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William & Merry broke my fast /New Music Friday with Speedy Ortiz, Maneskin / Running w/ Pete Wentz

morning babble / Friday 09-01-23

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!

(Fall Out Boy clip)

I’ve been trying out the Peloton app for their workouts. I don’t have a Peloton – yet. So, a recent class released was for an outdoor run with Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. I can sorta say that we went for a run together

(Fall Out Boy clip)

(Morning Babble intro)

Andy Speer / Peloton – My bud, Cecil, got me a trial run with their classes and I am enjoying them – think I’ve done like 9 of ’em this week.

I broke my 3-Day Fast in style this time. My wife had a work event that we went to and the fast actually could have been broken there, but . . . we decided to take advantage of being out for the evening and visited The House of William and Merry (clips). We didn’t have a reservation and I don’t suggest that at all – get a reservation! We were simply hoping for a spot at their bar. The bar was full. BUT – they did have a cancellation and we got seated . . . .right away. It was phenomenal. Love that place. The fast actually broke with a House Manhattan, but food wise we did have a cheeseboard for an appetizer. Dinner though – amazing – Grilled Prime Beef Deckle Steak (picture) My senses were all locked in after that 3-Day Fast and I thoroughly tasted every bite. By far, my most favorite fast break of all time.

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!

  • Lil Wayne has a new song out and apparently; he will be performing it live this month at the MTV VMAs in New York City. Mr. Chris Rock is the host for that (Jiggy with it). Now, this new song from Lil Wayne – it’s naughty one, so I can only a play a bit, but I think you’ll get the idea. Plus, it’s fun to be a little naughty at times, right? (song clip) This was “Kat Food”
  • Another band performing at the MTV VMAs later this month is Måneskin (Mawn-Ah-Skin). They are about to go out on their world tour for the album: RUSH! But now, we get some new stuff as well – here’s “Honey (are u coming?)” (clip)
  • The Kills have announced their new album: God Games will drop next month (I can say that now) October 27th. We’ve already enjoyed recent singles “New York” and “LA Hex”. After Today, we have a threesome of those songs from God Games – this is “103” (song clip)
  • One of my favorite weekly reads is the one from Dan Deluca from the Philly Inquirer. Every Friday, he writes about new music but in particular, local new music. Via this week’s article, I learned that Philly Band – Speedy Ortiz are going to play in their hometown on September 5th at Jonny Brenda’s AND they have a full album drop today – it’s called Rabbit Rabbit – several tracks have already been released, but today we can officially enjoy all 13 tracks. I’m playing a clip from one that was released recently, this one is also the last track on the album – here’s “Ghostwriter” (clip)
  • Several quick hits of new music: We got two full moons in August, so this past week since we got the blue supermoon action in the night sky, Peter Gabriel released another song for his I/O album called “Love Can Heal” // One week away and we’ll get Val Astaire’s new album – Everything Good Must Happen Somewhere Else // Another VMA performer this month, Doja Cat – her new album drops in a couple weeks (9/22). A little album cover controversy going on, but I think more importantly, we get to hear another song from the album called “Demons” (clip)

Little scary – Halloween is now next month now. That is your New Music Friday.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Dan Deluca of the Philly Inquirer & I know there’s more.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow might not be the best day of your entire life. You just have to wake up and get there.” – by Pete Wentz

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“Tip of the Day” – Wednesday 08-30-23

morning babble / Wednesday 08-30-23

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!

Today’s Quote of the Day has become the Tip of the Day via Zero Longevity

5 Benefits of Black Coffee While Fasting

1) Curbs hunger

2) Increases energy

3) Promotes autophagy

4) Contains polyphenols (new word)

5) Won’t break your fast

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“blah blah blah” – by a humanoid – actual quote of the day returns tomorrow!

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“Quote of the Day” – Tuesday 08-29-23

morning babble / Tuesday 08-29-23

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!

Day 1 of my 3-Day Fast / Easiest Day of them all

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Fasting is a powerful reminder that our physical needs don’t define us.” – by Lisa Bevere

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Swimming or Ballet?

