A Movie, Meal and the Civil War As Well as Wings and a Concert

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

Bob Stroud played Ten at Ten from that great college year for me, 1972, including "Ventura Highway" by America and "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards.  Took me back.  

Drove to Woodstock and saw the movie "Minions:  the Rise of Gru."  Gotta love those little yellow guys.  Then met some Civil War buffs at 3 Brothers restaurant in Il. Highway 47 and then to The Woodstock Library for a presentation on the USS Merrimac(k)/ CSS Virginia.  I especially like presentations on anything Civil War Navy.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had those great 50 cent wings and a good talk wih a Sox fan where we figured out that the Sox really have stunk up the place this season.  Drove to Wisconsin and got gas just over the border for $3.87 ($3.86.9) which is 45 cents cheaper than in Illinois.  A whole lot of Illinois folks near the border do this these days.

Then went to Antioch's It's Thursday concert featuring a good party band, 28 Days.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How can a SLIM CHANCE and a FAT CHANCE  be the same, while a WISE GUY and a WISE MAN aren't.

Just Like Old Times Around Here-- Part 2: A Great Time at the Pistakee Lakehouse

THURSDAY, JUNE 24

This ended up as one of those decision days (well, not really).  I had planned on going to Antioch, Illinois,  for their It's Thursday concert out at the bandshell.  They always have great bands, plus food tents and lots of drinks.  The local restaurants all have stuff as well.  We especially like going to the Lodge, which is adjacent to the bandshell.

However, Liz informed me that the Pistakee Lakehouse, on Pistakee Lake, had a special guest performing with the New Odyssey Guy, Gary, and that was his former bandmate for 30+ years, Mike.  Mike went to elementary school with Liz in Chicago and was her boyfriend for part of that time.  Well, I didn't have much of a choice now, did I?

So, we went to the Lakehouse and got seat right next to the stage at the tiki bar and enjoyed a really good show.  Mike had retired when the band (New Odyssey) decided to call it quits a couple years ago and this was his first time back performing.  I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him.

--RoadDog

Looking For Woodstock, or, Dumb Ol' Me

As for me, I didn't know anything about Woodstock until it was going on, and I heard a report on WLS.  I, of course, was a huge music fan and especially of my absolute favorite group back then, Creedence Clearwater Revivial.  And, they were headliners.

I hadn't heard where it was (and certainly not it being in New York) and figured since it was at Woodstock, it must be Woodstock, Illinois.  This place was only about 25 miles away from Palatine so I figured why not go see CCR.

I actually drove to that town and....  Well, you can guess what happened.

A senior moment as a junior.

No Woodstock Music Festival for Me!!!  --RoadDumb

STATE OF THE JOKE  (from the Wassup magazine):   An Alaskan was on trial in Anchorage.  The prosecutor leaned menacingly toward him and asked, "Where were you on the night of October to April?"

50th Anniversary of Woodstock-- Part 1: Country Joe and Vietnam

August 15-18, 1969.

I am commemorating it right now by listening to the "Woodstock Soundtrack" on You Tube, that fantastic source of music that I use so much.  Last night, I was listening to and watching music and videos of performances from it on You Tube as well.

I also listened to part of the "East Rider" soundtrack once I learned of Peter Fonda's death.  That was a great road trip/music movie as well.

Last night, we met Kevin and Kelly at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and while watching a pitiful Bears exhibition (well, preseason) game (why do they even have those?) and the Cubs blow a perfectly-won game in the bottom of the ninth for the second time in a row (at least it wasn't a walk-off grand slam like last night), we got to reminiscing about Woodstock.  None of us were there, but it had impact.

We played songs on the jukebox, including "Living Next Door to Alice" by Smokie, only we have our own words to it.  Then, it was Country Joe & the Fish's Vietnam War ode "Fixin'-To-Die Rag" the Woodstock "Give me a __" version which we sang loudly and lustily.  Many of the other younger folks in the place had never heard it before.  They must be educated.

Took Us Right Back.  --RoadStock

Just Got Back From the Indy 500-- Part 2: May 24, 2019: Carb Day

My 68th birthday.  A party just for me.

