brent evans

morning babble / Friday 01-06-23

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!

That song takes me back to my U of D days. I had a good amount of liquid courage one night along with my friend, roommate, and now business partner (Bob) – we sang that song – loud – to a room filled with some lovely Blue Hen ladies. That’s the closest that I have ever come to doing karaoke.

(Clip)

How many of you are still holding onto those New Year’s Resolutions? By the way – we’re not even a week in. How many bailed on Wednesday? Forget it – give me another helping. Or – I’m not getting up for that work-out . . . I’m slipping in. It’s okay.

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!

• Kids are dangerous in more ways than one. In the early morning hours, Elle King was preparing a bottle for her kid when she accidentally fell down a staircase. She suffered a concussion as well as amnesia. The latest from King is that she is doing better – her tour has resumed again, but it’s still a battle with the lights, the grind of the schedule, physical therapy – lots of stretching and quiet times. Anyway, today we do get “Tulsa” from Ms. King. (clip). Later this month, we get the whole album on the 27th called Come Get Your Wife.

• First new music since 2016 is being heard from Peter Gabriel and it’s a song that I had to practice saying and will now have to say very slowly – in order to get it right – the song is called “Panopticom.” Each new song will be accompanied by a piece of art and this one features the work ‘Red Gravity’ by David Spriggs. You can see it here (play clip). Gabriel said that the song “is based on an idea I have been working on to initiate the creation of an infinitely expandable accessible data globe: The Panopticom. We are beginning to connect a like-minded group of people who might be able to bring this to life, to allow the world to see itself better and understand more of what’s really going on.” My man has always been weird and I’m drawn to that. I mean – he came up with the Slipperman costume with his last album for Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (show picture) I have a Lego of the Slipperman. Anyway – new music today from Peter Gabriel. As for the whole album – his first of all original material in 21 years – it’s coming this year. No actual release date yet.

• K-Pop band – NewJeans – released a new song a couple weeks ago called “Ditto” but today we do get their new one: “OMG”. (clip) I thought it sounded like Ariana Grande at first – is that bad? Catchy little tune. Maybe not my cup of tea, but I certainly understand a hook and how it can wiggle into your head and stay. We’ll see. I actually liked that video, it was taken from one of their dance practices. Just going along to their own song and you could still hear the claps.

• Lastly – nope, he’s not dead yet. The man might look 103 but he’s a spry 75. Who am I talking about? Iggy Pop. (clip) That song is called “Comments” – one of 11 new songs from his new album: Every Loser. Just last year, we heard two other songs already: “Frenzy” and “Strung Out Johnny”. Iggy Pop. The man always has his shirt off. Good for him. Less to pick out in the morning. Steve Jobs – black turtleneck. Iggy Pop – nope.

Thank you to Spotify, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, and I know there’s more.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“People have the strength to overcome their bodies. Their beauty is in their minds” – by Peter Gabriel

morning babble / Monday 01-02-23

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!

It’s January / Happy 2023 / No countdowns this year / Nothing to count up either.

Sign up for the newsletter / Allowed my intrusion into their internet inbox

GOAL SETTING MONDAY – Set them up / Knock them down

Personal Development Vlog on Mondays

With the Monday Goal Setting, I’m going to explain what I learn from everything that I read, listen to, and experience. The fasting / The running / Not sure of any new health challenges. I am interested in cold water immersion therapy. I’m not sure how many people want to see me climbing into a tub of ice and trying not to scream though.

Kobe Bryant – The Mamba Mentality

Ray Dalio – Principles: Your Guided Journal

But then . . . that’s it for the Babble until Friday with New Music Fridays.

I have many interests that I know distract from both of those topics.

Comic Books – Go to Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark! / Maybe they need a naive fool like myself babbling on about The Boys, Batman, or The Preacher series.

Vinyl – Go to Rainbow Records in Newark

Behind the scenes, I’m working on finding my End Game and getting there.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I don’t believe in luck. … It’s persistence, hard work, and not forgetting your dream.” – by Janet Jackson

morning babble / Friday 12-30-22

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!

Coffee cookies / like coffee cake but in cookie form . . . Christmas cookie form

#99 of 5K runs / #100 will happen tomorrow

No COVID!

Surprise Album that I enjoyed: Different Man by Kane Brown

Most Listened to Vinyl: Chloe and the Next 20th Century by Father John Misty

Close 2nd & 3rd Vinyls: Both of the Jack White albums

Spotify Top Song: “Gucci” by Pink Laundry (courtesy of Babble Playlist)

Remove the Babble Playlist – Top Song – “Coming Undone” by Korn

Another album turned to: Lucifer on the Sofa by Spoon

Name I want to push: Barrens by Tone Marrow

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 duo – Rae Sremmurd (Ray Shrim-murd) – has a new song out just prior to their New Year’s Eve appearance with Miley and Dolly in Miami. Song title is “Torpedo” – and more music – like a whole new album – should be coming in 2023. Nice little song. I was amused how they rhymed Speedo with Torpedo. The line was “And your pockets too tight just like a Speedo”. (play clip) That video was produced by Ear Drummers Film. If you say Ear Drummers backwards . . . you get Rae Sremmurd.

