Author: Brent Evans

morning babble / Friday 03-03-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Unbeknownst to me, my son’s pet bird delivered something to my shirt this morning. Isn’t that supposed to be good luck or something?

Anyway, Happy Weekend! . . . we got De La Soul music streaming for the 1st time on all platforms. I’m going to be enjoying some of that magical hip-hop sound today. (clip)

Also, big touring announcement via the Foo Fighters as they have made good on their promise to return “soon” to the stage despite the recent loss of drummer, Taylor Hawkins, who died last year. The announcement lists their first headlining concerts of 2023 and these shows are taking place in May and June. We still don’t know yet who will be behind the drum kit for the band at these shows.

Personal news – I finished my 1st Draft of my book – Confessions of a Workaholic. Initial plan was to get my man, Cecil, the draft today, but I’ll be dropping it off this weekend. Ironically enough, I have some work to attend to before I can get that done.

(loverboy clip)

I promise not to do that again.

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• The latest single from Metallica’s upcoming album, 72 Seasons, has been released. It’s nearly a seven-minute journey called “If Darkness Had a Son” and there’s a video. (clip) We’re getting some good stuff from Metallica. Full album drop occurs on April 14th. Their tour dates kick off in Europe that same month, before a bunch of North American shows later in the year.

• More new music was released from boygenius – it’s the fourth track taken from the group’s highly anticipated album, the record – the song is called “Not Strong Enough” (clip) I have no idea why I’m enjoying this music so much. That probably sounds bad but I just know it’s not meant for some 50-year-old dude. They would probably be creeped out. I could never be at their shows unless I got my daughter into them. But then, could you imagine me in the front row – Phoebe! Anyway – I think it’s just an appreciation of their music. Something magical is happening with them as a group and I can hear that. the record will be released in its entirety later this month on the 31st

• (clip) I’d say that I missed this one. The Dave Matthews Band came out with a new song “Madman’s Eyes” (clip) Was it last Friday, February 24th? Nope – it was all the way back on January 24th. I try. I really do. I’ve like these guys since they did the antique version of The Stone Balloon on the stomping grounds of my U of D days in Newark, D-where. I think they were there in 92 or 93. Could I go when they came there – nope – I was too young, but I knew about them. I believe Hootie came with them. Or – maybe I’m just making that part up. They were at the Balloon though and it was prior to their debut album in 1994. I’ve always enjoyed the Dave Matthews Band – for me, Dave sounds a lot like Peter Gabriel and he’s weird like him too. Again, enjoyable. their 10th studio album with a dozen new songs Walk Around the Moon will fully drop on May 19th. (clip)

• Other new music – Big Thief Debuted their New Song “Vampire Empire” the other night on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert / Nicki Minaj singing about “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” / Lastly, country stud Morgan Wallen unleashed his massive, 36-track third studio album – that’s nearly 2 hours, One Thing at a Time. I mean track #1 is called “Born With a Beer in My Hand.” I might be double fisting by the time I wrap up that album.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pitchfork & I know there’s more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WIFE – she turns 40 this weekend!

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Life is funny. If you don’t laugh, you’re in trouble.” – by Taylor Hawkins

morning babble / Monday 02-27-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

So, it’s baseball season and I’m excited for the Phillies again this year. (clip) But – it’s also baseball season for my son. We went to the field yesterday. And I can feel it today. I actually have an appointment today for a consultation about my shoulder. I also have an eye doctor’s appointment. Tuning myself up!

One month away from being 50! Less than a week away from my wife turning 40! March is a big “age fulfilling” month for the two of us. Are we going to do something special? (clip) We’re working on something (clip) I just don’t want to jinx anything yet until all of our ducks are in a row.

Where did that comment come from? “Ducks in a row” comes from ship building. A duck is a device that holds the keel in place while building a ship. The first step in building a ship is to get the ducks in straight row thus ensuring a straight keel. Today, they use lasers to ensure the ducks are in a straight row. The phrase goes back to wooden sailing ships.

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

Accomplishments –

I wrote for 10 hours this past week

Week ahead –

Finish that 1st Draft of the Book!!

Ooooo – here’s a question . . . when you receive birthday presents early do you open them?

