, which I found to be dumb and abominable. Sometimes they would play some Johnny Cash, which we both agreed upon. I love Johnny Cash, and still do. I still love my Dad, and he passed away some twety years ago.
*****
One of my first albums ever was "Meet the Beatles". I think this came out in 1964. Even my parents knew who the Beatles were, as they had been watched on the Ed Sullivan show, and had proven to be very successful entertainers. Later we discovered they were probably musical geniuses, too.
*****
I think that the sixties might have been the Golden Age of Television, which also helped to change everything.
The had variety shows, like the Ed Sullivan show, and the Red Skelton show. But they also had shows like the Smothers Brothers, and Laugh In, which were quite different in their natures.
*****
Growing up, I watched all these shows on television. We did not have much, but we always seemed to have some crappy black and white TV that worked pretty good. We of course did not have cable, or color TV, or any way to record these shows. You sat there and watched them in the Moment, or you would be penalized and would have to wait six months for the re-runs in case you missed anything.
*****
Some of the best shows that I can remember were the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction. I loved the Man from Uncle, although the Girl from Uncle was a real stinker! Get Smart was a great show, and so was Hogan's Heroes. These are all shows I remember watching as a kid.
*****
My parents naturally hated the Beatles. My Dad thought they were just a bunch of Sissy Boys, and would have nothing to do with them. My Mom could actuallly care less about the whole thing. My Mom liked to read books, and still does. This is a bad habit I later acquired too, and has plagued me for the rest of my life.
*****
I spent the next forty years buying books, storing them in a makeshift library, in order to remember quickly what I have read in the past. That way I can see the path my thinking has taken me, and can pull down a book from the shelf for a reference, if I need to.
*****
I did not buy much else, except for stocks. I became a very successful trader over time, and right now I have accumulated some wealth. I really do not own anything that is of any value - I am reminded of the Eastern line of thought which states that "That which you hold holds you." I do not need that kind of heavy magnetism bearing down on me. When I return to Portland I will sell some books that I no longer need, and will donate others to the Public Library for a tax write-off. I will either sell or give away my crappy furniture. I will keep all my carpentry and gardening tools, and a couple of good ladders and my bicycles. I will travel light, and the move will be very efficient. I have no need to haul a ton of junk half way around the country!
*****
Rock and Roll Music changed everything in the United States. Young men and women were growing their hair long, smoked marijuana, and walked around nearly naked all summer, playing their stupid bongos and going to peace rallies. This all amounted to a lot of fun, and the government naturally could not allow this. Names were written down secretly, and these filthy hippie nests had to be broken up. Us versus them.
*****
Meanwhile, the entire country was becoming polarized over the Viet Nam war. Blame it on this infernal Rock Music, or blame it on Television, or both. Rock and Roll Music supplied the back ground noise to all of this confusion.
*****
My own story turned pretty good. When I turned 18 they had just gotten rid of the draft (Yay!) and legally I could drink like hell and get snockered with all my friends from high school. My friends were all growing their hair longer, and so was I. Our adult lives stretched before us, full of wonderment and promise. We were all lucky enough to have been born into this age of changee, a maelstrom of it right in front of us. Life was going to be interesting. And it was.
*****
Mr. Charming
The Flags of Many Nations
Sorting out the various flags from different countries is pretty simple business.
*****
Counties seem to want to promote religion or politics. For example, finland, Iceland, and Denmark all feature the Christian Cross prominently on their flags. Turkey, Pakistan, and Azebaijan all feature the crescent moon, symbolising a Moslem heritage. Naturally, the Israelis have the star of David. South Korea sports a Ying-Yang symbol, which portrays life in balance.
*****
Other countries are still promoting communism. Cuba and Vietnam both feature a red star.
*****
There are many other flags which are usually tri-color bars. A few flags are down right macho! Among these would be the flag of Mexico, which shows an eagle with a snake in its claw. Equally fearsome is the flag for Wales, which sports the mythical Griffin.
*****
The state flag of Michigan strikes me as very gay. Here we have a deer, squared off with an elk. It looks as if they were caught in the middle of a gay sword fight. I have no idea what they trying to promote with this flag.
Utah has a stupid bee hive on theirs. Oregon has a dumb looking beaver. California at least has a bear on theirs, and bears are fearsome.