• I don’t go down the country road too often, but when I do . . . a lot of times, it’s an attractive lady that got my attention. (play clip) Lainey Wilson came out with Bell Bottom Country at the end of November. I didn’t listen to it. BUT – today I heard a couple specialty singles from Spotify: “Middle Finger” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” – I really liked the Hoochie Koo cover. By the way, I did go back and “heart” the Bell Bottom Country album – I’ll give it a listen.

• Blink-182 has a new album coming out . . . sometime soon . . . in 2023. They begin their world tour in March. Could it be before that? I hope so. Anyway, today I heard their song “Dammit” covered by another band that I was unaware of. Here’s Blink’s version of the song (play clip). And here’s Tall Heights with their version (play clip). I like that. I then learned that Tall Heights came out with an album earlier this year and I will definitely be giving that one a full listen. That one is called Juniors and came out in January. By the way, anyone that was looking closely at the Blink video might have noticed that the drummer wasn’t Travis Barker – that song was pre-Barker.

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NEWSLETTER WILL BE OUT ON NEW YEAR’S EVE!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“How much longer are you going to wait to demand the best of yourself?” – by Epictetus

morning babble / Thursday 12-29-22

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!

3 days until EXIT PLAN – it’s over . . . for now.

This is what I wrote on January 2nd:

What’s the big overall goal? Countdown to Exit Plan. By the end of the year, I don’t want to have to be on the road anymore for my business. I intend to very much be a part of the company and know that I have a lot of work ahead with the ideas that I want and need to implement. But – I want to be doing more and this past year was a hard lesson learned, I hit some lows that I don’t think a lot of people really know that I hit. I missed some events for my kids that really crushed me inside. I don’t like being sent the pictures. I want to be taking the pictures. Like I said, I was unhappy and I’m out to change all that. So, I invite you all along again as I’ll tell my story, my mini milestones on the journey to Morning Babble’s Countdown to Exit Plan.

Beginning of the year – these were my “other” goals:

Some other random goals for the year:

1. Finish writing my book! Confessions of a Workaholic
2. More readings of my shorts – I call them each: Droplet of Life
3. Weekly Newsletter beginning in March
4. Guitar Lessons with my daughter
5. Monthly 3-Day Fasts – yup, I’m doing it again
6. Create my own Journal
7. Put together a charity called “Hold my Doll” to help fight for gender equality
8. Podcast?
9. Outside weekend adventures with the family – biking, walking, whatevers. Get outside!
10. Breathe and just keep moving it all forward. All while – “Enjoying the Now”

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“It’s better to do less than you hoped than to do nothing at all.” – by James Clear

morning babble / Wednesday 12-28-22

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’ve got my Black Jack gum

Pump Up the Volume with Christian Slater – little influence on me

Leonard Cohen “Everybody Knows” – theme song for his pirate radio show

4 days until EXIT PLAN

Tomorrow – we’ll talk about Exit Plan / Resolutions / End Game?

My new daily – The Vagabond’s Way via Rolf Potts

Grow Daily Journal via Baronfig

My Principles Journal via Ray Dalio

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Good judgement comes from experience. Sometimes, experience comes from bad judgement.” – by Christian Slater

morning babble / Tuesday 12-27-22

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!

Definitely feeling “under the weather” for the final week of 2022. But you know – if I don’t have a fever, I push through. Tell it to go away. I ran.

5 days until EXIT PLAN

Wednesday – Journals

Thursday – Recap / Resolutions

Friday – New Music Friday / Favorite Music from the past year

PODCAST TUESDAY!

Today, I listened to The Dave Chang Show with Dave Chang – they had a two part show to wrap up the end of the year. Within this show, I learned that Noel – she’s a part of the show – had the best chocolate croissant from the Machine Shop – a bakery in Philly. She just went to France and feels that this croissant beat anything that she had there. On my list. Dave Chang’s resolution – more spooning with his wife.

Tim Ferriss has The Random Show, Mega-Holiday Edition with Kevin Rose

Peter Attia highlighted a show that he had with James Clear – click here for that show

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.” – by Seneca via Robert Greene’s The Daily Laws (12/20)

morning babble / Monday 12-26-22

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! It’s Taint Week, too. More importantly, it’s time to wake up and get back at it again. When I hear that song I played at the beginning – always gets me going – that’s AC/DC “Thunderstruck”. Had it briefly as my alarm.

