A Web Journal from Bush, Louisiana, USA
Since April 2003
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Below is the cool Irish music I mentioned the other day. It is the theme music of Rizzoli and Isles. It was also used in The Departed but, like the movie, I didn't remember it. If you're reading this on Facebook, you'll have to click on “ View Original Post ” below. Love the music. Wasn't wild about the vocals at first but they're now growing on me, too. What do you think?
Quote from said blog: "Since 1996, Boston's Dropkick Murphys have been leading the young and old astray with their own brand of Celtic punk rock and rugged pub leanings."
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Not sure what to make of Rizzoli & Isles. It's a female buddy show, I suppose. Sasha Alexander, who plays Isles, is a brainy, well-to-do, eager beaver do-gooder medical examiner. Angie Harmon is Rizzoli. She's a cop from a cop family. She's working class and kinda crude but she cleans up nice. The show has resorted to proving that in at least two episodes. It's not much of a transformation. She's fairly gorgeous in just about anything. It tries but Rizzoli and Isles is light summer fare and not much more. Borderline CME. It's set in Boston and has cool Irish theme music, though.
Mailman
Stay away from my door
Got too many bills
I don't need no more
I don't know what I'm gonna do
But while I'm deciding
To save my soul
I'm going to find me a hole to hide in
Quote from said blog: "The series, debuting on Monday, July 12 at 10 p.m. ET, stars Angie Harmon as Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as chief medical examiner Maura Isles and is based on stories and characters by novelist Tess Gerritsen."
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Love the story they tell before the song below. It's cut out here. They were talking about setting up their equipment in a gigantic bar in Texas. If you've never been inside one of those, you absolutely cannot appreciate it. I've been in a few of them. The Rusty Keg in Houston could have easily fit two football fields inside of it ... end to end. Anyway, they're in one of those bars setting up and there are only three people in the whole place besides them ... and a fight broke out. My favorite song of theirs. Enjoy.
Tried to find a link to a performance of Road Fever by Foghat for the QOTD. All I could find was a version from the current incarnation of the band. The lead guitarist is an adequate replacement for the late former lead guitarist, Rod Price. He even bears a slight resemblance. There's no replacing Lonesome Dave, though. The current incarnation is not much more than a tribute band. Save your money.
For that paltry sum, we spent about 20 minutes total with the physician, tied up a hospital bed for about 5 hours, had IV saline, was given some pain medication and some medication for nausea, and had a CT scan performed. $10,141.00 ... so far. We can and should debate/argue about what needs to be done but anyone defending the status quo should be summarily dismissed as a participant in that debate/argument. We're spending more on health care than anyone and we aint healthier. We're not getting our money's worth.
I offer one from the CrabAppleLane sunny back deck. I thought I had accidentally killed it.
CrabAppleLane Mirliton Vine - August 15, 2010
From the Here Nor There Department: No matter how slowly and carefully I sip a Sonic slush, I get a freezer brain headache that takes at least a minute and a half to pass. Dumb, Rob.
Time to start researching my fantasy football auctions. Have one a week from today and have another one a few days later. I started to move some names around yesterday but couldn't finish. Hope to have a preliminary spreadsheet done today. I haven't used a magazine in years.
The Minnesota Vikings walloped the Rams in St Louis last night and they did it "without Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe.". I'm sure someone in Metairie took notice.
I'm back on the road and I ain't gonna stop
Gonna roll 'til I'm old, gonna rock 'til I drop
Out of the smog, headin' into the sun
I'm goin' to New Orleans
Bourbon Street here I come
Quote from said blog: "When the new version of the old blog bit the dust I took it as a sign and as a result, this blog has a new name. I decided to retire Pitcherlady and move on to a page that’s a little more refined in its subject matter, (she said)."
I hope not too refined. Refinement has its place but there are times when it should step aside.