(clip)

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – by Theodore Roosevelt

morning babble / Friday 02-24-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Weekend! You know a couple weekends ago – Super Bowl weekend – I cried a lot at the end of that one. ANYWAY! That Saturday night, my wife and I were given free concert tickets to catch Fitz and the Tantrums in Philly. (pix) Initially, we were more excited about the dinner we were now going to be having together and . . . then a show. BUT – that was a great show. AND – I didn’t realize how many good songs they have. Amazing amount and all upbeat and just – happy. I like that. Definitely give them another listen especially if you like that Dance-Funk sound – they got it. / I put them on my new music playlist – their latest album came out last November and a couple weeks ago, the song that was being pushed off that album was “Moneymaker”.

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• The National have shared another new song from their upcoming album First Two Pages of Frankenstein. This song is called “New Order T-Shirt.” (clip) Now, to go along with the song’s release, the National have partnered with New Order for a limited-edition T-shirt drop. (clip) (click here to see). Don’t worry – there’s a back. (clip). I really love the sound of The National or whatever lead singer Matt Berninger wants to add his voice too, but I was hoping for a little bit more with the shirt. (clip) Oooo – that looks good. Again, today we get another new song “New Order T-shirt” from First Two Pages of Frankenstein – full album drop is on Friday, April 28th

• New, but sorta old, Halsey. Today, we get the unreleased solo version of her Post Malone collaboration, “Die for Me,” (clip) Angry Halsey, too. Her fans asked for it – they apparently knew it was out there and Halsey responded. What was that lyric “I don’t play anymore, I went through your phone and called the girls in your DMs and took all them home.” Could you write that down – don’t make Halsey angry.

• (Clip) That’s the song “Soul on Fire” which is off the new record that dropped today from Godsmack called: Lighting Up the Sky. It is their eighth studio album but apparently their final one, too. Lead singer Sully Erna has confirmed this. BUT – he then went on to state that the band will not be retiring from performing or touring after this album. AND THEN – later clarified that it would be the band’s last “unless we just decide one day, ‘Yeah, one more for the road.’ I don’t know – For the time being, I say enjoy Lighting Up the Sky and then let’s be patient.

• Other new music – quick hits – Death Cab for Cutie gave us another acoustic song from their upcoming acoustic album due out March 10th / Gorillaz – full album drop today – Cracker Island is out / and lastly a new song from the Jonas Brothers called “Wings”

They’re talented fellas . . . just not my cup of tea. Go get your Jonas Bro on.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pitchfork & I know there’s more.

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I’m halfway talented but I just have a great work ethic more than anything.” – by Michael FITZ Fitzpatrick of FITZ and the Tantrums

morning babble / Monday 02-20-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Ahhhh Monday and a holiday one for a lot of you. Happy President’s Day – a topic that we just can’t talk about it. Don’t worry – That’s all I’m doing with politics today. Although, I am wishing the best for former President Jimmy Carter and his family. Difficult times but it sounds like they are all trying to “Enjoy the Now.”

brentevans.net

Speaking of “Enjoy the Now,” I threw out some coffee this past weekend that I didn’t like. / Also made a reminder note for myself to take some “bad” beer that I didn’t like to work – added it to the community fridge. Life is too short to push through some things that you just don’t find tasty.

Speaking of tasty, I got my smoker put together and yesterday, I pre-seasoned it for 3 hours. So, I’m ready to throw some meat into the smoker today.

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

It’s Monday – talk about setting up goals and then knocking them down

Accomplishments –

I was successful with my timing block goals again this weekend. No set times on when to do these blocks. Just set times on the actual blocks themselves. Each block for me was 30 minutes. I wanted to do 10 blocks of writing – that’s 5 hours total. 

Book update / Very excited with how it’s coming along. 21 chapters – Well on my way to 30,000 total words.

Week ahead –

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – by Kevin Kelly

morning babble / Friday 02-17-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Fridays mean music to me anymore. I’ve been doing this “New Music Friday” for over two years now and I honestly look forward to all the new stuff to listen to.

Another musical direction that I love venturing down the road of is vinyl. This year’s Record Store Day is April 22nd and the specialty day releases have been announced. Top one goes to the Taylor Swift exclusive RSD vinyl live recordings from her Disney+ special Folklore: Longpond Studio Sessions. I looked over the list and saw Billy Joel, Metallica, Jason Isbell, but there was one that slipped by me and that was Poe (clip). Watching that video from Too Many Records brought to my attention the 1995 debut Poe album – Hello – would be available. On the wish list . . . along with the Taylor Swift one.