This past summer, I first hand witnessed what comedian Lewis Black must have gone through when he overheard the comment – “if it weren’t for my horse, I wouldn’t have spent that year in college.”  What?  Exactly.  If you haven’t experienced this comedic genius of a bit, I’ll provide a link at the END of the story . . . in other words, please keep reading.

Standing poolside, I was enjoying a Saturday morning swim meet of my son’s.  It was joyous.  The coffee that is, which I had picked up along the way from my favorite double D’s java house.  I love my son and I really do love seeing him swim, BUT – standing around for over three hours only to witness three 1-minute events makes you enjoy mouth burning coffee on a hot June Saturday morning.  Don’t worry, I got munchkins, too.

(I see you there, jelly.  You my fav.)

Being old and drinking an extra-large coffee first thing in the morning, the inevitable happened: nature was calling for my first bathroom trip to ensue.  Not the end of the world, since this is always my getaway time for walking around, people watching, and taking in the surroundings of the pool.  Along the way, I noticed a very curvy girl strutting her stuff to anyone nearby bearing eyes.  What really begins to draw me in is the tramp stamp tattoo on her lower back.  Suddenly though, she stops at the lifeguard stand and begins her climb.

Thankfully, I snap from my awkward daze.  Nervously, I glance to my left and notice a couple women wearing looks of disgust, but it’s clearly not at me.  Whew.  I then peek right and another guy has his eyes still glued to the hovering chair in the sky.  Ahhh – It’s him that they are repulsed by.  It is interesting that at an event filled with all of these competing swimmers, a lifeguard is needed.  Then again, there are a whole lot of younger non-swimmer kids scurrying about as well as meandering grandparents, both of whom could easily take a tumble poolside.  The flashing of a red swimsuit gets me distracted once more as the guard performs her well-practiced spin into the seat.  Several dads easily just missed their kid’s event.

(Wendy, Wendy, Wendy . . . thank you, “The Sandlot”)

After passing the lifeguard show and then finally completing the initial task of making a liquid deposit, I head back to my huddled-up family who are gathered around our prized table.  Swim meets are always amazingly crowded and to actually achieve a designated area for your stuff (munchkins) is top notch.  We also got there disgustingly early in order to have this privileged luxury.

Choosing the long-ways path through the enemy territory of the opposing team’s section, I’m then able to avoid the lifeguard distraction zone.  However, along my travels, I overhear the following statement from a scolding mother to a whimpering 10-year-old son, “Don’t worry this isn’t your sport.” First thought, I’m guessing: swimming.  “This is just your training for the off-season.  Besides, it’s either this or ballet.” 

Wait – what?  I mean, I stopped and then dramatically looked back from where the sound had originated.  There they were – the culprits – mother and son.  She was being stern as she held each of her boy’s shoulders while giving a little shake for reaffirmation.  Meanwhile, in my head, my mind was beating itself up.  “It’s either this or ballet,” she said.  Huh?  “Swimming or Ballet.”  Nothing is connecting or matching up for me.  

Restarting my retreat, I kind of perform a stumbling meander and reach the table where my son and the rest of the family reside.  My parents are there now, too!  Geez – you would have thought that they learned their lesson of swim meet tortures through my “career” as a swimmer kid.  Remember – it’s three hours for three one-minute events. They’re gamers!

After gathering each of their attentions, I begin with a stammer but eventually retell the story.  Promptly, my wife is all over it and states that it’s like the Lewis Black joke about the horse and college.  “Swimming or Ballet?  What the hell does that mean?”  Sorry, again, my parents are there – let me rephrase that exclamation.  “Swimming or Ballet?  What the heck does that mean?”

(synchronized swimming became an Olympic sport for the first time in LA – 1984)

Nobody has a clue and the phrase just keeps spinning in my head.  At this moment, the mother and boy pass by our area.  My eyes are glued to them as my body swivels along their walking path.  I am so tempted to go up to them and just ask.  What could his sport possibly be, if swimming wasn’t it.  And, if swimming is the training for this other sport, with ballet as option number two, what is it?!?