Piece of birthday cake from Sue, Paul and John and a card.

This was Carb Day, which we have just recently started going to because all of us are now retired.  Carb Day, even though Indy Cars no longer have carburetors, is the last time racers get to have their cars on the track before the big race on Sunday.  This is always on a Friday.

Carb Day costs $30, $25 if tickets purchased earlier, and includes the last practice, a 100-mile race, pit crew competition and a concert.

We like to sit in different places for the practice and race to get a different perspective.  We sat across from the famed Pagoda, right near the Yard of Bricks.

The Freedom 100 Race pits the Indy Light cars, which are a little smaller than the Indy cars and driven by racers wanting to become Indy Car racers.  They drive 40 laps around the track for the 100 miles (the track is 2 1/2 miles around).  This was a good race.

We go back to the RV for a bit as the pit crew competition is a bit boring.  Then we walk back across the street  to the racetrack for the concert.  This year we saw Kool & the Gang and Foreigner.  Last year it was Blues Traveler and Train.  The year before was Barenaked Ladies and Steve Miller Band and before that, Journey.

Back to the RV for cocktails and eating, then to the Legion for a band and more beer.

Great 68th.  --RoadOld

A PLETHORA OF TIDBITS:  TWEETY BIRD, the animated Looney Tunes character, was originally pink.  Bur censors complained that Tweety looked naked, so animators gave the bird yellow feathers.

Heading Out for Indianapolis for This Little Ol' Race This Weekend

In just a little while, I'll be heading over to Long Lake, Illinois, to meet Sue and Paul and leave in their RV for another trip to Indianapolis to see this little old race.

This is now probably my seventh or eighth time there and I am becoming a bit of a fan, though I never thought I'd be.  I'm not a racing car fan.

Thursday, we park the RV at the American Legion Post 500 in Speedway, Indiana, which is located right across the street from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  You can't get any closer than that.

Thursday, we walk over to Speedway's Main Street and party there.  Friday we go to Carb Day which will have the racers doing last laps before Sunday, then there is a 100 mile race by the Indy Lights cars, which are racers trying to make the 33-car field on Sunday.  Then there is a concert, this year featuring Foreigner and Kool & the Gang.

--RoadDog

A Trip Back Kind of Weekend-- Part 1: Boating, Dog 'B Suds and Concert in the Park

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Took the boat out for a slow cruise around Mineola Bay in Fox Lake, then the west shore of Fox lake,through Kamikaze Alley and along the south shore of Nippersink Lake to Beer Can Bridge and then back.

Drove over to Dog 'N Suds in Ingleside and had those great Charcoburgers (2 for $3 and washed it down with a frosted glass mug of their great root beer and bought a couple Charcoburgers home to Liz.  Dog 'N Suds still has curb service, a real trip back.

We then drove into McHenry and went to the PLAV for a couple cocktails before walking over to Veterans Park to see the band Miles Over Mountains (bluegrass/folk music).  A really fine band to end the Concerts in the Park summer season.

Then back to the PLAV for a drink and then over to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg for the Bears-Packers party (Thursday Night Football).  The place was packed and the Bears were very very sad, and completely outclassed.  We came home.

--Roaddog

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 10: Leaving the Beach and Beach Music

JULY 28, THURSDAY

Read the paper and had breakfast on the front porch and took a walk on the beach.

July 28th, Thursday.

The appraiser came over and looked at the condo and took a lot of pictures.  Before and after he came I worked on Mom's memoirs, making corrections.

Closed the place up (and only left my I-Pad charger and wash cloth and bath towel).  I went to the Topsail Beach Town Hall and had the water/garbage bill transferred to my name and then closed out the cable, telephone and wi-fi at Holly Ridge.

Stopped at Paul's Famous Hot Dogs (a family tradition) in Rocky Point, N.C..  Drove back to Goldsboro.

later that night, my brother Bob and I went to the Center Street Jam downtown and saw one of the hottest beach bands around these days, Jim Quick and Coastline, and ate at Torino's Mexican Restaurant.  One mighty good steak nachos.

