At left, Andy the Doorbum (center) at the Bohemian Cafe in Greenville today, part of RECORD STORE DAY at Horizon Records.
One CD he has recorded is titled "Art is Shit"--and who could argue?
~*~
It appears that the late Andrew Breitbart did NOT have cocaine in his system when he died. The coroner has declared his cause-of-death was a garden-variety heart attack. I STAND CORRECTED! (See, when I am wrong, I promptly admit it... more or less.) I am still skeptical that hard-partying Breitbart was living the drug-free life, of course, and duly remind my readers that coke exits the body without a trace in only about three days. (Breitbart had already admitted youthful drug abuse). I still believe he was all jacked up in this video. And if not, it might be more alarming than if he WAS. I mean, he appears utterly psychotic.
In any event, such a tantrum (check out how red-faced he is, as the cop attempts to guide him in the opposite direction) could not have been any good for his heart. Anger is not good for us, I try to remind myself.
I've always wondered if the cautions against anger in all the world's holy books, are also health guidelines, like the dietary laws turned out to be. The Type A personality is real (and we can all name one we know), but whether it actually leads to heart disease is debatable. But Type A can go either way, it can lead to fulfilling personal ambitions and providing needed leadership, or it can create a whacked-out spectacle like Breitbart screaming incomprehensibly at protesters.
~*~
At left: The Vinyl Vault at Horizon Records. I am grateful I didn't get rid of all my vinyl--I still have several hundred vinyl LPs that I hope to leave to my descendants.
Unless of course, there is a sudden "Cash for Vinyl!" movement and I am bribed with huge sums on loud, late-night TV commercials ... in which case, all bets are off.
~*~
Just watched a panel from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, titled "Nonfiction: Narrating Disaster" which highlighted three fascinating books that are now on my list--
The Great American Stickup: How Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats Enriched Wall Street While Mugging Main Street by Robert Scheer.
The Rainy Season: Haiti - Then and Now by Amy Wilentz
A Hole at the Bottom of the Sea: The Race to Kill the BP Oil Gusher by Joel Achenbach
I am currently devouring Joe McGinniss' NEVER ENOUGH, about the murder of the mega-successful, filthy-rich Kissel brothers. Other books I have read recently include VIRTUE AND REALITY by Lama Zopa Rinpoche (which you can read online too, at the link) and HOMECOMINGS by Risa Bear, the intense and honest biography of a trans woman who transitioned later in life (and who also happens to be my friend). Both books are great spiritual tutorials.
In particular, I can't recommend Risa's book enough. I just loved it.
Living lives true to ourselves, without constant, neurotic worry over what other people are saying and thinking about us, is something that can unexpectedly happen to women as we enter our 50s. Those things we have always wanted to do and say, we finally do and say, without apology. We have always put everyone else first, and now... it is time to put ourselves first. Risa writes from the perspective of one who is in this space, who has decided to be herself at long last.
Her joy at finally being/becoming herself supersedes and eclipses the opinions of others.
I hope at some point, to get to this point myself.
After many years of missed opportunities, I finally witnessed the sheer awesomeness that is the fabled North Mississippi Allstars... a packed house for a free show today at the Bohemian, standing room only. I bought their newest CD, Keys to the Kingdom.
Not the best photos; I'm relatively short and as you can see, people everywhere.
Delicious bluesy wonderfulness. :)
Edit/correction: Allstars is one word, not two. Sorry about that!
~*~
A lovely afternoon of beautiful jazz fusion with the Shannon Hoover Trio at Horizon Records.
Yes, I notice four musicians (count em, four), rather than three. So maybe a quartet? Actually, several folks were preparing to sit in, so I guess an impromptu jam session. Very nice, and somehow just perfect for Autumn.
~*~
We are approaching the busiest time of year for retail employees, so I apologize if my appearance at the blog becomes a bit spotty. I just finished a VERY LONG week; we have one worker out on maternity leave, and I picked up the slack like a (very exhausted) trooper. It was so nice to relax with some good music today.
Thanks Shannon and compatriots!
The Infamous Stringdusters at the Bohemian Cafe, this afternoon! A splendid time was guaranteed for all.
This was taped as part of WNCW's fabulous TOWER OF SONG series.
As I promised on Facebook* (I am getting all of these online venues confused!), here are my thoroughly bad photos of Warren Haynes and Government Mule!
The free concert was Thursday night at the Bohemian Cafe, right next to Horizon Records. A yellow armband was required to get inside, and I got there too late to obtain one, thinking I could do my usual sneaking-in routine. Ha! Not hardly.