Sadly, this is the part of the tale where I need to break the news that I never found out the answer and I’m very sorry, because I really should have just gone over and done that.  It’s kind of like those Serial Podcasts that hook you in and then after several days of hours upon hours of listening, you learn . . . “Yeah, we don’t really have an actual ending.”  What?  “Yeah, that’s all we got.  Thanks for listening.”

Now granted, it would have been an awkward moment, but who cares at this point, because then I could have a good closer for this story.  Instead, I leave you with speculation and possibly even more confusion.  In turn, I did what anyone else would have done given this baffling situation – I googled “what sports would ballet and swimming be good conditioning / training for.”  Ultimately, basketball was the conclusion that I came to.  So, there you have it, this 10-year-old Suburban white boy is the next Bron-Bron.  Sure.

(“Baby-Faced Assassin” and “King James”)

Done.  I don’t ever want to hear swimming and ballet in the same sentence again.  (That last one doesn’t really count.)  BUT – I do have a moral of the story.  If this should ever happen to you, go ask.  Right away.  The longer you wait, the more awkward it will be.  This summer that same kid will be 11.  If I see him and his mom, I don’t care, I’m asking!

And here’s the as promised link to the Lewis Black bit:

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“Quote of the Day” – Monday 08-28-23

morning babble / Monday 08-28-23

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!

Recapped exercise for the day: Alright, so I told you yesterday about the hamstring “cramp”. AND – it appears to be simply just that – no pulled hamstring. I began the day with me joining the Peloton app courtesy of free trial via my bud, Cecil. Promptly, I did a 10-minute stretching session. Afterwards, I decided to slowly tap the water and do a 20-minute Core Strength session. Concluding my morning, I did another 10-minute stretching session. THEN, in the afternoon, I decided to do a light run in order to feel out the hammy. It felt really good, but I didn’t push it . . . even though, I wanted to – which I think is a good sign as well. In the end, I completed a 1.5 mile run and concluded with another 10-minute stretching session via the Peloton app. I’m all in with that app!

I still need to run!

3-Day Fast begins tonight!

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Take care of your body.  It’s the only place you have to live.”  by Jim Rohn

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“Quote of the Day” – Sunday 08-27-23

morning babble / Sunday 08-27-23

Recapped exercise for the day: For Saturday, I actually didn’t run, because I was so busy cleaning and vacuuming the house for guests later that night. Oddly enough, I actually hit my steps and floors goal for the day because of how much moving around the house that I did. Does that count?

For Sunday, I started out with a hard-pushed 5k run and actually did a great first mile. Unfortunately, my fear of not having enough water snuck up on me and made my right hamstring cramp up badly. In turn, I walked another 1/2 mile back home – not risking this!

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!

Hit Starbucks and enjoyed a Pumpkin Creme Cold Brew!

More on Shane Parrish and what he does with his podcast and Farnam Street – click here!

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Focus on what you do today, not what you’ve done in the past.” – by Shane Parrish

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Autumn is here! At least, PSL is / New Music Friday with Black Pumas, Soccer Mom & newlywed Jack Antonoff’s band – Bleachers

morning babble / Friday 08-25-23

Recapped exercise for the day: I called up my man, Cecil, and ran a 5k while talking to him. I wanted a slower paced-out run and he tolerated my heavy breathing. That’s a friend!

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!

Well, it’s officially fall or as I like to say Autumn. Not calendar-wise Pumpkin Spice Latte-wise. Did you get your Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks yet? I know some of you did. I did NOT yet. Driving around yesterday – time was NOT on my side, so I could not. I will getting one this weekend though. Here’s something odd – Always forget the 2nd “p” in pumpkin when spelling it. Just thought I would share. (clip)

New Music News: I was hoping for a single or something today but just news. Ed Sheeran has teamed up again with producer Aaron Dessner from The National for a new album. Due out on September 29th, we’ll get 14 tracks altogether neatly packaged under the title: Autumn Variations. Who connected Dessner to Sheeran, according to Rolling Stone, it was Dessner’s most famous collaborator, Taylor Swift. I’m going to be referencing her a couple times during this –

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!