--RoadDog

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's-- Part 4: Belly Up in the Bay

As one critic says, the instrument that Pat Dailey plays the best is the crowd.  We've never been anywhere Pat was playing that he didn't get the crowd involved.  Many are yelling at him or singing along.  You can start singing along even if you're hearing him for the first time.

Travelin' Guitar Man

Sing Me Away--

A Doobie and a Brew and Some Poontang Too

Raw Bars--  Which he dedicated to Skeeters.  Pat's beloved dive bars.  And Skeeter's definitely fits the definition.

What the Hell You Got Against Fish?--  Where's the thrill of ramming your hook into a salmon?

Great Lakes Song--  Many teachers use this song to teach their students the Great Lakes.  I used it as part of my Great Lakes geography unit.

You're There--  a love song.

Here in the North--

Legend of the Lake

Belly Up in the Bay--  About a big ol' carp who died, but lived a long life because he never got hooked by fish, fowl or man.  This one can go several ways.

He probably would have played longer, but the cold drizzle was starting to increase and everyone was outside.

--RoadDog

COUNTER PROVERBS:  Look before you leap.  -or-  He who hesitates is lost.

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's-- Part 3: Resident Rapper of a Summer Resort

Continued from October 7th.  These were the songs Pat Dailey played at Skeeter's Saloon in Carpentersville, Illinois, on October 3rd.

The Great Dog Convention--  (The real reason dogs always sniff each other's behinds.)

Rich Dumb Young Nymphomaniac  (Is there such a thing a the perfect woman?)

Slap My Ass  (And send me down the road.)

I Might Be Your Daddy  (Only you and your mom know for sure.)

Ugly Face  (You can jazzercize, exercise, but you can't do anything about that ugly face.)

How Big Is It?  (And the problems that accompany it.)

Resident Rapper  (Who says Pat can't rap?)

A Good Time Being Had By All.  More to Come.  --RoadDog

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's October 3, 2015-- Part 2: The Songs

Pat Dailey was supposed to start at 4, but didn't take the stage until 4:51

As usual, he would say all sorts of preposterous things evoking choruses of "B-S, B-S, B-S."  And, he pretty much had a story to go with every song.  Pat performs alone. But his six-string covers the whole band sound.  Like one reviewer of a Pat Dailey show said that the instrument Pat plays best is the crowd.  It is constant interaction.

His set list:

It's Gonna Be Alright  (This is his usual first song.)

Out Drinking With Me  (Imagine going out drinking with Pat.  You could get in trouble.)

My Father's Last Words  (Never turn down a chance to get laid.)

I Got to be Drunk to Do That  (Written by Pat Dailey and Shel Silverstein)  (Some things he just won't do.)

You Don't Have to Be Drunk to be an A-Hole  (Written by Pat Dailey & Shel Silverstein)  (And, Pat sure proves it.)

Body Parts  (Beer bellies, broad butts and hearts.)

We'll All be Together  (One that I'd never heard.  He said that Waylon Jennings sang with him on it.)

More to Come.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  90% of the game (baseball) is half mental.

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's in Carpentersville, Illinois, October 3, 2015-- Part 1

We drove the miles to Carpentersville, hitting most every one of the many, many stoplights along Illinois Highway 31 and 22 on red, so it took considerably longer to get there than we had planned.  But, fortunately, we had left in plenty of time, expecting a huge crowd there, especially since we knew parking would be very limited.

Plenty of parking when we arrived, an hour before Pat Dailey was to start at 4 p.m..  Tickets cost $10 each with part of the proceeds going to breast cancer research.  This was not a nice day to have an outside concert.  Overcast, threatening rain and a bit cool.  We waited in the adjacent Tiki Bar for the start of the concert.

Skeeter's Saloon used to be a house and a bar was built in the garage, so it is very small.  It is primarily a biker bar.

I was impressed with the juke box in the Tiki Bar as it was one that played CDs, something you don't much see anymore.  Even better was 2 plays for $1 or 5 for $2. The new ones you see these days have a much larger selection, but most songs are $1 for one except a small number of 2 for $1 ones.

