March Money Madness

Before we get into this week's post, let me address last week's.  The rocking did not happen.  My lungs would not permit it.  But, on the up side, the rest has done me some good.  My cough is about gone & my voice is almost back to normal.  So, by next week, I should be able to get back behind the kit & make some noise.  We're shooting for late April to try the recording thing again.  I'll let ya know how that goes, when it finally does.

Now, back to the topic at hand.  This past month has been a good one, financially speaking.  We've had some pretty good things happen for us.  I got a raise.  Liz got a raise.  We filed our taxes, & we both are getting returns.  This couldn't come to us at a better time.  We've decided that we'd like to buy a house.  We're hoping to be able to take advantage of the down market.  Our credit is good, & our debt is under control.  Right now, we're trying to see how much of a loan we can pre-qualify for.  After that, it's diving head first into the housing market.  Wish us luck, & if any of you home owner friends have any advice, we're listening.  Thanx!

BTW, my bracket sucks, so don't even bother asking.

The Time To Rock Is Nigh!

I'm still getting over my cold.  I'm coughing so violently, that I sometimes throw-up.  Also, that combination, has also destroyed my throat & voice.  I hate going to the doctor, but I hate this cough even more.  I may hafta break-down & go.  Especially, since I have pretty big plans next weekend.

Like my profile says, I play drums in a band.  That band would be Two Left Over (I've got a link to our MySpace page, if ya'd like to check us out).  And next weekend, we're heading back into the studio to do some recording.  We do this, mainly for ourselves.  To make a permanent record of our creative process.  Not really to sell them.  Because, honestly, who's gonna pay us for them?

I'm gonna take this opportunity to talk about the band.  We've been together now for about 5 or 6 years (I think, I can't quite remember).  It's myself on drums & backing voclas, Brian Tiller on guitar & lead vocals, & John Torres on bass.  It started out as just Brian & I.  We were originally in another band, called Overview.  It started as a 4-piece, became a trio, & eventually just the two of us.  Hence the name, Two Left Over. John came along about year after Brian & I decided to keep making music as a duo.  We played one show that way, before John rounded out our sound.  I describe our music as Alternative Rock/Pop.  Our influences include Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, The Beatles, to name just a few.  We've played a few shows, but grew tired of trying to make that work.  None of us like to do bookings & none of us like to promote.  So, our show's attendance reflected all of that.  But, the lack of live shows have had an adverse affect on the band, in my eyes.  It's grown stale.  It's no longer as much fun as it used to be for me.  It's no longer something I always look forward to doing.  I'm hoping the recording session will reinvigorate my love for this thing I helped create.

So, with all that said, I'll let ya know how it went.  And when it's all done, I'll point ya in the right direction to hear it yourself.  Until then, I hope ya head over to our MySpace page, & let me know what ya think.

Best Part Of St. Patty's Day!

I feel like crap today.  Caught some kind of chest cold.  My head hurts.  My throat hurts.  My chest hurts.  I'm ready to take some Ny-Quil & pass out for the night.  But, before I do that, I wanna talk about something that makes me feel good.

I've never been one to really take part in what I call "The Excuse To Drink On A Weeknight Holidays."  Cinco De Mayo & St. Patrick's Day, are always filled with people who feel like it's not celebrated properly until they're puking their guts out, passing-out somewhere they may or may not be familiar with, then having some douche-bag, who calls themselves "your friend," write all over their face with a Sharpie.  No thanks, I'll pass.

With all that said, St. Patty's Day does hold a special place in my heart.  I am of Irish descent, so it's a day I can celebrate that.  It's also my Mother-In-Law's birthday.  But, most importantly, it's the one time of year that I get to enjoy one of my favortie treats.  Shamrock shakes!  Green, minty goodness, from McDonald's.  SInce I was kid, they have been something I've always looked forward to. I even loved the ad campaign that they had back then.  Grimace was my favorite friend of Ronald.  Or at least he was tied with The Hamburglar for that top spot.  But, what made the commercials great was the appearance of Uncle O'Grimacey.  A green Grimace!  How awesome is that!?!  I'll tell ya how awesome, really freakin' awesome!  This past Friday, I made my first McDonald's trip in maybe close to year, and treat myself to something my makes me feel like a kid all over again.  Mmmmmmm....  Shamrock shake.....

