The little things... and a saw.

With the ever constant doldrums at Hell House weighing heavier and heavier by the day, I realized a drastic change was needed. Everything in my life was becoming completely emotionless; like aged dust on a sealed crypt. I was starting to fill the dusky void with anger and sarcasm, leaving little space for anything else. I had abandoned the flow of the living and evolving world, along with pretty much everyone in it. I continue to do my job well (not the best by a long shot, but above average still), as that remains the only social interaction I care to endure (and by necessity at that).

So an interesting side note is appropriate at this time:

This posting started out to be a quick, fun post about cutting some wood. Upon pondering how to start the theme, the post seemed to turn into some sort of psychology project!

I'll march onward anyway...

Hell House was in dire need of wood, as my miserly ways will not permit me to run my furnace unless absolutely necessary... and I SO dislike the COLD!

I figured instead of paying a boatload of money for a couple dump trucks of wood, I would purchase a good quality chainsaw and get myself out into the woods where I could reconnect with the ebb and flow of life.

It worked out well, and although I was using a machine, the bulk of my time was spent walking, loading, carting and stacking the wood. Plenty of time to meditate and just connect with things. Quite refreshing.

So, the end result (which was the only reason I was doing this post!)...

Chiller TV, The Langoliers ... WTF?!!! (and my spatula)

I settled in to watch Stephen King’s The Langonliers last night. (Was on Chiller TV; commercial channel, so I pre-taped it a couple hours before watching.)

So I’m layin’ in bed, and its not the greatest (was made for TV in the 90’s), but it was a good view for one time. So after 2 hours… its half way done… AND THERE’S NO SECOND HALF!!!

So 1:30 this morning, I’m cussing out the TV because Chiller didn't indicate that there was no second part to watch. (On the guide, it just looks like they’re showing the movie back to back. I figured they just marked part 1 and 2 exactly the same. .... yeah...)

I looked ahead and saw another double shot starting at 2 a.m. and BOTH ending by 6 this morning. So I time record the second part (which made me over-ride a bunch of settings because it kept telling me I already recorded it once.)

I got up early (about 6:30), started laundry, did dishes (yup, I left ‘em dirty last night!... I’m so proud!), then made nice breakfast for me and shit-head-bird. Plopped down to watch part 2…. And….. IT WAS MUTHA-LUVIN’ PART ONE AGAIN!!!

Went to the Chiller TV web site. Tried to find an answer. Nothing. Signed in as a member because their forum didn't seem to work. It still doesn't. You can't search. Couldn't figure out how to post anything.

Did a general search over the internet, figuring (hoping) I wasn't the only person pissed off about the second half. Sadly... I seem to be. Its that or I'm completely missing something right in front of my face.

Now here at Hell House, I realize that I'm living in some sort of vortex, however, I doubt that it reaches as far as Chiller TV. I think they messed up... or like messing with people.

The following is now a completely different issue based on a spatula and the Vortex of Hell House:

This morning as I was preparing to start some eggs, I went to the usual drawer to get my metal spatula, but it wasn't there. Mild panic ensued as I could not believe what was happening, because it is always there and always put away in the same place. I glanced over at the drain board, just to make sure (though I know it wasn't since I just did the few dishes from the night before), and then even opened the oven to look. I checked another drawer that contains back-up and rarely-used utensils, but it wasn't there either. I started removing items piece at a time from the original drawer, heart racing in disbelief.

I closed the drawer and looked all around me, breathing heavily and laughing at the silence. (Well... Aside of the bird yelling, "Let me outta here!" in the background.)

I uttered, "No way!" and opened the drawer again, and there, right on the very top of everything, was the spatula; a big honkin' spatula glistening bright silver from the overhead lighting.

Too many hits.

Deleted due to too many hits.

We don't like hits here.

Ok. Top 10. Right now.

Ok reader(s), whoever is out there, and wants to participate.

I'm going to list, right now, my top 10 favorite songs and covering artist(s).