  • This past Tuesday we got a new song from the Black Pumas called: “More Than a Love Song.” (clip) The whole album for the Black Pumas comes out on October 27th and is called: Chronicles of a Diamond. You can get so many different versions of this album in vinyl: there’s clear vinyl – signed or unsigned / Limited Edition Silver Version / Europe UK version is Clear or Red / Texas Edition / Local Record Store Edition – which I’m a fan of, so Rainbow Records in Newark – I’m placing my order / Target, Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Urban Outfitters – each of those places have their own vinyl design. There’s more, too! Like 4 other options. Vinyl geeks rejoice! (applause)
  • Sophia Allison, better known by her stage name Soccer Mommy, has a new album coming out on September 22nd. It’s an EP of her covering other songs and appropriately titled : Karaoke Night. It features a previously released version of Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun” as well as songs by R.E.M., Pavement, and Slowdive. Today though, we can enjoy Soccer Mommy covering a song from Taylor Swift’s debut album: “I’m Only Me When I’m With You.” (clip)
  • Via Twitter, sometimes known as X, Jack Antonoff’s band – Bleachers – posted the following: “On July 26, 2022, we played one of our best shows for a sold-out crowd at Radio City. That night meant so much to us that we turned it into a live album. This album is the document of the wild and intense tour behind ‘Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night.’” Today, we got that album: Bleachers: Live at Radio City Music Hall. Speaking of Mr. Jack Antonoff, there is now a Mrs. Antonoff in his life. Last weekend, I was in New Jersey at LBI for the weekend. So was Jack Antonoff . . . for his wedding. You know who’s a friend of Jack’s? Taylor Swift. AND – she was there too! (clip) Did we see her or Jack Antonoff? No.
  • Couple quick hits of new music: Recently, via a voice memo, Mitski announced music news about her upcoming album: The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We being released on September 15th. Voice memo? Did she randomly call someone and leave the message? What voice memo? Anyway, today we get a couple songs from that album: “Star” and “Heaven” // (record clip) Grandaddy has a whole album out today called Sumday: Excess Baggage // (record clip) Despite dropping a full album back in March, Lil Yachty just released a 4 song EP including this song with his shaky vocals: TESLA (clip) //

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

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Everyone wants to get better. You go through life, you want to shift and change and get better. No one ever says, “I’m better.” They say, “I wanna get better.” – by Jack Antonoff

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“Quote of the Day” – Thursday 08-24-23

morning babble / Thursday 08-24-23

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!

Recapped exercise for the day: 5k run outside despite the rain! Good pace, too.

Friday Eve! Big Day / Go get your PSL on! Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks!

That Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato looks quite tasty, too.

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Pain doesn’t tell you when you ought to stop. Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue you will change.” – by Kobe Bryant

It’s Mamba Day (8/24) / Yesterday was Kobe’s birthday – he would’ve turned 45

Enjoy the Now!

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“Quote of the Day” – Wednesday 08-23-23

morning babble / Wednesday 08-23-23

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!

Recapped exercise for the day: Rest Day – I had to work on the road all day long. I was bummed because I did want to do an evening run, but never got to it.

“Pew Pew” – try texting that – iPhone to iPhone!

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Always remember your focus determines your reality” – by George Lucas

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“Quote of the Day” – Tuesday 08-22-23

morning babble / Tuesday 08-22-23

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!

Recapped exercise for the day: Light mile run with my 7 year-old daughter. Afterwards, I ran 5 sprints up Kobe hill with light jog back down. These kicked my butt.

Got this one from the Daily Stoic – who says “as long as you move that needle in the tiniest bit – give yourself a little rejoice”

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Be satisfied with even the smallest progress” – by Marcus Aurelius