Mr. Charming
*****
Counties seem to want to promote religion or politics. For example, finland, Iceland, and Denmark all feature the Christian Cross prominently on their flags. Turkey, Pakistan, and Azebaijan all feature the crescent moon, symbolising a Moslem heritage. Naturally, the Israelis have the star of David. South Korea sports a Ying-Yang symbol, which portrays life in balance.
*****
Other countries are still promoting communism. Cuba and Vietnam both feature a red star.
*****
There are many other flags which are usually tri-color bars. A few flags are down right macho! Among these would be the flag of Mexico, which shows an eagle with a snake in its claw. Equally fearsome is the flag for Wales, which sports the mythical Griffin.
*****
The state flag of Michigan strikes me as very gay. Here we have a deer, squared off with an elk. It looks as if they were caught in the middle of a gay sword fight. I have no idea what they trying to promote with this flag.
Utah has a stupid bee hive on theirs. Oregon has a dumb looking beaver. California at least has a bear on theirs, and bears are fearsome.
Mr. Charming
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Animal Spirits
This is a piece about Animal Spirits. I have owned pets for a long time.some of them you get quite close to.They becomee an extension of your family, and of you. They become your best friends in the world.
*****
I had a girlfriend once, named Lisa. She was almost a midget, a tiny Jewess from Long Island, New York. She was a hippie chick, with an incredibly gifted chest. She owned this brilliant little black dog, named Max. Max was all black, with steaks of orange. He was a cross between a long haired terrier, and a dachshound.
Max was a very smart dog. Lisa had decided to move to Van Nuys, California in her little Volkswagen, and thought it best to leave Max with me, permanently. And so it goes.
*****
Max loved me with all his little heart. We would sometimes go on motorcycle adventures. Max would proudly straddle the gas tank while I blasted down the highway at 80 mph. Max was a champ.
*****
I later moved to Portland, and my parents inherited Max. My Mom would row out to the middle of the lake, and if Max was late for the ride he would swim all the way out there and hop into the boat. Then he would proudly stand guard near the prow of the boat, watching the woods and the water with keen intent. Max lived many years with my folks, and eveyone loved Max dearly. He was one of a kind.
*****
There will never be another Max. Max was a part of our family.
*****
Living in Portland, I had a cat named Heiko Thieme. She was named for who is now a dead German stock analyst who appeared on television from time to time. Heiko was a stray who showed up on my doorstesp one day. I think that the "free cheese" people down the street moved away in the dead of the night, leaving their poor kitty behind to fend for itself. I adopted this grey and orange tabby, and she moved right in with me.
*****
In the morning, I would get home about seven, and there would be Heiko, waiting for me on the front porch. I would feed her something, and then come in for a cup of coffee. IIn about fifteen minutes Heiko would be scratching at the front window, begging to be let in. We would then sleep for about five hours, and Heiko would go outside to attend to some cat business. We never used a litter box in my tiny house. Heiko had her own way of doing things, and never made a mess in the house once .She was a very smart cat.
*****
This was how we would spend the day. Heiko was in and out, but mostly in. I would read, and she would either be in a corner somewhere, watching me, or just taking a snooze. We got along great! I never had Heiko's claws clipped, as she loved to climb trees. Also she need those claws for balance and for defense, too.
*****
We were together for fourteen years. Then, one day, a car hit Heiko and broke her spine. I rushed her to the Vet's office in Gresham, where they put my poor cat to sleep. I drove home crying and sobbing. I had lost my best friend in the world.
*****
There were a couple of paranormal events associated with the death of this cat. Once, I left her alone for a couple of weeks, as I was back in Michigan visiting. My neighbors were knd enough to feed her while I was gone. When I returned, she was very sick, and could hardly eat. I nursed her back to health, and she was fine for the next five months. Then she got hit by a car.
*****
About two months before her fatal injury, we asleep together and I either had a waking dream, or a hallucination. What I experience was a dark, cloaked figure standing in the doorway of my bedroom, staring at me. I thought that what I was seeing was the Angel of Death. This scared me so much that I spent the next several hours in intense prayer, praying for protection from this evil presence.
*****
Heiko died, and a month passed by. I missed her every day. Then I got a call on my answering machine. It was only the sound of a cat purring, and this went on for about three minutes. After the call, I did a star 69, but there was no phone number. I think that Heiko was delivering a message from where ever she was that she was in a good place. At least that is how I prefer to look at this odd event.
