Tuesday, November 15, 2005
THE BOSS, ROOTS, AND ANOTHER SURVEY
I normally have very eclectic musical tastes. A glance at my iTunes list will display a quite large number of styles and genres. Alternative, Metal, and Class rock. Folk, Folk Rock, Americana, Celtic. Blues, Rockabilly, Country Swing, Big Band Jazz. But my musical tastes change suddenly if I become anxious or stressed. Long before I show any outward signs of anxiety, and certainly long before I can put a finger on the cause, you can tell something is up by what is playing on my radio, computer, or stereo. I am a working class guy, descended from a long line of working class people. And when I get stressed. I immediately return to my roots. What I call working class rock. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, pre-Glass Houses Billy Joel, Harry Chapin, Bon Jovi, George Thorogood. Guys who sing about working folks; their hopes, dreams, successes, and failures. About the issues that affect working folks. I realized this afternoon that I had been listening to an awful lot of The Boss the last couple of days. In particular, THUNDER ROAD. It took me a bit of time to figure out why, because there is nothing in particular going on in my life right now, and no one of the female persuasion to inspire these bouts of anxiety.
Then I realized that the brilliant bubba philosopher had hit the nail on the head. "It's the economy, stupid." I have come to realize just how misleading the governments inflation statistics are. Because most of the items we buy that would be considered non essential or luxury items are now made over seas by people making a dollar a day, the value of these items is actually deflated. They cost less and less. Which masks the fact that the costs of the essentials of life, especially shelter and energy, are going up much faster than wages. And when you are somebody who lives sans most of the luxuries anyhow... you can appreciate the anxiety. I have a feeling Bruce, Bob, Billy, Harry, et. al. will be getting a lot of play in the Bear household the next couple of years!
The Survey, via Dbackdad (play along if you dare)
1. What color are your kitchen plates? Mostly white, some blue and green.
2. What book(s) are you reading now? OUR ENDANGERED VALUES by Jimmy Carter
3. What or who is on your mousepad? Don't have a mouse, I use a trackball.
4. What's your favorite board game? Trivial Pursuit
5. Favorite Magazine? Salon, Slate, The American Prospect
6. Baked goods? Cherry Pie, Bran Bread, blueberry cobbler w/ rum sauce
7. Least favorite smell? Garbage, feet
8. What's the first thing you think in the morning? Damn, gotta pee AGAIN!
9. Favorite color? Blue, red
10. Least favorite color? Amber
11. How many rings before you answer the phone? I usually don't answer it unless it's one my kids. I let it go into voice mail and check it when I have hands free.
12. Future children's names? I am SO beyond that!
13. What's your sign and birthday? YIELD (to traffic on right), July 31
14. Do you eat the stems on your broccoli? That would mean I actually ate broccoli.
15. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? News analyst for NPR or a columnist. Unless, of course, Don Cherry's job on HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA should become available!
16. If you could have any color hair, what would it be? Hell, I'd just like to have HAIR!
17. Is the glass half full or half empty? Depends on what's in the glass.
18. Favorite movie(s)? Casablanca, Fried Green Tomatoes, Benny and Joon, Green Card
19. Do you type with the correct fingers on the keyboard? As long as I'm not using my toes, aren't they all correct?
20. What's under your bed? God only knows, and I'm afraid to find out!
21. What's your favorite number? Well, Mr. Hockey and The Golden Jet wore #9, so that would be it!
22. What's your single biggest fear? It already has been realized. I got too damned old to die young!
23. Person most likely to respond... Bucky4eyes, Squirl. They always respond to these because they are good sports. And apparently have too much time on their hands.
24. Least likely to respond? Can't think of anyone
25. Favorite CD? Rue Paul. Oh, you mean recording! That would be GREATEST STORIES LIVE, Harry Chapin
26. Favorite TV show? See above. Er, I mean, anything Law and Order, Hockey Night In Canada
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard on dogs and brats, Catsup on burgers and meatloaf. Nothing but salt on fries.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? Either, I am an equal opportunity carnivore. Real favorite is smoked sausage!