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, a new R-rated horror flick that turns Pooh Bear into a serial killer. Debuting in US theaters today, the film follows a college-age Christopher Robin, who returns home to find that his merry pals have gone mad in his absence. copyright protections on content introduced then are set to expire 95 years later…or right about now. The filmmaker behind Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, Rhys Frake-Waterfield, also has two other movies planned based on characters that are entering the public domain: Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare and (swallow your coffee before reading this next one) Bambi: The Reckoning.

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• Lana Del Rey has shared the second single from her forthcoming album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. She co-wrote and co-produced the new song, “A&W,” with frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff. (clip) And to think I thought that a song called “A&W” would be about Root Beer. Anyway – full album drop next month – 3/24 (clip)

• Nine years later after his 1st album, Skrillex today delivers his sophomore album called: Quest for Fire. We’ve already received a couple singles from this album already. Today’s push is with the one featuring Missy Elliott (clip) RATATA. 15 songs in a second under 45 minutes – the 2nd album from Skrillex Quest for Fire

• Planet Giza (gee zuh) and Saba have joined forces for a new single (what you doing) “WYD” (clip). I just began digging into Saba and now with this collaboration with Planet Giza – I’m looking forward to hearing more Planet Giza.

• Pink delivers her 9th album in its entirety today called Trustfall. We already got the one dancing single ” Never Gonna Not Dance Again.” Big 70s sound that even though I’m sort of terrified of the genre . . . Pink does it right. However, besides the dancing songs, she’s apparently going to make you cry on this album, too. (clip) That’s track #1 and it’s called “When I Get There” That has Pink looking to the heavens and asking her late father, “Is there a bar up there where you’ve got a favorite chair?” 13 songs – there’s some other dance ones on there – oh and a duet with Chris Stapleton.

• Other new music out today: Madison Cunningham with Remi Wolf / Janelle Monae / and Nessa Barrett (clip) That last video . . . gets very revealing.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pitchfork & I know there’s more.

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Obstacles are an opportunity to create something new” – by Skrillex

morning babble / Monday 02-13-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Ouch – I just wanted to sleep it all away today. Yes, my Eagles lost the big one, but it was a wonderful year and I’ll know that they’ll be back. I’ll be cheering them on again next year.

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

Accomplishments –

I was sick this past week – I don’t like giving in to that. Someone asks how I’m doing “ I’m fine.” I want to push through it. BUT – if I ever say, I’m not doing well. Please listen to me.

Didn’t do the newsletter stuff – unfortunately that’s a bunch of research on setting things up properly. The newsletter writings is

Week ahead –

5 hours of writing – that’s my overall goal

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“If you don’t have dreams, you don’t have a life.” – by Bryce Harper

morning babble / Friday 02-10-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Friday / Super Bowl Weekend is upon us too!

This was one of my toughest 3-Day Fasts in a long time, because I wasn’t feeling too well. Nothing extreme, but definitely not 100%. Each day, there were definitely moments in time where I seriously contemplated bailing on the fast. I’ve had these moments before with past fasts, but not on each day and not so often on each day. I did it though – enjoyed a breakfast dinner at the end of it all. Since pancakes were involved with syrup, that’s sort of like a dessert breakfast too. I had bacon!

After a 3-Day Fast, I’m not a big fan of my coffee being black. That’s how I normally drink it – all the time. That’s how I can get the true taste of the coffee bean or flavor that’s within it. But – after a fast, no desire. I add sugar and cream. The feeling will go away in a day or so, but I do find it interesting.

Speaking of coffee, you can go to Starbucks and order a “Lavendar Haze” from the secret menu – it was created by a Swiftie. “Lavender Haze” is a single from last October’s album – Midnights. but this past week, Miss Taylor Swift released the video for this song (clip). If you want to order that as well, visit my website and it’s there. By the way, Taylor’s own go-to drink, which is known as “Taylor’s Version.” It’s a grande nonfat caramel latte.

How to order a “Lavendar Haze” (the recip) – To try one for yourself, all you have to do is order a venti passion fruit tea with soy milk and six pumps of vanilla for a sweet, fruity, creamy tea. If you want to kick it up a notch, you can also add berries or strawberries.