*****
I believe that who we are, including animals, are more than the sum of our physical realm and our thinking minds. I think there is more to the story than that. I believe that we are all souls on a cosmic voyage of some kind, and that we are here to learn about the world, and to help each other, while on this Spiritual Path.
*****
My Mother has a six year old cat, andd this cat is dying. Today I adopted two kittens for her to raise. They will soon grow up and replace the dead housecat.
*****
There will never be another Heiko Thieme.
Mr. Charming
*****
I had a girlfriend once, named Lisa. She was almost a midget, a tiny Jewess from Long Island, New York. She was a hippie chick, with an incredibly gifted chest. She owned this brilliant little black dog, named Max. Max was all black, with steaks of orange. He was a cross between a long haired terrier, and a dachshound.
Max was a very smart dog. Lisa had decided to move to Van Nuys, California in her little Volkswagen, and thought it best to leave Max with me, permanently. And so it goes.
*****
Max loved me with all his little heart. We would sometimes go on motorcycle adventures. Max would proudly straddle the gas tank while I blasted down the highway at 80 mph. Max was a champ.
*****
I later moved to Portland, and my parents inherited Max. My Mom would row out to the middle of the lake, and if Max was late for the ride he would swim all the way out there and hop into the boat. Then he would proudly stand guard near the prow of the boat, watching the woods and the water with keen intent. Max lived many years with my folks, and eveyone loved Max dearly. He was one of a kind.
*****
There will never be another Max. Max was a part of our family.
*****
Living in Portland, I had a cat named Heiko Thieme. She was named for who is now a dead German stock analyst who appeared on television from time to time. Heiko was a stray who showed up on my doorstesp one day. I think that the "free cheese" people down the street moved away in the dead of the night, leaving their poor kitty behind to fend for itself. I adopted this grey and orange tabby, and she moved right in with me.
*****
In the morning, I would get home about seven, and there would be Heiko, waiting for me on the front porch. I would feed her something, and then come in for a cup of coffee. IIn about fifteen minutes Heiko would be scratching at the front window, begging to be let in. We would then sleep for about five hours, and Heiko would go outside to attend to some cat business. We never used a litter box in my tiny house. Heiko had her own way of doing things, and never made a mess in the house once .She was a very smart cat.
*****
This was how we would spend the day. Heiko was in and out, but mostly in. I would read, and she would either be in a corner somewhere, watching me, or just taking a snooze. We got along great! I never had Heiko's claws clipped, as she loved to climb trees. Also she need those claws for balance and for defense, too.
*****
We were together for fourteen years. Then, one day, a car hit Heiko and broke her spine. I rushed her to the Vet's office in Gresham, where they put my poor cat to sleep. I drove home crying and sobbing. I had lost my best friend in the world.
*****
There were a couple of paranormal events associated with the death of this cat. Once, I left her alone for a couple of weeks, as I was back in Michigan visiting. My neighbors were knd enough to feed her while I was gone. When I returned, she was very sick, and could hardly eat. I nursed her back to health, and she was fine for the next five months. Then she got hit by a car.
*****
About two months before her fatal injury, we asleep together and I either had a waking dream, or a hallucination. What I experience was a dark, cloaked figure standing in the doorway of my bedroom, staring at me. I thought that what I was seeing was the Angel of Death. This scared me so much that I spent the next several hours in intense prayer, praying for protection from this evil presence.
*****
Heiko died, and a month passed by. I missed her every day. Then I got a call on my answering machine. It was only the sound of a cat purring, and this went on for about three minutes. After the call, I did a star 69, but there was no phone number. I think that Heiko was delivering a message from where ever she was that she was in a good place. At least that is how I prefer to look at this odd event.
*****
I believe that who we are, including animals, are more than the sum of our physical realm and our thinking minds. I think there is more to the story than that. I believe that we are all souls on a cosmic voyage of some kind, and that we are here to learn about the world, and to help each other, while on this Spiritual Path.
*****
My Mother has a six year old cat, andd this cat is dying. Today I adopted two kittens for her to raise. They will soon grow up and replace the dead housecat.
*****
There will never be another Heiko Thieme.
Mr. Charming
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