Another guy in there was playing lots of John Denver and Beach Boys.  I had him put on the "Rodeo Song" and the "I-95 Song" which got a lot of others to singing.  And, of course, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name."

--RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  Half the lies they tell you about me aren't true.

What's So Great About the Grateful Dead?

Much is being made about the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" concert to be held this summer in Chicago.  the tickets are all sold out and people are looking for them.  Radio stations are giving some away.  I had two friends that got into the lottery but were unsuccessful.

I, for one, would never waste my money on one of their concerts.  I did once back in the late '70s at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin.  Worst concert I've ever seen.  It lasted way too long and I think they maybe played three or four songs in 3-4 hours.

I should mention here that I am not a fan of jamming at all.  One or two songs I can perhaps put up with, but definitely not this.  I did, however, find enjoyment in watching the others who were obviously in their own little worlds.  One whole hillside seemed to be moving to the jamming.

And, I have lots of Grateful Dead studio albums and enjoy their songs.  Great stuff, but that jamming just doesn't make it for me.  I realize that puts me in the minority, but I wouldn't go to this concert, especially without Garcia, with all the jamming I'm sure they'll do.

Even If I Received Free Tickets.  Like I Said, I Don't Like Jamming.    --RoadDog


SOME CRAZY SAYINGS:  Every calendar's days are numbered.

Funny and Interesting Lollapalooza Names-- Part 2: Catfish and the Bottlemen

AUGUST 1, 2015

Tame Impala
Kid Cudi
Brand New Carnage
Walk the Moon
Tyler the Creator

The Tallest Man on Earth
Death From Above 1979
Django Django
Boys Noize
Caked Up

Hermitude
Catfish and the Bottlemen
Hippo Campus

Day Three on Monday.

Still Not Going.  --RoadDog

Paul McCartney's Set List Chicago July 9, 2014-- Part 1

From the July 11, 2014, Chicago Tribune "Paul McCartney gets it done, no asterisk required" by Mark Caro.

Even quite a few years past his "Sixty-Four" song, Paul McCartney at age 72, can still rock with the best of them and in a nearly three hour show.

Here are the songs he played at Chicago's United Center this past summer.  An asterisk means I am not familiar with the song.

1.  Eight Days a Week
2.  Save Us*
3.  All My Loving
4.  Listen to What the Man Said
5.  Let Me Roll It

6.  Paperback Rider
7.  My Valentine
8.  Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five
9.  The Long and Winding Road
10.  Maybe I'm Amazed

11.  I've Just Seen a Face
12.  We Can Work It Out
13.  Another Day
14.  And I Love Her
15.  Blackbird

16.  Here Today*
17.  New
18.  Queenie Eye
19.  Lady Madonna

"Guess You Know It's True."  --RoadDog

SAY WHAT?  "Take to the Woodshed"--  Traditional site for whuppings.

Inside Scoop On Brother Jimmy (Buffett)

From the Dec. 27, 2012, Y! Music  "Jimmy Buffett Worth $400 Million."

I wonder how much of that he has gotten from me as I sit here with just about every album and CD he's ever put out.

He was born Christmas Day, 65 years ago "The Christmas War Baby Turned Island Boy On the Day W.C. Fields Died.

As far as earnings, he is behind Paul McCartney and Bono, but ahead of Elton John and Mick jagger.He has had no songs in Billboard's Top Pop 40 since 1979 (and didn't have a whole lot before that) although he did have a #1 Country Song with "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" nine years ago.

Owns the Margaritaville chain of restaurants, retail stores, hotels and nigh clubs.  His Margaritaville in the Flamingo in Las Vegas is "the top grossing restaurant in the nation" making some $43 million  a year.

Of course, his concerts are legend with his rabid partying Parrot Heads, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

Wastin' Away Again...Somewhere.  --RoadDog

Ex-Beatle Still Rockin' 'Em-- Part 5

Finishing up that really long concert that I Shoulda Gone To:

28. LET IT BE-- The website Setlist.fm has this the song McCartney has played the second-most in concerts so far, with 473 times. First is the song after the next one. (And, a song I REALLY got sick of back when it came out. That song was on pretty well non-stop.)
#29. LIVE AND LET DIE-- (A song that always reminds me of driving the hotel van from the Sheraton Inn-Walden in Schaumburg, Illinois, back and forth between the hotel and O'Hare, my job when I first got out of college.)
#30. HEY JUDE-- (And, you know it was audience participation. Even I know the words to the refrain, or is it the chorus or chant. And a song I sure was sick of back in the day, but it's ok now.)

