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, the treadmill broke yesterday.
2 years ago – this would have been a huge issue for this
1 year ago – I had the Plantar Fasciitis issue
But now – I just want to run because I enjoy it. I also enjoy running early on the treadmill – like 4:30am to 5am. Not doing that in the woods.
No 3-Day Fast this week / Pushed to the last week of this month – need to keep my monthly streak alive – this will be 28 months in a row of 3-Day Fasts.
Breakfast all last week / Easter Candy / Trip to Trader Joe’s
GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –
Talking about setting up some goals and knocking them down – just for the week
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If somone brings you down pick you’re self right back up. (spelling errors included)” – by Violet Evans
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!
Wrapping up in Arizona – need this weekend to get away from the vacation!
Also, this past week, I’ve been the trash can for many of my children’s unwanted foods. I’m going to have to run like twice a day next week while also doing a 3-Day Fast? Who knows!
Definitely need a major tune-up after the food that was inhaled. Seriously. It was a lot.
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!
Paul Simon (clip) has announced his first all-new collection of music for an album since 2018. The album, which came to Simon via a dream, is called: Seven Psalms and is due out May 19th. The album is a 33-minute, seven-movement collection intended to be heard—according to Simon’s announcement—as one continuous piece. So, there are some clips out there and teases but no actual single release yet. So, all I got today still is (clip)
The National are back with another new song (their 4th) from First Two Pages of Frankenstein. “Your Mind Is Not Your Friend” features Phoebe Bridgers, and it arrives with a new psychedelic music video, directed by Bridgers’ brother, Jackson (clip). The new song follows the band’s previously released tracks “Eucalyptus,” “New Order T-Shirt” and “Tropic Morning News.” Full album drop on April 28th.
(clip) This past week, Saba teamed up with No I.D. to release a new song called “Back in Office.” No news on a full album, but I’ll take this one song.
Metallica’s new album, 72 Seasons is out in its entirety today. Their tour dates have kicked off in Europe already, but there are North American shows later in this year.
Lastly, Post Malone is back with a new song called “Chemical” (clip) Poppy sound happening there. Again, this is “Chemical” – the first song of more to come as he slowly working towards his 5th studio album.
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 choose to live, not just exist.” – by James Hetfield
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, I’m in Arizona.
My favorite part so far as we prepare for the week ahead – our trips with Lyft drivers and what we have learned about the area.
I learned two things about McDonald’s:
Sierra Vista is a military town and soldiers were not allowed to walk around in uniform, so there needed to be a way to serve them in their cars. In 1975, the very first McDonald’s drive-thru was born. So, credit Sierra Vista, Arizona. (Lethal Weapon clip)
The only McDonald’s with teal arches and not the trademark known golden arches is located in Sedona, Arizona. There are rules in place for buildings in Sedona to make sure that no structure intrudes too much on the surrounding natural scenery. Back in 1993, city officials believed that a bright yellow M would do just that. They claimed that gold would clash with the surrounding red rocks, and opted for a more pleasing, soft blue. (Pix)
Okay – that’s all I got for McDonald’s. But then I learned that apparently the best pizza in America can be found here in Arizona. People will actually fly in, wait in line (that’s key), enjoy their pie, and then fly back out. I then began remembering to myself about this guy Chris who had appeared on the Dave Chang show podcast. Both – when Chris was present or not on the show – Chang claimed that Chris had the best pizza around. So, I looked up all of this and it’s the same guy / same location. Pizzeria Bianco (Chris Bianco is the chef).
Lastly, when you order your tacos – you choose red chiles or green chiles OR Christmas Style, which is obviously both.
Speaking of Christmas, I’ve been feeling like Ralphie in the Santa Line. (clip) I’ve said it before but vacationing takes practice. Typically, I talk about setting up goals on a Monday – for me, that’s what I’m trying to do. Decompress, relax, enjoy myself.
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Nobody is thinking you’re an imposter. They are busy thinking about themselves.” – by Ryan Holiday
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!
This past week – 29 years ago – we lost Kurt Cobain. On that same dreaded date of April 5th – we lost Layne Staley 21 years ago.
Happier news – this past week, I did enjoy one of the new drinks at Dunkin called the Caramel Chocolate Cold Brew. Oh – it’s good. BUT – I ordered it that one day and then I went into the store to order it again the next day.
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!