If you would be so kind, all (probably one) of you post YOUR top 10 favs (right now) in the comments area, but DO IT AS ANONYMOUS. I want to try and guess who posted what. I don't know if I'll follow up with anything from this point on, but right now it intrigues me... It pleases me.

So, if anyone cares to indulge... POST AS ANONYMOUS and have some fun.

Here's my shiz:

1. Ain't No Rest For The Wicked / Cage The Elephant
2. Little Light Of Love / Eric Serra
3. Dead Again / Type O Negative
4. 99 Problems / Jay-Z
5. Fade Into You / Mazzy Star
6. Ah! mes amis...Pour mon ame / Pavarotti
7. Wings Wetted Down / Blue Oyster Cult
8. The Court Of The Crimson King / King Crimson
9. Book Of Roses / Andreas Vollenweider
10. Vicarious / Tool


Ok.. remember... this is just right NOW. Cause I realize everyone's shit changes almost by the minute.

...and... y'all ain't gotta do shit if you don't want as well. I'll keep talkin to my damn self on here.

Now...



Piss off!

German Fest of Mt. Olive, VA....

More like.... Over-rated, Dust-Fest with Shit Food and overpriced warm, lousy beer.

I understand that its the first event this organization has had at this location, and obviously there's bugs to be worked out. HOWEVER, you can not excuse poor food and drink.

Parking wasn't too much of a problem, and I'll chalk the $5.00 fee as a push, as there was no entrance fee for the grounds. There was enough staff to make sure you parked appropriately.

The day was warm (hot in the sun), and there was a large number of visitors, but no tents or shaded areas, unless you camped out next to wooded areas. The few tables that were there, were packed with people and sitting in direct sun. I didn't have a problem with any of that, but I'm sure some of the older visitors weren't too happy about it.

After arrival, the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corp were doing their thing. They were awesome. Kind gave me some hope for the event. Unfortunately, after they were finished, there was a brief interlude of really creepy German music, that instead of sounding festive, sounded more like it belonged in Das Boot down in the sub. (You had to see the movie to get that one.)

So Sis, Dirt and I got in line to get some food.... At the only vendor at the event. There was a long line, and after finally reaching the ordering area, things were a bit chaotic. The food that was there was sitting, and sitting; some looking pretty special. I went with the bratwurst with kraut, some beans and apples. Sis had the same. I'm not sure what Dirt was scarfing down, however.

While in the food line, I went over to get Sis and I a beer. $3.00 per little plastic mug, and $3.00 to fill it with beer. ... .... Which ened up being mildly cool, if not warm, Yuengling and only about 8 ounces (as half the little mug was all foamy head). That was it on the beer too. One location. Just Yuengling and Yuengling light.

So we grabbed a seat (on the ground in the sun) with our food and cup of warm beer. That's when I tried the brat. I don't think the putrid sausage ever saw a grill, and tasted like it was run under a hot water tap and served up. After almost gagging, I turned to Sis, who had a similar look on her face, and summed up the flavor as being like "eating a big ole nasty cow dick." Sis didn't eat anything else.It was just aweful food. The beans I had were hard, cold and very un-noteworthy. I don't know what they did to the poor apples, but they threw so much spicey shit all over them, I don't know what I was tasting. My plate ended up in the trash.

About the time I was chokin' down that bite of cow dick, the German band started up. Gotta give 'em credit. They were sure trying, but not many there could get in the spirit with the hot sun, inability to get a decent sized cold beer and a decent table and chair to sit at.

We all departed after a little over an hour there.

Was it worth it, you may ask?

Sure it was.

Because I could just drive down the road to Sis' and hang out. If I would have driven from Northern VA, or from where I live (for that matter) just FOR that event, I would say it would NOT have been worth it.

There was good times watching the Ole Guard and yackin on cow dick though. I won't be going back there in the future, however, unless I see them invite more (COMPETITIVE) food vendors and some decent cold beer.

