Questlove and David Byrne Discuss Public Enemy and Classical Musical

Ike Quebec - Blue and Sentimental

Cali Rivera - Cowbell Maker

Via Radio Diaries

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Buy My Book - Honest Haircuts

Recently I self-published a chapbook of poems, stories and essays called "Honest Haircuts" 

If you are interested in buying a copy-I still have some of the numbered first editions left. 

The price is $7.00 each for a signed copy and that includes postage in the US. 

Below is a link to Paypal if you would like to pay with a credit card. If you want to 

set something up in person-email me at honesthaircuts at gmail dot com. 

The Dream of the 1890's

I want to believe...

Dave Brubeck Quartet Take Five

Frank's Bad Day Part XIX

"Hold on here. I just want to make sure I have this straight. You are telling me that you are the real Jacob Marley, the character from the Charles Dicken`s book, `A Christmas Carol`?  I don’t know if you knew it, but that was a work of fiction! You’re deranged if you think I`m going to believe that! I swear I’m trapped in some half-baked BBC Christmas Special where we all learn a valuable lesson from the Spirits of Christmas. Tell me this ‘Marley’...is Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie going to appear next as Scrooge and Bob Cratchitt? This is all so incredibly lame…"

Marley snapped back while Frank was still speaking, "Oh stop making it all so tiresome. Ninety-five percent of people in the Underworld have never discovered my identity. If I had not ranted about my own story and if you weren't slightly literate you would have never considered it. “

Pausing for a second, a slightly wicked grin appeared on Marley’s face and he began to speak again.

“Here is an idea, oh most learned English scholar, why not consider the quote of the Bard of Avon, that of Hamlet, who was used to speaking to ghosts, ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’  Tell me, do you think that the only inspired literatures in this world are those dusty volumes that poufy vicars deem as ‘God-Breathed’? The Spirit of Truth communicates through avenues outside of Scripture*. Have you ever considered how one of the most popular stories in the English language was written in just six weeks?  Let me be clear, sir, A Christmas Carol was a true story, dropped into the mind of Charles Dickens by the Holy Spirit on the night of October 5^th, 1843 while he walked the streets of Manchester.”

Marley paused. He glared at Frank, nostrils flaring and eyes wide open.

“Enough of this…Returning to the subject at hand, unless you want to continue denying the cold reality of your present situation, I suggest we discontinue these academic discussions and you decide to make the best of things and stop acting like a spoiled child who thinks he is clever when he is obviously not. What say you sir?"





*Just a little theological clarification here. Marley is not saying that other works of literature can be considered on the same par as the Bible, he is saying that truth appearing in other sources can be influenced by the Holy Spirit, since one of the names of this member of the trinity in scripture is the Spirit of Truth. Like I said in introduction to this story, what's going on in this story does not reflect my own evangelical view of Christian doctrine. This story is fiction using the concept of a purgatory type afterlife to explore certain ideas. I do however agree with Marley's concept here insomuch as God is seeking to communicate truth about himself through many ways and there will be times that that influence can appears in other types of writings to point people toward a personal relationship with God.

"Roll the Dice" By Charles Bukowski - Read by Bono

"The Laughing Heart" by Charles Bukowski-read by Tom Waits

Frank's Bad Day Part XVIII

After an awkward silence M spoke. "What do you think?"

“I don’t know…is there some other way?"

"Not really. You were chosen for SMI instead of Purgatory because of your skills with people and because of your problems with people. The Heavenly Hosts have decided Purgatory is not an option. Have you read any of Dante’s works about the Underworld?"

"Yeah...but that’s just classical literature, that’s not scripture."

"True, but some of what Dante described is actually accurate in that the tasks you must complete are related to your own personal struggle with sin. Not to be trite, but the old saying, `the punishment fits the crime` is accurate when it comes to this. "

"Look, I know I wasn't a saint, and I could have been a better person…I get that. I could have been more involved with people, but I’m a little unclear on simply being overly self involved has brought me here with such an exhaustive plan.”

M looked hard at Frank. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

“Frank...do you know what the sin of omission is?"

"It’s when you fail to perform the commands of God"

"Very good. Nevertheless, there is more to it than simply that. When your actions don’t express positively what you believe, that is part of it. The first epistle of John says `how can you say you love God, who you don’t see when you don’t love your brother who you have seen?` You have been baptized, confirmed and went through all the motions but without producing any works positively expressing your beliefs. Frankly, this is why you have a sickly faith. You are fortunate you made it to SMI, let alone Purgatory. There’s nothing for it mate. You either do these tasks or you can take your place with those who have rejected God’s love in Hell...for eternity.”