Michigan’s Greta Van Fleet have announced that they have a new album – Starcatcher – coming out this summer. To be specific: July 21st. That’s far. Don’t worry today we get one of the album’s singles called “Meeting the Master” (clip)
Earlier in the summer – June 2nd – actually, that’s still considered Spring, isn’t it? Eh – anything after Memorial Day is Summer. Anyway, Mr. Ben Harper has a full album drop on 6/2 called Wide Open Light, but today we get one of the new songs AND it’s a duet with Jack Johnson. Song is called “Yard Sale.” (clip)
A surprise new song last night from Drake called “Search & Rescue” (clip) Within the track, there’s audio of Kim Kardashian talking about her relationship with ex-husband Kanye West in the E! series finale of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” in 2021. “I didn’t come this far, just to come this far and not be happy, remember that,” she says in the sample. Don’t read it Brent, play it (clip)
You know the drill by now with every new full moon this year, we get another song from Mr. Peter Gabriel. For the month of April, it’s called i/o and is described as “A song about the interconnectedness of everything”
Other New Music: 20th Anniversary of Meteora from Linkin Park is out – over 5 hours of music – clear out the schedule for the rest of the day, I got some music to listen to. // The Talbott Brothers have a 7-song album that actually came out last Friday called Stripped from Studio Space Camp – I’m mad I missed that just over the name of the album. Really enjoy their chill sound though. Be sure to give them a listen. // Lastly, Jonas Brothers have a new song about “Waffle House” – zero references to bacon though (clip)
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: “Focus on the step in front of you, not the entire staircase.” – by someone
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!
What’s wrong with this world today . . . I’ll get to that in a second.
Happy Monday! Glad to get that April Fools Weekend done. Social Media all confusing – Chick-Fil-A open on Sundays . . . let’s go! They’re not.
I’ll tell you one thing that has happened which I wish was a joke. No more cream cheese at Dunkin locations. That’s a tragedy. (pix) That’s my favorite bagel concoction from them. Everything Bagel – toasted – with cream cheese and then I get a side of Snackin’ Bacon. At home, I level out the cream cheese and place the Snackin’ Bacon on top.
GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –
Talking about setting up some goals and knocking them down – just for the week
I had a possible “quote of the day” that sent me down a rabbit hole – “Positive obsession is a gift, not a behavior to be suppressed.” I wanted to know who said it. So – I “googled” it. BUT – I couldn’t find the person to be quoted.
I did find a blog post from one my favorite authors – Austin Kleon – from St. Patty’s Day, two years ago in 2021. Click here for the posting – “You have to be obsessed.”
He writes about another author – Octavia E Butler – and one of her essays that is titled “Positive Obsession”. He quotes her as saying “Obsession can be a useful tool if it’s positive obsession.”
Within another essay about persistence from Butler, Kleon highlights the quote from her: “Forget talent. If you have it, fine. Use it. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter. As habit is more dependable than inspiration, continued learning is more dependable than talent.”
Just get back at it / Set a goal and go for it / Keep Going!
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If you don’t have a dream, there is no way to make one come true.” – by Steven Tyler
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!
Last day of March – a fourth of the year is done. How are them goals coming along – more on that on Monday.
My own Skippy jar.
Anyway – before the new music. I must say I’ve been struggling lately – just staying “up” and “happy.” Some work stuff hasn’t been too much fun. BUT – music – the music of Sam Cooke I have latched onto nightly in my house library.
So much so that the song came on in the car – “Wonderful World” and I declared “Don’t touch. Let this play.” He immediately thought – ahhh, you love Animal House. The song can be heard in the famous lunchroom scene of the 1978 classic, Animal House. (clip)
That’s not why. Music always plays a “pick me up role” for myself. (clip)
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!