Oh... and look... If someone came over to my blog by searching this event.... I really don't wanna hear your shit in defending that poor excuse for a Brewfest. It sucked. Suck it up and get it right next time.... and find someone who knows what real BBQ and German food is!

Now piss off!

Wakeman's Grove Invitational Blues Jam, Part 2

Now prior to attending the WGIBJ, and after posting my initial post about prepping the ribs, I Googled the event. Aside of finding an immediate link to the post I had just authored, I found some hits, and managed to find one with Johnboy playing some congas. I won't embed the "movie" here, but if you're that hard core, here's the link to it:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=45332942
Evidently that was from a song back in 2o08, and after what I saw, I vowed that night I would not be caught dead near those conga drums.

The event kicked off slow, as events like that often do, which is totally to be expected. Leo, the host, and his family were extremely nice people, and it was nice meeting them.

The evening waned and live music eventually started making an appearance. Personally, my favorite artist of the evening was an aspiring, eccentric guitar player and singer who was really on to something somewhat refreshing. Sort of wish I had his name, as I'd give him the credit due. He's got talent he can do something with.

Leo did awesome playing a slide, and Chris (a real blast from the past) remained clean and open to fill in with whatever was needed on bass. (Not fair to comment on my own brother, my readers KNOW how I view his expertise and his music preference.)

Well, those were the musicians that I personally found note-worthy among the ones I observed, and there were quite a few.

One may, but probably not, wonder what happened to the ribs... LOL... I couldn't tell you. I departed. From what I heard, upon my departure someone started hacking them up into pieces and trying to grill them individually. I'm sure the taste probably worked, but any semblence of tenderness would have taken a dive out the window. So my appologies to the Leo family for not having them done in an adequate time frame.

Thought about asking how much Leo was selling his bike for though.

Ok readers.... Piss off!

Wakeman's Grove Invitational Blues Jam, Part 1

Ok... It seems because I'm a friend of a friend (or more like a brother of a friend), I will be attending the 9th Annual Wakeman's Grove Invitational Blues Jam.

I'm'a document this shit.... as its bound to have some good war story shit by the end of it all.

This blog entry merely addresses some preparatory work regarding the event.

I was in a slight panic over the title at first (Yadda Yadda Invitational?), as my golf game sucks; especially since my shoulder is pretty much shot and my right elbow is completely shot to hell-n-gone... However... I've been assured this is a musical event. ... ... SWEET!

As I am not known by the host, I was concerned about showing up, and thus wanted to make sure I contributed as best I could. Now Leo is "Grillmaster" of this event. That's not a title to be taken lightly. I don't think I've ever even dared take on such a title, so I'm a little skittish with my contribution.

I chose ribs.

When Art (ooops...) When Johnboy related this info to Leo, it was indicated that I could assist with the grilling. Now this leads to some additional anxiety, as I'm nervous about rubbing anyone else's rhubarb, so to speak. Hell, the last thing I wanna do is infringe on the cooking expertise of a gracious host! I am assured that all is cool.

All I was hoping for was a shot at some jamming on some percussion at some point until my right arm falls off and digging some sweet music. Maybe some enchanted jam or two.

Well... RIBS it IS! It started out with a small problem, as they only had two racks of the big boys, but my hope was for four racks. I substituted two additional baby-backs.

So here we go dear reader(s).... I did a paste rub... almost jerk-like... let that shit sit in for about a half hour... then finished them all off with another dose of a total dry rub. With the up and coming transport to Leo's tomorrow...I wrapped the ever-livin' shit outta them pork fuckers in the hopes that the jerk/rub will meld nicely. The smell seems pretty good for a jerk/rub... nothing overbearing, and if nothing else, the aromatic aura is one of a only slight sweetness, but more woodsy and primal. So I'm feelin' good about it.

The recipes some (one) of you may wonder? Ahhh... That would be the property of Mr. Nick himself. So sorry.

So here's my "Oh-Shit" all wrapped up and ready for transport in the morning!