Frank looked down and shook his head. He finally spoke, "Look, I know I don’t understand everything here, but isn't there some sort of appeal process or a different authority I can talk this over with? It’s obvious everything is well organized here, surely there is someone else I can talk to. This seems like way too much trouble for taking care of one guy who was a little selfish.”

“You are such a typical American. Everything is negotiable. Never taking ‘no” for an answer, trying to weasel your way out of everything. I thought you were different when first I met you but now I return to my first impression when I saw your file. I had a feeling this was a bad idea, I told Antonius you were not suited for this but he said that “They” wanted you here. Do you know who the Heavenly Host is?”

“I assume it’s the all of angels…I guess.”

“It’s a phrase we use to express the decision making body of Heaven. Which is really just the Trinity. The Almighty God made this decision, not some bureaucrat with a halo. You can’t negotiate with Him, you can’t fill out a form. You have received incredible grace ending up here. If you think you have been treated wrongly you are sadly mistaken. You have received more than you deserved and you don’t even have the sense to realize it and cry like some spoiled dandy that you are unjustly forced to do what you don’t fancy. “

Frank wasn't sure what to say. M stood up and began to pace the room.

“Let me tell you a story. I died about 150 years ago and for 10 years I wandered the earth in heavy chains as a result of my sins. Day and night, year after year I saw all my life could have been, seeing all the good I could have done, seeing all the suffering in the world that was a result of my selfishness or that I could have alleviated. I saw those that I did care for become more and more like me, heading towards this cold hell of regret that would never end. I prayed to God that I could have a chance to warn my friend and business partner even though there was no reason God should hear me. But he did. Antonius came to that region where I was trapped and told me I could warn my friend and three other spirits would help turn him back to God. I warned him of all the pain and suffering and how my selfishness had ruined my life and how he was in worse shape than I was. Soon after my visit and the three other spirits ministered to him, he changed his way. He turned his heart to God and opened his life to others. He became a new man. Even though I was still in this cold hell of regret, wandering on the wind, chained to my sins forever, I had some relief that I had helped my friend…”

M stopped at this point and looked down and was silent.

Frank tilted his head and squinted.

“Wait a minute. Are you Jacob Marley--the 'Marley' in the book?”

M looked up slowly.

“That’s correct my boy…”

A Not-So-Subtle Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing

"Alas, poor big giant salad! I knew him well; a salad of infinite taste, of most excellent dressing; he hath borne me on his back for one meal; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!" - Hamlet goes to the Salad Bar at Ryan's Steak House, Act 1 Verse 3

I've been eating at least 1 big salad a day for some time as part of my new diet/lifestyle changes. Now I don't subscribe to subtle tastes, so I wanted to share my oil and vinegar dressing, it's really tasty and the kind of high-octane thing that makes a salad attractive to bacon eating men. 

First of all, get out your salad bowl. The bigger the better-less chance of making a mess that way. Assemble the following:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 leaves of basil (Fresh from the garden)
thyme (Fresh from the garden)
1 pinch of garlic powder
1/8 tsp salt 
fresh ground pepper to taste
cholula hot sauce (Frank's will do)
A handful of nuts-pistachios, pecans or walnuts are good choices
a packet of stevia or splenda sweetner or agave syrup. 
3 fresh mint leaves (look in your yard if you are lucky enough)
a little fresh chives (Fresh from the garden). 

I'm lucky enough to have some herbs growing at my house-so I go outside and get some before making the dressing. 

Add the oil and vinegar to the bowl first, then the hot sauce and then the dry spices. Now cut up the fresh herbs from the garden into ultra small pieces and add to the bowl. Scissors works well. Grind the nuts-add to the bowl.

Now mix the dressing using a small wisk and coat the sides of the bowl. The idea is to coat the bowl and add the leafy vegetables first and then the rest of the salad. Then when you toss the salad it will be perfectly coated with the dressing. 

I recommend a variety of greens, but especially spinach and iceberg go well with this dressing. Don't forget the vidalia onions and the bacon bits. 

Buen Provecho. 

Unlocking the Truth

Showing some real rock and roll swagger

Gypsy jazz, sublime sunset, a loving couple slow dances next to the wells fargo atm on main street. #elkhart jazz festival

"Afro Blue" by Mongo Santa Maria

The Beastles - Yellow Submarine

Mash up of Beastie Boys and the Beatles.

Simon's Cat

Mirrors (Justin Timberlake K-O.ver) - Live by Kevin "K-O." Olusola

Very tight cover. Cello, cajon and acoustic guitar.