I tried anyway, since I was wearing a yellow long-sleeved shirt and thought I could fake out the cop. Nah. An ever-vigilant member of Greenville's Finest caught me. The cocky bravado I had as a youngun that would have allowed me to somehow bluff my way in (or stroll in like of course I owned the joint) has evaporated with the years. Instead, I huddled outside in the cold (I had oodles of company) and at one point, attempted to climb a bench and take pictures through the window (see below), only to fall on my ample (which is pretty lucky, in this case) ass. No harm but bruises. Since the beer was flowing pretty good, nobody paid attention to another falling photographer. The crowd in Horizon was enormous too, and only the tall people could see, so I enlisted one to take pictures; eh, not too great. (see above)
So, you will have to take my word for it.
Warren Haynes is an AMAZING guitarist, one of the best I have heard in person. The band sounded awesome, and rocked pretty good. I am thrilled I could hear em at last; loads of thanks to Gene Berger at Horizon for the freebie. A lovely holiday present!
They closed the cafe at 2:30pm and removed all the furniture, which was sitting outside. (I was still working when they started passing out the yellow armbands at around 3:30pm, so that wasn't really a possibility.) I don't recall a larger group there before. It was fun!
And I learned that one of my favorite droogs is now assistant manager of Horizon! Hi Shelley!
More free stuff, please; music for the people!
~*~
Below, the back of Warren's head, taken through the window ... mere seconds before I took a dive off the bench onto my well-padded behind. More bad photos HERE.
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*I started to feel neglected since everybody had more Facebook friends than me, so I am now endeavoring to catch up. Of course, the problem is, I am using my pseudonym, and some people do not know me by that name and I have to tell em who I am. Nonetheless, my goal was 100 friends by Christmas and I am now at 99, so that's good!
If you want to add me as a friend, go for it! (If you use a different name than the one you use on your blog or in comments, be sure to let me know.)
So, I bought the Left Lane Cruiser CD, titled Bring Yo Ass to the Table, because I really wanted to hear it, but at a reasonable decibel level.
And hey, just for the record, I saw the Ramones three times back in the day; I know LOUD. But sheer teeth-rattling volume never used to give me the kinds of headaches it does now. Just getting old, I reckon. ((sigh))
But hey, I'll buy the CD and turn it down, okay? You guys seriously rock!
This was a special taping for WNCW's Tower of Song series.
Thanks for the fantastic jams!
It is a stunningly beautiful day in upstate South Carolina!
My new blog-friend Mandy and her fabulous photos (see also her photo blog) have inspired me to get my artiste on and take some photos myself!
So, below, is a tour of my Holy Saturday.
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Since John McCain has helpfully reminded us that Purim is the Jewish Halloween, I felt a distinct lack of Purim trick-or-treat candy in my life, and so I first went to Mast General Store. There are literally barrels of candy--in hundreds of varieties-- just waiting for Daisy!
Mr Daisy hates Mast General Store which he cynically compares to SOUTHERN LIVING magazine. (However, he WILL eat the candy.)
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Next, it's on to the terrific LOOSE LUCY'S, where I buy most of my cutting-edge fashions. (YES, you can shop online, so click and purchase at will!)
At left: Lovely Natalie and Erica stand ready to assist you in your Deadhead fashion needs. They also play excellent reggae and jam band music while you shop. Only a dullard could resist.
~*~
And now, for more music, we hit the redoubtable Horizon Records to lose ourselves in stacks of merchandise, particularly the cheap bins. I am patiently waiting for Gene to put a copy of We're Only In it For the Money on sale. (Yes, whoring out the blog, people! Gene, are you reading?)
And right next door, there is the renowned Bohemian Cafe, where one must stop for a sip of sweet tea and some live music.
If you still have any money left! :)
~*~
And as a special treat for Holy Saturday, we have the Seven Deadly Sins quiz!
I like how well I scored (no "highs" on anything!), but I have to say, the Lust questions simply didn't, um, address the things I personally find worthy of lust. So, of course, I scored very low. It's all a matter of staying under the radar. I know how! (((grins and winks))) I'd guess lots of other people also know how.
So, don't haul the answers over to your local priest, announcing, "See!?!"--however tempting it may be.
| Greed: | Medium | |
| Gluttony: | Low | |
| Wrath: | Low | |
| Sloth: | Medium | |
| Envy: | Medium | |
| Lust: | Very Low | |
| Pride: | Low |