29. Best place you've ever been to? Little Vermillion Lake in northwest Ontario. Any beach on Lake Michigan!
30. Most amazing sight? Northern Lights (Little Vermillion Lake, Ontario)
31. What is on your screen saver now? Dominic Monahan pics from LOST and LORD OF THE RINGS (I share computer with my 19 yr old daughter)
32. Favorite Burger? Double Cheeseburger at Steak and Shake (me and Jimmy Buffet)
33. Favorite Pet? My daughter's Airedale, Kipper
Comments:
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1. Kitchen plates? Clear glass.
2. Current book? Haven't had time to read lately.
3. Mousepad? Don't know what this is about.
4. Favorite board game? Cranium
5. Favorite Mag? Vanity Fair/ Newsweek
6. Baked goods? Choc-Chip cookies and hot butter bread
7. Smell? vomit
8. First thing you think? What day is it.
9. Favorite color? Cobalt Blue
10. Least favorite color? diarhea brown/green
11. Phone rings? I check caller ID before answering or don't answer.
12. Future kid names? Uh-oh and immaculate conception!
13. Sign? Welcome to Vancouver or Austin City Limits. Birthday? July 2
14. Broccoli? It has stems?
15. Any job? President of the U.S. or wandering musician.
16. Hair color? I can and do have the color I want even if time keeps plotting against it.
17. Half full? Always, ever the optimist.
18. Movie(s)? Portrait of Jenny
19. Typing? Speedy former typist, I got the home keys covered.
20. Under bed? A herd of dust bunnies.
21. Fav number? 21
22. Biggest fear? Flying, but still do it.
25. Fav CD? Too many.
26. Fav TV show? HBO's Deadwood
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Both.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? Burgers.
29. Best place? Vancouver!
30. Amazing sight? Birth of my kids.
31. Screen saver? English Bay at sunset, Vancouver
32. Fav Burger? Bacon/cheese
33. Fav Pet? My deceased German Shepherd - Max. 13 Years with me and now 5 years without and he's still irreplaceable!
2. Current book? Haven't had time to read lately.
3. Mousepad? Don't know what this is about.
4. Favorite board game? Cranium
5. Favorite Mag? Vanity Fair/ Newsweek
6. Baked goods? Choc-Chip cookies and hot butter bread
7. Smell? vomit
8. First thing you think? What day is it.
9. Favorite color? Cobalt Blue
10. Least favorite color? diarhea brown/green
11. Phone rings? I check caller ID before answering or don't answer.
12. Future kid names? Uh-oh and immaculate conception!
13. Sign? Welcome to Vancouver or Austin City Limits. Birthday? July 2
14. Broccoli? It has stems?
15. Any job? President of the U.S. or wandering musician.
16. Hair color? I can and do have the color I want even if time keeps plotting against it.
17. Half full? Always, ever the optimist.
18. Movie(s)? Portrait of Jenny
19. Typing? Speedy former typist, I got the home keys covered.
20. Under bed? A herd of dust bunnies.
21. Fav number? 21
22. Biggest fear? Flying, but still do it.
25. Fav CD? Too many.
26. Fav TV show? HBO's Deadwood
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Both.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? Burgers.
29. Best place? Vancouver!
30. Amazing sight? Birth of my kids.
31. Screen saver? English Bay at sunset, Vancouver
32. Fav Burger? Bacon/cheese
33. Fav Pet? My deceased German Shepherd - Max. 13 Years with me and now 5 years without and he's still irreplaceable!
Bon Jovi?!?!? SOrry, I have to needle you for that one. I don't see how an 80s hair band promotes working class values - maybe I just didn't listen.
mmm steak n shake.
mmm steak n shake.
Okay. I have a few minutes to kill before an appointment, so here goes:
The Survey, via Dbackdad (play along if you dare)
1. What color are your kitchen plates? White.
2. What book(s) "Soul Mountain" by Gao Xingjian, "The Ancestor's Tale" by Richard Dawkins
3. What or who is on your mousepad? Don't have one.
4. What's your favorite board game? Trivial Pursuit
5. Favorite Magazine? The New Yorker, The Onion.
6. Baked goods? pizza dolce (sweet ricotta pie), cannoli, chocolate chip cookies.
7. Least favorite smell? The stink coming out of the White House.
8. What's the first thing you think of in the morning? Coffee.
9. Favorite colors? Red, blue.
10. Least favorite color? Brown, the color of decay.
11. How many rings before you answer the phone? He has to give me one with a semi-precious stone in it, nothing expensive or gawdy, though.