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I started watching The Last Waltz last night. I've never been a great fan of The Band. I like some of their songs but that's about it. I have seen this film before and I didn't think much of it but I kinda got hooked on watching it again last night while waiting for something better to come on. Seeing it again after all these years and on a better TV with a better stereo has made a world of difference. Could be also that I'm a little older and more mature than I was the first time I saw it and it could also be the sound quality has been dramatically improved. The second part is certain. The film I'm watching now is fantastic in both sound and picture quality.
The film is not just about their music and that may have also contributed to why I didn't think much of it the first time. I didn't care about the interviews then. Just get on with the music. I appreciate what Martin Scorsese was doing now. The film is more about the guys being a band and being on tour for 16 years. I can't wait to finish watching it this afternoon. Just fantastic. Didn't even mind the 70s leisure suits. I still only like a handful of their songs but I have a new appreciation for The Band this morning and much greater appreciation for the film. Enjoy the little taste below and see The Last Waltz when you can, particularly if you have a good TV and stereo.
I usually don't care for tight-fitting clothes. Unfortunately, a lot of my clothes fit tightly these days (Be nice). Anyway, I do wear tight clothes while doing yardwork. Too many spinning objects and too many sharp blades can grab. After 2½ hours in the heat here, though, you pretty much have to cut them off of me. I offer a few today in the order I took them from around the CrabAppleLane backyard, where I spent 2½ hours ... yesterday and today.
The garden is resting
The fairway - Water trap on the left - Par 2
The view
The branch had turned and followed the sun until it was brushing against the bluebird house
CrabAppleLane Hummingbird - August 1, 2010
Enough with the NFL training camp injuries already ... and stay the hell away from here. There are still ...
Quote from said blog: "One of the reasons that I hadn't ever seen The Last Waltz, was because I wasn't a fan of The Band."
Just like me except with a better reason. They weren't before my time. -Rob
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It's been raining off and on all weekend. The sun is out now and it's more than a little steamy. If the rain is still gone in an hour or two, I'll be on the tractor. I started doing yardwork yesterday but couldn't finish.
Between the rains Saturday afternoon, I was able to pull up the 2010 CrabAppleLane spring vegetable garden. The tomatoes have been done for a a few weeks but I wanted to let the peppers fill out a little more. I'm not a big fan of bell peppers normally. They're usually a little too thick when you buy them at a store, when they come on a pizza, or when they're in a dish at a restaurant, particularly Chinese dishes. Homegrown bell peppers are a whole other thing. Commercial bell pepper varieties have a much thicker skin because they've been developed that way so they can travel better. Homegrown peppers are thin-skinned and have a much lighter and sweeter taste. In the bowl below: "Big Early" bell peppers. On the rail: "Italia" sweet peppers. There is almost no difference in taste, texture, or size between them. They're both delicious. We haven't decided what to do with them yet. We may stuff them or we may add them to some scrambled eggs but we're most likely to add them to a huge batch of Patsy's sausage rice casserole. I'm fine with any one or more of those options.
Last of the CrabAppleLane 2010 spring crop - July 25, 2010
It was an average year for CrabAppleLane tomatoes and peppers. It got too hot too early and there was too much rain toward the end of the season. I don't think the eggplants did well at all. I haven't done a fall garden in many years but I think I will this year. Patsy and I both love homegrown baby Brussels sprouts so there will surely be a lot of those planted. I'll throw in a row of broccoli and maybe some red and green cabbage, too. Patsy makes good coleslaw.
I like to rate the songs in my iTunes library. I haven't done it with all of them yet but I've got a substantial number of them rated. Five stars is the highest. Today's iTunes shuffle is from the Four Star list.
There are probably a few funnier things about the upcoming NFL season but the New York Times Fifth Down Blog picking the brash, loudmouthed Jets to finish third in their division behind the Patriots and Dolphins is pretty good. The QOTD plugs into that. Thank you, Judy.
Quote from said blog: "I wrote about this soup two years ago when I first found the recipe in the New York Times. Since then, I've made it many times, making a few tweaks here and there. It's definitely remained a favorite – in fact, it's one of two soups that I constantly go back to. You know, the ones I know I can really nail."
