Greatest things about Christmas 07...

What a day..... So far the greatest things about Christmas this year (2007) have been: Reading the Christmas story to Nicholas on Christmas Eve, Nicholas falling asleep in my arms Christmas Eve while the Nat King Cole Christmas Play List was playing, Come and Go Communion with family and Brother Joey, Christmas Caroling, delivering Care and Share, The Bears beating the Packers (which I called and nary any other prognosticator did!), thereby giving my beloved Cowboys home field advantage through out the playoffs, visiting Joe and Alisha (till a certain point in the evening), Brother Alan's Coke-a-Cola coasters (what a story that is!), Dave bringing a bottle of Woodford Reserve over, Christian stopping by with gifts while Dave was here (Christian was living in Texas at the time and hadn't been seen in 6 months), Rare Bread 108 proof straight from the barrel bourbon, playing the Wii with Nicholas, Christmas Dinner with Mom and AL, Paul and Katie stopping by and bringing 3 different kinds of hot sauce (Toad Sweat...yum!), getting to spend time with my step mom and her mother...now on to Nicholas Birthday Party, and Super Bowl Sunday! Now playing: Otis Redding - White Christmas via FoxyTunes

Our Christmas Tree

I love our tree. Every year the day after Thanksgiving we put it up and listen to Christmas music. Every year my son helps me more, I think he is to the age where he is really starting to enjoy that kind of thing. The tree is only 4 ft. tall, but I put it on an end table and put it in front on the window and from the road it looks like it's 7 ft. tall. I wouldn't have another tree for the life of me.... Now playing: Bon Jovi - I Wish Everyday Was Chrismas

"God of Thunder"

I call this, the "Gene Simmons" (Of the Rock Group KISS) jack- o-lantern. I have done one of these every year now since I was a sophomore in college, which is starting to be quite some time now. It's funny how our little oddities become things we can't live without. For the uninitiated or terribly confused, or both, "God of Thunder" is an old KISS song Gene Simmons sang. I just aren’t right sometimes.....okay mosttimes......later

---------------- Now playing: Whale - Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe via FoxyTunes

Freddie King, "I'm going down"

This guy was so under appreciated it's a shame. Thank goodness for the people that post him and all the other old blues masters on You Tube so that their legacy will live on. Seriously, the pantheon of great Modern Blues Guitarist consist of 4 players, the three Kings (B.B., Albert, and Freddie), and Stevie Ray....period.

Bogalusa Boogie Man

Great picture of the Bogalusa Boogie man found using the FoxyTunes FireFox extention

Gate

[via FoxyTunes / Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown]

Now playing: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Bogalusa Boogie Man via FoxyTunes

Hancock County Fair 07

Fell in love with that slow shutter speed time laspe effect with the lights during the forth of July...here are some more of those types of photos...

July 4th, Vastwood Park

Was just playing around with settings on the camera. I really don't have any idea what I was doing, but I liked the way some of these turned out.

The "Music from or inspired by the 07 W.C.Handy Blues Fest Playlist"

Friday night, The Beat Daddy's, "Big Thighs" From the April-May Blues Revue Sampler CD. "I don't like them skinny, small and petite, I like a big, fat, woman, lots of love, lots of meat, big thighs, lord I love those big thighs"...Things got off to a rockin' start as far as I was concerned. "Playboy Party" Big James & The Chicago Playboys. Went to take pictures of the sun setting on the river, came back, it was dark and the party was "on". Who knew a trombone could be played like that? The Chicago Playboys were an extremely funky band. From the album, "Big James Funkin' Blues". "Give it time", the Eric Lindell Band. I may have been hit harder by these guys than my com padres Joe and David, that New Orlenes by the way of Chicago and everywhere else in between sound just sat real well with me."Two Bit Town", also the Eric Lindell Band, this ones provides the first memorable line of the evening, "don't ever let them take away your smile, don't ever let them change your funky style", your preaching to the choir Eric, amen...from the album "Change in the Weather". "Jambalaya", "Traveling South", Tab Benoit. "Iko Iko" performed by Tab, but on the playlist I had to substitute Dr. Johns version. (That's what I mean by inspired by...). Who could ever forget that "Jambalaya", "Iko Iko", "When the Saints Come Marching In", back to "Jambalaya", medley? There is plenty I can't remember from that evening, but that medley I assure you is not one of them... Saturday. Doug McCleoud "Turkey Leg Woman", "I have written a lot of protest songs in my day, but what I'm protesting against in this song is the skinny woman...everybody thinks the skinny woman is so pretty". It was good to see Doug again, I think he felt energized by the larger crowd this year. The blues faithful should check out his column, "Doug's Back Porch" in the Blues Revue magazine." Don't know if we missed Doug playing, "Devil been beatin his wife"or not as we were 15 minutes late. "Angel from Montgomery" Miranda Louise, (John Prines original version whats on the playlist, I said "inspired by" remember?). She sounded better than we thought she would, and her guitar player was pretty good. "Dust my Broom" also Miranda Louise (playlist = the Elmore James original version). Led to the quote, "A lil Elmore James never hurt anybody", a week later on "the porch". "Collins Shuffle", nobody played this song but Doug McCleoud mentioned a song he had written that appeared on the Albert Collins album, "Cold Snap" and Diunna Greenleaf said that Albert Collins was her babysitter, so I felt it's inclusion in the playlist was a no brainer. "Blue Broadway", John Nemeth. That suit!, The cool 50's looking 25 year old guitar player..." Black Cat Bone", Diuana Greenleaf. She played this. This is the Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland and Robert Cray version from the Grammy award winning album. "Showdown". Diuana Greenleaf mentioned "Hop Wilson", The version of this song here mentions him as well because this is his song. Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, and Hop Wilson were all based out of Houston Texas and Diuana knew all of them, her show proved that fact. "Let the good times roll", also Diuana. A B.B. King live version makes the playlist. "Shake your moneymaker", and "She's nineteen years old" performed by Elmore James and Buddy Guy respectively. Performed by Lil Charlie and the Nightcats at the festival. These guys were by far the most hep-cat daddies I have ever seen in my life. That amp..... "Superharp" and "No cuttin loose", James Cotton. I am confident he played "superharp", I don't honestly know about "No Cuttin Loose", by now things are a lil blurry. James Cotton's band!! I swear the bass player metamorphosized himself into Flea for a spell....I was glad we were right on the fence up front, It was incredible! The original idea was to have this playlist embedded on the blog, unfortunately I have exceeded my monthly upload limit and not every song made it....oh well,........and on and on it goes.