12. Future children's names? I'm beyond that, too, like GWB.
13. What's your sign and birthday? July 27 (Hey, GWB, we're practically birthday mates, you Leo, you!)
14. Do you eat the stems on your broccoli? Not just the stems, but the florets, too.
15. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? I'd love to have my own little shop where I made prepared foods, and maybe sandwiches, but closed in the evenings.
16. If you could have any color hair, what would it be? I already have the color hair I want--blond.
17. Is the glass half full or half empty? I agree with GWB. Depends on what's in the glass. A nice single-malt Scotch is always welcomed after a busy day.
18. Favorite movie(s)? Casablanca, My Cousin Vinnie, Johnny Stecchino, and more recently, Good Night and Good Luck.
19. Do you type with the correct fingers on the keyboard? Is this a QWERTY question?
20. What's under your bed? Most mornings I hope it's the floor.
21. What's your favorite number? Anything by Cole Porter.
22. What's your single biggest fear? That a dishonest, moronic puppet would take over the White House and run this country into the ground and that we'd be hated worldwide, and...Oh, wait...
23. Person most likely to respond...The one I give the most money to?
24. Least likely to respond? My sister, she hates surveys.
25. Favorite CD? It's hard to choose one favorite. But I always love to hear Paul Simon's Graceland, or Beethoven's 9th symphony.
26. Favorite TV show? I'm really not a big tv addict, so I don't have one. I do, however, try to catch the Daily Show when I think of it.
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard wins out any day. Ketchup is too sweet for my taste.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? Meatballs.
29. Best places you've ever been to? Siena, Italy, and Nauset Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod.
30. Most amazing sight? Michelangelo's David at the Academia in Florence. I was dumbstruck.
31. What is on your screen saver now? A photo of the Greco-Roman amphitheater in Taormina, Sicily. Really.
32. Favorite Burger? Don't eat 'em. I know, that's unAmerican, but that's the honest truth.
33. Favorite Pet? He, Yellowman an orange tabby, died 2 years ago, and I still miss him. No more pets for me. Too painful when they die.
The Survey, via Dbackdad (play along if you dare)
1. What color are your kitchen plates? White.
2. What book(s) "Soul Mountain" by Gao Xingjian, "The Ancestor's Tale" by Richard Dawkins
3. What or who is on your mousepad? Don't have one.
4. What's your favorite board game? Trivial Pursuit
5. Favorite Magazine? The New Yorker, The Onion.
6. Baked goods? pizza dolce (sweet ricotta pie), cannoli, chocolate chip cookies.
7. Least favorite smell? The stink coming out of the White House.
8. What's the first thing you think of in the morning? Coffee.
9. Favorite colors? Red, blue.
10. Least favorite color? Brown, the color of decay.
11. How many rings before you answer the phone? He has to give me one with a semi-precious stone in it, nothing expensive or gawdy, though.
12. Future children's names? I'm beyond that, too, like GWB.
13. What's your sign and birthday? July 27 (Hey, GWB, we're practically birthday mates, you Leo, you!)
14. Do you eat the stems on your broccoli? Not just the stems, but the florets, too.
15. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? I'd love to have my own little shop where I made prepared foods, and maybe sandwiches, but closed in the evenings.
16. If you could have any color hair, what would it be? I already have the color hair I want--blond.
17. Is the glass half full or half empty? I agree with GWB. Depends on what's in the glass. A nice single-malt Scotch is always welcomed after a busy day.
18. Favorite movie(s)? Casablanca, My Cousin Vinnie, Johnny Stecchino, and more recently, Good Night and Good Luck.
19. Do you type with the correct fingers on the keyboard? Is this a QWERTY question?
20. What's under your bed? Most mornings I hope it's the floor.
21. What's your favorite number? Anything by Cole Porter.
22. What's your single biggest fear? That a dishonest, moronic puppet would take over the White House and run this country into the ground and that we'd be hated worldwide, and...Oh, wait...