Looks like a lot of work. Also looks fantastic. I've never heard of smoked paprika. Might have to try it. -Rob
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Why Aye Man is a phrase I came to know listening to Mark Knopfler. It's the first track on The Ragpicker's Dream. I like the Urban Dictionary's definition because of the invading Vikings reference but I think it's more likely just as it sounds ... an emphatic expression of agreement. It's been Knopfler's opening song for a while now. Good rendition of it below. Enjoy.
Quote from said blog: "One thing I discovered in so many restaurants and cafes in Europe is that they are very often understaffed. Many times before I had meals in establishments where the waiters/patrons ratio was so ridiculously low that no wonder service took bloody forever. This is in contrast to most places I had dined in while in North America, where it’s not uncommon to see waiting staff twiddling their thumbs waiting for action. I guess it’s either the norm here to have slow service, or the fact that waiting staff earn respectable salaries (contrary to USA / Canada where waiting staff typically earn minimum wage – sometimes even less – and rely primarily on tips); or both. Anyway, when going to a restaurant in Western Europe, my advice to you is to plan for delays."
I've heard this many times. -Rob
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Was never much of a fan of Four Sticks off of Led Zeppelin IV. It was always a "B" side song to me. When I saw Page & Plant play it the last time I saw them, they changed my mind and I look at it quite differently now. It was the best song they did that night and it was all because of the great drummer they had found. That's him in the video below. He comes in at about 1:35 and listening to it on a computer can hardly do it justice but it's still pretty good. He uses the "four sticks" just like John Bonham did. I can do without the orchestra and I'm still not a big fan of the studio version but when you experience it live with a great drummer putting the thunder in your chest, it's a whole other thing. Relentless.
I think I picked the last two tomatoes of 2010 yesterday afternoon. The rest are rotting. It's that time of year. Too much rain followed by too much heat. When it's like that every day, it's just too much for them. It wasn't the best season I've had but it wasn't bad. I have enough to last the week if we eat them every night. They're starting to get very ripe and juicy.
OK, these are some people who need adult supervision and maybe some jail time.
Oh, Baby, it's cryin' time
Oh, Baby, I got to fly
I've got to try to find a way
I've got to try to get away
'Cause you know I gotta get away from you, Babe
Quote from said blog: "Here is an image for those great friends that still stop by here! Don't forget to stop by my website at http://www.percyandbloom.com/ for TONS more free images!"
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A substantial portion of the mortgage crisis that very few are talking about. We mostly like to blame Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for making bad loans to poor or irresponsible people that bit off more than they can chew. It's not always the case. For what it's worth, I have sympathy for the homeowners who can't make their mortgage payments. I have something else for those who refuse to make them. Both types put the economy where it is now. What does it do for credit? Who can lenders trust?
Quote from said blog: "The other day I was at an open house for a duplex in Larchmont Village listed at $465,000. The listing agent ended up with 100 offers and really only considered the ones that were all cash."
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When I first downloaded iTunes, My Sweet Annette by the Drive By Truckers was part of the sample song package. That was my introduction to them. There are a lot of fan videos on YouTube but most of them are pretty awful recordings of live shows. Below is the Drive By Truckers on Halloween Night some years ago. I guess it would be described as a music video of a live performance. It's really good, though. Enjoy.
D’Brickashaw Ferguson got himself a nice, fat contract from the Jets. In last year's Jets-Saints game, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez dropped back to pass in his own end zone. Not only did he hold on to the ball too long, he held it away from his body down low by his hip. Tim Tebow does that, too. I digress. Ferguson was trying to block Will Smith on the play when Smith saw where Sanchez was holding the ball. He didn't have a chance.
Quote from said blog: "Repair has been superseded by a newer model called Replace. Still, some of us look back warmly on the days of being able to buy every part down to the last washer and micro-gasket individually wrapped in tissue paper; of being up to our elbows in grease; of squeezing our arms down small, hot gaps and singeing skin; of shredding knuckles to the bone when that bolt that just won't move suddenly ... "Aaaargh!""
