Category Archives: Mood Mambo

Too Much To Think About

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Finally Friday arrives in all it’s glory. A bit cool outside as compared to previous Memorial Day weekends. Well at least as much as I can remember. Last night was last night, 4 pints of Guinness and I was done. A pleasant buzz definitely and a strong urge to have a cigarette, but I resisted. Alcohol and smoking seem to go hand in hand, and by seem, I mean that they belong together, at least in my squared circle.

Bill came home again last night, 4 nights in a row which was something he hadn’t done in a while since his father passed away. He came in midway through my watching a Classic Albums DVD of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. They usually show them on VH1 Classics, but this just came out and I thought it would be worthwhile to give it a go. It was interesting, entertaining and informative. Interviews with Dr. Arthur Janov, Jann Wenner, Klaus Voorman, Yoko and Ringo among others. Some video unseen by me before.

I enjoyed it, though I haven’t played Plastic Ono Band in a while. Just not necessarily the feel good-let’s dance record that one would play on a Friday night. I mean, if I heard someone playing it before going out on a weekend I’d be concerned. They had various engineers and studio people playing back tapes from the original sessions and it was cool to hear John Lennon’s voice unaccompanied. I explained to Bill that Lennon wasn’t too keen on the sound of his voice which is why it double tracked or touched by effects on most of his recordings.

Also gave Bill some back story on Lennon’s growing up without his parents, being raised by an Aunt, and having his mother killed by a drunken policeman driving a car just when John was reconnecting with his mother. Or so the story goes. Who really knows? All the players in the story are dead, John, his mother Julia and his Aunt Mimi. They also had a brief snippet, rather than a full snippet of Yoko’s accompanying record, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band which sounded like late 1970’s post punk which is what thrilled John after not recording for five years and sort of fired him up to start recording again.

I remember the hype surrounding John Lennon’s return. I’m sure there were a number of people like me who figured, John Lennon living in New York City, lot’s of interesting, cutting edge records coming out every week, he’s going to sound so fresh and exciting. The thing was it wasn’t really. I mean, Double Fantasy was ok, but it didn’t live up to my hopes, and why should it though? It’s his statement about life at 40, which looking back 5 years later at 40 makes me realize he was in a good spot after all. Me, being 18 in 1980 wanted some thrash and roll, skinny ties and all, now I’m more interested in chillin’ out. And that’s alright with me.

Today at work was Lydia’s last day. She was sweet enough to give me a gift, a photo book of her native country, Estonia. She was a real sweetheart, so pretty and definitely a help around the office. I’m certainly going to miss her and I know my workload will increase which is good, though I think they might realize their mistake in not getting a receptionist since I may be out on errands and they might actually have to do something physical. By they, I mean the people who decided not to get a receptionist, in case you hadn’t figured it out.

Here’s some snaps of Lydia, who’s real name is Linda. And some other various snaps.

told you she was pretty…

Sunlight on the photos

Hoboken Sunsets

Scientologists auditing

The end

and here’s something funner

Boogie Chillen

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A dreary Friday. Nothing much going on. Took off from work legitimately and it’s just as well the weather is so dismal. I just watched ‘I Am Legend’ starring Will Smith. It had nothing to do with John Legend, much like Postcards From The Edge was not about notes sent from abroad while traveling with U2, or Legends of The Fall being about the exploits of Mark E. Smith. Anyway, I Am Legend stunk. Yet another movie that I’ve watched at home on DVD where I felt compelled to yell out Boo! Did not like the CG effects, though Manhattan ghost town was impressive.

Last night was another mellow night. Bill was here again in time to watch The Office which was very good and very twisted and very funny. Then it was time for Lost which left Bill and myself hanging, an abrupt ending which should be resolved in two friggin weeks in a two hour season finale. Once again I recommend going to the Entertainment Weekly website for recap info on both Lost and The Office. Still haven’t watched Ugly Betty since I opted to watch The Daily Show/Colbert Report instead. The urge to smoke is still there. Hanging in there.

I truly despise George Bush more than I have ever despised anyone else in my life. I can’t wait for that little monkey turd to be out of the White House. Still I wish him no ill will, knowing that if something happened to the little monkey turd, then an even worse germ would take his place. Just venting a bit. You probably feel the same as I do if you’re reading this.

The California Supreme Court decided in favor of Same Sex marriage which is a good thing, and also a lightning rod for the right wing to gather around and mobilize for the election. The right wing have been waiting for this for quite a while, and unfortunately the left doesn’t appear as organized, plus there are some on the left that are against same sex marriage. Not all liberals are cool with gay people. So it’s a good thing for gay people but could be divisive issue come election day. I think if a gay or lesbian couple want to get married, let them.

I don’t know if Bill and I would tie the knot. I mean, we probably bicker like any other couple, the thing is, I write about it, and you only get one side of the story unless Bill is writing about it somewhere. And don’t forget the third version of the story, if you want that Rashomon feel.

Madonna is playing Madison Square Garden in October and I will continue to ignore her. I am going to see Sunday In the Park With George with brother Frank and Elaine and Meghan and Cory in June. I bought the tickets with a discount online today. Frank and I are Sondheim fans and this is supposed to be a good revival.

We missed Company last year, another Sondheim show, and when Company didn’t win any Tony awards it closed a week later. But with Frank’s stroke, chance are we wouldn’t have been able to go anyhow. So Tonys or not, we have tickets and if it closes, we’ll have refunds.

Got a call out of the blue from my old friend Miriam. She and her husband Joe had a baby girl last year. I last saw Miriam a week or so before she gave birth to Mareah Grace Mazzarella. They’re having a get together on May 25 in Sleepy Hollow so that should be fun. Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Unofficial start of the summer. Hoboken parking spots aplenty, at least on weekends.