Crazy Horse
6.5.2k6

Santa Monica is just north of our new place in Venice. Harry Shearer, the actor, comedian and satirist, has a radio show that broadcasts from KCRW Santa Monica and when signing on, Shearer says, "coming to you from Santa Monica ... HOME of the homeless." He is, of course, right. They are everwhere.
I got a problem with thomeless because they help make up the triumvirate that makes San Francisco so unpalatable to me: Cold; full of homeless; smells of pee. I got a problem with thomeless not because they're down-and-out, but because so very many of them choose to be that way and they won't accept help or kindness, but rather demand compliance with their orders of "gimme some money," "gimme a smoke" or my favorite, "why lie? I need a drink?"
So I'm walking down the street in Santa Monica and shuffling down the walk ahead of me are a couple homeless folks. These are the filthy dirty, "hippy-style" homeless, complete with sandaled, coal-black feet, flowing burlap clothing and dreadlocks. These dreads have clearly been in production since Altamont because they both needed laundry-bag-sized cargo nets to secure them.
As I said, I was walking and the two of them were shuffling, so within a few doors I came upon them. It was then, with a close-up view of the, ahem, hairnets, that I could not resist my true nature. I spoke to them.
"Wow, that's some kinda gear ya got there. You campin'? I seen sherpas less laden than you trekkers."
"What?" one of them asked.
"Yr backpacks," I said, motioning to their nets, "I ain't seen backpacks worn so high on the shoulders before. That comfortable?"
"They ain't backpacks, man, it's our hair."
"HAIR?"
"Yeah. It's our hair. It's our dreads."
"Wow. That's an awful lot of hair! Tell me, where'd you get them nets? Marine supply?"
"Fuck you, man, we made 'em."
"You did a nice job. I just worked on a pirate movie and the pirate ship had some real nice nets just like that in the rigging."
"Shut UP, man."
"Okey!" I said. And laughed.

Tonight - The Homestead.

Here's tonight's: Find the Reference!

bye-ee!

whrr ... clik!

441SW
6.4.2k6

Today is the longest day of the year and I'm gonna spend all of it staring at my new hummingbird feeder and waiting for the first customer so that I can jump and yelp for joy.

At the time of posting there hasn't been a single hummer. Bummer. Good thing it's a loooooong day.

Tonight - The Orbit Room.

Here's tonight's: Find the Reference!

There are five Thursdays this month! You get another chance to TNSC in June!

bye-ee!

whrr ... clik!

Continental
(Alternate title: Happy Birthday Alan)
6.2.2k6

Back in '93 I got me a job on East Erie street in Chicago:


I lived a few miles north on N. Clark Street:



It didn't take me long to realize that riding my bike to and from work would rule for several reasons: It don't cost nothin'; It's good exercise; It's fun.

I developed a route I called "The Town and Country," named so because I'd go through the park along the lakefront and then cut through a smallish north-south street that ran parallel to the v. busy Michigan Ave. I stayed away from traffic as much as possible and because it was flat I didn't have much work to do so I would basically "enjoy the ride."

I left Chicago in 1996 and continued riding to work in SF. This time it was all street and half of that was up- or downhill depending on whether I was going to work or coming home. It was downhill to work and that meant rocketing down the Hyde street hill. I had learned the timing of the lights and could often make it all the way down and across Market St. without stopping. I went as fast or faster than cars and learned quickly that I had to be really careful or I'd get splattered. While this was enjoyable, it wasn't the same. Oh and in SF, it was always a cool or cold ride. Even uphill.

All of this leads to my new ride-to-work experience here in LA. I live a couple miles south of the studio and have developed a route along Santa Monica's side streets and beach. It's flat and quiet and again I have nothing to do but pedal and enjoy the ride. I had a thrilling sense of deja vu riding to work in the morning in a warm climate. It was like Chicago. I put the slick tires I've held onto for years on my auxillary bike (not expendible but not expensive) that I've held onto for years and it happens to be the CroMoly Gary Fisher I rode in Chicago. Same terrain. Same bike. Same weather. You should try it.

Tonight - Sneaky Tiki.

Here's tonight's: Find the Reference!

Rush to the tiki bar tonight and buy LinkeyLoo Coordinator Alan J. Chimenti a bev and wish him a Happy 25th Birthday again.

bye-ee!

whrr ... clik!

Verizon sucks
6.2.2k6

Since I've moved to SoCal I've mostly been on vacation, but last week I hauled out the "get-a-job" duds. I went around to various places, saw industry folks I've known for years and met industry folks for the first time. My somewhat standard "informal" greeting to, say, the Inferno jockey I've just been introduced to is, "Hi, dude." I don't know why, but I've found that many people can't process HI DUDE and instead hear HOW'RE YOU DOIN' and respond with, "just fine."

INT DARKENED EDIT BAY. DAY.
Kenny: This is Paul. He's one of our Inferno artists.
Josh: Hi, dude.
Paul: I'm great. Nice to meet you.

What the fuck? Really. Say it aloud. Does, "hi, dude" sound like "how're you doin'?" And IF one was to mistake one for the other, one would likely think they just heard, "how do," rather than the extra syllables. Which is what most folks seemingly do.

It all means that because of fucking stupid, deaf people, I've gotta get a new standard "informal" greeting. Dang.

Tonight - Elixir.
Come support 148 years of drinking on the corner of 16th and Guerrero!!!

Here's tonight's: Find the Reference!

--See you there. I know I'll be!!!

bye-ee!

whrr ... clik!

"May is National Tavern Month" (Hijack #2)
6.1.2k6

That’s what it says on a red necktie from the 50’s that I have (Linkey-Loo Robot here...taking the contols today.)

That and “Support Your Local Tavern” (which I did, by the way, with vigor.)

But what about June? I’m going to proclaim it “Buckeye Bassists Month”. Why? You ask. Because we have a very special guest joining us tonight. Jim Reynolds, bassist/keyboardist for Cincinnati’s “Indie/Electro” faves Chalk will be in attendance. Jim likes Jagermeister and Heineken...with a good measure of Whiskey thrown in. Come on out and make him welcome.

And continuing on the “Buckeye Bassist” tradition, I have a special opportunity to get together tomorrow night with bassist/keyboardist/DEVO founding member (and Akron native) Gerald V. Casale for a private gathering.

Meanwhile, sort yrselves out here ...Tonight - Lucky 13.

Now I need to figure out what to do the rest of the month. Does TNSC member Andy White play bass?!?

Oh...and remember to check the "Linkey-Loo" and submit your character!!


bye-ee!

whrr ... clik!