Not Quite The Happiest Place On Earth, But Right Next Door

What do ya know?  It's the weekend, & I'm actually making a full-blown post.  Who knew it was still possible?

Last month, Liz & I went to Disneyland.  One of the perks of being a Southern California resident, are the special deals you're offered.  The past couple of years they've done 2fer specials.  Buy admission to one park, you get to go to the other park for free, within the next 30 days.  In my opinion, this is only way that the admission price for visiting California Adventure is worth it.

If you've never been, I'll summarize the park for ya.  It's about half the size of Disneyland.  Which means, only half the attractions.  But yet, the price of admission, is equal to the main park.  How the hell does that make sense?  There are some fun things to do there though.  In the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, "The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror" is freakin' awesome.  Something to look for, once you enter the basement portion of the line.  If you get to go through the upstairs portion of the line, look for a chalk outline drawn on the wall.  This is from "The Twilight Zone" episode "Little Girl Lost."  If you touch the wall, you can hear the girl crying & asking for help.  Also, in the lobby of the hotel, sitting on one of the couches, is a doll.  This is none other than Tina, from one of my favorite episodes, "Talking Tina."  Creepy stuff.  If ya need to get off yout feet for awhile, "Muppet Vision 3-D" is a lot of fun. Over in the Paradise Pier section, "California Screamin'" is a fun little roller coaster.  And "Soarin' Over California", in Condor Flats, is a wild experience.  Other than that, the only other thing that it has going for it is, you can buy beer, wine & other adult beverages, in the park.  Disneyland can't say that.  But, what it can say, is that it gives you your money's worth.  California Adventure, definitely cannot say that.  You can do the entire park in about half a day, & not really skip a whole lot.

If you've never been to California Adventure, it is worth a visit.  But, if you're not from So Cal, & you've only got one day, here's what I'd recommend.  Spend the extra $20, & get a Park-Hopper pass.  You can do all the good parts of California Adventure, & still have plenty of time to enjoy the main event, Disneyland.  Hope this helps.  See ya next week.

Book Review - "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin

Let me start this book review by saying, there is no way I can objectively review this book.  For those of you who know me well, know that Steve Martin is my Gawd.  I worship at his altar, & (sometimes reluctantly) support all that he does.  I own all 4 of his stand-up albums, on vinyl.  That includes the very hard to find "The Steve Martin Brothers."  One side being stand-up, the other being orignal songs he wrote, featuring him on the banjo.  I own, & have read all his books. "Cruel Shoes" still being one of my favorite comedy reads. Since "The Three Amigos," I have seen all but two of his movies in the theatre.  The first one being "Novocain." This is mostly because it was an independent & by the time I was able to get out to Pasadena to see it, it was no longer showing.  The other being "Cheaper By The Dozen 2," & I don't think anyone can blame me for that.  But, it is in my NetFlix queue.  And yes, I plan on seeing "The Pink Panther 2," so don't even bother asking.

If you find me to be a funny guy, you can thank the almighty Steve for that.  I discovered him in Junior High, by watching SNL reruns that were aired late night, by a local channel.  My best friend at the time (the one & only, Mr. Dave Crow), would tape these episodes on this contraption called a VCR.  Wathcing them over & over, we would memorize the sketches.  Later, to act them out for our other friends.  Steve Martin, with his unique style of comedy, stood out to us as genius.  We scoured thrift stores, looking for his albums, as that's the only way we knew how to find them at the time.  We mimicked his style, his timing & his movements.  We didn't always understood the jokes (some I literally did not get until I was in college), but we knew they were funny.  Eventually, all that worked its way into our own humor & mannerisms.  Steve made me funny.  And I thank him for that.