Small price to pay if you actually broke the bolt loose. If all you did was strip the head ... -Rob
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I've been waiting a long time for Alchemy Live to be released in the US on DVD. I originally saw it on MTV in the 80s and recorded it on VHS. Even though the music and their performance is off-the-charts fantastic, the quality of the broadcast was really bad and my recording of it was even worse. This remastered DVD is crystal clear and a joy to behold. My collection of this concert contains that VHS broadcast recording off of MTV, the vinyl record version, the CD record version, and now, the remastered DVD version. Some day, I'll probably have the Blue Ray version, too. Mark Knopfler is the founder, lead guitarist, songwriter, and lead singer of Dire Straits. He is a virtuoso guitarist and songwriter. He has some incredible long guitar solos on Sultans of Swing, Telegraph Road, and Tunnel of Love. A lot of guitar solos are a little boring because the guitarist wants to show off his techno-wizardry skill on the guitar. Knopfler's solos are musical. I've only had it long enough to skip around to some of my favorite cuts on my PC. Can't wait to see it cranked up in DTS 5.1 surround sound. Not recommending anyone buy it unless they're a fan but I highly recommend that you at least try to rent it. I guarantee a night of great music.
I should be out in the yard this morning but I got too late a start and it's just too darn hot now. Did that in the heat a few weeks ago. On that day, I stayed as hydrated as I could even though I think the water I drank pretty much just sweated right out as I was drinking it, and I still just about fainted from the heat and humidity. I don't think I have ever been that overheated before.
About today's QOTD: That's probably still true. I can say one thing without hesitation, though. There is not a soul in New Orleans or along the Gulf Coast who would trade Drew Brees for either of those great quarterbacks.
75 days until football season ...
5 song iTune shuffle from the CrabAppleLane Five Star playlist starting with "S" :
Spirit In the Sky - Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In the Sky
Snowblind - Black Sabbath - Volume IV
Snakeskin Cowboys - Ted Nugent - Ted Nugent
Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits - Dire Straits
Speedway At Nazareth - Mark Knopfler - Sailing To Philadelphia
But if you took a poll of general managers and asked them to pick the quarterback they'd most want to play with right now, I'd bet Manning and Brady would get the most votes.
Quote from said blog: "The knockout stage has finally arrived in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and the tension starts building higher and higher today, with all of these games being win or go home scenarios. The USA takes on Ghana in their Round of 16 contest, in what should be a great game."
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First things first. Only an idiot would spend over an hour in the stifling Bush heat this morning tying off tomato bushes ... and not finish. He's soaked and more than a little irritated. They reacted to the rain last week like Popeye reacts to spinach. They're starting to get bushy and also starting to outgrow their stakes. I'll be picking soon.
CAN NOT WAIT
The LSU Tigers barely made the SEC tournament this year after winning a National Championship last season. They were playing OK early in the season but they disintegrated once SEC play got underway. They lost a few important players from last year's squad but everyone thought they had enough talent and experience to make another deep postseason run. They have been a major disappointment. If they get invited to the NCAA tournament, they'll have to hit the road. I suppose anything can happen in baseball once everyone is 0-0 again but the Tigers look more like the team that will go quietly into the good night than one that will make any noise.
We know New Jersey is going to get the Super Bowl in 2014. The commissioner wants it. There are some fans who want it, too. The new home stadium of the Giants and Jets is an open air stadium. There is a potential for really bad weather for the most important game of the season. The few regular readers here know that I prefer perfect conditions. The only thing the teams should have to contend with is their opponent. I want to remember the game for the onside kick, the interception return, the touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone, the hook and trailer play, etc. I don't want to remember it for the weather. During Super Bowl week, the focus should be on football and football only. That game, in particular, should be about football and football only. This is a bad idea.
On a different note and for the record, I have nothing but contempt for Floyd Landis and anyone who gives him a microphone. He's a cheat, a liar, and a gold digger. His image and reputation cannot be restored so he is trying to take down as many people as he can with him. He's a loser. Go away, Floyd.