FIRST ENCORE:

#31. DAY TRIPPER,
#32. HI, HI, HI
#33. GET BACK

SECOND ENCORE:

#34. YESTERDAY
#35. HELTER SKELTER
#36. GOLDEN SLUMBERS/CARRY THAT WEIGHT/THE END-- (Can't help but think of New Odyssey band when I hear this song now which is a good, great, last song.)

Seventy-one and still tickin'.

I Still Liked George Better. --RoadDog

Ex-Beatle Still Rockin' 'Em-- Part 4

WXRT is playing the new Paul McCartney song "Queenie, I" right now at 7:10 AM, from his upcoming album. A good one. WXRT has been playing his new song "New" a lot. I may even have to go out and buy this new album. I haven't bought any of his new stiff since he was with Wings, other than greatest hits collections. His new album, titles "New" comes out this Tuesday.

These are the songs he played at the July concert in Milwaukee:

#20. LOVELY RITA-- First time he's sung it live
#21. MRS. VANDERBILT-- (I'm not familiar with this one.)
#22. ELEANOR RIGBY

#23. BEING FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. KITE-- The last and most intriguing of the new songs. John Lennon's psychedelic work. All five of the "new" Beatles songs fall into the "fun category."
#24. SOMETHING
#25. OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA

#26. BAND ON THE RUN
#27. BACK IN THE U.S.S.R.-- On jumbotron behind him, the words "Free Pussy Riot" appears in support of the punk rockers imprisoned in Russia.

Shoulda Gone to the Show. --RoadDog

Ex-Beatle Still Rocking 'Em: Paul McCartney-- Part 3

And, McCartney was 71. By the way, today is John Lennon's birthday. Born October 9, 1940, during the Battle of Britain, he would have been 73 today.

Continuing with McCartney's July 15th concert at Milwaukee's Miller Park:

#14. AND I LOVE HER
#15. BLACKBIRD
#16 HERE TODAY

#17. YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW-- The Beatles needed a song for the "Our World" live international TV special back in the 1960s. Paul came up with this song. John came up with "All You Need Is Love." Guess who won out? However, this one did make it on "Magical Mystery Tour.

#18. LADY MADONNA (What, no Ringo?),
#19. ALL TOGETHER NOW-- Played it acoustically and said "That was one of the more intellectually challenging ones." From Yellow Submarine. (And, one of my favorites. Rats, got it in my head now.)

WHEN I'M 64....Oops, 71.

Intellectually Challenged. --RoadDog

Ex-Beatle Still Rockin' Them: Paul McCartney-- Part 1

From the July 21, 2013, Chicago Tribune "Deconstructing Paul" by Mark Caro.

Mark Caro obviously knows his Beatles. He went to Paul McCartney's concert in Milwaukee and said he got to enjoy a marathon show from the 71-year-old Sir Paul. He kept a list of the songs and made comments. Of interest, McCartney played five songs which neither he or the Beatles have ever performed live.

My comments in parentheses.

1. EIGHT DAYS A WEEK-- Opener and never sung live before
2. JUNIOR'S FARM 3. ALL MY LOVING-- His voice still great, especially the falsettos. (I had heard him a few years back and his voice wasn't good.)
4. LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID-- New-Orleans flavored. (I'd never thought of it as New Orleans before so will have to give it a listen.)

5. LET ME ROLL IT (with a Jimi Hendrix ""Foxy Lady" instrumental coda) "Band on the Run" track and McCartney concert staple keeps getting harder and heavier. (Perhaps Paul should have gotten that first Grammy for Heavy Metal.)

6. PAPERBACK WRITER.

I Really Should Get Out to One of His Shows One of These Days. --RoadDog