If you’re a Tyler, the Creator fan, then today is like Christmas for you. This past Monday, he tweeted out: “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST WAS THE FIRST ALBUM I MADE WITH ALOT OF SONGS THAT DIDNT MAKE THE FINAL CUT. SOME OF THOSE SONGS I REALLY LOVE, AND KNEW THEY WOULD NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY, SO IVE DECIDED TO PUT A FEW OF THEM OUT.” So, basically, he is releasing a bunch of songs that were tossed aside during the sessions for his Call Me If You Get Lost album from 2021. The new collection is: Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale. Also released this week was one of those singles as a video. This is “Dogtooth” (clip)
I realize that I’ve talked about this one a lot – like 4 singles were released prior to today’s full album drop. I’m talking about boygenius and their new album called: the record. As I mentioned before, I know I’m certainly not the target for this album, but clearly something magical is happening with this trio as a group and I can definitely hear that. The latest single being pushed through on Spotify is called “Cool About It” (clip)
Darius Rucker aka “Hootie” (Hootie clip) has a new single out. When asked what the song is about, he said: ““it’s a song about that time when you’re sitting at home with your significant other or girlfriend or wife or boyfriend or husband or whatever, and you know it’s time. It’s time to get down to business. That’s what that song’s all about.” Very nice – game on! The name of the song is “Fires Don’t Start Themselves.” (clip) Again – that’s Dairus Rucker who is putting the final touches on his 7th solo album called Carolyn’s Boy in honor of his late mother. The album art is a portrait of her. In an interview, “I wanted to name the record Carolyn’s Boy because Mom never got to see any of my success,” Rucker offered in the interview. “She died before any of this happened, so it’s just another homage to the greatest woman I’ve ever known.”
Cecil
(clip) Other New Music: The White Stripes album from 2003 -, Elephant – has been released as a special edition 20th anniversary album. There is a ton of live cuts on here. The double-vinyl package arrives April 21st. I just received my pre-shipment label info – nothing “in transit” quite yet.
Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pitchfork & I know there’s more.
Remember – it’s an April Fool’s Day weekend. Don’t get fooled!
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Always smile, life isn’t full of reasons to smile, but your smile itself is a reason for others to smile too!” – by that person who said it first (unknown)
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!
Welcome to National Scribble Day (show book) and yes, I’m also 50 now.
Proof of being 50 – I got this in the mail. (show AARP) I’ve been asked – “Do you feel 50?” And – I don’t. I’m feeling some age – most definitely. But not the age of 50. (clip)
I went down an odd rabbit hole for music this past Saturday night. (clip) For some reason, I just noticed all the recent albums from G. Love & Special Sauce. Like – one from last year, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2015. But you see what bums me out – I’m all into new music and I obviously missed out on those albums from last year and the year before.
From G. Love, it triggered the memory of Jimmie’s Chicken Shack (clip), back in the day, I was all over this band. My favorite album being from 1997. Now, their most recent album was from 2008. But then, I looked closer. They just released a new single “Simple Concept” – back on the 15th . . . not even 2 weeks ago. Totally NOT on my radar. (clip).
Lastly, for music reminiscing, this song popped up in my search for all this other music (clip) Does anyone remember that song? Listen again. (clip) That was “Groovy Train” from the band – The Farm, which was probably my last CD purchased of that type of late 80s / early 90s sound. Goes hand in hand with EMF (clip) Jesus Jones (clip) and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin (clip). After that, I really changed by tune more to Rock and the Grunge Sound (clip).
Whew – that was a musical smorgasbord from a true Generation Xer.
So, I’m definitely 50 and grabbing onto some memories here and that’s okay, right?
I’m looking forward to all the upcoming memories to make.
So, it’s Monday and I typically talk about setting up goals on Monday and then knocking them down the rest of the week. I’m doing my timing blocks, because I’ve got some things that I need to get done. But – I think a good goal overall to always continue – go make some memories.
By the way, if you want to get me something for my Birthday . . . get me subscribers. Have someone you know to sign up on YouTube – now, that’s assuming you have already done the good deed yourself. To everyone though – I say “Thank You!”
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “A new broom can sweep the floor, but an old broom knows where the dirt is.” – by Paul Mooney
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!
This time last week, I was on a plane out of here. Don’t miss the lines and all the waiting. What did I learn – Vacationing takes practice. So, I need to do more of it.
Hey – I turn 50 on Monday – so, I’m declaring this my birthday weekend. What have I received so far? Well, I wife did find Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy PB. I enjoy the taste of the Reduced Fat.
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!
Ed Sheeran is taking on the hardest moments of his life on Subtract‘s lead single, “Eyes Closed” and yes, he’s got a video (clip) The album, out in early May, is his final LP of a set of records named after mathematical symbols.
New album arrived today from Depeche Mode. We already got the 1st released single “Ghosts Again”, but the next one that they are pushing is “My Cosmos is Mine” (clip). This is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s 15th studio album – it’s called Memento Mori.