Spicy Black Beans and Rice

I'm not good at making chili and some of my Mexican food is sketchy, but I lived with a family in Costa Rica for a month where every meal could include the staple of Gallo Pinto (literally means painted rooster). Thats a subtly flavored black beans and rice that will keep you going for a long time.

I really don't do subtle when it comes to food. The more flavors exploding on my taste buds, the better. So here's my version of  Gallo Pinto:

Ingredients

6 cups of cooked whole grain rice
2 cans of Bush's Black Beans-rinsed and drained.
1/.2 large yellow onion-Vidalia if possible-chopped-but not minced.
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
1 clove of garlic-minced or a pinch of garlic powder
1 can of chicken broth
1 dried red chile pepper-chopped so the seeds are all seperate.
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of molasses or brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon of oregano
2 tablespoons of bacon bits-smallish pieces
1 tablespoon of Cholula hot sauce (Frank's is acceptable too)

Take a large non-stick pan, a little smaller than a stock pan. Warm the oil on medium heat, add the onions and bell peppers. Cover and let them carmelize-stirring occasionally. Add garlic, red chile and salt, pepper, oregano, and molasses. Stir, cover and let cook until thorougly "perfumed" (about 4-5 mins). Add chicken broth, stir and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the rice, mix thoroughly and let it cook for 5 mins. Add beans now and mix thoroughly and turn the heat to low-make sure the pot is covered. Keep an eye on it stirring about...you guessed it--every 5 minutes. Add the bacon bits about 15 minutes after covering. It takes about 30 minutes for all of the flavors to permeate the beans.  There should be an almost light gravy that develops, I prefer to let that cook down some so there is very little broth left, but taste it and see.

Serves about 4 really hungry people.

Serving suggestions: Sprinkle with Mexican Rancherito crumbly cheese or any kind of Parmesan and eat it as is. Its a spicy dish-so a dollop of sour cream is a nice contrast. A garnish of chopped cilantro and Roma tomatoes adds a nice contrast. My favorite way to eat it is with 2 eggs cooked over easy on top for breakfast. It makes for a substantial breakfast and is chocked full of protein and fiber.

I Want Another Cookie...

This is a great youtube series where conversations with a 2 year old and her father are acted out by another grown man and her father. Its brilliantly overacted.

Ask Your Doctor About Tacos...

Do it today!



Also-consider adding ketchup to your taco regimen. The lycopene in ketchup contains natural mellowing agents.

John Luther Adams - Drums of Winter

Under Pressure

Queen's classic, "Under Pressure" stripped to vocals only. Incredible.

Anglobaptist.org

The blog Anglobaptist.org starts out with the following quote that really made my day:

Don't lose any opportunity, however small, of being gentle toward everyone. Don't rely on your own efforts to succeed in your various undertakings, but only on God's help. Then rest in his care of you, confident that he will do what is best for you, provided that you will, for your part, work diligently but gently. I say "gently" because a tense diligence is harmful both to our heart and to our task and is not really diligence, but rather over eagerness and anxiety...I recommend you to God's mercy. I beg him, through that same mercy, to fill you with his love. - Francis de Sales

Go check it out. Its smart reading. I especially enjoyed the essay on American Idol . I don't agree with all of Baptist theology, but there is a mountain of things that I do agree with. To be truthful, I don't agree with everything that everyone in my own "camp" believes. I'd rather concentrate on the good things I can agree with those around me anyways. Nuff said.

Burger King Hands Free Whopper Spanish Commercial

¿Necesito decir algo más?

Increible.

Charles Bukowski-"People simply empty out"

I'm a fan of Charles Bukowski's poetry.

There is a lot about Bukowski that is rude and offensive and contains things that are very unseemly.
I would not let my minor child read his stuff, nor ever quote it in church.

That said, life can be unseemly, not all truth is expressed wrapped up in a pretty bow, and life
cannot be kept sanitized for our protection like a fancy hotel toilet seat. Bukowski has a point of
view that is not easily found in literature that is refreshing at times.

The website Letters of Note featured a letter from Bukowski to his editor that I really enjoyed
a lot. Click the link below to read it.

Letters of Note: People simply empty out

Game of Thrones Theme on Cello and Djembe

Further proof that the djembe is the best all purpose hand drum in the world.

Craft Project-With Fiery Projectiles!

How to make a mini bow and arrow-including instructions for flaming arrows.
You Need:
Popsicle sticks
floss
pocket knife or nail clippers
Q-tips
Vaseline
Toothpicks

Speech from the Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin

Awesome speech by Charlie Chaplin

MC Frontalot - I'll Form The Head

Gotta dig rap starting with "bright-colored robotic space rhinoceri..."

J Day

Alternative WWII History-Justin Bieber Saves Us All.