Inspired by the iTunes Shuffle, the incomparable Alison Krauss & Union Station. I have the DVD this performance is on. I can't recommend it highly enough. Phenomenal musicians, particularly Jerry Douglas on the dobro.
I offer three images from the CrabAppleLane Backyard on a very hot and humid Sunday in Bush, LA and I'm off for a cool shower and lunch.
CrabAppleLane Hydrangeas - May 23, 2010 - Chose this morning to explode
CrabAppleLane Tomato Garden - May 23, 2010 - Cherry tomatoes
CrabAppleLane Tomato Garden - May 23, 2010 - Starting to outgrow the stakes
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I'm very sorry to hear about Ronnie James Dio's passing. I was a big fan of Rainbow's early albums. When I heard Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow was coming to Baton Rouge as the warmup band for REO Speedwagon, I got tickets immediately. Rainbow only had one album out at the time so I had hopes they might do some Deep Purple material. Deep Purple was my favorite band then. I had seen Purple in 1976 but Blackmore wasn't with them. He had been replaced by Tommy Bolin. FWIW, only in America would Rainbow warm up for REO Speedwagon. It would be the opposite anywhere else. It was a decent, but very short and very small, show. Their giant stage rainbow, seen here in a decent rendition of Kill The King, was not part of the show I saw. My memory of it is they played less than an hour and it was all Rainbow songs. Ritchie Blackmore is going to be the star on any stage he's on, he'll insist, but Ronnie held his own. R.I.P, Ronnie James Dio.
Quote from said blog: "Blackmore had taken a liking to the band that opened for Deep Purple on their last few tours, a crew from Buffalo, NY called Elf, so he promptly took it upon himself to fire their guitarist and absorb the rest of the band as his own, including now legendary (but then unknown) vocalist Ronnie James Dio---thus, Rainbow was born. Living in the age of gay pride that we do, it’s difficult to contemplate a heavy metal band deciding to call themselves “Rainbow” (shit, even “Rainbow From HELL” for that matter), but back then it was an apt name, both due to the rocker bar in LA from which they took inspiration, but also because, in ’76, kids were still ingesting a lot of acid and seeing rainbows all over the place."
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The QOTD and this entry are both inspired by today's iTunes shuffle. I find it quite amazing that a little puff, "Top 40" band like The Yardbirds was the primordial ooze from which sprang rockers Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and the monster rock band that replaced The Beatles at the top of the charts, Led Zeppelin. To be fair about the puff part, the Yardbirds were never quite as popular in America as they were in the UK, where they were seen on television all the time and were considered pioneers.
The linked YouTube video shows a very young Jeff Beck on lead guitar for one of their biggest hits. YouTube has a pretty good collection of Yardbirds videos if you want to get lost for a while and it includes a rendition of Dazed and Confused, a song Led Zeppelin later recorded and turned into a classic, although one I was never all that fond of. When it comes to early Zep, I'm more of a "How Many More Times" kind of fan. For what it's worth, Physical Graffiti and Led Zeppelin 1 are the two albums that define them for me but I don't ever need to hear Dazed and Confused or Kashmir again.
Quote from said blog: "The Yardbirds unfortunately soon disintegrated once they could no longer attain commercial success. Relf and McCarthy formed Together and then the excellent Renaissance."
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I'm not understanding the safety precautions at work in the oil industry. I'm not understanding why a contingency for an oil leak, which is not unheard of, takes so long to implement. If your house was on fire and it took the fire department two weeks to get to you ...
I'd rather look around me
Compose a better song
'Cos that's the honest measure of my worth
In your pomp and all your glory
You're a poorer man than me
As you pick the fruits of death
Borne out of fear
Quote from said blog: "The swedish magazine "Beatlesnytt" ("Beatles-news") has a tradition for making "clever" covers and the current issue is no exception, being a parody of the World Records album boxed set from the early eighties."
I just love that the Swedes have a magazine devoted to news from a band that has been gone for 38 years. WOW. Did I just really write 38? -Rob
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