Last week, Linkin Park’s single “Lost” claimed #1 on the Mediabase alternative and active rock radio charts. It was great hearing Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington voices on a track together. We all hoped for more and actually get another one today: “Fighting Myself.” (clip) Linkin Park is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their 2003 album – Meteora with a special 20 year edition that’s due out on April 7th. Both those previously unreleased songs will be on that album.
Emmaline’s new EP – Retro Kind of Love is now available on all music sites. Who’s Emmaline? (clip) That’s just one of the songs called “First Time.” She’s an incredible artist that I’ve been fortunate enough to see twice in Philly at the South Jazz Kitchen on Broad Street. Delicious food and uber-talented jazz musicians like Emmaline. I’m ready for her to visit there again.
Other new music: the band, Grouplove, announced their next new album: I Want It All Right Now – due out on July 7th. // With the 3rd new moon this year, we get a 3rd new song from Peter Gabriel – “Playing for Time” / Lastly, we get a song that really rocks out from Lyell – it’s called “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (clip)
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: “When life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind.” – by Chester Bennington
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!
Checked something off my Bucket List – nothing too fancy – but, I finally got a drink brought to me while on the beach. Sadly, I’ve never had that until now.
GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –
It’s Monday – when I like to talk about setting up some goals and then knocking ’em down.
“Make it a good day” / Couple weeks ago, I talked about holding the door for someone. At my nearby Dunkin – that happens numerous times and gives me hope for humanity.
However, prior to our trip, we had to go to DC in order to get our passports updated. I realize that the job these people have can’t be a good one and they undoubtedly deal with a bunch of wingnuts. BUT – it’s the purposeful animosity that is already present along with the setting you up for failure. We dealt with two separate mush mouths who were visibly frustrated when we were like, “What?” . . . or I believe my wife said, “I’m sorry but excuse me?” They were mad at the start and then they set us up to get even madder. Now – enough of the negative talk.
Later – my wife and I had to kill some time because the little blue book that they were going to create for us was going to take 4 hours!
(clip)
So, we went to a nice restaurant for some lunch and our waitress had amazing energy and truly enjoyed her vibe. My wife and I truly needed that. At the end, we obviously tipped her well for the good job that she did, but I also asked her back to the table at the end of it all and went on to say, “Thanks for being you today. My wife and I really needed what you were sending off. Keep that vibe going.”
So, yes – hold doors for people, but when someone is doing a good job, be sure to let them know. Too often, the only time we speak up is to complain. Go forth and compliment.
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Remember that a good plan should resemble a movie script.” – by Ray Dalio
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 St. Patty’s Day! Couple green cards. Also, a year ago, my daughter tried catching herself or our household – a leprechaun
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 week Lana Del Ray released the opening track from her upcoming album – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd – the name of the song: “The Grants.” (clip) We already got “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” and “A&W.” Full album drop is next Friday (3/24). She reminds me a lot of Taylor Swift in the amount of music she continues to release for her fans. Just non-stop.
And speaking of Taylor Swift – she released some more new music . . . or previously unreleased music – 4 songs in total. “Eyes Open (Taylor’s Version)”; “Safe & Sound (Taylor’s Version),” featuring Joy Williams and John Paul White from The Civil Wars; “If This Was a Movie (Taylor’s Version)”; and “All of the Girls You Loved Before.” That last one has apparently never been heard before. Left off of the Lover album back in 2019?
Today, we get a new album from that Irish band, U2. Album is called Songs of Surrender and includes 40 tracks. New songs? Not really. The band has re-recorded 40 songs from across their back catalogue with new arrangements. I immediately went to one of my favorite songs by the band (clip) That’s “Where the Streets Have No Name.” I’m still working my way through it all.
Last April, I talked about this band – 100 gecs – They released a song that was titled “Doritos & Fritos.” (clip) Interesting video. By the way, the band that got their name from a spray paint job on a brick wall – 100 gecs. Anyway – it was a fun song. At the time, we didn’t know when we would be getting their upcoming album called 10000 gecs. But – today we do. It’s today. 10 songs.
Other new music: my man – Ayron Jones – came out with another single. Slowly building towards another album. This song is called “Blood in the Water”
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: “My heroes are the ones who survived doing it wrong, who made mistakes, but recovered from them.” – by Bono (that U2 singing dude)