23. Person most likely to respond...The one I give the most money to?
24. Least likely to respond? My sister, she hates surveys.
25. Favorite CD? It's hard to choose one favorite. But I always love to hear Paul Simon's Graceland, or Beethoven's 9th symphony.
26. Favorite TV show? I'm really not a big tv addict, so I don't have one. I do, however, try to catch the Daily Show when I think of it.
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard wins out any day. Ketchup is too sweet for my taste.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? Meatballs.
29. Best places you've ever been to? Siena, Italy, and Nauset Beach, Orleans, Cape Cod.
30. Most amazing sight? Michelangelo's David at the Academia in Florence. I was dumbstruck.
31. What is on your screen saver now? A photo of the Greco-Roman amphitheater in Taormina, Sicily. Really.
32. Favorite Burger? Don't eat 'em. I know, that's unAmerican, but that's the honest truth.
33. Favorite Pet? He, Yellowman an orange tabby, died 2 years ago, and I still miss him. No more pets for me. Too painful when they die.
IdP said: "22. What's your single biggest fear? That a dishonest, moronic puppet would take over the White House and run this country into the ground and that we'd be hated worldwide, and...Oh, wait..."
ROTFLMAO - Just too funny or sad, depending on what mood you're in.
ROTFLMAO - Just too funny or sad, depending on what mood you're in.
That shit has been affecting me a lot lately too! Our town is dying as a result.
My mental state affects my music choices too. I've been listening to a lot of Aerosmith and Eagles lately. I'm wondering what THAT says about my mental state?
Laura, you have to get past the hair thing and listen to the WORDS. We've been "Livin' on a Prayer" for years!
My mental state affects my music choices too. I've been listening to a lot of Aerosmith and Eagles lately. I'm wondering what THAT says about my mental state?
Laura, you have to get past the hair thing and listen to the WORDS. We've been "Livin' on a Prayer" for years!
tshsmom- you took the words right out of my mouth
laura-what she said
vv - clear glass? those would last about two minutes around here I love Isabellas line too!
Isabella doesn't eat hamburgers? Come for a visit hr to the midwest sometime, we'll hook you up with some REAL burgers!
laura-what she said
vv - clear glass? those would last about two minutes around here I love Isabellas line too!
Isabella doesn't eat hamburgers? Come for a visit hr to the midwest sometime, we'll hook you up with some REAL burgers!
1. What color are your kitchen plates? Cobalt Blue
2. What book(s) are you reading now? The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
3. What or who is on your mousepad? Also a trackball, but I keep the mousepad around to open jars. It's in the kitch, and I don't feel like going down to check.
4. What's your favorite board game? Risk
5. Favorite Magazine? Don't read them
6. Baked goods? Any
7. Least favorite smell? Corpse
8. What's the first thing you think in the morning? Why did I get those stupid dogs?
9. Favorite color? Purple
10. Least favorite color? Orange
11. How many rings before you answer the phone? Two, I guess
12. Future children's names? Ireland Theresa or Diego Gilman
13. What's your sign and birthday? Aquarious, Feb. 9th
14. Do you eat the stems on your broccoli? My husband makes me
15. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? Speechwriter
16. If you could have any color hair, what would it be? Red
17. Is the glass half full or half empty? Who cares, the glass is too damn small!
18. Favorite movie(s)? Grass, Iron Jawed Angels, Steal This Movie, Pretty Woman
19. Do you type with the correct fingers on the keyboard? Never
20. What's under your bed? Cat hair
21. What's your favorite number? 21
22. What's your single biggest fear? Not having children.
23. Person most likely to respond...No one
24. Least likely to respond? God
25. Favorite CD? Moxy Fruvus
26. Favorite TV show? Jon Stewart
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Communist mustard.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? I'm trying not to eat beef.
29. Best place you've ever been to? Bogata, Colombia
30. Most amazing sight? My father drunk
31. What is on your screen saver now? A house we just sold
32. Favorite Burger? Wendy's
33. Favorite Pet? Toby the Beagle. He's just so sweet.
2. What book(s) are you reading now? The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
3. What or who is on your mousepad? Also a trackball, but I keep the mousepad around to open jars. It's in the kitch, and I don't feel like going down to check.