The John Lee Hooker Cell Phone

Last time it was The Dave Mathews Band, this time I'll think I'll stick with this for a while. Had to get a new cell phone so of course it needed to be customized. A phone tatoo or "skin" with a picture of John Lee downloaded from the internet. The skins are really cool, kind of rubberized, don't scratch or peel to easy. I went all out this time, the "Boom Boom" ring tone, and the back cover of the album "Chill Out" for the wallpaper for the large and small displays. The front is the cover from the Grammy award winning album "The Healer". It's kind of hard to get the front to do too very well with the small display, and the camera lense. Other peoples phones may have a lot more functionality, but aint nobodys got any more mojo..........

Beer for my Horses

How redneck is this? Went to the Horse show with my buddy, got rained out, went to the Bar instead. Horses were still in the trailer with their saddles on....

When a cajun man gets the Blues

clipped from picasaweb.google.com

Great things about the 07 W.C. Handy Blues Fest, in no particular order

1. The ticket price. 2. Seeing Bruce, "Sawdust Pie" Stewart for the 1st time in 8 years. 3. Tab Benoit...... 4. All the Bands 5. All the bands guitar players 6. Tab Benoit... 7. "When a Cajun man gets the blues" 8. "Yock-a-mo feen-o and-dan-day, Yock-a-mo feen-o and-dan-day." 9. "Hey now, hey now, iko iko ande... 10."Good bye Joe, I got to go, meio myio, son of a gun we're gonna have big fun on the bayou" 11. All the friends 12. "I'm 33 years old, and I've seen a lot of shows, but I ain't never seen anybody play guitar like that..." 13. "You were right, he's (Tab Benoit) unbelievable..... 14. "I'm going to Dog Hill...Where the pretty women at" 15. Purple shinny hat lady 16. T-shirt guy 17. Spasmoid moe de 18. "Dirty Dishes..." 19. "Big thighs, lord I love those big thighs..." 20. James Cotton's Band (good god almighty they were hot!!) 21. Tab Benoit 22. James Cotton's otherwordly sounding harmonica licks... 23. John Nemeths red suit 24. Lil Charlie and the Nightcats vintage threads and gear 25. Waffle House at 2 AM..."Would you like bacon, sausage or ham with that?" "Yes", "Was that yes to bacon? sausage? or ham? "Yes", "To all three?" "Yes, to all three." 26. "You doin' okay up there?" "Long as I keep one eye closed I am..." 27. Tab Benoit 28. Seeing Georgia and not even knowing it was her. 29. ...and on and on it goes

07 W.C. Handy Blues Fest Slideshow

Double click on the picture takes you to the "Web Album". There is a link on the right side of that page to view the sideshow in full size.

Great Lines From The 07 W. C. Handy Blues Fest.

"Don't ever let them change your funky style." "Turn on your Funk Motor" "...and it's going to sound exactly like dis right here today in Henderson KY." "Romance without finance is a nuicence." "Everybody has a freak flag, some people just don't know how to fly theirs..."

Blues Fest Check List

Camo Hat w/ snap pocket. Sunglasses. Camo Cargo Shorts. Belt (Optional, but w/ so much stuff in your pockets). Camera. Cell Phone. Flash Drive w/ Tab Benoit Play list. FM Transmitter. Keys. Coleman Insulated Thermos (It's not a can, cooler, or bottle). Pocket Knife. (For limes and other misc. situations) Tanquerey. Tonic Water. Ice. Limes. Cash. Birkenstocks. Chair. Lighter. The entire Mardis Gras Bead Collection. Can of "TAB". Misc accessories....