Hoping Santa visited every one that he was supposed to & everyone got what they wanted

Charcuterie Board – like a Charcuterie in a box – visit Di Bruno Bros.

Ryan Holiday’s Discipline is Destiny

Got my journals too.

06 days until EXIT PLAN

GOAL SETTING MONDAY & REVIEW –

Week ahead –

BJJ – tough to set

Running goals?

Cooking / Grilling (Smoker?)

Writing

Exit plan

Sleep better

Less afternoon coffee

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – by Marcus Aurelius

morning babble / Friday 12-23-22

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 don’t think that song gets played enough around the holidays. Always makes me smile. Nat King Cole with “The Happiest Christmas Tree”

Click here for the Morning Babble Ho-Ho-Holiday Song Playlist

So close to the big one / Big guy coming down that chimney

Next week . . . New Year’s Resolutions / Reviews / Goals / What’s next for 2023?

Many thank-yous to everyone signing up for my newsletter – that makes me a Happy Brent. 1st one will be sent out next week.

09 days until EXIT PLAN

Live albums / Deluxe Albums / New Albums? Not so much

Son of a Nutcracker (Elf 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!

• The Philadelphia Eagles have a very good offensive line – that can sing. Well – at least 3/5 of the line – You’ve got Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson. They put together the album – A Philly Special Christmas. The proceeds from this record will benefit Children’s Crisis Treatment Center as well as other charities in Philadelphia. Weekly singles have been released since around Turkey Day, but today, the whole album is streaming. (play clip)

• Oliver Tree released one album back in 2020, then retired. Then, in 2021, he immediately came out of retirement. At the beginning of this year, we officially received his 2nd full album called Cowboy Tears. But today, we get the Deluxe version of that album and it’s called: Cowboy Tears Drown the World in a Swimming Pool of Sorrow. On Thursday night, a music video for “Suitcase Full of Cash” was released. (play clip) If that outfit comes in red, I know what I’m wearing for Christmas this weekend.

• Ava Max trying to help wrap up 2022 with a banger. If you don’t know Ava Max (play clip) that’s her. Today, we get another one to shake your booty to – it’s called “Dancing’s Done” (play clip) Little naughty – bring on 2023. In particular, January 27th – that’s when her entire album drops – called Diamonds and Dancefloors

• Weezer – this past Wednesday on the 1st day of Winter – released their final SZNZ’s album. Couple weeks ago, we one of the songs early – “I Want A Dog” but today, we get all 7. For each of the seasons, there were 7 new songs. The one they seem to be pushing right now is the song “Dark Enough to See the Stars.” Now, being the Winter album, a couple people I’ve talked to already about it were shocked that there weren’t any holiday songs on there. Well, they did come out with a holiday album back in 2008 called Christmas with Weezer

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.” by someone

morning babble / Thursday 12-22-22

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!

I ran again. I’m sorry to keep highlighting this again, but it feels so good knocking out a goal early in the day. I began this whole babble thing with my first quote of the day being from Tim Ferris “Win the Morning, Win the Day.”

10 days until EXIT PLAN

Click here for the Morning Babble Ho-Ho-Holiday Songs

Karmin “Sleigh Ride”

I’ve been flashing the reminder for a Charcuterie Board for Santa.

Padma and her suggestion of the Lasso board?

Padma Lakshmi (laak shmee) Lassi Board – click here for a recipe (Karen Kelly posted it on her website). For Padma’s Instagram . . . click here.

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.” – via Charlie Calvin from The Santa Clause

morning babble / Wednesday 12-21-22

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!

Whew – I didn’t want to run today. I didn’t. My monkey mind was at work trying to keep me in bed just a little longer. “Come on, Brent. You ran yesterday and the day before. You’ll run tomorrow. Just a little bit longer in bed.” But – I did it. I ran. I had my running clothes all laid out from the night before. That is so key.

AND – since I did run, I can now have Tastykakes for breakfast and enjoy a Dunkin treat in the afternoon. I think that’s how the formula works.

11 days until EXIT PLAN

Welcome to the Shortest Day of the Year – it’s Winter Solstice (sal-stuhs) 2022

Solstice (sal-stuhs) is via Latin word: solstitium (sal-sti-tium) means “sun standing still”

Little snippet of fun that you’ll get from my newsletter

“Ho Ho Ho” by Sia

Click here for the Morning Babble Ho-Ho-Holiday Songs

Welcome to AMA Wednesday –

Via someone – “Did you hear about the aquarium in Berlin?”

Leave out a charcuterie board for Santa!

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing.” – by Judy the Elf from The Santa Clause