“Quote of the Day” – Monday 09-11-23

morning babble / Monday 09-11-23

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!

“I never lose. Either I win or I learn.” – Nelson Mandela but this quote is often associated with French athlete Yannick Noah

I’m enjoying someone else’s spin on this quote.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You either win or you learn. – by Jalen Hurts

Beastie Boys channel is back! / New Music Friday: Jimmy Buffett, Val Astaire, & The Rolling Stones

morning babble / Friday 09-08-23

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!

(Beastie Boys Cut)

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the album Hello Nasty, The Beastie Boys Channel has made its return to SiriusXM airwaves for a limited time. I’ve been listening non-stop. I also have news about this Paul’s Boutique album.

(Beastie Boys Cut)

(Morning Babble)

Via Pitchfork’s Madison Bloom – On Saturday (September 9), the corner of Ludlow and Rivington Streets in New York will be officially dubbed “Beastie Boys Square” with a celebration featuring appearances from Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz. The historic locale was once home to Paul’s Boutique—the namesake of Beastie Boys’ pivotal sophomore LP, released in 1989. (Hey Ladies clip)

Before we get into New Music Friday – a little self-promotion – I’m always scolded that I don’t do this enough, so here we go.

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 week, we lost the “Poet of Paradise” – Mr. Jimmy Buffett. Sounds of his music got played even more so over this past Labor Day weekend. Did you know that just as recently as July, he released a new song via radio only on WLNG 92.1 out of Sag Harbor, New York. Paul McCartney was on bass for this too – “My Gummie Just Kicked In” (clip) Again, that was initially only released on radio – nothing digitally. Today, we can hear it along with another new song – this one is called “Like My Dog” (clip)
  • Old guys – The Rolling Stones – will release Hackney Diamonds on October 20th. I’m sorry, they are old. Actually, I’m old, but Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger being 76, 79, 80 – they are definitely old-ER guys, but good for them. This is their first album of originals in 18 years and is kicked off with the first single which I was truly impressed by and enjoyed – “Angry” (clip) Wow – that looks like a fun ride (clip)
  • More old guys news – sort of – on October 27th, Nirvana will reissue In Utero for its 30th anniversary, with a host of unreleased concert recordings. These bonus tracks include full concerts from 1993 in LA and 1994 in Seattle. There’s a 5 CD box set for those into the Compact Disc OR for vinyl fans – an 8xLP box set. Yummy! (clip)
  • This is an album that I was looking forward to AND I actually sat in on a listening party via bandcamp prior to the release. My wife was working on her doctorate, I’m working on New Music Friday – same thing, right? (womp womp) Anyway – the new album from Val Astaire called Everything Good Must Happen Somewhere Else is all out in its glory today. 13 songs in total. The song being pushed by Spotify is “Supernova” (clip) That – “Welcome to the future” – I believe that part is his mom who narrates throughout the album. (clip)
  • Several quick hits of new music: If you like that Drake guy, the release date for his new album, For All the Dogs. It’s September 22nd – that’s 2 weeks // And for those of you into Olivia Rodrigo, well her album GUTS has a full drop today // Lastly, after their instant classic together “WAP” – Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are back together again. Let’s flip it around and sing about the other side. “Bongos” (clip) Wait – that’s all I can play? (clip) That’s all I can play.

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

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Motion Before Motivation: It means you get started FIRST, then FEEL the Inspiration to keep going.” – by Mike D (Beasties Boy)

“Quote of the Day” – Thursday 09-07-23

morning babble / Thursday 09-07-23

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 Eve!

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“It is through discipline that not only are all things possible, but also that all things are enhanced.” – by Ryan Holiday (intro to his Discipline is Destiny)

“Quote of the Day” – Wednesday 09-06-23

morning babble / Wednesday 09-06-23

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!

Call was made to the bullpen which messed up my day.

BUT – I still made it a good one!

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You are hurt the moment you believe yourself to be.” – by Epictetus

“Quote of the Day” – Tuesday 09-05-23

morning babble / Tuesday 09-05-23

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!

School is back in session!

Sadly – it’s strangely quiet. 🙁

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.” – by Zoé Shepard aka Marie Darrieussecq

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.

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

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

“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!

“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

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:

“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!

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

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