Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

It's a very special day

It's 11/11/11. It's Nigel Tufnel Day And, as George Takei reminds us, it's also the day on which dyslexia loses it's hold. Good day to rent both "This Is Spinal Tap", and "A Mighty Wind".

I've even managed to find a parts supplier that has Strat knobs that go up to 11. So let's all get down and get loud.

The Gayle Lynn band just got back from a wonderful weekend up in the mountains. We were playing the Jack Douglass Saloon, up in Columbia State Park, and Tom and Gayle's family have a place up there, so we had something like band camp. We set up in the living room, had a fire going, and had a bit of a rehearsal to learn a few of Maurice Tani's tunes. His wife plays percussion for us. So all of our spouses were up for the fun, too.

After we nailed Maurices stuff down, it turned into a song swap, and by the time any of us got to the second chorus of the song we were showing off, the whole rest of the band was in, and kicking. Normally, we see each other at gigs, rehearsals, and parties, so this is the first taste a lot of us got of how deep and varied our musical backgrounds are. So Saturday night and Sunday morning were playtimes. The gig went wonderfully, and then we went back to the house and played some more. I haven't had this much musical fun in ages, and the spousal units were amazed as well. We're already planning to do it again. I love my band.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Best Movie Yet This Year

Norma and I saw "Margin Call" three days ago, and are still talking about it. This is a film where the plat synopsis won't get you there. The brass at a Lehman Brothers-like investment bank discover that they're over leveraged and exposed past the entire worth of the company, and have one day in which to deal with it. It's all talk, but it's as exciting, and intense as a caper flick, and you watch the principles deal with the moral implications of the fact that the only way out is to commit fraud that will both save their financial asses, and end their careers and most of what passes for friendship. As with Shakespeare, there are no totally evil characters. There is also not a false note anywhere. Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Paul Bettany, all give performances that have to be considered for Oscars. You'll believe, and you'll care.

http://www.margincallmovie.com/

Sunday, October 30, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN


TRICK OR TREAT
SMELL MY FEET
GIVE ME SOMETHING
GOOD TO EAT

Friday, October 21, 2011

My favorite take on current events


Locally, we're having Occupy SF, Occupy Oakland, and even Occupy San Rafael. I believe there's a real change happening in the national dialog. But sometimes I need to remind myself to calm down. We're acting our parts in that old Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times."

But it's great seeing the idealism in kids coming out again. They're waking up.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Scaff's Skiffle Band


Another flash from the past. 

Thanks to the genius of Dave Hall and Steve Scaff, Scaff's Skiffle Band recorded most of an album in 1967.  Who knew?  Even I didn't, and I was there!

What a voice Cass Conway had, not to mention some wild jug and washtub bass playing (was that Dan Winchester?).   We even had the Steve Scaff version of fractured fairy tales.  Lots of fun and Scaffian shenanigans but those 19 year olds also sounded great.  What a time! 

Jug band music certainly was a treat to me ... 

Friday, October 14, 2011

Self Indungence





How to burn through $80.00 in the blink of an eye. We ordered 6 Lobster Rolls. Susan ate two I ate three @ $12.00 a pop. TOTALLY WORTH IT!








Monday, October 10, 2011

Outlaws from the past

Thought this might be good for a laugh.
Taken at a record store in Atlanta 1974 and just now resurfaced at John Mcuen's house. Thanks Mimi & John.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Congratulation Rand and Mandy

After being best friends and lovers for years, they tied the not. We, your Paradox family are extremley happy for you both.
May I present Mr and Mrs Rand Launder, a outstanding couple. Luck on you glass blowing. Remember the guy at Knotts berry farm that blew glass?
Hope to see you for our reunion in 2013.

LoveBob and Helen

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

????

HELLO, ....HELLO.....HELLO........

ANYONE OUT THERE????????????????

Saturday, September 17, 2011