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• Beck’s most recent album was his 14th called ‘Hyperspace’ and that came out 4 years ago this month (2019). Since then, he’s done a couple songs with the cartoon band – The Gorillaz and some cover songs. One was Paul McCarney’s “Find My Way.” The other was last year when Beck shared a cover Neil Young’s ‘Old Man’ for a Sunday Night Football commercial, which apparently made Mr. Young, a Grumpy Old Man. (clip) Today, we do get another from the 8-time Grammy winner (1/3 of Beyonce). Today, we get the song “Thinking about You” which is an acoustic ballad with him crooning about an absent loved one (clip). Chilled-out Beck along the lines of Morning Phase / not Odelay and that’s okay. Both Beck styles – I love.

• There was another full moon this past Sunday which meant another new song from Peter Gabriel as he slowly releases out his album, i/o. The song to drop . . . well again last Sunday when the full moon was here . . . is called “The Court”. (clip) He says, “I’m an old drummer; I still love to find a groove.” I believe he did. I’m really intrigued with how he is building towards the full release of this album with a new song for every new full moon – along the lines of what Weezer did last year with an album for every Season. I’m also fascinated with the details Gabriel goes into with his interviews with the music. (clip) Mr. Peter Gabriel – making me look forward to that next full moon, when we get another song.

• Since lead singer Chester Bennington’s death in 2017, Linkin Park has technically been on hiatus. However, they did reissue their debut album, Hybrid Theory, Then, last year they released a deluxe version of 2007’s Minutes To Midnight. And today, we get an unreleased song “Lost” (clip) Now, in the past, Mike Shinoda spoke about a possible Linkin Park reunion (back in April 2022 via Twitch) “The only Linkin Park news I have for you is that… Yeah, we talk every few weeks — I talk to the guys, or some of the guys. And there’s no tours, there’s no music, there’s no albums in the pipeline. Okay, so let me just tell you that. So just keep in your minds that that is not happening.” He continued: “I’m just gonna say that much for now. I say that because anytime the band says anything or does anything, everyone tries to start up the hype train, and we’re like, ‘No, no, no, no. Don’t start up the hype train.’ You’re gonna disappoint yourself. Don’t do that.” I’m still a little excited. Fingers crossed for even more music from Linkin Park. In the meantime, enjoy the new song “Lost.”

• Other new music out today: Yo La Tengo / You Me At Six / Paramore / Where are the new songs from Rihanna? I really thought we would get some more with her doing the half time show of the Super Bowl. I guess just doing that show could keep you busy.

• Here’s something interesting, back in 2005, a 9-year old boy picked Andy Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles to win the Super Bowl through his local paper. That little boy – Patrick Maholmes. That’s all I’m saying. I’m not jinxing anything. Although, if a Chiefs fan really did put a Chiefs jersey on the Rocky statue . . . enjoy that game everyone.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pitchfork & I know there’s more.

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.” – by Burt Bacharach

morning babble / Monday 02-06-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Monday – say it, Happy Monday.

Sunday night was the 65th Annual Grammys – here’s a quick summary:

1. Beyoncé tallied her all-time Grammy wins to 32 which made her the most-winning Grammy artist of all time.by a single performer.
2. The biggest prize of the night is the album of the year and Harry Styles won that.
3. Host Trevor Noah set up Adele to meet someone she had never met before and wanted to: The Rock or Dwayne Johnson.

Food was eaten this weekend. Like a lot. My 3-Day Fast begins tonight and I need it again for a reset. I talk about being puffy. Well, this time, I feel swollen. My Monday morning weigh-in – very negative.

My new favorite at DD has done me in. Hitting Dunkin a lot for this (show clip)

That’s a Toasted Everything Bagel with cream cheese. You then need to order separately Snackin’ Bacon. When you get home, you always have to respread the cream cheese, because you know how Dunkin does it. Slap it only one side. I either utilize what they gave me onto the other half OR hit the fridge for some of the cream cheese we got and really spread it on. The Snackin’ Bacon is then placed on top. I crave that. I’m already thinking about it for Friday!

Hold a door for someone

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

Accomplishments –

Week ahead –

Timing Blocks of my Habits – Habit tracker (dot grid notebook within a journal)

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Spread positivity; don’t matter how big, or how small.” – by Beyonce

morning babble / Friday 02-03-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Happy Friday – always, always, a Happy Friday.

