Quite a few interesting groups of people this weekend. First Bob’s 40th in Austin. I got to see Manuel, it’s been a while, and got to meet his wife Sarah. Some fun hanging out at Lake Travis and in Austin.
Monday night I went to Niece #2’s birthday party. A mostly parent-free zone with fifteen nine (or so) year olds. A pool. Karaoke. I think I lost some high-frequency hearing.
Tuesday I had lunch with some other high school friends: Diane, Wendy, Suzanne, and Allen (who was two years younger and I don’t think I’ve seen in forever!)
Then Tuesday night I stopped by Privé because Tracey was trying to bartend – many other friends-of-Tracey were there as well.
July 25th, 2007
Posted by
bshirley |
friends, weekend |
no comments
This is a picture of me taken seventeen years ago (in June of 1990) in front of the MegaloElvis complex in Memphis. Bob and I were touring the country being recently graduated and as yet still unemployed.
We actually just drove through Memphis. I recall checking to see if their minor league baseball team was playing, and when it wasn’t, we continued on our way.
Bob and I are both turning forty this month.
July 22nd, 2007
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bshirley |
friends, picture |
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My friends John and Marsha were at the game and on the television on Sunday. They only live a few blocks from Wrigley Field, so they attend frequently. And if the Astros are in town, it can almost be guaranteed. I was getting ready for the Houston Roller Derby, so I missed them…
Marsha says “Did I mention that we had excellent seats?”
July 19th, 2007
Posted by
bshirley |
astros, friends, sports, television |
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I got up early and rode my bike a few miles to pick up some Doc Marten boots offered on the Heights/Montrose Freecycle. I’ve been needing new boots, and now I have two “new” pair. Excellent. When the radio 
popped on this morning, it said it was 83 and when it gets a little warmer the showers will start again (they have). That kept me being prompt.
On the way back I was listening to a Slate podcast. They recently added a new category, they call “Mixing Desk”. This 20 minute episode was on Kelly Clarkson. Normally anything Clarkson, or generally American Idol, causes the bile to rise in my throat, but the first few Mixing Desks have been excellent.
Since she’s generally off my radar, I didn’t know she has just released a third album. She wanted to write it herself, and mostly did. She doesn’t like the style of her former albums. She had fights with the suits. Clive Davis didn’t like it. “You’re not supposed to, you’re an 80 year old man.” Presales were lesser than past sales and the tour stadium was canceled (I’d love to see her do these songs in a club).
She’s now being managed by Reba McIntire’s husband. Expect alt-country from this Ft. Worther next. I might actually listen to that.
July 19th, 2007
Posted by
bshirley |
music, pod |
no comments
No, you got your Fluff in my Politics…
I was cracking open my morning paper to get to the crossword. Usually Monday and Tuesday is crossword day, and Wednesday-Friday are sudoku days. The crossword is in the Houston Chronicle’s “Star” section – it doesn’t have a title on the front, just a star. It’s the “fluff” section, where you go for comics, television and movie listings, and today, the lead article on doggie day care.
So, I’m making my way to the back and I find as the token article on page five (smashed in with movie times and box office returns) an article by Leonard Pitts Jr. I couldn’t find it on the chron web site, so rechecked the print version. It doesn’t list his affiliation but does have his email at herald.com. So, I did find the article on the Miami Herald’s site.
It’s a scathing indictment of the Bush administration (which admittedly is an easy thing to write these days). But I think the fact that it’s oozed into the entertainment section of the newspaper is telling of how despicable this administration has been.
Two great tastes that taste great together: Fluff and Politics.
(cached here for completeness)
The Bush presidency: Is nothing real?
By LEONARD PITTS JR.
Richard Nixon was a crook. He was also a liar and anti-Semite who sought to subvert the Constitution.
I wish he were president again. (more…)
July 16th, 2007
Posted by
bshirley |
government, inthenews, politics |
4 comments
I’m flipping the channels waiting for my left overs to rewarm in the microwave oven, and I hit the Turner Broadcasting Station. There’s a Japanese band performing the Tighten Up, Archie Bell’s #1 hit from the Summer of 1968. Yellow Magic Orchestra. A song I’ve seen Archie sing at the Continental Club.
As they zoom out I realize they’re performing it on The Best of Soul Train, making it all the more surreal. Seems the band and the song have been around forever, are considered one of the top 100 Japanese bands ever and likened to Kraftwerk.
I kinda want this album or some other one with one of their many versions on it, but it would probably cost a lot or be hard to find.
July 14th, 2007
Posted by
bshirley |
houston, music, television |
one comment
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