Once a year on my clothesline...

 

A Legend.............

When I first moved here the porch ceiling was all rotted out and had a big hole in it. I had to keep the door shut cause I didn't want to look at it. I was going for a “Polynesian” feel, and with the lightly stained wood and the white ceiling fan, I think we got it. (Many thanks to Dave for all the help, or it wouldn't have ever happened.)

Over the years it has become more than I ever thought it could have been. Me and my son sit out here and watch the thunderstorms, "watch the world go by", play with toys, watch the birds. People have passed out here, spilled nachos here, played their guitars here, grilled out here, gotten away from their wives/girlfriends here, tried to build fires here, sat out in the cold and the rain here,sat and watched so many lightning bugs they got dizzy here, and just gotten down right silly here. Mostly though it's just a good place to just hang out and "be".

The best times have always been when people just stop by out of the blue. It is the most laid back, unpretentious, relaxed place in the world to me. It's a small group, the porch goers, but we manage to get by. Gets spooky at night with the fog and the coyotes sometimes, especially with some old unknown acoustic John Lee Hooker song playing, or Doug McClouds, "Devil been beating his wife." I have always said I would like a bumper sticker that said, "I'd rather be on my porch". Oh, and the music, well, those of you that know, know, and those of you that don't, well you should...

One night late (go figure) me and my neighbor saw a coon come up while Pink Floyd was playing. I said, "So what's his name Christian, Pink or Floyd?" He said, "Floyd man, Floyd the raccoon" He came around a lot. He would hang on the tree while I threw soccer balls at him. I miss Floyd, but you know, there has been something digging around in the trash barrel lately, hum, maybe it's Floyd's cousin, and there you go, in a nut shell, you've got it , "The Porch", not just a place, but a relaxed state of mind.............

Stare at it for 20 sceonds, then stare at something else.

clipped from www.michaelbach.de

PC World - The 100 Best Products of 2007

PC World - The 100 Best Products of 2007

PC World - 14 Great Multimedia Utilities

PC World - 14 Great Multimedia Utilities

Tab............

This guy is the real deal. I've seen my fair share of good guitar players live (Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, SRV, The Edge) and this guy is right up there with them all. Check it out

The Man

"One good thing about music, when it hit's you feel no pain" "The good times of today are the sad thoughts of tomorrow" "You aint gonna miss your water till the well runs dry" "Everyday the bucket goes to the well, one day the bottom will fall out" "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind" "If you get down and you quarell everyday, your singing praise to the devil I say" "I don't stand for the black man's side, I don't stand for the white man's side, I stand for God's side". Joe, this one was for you buddy.

GOOD SUMMERTIME RECIPES

Appetizer

Fire Roasted Corn Salsa

2 good size ears of yellow corn

1 large red onion

2 medium tomatoes

4 jalapeño peppers

3 serano peppers

½ Bunch of cilantro

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

½ tablespoon of garlic salt

½ tablespoon of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 tablespoon of cayenne pepper (optional) Remove husk from corn and place directly on grill. During winter or bad weather, the coils of an electric stove will work just fine. Grill corn till are sides are darkened but not black. Remove corn from grill and let cool. While corn is cooling, finely chop: red onion, tomatoes, peppers, and place in plastic mixing bowl. When corn has cooled, cut kernels off of cob and add to mixing bowl. Chop cilantro and add to top of chopped vegetables and peppers. Add lemon and lime juices, garlic salt, black and cayenne peppers. Mix well, place lid on bowl and refrigerate several hours. Mix well before serving. Serve with tortilla chips.

Makes approximately 8 – 10 servings.

I watched Emeril make this on his show and adapted his food network recipe to fit my taste. The corn is the most important ingredient as it gives the salsa sweetness there wouldn’t be otherwise. Feel free to add different ingredients or leave out what you don’t like. When done right there should be a variety of flavors taking place at different times.

Andrews Guacamole

1 large red onion

2 medium tomatoes

2 Jalapeño peppers

2 Serrano peppers

½ Bunch of cilantro

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

½ tablespoon of garlic salt

½ tablespoon of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 tablespoon of cayenne pepper (optional)

3 good sized avocadoes

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. mayonnaise

1 tsp. hot sauce

Finely chop: red onion, tomatoes, peppers, and place in a plastic mixing bowl. Chop cilantro and add to top of the chopped vegetables and peppers. Add lemon and lime juices, garlic salt, black and cayenne peppers on top of the chopped cilantro, mix well. In a separate plastic bowl, peel, deseed and mash the avocadoes. Thoroughly fold in mayonnaise, hot sauce and Worcestershire Sauce to the mashed avocadoes. Thoroughly mix the vegetable and pepper mixture with the avocado mixture. Place plastic wrap on top of the guacamole mixture and push down to form an air tight seal. Place lid on the plastic bowl and refrigerate for several hours. Mix well before serving. Serve with tortilla chips.

dtoy_vs_byokal

Cool site for playing around with kaleidoscopic images. dtoy_vs_byokal

PC World - 35 Things Every PC User Should Know

PC World - 35 Things Every PC User Should Know