Lots of music news this past week:

Grammy’s this weekend – the 65th annual / Beyonce nominated for like everything; hosting again is Trevor Noah who is always so dynamic. That’s a smart dude. I remember watching the clips of his Daily Show program; the ones that were done NOT for the actual show, where he would just be saying whatever or talking to the audience. That wasn’t scripted.

Also, Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Nominees were announced. On that list are some of my favorite bands: Rage Against the Machine / Soundgarden / and The White Stripes. You also get some names like George Michael, Missy Elliott, and Willie Nelson. Go vote.

And finally, there was that viral clip of the center from the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Kelce, doing his best dance version from Lil Uzi Vert. (clip) My man was moving. I couldn’t do that. I’d throw out my back, make something snap.

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• Last September, Death Cab for Cutie released their 10th studio album: Asphalt Meadows. This past week, they announced that have recorded a complete acoustic version of that same album. Apparently, in December, they wanted to release an acoustic version of “Pepper” since that was going to be their next single release off of the album. BUT – when they went into the studio, it basically went like “Hey, this is fun, we should keep going.” The entire acoustic album drops on March 10th. but today we do get that acoustic “Pepper” single. (clip)

• Also, this past September, Mr. Kane Brown released his album: Different Man. It’s packed with all kinds of good music. One that I listened to right away and talked about last September as well, was the song “Thank God.” An incredible song that he performed as a duet alongside his wife. Today, we get to have another version of that same song with the Spring Symphony playing along with them. It is very much worth a listen again. (clip)

• Last February, Korn released their album Requiem Mass – it was just over 30 minutes spread out over 9 songs. Merriam-Webster’s definition for “requiem” states that it is “a Christian religious ceremony for a dead person.” So, a year ago, Korn performed an intimate little show at the Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California. Today, we get the deluxe version of Requiem Mass which includes 5 songs done live from that show.

• Everybody is getting into this re-releasing act – today we get: A Valentine from Bing. It’s a compilation of 20 songs, nearly an hour of music onto one album from Bing Crosby. I was running on the mill this morning and suddenly I heard, “My Funny Valentine” playing.

• Feel bad . . . that was a bunch of “new” music done in a different way from last year. Or in Bing’s case, just compiled differently. I do have albums to listen to with the guitarist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jon Frusciante (froo shaa tay), Shania Twain, who made a whole lotta news for posing nude for the album’s artwork. Apparently, she had to “forget the sag” in order to muster up the courage to do the shoot. Gonna have to look at that artwork while listening to that album. Oh, and I missed an EP last week from the Young Rising Sons.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pitchfork & I know there’s more.

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“If you don’t have haters, then you aren’t doing something right.” – by Jonathan Davis (Korn)

morning babble / Monday 01-30-23

This is the scribble that leads to the babble. Sometimes, it gets tidied up; but other times, not so much. When all else fails: watch the video!

Hey Monday

The wife was away for the weekend – actually still away until Tuesday. So, for everyone concerned about me with the kids . . . send help. / Actually, we had a good weekend together. Although, I believe I did let my daughter finish the internet on Saturday- Don’t worry – it was the “safe for kids” section. But anyway – that’s done.

And yes – I try not to go down the sports road too much, but my Beloved Philadelphia Eagles are going to the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs – Feb 12th!

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

It’s Monday – talk about setting up goals and then knocking them down

Accomplishments –

I was successful with my timing block goals. No set times on doing these blocks. Just set times on the blocks themselves. Each block for me was 30 minutes. I wanted to do 5 blocks of writing / 3 blocks of Journal work / and 3 blocks of Video work

Writing – added 2 more chapters / Part 2 has better flow / I’m feeling it. Random thoughts are popping into my head throughout the day and I’m jotting them down.

Journal – I have the initial page laid out for my Journal. Determining about what to rotate different on the page. Quote of the Day is involved with that.

Videos – one is done with the writing / Need to do the shoot / I was actually listening to music beds last night for it

Week ahead –

Doing it all over again with the index cards. I was thinking of using an App but then just went with the brightly colored green cards.

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Doing is better than not doing, and if you do something badly, you’ll learn to do it better.” – by Twyla Tharp