4. What's your favorite board game? Risk
5. Favorite Magazine? Don't read them
6. Baked goods? Any
7. Least favorite smell? Corpse
8. What's the first thing you think in the morning? Why did I get those stupid dogs?
9. Favorite color? Purple
10. Least favorite color? Orange
11. How many rings before you answer the phone? Two, I guess
12. Future children's names? Ireland Theresa or Diego Gilman
13. What's your sign and birthday? Aquarious, Feb. 9th
14. Do you eat the stems on your broccoli? My husband makes me
15. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? Speechwriter
16. If you could have any color hair, what would it be? Red
17. Is the glass half full or half empty? Who cares, the glass is too damn small!
18. Favorite movie(s)? Grass, Iron Jawed Angels, Steal This Movie, Pretty Woman
19. Do you type with the correct fingers on the keyboard? Never
20. What's under your bed? Cat hair
21. What's your favorite number? 21
22. What's your single biggest fear? Not having children.
23. Person most likely to respond...No one
24. Least likely to respond? God
25. Favorite CD? Moxy Fruvus
26. Favorite TV show? Jon Stewart
27. Ketchup or Mustard? Communist mustard.
28. Burgers or hot dogs? I'm trying not to eat beef.
29. Best place you've ever been to? Bogata, Colombia
30. Most amazing sight? My father drunk
31. What is on your screen saver now? A house we just sold
32. Favorite Burger? Wendy's
33. Favorite Pet? Toby the Beagle. He's just so sweet.
I've been having a problem with your site for awhile. I think it's because of flickr.com, but hard to tell. Your site will just drag and would be ten times slower than any other blog, which sucks because whether I agree with you or not, you always have something interesting to say.
Because most of the items we buy that would be considered non essential or luxury items are now made over seas by people making a dollar a day, the value of these items is actually deflated. They cost less and less. Which masks the fact that the costs of the essentials of life, especially shelter and energy, are going up much faster than wages.
Glad you understand this. The trick is to get the masses to understand this. Just because they can get cheap doo-dads doesn't mean the economy's getting stronger. In terms of real buying power when it comes to the important stuff, the average Joe and Jane is getting more and more screwed every year.
As for lumping Bon Jovi with the others, that's interesting. I've never heard anyone refer to Bon Jovi as working class rock. I think the reason is Bon Jovi is such a pretty boy that his and his band's talent has always been dismissed. I've always thought they're a pretty good band.
I'm sure Bon Jovi would be flattered to see him lumped with The Boss. You know that's his idol, right?
Because most of the items we buy that would be considered non essential or luxury items are now made over seas by people making a dollar a day, the value of these items is actually deflated. They cost less and less. Which masks the fact that the costs of the essentials of life, especially shelter and energy, are going up much faster than wages.
Glad you understand this. The trick is to get the masses to understand this. Just because they can get cheap doo-dads doesn't mean the economy's getting stronger. In terms of real buying power when it comes to the important stuff, the average Joe and Jane is getting more and more screwed every year.
As for lumping Bon Jovi with the others, that's interesting. I've never heard anyone refer to Bon Jovi as working class rock. I think the reason is Bon Jovi is such a pretty boy that his and his band's talent has always been dismissed. I've always thought they're a pretty good band.
I'm sure Bon Jovi would be flattered to see him lumped with The Boss. You know that's his idol, right?
True True... I guess I never really got into Bon Jovi. I do like his voice, but the whole 80's metal movement didn't draw me in. I do know someone else who says Livin on a Prayer is their song for that reason too though. Hm..
p.s. It's not that I am lumping him in with the Boss. But their music is pretty strait ahead, not real frilly.
As for my site, I have been having some issues with firefox recently. You might try with IE, or if you have a mac, safari. I will try republishing the entire blog and see if that helps!
As for my site, I have been having some issues with firefox recently. You might try with IE, or if you have a mac, safari. I will try republishing the entire blog and see if that helps!
Oh, I didn't think it possible to adore you even more, but alas it is true,,,
I love law and order,,,and benny and joon and yet, I thought your fear would be ,,, something to do w/ the bush admin, but I'm sure that is a 'given', ha!!
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I love law and order,,,and benny and joon and yet, I thought your fear would be ,,, something to do w/ the bush admin, but I'm sure that is a 'given', ha!!
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