But, since this is supposed to be a book review, I'll touch on some of the basics.  He was born Stephen Glenn Martin in Waco, Texas, in on August 14, 1945.  His family moved to California when he was five, eventually settling in Garden Grove.  He started working at Disneyland, shortly after it opened, at the age of 10, selling guidebooks.  They went for 25 cents, which he earned 2 cents for every one sold.  Here, he got his first taste of performance comedy, by watching the vaudeville acts performed at the Golden Horseshoe.  While working there, he also learned rope tricks, & magic.  In his teenage years, he worked at the Magic Shop, in the Magic Kingdom.  Many of the things he learned, he later used for many years in his stand-up act.  Later, his career would take him a few a miles down the road to Knott's Berry Farm.  He performed at the Bird Cage Theatre, in a variety of different acts.  Permorming magic, short skits, & songs.  His first writing credits came from television. Most notably "The Smothers Brother Comedy Hour," & "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour."  This is also the time, that he would start performing outside of theme parks, trying to discover what kind of act he was. He built his act, & his name, by numerous television appearances on shows like "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson," & hosting "Saturday Night Live." But mostly, his name was made by being a road dog.  As his name grew, so did the crowds.  Eventually playing to rooms seating numbers that no other comic has ever matched.  The constant pressure of performing & traveling, eventually took its toll.  In the early 80s, he walked away from stand-up & never looked back, to concentrate on his new venture, acting.  In fact, the first time he even looked through his props & notes from that time, was when he needed to start researching to write this book. Though after doing so, he found a fondness for his past, that he didn't think he had.

How would I rate this book?  How else would I rate it!?!  This is a must read, must own, must buy for everyone that you know.  Believe it or not, I actually found a new appreciation for Steve after reading his biography.  Deeper & more intelligent than I ever knew.  This is someone I feel proud to call an personal icon.

Well, That Didn't Take Long

After all the hype of last week's filler post, of fulfilling my promise to myself. What happens the very next week? I miss my self-imposed deadline. No excuses, though some could be made. I screwed up. And, if ya notice the posting time of this one, you'll see I'm doing it at work. Which means, this is just another filler. Hopefully, I'll get a full post up tonight. See ya then.

Cleveland (On The) Rocks!

Cleveland was so cold... (This is your part) "How cold was it?" Cleveland was so cold, that it made me say, "Gawddamn it! It's really fucking cold in Cleveland!!" I know that wasn't funny, but neither is a high of 25ºF. That was on Friday when we arrived. By Sunday it had really warmed up... to 35ºF. Those aren't "High" temperatures. Those are "Just Not As Cold As It's Gonna Be Later" temperatures. Okay, that's enough about the weather. It was cold. You got it. I'm glad to be back in shorts. Let's move on.

The reason for the trip was to attend the wedding of Liz's cousin Jimmy. I've now met this portion of Liz's family twice. They're really nice people, & again I am grateful that I get along with her family so well. We took a red-eye flight on Thursday night, & arrived in "The Sixth City" at 6:50am, local time. So, after sleeping maybe 2 hours on the plane, we did exactly what anybody would want to do. That's right, we went to breakfast. Sleep would hafta wait. We met Liz's grandpa, & a couple of his friends, at a local chain restaurant called "Friendly's." Not great food, but I've had worse. Actually, the home fries were quite tasty. Finally, off to the hotel, couple more hours of sleep, & the weekend's events would really begin.

First stop, bowling with Grandpa Dietz. Like a lot of Mid-Westerners, he's an avid bowler & competes in two different leagues. Now, I did not have one of my best days bowling. But neither did he, & he still beat us all in both games. This guy, has bowled a perfect "300" game, & I was glad that he did not drop one of those on me. That night, was the rehearsal dinner, which was at "The Great Lakes Brewing Co." Great beer! I had the "Eliot Ness Amber Lager" & "Edmund Fitzgerald Porter." The porter had this amazing smoky aftertaste. It was almost like having a cigar with this beer. If ya ever get to Cleveland, I definitely recommend checking them out.

Saturday was wedding day. But before that, I got to experience another local favorite, "Skyline Chili." Now, this isn't Southwest style chili. It has it's own flavor, & it's served over spaghetti. I love this stuff! Good, good eats. The wedding, was... Well, it was a wedding. Nothing you haven't been to before. The only thing I will say about it is this. They had the WORST DJ I've ever heard. He played awful mixes of music, never able to keep people on the dance floor for more than a couple of songs. That is , when he could actually get people to get out there & actually dance. Now my wife loves to dance, but I don't think you could have paid her to get out there to shake her thing. But with that said, the service was very nice & Liz's other cousin Rich, gave a great best man's speech. I wish nothing but luck & love to Jimmy & his new wife (and my new cousin) Beth. Congratulations, again, to you both.

Out final day, Sunday, was the day that I was waiting for. I got to visit "The Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame & Museum"! I've wanted to visit this place since it was opened in 1995. I wasn't gonna miss my chance. This is where I would have liked to share some pictures of what I saw. But, unfortunately, not all the artists that consented to have their submissions photographed. So, photography is completely prohibited in The Hall. You'll just hafta enjoy this shot I took of the outside of the building & believe me when I say, that I saw some amazing history. A great Beach Boys exhibit. A behind-the-scenes look at The Beatles' movie "Help!" ZZ Top's Eliminator coupe. Plus, many other fascinating displays of costumes, set pieces & memorabilia. I can't wait to go back. New things are always added, & there are special exhibits that come in regularly. But, I think the next time we head to Cleveland, I'm gonna try a wrangle a field-trip to Canton, to visit the "NFL Hall Of Fame." I'll let ya know how that works out.

That pretty much sums it up. A fun trip, when all was said and done. Cleveland definitely had a feel to it that I've never experienced before, & don't really know how to describe it. It didn't feel like any big city I've been to before. Maybe, that's the Mid-West locale of it coming through it. But, I'm sure I'll be back & maybe I'll be able to get a better feel for it then. I'll let ya know when I do.

Just Because I Said I Would

I don't really have a full blog to post right now, because I'm on the road. Cleveland, to be exact. But, because I want to blog about my trip, I can't do that until it's over. I gotta download pictures, digest all that's gone on, not to mention the Mid-West cooking I've taken in. But, when I started this whole thing, I said I would blog every weekend. So, this fills that quotient. The full blog, will hopefully happen tomorrow, maybe Tuesday. So, check back then & read about my very cold adventure! Thanx.

Book Review - "Big Bosoms And Square Jaws: The Biography Of Russ Meyer, King Of The Sex Film" by Jimmy McDonough

This will be the first time I attempt to write a review of anything.  Hopefully, it won't be my last.  So, please bear with me as I stumble through this first attempt.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  So, here we go...

Do you like porn?  Of course you do.  Who doesn't?  Well, one person didn't.  Russ Meyer.  He saw it unexciting, flat (as a lot of the girls were, in his opinion), & just not sexy.  All ya needed was a willing female, a hotel room & a camera.  No art whatsoever.  But, for someone who didn't care for the stuff, few people did more to help bring it to the mainstream.

Born Russell Albion Meyer, on March 21, 1922 in San Leandro CA.  He got his first camera at age 14, when his Mother pawned her wedding ring to get the money.  His mother started a career, that she would never support.  Often referring to the well-endowed starlets he would bring around as "cows."  But in the end, Russ was a momma's boy, carrying a picture of her, with him throughout his life.  He also had a half-sister, that suffered from mental illness, that he would care until she passed.  He served in World War II in the 166th Photo Corps, documenting the action.  Some of his footage can even be in the 1971 movie "Patton."  After the war, he took a job making industrial films.  These later two positions, are what most people credit for his gonzo, yet efficient, style filmmaking.  Also, the connections that he made with his comrades in the 166th, would last for the rest of his life.  He would make sure of that.  Many of them would work as crew members on his fims, & even some of them would appear before the camera.

He would make a total of 25 films between the years 1952-2001.  Ironically, his most well known film "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!", was actually one of his biggest flops at the time of its release.  He fought the MPAA over ratings his films received, & won many of his lawsuits.  Perhaps even blazing the trail for such people as Larry Flynt, to do the same.  But, in the end, he didn't really care what rating his films got.  What went up on that screen was him, through & through.  And, no one was going to quantify it.  His fingerprints were all over every facet of his films.  He ran his sets like military camps, & he was the general.  He would go so far, as to prohibit any copulations between cast & crew.  He wanted them to save all their vital juices for the scenes.  The all-or-nothing devotion he required from those he worked with would have one of two consequences.  A life-long loyal friend, or bitter enemy to the end, if he ever felt you had somehow done him, or his pictures, wrong.

Later in his life, RM would succumb to dementia brought on by Alzheimer's disease.  During this time, his business, & personal, affairs would be taken over by his personal assistant.  Some, would even say, they wrenched away from a man who could no longer see the wolf in sheep's clothing.  Slowly, she would shelter him away, cutting off all contact to him from the outside world.  Some of his closest friends did not see him for years.  Russ Meyer died September 18, 2004, from Pneumonia.

The book itself, is a par for the course biography.  It's not gonna sell anyone who wasn't already interested in this man's life.  The narration is at times too disconnected, & at others, far too biased for someone this man obviously revered.  Parts delve too far into the minutia of behind the scenes affairs.  By the third film, you knew what kind of set he ran, there was no need to go into it again for his 15th.  But, in the end I did find the book enjoyable & informative.  Maybe, just a tad overly long winded.  But, if ya really like long winded ramblings, I suggest you pick up Russ Meyer's own 3 volume(!) autobiography "A Clean Breast."  It'll only run ya about $200 at Amazon.  Or save yourself some time (and some sanity) & pick up this one, to learn more about one of films most fascinating & singular talents.  Go, Russ Go!

The Land That Is Disney

What is it about a place, that at 37 years old, I still get excited when I have a chance to go?  After all these years, countless visits, Disneyland remains one of my favorite destinations.  Yesterday made my umpeteenth visit, on a very busy Saturday, with people I hardly knew.  They were unorganized in their attack of the park, but instead set upon it like rabid... well, what they were, tourists.  We crossed the park multiple times, going from a ride in Adventureland, to Tomorrowland, back again to Frontierland.  And, anyone who knows the layout of the park knows, that's a whole lot of walking.  No quarter was given, meals were few far between.  But, they got in the experience they wanted, I snuck in a few things I enjoy as well.  With very tired sore feet, little food in my belly, sitting in my car, glad to be away from the crowds, I have to admit to myself that I still had a good time.

Even working at Disneyland for 9 whole days back in the late 80s, at one the worst attractions you can find there, failed to sour my affection for "The Happiest Place On Earth."  If you're scratching your head as to what I could be talking about, I'll just save you a headache & tell ya.  I, Paul, wore a gold peasant shirt, tasseled faux-suede pants, moccasin slippers raccoon-skin headband.  Not a raccoon-skin hat.  A raccoon-skin HEADBAND!  Just a strip of fur, wrapped around my head, with a tail in the back.  Wear said clothing, I rowed canoes around Tom Sawyer Island (now re-named "Pirate's Lair" to tie in with the POTC movies & becasue nobody reads anymore & has no idea who Tom Sawyer is.)  After 2 days of that, & discovering the whole "Happiest Place" thing doesn't translate to my fellow employees, I had had enough.  Quit the next day.  According to them, because I left without notice, I can never be employed by them again.  So, even though I can't accept their money, I still willingly give them mine.

Lets finish this thing up with a few things I have learned from my many visits, & my, albeit brief, employment.

• You can find a silhouette of Mickey just about everywhere you look.  Even on the rides.  For example, on Pirates of the Caribbean.  As you pass through the battle between the fort & ship, look at the blast whole on the fort wall.
• The Matterhorn has two tracks.  One of the Fantasyland side of the mountain & one on the Tomorrowland side.  Take the Tomorrowland side.  Its faster & has more turns & dips.
• Tuesdays & Wednesdays are the best days to visit.  When were there for the above picture, after our wedding, the longest line was 25 minutes.  And I don't even think it took that long.
• And finally, there are no longer any make-out rides at Disneyland.  The People-Mover & Voyage to the Center of the Universe are a distant memory.  Once they were taken out for Rocket Rods (defunct) & Star Tours, respectively, kids were forced to find any dark corner or try to get an empty car/boat on Snow White or Peter Pan.  But, then you risk taunting jeers by smaller kids, or reprimands from their parents.

It's Just Me

Well, here we go.  This is the first in what I hope to be, a weekly blog.  But why, you may be asking yourself, am I doing this?  Which is a silly question to ask yourself.  You really should be asking me that.  Because I'm pretty sure, you have no idea why I'm doing this.  Join the club.

Since it's a little late for this to be a new year's resolution, that's not it.  Not to mention that I don't make those things to begin with.  If it's not something you can do on say, February 3, it's not gonna be something you're gonna be able stick with just because it's First of January.  But that whole new year's resolution crock will be another post.

Is it because I feel I have something important to say?  Not really.  I'll mostly just be talking about whatever crosses my mind.  Maybe it'll be a synopsis of my past week.  Or, a quick review of movie I saw, or a book I just finished.  Or, more than likely, just a bunch of blithering idiocy issuing from my pie-hole.

Really, if were to be honest (which I hope to always be here), it's just a way for me to express myself.  Let those who are close to me, in a little bit closer.  And, to introduce myself to those who are curious to what I might have to say.

So, there ya have it.  Another blog with no real reason for it's existence other than that I want it to.  And, when it comes down to it, that's the only reason that matters.  See ya next week!